K-pop superstar G-DRAGON is set to host his long-awaited world tour concerts in Korea this March. The presenting partner, Coupang Play, announced on February 11 that the 'G-DRAGON 2025 World Tour 'Webermanche' in Korea' will take place on March 29 and 30 at the Goyang Sports Complex.

This concert marks G-DRAGON's first solo performance in eight years since his last world tour in 2017. Fans can expect a vibrant setlist featuring new tracks such as 'HOME SWEET HOME' and 'PO￦ER', along with songs from his third studio album, including 'TOO BAD', 'DRAMA', 'IBELONGIIU', 'TAKE ME', 'BONAMANA', and 'GYRO-DROP'.

Ticket sales will begin with a pre-sale for G-DRAGON's fan club on February 26 at 8 PM, followed by general sales on February 27 at 8 PM. Tickets for the 'G-DRAGON 2025 World Tour 'Webermanche' in Korea' will be available exclusively through the Coupang Play mobile app. More details regarding ticket purchases and the concert will be revealed on February 14.

G-DRAGON previously set a record during his second world tour in 2017, performing 36 concerts and attracting around 650,000 fans, making it the largest tour by a K-pop solo artist to date. Last year, he also garnered attention for his upgraded performances at award shows and fellow BIGBANG member Taeyang's concert. Fans are eager to see if G-DRAGON will break new records with his unique performances and stage presence during this upcoming tour.

G-DRAGON to Hold World Tour Concerts in Korea This March

Suzy (수지), the talented singer and actress, is set to make her return to the music scene with a new digital single after a two-year break. On February 10, she announced her comeback, stating, "Digital single come back 2025.02.17 (Mon.) 18:00 (KST)." Along with this exciting news, she shared a captivating new photo. In the image, Suzy is seen in a cozy indoor setting, wearing hot pants and striking various poses with a guitar, showcasing her relaxed vibe. The black-and-white photo highlights her stunning features, leaving fans in awe. Additionally, Suzy will also be returning to the small screen through the upcoming Netflix series '다 이루어질지니' (Everything Will Be Okay), written by renowned screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, where she will star alongside actor Kim Woo-bin.

'2년 만에 가수 컴백' 수지, 핫팬츠에 흑백 뚫고 나오는 미모

Suzy to Release Digital Single After Two-Year Hiatus

Jungwon, a member of the K-pop group ENHYPEN, has enchanted fans worldwide with his captivating voice and atmosphere. On February 11, Belift Lab released a cover video of Jungwon performing 'Monster' on ENHYPEN's official YouTube channel. 

Originally a duet by global artists Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber in 2020, 'Monster' gained immense popularity, even reaching the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Jungwon showcased his unique interpretation of the song with his sweet vocals and delicate control. He delivered a smooth yet powerful performance, effortlessly transitioning between chest voice and falsetto during the emotional high notes.

The visually stunning video added to the overall experience, featuring Jungwon's somewhat melancholic expressions that enhanced the emotional ambiance. He portrayed a sense of longing through scenes of running and singing by the Han River at sunset, deepening the song's immersion.

According to Belift Lab, Jungwon chose to cover 'Monster' as a special gift for ENGENE, the group's fandom, as it is a song he enjoys. He even contributed ideas for outdoor locations to effectively convey the song's rich emotions.

ENHYPEN continues to be active this year, having recently completed a successful dome tour across three cities in Japan, setting a record for the fastest K-pop boy group to do so. They are set to perform in stadiums in Bulacan, Philippines, and Bangkok, Thailand, as well as two cities in Japan. In April, they will take the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, marking the fastest entry into Coachella for a K-pop boy group since their debut.

엔하이픈 정원, 단번에 빠져드는 음색..'Monster'

ENHYPEN's Jungwon Captivates Fans with 'Monster' Cover

Recent changes to TOP's (최승현) social media and official YouTube profiles have led to speculation about his potential return to BIGBANG. However, a representative for TOP clarified on February 11 that the name 'TOP' on his social media has not been altered and has always been listed that way. The representative also stated that TOP's stance regarding BIGBANG remains unchanged from what he expressed in a recent interview.

The speculation arose after fans noticed that the official BIGBANG YouTube account listed the members in the order of G-Dragon, Taeyang, TOP, and Daesung, and that TOP's profile referred to him as 'TOP 최승현' instead of 'Actor 최승현'. Despite these observations, the information is not new; the YouTube profile has been consistent since the release of their song '봄, 여름, 가을, 겨울' (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter).

TOP, who was sentenced to 20 months in prison with a two-year probation in 2016 for marijuana use, officially left YG Entertainment in 2022 and subsequently announced his departure from BIGBANG the following year. In a recent interview regarding his role as Thanos in the Netflix original series 'Squid Game Season 2', he reflected on the possibility of reuniting with BIGBANG, stating, 'I considered '봄 여름 가을 겨울' to be my last project.' He expressed that while fans still hope for a reunion, he feels a sense of guilt towards the other members and believes he will carry that regret for life.

탑 최승현, 빅뱅 복귀 아니다 "죄책감 그대로...SNS 프로필도 변경 NO" [공식입장]

TOP's Profile Update Sparks Speculation About BIGBANG Return

Big Ocean (빅오션), the world's first idol group composed of hearing-impaired members, has unveiled a significant new track. At noon on February 10, the song 'brighT' was released on the music platform FLO, celebrating the 25th anniversary of SK Telecom's (SKT) Happy Coding Challenge.

The song 'brighT' is a collaborative effort involving SK Telecom, the Korea Disabled People's Federation (한국장애인단체총연맹), Parastar Entertainment (파라스타엔터테인먼트), and the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation. The title draws inspiration from the English word 'bright,' which conveys the message that 'tomorrow will shine even brighter.' It is an uplifting anthem filled with hope.

Since 1999, SK Telecom and the Korea Disabled People's Federation have organized various competitions to enhance the ICT skills of disabled youth. Last October, they held the 25th anniversary Happy AI Coding Challenge, where participants used AI to write lyrics and create album cover images based on a given theme. Big Ocean contributed their vocals to the project, merging AI with cultural and artistic expression in an innovative way.

Notably, Parastar Entertainment, Big Ocean's agency, is also a nurturing company under SK Telecom's startup support programs, 'ESG Korea' and 'Social Performance Incentive (SPC),' adding further significance to this collaboration.

Big Ocean expressed their excitement through their agency, stating, "The line 'The light of tomorrow will embrace me' really resonated with me. It’s amazing that AI can write lyrics so naturally that it can touch our hearts, and the friends who utilized it well were impressive. The song features an addictive melody and an upbeat tempo, so I expect many people will enjoy it." 

Additionally, Big Ocean is set to hold their first solo concert titled 'Follow' on March 9 in Nagoya, Japan, at the Toyota Civic Cultural Center.

빅오션, AI와 손 잡았다…문화예술 결합 'brighT' 음원 공개

Big Ocean Releases Meaningful Track 'brighT' for SK Telecom's 25th Anniversary

On February 11, 2025, a representative for T.O.P clarified that the recent speculation regarding his return to BIGBANG was unfounded. The representative stated, "T.O.P's official account has always included the name 'TOP.' His stance on rejoining BIGBANG remains unchanged from previous interviews." 

The rumors began circulating after T.O.P's name was added to BIGBANG's official YouTube channel, and he updated his personal profile to include his stage name 'TOP.' This led fans to speculate about a possible reunion. 

However, the representative emphasized that T.O.P has not altered his decision to leave the group. In a Netflix interview related to 'Squid Game 2' last year, T.O.P expressed, "I caused significant harm to the members and my former agency (YG Entertainment), and I no longer want to be a burden. If I return to the team, my past mistakes would negatively impact the members as well." He also apologized for unfollowing the other members and blocking fans who mentioned BIGBANG, stating, "I didn't want to cause any harm to the members." 

T.O.P faced legal issues in 2016 when he was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, for marijuana use. Following this, he declared his retirement from the entertainment industry, asserting he had no plans to return to Korea. Although he left BIGBANG, he made a comeback with 'Squid Game 2,' which drew considerable criticism.

탑, 빅뱅 재합류설 입 열었다 "탈퇴 번복 NO,공식계정 TOP는 원래 있던 이름"[종합]

T.O.P's Return to BIGBANG Rumors Debunked

The K-pop girl group IVE has expressed their condolences by sending a wreath to the funeral of 8-year-old Kim Ha-neul, who tragically lost her life at the hands of a female teacher in Daejeon. It has been reported that Kim was a devoted fan of IVE. On February 12, IVE's agency confirmed that they sent the wreath to Kim's funeral at the Konyang University Hospital in Daejeon the previous day.

In a media interview, Kim's father shared that her dream was to meet Jang Won-young, a member of IVE. He recalled how Kim had asked for a photo card of Jang as a birthday gift and would stay up late to watch any program featuring her. He expressed a heartfelt request for IVE representatives to send a warm message to his daughter as she embarks on her final journey.

Upon learning of Kim's father's interview, IVE promptly sent a photo card along with the wreath to convey their sympathies.

Meanwhile, the teacher involved, referred to as A, had taken a leave of absence due to mental health issues in early December last year but returned to work less than a month later, presenting a doctor's note stating she was fit to resume her duties. However, on February 6, she exhibited violent behavior by injuring a colleague who was checking on her.

On the day of the incident, February 10, the Daejeon City Office of Education sent an inspector to the school to investigate and recommended that A be separated from the students. Unfortunately, this recommendation was not acted upon. Later that day, A lured Kim out of her classroom and fatally attacked her in an audiovisual room.

After the incident, A inflicted self-harm and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital. Authorities plan to arrest her once she recovers to investigate the motives behind her actions, and they are also considering the public disclosure of her personal information.

K-pop Group IVE Sends Condolences to Family of Young Fan

Kim Ri-eul, the renowned hanbok designer known for her work with BTS (방탄소년단), has tragically passed away at the age of 32. According to reports from Yonhap News on February 12, the Namwon police in Jeollabuk-do received a report of her death at an apartment on February 11 at around 9 PM, and they are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding her passing.

Kim first gained attention in 2016 when she introduced modern suits made from traditional hanbok fabric. She later established her own hanbok suit brand, Ri-eul. Her designs garnered significant acclaim, particularly when BTS wore her hanbok suits during their performance of the hit song 'IDOL' in 2020. The group also showcased her creations during their appearance on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or other difficult issues, please reach out for help. You can contact suicide prevention hotlines for 24/7 professional counseling.

BTS Hanbok Designer Kim Ri-eul Passes Away at 32

The popular program ‘더 트롯쇼’ (The Trot Show) is set to make its way to Japan. On March 10, 2025, the special event ‘더 트롯쇼 IN JAPAN’ will take place at the Grand Cube in Osaka, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. There will be two performances at 2 PM and 7 PM, featuring the same lineup but with different arrangements, generating high anticipation among local fans.

This special edition of ‘The Trot Show IN JAPAN’ is produced by the team behind Korea's first trot chart program, along with the ‘트롯뮤직어워즈 2024’ (Trot Music Awards 2024) and ‘SBS 트롯대전’ (SBS Trot Competition). The event aims to enhance cultural exchange between Korea and Japan, showcasing a festival that transcends K-POP to include both trot and J-POP, appealing to audiences of all ages.

The performances will feature prominent representatives from both Korean trot and Japanese J-POP, creating a stage for musical interaction and unity with fans. Attendees can expect a variety of performances from trot artists, collaborative stages between K-trot and J-POP, and a grand finale featuring beloved songs from both countries.

A stellar lineup of 12 Korean trot artists will perform, including the ‘powerful vocalist’ 금잔디 (Geum Jandi), ‘versatile entertainer’ 김희재 (Kim Hee-jae), ‘trot powerhouse’ 박구윤 (Park Gu-yoon), ‘vibrant voice’ 박지현 (Park Ji-hyun), ‘multi-talented’ 손태진 (Son Tae-jin), ‘trot queen’ 송가인 (Song Ga-in), ‘silky voice’ 송민준 (Song Min-jun), ‘gentle emotion’ 안성훈 (Ahn Seong-hoon), ‘trot legend’ 진성 (Jin Seong), ‘milk boy’ 최수호 (Choi Soo-ho), ‘trot Barbie’ 홍지윤 (Hong Ji-yoon), and ‘trot beast idol’ 황윤성 (Hwang Yoon-seong). Japanese artists include the ‘black singing king’ 마츠자키 시게루 (Matsuzaki Shigeru) and the ‘skilled singer connecting both nations’ 우타고코로 리에 (Utago Koro Rie), who will also engage with fans.

These artists are diligently preparing to deliver a high-quality performance, featuring stunning visuals and engaging interactions that express their love for global fans.

The Trot Show to Celebrate 60 Years of Korea-Japan Relations

Following the tragic passing of weathercaster Oh Yoo-anna, Jang Sung-kyu has issued a detailed statement in response to accusations of being a bystander. On February 11, he shared on his social media that he initially intended to wait until the family found peace before speaking out. However, he was encouraged by the family to clarify his position due to concerns about facing secondary victimization. 

Oh Yoo-anna, who worked as a weathercaster for MBC since 2021, passed away on September 15, 2024. Her family revealed that she had suffered bullying from senior weathercasters, sought therapy at over ten psychiatric facilities, and left behind 17 letters. The individuals implicated in the bullying include Lee Hyun-seung, Kim Ga-young, Park Ha-myung, and Choi Ah-ri.

Jang Sung-kyu faced backlash after claims emerged that he had facilitated Oh Yoo-anna's suicide due to his friendship with Kim Ga-young. A YouTube channel, 'Garo-Setro Research Institute,' even accused him of lacking remorse for allegedly sharing Oh's struggles with her seniors. In his defense, Jang stated that he had introduced Oh as a junior to Kim Ga-young, who he believed cared for her. He recounted that after listening to Oh's concerns, he felt his support alone was insufficient and suggested that Kim Ga-young assist her. However, Kim Ga-young cited work-related issues that made it difficult for her to help.

Jang emphasized that he never conveyed any negative remarks about Oh to anyone, nor did he engage in conversations that could be construed as harmful. He expressed regret for not taking more proactive measures at the time, believing that Oh was handling her challenges with resilience. 

He reiterated that he was not a perpetrator or bystander, as they had exchanged friendly messages, including recommendations for restaurants shortly before her passing. Jang concluded his statement by offering condolences to Oh's family and pledging to take legal action against anyone who crosses boundaries with him or his family. 

In his full statement, Jang expressed deep sorrow for the loss and reiterated his commitment to support the family in any way possible, while also addressing the need for legal recourse against those who have overstepped their bounds.

Jang Sung-kyu Addresses Allegations Following the Death of Weathercaster Oh Yoo-anna

'Current King of Masked Singer 2' aired its semifinals on February 11, showcasing the intense competition among 14 active singers. The results of the second round, dubbed 'The Dramatic Showdown,' saw Enok (에녹), Park Seo-jin (박서진), Hwanhee (환희), Kim Junsu (김준수), Kang Moon-kyung (강문경), Shin Seung-tae (신승태), Shin Yu (신유), and Kim Soo-chan (김수찬) emerge victorious.

During the episode, Jaehwa (재하) performed 'The End of Parting' by Hye-eun (혜은이), while Kim Kyung-min (김경민) chose 'Lost Love' by Kim Soo-hee (김수희), and Na Tae-joo (나태주) sang 'Sangpalja' by Jinseong (진성). Jaehwa received praise for engaging with the audience for the first time, creating a performance that some deemed even more meaningful than the finals.

However, Kim Kyung-min faced criticism for not fully capturing the essence of trot due to his young age, and Na Tae-joo struggled with his condition, receiving more encouragement than critique.

No Ji-hoon (노지훈) performed 'Irreversible Time' by Jo Hang-jo, while Choi Soo-ho (최수호) sang 'Hwangseong Old Site' by Lee Ae-ri (이애리수). No Ji-hoon shared a touching personal story about losing his parents within two weeks, which resonated with the audience. The celebrity judging panel remarked on the beauty of his emotional performance, while they suggested that Choi Soo-ho could have better conveyed the historical context of his nearly century-old song.

Kim Junsu and Kang Moon-kyung, who ranked high in the first round, solidified their positions with 'I Can't Find the Cuckoo' by Jo Yong-pil (조용필) and 'Because I'm a Woman' by Shim Soo-bong (심수봉), respectively. Enok captivated viewers with a musical rendition of 'Ok-kyung' by Tae Jin-ah (태진아).

Jin Hae-sung (진해성) performed 'A Piece of Cloud Lying Long' by Na Hoon-a (나훈아), while Kim Soo-chan sang 'Yun Jung-ro Love Song' by Joo Hyun-mi (주현미), and Park Seo-jin delivered a powerful rendition of 'Lost Love' by Tae Jin-ah, earning him high praise for his unexpected vocal prowess.

Hwanhee showcased his individuality with 'Your Name' by Hyun-cheol (현철), Shin Yu performed 'Ball' by Na Hoon-a, and Shin Seung-tae concluded the round with 'Four Beats' by Song Dae-kwan (송대관).

After tallying the scores from the first round, the celebrity judges, public support votes, and the national judging panel, the rankings were established as follows: Kang Moon-kyung, Shin Seung-tae, Hwanhee, Jin Hae-sung, Kim Junsu, Shin Yu, Kim Soo-chan, Park Seo-jin, and Choi Soo-ho.

Unfortunately, Enok, Jaehwa, Na Tae-joo, No Ji-hoon, and Kim Kyung-min found themselves in the elimination zone, but Enok secured the final ticket to the finals through votes from the national judging panel present at the semifinals.

G-DRAGON to Hold World Tour Concerts in Korea This March

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