Allegations of workplace bullying involving NewJeans' Hanni dismissed

SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - Claims of workplace bullying raised by Hanni about a couple of months ago, a member of K-pop girl band NewJeans was dismissed, in a decision made by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Wednesday. The ministry said that she cannot be regarded as a typical employee under South Korean labor laws where workers are entitled to certain protections, so it decided to close the case. The ministry explained, "Hanni cannot be classified as a waged worker,

November 20, 2024

Singer Kim Ho-joong gets prison term in hit-and-run case

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Singer Kim Ho-joong was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Wednesday for a hit-and-run accident early this year. He rammed into a taxi while driving under the influence and fled the scene in Gangnam, southern Seoul in May. Kim initially denied driving under the influence, but after CCTV footage and other evidence emerged, he was forced to admit it about 10 days later. The Seoul Central District Court reprimanded Kim for his reckless drivi

November 13, 2024

Test-takers advised to avoid 'distracting' songs ahead of exam

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Over half a million South Korean students will sit for a crucial university entrance exam on Thursday, prompting authorities to implement extraordinary measures to ensure optimal testing conditions. To minimize distractions during the English listening section, flights nationwide will be grounded for approximately 30 minutes in the afternoon. Additionally, drivers have been urged to refrain from honking their horns. In a unique cultural phenom

November 13, 2024

K-pop behemoth HYBE apologizes for controversial internal documents

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - Talent agency HYBE apologized on Tuesday amid a scandal involving its internal documents containing inappropriate comments about K-pop singers and aspiring stars, particularly regarding their appearances. "We sincerely apologize to all artists, staff and fans suffered by the revelation of these documents," HYBE's CEO Lee Jae-sang said in a statement on Tuesday. The formal apology came about a week after the behemoth faced criticism at a Nat

October 30, 2024

Rosé of BLACKPINK makes top 10 entry on Billboard singles chart

SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Rosé, a member of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, made her entry into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her latest single "APT.," Billboard said via social media platform X on Tuesday. Released last week, the collaborative song with American pop star Bruno Mars landed at No. 8 on the chart for the week ending this week, making it the highest-ranking song by a K-pop female artist. The previous record was held by the quartet'

October 29, 2024

Rosé of BLACKPINK racks up 100 million views on YouTube with latest single

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - Rosé, a member of K-pop girl band BLACKPINK has accumulated over 100 million views on YouTube as of Wednesday with her latest single, "APT." The catch, upbeat song in collaboration with American pop star Bruno Mars achieved the milestone in less than a week after its release last week. Inspired by a popular pastime she enjoys at drinking parties, the song's music video also garnered instant attention as the Filipino-American multiple

October 24, 2024

BLACKPINK's Rosé releases collaborative song with Bruno Mars

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - Rosé, a member of K-pop girl band BLACKPINK, released a new single called "APT." in collaboration with American pop star Bruno Mars on Friday. The catchy, upbeat song with a guitar riff will be included in the New Zealand-born star's upcoming album "Rosie," slated for release on Dec. 16. Rosé's 2021 solo song "On The Ground" ranked 70 on the Billboard's main singles chart at the time of its release.

October 18, 2024

BTS member J-Hope completes military service

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - J-Hope, a member of K-pop superstar BTS, was discharged from his mandatory military service on Thursday. J-Hope, who enlisted in April last year, completed his 18-month service in Wonju, Gangwon Province. He is the second BTS member to fulfill the duty, following Jin, who was discharged in June this year. The remaining members — Jimin, Jung Kook, RM, Suga, and V — are scheduled to complete their service in June 2025, so all BTS members ar

October 17, 2024

Rumors swirl around Cambodian princess' K-pop idol debut

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Rumor has it that a Cambodian princess is eager to make her debut as a K-pop idol in South Korea. According to the Taiwanese news outlet Sanli News Network, Jenna Norodom is considering moving to Seoul to pursue her career as a K-pop idol while undergoing rigorous training at a talent mill here. The versatile teenage girl, the great-granddaughter of former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk, is already a popular star as an actress, singer, and dancer, havin

October 16, 2024