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'

The six-member rookie girl group IF I has officially confirmed their debut for the first half of 2025. High Hopes Entertainment revealed the group's first group photo on their official social media channels on February 25. 

Produced by renowned K-pop choreographer and producer RyuD, IF I stands for 'Imagining a Vision into Reality.' The group aims to captivate global listeners with their diverse music and performances, showcasing the journey of six girls who have awakened their dreams into reality. 

In the recently released group photo, the members exude a chic vibe with their pure yet confident expressions and stylish outfits. The visual synergy created by the six members is truly striking, hinting at the birth of a super rookie that will capture the hearts of fans both domestically and internationally. 

Alongside the group image, IF I also unveiled a logo motion video that narrates the debut story of the six members. The video symbolizes the members as small stars chasing a larger star, representing their dream of debuting and expanding into the universe. 

With RyuD's extensive experience collaborating with numerous idols such as EXO, SEVENTEEN, and NCT, as well as directing various programs like 'Queendom 2,' 'After School Excitement,' and 'Project 7,' anticipation is high for the fresh wave IF I will bring to the K-pop scene this year.

[공식] '퀸덤2·방과후 설렘' 안무가 류디 표 걸그룹 이프아이, 상반기 데뷔 확정

New Girl Group IF I Set to Debut in 2025

Kim Sung-kyu of INFINITE is set to return to his activities following the recent passing of his father. On February 25, INFINITE's management announced via their official social media that Kim is currently spending time in mourning with family, friends, and fellow members, having completed the funeral rites for his late father today.

The agency further stated that after careful discussions with the artist, Kim Sung-kyu is expected to participate in the upcoming 2024 - 2025 INFINITE 15th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT 'LIMITED EDITION' in Hong Kong on March 1. Additionally, all previously paused content and social media updates will gradually resume.

The statement expressed gratitude for the support and condolences from fans, urging them to warmly welcome Kim Sung-kyu back upon his return.

Earlier, Kim's older sister passed away on February 22 after battling illness. On February 21, he had completed the departure procedures for a scheduled tour in Malaysia but had to withdraw from the performance due to unforeseen circumstances. The other members of INFINITE continued with the tour as planned.

The news of his absence was followed by the announcement of his sister's passing, prompting an outpouring of support and condolences from fans. In response, INFINITE's management halted all promotional activities for their mini-album 'LIKE INFINITE' and paused content uploads to join in mourning.

Here is the full statement from the agency:

"Hello, this is INFINITE Company.

Kim Sung-kyu is currently spending time in mourning with family, friends, and INFINITE members, having completed the funeral rites today. We sincerely thank everyone who has expressed their condolences and would like to provide an update on Kim Sung-kyu's future activities and upload schedule.

After careful discussions with the artist, he is expected to attend the 2024 - 2025 INFINITE 15th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT 'LIMITED EDITION' in Hong Kong on March 1, and all previously paused content and social media uploads will gradually resume.

We once again thank our many fans for their support and consideration, and we hope you will warmly welcome Kim Sung-kyu back upon his return.

Thank you."

인피니트 김성규, 형제상 슬픔 딛고 활동 재개.."1일 홍콩 콘서트 참석" [공식]

INFINITE's Kim Sung-kyu to Resume Activities After Family Bereavement

On February 25, 2025, singer Hwanhee took to the stage in a heartfelt performance dedicated to his mother during the live finale of MBN's 'Current King of Masked Singer 2'. As the first contestant to perform among the ten finalists, Hwanhee captured the audience's attention. 

The finale was structured in reverse order of scores from the first round, placing Hwanhee at the starting position as contestant number 0 after finishing last in the previous round. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed, "Reaching the finals is a profound experience for me. Even if I don't make it to the end, I hope people remember that I left behind such beautiful songs in the trot genre."

Hwanhee chose to sing 'Gomabso' (고맙소) by Jo Hang-jo, sharing that the song resonated deeply with him because of the struggles his mother faced. He revealed, "I was listening to this song in the car, and it brought me to tears. The lyrics touched my heart, and I wanted to express my feelings to my mother."

As he concluded his performance, Hwanhee was visibly emotional. Judge Joo Hyun-mi commented, "I always thought this song was one that a husband sings to his wife, but hearing that he sang it thinking of his mother is incredibly moving. I can only imagine how touched she must be."

During the live broadcast, Hwanhee received only the highest and lowest scores from the celebrity judging panel due to ongoing text voting. He earned a top score of 100 and a low score of 70 for his rendition of 'Gomabso'.

환희, 기호 0번으로 결승 무대 출격! 100점 만점 터져 '눈길' ('현역가왕2')

Hwanhee Delivers Emotional Performance for His Mother on MBN's 'Current King of Masked Singer 2'

On February 25, 2025, singer Park Seo-jin captivated audiences during the final episode of MBN's Current King of Masked Singer 2 (현역가왕2) by showcasing his signature janggu performance. As contestant number 3, he delivered a memorable stage that highlighted his unique talent.

Before the finals, Park visited Cheongnyongsa Temple in Sacheon, sharing, "This place has been a source of comfort for me since childhood. It’s also where I held a memorial for my younger brother. I feel like he welcomes me when I come here."

Hoping for a positive outcome in the competition, Park later expressed his feelings in an interview with the production team, revealing, "A senior once asked me, 'Why do you play the janggu? Isn't it lowering your status as a singer?' They even told me to quit immediately." He reflected on this experience, stating, "At that time, I was truly upset, but I believe that those moments shaped the Park Seo-jin I am today. I have no shame in playing the janggu."

For his final performance, Park chose to sing 'Heungtaryeong' by Lee Mi-ri, confidently stating, "I will showcase what I do best on this last stage." The celebrity judging panel eagerly anticipated his performance, exclaiming, "He’s brought out his secret weapon!"

During the live broadcast, Park also shared the scores he received from the celebrity judges, noting that he earned a high score of 98 and a low score of 80, amidst ongoing text voting from viewers.

박서진, '가수 품격 떨어뜨린다'는 막말에도 장구 꺼냈다 "제일 잘하는 것 할래" ('현역가왕2')

Park Seo-jin Dazzles with Traditional Janggu Performance on 'Current King of Masked Singer 2'

A police officer in his 50s, identified as Kim (김) from the 6th Mobile Police Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, tragically passed away on February 21, 2025. He was found unresponsive at his home in Gyeonggi Province after completing a grueling 21-hour shift. Kim had returned home after his duty, had lunch, and went to sleep, but never woke up. His wife, Lee (이), discovered him when she returned home from a part-time job early the next morning. 

Lee recounted that she knocked on the door of their bedroom but received no response. Upon entering, she found her husband lying in an unusual position, with signs of fluid coming from his mouth and nose. Initially, she suspected he might have been injured during a protest, but upon touching his cold skin, she realized he had passed away. 

An autopsy conducted by the National Forensic Service indicated that a brain hemorrhage was the cause of death. The family claims that Kim had no prior health issues. Lee expressed her shock and guilt, stating, "I feel sorry that he must have suffered while working in the cold on the streets. His work schedule was relatively regular before the impeachment crisis, but it became unpredictable afterward, which stressed him out." 

Kim's older brother mentioned that his sibling often complained about the overwhelming workload and sudden demands to report for duty, even on his days off. The family plans to inquire with the police about recognizing Kim's death as a line-of-duty incident. 

Colleagues who attended Kim's funeral shared their frustrations about the chaotic work schedules following the declaration of martial law. They reported instances of working up to 26 hours straight and often feeling exhausted. One officer noted that they sometimes only managed to get a few hours of sleep before returning to work, leading to a cycle of fatigue. 

The increased number of protests and demonstrations in the wake of the impeachment crisis has led to longer hours for police officers, particularly those in the mobile units. According to data submitted to the National Assembly, the number of protests in December 2024 reached 534, a 12% increase from the previous year. The number of mobile police units deployed to manage these events also rose significantly. 

The physical demands on officers have been exacerbated by the rising intensity of protests, with reports indicating that many officers have sustained injuries during recent events. One officer involved in crowd control during a violent incident at the Western District Court noted the growing challenges posed by increasingly aggressive demonstrations. 

As the situation continues to evolve, the health and safety of police officers remain a pressing concern amidst the ongoing political turmoil.

50대 경찰, 21시간 근무 후 돌연사... 유족 “집회 폭증으로 과로”

Sudden Death of Police Officer Amidst Increased Workload Sparks Concerns

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 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.

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

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.

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

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HYBE Partners with Gyeonggi Northern Police to Combat Cyber Crimes

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

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

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

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

More

New Girl Group IF I Set to Debut in 2025

INFINITE's Kim Sung-kyu to Resume Activities After Family Bereavement

Hwanhee Delivers Emotional Performance for His Mother on MBN's 'Current King of Masked Singer 2'

Park Seo-jin Dazzles with Traditional Janggu Performance on 'Current King of Masked Singer 2'

Sudden Death of Police Officer Amidst Increased Workload Sparks Concerns

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