​BTS releases digital single 'Take Two' to commemorate 10th debut anniversary

SEOUL -- BTS has rolled out its digital single "Take Two" to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the band's debut. All members including two members fulfilling their mandatory military service -- J-Hope and Jin -- participated in the song featuring a soothing vibe and acoustic rhythms ahead of the 10th-anniversary festival set to begin on June 12. Big Hit released the seven-member band's single at 1 p.m. (0400 GMT) on June 9. "The song conveys their a

June 9, 2023

Online music streaming service Melon to provide chart data for Billboard

SEOUL -- Chart data by South Korea's major online music streaming service Melon will be included in Billboard charts. Melon, operated by the content and entertainment wing of South Korea's web service giant Kakao, became the first domestic streaming service to provide chart data for the global magazine that creates music charts of popular songs all over the world. Kakao Entertainment said in a statement that Melon streams would be provided to Billboard starting on June 7. T

June 7, 2023

Action-comedy film 'The Roundup: No Way Out' garners more than 4.5 mln viewers

SEOUL -- "The Roundup: No Way Out" has swept over the South Korean box office with an accumulated 4.5 million admissions only five days after its release. In the action film, Ma Dong-seok, an action film actor also known by the English name of Don Lee, plays a tough detective who investigates a drug crime involving yakuza, a crime group that originated in Japan. Data released by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) on June 5 showed that the film attracted 4,512,386 moviegoers.

June 5, 2023

Ethnic fusion band Second Moon to perform fusion genre of traditional Korean music in Virginia

SEOUL -- South Korean ethnic fusion band Second Moon will showcase "Moonlight Flows," an experimental song that amalgamated traditional Korean music with Irish music elements, to mesmerize American fans. The seven member-band will perform at Capital One Hall, a performing arts theater in Tysons, Virginia. Second Moon is known for blending pansori, a traditional Korean narrative music, with different genres such as jazz, tango, Latin music, and American pop. Group members

June 2, 2023

W Concept to release BTS T-shirts prior to group's 10th debut anniversary

SEOUL -- W Concept, the online apparel shopping mall wing of South Korea's retail giant Shinsegae, will release BTS T-shirts designed to celebrate the group's 10th debut anniversary. A limited amount of fashion items would be sold through two official websites to attract both South Korean and overseas consumers. The seven-member band's agency has earlier announced that the 10th-anniversary festival titled "2023 BTS FESTA" would take place at various attraction

June 1, 2023

BTS' digital single 'Take Two' to be released ahead of 10th debut anniversary

SEOUL -- Big Hit will roll out BTS' digital single "Take Two" prior to the seven-member band's 10th debut anniversary. All members participated in the song including two members currently fulfilling their compulsory military service -- J-Hope and Jin. The group debuted on June 13, 2013. The new single will be released at 1 p.m. (0400 GMT) on May 31, Big Hit said through its social media platform Weverse. The agency added: "We sincerely express our gratitude t

May 31, 2023

BTS' RM to become official ambassador for S. Korea's agency for retrieval of unreturned soldiers

SEOUL -- K-pop boy band BTS' leader RM will become an ambassador for the Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification under South Korea's defense ministry. The agency focuses on the excavation and retrieval of the remains of unreturned soldiers. The Ministry of Defense Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification is an agency that operates special units of teams that are deployed to the frontlines of the Korean War to find the remains of soldiers and send them back home to

May 31, 2023

BTS' Suga completes solo concert in Indonesia

SEOUL -- BTS' lead rapper Suga has completed his solo concert in Jakarta. A total of 30,000 spectators attended the three-day event that began on May 26. "Thank you for enjoying (my concert). Today is not the end," the 30-year-old said after completing his concert in Indonesia's capital city. The artist showcased "Haegeum," the title track of his solo album "D-Day," and other rap songs such as "Daechwita" and "August D." The

May 29, 2023

Big Hit to host festival in Seoul to celebrate BTS' 10th debut anniversary

SEOUL -- BTS' agency will greet fans through "2023 BTS FESTA," a festival that will be held in June to celebrate the group's 10th debut anniversary. The seven-member band debuted on June 13, 2013. Big Hit, the band's agency, uploaded a promotional video of BTS FESTA on Twitter to tell fans about the annual event, which will begin on June 12. Without disclosing specific information, the agency said the 14-day festival will take place at various attractions in t

May 25, 2023

​Court dismisses arrest warrant for actor Yoo Ah-in over drug use

SEOUL -- A South Korean court has dismissed an arrest warrant for Yoo Ah-in, a promising actor on charges of drug use. Prosecutors have requested the warrant on suspicion of five illegal drugs including cocaine, propofol, a powerful anesthetic, and zolpidem, a sedative primarily used for the treatment of insomnia. "It is difficult to conclude that there is apprehension for the suspect of destroying evidence or fleeing beyond the scope of his right to defend himself," Lee

May 25, 2023