In a recent episode of MBC's program 'Questions from Son Seok-hee,' renowned filmmaker Bong Joon-ho opened up about his feelings of guilt regarding the late actor Lee Sun-kyun. During the broadcast on February 18, host Son Seok-hee asked Bong about his thoughts on the tragic passing of Lee Sun-kyun, who had starred in Bong's acclaimed film 'Parasite' (기생충). Bong reflected on the statement he released following Lee's death, stating, "As a colleague who worked closely with him, it was only right to address the situation. However, I also felt a sense of regret and embarrassment for not doing so sooner." He further expressed, "Before such an unfortunate event occurred, I couldn't help but wonder why I didn't act more quickly, which has left me with feelings of self-blame." This episode marks the fourth installment of 'Questions from Son Seok-hee,' which has shifted its focus from political issues to more personal discussions this season.

Bong Joon-ho Expresses Regret Over Late Response to Lee Sun-kyun's Passing

A stepmother has been arrested after allegedly causing the death of her 16-year-old stepson through physical abuse. The Jeonbuk Provincial Police announced on February 19 that they have detained a woman in her 30s, identified as A, under the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes for child abuse resulting in death. According to police reports, A took her stepson, B, to a hospital in Iksan, Jeonbuk, on January 31, claiming he was in poor condition. Unfortunately, B later died during treatment. Medical staff discovered signs of abuse on B's body and reported it to the authorities. After being initially released due to a rejected arrest warrant, A was able to evade detention a second time due to clerical errors by the prosecution and police. However, a third warrant was issued, leading to her current detention. During police questioning, A reportedly admitted to hitting her stepson but claimed she did not intend to cause his death. A police spokesperson stated, 'The evidence of criminal charges has been established, leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant. We will promptly investigate any additional offenses by A before forwarding the case.'

의붓아들 때려 숨지게 한 계부··· 영장청구 세 차례 만에 구속

Stepmother Arrested After Fatal Assault on Stepson

Yoo Ah-in (유아인), who was previously sentenced to a suspended prison term in an appeals court for habitual drug use, is now taking his case to the Supreme Court. On February 20, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office filed an appeal against the appellate court's decision that granted Yoo a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a fine of 2 million won. This ruling was made by the 5th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court on February 18, which found Yoo guilty of violating the Narcotics Control Act, smoking marijuana, and attempting to destroy evidence. The court noted that Yoo had suffered from long-term health issues and depression, which contributed to his actions. They acknowledged that he has made significant progress in overcoming his drug dependency and expressed a commitment to avoid reoffending. The court also considered his five months of detention and lack of prior offenses, stating that the original sentence was excessively harsh. Following this decision, Yoo was released from the Seoul Detention Center after five months in custody. Yoo Ah-in was charged last October for repeatedly using medical propofol under the guise of cosmetic procedures at hospitals in Seoul from September 2020 to March 2022, totaling 181 instances. In his final statement during the second trial in December, he expressed deep regret for disappointing his colleagues and supporters, acknowledging the pain he caused. He stated, 'I still struggle with shame and guilt, but I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect and will do my utmost to correct my mistakes. I ask for a chance to demonstrate my commitment to learning and living a new life.'

‘상습 마약 투약’ 유아인, 대법원 간다… 검찰, 항소심 집행유예에 상고

Yoo Ah-in's Drug Case Heads to Supreme Court After Suspended Sentence

On February 19, Channel A's variety show 'Recent Men's Life: Groom Class' (요즘 남자 라이프 신랑수업) showcased the start of Kim Jong-min's wedding preparations. With just three months to go until the big day, Kim visited a skincare clinic to begin his grooming regimen. 

He explained, "With the wedding approaching, it's not just the bride who needs to be taken care of; the groom also needs attention, so I'm here for some facial treatments to look my best." During his consultation, Kim expressed his concerns, saying, "My face is my biggest worry, and I've developed a 'text neck' from using my phone too much. I feel like my face has gotten bigger over the years, and since my bride is much younger, I'm worried I might look older than her."

In response, the skincare specialist assured him, "We'll tailor the treatments to help you look younger," and demonstrated a foot massage technique that helped reduce his facial swelling. 

Later, Kim and his friend Baekga visited a jewelry store, where they were shocked to discover that a 3-carat diamond could cost up to 70 million won. They learned that a 2-carat diamond was priced around 30 million won, while a 0.3-carat diamond was about 3 million won. 

When Baekga asked about Kim's budget, Kim replied, "Since this is my only wedding, I want it to be extravagant and beautiful, so I want the best I can get." He admitted, "I didn't expect the prices to be this high; I was thinking of something under 10 million won, but it turns out that's not realistic at all," he sighed heavily. 

Finally, Kim consulted with a financial expert about living expenses. The expert emphasized the importance of considering the educational and surrounding environment, which left Kim looking stunned. He reflected, "I was shocked. I only thought about where property values would rise, but I realized that the home I actually live in is what truly matters."

김종민, ♥11살 연하와 결혼 준비 완료 "신혼집→프로포즈링 준비"('신랑수업')[순간포착]

Kim Jong-min Begins Wedding Preparations on 'Recent Men's Life: Groom Class'

On February 19, BLACKPINK's Jisoo appeared as a guest on KBS Cool FM's 'Park Myung-soo's Radio Show' to discuss her new song and the accompanying challenge. Jisoo shared her struggles with asking others to participate in the challenge, saying, "I couldn't bring myself to ask anyone. I went to record for Inkigayo after five years, and there were so many artists there. I thought about asking someone, but I just couldn't do it, so I filmed it with Rosé instead. I only asked my close friends to join me for a few seconds of the challenge." 

During the show, Park Myung-soo, who had previously filmed the challenge with Jisoo, jokingly asked, "If I'm your close friend, can I call you while filming a variety show?" to which Jisoo replied, "You can do that," eliciting laughter from the audience. 

Jisoo also commented on Park Myung-soo's remark that the challenge choreography is easy to follow, explaining, "We made it simple on purpose so that it would be easy to replicate. But now, no one is doing it." 

Curious about who she would like to see participate in the challenge, Park Myung-soo asked Jisoo, who expressed her desire to film with the other members of BLACKPINK, saying, "I did it with Rosé, but I want to do it with the other members who are abroad as well. I really want to do it with them. Last time, Pengsoo participated, and I hope he will join again this time because many people mentioned they saw that."

블핑 지수 "신곡 챌린지, 해줄 사람 없어..부탁 못 하겠다" 토로 (라디오쇼)

BLACKPINK's Jisoo Opens Up About Challenge Hesitations on Radio Show

On February 19, a press screening for the film 'The Girl We Loved Back Then' took place at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul, featuring lead actors Jin Young and Dahyun, along with director Jo Young Myung. The film, which is a remake of the Taiwanese movie of the same name, tells the story of Jin Woo (played by Jin Young) and his first love, Sun Ah (played by Dahyun), as he navigates the challenges of confessing his feelings over many days. 

Dahyun, who is making her acting debut after nine years since her debut with the girl group TWICE, expressed her excitement, stating, "This is my first debut project, and I am both excited and nervous. I can't wait to see how audiences will react when the film releases on the 21st." She added, "I've had a dream of becoming an actress for a long time, but I wasn't sure how to start. Fortunately, opportunities began to arise last year, and I am incredibly grateful to have begun this journey. I feel a mix of nerves and excitement right now." 

She also acknowledged the support she received from her senior, Jin Young, saying, "Since this was my first experience on a film set, everything from script readings to test shoots was new to me. Jin Young was very helpful, explaining things to me, and I am so thankful for that. Looking back on the two months of filming, having Jin Young as my co-star made it easier to complete the project. He was a great support, and I relied on him a lot." 

'The Girl We Loved Back Then' is set to hit theaters on February 21.

트와이스 다현, 데뷔 10년만 첫 스크린 주연 "배우 꿈 오래 됐다"(그 시절)

Dahyun Shares Excitement for Her Film Debut in 'The Girl We Loved Back Then'

As SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) marks its 10th anniversary, the group is set to engage with fans worldwide through a series of exciting activities. The new special unit, HoshiXWoozi, will release their debut single 'BEAM' on March 10. The title 'BEAM' symbolizes the light emitted by Hoshi and Woozi, showcasing their originality and self-love developed through challenges since their trainee days. As leaders of the performance and vocal teams, both born in 1996, they are expected to shine as representatives of the '96 line.

In addition to their unit activities, SEVENTEEN will host a large-scale fan meeting titled 'SVT 9TH FAN MEETING 'SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND'' at Incheon Munhak Stadium on March 20-21, a rare stadium-sized event for a fan meeting. They will also return to Japan for fan meetings after two years, scheduled for April 24 and 26-27 at Kyocera Dome Osaka, and May 10-11 at Saitama Super Arena, under the title 'SEVENTEEN 2025 JAPAN FAN MEETING ‘HOLIDAY’.

On April 4, SEVENTEEN will head to Mexico to perform as the headliner on the first day of the Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025 festival, the largest music festival in Latin America, often referred to as 'Mexico's Coachella.' This marks the first time a K-pop artist will perform at this festival. Last year, SEVENTEEN made history as the first K-pop group to perform on the main stage at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival and headlined the main stage at Lollapalooza Berlin in Germany.

The year began with the return of the special unit BSS (부석순), consisting of Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi, who released their second single 'TELEPARTY' on January 8, delivering the message that 'if you are happy in this moment, everyone is young.' The title track 'Jeans' quickly topped real-time and daily charts on domestic music sites, and the album sold nearly 530,000 copies within a week of its release, showcasing the strength of the 'K-pop super unit' BSS.

The 'SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR,' which began in October last year, concluded its Asian leg in January and February, with performances in major stadiums in Bulacan, Singapore, Jakarta, and Bangkok. The tour received rave reviews from local media, highlighting SEVENTEEN's powerful presence and perfect performances, and attracted approximately 1,037,000 fans both online and offline.

A representative from Pledis Entertainment stated, 'As SEVENTEEN celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are preparing various activities to create meaningful memories with our fans. We hope everyone looks forward to this being 'SEVENTEEN's year.'

SEVENTEEN Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Special Unit and Global Fan Meetings

The K-pop group LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌), consisting of members Kim Chae-won (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yoon-jin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eun-chae (홍은채), is set to release their fifth mini album titled 'HOT' on March 14 at 1 PM. This album will serve as the final installment in their trilogy, following the releases of their third mini album 'EASY' in February and their fourth mini album 'CRAZY' in August of last year.

Since their debut with 'FEARLESS', LE SSERAFIM has consistently infused their music with genuine thoughts and emotions, resonating with listeners. 'EASY' explored themes of inner struggles and anxieties, while 'CRAZY' encouraged embracing chaos rather than succumbing to fear. With 'HOT', the group aims to showcase a passionate attitude towards love, further illustrating their journey of inner strength throughout this trilogy.

The 'EASY', 'CRAZY', and 'HOT' trilogy has been in the works since 2023. During their performance at the 2023 MAMA Awards, they captivated audiences with the theme 'REVOLUTION ON THE STREET', where the phrases 'EASY', 'CRAZY', and 'HOT' were sequentially displayed on LED screens. Additionally, the track 'Good Bones' from their third mini album features the lyrics, "EASY, CRAZY, HOT I can make it," while the music video for 'Smart' also hints at the next album's title, 'CRAZY'. This has provided fans with numerous clues about the trilogy over the past year.

LE SSERAFIM will unveil the album trailer for 'HOT' on the 21st. Known for their stylish and impressive trailers, anticipation is high among K-pop fans for this upcoming release.

LE SSERAFIM to Conclude Trilogy with New Album 'HOT'

K-pop sensation BLACKPINK has unveiled the first phase of their highly anticipated 2025 world tour, which will feature stadium performances across various countries. YG Entertainment announced the tour on their official blog on February 20, revealing a poster that outlines the tour schedule, which includes stops in South Korea, North America, Europe, and Japan.

The tour kicks off with performances at the Goyang Sports Complex in South Korea on July 5 and 6, before heading to major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, London, and Tokyo. 

While the full details are yet to be revealed, all confirmed venues are large stadiums capable of accommodating tens of thousands of fans. Notably, BLACKPINK will be the first K-pop girl group to perform at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London, often referred to as the 'dream stage' for pop artists. Additionally, their solo concert at Goyang Sports Complex marks a first for K-pop girl groups.

BLACKPINK will share the stage with other global music icons, performing at renowned venues like SoFi Stadium in LA, Soldier Field in Chicago, Rogers Centre in Toronto, City Field in New York, Stade de France in Paris, Ippodromo Snai La Maura in Milan, Estadi Olímpic in Barcelona, and Tokyo Dome, further solidifying their status as a top-tier global group.

YG Entertainment stated, "We are preparing for a tour of unprecedented scale and quality, comparable to the historic [BORN PINK] tour that wrote a new chapter in K-pop history. We ask for your continued interest in the additional locations and dates that will be announced soon."

The teaser released alongside the announcement highlights moments from the previous 'BORN PINK' tour, which set a record for K-pop girl group world tours with over 1.8 million attendees. The explosive stage presence of BLACKPINK and the enthusiasm of fans worldwide are sure to elevate anticipation for the upcoming tour, with the phrase 'AND MORE' prominently displayed in the video, hinting at more surprises to come.

BLACKPINK Announces Massive 2025 World Tour with Stadium Performances

K-pop group ONF has made a remarkable comeback, soaring to the top of both domestic and international music charts. On February 18, they released their second full-length album, Part.1 'ONF: MY IDENTITY', with the title track 'The Stranger' hitting number one on the Bugs real-time chart on the day of its release. The album's entire tracklist has also charted, showcasing the group's impressive popularity.

Internationally, 'ONF: MY IDENTITY' has made significant strides, reaching the number one spot on Japan's iTunes 'Top Albums' chart and landing in the top 10 of the same chart in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Additionally, the album secured the 16th position on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, highlighting ONF's strong presence in the global music scene.

With a successful comeback underway, ONF is set to kick off their promotional activities on February 20 at 6 PM KST on Mnet's 'M Countdown'. They will perform 'The Stranger' for the first time, delivering a dynamic performance filled with healing energy and impactful choreography that symbolizes the shape of a circle.

'The Stranger' is a pop track characterized by its funky rhythm and showcases ONF's impressive vocal range. The song conveys a positive message about pursuing dreams amidst a challenging world, with members Min-kyun and Wyatt contributing to its creation, adding a unique touch to the group's sound.

ONF Tops Charts with New Album 'ONF: MY IDENTITY'

NewJeans has encountered difficulties in their initial activities as NJZ. On February 19, five major music organizations in South Korea, including the Korea Management Federation and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association, issued a statement calling for policy support to eradicate tampering in the K-pop industry. They claimed that the actions of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and NewJeans are causing significant harm to the industry and urged the government and National Assembly to establish anti-tampering legislation.

In response, NewJeans took a stand. A lengthy rebuttal was posted on accounts managed by the members' parents, asserting that HYBE and the organizations involved are engaging in misleading media play. They stated that their exclusive contract with HYBE has been terminated due to unfair treatment.

The group specifically claimed that HYBE's Chairman Bang Si-hyuk personally pressured U.S. contacts to cancel NJZ members' performances, as relayed by a representative from ComplexCon, who is assisting with the event preparations.

Ador countered this by stating, "We have never pressured the cancellation of NewJeans' Hong Kong performance. Chairman Bang has confirmed that he has had no contact regarding the Hong Kong concert."

Ador further explained that they requested the event organizers to use the official team name NewJeans, as previously requested by domestic media, and to conduct the performance through Ador based on the exclusive contract.

NewJeans maintains that their exclusive contract with Ador was terminated in November of last year and has declared 'NJZ' as their new team name. In response, Ador has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract and has sought an injunction against the group's agency status and advertising contracts. They argue that the official team name is not NJZ but NewJeans, asserting that the exclusive contract remains valid. The first hearing related to the injunction is set for March, while the lawsuit regarding the exclusive contract will begin in April. If the court rules in favor of HYBE, NewJeans' independent activities may be jeopardized.

Bong Joon-ho Expresses Regret Over Late Response to Lee Sun-kyun's Passing

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SEVENTEEN Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Special Unit and Global Fan Meetings

LE SSERAFIM to Conclude Trilogy with New Album 'HOT'

BLACKPINK Announces Massive 2025 World Tour with Stadium Performances

ONF Tops Charts with New Album 'ONF: MY IDENTITY'

NewJeans Faces Challenges in First Activities as NJZ

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Stepmother Arrested After Fatal Assault on Stepson

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Kim Jong-min Begins Wedding Preparations on 'Recent Men's Life: Groom Class'

BLACKPINK's Jisoo Opens Up About Challenge Hesitations on Radio Show

Dahyun Shares Excitement for Her Film Debut in 'The Girl We Loved Back Then'

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