The long-standing controversy over K-pop stars receiving preferential treatment during their mandatory military service has resurfaced following BTS member Suga's drunk driving incident Tuesday. Currently serving as a public service agent, Suga was booked and is under police investigation for driving an electric scooter while intoxicated. In response, the Military Manpower Administration released a press statement Thursday, addressing the incident and promising to strengthen education to en

K-pop Aug. 11, 2024

A memorial event to commemorate the upcoming International Memorial Day for Comfort Women on Aug. 14, was held at the House of Sharing in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, on Saturday. Hosted by Gyeonggi Province, the event was themed "Yellow Butterfly -- A Promise to Next Generation" and included a cultural festival, a commemorative ceremony, and a wreath-laying at the statues of the victims. Attendees participated in symbolic activities like folding yellow butterflies and creating replicas

Social Affairs Aug. 10, 2024

BTS member Suga, currently serving military duty as a public service agent, admitted Wednesday to drunk driving on Tuesday. He apologized for his actions and acknowledged his ignorance of the law regarding the use of electric scooters while intoxicated. “Last night, after drinking alcohol at dinner, I rode an electric scooter home. Underestimating the short distance and failing to recognize that the use of electric scooters is prohibited while under the influence, I violated traffic laws,&

K-pop Aug. 7, 2024

G-Dragon, a member of YG Entertainment's biggest boy group Big Bang who dominated the K-pop scene from 2006 to 2018, has recently been making unique moves, moves that industry insiders say show that the musician is striving to maintain his fame and reputation as a cultural icon. On Monday, G-Dragon launched a new foundation, JusPeace, to help young artists with drug addiction. In June, he appeared at the Innovate Korea forum on the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology campus,

K-pop Aug. 7, 2024

More K-pop musicians struggling to succeed in the entertainment industry are turning to the local livestreaming platform AfreecaTV as a way to make money. AfreecaTV has long been ill-received by the public due to its involvement in several social problems, including sex crimes and the abasement of disabled persons. For K-pop musicians, appearing on the platform’s video streaming service has been seen as taboo. However, for many former idols who have devoted their youth to training to becom

K-pop Aug. 5, 2024

JYP Entertainment announced on Monday the establishment of a new subsidiary, Innit Entertainment, aimed at enhancing its capabilities as a comprehensive entertainment company. According to JYP Entertainment, the name Innit derives from a shortened form of the English expression “isn’t it.” Innit Entertainment will handle various music genres including pop, ballad, trot and R&B; it plans to launch soloists, duos as well as actors, utilizing JYP Entertainment's training

K-pop Aug. 5, 2024

Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind BTS, has unveiled its new business strategy, "Hybe 2.0," aiming to secure "superior leadership" in the global K-pop scene while underscoring its dedication to fans. The strategy was announced through a letter sent to Hybe's shareholders recently, which has been in preparation since the latter half of last year to ensure long-term business competitiveness, the company said on Thursday. "Based on Hybe 2.0, which focuses on nurturing f

K-pop Aug. 2, 2024

Kabojung If you've visited Seoul multiple times and are eager to look beyond the capital for an epicurean adventure, Kabojung, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, is a great place to try the local beef specialty. Suwon is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage site, Hwaseong Fortress, but it is also famous for its delectable regional dish, galbi, or grilled beef ribs. Suwon’s reputation for high-quality beef dates back to the mid-20th century, when a thriving cattle market in the area made t

Culture Aug. 2, 2024

Le Sserafim’s latest YouTube documentary series, “Make It Look Easy,” which depicts the girl group's hardships over the past year, is facing criticism for playing on emotions related to the band’s recent controversies. Released on Hybe's official YouTube channel on Monday, the five-part series showcases the group’s intense preparations and emotional struggles. It captures the endless practice sessions, anxiety about public performances and the pressure to

K-pop Aug. 1, 2024

A significant dilemma has surfaced in the ever-evolving world of K-pop: Should the industry focus on nurturing casual fans or continue to cater to its dedicated superfans? This debate came to the forefront when Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of K-pop powerhouse Hybe, addressed the issue on a local TV show last November. Bang expressed concerns about K-pop being in crisis, partly due to the intense consumption patterns of its superfans. “The basis of my crisis theory lies in the intense consumption

K-pop July 31, 2024

The punishing schedule and little rest that K-pop stars endure are not new. Big-name K-pop agencies have been consistently criticized for operating like factories in producing and managing artists. Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of K-pop powerhouse Hybe, acknowledged this issue in a CNN interview in March 2023. “It’s not a total urban legend. Of course, there was some element of it in the past,” he said. Bang suggested that the issue was a thing of the past and argued that today, K-pop

K-pop July 30, 2024

Hybe continues to attempt to take control of the narrative in its ongoing dispute with Ador CEO Min Hee-jin as subsidiary Source Music, already entangled in a defamation lawsuit filed against Min on July 15, plans to release a documentary series depicting Le Sserafim's hardships over the past year. This move seems aimed at disproving Min's April press conference claims of Hybe's preferential treatment toward Le Sserafim by highlighting their success through hard work. Yet, it unde

K-pop July 28, 2024

K-pop sensation Seventeen of Pledis Entertainment concluded its eighth fan meeting with a surprise announcement of a world tour later this year. Seventeen held two editions of "2024 SVT 8th Fan Meeting (Seventeen in Carat Land)" at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Tuesday and Wednesday. The event left unforgettable memories for both the fans in attendance and those from 118 countries and regions watching live. By the end on Wednesday, Seventeen released a teaser video announcing its world

K-pop July 25, 2024

Hybe CEO Park Ji-won has been replaced by Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Lee Jae-sang, just three months after becoming embroiled in a dispute between Hybe and Ador CEO Min Hee-jin. The controversy began when Hybe launched an internal audit on Min over an alleged attempt at a hostile takeover of Ador on April 22 and Min held a press conference three days later to push back. Park, along with Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, were the main targets of Min, who blamed Park and Bang for failing to manage the

K-pop July 25, 2024

Lisa of Blackpink has been named as a new house ambassador for Louis Vuitton, the luxury brand announced Tuesday. "I am very excited to welcome Lisa as a House Ambassador. She has a daring spirit and charisma that I find incredibly compelling. She is as bold and creative with her music as she is with her fashion, and it is a privilege to accompany her on this journey,” Nicolas Ghesquiere, Louis Vuitton’s artistic director of women’s collections, said in a press statement.

K-pop July 24, 2024