Three former members of FIFTY FIFTY, Shio, Saena, and Aran, are set to debut in a new group called ABLOOM, with Ahn Sung-il taking the helm as the producer for their debut album. On February 26, the agency Massive VNC announced that during discussions about ABLOOM's future activities, the members requested Ahn Sung-il's involvement in the production, which he accepted. 

Shio, Saena, and Aran initially debuted with FIFTY FIFTY but halted their activities just six months later after filing for a suspension of their exclusive contract with their former agency, Attract. Following this, Kina withdrew her appeal just before the court's decision and returned to the agency, while the other three continued their legal battle without any changes in their stance. 

Attract subsequently notified the three members of the termination of their contracts and filed a lawsuit against Ahn Sung-il for damages related to the music production. Now, Shio, Saena, and Aran have signed with Massive VNC and announced their re-debut as ABLOOM, preparing for their album with Ahn Sung-il once again. The group is expected to debut in the first half of this year.

Former FIFTY FIFTY Members Debut as 'ABLOOM' with Producer Ahn Sung-il

On the February 26 episode of 'You Quiz on the Block' (유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭), actress Han Ga-in candidly discussed the emotional pain of experiencing three miscarriages. The episode featured South Korean short track national team members Park Ji-won, Kim Gi-ri, and Jang Seong-woo, along with student Yoon Joo-eun, who is known for her legendary quotes from six years ago.

Han Ga-in humorously introduced herself as a 'professional YouTuber' and praised Yoo Jae-suk, whom she hadn't seen in 20 years, for not changing at all since their days working together on comedy shows.

Reflecting on her early marriage at the age of 24, Han shared that she met her husband while filming their first drama. She found it difficult to date outside, so she often visited his family home, where she was struck by the warm family atmosphere, leading her to think, 'If this is the kind of family environment, I could be happy here.'

She also revealed that the sudden surge in her popularity made her feel like running away at times, wondering if she would ever find a stable support system.

Han Ga-in recounted the heart-wrenching experience of her miscarriages, stating, 'I felt devastated. It was really tough for my husband and me. We thought it might not happen for us. We concluded that we could be happy together without children.' Fortunately, after undergoing IVF, she was relieved to welcome her first child successfully.

'연정훈♥' 한가인, 1년 동안 유산의 아픔만 3번 겪어.."진짜 무너졌다" (‘유퀴즈’)

Han Ga-in Opens Up About Her Miscarriages on 'You Quiz on the Block'

Dahyun from TWICE is making waves in the acting world as she gears up for her debut in the film 'The Girl We Liked That Year.' On February 26, she appeared as a guest on SBS Power FM's 'Wendy's Young Street,' sharing her experiences and emotions about her new role.

The film, based on a Taiwanese movie of the same name, tells the story of Jinwoo (played by Jinyoung) and his first love, Seona (Dahyun), as they navigate the ups and downs of young love. Dahyun expressed her excitement about her debut, stating, "I still can't believe it. I'm thrilled just to see my face on the big screen. It's my first film, and I'm so curious about how the audience will react."

This was Dahyun's first time appearing on the radio alone, which she found to be a unique experience. She mentioned, "I'm usually calm, but I can be playful with my family. I think I have many sides to me."

Describing her character, Dahyun said, "Seona is the eldest daughter in her family, with a younger brother and sister. Her parents work hard, and she has a traumatic past that affects her view on love and violence. I hope viewers can understand her perspective."

When asked about her favorite line from the film, she highlighted a heartfelt moment during a phone call where she expresses gratitude, saying, "Thank you for liking me." She also shared that memorizing lines was challenging, as everything was new to her, from script readings to working with the director.

Dahyun received positive feedback from JYP's founder, Park Jin-young, who praised her performance, saying she embodied Seona rather than Dahyun from TWICE. She also expressed gratitude for a large flower bouquet sent by IU, which made her feel supported.

Reflecting on emotional scenes, Dahyun shared her worries about performing tearful moments, but after discussions with the director, she felt she could connect deeply with Seona's character. 

As for her future projects, Dahyun revealed she has completed filming for a movie titled 'Full Throttle' and is currently working on a romance drama called 'Love Me.' She emphasized the significance of 'The Girl We Liked That Year' to her, stating it holds a special place in her heart.

'그 시절' 트와이스 다현, JYP 이사 노린다.."지켜봐달라"(영스)[종합]

TWICE's Dahyun Excited for Acting Debut in 'The Girl We Liked That Year'

In a recent episode of TV Chosun's variety show 'Joseon's Lovebirds' (조선의 사랑꾼), Chae Ri-na (채리나) revealed her plans to finally hold a wedding ceremony after a decade of marriage to her husband Park Yong-geun (박용근). The couple, who have been married for ten years, had previously refrained from having a wedding due to a traumatic incident known as the 'Gangnam Knife Attack' that occurred in 2012. During that incident, while out with friends in a bar in Gangnam, they were involved in a confrontation with a drunken man who brandished a knife, resulting in Park suffering severe injuries and a near-fatal prognosis. Chae shared that when Park was taken to the hospital, doctors gave him a 99% chance of death, which made them hesitant to celebrate their union publicly. 

Now, reflecting on their journey, Chae expressed her desire to have a simple wedding ceremony, stating, 'As we reach our 10th anniversary, I want to have a wedding, even if it's modest.' The couple also shared their living situation, revealing that they reside in a two-story house with Chae's parents. They reminisced about their wedding photos, which they took on November 11, 2016, marking it as their unofficial wedding anniversary. 

In addition to wedding plans, Chae also disclosed that they are preparing for a second child. Despite facing challenges in the past, she is determined to try in vitro fertilization (IVF) again, stating, 'I’ve faced many failures, but I see this as my last chance. Since we are having a wedding this year, I want to attempt IVF one more time.'

'10년 만에 결혼식' 채리나, N번째 시험관 실패했지만 "다시 2세 계획" 고백 ('조선의사랑꾼')

Chae Ri-na Announces Wedding Plans and Baby Aspirations After 10 Years of Marriage

K-pop group Weekly has officially announced their disbandment after terminating their exclusive contract with IST Entertainment, marking the end of their journey just shy of their five-year anniversary. On February 26, IST Entertainment released a statement confirming that after extensive discussions with the members regarding their future activities, both parties agreed to respect each other's opinions and conclude their contract.

The agency expressed gratitude to the members for their time as artists and thanked fans for their support throughout their journey, encouraging continued love and encouragement for the members as they pursue various activities in the future.

Debuting in 2020, Weekly quickly gained attention by winning six rookie awards right out of the gate, captivating fans with their vibrant and energetic charm. However, the announcement of their disbandment before reaching their fifth anniversary has left fans in shock. The members shared their feelings of sadness and gratitude towards their fans in heartfelt messages.

Jimin expressed on the official fan community platform Weverse, "As someone who loved Weekly as much as I loved Daily, I have spent a long time feeling hurt by this news. I didn’t want to keep you waiting and hoped to repay that wait with good news, and I’m truly sorry for the pain this has caused."

Jaehee shared, "It feels strange and upsetting to hear the word disbandment associated with a team filled with so much love. I don’t believe this is the end forever. While we will each follow our own paths for now, I hope that one day in the future, we can reunite."

Sujin admitted, "I was shocked when I first heard the news, and my feelings were very complicated. I felt a deep sense of regret towards our fans, and I will do my best in new endeavors to repay them."

Ji Han added, "I hope this message doesn’t bring more sadness to our fans who were unprepared for this news. I wanted to bring happiness to our fans, and I’m really sorry. I will do my best to ensure we can meet again in some form, and if I face tough times, I will keep moving forward by cherishing the memories with our fans."

Lastly, So Eun reflected, "Over the past five years, we’ve experienced many ups and downs, but we were able to overcome everything thanks to our fans, our members, and our families. I will never forget the precious times we shared through the seasons."


위클리, 데뷔 5년 만에 해체 수순.."상처줘서 팬들에 미안" 심경 [종합]

Weekly Announces Disbandment After Ending Contract with IST Entertainment

Actress Kang Ye-won is making a strong start in 2025 with her participation in the reality dating show 'Can We Love Now?' (이젠 사랑할 수 있을까) and the culinary program 'Chef Heo Young-man's Dining Journey' (식객 허영만의 백반기행). Her appearance in 'Can We Love Now?' was teased in a preview aired on February 24, where she expressed her readiness for love, stating, "I can't continue living like this. I feel it would be very dangerous if time passes this way. I am always ready for love and want to give and receive it." 

Kang also shared her recent worries, shedding tears during the segment, which heightened viewers' curiosity about her journey. The show features solo stars with social status and wealth seeking true love, including notable figures like Joo Byung-jin, Park So-hyun, and Cheon Jung-myung, who have focused solely on success until now.

In addition to her role in 'Can We Love Now?', Kang Ye-won has confirmed her participation in 'Chef Heo Young-man's Dining Journey', with filming set to take place in March, although the broadcast date is yet to be announced. This program, hosted by the renowned cartoonist Heo Young-man, explores the meaning and value of authentic flavors through visits to traditional eateries across the country, providing heartwarming stories and healing experiences since its debut in 2019.

Kang Ye-won has garnered much love for her performances in films such as 'Haeundae', 'Harmony', 'Hello Ghost', and dramas like 'The 1,000th Man', 'Bad Guys', and 'One and Only'.

[단독] '앞트임 복원 후 맞선' 강예원, 77세 허영만 만난다…'백반기행' 동행 (종합)

Kang Ye-won Kicks Off 2025 with Exciting New Projects

On February 25, 2025, HYBE and the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency (경기북부청) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Gyeonggi Northern Police Headquarters in Uijeongbu, South Korea, to address the rising issue of cyber crimes, particularly deepfake incidents. 

The collaboration aims to establish a cyber crime reporting hotline to protect artists from potential harm and to facilitate the apprehension of offenders. This agreement stems from a mutual understanding of the necessity for cooperation between entertainment companies and law enforcement in investigating cyber crimes targeting artists.

There has been a notable increase in deepfake crimes both domestically and internationally, especially on messaging platforms with servers located abroad. High-profile individuals are particularly vulnerable due to their public visibility, leading to a surge in illegal video incidents and rapid dissemination of such content. This situation underscores the urgent need for collaboration between entertainment agencies and police to safeguard victims and create a swift response system.

The Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency anticipates that this partnership with HYBE will enhance their capabilities in cyber crime investigations. The agency has achieved national recognition for its effectiveness in cyber sexual violence investigations, ranking first in the country for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024, and being designated as a top cyber team by the National Police Agency in 2024.

In light of this MOU, HYBE plans to further develop its artist protection systems. 

Gyeonggi Northern Police Chief Kim Ho-seung expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, "Working with HYBE, a leading entertainment company in South Korea, will enhance our investigative efficiency. As cyber crime methods become increasingly sophisticated with technological advancements, we aim to improve our investigative expertise based on this MOU." 

HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang also expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, stating, "We are pleased to collaborate with the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency, which has expertise in cyber crime investigations. We will continue to do our utmost to protect the rights of our artists."

HYBE Partners with Gyeonggi Northern Police to Combat Cyber Crimes

On February 26, G-Dragon from BIGBANG shared a photo on his personal social media, showcasing a reunion with his friends from the '88 Line'—Kim Soo-hyun, Jung Hae-in, and Kwanghee—who he became close with through the variety show Good Day (굿데이). The image features a four-shot collage taken at G-Dragon's comeback listening party, which included guests Hong Jin-kyung, Jo Se-ho, and Code Kunst, alongside the '88 Line' members. The group displayed their playful side, striking various fun poses, including V signs and the popular 'Agungbang' pose. Meanwhile, G-Dragon's third studio album, Übermensch, has made a significant impact, topping charts immediately upon release. The title track, 'TOO BAD,' quickly reached number one on major Korean music platforms such as Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Vibe.

G-Dragon Reunites with '88 Line' Friends at Listening Party

G-Dragon (지드래곤) of BIGBANG has made his much-anticipated comeback. On February 25, he released his third solo studio album, 'Webermanche' (위버맨쉬), marking his first new music in over eight years since his 2017 mini-album 'Kwon Ji Yong' (권지용). The album has generated significant buzz, but reactions have been mixed. While many fans praised G-Dragon's artistry, some criticized the explicit lyrics found in several tracks.

For instance, the song 'Bona Mana' (보나마나) features provocative lines such as, "Get on top of me and rub it, push me hard, scream girl, love's sonata, hit-and-run chart, only scream girl, dick inside me, may the madman shine, dreaming, all day long, zoom zoom."

In 'Zyro Drop' (자이로드롭), he sings, "You’re riding on my big cloud, in a steel cage, a delicacy, G-nightmare, play with me when the sun sets, quietly comforting myself."

The track 'I Belong to You' (아이빌롱투유) opens with, "One bed, two sleeping places, heart racing, dizzy silhouette, I see through your veil, day and night, what matters is love is never done until the break of dawn."

The title track 'Too Bad' (투 배드) includes lines like, "Just holding hands lightly, a playful touch, is this good?! My MBTI is sexy type, so be my sexy."

Netizens are divided in their opinions, with some defending the artistic expression and arguing that pop lyrics can be even more explicit, while others find the lyrics overly suggestive and cheap. Despite the controversy surrounding the explicit content, G-Dragon continues to thrive. According to Hanteo Chart, 'Webermanche' sold over 600,000 copies within just three hours of its release, a remarkable feat considering no promotional events like fan signings or video calls were utilized.

The album has also dominated music charts, with the title track 'Too Bad' reaching number one on major Korean streaming platforms. As of 7 AM on February 26, it had maintained a top position on Melon for 12 consecutive hours, with all tracks from the album ranking high on real-time charts, showcasing G-Dragon's enduring influence.

Currently, G-Dragon is appearing on MBC's 'Good Day' (굿데이) and is set to kick off his new world tour at Goyang Sports Complex on March 29 and 30.

G-Dragon Makes a Triumphant Return with New Album 'Webermanche'

On February 26, actress Han Ga-in appeared as a guest on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block,' where she candidly discussed her experiences with miscarriage. In a pre-released clip, host Yoo Jae-suk reminisced about officiating her outdoor wedding, which Han described as a chaotic 'disaster' due to the overwhelming presence of the press. 

Han also shared a unique beauty tip involving clothespins, recommending them as an inexpensive and accessible tool for lifting. As the conversation progressed, she revealed a more personal story, stating, 'That winter, I became pregnant again, but unfortunately, it ended badly for the same reason as before. Three times in one year—it really broke me at that time.' Her heartfelt admission resonated deeply, highlighting the emotional toll of her experiences. 

The episode featuring Han Ga-in is set to air at 8:45 PM KST on the same day.

Han Ga-in Opens Up About Miscarriage on 'You Quiz on the Block'

On February 25, Spotify, the world's largest music streaming platform, unveiled its '2024 Global Impact List,' highlighting the most streamed Korean music overseas in the second half of 2024. Remarkably, half of the top 10 songs on the list are solo tracks by members of BTS (방탄소년단). Additionally, one-third of the top 30 songs are attributed to their individual works, reaffirming the group's immense influence. This chart reflects the listening habits of Spotify users outside of Korea from July to December 2024.

Jimin's (지민) second solo album, 'MUSE,' saw its title track 'Who' claim the top spot on the '2024 Global Impact List,' marking it as the biggest hit of the latter half of last year. Alongside 'Who,' four other tracks from the album made the rankings, with 'Be Mine' landing at fifth place. Jin's (진) first solo album 'Happy,' released in November, featured the title track 'Running Wild' at sixth place and the pre-released song 'I’ll Be There' at eighth. Additionally, 'Winter Ahead (with PARK HYO SHIN)' by V (뷔) and Park Hyo Shin also secured the ninth position.

Other notable entries include Jimin's 'Slow Dance (feat. Sofia Carson)' at 19th, 'Rebirth (Intro)' at 22nd, and 'Interlude: Showtime' at 28th. Jin's 'Super Tuna,' officially released in October 2022, ranked 23rd, while V's duet 'White Christmas (with V of BTS)' featuring Bing Crosby reached 26th.

According to Spotify's '2024 Wrapped' campaign released in December, BTS was recognized as the Korean artist with the highest global streams last year, amassing an impressive 3.9 billion streams throughout the year. This achievement marks BTS's seventh consecutive year as the most streamed K-pop artist on Spotify since 2018.

Former FIFTY FIFTY Members Debut as 'ABLOOM' with Producer Ahn Sung-il

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BTS Members Dominate Spotify's Global Impact List with Solo Tracks

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Han Ga-in Opens Up About Her Miscarriages on 'You Quiz on the Block'

TWICE's Dahyun Excited for Acting Debut in 'The Girl We Liked That Year'

Chae Ri-na Announces Wedding Plans and Baby Aspirations After 10 Years of Marriage

Weekly Announces Disbandment After Ending Contract with IST Entertainment

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