SM Entertainment's rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts has captured attention with the simultaneous release of their debut music video for 'The Chase' at the iconic Shinsegae Square. On February 24, the group launched their first single, 'The Chase', and unveiled the music video across various platforms, including the SMTOWN YouTube channel and the massive media facade at Shinsegae Department Store in central Seoul.

The music video showcases the eight members embarking on a field trip, where they experience a mystical phenomenon that encourages them to break free from the ordinary and create their own unique path through the city. The enchanting visuals of Hearts2Hearts filled the landmark Shinsegae Square, marking a significant moment for their 'hot debut'.

'The Chase' features a dreamy blend of soundscapes and vocal melodies, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The track is characterized by its strong and distinctive bass synths, which contribute to dynamic mood changes throughout the song. The lyrics convey a confident message of self-determination, expressing excitement and curiosity about the new world they are about to explore, resonating well with global music fans.

Additionally, Hearts2Hearts is set to make their first music show appearance on Mnet's 'M Countdown' on February 27.

SM Entertainment's New Girl Group Hearts2Hearts Makes a Splash with Debut Music Video 'The Chase'

A police officer in his 50s, identified as Kim (김) from the 6th Mobile Police Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, tragically passed away on February 21, 2025. He was found unresponsive at his home in Gyeonggi Province after completing a grueling 21-hour shift. Kim had returned home after his duty, had lunch, and went to sleep, but never woke up. His wife, Lee (이), discovered him when she returned home from a part-time job early the next morning. 

Lee recounted that she knocked on the door of their bedroom but received no response. Upon entering, she found her husband lying in an unusual position, with signs of fluid coming from his mouth and nose. Initially, she suspected he might have been injured during a protest, but upon touching his cold skin, she realized he had passed away. 

An autopsy conducted by the National Forensic Service indicated that a brain hemorrhage was the cause of death. The family claims that Kim had no prior health issues. Lee expressed her shock and guilt, stating, "I feel sorry that he must have suffered while working in the cold on the streets. His work schedule was relatively regular before the impeachment crisis, but it became unpredictable afterward, which stressed him out." 

Kim's older brother mentioned that his sibling often complained about the overwhelming workload and sudden demands to report for duty, even on his days off. The family plans to inquire with the police about recognizing Kim's death as a line-of-duty incident. 

Colleagues who attended Kim's funeral shared their frustrations about the chaotic work schedules following the declaration of martial law. They reported instances of working up to 26 hours straight and often feeling exhausted. One officer noted that they sometimes only managed to get a few hours of sleep before returning to work, leading to a cycle of fatigue. 

The increased number of protests and demonstrations in the wake of the impeachment crisis has led to longer hours for police officers, particularly those in the mobile units. According to data submitted to the National Assembly, the number of protests in December 2024 reached 534, a 12% increase from the previous year. The number of mobile police units deployed to manage these events also rose significantly. 

The physical demands on officers have been exacerbated by the rising intensity of protests, with reports indicating that many officers have sustained injuries during recent events. One officer involved in crowd control during a violent incident at the Western District Court noted the growing challenges posed by increasingly aggressive demonstrations. 

As the situation continues to evolve, the health and safety of police officers remain a pressing concern amidst the ongoing political turmoil.

50대 경찰, 21시간 근무 후 돌연사... 유족 “집회 폭증으로 과로”

Sudden Death of Police Officer Amidst Increased Workload Sparks Concerns

On the February 24 episode of KBS Joy's 'Ask Anything' (무엇이든 물어보살), host Seojanghoon reacted with anger to a heartbreaking story involving a mother battling cancer and her estranged daughter. The guest, who has been diagnosed with blood cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, shared her struggles, including being out of contact with her eldest daughter for the past seven years. The mother expressed her desire to reconnect with her daughter before her health deteriorates further.

The daughter had previously informed her mother about her pregnancy with a Cambodian man just a year before graduation, leading to a wedding that the mother facilitated. However, the daughter later divorced and began living with a new partner, concealing the fact that she was receiving child support from her ex-husband. Unbeknownst to the mother, the daughter had been living with her partner while receiving 500,000 won in child support, which was revealed to the mother through a message from the daughter's partner addressing her as 'mother-in-law.' This revelation marked the beginning of their seven-year silence.

Seojanghoon questioned whether the daughter was aware of her mother's illness, to which the mother replied that her daughter knew but had changed her phone number and cut off contact with the family. The mother recounted a moment when she discovered her daughter lived nearby and attempted to reach out by leaving a letter and food at her door, only to find it untouched for 20 days.

Co-host Lee Soo-geun chimed in, questioning the rationale behind such estrangement, emphasizing that children should check on their parents. Seojanghoon added that regardless of any underlying issues, it is a child's duty to care for their sick parent, especially after five years of the mother battling cancer. He stressed that no matter how strained their relationship may be, a child should be there for their parent in times of illness.

서장훈, 혈액암 투병母 7년간 연락두절 한 딸에 "인성에 문제있어" 일침 ('물어보살')

Seojanghoon Expresses Anger Over Daughter's Estrangement from Cancer-Stricken Mother on 'Ask Anything' 

On February 25, 2025, SBS's variety show 'Shoe Off, Dolsing For Man' (신발 벗고 돌싱포맨) featured the unveiling of a new song by the renowned trot singer Song Ga-in (송가인). As the only junior artist to receive a song from the legendary Shim Soo-bong (심수봉), Song Ga-in expressed her gratitude, stating, "Shim Soo-bong sunbaenim gave me a song for the first time and didn't even take a composition fee." She shared that she had approached Shim, whose home is near hers, at just the right moment when a song was available.

Song Ga-in's husky voice has become a treasure not only in the trot genre but across the entire music industry. She mentioned, "I usually have a thinner voice, but my singing of pansori has made it deeper. I can produce a lighter tone if I want to." However, her comments were met with skepticism from fellow cast members like Lee Sang-min (이상민), who bluntly criticized her, saying, "That's nonsense!" In response, Byun Jin-seop (변진섭) playfully admonished them, and to prove her point, Song Ga-in showcased a song by Shim Soo-bong in her lighter vocal style, impressing her peers including Tak Jae-hoon (탁재훈).

송가인, 미성 가능하다 발언하자마자···이상민 등 비난 "뻥치고 있네"('돌싱포맨')

Song Ga-in Faces Controversy Over Vocal Range on 'Shoe Off, Dolsing For Man'

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

On the February 24 episode of TV CHOSUN's 조선의 사랑꾼 (Lovers of Joseon), singer Chae Ri-na opened up about a traumatic incident that occurred before her marriage to her husband, former baseball player Park Yong-geun, who is six years her junior. The couple revealed that they have been married for ten years without holding a wedding ceremony, sparking curiosity among viewers.

Chae Ri-na explained that the reason for not having a wedding was due to a significant accident involving Park Yong-geun. She shared, "We were originally like siblings, but after he went through a major incident, he expressed his feelings for me. My prayer was, 'Please save this friend,' and thankfully, he survived. We formed a bond through this experience, but we didn't want to draw attention to ourselves because there was a victim involved."

The 'major incident' Chae Ri-na referred to was a stabbing incident that took place in 2012 at a bar in Gangnam, Seoul. This tragic event resulted in the death of Kim Sung-soo's ex-wife, a member of the mixed group Cool, due to excessive bleeding, while Park Yong-geun suffered severe injuries, including the removal of 44% of his liver. Despite being in a critical condition, he miraculously survived the surgery.

Chae Ri-na recalled, "Before the surgery, the diagnosis was a 99% chance of death." Park Yong-geun added, "It was a huge incident, and everyone involved was affected. Initially, I had trauma from the event and have since avoided crowded places." Chae Ri-na expressed feelings of guilt, saying, "If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have been there that day. Thankfully, the surgery went well, and when he recovered and was discharged, he confessed his feelings to me."

Chae Ri-na emphasized the sensitivity surrounding the incident, stating, "Since there are victims who are still hurting, we decided to live quietly. A wedding might bring back painful memories for some."

Having lived for over a decade without a wedding ceremony, Chae Ri-na also shared her plans to consider IVF treatments with her mother. Additionally, her fellow DIVA members, Min-kyung and Jin-hee, were seen trying to book Jamsil Baseball Stadium as a potential wedding venue.

The couple's journey continues to unfold on TV CHOSUN's 조선의 사랑꾼 (Lovers of Joseon), which airs every Monday at 10 PM.

채리나 '사망 확률 99%' 이겨냈다…기적의 男과 '잠실구장' 결혼식 (조선의사랑꾼)[종합]

Chae Ri-na Reflects on Traumatic Incident Before Marriage to Park Yong-geun

On February 25, 2025, HYBE and the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency (경기북부청) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Gyeonggi Northern Police Headquarters in Uijeongbu, South Korea, to address the rising issue of cyber crimes, particularly deepfake incidents. 

The collaboration aims to establish a cyber crime reporting hotline to protect artists from potential harm and to facilitate the apprehension of offenders. This agreement stems from a mutual understanding of the necessity for cooperation between entertainment companies and law enforcement in investigating cyber crimes targeting artists.

There has been a notable increase in deepfake crimes both domestically and internationally, especially on messaging platforms with servers located abroad. High-profile individuals are particularly vulnerable due to their public visibility, leading to a surge in illegal video incidents and rapid dissemination of such content. This situation underscores the urgent need for collaboration between entertainment agencies and police to safeguard victims and create a swift response system.

The Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency anticipates that this partnership with HYBE will enhance their capabilities in cyber crime investigations. The agency has achieved national recognition for its effectiveness in cyber sexual violence investigations, ranking first in the country for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024, and being designated as a top cyber team by the National Police Agency in 2024.

In light of this MOU, HYBE plans to further develop its artist protection systems. 

Gyeonggi Northern Police Chief Kim Ho-seung expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, "Working with HYBE, a leading entertainment company in South Korea, will enhance our investigative efficiency. As cyber crime methods become increasingly sophisticated with technological advancements, we aim to improve our investigative expertise based on this MOU." 

HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang also expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, stating, "We are pleased to collaborate with the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency, which has expertise in cyber crime investigations. We will continue to do our utmost to protect the rights of our artists."

HYBE Partners with Gyeonggi Northern Police to Combat Cyber Crimes

On February 26, G-Dragon from BIGBANG shared a photo on his personal social media, showcasing a reunion with his friends from the '88 Line'—Kim Soo-hyun, Jung Hae-in, and Kwanghee—who he became close with through the variety show Good Day (굿데이). The image features a four-shot collage taken at G-Dragon's comeback listening party, which included guests Hong Jin-kyung, Jo Se-ho, and Code Kunst, alongside the '88 Line' members. The group displayed their playful side, striking various fun poses, including V signs and the popular 'Agungbang' pose. Meanwhile, G-Dragon's third studio album, Übermensch, has made a significant impact, topping charts immediately upon release. The title track, 'TOO BAD,' quickly reached number one on major Korean music platforms such as Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Vibe.

G-Dragon Reunites with '88 Line' Friends at Listening Party

Lisa of BLACKPINK is set to take the stage at the 97th Academy Awards, which will be held on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. She will perform alongside rapper Doja Cat and British singer-songwriter Raye. Lisa's performance will feature her song 'Born Again' from her upcoming debut solo album 'Alter Ego', which is scheduled for release on February 28. 'Born Again', featuring Doja Cat and Raye, recently debuted at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 13 on the UK Official Top 100. This marks a significant moment as it is the first time a K-pop artist will perform at the Academy Awards. Although Lisa hails from Thailand, she has made her mark as a member of the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK. Additionally, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who starred in the musical film 'Wicked', will also perform at the ceremony.

BLACKPINK's Lisa to Perform at the 97th Academy Awards

On February 25, 2025, WJSN (우주소녀) marked their 9th anniversary by expressing gratitude to their fans through their official social media channels. The group shared a collection of group photos that showcased their bright smiles and natural charm, captivating fans with their joyful interactions, including moments where members held hands, evoking a sense of warmth and connection.

Since their debut in 2016 with the mini-album 'WOULD YOU LIKE?', WJSN has made a significant impact with their diverse musical styles and concepts. They quickly garnered public attention, winning the Rising Star Award at the 2016 AAA and the Discovery of the Year Award at the Seoul Music Awards.

Over the years, WJSN has released numerous hit songs such as 'La La Love', 'BUTTERFLY', and 'UNNATURAL', consistently ranking high on music charts. Their track ' 부탁해' solidified their unique style, while '이루리' has topped major domestic music charts every January 1st, continuing to receive love from fans.

The group has also successfully showcased their versatility through subunits like Chocome, consisting of Subin, Luda, YeoReum, and DaYoung, and WJSN The Black, featuring Seola, Exy, Bona, and Eunseo, both of which displayed a refreshing contrast to their original image.

In addition to music, WJSN members have ventured into acting and variety shows, providing fans with a multifaceted view of their talents. Seola, Exy, Eunseo, and DaYoung have honed their acting skills by taking on various roles across genres. YeoReum is set to make her film debut in '교생실습', while Bona will appear in the SBS drama '귀궁'.

Yoonjeong has established herself as a musical actress with roles in productions like 'LIZZIE', and Subin has become a prominent figure in variety shows, showcasing her charm and talent.

As WJSN reflects on their journey over the past nine years, the members shared their heartfelt thoughts with fans:

Exy: "It’s hard to believe it’s already been 9 years. I feel grateful for our fans, WJSN, who have supported us since the beginning. I hope we can create many more wonderful memories together."

Seola: "Thinking about the 9 years we’ve walked together with our fans brings me to tears. I’m thankful for all the memories we’ve made and for the motivation to keep moving forward. I will strive to be a better version of myself."

Bona: "Thanks to our fans, we’ve been able to run hard for 9 years. I appreciate your endless support and love, and I promise to keep working hard to repay that love!"

Subin: "The laughter and tears over these 9 years have helped me grow, and the precious memories with our fans are my driving force. I want to thank my fellow members and our fans for always being there for us. I’ll work hard to create more opportunities to meet you all."

Eunseo: "I’m so happy to share this special moment with our fans. Your support has brought us this far. I’ll continue to work hard in all our activities, so please keep watching over us."

YeoReum: "The love and support from our fans have been a great strength for me. I’ll do my best as a member of WJSN and create many more moments together."

DaYoung: "Thanks to our fans, I’ve been able to be active for 9 years. I’ve tried to show my face in various places, including YouTube and variety shows, and I’m grateful that many fans have recognized my efforts. I’ll continue to show more of myself as a member of WJSN."

Yoonjeong: "The time spent with the members and fans over these 9 years is always in my heart. Thanks to our fans’ support, I’ve been able to challenge myself in various fields, and every moment with them is precious. I’ll continue to show good sides of WJSN in the future."

Looking ahead, WJSN plans to strengthen their connection with fans through various individual activities while continuing to grow as a group.

WJSN Celebrates 9th Anniversary with Heartfelt Messages to Fans

On February 25, Spotify, the world's largest music streaming platform, unveiled its '2024 Global Impact List,' highlighting the most streamed Korean music overseas in the second half of 2024. Remarkably, half of the top 10 songs on the list are solo tracks by members of BTS (방탄소년단). Additionally, one-third of the top 30 songs are attributed to their individual works, reaffirming the group's immense influence. This chart reflects the listening habits of Spotify users outside of Korea from July to December 2024.

Jimin's (지민) second solo album, 'MUSE,' saw its title track 'Who' claim the top spot on the '2024 Global Impact List,' marking it as the biggest hit of the latter half of last year. Alongside 'Who,' four other tracks from the album made the rankings, with 'Be Mine' landing at fifth place. Jin's (진) first solo album 'Happy,' released in November, featured the title track 'Running Wild' at sixth place and the pre-released song 'I’ll Be There' at eighth. Additionally, 'Winter Ahead (with PARK HYO SHIN)' by V (뷔) and Park Hyo Shin also secured the ninth position.

Other notable entries include Jimin's 'Slow Dance (feat. Sofia Carson)' at 19th, 'Rebirth (Intro)' at 22nd, and 'Interlude: Showtime' at 28th. Jin's 'Super Tuna,' officially released in October 2022, ranked 23rd, while V's duet 'White Christmas (with V of BTS)' featuring Bing Crosby reached 26th.

According to Spotify's '2024 Wrapped' campaign released in December, BTS was recognized as the Korean artist with the highest global streams last year, amassing an impressive 3.9 billion streams throughout the year. This achievement marks BTS's seventh consecutive year as the most streamed K-pop artist on Spotify since 2018.

SM Entertainment's New Girl Group Hearts2Hearts Makes a Splash with Debut Music Video 'The Chase'

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HYBE Partners with Gyeonggi Northern Police to Combat Cyber Crimes

G-Dragon Reunites with '88 Line' Friends at Listening Party

BLACKPINK's Lisa to Perform at the 97th Academy Awards

WJSN Celebrates 9th Anniversary with Heartfelt Messages to Fans

BTS Members Dominate Spotify's Global Impact List with Solo Tracks

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Sudden Death of Police Officer Amidst Increased Workload Sparks Concerns

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Song Ga-in Faces Controversy Over Vocal Range on 'Shoe Off, Dolsing For Man'

Jimin of BTS Makes a Strong Comeback on Billboard Charts

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