'Kung Fu Panda' series breaks anime box-office records in Korea

SEOUL, April 12 (AJU PRESS) - "Kung Fu Panda 4" broke anime box office records in Korea, bringing solace to many Koreans bidding farewell to their beloved giant panda last week. The fourth installment of DreamWorks' hit animation series swiftly claimed the top spot at the Korean box office upon its debut in local theaters on Wednesday. According to the Korean Film Council, "Kung Fu Panda 4" attracted approximately 429,000 viewers on its opening day alone, nea

April 12, 2024

Girl band NewJeans takes legal action against cyberbullying

SEOUL, April 12 (AJU PRESS) - K-pop girl band NewJeans has taken action against cyberbullies by pursuing legal measures in an ongoing defamation case. The five-member band has filed a request with a federal court in California, urging Google to disclose the identity of a user who repeatedly posted malicious content targeting NewJeans. Cyberbullying within the K-pop industry poses a significant threat to artists. Awareness of the detrimental effects of online attacks has grown here

April 12, 2024

BLACKPINK member Lisa signs contract with RCA

SEOUL, April 11 (AJU PRESS) - RCA Records, an American record label that includes Justin Timberlake and Khalid, has signed a contract with Lisa, a Thai member of K-pop girl band BLACKPINK. The 27-year-old will collaborate with the American record label for her new songs. RCA Records said on Thursday that the agency signed a deal with Lisa to release her solo music. "Lisa is a multidimensional talent and an irrefutable global force. We are thrilled to welcome her and her team

April 11, 2024

BTS' performance video for 'ON' surpasses 600 million views on YouTube

SEOUL, April 09 (AJU PRESS) - BTS has mesmerized hundreds of millions of fans on YouTube with the group's performance video for "ON," the title song of the group's album "MAP OF THE SOUL: 7." The video, titled "BTS' ON Kinetic Manifesto Film," has garnered more than 600 million views on YouTube. The Kinetic Manifesto Film version of ON, released in February 2020, surpassed 600 million views at 8:41 a.m. (2341 GMT) on Tuesday. This is the s

April 9, 2024

S. Korean music variety show to feature AI performers

SEOUL, April 09 (AJU PRESS) - South Korea's state-run television network, KBS, is set to debut a unique music variety show featuring both artificial intelligence (AI) and human performers. Titled "Synchro You," the program will challenge the studio audience to differentiate between AI singers and their human counterparts. The first episode of Synchro You will air on May 10. The show will be hosted by a star-studded lineup, including South Korean variety show mainstay

April 9, 2024

Ma Dong-seok to hold belated wedding ceremony next month

SEOUL, April 09 (AJU PRESS) - Actor Ma Dong-seok (53) will have his belated wedding ceremony in Seoul next month after three years of marriage. Their management agency announced Wednesday that Ma and his wife and model Ye Jung-hwa (36) will hold their private wedding ceremony in May with only close friends and relatives in attendance. The two became a public item after their relationship was revealed in 2016 and later confirmed that they registered their marriage without a big cel

April 9, 2024

Le Sserafim will promote NBA events in Asia-Pacific region

SEOUL, April 05 (AJU PRESS) - Girl band Le Sserafim will work with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to promote various NBA events in the Asia-Pacific region. The five-member band will attend NBA games and share related content on social media. NBA said on Friday that the band has been selected as the "Friends of the NBA." "We are thrilled to work with Le Sserafim, a group that embodies youth, dynamism and a genuine passion for the NBA," said NBA'

April 5, 2024

Virtual artist 'iaaa' to release debut song 'Our Season'

SEOUL, April 05 (AJU PRESS) - iaaa, a virtual artist created by South Korean content startup Studio Meta-K, will drop her debut song "Our Season." Through the digital single, the 21-year-old virtual human will portray the innocence of first love, along with the nostalgic memories of spring between two people. The 173-centimeter (5'8")-tall digital human is a member of Studio Meta-K's virtual artist group "Season." iaaa made her debut in February 20

April 5, 2024

Korea's iconic percussion show 'Nanta' to take place in Africa's largest cultural event

SEOUL, April 04 (AJU PRESS) - The state-run Korea Foundation will hold the iconic Korean percussion show "Nanta" in Côte d'Ivoire. The performance will be featured at the Marche des Arts du Spectacle d'Abidjan (MASA), the largest cultural event in Africa, where South Korea will be showcased as this year's special guest nation. Nanta is a non-verbal theatrical performance combining percussion and comedic elements. It features lively performances and a un

April 4, 2024

Koreans bid farewell to Fu Bao, symbol of friendship with China

SEOUL, April 03 (AJU PRESS) - Despite rains on Wednesday, about 6,000 people gathered at South Korea's iconic theme park, Everland, to bid farewell to the celebrity Chinese panda, Fu Bao. Although she was cherished in South Korea, Fu Bao must return to China to find a male partner. The three-year-old panda was sent to South Korea by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2016 as a gesture of friendship and has spent 1,354 days at Everland. Thanks to the popularity of videos showcasing h

April 3, 2024