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International Business Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
Melon Music Awards 2025: Date, Venue, Ticket Sales, Voting Details, and More
Melon Music Awards (MMA) is gearing up to return with a new set of nominees, performers, presenters, and winners. The annual star-studded ceremony will be back with its 17th edition in December. Kakao Entertainment has shared some details about the glamorous event, including the date, venue, tickets, and voting details. The organizing committee has revealed that they are planning to introduce some changes this year. According to the organizers, there will be some changes in the judging criteria and ticket reservations. The award show will aim at spotlighting the artists by analyzing their most loved songs based on various factors, like the overall quality, impact, and popularity. Here is everything about the 17th annual Melon Music Awards, including the date, venue, tickets, and voting details. When and Where to Watch the Melon Music Awards 2025? The annual award show will take place at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Saturday (December 20). People in Korea can watch the glamorous event in person or on TV. K-pop fans from other parts of the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Mexico, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, China, Japan, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, Turkey, and South Africa, can watch the star-studded ceremony live online on various online streaming platforms. Judging Criteria As mentioned above, Kakao Entertainment has introduced some changes in the judging criteria this year. Previously, the winners in the TOP 10 category were selected based on 80 percent streaming data and 20 percent fan votes. This year, the breakdown will be 60 percent streaming data, 20 percent expert evaluation, and 20 percent fan votes. "Music consumption on Melon has diversified. We aim to spotlight the artists who truly defined the year by analyzing the most loved songs based on a variety of factors, including popularity, impact, and overall quality," the organizing committee shared. Ticket Sales The organizers are also bringing some changes to the ticket sales. They have decided to reserve the ticket reservations for paid Melon subscribers. Previously, all Melon users could access the facility of ticket reservations. Kakao Entertainment revealed that the changes are made to offer more benefits to long-term members. "We aim to protect members' rights by preventing reservations through unauthorized channels and enabling more customers to enjoy the premier K-pop award show," the company said. Melon Music Awards is one of the major K-pop events that chooses its winners based on user votes, streaming data, and evaluations by industry experts. Stay tuned for more details about the 17th annual award ceremony, including the performers, presenters, hosts, and nominations.
Geek Culture
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Netflix Adapting ‘Solo Leveling' Manhwa Into Korean Live-Action Series
Everyone's favourite E-rank Hunter is about to come to life, as Netflix has announced the production of a Korean live-action series adaptation for Solo Leveling, with rising star Byeon Woo-seok set to portray its protagonist Sung Jin-woo. Announced via a post on its website, the Netflix adaptation will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, known for films like Ashfall, My Dictator and Cold Eyes. The series will be produced by Kakao Entertainment and SANAI PICTURES. Byeon Woo-seok (Source: Wireimage) Byeon, one of Korea's most sought-after young actors in recent years, has long been a fan-cast for the role of Sung Jin-woo. Known for his appearances in 2024's Lovely Runner and 2022's 20th Century Girl, the actor had previously garnered the nickname 'straight out of a manhwa', which made him a fitting choice to embody Jin-woo's evolution in the show, according to Netflix. The live-action adaptation is set to follow the same storyline as the manhwa (webtoon), with Netflix's description reading: 'Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, an E-rank Hunter — the lowest tier — who gains extraordinary abilities after a near-death experience. As he levels up, he becomes humanity's unexpected hope, defending against monstrous threats emerging from beyond the mysterious Gates.' This series is based on the record-breaking manhwa of the same name, which has amassed 14.3 billion cumulative views worldwide since its KakaoPage debut in 2023. In 2024, the IP received an anime adaptation, which garnered massive success over the course of its two current seasons, making history as the first Korean IP-based series to dominate the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, where it clinched nine trophies, including Anime of the Year, Best Action and Best Character. Although additional casting details or a release window has yet to be announced, Netflix's Solo Leveling live-action adaptation promises 'vivid characters, dynamic action sequences, and exhilarating quests, brought to life by a world-class global VFX team', and will 'introduce viewers to fantastical dungeons and uniquely powerful monsters, setting a new standard for live-action adaptations.'
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Byeon Woo-seok to lead Solo Leveling live-action adaptation as Sung Jin-woo in hit Korean Webtoon's global crossover
Netflix has officially announced a live-action adaptation of the hugely popular Korean webtoon Solo Leveling, sparking excitement among global fans. Revealed just after Anime Expo 2025, the news marks a significant milestone for Korean webtoon adaptations entering mainstream international media. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Adding to the anticipation, rising Korean star Byeon Woo-seok has been cast as the protagonist, Sung Jin-woo—a timid E-rank hunter who evolves into humanity's most powerful defender. Known for his roles in Lovely Runner and 20th Century Girl, Byeon's casting has been widely praised by fans who see him as a perfect match for the brooding and complex character. Byeon Woo-seok to lead Netflix's Solo Leveling live-action anime Netflix's casting of Byeon Woo-seok has been met with near-universal approval. Known for his roles in 20th Century Girl, Lovely Runner, and Strong Girl Nam Soon, Byeon brings both dramatic depth and a striking resemblance to the character of Jin-woo. Fans have long described the actor as a 'manhwa come to life,' and with his rising profile in Korean entertainment, he is poised to carry the emotional and physical weight of this highly anticipated adaptation. To ensure the adaptation meets global expectations, Netflix has enlisted acclaimed directors Lee Hae-jun (Like a Virgin, Castaway on the Moon) and Kim Byung-seo (Ashfall, Cold Eyes). Together, they bring a blend of visual storytelling and emotional resonance that is ideal for the dark, action-packed world of Solo Leveling. The series is being developed in collaboration with Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures, who are overseeing scriptwriting and creative direction to keep the show faithful to the original source material. Solo Leveling's rise: From web novel to global multimedia phenomenon Solo Leveling began as a web novel by Chugong and later became a visually stunning webtoon illustrated by the late DUBU (REDICE Studio). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It quickly gained traction among global readers for its gripping narrative, where a weak 'E-rank' hunter is suddenly granted the mysterious power to grow stronger without limits. Over time, the story transcended its original format and expanded into a multi-platform franchise that includes: A best-selling anime adaptation (streaming on Crunchyroll) A popular mobile game Multiple merchandise lines A massive international fanbase, with over 14 billion views on platforms like KakaoPage and WEBTOON Solo Leveling becomes a global hit with Webtoon anime and more The story of Solo Leveling centers on Sung Jin-woo, once known as the weakest hunter in a world overrun by magical portals and monsters. After barely surviving a deadly dungeon raid, Jin-woo discovers a unique ability: he can 'level up' like a video game character. This ability allows him to surpass his limits, evolve rapidly, and eventually assume the mantle of Shadow Monarch—humanity's final hope against powerful beings known as Monarchs. This 'zero to hero' arc has resonated with millions, creating a protagonist who is both emotionally complex and physically has had a rocky history with anime-to-live-action adaptations. Series like Cowboy Bebop, Death Note, and Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 received mixed-to-poor responses for lacking fidelity to the source material or failing to meet VFX standards. However, Solo Leveling could change that. Unlike One Piece—which faced criticism for cutting corners on visual effects—Netflix has promised to bring in a top-tier global production team to ensure cinematic quality in the fantasy-action scenes. Solo Leveling joins the ranks of Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead With this adaptation, Solo Leveling now sits among Korea's biggest pop-culture exports, alongside global hits like Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead. It also becomes the first major Korean-origin anime franchise to receive a full-scale live-action series, marking an important shift in how Korean IPs are treated in the global entertainment landscape. While Netflix has not yet confirmed an official release date, production is already underway, and insiders suggest that the series may be slated for late 2025 or early 2026. With the show's high production value, a compelling cast, and a creative team focused on authenticity, fans are hoping Solo Leveling will finally deliver a live-action adaptation that honors its anime roots. Also Read |
Pink Villa
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Solo Leveling live adaptation brings Byeon Woo Seok to lead in Sung Jin Wook role, here's everything we know so far
Exciting news for Byeon Woo Seok fans! The talented actor is set to take on a new role in an upcoming fantasy drama. He will lead the live adaptation of Solo Leveling as reported by Netflix on June 11. Through the OTT series, he will bring to life a character vastly different from his previous roles, generating immense excitement among fans. Byeon Woo Seok is to star as Sung Jin Wook in Solo Leveling live adaptation The Lovely Runner fame will be seen taking on the role of the protagonist Sung Jin Wook in the live adaptation of Solo Leveling. The character is an E-ranked hunter– the lowest tier among the defenders of the real world, who work to safeguard against monsters that appear through the mysterious Gates. However, Sung Jin Wook becomes humanity's last hope when he gains extraordinary powers after escaping a near-death situation. Thus, his transformation from a vulnerable hunter to a powerful force, forms the focal point of the upcoming dark fantasy K-drama. More about Solo Leveling's drama and anime version The series will be produced by Netflix in collaboration with Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures. It promises to bring the popular manhwa to life in a whole new way. Before Solo Leveling's live-action adaptation, the series was made into an anime that achieved great success, sweeping nine major awards at the 2025 Crunchyroll Awards– the largest animation awards in the world. They included– Anime of the Year, Best Action, and Best Character titles. Now the anticipation is building up to see how Byeon Woo Seok will portray the iconic lead character of the manhwa on screen. Byeon Woo Seok's latest projects The actor is currently filming for the upcoming drama Wife of a 21st Century Prince, alongside IU. It is set to air as a Friday-Saturday drama via broadcasting network MBC in 2026. Byeon Woo Seok will play the role of Lee Wan, the king's second son, who is destined to live in the shadows. He was last seen in the drama Lovely Runner. With the role of Ryu Sun Jae, his fame skyrocketed and he became a household name in South Korea. He will next be seen in Solo Leveling's live-action.
Hypebeast
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Byeon Woo-Seok Lands Lead Role in Netflix's Live-Action ‘Solo Leveling' Adaption
Summary Following months of speculation and fervent fan discussions,Netflixhas officially announced a Korean live-action adaptation ofSolo Leveling. Originally serialized on KakaoPage, the franchise has become a global sensation, amassing over 14.3 billion cumulative views across its web novel and webtoon formats. Its anime adaptation further solidified its popularity, sweeping nine major categories at the2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards– including Anime of the Year, Best Action and Best Character – setting high expectations for the upcoming live-action series. While fans initially speculated thatCha Eun-woomight take on the lead role, the coveted part of Sung Jin-woo will be played byByeon Woo-seok. One of Korea's most in-demand actors, Byeon is celebrated for his performances in20th Century GirlandLovely Runner. His striking visuals have earned him the nickname 'straight out of a manhwa,' making him a compelling choice to portray Jin-woo's transformation from low-ranked Hunter to humanity's last hope. The series will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, known for their work on Ashfall, Castaway on the Moon, and Like a Virgin. Produced by Kakao Entertainment and SANAI PICTURES, the adaptation promises vivid characters, thrilling quests, and high-impact action sequences brought to life by a world-class global VFX team. No release window or further details have been shared, but it's confirmed that the series is currently in production and will be available on Netflix.
