Shin Soohyun, the main vocalist of the group U-KISS, is embarking on a new musical journey. Recently, he shared a teaser image for his first single album titled 'i am' on his official social media channels, signaling his solo comeback.

In the released photo, Shin Soohyun's face remains shrouded in mystery, building anticipation for the music and performances he will unveil with 'i am'. This album marks his first single release since debuting, encapsulating his efforts to discover a new facet of his voice and the emotions he experienced throughout that process. It is expected to include his recently released remake single '또 다른 시작' (Another Beginning), showcasing his musical authenticity.

Shin Soohyun's first single album 'i am' will be available on various music platforms on March 11 at 6 PM. Following the release, he will hold his first solo concert titled 'SHIN SOOHYUN SOLO CONCERT 'I AM' IN SEOUL' on March 15 at the YES24 Wonderbox in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, marking the official start of his solo activities.

U-KISS's Shin Soohyun Announces Solo Debut with 'i am'

Yoo Ah-in (유아인), who was previously sentenced to a suspended prison term in an appeals court for habitual drug use, is now taking his case to the Supreme Court. On February 20, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office filed an appeal against the appellate court's decision that granted Yoo a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a fine of 2 million won. This ruling was made by the 5th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court on February 18, which found Yoo guilty of violating the Narcotics Control Act, smoking marijuana, and attempting to destroy evidence. The court noted that Yoo had suffered from long-term health issues and depression, which contributed to his actions. They acknowledged that he has made significant progress in overcoming his drug dependency and expressed a commitment to avoid reoffending. The court also considered his five months of detention and lack of prior offenses, stating that the original sentence was excessively harsh. Following this decision, Yoo was released from the Seoul Detention Center after five months in custody. Yoo Ah-in was charged last October for repeatedly using medical propofol under the guise of cosmetic procedures at hospitals in Seoul from September 2020 to March 2022, totaling 181 instances. In his final statement during the second trial in December, he expressed deep regret for disappointing his colleagues and supporters, acknowledging the pain he caused. He stated, 'I still struggle with shame and guilt, but I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect and will do my utmost to correct my mistakes. I ask for a chance to demonstrate my commitment to learning and living a new life.'

‘상습 마약 투약’ 유아인, 대법원 간다… 검찰, 항소심 집행유예에 상고

Yoo Ah-in's Drug Case Heads to Supreme Court After Suspended Sentence

BIBI is set to provide a warm embrace this late winter with the release of her new double single '행복에게' (To Happiness) today, February 20, 2025. This marks her first new music in three months since the release of 'DERRE' in November 2024, and it serves as a piece of the new universe she has crafted.

This double single is particularly special as BIBI has chosen to focus on a softer, more emotional sound. The title track '행복에게' conveys a hopeful longing for spring to arrive after winter, featuring gentle acoustic guitar melodies paired with BIBI's soothing, whisper-like vocals. Her bold and unexpected choices are expected to showcase a different charm.

The second track, '겨울' (Winter), presents a subtly different yet familiar feeling. While '행복에게' sings of hope and anticipation for spring, '겨울' adopts a more cynical perspective on winter. As with her previous double singles, this release continues the narrative of the cloned characters EVE and EVE-1, exploring their contrasting emotions and viewpoints through these two thematic songs.

BIBI has taken an active role in this double single, overseeing everything from songwriting and composition to directing the music video, which captures the essence of winter. The video, themed around 'surviving winter,' showcases BIBI in a natural light.

Having established herself as an actress through her roles in Disney+'s original series 'Gangnam B-Side' and SBS's 'Hot Blooded Priest 2' last year, BIBI is poised to make significant strides this year as a singer-songwriter and versatile artist with her active music endeavors.

비비, 작사+작곡+MV 연출까지..20일 더블 싱글 ‘행복에게’ 발매

BIBI Offers Warm Comfort with New Double Single 'To Happiness'

The highly anticipated drama 'Undercover High School' featuring actor Sung Kang-joon has finally been unveiled. The production conference for the new MBC Friday-Saturday drama took place on February 20 at MBC's new headquarters in Sangam-dong, Seoul. Attendees included Sung Kang-joon, Jin Ki-joo, Kim Shin-rok, Jeon Bae-soo, Kim Min-joo, Park Se-hyun, and director Choi Jung-in, who shared insights about the show.

'Undercover High School' follows a National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent who goes undercover as a high school student to track down the missing gold bars of Emperor Gojong. After enlisting in the army in November 2021 and completing his service in May 2023, Sung Kang-joon is making his return to the small screen for the first time in nearly three years since his role in Disney+'s 'Grid' in 2022. He expressed his feelings about returning, stating, "It feels like it's been about three or four years since I last presented a project to everyone, and the world has changed a lot. The poses have changed, and there are so many new things. I realized that a lot has changed during my time away, and I thought I should quickly adapt and present an enjoyable work."

In the drama, Sung Kang-joon plays Jeong Hae-sung, an ace field agent of the NIS who is deployed for the 'Undercover High School' operation. At 31 years old, he finds himself back in a school uniform. He shared, "While filming, I encountered many new slang terms. I learned a lot of new things, but I couldn't understand any of it. There were actual high school students and adult friends around, and I felt they looked so young. I thought, 'Why do I feel so different from them?' It was a bit embarrassing to wear the uniform, but I reminded myself that I am 31 in the drama, so I decided to enjoy it."

Sung Kang-joon chose 'Undercover High School' as his comeback project because of its diverse genres. He noted, "The drama encompasses many genres, including comedy, action, romance, and crime, all blended together beautifully. While it is light-hearted, it also contains deeper messages that provoke thought and provide entertainment."

Reflecting on his time in the military, he remarked, "The time felt like an eternity. I thought a lot about my past, what kind of actor I want to be, and why I wanted to be an actor. Looking back, while not everything I did was satisfying, I realized I have no regrets. I always did my best when making choices. I decided to approach 'Undercover High School' with the same mindset, regardless of the outcome."

Jin Ki-joo plays Oh Soo-ah, Jeong Hae-sung's homeroom teacher. She emphasized the importance of her character's mission, stating, "Soo-ah has a reason for wanting to become a full-time teacher. She faces a dilemma where her sense of duty is hindered by her environment. I wanted to express the dilemmas faced by young adults entering society, and I hope I portrayed that well."

Kim Shin-rok portrays Seo Myung-joo, the school principal and mother of student council president Lee Ye-na, played by Kim Min-joo. When asked about their chemistry, Kim Shin-rok said, "We mainly meet after school at home, where we release the stress we've built up. We film several episodes at once, and from the first day, I tried various ways to portray a mother who loves but also wants to control her daughter. Kim Min-joo is beautiful in real life, but she looks even more stunning through the lens. I found that the more I express love, the more I want to control her, which made for great acting."

Jeon Bae-soo plays Team Leader Ahn, a father figure to Jeong Hae-sung, and he shares scenes with Park Se-hyun, who plays Ahn Yoo-jung, a member of the student council. Jeon expressed disappointment at not having filmed much together, while Park noted, "Although we haven't met often, we focused on fun and lively scenes. There was a bit of awkwardness at first, but once the camera was rolling, everything went smoothly. I wanted to be more affectionate, but I felt shy since we hadn't met much."

Director Choi Jung-in shared his thoughts on the casting, praising Sung Kang-joon for his genuine charm and suitability for the role. He also highlighted Jin Ki-joo's unique loveliness and how it complements her character's grounded nature. He expressed admiration for Kim Shin-rok's intelligence and how she provided guidance on set. 

As for the show's unique blend of genres, Choi stated, "It's a complex genre that includes elements of horror, action, comedy, and romance. I believe it offers a variety of attractions beyond the typical undercover investigation or thriller. I am confident that this is a well-made production."

Sung Kang-joon humorously mentioned a promise he made regarding viewership ratings, saying, "I mentioned a trip if we hit 12%. I might have said it while drunk, so I hope we can achieve that!" He added that he would feel embarrassed to cancel it if they don't reach the goal.

As the conference concluded, Sung Kang-joon highlighted the show's mix of genres, stating, "It's a blend of action, comedy, crime, and human elements. Viewers will likely notice a different vibe from my previous characters. Jin Ki-joo added that the drama contains hidden messages that viewers will discover as they watch. Kim Shin-rok remarked that the story reflects a world of coexistence, while Jeon Bae-soo noted its appeal to families. Kim Min-joo emphasized the beauty of the set and the actors, and Park Se-hyun pointed out the growth of the high school characters throughout the series.

'Undercover High School' is set to premiere on February 21 at 9:50 PM.

군복벗고 교복입은 서강준♥교사 진기주..'언더커버', 12% 넘고 해외여행 갈까[Oh!쎈 현장](종합)

Sung Kang-joon Returns to the Screen in 'Undercover High School'

On February 19, actress Jeon Sung-ae appeared on TV Chosun's Perfect Life (퍼펙트 라이프), where she candidly discussed her health issues, including a family history of dementia, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes. Jeon revealed that her mother was diagnosed with dementia in her early 80s and passed away at 84 after living with her for six months as her condition worsened. 

Jeon shared her own experiences, stating, "I've been experiencing memory lapses for the past two years. Forgetting phone numbers is common for me. While filming the movie Seven Queens (7인의 황후) last year, I would sometimes forget the names of my co-stars, even though I recognized their faces. This makes me worry that I might be developing dementia like my mother did." Medical experts on the show expressed concern, suggesting that her symptoms could indicate a higher risk of dementia rather than simple forgetfulness.

Later in the episode, Jeon visited her late mother's grave with her two sisters, reflecting on the time she spent caring for her mother during her illness. After paying their respects, the sisters went to a jjimjilbang (찜질방) where Jeon confided in her siblings about her fears regarding dementia, mentioning that she sometimes struggles to recognize her husband and has difficulty recalling recent events.

Jeon also expressed her worries to her daughter, Mi-ja, saying, "What scares me the most is losing control over my bodily functions. If that happens, I hope you can help me." Mi-ja reassured her mother, saying, "Don't say that, Mom. Even if it happens, I'll take care of it."

Towards the end of the broadcast, Jeon underwent her first dementia screening, voicing her concerns about her memory loss and family history. She noted instances of misdialing phone numbers and forgetting recent meetings. After undergoing various tests, the results showed that her brain activity was normal, and her MRI indicated age-related changes rather than dementia.

'미자母' 전성애, 치매 위험 어쩌나.."전화번호→지인 이름 까먹어" ('퍼펙트라이프')[종합]

Actress Jeon Sung-ae Opens Up About Dementia Fears and Health Concerns

On February 10, a tragic incident occurred at an elementary school in Daejeon, where an 8-year-old girl, Kim Ha-neul (김하늘), was fatally stabbed by a teacher in his 40s, referred to as A. Recent investigations have uncovered that A had searched online for murder weapons and articles about past homicide cases prior to the attack, suggesting the possibility of premeditated crime.

The Daejeon Police Department's dedicated investigation team reported on February 19 that A's phone and computer were analyzed, revealing multiple searches for weapons similar to the one used in the crime days before the incident. Additionally, A had looked up various articles related to previous murder cases.

A police official stated, "While we cannot disclose specific search terms or timelines, we believe there is a connection between this incident and the cases A searched for. Based on our findings so far, we are leaning towards the possibility of a planned attack."

Following the incident, police seized A's electronic devices to clarify the motive and whether the crime was premeditated. As nine days have passed since the event, the delay in interviewing A has led investigators to focus on the planning aspect of the crime.

To uncover A's motive, five profilers have been assigned to analyze his psychological state during and before the incident. However, the investigation has been prolonged due to A's health issues, as he attempted self-harm after the attack and is currently recovering in a Daejeon university hospital, still on oxygen support.

Due to medical advice indicating that A requires stability, visits from both police and family members have been restricted. The only statement obtained from A before surgery was an admission of guilt, where he expressed frustration over not being able to resume teaching after returning to work, stating, "I was annoyed that I couldn't start classes after my reinstatement. I thought about dying together with any child."

The police are also interviewing A's colleagues, school administrators, and family members as part of their investigation. They plan to expand their inquiry into A's medical records and his personal, professional, and social life.

A police spokesperson commented, "Based on the forensic analysis and the preparation of the murder weapon, we are leaning towards the conclusion that this was a premeditated act. We will investigate all aspects that could shed light on the motive behind this crime."

김하늘양 살해 교사, 범행 전 ‘흉기’ ‘살인사건 기사’ 검색해…경찰 “계획범행에 무게” 

Investigation Reveals Possible Premeditation in Tragic School Stabbing Case

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'

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.

BLACKPINK Announces Massive 2025 World Tour with Stadium Performances

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'

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.

U-KISS's Shin Soohyun Announces Solo Debut with 'i am'

What do you think?

Trending

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

LE SSERAFIM to Conclude Trilogy with New Album 'HOT'

BLACKPINK Announces Massive 2025 World Tour with Stadium Performances

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

NewJeans Faces Challenges in First Activities as NJZ

More

Yoo Ah-in's Drug Case Heads to Supreme Court After Suspended Sentence

BIBI Offers Warm Comfort with New Double Single 'To Happiness'

Sung Kang-joon Returns to the Screen in 'Undercover High School'

Actress Jeon Sung-ae Opens Up About Dementia Fears and Health Concerns

Investigation Reveals Possible Premeditation in Tragic School Stabbing Case

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