Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi film tops North American box office

SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho's latest film "Mickey 17" topped the North American box office in its opening week, making him the first South Korean filmmaker to achieve such a feat. According to tracker Box Office Mojo, the sci-fi film, released last Friday, earned an estimated US$19.1 million in its first three days at more than 3,800 theaters across North America. Despite a strong start, ticket sales fell short of industry projections

March 10, 2025

Stars from tvN's hit crime drama to reunite for second season next year

SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - Crime drama "Signal" will return for a second season nearly a decade after its first airing, cable channel tvN said on Wednesday. The 2016 hit series received critical acclaim for its compelling stories at the time of its release, with many viewers having been eagerly waiting for its return. Actress Kim Hye-soo, who captivated viewers with her portrayal of a cold case squad detective, reunites with actors like Cho Jin-woong and Lee Je-hoon, as the

March 6, 2025

J-Hope of BTS to drop new single next week

SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - J-Hope, a member of K-pop boy band BTS will release a new single next week, his agency Big Hit Music said on Thursday. "Sweet Dreams" is a romantic ballad about a heartfelt desire to love and be loved, featuring Grammy-winning R&B artist Miguel. To promote his upcoming solo track, J-Hope is set to hold a showcase on Friday, a week ahead of the single's release on March 7. He will also host an up-close-and-personal event with fans in

February 27, 2025

K-pop thrives in Asia and Europe, while Korean cuisine gains traction in North America: Report

SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - K-pop remains the most widely covered Korean cultural export across the world, with Korean cuisine also garnering increasing attention, a recent analysis reveals. According to a report released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and its affiliated Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange last week, K-pop attracted the highest media coverage, with 35.4 percent in Asia, 25.1 percent in Europe, and 34.9 percent in Central and South Amer

February 25, 2025

Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez to perform in Seoul next month

SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez will visit Seoul next month for a concert celebrating the first anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba. According to the concert's organizers, he will take the stage on March 21 at Seongsu Art Hall in Seoul's trendy district frequented by young people and fashion-savvy individuals. Rodríguez is renowned for his innovative approach to blending traditional Cuban sounds wi

February 25, 2025

Rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts debuts with 'The Chase'

SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts made their debut on Monday with their single "The Chase." The eight-member band became SM Entertainment's first girl group in nearly five years, following the debut of aespa in 2020. Hearts2Hearts is a multinational girl group composed of six South Koreans, one member with dual nationality from South Korea and Canada, and another from Indonesia. The members’ ages range from 14 to 18 years old. During

February 24, 2025

HYBE partners with songwriter Ryan Tedder to debut new boy band in US

SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - K-pop behemoth HYBE will work with Ryan Tedder, a Grammy-winning producer and frontman of pop rock band OneRepublic, to debut a new boy band in the United States. The agency announced on Friday that anyone aged between 13 and 23 can apply for the audition through its official website. Applicants need to submit a profile picture, a self-introduction, and a video showcasing their vocal and dance abilities. As a producer and songwriter, Tedder has worked

February 21, 2025

Late actress Kim Sae-ron's posthumous film slated for release this fall

SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - Actress Kim Sae-ron' s posthumous film will be released this fall. The 24-year-old, best known for her role in the 2010 hit action thriller "The Man from Nowhere," shocked the nation when she was found dead of apparent suicide at her home in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul last Sunday. Adapted from Kakao Page's hit webtoon series, "Everyday We Are" explores the moments of first love and friendship among high-schoolers. Kim portrays

February 21, 2025

Girl group IVE to headline music festivals in Berlin and Paris this summer

SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - K-pop girl group IVE will meet global fans through performances at Lollapalooza in Berlin and Paris this summer. According to their agency Starship Entertainment, IVE will take the stage as a headliner at Lollapalooza Berlin held at the Olympiastadion in the German capital on July 12-13. Lollapalooza, a large-scale music festival that started in the U.S. in 1991, is now held in various locations around the world including France and Germany. This yea

February 21, 2025

BLACKPINK to embark on world tour in July, including performance at iconic Wembley Stadium

SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will kick off their world tour with a concert in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province in July, according to their management agency YG Entertainment. The quartet will perform at major stadiums in around a dozen cities across the world, with stops including Barcelona, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Tokyo, and Toronto. A leg of their tour includes a performance at London's Wembley Stadium, the largest in the U.K. and th

February 21, 2025