On February 18, 2025, the K-pop group ONF held a showcase at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their second full-length album, Part.1 [ONF: MY IDENTITY]. The title track, 'The Stranger,' features a funky rhythm and showcases impressive vocals that traverse a wide range. The song conveys a sense of determination and strength as the group expresses their commitment to forging their own path. ONF delivered a stunning performance during the event.

ONF Celebrates Release of New Album with Showcase Event

The popular group IVE (안유진, 가을, 레이, 장원영, 리즈, 이서) has taken over the weekly music charts with their latest releases. According to various music charts, the pre-release track 'REBEL HEART' from their third mini album 'IVE EMPATHY' has claimed the top spot on Melon, Genie, and Bugs for the week of February 10 to February 16. Notably, it has maintained its position for two consecutive weeks on Genie and five weeks on Bugs, showcasing its hit status.

Previously, 'REBEL HEART' achieved a 'Perfect All-Kill' (PAK) by topping real-time, daily, and TOP100 charts across major domestic platforms including Melon, Genie, Flo, Vibe, and Bugs. This success further solidifies IVE's powerful presence in the music industry.

The other title track, 'ATTITUDE,' is also gaining significant popularity. It reached the peak position on Bugs' real-time chart and Melon HOT100 (within 30 days of release), and it currently holds the third spot on Melon HOT100 (within 100 days of release), as well as fourth on Genie and Flo charts, placing it firmly among the top ranks of domestic music charts. Additionally, it has made a notable impact on the Melon TOP100 chart, often referred to as the 'Concrete Chart,' where it secured the fifth position as of 9 AM on February 19.

Released on January 13, 'REBEL HEART' portrays a narrative of rebellious youth uniting, characterized by uplifting lyrics and a powerful melodic chorus. In contrast, 'ATTITUDE,' which was released on February 3, embodies IVE's confident identity, offering a different charm compared to 'REBEL HEART.'

As IVE's promotional activities for their new releases concluded with their performance on SBS's Inkigayo on February 16, the excitement surrounding both 'REBEL HEART' and 'ATTITUDE' continues to build, raising expectations for IVE's sustained dominance on the charts.

Looking ahead, IVE plans to engage with their fans through various content. They will hold their third fan concert, 'IVE SCOUT,' at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on April 5 and 6, providing an opportunity to connect with their supporters.

아이브, '레블 하트'로 주간 차트까지 '올킬'..인기 독주

IVE Dominates Weekly Charts with 'REBEL HEART' and 'ATTITUDE'

Singer Gu Jun-yeop has announced that the funeral for his late wife, Seo Hee-won (서희원), will be postponed. According to multiple Taiwanese media outlets, the burial, which was originally scheduled for this week, has been rescheduled. Gu expressed his hope for a dedicated space where family members can visit Seo Hee-won at any time, stating, "After discussions with my family, we have decided to choose a different burial site." 

Recently, rumors circulated on Vietnamese and Taiwanese media, as well as Chinese social media, claiming that Gu Jun-yeop returned to Korea on February 15 before the funeral procedures for Seo Hee-won were completed. However, these rumors have been debunked as false news. It has been confirmed that Gu is currently in Taipei handling legal matters related to Seo Hee-won's passing and plans to remain in Taiwan for the time being.

Seo Hee-won's sister, Seo Hee-je (서희제), previously announced that the funeral would be conducted as a natural burial, specifically a tree burial, which involves interring the ashes around the roots of a tree without using artificial materials. Seo Hee-je recalled, "Seo Hee-won had expressed her wish for an eco-friendly tree burial if she were to pass away. We are currently in the application process," adding that the ashes will be temporarily kept at their home until the application is approved, at which point they will return her remains to nature.

故서희원, 수목장 연기됐다..구준엽 “매장지 다시 선택할 것”

Singer Gu Jun-yeop Delays Funeral for Late Wife Seo Hee-won

The K-pop group SEVENTEEN (에스쿱스, 정한, 조슈아, 준, 호시, 원우, 우지, 디에잇, 민규, 도겸, 승관, 버논, 디노) has secured the highest position among K-pop artists on the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) annual main chart. According to data released on February 18, 2025, SEVENTEEN ranked 3rd on the 'Global Artist Chart 2024', following global superstars Taylor Swift and Drake.

The IFPI Global Artist Chart ranks artists based on physical album sales, digital downloads, and audio and video streaming figures from around the world, making it a reliable indicator of an artist's popularity for the year. SEVENTEEN first entered the top 10 in 2021 at 9th place, then climbed to 6th in 2022 and 2nd in 2023, showcasing their consistent success.

In the album category, SEVENTEEN also performed exceptionally well. Their 12th mini album 'SPILL THE FEELS' and their best album '17 IS RIGHT HERE' achieved 3rd and 4th places, respectively, on the 'Global Album Sales Chart 2024'. They are the only artists to have two albums in the top 5 of this chart.

Additionally, on the 'Global Album Chart 2024', their mini album ranked 6th and the best album 8th, making SEVENTEEN the sole artist with two albums in the top 10.

Last year, SEVENTEEN solidified their status as the 'top K-pop group' with nearly 10 million in annual album sales. They also held the 'SEVENTEEN 'RIGHT HERE' WORLD TOUR', performing 30 shows across 14 cities in North America, Japan, and Asia, attracting over 1.037 million fans both online and offline.

Looking ahead, SEVENTEEN will host the '2025 SVT 9TH FAN MEETING 'SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND'' on February 20-21 at Incheon Munhak Stadium, providing fans with a memorable experience. They will also hold a fan meeting in Japan titled 'SEVENTEEN 2025 JAPAN FANMEETING 'HOLIDAY'' in April and May, with five shows across Osaka's Kyocera Dome and Saitama Super Arena.

세븐틴, 테일러 스위프트·드레이크 이어 국제음반산업협회 ‘톱3’ 등극

SEVENTEEN Achieves Highest Ranking Among K-Pop Artists on IFPI Global Chart

In a recent episode of MBC's program 'Questions' (질문들), aired on February 18, renowned filmmaker Bong Joon-ho shared his thoughts on the martial law declared on December 3, 2022. During his conversation with anchor Son Seok-hee, Bong noted that while international audiences often associate South Korea with cultural phenomena like Rosé's 'Apartment', BTS, and 'Squid Game', the concept of 'martial law' left many bewildered. He remarked, 'The term martial law seems more fitting for military coup films from the 70s and 80s in the Third World, so it felt surreal and disconcerting.' 

Bong recounted a humorous moment when a foreign friend jokingly asked if he was calling from prison, highlighting the shock many felt during that time. He reflected on his own childhood experience, recalling the '12.12 Military Coup' depicted in the film 'Seoul's Spring' when he was in the fourth grade, expressing disbelief that his generation would witness another martial law. However, he expressed relief that the legal frameworks built over time seem to be holding up.

Additionally, Bong mentioned being included in a blacklist created by the National Intelligence Service during the Lee Myung-bak administration, alongside fellow director Park Chan-wook. He clarified that they did not suffer direct consequences due to their reliance on private funding for their projects, unlike independent filmmakers and documentary directors who faced significant challenges due to the blacklist. He emphasized that creating such lists is fundamentally wrong.

In a lighter moment, Son Seok-hee pointed out that his silhouette appeared in Bong's acclaimed film 'Parasite' (기생충). Bong explained that he aims to enhance the realism of news scenes in his films by featuring actual journalists, which was the intention behind including Son's figure as well.

봉준호, 12.3 비상계엄에 황당 "해외 지인이 감옥에서 전화 받냐고" ('질문들')

Bong Joon-ho Reflects on December 3 Martial Law During MBC Interview

On February 19, actress Cha Joo-young appeared as a guest on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block'. She entered the stage with a knock, bringing laughter to the audience. Expressing her nerves, she stated, "I'm really nervous right now." Cha discussed her role in the drama 'Queen Won-gyeong', expressing gratitude for being described as someone born for the role. She humorously admitted, "I struggled to even go to the bathroom without help. I did this with everyone's support," before asking, "What was the question again? I'm just so nervous right now," which elicited laughter from those present.

Cha reflected on the significance of the role, saying, "I was given such a big role and a chance to take bold steps, for which I am very thankful. I sometimes thought it was too big for me. There were moments I wanted to run away on set. I started thinking, 'Trust me and follow along,' but I often felt lost about what I was doing."

She also shared a personal connection, revealing, "My grandmother is from the Min family, the same family as Queen Won-gyeong. I tried to portray my grandmother's image as I remember it. Whenever I felt lost, I would say, 'Help me, Grandma.'"

The host, Yoo Jae-suk, brought up Cha's previous work in 'The Glory'. Cha recalled, "I remember auditioning for almost two months, meeting every week with the same script. I wondered why they didn't eliminate me sooner." She noted that there were no specific comments during the auditions, suggesting that the casting team was already considering her for the role based on her potential to embody the character further.

차주영, 역시 보통 집안 아니었네 "친할머니, 원경왕후와 같은 민씨" ('유퀴즈')

Cha Joo-young Shares Her Connection with Queen Won-gyeong on 'You Quiz on the Block'

As SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) marks its 10th anniversary, the group is set to engage with fans worldwide through a series of exciting activities. The new special unit, HoshiXWoozi, will release their debut single 'BEAM' on March 10. The title 'BEAM' symbolizes the light emitted by Hoshi and Woozi, showcasing their originality and self-love developed through challenges since their trainee days. As leaders of the performance and vocal teams, both born in 1996, they are expected to shine as representatives of the '96 line.

In addition to their unit activities, SEVENTEEN will host a large-scale fan meeting titled 'SVT 9TH FAN MEETING 'SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND'' at Incheon Munhak Stadium on March 20-21, a rare stadium-sized event for a fan meeting. They will also return to Japan for fan meetings after two years, scheduled for April 24 and 26-27 at Kyocera Dome Osaka, and May 10-11 at Saitama Super Arena, under the title 'SEVENTEEN 2025 JAPAN FAN MEETING ‘HOLIDAY’.

On April 4, SEVENTEEN will head to Mexico to perform as the headliner on the first day of the Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025 festival, the largest music festival in Latin America, often referred to as 'Mexico's Coachella.' This marks the first time a K-pop artist will perform at this festival. Last year, SEVENTEEN made history as the first K-pop group to perform on the main stage at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival and headlined the main stage at Lollapalooza Berlin in Germany.

The year began with the return of the special unit BSS (부석순), consisting of Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi, who released their second single 'TELEPARTY' on January 8, delivering the message that 'if you are happy in this moment, everyone is young.' The title track 'Jeans' quickly topped real-time and daily charts on domestic music sites, and the album sold nearly 530,000 copies within a week of its release, showcasing the strength of the 'K-pop super unit' BSS.

The 'SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR,' which began in October last year, concluded its Asian leg in January and February, with performances in major stadiums in Bulacan, Singapore, Jakarta, and Bangkok. The tour received rave reviews from local media, highlighting SEVENTEEN's powerful presence and perfect performances, and attracted approximately 1,037,000 fans both online and offline.

A representative from Pledis Entertainment stated, 'As SEVENTEEN celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are preparing various activities to create meaningful memories with our fans. We hope everyone looks forward to this being 'SEVENTEEN's year.'

SEVENTEEN Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Special Unit and Global Fan Meetings

The K-pop group LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌), consisting of members Kim Chae-won (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yoon-jin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eun-chae (홍은채), is set to release their fifth mini album titled 'HOT' on March 14 at 1 PM. This album will serve as the final installment in their trilogy, following the releases of their third mini album 'EASY' in February and their fourth mini album 'CRAZY' in August of last year.

Since their debut with 'FEARLESS', LE SSERAFIM has consistently infused their music with genuine thoughts and emotions, resonating with listeners. 'EASY' explored themes of inner struggles and anxieties, while 'CRAZY' encouraged embracing chaos rather than succumbing to fear. With 'HOT', the group aims to showcase a passionate attitude towards love, further illustrating their journey of inner strength throughout this trilogy.

The 'EASY', 'CRAZY', and 'HOT' trilogy has been in the works since 2023. During their performance at the 2023 MAMA Awards, they captivated audiences with the theme 'REVOLUTION ON THE STREET', where the phrases 'EASY', 'CRAZY', and 'HOT' were sequentially displayed on LED screens. Additionally, the track 'Good Bones' from their third mini album features the lyrics, "EASY, CRAZY, HOT I can make it," while the music video for 'Smart' also hints at the next album's title, 'CRAZY'. This has provided fans with numerous clues about the trilogy over the past year.

LE SSERAFIM will unveil the album trailer for 'HOT' on the 21st. Known for their stylish and impressive trailers, anticipation is high among K-pop fans for this upcoming release.

LE SSERAFIM to Conclude Trilogy with New Album 'HOT'

NewJeans has encountered difficulties in their initial activities as NJZ. On February 19, five major music organizations in South Korea, including the Korea Management Federation and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association, issued a statement calling for policy support to eradicate tampering in the K-pop industry. They claimed that the actions of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and NewJeans are causing significant harm to the industry and urged the government and National Assembly to establish anti-tampering legislation.

In response, NewJeans took a stand. A lengthy rebuttal was posted on accounts managed by the members' parents, asserting that HYBE and the organizations involved are engaging in misleading media play. They stated that their exclusive contract with HYBE has been terminated due to unfair treatment.

The group specifically claimed that HYBE's Chairman Bang Si-hyuk personally pressured U.S. contacts to cancel NJZ members' performances, as relayed by a representative from ComplexCon, who is assisting with the event preparations.

Ador countered this by stating, "We have never pressured the cancellation of NewJeans' Hong Kong performance. Chairman Bang has confirmed that he has had no contact regarding the Hong Kong concert."

Ador further explained that they requested the event organizers to use the official team name NewJeans, as previously requested by domestic media, and to conduct the performance through Ador based on the exclusive contract.

NewJeans maintains that their exclusive contract with Ador was terminated in November of last year and has declared 'NJZ' as their new team name. In response, Ador has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract and has sought an injunction against the group's agency status and advertising contracts. They argue that the official team name is not NJZ but NewJeans, asserting that the exclusive contract remains valid. The first hearing related to the injunction is set for March, while the lawsuit regarding the exclusive contract will begin in April. If the court rules in favor of HYBE, NewJeans' independent activities may be jeopardized.

NewJeans Faces Challenges in First Activities as NJZ

K-pop group ONF has made a remarkable comeback, soaring to the top of both domestic and international music charts. On February 18, they released their second full-length album, Part.1 'ONF: MY IDENTITY', with the title track 'The Stranger' hitting number one on the Bugs real-time chart on the day of its release. The album's entire tracklist has also charted, showcasing the group's impressive popularity.

Internationally, 'ONF: MY IDENTITY' has made significant strides, reaching the number one spot on Japan's iTunes 'Top Albums' chart and landing in the top 10 of the same chart in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Additionally, the album secured the 16th position on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, highlighting ONF's strong presence in the global music scene.

With a successful comeback underway, ONF is set to kick off their promotional activities on February 20 at 6 PM KST on Mnet's 'M Countdown'. They will perform 'The Stranger' for the first time, delivering a dynamic performance filled with healing energy and impactful choreography that symbolizes the shape of a circle.

'The Stranger' is a pop track characterized by its funky rhythm and showcases ONF's impressive vocal range. The song conveys a positive message about pursuing dreams amidst a challenging world, with members Min-kyun and Wyatt contributing to its creation, adding a unique touch to the group's sound.

ONF Tops Charts with New Album 'ONF: MY IDENTITY'

K-pop sensation BLACKPINK has unveiled the first phase of their highly anticipated 2025 world tour, which will feature stadium performances across various countries. YG Entertainment announced the tour on their official blog on February 20, revealing a poster that outlines the tour schedule, which includes stops in South Korea, North America, Europe, and Japan.

The tour kicks off with performances at the Goyang Sports Complex in South Korea on July 5 and 6, before heading to major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, London, and Tokyo. 

While the full details are yet to be revealed, all confirmed venues are large stadiums capable of accommodating tens of thousands of fans. Notably, BLACKPINK will be the first K-pop girl group to perform at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London, often referred to as the 'dream stage' for pop artists. Additionally, their solo concert at Goyang Sports Complex marks a first for K-pop girl groups.

BLACKPINK will share the stage with other global music icons, performing at renowned venues like SoFi Stadium in LA, Soldier Field in Chicago, Rogers Centre in Toronto, City Field in New York, Stade de France in Paris, Ippodromo Snai La Maura in Milan, Estadi Olímpic in Barcelona, and Tokyo Dome, further solidifying their status as a top-tier global group.

YG Entertainment stated, "We are preparing for a tour of unprecedented scale and quality, comparable to the historic [BORN PINK] tour that wrote a new chapter in K-pop history. We ask for your continued interest in the additional locations and dates that will be announced soon."

The teaser released alongside the announcement highlights moments from the previous 'BORN PINK' tour, which set a record for K-pop girl group world tours with over 1.8 million attendees. The explosive stage presence of BLACKPINK and the enthusiasm of fans worldwide are sure to elevate anticipation for the upcoming tour, with the phrase 'AND MORE' prominently displayed in the video, hinting at more surprises to come.

ONF Celebrates Release of New Album with Showcase Event

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SEVENTEEN Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Special Unit and Global Fan Meetings

LE SSERAFIM to Conclude Trilogy with New Album 'HOT'

NewJeans Faces Challenges in First Activities as NJZ

ONF Tops Charts with New Album 'ONF: MY IDENTITY'

BLACKPINK Announces Massive 2025 World Tour with Stadium Performances

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SEVENTEEN Achieves Highest Ranking Among K-Pop Artists on IFPI Global Chart

Bong Joon-ho Reflects on December 3 Martial Law During MBC Interview

Cha Joo-young Shares Her Connection with Queen Won-gyeong on 'You Quiz on the Block'

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