Shin Soohyun (신수현), a member of the boy group U-KISS, is set to hold his first solo concert today, March 15, at the YES24 Wonder Hall in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Titled 'SHIN SOOHYUN SOLO CONCERT 'I AM' IN SEOUL' (이하 'I AM'), this concert marks Soohyun's debut as a solo artist. He has curated a rich setlist to showcase his true self and create unforgettable memories for his fans.

In addition to his Seoul concert, Soohyun plans to continue his solo activities with a concert in Tokyo, Japan, scheduled for April 11-12. Recently, he released his first solo single 'i am,' signaling the start of a new musical journey. Soohyun has infused various emotions he experienced while finding his musical voice into each track. The title song, '어이없이 난 쉽게도,' features a band sound that has garnered positive feedback from listeners.

The 'I AM' concert will take place in two sessions today at the YES24 Wonder Hall in Seoul.

Shin Soohyun of U-KISS to Hold First Solo Concert in Seoul

Jennie (제니), a member of the iconic K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, is receiving rave reviews for her debut solo album 'Ruby' (루비), which has also seen remarkable sales figures. According to Hanteo Chart, 'Ruby' sold 661,130 copies in its first week following its release on March 7. This achievement marks the highest first-week sales for a K-pop female solo artist in 2025.

In terms of first-week sales among K-pop female solo artists, Jennie's record ranks third overall. Previously, her BLACKPINK bandmate Jisoo's single 'ME' (미) (2023) topped the chart with 1.17 million copies sold, while another member, Lisa, followed with her single 'LALISA' (라리사) (2021) at 736,000 copies. However, both Jisoo's and Lisa's singles featured two tracks, and the years 2021 and 2023 saw a surge in album sales due to post-pandemic recovery spending.

Thus, Jennie's first-week sales stand as the highest for a full-length solo album by a K-pop female artist.

Additionally, 'Ruby' has made significant strides on music charts, reaching the highest position for a K-pop solo artist at number 9 on the Apple Music 'Top Albums' chart in the U.S. It also secured the number 2 spot on the European Apple Music 'Top Albums' chart, marking a significant achievement for K-pop female solo artists.

The title track 'Like Jennie' is also climbing the charts steadily, ranking 6th on Melon's Top 100 as of 11 AM today, and maintaining a strong presence across major domestic music platforms. On Spotify's 'Daily Top Songs Global' chart, it debuted at number 12 and quickly rose to number 7. Other tracks from 'Ruby,' including 'Handlebars' (feat. Dua Lipa), 'ExtraL' (feat. Doechii), and 'Love Hangover' (feat. Dominic Fike), are also receiving widespread acclaim.

Renowned American music publication Pitchfork rated 'Ruby' 7.1 out of 10, praising Jennie's versatility and charm, noting her ability to transform girl sound into a powerful new style. This score is notably high, especially when compared to Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine' (2024) and Billie Eilish's 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT' (2024), which received scores of 7.2 and 6.8, respectively. Jennie's album ranks as the eighth highest-rated K-pop album of all time.

To celebrate the release of 'Ruby,' Jennie will hold a special event titled 'The Ruby Experience' (더 루비 익스피리언스) at the Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 15.

제니 '루비' 초동 66만장…K팝 女솔로 역대 정규 최다 

Jennie's Solo Album 'Ruby' Achieves Impressive Sales and Critical Acclaim

Moon Ga-young's stunning portrayal of a goddess-like character is adding a touch of realism to the tvN drama 'The Guy is Black Dragon' (그놈은 흑염룡). This romantic office drama, written by Kim Soo-yeon and directed by Lee Soo-hyun, follows the story of Baek Soo-jung, a team leader known as the 'Department Killer' who is haunted by her first love, and Ban Joo-yeon, a third-generation chaebol hiding his inner nerd persona. The two, who once met in an online game and left a disastrous impression on each other, find themselves reconnecting in the workplace, leading to a sweet and tender reunion of first love.

Since its premiere, 'The Guy is Black Dragon' has dominated the weekly rankings on the global OTT platform Rakuten Viki, achieving the number one spot across regions including North America, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East, and India. It has maintained this top position for three consecutive weeks, impressively holding the number one rank in 118 countries, including major markets like the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, France, and India.

Moon Ga-young's performance as Baek Soo-jung has captivated both domestic and international audiences. Her character is depicted as a dedicated professional, serving as the youngest planning team leader at Yongseong Department Store while also being the primary breadwinner for her family, making her a well-rounded and admirable figure.

As the story unfolds, Soo-jung and Ban Joo-yeon (played by Choi Hyun-wook) embark on a secret and thrilling office romance, marked by mutual confessions. Soo-jung takes the lead in their relationship, confidently initiating moments of intimacy and skillfully navigating the emotional landscape with the younger Joo-yeon, which has resonated with viewers.

The allure of the 'perfect goddess' Soo-jung is amplified by Moon Ga-young's strong acting skills. She effortlessly embodies a trendy office worker while also delivering comedic moments that enhance the drama's appeal. Her ability to balance emotional depth and humor enriches the chemistry between the older woman and younger man, elevating their relationship dynamics.

As the eighth episode concluded with the revelation of their shared painful past, viewers are left eager to see how the 'perfect goddess' Soo-jung will overcome the challenges ahead in 'The Guy is Black Dragon.' The show airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM KST.

'갓벽 여신' 문가영에 '그놈은 흑염룡' 화제성↑..118개국 3주 연속 1위

Moon Ga-young Shines as the Perfect Goddess in 'The Guy is Black Dragon'

Actor Lee Sang-in shared his parenting challenges on the show 'My Precious Child' (금쪽같은 내 새끼) airing today, March 14, at 8:10 PM on Channel A. In the episode, he appears alongside his wife to discuss their experiences raising their three sons, aged 8, 6, and 4. The couple has embraced a rural lifestyle for the past six years, which has drawn admiration from the show's panelists. 

However, they revealed their ongoing concerns about their eldest son, who has been slower to speak and struggles with social interactions compared to his peers. Two years ago, they had considered appearing on 'My Precious Child' but chose to wait, believing in their child's potential. 

Upon reviewing footage, they were shocked to see their son having difficulty communicating and exhibiting unusual behavior at school. The couple was moved to tears when Dr. Oh Eun-young, a child psychiatrist, diagnosed their son, suggesting there might be challenges in the neural circuits responsible for social interaction, indicating a possible autism spectrum disorder. 

As the episode progresses, Dr. Oh continues to provide solutions. The family's reunion at a train station, which should have been filled with joy, turned emotional as both the second son and mother were seen in tears. Dr. Oh also raised concerns about the mother's mental health, stating that her depression is currently at a critical level. 

Viewers can find out what solutions Dr. Oh recommends for this lively family of three brothers on 'My Precious Child' at 8:10 PM today on Channel A.

이상인, 소통 안되는 첫째 자폐 스펙트럼? 아내는 우울증 응급상황(‘금쪽같은’)

Lee Sang-in Opens Up About Parenting Struggles on 'My Precious Child'

In the finale of TV Chosun's Mister Trot 3, which aired on March 13, 2025, Kim Yong-bin (33), a seasoned trot singer with 22 years of experience, was crowned the champion after receiving 27% of the live text votes. Reflecting on his victory, he expressed disbelief, saying, "I still feel like I'm dreaming. I've been singing for 20 years, but this is the first time I've ever come in first place."

The final competition, themed 'Life Songs,' was evaluated on a total of 3,000 points, comprising 1,500 points from master scores, 300 points from online support votes, and 1,200 points from real-time text votes. Kim Yong-bin chose to perform Na Hoon-a's 'Gamsa' and scored 1,490 points (2nd place) from the masters, while he topped the online support votes with a perfect 300 points (1st place). He tied for first place in the interim rankings with Son Bin-ah, who received 1,500 points from the masters and 290 points online. However, in the live broadcast, Kim Yong-bin garnered an impressive 440,256 votes from a total of 1,641,378 valid text votes, securing his victory with a 27.01% share.

Son Bin-ah, who performed Park Woo-cheol's 'Yeonmo,' made history by receiving perfect scores of 100 from all 15 masters but ultimately finished second with 34,646 votes (21.11%). The third place went to Cheon Rok-dam, who jumped from 6th to 3rd in the national voting with Na Hoon-a's 'Gong.'

Before the finale, Kim Yong-bin admitted to being extremely nervous, surviving on just porridge for days. During the broadcast, he was moved to tears by a video featuring memories of his late grandmother, who had raised him after his parents' divorce. His emotional reaction was palpable as he recalled the lyrics, "Even the wind that brushed by hurt me, the past years I cried in hiding."

"I sincerely thank the public for voting for me so much. I am grateful to my family watching from home. I believe my grandmother would have been so happy to see this moment," he said, his face radiating joy despite the shadows that often lingered.

In an interview just before the live show, Kim Yong-bin shared, "I know hundreds of trot songs, but the moment I heard this song by Na Hoon-a, I cried for the first time. The lyrics resonated deeply with my life experiences, especially the pain I had to overcome during my seven-year hiatus."

The finale of Mister Trot 3 achieved a remarkable viewership rating of 19.1%, a 3% increase from the previous episode, marking its highest rating ever. The peak moment, with a rating of 19.6%, occurred when Kim Yong-bin shared memories of his grandmother in his hometown of Daegu.

This competition was a fulfillment of his grandmother's wish for him to perform on the Mister Trot stage, although she passed away before witnessing his success. Kim Yong-bin recalled her words before her passing, promising to support him even after her death.

"Before going on stage, I always repeated, 'Grandma, please be with me,' which helped me stay calm this time. I sang with the mindset of performing my own song, just as I always did in front of her," he said, emphasizing his dedication to his craft.

His relentless pursuit of perfection and commitment to traditional trot music ultimately won the hearts of the audience. He meticulously practiced every aspect of his performance, from vocal tone to facial expressions, ensuring he delivered his best.

When asked about his true dream, Kim Yong-bin replied, "As long as I am healthy, I want to sing for as long as I can whenever people want to hear me. I was a child who almost died from a high fever just ten days after birth, and now I have been reborn through singing."

As the champion, Kim Yong-bin received a cash prize of 300 million won along with various other awards. The top spots were rounded out by Chun Gil in 4th, Choi Jae-myung in 5th, Nam Seung-min in 6th, and Chu Hyuk-jin in 7th. Choi Jae-myung also received a special award from Takahashi Yoko, a master from Mister Trot Japan.

22년차 가수 김용빈, ‘미스터트롯’ 첫 도전서 대역전극 우승

Kim Yong-bin Crowned Champion of Mister Trot 3

The girl group LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌), consisting of Kim Chaewon (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yunjin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eunchae (홍은채), held a showcase on March 14 at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their fifth mini album, 'HOT'. 

During the event, Heo Yunjin expressed her excitement, stating, "We have now reached the final album of our trilogy following 'EASY' and 'CRAZY'. We have prepared this album based on the diverse experiences and lessons we learned last year. We will give our all in this comeback."

Kim Chaewon added, "This is our first album of the year, and I am grateful for all the wonderful experiences from last year. I will work hard with a joyful heart for this comeback." Kazuha mentioned, "We have a variety of music prepared that showcases our unique sides, including lyrical performances."

The mini album 'HOT' encapsulates a passionate approach to love, featuring five tracks. The title track 'HOT' blends rock and disco elements, while other songs include 'Born Fire', which features impressive narration in Korean, English, and Japanese; 'Come Over', which encourages listeners to embrace their feelings and enjoy the moment; 'Ash', which speaks to finding beauty in pain; and 'So Cynical (Badum)', co-written by Kim Chaewon, Heo Yunjin, and Hong Eunchae, urging listeners to boldly dive into love.

Sakura remarked, "'CRAZY' received so much love that it even made a comeback on the charts. To meet our fans' expectations, we have worked hard for this comeback. We will show you a hot and cool side of us."

Finally, Hong Eunchae shared, "This is my first album of 2025, and I prepared it with a fresh mindset as I turn twenty. I have challenged myself with new genres, so I hope you look forward to seeing a new side of me."

LE SSERAFIM's new album 'HOT' will officially be released at 1 PM today.

'컴백' 르세라핌 "'핫'하고 멋진 모습 많이 보여드릴 것" [Oh!쎈 현장]

LE SSERAFIM Promises a Hot Comeback with New Mini Album 'HOT'

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).

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

On March 15, 2025, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Goldmedalist, issued a statement refuting the recent claims made by the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (commonly known as 가세연) during a live broadcast on March 14. The agency emphasized that the photos shared by 가세연 were taken on December 14, 2019, and argued that there is no justification for the indiscriminate release of images related to Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron's private lives. They urged for an end to the dissemination of personal information.

Goldmedalist also acknowledged the statement made by Kim Sae-ron's mother, expressing deep sympathy for her unimaginable pain following the loss of her daughter. They conveyed their sorrow over the hardships Kim Sae-ron faced during her life and expressed their understanding of the concerns raised by her mother regarding media coverage.

While the agency agreed with some of the points made by Kim Sae-ron's mother, they noted that there are aspects of her claims that differ from their perspective. They suggested that there may be information that she is not yet aware of and stated that publicly debating these issues would not be appropriate for honoring Kim Sae-ron's memory. Goldmedalist expressed a desire to meet with her mother to provide a thorough explanation and invited her to contact the agency at any time.

Recently, Kim Soo-hyun has faced allegations from 가세연 regarding a supposed 'grooming' crime, claiming he had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor. The agency clarified that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron did have a past relationship, they only dated from the summer of 2019, when she was an adult, until the fall of 2020. They also refuted claims that they pressured Kim Sae-ron regarding a compensation demand related to her DUI incident, stating that the legal documents were part of a process to address losses incurred by her former agency. Goldmedalist has announced plans for strong legal action against the false allegations made by 가세연.

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Allegations and Seeks Communication with Kim Sae-ron's Family

Beauty brand Dinto has decided to terminate its advertising model contract with actor Kim Soo-hyun, who has recently been embroiled in allegations regarding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time. On March 15, Dinto announced, "We have decided to end our advertising model contract with Kim Soo-hyun. Given the recent controversies, we believe it is important to uphold the principles of good faith and integrity in our partnership. Therefore, we could not proceed with an official statement or contract termination until we received a position statement from Kim Soo-hyun and his agency." 

According to Dinto, the contract with Kim Soo-hyun was set for one year and was valid until August 2025. The company further stated, "After confirming the agency's position, we have determined that there are significant reasons that make it difficult to fulfill the advertising model contract. We are currently in the process of officially terminating the contract through our legal counsel." 

Dinto emphasized that this decision was made to protect the values of the brand and consumer trust. They added, "We will continue to make careful and responsible decisions that align with consumer trust and pursue more meaningful projects to realize our values." 

Recently, Kim Soo-hyun has faced allegations from the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) and Kim Sae-ron's family, claiming that he was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was in middle school, starting from when she was 15 years old and continuing for six years. 

On March 14, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, released a second statement addressing the allegations. They confirmed that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were indeed former lovers, their relationship began after Kim Sae-ron turned 18, specifically from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. 

In a statement through 'Garo Sero,' Kim Sae-ron's mother asserted, "Sae-ron has never lied to the media. She has never pretended to be someone else for attention, nor was she a child who only enjoyed nightlife with friends. She did not create dating rumors through manipulated photos. However, Lee Jin-ho and Cyber Leakers have fabricated false articles that dragged the life of an ordinary and promising actress and her family into hell. Furthermore, Gold Medalist has portrayed Sae-ron as a crazy girl who lies about her intentions regarding the photos she posted."

Dinto Terminates Contract with Kim Soo-hyun Amid Controversy

The mother of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has publicly addressed the media regarding the false narratives surrounding her daughter. In a statement released on March 14 through a YouTube channel, she expressed that their goal is to restore the tarnished reputation of her daughter, who was unfairly affected by numerous misleading articles. She emphasized the need to hold accountable malicious YouTubers and cyber bullies who have contributed to this situation.

A stated, "Sae-ron never lied to the media. She did not engage in gambling or pretend to work part-time. She was not a girl who only enjoyed nightlife with friends, nor did she create false dating rumors through manipulated photos." She lamented that since Sae-ron's passing, there have been outrageous claims about her being a 'girl head of the household' and that her family squandered her earnings, leading to a plethora of baseless articles that are not worth reading.

A further elaborated on the impact of these false articles, stating that they targeted her young daughter, who had just turned twenty, and that Sae-ron bore the brunt of vicious personal attacks alone. She described the three years of suffering that Sae-ron endured, likening it to being bullied by the public due to the false reports initiated by a figure named Lee Jin-ho.

The family hopes to restore the honor that Sae-ron had as an actress during her lifetime and wishes for legal and institutional measures to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.

The family has also claimed that Kim Sae-ron was in a relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun since she was 15 years old, a statement that Kim Soo-hyun's side has denied as false. However, the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' has released letters and photos allegedly sent by Kim Soo-hyun during his military service, further complicating the narrative. They also claimed that a gold medalist demanded compensation from Kim Sae-ron following her DUI incident.

Mother of Late Actress Kim Sae-ron Speaks Out Against False Reports

The mother of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has finally broken her silence, asserting that her daughter never lied about working at a coffee shop and was subjected to bullying by the public. She expressed a desire for her daughter's honor to be restored.

On March 14, the 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소), claiming to represent Kim Sae-ron's family, released a statement purportedly from her mother. The institute noted that Kim's mother preferred not to reveal her voice, so they used AI technology to present her statement.

In her statement, Kim Sae-ron's mother said, "Sae-ron has never lied to the media. She never pretended to work part-time or was just a girl who enjoyed nightlife with friends. She did not create false dating rumors with manipulated photos. However, Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters have fabricated false articles that dragged the life of a promising actress and her family into hell. Furthermore, Gold Medalist labeled her as a 'crazy girl' who lied about her intentions in the photos she posted. Now that Sae-ron is gone, there are outrageous false articles claiming she was a breadwinner for her family and that they squandered hundreds of billions earned from her. These articles are not worth seeing or reading."

She continued, "The ones who trampled on my fallen child and kicked her while she was down are Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters. There were also irresponsible media outlets that spread the false narratives written by Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters, along with various malicious commenters who supported them. Sae-ron endured this for three years, sleepless and lonely. This is akin to the collective bullying she faced from the public due to the false articles triggered by Lee Jin-ho."

She added, "If Professor Kwon Young-chan from the Korean Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association had not reached out to us, and if Kim Se-yi from Garo Sero had not offered help, our family would have been scapegoats to Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters, carrying the burden of Sae-ron's tarnished reputation for life."

In conclusion, she stated, "The actions of Lee Jin-ho and his associates are criminal. It is difficult to hold them accountable for murder within the outdated legal framework. We, the bereaved family, wish to restore the honor that Sae-ron had as an actress during her lifetime, correct the false articles that are entirely untrue, and hope that legal and institutional measures are established to prevent such incidents from happening again, ensuring that the media fulfills its responsibilities."

Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on February 16, at the age of 25. A friend who was supposed to meet her discovered her unresponsive and reported it. Police stated that there were no signs of foul play.

In connection with this, the Garo Sero Institute alleged that actor Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since her minor years, raising suspicions of 'grooming.' They also claimed that Gold Medalist pressured Kim Sae-ron with a 700 million won compensation notice and that Kim Soo-hyun turned a blind eye to it.

In response, Gold Medalist issued an urgent statement on March 14, denying the allegations and clarifying that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult. They also refuted claims regarding the compensation notice, stating it was merely a legal procedure related to a penalty from Kim Sae-ron's DUI incident and not a demand for payment.

Shin Soohyun of U-KISS to Hold First Solo Concert in Seoul

What do you think?

Trending

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

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Allegations and Seeks Communication with Kim Sae-ron's Family

Dinto Terminates Contract with Kim Soo-hyun Amid Controversy

Mother of Late Actress Kim Sae-ron Speaks Out Against False Reports

Kim Sae-ron's Mother Speaks Out for Justice

More

Jennie's Solo Album 'Ruby' Achieves Impressive Sales and Critical Acclaim

Moon Ga-young Shines as the Perfect Goddess in 'The Guy is Black Dragon'

Lee Sang-in Opens Up About Parenting Struggles on 'My Precious Child'

Kim Yong-bin Crowned Champion of Mister Trot 3

LE SSERAFIM Promises a Hot Comeback with New Mini Album 'HOT'

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