Jimin, a member of the globally renowned group BTS (방탄소년단), has once again made waves on the Billboard charts. According to the latest chart released by Billboard on February 25, 2025, his second solo album, MUSE (뮤즈), which was released in July 2024, has climbed an impressive 23 spots to reach 109th place on the Billboard 200. Additionally, MUSE has reclaimed the top position on the World Albums chart. The title track, 'Who' (후), has also performed well, landing at 44th on the Hot 100 and securing 27th and 28th positions on the Global 200 and Global (excluding U.S.) charts, respectively.

Meanwhile, Jungkook's (정국) debut solo single 'Seven (feat. Latto)' continues to hold its ground, ranking 83rd on the Global (excluding U.S.) chart and 134th on the Global 200, despite being released in July 2023. Jin's (진) solo album 'Happy' (해피), released in November 2024, has maintained its popularity, remaining at 19th on the World Albums chart for 14 consecutive weeks.

BTS's collective works are also enjoying long-term success, with their anthology album 'Proof' (프루프) proudly holding the 6th position on the World Albums chart for an impressive 141 weeks.

Jimin of BTS Makes a Strong Comeback on Billboard Charts

On February 25, 2025, during the live finale of MBN's 'Current King of Singers 2' (현역가왕2), singer Park Seo-jin (박서진) emerged victorious, becoming the second reigning champion. The final round featured ten contestants, including Hwanhee (환희), Shin Yu (신유), Kim Soo-chan (김수찬), Jin Hae-sung (진해성), Kim Jun-soo (김준수), Choi Soo-ho (최수호), Kang Moon-kyung (강문경), Shin Seung-tae (신승태), and Enok (에녹). 

The total score for the final was 5,000 points, calculated from various voting methods: 44% from on-site votes (combined from the first and second rounds), 10% from public support votes (weighted for second place and below), 6% from new song streaming (also weighted), and 40% from real-time text votes (with ratios for second place and below). 

Park Seo-jin secured the top position with a score of 4,574 points, receiving the champion's belt from the first reigning king, Jeon Yu-jin (전유진). Expressing his gratitude, Park stated, "I wonder how happy my brothers in heaven would be to see this. I will sing even harder from now on." 

The top seven finalists included Jin Hae-sung, Enok, Shin Seung-tae, Kim Jun-soo, Choi Soo-ho, and Kang Moon-kyung. Jin Hae-sung, who finished in second place, reflected on his late grandmother, who could not witness the final performance, saying, "She may not have seen it, but I still achieved a good result." 

The top seven will participate in the upcoming 'Korean-Japanese King of Singers' competition, commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. Unfortunately, Hwanhee, Kim Soo-chan, and Shin Yu did not make the top seven. Shin Yu remarked, "I have often been told that I am very ambitious for participating in 'Current King of Singers 2', but I approached it without any shame in my choices."

"하늘에 있는 형들 얼마나 기뻐할까" 박서진, 장구 꺼내고 1등 차지→환희-김수찬-신유 탈락 ('현역가왕2') [종영]

Park Seo-jin Crowned as the Second Champion of 'Current King of Singers'

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, actress Ra Mi-ran shared a video on her social media account to cheer on the rookie idol group Kiki. Accompanying the video, she wrote, "#kiki #키키 #수이 #미야 #I DO ME" and added a playful comment, "Haha, what’s going on? I got everything wrong. Go for it, Kiki!" In the video, Ra Mi-ran showcased her charming look with a fresh medium-length hairstyle, a light checkered shirt over a burgundy t-shirt, and jeans. Beside her, Kiki members Sui and Miya danced to their debut track "I DO ME," flaunting their youthful and relaxed outfits. Fans reacted with comments like, "Wow, Ra Mi-ran dances well too!" and "What did she get wrong?" Kiki, a new girl group under Starship Entertainment, debuted with the pre-single "I DO ME." Additionally, Ra Mi-ran recently won the 'Multi-Entertainer' award at the 2025 Korea First Brand Awards and is set to appear in the MBC drama "Let’s Go to the Moon."

'제 2의 아이브' 키키, 대배우 라미란과 벌써 콜라보

Actress Ra Mi-ran Shows Support for New Idol Group Kiki

On the February 24 episode of KBS Joy's 'Ask Anything' (무엇이든 물어보살), host Seojanghoon reacted with anger to a heartbreaking story involving a mother battling cancer and her estranged daughter. The guest, who has been diagnosed with blood cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, shared her struggles, including being out of contact with her eldest daughter for the past seven years. The mother expressed her desire to reconnect with her daughter before her health deteriorates further.

The daughter had previously informed her mother about her pregnancy with a Cambodian man just a year before graduation, leading to a wedding that the mother facilitated. However, the daughter later divorced and began living with a new partner, concealing the fact that she was receiving child support from her ex-husband. Unbeknownst to the mother, the daughter had been living with her partner while receiving 500,000 won in child support, which was revealed to the mother through a message from the daughter's partner addressing her as 'mother-in-law.' This revelation marked the beginning of their seven-year silence.

Seojanghoon questioned whether the daughter was aware of her mother's illness, to which the mother replied that her daughter knew but had changed her phone number and cut off contact with the family. The mother recounted a moment when she discovered her daughter lived nearby and attempted to reach out by leaving a letter and food at her door, only to find it untouched for 20 days.

Co-host Lee Soo-geun chimed in, questioning the rationale behind such estrangement, emphasizing that children should check on their parents. Seojanghoon added that regardless of any underlying issues, it is a child's duty to care for their sick parent, especially after five years of the mother battling cancer. He stressed that no matter how strained their relationship may be, a child should be there for their parent in times of illness.

서장훈, 혈액암 투병母 7년간 연락두절 한 딸에 "인성에 문제있어" 일침 ('물어보살')

Seojanghoon Expresses Anger Over Daughter's Estrangement from Cancer-Stricken Mother on 'Ask Anything' 

On the February 24 episode of TV CHOSUN's 조선의 사랑꾼 (Lovers of Joseon), singer Chae Ri-na opened up about a traumatic incident that occurred before her marriage to her husband, former baseball player Park Yong-geun, who is six years her junior. The couple revealed that they have been married for ten years without holding a wedding ceremony, sparking curiosity among viewers.

Chae Ri-na explained that the reason for not having a wedding was due to a significant accident involving Park Yong-geun. She shared, "We were originally like siblings, but after he went through a major incident, he expressed his feelings for me. My prayer was, 'Please save this friend,' and thankfully, he survived. We formed a bond through this experience, but we didn't want to draw attention to ourselves because there was a victim involved."

The 'major incident' Chae Ri-na referred to was a stabbing incident that took place in 2012 at a bar in Gangnam, Seoul. This tragic event resulted in the death of Kim Sung-soo's ex-wife, a member of the mixed group Cool, due to excessive bleeding, while Park Yong-geun suffered severe injuries, including the removal of 44% of his liver. Despite being in a critical condition, he miraculously survived the surgery.

Chae Ri-na recalled, "Before the surgery, the diagnosis was a 99% chance of death." Park Yong-geun added, "It was a huge incident, and everyone involved was affected. Initially, I had trauma from the event and have since avoided crowded places." Chae Ri-na expressed feelings of guilt, saying, "If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have been there that day. Thankfully, the surgery went well, and when he recovered and was discharged, he confessed his feelings to me."

Chae Ri-na emphasized the sensitivity surrounding the incident, stating, "Since there are victims who are still hurting, we decided to live quietly. A wedding might bring back painful memories for some."

Having lived for over a decade without a wedding ceremony, Chae Ri-na also shared her plans to consider IVF treatments with her mother. Additionally, her fellow DIVA members, Min-kyung and Jin-hee, were seen trying to book Jamsil Baseball Stadium as a potential wedding venue.

The couple's journey continues to unfold on TV CHOSUN's 조선의 사랑꾼 (Lovers of Joseon), which airs every Monday at 10 PM.

채리나 '사망 확률 99%' 이겨냈다…기적의 男과 '잠실구장' 결혼식 (조선의사랑꾼)[종합]

Chae Ri-na Reflects on Traumatic Incident Before Marriage to Park Yong-geun

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

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

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'

In the upcoming episode of Channel A's 'Yojeum Namja Life - Shinrang School' (신랑수업), airing on February 26 at 9:30 PM, Shim Hyung-tak experiences a heartfelt moment as he registers the birth of his son, Haru, born in January. 

After taking his wife, Saya, and their newborn to a postpartum care center, Shim heads to the local community center to file the birth registration. Eager to complete the process, he diligently fills out the registration form. However, when he sends a photo of the completed form to his wife for verification, she quickly calls him to point out that he has misspelled their son's name in Hanja. Shim, embarrassed, admits, "Oh no, I haven't written it in a while..." which brings laughter to everyone present.

Later, as he receives the official document with his son's name, Shim's eyes well up with emotion. He reflects, "I feel like my life is reflected in this document. I wonder if I've truly become an adult or a father now. It's hard to put into words how I feel." His sentiment resonates with fellow cast member Kim Jong-min, who humorously expresses his own aspirations, saying, "I need to hurry too! By the end of this year!" which lightens the mood in the studio.

After completing the registration, Shim excitedly calls fellow actors Lee Sang-woo and Lee Min-woo to boast about his son. He exclaims, "Our Haru is so beautiful! He looks like a star already!" Despite the playful teasing from the 'Mentor Group' about his excessive bragging, Shim laughs it off, stating, "It just comes naturally to be a proud dad. I used to brag about my wife a lot after getting married, but now that we have a child, it feels so good to talk about him instead." 

Returning to the postpartum care center, Shim takes on the responsibility of caring for Haru while allowing his wife to rest. His adeptness at feeding and burping the baby earns him applause from the 'Mentor Group.' 

Viewers can witness the touching interactions between Shim Hyung-tak and his son Haru in the 152nd episode of 'Shinrang School' on Channel A, airing tonight at 9:30 PM.

Jimin of BTS Makes a Strong Comeback on Billboard Charts

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HYBE Partners with Gyeonggi Northern Police to Combat Cyber Crimes

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

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

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

Shim Hyung-tak Shares Emotional Moment While Registering His Son's Birth

More

Park Seo-jin Crowned as the Second Champion of 'Current King of Singers'

Sudden Death of Police Officer Amidst Increased Workload Sparks Concerns

Actress Ra Mi-ran Shows Support for New Idol Group Kiki

Seojanghoon Expresses Anger Over Daughter's Estrangement from Cancer-Stricken Mother on 'Ask Anything'

Chae Ri-na Reflects on Traumatic Incident Before Marriage to Park Yong-geun

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