The members of NewJeans have officially changed their group name to NJZ as they navigate a legal dispute with their agency, Ador. On February 7, the group announced their new name via social media and revealed plans to perform at the 'Complex Live' concert during the ComplexCon festival in Hong Kong from March 21 to 23. This concert will mark their first performance under the new name, where they are expected to debut new music. Member Minji expressed her excitement, stating, 'I am looking forward to showing a new side of ourselves as NJZ.' Hani added, 'Although we can't use our previous name for a while, we haven't completely abandoned it. Nothing can hold us back now.' 

In contrast, Ador expressed disappointment over the members' unilateral decision, stating, 'We regret that the members made this choice before a legal judgment regarding the validity of their exclusive contract with Ador has been reached. We will do our utmost to protect the brand value of NewJeans.' 

Last November, the members held an emergency press conference claiming that Ador had violated their contract and declared they were no longer affiliated with the agency. In response, Ador filed a lawsuit in December at the Seoul Central District Court to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract and sought a temporary injunction to prevent the members from entering independent advertising contracts and activities. The court has scheduled a hearing for the injunction on March 7, with the first trial date set for April 3.

NewJeans Rebrands as NJZ Amid Legal Dispute with Ador

KBS has faced criticism following the controversy surrounding the damage to the historic Byeongsan Seowon during the filming of its new drama, '남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다' (The Male Lead's First Night). In a meeting held on February 3, KBS disclosed that the filming crew had used nails at the cultural site, leading to public outcry. Kim Young-jo, head of the KBS Drama Center, expressed deep regret over the incident, stating, "We sincerely apologize for the damage to the cultural heritage and will strive to prevent such occurrences in the future." 

During the meeting, Kim acknowledged the lack of a prompt response on January 2, attributing it to confusion among the team. He explained, "Our props team was understandably frightened, and while they attempted to provide accurate information, we needed to verify the facts ourselves. There was significant chaos that day, and we regret the delay in addressing the situation."

Kim further elaborated on the challenges faced by the production team, citing the demanding nature of filming schedules, limited budgets, and the constraints of the 52-hour workweek. He noted, "The reality is that the production process for dramas carries a high risk of accidents."

He also pointed out that due to insufficient TV license fees, many programs lack assistant directors, and in this particular drama, there was only one KBS staff member present on set. This shortage of personnel contributed to the inadequate handling of the situation, especially with many freelancers involved who may not have been fully aware of the protocols.

Kim committed to enhancing training for external staff to prevent future incidents and requested understanding of KBS's current dire circumstances. 

The controversy first came to light on January 2 when architect Min Seo-hong shared on social media that the filming crew had damaged Byeongsan Seowon. KBS later acknowledged that the production team had received prior filming permission but faced complaints from onlookers about the use of nails on the cultural site. KBS expressed its regret over the seriousness of the situation. 

Following the incident, Andong City filed a complaint against KBS for cultural heritage damage and requested the complete destruction of all footage filmed at Byeongsan Seowon. KBS has decided to discard all footage from the filming at the site, and on February 7, the Andong police referred three members of the props team to the prosecution for violating laws related to the preservation and utilization of cultural heritage.

"수신료 부족·주52시간제" KBS 드라마 센터장이 밝힌 '병산서원' 못질 논란 원인 [Oh!쎈 이슈]

KBS Apologizes for Cultural Heritage Damage Amid Production Challenges

The Netflix series Squid Game (오징어 게임) Season 2 has clinched the award for Best Foreign Language Series at the 37th Critics Choice Awards held in California on February 7, 2025. The show triumphed over notable competitors including Apple TV+'s Acapulco and Pachinko, Prime Video's Citadel: Honey Bunny, Hulu's La Maquina, Netflix's Lydia Poet's Law Season 2 and Senna, as well as HBO's My Brilliant Friend Season 4, showcasing its immense popularity.

Previously, the first season of Squid Game received accolades at the 27th Critics Choice Awards, winning the Best Foreign Language Drama and Best Actor in a Drama Series for Lee Jung-jae (이정재).

Released in December 2024, Squid Game Season 2 continues the gripping narrative of Gi-hun (이정재), who returns to the deadly games seeking revenge, and his intense rivalry with the Frontman (이병헌). The series has maintained its position at the top of Netflix's Global Top 10 Series for three consecutive weeks, amassing 152.5 million views in its third week alone, making it the third most-watched title in Netflix history, following Squid Game Season 1 and Wednesday.

‘오징어게임2’, 美 크리틱스 초이스 외국어 시리즈상 수상 '쾌거'

Squid Game Season 2 Wins Best Foreign Language Series at Critics Choice Awards

The latest episode of KBS2's 'Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears' aired on February 9, 2025, and featured a lively discussion among the panelists regarding MC Jeon Hyun-moo's rumored relationship with Hong Joo-yeon. Prior to revealing a video, announcer Eom Ji-in disclosed that Jeon Hyun-moo had met with Kim Jin-woong, Lee Kwang-yeop, and Hong Joo-yeon separately. Photos showed him enjoying a meal with the trio, prompting Lee Kyung-kyu and Park Myung-soo to humorously label Kim Jin-woong and Lee Kwang-yeop as 'scapegoats' and suggested they were merely a cover to distract from Hong Joo-yeon. They jokingly spread false news, claiming that the couple was in a common-law marriage and even had children. 

As chef Shin Jong-cheol joined the panel, the speculation about a March wedding resurfaced. After praising the buffet where he works, Park Myung-soo quipped that Jeon Hyun-moo might also have good news next month. Jeon Hyun-moo responded, bewildered, 'What’s with this March wedding rumor? My mom called to ask if I was getting married, and Chu texted to congratulate me. There’s so much misinformation out there.' When Park Myung-soo suggested moving the wedding date to May, Jeon Hyun-moo agreed but quickly added, 'If I say May, then another article will come out saying I confirmed it.' 

The March wedding rumors first emerged during the February 2 broadcast when Jung Ji-sun visited 'Gag Concert' with her son. The son jokingly suggested that his favorite comedian, Shin Yoon-seung, should marry Jo Soo-yeon, leading the panel to fabricate a story to trick Kim Byung-hyun into believing Jeon Hyun-moo was also getting married next month. Jeon Hyun-moo claimed he had been dating for about a month, completely fooling Kim Byung-hyun, who seemed to have seen the dating news on TV.

전현무, 최측근에만 밝혔던 홍주연과 3월 결혼…母 몰랐고 女가수는 축하 [종합]

Rumors of Jeon Hyun-moo's Marriage Spark Buzz on 'Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears'

It has been a week since the passing of Seohui Won (서희원), the beloved Taiwanese star and wife of singer Gu Junyeob (구준엽). Her sister, Seohui Je (서희제), expressed her deep sorrow over the loss. Seohui Won tragically passed away on February 2 while traveling in Japan with her family due to pneumonia caused by the flu. Following her death, Gu Junyeob and the family conducted some funeral rites in Japan before returning to Taiwan with her remains on February 5.

Seohui Je was reportedly devastated by the news and stated, "Our family handled all funeral arrangements, including the use of a private jet. I cannot understand why such rumors have surfaced. Heaven is watching over everything, and my sister is also watching from above. Why do these rumors continue to circulate?" Since then, she has refrained from social media activity except for an official statement regarding the rumors.

On February 9, marking one week since her sister's passing, Seohui Je shared a poignant photo on social media without any accompanying text. The image featured a pearl hairpin with a ribbon knot, believed to be one of Seohui Won's personal belongings, evoking a sense of loss.

The family plans to conclude Seohui Won's funeral with a natural burial, specifically a tree burial, which involves interring the ashes around the roots of a tree, allowing for a return to nature without the use of artificial materials.

‘구준엽 아내’ 故 서희원, 떠난 지 일주일..동생 서희제, 유품 공개→애도 [Oh!쎈 이슈]

Sister of Late Taiwanese Star Seohui Won Shares Heartfelt Tribute One Week After Her Passing

In a remarkable achievement, 16-year-old ballerino Park Yoon-jae (박윤재) from Seoul Arts High School won first place at the Prix de Lausanne ballet competition held in Lausanne, Switzerland, on February 8. This victory marks him as the first Korean male dancer to win this prestigious title. Park expressed his disbelief and gratitude, stating, "It is an honor to perform on the 'Prix de Lausanne' stage that I have dreamed of since childhood, and I can't believe I made it to the finals and received such a significant award." 

Previously, Korean ballerinas Kang Soo-jin (강수진) and Park Se-eun (박세은) won the competition in 1985 and 2007, respectively. The Prix de Lausanne is recognized as one of the top five ballet competitions in the world, alongside the Varna, Jackson, Moscow, and Paris competitions, and is open to dancers aged 15 to 18. This year, the 53rd edition of the competition featured 85 participants, with 20 advancing to the finals. Among the Korean dancers, Kim Bo-kyung (김보경), 17, from Busan Arts High School, secured 8th place.

Park's victory opens doors for him to grow as an internationally recognized ballerino, as winners are often offered opportunities to join affiliated ballet companies or schools abroad.

16세 박윤재, 한국인 발레리노 첫 로잔콩쿠르 우승

16-Year-Old Ballerino Park Yoon-jae Makes History at Prix de Lausanne

Kai of EXO has completed his alternative military service and is set to reunite with his fans. He enlisted in May 2023, undergoing basic military training before transitioning to social service. At the time of his enlistment, Kai expressed his disappointment, stating, "I had a lot prepared, and it's unfortunate. I'm upset, but I can show you everything when I return." After serving for 1 year and 9 months, he is now gearing up for EXO's full group comeback. Fellow member Sehun, who enlisted in December 2023, is also expected to be discharged soon, raising fans' anticipation. Other EXO members have consistently mentioned their plans for a full group return. Suho and Chanyeol shared during an SM Town concert, "Kai will be back, and Sehun will join us soon. We are preparing to gather again for even better performances, so please look forward to it." In a recent interview, D.O. reassured fans, saying, "We are getting ready now, and I want to say you don’t need to worry. You will see the full group soon. We have been preparing since this year. EXO is still going strong." Kai debuted with EXO in 2012 and gained global popularity with his mini solo album 'ROVER' released before his enlistment.

EXO's Kai Completes Alternative Military Service and Returns to Fans

It has been 18 years since the beloved actress Jeong Da-bin, often referred to as the 'Second Choi Jin-sil' for her vibrant charm, tragically passed away. On February 10, 2007, she was found dead in her boyfriend's apartment in Samseong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. While the police and the National Forensic Service concluded that her death was a suicide based on the autopsy, her family and agency have consistently argued that there was no reason for her to take her own life. To this day, the reasons behind Jeong Da-bin's death remain unclear.

Jeong Da-bin made her debut in 2000 with the SBS sitcom Don.com. She rose to fame with her role in the sitcom Nonstop 3 and showcased her adorable charm alongside Kim Rae-won in the 2003 drama Rooftop Room Cat. Her lovely visuals and refreshing acting style led many to anticipate her as the next 'Romantic Comedy Queen' following Choi Jin-sil.

However, after her appearance in the 2005 SBS drama The Summer's Hurricane, her career saw a decline. In 2007, she suddenly left her loved ones, shocking the entertainment industry. Even after 18 years, fans continue to remember her as a versatile actress capable of excelling in both comedy and romance.

Her colleagues share similar sentiments. In a 2018 MBC special titled 'Again, Twenty - New Nonstop,' Jo In-sung expressed his difficulty in attending her funeral, stating, 'It was hard to go to the mortuary. My heart was too pained. I felt so sorry that I wondered if I had the right to go. But I thought I should at least say goodbye on my way there.' 

Similarly, Jung Tae-woo reflected on the disbelief surrounding her death, saying, 'Everyone must have felt it was unbelievable. It was so hard to accept that Da-bin was gone. She had family and colleagues around her. We had good memories together. I still find myself talking to the air every time articles about her come out.'

Remembering Jeong Da-bin: 18 Years Since Her Untimely Passing

The popular K-pop group NewJeans has announced their independent activities under the new name NJZ. On February 9, they shared a group selfie on their official account, stating, "It's been a while since we took a group selfie." The photo features members Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein striking V poses and smiling brightly.

The members expressed their satisfaction with their day, saying, "We feel like we had a very fulfilling day. We hope our fans, Bunnies (the official fan club), are enjoying good music and staying warm."

On February 7, NewJeans revealed their new team name, NJZ, and changed their previously established account 'Jins for Free' to 'NJZ Official.' They also announced plans for their upcoming activities, including a performance at the 'Complex Live' event at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong in March. They will debut their new song on March 23, the last day of ComplexCon, and mentioned that they will soon have an agent.

In response, Ador expressed disappointment over the members' unilateral decision to pursue this path before any legal judgment was made. Last November, NewJeans declared the termination of their exclusive contract with Ador, citing contract violations. They stated that they would not be liable for any penalties and would continue to use the NewJeans name. However, due to potential trademark issues, they have refrained from using the name since then.

Ador, on the other hand, maintains that the contract with NewJeans is valid until July 2029 and has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the contract, along with a request for a temporary injunction to prevent the group from entering into advertising contracts.

As NJZ embarks on their independent journey, they face challenges ahead. A legal battle with Ador is set to begin in March, with a hearing scheduled for March 7 regarding the injunction. The first hearing for the contract validity lawsuit will take place on April 3.

Additionally, member Hani faces visa issues. As a dual citizen of Australia and Vietnam, she has been working under an E-6 (Artistic Performance) visa issued through Ador, which is set to expire soon. To renew this visa, she needs to submit various documents, including an exclusive contract, a business registration certificate, and a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Ador has stated they are preparing the necessary documents for Hani's visa extension, but if she does not return to Ador, they are unlikely to assist her.

Moreover, NewJeans must navigate public fatigue outside their core fandom, Bunnyz, allegations against former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, and industry backlash.

The future of NewJeans as NJZ remains a topic of great interest as they chart their new course.

NewJeans Launches Independent Activities as NJZ

The general ticket sales for 2NE1's 15th anniversary encore concert in Seoul will begin today, February 10, at 8 PM through Interpark Ticket. The concert, titled '2025 2NE1 CONCERT [WELCOME BACK] ENCORE IN SEOUL', is set to take place on April 12 and 13 at the KSPO DOME in Olympic Park, Bangi-dong, Seoul.

This event marks the group's reunion with domestic fans approximately six months after their last performance in Seoul last October, which saw overwhelming demand with all tickets selling out. Many fans who missed out on tickets have been eagerly requesting additional shows, making the competition for tickets this time around expected to be fierce.

Unlike the pre-sale for temporary fan club members, this general sale will be open to everyone. Fans can look forward to a comprehensive showcase of 2NE1's musical journey, as this concert will serve as the grand finale of their tour.

In a video released today, 2NE1 expressed their excitement, stating, "We are coming back to Seoul. We will meet you at the much larger KSPO DOME. The first concert in Seoul was truly moving, so we are even more thrilled for this encore performance. Let's all jump together one last time!"

Currently, 2NE1 is successfully navigating their 15th anniversary Asia tour, '2024-25 2NE1 ASIA TOUR [WELCOME BACK]', having already completed concerts in cities such as Seoul, Manila, Jakarta, Kobe, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei. They are now set to perform in Ho Chi Minh City and Macau, aiming to achieve a record of 27 shows across 12 cities, attracting a total audience of 220,000, including the Seoul encore.

2NE1 to Hold Encore Concert in Seoul for 15th Anniversary

On February 11, KBS2's show Celebrity Soldier's Secret (셀럽 병사의 비밀) aired its eighth episode, delving into the identity of the 'Purple Killer,' a figure that instilled fear in many celebrities, including Kim Gu (김구), Walt Disney, and Edvard Munch (에드바르 뭉크). The episode explored the mysterious deaths surrounding the famous painter Gustav Klimt, known for his iconic kiss scene, who passed away suddenly in 1918 shortly before his hospital discharge due to a stroke. Following his death, his protégé and rival, Egon Schiele (에곤 실레), also died, leading to a series of unexplained deaths where victims exhibited a purple discoloration of the face and pneumonia symptoms before dying within days. This led to rumors in Europe that the German army had released poison gas during World War I.

The fear of death spread rapidly beyond Europe, reaching Korea during the Japanese occupation in 1918, where notable figures like Kim Gu, Walt Disney, Mahatma Gandhi, and Edvard Munch also contracted the Spanish flu.

Interestingly, the first recorded outbreak of the Spanish flu was reported in the United States, not Spain. This led to a heated discussion on the show, with guest Jang Do-yeon expressing outrage over the naming of the virus, comparing it to being unjustly labeled as the 'Jang Do-yeon virus.'

ENT specialist Lee Nak-jun (이낙준), known for his work on the Trauma Center, provided medical insights into the various rumors and treatments surrounding the flu at that time. Lee Chan-won (이찬원) humorously questioned whether mixing soju with chili powder could actually cure a cold, leading to a light-hearted moment where he publicly apologized to friends who had tried this remedy instead of taking proper medication.

The episode also featured Professor Song Dae-seop (송대섭) from Seoul National University, who developed the world's first MERS diagnostic kit in 2015. He emphasized the importance of the broadcast, revealing shocking facts about the Spanish flu and its current implications, including research suggesting that up to 300 new viruses could emerge each year over the next 50 years, equating to a new infectious disease potentially appearing almost every day.

The secrets of the 'Purple Killer' that swept the globe in 1918 will be revealed in the Spanish flu episode of Celebrity Soldier's Secret, airing on Tuesday, February 11, at 8:30 PM. Meanwhile, Lee Chan-won has disclosed that he has over 30 events scheduled in a month, with his fee reportedly around 28 million won.

NewJeans Rebrands as NJZ Amid Legal Dispute with Ador

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EXO's Kai Completes Alternative Military Service and Returns to Fans

Remembering Jeong Da-bin: 18 Years Since Her Untimely Passing

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Sister of Late Taiwanese Star Seohui Won Shares Heartfelt Tribute One Week After Her Passing

16-Year-Old Ballerino Park Yoon-jae Makes History at Prix de Lausanne

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