Weekly Top Korean News: BTS' reunion, Jungkook's hat controversy, Kim Soo Hyun's house seizure and more
Meanwhile, Kim Soo Hyun's legal troubles worsened, and Rosé announced a surprise collab. Also, Squid Game fans got major updates about the franchise's future. Read more for the full scoop!
BTS reunites at J-Hope's concert
On June 13, BTS ' full lineup reunited for the first time in 18 months at J-Hope's HOPE ON THE STAGE encore concert in Goyang. It coincides with the 2025 FESTA. All seven members, including SUGA (who's still serving), were spotted, making it a historic moment for ARMY.
While RM, Jin, SUGA, Jimin, and V cheered on J-Hope from the crowd, Jungkook surprised fans by joining him on stage. He performed I Wonder and his hit track Seven with J-Hope covering Latto's rap verse. The concert was packed with energy, love, and fan screams, as BTS' unshakable bond took center stage once again.
Jungkook's controversial cap
Just two days after his military discharge, BTS' Jungkook found himself in a controversy. He wore a cap with the phrase 'Make Tokyo Great Again' during rehearsals for J-Hope's encore concert on June 13. Due to the tense history between Korea and Japan, many fans found the phrase to be politically and culturally insensitive. It prompted Jungkook to issue a heartfelt apology via Weverse on June 14.
He admitted his lack of awareness and expressed deep regret, vowing to be more careful in the future and confirming he had discarded the hat. The incident overshadowed his surprise return to the stage at J-Hope's HOPE ON THE STAGE concert. There, he performed with fellow members and delighted fans with special stages.
Kim Soo Hyun faces property seizure
Actor Kim Soo Hyun is under growing financial and legal strain following the seizure of one of his luxury apartments by skincare brand Classys. The company filed a lawsuit seeking 3 billion KRW (approx. 2.19 million USD) in unpaid compensation from a past endorsement deal.
The property, located in Seoul's Galleria Forêt, was seized with court approval on May 20. Kim's legal team called the seizure unfair and linked it to defamatory claims by the Garosero Institute. The scandal involves accusations of a past relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron, which Kim's team insists began after she became an adult.
BLACKPINK's Rosé collab with Alex Warren
Social media had been buzzing as singer Alex Warren hinted at a major collaboration for Chapter 2 of his debut album, You'll Be Alright, Kid. It's releasing on July 18, 2025. An Instagram and TikTok reel showed him lip-syncing a duet with a female voice fans believed is BLACKPINK's Rosé.
Adding to the buzz, Warren wore a name tag reading 'ROSE' at the 2025 AMAs. He also liked and reposted fan guesses pointing to Rosé, while possible members of her circle engaged with the post. Soon after, both artists confirmed their collaboration on the track On My Mind by posting a TikTok video together featuring a snippet of the song.
Squid Game S3 marks the end, but spin-offs may be coming
Netflix's Squid Game will officially conclude with Season 3, premiering June 27, 2025. During a press conference held on June 9 in Seoul, director Hwang Dong Hyeok confirmed there are no plans for a fourth season. He emphasized that the story was always meant to wrap up with the third season, although the ending might leave room for speculation.
While fans may be disappointed by the conclusion, Hwang hinted at the possibility of spin-offs in the future. He revealed his interest in exploring side stories, though his next project is a film. With a star-studded cast including Lee Jung Jae, Wi Ha Joon, and Lee Byung Hun, Season 3 is expected to be a powerful finale.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Diljit Dosanjh shares Border 2 BTS clip in uniform, quashes removal rumours amid Sardaar Ji 3 row over Hania Aamir casting
Amid the ongoing row surrounding Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh's upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3, which also stars Pakistani actor Hania Aamir, several rumours have been circulating that Diljit Dosanjh would be replaced in Border 2. However, the 'Born to Shine' singer has shut down all the claims by sharing a behind-the-scenes (BTS) video of himself shooting for the Indian war film. On Wednesday, Diljit shared a BTS video on his Instagram, putting all the speculations regarding Border 2 to rest and confirming his continued involvement in the project. The clip shared by the singer gave a glimpse into the day on the sets of his upcoming film. Just the previous week, after the singer unveiled the trailer of his upcoming Punjabi film Sardaarji 3, an online backlash sparked, where fans flooded social media, asking the makers of Border 2 to remove the actor. Diljit Dosanjh was spotted rehearsing for a dance sequence for Border 2 In the video, the 41-year-old singer is seen stepping out of his vanity van, wearing a uniform and then walking into the sets as he preps for a dance sequence. The clip also shows Diljit rehearsing and going through the scene, and he is seen dancing with them. Additionally, the title track of Border, 'Ke Ghar Kab Aaoge', could also be heard playing in the background. Sharing the video, Diljit captioned it 'BORDER 2' in caps. As soon as the video surfaced on social media, it quickly grabbed the attention of netizens, and one user on a Reddit thread expressed, "Indian Govt ne Pakistani Youtuber and Celebrities ko unbanned krna start kr diya. Isko remove krne se kya ho jaayega." "Border 2 director is close to Diljit, they've done 6 films together. He's directed 10 movies in total, " another added. While according to one, it's surprising how the government is not taking any actions, "I wonder how Diljit becomes the villian when ruling party has no issues. I am so sure hatred is based on what community the man comes from." One asked, "Interesting. Do you think people will watch it when it releases?" About the Diljit Dosanjh controversy Over the last few days, Diljit has been surrounded by criticism and controversy regarding his latest film, Sardaar Ji 3, as the film has the Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in it. Diljit is working with the Pakistani actress after the recent Pahalgam terror attack left netizens furious. In one of the Instagram posts shared by Diljit, he mentioned that the film didn't release in India and is only open overseas. Removal from Border 2 rumours Following the controversy, social media stirred with reactions linked to the callouts to replace Diljit from Border 2. Moreover, some reports even surfaced saying that the makers of Border 2 are likely to drop Diljit from the film and that he would be replaced by actor Ammy Virk.
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
BTS ransacks store in new Permission to Dance Live Album PICS ahead of its July 18 release, check out
BTS is set to offer a special new version of their 2021 chart-buster, Permission to Dance. It will be their first-ever live album, featuring 22 tracks from their global Permission to Dance on Stage tour. Ahead of its official drop, the boy band released a set of group and individual promotional photos on July 3. It offers familiarity to the original music video, while still maintaining its own unique flair. BTS releases new concept photos for Permission to Dance Live Album The BTS members RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook are seen standing inside a departmental store in a newly released still. The PTD General Store is dark with the only sources of light being torches in the boy band artists' hands and LED-light sign boards of the store. The septet's serious expression hints at some shady business going on. Their shirts add a pop of colour to the still, making it even more interesting. The wall clock 3:05 setting may be an intentional clue related to the live album, leaving fans curious until more details emerge. Besides the in-store shot, there's another taken outside, where the members stand at a distance and look at it. The store shots remind us of the Permission to Dance music video where the artists dance around inside laundry and other stores. Permission to Dance Live Album release date BTS ARMY, mark your calendars! Permission to Dance Live Album is slated to drop on July 18 at 1 pm KST (9:30 am IST). Pre-orders for the album already commenced on July 1 at 11 am KST (7:30 am IST), giving fans ample time to secure their copies ahead of the release date. The new album is set to arrive alongside a digital counterpart titled BTS Permission to Dance on Stage—Seoul, further enriching the release. About Permission to Dance Live Album As per BTS' agency BIGHIT MUSIC's official notice, "This album vibrantly captures the passion and touching moments of the concert, featuring 22 tracks infused with the purple memories created by BTS and ARMY.' BTS's live performances of hit singles "Dynamite" and "Butter," among others, will be showcased on the album, drawn from their 2021-2022 Permission to Dance On Stage tour.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Yoo Ah In drug abuse case: Hellbound actor sentenced to one year in prison with probation as his career hangs in the balance
Yoo Ah In drug case: South Korean actor Yoo Ah In, whose real name is Eom Hong Sik, was officially convicted in his drug case after a prolonged legal battle. On July 3, the South Korean Supreme Court's first division upheld the lower court's ruling, sentencing the actor to one year in prison with two years of probation. The court found him guilty of violating the Narcotics Control Act, following his appeal. Initially arrested in court during the first trial, Yoo's sentence was later adjusted in the second trial, with the court considering his sleep disorder and pledge to avoid reoffending. Yoo Ah In drug case: Details of the drug use and illegal purchases The Hellbound star was accused of habitually abusing multiple medical drugs over a long period. Between September 2020 and March 2023, he reportedly administered propofol, midazolam, ketamine, and remimazolam a total of 181 times. Prosecutors also charged the 38-year-old with illegally purchasing approximately 1,100 sleeping pills on 44 different occasions under someone else's name from May 2021 to August 2023. The volume and frequency of drug use shocked the public, especially given Yoo's reputation as a respected actor. Actor's indictment and the public fallout Yoo was formally indicted in 2023 on drug charges involving seven substances, including propofol. At the time, the news caused an immediate backlash, with brands dropping him and upcoming projects either delayed or cancelled. His career took a serious hit, and he faced a wave of criticism online. The case marked one of the biggest drug-related scandals in the Korean entertainment industry in recent years. Despite the scandal, Yoo Ah In's film The Match finds box office success Even with the controversy still fresh, his latest film, The Match, managed to draw strong numbers. Released in April, the movie topped the Korean box office for two straight weekends. Based on the true story of two legendary Go (baduk) players, the film, also starring Lee Byung Hun, the film grossed over $14.1 million and captured a 7.72% share of total box office revenue, according to K-media reports. The sports drama is now streaming on Netflix. Yoo Ah In's long list of acclaimed roles Before his legal troubles, Yoo was widely known for his bold role choices and powerful screen presence. He earned praise for his performances in films like Burning, Veteran, and The Throne, and he took on memorable characters in series like Chicago Typewriter and Hellbound. Despite receiving widespread critical acclaim for his intense performance in Hellbound, he was notably absent from the second season of the hit supernatural thriller. His character as Jeong Jin Soo, whose chilling arc helped cement the show's early popularity, was written out following the drug abuse scandal that surfaced in 2023. Netflix and the production team remained tight-lipped about the decision, but industry insiders believe the controversy left producers with little choice. Since then, Yoo's name has remained off casting announcements, and there has been no official confirmation of any upcoming projects. With his legal battles now reaching a conclusion, questions remain about whether he will be able to return to the industry or if this marks the end of one of his impressive acting career. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
