Jung Seung-won, the winner of Phantom Singer 4, showcased his impressive vocal range during his solo debut on KBS2's Immortal Songs, which aired on March 15. He performed a stunning rendition of Baby V.O.X's classic hit 'Why' in a classical style, captivating both the original artists and the audience.

As the first-generation girl group Baby V.O.X took the stage, Jung explained his choice of song, noting the orchestral elements in 'Why' that inspired him to reinterpret it classically. Accompanied by a large orchestra, he delivered powerful high notes that sent chills through the audience, adding depth to the performance.

The response from the judges and fellow performers was overwhelmingly positive. Yoo Jung-wan praised Jung's ability to captivate with just his voice, while EXID's Jeonghwa expressed her admiration, saying he resembled a 'wounded wolf.' Hani chimed in, humorously noting his masculine presence.

Baby V.O.X members were equally mesmerized, with Yoon Eun-hye commenting on the 'sexy vibe' of the performance, and Lee Hee-jin stating it felt like watching a musical, declaring herself a fan of Jung Seung-won after witnessing his stage presence.

Previously, Jung Seung-won announced his upcoming single '너를 사랑한다는 말 (I mean, I love you),' set to be released on March 25, with teaser content expected to follow. The new track will be available at 6 PM KST on the release date.

Jung Seung-won Shines in First Solo Appearance on Immortal Songs

The girl group Baby Monster has embarked on an impressive journey, bolstered by the unwavering support of YG Entertainment's chief producer, Yang Hyun-suk. Since their official debut in April 2024 with their first mini-album, ‘BABYMONS7ER’, Baby Monster has captured attention with their remarkable talent right from the start.

The group has showcased unparalleled live performances across music shows, YouTube content, and variety programs, quickly gaining recognition among global K-pop fans. Their consistent rise in music charts has seen them secure top positions, even achieving a number one spot on music broadcasts. Their first full-length album, ‘DRIP’, released in November, further demonstrated their powerful live capabilities, leading to a resurgence in chart popularity.

True to their name, Baby Monster has emerged as a 'monster rookie'. Remarkably, within less than a year of their debut, they launched their first world tour, ‘HELLO MONSTERS’, kicking off in January at the KSPO DOME in Seoul. Entering the 'holy ground of K-pop' as a rookie girl group in under a year is no small feat. Baby Monster filled the large venue with their impressive live performances and confident stage presence, proving their exceptional skills.

Following their success in Korea, Baby Monster made their way to North America, quickly entering major arenas like the Prudential Center in Newark and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, each with a capacity of over 10,000. Their rapid rise in popularity led to an expansion of their North American tour, adding six more performances due to overwhelming demand.

As Baby Monster continues to solidify their status as a well-rounded girl group, anticipation grows for their future development. Behind their dazzling achievements lies the strong backing of YG and Yang Hyun-suk, who personally oversaw the entire debut project. With a proven track record of successfully producing K-pop icons like BIGBANG, 2NE1, WINNER, BLACKPINK, and TREASURE, Yang has once again launched a rookie group that is set to astonish global K-pop fans.

Debuting seven years after BLACKPINK, Baby Monster inherits the YG DNA from their predecessors while also breaking away from the traditional YG girl group production style led by Teddy. They are embracing diverse challenges and innovations, signaling the dawn of a new generation. Yang Hyun-suk's commitment to excellence in talent and music has harmonized beautifully with the members' outstanding abilities.

Having taken a hands-on approach in all creative aspects of Baby Monster's music, Yang has once again proven his prowess as a pioneer in the K-pop market with their successful launch. Additionally, with BLACKPINK's new album and world tour anticipated later this year, excitement builds around YG's growth trajectory in 2025.

훨훨 나는 베이비몬스터..‘K팝 선구자’ 양현석 또 해냈다 [Oh!쎈 펀치]

Baby Monster Takes a Bold Leap with YG Entertainment's Support

In the upcoming episode of JTBC's weekend drama 'Negotiation Tactics' (협상의 기술), airing on March 16, M&A team leader Yoon Joo-no (이제훈) and lawyer Oh Soon-young (김대명) are on a mission to secure a contract with Chacha Games. 

Yoon Joo-no has revealed a roadmap for the Sanin Group to enter the e-commerce sector, which is a critical weakness for the company. He proposed a pivot to CEO Cha Ho-jin (장인섭) to utilize the logistics system from Chacha Games' 'Delivery King' but was met with immediate rejection. The Sanin Group urgently needs the inventory management program from 'Delivery King' to successfully expand its e-commerce operations. Yoon Joo-no cleverly provoked Cha Ho-jin by leveraging the rivalry with DC Games.

Just as Yoon Joo-no secured a promise from Cha Ho-jin to sit at the negotiation table and received approval from Chairman Song Jae-sik (성동일), who was expected to oppose the acquisition, an unexpected obstacle arose. Another company emerged, offering double the acquisition price that Yoon Joo-no had proposed to Chacha Games. This unforeseen challenge has heightened interest in Yoon Joo-no's next steps.

Photos released show Yoon Joo-no and Oh Soon-young storming Chacha Games, sparking curiosity. Unlike the visibly flustered Chacha Games employees, Yoon Joo-no and Oh Soon-young maintain a calm demeanor despite the contract slipping away. The scene of Cha Ho-jin hastily fleeing and his confrontation with Yoon Joo-no promises to be a thrilling moment.

As the situation unfolds, viewers are eager to see how Yoon Joo-no and Oh Soon-young will resolve the potential contract breach with Chacha Games. Particularly intriguing is the role of Executive Huh Tae-soo (장현성), who pretended to support the deal while secretly undermining it. Fans are looking forward to the counterattack from Yoon Joo-no and the M&A team against this crisis.

Don't miss episode 4 of 'Negotiation Tactics' on JTBC at 10:30 PM KST on March 16.

이제훈, 도망간 개발자 잡는다…김대명과 손 잡고 반격 예고 ('협상의 기술')

Negotiation Tactics: Lee Je-hoon and Kim Dae-myung Chase Down a Developer

In the latest episode of tvN's 'The Guy is Black Dragon' (그놈은 흑염룡), the characters played by Moon Ga-young (문가영) and Choi Hyun-wook (최현욱) confront their pasts and the identity of their first love. The tension escalates as they, along with Lim Se-mi (임세미) and Kwak Si-yang (곽시양), come together for a pivotal four-way confrontation.

'The Guy is Black Dragon' tells the story of two individuals who had a tumultuous relationship in an online game, only to meet again in a workplace setting, leading to an office romance. Moon Ga-young portrays Baek Soo-jung, a team leader known as the 'Department Head Killer,' while Choi Hyun-wook plays Ban Joo-yeon, a third-generation chaebol.

In the previous episode, the secret romance between Soo-jung and Joo-yeon faced challenges when Soo-jung discovered a confession necklace from the past, revealing Joo-yeon as a figure from her dark history. This revelation puts their budding romance in jeopardy.

In stills released by the production team, Soo-jung appears to hide her emotions while avoiding Joo-yeon's gaze, who looks at her with a determined expression. The anxious expressions of Seon Ha-jin (임세미) and Kim Shin-won (곽시양) suggest that the relationship between Soo-jung and Joo-yeon is on shaky ground.

Additionally, a special preview for episode 9 shows Shin-won asking Soo-jung and Joo-yeon, "You two will keep seeing each other, right?" Joo-yeon responds affirmatively, while Soo-jung sharply denies it, showcasing their contrasting reactions.

The production team stated, "Although the identity of the Black Dragon has been revealed, Ban Joo-yeon's pursuit will not waver. We ask viewers to watch and see if Soo-jung can overcome her past wounds."

Meanwhile, 'The Guy is Black Dragon' has proven to be a massive hit, ranking first for three consecutive weeks in 118 countries on the global OTT platform Rakuten Viki. The show airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM on tvN.

"흑염룡 정체 발각! 문가영-최현욱, 과거와 사랑 사이 위태로운 줄타기"

Tension Rises in tvN's 'The Guy is Black Dragon' as Past Secrets Unfold

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).

'미성년 교제 논란' 김수현, 김새론 母에 만남 요청 "충분히 설명할것"(공식)[종합]

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

Comedian Hong Hyun-hee and her husband, broadcaster Jay Seon, recently donned traditional Thai clothing for a family photo shoot. On March 15, their YouTube channel, '홍현희 제이쓴 홍쓴TV', featured a video titled 'We Are Immigrating'. In the video, Hong expressed her excitement, saying, "Since we’re here, we should take a photo in traditional Thai attire," recalling a similar experience in Guam. However, Jay Seon humorously questioned the need for a family photo. 

The couple then headed to a location for the photo shoot, complete with makeup and hairstyling. Jay Seon was impressed with Hong Hyun-hee's transformation, exclaiming, "You look at least ten years younger!" He later changed his phone's wallpaper to a picture of them in traditional attire, stating, "Doesn’t this look like a local’s phone?" 

Jay Seon also shared the original family photo on his personal social media account, captioning it, "Our blessed Chiang Mai." He encouraged others visiting Chiang Mai to take similar photos. The couple's striking appearance led many netizens to comment, "I thought they were locals!" while broadcaster Jang Young-ran remarked, "So cute!"

“저희 이민 갑니다” 홍현희♥제이쓴, 태국 전통의상 입고 가족사진..현지인인 줄[종합]

Comedian Hong Hyun-hee and Host Jay Seon Capture Family Moments in Traditional Thai Attire

On March 15, Jennie held her first solo concert, 'The Ruby Experience,' at Inspire Arena to celebrate the release of her debut album, 'Ruby' (루비). This event marked a significant milestone as it was her first solo performance in Korea, showcasing all tracks from her album. 

The concert featured a total of 15 live performances, starting with the album's opening track, 'Intro: JANE with FKJ,' followed by 'start a war,' and a seamless flow of songs including 'Handlebars,' 'Mantra,' 'Love Hangover,' 'ZEN,' and 'Damn Right.' Notably, the music video for 'Seoul City' was premiered during the show. 

After performing the title track 'like JENNIE,' along with 'with the IE (way up)' and 'ExtraL,' Jennie took a moment to express her gratitude to fans, becoming emotional during her speech. She concluded the main set with 'F.T.S' and 'Filter,' but the audience's cheers brought her back for an encore featuring 'Starlight' and 'twin.' 

Despite the vibrant performances and diverse musical styles, some fans expressed disappointment online, citing that the concert fell short of expectations. The event was initially advertised with a runtime of 120 minutes, but it lasted only about 75 minutes, with limited interaction time of 5-10 minutes with the audience. 

Ticket prices also sparked criticism, with costs set at 220,000 KRW for Ruby seats, 165,000 KRW for R seats, 154,000 KRW for S seats, and 143,000 KRW for A seats, leading to claims of poor value for money. However, many attendees praised the concert, stating that the high production value justified the ticket prices.

Jennie's First Solo Concert 'The Ruby Experience' Leaves Fans Divided

The family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron is set to file a defamation lawsuit against a YouTuber known as A, who is a former journalist. According to reports from Hankyung.com, the family's legal representative, attorney Bu Ji-seok from the law firm Bu-yu, will submit the complaint to the Seoul Police Agency on March 17 at 2 PM, citing defamation through false statements.

Attorney Bu stated, "It is true that Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun were in a relationship. The ongoing debate centers around whether they started dating in 2015 when Kim Sae-ron was a minor, which A has dismissed as a 'self-made drama.' This is a clear falsehood."

Before filing the lawsuit, attorney Bu will explain the reasons for the complaint on behalf of Kim Sae-ron's family. A has produced several videos about Kim Sae-ron over the past three years, all of which were made private following the news of her passing.

The family has also expressed their desire for a sincere public apology from A through the YouTube channel 'Garoseoro Research Institute,' stating, "We plan to file a complaint against A next week and hope for a heartfelt public apology. We also expect an apology regarding the incident where A called after the funeral, claiming they couldn't find the burial site. While A justifies this as fact-checking, the family feels mocked and deeply offended."

Additionally, the family claims that Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun were in a relationship from 2015 to 2021. Although Kim Soo-hyun's side has repeatedly denied the dating rumors, they recently clarified that they did not date when Kim Sae-ron was a minor, but rather from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she became an adult.

Kim Sae-ron was found deceased at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on February 16. During her lifetime, she and Kim Soo-hyun were both signed under the same agency, Gold Medalist.

Kim Sae-ron's Family Files Defamation Lawsuit Against YouTuber

The tragic passing of actress Kim Sae-ron has sparked numerous allegations against fellow actor Kim Soo-hyun, who has attempted to clarify the situation multiple times, yet public sentiment remains cold. The bereaved family is demanding an official apology from Kim Soo-hyun's side, which has responded by suggesting there may be misunderstandings and has requested a meeting to discuss the matter. Meanwhile, the private lives of both individuals continue to be exposed, causing distress.

On March 16, following Kim Sae-ron's death, the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) revealed details surrounding her demise. According to the channel and the family, Kim Soo-hyun allegedly dated Kim Sae-ron from 2015 to 2021 when she was a minor, and after her DUI incident in 2022, he pressured her to repay 700 million KRW borrowed to settle the accident, despite her financial struggles.

In response, Kim Soo-hyun's team categorically denied these claims, labeling them as blatant falsehoods. They stated, 'Garo Sero has made malicious allegations that we colluded with YouTubers to harass the late Kim Sae-ron, including claims that she dated Kim Soo-hyun from the age of 15 and that our management's response to her DUI was inappropriate. These are all unacceptable falsehoods, and we are considering the strongest legal actions against the dissemination of these lies.'

As 'Garo Sero' escalated its accusations against Kim Soo-hyun, his team promised to clarify their position based on clear evidence, quickly moving to refute the claims. They asserted, 'It is not true that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. We have not demanded repayment of any debts after writing off the full amount owed by Kim Sae-ron.' They acknowledged a relationship but clarified it began only after she reached adulthood, using clothing in disputed photos as evidence to counter the allegations of underage dating.

In a counter-response, Kim Sae-ron's mother spoke through 'Garo Sero,' stating, 'Sae-ron never lied to the media. She was not a child who only enjoyed nightlife with friends, nor did she fabricate dating rumors with manipulated photos. However, individuals like Lee Jin-ho and Cyber Leakers have created false articles that dragged a promising young actress and her family into hell. Now that Sae-ron is gone, there are outrageous false articles claiming she was a breadwinner whose family squandered hundreds of billions.' She emphasized the family's desire to restore Sae-ron's honor as an actress and correct the false narratives, hoping for legal and institutional measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

As the back-and-forth continues between 'Garo Sero,' Kim Soo-hyun's representatives, and the bereaved family, the private lives of both Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron are being unnecessarily exposed. Kim Soo-hyun's team expressed, 'We believe it is inappropriate to publicly debate these matters, especially considering the efforts of the deceased's mother to restore her honor. We would like to meet with her to provide a thorough explanation. Please feel free to contact the Gold Medalist office at any time.' However, this statement has reportedly incited further anger from the family, leading to the anticipation of additional revelations.

As the cycle of accusations and rebuttals continues, the private lives of the deceased and Kim Soo-hyun remain in the spotlight, causing unnecessary distress. The late Kim Sae-ron seems unable to find peace even in death, while Kim Soo-hyun appears increasingly unstable amid the swirling allegations. It is time for rational dialogue to resolve these issues rather than allowing emotions to escalate further.

Controversy Surrounds Kim Soo-hyun Following Kim Sae-ron's Death

MBC's Good Day (굿데이) is set to unveil a massive recording studio where the 'Good Day Assembly' will take place. In the upcoming fifth episode airing today, March 16, at 9:10 PM, viewers can look forward to the vibrant chemistry among the newly formed karaoke group from Hannam-dong, featuring stars like G-Dragon (지드래곤), Kim Go-eun (김고은), and Jung Hae-in (정해인). 

Ahead of the broadcast, a preview video showcased G-Dragon, Kim Go-eun, Jung Hae-in, Jo Se-ho (조세호), and Code Kunst (코드 쿤스트) at a karaoke venue in Hannam-dong. When Jo Se-ho explained the quarterly karaoke meet-up, Jung Hae-in eagerly expressed, "Count me in! I’ll come running if you call!" 

The episode's highlight will be Kim Go-eun's requested performance of 'Bbibbi' (삐딱하게). As G-Dragon sang the track, Kim Go-eun and Jung Hae-in were captivated, exclaiming, "Wow, this is amazing!" and began filming G-Dragon's performance on their phones, creating a memorable moment. This unique karaoke concert by G-Dragon has already heightened anticipation for the full episode. 

The episode will also feature the first look at the recording studio where the 'Good Day Assembly' will be held. G-Dragon, along with Jung Hyung-don (정형돈), Defconn (데프콘), and Code Kunst, went on a pre-visit to the studio, which can accommodate around 30 people, showcasing its impressive scale. 

While exploring the studio, Defconn remarked on the effective sound diffuser, showcasing his musician side, which led to playful banter with Jung Hyung-don, providing comedic moments. The group began brainstorming ideas for welcoming guests, with G-Dragon suggesting a floral path reminiscent of a poster shoot, further building excitement for the 'Good Day Flower Path' and the family gatherings that will take place there. 

MBC's Good Day is a music project where G-Dragon collaborates with various artists to create this year's song, with the third episode airing today at 9:10 PM.

MBC's Good Day Reveals Exciting New Recording Studio for Upcoming Episode

The family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has reiterated their demand for a public apology from actor Kim Soo-hyun, his agency Gold Medalist, and YouTuber A, emphasizing that they seek nothing but an official apology. On March 15, the family released a statement through the YouTube channel 가세연 (Gaseyeon). This follows urgent official statements from Gold Medalist on March 14 and 15.

The family is requesting four specific apologies: 1. An acknowledgment of Kim Soo-hyun's alleged relationship with Kim Sae-ron since her teenage years, claiming they dated for over six years starting when she was 15; 2. A retraction of Gold Medalist's previous claims that they had not been in a relationship for the past three years; 3. Recognition of Kim Sae-ron's contributions as a founding member of the company; and 4. An apology regarding the demand for repayment of 700 million won.

The family clarified that their mention of Kim Soo-hyun was intended as a warning against cyber defamation, stating, "We do not seek anything other than an official apology from Kim Soo-hyun and his agency. To prove the falsehood of the cyber defamation, we had no choice but to reveal a photo of Kim Soo-hyun."

In a controversial move, 가세연 released a photo purportedly showing a man believed to be Kim Soo-hyun washing dishes at Kim Sae-ron's home while partially undressed. They added that he was not wearing pants. The family explained that the photo was released to counter false claims made by YouTuber A, but this has raised concerns about privacy violations.

Despite the family's consent to release the photo, many view it as an inappropriate breach of privacy, especially since it was taken during Kim Sae-ron's adult relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. Previously, Kim Soo-hyun's side denied their relationship, but in a statement released on March 14, they acknowledged dating Kim Sae-ron, specifying the relationship lasted from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she became an adult.

Responses to the situation vary, with some arguing that Kim Soo-hyun brought this upon himself and that Kim Sae-ron's side may have more evidence to present.

Gold Medalist expressed concern in a statement on March 15, stating, "We believe that publicly debating this matter is inappropriate for both the late actress and her mother, who have been seeking ways to restore her honor." They indicated they are awaiting contact from the family. Amidst this ongoing conflict, several brands that had contracts with Kim Soo-hyun have already distanced themselves due to the controversy.

Jung Seung-won Shines in First Solo Appearance on Immortal Songs

What do you think?

Trending

Jennie's First Solo Concert 'The Ruby Experience' Leaves Fans Divided

Kim Sae-ron's Family Files Defamation Lawsuit Against YouTuber

Controversy Surrounds Kim Soo-hyun Following Kim Sae-ron's Death

MBC's Good Day Reveals Exciting New Recording Studio for Upcoming Episode

Kim Sae-ron's Family Demands Public Apology from Kim Soo-hyun and Others

More

Baby Monster Takes a Bold Leap with YG Entertainment's Support

Negotiation Tactics: Lee Je-hoon and Kim Dae-myung Chase Down a Developer

Tension Rises in tvN's 'The Guy is Black Dragon' as Past Secrets Unfold

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

Comedian Hong Hyun-hee and Host Jay Seon Capture Family Moments in Traditional Thai Attire

Korea Guides

Common Visas for Foreigners in South Korea

Working Holiday visa in South Korea

K-ETA visa in South Korea

E-7 visa in South Korea

E-2 visa in South Korea