GOT7, with Kakao Entertainment… Comeback on January 20th [Official]

The group GOT7 is making a comeback as a full group. Kakao Entertainment announced on the 20th that GOT7 (JAY B, Mark, Jackson, Park Jin-young, Youngjae, BamBam, Yugyeom) will release a new mini-album ‘WINTER HEPTAGON’ on January 20, 2025 and will begin full group activities for the first time in about 3 years. This album is the result of the concerted efforts of all seven members to repay the love of fans in commemoration of GOT7‘s 11th debut anniversary. Kakao Entertainment will be in charge of the overall planning and production of GOT7’s album and will present systematic and high-quality content. As this is a full group album that has been released in a long time, the plan is to focus Kakao Entertainment‘s music content planning, production, and marketing capabilities to infuse the album with GOT7’s unique colors and diverse charms that have deepened. Recently, GOT7 leader JAY B personally announced the news of their comeback next month at the site of his solo concert ‘TAPE: RE LOA

Who will win the KBS, MBC, and SBS Entertainment Awards?

The ‘Entertainment Awards’, considered one of the biggest year-end events in the broadcasting industry, will be held on the 21st at KBS, followed by MBC and SBS on the 29th and 30th, respectively. Each broadcasting company is raising expectations by announcing the nominees for the Entertainment Awards ahead of the awards ceremony, but since the entertainment programs that viewers will remember this year came from various OTTs such as ‘Transfer Love’ and ‘Black and White Chef’, it is disappointing that there are no candidates that stand out. Among the three broadcasting companies, KBS, which will be the first to hold the award ceremony, is predicted to have Jeon Hyun-moo and Yoo Jae-suk as strong candidates for the grand prize. KBS in Yeouido, Seoul on the night of the 21st

Park Joo-hyun solidifies her position as an actress

Park Joo-hyun is trying to solidify her position as an actress. Having recently become known through the drama ‘Perfect Family’ and the popular entertainment program ‘Iron Girls’, she is determined to gain star quality through her lead role next year. In particular, she has been consistently silent on the recent suspicions of her two-year relationship with Winner member Song Min-ho, drawing attention. Park Joo-hyun will transform into a genius forensic scientist in the new drama ‘Hunter with a Scalpel’, scheduled to be released next year. In the drama, which is a crime psychological thriller, the forensic scientist Se-hyun, who discovers traces of her father‘s murder while performing an autopsy on a body, erases them, and

“Korea is small” K-pop stars decorating US and Japan year-end stages

The global dominance of K-pop continues into the end of the year. Numerous K-pop groups are going beyond Korea to perform on representative year-end stages in the US and Japan, which are known as the ‘Global Mecca of popular music’. Not only top-tier groups such as Seventeen, Twice, and NCT Dream, but also rookies such as P1Harmony and Pau have participated in major year-end events, truly proving the influence of K-pop. ○ Seventeen Seventeen, who are considered ‘K-pop leaders’ alongside ‘Pop legends’, will appear on the ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’ on the US terrestrial broadcasting station ABC on the 26th (Korean time). The program is a representative Christmas special in the US.

Sports Donga ‘D Awards’ to be held in Seoul on February 22nd next year

‘D Awards with upick - Bringing dreams and delights to the world with our music!’ Who were the brightest stars who led K-pop this year? Korea‘s top sports and entertainment daily Sports Donga will host the K-pop awards ceremony ‘D Awards’ (D Awards) on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Hwajeong Gymnasium of Korea University in Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. The Awards, which cheers on those who have made K-pop shine in the world, sees the background of K-pop being loved by people all over the world as being faithful to presenting ‘Dreams’ (Dreams) and ‘Delights.

‘Is this a show window?’ Chae Soo-bin, hugging the princess → drying her hair (the phone you‘re on right now)

Yoo Yeon-seok is playing the role of Chae Soo-bin‘s guardian perfectly. In episode 7 of MBC’s Friday-Saturday drama ‘The Phone Call You‘re Dialing Now’ (planned by Kwon Sung-chang/ directed by Park Sang-woo, Wi Deuk-gyu/ written by Kim Ji-woon/ produced by Bon Factory, Baram Pictures), which airs at 9:50 PM on the 20th, the affectionate feelings of Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) and Hong Hee-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin) who reunited after the disaster explode. In the previous episode, Sa-eon found out that the blackmailer 406 was Hee-joo. He was greatly shocked, but he understood that Hee-joo’s true feelings were sincerity, concern, and affection, and he launched an affection offensive. However, during a hike for the spokesperson‘s office outing, Hee-joo fell off a cliff, and Sa-eon desperately searched for his wife. The ending of Sa-eon chasing the flare shot by Hee-joo left a deep impression and made people eagerly await the next episode. In the midst of this, on the 19th, a d

‘Squid Game 2’ Foreign media rave reviews → ‘Lee Jung-jae‘s unique acting skills’

As the foreign press continues to give a heated response to ‘Squid Game Season 2‘, rave reviews are pouring in for actor Lee Jung-jae‘s explosive acting. Ayush Sharma, a news writer and film critic for The Daily List, said, “’Season 2 of ‘Squid Game‘ succeeds in raising the level of danger while delving deeper into human psychology. It has a plot that seamlessly connects thrilling action sequences and psychological games. Lee Jung-jae is great. He’s gotten bigger and better.“ Ashley, a writer for Wishnet and What on Netflix, also said, “’Season 2 of ‘Squid Game‘ is a splendid return to Netflix‘s most popular drama. The new cast is great, and Lee Jung-jae delivers another great performance. There are many amazing action sequences. It was worth the wait. Expectations are high, with MPA-certified entertainment journalist Rama saying, “Season 2 of ‘Squid Game’ is even crazier than its predecessor. Even the ‘Deer Hunter’ moment makes you feel uneasy as if you are sitting on a bed of thorns.

Park Han-byul, returns to the entertainment industry… Signs exclusive contract with Chan Entertainment [Entertainment News HOT]

Actress Park Han-byul, who had suspended her activities after her husband, former CEO of Yuri Holdings Yoo In-seok, was revealed to have been involved in the 2018 “Club Burning Sun Gate,” is returning to the entertainment industry after five years. Park Han-byul announced the resumption of her activities by signing an exclusive contract with Chan Entertainment. Chan Entertainment stated, “We will not spare our full support so that Park Han-byul can focus on various activities as an actress.” Park Han-byul said, “I will work hard to show you a better image and acting. I will become an actress Park Han-byul who can always repay the expectations and support of my fans.”

Ma Dong-seok, ‘Movie actor who shined this year’ 1st place for 2 consecutive years [Entertainment News HOT]

Actor Ma Dong-seok has been ranked first for the second consecutive year as the ‘Movie Actor of the Year’. According to the results of a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from the 11th to the 25th of last month, in which 1,741 people aged 13 or older nationwide (excluding Jeju Island) were asked to name up to two actors who were the most active this year (free response), Ma Dong-seok took first place with 26.5% of the votes. Following last year‘s ‘The Outlaws 3’, Ma Dong-seok has mobilized 10 million moviegoers with ‘The Outlaws 4’, which was released this year. Ma Dong-seok has taken first place in the survey for the second consecutive year. Hwang Jung-min, Kim Go-eun, Choi Min-sik, and Lee Jung-jae followed Ma Dong-seok.

Police also begin investigating Song Min-ho‘s ‘suspicion of poor work performance’ [Entertainment News HOT]

Following the Military Manpower Administration‘s launch of an investigation into allegations of poor performance by Winner’s Song Mino as a social service worker, four days before his discharge from the military, the police have also begun an internal investigation. On the 19th, Mapo Police Station in Seoul began a pre-indictment investigation (internal investigation) after receiving a petition from the National Petition asking for an investigation into Song Mino‘s alleged habitual manipulation of attendance. Earlier, on the 17th, a media outlet raised allegations about Song Mino’s attendance while he was serving as an alternative service member at a public convenience facility in Mapo, Seoul. The outlet pointed out Song Mino‘s frequent use of sick leave or annual leave as evidence of the allegations of poor performance, and Song Mino’s side stated, “It is an extension of the treatment he was receiving before his service and other

New Jeans donates 100 million won in the name of fan club ‘Bernies’ [Entertainment News HOT]

The members of the group New Jeans donated 100 million won in the name of their fan club, ‘Bernies’. On the 19th, the Green Umbrella Children‘s Foundation announced, “Minzy, Hani, Daniel, Haerin, and Hyein donated 100 million won, saying, ’Please use it for underprivileged children.‘” According to the foundation, their donations will be used to support the livelihood, housing, learning, and medical care of children and youth in need of family care, as well as career and employment support. The members of New Jeans previously announced in an emergency press conference on the 28th of last month that their exclusive contract with their agency Adore had been terminated, and on the 3rd of this month, they filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court to confirm the validity of their exclusive contract.

‘To Austria’ Rami Ran, Maria Teacher Perfectly Illustrated (Outside the Tent is Europe)

The four members of ‘Outside the Tent is Europe - Romantic Italy Edition’ will transform into Austrian princesses. Episode 10 of ‘Outside the Tent is Europe - Romantic Italy Edition (directed by Lee Min-jung, Yoon Jae-won)’, which will air on tvN at 8:40 PM on the 19th, will tell the story of Ra Mi-ran, Kwak Sun-young, Lee Joo-bin, and Lee Se-young as they head to Austria to enjoy the essence of royal culture. The four members, who took in the overwhelming beauty of the Dolomites in northern Italy with their own eyes, are heading to Austria on the 10th day of camping. They will cross the border in a car they drove themselves and truly show off the fun of a European rental car trip. The four also repeatedly exclaim in admiration at Austria‘s unique charm, saying, “It’s different from Italy, which was full of magnificent and rugged natural beauty. Their first destination in Austria is Salzburg. It is a city of music and art where Mozart was born and a royal city with restrained elegance.

(Girls) Idol Miyeon ‘Sky Walking’ Special Clip ‘Soyeon Support Fire’

Group (G)I-dle‘s Miyeon is giving fans a special gift for the end of the year. On the 19th, (G)I-dle (Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, Shuhua) released a special clip teaser video for Miyeon’s solo song ‘Sky Walking’ through their official SNS channel. In the video, Miyeon immerses herself in the filming in various outfits including a pure white dress. In particular, Soyeon caught everyone‘s attention by constantly sending Miyeon compliments such as “You’re so cute””You‘re great” while directing the video shoot on site. Also, at the end of the video, a scene where Miyeon’s beauty stands out is revealed, and a verse from ‘Sky Walking’, ‘Pouring Milky way’, plays, raising fans‘ expectations. ‘Sky Walking’ is a song that Miyeon wrote and composed herself. With the song highlighting Miyeon’s cool high notes and refreshing voice, Miyeon took her first step as a singer-songwriter as well as the main vocalist of (G)I-DLE through ‘Sky Walking’. ‘Sky Walking’ was previously released at (G)I-DLE‘s

‘Bogota’ Song Joong-ki “Colombia is where my mother-in-law is”

Song Joong-ki showed his special affection for Colombia through the movie ‘Bogota: Land of Last Chance’ (Bogota). The movie, which will be released on the 31st, is a crime film that depicts the story of a boy named Kook-hee (Song Joong-ki), who heads to Bogota with his family after the 1997 IMF (International Monetary Fund) foreign exchange crisis, and gets entangled with Sergeant Park (Kwon Hae-hyo), the local Korean community president, and Soo-young (Lee Hee-joon), another powerful figure there. At a press preview held at COEX Megabox in Samseong-dong, Seoul on the afternoon of the 19th ahead of the release, Song Joong-ki said, “It was a series of difficult challenges because the filming locations were relatively unfamiliar places, and it was always unexpected.

Lovelyz Kei releases solo song ‘Winter Garden’ after 5 years

Lovelyz‘s main vocalist Kei is releasing a solo song for the first time in five years. The digital single ‘Winter Garden’, released at 6 PM on the 19th, is Kei’s solo song in five years since the mini-album ‘Over and Over’ released in October 2019. Although she has showcased her tone as a solo artist through various drama and musical OSTs, expectations are high for this being the first time she has presented her own music to the public in a long time. ‘Winter Garden’ is an R&B ballad that maximizes Kei‘s sweet and delicate voice. Kei’s tone harmonizes with the minimal sound completed with warm strings and piano to portray a transparent winter with a pure white snowy landscape. ‘Winter Garden’ was composed by HOLLIN of producing team Monotree and Frankie Day and Ayushy of Team The Hub, while Monotree‘s PDLY, 9june9, and Kay participated in writing the lyrics.

SM‘s 30-year history contained in ‘Archive’ is released (With Melon)

SM Entertainment, the living history of K-pop, will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year. To commemorate this, it has decided to release commemorative content in the form of an ‘archive’ in collaboration with Melon, the largest popular music platform in Korea. SM Entertainment (SM) and Melon will release a special edition Melon magazine that will contain SM‘s representative songs that have been loved by the public for the past 30 years. The first issue will be released around February 14th of next year, the anniversary of SM’s founding, and will be released sequentially throughout the year. Melon magazine will be based on SM‘s 30th anniversary commemorative brand film ‘The Culture’, which was released on October 22nd, and will feature HOT

‘Bogota’, opening on the 31st, a story of people who went to a faraway place

The film ‘Bogota: Land of Last Chance’ (directed by Kim Sung-je, Bogota), which took a full five years from casting to overseas location and post-production, has finally been unveiled. As the title suggests, the film is actually set in Bogota, Colombia. Filming was conducted on location in 2020, but filming was suspended and resumed repeatedly due to COVID-19. Now, it seems there is no longer a long wait, as it will be released in theaters on the last day of the year. Ahead of the release, the lead actors Song Joong-ki, Lee Hee-joon, Kwon Hae-hyo, Park Ji-hwan, and Jo Hyun-chul held a press screening at COEX Megabox in Samseong-dong, Seoul on the afternoon of the 19th to celebrate the long-awaited release of the film.

Fifty Fifty, ‘Crazy Live’ on PIX11 News Live in New York, USA

Global girl group FIFTY FIFTY gave a sweet Christmas to New York, USA. FIFTY FIFTY appeared on PIX11 News Live, a large news channel based in New York and New Jersey, USA, on the 17th (local time). On this day, FIFTY FIFTY was introduced as a group that is causing a ‘K-pop sensation’ with 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and the members passionately sang the winter season song ‘Naughty or Nice’ on PIX11 News Live. The members surprised the host by fully demonstrating their live performance skills that made people feel alive, and captured the hearts of the viewers with their warm voices and lively charm that are perfect for winter. The live video received a lot of attention, rapidly increasing in views immediately after its release. In particular, it drew hot responses from viewers such as “The live was crazy”, “They have members who speak English, so they are good at interviews”. On the 9th, the winter season song ‘Wi

Kwon Hae-hyo, greetings from ‘Bogota’

Actor Kwon Hae-hyo is giving a greeting at the press conference for the movie ‘Bogota: Land of Last Chance’ held at Megabox COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 19th. Reporter Joo Hyun-hee teth1147@donga.com

Kwon Hae-hyo, softly today

Actor Kwon Hae-hyo poses at the press conference for the movie ‘Bogota: Land of Last Chance’ held at Megabox COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 19th. Reporter Joo Hyun-hee teth1147@donga.com