K-pop group SF9 (에스에프나인) is set to make their much-anticipated return on March 11 with the release of their new album titled 'LOVE RACE'. Their agency, FNC Entertainment, revealed the comeback through an official post on social media on February 25, marking their first release in approximately seven months.

The teaser poster showcases a hand gripping a helmet, a figure in a rider's jacket from behind, and an image of a motorcycle dashboard, all of which convey a rugged and dynamic racing theme. This aligns perfectly with the album's title, hinting at SF9's exhilarating journey towards love.

Starting today, February 26, SF9 will unveil a series of promotional content, including concept photos, a highlight medley, and music video teasers, leading up to the album's release on March 11. 'LOVE RACE' is the second installment in their 'YOUR FANTASY' series, designed to encapsulate everything fans desire. Fans can look forward to an even more polished visual and performance from the group.

The new album 'LOVE RACE' will be available on various music streaming platforms at 6 PM KST on March 11.

SF9 Announces Comeback with New Album 'LOVE RACE' on March 11

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.

방탄소년단 지민 'MUSE', 美 빌보드 메인 차트 또 역주행

Jimin of BTS Makes a Strong Comeback on Billboard Charts

Singer Kim Ho-joong (김호중) has finally confessed to allegations of drunk driving after a series of ongoing suspicions. Despite this admission, his fans continue to show unwavering support, raising eyebrows among observers.

On May 19, Kim's agency, Think Entertainment (생각엔터테인먼트), issued a public apology, stating, "We sincerely apologize for the social controversy caused by our artist Kim Ho-joong and our poor judgment. From the beginning, we have been too focused on hiding the situation. We also sincerely apologize for not acting truthfully."

A representative added, "Kim Ho-joong voluntarily reported to the police, acknowledging the facts regarding the drunk driving incident and will cooperate fully with the investigation. Ultimately, we made an irreversible mistake in our misguided attempt to protect our artist. We apologize once again."

Kim Ho-joong himself acknowledged his wrongdoing, saying, "I want to sincerely apologize for the pain and disappointment my momentary poor judgment has caused many people. I did drive under the influence. I deeply regret and reflect on my actions. I will cooperate sincerely with the police investigation. I apologize once again."

The incident occurred on May 9 at around 11:40 PM in Sinsa-dong, Seoul, where Kim was involved in a collision with a taxi while changing lanes and subsequently fled the scene. Following the accident, his manager reported to the police, claiming he was driving Kim's vehicle. However, after 17 hours of questioning, Kim admitted to being the driver.

This led to growing suspicions regarding Kim's drunk driving and allegations of switching drivers. Despite emerging circumstantial evidence, the agency initially claimed, "Kim Ho-joong did not drink as he was preparing for a concert in Goyang," and suggested that he made a poor decision due to severe panic during the incident. They also stated that the situation arose from an overprotective stance taken by a relative acting as his representative.

However, these claims were proven false. Kim Ho-joong went on to hold a solo concert, 'Tvarotti Classic Arena Tour 2024 - Changwon,' in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, on May 18-19, and later admitted to drunk driving late that night. On stage, he had previously stated, "All truths will be revealed," and, "I will bear all sins and wounds," but now faces inevitable consequences for his actions.

The reaction from fans has further fueled the controversy. In a post on his fan cafe, Kim expressed, "I sincerely apologize for hurting the pride of our Aris family with this incident. What good is it for someone who has sinned to speak at length? Once the investigation is over and all results are out, I will return home. To not betray the dreams of our family, I believe I must live diligently."

Fans responded with blind support, saying things like, "I’m glad you spoke the truth now," "I hope you become a strong mountain," "Let’s meet again looking even better. Please don’t make us wait too long," "Regardless of the outcome, we are family," "I won’t let go of my family’s hand," "I’ll wait until you come home," and "Anyone can make a momentary mistake."

"실수는 누구나"..음주운전 김호중x맹목적인 팬들, 대환장 케미 [Oh!쎈 이슈]

Kim Ho-joong Admits to Drunk Driving Amid Controversy

The rookie six-member girl group ifeye (이프아이) has officially confirmed their debut date for April 8, 2025, and has heightened anticipation by revealing individual photos showcasing each member's unique charm. 

On February 27, ifeye, consisting of members Kasia, Rahee, Wonhayeon, Sasha, Taerin, and Miyu, shared personal images through their official social media channels. The photos feature the six members styled in a harmonious blend of innocence and chicness, captivating viewers with their striking gazes. They donned coordinated blue outfits that added a modern yet refreshing vibe typical of a rookie group.

ifeye is the first girl group from High Hat Entertainment, produced by renowned K-pop choreographer and producer RyuD. The group's name signifies 'a vision that turns imagination into reality.' True to their name, they are determined to present distinctive music and captivating performances characterized by strong visuals.

With their debut set for April 8, ifeye is gearing up to create a buzz through a variety of content releases leading up to their launch. Fans are eagerly awaiting what the group will unveil next.

걸그룹 ifeye(이프아이), 4월 8일 데뷔 확정...첫 개인 포토 공개

New Girl Group ifeye Set to Debut on April 8 with Unique Individual Concepts

On February 25, 2025, EXO's Kai made a striking return to social media by sharing a dance video on his account without any accompanying comments. Dancing to a faster tempo version of a song, Kai's performance was so captivating that it made fans forget he had only been discharged from military service just ten days prior.

Six days earlier, Kai had reactivated his Instagram account, which had been inactive for two years. He shared a still from a fashion shoot for the G brand, where he had served as an ambassador before his enlistment. His return to social media was met with excitement from fans.

Despite the two-year hiatus, Kai's youthful charm remained evident, complemented by a more intense gaze and graceful movements that exuded charisma, making it hard to believe it had been so long since his last dance video.

Additionally, on February 21, Kai was spotted at the airport for an overseas schedule, sporting a pink beanie that perfectly matched his small face and well-defined physique, further reminding fans of his presence after a long break.

Netizens reacted enthusiastically, commenting on his beauty maintenance during military service, celebrating his return as the 'K-Pop King,' and speculating about the greatness of his upcoming solo album.

Kai officially completed his two-year service as a social service worker on February 10 and was seen at Incheon International Airport, preparing to attend the 'K-STAR SPARK' event in Bangkok.

엑소 카이, K-POP 제왕의 귀환 '당연하고 우아하게'

EXO's Kai Showcases His Dance Skills Just Days After Military Service

On February 25, Jisoo from BLACKPINK took to her personal social media account to share a delightful surprise from her close friend Hyeri. She posted a story featuring a coffee truck sent by Hyeri, expressing her excitement with the caption, "This is the best!!! Such a touching surprise!" Jisoo also shared a photo of herself alongside a picture of Hyeri, playfully referring to her as "my monthly girlfriend♥". 

In her post, Jisoo expressed gratitude for the three types of food trucks Hyeri had sent, which included a coffee truck, a chicken skewer truck, and a snack truck. Hyeri responded with pride, saying, "We met yesterday, but you didn’t catch on, hehe." 

The two have previously showcased their strong friendship, revealing that they share similar interests, including visits to the same shops, Pilates classes, dermatology clinics, aesthetics, and scalp care. Jisoo humorously admitted, "I’m a stalker. I try everything and stick to what I like the most," indicating her admiration for Hyeri. 

Meanwhile, Jisoo made her solo comeback on February 14 with her new mini-album titled ‘AMORTAGE’, marking her return after two years.

혜리, 75억 건물주 라더니..‘절친’ 지수에 커피차·닭꼬치자·분식차 통큰 선물

BLACKPINK's Jisoo Shares Coffee Truck Gift from Close Friend Hyeri

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.

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

Taemin, a member of the renowned group SHINee and a solo artist, has successfully wrapped up his first solo world tour, 'Ephemeral Gaze (이페머럴 게이즈)', with a triumphant series of performances across North and South America. On February 23, 2025, he held a sold-out concert at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, marking the grand finale of his North American leg. 

Prior to this, Taemin had already achieved sold-out shows in three cities across three countries in South America, including Mexico City, São Paulo, and Santiago. His North American tour included five cities: New York, Chicago, Houston, Oakland, and Los Angeles, all of which also saw full attendance. 

During the Los Angeles concert, Taemin performed a mix of his hit songs such as 'Guilty (길티)', 'MOVE (무브)', 'WANT (원트)', and 'Criminal (크리미널)', alongside tracks from his latest mini-album 'ETERNAL (이터널)', including 'G.O.A.T (고트)', 'Sexy In The Air (섹시 인 디 에어)', 'Horizon (호라이즌)', 'The Unknown Sea (디 언노운 씨)', 'Crush (크러시)', 'Deja Vu (데자뷔)', and 'Say Less (세이레스)'. His performance left a lasting impression on the local fans. 

Taemin expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to shine on stage. Although today with you will soon come to an end, I firmly believe this is just the beginning of our story, and that we will have many more opportunities to meet.” 

Following his successful tour in Asia, South America, and North America, Taemin is set to embark on a European tour starting March 4 in Helsinki, Finland, followed by performances in Frankfurt, Germany; London and Manchester, UK; Tilburg, Netherlands; Paris, France; and Brussels, Belgium. He will conclude his world tour with a final show in Honolulu, Hawaii, on March 22, and will also hold encore concerts in Japan on April 5 and 6 in Tokyo, and April 19 and 20 in Kobe.

SHINee's Taemin Concludes Successful North and South American Tour

On February 24, broadcasters Shin Jung-hwan (신정환) and Kang Byeong-kyu (강병규) addressed the scandal surrounding singer Kim Gun-mo (김건모) in a video titled 'Endless Controversies and Scandals' on the YouTube channel 'Channel Gojeonghae' (채널 고정해). The discussion featured guests Lim Deok-young (임덕영) and Jang Hye-ri (장혜리). 

They identified Kim Gun-mo's alleged sexual assault case as one of the worst scandals in the entertainment industry. Kang Byeong-kyu expressed his shock, stating, "This was truly shocking. I had never heard of such a thing, nor could I have predicted it. The woman claiming to be a victim demanded an apology, while her supporters, lawyer Kang Yong-seok (강용석) and journalist Kim Yong-ho (김용호), were reportedly asking for money."

He continued, "Kim Gun-mo's brother had a forensic examination done to check for messages exchanged with the woman, but nothing was found. The woman claimed she was overpowered despite having firmly rejected Kim Gun-mo when they were alone together, yet she couldn't even remember who he was. In the end, the conclusion was no charges. This destroyed a person's life, shattered a family, and buried a national singer's career, yet it was deemed 'no charges'!" 

Shin Jung-hwan lamented, "Kim Gun-mo's home was completely devastated. Even now, people are unsure whether he was found innocent. They don't even seem curious about it."

The controversy began in December 2019 when the YouTube channel Garoseyro Research Institute (가로세로연구소) claimed that Kim Gun-mo had sexually assaulted a female employee, referred to as A, at a nightclub in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam, in 2016. A filed a lawsuit against him, but Kim Gun-mo's side denied the allegations, calling them baseless. The channel also alleged that he had assaulted another female manager, referred to as B, in January 2007.

Kim Gun-mo countersued A, and as evidence began to emerge that cast doubt on the claims made by A, B, and the channel, the police referred both Kim Gun-mo for sexual assault and A for false accusations to the prosecution. However, in 2021, the prosecution dismissed the sexual assault charges against Kim Gun-mo, citing inconsistencies in A's statements. A's appeals were rejected, and a request for a retrial was also denied, leading to Kim Gun-mo being completely exonerated.

Despite this, the fallout from the incident forced Kim Gun-mo to leave his role on SBS's 'My Ugly Duckling' (미운 우리 새끼) and cancel his 25th-anniversary concert, effectively halting his career. His personal life also suffered; his mother's health deteriorated, and he divorced pianist Jang Ji-yeon (장지연) after two years and eight months of marriage. Following these events, Kim Gun-mo has reportedly withdrawn from public life, feeling disillusioned with the entertainment industry and the world around him.

Shin Jung-hwan and Kang Byeong-kyu Discuss Kim Gun-mo's Scandal

On February 27, 2025, actors and singers Seo In-guk (서인국) and Jung Eun-ji (정은지) stirred excitement among fans by posting intriguing photos on their respective social media accounts. In the images, both stars are seen sitting side by side on a sofa, dressed in white tops and jeans. Seo In-guk holds a Polaroid camera while Jung Eun-ji has a standard camera, creating a captivating atmosphere.

The duo previously starred as a couple in the hit drama 'Reply 1997' (응답하라 1997), which aired in 2012. Their simultaneous posts with similar themes have led fans to speculate about a potential new project or reunion, with comments like, "Could this mean a new collaboration?" and "Are they reuniting?" circulating online.

In related news, Seo In-guk is set to appear in the Netflix series 'Monthly Boyfriend' (월간남친), where he is expected to showcase a romantic storyline alongside BLACKPINK's Jisoo (지수). Meanwhile, Jung Eun-ji demonstrated her acting prowess in the JTBC drama 'The Woman Who Sees the Light' (낮과 밤이 다른 그녀) last year, reaffirming her status as a talented 'acting idol.'

Seo In-guk and Jung Eun-ji Spark Speculation with Mysterious Social Media Posts

On February 15, during a rally for and against the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol in Gwangju's Geumnam-ro, two YouTubers were charged by the Gwangju Cyber Crime Investigation Unit for creating and screening a deepfake video of the President and First Lady. The video, which depicted their faces superimposed onto bodies in underwear and swimsuits, was shown on a large screen mounted on a truck near the 5.18 Democracy Square, close to the pro-impeachment rally. The Presidential Office confirmed the incident and reported the YouTubers for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes. The video was not displayed on the main stage of the pro-impeachment rally, and the organizing group, Gwangju Emergency Action, clarified that the video was not officially sanctioned and distanced themselves from its production and screening. The creators of the video are reported to be from Norway, while the individual who screened it resides in Gyeonggi Province. A police official stated that once a complaint is filed, the involved parties are immediately charged, and no further investigative procedures have been initiated at this time.

SF9 Announces Comeback with New Album 'LOVE RACE' on March 11

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

SHINee's Taemin Concludes Successful North and South American Tour

Shin Jung-hwan and Kang Byeong-kyu Discuss Kim Gun-mo's Scandal

Seo In-guk and Jung Eun-ji Spark Speculation with Mysterious Social Media Posts

YouTubers Charged for Creating Deepfake Video of President Yoon Suk-yeol

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Jimin of BTS Makes a Strong Comeback on Billboard Charts

Kim Ho-joong Admits to Drunk Driving Amid Controversy

New Girl Group ifeye Set to Debut on April 8 with Unique Individual Concepts

EXO's Kai Showcases His Dance Skills Just Days After Military Service

BLACKPINK's Jisoo Shares Coffee Truck Gift from Close Friend Hyeri

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