Just three days before their highly anticipated comeback, the girl group Candy Shop (캔디샵) has released an audio film for their new track 'TIP TOE'. The group, consisting of members Soram (소람), Sui (수이), Sarang (사랑), and Julia (줄리아), shared the audio film on their official social media and YouTube channel at midnight on March 15. 

The video showcases various scenes of the members filming the music video for 'TIP TOE' in different locations. The audio film features a highlight of the song, which combines dreamy synths with rhythmic guitar, heightening excitement among fans. 

'TIP TOE' is a city pop genre song that delicately expresses the emotional moment of wanting to approach someone while feeling hesitant, capturing a thrilling yet cautious excitement. The track samples the intro of Sistar19's 'Ma Boy', generating buzz among K-POP fans both domestically and internationally. 

In the lead-up to the release, Candy Shop has been actively teasing their comeback with various content, including a coming soon video, concept photos, and a music video teaser. The new single 'TIP TOE' is set to be released on March 18 at 6 PM through various online music platforms.

Candy Shop Unveils 'TIP TOE' Audio Film Ahead of Comeback

The highly anticipated mini album 'HOT' by the K-pop group LE SSERAFIM is set to be released today, March 14, at 1 PM KST. This new album, featuring members Kim Chaewon (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yunjin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eunchae (홍은채), encapsulates a heartfelt approach to love. The title track 'HOT' blends rock and disco elements within a pop genre, alongside tracks like 'Born Fire,' which features impressive narration in Korean, English, and Japanese, 'Come Over,' which encourages living in the moment, 'Ash,' which explores finding beauty in pain, and 'So Cynical (Badum),' co-written by Kim Chaewon, Heo Yunjin, and Hong Eunchae, urging listeners to boldly embrace love.

The album has generated significant buzz with its trailer, five concept photos, a highlight medley, and a music video teaser. Here are three reasons why fans are eagerly awaiting this release:

# Completion of the 'EASY-CRAZY-HOT' Trilogy
'HOT' marks the final installment of a trilogy that began with the mini album 'EASY' released in February 2025, followed by 'CRAZY' in August 2025. This project, planned since 2023, has seen the group drop hints about their next album throughout various award shows and previous content. 'EASY' dealt with the anxieties behind the scenes, while 'CRAZY' encouraged letting go of those fears. 'HOT' takes it a step further, showcasing a willingness to dive into love without hesitation, reflecting LE SSERAFIM's growth. The success of 'EASY' and 'CRAZY' on Billboard's Hot 100 has raised expectations for 'HOT' as well.

# First Love Song Title Track
The title track 'HOT,' which includes contributions from Heo Yunjin, is the group's first song to focus on love. With lyrics like "You make me dream again like a miracle" and "Don't be afraid, I have no doubts / Let's hold hands," the song conveys a message of taking risks for love, regardless of the outcome. The members dedicated themselves to capturing the essence of these lyrics during recording, and the song features one of the most lyrical melodies among their title tracks. Fans can also look forward to a unique performance style that emphasizes the song's emotional depth rather than adhering to a specific dance genre, unlike their previous styles showcased in 'EASY' and 'CRAZY.'

# Global Collaborations Showcasing World-Class Talent
LE SSERAFIM continues to collaborate with renowned musicians and companies. The credits for the title track include Feli Ferraro, who worked on 'UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers),' and hitmaker Ali Tamposi. The British band Jungle's Josh Lloyd and Lydia Kitto contributed to the track 'Come Over,' blending their vintage sound with the group's vocals. Additionally, a preview of 'So Cynical (Badum)' was featured in a trailer for Blizzard Entertainment's team-based action game 'Overwatch 2,' marking their second collaboration since the 'Perfect Night' music video in 2023.

On March 13, LE SSERAFIM held the 'LE SSERAFIM COMEBACK SHOWCASE 'HOT'' to give fans a sneak peek of their performance. Starting March 14, a pop-up event titled 'LE SSERAFIM 2025 S/S POP UP - THE HOT HOUSE' will be held at PLAZ2 in Seongsu-dong, utilizing messages from the new album.

르세라핌, 오늘(14일) 'HOT'하게 돌아온다..미니 5집 기대포인트 셋

LE SSERAFIM Unveils Mini Album 'HOT' Today

Actor Kim Soo-hyun recently faced allegations regarding a romantic relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron that purportedly began during her teenage years. Despite the controversy, he proceeded with the filming of MBC's entertainment program 'Good Day' on March 13. A representative from 'Good Day' confirmed to OSEN that Kim's schedule was adjusted to minimize his commitments during the recording.

The filming included key appearances from other stars like G-Dragon, and there was uncertainty about Kim Soo-hyun's participation due to the backlash surrounding the dating rumors. However, he attended as planned, and the schedule was streamlined after discussions.

The allegations stem from claims made by the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) and Kim Sae-ron's family, suggesting that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship for six years starting when she was 15. In response, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, firmly denied these claims, labeling them as defamatory.

On March 14, Gold Medalist issued a follow-up statement clarifying that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were indeed former lovers, their relationship only began after she turned 18, specifically from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. They also refuted claims regarding a photo of the two, asserting it was taken during their adult relationship, not during her teenage years.

Additionally, Gold Medalist addressed a situation where Kim Sae-ron reportedly reached out to Kim Soo-hyun for help regarding a financial issue stemming from her DUI incident, which resulted in significant penalties. The agency explained that they had worked to reduce her financial liabilities and had not pressured her for repayment after settling the matter.

Gold Medalist emphasized that the allegations made by 'Garo Sero' misrepresented facts, including the age of the photos and the nature of their past relationship. They expressed concern over the public's perception of Kim Soo-hyun, stating that while criticism is part of being a public figure, he should not be subjected to unfounded rumors and personal attacks.

In conclusion, Kim Soo-hyun's team has provided detailed rebuttals to the allegations, asserting that they have evidence to support their claims, which justified his participation in the 'Good Day' filming despite the surrounding controversy.

김수현, 故김새론 미성년자 열애 의혹에도 ‘굿데이’ 촬영 강행 이유 있었다[Oh!쎈 이슈]

Kim Soo-hyun Addresses Dating Controversy During 'Good Day' Filming

Jennie (제니), a member of the iconic K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, is receiving rave reviews for her debut solo album 'Ruby' (루비), which has also seen remarkable sales figures. According to Hanteo Chart, 'Ruby' sold 661,130 copies in its first week following its release on March 7. This achievement marks the highest first-week sales for a K-pop female solo artist in 2025.

In terms of first-week sales among K-pop female solo artists, Jennie's record ranks third overall. Previously, her BLACKPINK bandmate Jisoo's single 'ME' (미) (2023) topped the chart with 1.17 million copies sold, while another member, Lisa, followed with her single 'LALISA' (라리사) (2021) at 736,000 copies. However, both Jisoo's and Lisa's singles featured two tracks, and the years 2021 and 2023 saw a surge in album sales due to post-pandemic recovery spending.

Thus, Jennie's first-week sales stand as the highest for a full-length solo album by a K-pop female artist.

Additionally, 'Ruby' has made significant strides on music charts, reaching the highest position for a K-pop solo artist at number 9 on the Apple Music 'Top Albums' chart in the U.S. It also secured the number 2 spot on the European Apple Music 'Top Albums' chart, marking a significant achievement for K-pop female solo artists.

The title track 'Like Jennie' is also climbing the charts steadily, ranking 6th on Melon's Top 100 as of 11 AM today, and maintaining a strong presence across major domestic music platforms. On Spotify's 'Daily Top Songs Global' chart, it debuted at number 12 and quickly rose to number 7. Other tracks from 'Ruby,' including 'Handlebars' (feat. Dua Lipa), 'ExtraL' (feat. Doechii), and 'Love Hangover' (feat. Dominic Fike), are also receiving widespread acclaim.

Renowned American music publication Pitchfork rated 'Ruby' 7.1 out of 10, praising Jennie's versatility and charm, noting her ability to transform girl sound into a powerful new style. This score is notably high, especially when compared to Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine' (2024) and Billie Eilish's 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT' (2024), which received scores of 7.2 and 6.8, respectively. Jennie's album ranks as the eighth highest-rated K-pop album of all time.

To celebrate the release of 'Ruby,' Jennie will hold a special event titled 'The Ruby Experience' (더 루비 익스피리언스) at the Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 15.

제니 '루비' 초동 66만장…K팝 女솔로 역대 정규 최다 

Jennie's Solo Album 'Ruby' Achieves Impressive Sales and Critical Acclaim

Mark, a member of the popular group NCT (소속: SM엔터테인먼트), is set to release his highly anticipated first solo album titled 'The Firstfruit' (더 퍼스트프루트) on April 7. This album will feature a total of 13 tracks, including the title song '1999' (일구구구), along with previously released singles '200' (이백) and 'Fraktsiya' (프락치) featuring Lee Young-ji (이영지). 

'The Firstfruit' draws inspiration from four cities that have significantly shaped Mark's life: his hometown Toronto, his first place of residence New York, the city where he spent his school years Vancouver, and Seoul, where he is pursuing his dreams as an artist. The album is structured into four sections, each reflecting the emotions and atmospheres of these cities. 

This project encapsulates Mark's growth from childhood through his journey as a member of NCT and now as a solo artist, marking a significant milestone in his career. It is expected to resonate deeply with Mark and his dedicated fans as it represents the fruits of his relentless efforts and challenges. 

Additionally, Mark will be pre-releasing the track '+82 Pressin' (Feat. 해찬)' (+팔이 프레신) on March 19 at 6 PM across various music platforms, further heightening anticipation for the album with the collaboration showcasing the impressive synergy between Mark and Haechan (해찬). 

To enhance the experience for fans, a variety of offline promotions are being planned, allowing them to engage with the album in multiple ways. Details regarding these promotions will be shared sequentially through NCT's official social media accounts. 

Pre-orders for Mark's first solo album 'The Firstfruit' have begun today (March 14) at various online and offline music stores.

NCT 마크, 4월 7일 첫 솔로 앨범 'The Firstfruit' 발매[공식]

NCT's Mark to Release First Solo Album 'The Firstfruit' on April 7

On March 13, 2025, the K-pop group LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌), consisting of Kim Chaewon (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yunjin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eunchae (홍은채), held a special showcase titled 'LE SSERAFIM COMEBACK SHOWCASE 'HOT'' at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their fifth mini album, 'HOT'. The event allowed fans to experience the group's performance a day early.

The showcase kicked off with the group's previous hit title track 'CRAZY', followed by a variety of performances including new songs like 'Come Over' and the title track 'HOT'. The atmosphere was lively as the members shared behind-the-scenes stories about trailer filming, song production, and recording sessions.

During the event, the members humorously pointed out that the highlight of the title track is the members' beauty as they tilt their heads at the beginning, bringing laughter to the audience. They also discussed the challenges of mastering the moonwalk dance move, revealing that they practiced walking from the door to the wall in the practice room using the move.

LE SSERAFIM took time to teach fans the cheering method for 'HOT' and engaged in a segment called 'The Most HOTtest Time', where they fulfilled fan-requested missions such as sharing ASMR readings of the lyrics, confessing love to each other, and playfully flirting with their fandom, FEARNOT (피어나). In closing, the members expressed their joy in starting this album journey with their fans and mentioned their upcoming world tour starting in April, encouraging fans to stay with them throughout their activities.

The mini album 'HOT' was officially released on March 14, 2025, at 1 PM KST, focusing on the theme of wholeheartedly embracing love. LE SSERAFIM is set to perform the title track on MBC's 'Show! Music Core' on March 15 at 3:15 PM KST.

르세라핌 "진심으로 준비한 앨범, 피어나와 함께 시작해 기뻐"

LE SSERAFIM Celebrates 'HOT' Mini Album Release with Fans at Showcase

Beauty brand Dinto has decided to terminate its advertising model contract with actor Kim Soo-hyun, who has recently been embroiled in allegations regarding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time. On March 15, Dinto announced, "We have decided to end our advertising model contract with Kim Soo-hyun. Given the recent controversies, we believe it is important to uphold the principles of good faith and integrity in our partnership. Therefore, we could not proceed with an official statement or contract termination until we received a position statement from Kim Soo-hyun and his agency." 

According to Dinto, the contract with Kim Soo-hyun was set for one year and was valid until August 2025. The company further stated, "After confirming the agency's position, we have determined that there are significant reasons that make it difficult to fulfill the advertising model contract. We are currently in the process of officially terminating the contract through our legal counsel." 

Dinto emphasized that this decision was made to protect the values of the brand and consumer trust. They added, "We will continue to make careful and responsible decisions that align with consumer trust and pursue more meaningful projects to realize our values." 

Recently, Kim Soo-hyun has faced allegations from the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) and Kim Sae-ron's family, claiming that he was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was in middle school, starting from when she was 15 years old and continuing for six years. 

On March 14, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, released a second statement addressing the allegations. They confirmed that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were indeed former lovers, their relationship began after Kim Sae-ron turned 18, specifically from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. 

In a statement through 'Garo Sero,' Kim Sae-ron's mother asserted, "Sae-ron has never lied to the media. She has never pretended to be someone else for attention, nor was she a child who only enjoyed nightlife with friends. She did not create dating rumors through manipulated photos. However, Lee Jin-ho and Cyber Leakers have fabricated false articles that dragged the life of an ordinary and promising actress and her family into hell. Furthermore, Gold Medalist has portrayed Sae-ron as a crazy girl who lies about her intentions regarding the photos she posted."

Dinto Terminates Contract with Kim Soo-hyun Amid Controversy

Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, has publicly criticized the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) for spreading personal information about the actor. The channel recently alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, claiming they dated for six years since her third year of middle school and raising suspicions of 'grooming' behavior. They also accused Gold Medalist of pressuring Kim Sae-ron regarding a 700 million KRW penalty related to her drunk driving incident, suggesting that Kim Soo-hyun was complicit in this situation.

In response, Kim Sae-ron's family, including her mother and aunt, expressed their desire to restore her reputation, stating that Kim Soo-hyun portrayed her as a liar. Gold Medalist confirmed that while Kim Soo-hyun did date Kim Sae-ron, their relationship only occurred after she turned 18, from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. They clarified that the legal documents sent to Kim Sae-ron were part of a process to address losses incurred by her previous agency due to her drunk driving incident, and they did not pressure her for payment.

On March 15, Gold Medalist condemned the release of a private photo of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, taken on December 14, 2019, stating there is no justification for such an invasion of privacy. They also acknowledged the immense pain Kim Sae-ron's mother is experiencing after her loss, expressing their condolences while also empathizing with her concerns regarding media coverage of her daughter.

Gold Medalist emphasized that some of the claims made by Kim Sae-ron's mother differ from their perspective and suggested that there may be information she is not yet aware of. They expressed a desire to meet with her in person to provide a thorough explanation, inviting her to contact their office at any time.

As Kim Soo-hyun faces ongoing scrutiny from the allegations made by Garo Sero Research Institute, his agency's request for a meeting with Kim Sae-ron's mother has drawn significant attention. Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun continues to participate in his scheduled activities, including filming for the MBC variety show 'Good Day' (굿데이).

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Controversy Surrounding Kim Sae-ron

On March 15, 2025, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Goldmedalist, issued a statement refuting the recent claims made by the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (commonly known as 가세연) during a live broadcast on March 14. The agency emphasized that the photos shared by 가세연 were taken on December 14, 2019, and argued that there is no justification for the indiscriminate release of images related to Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron's private lives. They urged for an end to the dissemination of personal information.

Goldmedalist also acknowledged the statement made by Kim Sae-ron's mother, expressing deep sympathy for her unimaginable pain following the loss of her daughter. They conveyed their sorrow over the hardships Kim Sae-ron faced during her life and expressed their understanding of the concerns raised by her mother regarding media coverage.

While the agency agreed with some of the points made by Kim Sae-ron's mother, they noted that there are aspects of her claims that differ from their perspective. They suggested that there may be information that she is not yet aware of and stated that publicly debating these issues would not be appropriate for honoring Kim Sae-ron's memory. Goldmedalist expressed a desire to meet with her mother to provide a thorough explanation and invited her to contact the agency at any time.

Recently, Kim Soo-hyun has faced allegations from 가세연 regarding a supposed 'grooming' crime, claiming he had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor. The agency clarified that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron did have a past relationship, they only dated from the summer of 2019, when she was an adult, until the fall of 2020. They also refuted claims that they pressured Kim Sae-ron regarding a compensation demand related to her DUI incident, stating that the legal documents were part of a process to address losses incurred by her former agency. Goldmedalist has announced plans for strong legal action against the false allegations made by 가세연.

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Allegations and Seeks Communication with Kim Sae-ron's Family

The mother of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has publicly addressed the media regarding the false narratives surrounding her daughter. In a statement released on March 14 through a YouTube channel, she expressed that their goal is to restore the tarnished reputation of her daughter, who was unfairly affected by numerous misleading articles. She emphasized the need to hold accountable malicious YouTubers and cyber bullies who have contributed to this situation.

A stated, "Sae-ron never lied to the media. She did not engage in gambling or pretend to work part-time. She was not a girl who only enjoyed nightlife with friends, nor did she create false dating rumors through manipulated photos." She lamented that since Sae-ron's passing, there have been outrageous claims about her being a 'girl head of the household' and that her family squandered her earnings, leading to a plethora of baseless articles that are not worth reading.

A further elaborated on the impact of these false articles, stating that they targeted her young daughter, who had just turned twenty, and that Sae-ron bore the brunt of vicious personal attacks alone. She described the three years of suffering that Sae-ron endured, likening it to being bullied by the public due to the false reports initiated by a figure named Lee Jin-ho.

The family hopes to restore the honor that Sae-ron had as an actress during her lifetime and wishes for legal and institutional measures to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.

The family has also claimed that Kim Sae-ron was in a relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun since she was 15 years old, a statement that Kim Soo-hyun's side has denied as false. However, the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' has released letters and photos allegedly sent by Kim Soo-hyun during his military service, further complicating the narrative. They also claimed that a gold medalist demanded compensation from Kim Sae-ron following her DUI incident.

Mother of Late Actress Kim Sae-ron Speaks Out Against False Reports

The mother of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has finally broken her silence, asserting that her daughter never lied about working at a coffee shop and was subjected to bullying by the public. She expressed a desire for her daughter's honor to be restored.

On March 14, the 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소), claiming to represent Kim Sae-ron's family, released a statement purportedly from her mother. The institute noted that Kim's mother preferred not to reveal her voice, so they used AI technology to present her statement.

In her statement, Kim Sae-ron's mother said, "Sae-ron has never lied to the media. She never pretended to work part-time or was just a girl who enjoyed nightlife with friends. She did not create false dating rumors with manipulated photos. However, Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters have fabricated false articles that dragged the life of a promising actress and her family into hell. Furthermore, Gold Medalist labeled her as a 'crazy girl' who lied about her intentions in the photos she posted. Now that Sae-ron is gone, there are outrageous false articles claiming she was a breadwinner for her family and that they squandered hundreds of billions earned from her. These articles are not worth seeing or reading."

She continued, "The ones who trampled on my fallen child and kicked her while she was down are Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters. There were also irresponsible media outlets that spread the false narratives written by Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters, along with various malicious commenters who supported them. Sae-ron endured this for three years, sleepless and lonely. This is akin to the collective bullying she faced from the public due to the false articles triggered by Lee Jin-ho."

She added, "If Professor Kwon Young-chan from the Korean Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association had not reached out to us, and if Kim Se-yi from Garo Sero had not offered help, our family would have been scapegoats to Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters, carrying the burden of Sae-ron's tarnished reputation for life."

In conclusion, she stated, "The actions of Lee Jin-ho and his associates are criminal. It is difficult to hold them accountable for murder within the outdated legal framework. We, the bereaved family, wish to restore the honor that Sae-ron had as an actress during her lifetime, correct the false articles that are entirely untrue, and hope that legal and institutional measures are established to prevent such incidents from happening again, ensuring that the media fulfills its responsibilities."

Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on February 16, at the age of 25. A friend who was supposed to meet her discovered her unresponsive and reported it. Police stated that there were no signs of foul play.

In connection with this, the Garo Sero Institute alleged that actor Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since her minor years, raising suspicions of 'grooming.' They also claimed that Gold Medalist pressured Kim Sae-ron with a 700 million won compensation notice and that Kim Soo-hyun turned a blind eye to it.

In response, Gold Medalist issued an urgent statement on March 14, denying the allegations and clarifying that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult. They also refuted claims regarding the compensation notice, stating it was merely a legal procedure related to a penalty from Kim Sae-ron's DUI incident and not a demand for payment.

Candy Shop Unveils 'TIP TOE' Audio Film Ahead of Comeback

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