Latest news with #K-entertainment
Pink Villa
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Weekly Top Korean News: BTS hints at 2026 comeback, THE BOYZ removes Ju Haknyeon, V and Jungkook prep for new projects, more
This week in K-entertainment brought a storm of headlines, from legal battles and shocking admissions to potential collaborations and long-awaited reunions. Former THE BOYZ member Ju Haknyeon has challenged his agency's claims about his exit. Meanwhile, BTS' V teased a mysterious project that has fans screaming Squid Game. And Jungkook might just be cooking up another hit with DJ Snake. Also, ex-NCT Taeil admitted to serious charges, and BTS' comeback timeline remains unclear. Read on to get all the deets. Ju claims forced exit from THE BOYZ Ju Haknyeon, former member of THE BOYZ, has broken his silence to share his version of the events surrounding his sudden departure from the group. In a detailed Instagram post, he claimed he never agreed to terminate his contract with ONE HUNDRED and called the agency's decision one-sided. He also denied any involvement in 'illegal activity.' He rejected reports that linked him to such allegations following his meeting with former Japanese actress Asuka Kirara. Ju expressed emotional distress over being branded unfairly and announced plans for legal action against media outlets spreading false claims. He vowed to fight for accountability. Meanwhile, ONE HUNDRED has responded, stating that Ju is distorting facts and insisting their decision was based on valid grounds. Is BTS' V joining Squid Game 3? BTS' V, also known as Kim Taehyung, recently held a Weverse livestream where he hinted at a mysterious new project he's been working on since his military discharge. Though he downplayed its importance, fans believe it could be something major, possibly a cameo in Squid Game Season 3. Theories gained momentum due to his past appearance in a Squid Game costume and his friendships with lead actors Lee Jung Jae and Im Siwan. Others suspect a solo music release or even a brand launch might be on the horizon. For now, fans eagerly await V's next move, hoping to see 'actor Taehyung' return to screens in a big way. Jungkook x DJ Snake: New collab soon? On June 16, BTS' Jungkook was spotted heading to the U.S. It sparked buzz among fans, especially after French DJ and producer DJ Snake revealed he's also in New York. Their unexpected overlap fueled speculation of a second collaboration, following their 2023 track Please Don't Change from Jungkook's debut album GOLDEN. DJ Snake's interaction with fans online, including liking a tweet about Jungkook being in NYC, added to the excitement. While nothing is confirmed, fans believe they might be working on a new track or planning a surprise performance. Many also speculate Jungkook's second solo album or world tour could be in the works ahead of BTS' full reunion in 2026. Ex-NCT's Taeil admits to charges Former NCT member Moon Taeil is facing serious legal consequences after admitting to misconduct involving an intoxicated foreign woman, alongside two others. During the first trial on June 18, all three defendants confessed to the charges. The prosecution has demanded a 7-year prison sentence for each, citing KakaoTalk messages that suggested the act was premeditated. These messages included discussions about moving the victim and preventing her from falling asleep. The victim's side has also requested a 10-year employment ban for Taeil. While the defense claimed the crime was unintentional and highlighted Taeil's surrender and settlement with the victim, the court is expected to deliver its final verdict on July 10, 2025. BTS comeback in 2026? BTS has officially completed military service as a full group, with SUGA being the last member discharged on June 21. And recently, a report from The Korea Herald claimed BTS was planning a full-group comeback in March 2026. It cites insiders who detailed a mid-March album release aligned with other HYBE group schedules. It was also alleged that BELIFT LAB's ENHYPEN had shifted their release to January to avoid overlapping with BTS. However, BIGHIT MUSIC has stepped in to clarify the rumors. In a statement, the agency stated that no final decision has been made regarding BTS' comeback timeline. They dismissed the comeback reports as unconfirmed. Fans continue to await official updates. NewJeans loses appeal In a significant setback for NewJeans, the Seoul High Court has rejected the group's appeal to lift restrictions on independent activities outside of ADOR. The decision upholds a previous injunction that grants ADOR full control over NewJeans' promotions, music production, and collaborations. It effectively banned the group from operating under their NJZ brand without agency approval. The legal dispute stems from broken trust between the members and ADOR, with the girls' side confirming reconciliation is no longer possible. The next court hearing over their exclusive contract dispute is set for July 24, 2025.
Pink Villa
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Fact Check: Kim Da Mi, Park Seo Joon caught kissing off-screen? Find truth behind Itaewon Class co-stars' viral skinship
Recently, a video depicting Park Seo Joon and Kim Da Mi engaging in an intimate moment has gone viral online. The video, which shows the Itaewon Class co-stars sharing a kiss, quickly spread across social media platforms. It left many viewers stunned and confused. The clip looked eerily authentic, leading numerous fans to believe it was real. Many assumed it captured an actual moment between the actors, possibly from behind-the-scenes footage during the 2020 drama's promotional activities. However, the truth turned out to be far more unsettling. Realism that fooled the public Investigations by fans confirmed that the video was entirely AI-generated. It was created using a photo from a press event during the promotional period of Itaewon Class, and was manipulated to simulate a kissing scene. What set this clip apart from previous deepfakes was the level of detail and accuracy it achieved. The facial expressions were convincingly animated, the lighting matched the original scene, and the head movements synced perfectly. This makes it incredibly difficult to detect as fake. This realism, many netizens noted, blurred the line between fantasy and fact. As clips like this circulate without clear disclaimers or watermarks, they risk misleading audiences and distorting public perception. Fans left alarmed, not amused While some fans brushed off the video as a bizarre attempt at fan service, the majority expressed discomfort and outrage. What began as confusion soon turned into serious concern about the violation of privacy and digital consent. Social media posts highlighted how easily such content could be mistaken for reality, especially when it involves celebrities with a shared screen history. Others pointed out that even if the clip wasn't vulgar, it still represented a clear boundary breach. It involved the manipulation of real people's faces and identities without permission. Previous deepfake scandals in K-entertainment This is not the first time South Korea's entertainment industry has been shaken by the misuse of AI. Earlier this year, multiple deepfake videos featuring female K-pop idols in inappropriate contexts sparked widespread condemnation. Despite online platforms cracking down on such content, new clips continue to surface. The Park Seo Joon – Kim Da Mi deepfake is now being seen as part of a broader trend where AI tools are weaponized for parasocial fantasies. AI fan edits: A dangerous new normal? The use of generative AI in fan culture has exploded in recent months. Many users now use AI to fabricate photos or videos of themselves interacting with celebrities. This includes attending fictional meet-and-greets or staging romantic scenes with their favorite idols. While often labeled as creative fan art, these trends are becoming increasingly controversial. Critics argue that such edits dehumanize celebrities, treating them as programmable characters rather than real individuals. In the case of Park and Kim, the deepfake crossed a moral boundary. It transforms a shared professional moment into a fabricated romantic encounter, disregarding context and consent.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Siddhant Chaturvedi makes his Korean debut alongside Chae Soo-bin, leaves fans furious: ‘How much whitening was done?'
Bollywood actor Siddhant Chaturvedi has just made his Korean media debut – and fans are kind of into it but mostly confused. The actor stars opposite K-drama favourite Chae Soo-bin in a new ad for Crocs Japan that's equal parts rainy-day romance and fever dream. The ad opens with Soo-bin walking down a rain-soaked street when Siddhant's car whizzes past, splashing her with muddy water. Classic meet-cute, right? Turns out, he's pulled over just ahead with a flat tyre. She approaches him, offers an umbrella, and the two share a flirty little walk that ends with her splashing his shoes in return. A post shared by 蔡秀彬채수빈台灣後援站ChaesoobinTWfanclub (@chaesoobintwfanclub) The vibe is vaguely Bollywood monsoon romance meets Korean whimsy — except it's not quite either. And fans are loving the awkward charm of it all. 'Korean actress Chae Soobin with Indian actor Siddhant Chaturvedi filmed in India for a Crocs Japan ad… what kind of crossover is this,' wrote one user on X. Another quipped, 'I can't tell if I like or dislike Siddhant Chaturvedi in this Korean style rom com but I think he should be the first actor from India to headline a K show (which is not an Ekta Kapoor show) 🙂↔️.' But not everyone's sold on the collab. Some fans were quick to point out how different Siddhant looked in the ad. 'Korean team had whitewashed him for this ad to blend,' said one. Another added, 'How much whitening has to be done to be in this ad lol.' And one user summed it up with a bang: 'This looks so AI-generated help.' But beyond the oddball execution, the ad seems to be part of a bigger trend — the globalisation of stardom via K-pop's massive influence. From Tom Cruise hanging with BTS' Jin to Jackson Wang collaborating with Diljit Dosanjh, the East-meets-West formula is alive and thriving. Siddhant's entry into this world might feel random, but it's a sign of just how borderless pop culture is becoming. So is this the start of Siddhant's K-entertainment era? Or just a strange footnote in Crocs' ad campaign history? Either way, fans are watching — even if they're not sure why.
CNA
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Commentary: After high-profile South Korean idol deaths, has the industry changed for the better?
SINGAPORE: It's been close to a decade since the glossy facade of South Korea's entertainment industry cracked under the weight of tragedy. In 2017, SHINee's Kim Jong-hyun died by suicide, followed by f(x)'s Sulli and Kara's Goo Hara in 2019, just six weeks apart. Each time, there were vigils, urgent calls for reform and vows that things would change. Yet, the cycle of loss continued. In 2024, Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun took his own life after facing a storm of media coverage over a drug investigation. Just months ago, in February, actress Kim Sae-ron did the same after years of public and media backlash over her 2022 charge for driving under the influence. Up until her death, her every move was scrutinised and ridiculed both in the press and on social media. So has anything really changed? NO ESCAPE FROM DISGRACE The K-entertainment industry remains an unforgiving space, where celebrities are expected to present and maintain an impossible standard of moral purity. A single misstep can lead to swift and brutal condemnation from the press, fans and the public at large. Much of this stems from "chemyeon", the Korean concept of saving face. And to lose face is to lose everything. 'Face-saving has been regarded as far more valuable to many Koreans than any other asset, including life itself,' explains Han Seong-yeul, an emeritus psychology professor at Korea University. But public figures are not average individuals – they are extensions of their agencies, their families and even their countrymen. It's deeply embedded into K-entertainment that disgrace must be met with absolute consequences, leaving little room for second chances. Sulli was branded a troublemaker for going braless, speaking openly about feminism and dating freely. Goo Hara was the victim of an abusive ex-boyfriend who blackmailed her with an unreleased intimate video – however, when news of the video's existence became public, she was the one ostracised. Lee Sun-kyun was just one example of a celebrity bearing the brunt of merciless backlash even before wrongdoing is yet proven. Despite eventually testing negative for drugs, the accusations alone were enough to see him blacklisted and his projects cancelled. When reputation and honour are valued above all else, disgrace becomes inescapable. And in many cases, the only perceived way out is death. The rise of social media has only magnified these pressures, becoming modern-day courthouses where public figures are put on trial in real time. Sometimes, these platforms make some effort to curb malicious attacks. After Sulli and Goo Hara's deaths, Naver and Daum disabled comment sections and removed features like 'related search keywords' and real-time trending searches related to individuals, both of which were often used to conduct online smear campaigns. However, the toxicity rarely dissipated. It simply migrated to other platforms like YouTube, Twitter (now X) and Instagram. SOME PROGRESS Still, some progress has been made towards acknowledging mental health as a serious issue rather than a taboo topic. In the past, mental illness was often framed as a personal weakness rather than a legitimate condition, and K-celebrities struggling with depression or anxiety were expected to endure it in silence, much like the generations before them. Nowadays, in reports on celebrity controversies and struggles, many Korean media outlets now explicitly mention depression and anxiety instead of glossing over it as they did before. Some, such as the Chosun Daily and Korea Herald, even include suicide prevention resources in their articles. Perhaps most significantly, K-celebrities have started opening up themselves. BTS's Suga and RM, Epik High's Tablo, and Girls' Generation's Taeyeon have all spoken publicly about battling depression and anxiety. GOT7's Jay B and SHINee's Key have shared their experiences with therapy, while soloist IU has talked about her struggles with burnout. K-entertainers openly discuss their struggles on Get Real, a podcast by Dive Studios, co-founded by singer Eric Nam. Dive later launched Mindset, a self-care and mental wellness app featuring audio stories from local and international artists sharing their own mental health journeys. This has also pushed entertainment agencies to rethink how they support their talent. More companies now publicly acknowledge mental health struggles, and it's becoming more common for idols to take formal hiatuses to focus on their well-being – something that was once unheard of in the industry. HYBE, the agency behind BTS, in 2022 opened the industry's first in-house healthcare centre, offering both mental and physical support to its artists. Other agencies have followed suit, providing access to therapy and counselling for talent, and cracking down on online harassment by taking legal action against malicious commenters. A START – BUT ONLY A START There's a growing awareness that fame and wealth don't shield individuals from mental health challenges. Instead of reacting with scepticism or dismissal, fans are now much more likely to be vocal online with support and encouragement. But these changes only scratch the surface. The industry still lacks structural protections such as unionisation or fixed working hours, leaving artists vulnerable to burnout. While agencies now allow mental health breaks, these are often reactive measures – granted only when an artist is visibly struggling – rather than part of a proactive system designed to prevent crises before they happen. Without deeper reforms, mental health initiatives risk being little more than a public-relations safeguard rather than a true shift in how the industry operates. At the policy level, lawmakers have attempted to introduce legal reforms to protect public figures from cyberbullying, such as the Sulli Act, which sought to require real-name verification for online comments in an effort to curb anonymous hate speech. More recently, Parasite director Bong Joon-ho called for the enactment of 'Sun-kyun's Law' to guard against trial-by-media media practices, including the excessive and often reckless media scrutiny and smears before legal judgment is made. CONDEMNATION VS ACCOUNTABILITY Not all public scrutiny is inherently harmful. Some argue that celebrities like Kim Sae-ron, who was caught driving under the influence and put lives at risk, and actor Yoo Ah-In, found guilty of illegal drug use in 2023, deserve public criticism. But are knee-jerk reactions of condemnation equivalent to true accountability? Public figures wield significant influence, and there is an expectation that they be held accountable for their actions. The issue is that K-fandom – and South Korean public opinion more broadly – often reacts to controversy with little distinction between different types of wrongdoing. A celebrity caught breaking the law can face the same level of vitriolic judgment as one who made a poorly worded remark. Even dating rumours or visible weight gain in celebrities can trigger disproportionate amounts of public outrage. But there's a difference between senseless harassment that turns personal struggles into entertainment and holding public figures accountable for causing real harm and damage. Where is the line between justified criticism and undeserved persecution? Some disgraced celebrities, particularly those with powerful agencies or strong fan support, have managed to stage comebacks, including Big Bang frontman G-Dragon, investigated for drug use in 2011, and actor Kim Seon-ho, embroiled in a personal scandal in 2021. Most, however, are cast out permanently. Even when they take accountability for their missteps – whether by apologising or facing legal consequences – they are rarely afforded a clear path back into the good graces of neither the industry nor the public. If South Korea's entertainment industry is to truly change, there needs to be a middle ground. Celebrities should not be free from criticism, but more care must be taken to ensure that the nature and intensity of public scrutiny upon them is proportionate to the offence. Most importantly, space must be preserved for rehabilitation – or, at the very least, basic compassion. As human beings, we're all flawed. The only two options cannot be perfection or exile.
