https://en.fannstar.tf.co.kr FANNSTAR RSS Service - All Articles copyright (c) FANNSTAR fannstar@tf.co.kr Played the role of Jang Tae-young, who succeeded with innate luck and intuition"I want to persistently conclude a series with a 20-year history."Actor Byun Yo-han held an interview regarding the release of the movie 'Tazza 4'. /CJ ENM[THE FACT|Reporter Park Ji-yoon] Actor Byun Yo-han has returned with 'Tazza 4', which marks the finale of the 'Tazza' series, which has spanned 20 years. He did not shy away from the pressure but faced it head-on, fiercely filling it with his own color, successfully completing his growth as an actor and a meaningful challenge.Byun Yo-han held an interview with on the 14th at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the release of the movie 'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub' (Director Choi Gook-hee, hereinafter referred to as 'Tazza 4'). He played the lead role of Jang Tae-young, brilliantly decorating the finale of the 20-year-old 'Tazza' series.The movie 'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub' (Director Choi Gook-hee, hereinafter referred to as 'Tazza 4'), which was released on screen on the 23rd, is a crime film about Jang Tae-young, who thought he had the world at his fingertips with his online casino business, and his best friend Park Tae-young (played by Noh Jae-won) of the same name, who took everything from him, meeting again in the global gambling world for a revenge match.If you were to pick the busiest actor recently, it would undoubtedly be Byun Yo-han. In 'Kyungju Gihang' (Director Kim Mi-jo), released on August 26th, he played Baek Sang-hyun, who took the youngest child from Ok-sil's (played by Lee Jung-eun) family, showing a drastic visual transformation. In 'Father's Home Cooking' (Director Lee Joon-ik), released on the 9th, he played Myung-bok, the son of Ha-eung (played by Jung Jae-young) and Soon-ae (played by Lee Jung-eun), marking a significant addition to his filmography by being the first short drama to be released in theaters.Byun Yo-han played the role of Jang Tae-young, who succeeded with innate luck and intuition. /CJ ENMAnd shortly after, Byun Yo-han is meeting audiences with a new film, 'Tazza 4', on screen again. Regarding this, he said, "I just worked as usual, and it all piled up. Although it wasn't planned, I am very grateful that three films were released around the same time. It's so exciting to be able to meet the audience."'Tazza 4' is based on the work of the same name, which Huh Young-man selected as his favorite story among his series. It is the fourth sequel and finale of the 'Tazza' movie series, which has expanded its unique world for 20 years and received much love, drawing much attention from the production stage.In particular, 'Tazza' (2006) was loved by many, attracting 5.69 million viewers despite its R-rated classification, and its famous lines are still talked about today. After the second and third installments failed to surpass the box office success of the first, the pressure of taking on the role of the protagonist in the fourth installment, which concludes the series, was expected to be considerable.Nevertheless, Byun Yo-han, who jumped into the project with the mindset of "If someone is going to close the door, I want it to be me," fiercely completed a new 'Tazza' by preserving the franchise's identity while adding his own color. Along with this, he achieved growth as an actor, becoming even more solid by not avoiding daunting and pressured challenges."I didn't want to make a fuss just because it was the finale. If I hadn't appeared, it would have just been a passing project, but if I avoided it, I felt like I would be remembered as an actor who only does the acting he wants to do. Of course, I had simple thoughts like 'Can I do well?' and 'Can I make it my own color?' I felt like I had nothing to lose if I did well, and everything to lose if I didn't, but I grow when I do difficult projects, so I was able to keep going. Fortunately, I found the answers while working with the team. It was a set where we worked passionately with one heart."Byun Yo-han said, "I had the mindset that I had nothing to lose if I did well and everything to lose if I didn't, but I grow when I do difficult projects, so I was able to keep going," regarding his role in concluding the 20-year-old 'Tazza' movie series. /CJ ENMIn the play, Jang Tae-young had succeeded in the gambling world and the online casino business with his innate luck and intuition, but due to complacency bred by success, he failed to notice the jealousy harbored by his close partner Park Tae-young, and was betrayed by him, losing everything and falling into ruin in an instant. Afterward, he returns to the game with revenge as his sole motivation, starting a showdown where he risks everything."I tried to act similarly to the webtoon. And what I considered important in the script were emotions like human ambition, jealousy, envy, and inferiority. I tried to clearly portray emotions that everyone knows, seeking clarity."This work featured poker instead of Hwatu, and expanded its setting beyond Korea to Japan and Vietnam, completely breaking away from the connections of previous installments and presenting an independent story. Therefore, it required an understanding of Hold'em and training to master hand techniques."I observed people's subtle actions through Hold'em match videos to understand their tendencies, and I trained with professional players for several months. Understanding poker was important, but the essence of what the work wanted was also crucial. So, I practiced reading opponents' minds, maintaining a poker face, and finding their weaknesses. Unlike Hwatu, where emotions are expressed through dialogue, I tried to win with my gaze and energy."Byun Yo-han also expressed special affection for Noh Jae-won, who accompanied him through all these processes. The two, who worked together again in 'Tazza 4' after Disney+'s 'Uncle Samsik', created the work in the same direction, based on their shared love for acting and their frighteningly persistent concentration."I wanted to honestly convey and express the love I received from my seniors from my 20s to my 30s. In that regard, Noh Jae-won, although a junior and younger than me, was a passionate and inspiring person who awakened me. I think the reason I wasn't stingy in my expressions is because Noh Jae-won is a good person. Our chemistry was really great and enjoyable. I think it will be remembered for a long time."Byun Yo-han expressed his hope that "'Tazza 4' would be a film that persistently concludes a series with a 20-year history," and asked for much interest. /CJ ENMByun Yo-han also put a lot of effort into his physical appearance for the nude and bed scenes. He lost a significant amount of weight to create different bodies depending on the character's situation, even going to the emergency room."I felt fatigued, but I thought it would fit the character's condition well. There were times when I overdid it, but I found the process very fun and had a subtle certainty that these were moments when I became closer to the character. I believe that hard work is visible to the audience."After the preview screening held before the release, reactions like "Don't let Tiffany see it" emerged, given the bed scenes. Hearing this, Byun Yo-han shyly replied, "She's someone who supports me through everything. She trusts me and, having worked in the industry for a long time, she understands professionalism, so she would probably comfort me by saying I worked hard," and also mentioned changes after marriage."I've been told a lot recently that I look more comfortable and have become more of a man. In reality, my mind has become more at ease. Marriage is very significant, and I consider it an accomplishment harder than acting. Now, I want to be an actor who well protects my beloved family and does his job well."Finally, Byun Yo-han expressed his joy at being responsible for a part of the Chuseok theater season, which features Korean films of various genres, and said, "'Tazza 4' has a distinct difference from previous installments in its worldview and in the fact that Byun Yo-han and Noh Jae-won acted in it. We tried to make it our own by acting in a way that fits 2026. I hope it becomes a film that persistently concludes the 'Tazza' series, which has a 20-year history," encouraging many to watch it.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 30-Day Mini 4th Album '256th Note' ReleaseThe 'Literary Boy' Who Opened His Eyes Will Showcase a More Solid EssenceA Result of Growth, Not RepetitionCLOSE YOUR EYES will release their 4th mini-album, '256th Note,' on the 30th. Inspired by the 256th note, one of the shortest notes in the world, the album records fleeting emotions. /Uncore[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] The boys who emerged saying they would deliver music that is convincing even with their eyes closed are now telling us to open them. CLOSE YOUR EYES, who has called themselves 'Literary Boys' since their debut and focused on emotion, appears ready to unfold that emotion within a broader musical scope.CLOSE YOUR EYES (JEON MINWOOK MA JINGXIANG JANG YEOJUN KIM SUNGMIN SONG SEUNGHO KENSHIN SEO KYOUNGBAE) will release their fourth mini-album, '256th Note,' today (30th). Following the pre-release of the first track, 'Open Your Eyes,' on the 18th, they completed their warm-up by performing the new song for the first time at '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(TMA)' on the 19th, raising expectations more than ever.The most noteworthy aspect is the pre-release song. Recalling the beginning of CLOSE YOUR EYES, the title 'Open Your Eyes' is intriguing. The team name signifies not only visible performances but also the intention to present music that is convincing even when listened to with closed eyes. Conversely, the command to 'Open Your Eyes' sounds like a declaration that connects the team's past and present, marking a transition to the next chapter.The expression 'next chapter' might be premature for a group approaching their second anniversary. However, the narrative they have built in the process is quite solid and sufficient to move towards the next chapter.CLOSE YOUR EYES's strength lies in the sensibility that matches their aspiration of 'music that is convincing even with closed eyes.' Their debut album, 'ETERNALT,' translated that aspiration directly into music. Just listing the titles like 'All the Poems and Novels Within Me,' 'My Lyrics Become Subtitles in This Movie Featuring You,' 'How to Dance in the Rain,' and 'Pretending Not to See' reads like a collection of youth short stories.Amidst the competition of stimulating sounds and intense performances, they chose the members' vocal tones, stories, and lingering emotions. Thus, a rather distinct character of 'Literary Boy' was created.The mini-album 2, 'Snowy Summer,' also maintained that thread. From the contrasting image of snow falling in summer to 'Paint Candy' and 'Bubble Tea in My Left Hand,' which turned ordinary daily life into excitement, their approach to subject matter was witty. While moving between genres like New Jack Swing and House Pop, the core of the music remained fresh emotions and stories.In mini-album 3, 'blackout,' the atmosphere shifted significantly. With 'X' and 'SOB' as double title tracks, they unleashed strong energy to break through fear and limitations, actively embracing diverse genres. In April of this year, with the digital single 'POSE,' they blended the energy of Brazilian Baile Funk with 2000s hip-hop.For CLOSE YOUR EYES, mini-album 3 and the single were a process of bringing not only sensibility but also performance and groove into their domain. Opening the new album with 'Open Your Eyes' perfectly connects with the narrative they have continued. Above all, their unique sentiment is embedded within that connection and flow.After experiencing various types of music, CLOSE YOUR EYES more clearly confirmed what they do best and returned to the pages they had written. It is the result of growth, not repetition. The photo shows them receiving the Global Hot Trend award at '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS' held on the 19th. /Reporter Park Heon-wooThis movement is intertwined with the growth of their fandom. 'ETERNALT' started with a first-week sales volume of 316,047 copies, and 'Snowy Summer' recorded 308,179 copies. Although the first-week sales slightly decreased, the first-day sales significantly increased from 139,385 to 202,297 copies. And 'blackout' surpassed 570,000 copies in first-week sales. It was a moment to reaffirm their support and direction.'256th Note,' released after such growth, interestingly returns to the essence. Inspired by the 256th note, one of the shortest notes in the world, it records fleeting emotions. Drawing inspiration from the freedom and improvisation of jazz, the album's core is to respond honestly to the emotions of the moment rather than using standardized expressions.After traversing various genres, they have refocused on the pure and simple sensibility they showed at their debut, but with a much broader range of expression.'Open Your Eyes,' the starting point, exemplifies this well. Experimental piano arpeggios repeat rapidly, and the drums push the song forward relentlessly. Above it, Johan Kim's piano and Jacob Schesney's saxophone intertwine, and the vocals move fluidly between rhythms rather than forcing power. It's a way of bringing jazz instruments and textures into the grammar of hip-hop and R&B.Most importantly, the title is significant. Those who were 'Close Your Eyes' are now shouting 'Open Your Eyes.' The content, which speaks of opening one's eyes and facing one's world after passing through darkness and wounds, even incorporates the starting point where the seven members came together through a single project. It clearly revisits the past and present, and vividly reveals what comes next.The title track 'Drop That!' is expected to show growth in another direction. It reinterprets Yoon Soo-nae's 'Let's Enjoy This Night,' a precursor to Korean Jazz Funk, in a 1990s street hip-hop style. While the pre-release song interpreted the improvisation of jazz through modern R&B and hip-hop, the title track takes old jazz funk from Korean popular music and transforms it into a street sensibility.Although the concept is 180 degrees different from 'Open Your Eyes' on the surface, it is sufficiently connected within the same album in that it 'translates the freedom and groove of jazz into the language of today.'A total of 7 songs follow, including 'Vibe Check,' 'Slowly Bleed,' 'Fool For You,' 'Baby Bossa Nova' featuring R&B artist Joo Hyerin, and the final song 'Eternity,' in which all members participated in the lyrics.The composition, where '256th Note,' meaning the shortest moment, ends with 'Eternity,' meaning 'eternity,' is also characteristic of Close Your Eyes. The album's message, that fleeting emotions accumulate to become memories and ultimately form a person's story, is condensed in the titles of the album and songs, and their arrangement.CLOSE YOUR EYES's strength is in its lingering impact rather than its intensity. Although they have created powerful music and expanded their performances, they have never abandoned their sensibility. After experiencing various types of music, they more clearly confirmed what they do best and returned to the pages they had written. The anticipation for '256th Note' stems from the fact that this return appears to be a result of growth, not repetition.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 A tribute song written and composed by WOODZTo be released on the 30th at 6 PMSinger Seung Chul Lee attended the music appreciation session for his 40th debut anniversary concert, 'Our Story,' held at Understage, Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 29th, and shared his thoughts. / Reporter Nam Yoon-ho[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Singer Seung Chul Lee has begun his full-fledged 40th-anniversary activities with "tears of emotion."Seung Chul Lee held a music appreciation session for his new single 'Our Story' at Hyundai Card Understage in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th, marking the start of his 40th debut anniversary activities. WOODZ, who participated in a duet for 'Our Story,' also attended the music appreciation session to grace the event.On stage that day, Seung Chul Lee shared his overwhelming feelings, saying, "I didn't feel much during my 30th anniversary, and I didn't feel anything special until my 39th. But as I prepared for my 40th, I was reminded of past events and thought, 'This day has come,' and 'Something unimaginable is happening.'"He continued, "I was able to come this far thanks to good lyricists and composers who reached out to me, and the crew who always supported me. And of course, I am truly grateful to the fans who have been by my side for 40 years."The first project to celebrate Seung Chul Lee's 40th debut anniversary, 'Our Story,' is a tribute song personally written and composed by WOODZ for Seung Chul Lee. WOODZ completed Seung Chul Lee's 40 years of journey into a single piece of music, adding the sophisticated sound of modern rock to the heavy texture of 70s classic rock.Seung Chul Lee, who introduced 'Our Story' as "a truly great song that made me cry when I first heard it," revealed the story behind the collaboration: "WOODZ's father is the same age as me and was apparently a huge fan. So, WOODZ said he thinks of his father when he sees me, and that's why I call him 'father.' He also wanted to give me a tribute song, which led to the completion of 'Our Story.'"Previously, WOODZ confessed his family history on a TV show, revealing that his biological father passed away when he was 21. WOODZ said, "When I was young, my father often took me to karaoke, and every time, he sang Seung Chul Lee's songs. I think (my father) would be envious of this moment."Given the particularly affectionate relationship between Seung Chul Lee and WOODZ, and the fact that it commemorates a long 40-year period, Seung Chul Lee was visibly overcome with emotion.Seung Chul Lee said, "I never thought this moment would come when I debuted. Back then, many seniors had already retired by the age of 30, so I thought I would too." He added, "But the fact that a junior like WOODZ has now dedicated a song to me is overwhelming. It makes me want to work even harder," shedding tears.Seung Chul Lee became teary-eyed as he looked back on the past 40 years at the music appreciation session for his 40th debut anniversary concert, 'Our Story.' / Reporter Nam Yoon-hoWOODZ also said, with a trembling voice, "I see Seung Chul Lee often in private, but this is the first time I've seen him cry. I'm grateful that he liked the song, and seeing Seung Chul Lee get emotional makes me feel complex emotions. I'm thankful that he's singing a song I made for his 40th anniversary."As 'Our Story' shares many emotions and memories between Seung Chul Lee and WOODZ, they had no doubt that this song would become a monument that most brilliantly adorns the 40th anniversary.Seung Chul Lee expressed his strong conviction, saying, "Throughout my 40 years of activity since debuting with Boohwal, there have been songs that became 'turning points in my life.' I have a strong feeling that 'Our Story' will also be a major turning point for me." He added, "Even while singing the song, I thought, 'Am I really singing this song?'"WOODZ also shared, "When I was young, I often heard people say, 'A singer needs a 'feel',' but I never understood what that meant. But when I gave the song to Seung Chul Lee and received the recording, I thought, 'Ah, this is it!'" He continued, "While writing this song, I thought a lot about the meaning of '40th anniversary.' I thought, 'If there's no one listening to my songs, I wouldn't be here,' but Seung Chul Lee has been doing that for 40 years. I hope this becomes a song that repays the fans who have supported these 40 years."Furthermore, 'Our Story' is not just a tribute to the past 40 years, but also a single that announces Seung Chul Lee's new beginning. Starting with 'Our Story,' Seung Chul Lee plans to sequentially reveal the artists for the '40th Debut Anniversary Tribute Duet Project Album.'Seung Chul Lee announced, "The 'Tribute Part 1' album will be released soon. For Part 1, many juniors like KIM JAEJOONG, Young K, Wendy, Lee Mujin, and Jannabi participated and re-recorded my songs. I am grateful for their participation."In addition, Seung Chul Lee himself plans to continue his active career. Seung Chul Lee said, "Every time I sing, I think, 'May today always be like this,' and 'Let's be a current artist rather than a legend.'" He added, "Vocally, I'm trying to sing without sounding like a 'stuck-up old man' by pursuing a 'style that discards the old Seung Chul Lee.' I'm singing simply and without unnecessary embellishments, and those things are helping me improve."'Our Story,' sung by WOODZ (left) and Seung Chul Lee, will be officially released on the 30th at 6 PM. / Reporter Nam Yoon-hoSeung Chul Lee then revealed his goal of becoming a "singer like a breath of air." He added, "I want to be a singer whose melodies people hum as naturally as they breathe. I want to be a singer who sings the songs and voices that people want to hear," signaling that the activities of 'Singer Seung Chul Lee' will continue.'Our Story,' featuring Seung Chul Lee and WOODZ, will be released on music sites on the 30th at 6 PM. Following this, Seung Chul Lee will embark on his 40th-anniversary national tour concert 'THE VOICE: LEE SEUNG CHUL' starting in Gwangju in November.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer Seung Chul Lee (right) is having a photo time with singer WOODZ at the debut 40th anniversary album listening event 'Our Story' held at Understage, Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th. / Reporter Nam Yoon-ho On this day, Seung Chul Lee is teary-eyed while looking back on their 40th debut anniversary in an interview.[THE FACT|Reporter Nam Yoon-ho] Singer Seung Chul Lee (right) is having a photo time with singer WOODZ at the debut 40th anniversary album listening event 'Our Story' held at Understage, Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th.To commemorate their 40th debut anniversary, Seung Chul Lee is scheduled to release the pre-released tribute song 'Our Story' from the tribute duet project album at 6 PM on the 30th.This new song 'Our Story' is a song dedicated to Seung Chul Lee, who is celebrating their 40th debut anniversary, with WOODZ, an artist boasting a unique music spectrum, participating in writing and composing the lyrics. ilty012@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Expanding fan engagement through 10-city tours and university festivalsizna has surpassed 200 million cumulative streams on the global music streaming platform Spotify. /Wake One[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] Girl group izna has consecutively surpassed hundreds of millions of streams on global music platforms.According to their agency Wake One on the 29th, izna(My Bang Ji-min Coco Yu Sarang Choi Jeong Eun Jung Sebi) recently surpassed 200 million cumulative streams on the global music streaming platform Spotify. Following their previous achievement of over 400 million cumulative streams on YouTube Music, izna has set another significant milestone on major global music platforms.Since their debut, izna has not only explored diverse concepts but also established their unique musical world by solidifying their distinct musical identity. In particular, izna has been expanding their fanbase in both domestic and international music markets with their high-quality music and performances, spearheaded by their signature 'perfectly synchronized' group choreography.To connect more closely with fans both domestically and internationally, izna is currently holding their first concert tour, 'WHO DAT GIRL?'. After successfully launching the concert tour at the Olympic Hall in Seoul, they will meet fans in 10 domestic and international locations, including Taipei on October 9th, Manila on October 17th, Hong Kong on October 24th, and Osaka on March 28th of next year.They are also receiving numerous love calls in Korea. They are continuing their trendsetting activities by consecutively performing at university festival stages, a measure of their popularity. They recently heated up the stages at Gachon University, Hanseo University, Yeoju University, and Kyung Hee University International Campus, and are scheduled to perform at various festivals including Korea University, Dongduk Women's University, Jeonju University, Myongji College, Gyeongsang National University, and Hanshin University.As such, izna is expected to continue their growth by steadily expanding their listener base on global music platforms and performing on various stages both domestically and internationally.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 [THE FACT|Nam Yoon-ho] Singer Seung Chul Lee (center) poses with singer WOODZ at a debut 40th anniversary album listening event titled 'Our Own Story' held at Understage, Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th. ilty012@tf.co.kr Photo&Video Production Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Nimmol Cash suspends activities due to dating violence controversyYouTuber Nimmol Cash (left) has suspended his activities due to a dating violence controversy, and Il-o-pal, who frequently collaborated with him, stated, "I am filled with disappointment and anger." The photo shows them attending the 13th Busan International Comedy Festival together in September last year. / Reporter Seo Ye-won[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] Influencer Il-o-pal, who collaborated with Nimmol Cash, who has suspended his activities due to a dating violence controversy, stated that he was unaware of the facts and felt disappointed and angry.On the 29th, Il-o-pal shared his stance on Nimmol Cash's controversy on his social media. He said, "I also encountered the publicly disclosed contents for the first time through this incident, and later received information about the confirmed facts from the company." He added, "It was shocking, and I am once again filled with disappointment and anger that the person involved has not taken proper action in this situation."Nimmol Cash and Il-o-pal worked as a duo creator, releasing various content. Last year, they signed an exclusive contract with NOB Entertainment and attended the 13th Busan International Comedy Festival Blue Carpet together.Il-o-pal stated, "Since Nimmol Cash and I have been working closely together for a long time, I am aware that some people may be concerned whether I knew these facts or condoned them while knowing." He clarified, "I was not aware of his words and actions in our personal relationship beforehand, and I learned about them for the first time through this incident."He continued, "This incident is something that no one should commit. It is by no means trivial. I will also approach my future actions and collaborations with a more cautious attitude. I will take seriously the concerns of those who have trusted and supported me."Previously, on the 28th, Ms. A, who identified herself as Nimmol Cash's ex-girlfriend, raised various suspicions about Nimmol Cash through social media. She claimed that after a drinking session in May, Nimmol Cash verbally abused her for about three hours, threw objects, and physically assaulted her by pushing her shoulders and forehead.On the 29th, their agency NOB Entertainment released an official statement, saying, "During the verification process, we confirmed that the individual's inappropriate words and actions mentioned in the post did occur." The statement continued, "We are taking this matter very seriously and have decided to suspend all activities in consultation with the individual," and "We apologize to the victim of the individual's actions."As a result, the release of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly web drama 'The Assemblyman is Live,' in which Nimmol Cash played the lead role, has been indefinitely postponed. Additionally, Nimmol Cash was serving as a director at NOB Entertainment, but it is reported that dismissal proceedings are currently underway.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 [THE FACT|Nam Yoon-ho] Singer Seung Chul Lee shares his thoughts at the debut 40th anniversary album listening party 'Our Own Story' held at Understage, Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th. ilty012@tf.co.kr Photo&Video Production Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 [THE FACT|Nam Yoon-ho] Singer Seung Chul Lee poses to commemorate their 40th anniversary at a debut 40th anniversary album listening event titled 'Our Own Story' held at Understage in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th. ilty012@tf.co.kr Photo&Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The production presentation for the new tvN Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies' was held on the 29th, with actors Lee Moo-saeng, Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Yoo-jung, Park Jin Young, and Jin Sun-kyu in attendance."An intriguing story about a passionate and noble cause"Actors Lee Moo-saeng, Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Yoo-jung, Park Jin Young, and Jin Sun-kyu (from left) attended the production presentation for tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies' at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 29th and shared various stories. /Reporter Nam Yoon-hyo[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] The period drama '100 Days of Lies,' set during the Japanese colonial era, is coming to viewers. The drama is expected to deliver thrilling suspense to viewers with the romance between actors Kim Yoo-jung and Park Jin Young, as well as exciting espionage operations. Expectations are high as to whether '100 Days of Lies' can become a hit this fall.The production presentation for tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies' (written by Ryu Bo-ri, directed by Yoo In-sik&Kim Yoon-jin) was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th. Director Yoo In-sik and actors Kim Yoo-jung, Park Jin Young, Kim Hyun-joo, Lee Moo-saeng, and Jin Sun-kyu attended the event, highlighting the unique aspects of '100 Days of Lies' and encouraging viewership.'100 Days of Lies' is a 100-day espionage romance that unfolds as a top pickpocket in Gyeongseong becomes a spy and confronts an elite interpreter at the Government-General of Korea in the heart of the enemy. The drama offers unique entertainment with its themes of interpretation and the setting of a spy planted by the independence movement.Director Yoo In-sik, who helmed the production, introduced the drama as "a work filled with thrilling espionage, heartfelt love, and the passionate fervor of those who sacrificed for the independence of their country," adding, "We made it with all our heart."tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies,' starring Kim Yoo-jung in the lead role, is set during the Japanese colonial era. /tvNKim Yoo-jung plays Lee Ga-kyung, a former pickpocket who infiltrates the Government-General of Korea under a false identity to achieve her dream of going to America. Kim Yoo-jung said, "She is a character in her early 20s," and "I was curious about the growth of a young friend living through that difficult time. I wanted to experience it together."Park Jin Young plays Sato Hideo, the adopted son of Sato Shinichi (played by Jin Sun-kyu), the Governor-General of the Government-General of Korea, and an elite English interpreter. Park Jin Young stated, "After moving to Japan, he undergoes intense training that causes trauma. Therefore, I tried to hide my emotions as much as possible to portray a character who is unwavering."Kim Hyun-joo plays Yoo So-ran, a sniper in the armed anti-Japanese organization Gukdan. She returns to Joseon disguised as a Chinese national for revenge. Kim Hyun-joo explained, "She is a character with a painful past. Although she starts with personal revenge, she eventually fights for the independence of her country."Lee Moo-saeng transforms into Yoo Philip, a Gyeongseong correspondent for an American media company. Yoo Philip, a Korean-American, also becomes Yoo So-ran's fake husband for an operation as a member of Gukdan. Lee Moo-saeng added, "Although he cannot prioritize personal feelings for the sake of the cause, he becomes captivated by Yoo So-ran, who has a story."Jin Sun-kyu plays Sato Shinichi, the Governor-General of Joseon. He is Kim Tae-woong's adoptive father and the target of the assassination operation carried out by Yoo So-ran and Yoo Philip. Jin Sun-kyu described Sato Shinichi as "an unforgivable villain" and "a character whose desire for recognition has been distorted. I made no effort to beautify him."tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies,' featuring actors Kim Yoo-jung (top left) and Park Jin Young, will premiere on October 10th. /tvN'100 Days of Lies' consists of a total of 16 episodes, which is a considerable length. Director Yoo In-sik said, "From the initial script meetings, we felt that 10 or 12 episodes would not be enough to contain our story," and expressed confidence, "Even with the current 16 episodes, the content is overflowing. It's a rich story."Furthermore, Director Yoo In-sik pointed to the message that runs through '100 Days of Lies' as the question of "What motivated the independence activists of that era to make such choices?" He explained, "I was curious about the force that drove the independence activists," and "That was the reason I decided to direct '100 Days of Lies'."Finally, they revealed the viewing points of '100 Days of Lies.' Director Yoo In-sik said, "All the characters in our drama undergo transformation," and urged viewers, "It is a work that contains something that makes your heart race. As it deals with a noble cause, it is full of intriguing and fun stories."Kim Yoo-jung also shared, "It is a work that captures the process of individuals becoming 'us.' Before us, there are no individuals. It's a message that exists everywhere, regardless of the era. I hope many people will be able to think deeply after watching our drama. We ask for your interest and love, as we have put our best effort into filming."tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies,' consisting of 16 episodes, will premiere on October 10th at 9:10 PM.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Attended the production presentation for '100 Days of Lies' on the 29th."Put in a lot of effort... rewarding because it was difficult."Director Yoo In-sik attended the production presentation for tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies' held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall on the 29th and said, "It was technically difficult, but we did our best to adhere to historical accuracy." / Reporter Nam Yoon-ho[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] Director Yoo In-sik stated that he put in a lot of effort to maintain historical accuracy for '100 Days of Lies,' which is set during the Japanese colonial period.Director Yoo In-sik attended the production presentation for tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies' (written by Ryu Bo-ri, directed by Yoo In-sik&Kim Yoon-jin) held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 29th and said, "We did our best for historical accuracy," adding, "I feel rewarded for it."'100 Days of Lies' is a 100-day espionage romance that unfolds as the best pickpocket in Gyeongseong, who becomes a spy, and an elite interpreter for the Government-General of Korea face each other in the heart of the enemy. The drama offers unique entertainment with its themes of interpretation and the setting of a spy planted by the independence army.As a work set during the Japanese colonial period, Director Yoo In-sik said, "Of course, historical accuracy was a great burden," and confessed, "It was a technically very difficult task, especially since there are almost no old buildings or locations left in Korea."However, he added, "There are a few people who remember that era, and some who have been inside the Government-General of Korea," and "We put in a lot of effort with the art team to ensure it wouldn't deviate too much from their memories." He also said, "I felt rewarded for the effort," and "I hope viewers will see it that way too."The tvN new Saturday-Sunday drama '100 Days of Lies,' consisting of a total of 16 episodes, will premiere on October 10th at 9:10 PM.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actors Lee Mu-saeng, Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Yoo-jung, Park Jin Young, and Jin Sun-kyu (from left) pose at the production presentation of the tvN drama 'The 100-Day Lie' held at CGV, I'Park Mall, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th. /Reporter Nam Yoon-ho Director Yoo In-sik returns with the new drama 'The 100-Day Lie'.[THE FACT|Reporter Nam Yoon-ho] Actors Lee Mu-saeng, Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Yoo-jung, Park Jin Young, and Jin Sun-kyu pose at the production presentation of the tvN drama 'The 100-Day Lie' held at CGV, I'Park Mall, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th.'The 100-Day Lie,' which will premiere on the 10th of next month, is a 100-day spy romance about a top pickpocket in Gyeongseong who becomes a spy and an elite interpreter for the Government-General of Korea facing each other in the enemy's heart, starring Kim Yoo-jung and Park Jin Young. ilty012@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actor Jin Seon-kyu bursts into laughter at the introduction by the MC during the production presentation of tvN drama 'The Lies of 100 Days' held at CGV, I'Park Mall, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th. /Reporter Nam Yoon-ho Jin Seon-kyu, who was on the photo time that day, is holding back laughter at the introduction by Park Kyung-lim, who attended as the MC, saying, "He is a vicious villain in the play."[THE FACT|Nam Yoon-ho] Actor Jin Seon-kyu bursts into laughter at the introduction by the MC during the production presentation of tvN drama 'The Lies of 100 Days' held at CGV, I'Park Mall, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th.Jin Seon-kyu, who was on the photo time that day, is holding back laughter at the introduction by Park Kyung-lim, who attended as the MC, saying, "He is a 'vicious' villain in the play."'The Lies of 100 Days,' which will premiere on the 10th of next month, is a 100-day spy romance that unfolds as Gyeongseong's top pickpocket, who became a spy, and an elite interpreter of the Joseon Government-General confront each other in the heart of the enemy, and actor Kim Yoo-jung and Park Jin Young have worked together. ilty012@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actress Kim Yoo-jung strikes a pose at the production presentation for the tvN drama 'The Lies of 100 Days' held at CGV, I'Park Mall, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th. /Reporter Nam Yoon-ho Actress Kim Yoo-jung's signature pose in the drama.[THE FACT|Reporter Nam Yoon-ho] Actress Kim Yoo-jung strikes a pose at the production presentation for the tvN drama 'The Lies of 100 Days' held at CGV, I'Park Mall, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 29th.'The Lies of 100 Days,' which premieres on the 10th of next month, is a 100-day spy romance that unfolds as Gyeongseong's top pickpocket, who becomes a spy, and an elite interpreter for the Joseon Government-General face each other in the heart of the enemy. Actress Kim Yoo-jung and Park Jin Young have teamed up for the drama. ilty012@tf.co.krPhoto Video Planning Department photo@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Topped weekly and daily music charts for the 28thFifth perfect all-kill with self-written and self-composed songs(G)I-DLE's SOYEON achieved a perfect all-kill on music charts with "I'm Quitting My Job," the title track of her first full-length solo album, "A Fantastic Life." The photo shows SOYEON posing at the showcase for (G)I-DLE's ninth mini-album "We Made," held on July 6. / Reporter LEE SAEROM[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] (G)I-DLE's SOYEON has also been crowned the 'Queen of Music' as a solo artist.According to her agency Cube Entertainment on the 29th, the title track "I'm Quitting My Job (Narr. Kian84)" from the first full-length album "A Fantastic Life" by SOYEON, a member of (G)I-DLE (MIYEON MINNIE SOYEON YUQI SHUHUA), topped all major domestic music charts on the 28th."I'm Quitting My Job" ranked first on the real-time and daily charts of music platforms Melon, Genie, and Bugs on this day, followed by the weekly popular songs chart on YouTube Music, the 24-hour popular songs chart on FLO, the TOP100 chart of the day on VIBE, and the real-time and weekly charts on iChart, achieving a perfect all-kill (PAK).Notably, the song's winning streak continues even after Soyeon concluded her official broadcast activities, showing signs of a long run.This marks SOYEON's fifth perfect all-kill with her self-written and self-composed songs, following (G)I-DLE's "TOMBOY," "Nxde," "Queencard," and "I'm Not Sick of Anything." Among these, "I'm Quitting My Job" is the first solo self-composed song to achieve a perfect all-kill, making it even more meaningful.Soyeon's immense popularity is also extending to university festival stages. Soyeon graced the stages of Chosun University festival on the 16th and Induk University festival on the 23rd, and is scheduled to perform at Jeonju University festival on the 30th.Soyeon's first full-length album, "A Fantastic Life," is an album that explores new musical endeavors across various genres such as rock, hyperpop, and disco. Soyeon participated in the writing, composing, and producing of all 8 tracks, including the title track "I'm Quitting My Job," completing a more expanded musical world.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Agency "Confirmed inappropriate speech and behavior"Scheduled advertisements and content schedules will also be followed up.Short-form creator Nitmol Cash has admitted to allegations of dating violence spread through social media. /NOB Entertainment[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] Short-form creator Nitmol Cash (real name Cha Cheong-il) has admitted to some facts related to dating violence and will suspend all activities.His agency, NOB Entertainment, stated in an official statement on the 29th, "We have confirmed the facts regarding the content related to our agency's creator posted online today," and "In the process of confirmation, we have confirmed that there was inappropriate speech and behavior by the individual mentioned in the post."The agency added, "We are taking this matter very seriously and have decided to suspend all activities in consultation with the individual," and "We are also consulting with related companies regarding scheduled advertisements and content and are proceeding with the necessary follow-up measures.""We apologize to the victim of the creator's actions. We also apologize to those who have supported the creator and to all related parties," the agency said. "We are currently confirming additional facts and will take necessary measures based on the confirmed details."Previously, on the 28th, Ms. A, who identified herself as Nitmol Cash's ex-girlfriend, raised various allegations against Nitmol Cash through social media. She claimed that after a drinking session in May, Nitmol Cash verbally abused her for about three hours, threw objects, and physically assaulted her by pushing her shoulders and forehead.Meanwhile, Nitmol Cash is a creator who previously worked as a backup dancer on the BTS stage. In 2024, he formed the duo ASMRZ with comedian Kim Kyung-wook's sub-character Tanaka, releasing and promoting the song 'Good Night Miss'.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Rep. Joo Jin-woo raises suspicions... Spreads online"Objectively verifiable facts"Amidst allegations of Chinese capital inflow into the film 'Assassination(s)', the production company officially stated, "This work was produced with domestic capital." Pictured are director Hur Jin-ho and actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho (from left) attending the press preview and conference for 'Assassination(s)' at Megabox COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th. / Reporter Seo Ye-won[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] The production company behind the film 'Assassination(s)' has completely denied allegations of Chinese capital inflow.Hive Media Corp., the film's production company, issued an official statement on the 29th, stating, "Recently, claims of 'Chinese capital inflow' related to our company and the film 'Assassination(s)' (directed by Hur Jin-ho) have been spreading through online communities and some media outlets." The statement continued, "There is absolutely no Chinese capital that has flowed into the production and investment process of our company and 'Assassination(s)'."It added, "'Assassination(s)' is a work independently planned and produced with domestic capital under the leadership of domestic production staff and creators." The company further stated, "While we respect criticism and diverse opinions about the work, we hope that information that differs from the facts will not be amplified or reproduced, as matters concerning investment and production capital are objectively verifiable facts."Previously, Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party raised suspicions of Chinese capital inflow into 'Assassination(s)' through his YouTube channel the previous day. Rep. Joo mentioned a report that Hive Media Corp. selected a consortium of Mirae Asset Securities PE and CLSA Capital Partners Korea as the preferred negotiator in 2023 and was pursuing investment of 40 billion won. CLSA is a financial company acquired by China's CITIC Securities.Based on this, Rep. Joo argued, "We must also consider the possibility of behind-the-scenes manipulation by Chinese capital." Subsequently, suspicions that Chinese capital was invested in the production of 'Assassination(s)' began to spread through online communities.Meanwhile, 'Assassination(s)' was also recently embroiled in a historical distortion controversy. The film depicts the story of tracking the suspicions and perpetrators behind the assassination of Madam Yuk Young-soo, which shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974. However, some criticized the film for distorting actual history, as it included scenes suggesting the possibility of former President Park Chung-hee's side or the Korean Central Intelligence Agency's involvement in the incident.In response, the production team stated on the 28th, "This is a fictional film that reconstructs the historical event that occurred in 1974 by adding cinematic imagination based on various records written about the incident at the time." They added, "The film does not designate any specific individual as the perpetrator behind the incident. It also does not present hypotheses or fictional settings within the film as historical facts."'Assassination(s)', released on the 23rd, is currently being screened in theaters nationwide.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Desk | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 ALLDAY PROJECT has made a comeback with their second EP, ’CRASH.’ The Black Label announced on their official SNS channels on the 28th that they released ALLDAY PROJECT’s second EP, ’CRASH,’ along with the music video for the title track of the same name. The title track ″CRASH″ is described as a song that expresses ALLDAY PROJECT’s identity through an expanded sound, embodying a bold attitude that does not conform to fixed rules. The released music video features the five members performing synchronized choreography in a free and relaxed atmosphere, as well as scenes of a wild night. The video includes constant collisions and explosions, reflecting the lyrics of ″CRASH,″ which sing of the reckless rush of youth. Meanwhile, ALLDAY PROJECT’s second EP title track ″CRASH″ is available on various music streaming platforms.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Kim Eui Young garnered 109,755 votes in the fifth week of September's female star ranking poll.On the 28th, singer Kim Eui Young ranked first in the female star ranking on 'FANNSTAR'. /Kim Eui Young Instagram[THE FACT | Reporter Son Hae-ri] Singer Kim Eui Young has showcased her unwavering popularity by securing the top spot for three consecutive weeks in the female star ranking on the weekly idol ranking site 'FANNSTAR'.Kim Eui Young easily clinched the top position in the fifth week of September's female star ranking poll on 'FANNSTAR', which ran from the 21st to the 28th, receiving 109,755 votes. Group NewJeans came in second, followed by Yoona in third place.With this result, Kim Eui Young extended her consecutive first-place streak in the female star ranking to three weeks. Amidst fierce competition from strong contenders, she firmly held onto the lead with a stable voting trend, once again confirming the consistent support from her fans.Notably, Kim Eui Young displays a unique presence on stage with her distinctive clear vocals and profound expressiveness. She is solidifying her unique color in the public's mind by adding delicate emotional delivery to her bright and energetic stage presence.With the achievement of being ranked first in the female star ranking for three consecutive weeks, coupled with news of her active broadcast appearances, public interest in Kim Eui Young continues to grow. All eyes are on what dazzling future endeavors Kim Eui Young will present, as she maintains her leading momentum with the full support of her fans.Meanwhile, following the successful conclusion of the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(TMA)' at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on the 19th, 'FANNSTAR' is currently holding a 'TMA Best Stage' poll until October 19th to select the best stage in fans' hearts. 'FANNSTAR' operates as a participatory platform where fans directly support artists through various ranking polls, billboard advertising support, and awards ceremony-linked voting.arulhr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'FANNSTAR' Group Ranking Vote in the Fifth Week of September Earns 2,752,564 VotesOn the 28th, group BTS achieved first place in the 'FANNSTAR' group ranking for 73 consecutive weeks. / Big Hit Music[THE FACT | Reporter Son Hae-ri] Group BTS is continuing its unwavering long-term reign by taking first place in the 'FANNSTAR' group ranking on the weekly idol ranking site for 73 consecutive weeks.BTS secured the top spot with 2,752,564 votes in the 'FANNSTAR' group ranking vote for the fifth week of September, held from the 21st to the 28th. The popular virtual idol PLAVE ranked second, followed by group AHOF in third place.Special benefits are also in store for achieving this long-term record. If BTS achieves '100 consecutive weeks of first place' in the future, they will receive a large video advertisement celebrating this achievement on the 9TO9 CUBE billboard located in COEX Mall, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.The group also proved its unrivaled status once again at a global awards ceremony. On the 27th (local time), BTS won 'Song of the Year' and 'Best K-Pop' at the '2026 MTV Video Music Awards' for the title track 'SWIM' from their fifth full-length album 'Arirang.' Furthermore, they clinched the 'Best Group' trophy, sweeping all three categories for which they were nominated.Notably, BTS made a new mark in global music history by becoming the first K-pop group to win the 'Song of the Year' trophy. 'Song of the Year' is considered the grand prize category at the 'MTV Video Music Awards,' and this win clearly demonstrates BTS's solid global influence.Through their agency Big Hit Music, BTS stated, "We sincerely thank ARMY for your unchanging love and support. 'Arirang' is an album that signifies a new beginning for us, making this award even more meaningful."They added, "We believe that receiving the grand award 'Song of the Year' for 'SWIM' is thanks to everyone who loves our music," and expressed their overwhelming emotions by saying, "We will continue to show you good music and performances as seven members."Meanwhile, the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(TMA),' where BTS shone by winning three awards, successfully concluded on the 19th at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Amidst the lingering excitement of the awards ceremony, 'FANNSTAR' is currently holding a vote for 'TMA Best Stage' until October 19th, allowing fans to choose the best stage performance in their hearts. 'FANNSTAR' operates as a participatory platform where fans directly support artists through various ranking votes, billboard advertising support, and awards ceremony-linked voting.arulhr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Jin, 'FANNSTAR' Wins 4,301,803 Votes in Fifth Week of September Solo Ranking PollOn the 28th, Jin of group BTS achieved his 48th consecutive win in the 'FANNSTAR' solo rankings. /Big Hit Music[THE FACT | Reporter Son Hae-ri] Jin of group BTS is continuing his strong solo run by ranking first for 48 consecutive weeks on the 'FANNSTAR' solo ranking, a weekly idol ranking website.Jin secured the top spot with 4,301,803 votes in the fifth week of September solo ranking poll on 'FANNSTAR', which took place from the 21st to the 28th. Singer Lee Chan-won came in second, followed by BTS's V in third place.Jin has previously earned large-scale billboard advertising benefits by achieving 10 consecutive weeks and 30 consecutive weeks of first place in the solo rankings. If he reaches 50 consecutive weeks of first place, an advertisement will be broadcast on the M screen in Hongdae, Seoul.Upon achieving 70 consecutive weeks of first place, a billboard advertisement at the Gyeonggi Building in Euljiro, Seoul, will be provided, and a record of 100 consecutive weeks of first place will earn him the 9TO9 CUBE advertisement benefit within COEX Mall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. With only two weeks left to achieve the 50-week benefit, fans are keenly focused on the next record Jin will set.BTS, the group Jin belongs to, will begin their South American tour, 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG',' starting in Bogota, Colombia, on October 2nd. They are scheduled to perform a total of 14 shows in five cities, including Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.With his 48th consecutive week of first place in the solo rankings coinciding with his large-scale world tour schedule, the fervor of global fans for Jin and BTS is growing daily. Attention is focused on whether Jin, who is continuing his record streak with the overwhelming voting power of his fans, will be able to reach the 50 consecutive weeks of first place benefit.Meanwhile, the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(TMA)', where Jin shone by winning the My Star Award, successfully concluded on the 19th at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Amidst the lingering excitement of the awards ceremony, 'FANNSTAR' is currently conducting the 'TMA Best Stage' poll until October 19th, allowing fans to vote for the best performance in their hearts. 'FANNSTAR' operates as a participatory platform where fans directly support artists through various ranking polls, billboard advertising support, and awards ceremony-linked voting.arulhr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 PLAVE, 'FANNSTAR' ranked fifth in the global hot star ranking vote for the fifth week of September, receiving 1,915,664 votes.On the 28th, group PLAVE ranked first in the 'FANNSTAR' Global Hot Star Ranking. /Blast[THE FACT | Reporter Son Hae-ri] Group PLAVE is continuing its solid long-term reign by ranking first on the weekly idol ranking site 'FANNSTAR' Global Hot Star Ranking for 102 consecutive weeks.PLAVE easily took the top spot in the 'FANNSTAR' September fifth week Global Hot Star Ranking vote, held from the 21st to the 28th, receiving 1,915,664 votes. Stray Kids came in second, followed by Nexz in third place.Previously, PLAVE secured an advertisement on the 9TO9 CUBE billboard in COEX Mall, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, by achieving 100 consecutive weeks of ranking first on the Global Hot Star Ranking. The news of achieving 100 consecutive first-place rankings is scheduled to be widely broadcast on the large billboard.Along with dazzling ranking achievements, exciting comeback news is also drawing the attention of global fans. PLAVE's new mini-album 'HYPERDRIVE' will have its digital music released on various music sites at 6 PM on October 12th, and the physical album will be released on the 13th.This album is a new release approximately six months after their fourth mini-album 'Caligo Pt.2'. While anticipation is building for the music and concept PLAVE will return with, an unreleased song was surprisingly pre-released during the encore stage at their first world tour 'KEEP IT MANIC', held at the Incheon Munhak Stadium on the 12th and 13th, further fueling the comeback excitement.With the remarkable record of 102 consecutive weeks of ranking first on the Global Hot Star Ranking and the news of a new album release, public interest in PLAVE is growing daily. Attention is focused on what kind of syndrome PLAVE, which continues its unwavering long-term record, will cause with its new album.Meanwhile, the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS (TMA)', where PLAVE shone by winning the Global Hot Star Award, successfully concluded on September 19th at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Amidst the lingering excitement of the awards ceremony, 'FANNSTAR' is currently holding a vote for 'TMA Best Stage' until October 19th, to select the best stage in the hearts of fans. Attention is focused on which artist will receive the honor of first place among the spectacular stages that graced the awards ceremony. 'FANNSTAR' operates as a participatory platform where fans directly support artists through various ranking votes, billboard advertising support, and awards ceremony-linked voting.arulhr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Kim Yong Bin garnered 1,302,197 votes in the fifth week of September trot rankings.On the 28th, singer Kim Yong Bin ranked first for three consecutive weeks on the trot rankings of 'FANNSTAR'. /Yuseonsu Entertainment[THE FACT | Reporter Son Hae-ri] Singer Kim Yong Bin has showcased their unwavering popularity by ranking first for three consecutive weeks on the trot rankings of the weekly idol ranking site 'FANNSTAR'.Kim Yong Bin comfortably secured the top spot by receiving 1,302,197 votes in the fifth week of September trot rankings on 'FANNSTAR', held from the 21st to the 28th. Choi Soo-ho came in second, followed by Jang Min-ho in third place.Along with the dazzling ranking achievements, the new song 'You Are My Only One' is also receiving significant attention. Released on the 21st, 'You Are My Only One' is a song that expresses deep gratitude and devoted love for a person who has silently stayed by one's side amidst a busy and arduous daily life. The song, which sincerely conveys the feelings that could not be expressed to a precious person with whom one has spent a long time, poignantly captures the importance of a being who provides great strength just by being present.The song begins with warm piano melodies and grand orchestral sounds, gradually building up the emotional arc. Kim Yong Bin's unique, soulful vocals are added to this, further enriching the lyrical atmosphere.The heartfelt lyrics also enhance the song's immersion. The song offers deep empathy with lyrics expressing unexpressed gratitude and apologies, and an eternal promise to stay by one person's side until the end of the world.Kim Yong Bin is a trot sensation who has earned recognition for both their solid skills and public appeal by winning the final championship in 'Mr. Trot 3'. Since releasing the winner's special song 'Yesterday Was You, Today Is Also You' in July last year, they have been actively continuing their broadcast, performance, and music activities, receiving much love.Meanwhile, as the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(TMA)' successfully concluded at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on the 19th, 'FANNSTAR' is currently holding the 'TMA Best Stage' vote until October 19th, to select the best stage in fans' hearts. Attention is focused on which artist will receive the honor of first place among the dazzling stages that adorned the awards ceremony. 'FANNSTAR' operates as a participatory platform where fans directly support artists through various ranking votes, billboard advertising support, and awards ceremony-linked voting.arulhr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'FANNSTAR' Weekly Music Vote in the Fifth Week of September Receives 300,363 VotesOn the 28th, the group CORTIS ranked first on the 'FANNSTAR' New Star Ranking. / Big Hit Music[THE FACT | Reporter Son Hae-ri] Rookie boy group CORTIS has become the recipient of special benefits by ranking first on the weekly idol ranking site 'FANNSTAR' New Star Ranking for 10 consecutive weeks.CORTIS easily secured the top spot by earning a total of 73,011 votes in the 'FANNSTAR' September Fifth Week New Star Ranking poll, which took place from the 21st to the 28th. Whib came in second, followed by UNIS in third place.With this result, CORTIS has achieved the valuable record of '10 consecutive weeks at No. 1' on the New Star Ranking, once again solidifying their distinct presence as a super rookie with the continuous and enthusiastic participation of global fans.A large-scale billboard advertisement benefit will also be provided for achieving 10 consecutive weeks at No. 1. A video celebrating CORTIS's 10 consecutive weeks at No. 1 will be spectacularly broadcast on the M Screen in Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul, a densely populated area.Along with their dazzling ranking achievements, their global stage presence is also accelerating. CORTIS is scheduled to meet music fans worldwide on stage at the 'Formula 1 (F1) Singapore Grand Prix' on October 9th.The 10 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the New Star Ranking and securing the Hongdae M Screen benefit are achievements brought about by the passionate support of fans for CORTIS. Attention is focused on what remarkable growth CORTIS, who is actively expanding their activities on domestic and international stages, will show in the future.Meanwhile, with the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS (TMA)' successfully concluding at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on the 19th, 'FANNSTAR' is currently conducting the 'TMA Best Stage' vote until the 19th of next month to select the best stage in the hearts of fans. CORTIS, who captivated the audience with their energetic performance on the awards ceremony day, is currently ranked third, showcasing their formidable power. There is keen interest in who will ultimately take the first place, which comes with trophies and various special benefits.arulhr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Lim Young Woong received 300,363 votes in the fifth week of September's Weekly Music poll.On the 28th, singer Lim Young Woong ranked first on the 'FANNSTAR' Weekly Music chart. /Fish Music[THE FACT | Reporter Son Hae-ri] Singer Lim Young Woong has topped the weekly idol ranking site 'FANNSTAR' Weekly Music chart for two consecutive weeks with their new song 'TtoTto'.Lim Young Woong secured the top spot in the fifth week of September's 'FANNSTAR' Weekly Music chart poll, which took place from the 21st to the 28th, receiving a total of 300,363 votes. KIM KI TAE came in second, followed by BIGBANG in third place.The 'FANNSTAR' Weekly Music chart is a weekly poll conducted for artists who have released new music. It serves as a platform to gauge fans' reactions and enthusiasm for recently released music, with various artists competing for rankings each week. Notably, Lim Young Woong once again showcased their broad musical spectrum with the special digital album 'IM HERO 10'. Featuring the title track 'TtoTto' and a variety of other songs with different moods, the album offered fans a rich listening experience.The album made a strong presence on major music charts immediately after its release. 'TtoTto' and 'Moise' simultaneously ranked high on Melon HOT100, proving Lim Young Woong's digital music power, while other tracks also garnered significant attention. Lim Young Woong's 'IM HERO 10' contains a total of 10 songs. It includes new tracks such as the self-composed song 'TtoTto', for which the music video was released first, along with 'Moise', 'Baila', 'May You Be Happy', 'To Us Who Have Lived', and 'New York', showcasing Lim Young Woong's new musical color. Furthermore, the debut song 'Hate You' and beloved representative songs 'Love Always Runs Away', 'Sand Grains', and 'A bientot' were reborn in new versions, enhancing the album's completeness. The blend of familiar emotions and new interpretations served as a special gift to fans.Meanwhile, the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(TMA)' successfully concluded on the 19th at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. 'FANNSTAR' is currently holding a poll for 'TMA Best Stage', which selects the best stage in the hearts of fans, until the 19th of next month. Lim Young Woong delivered a spectacular performance at TMA and is currently leading the vote in that category with overwhelming support. Attention is focused on who will ultimately win the 'TMA Best Stage', which offers trophies and various special benefits.arulhr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Runs from September 28 to October 19... Euljiro billboard benefit for No. 1 fandom'FANNSTAR' has opened its November birthday poll. / Courtesy of FANNSTAR[THE FACT | Reporter Son Hae-ri] The weekly idol ranking website 'FANNSTAR' has officially opened a birthday poll for artists celebrating their birthdays in November, drawing fervent interest from fans.'FANNSTAR' launched its November birthday vote on the 28th. This birthday vote, which is regularly held from the first Monday to the fourth Monday of every month at 12 PM, will close on October 19th at 12 PM.As of 1 PM on the 29th, the artist leading the rankings is singer Lee Chan-won. Lee Chan-won has secured the first place with approximately 300,000 votes. Following closely behind are group Seventeen WOOZI in second place and PLAVE HAMIN in third place, fiercely pursuing the lead.In addition, renowned artists such as Seventeen THE 8, Bak Chang Geun, TWS SHINYU, RIIZE SHOTARO, ATEEZ HONGJOONG, and BOYNEXTDOOR WOONHAK are among the nominees. With a large number of artists celebrating birthdays in November, fierce competition for rankings is expected until the voting deadline.A generous birthday advertisement benefit will be provided based on the results of fan voting. The artist who takes the honorable first place will receive a free advertisement on the LED screen at Gyeonggi Building, Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul. For second place, 80% of the cost for a CM board advertisement at Hapjeong Station, Mapo-gu, Seoul will be supported, and for third place, 50% of the cost for an LED screen advertisement at Megabox, Gangnam-gu, Seoul will be supported, allowing fans to grandly celebrate the artist's special day.As the recipient of the special prize will be determined 100% by fan votes, the participation fervor of each fandom is expected to intensify in the remaining period.Meanwhile, 'FANNSTAR' operates as a participatory platform where fans can directly support artists through various ranking polls, including monthly birthday polls, and electronic billboard advertising support. The upcoming December birthday poll is scheduled to open on October 26.arulhr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The production presentation was held at 11 AM on the 29th."I empathize as an actor... I acted with earnestness."Actors Kang Yu-seok, Bae Kang-hee, Shin Seung-ho, Kim Jaewon, and Jo Yi-hyun (from left) attended the production presentation for the movie 'Final Interview' held at Lotte Cinema, Konkuk University Entrance, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul at 11 AM on the 29th and shared various stories. /NEW[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] The new faces of Chungmuro have gathered in one place. Actors Jo Yi-hyun, Kim Jaewon, Shin Seung-ho, Kang Yu-seok, and Kwak Dong-yeon, who have been building their presence in their respective works, have united to fiercely compete for a single spot. Attention is focused on whether 'Final Interview,' featuring a fresh combination of the most talked-about actors, can captivate the theater district in November.The production presentation for the movie 'Final Interview' (directed by Kim Jeong-hoon) was held at Lotte Cinema, Konkuk University Entrance, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul at 11 AM on the 29th. Director Kim Jeong-hoon and actors Jo Yi-hyun, Kim Jaewon, Shin Seung-ho, Kang Yu-seok, and Bae Kang-hee attended the event and shared various stories related to the film. Kwak Dong-yeon was unable to attend due to his military enlistment.'Final Interview' tells the story of six applicants gathered at a final interview who discover mysterious envelopes containing their personal revelations, leading them to suspect each other and fall into confusion. It is based on the novel 'Six Liars University Students' by Akinari Asakura and directed by Kim Jeong-hoon, who previously directed 'The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure' and 'Detective: The Beginning.'Only six applicants, who overcame a 5,000 to 1 competition ratio, made it to the final interview. They must directly select a single successful candidate through five public votes within a limited time of 2 hours. With the addition of revelation envelopes of unknown origin, trust among them begins to waver. The constantly changing relationships and emotions within a confined space are expected to deliver heart-pounding tension.Director Kim Jeong-hoon said, "I told all the actors that I wanted them to be like applicants who had actually come to the final interview. I wanted to capture how tense it would be if their acceptance or rejection depended on every word the other person said." He emphasized, "I told the actors, 'Even the smallest emotional expression, put your heart into it. The camera will capture it without missing it, so I hope that sincerity can be felt.'"'Final Interview' is a story about six applicants gathered at a final interview who discover mysterious envelopes containing their personal revelations, leading them to suspect each other and fall into confusion. /NEWJo Yi-hyun plays Moon Hye-in, an observer who calmly assesses the situation. Due to the nature of her profession as an actress, she has constantly experienced auditions and moments of choice, so the situation in 'Final Interview' was not unfamiliar to Jo Yi-hyun. She said, "It felt similar to the trembling feeling of waiting for an acceptance call when I auditioned as an actress, so I empathized a lot."Kim Jaewon plays Han Jin-woo, an idealist who approaches the world with an open mind. Kim Jaewon introduced him as, "Han Jin-woo is the person among the six who looks at the world with the most open mind."Shin Seung-ho plays Baek Seung-bin, a leader with a strong will forged through exercise. Baek Seung-bin is also the character who first shakes up the situation of the six applicants. He said, "The warm, fun, and cheerful atmosphere completely reverses 180 degrees after Baek Seung-bin's envelope is opened," and added, "I put in a lot of effort to create that atmosphere properly."Kang Yu-seok passionately portrays Lee Hee-chan, a natural mediator with a sense of composure. Since Lee Hee-chan has faced numerous rejections in interviews throughout the film, Kang Yu-seok also recalled his memories before becoming an actor. He explained, "Lee Hee-chan has a backstory of failing many interviews, and I also went through many auditions before becoming an actor, so I know that earnestness. When I acted, I focused a lot on that earnestness."Bae Kang-hee meets the audience as Cha Ju-won, a perfectionist with impeccable specs. Like the other actors, Bae Kang-hee deeply empathized with the desperation of the characters, having experienced countless moments of choice as an actress. She recalled, "I know how trembling and tense the time spent waiting for someone's choice is. So, I wanted to cheer for the six applicants no matter what choice they made."Kwak Dong-yeon plays Jeon Yo-han, a strategist whose true intentions are unknown. Director Kim said, "Jeon Yo-han is the most cold-blooded character. He is a bit socially awkward but the most rational, and he observes the situation coolly and responds strategically when it becomes complicated. When Kwak Dong-yeon first met me, he said he wanted to instill a slightly uncomfortable point in the character I created. As those elements were added one by one, it was completed as a complex and attractive character."'Final Interview' will meet audiences in theaters nationwide on November 4th. /NEWAbove all, what heightens the anticipation for 'Final Interview' is the meeting of rising actors who are increasingly making their presence felt on both the screen and television. The core point of observation for the film is the synergy that will be created as six actors with different personalities and charms clash continuously in a confined space.Director Kim said, "It was important for them to look like friends, but I focused most on highlighting the characters' individuality. I think the actors' images and charms matched well with the characters. The point of 'Final Interview' will be to see how the actors' faces change as the movie progresses."Although they had to suspect and compete with each other in the movie, the atmosphere outside the camera was the opposite. As actors of similar ages spent a long time together in one space, they naturally grew closer. Jo Yi-hyun said, "We spent so much time in one place that we became as close as family," and Kim Jaewon added, "We talked a lot about acting, but we also talked a lot about trivial things like 'What's for dinner tonight?' The set felt like an hideout."The fresh combination of six actors and the dense psychological warfare of 'Final Interview' have also provided an opportunity to meet audiences before its release. The film was officially invited to the 31st Busan International Film Festival, drawing attention early on. Kim Jaewon encouraged viewing by saying, "All the actors, director, and staff worked hard with one heart and one mind, so I hope you will love it a lot."'Final Interview' will be released on November 4th.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 "This time, a trip to Busan by train" Cold stares towards Park Soo-hong and his wifeTuesday, September 29, Hwang Jung-min / BTS / Park Soo-hong and his wife / Nancy Lang / RESCENE[THE FACT|Reporter Kang Il-hong] Conflicts without dialogue or compromise are difficult for anyone. Actor Hwang Jung-min must be in a difficult situation these days. The core of the conflict is a legal dispute with a woman in her 40s, identified as Ms. A, who claims a personal relationship with him.Ms. A was prosecuted for stalking Hwang Jung-min and received a fine of 6 million won and an order to complete 40 hours of stalking treatment program in the first trial on the 8th. The court ruled that Ms. A engaged in stalking behavior, such as continuously sending messages despite knowing Hwang Jung-min's intention to refuse contact.However, the problem did not end there. While the trial was ongoing, Ms. A continued to release Hwang Jung-min's personal information, messages, and voice recordings through social media.Hwang Jung-min's side considered this act as new stalking behavior and recently filed an additional lawsuit against Ms. A for violating the Stalking Punishment Act. It is known that an investigation is actively underway for the additional case, with a lead investigator already assigned.The background behind Hwang Jung-min's side taking legal action again is primarily concerns for the safety of his family, not just himself. In particular, the current Stalking Punishment Act defines acts of providing or posting personal information or location information to a third party through information and communication networks as a type of online stalking.The court also accepted Hwang Jung-min's request and decided on provisional measures against Ms. A. So, why is Ms. A continuing her claims through social media even as legal action is ongoing?Ms. A has claimed that the contact between the two was not one-sided and has pleaded not guilty to the stalking charges. She also claims to have had a personal relationship with Hwang Jung-min and has released messages and voice recordings that she claims were exchanged with him.On the other hand, Hwang Jung-min's side has completely denied these claims, stating they are false. Ultimately, the situation is currently one of sharp conflict between one party's claims and the other's rebuttals. Furthermore, Ms. A has filed a lawsuit seeking 200 million won in damages against Hwang Jung-min, leading to simultaneous civil and criminal proceedings.Ms. A claims that she participated in the practical and creative work after receiving a business proposal but did not receive fair compensation, and the positions of both sides differ on this matter as well. Hwang Jung-min's side has stated that they will continue to take civil and criminal action against further acts such as spreading false information or releasing voice recordings, starting with this additional lawsuit.Ultimately, the greatest suffering Hwang Jung-min is experiencing now is not just a single legal dispute, but a prolonged conflict involving his private life and family safety. It remains to be seen what facts will actually be confirmed through future investigations and trials.Malicious posts and illegal scalping of concert tickets. BTS BTS, who is meeting K-POP fans worldwide with their global concert tour, and their agency Big Hit Music have once again announced strong legal action. /Big Hit Music'Zero Tolerance Response' from punishing malicious commenters to arresting scalpersBTS BTS, who is meeting K-POP fans worldwide with their global concert tour, but along with their global popularity, issues of malicious posts targeting the artists and illegal scalping of concert tickets continue to arise.In response, BTS's agency Big Hit Music has once again announced strong legal action. The first is against malicious commenters. Big Hit Music has stated that they are continuing to track down those who have posted defamatory or slanderous content targeting BTS, and that some malicious commenters have indeed received summary orders for fines and judgments.They also made it clear that legal punishment is not an exception, even if it is on an overseas anonymous community. They emphasized that legal action targets not only simple slander and defamatory remarks but also the spreading of false rumors and fake news related to albums, concerts, and content, as well as the repetitive and organized posting of false information on various online communities.Furthermore, they stated their policy of zero tolerance without leniency for apprehended suspects. The second issue is scalping, which deprives fans of their opportunity to attend concerts.Recently, a suspect who secured a large number of BTS concert tickets using illegal bots and others' names and sold them at prices tens of times higher than the face value, profiting over 2 billion won, was arrested and sent for trial on charges of obstruction of business and violation of the Performance Act.Big Hit Music actively cooperated from the investigation stage of this case and submitted a petition for severe punishment. Ultimately, this measure is noteworthy as it has led to actual investigation and punishment, not just a warning.From collecting evidence and monitoring to tracking and filing lawsuits for malicious posts, and active cooperation with investigative agencies and requests for severe punishment for scalpers, Big Hit Music has stated that they will continue to take legal action without leniency against acts that infringe upon artists' rights and scalping that disrupts the order of the concert market.As interest and love for BTS grow, so does the response to protect the artists' rights and fans' legitimate opportunities to attend performances become stronger.Another family trip just a month after the airplane controversy... The reason for revealing it on social media nowAbout a month after the controversy over an airplane delay, Park Soo-hong and his wife Kim Da-ye have once again revealed their family trip. This time, it was by train, not by plane.A video of the family trip to Busan with their 23-month-old daughter Jae-yi was uploaded to Park Soo-hong's YouTube channel. It captured moments like playing with stickers with his daughter on the train, having a meal upon arrival in Busan, and taking a walk along the beach.The problem lies in the timing. Just a month ago, on a flight to Guam, the flight departed 70 minutes later than scheduled after the process of disembarking and re-boarding was initiated because their child was crying. Park Soo-hong himself admitted his judgment was immature and apologized to the passengers and airline staff.Afterward, he paused his social media and YouTube activities for a while before resuming them, and now he has released content about his family trip. Of course, going on a trip itself is not something anyone should be criticized for. However, given that it is shortly after the controversy, the public's perception can be different.In particular, some netizens have expressed discomfort, asking, "Do you really need to reveal this now?" There have also been reports that criticism continued regarding his social media posts even after the apology. So, why does he continue to show his happy family life through social media and YouTube?There could be several possibilities. First, creating content from family life may already be the main way this couple operates. Second, it could be an intention to return to their normal life rather than giving up their daily routine due to the controversy.And third, there might be a psychological drive to continuously show the image of 'we are a normal, happy family,' regardless of public opinion.However, this cannot be definitively stated as their true feelings. Ultimately, the core of this controversy is not whether they went on a trip. It is about how the public perceives it when a celebrity who apologized for causing inconvenience to others due to a controversy, shows public displays of happiness again after a short period.While it may be a normal family trip for the individuals involved, to some of the public, it might give the impression of, 'They apologized, but aren't they acting like nothing happened already?'In the end, for celebrities, social media is not just a personal diary but a message delivered to the public. Therefore, at this point, isn't the timing of what is revealed as important as what is revealed?Nancy Lang Interview / Just a few days after the drunk driving controversy... Social media activity as if 'nothing happened'Famous celebrities and public figures carry a greater responsibility than ordinary people. Why? Because they have built their presence through public interest and love. Therefore, if a controversy arises due to actions that deviate from public expectations, their subsequent conduct inevitably attracts public attention.This is precisely why Nancy Lang's recent actions are causing controversy. Nancy Lang was caught by the police driving after drinking alcohol in Gangnam, Seoul, early on the 8th. The police booked her on suspicion of drunk driving, stating that her blood alcohol content was at a level requiring license revocation.Nancy Lang's side stated that she drank one or two glasses of champagne at a friend's birthday party and drove because she thought her home was close, and that she regrets her rash decision.However, the problem lies in what happened afterward. Three days after being caught for drunk driving, she posted a photo on social media of herself appreciating her artwork, and on the 29th, the day before her exhibition ended, she re-shared a review of her personal exhibition posted by someone else.Of course, promoting one's own exhibition is not legally wrong. However, from the public's perspective, the story can be different. Immediately after causing controversy with drunk driving, showing a period of self-reflection and remorse rather than actively promoting one's activities might be perceived as more sincere by the public.Especially if, immediately after stating "I am reflecting," she continues her daily life and exhibition promotion as if nothing happened, it is difficult to avoid raising questions about the sincerity of that reflection.What celebrities need is not just a word of acknowledgment of their mistake. It is their subsequent behavior after the controversy that determines public trust.What is clear from the cases of Park Soo-hong and Nancy Lang is that celebrities who have gained fame through public love should not take public disappointment lightly.RESCENE proudly took the No. 1 spot in the September Star Brand Reputation. RESCENE also ranked No. 1 in the Star Brand Reputation in August. At that time, they surpassed BTS and Lim Young Woong, and in September, they continued their upward trend to maintain the No. 1 position among all stars. /Muse EntertainmentSurpassing Son Heung-min&Lim Young Woong to top the Star Brand Reputation... Comeback in NovemberOne of the hottest names in the music industry these days is the girl group RESCENE. RESCENE proudly took the No. 1 spot in the September Star Brand Reputation. They were followed by Son Heung-min, Lim Young Woong, BTS, and Yoo Jae-suk.Amidst a lineup of representative sports stars, singers, and broadcasters in Korea, it is quite noteworthy that RESCENE, a girl group in their second year since debut, has reached the top among all stars. RESCENE also ranked No. 1 in the Star Brand Reputation in August. At that time, they surpassed BTS and Lim Young Woong, and in September, they continued their upward trend to maintain the No. 1 position among all stars.One of the decisive moments that increased RESCENE's presence was the resurgence of 'LOVE ATTACK.' The song, released in 2024, gained attention again after about two years, creating an unprecedented trend of reaching the top of Melon TOP100. Subsequently, with music activities continuing with 'Pretty Girl' and 'Deja Vu,' they broadened public interest.Coupled with the buzz generated through online content and short-form videos, it is being evaluated that they are rapidly increasing their public recognition, not just among music fans.Award news also continued. At the 2026 SPOTV K-POP AWARDS held on the 6th, they won two awards: Global Connect and SPOTV Ambassador.Then, at the 2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS held on the 19th, they won two awards: 'Artist of the Year' and 'Today's Choice.' Notably, Today's Choice is an award decided by real-time votes from the on-site audience, making it significant.And now, attention is turning to their next move. RESCENE is scheduled to release a new album on November 3rd. This will be their comeback approximately four months after 'Pretty Girl' in July, and their first new album since 'RUNAWAY' in April.From a song's resurgence to No. 1 in brand reputation, consecutive award wins, and a new album comeback, RESCENE's upward trend is now continuing as a movement beyond mere buzz. The fact that they are listed among the top overall stars in brand reputation alongside names like Son Heung-min, Lim Young Woong, BTS, and Yoo Jae-suk itself shows the presence RESCENE currently holds in the music industry.It is curious to see how far RESCENE can continue their current upward trend with their new album in November.eel@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The lingering feeling of a breakup expressed through sensual vocalsKOAGA releases new digital single 'Do You Remember' on the 29th. /Rocket Drive[THE FACT | Reporter Jeong Byung-geun] KOAGA, a musician under Rocket Drive, is set to capture the autumn sensibility with their new song 'Do You Remember'.KOAGA will release their new digital single 'Do You Remember' on various online music sites at noon on the 29th. This release, the first in two years since 'Caligirl' featuring rapper Ja Mezz in September 2024, includes the title track 'Do You Remember' and its instrumental version.The title track 'Do You Remember' is a song that sings of the lingering regret and longing of a speaker who, unable to forget their ex-lover even after the breakup, wanders the streets chasing memories of their time together. The honest lyrics depicting the emptiness of the speaker left alone, the R&B sound with a sensual yet melancholic atmosphere, and the sensual, groovy vocals harmonize perfectly.GK (Ji-kye), a member of the boy group DKB, participated as a featuring artist. GK enriched the song's narrative with a deep yet soulful rap, unraveling memories of a past love.Debuting in 2015 with the single 'Just Can't', KOAGA is a talented artist with both vocal and dance skills. They have been active under the independent music label Rocket Drive since 2017. Initially known as GIWON, they later changed their stage name to KOAGA.KOAGA has released songs such as 'Just Can't', 'Slow', 'Don't Want to Lose', 'The Only One', 'Right Now', and 'Caligirl'. 'Do You Remember', their first new song in two years, will be released at noon on the 29th.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 North American tour postponement inevitable due to delays in key personnel visa issuanceNew dates and locations to be announced laterSinger Taemin postpones North American tour due to staff visa issuance issues./THE FACTDB[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Singer Taemin is postponing his North American tour due to staff visa issuance issues.His agency, Galaxy Corporation, announced on the 29th via Taemin's official social media, "Due to ongoing uncertainty regarding U.S. visa and related administrative procedures, we have decided to postpone the North American leg of Taemin's world tour 'LiMiNaL'."Previously, Taemin was scheduled to hold his North American tour from October 12th to 23rd, visiting six U.S. cities: San Jose, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Prairie, Chicago, and Newark. However, with the decision to postpone the concerts, the situation regarding when they will resume is now uncertain.Galaxy Corporation explained the reason for the postponement, stating, "A significant number of key tour and production staff required for the North American concerts are still awaiting visa issuance, and there is no clear timeline for when they will be issued. Considering the continued uncertainty regarding the participation of essential personnel, we determined that proceeding with the tour as scheduled would entail significant operational and production risks."They added, "The North American tour is an essential part of Taemin's world tour 'LiMiNaL.' The tour will proceed with a rescheduled itinerary, and new dates and locations are currently being coordinated. We plan to announce the new dates and locations once coordination is complete."Taemin's side is currently coordinating new North American tour dates and locations, and will announce them once the coordination is complete./Galaxy CorporationFurthermore, Taemin's side stated, "Refunds for the currently scheduled North American concerts are available upon request through the original point of purchase. We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been looking forward to the concerts."Taemin kicked off his world tour 'LiMiNaL' on September 18th at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Through this tour, Taemin is scheduled to perform in 14 countries worldwide, including South Korea and North America.The following is the full statement from Taemin's side regarding the postponement of the North American tour.Regarding the North American TAEMIN World Tour Due to ongoing uncertainty regarding U.S. visa and related administrative procedures, and considering the impact on key tour and production personnel, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the scheduled North American leg of the TAEMIN World Tour .A significant number of key tour and production staff required for the North American concerts are still awaiting visa issuance, and there is no clear timeline for when they will be issued.Given the continued uncertainty regarding the participation of essential personnel, we have determined that proceeding with the tour as scheduled would entail significant operational and production risks.The North American tour remains an essential part of the TAEMIN World Tour , and will proceed with a rescheduled itinerary. New dates and locations are currently being coordinated and will be announced soon.Refunds for the currently scheduled North American concerts are available upon request through the original point of purchase. Further information regarding the refund process will be provided through each ticketing platform.We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been looking forward to the concerts and thank you for your understanding. We look forward to sharing the new North American tour schedule with you soon.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 October 3-4 Finale of Asia Tour at KSPO Dome&TEAM's second mini-album released in Korea topped Japan's Oricon Weekly Album Chart. /YX Labels[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] 'HYBE's Global Group' &TEAM (&TEAM) has topped Japan's Oricon weekly chart with its second Korean mini-album, 'Mark on Me'.According to the latest chart released by Oricon on the 29th, 'Mark on Me', released on the 22nd by &TEAM ( mandatory FUMA K Nicholas YUMA Jo HARUA TAKI MAKI), ranked first in the 'Weekly Album Ranking' (dated October 5th / counting period September 21-27). This marks &TEAM's fourth consecutive album and sixth overall to achieve the number one spot on this chart.&TEAM also won two awards at the 'MTV Video Music Awards Japan (VMAJ 2026)'. In the results announced by 'MTV VMAJ 2026' on the 26th, &TEAM took home the trophies for 'Performance of the Year' and 'Best Asian Song' for 'Back to Life'. Consequently, &TEAM will perform on stage at the awards ceremony to be held on October 29th at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.Previously, 'Mark on Me' achieved its highest domestic performance. The album recorded first-week sales of 1,357,357 copies. This surpasses the previous record of 1,222,022 copies sold for its first Korean mini-album 'Back to Life', released in October last year.Riding this momentum and expanding its global influence, &TEAM will conclude its Asia tour 'BLAZE THE WAY' on October 3-4 at the KSPO Dome in Songpa-gu, Seoul. At this concert, &TEAM's first dome performance in Korea, the group will present the songs from 'Mark on Me' for the first time on tour.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Nominated in the TV Movie/Miniseries categoryPark Eun-bin X Sol Kyung-gu's mad priest collaboration... Proving global competitivenessDisney+ original series 'Hyperknife', starring actors Sol Kyung-gu (left) and Park Eun-bin, has been nominated for an International Emmy Award, proving its global competitiveness. / The Walt Disney Company Korea[THE FACT|Reporter Kim Saet-byul] 'Hyperknife', starring actors Park Eun-bin and Sol Kyung-gu, has been nominated for an International Emmy Award, proving its global competitiveness.According to the nominations for the 54th International Emmy Awards announced by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Disney+ original series 'Hyperknife' was named in the TV Movie/Miniseries category.This is the first time a Disney+ Korean original series has been nominated for an International Emmy Award, holding special significance as it perfectly proves the work's buzz and global competitiveness.'Hyperknife' is a medical thriller that depicts the fierce confrontation that unfolds when Seok, a once-promising genius doctor (played by Park Eun-bin), reunites with her mentor Deok-hee (played by Sol Kyung-gu), who drove her to ruin.The work twists the master-disciple relationship setting to unravel a suspenseful story centered on the complex relationship between Seok and Deok-hee. In addition, Park Eun-bin and Sol Kyung-gu led the confrontation between characters by expressing extreme emotions in their own ways.The acting showdown between the two actors also led to global viewership records. Within 7 days of its release, 'Hyperknife' was ranked as the most-watched Korean content on Disney+ globally and in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025.The nomination for the International Emmy Award served as an opportunity to reaffirm the work's global competitiveness. Attention is now focused on what results 'Hyperknife' will achieve on the international stage in the future.'Hyperknife' can be watched in its entirety, with all 8 episodes, on Disney+.sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Clarification on exaggerated advertising allegations related to 'ingestible albumin'"NO to ads... Sorry for conveying information without verification"Actress Han Ga-in has revealed her stance on the controversy surrounding a nutritional supplement she introduced on her YouTube channel in 2024. /THE FACT DB[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] Actress Han Ga-in has directly addressed the controversy surrounding a nutritional supplement she introduced on her YouTube channel.On the 28th, Han Ga-in posted a statement on the community tab of her YouTube channel, 'Free Woman Han Ga-in,' stating, "I am posting this to address the concerns I've seen regarding the albumin product recently introduced on YouTube and to provide accurate information."She continued, "This video is a 'purchased with my own money' content, introducing a product I personally bought and used without any compensation or sponsorship. As I previously informed you, I state that there is no falsehood regarding whether it was an advertisement."In particular, she stated, "'Free Woman Han Ga-in' channel's principle is to upload content with a 'paid advertisement included' tag so that viewers can clearly recognize it as an advertisement when paid advertising is involved."However, she bowed her head regarding the way the product was introduced. Han Ga-in reflected, "Regardless of whether it was an advertisement, it was not prudent to introduce a health-related product based solely on personal experience."She said, "I started buying and consuming this product regularly when my energy levels dropped after childbirth, and I recommended it to viewers because I felt my condition improved. I realized through this incident how cautious one must be when conveying information based on subjective experience without rigorous verification."Han Ga-in apologized again, saying, "I am truly sorry for causing confusion and concern due to my thoughtless judgment."Finally, she vowed, "In the future, even for products I have purchased and experienced myself, I will share them only after strictly verifying objective facts. I will listen to the valuable voices of my viewers and create content with even greater caution."This controversy began on the same day when the consumer advocacy YouTube channel 'Death Fox TV' raised suspicions of exaggerated advertising surrounding the 'ingestible albumin' product. The 'Death Fox TV' video, titled 'Revealing the Real Culprit,' included footage of Han Ga-in introducing the 'ingestible albumin' product on her YouTube channel in November 2024.Han Ga-in debuted in an Asiana Airlines advertisement in 2002. She appeared in dramas such as 'Yellow Handkerchief,' 'Love Actually,' and 'The Moon Embracing the Sun.' In 2005, she married actor Yeon Jung-hoon and started a family. Recently, she has been communicating with fans through her YouTube channel, 'Free Woman Han Ga-in.'mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Includes 27 songs, including the main single 'AGAIN and AGAIN'The album will be released at 6 PM on the 29th, and the movie will be officially released on the 30th.The original soundtrack album for the movie 'Resurrection Man: The Red' (directed by Baek) and the single 'AGAIN and AGAIN' will be released on various music sites at 6 PM on the 29th. / Lotte Entertainment[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] The movie 'Resurrection Man: The Red' is ready to captivate not only the 'eyes' but also the 'ears'.Distributor Lotte Entertainment announced on the 29th that "the original soundtrack album for 'Resurrection Man: The Red' (directed by Baek) and the single 'AGAIN and AGAIN' will be released on various music sites at 6 PM on the same day."The main single 'AGAIN and AGAIN' from 'Resurrection Man: The Red' is a collaboration between musician George, who has been recognized for his musicality with songs like 'Boat' and 'Look at Me', and producer Primary, who has proven his capabilities as a music director with works like the 'D.P.' and 'Weak Hero' series.They plan to provide auditory pleasure to the action scenes with dynamic sounds that add to the immersion of 'Resurrection Man: The Red'. In addition, the original soundtrack album for 'Resurrection Man: The Red' includes a total of 27 songs, including 'AGAIN and AGAIN', adding to its richness.'Resurrection Man: The Red' is a movie that depicts the story of Seok-hwan (played by Koo Kyo-hwan), a job seeker with only unfounded confidence as his sole spec, who discovers he has the ability to resurrect 72 hours after death, and is then pursued by mysterious pursuers.The cast includes actors Koo Kyo-hwan, Shin Seung-ho, Kang Ki-young, Kim Si-a, and Kim Sung-ryung, and the movie is directed by Baek, who previously directed 'The Beauty Inside' and 'Believer 2'.'Resurrection Man: The Red' will be released in theaters nationwide on the 30th.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Goguryeo War Hero Yeon Gaesomun Role... Stills RevealedFirst Broadcast in NovemberCharacter stills of actor Jang Hyuk, who will appear in KBS2's new historical drama 'Moomoo', have been released. /KBS[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] Actor Jang Hyuk will seize all power in Goguryeo.The production team of KBS2's new historical drama 'Moomoo' (written by Kim Ri-heon&Hong Jin-yi, directed by Kim Young-jo&Gu Seong-jun) released character stills of actor Jang Hyuk, who plays Yeon Gaesomun, on the 29th. The photos show Jang Hyuk expressing Yeon Gaesomun's imposing presence with intense eyes and a heavy aura.'Moomoo' is a work that deals with the desperate and lonely epic of leaders who bet everything for a single victory amidst 600 years of war and internal upheavals in the Three Kingdoms. Jang Hyuk will portray Yeon Gaesomun, the war hero of Goguryeo.Yeon Gaesomun is a figure born into a family that held military power for three generations, expanding his influence by achieving numerous victories in wars. When nobles, wary of his unchecked power, attempt to eliminate him, he reveals a ruthless side and seizes power in Goguryeo. His subsequent actions towards Silla will also influence the landscape surrounding the unification of the Three Kingdoms.The stills show Yeon Gaesomun navigating battlefields with intense eyes. Even with blood splattered on his face, he maintains an unwavering expression, revealing the character's strong demeanor.The production team stated, "Jang Hyuk is filling the set with his weighty presence, showcasing his proven capabilities as a 'historical drama master'," and added, "We ask for your keen interest in how Yeon Gaesomun, who will bring a whirlwind to Silla's unification of the Three Kingdoms, will come to life through Jang Hyuk's deep acting skills."'Moomoo', consisting of a total of 28 episodes, will premiere in November.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Approximately 4 minutes of new footage added to the existing 'Avengers: Endgame'Heightened curiosity for 'Avengers: Doomsday,' scheduled for release in December'Avengers: Endgame Encore' is drawing attention by releasing a new post-credits scene foreshadowing 'Avengers: Doomsday.' / The Walt Disney Company Korea[THE FACT|Choi Hyun-jung] The movie 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' is receiving a heated response with its new post-credits scene.'Avengers: Endgame Encore' (directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo), released on the 23rd, is not just a repeat of the 2019 release but has surprised MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) fans by adding about 4 minutes of new footage, garnering significant attention.The newly added footage includes additional scenes from the main film added to the existing ending sequence, along with a new post-credits scene. In particular, the new post-credits scene contains content that serves as a key link to the new series 'Avengers: Doomsday' (directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo), scheduled for release in December, further fueling the buzz.The new post-credits scene features unexpected new clues, such as the appearance of the powerful villain 'Doctor Doom' and the collision of multiverses, stimulating the desire to watch the 'Avengers' story that is about to begin again.Along with this, positive reviews from actual viewers for the emotion and fun of 'Avengers: Endgame' are also continuing. Furthermore, 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' can also be experienced in a new screening format, 'Infinity Vision (Disney Certified Premium Large Screen),' offering an even more upgraded theater experience.'Avengers: Endgame Encore' is currently showing in theaters nationwide. 'Avengers: Doomsday' is scheduled to be released in the U.S. on December 18th local time and will be released in Korea in December.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 First poster revealed.. Opening on November 11The controversial film 'Liar', which was twice denied a rating upon its release in 2000, will be released in its unrated, complete version after 27 years on November 11. / Shin-Cine, Movie Brothers[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] The film 'Liar' by director Jang Sun-woo, which was twice denied a rating in 2000, will be screened in its unrated, complete version after 26 years.According to distributor Movie Brothers on the 29th, 'Liar: 4K Unrated Complete Version' will be released in theaters nationwide on November 11. 'Liar' was a controversial film that, upon its release in January 2000, had to have some scenes cut after being twice denied a rating by the Korea Media Rating Board. It will finally have its first theatrical screening without censorship after more than 27 years.This screening, presented under the title 'Liar: 4K Unrated Complete Version', utilizes a 4K restored version by the Korean Film Archive and is the version that was distributed overseas. A Blu-ray using this restored version was also released in France.'Liar' is one of the most heated social records in Korean film history. Before its screening, the original novel 'Tell Me Something' by Jang Sun-il was designated a banned book in 1996, and the original author was arrested in 1997. At the time of its release, civic groups filed lawsuits against about 100 theater owners. The UN Human Rights Committee even recommended a suspension of the screening, putting the limits of freedom of expression in Korean society at the time to the test.The first poster for 'Liar: 4K Unrated Complete Version', released along with the confirmation of its opening, reveals this history without hiding it. Above two intertwined figures in a dark room, the phrases "27 years praised by Venice and sealed by Korea," "112 minutes without a single cut, the most disturbing masterpiece," and "Twice denied a rating, author arrested, UN Human Rights Committee recommendation" are written.The complete release of the forbidden, after 27 years, 'Liar: 4K Unrated Complete Version' opens on November 11.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 From the Empress's dignity to the complex emotions after being notified of divorceShin Min-a, "A progressive and warm empress who never loses her dignity"Actress Shin Min-a has raised expectations for the Disney+ original series 'The Second Marriage' by perfectly transforming into Navier, the empress in the series. /The Walt Disney Company Korea[THE FACT|Reporter Kim Saet-byeol] Actress Shin Min-a transforms into the perfect empress of the empire, possessing both elegance and decisiveness.The production team of the Disney+ original series 'The Second Marriage' (written by Yeo Ji-na, directed by Jo Soo-won) released character stills of Empress Navier (played by Shin Min-a) on the 29th. The stills capture various facets of Navier, as portrayed by Shin Min-a, from her firm demeanor as the empress of the empire to her wavering emotions after being notified of a divorce.'The Second Marriage' is a romantic fantasy epic about Navier, the perfect empress of the Eastern Empire, who is notified of a divorce by Emperor Sovieshu (played by Ju Ji-hoon), who has fallen for the runaway slave Rashta. In response, she accepts the divorce but demands approval for her remarriage to Prince Heinrey (played by Lee Jong-suk) of the Western Kingdom.In the stills, Navier exudes the dignity and charisma befitting her position as empress. Her luxurious attire and hairstyle, combined with Shin Min-a's unique elegant aura, enhance the character's presence.At the same time, she is also captured suppressing complex emotions after receiving an unexpected divorce notice. While glimpses of hurt and confusion are visible beneath her serene expression, her determined gaze in the face of her own choices reveals her contrasting facets.Shin Min-a focused not only on the empress's outward appearance but also on the human emotions residing within. She portrayed Navier's characteristic of not easily showing her emotions through restrained expressions, while simultaneously capturing her moments of hurt and her determination to protect her beliefs.Shin Min-a described Navier as, "After Sovieshu's divorce notice, she is hurt but is a very progressive and warm empress who never loses her dignity."Director Jo Soo-won also paid attention to Navier's character. He cited Navier as the character who first captivated him in the work and stated that he wanted to portray the charm of a woman making new choices. Regarding Shin Min-a's casting, he said, "Her cold eyes within warm emotions suited Navier well." Writer Yeo Ji-na also added, "The character of Navier gained more depth after meeting Shin Min-a."'The Second Marriage,' which tells the story of Navier choosing a new path while maintaining her beliefs and dignity even in the unexpected situation of divorce, consists of a total of 10 episodes and will be released on Disney+ on November 4th.sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Lim Young Woong took first place in the Melon Weekly Popularity Award for the 4th week of September with the new song ″TtoTto,″ marking the second consecutive week at the top. With this first-place win, Lim Young Woong has recorded their 37th Melon Weekly Popularity Award first-place ranking overall. The Melon Weekly Popularity Award ranks based on a combination of fan voting scores and digital chart performance. In the rankings announced on September 28 for the 4th week of September, Lim Young Woong’s ″TtoTto″ scored 44.75 points in voting, 25.26 points in the weekly chart, for a total of 70.01 points, securing first place. Lim Young Woong’s special album ″IM HERO 10″ title track ″TtoTto″ achieved six crowns in the 37th week of the Circle Chart. It also took first place on MBC’s ″Show! Music Core.″ Meanwhile, Lim Young Woong recently won two awards at the ″2026 The Fact Music Awards (TMA),″ receiving both the TMA Popularity Award and the Jury Special Award.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 ENA Monday-Tuesday drama ’Rookie 4: Sabotage’ ranked first among Monday-Tuesday dramas in the same time slot with a 3.9% viewership rating (based on Nielsen Korea paid platform nationwide households) in its 11th episode broadcast. This is a 0.9 percentage point drop from the previous 10th episode’s 4.8% rating. ’Even Lotto First Prize Winners Go to Work,’ which aired at the same time, recorded a 3.5% viewership rating. In this episode, news of Second Platoon’s Jo Baek-ho’s (played by Oh Dae-hwan) promotion to major was delivered, and the unit members celebrated by changing nameplates, pens, and tumblers to ″Major (Promoted) Jo Baek-ho.″ After completing the national defense training, the postponed unit maintenance week began, and the members struggled as they were assigned to wash blankets. During the laundry process, there was an incident where a blanket fell onto the dirt ground. Moon Bit-na-ri (played by KIM YO HAN) received an offer to join as a cook but initially refused despite the temptation of various menus. However, when carbonara pho and oxtail soup appeared, she eventually changed her mind, and this was discovered by Choi Il-gu (played by Nam Tae-woo), putting her in a crisis. The past of Quartermaster Park Jae-soo (played by Oh Yong) and the ″Vending Machine Lady″ (played by Jung I-rang) was also revealed. It was disclosed that Park Jae-soo confessed to the Vending Machine Lady in the past but was rejected, and currently, a strange atmosphere is forming between the Vending Machine Lady and ″Jjam Ajusshi″ (played by Kim Jun-bae). Outside the unit, Im Sung-min (played by Nam Min-woo), Sergeant Park Min-joo (played by Lee Soo-ji), and Nurse Officer Kim Hye-seon (played by Kim Hye-seon) went camping together. When Park Min-joo injured her leg, Im Sung-min carried her down the mountain, but after descending, Park Min-joo walked perfectly fine and gave a meaningful smile. The Second Platoon had a gathering after a long time, where Jo Baek-ho sincerely expressed, ″Thank you for filling in the gaps where I was lacking.″ The unit members responded with songs and toasts. Meanwhile, former battalion commander Nam Joong-beom (played by Jo Seung-yeon) left a meaningful remark to Jo Baek-ho, and tension escalated as someone hung up a mysterious call to the battalion commander’s office. At the end of the broadcast, Major Kim Ha-na (played by Gong Min-jung) appeared unexpectedly at the Shinwha Unit, announcing, ″I came for a nationwide asset investigation,″ foreshadowing new conflicts ahead of the final episode. ’Rookie 4: Sabotage’ will air its 12th and final episode on the 29th.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Global K-pop star Tzuyu will participate as the vocalist in the special collaboration theme song between the famous Formula One team Atlassian Williams F1 Team and DAN DA DAN. Recently, Tzuyu announced the project on her social media with the caption ″Speed Meets Supernatural ... and now, it has a voice🔥,″ sharing a photo of herself wearing a white racing suit and holding a helmet in one hand. The solid blue background and her intense gaze facing forward leave a strong impression. This collaboration marks the first meeting between Atlassian Williams F1 Team and DAN DA DAN, with Tzuyu joining as the voice of the theme song, adding even more special meaning. Merchandise and detailed information about the project can be found through official channels, and great anticipation is building for the first event to be held in Singapore. Meanwhile, Tzuyu has recently been selected as an MC for the Asia Artist Awards 2026, showing active involvement not only in her singing career but also in various fields. This collaboration is expected to be an opportunity for Tzuyu to challenge herself in a new area.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Junghan and Joshua of Seventeen have announced their comeback with their first mini album, ’DREAMSCAPE.’ The two will release the new album on October 19 at 6 PM (KST), keeping their promise to fans. The album ’DREAMSCAPE’ is the debut mini album of the unit JxJ, consisting of Junghan and Joshua, featuring a dreamy world where dreams and reality intersect. To celebrate this comeback, the two members also released a variety of concept photos. Wearing black leather jackets and gray t-shirts, they create different atmospheres against natural and industrial backgrounds, facing each other or standing side by side, gazing forward with deep eyes, showcasing a more mature charm. ’DREAMSCAPE,’ presented by Junghan and Joshua together, is expected to deliver a new musical experience and emotions to fans. Both members have been recognized for their solid vocal and performance skills within Seventeen, raising interest in this unit activity. In particular, this album carries the message of ’Dreamchasers,’ singing about the passion and hope of youth, highlighting the harmonious blend and unique musical styles of Junghan and Joshua. The comeback teaser released through Seventeen’s official SNS has sparked enthusiastic responses from fans, and the two members plan to showcase the distinctive colors of ’JxJ’ through various activities and stages in the future.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Stray Kids heated up the concert venue in Mexico City. In the recently released videos and photos on their official SNS, the members are seen wearing white long-sleeve T-shirts and black pants, raising one hand high on stage while delivering passionate performances. The vibrant lighting, colorful backgrounds, and confetti fluttering in the air further amplified the excitement of the scene. In particular, Stray Kids stood out as they filled the stage with serious expressions, sincerely communicating with their fans. This performance caught attention by capturing the passionate atmosphere created together with fans under the hashtag ’#STRAYCITY in #MexicoCity Recap.’ Through their global tour, Stray Kids actively connect with fans in each city, solidifying their position as a leading K-pop boy group. The Mexico City concert was also successfully concluded amid enthusiastic responses from local fans, raising anticipation for their future activities.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer Yezi revealed her stylish recent updates through her official SNS channel. Recently, Yezi posted a photo wearing black clothing, holding a doll in one hand, and smiling while looking straight ahead. In an indoor space illuminated by soft and warm lighting, she wore earrings with her long hair and showed a relaxed expression, attracting fans’ attention. The post featured a short caption saying ″mini-log 🐈‍⬛🖤″ along with hashtags for ITZY, Yezi, and Roger Vivier’s official account in Indonesia, highlighting a stylish atmosphere. Yezi is showcasing diverse charms not only through ITZY activities but also through collaborations with fashion brands. She consistently receives high interest from fans with her unique concepts and sophisticated visuals, and this post continues that trend. Meanwhile, ITZY, which Yezi belongs to, is actively communicating with fans through various content alongside vigorous music activities. Yezi’s diverse appearances and distinctive moves are expected to continue drawing attention in the future.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 EXO member Chanyeol is raising excitement for his comeback by releasing a teaser for the music video of his new song ″Song For You″ ahead of the release of his second mini album in Japan. The ″Song For You″ music video teaser, released on Chanyeol’s official SNS on the 2nd, shows him wearing a white and black striped T-shirt in a softly lit indoor space, smiling naturally and looking down. Featuring his short dyed blonde hair and necklace, he leans slightly forward, conveying a warm emotion. This new song is included in Chanyeol’s second Japanese mini album ″旅 (Tabi),″ scheduled for release on October 2, 2026. The album will be simultaneously released on various music streaming sites in Japan and in physical album form. Chanyeol also participated in writing and composing, deeply reflecting his musical colors. Chanyeol has been active not only as a member of EXO but also as a solo artist. With this Japanese mini album, he is expected to strengthen his connection with overseas fans and further solidify his position in the global music market. Meanwhile, Chanyeol continues to communicate with fans by regularly sharing updates about his personal life and music activities through SNS. Using hashtags like #SongForYou and #CHANYEOL_SongForYou, he has heightened anticipation for the new song. Attention is focused on the upcoming full music video and the overall album release.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actress Song Ji-hyo personally visited Dongdaemun Market for an inspection. Recently, Song Ji-hyo posted several photos on her SNS with the caption, ″Inspecting Dongdaemun after a long time💜.″ In the photos, she is seen wearing a black T-shirt, jeans, and a hat while descending the stairs inside a store. Shelves displaying various items and wall signs are visible in the background, adding a sense of realism. As the CEO of an underwear brand, Song Ji-hyo is actively involved in on-site management, meticulously checking fabrics and product conditions herself. This visit to Dongdaemun is known to be part of a schedule to review the entire product manufacturing and distribution process. Industry insiders are evaluating that Song Ji-hyo is focusing on her role as a manager beyond being just a promotional model. Meanwhile, Song Ji-hyo continues to thrive in various fields by growing the brand she operates alongside her acting career. Fans and consumers are sending their support for her sincere management attitude.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Jang Yun Jeong revealed a recent selfie capturing a comfortable everyday look. Jang Yun Jeong recently posted several photos on their SNS with the short caption, ″You must have been waiting?;;;;;″. In the photos, Jang Yun Jeong is seen wearing a striped sweater and a gray hat. They rest their chin on one hand or touch their face, wearing a thoughtful expression that conveys the natural comfort of daily life. The background shows a white wall and window, along with photos attached to the wall. On the table are a paper cup, a beverage bottle, and a mouse, suggesting an office or workspace. Jang Yun Jeong wears glasses and gazes directly or looks sideways in a contemplative manner, presenting a calmer and more approachable atmosphere compared to their usual bright and lively stage presence. Meanwhile, Jang Yun Jeong has been maintaining close bonds with junior singers, recently receiving Chuseok gifts from them, and continues to communicate with fans. It is anticipated that they will keep connecting with the public not only through the stage but also through various aspects of their daily life.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Trot singer Young Tak has made a colorful comeback with the release of his third full-length album, 『GOGO』. This album includes various new songs that showcase Young Tak’s unique style, including the title track ″Kkeokgeo.″ Recently, Young Tak attracted fans’ attention by sharing a photo with Kim Junsu on his SNS, accompanied by the message ″#With Kim Junsu GOGO 🏎️💨.″ In the photo, Young Tak is wearing a beige jacket and tie, while Kim Junsu is dressed in a gray T-shirt, both smiling brightly against an urban backdrop, raising expectations for their friendship and new project. The album’s title track ″Kkeokgeo″ is praised as a song in which Young Tak personally participated in writing and composing, further expanding his musical capabilities. Through this work, he is showcasing multifaceted aspects as a singer-songwriter, performer, and producer, beyond the conventional trot singer image. Additionally, a collaboration scene with actress Ha Ji-won was revealed in YouTube content, drawing attention to the sharp choreography performance of ″Kkeokgeo.″ Young Tak has received enthusiastic responses from fans for the choreography completed after intense practice, continuing his wide-ranging activities not only in singing but also in stage performance. With this album, Young Tak is actively communicating with fans through various content, maintaining musical trust. His sophisticated music style and distinctive stage manners are gathering public expectations, making his future endeavors even more anticipated.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 aespa and KARINA revealed their joyful vacation at a refreshing seaside. Recently, they posted a photo on their SNS wearing a white sleeveless T-shirt, black shorts, and a pink hat, standing on one foot with arms stretched out and a bright smile in front of the beach. The boat and distant buildings in the background blend together, highlighting the refreshing atmosphere. They also shared a photo holding an ice cream cone inside a restaurant, showing a relaxed daily life. Additionally, an underwater shot wearing snorkeling gear and enjoying nature in the turquoise sea caught attention. The image of them freely moving underwater among seaweed and rocks while wearing a bracelet on their arm was impressive. KARINA shared lively updates with playful captions such as ″Be careful, a lizard will appear next,″ ″Actively, I go to the fish,″ and ″Had a great time,″ along with cute emojis. Fans responded to their active enjoyment of the beach and sea by saying they show cute and bright energy. Despite their busy schedule recently, it is evident that they recharge their vitality by healing in nature whenever possible.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The media art exhibition ″AN-YOUNG: An Yujin x Jang Wonyoung Media Art Exhibition,″ featuring IVE members An Yujin and Jang Wonyoung, concluded on the 27th. The exhibition began at the entrance hall, ″GREETING HALL,″ where life-sized holograms of An Yujin and Jang Wonyoung greeted visitors through three-dimensional and full-screen hologram technology. Unreleased photo shoots and customized ambient sounds were arranged in each space, providing a synesthetic experience that combined visual, auditory, and olfactory senses. In the visitor participation ″DIGITAL ZONE,″ spaces featuring motion matching technology, as well as sensory-responsive ″BLOW INTERACTIVE″ and ″Voice Message,″ received high acclaim on-site. Additionally, the AR collection event ″CATCH THE AN-YOUNG,″ held around Seoul Forest, expanded the entire Seongsu-dong area into a large-scale entertainment space. After concluding the exhibition in Seongsu-dong, ″AN-YOUNG: An Yujin x Jang Wonyoung Media Art Exhibition″ is scheduled to continue as a global overseas exhibition tour.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Jeonghan and Joshua of Seventeen will hold a solo tour as a unit. According to Pledis Entertainment, the two will start the ’JEONGHAN X JOSHUA JOURNEY INTO [DREAMING]’ performance at Incheon Inspire Arena from October 30 to November 1. This tour will take place in six cities domestically and internationally, starting from Incheon. Performances will continue at Saitama Prefecture Belluna Dome in Japan from November 21 to 22, Galaxy Arena in Macau from December 11 to 12, Taipei Arena from January 9 to 10 next year, BEXCO in Busan from January 30 to 31, and AsiaWorld-Arena in Hong Kong from February 20 to 21. This performance expands the world of the mini-album ’DREAMSCAPE,’ which will be released on October 19. ’DREAMSCAPE’ is themed around ’dreamscape,’ where unconscious fantasies and ideals to be achieved in reality intertwine and collide. The released poster features Jeonghan and Joshua appearing as if deeply immersed in a dream. Jeonghan and Joshua plan to showcase a new musical color through this new release.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actress Han Chae-young posted a recent video on her social media account on September 28. In the video, Han Chae-young holds bread labeled ″INTP″ and ″ISTJ″ and says, ″I received this as a gift, but what is my MBTI? Why is there no F?″ while striking various poses. The video features a filter that appears to have altered her face shape and facial features, revealing heavy eye makeup and slightly swollen areas below her cheekbones. Han Chae-young’s changed appearance has continued to attract attention following earlier plastic surgery rumors. In a TikTok live broadcast last May, Han Chae-young appeared with unusually heavy eyeliner and shaded makeup, prompting some netizens to comment, ″I didn’t recognize her,″ and ″She looks different from her previous image.″ Subsequently, rumors about her health surfaced, but in June, she posted on SNS showing clear facial features, leading to responses such as ″It was because of the makeup″ and ″It was a misunderstanding from the live capture.″ However, on June 8, a video was uploaded showing swollen cheeks and an unnatural nose bridge, reigniting plastic surgery rumors. Han Chae-young was born in 1980. She married a Korean-American businessman who is four years older than her in 2007 and has a son born in 2013. Until recently, she appeared in the movie City of Evil and the drama Scandal.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The movie ’Tazza: Belzebub’s Song’ rose to number one at the box office just six days after its release. According to the integrated ticket sales network for movie theaters on the 29th, the film attracted 68,913 viewers on the 28th alone, reaching a cumulative audience of 901,929. ’Tazza: Belzebub’s Song’ (directed by Choi Guk-hee, provided/distributed by CJ ENM, provided/produced by Sidus) is a crime film about Jang Tae-young (Byun Yo-han), who thought he had the world with his online casino business, and his close friend with the same name, Park Tae-young (No Jae-won), who took everything from him. They meet again on a global gambling stage and engage in a revenge battle. This film is known as the final installment of the ’Tazza’ series, which has spanned 20 years. Although it did not stand out in pre-release reservation rankings, it showed high seat sales and a low audience decline rate after the Chuseok holiday. Despite its R rating, the satisfaction of actual viewers, promotional activities by the actors, and stage greetings sparked online buzz, attracting interest among adult audiences. It also received positive responses, including a 93% CGV Golden Egg Index. Meanwhile, ’Assassins’ drew 67,406 viewers on the same day, ranking second. The film recorded a cumulative audience of 1,633,621. ’Odyssey’ ranked third with 31,359 viewers, ’Possible Love’ fourth with 14,418 viewers, and ’Intern’ fifth with 12,537 viewers. As of 7 a.m. on the 29th, in real-time reservation rates, the animation ’Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island,’ scheduled to open on the 30th, took first place with 201,592 reservations and a 40.1% reservation rate. It was followed by ’Assassins’ with 58,353 tickets, ’Odyssey’ with 56,190, ’Tazza 4’ with 47,849, and ’Resurrection Man: The Red’ with 45,958. ’Tazza: Belzebub’s Song’ is expected to continue its successful run into its second week of release on the 30th, which is ’Culture Day.’]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The movie ″Tazza: The Belzebub’s Song″ (directed by Choi Guk-hee) rose to number one at the box office just six days after its release. According to the Integrated Computerized Ticketing System for movie theaters, on the 28th, ″Tazza: The Belzebub’s Song″ attracted 68,913 viewers in one day, bringing its cumulative audience to 901,929. This surpassed ″Assassins,″ which had been holding the top spot, making it the overall box office leader. Despite being rated for adults only, ″Tazza: The Belzebub’s Song″ has steadily drawn audiences since its release, gaining popularity through word of mouth. This film is a crime movie about Jang Tae-young (Byun Yo-han), who thought he had the world with his online casino business, and his close friend with the same name, Park Tae-young (No Jae-won), who took everything from him. They reunite on the global gambling stage and engage in a revenge battle. As the final installment of the ″Tazza″ series, which has continued for 20 years, the actors’ promotional activities and stage greetings have also become a hot topic online. Meanwhile, ″Assassins″ dropped to second place with 67,406 viewers, bringing its cumulative audience to 1,633,621. ″Assassins″ deals with the suspicions and background of the 1974 assassination attempt on Mrs. Yuk Young-soo, and some scenes in the film suggest possible involvement by then-President Park Chung-hee’s side or the Central Intelligence Agency, leading to ongoing controversy over historical distortion. The foreign film ″Odyssée″ (directed by Christopher Nolan) attracted 31,359 viewers, reaching a cumulative audience of 11,814,654 and ranking third. Following were ″Possible Love″ with 14,418 viewers in fourth place and ″Intern″ with 12,537 viewers in fifth place. As of 7 a.m. on the 29th, in real-time reservation rates, the upcoming animated film ″ChiiKawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island,″ set to open on the 30th, is leading with 201,592 tickets reserved and a reservation rate of 40.1%. ″Assassins″ is in second place with 58,353 tickets, ″Odyssée″ third with 56,190 tickets, ″Tazza: The Belzebub’s Song″ fourth with 47,849 tickets, and ″Resurrection Man: The Red″ fifth with 45,958 tickets.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Stray Kids attracted 270,000 attendees through their self-produced festival ’STRAYCITY’ Latin America performances. ’STRAYCITY,’ co-planned by JYP Entertainment and Live Nation, began its first show on the 9th in Bogotá, Colombia, followed by performances on the 14th and 15th in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and on the 25th and 26th in Mexico City, Mexico, totaling five shows. Each concert received enthusiastic responses from local fans, with Stray Kids performing their signature songs such as ″MANIAC″ and ″Sori-Kkun.″ The producing team 3RACHA, consisting of members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, ranks among the top in the number of idol copyright registrations with the Korea Music Copyright Association, and their self-production capabilities have contributed to the group’s growth. Last year, Stray Kids gathered 400,000 attendees in South America through their world tour ’dominATE,’ and this year they demonstrated strong ticket power again. Additionally, on the 11th, they became the first K-pop artists to headline at Brazil’s Rock in Rio, performing in front of 100,000 attendees. Including this, they attracted a total of 370,000 attendees in Latin America this month alone. Billboard praised their Rock in Rio performance, stating, ″Is there a more perfect Rock in Rio debut? It was historic, intense, and left us wanting more.″]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Two Cut clarified the episode related to BTS’s concert. The video titled ″Did you call your mom?″ released on the Epik High channel on September 24 featured Crush, Code Kunst, Missra’s younger sibling, and others. In the video, Tablo mentioned Crush’s friendship with J-HOPE and asked, ″You’re close with J-HOPE, so why didn’t you come to the BTS concert?″ Crush replied, ″I went to J-HOPE’s concert. I even sang there.″ When Tablo said, ″So you’re not going to the BTS concert?″ Crush explained, ″I couldn’t go because I had work at that time.″ During this, Two Cut told Code Kunst, ″Delete the footage you took then,″ and Tablo said, ″Thanks for that video.″ Code Kunst imitated Two Cut nodding off during the BTS concert. Two Cut clarified, ″When did I ever doze off? I was just sitting and enjoying it.″ Tablo said, ″We were together. He said, ’Hyung, I have something funny, please AirDrop it to me.’ A video came through showing Jungshik (Two Cut’s real name) holding the light stick weakly during ’Fire’.″ Missra added, ″Honestly, even if I were playing Go in front, my expression would be the same.″ Two Cut explained the situation at the time: ″I was sitting, and when they were singing ’Fire,’ I was just really tired then. I felt like someone was filming me, so I looked and saw he was filming. I told him, ’Hey, don’t film, just have fun.’″]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Yunho and San of ATEEZ attracted local attention by attending different fashion shows at Milan Fashion Week. On the 22nd, Yunho was invited to the ’Diesel SS27 Fashion Show’ held in Milan, Italy, and took a front-row seat. This event was the last Diesel show directed by creative director Glenn Martens, and Yunho shared this meaningful moment. On his way to the event, he showcased a casual style by matching a black denim jacket and pants with a brown bag, and at the fashion show, he presented a color-blocking style combining a green jacket with a blue knit. San made his presence known by attending ’Vogue World: Milan’ on the 22nd. Then, on the 26th, he was the only Korean celebrity invited to the ’Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2027 Fashion Show,’ where he watched the show from the front row. During his Milan schedule, San created a calm look with a gray coat and white shirt, and at the Dolce & Gabbana show, he harmonized classic and casual styles with a velvet navy jacket and denim pants. At the subsequent dinner, he created a different atmosphere with black clothing and accessories. ATEEZ is also showing remarkable achievements in music activities. The title track ’BAD’ from their 14th mini-album, released last June, continued its popularity even after official promotions ended, achieving seven music show wins by securing first place for two consecutive weeks on SBS’s ’Inkigayo’ broadcast on the 20th. In October, a photobook commemorating their 8th debut anniversary, titled ’Blue Drift,’ will be released, and a commemorative exhibition will be held from October 1 to 11 at News Museum Euljiro in Jung-gu, Seoul.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 IU revealed that their MBTI has changed. Recently, IU appeared on the YouTube channel ’Jindol’ and filmed a video together with webtoon artist and YouTuber couple Jindol and Hidi. The video was released under the title ’The Ultimate Successful Otaku ≪IU Special Interview≫.’ In the video description, the couple wrote, ″We have never achieved anything great that could be called ’success’ in our lifetime, but we dare to attach those two words to this video.″ IU appeared to promote a new song and discussed various topics including fan culture. During the conversation, the topic of MBTI came up, and IU said, ″I am actually a much more dry person than fans think,″ adding, ″I have mentioned this several times, but since many people listen to my songs, they seem not to believe it.″ Then IU revealed, ″This is the first time I’m saying this on this broadcast, but actually, it has been a while since it changed to T. I changed to INTJ.″ He explained, ″I used to say I was INFJ, but at some point, people around me said, ’I don’t think you’re F. It seems like you only try to act like F toward certain people, so you should take the test again with a sincere heart.’ The people I treat like F are really just a few, like my fan club Uaena and actress Yoon In-na unnie.″ Also, IU added, ″Even after retaking the test, it came out as T,″ and ″I think this trait suits me better.″ Meanwhile, on the 10th, IU released the digital single double title tracks ’From This Star’ and ’Dear my crazy soulmate.’]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 BTS won three awards including ’Song of the Year,’ ’Best K-pop,’ and ’Best Group’ at the ’2026 MTV Video Music Awards (MTV VMA)’ held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, USA. At this awards ceremony, BTS won ’Song of the Year’ and ’Best K-pop’ with the title track ’SWIM’ from their fifth full-length album ’Arirang,’ and added another trophy in the ’Best Group’ category, reaffirming their position in the global music market. With this, BTS recorded their fifth win overall, having won ’Best Group’ for four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022. In the ’Song of the Year’ category, following last year’s win by Black Pink Rosé for ’APT.’, a collaboration with Bruno Mars, BTS continued the winning streak of K-pop artists for two consecutive years. BTS was nominated in the same category in 2021 for ’Dynamite’ but did not win, and after five years, they challenged again with ’SWIM’ and took home the trophy. BTS did not attend the ceremony, but through their agency BigHit Music, they expressed, ″We sincerely thank ARMY, who always send us unwavering love and support,″ adding, ″’Arirang’ is an album that feels like a new beginning for us, so this award is even more meaningful.″ They continued, ″Winning the grand prize of ’Song of the Year’ with ’SWIM’ was possible thanks to everyone who loves our music,″ and said, ″The seven of us will continue to show you great music and performances together.″ At the ceremony, Black Pink Lisa won the ’Best Pop’ award for her solo song ’Dream.’ This is the second time an Asian artist has won in this category since BTS in 2020, and Lisa is the first Asian solo artist to do so. Additionally, Madonna took the stage for the opening performance and won seven awards including ’Artist of the Year,’ marking her 27th trophy overall. Taylor Swift won three awards including ’Video of the Year,’ ’Best Direction,’ and the ’Artist Director Award,’ becoming the artist with the most MTV VMA trophies in history with a total of 33. British artist Sienna Spyro won the ’Best New Artist’ award.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 SM Entertainment has announced a strong legal response policy against malicious posts and defamation targeting Winter, a member of aespa. On the 28th, SM Entertainment issued an official statement sternly warning against the malicious posts circulated about Winter and announced that legal action would be taken. The agency explained, ″False information, defamation, insults, malicious slander, personal attacks, sexual harassment, and other illegal posts and content targeting the artist are continuously being posted on various platforms,″ and stated that they plan to proceed with legal procedures such as filing complaints step by step after review by a law firm. They also expressed their stance to respond strongly to malicious acts regardless of domestic or international sites. SM said, ″We will secure the necessary data to identify the routes of post creation and distribution as well as the authors, regardless of domestic or international boundaries, and request investigations from the competent investigative agencies,″ adding, ″We reiterate that any perpetrators caught will be held legally accountable under a zero-tolerance policy without any leniency or settlement.″ Winter was embroiled in dating rumors with Jungkook of BTS last year, and the rumors resurfaced in August when it was revealed that Jungkook had ’liked’ the same SNS post. During this process, rumors and malicious comments targeting Winter continued. SM Entertainment stated that they are continuously collecting and securing related materials through the official fan reporting platform ’KWANGYA 119’ and their own monitoring system. The agency added that they will strengthen legal responses to malicious posts to protect the rights and interests of their artists and asked for fans’ continued reports and attention. Meanwhile, Winter debuted in 2020 as a member of aespa and has gained global love by releasing several hit songs such as ″Next Level,″ ″Armageddon,″ and ″Whiplash.″]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Lim Young Woong ranked 3rd in the September star brand reputation. The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute announced the results of the big data analysis of star brand reputation on September 29, 2026. In this analysis, the 1st place was the girl group RESCENE, 2nd place was soccer player Son Heung-min, and 3rd place was Lim Young Woong. The brand of Lim Young Woong recorded a participation index of 573,619, media index of 1,919,267, communication index of 3,476,489, and community index of 2,135,469, with a brand reputation index of 8,104,844. This is an 11.94% increase compared to the brand reputation index of 7,240,530 in August. Koo Chang-hwan, director of the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, stated, ″The Lim Young Woong brand is loved by fans with its 10th anniversary debut album.″ This star brand reputation was analyzed from 217,250,879 pieces of big data measured from August 29 to September 29, 2026, through consumer behavior analysis into participation index, media index, communication index, and community index. Compared to 214,223,214 pieces of big data in August, it increased by 1.41%. The brand reputation index is an indicator calculated through big data analysis based on the fact that consumers’ online habits influence brand consumption. The star brand reputation analysis measures relationships with consumers, positive and negative evaluations, media interest, consumer interest, and communication volume for top brands among entertainers, singers, trot singers, drama actors, movie actors, boy groups, girl groups, and athletes. The detailed indicators include a weighted recommendation index. The top 30 star brand reputation rankings for September 2026 included RESCENE, Son Heung-min, Lim Young Woong, BTS, Yoo Jae-suk, Black Pink, IVE, Seventeen, Song Kang, ATEEZ, PARK JI HOON, Stray Kids, Kim Do-young, Kim Hye-soo, Seo Kang-joon, NCT, Taeyeon, Park Ji-sung, Joo Woo-jae, EXO, TWICE, Lee Jung-hoo, Psy, Lee Chan-won, aespa, Woods, Wanna One, SHINee, PARK JI HYUN, and Shin Min-a. In the top 100 rankings, in addition to these, Son Ye-jin, Red Velvet, Shin Dong-yup, Lee Jong-suk, (G)I-DLE, BIBI, Hwang Jung-min, Oh My Girl, Jun Ji-hyun, KiiiKii, Lee Jun Young, Seung Chul Lee, Kim Jun-ho, DK, Seo Jang-hoon, Kim Go-eun, Ryu Jun-yeol, Haha, Choo Shin-soo, Ahn Jung-hwan, Yang Hyun-jong, Kim Gu-ra, TVXQ!, Go Younjung, Park Bo-gum, Enhypen, Young Tak, Yang Eui-ji, Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Jong Kook, Kang Min-ho, Ji Chang-wook, Ha Ji-won, DAY6, Byun Yo-han, Big Bang, Super Junior, IU, Lee Joon-hyuk, RIIZE, Kim Hee-chul, Jang Yun Jeong, Sung Si-Kyung, Ha Jung-woo, Park Bo-young, Kim Dong Hyun, Infinite, Byeon Wooseok, YENA, Han So-hee, Park Eun-bin, Park Jung-min, Koo Ja-wook, Jang Min-ho, Park Jung-hyun, Kang Ho-dong, LE SSERAFIM, Apink, Swings, Kim Sun-young, Ahn Eun-jin, Lee Soo-geun, LEE HYO RI, Yoo Seung-ho, Lee Byung-hun, fromis_9, Lee Sang-min, Hyun Bin, Tak Jae-hoon, and Kim Jong-min were also listed.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Jungkook’s solo debut song ″Seven″ ranked 8th among the most streamed songs of the 2020s on Spotify. This is a three-step rise from 11th place last year, and it is the only song by an Asian group or solo artist to be included in the top 10. Since its release in July 2023, ″Seven″ has joined Spotify’s top 10 songs of the 2020s alongside Harry Styles’ ″As It Was,″ The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s ″Stay,″ Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ ″Die With A Smile,″ and Billie Eilish’s ″BIRDS OF A FEATHER.″ Miley Cyrus’ ″Flowers″ is ranked 9th, and Olivia Rodrigo’s ″Drivers license″ is 10th. As of September 29, the song recorded over 3.099 billion streams on Spotify, ranking 69th among the most streamed songs overall. It was also the fastest song to surpass 100 million, 900 million, 1 billion, and 1.1 billion streams on Spotify. Jungkook set four world records in the UK Guinness World Records with ″Seven.″ These records include the shortest time to reach 1 billion streams, the highest weekly streams for a male artist’s track on the global chart with 89,748,171 streams, the fastest to reach 100 million streams, and holding three number-one hits on the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) official ″MENA″ chart. Jungkook’s total streams credited to his personal Spotify account reached 11.55 billion. On Spotify’s ″Daily Top Songs Global,″ the song held the number one spot for a total of 71 days, the first time for an Asian artist’s song. On the ″Weekly Top Songs Global″ chart, it recorded the longest number one run of nine weeks in 2023 among male artists worldwide. Additionally, Jungkook became the fastest Asian artist to reach 21 million followers.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Young Tak made a surprise appearance as a one-day instructor at a singing class in a cultural center in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, creating a special memory for the students. In the content titled ″A Man Who Is an Idol to Someone (feat. Young Tak)″ released on the YouTube channel ’Chilseong Label,’ Young Tak tricked the students by conducting a remote video class from New York, USA, then appeared on site singing the hit song ″It’s Real.″ The students responded with enthusiastic cheers, and some expressed their emotion. At the event, Young Tak mentioned the connection with Gwangjin-gu, where he spent his unknown early days, revealing that the representative song ″Why Are You Coming Out There″ was born in Gwangjin-gu. He also spent time communicating with the students through a stage performance of his new song and a selfie session. Young Tak surpassed 370,000 initial sales with the release of his third full-length album ’GOGO’ on the 14th. The album contains a total of 12 tracks, with Young Tak directly participating in the lyrics, composition, and arrangement of 11 of them. He achieved a double crown by ranking first on the Hanteo Chart’s third week of September weekly album chart and the Circle Chart’s 38th week retail album chart. The title track ″Break″ reached number one on KBS 2TV’s ’Music Bank’ K-Chart, and the music video and suit dance video entered the YouTube popular charts. Young Tak will hold a solo concert ’TAK SHOW5’ at Korea University Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul from October 3 to 5, and will continue a nationwide tour in Jeonju, Daegu, Incheon, and Busan thereafter.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 TWS member Kyungmin will throw the ceremonial first pitch at the KBO regular league game between the Kiwoom Heroes and Hanwha Eagles held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on October 7 at 6:30 PM. This first pitch is Kyungmin’s first-ever challenge, and he stated that it holds great meaning as he has long supported the Kiwoom Heroes. Through his agency Pledis Entertainment, Kyungmin expressed, ″I am really happy and excited to throw the first pitch at the home stadium of the team I have supported since I was young. I always hoped to throw the first pitch here someday, and now that wish is coming true, making this moment even more special and meaningful.″ He also shared on the global fan communication platform Weverse, ″Sayi (42, TWS’s official fandom name), I’m throwing the first pitch! Hurry and congratulate me. This has been a dream for 10 years, and now that it’s announced today, my feelings are really strange,″ adding, ″I will practice hard and show you a great performance.″ TWS has previously appeared at the 2024 SSG Landers Field home opener and last year’s Chiba Lotte Marines home game in Japan, boosting the enthusiasm of fans at the venue. Since his debut, Kyungmin has also visited baseball stadiums with his members, expanding his connection with the public. Meanwhile, TWS is currently on their first Asia tour, ’24/7:FOR:YOU.’ The tour began in June at KSPO DOME (Olympic Gymnastics Arena) in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and has completed performances in Fukuoka, Hyogo, Kanagawa, Macau, and Bangkok. Concerts are scheduled for October 10 in Singapore and October 24 in Kaohsiung. The ’TWIMI : 42 Forest’ pop-up event celebrating the launch of the official character TWIMI will also be held until October 4 at P&R Seongsu in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 ATEEZ members Yoonho and San attracted attention by attending different fashion shows at Milan Fashion Week. Yoonho was invited to the ’DIESEL SS27 FASHION SHOW’ held in Milan, Italy, on the 22nd, while San attended the ’DOLCE & GABBANA WOMEN’S SPRING / SUMMER 2027 FASHION SHOW’ on the 26th. Both were the only Korean celebrities present at each brand’s show. According to their agency KQ Entertainment, Yoonho sat in the front row of the Diesel show, capturing the attention of the audience. This Diesel show was significant as it was the final stage for creative director Glenn Martens. San also attended ’Vogue World: Milan’ held on the 22nd, making his presence felt at the event highlighting Italian fashion and craftsmanship. He then sat in the front row at the Dolce & Gabbana show on the 26th, showcasing his star power. The event was also attended by global icons such as Miuccia Prada and Donatella Versace. Meanwhile, ATEEZ continues to receive steady love following the official activities of their 14th mini album title track ’BAD’ in June. In October, to celebrate their 8th anniversary, they plan to release a photobook titled ’BLUE DRIFT’ and hold a commemorative exhibition at News Museum Euljiro in Jung-gu, Seoul, from October 1 to 11.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 ZEROBASEONE EMP (SEOK MATTHEW·PARK GUNWOOK) began their first unit activities, showcasing a new musical direction. EMP officially debuted as a unit on the 21st with the release of ″EMP Mixtape Vol.1: We the Extra.″ In this project, SEOK MATTHEW and PARK GUNWOOK participated directly in everything from selecting the unit name to working on the songs, and they were credited with writing, composing, and producing all the tracks on the first mixtape. This unit, characterized by intense energy based on hip-hop, revealed a charm distinct from their previous group activities. The two members emphasized their individual personalities to concretize the unit’s identity and infused their own stories into the music. The unit name EMP is inspired by Electro Magnetic Pulse, symbolizing the moment EMP explodes, cutting off all surrounding sounds to create a space where only the two members’ music exists. The mixtape includes a total of four tracks: the double titles ″EMP″ and ″Pina C,″ as well as ″Woofer″ and ″In your rain.″ Recently, ZEROBASEONE members have been pursuing individual activities in various fields such as music, acting, and broadcasting, while EMP has expanded their scope by expressing their unique colors through creation. Following the mixtape release, ZEROBASEONE EMP plans to continue activities with a digital single in November.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 NMIXX will release the mini album ″Strange Muse″ and the title track ″Birthday Wish″ on October 19. Prior to this, a trailer video and concept photos were revealed on the official SNS on September 28 and 29. In the trailer video, the members appear around an inspiring fountain, and LILY, HAEWON, JIWOO, KYUJIN, SULLYOON, and BAE are shown sequentially in various dreamy spaces such as butterflies and light, a mysterious forest, and shimmering moonlight. The video ends with the six members emerging from the fountain covered in sparkling glitter and gathering back at the fountain. In the album concept photos, NMIXX creates a fantastic atmosphere against a vintage background tinged with multicolored light. The trailer depicts the birth of the muse, and teaser content expressing different charms through portraits of the three units was also released. This new album is the first release in about five months since ″Heavy Serenade,″ which was released last May. It includes a total of six songs: ″Birthday Wish,″ ″Kerosene,″ ″RudE TaLK,″ unit songs worked on by the members such as ″Sing to the Moon (LILY, HAEWON),″ ″Hot & Unbothered (SULLYOON, BAE),″ and ″WHIP (JIWOO, KYUJIN).″ Additionally, NMIXX is set to make their official debut in Japan with the release of their debut best album ″N=MIXX″ in December.]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Lee Young-hyun&Tei&Lee Seung-gi Complete the LineupDiverse Busking Performances AnnouncedThe poster for SBS's new busking program, 'The Listen: Our Season', has been revealed. /Donutgirl[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] 'The Listen' will color the autumn night with an even richer lineup.SBS announced on the 29th, "The busking program 'The Listen' Season 6, 'Our Season', will premiere on October 7th," and revealed the cast lineup. This season will feature 14 vocalists, including singers Lee Young-hyun, Tei, DK (December) Lee Seung-gi, EXO SUHO, ATEEZ JONGHO, and more.Launched in September 2021, 'The Listen' has received great love each season for showcasing vocalists' performances through themes such as 'The Wind Blows', 'The Voices We Loved', 'The Time We Spent Together', and 'We Together Again'.The newly returned 'The Listen: Our Season' will visit various everyday spaces such as lake parks, city squares, and observatories to perform busking, presenting special memories to citizens. In particular, a new corner called 'Destiny Busking' will be introduced, where artists and audiences naturally harmonize, adding a different kind of fun to traditional busking.This season features a large number of top vocalists in Korea. Lee Young-hyun, Tei, DK (December) Lee Seung-gi will showcase their broad musical spectrum based on their individual personalities and delicate emotions.EXO SUHO and ATEEZ JONGHO will also be appearing. Attention is focused on what emotions these two artists will convey through 'The Listen' as they move away from intense performance stages to focus solely on their voices.The female vocal lineup also catches the eye. Lee Ye-jun, Shin Ye-young, Yuju, Chuu, and Lee Ye-ji will appear, filling the stage with their distinct vocal colors. With the addition of Kim Hee Jae PARK JI HYUN SongMinJun, they are expected to complete ballad performances filled with autumn romance.Music will also be released before the broadcast. The group song 'It's a Big Deal', sung by Tei, DK Lee Seung-gi, Suho, and Jongho, with Kim Hee Jae PARK JI HYUN, will be released on the 30th at 6 PM, and Suho's 'Let's Be Well, Us' will be unveiled on October 4th at 6 PM. Solo songs by each artist and a female group song will also be released sequentially.'The Listen: Our Season' will premiere on October 7th at 11 PM.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'Assassins' Beaten, Tops Box Office on the 28thCumulative Audience Reaches 901,929The movie 'Tazza: One Eyed Jack' mobilized 68,913 viewers on the 27th, ranking first in the overall movie box office./CJ ENM[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] The movie 'Tazza: One Eyed Jack' has secured the top spot in the overall movie box office for the first time in six days since its release.According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network on the 28th, 'Tazza: One Eyed Jack' (directed by Choi Gook-hee) mobilized 68,913 viewers on the 27th, ranking first in the overall movie box office.This is the first time 'Tazza: One Eyed Jack' has reached the top of the box office since its release on the 23rd. As of this day, the movie has recorded a cumulative audience of 901,929.'Tazza: One Eyed Jack', which has maintained a two-way race with the movie 'Assassins' (directed by Hur Jin-ho) since its release, has become the protagonist of the box office's number one spot, gaining word-of-mouth as the ultimate crime-entertainment movie that delivers thrilling pleasure.In particular, the fact that 'Tazza: One Eyed Jack' achieved this number one ranking despite the handicap of being rated 'for adults only' is even more encouraging.This is interpreted as the movie itself gaining satisfaction, and the actors' active promotional activities and stage greetings gathering attention online, leading to it becoming a talked-about film among adult audiences.Based on the final installment of Huh Young-man's 'Tazza Series' comic, 'Tazza: One Eyed Jack' is a movie about Jang Tae-young (played by Byun Yo-han), who thought he had the world in his hands through an online casino business, and his best friend with the same name, Park Tae-young (played by Noh Jae-won), who took everything from him, meeting again in the global gambling arena for a revenge match.Actors Byun Yo-han, Noh Jae-won, Miyoshi Ayaka, Jo Woo-jin, Yoon Kyung-ho, Stephanie Lee, and Moon Ji-hoon have delivered passionate performances.'Tazza: One Eyed Jack' can be watched in theaters nationwide.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Luci Gang featured.. to be released on the 29thVerbal Jint will release his new single 'SUPERDRY' on the 29th. It is a pre-release track from '10 Years of Misreading II', the follow-up to '10 Years of Misreading I' (2012). /THE FACT DB[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] Musician Verbal Jint kicks off the follow-up to '10 Years of Misreading II', his first in 14 years, with a collaboration with female rapper Luci Gang.Verbal Jint will release his new single 'SUPERDRY' (feat. Luci Gang) with rising new rapper Luci Gang on the 29th. This single is a pre-release track from '10 Years of Misreading II', the follow-up to his 2012 full-length album '10 Years of Misreading I', which included his hit songs 'Good Morning', 'Pretty Enough', and 'Perfect Day'.Verbal Jint, who has been preparing '10 Years of Misreading II' for a remarkable 14 years, plans to preview the album's direction with 'SUPERDRY' (feat. Luci Gang) before the full album release.Luci Gang, who has been gaining attention in the recent hip-hop scene, participated as a featured artist. Luci Gang's unique rap and musical color were added to Verbal Jint's characteristic realistic and witty lyrics. /Brand New Music'SUPERDRY' (feat. Luci Gang) is a song that wittily expresses the honest inner thoughts of a character whose emotions have dried up, disliking everything from meeting people to anniversaries, special events, and even formal contact.Luci Gang, who has been gaining attention in the recent hip-hop scene, participated as a featured artist. Luci Gang became known to the public through Mnet's 'Show Me The Money 12', which aired earlier this year, and released her third full-length album 'Infinite Orbit' in July. Luci Gang's unique rap and musical color were added to Verbal Jint's characteristic realistic and witty lyrics.'SUPERDRY' (feat. Luci Gang), signaling the start of '10 Years of Misreading II', which has been prepared for a long time, will be released on the 29th at 6 PM.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Played the role of Joseon's top playboy, Jo Won, in 'Scandal'"A project that allowed me to experience a different way of working"Actor Ji Chang-wook recently met with at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss the Netflix original series 'Scandal.' /NetflixWhat does an unrefined star look like? The entertainment industry is full of stars who receive public attention, and there are many media outlets that follow them. Even when interviews are scheduled, it's rare to have one-on-one meetings. With multiple reporters interviewing at once, the content tends to be similar. In fact, it's common for agencies to create and distribute photos and videos themselves. Even in this reality, conveys the reporter's genuine impressions without any processing. [THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] Despite having worked on numerous projects and characters, actor Ji Chang-wook's eyes still sparkled. Having mastered various genres from action to romance, noir, and historical dramas, he has become a "trustworthy actor," but instead of relying on familiarity, he has set out to find something new. He says, "Acting is still fun," and naturally, one can feel the force that has made him who he is today.Actor Ji Chang-wook recently held an interview at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, with to commemorate the release of the Netflix original series 'Scandal' (written by Lee Seung-young&Ahn Hye-song, directed by Jung Ji-woo). Playing the role of Jo Won, he shared various stories related to the project.Ji Chang-wook has accumulated enough experience that he no longer needs to strive to prove himself. He has become known as an actor who doesn't hold back physically in action scenes, an actor who can evoke excitement in romance, and an actor who can embody the right persona for heavy genre pieces, naturally earning the title of a "trustworthy actor."However, Ji Chang-wook did not want to rely on his familiar image. Rather than boasting about what he has already done well, he showed more interest in what he hasn't done yet and wondered what new things he could try in his next project, rather than being satisfied with his current position. Despite having worked on numerous projects over a long period, he still says acting is "fun" and his eyes sparkled as he expressed his desire to "do more."Ji Chang-wook's filmography also reflects this mindset. Even after making a strong impression in works like 'Healer,' he did not remain confined to a single image. In 'Suspicious Partner,' 'Lovestruck in the City,' and 'Welcome to Samdal-ri,' he delivered romance and excitement, while in 'The Worst of Evil,' he portrayed a desperate noir, and in 'The Woman Who Plays with Fire,' he tackled a historical drama. He knew what he was good at but did not consider it the only correct path.In 'Scandal,' Ji Chang-wook led the drama as Jo Won, Joseon's top playboy. /NetflixOf course, choosing new things is not always enjoyable. It carries a higher risk of failure than re-demonstrating what one does well, and it requires taking on new challenges with unfamiliar characters and genres each time. Ji Chang-wook also admits that he gets tired because he doesn't have many days off. Nevertheless, the reason he doesn't stop is surprisingly simple: acting is still too much fun.Ji Chang-wook, whom met recently, exuded that very sentiment. Rather than making grand resolutions like wanting to become an "irreplaceable actor" or "showing a new side," he expressed a desire to try again if he encounters an interesting project. It's natural to think that this simple yet difficult-to-maintain passion is the greatest force that has shaped Ji Chang-wook into who he is today.In that sense, the Netflix original series 'Scandal' is a project that quite well represents the current Ji Chang-wook. Ji Chang-wook, who could have easily succeeded with his familiar approach, made another unfamiliar choice. The story revolves around Lady Jo (Son Ye-jin), who possesses exceptional talent but is confined to living as a Joseon woman, and Jo Won (Ji Chang-wook), Joseon's top lover, and their audacious and dangerous love bet, along with the story of Hee-yeon (Nana), who gets entangled in the bet. The 8-part series was released in its entirety on Netflix on the 18th.'Scandal' is based on the French novel 'Les Liaisons dangereuses' and was also adapted into the 2003 film 'Scandal – The Untold Story of the Joseon Dynasty.' Re-visiting a story already familiar to many was not an easy choice for the actor."Given that it was made into a film well-known in Korea, it's impossible not to feel some pressure when working on a project with such an original source. Since it's based on a classic, it also required courage. However, I wanted to try playing this character at least once. I think I determined that it was definitely a role worth challenging. While there was pressure, I started with the courage that we could create a new work."Ji Chang-wook played Jo Won, Joseon's top playboy. He is the son of a prestigious family but pursues immediate pleasure and fun over career advancement. In reality, he harbors an unfulfilled thirst because he cannot win the heart of the woman he desires most, and he secretly enters a bet to win Lady Jo's heart.Ji Chang-wook, playing Jo Won, received critical acclaim for portraying the complex emotional range from his obsession with what he cannot have to his free-spirited nature. /NetflixAlthough the character is difficult to explain, Ji Chang-wook was drawn to that very aspect. He recalled, "I think the character itself was complex, which made it interesting," and "I felt a desire to properly express these difficult emotions."Especially since actor Bae Yong-joon received great acclaim for playing Jo Won in the previous film, Ji Chang-wook must have had many concerns about playing the same character. Ji Chang-wook explained, "Since our project is a series, the character's narrative has been expanded a bit more," adding, "It was interesting because we could delve deeper into the changes in relationships and the character's narrative.""The process of finding the unknown emotions that Jo Won possesses was a unique experience. I couldn't find a definitive answer as to what exactly those emotions were, but I took many takes, trying it this way and that way. I think I kept trying to express it in a wavering and unknown form."Even the process of not finding an answer was a new source of enjoyment for Ji Chang-wook. He revealed, "I used to think that an actor needed to know clearly while acting, but this time it was a slightly different working method," adding, "At first, it was confusing and difficult, but it was fun. It was novel and enjoyable when I encountered expressions or ways of acting that I didn't even know I had.""We filmed the first reunion scene with Lady Jo on the first day of shooting. I was very curious as to why they chose to film such a difficult scene when the actor wasn't even warmed up. But I think the director wanted to capture new aspects that emerge from unfamiliarity. The subtle, new breathing within the scene felt truly different and fresh."Since his debut in the 2008 independent film 'Sleeping Beauty,' Ji Chang-wook has consistently expanded the boundaries of genres and roles through numerous projects such as 'Son of Sol Pharmacy,' 'Empress Ki,' 'Healer,' 'Suspicious Partner,' 'Lovestruck in the City,' 'The Worst of Evil,' 'Welcome to Samdal-ri,' 'The Woman Who Plays with Fire,' and 'Sculpture City.' Even for him, who has undergone numerous transformations, 'Scandal' was a 'newness' and a 'challenge.'Ji Chang-wook (right) said, "I don't have many days off, so I get tired sometimes, but acting is still fun." /NetflixJi Chang-wook said, "I actually worry in every project, 'Why does everything I say sound cliché, and why do my actions always seem like things I've done before?'" He added, "While working on 'Scandal,' the director and I had many conversations to establish our own working method.""After seeing the final product, I texted the director to say 'Thank you.' I felt like I was watching the director's 'Scandal' rather than the Jo Won I created, which was very interesting. I am truly grateful for the unique working method I experienced, for seeing a new side of myself, and for being able to see director Jung Ji-woo's 'Scandal.'"'Scandal' was a new challenge for Ji Chang-wook in many ways. While there are mixed reviews among viewers regarding the project, there were also evaluations that discovered a new side to Ji Chang-wook. However, he himself does not solely pursue good reviews. Ji Chang-wook said, "If I had only wanted to receive praise, I don't think I would have been able to act," surprising many."You can't live solely on good feedback (laughs). There are times when something I've worked hard on is ignored, and times when it's applauded, and this will continue to repeat. I think that's the specialty of this profession, and sometimes it's fun. Because you can hear feedback like, 'This is not good because of this.' Of course, I'm practicing self-control, but that doesn't mean I don't get hurt when I receive criticism. That's why I have an important principle of not getting too happy about praise and not getting discouraged by any criticism or blame."Perhaps because of this, throughout the interview, Ji Chang-wook appeared more like someone curious about what he could do next, rather than someone who would dwell on explaining his past. Although he has already mastered various genres from action to romance, Ji Chang-wook still seemed to be searching for 'something new.' And every time he talked about it, his eyes sparkled with both excitement and anticipation."Lately, I don't have many days off, so I get tired sometimes. But it's still fun. I find the work itself very enjoyable, and I also think about wanting to do more. I don't know what I'll be doing next year, but I don't want to force myself. I don't know how much more I will love acting in the future, but if I encounter a project that makes me tremble, I think I'll work hard again (laughs)."subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 'Drop That!' Music Video Teaser ReleasedOfficial Release on the 30th at 6 PMGroup CLOSE YOUR EYES has released a music video teaser for the title track 'Drop That!' from their fourth mini-album '256th Note.' / Uncore[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Group CLOSE YOUR EYES (CLOSE YOUR EYES, CL YOU A) is returning with 'fiery' energy.On the 28th, at 6 PM, their agency Uncore released a music video teaser for the title track 'Drop That!' from their fourth mini-album '256th Note' on the official YouTube channel of CLOSE YOUR EYES (JEON MINWOOK MA JINGXIANG JANG YEOJUN KIM SUNGMIN SONG SEUNGHO KENSHIN SEO KYOUNGBAE).The video features CLOSE YOUR EYES freely roaming the streets in a city. CLOSE YOUR EYES hinted at a changed charm by showcasing a rough yet sensual atmosphere with a styling that combines classic suits with street sensibility.In particular, the scene of sparks flying from their toes and the rapidly interchanging shots of the members dramatically convey the energy of 'Drop That!'.'Drop That!' is a song that reinterprets Yoon Si-nae's 'Enjoy This Night,' a precursor to Korean Jazz Funk, in a 90s street hip-hop style.It completes a unique color by adding the improvisation of jazz, which is unpredictable, and the sampling techniques unique to hip-hop on top of a powerful string line and upright bass sound.CLOSE YOUR EYES's new album '256th Note' is inspired by the 256th note, one of the shortest notes in existence, and expresses the 'fleeting emotions' felt by the members of CLOSE YOUR EYES.While the pre-released song 'Open Your Eyes' expressed the free sensibility of jazz in a lyrical and delicate way, the title track 'Drop That!' expands with intense and intuitive energy, showcasing CLOSE YOUR EYES's new music and performance.In addition, the album includes a total of 7 songs: 'Vibe Check,' 'Slowly Bleed,' 'Fool For You,' 'Baby Bossa Nova,' and 'Eternity.' CLOSE YOUR EYES members have added sincerity by participating in the lyrics of many of the included songs.CLOSE YOUR EYES will release their fourth mini-album '256th Note' on various music sites on the 30th at 6 PM.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Coming Soon Image and Prologue Film ReleasedMini 4th Album 'file. 07' to be Released on October 14Yuju will release her fourth mini-album 'file. 07' on October 14. The coming soon image features multiple photos connected by red string, filling the wall and creating a mysterious atmosphere. /At Area[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] Singer YUJU, formerly of girl group GFRIEND, has hinted at a new album with a different vibe.According to her agency At Area on the 29th, Yuju will release her fourth mini-album 'file. 07' through various online music sites on October 14. Yuju released a coming soon image and prologue film on her official social media on the afternoon of the 28th.The image features multiple photos connected by red string, filling the wall and creating a mysterious atmosphere. In the prologue film, Yuju is shown engrossed in music production, hinting at her exceptional talent as an artist, and introduced the album's theme as 'unfinished,' raising anticipation for the veiled new album.After moving to At Area last year, Yuju took her first step on a new musical journey with her 3rd mini-album 'In Bloom.' She solidified her position as a singer-songwriter by being credited on all songs, and proved her presence as a trustworthy artist with her unique emotional vocals.Additionally, Yuju embarked on a new musical transformation in April of this year with the single 'First Love is a Curse.' Showcasing an unprecedented color based on her conceptual charm, she has built a more distinct musical world by developing a wide spectrum.The agency stated, "Yuju, who has presented music with different attempts in every comeback, has captured a more grown aspect in this album," adding, "She will once again leave a deep impression on listeners by proving her upgraded musicality."Yuju's 4th mini-album 'file. 07' will be released at 6 PM on October 14.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 YoonA's Face Used Without Permission in Controversial AI-Generated Photos"We will respond strongly without any leniency or settlement"SM Entertainment has taken action against malicious AI posts that used the face of YoonA, a member of the group Girls' Generation and an actress. The photo shows YoonA attending the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards held in May. /Reporter Song Ho-young[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] SM Entertainment has taken legal action as malicious AI (artificial intelligence) posts targeting YoonA, a member of the group Girls' Generation and an actress, have been spreading indiscriminately.The agency SM Entertainment announced on its official social media on the 28th, "We have confirmed that illegal AI-generated images that arbitrarily synthesize YoonA's portrait and false information based on them are being indiscriminately produced and distributed, primarily through social media and online communities."It added, "We have continuously collected evidence related to illegal posts through fan reports and ongoing monitoring, and based on this, we have already filed criminal charges. We plan to respond strongly without any leniency or settlement."SM Entertainment emphasized, "The act of producing and posting illegal synthesized content using AI technology without the artist's consent, as well as sharing, re-distributing, or spreading such images and posts, may constitute violations of the Information and Communications Network Act for defamation, infringement of portrait rights, and the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes for editing and distributing false video content."It also urged, "We ask that you immediately stop creating and posting illegal synthesized content or unconfirmed false information, or sharing and re-distributing them. We ask for your special attention to avoid being involved in unpleasant incidents due to such actions."Finally, it pledged, "We will continue to monitor and actively respond to related activities to protect the rights and reputation of our artists."Recently, AI-generated photos of YoonA have been circulating on social media and online communities. The issue is that YoonA was depicted as being married to an unidentified man. YoonA's actual social media account was also tagged.YoonA debuted as a member of the group Girls' Generation in 2007 and has since expanded her acting career, receiving much love for her roles in MBC's "Big Mouth," JTBC's "King the Land," and tvN's "The Chef of Tyrant." She is scheduled to appear in the tvN drama "Unnatural" next year.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Teaser poster releasedFirst broadcast on October 30th at 9:50 PMThe teaser poster for MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Liar,' starring actors Seo Hyun-jin (left) and Yoo Yeon-seok, has been released. /MBC[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] Actors Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin present conflicting claims over a single memory.The production team of MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Liar' (written by Baek Jae-young, directed by Jo Young-min) released a teaser poster on the 29th, featuring the intense energy of Min Joon-ho (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) and Kang Ji-sun (played by Seo Hyun-jin).'Liar' is a story about two individuals who make diametrically opposed claims about a single memory, fiercely clashing in pursuit of the truth. The drama is also drawing attention as Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin, who previously starred together in the 2016 SBS drama 'Dr. Romantic,' are reuniting after 10 years.In the teaser poster, Min Joon-ho and Kang Ji-sun are looking in opposite directions. This suggests a relationship where the two are in a tense standoff, presenting different claims as if running on parallel lines. The addition of the phrase 'One of them is lying' heightens curiosity about whose words are the truth.The contrast between darkness and light also catches the eye. The darkness surrounding the two people evokes the veiled truth, while the light intensely illuminating their eyes expresses the complex and subtle psychology of the two characters caught between truth and falsehood.'Liar,' consisting of a total of 12 episodes, will premiere on October 30th at 9:50 PM.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 A Breathtaking Blind Date Between Nam Ji-hyun, the Eldest Daughter of a Traditional Family, and Kim Jae-young, the CEO of a Sex Toy CompanyReunited as Marketer and Client... Bickering Turns into Fluttering HeartsTVING's original series 'Can I Be Shaken?', starring actors Nam Ji-hyun and Kim Jae-young, will release episodes 1-4 on TVING on October 15. /TVING[THE FACT|Reporter Kim Saet-byeol] Actors Nam Ji-hyun and Kim Jae-young will begin an unpredictable romance as a man and woman with polar opposite values.The production team of TVING's original series 'Can I Be Shaken?' (written by Ahn Sae-bom, directed by Kim Ye-ji) released the main poster and preview video on the 29th, showing Gong Yeon-soo (Nam Ji-hyun) and Dok Go-dal (Kim Jae-young) bickering after meeting for the first time on a blind date and then encountering each other at work.'Can I Be Shaken?' is a romantic comedy that depicts the process of change as Gong Yeon-soo, a woman who does nothing without love, and Dok Go-dal, a man who is good at everything even without love, face each other's different worlds.The preview video begins with Gong Yeon-soo going on a blind date arranged by her grandparents and Dok Go-dal appearing before her. Gong Yeon-soo, the eldest daughter of a traditional family, and Dok Go-dal, the CEO of a sex toy startup, are characters who are difficult to find common ground with from their first meeting. An ironic relationship begins as the two people with different values meet at an unexpected blind date.Their encounter doesn't end there. Later, Gong Yeon-soo becomes a marketer, and Dok Go-dal becomes her client. Dok Go-dal draws a line, saying, "I can't entrust the promotion to a marketer who is prejudiced against the product," and Gong Yeon-soo struggles with the unfamiliar sex toy products. The meeting between the two, which started with a blind date and continued into the workplace, escalates into another war of nerves, bringing laughter.However, a change also occurs between the two, who kept clashing. The atmosphere changes after a sudden kiss, and Gong Yeon-soo begins to be conscious of Dok Go-dal. The scene where Dok Go-dal asks Gong Yeon-soo, "Were you perhaps attracted to me?" shows the budding feelings between them and heightens curiosity about their future relationship.The main poster, released together, features Gong Yeon-soo and Dok Go-dal walking side by side on a dark night street. Gong Yeon-soo looks up at Dok Go-dal with a gentle smile, and Dok Go-dal looks at her. The subtle atmosphere between the two, along with the phrase "Is it the heart or the body that trembles?", hints at the romance that will unfold.Attention is focused on how the two, whose relationship changed from blind date partners to marketer and client, will accept each other's values and grow closer.'Can I Be Shaken?', a romance about clashing tastes between Nam Ji-hyun and Kim Jae-young, consists of a total of 10 episodes and will be released simultaneously with episodes 1-4 on TVING on October 15.sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Mini 5th EP 'BREAK EVEN' Film Teases a Shift in RelationshipsAlbum to be released on the 26th.. Title track 'I'LL CATCH YOU'ILLIT has released the concept film for their mini 5th EP 'BREAK EVEN'. The video vividly depicts the moment of realizing the sunk cost of emotions, with the members' realistic acting heightening the immersion. /BELIFT LAB[THE FACT | Reporter Jeong Byung-geun] Girl group ILLIT expressed a turning point in relationships through realistic portrayals of anger.ILLIT released the 'BURNING' version concept film for their mini 5th EP 'BREAK EVEN' on the YouTube channel of HYBE LABELS at 8 PM on the 28th. The video vividly depicts the moment ILLIT realizes the sunk cost of emotions, with the members' realistic acting heightening the immersion.The video begins with lightning striking from a clear sky and the sound of thunder. Yoonah, with a wounded face, wears an expression of intense anger, while Minju stands expressionlessly, exuding a chilling atmosphere before revealing a crazed side with a chainsaw. Wonhee wipes away tears and then violently hits a teddy bear, and IROHA smashes various objects with a hammer, unleashing pent-up rage.The classical music playing instead of intense beats or sounds is also impressive. The escalating orchestral melody and raw dialogue create a peculiar contrast.The members' casually delivered lines such as "They said this is the real end this time," and "It's a waste of time" hint at a cold breakup. Coupled with the phrase "I'LL LOSE ALL MY PATIENCE. NOT WORTH IT." and the subtitle 'FOUR STORIES', it sparks curiosity about the narrative of the upcoming new album.In this album, ILLIT marks a turning point in 'relationships,' which have been the central theme of their musical narrative. Like the album title 'BREAK EVEN,' which signifies the break-even point in relationships with neither loss nor profit, they declare that they will no longer invest their hearts and time into someone who doesn't reciprocate their efforts. This is a new side of ILLIT, who has always boldly pursued their feelings without hiding them.The title track 'I'LL CATCH YOU' is a track where these emotions reach their peak. It's a bold warning to someone who mistakenly led them on with habitual kindness, and it embodies ILLIT's proactive attitude in choosing the end of the relationship themselves.ILLIT will ignite the comeback fervor by holding an encore concert at the Inspire Arena in Incheon on October 17th and 18th. They will then release their mini 5th EP 'BREAK EVEN' on the 26th.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The new album 'Strange Muse' will be released on October 19th at 6 PM.Concept photos for the new album 'Strange Muse' have been released by NMIXX, KYUJIN LILY SULLYOON JIWOO HAEWON BAE (from top left, clockwise). / JYP Entertainment[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Group NMIXX has transformed into 'Muse', the fairy of music in mythology.On the 28th and 29th, agency JYP Entertainment released the trailer video and concept photos for their sixth mini-album 'Strange Muse' on the official social media of NMIXX (LILY HAEWON SULLYOON BAE JIWOO KYUJIN).The trailer begins with NMIXX surrounding a shining fountain, then sequentially shows LILY and HAEWON in a mystical forest centered around butterflies and light, JIWOO and KYUJIN in an unrealistic and dreamlike space, and SULLYOON and BAE under the brilliant moonlight.It concludes with the six members, covered in sparkling glitter, emerging from the fountain and gathering back at the fountain.The concept photos focus on NMIXX's fantastical atmosphere against a vintage background. With the trailer depicting the birth of a muse and teaser content showcasing each member's charm in different moods, NMIXX raises curiosity about the story they will unfold in their new album.NMIXX's new album 'Strange Muse' includes a total of six tracks, starting with the title song 'Birthday Wish', followed by 'Kerosene', 'RudE TaLK', the unit song 'Sing to the Moon' by LILY HAEWON, the unit song 'Hot 'n Unbothered' by SULLYOON BAE, and the unit song 'WHIP' by JIWOO and KYUJIN.NMIXX will release their sixth mini-album 'Strange Muse' on various music sites on October 19th at 6 PM. / JYP EntertainmentNMIXX will release their sixth mini-album 'Strange Muse' on various music sites on October 19th at 6 PM. They will then hold an encore performance of their first world tour 'EPISODE 1: ZERO FRONTIER' from November 27th to 29th at the Incheon Inspire Arena.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Strong action against continuous malicious posts"Perpetrators caught will be held legally accountable"SM Entertainment has launched a crackdown on malicious posts related to group aespa WINTER. The photo shows Winter attending a press conference for the release of their second full album 'LEMONADE' held in June. / Reporter Seo Ye-won[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] SM Entertainment has announced strong legal punishment for malicious commenters harassing group aespa WINTER.The agency SM Entertainment posted on its official social media on the 28th, "We sternly warn that strong legal action will be taken against malicious posts that are continuously being spread targeting Winter."It continued, "Currently, illegal posts and content such as the spread of false information, defamation, insult, malicious slander, personal attacks, and sexual harassment against Winter are continuously being posted on various platforms," adding, "We plan to proceed with legal procedures such as lawsuits in stages after thorough review by a law firm."Furthermore, it added, "We will respond to illegal activities conducted on anonymous bulletin boards and social media without exception, and we will secure the necessary data to identify the origin and perpetrator of posts, regardless of whether they are domestic or international, and request an investigation from the relevant investigative authorities."Strong punishment was also foreshadowed. SM Entertainment reiterated, "We emphasize that perpetrators caught will be held legally accountable without any leniency or settlement, based on a zero-tolerance policy," and advised, "Please exercise extreme caution to avoid participating in criminal acts."Finally, it pledged, "We are constantly collecting and securing data on all posts and content that infringe upon the rights and interests of our artists through fan reports and our own monitoring, and we will continue to strengthen our legal response to malicious posts to protect the rights and interests of our artists in the future."WINTER debuted as a member of aespa in 2020. They have received much love for songs such as 'Black Mamba', 'Next Level', 'Spicy', 'Supernova', and 'Whiplash'. They released 'SYNK : COMPLaeXITY' on the 14th.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Controversy surrounding the mastermind behind the assassination of the First Lady in the dramaProduction team: "This is not a film to deny or distort facts."The production team of the film 'Assassins' has clarified the controversy surrounding historical distortion. Pictured are lead actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho (from left) attending a production presentation. /Reporter Park Sang-min[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] The production team of the film 'Assassins' has revealed its stance on the controversy surrounding historical distortion.The production team of 'Assassins' (Director Huh Jin-ho) announced on the 28th through an official statement, "We would like to share the production team's position on the various opinions that have recently been raised regarding 'Assassins'."They added, "'Assassins' is a fictional film that reconstructs a historical event that occurred in 1974, based on various records related to the incident at the time, with added cinematic imagination." The production team explained, "We conducted extensive research on publicly available records, documentary books, and more, and created a story by combining fictional characters and situations with real events and figures as motifs."Furthermore, they stated, "This work is not a film produced to newly establish a specific historical conclusion or to deny/distort existing facts. The film does not designate any specific individual as the mastermind behind the incident anywhere. We are not presenting hypotheses and dramatic settings within the film as historical facts."Finally, they requested, "As this is a work based on historical events and real figures, various interpretations and criticisms are possible. The production team respects such opinions. However, we would like to state that this is not a film produced with specific political intentions beyond the unique creative intent and nature of the work. We ask that you view the work solely as a product of creation."'Assassins', which was released on the 23rd, is a story that traces the suspicions and mastermind behind the assassination of First Lady Yuk Young-soo, which shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974. However, controversy arose due to the film's setting, which suggested the involvement of the Central Intelligence Agency in the incident. Some have raised concerns about historical distortion, suggesting that it implies former President Park Chung-hee's side was behind the incident.'Assassins' was the number one film at the box office during this year's Chuseok holiday. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticket sales network, as of the 28th, the cumulative audience number was 1,633,621, and it is currently being screened in theaters nationwide.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Major agencies are increasing their comeback frequency.Small and medium-sized agencies are also reporting increased difficulties.Group ILLIT, whose song 'It's Me' released on April 30th is still popular, has confirmed the release of their new mini-album 'BREAK EVEN' on October 26th. / Belift Lab[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] K-pop group comeback cycles are accelerating. In contrast to the past, when artists' 'hiatus' and 'active' periods were relatively distinct, K-pop groups are now creating a different landscape with such frequent activities that the term 'comeback' seems almost inadequate.As of the 23rd, approximately 34 groups have announced comebacks or new releases in Korea from late September to November. This number expands to 46 teams when including Japanese and overseas releases, units, projects, and debuts. Among these, 39 teams have already released at least one album or music in Korea this year, and a majority of 26 teams have released two or more.Considering that the typical new song release cycle for K-pop groups was about twice a year just two to three years ago, these figures indicate a noticeable acceleration in comeback frequency.When asked about the reason for this accelerated comeback cycle, the most common answer is that 'the cycle of music consumption has sped up.' The logic is that as short-form platforms gain influence in music consumption, people quickly grow tired of content, necessitating continuous provision of new music and content.However, a closer look at the charts reveals that this explanation alone is insufficient. This is because some groups that are still enjoying high popularity on various charts have also announced their comebacks.For instance, in the case of ILLIT, the title track 'It's Me' from their release 'MAMIHLAPINATAPAI' on April 30th ranked 12th on Melon's daily chart on the 21st. The song also ranked 21st on Spotify's daily Top Songs in Korea and 28th on YouTube Music's daily music video chart, demonstrating its continued popularity.Despite this, ILLIT has announced the release of their fifth mini-album 'BREAK EVEN' on October 26th. This is not all. In June, when 'It's Me' was even more popular, ILLIT participated in the collaboration song 'ICONIC BY MISTAKE,' and in July, they released the Japanese single 'I Got Your Back.' Furthermore, 'I Got Your Back' had an additional Korean version released in August, and they engaged in broadcast activities with members of Japanese girl group HANA, including Jisoo Momoka.Similarly, ATEEZ, currently enjoying their peak with the success of 'BAD,' released 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4' in February and 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5' in June of this year. While the title track 'BAD' from 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5' continues to maintain its position at the top of various charts, they have announced a new album release for November.Group ATEEZ is also reportedly preparing for a new album release in November. This trend indicates a progressively faster comeback cycle for K-pop groups. / KQ EntertainmentAs seen with ILLIT and ATEEZ, the number of teams releasing new albums while their previously released music is still being consumed and gaining popularity is increasing. This is why the current 'fast comeback cycle' cannot be solely explained by 'faster music consumption.'The industry points to changes in the production environment and marketing strategies as other reasons for the accelerated comeback cycles.In the past, a lack of consistent comeback opportunities was partly attributed to issues with song acquisition. In an era with a relatively smaller pool of composers, groups often had to wait for the right music to be produced before making a comeback. However, now, with the increase in self-producing groups and the expanded participation of overseas composers through songwriting camps, song acquisition has become relatively smoother.Additionally, the spread of marketing strategies that emphasize 'striking while the iron is hot' has led to a stronger tendency to actively promote during periods of positive reception to firmly establish a top position, which also influences 'fast comebacks.'A music industry official, identified as A, stated, "In the current K-pop industry, apart from a few groups like BTS, Black Pink, Stray Kids, Seventeen, and TWICE, who can be called 'top-class' or 'outliers,' there aren't many other standout acts, with the exception of CORTIS. And CORTIS, despite being a rookie, has quickly risen to the ranks of top-tier groups. However, they are not releasing albums twice or three times a year. Ultimately, I believe that groups with a certain level of potential are continuously engaging in new activities without rest to solidify their fan base and reach greater heights when they receive a positive response."From the fans' perspective, the continuous release of new music and content is naturally welcomed. However, this also brings about another side effect in the K-pop scene: the 'rich get richer, the poor get poorer' phenomenon.Currently, teams releasing more than two new works annually are mostly affiliated with major agencies, often referred to as large corporations, or are popular groups whose album sales exceed one million copies. The reason is simple: without these groups, it is difficult to continuously bear the costs required for frequent album production.There is a saying in the industry that 'to stably produce the next album, album sales must exceed 300,000 copies.' However, as of now, only 49 albums released in 2026 have surpassed 300,000 copies in initial sales (sales in the first week after release), and only 44 teams have achieved sales of over 300,000 copies. Considering that approximately 300 K-pop group albums are released annually, this is a significantly small number.In fact, a comprehensive analysis of 1182 K-pop idol groups from 1996 to 2025 by Professor Kim Jeong-seop of Sungshin Women's University revealed that only 3.55% of groups recorded album sales exceeding 300,000 copies. This indicates that market performance is concentrated among a few teams.Consequently, small and medium-sized agencies, finding it difficult to recoup production costs, are forced to continuously engage in various events and small-scale tours to compensate, pushing back album production further.There are ongoing voices from the K-pop market stating that small and medium-sized idol groups are finding it difficult to even get opportunities to compete. The photo shows group RESCENE, which achieved the 'miracle of small and medium-sized idols.' / The Muse EntertainmentFurthermore, small and medium-sized agencies find it relatively difficult to secure members with self-production capabilities and have fewer opportunities to receive good songs through songwriting camps or from renowned composers, leading to a vicious cycle of delayed comebacks.Official A expressed regret, saying, "From the perspective of small and medium-sized agencies, they work hard to secure production costs and prepare meticulously, only to find themselves constantly competing against major corporations. While the case of RESCENE recently shows that it's not 'absolutely impossible,' the structure for successful cases of small and medium-sized agencies seems to be becoming increasingly difficult."He added, "In fact, the K-pop industry follows the logic of capitalism, so no one can be blamed for the current situation. However, it's unavoidable that small and medium-sized agencies feel that even the minimum opportunity to compete is disappearing. I hope we can find a way for mutual growth so that not just specific groups from major agencies, but K-pop as a whole can receive attention."laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Q3 Legal Action Status UpdatePledis announced the legal action taken against malicious posts and professional ticket scalpers concerning its group Seventeen (Photo). /THE FACTDB[THE FACT | Reporter Jeong Byeong-geun] Pledis, the agency for TWS and others, announced the legal action taken against malicious commenters and professional ticket scalpers, vowing to pursue them relentlessly.Pledis announced the legal action status for the third quarter on the official fan community of Seventeen on the 28th, stating, "We are continuously taking legal action against the spread of false information, insults, and sexual slander against our artists." According to this, some of the professional scalpers were sentenced to over a year in prison and ordered to pay over 1 billion won in combined fines.Pledis stated, "We have filed lawsuits against malicious commenters and legal proceedings are currently underway for numerous cases. In particular, for a defendant indicted on charges of malicious defamation against an artist among the existing lawsuits, a fine of 2 million won was recently imposed in the first trial," adding, "We will continue to take legal action without any compromise against crimes that infringe upon artists' rights."Regarding ticket scalpers, he emphasized, "As a result of close cooperation with investigative agencies, some of the professional ticket scalpers recently apprehended were sentenced to prison terms of 1 year and 8 months and 1 year and 4 months, respectively, with a combined forfeiture of over 1 billion won. In addition to these individuals, investigative procedures are ongoing for other professional ticket scalpers, particularly those based overseas. We will pursue them to the end without leniency and respond sternly."Pledis announced its intention to continue legal action by monitoring acts that infringe upon artists' rights occurring across domestic and international online channels in real-time.Here is the full Pledis announcement.Hello.This is Pledis Entertainment.We are continuously taking legal action against the spread of false information, insults, and sexual slander against our artist Seventeen, based on our own monitoring data and active reports from fans, in order to protect the rights and interests of our affiliated artist and to strictly respond to malicious acts. We hereby inform you of the legal actions currently underway as of the third quarter of 2026.1. Notice on the Progress of Major Lawsuits Based on the collected evidence, we have filed lawsuits against the creators of malicious posts, and judicial proceedings are currently underway for numerous cases. In particular, for a defendant indicted on charges of malicious defamation against an artist among the existing lawsuits, a fine of 2 million won was recently imposed in the first trial. The defendant, disagreeing with this ruling, has filed an appeal, and the appellate trial is currently in progress. We will continue to respond strictly until the end to ensure that the defendant receives appropriate punishment in the appellate trial. We are responding without leniency to cases currently under investigation by investigative agencies, including this one, and will continue to take legal action without any compromise against future crimes that infringe upon the rights and interests of our artists.2. Response to Illegal Ticket Resale by Professional Scalpers We have been closely cooperating with investigative agencies to apprehend and punish professional scalpers who have been illegally reselling tickets for our affiliated artists' performances. As a result, some of the professional scalpers recently apprehended have been sentenced to actual prison terms of 1 year and 8 months and 1 year and 4 months, respectively, with a combined forfeiture of over 1 billion won. In addition to these individuals, investigative procedures are ongoing for other professional scalpers, particularly those based overseas, and we are actively cooperating with the requests of the investigative agencies. We will continue to pursue and strictly deal with illegal ticket resales by professional scalpers without leniency.3. Continuous Monitoring and Evidence Collection for Malicious Posts We utilize our proprietary real-time monitoring system to continuously collect evidence of artist rights infringement across various online channels, both domestic and international. This includes major online communities (DC Inside, Ilbe, FMKorea, TheQoo, Instiz, Yeoseongshidae, Jjukbbang Cafe, Nate Pann, Weverse, etc.), music platforms (Melon, Bugs Music, etc.), and social media platforms (X, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, etc.). Even if a post is immediately deleted, our monitoring system allows for the tracking of the author and the securing of evidence. The dissemination of false information that damages an artist's reputation, defamation, insults based on appearance or nationality, mockery, hate speech, sexual harassment, and sexual objectification are clear criminal offenses punishable by relevant laws. We will respond with a zero-tolerance policy, without any leniency or settlement.4. Fan Tip Submission Guidelines In addition to our ongoing monitoring, the tips you send us are of great help in proving criminal acts and identifying suspects. If you discover malicious posts that infringe on the rights and interests of our artists, please submit your tips in the format below. Submission Channel: HYBE Artist Rights Infringement Reporting Site Recommended Format: A full-screen capture of your PC or a PDF file (saved as PDF via the print menu) that includes the URL, the entire content of the post, information about the author, and the date of posting and capture.We sincerely thank our Carats for their unwavering support and love towards Seventeen. We will continue to do our best to protect the honor and rights of our artists.Thank you.[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]kafka@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 First full album 'Chain Reaction' all tracks released on October 6X:IN has sequentially released concept photos for their first full album 'Chain Reaction'. The photos, which capture the visual synergy and contrasting charms of all members, have raised anticipation for their first full album. /BBIE[THE FACT | Reporter Jung Byung-geun] Girl group X:IN has announced their first full album with intense visuals that oscillate between girl crush and SF moods.From the 23rd to the 28th, X:IN (Esha, Niz, Nova, Hanna, Aria) sequentially released concept photos for their first full album 'Chain Reaction' on their official social media. The photos, which capture the visual synergy and contrasting charms of all members, have raised anticipation for their first full album.The first concept highlighted a strong red and chic dark sporty and leather mood. The five members showcased a diverse yet unified girl crush fashion by wearing black bustiers and crop tops with stud and belt details, buckle shorts, and high cowboy boots with flame patterns.The second concept exuded a unique mood set against a mysterious futuristic laboratory. The members added a different feel from the previous concept photos by incorporating various items such as ponytails, caps, and white arm warmers, based on beige and white toned looks adorned with elaborate chains and gold hardware.With the release of two contrasting concept photos, X:IN is set to prove their enhanced musical spectrum and bold concept execution with this first full album. /BBIEThe sensual point makeup and sophisticated styling created a mysterious atmosphere in harmony within a space filled with symbolic objects such as tiered structures, giant SF-like sculptures, and blue lighting.With the release of two contrasting concept photos, X:IN is set to prove their enhanced musical spectrum and bold concept execution with this first full album.X:IN will begin their comeback countdown by sequentially releasing pre-orders on October 1st and the music video teaser for the title track on October 2nd. They will then release the digital version of their first full album 'Chain Reaction' on October 6th, followed by the physical album release on the 20th.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 "Gyu-jong, congratulations on your 15th solo debut anniversary""Gyu-jong, congratulations on your 15th debut anniversary" On the 28th, a congratulatory advertisement was posted on the Yongsan I'Park Mall media wall to celebrate the 15th solo debut anniversary of SS501 member Kim Kyu-jong. /FANNSTAR[THE FACT | Reporter Choi Ju-bin] Kim Kyu-jong received an unforgettable gift from fans to celebrate their 15th solo debut anniversary.FANNSTAR released photos of the I'Park Mall media wall advertisement on the 28th. Kim Kyu-jong's fans achieved the 'Yongsan I'Park Mall Media Wall' in the FANNSTAR project, which began on September 15th.The advertisement will only be displayed on the Yongsan I'Park Mall media wall advertisement on this day.With the success of Kim Kyu-jong's support, FANNSTAR was flooded with messages of support from fans. Fans left comments such as "Congratulations, Gyu-jong" and "I love you."Meanwhile, on 'FANNSTAR', fans can directly open billboard support for their desired artist. The materials used for the billboard video can be freely produced by FANNSTAR or the fandom.chlwnqls@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer Krystal showcased her sophisticated charm by revealing her appearance with the Italian luxury car brand Maserati’s sports utility vehicle (SUV), the Grecale. Recently, Krystal posted a photo on her social media showing her standing next to the Maserati Grecale wearing a gray t-shirt and jeans. Against the colorful outdoor containers, she also shared calm images of herself sitting in the driver’s seat holding the steering wheel or leaning against the car door, creating a natural yet luxurious atmosphere. The photo included hashtags such as ″me & @maserati @maserati.korea #Maserati #Grecale #Maserati #Grecale,″ suggesting that Krystal has a collaboration or official connection with Maserati Korea. The Maserati Grecale is a luxury SUV equipped with a powerful 330-horsepower engine, dynamic driving performance with a zero to 60 mph acceleration time of 5.3 seconds, and a Sonus Faber sound system, attracting significant attention both domestically and internationally. Recently, as Maserati Korea began officially sponsoring the domestic women’s professional golf (KLPGA) regular tour ″Iceberg Golf·Seoul Shinmun Open″ to expand brand awareness, natural exposure by celebrities like Krystal is expected to create a synergistic effect. Meanwhile, Krystal actively pursues her career as a singer and actress while continuously engaging with fans through her personal social media by showcasing trendy daily life and stylish looks. Her appearance with the Maserati Grecale also captured her sophisticated and free-spirited charm, expressing her unique sensibility.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Group ATEEZ members Yoonho and San attended the Diesel SS27 fashion show and the Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2027 women’s fashion show, respectively, in Milan, Italy. Yoonho was invited as a front-row guest to the Diesel SS27 fashion show held in Milan on the 22nd (local time). At the brand’s monumental show and the farewell stage of creative director Glenn Martens, he captured attention with a vintage-inspired green leather jacket paired with a blue knit. Yoonho represented the brand’s trendy and rebellious mood with his stylish styling and unique physique. San attended the Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2027 women’s fashion show on the 26th and was the only Korean celebrity invited. Earlier, on the 22nd, he also participated in the ″Vogue World: Milan″ event, showcasing his presence. San demonstrated both classic and casual styles with a look mixing a navy velvet jacket and grunge-washed denim pants. Additionally, after sitting front row at the show, he exuded masculinity in an all-black outfit at the after-dinner event. Both members were invited to luxury brand shows and attracted attention from influential local media and fashion industry insiders.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 VR concerts are emerging as a new option for the way K-POP artists engage with their audiences. Recently, AMAZE has been conducting VR concert projects with various K-POP artists such as Tomorrow X Together (TXT), Enhypen, &TEAM, LE SSERAFIM, TWS, and ATEEZ. The VR concerts presented by AMAZE are characterized by continuing as a series rather than ending with a single event. Tomorrow X Together (TXT) has showcased a total of three VR concerts, starting with ’HYPERFOCUS,’ followed by ’HEART ATTACK,’ and this year, ’ENDLESS RIDE.’ ’ENDLESS RIDE’ features a concept of traveling to various locations by train, with songs arranged against backgrounds like deserts, seas, and cities to complete a single story. Enhypen released its second VR concert ’DESTINY’ this year, following last year’s ’IMMERSION.’ This work incorporates a vampire worldview and tells a story between fans and the artist through the performance. Screenings are ongoing in several cities across Asia, including Seoul, Japan, and North America. VR concerts have established themselves as series content by producing sequels beyond simple technological experiences. While actual concerts face physical constraints such as city, date, and seating, VR concerts can operate for a set period targeting multiple cities in various spaces like movie theaters. AMAZE emphasized that VR headsets allow fans to experience artists up close and watch together. VR concerts do not replace world tours but share roles with live performances, contributing to extending the lifespan of artist content. They provide new content during the waiting period after album activities end or in regions where live concerts are not held. Artists can reconstruct existing songs and performances with new stories and direction, and fans can experience the same music in a different way. Especially in cases like Tomorrow X Together (TXT) and Enhypen, which continuously present VR concerts, VR shows potential to develop from one-time events into series. However, it is still premature to conclude that VR concerts have become an official routine activity across K-POP, as conditions such as production costs, technology, and screening infrastructure are required. In this way, the stage for K-POP artists’ activities is expanding beyond music releases, broadcasts, and live performances to include the new space of VR. While music shows and concerts were the main stages for meeting fans in the past, now another point of contact called VR concerts is being established between albums and world tours.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Ha-eum of the group KiiiKii showcased the 26FW season photoshoot and video in collaboration with Rockfish Weatherwear’s ’Rockfish Node.’ This photoshoot was released through the fashion magazine Vogue Korea. Ha-eum participated as the campaign model for the ’Rockfish Node’ line, expressing the freedom and energy of youth against the backdrop of a city night filled with neon signs. In the locker room scene, she combined preppy school looks with sneakers to show a kitsch charm, while in the night view scenes, she emphasized style with striking pink pants. She also presented a hip and cool image by matching a racing jacket with boots. In the accompanying video, Ha-eum vividly recreated the scenes of the photoshoot with natural facial expressions and actions. The addition of a virtual driving scene completed a sophisticated and speedy mood. Meanwhile, KiiiKii, to which Ha-eum belongs, recently concluded activities for their third mini-album ’WhyKiiiKiii.’ KiiiKii consecutively won ’Song of the Year’ and ’Artist of the Year’ awards at music award ceremonies with ’404 (New Era).’ Ha-eum’s latest photoshoot can be found in the October issue of Vogue Korea, and KiiiKii’s own content ’KiiiKii PangPang’ is released every Friday at 7 PM.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The fifth mini-album 'BREAK EVEN' will be released on October 26 at 6 PM.Group ILLIT will release their new album 'BREAK EVEN' on October 26. The photo shows ILLIT on the blue carpet at the '2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS(2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS, TMA)' held at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on the 19th. /Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Group ILLIT will crack down on 'habitual kindness'.On the 28th, their agency Belift Lab posted the tracklist for their fifth mini-album 'BREAK EVEN' on the official social media of ILLIT(YUNAH MINJU MOKA WONHEE IROHA).The new album includes a total of 4 songs, including the title track 'I'll Catch You' and 'Super in Love', 'More', and 'Pop'.The title track 'I'll Catch You' is a song that delivers a bold warning to someone who made them mistake their habitual kindness, heralding a new charm of ILLIT.The album title 'BREAK EVEN' means the break-even point of a relationship with no loss or profit. ILLIT has put a declaration in the album that they will no longer pour their hearts and time into relationships that do not return as much effort as they put in.'I'll Catch You' is the song that most clearly shows this change. Unlike the previous song 'It's Me', which shouted 'Your favorite is me!', they choose the end of the relationship themselves. While ILLIT's unique honest and bold charm remains, it shows a more proactive attitude towards love.'BREAK EVEN' includes a total of 4 songs, including the title track 'I'll Catch You'. / Belift LabThis emotional line becomes clearer as you follow the flow of the tracks. 'Super in Love', where they realize it was unrequited love, 'More', where the embarrassment of misunderstanding the relationship with you turns into annoyance, and 'I'll Catch You', where those who have reached the peak of their emotions decide to end their relationship, follow in order.In the last track 'Pop', the mood is reversed as they are instantly captivated by a new person who appears without notice.ILLIT will release their fifth mini-album 'BREAK EVEN' on various music sites on October 26.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Forced withdrawal from fan club for spreading malicious contentBand Hi-Fi Un!corn draws the line against excessive threats and malicious content distribution. /FNC Entertainment[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] FNC Entertainment has announced strong legal action against excessive threats directed at the band Hi-Fi Un!corn.In an official statement released on the 28th, FNC Entertainment stated, "We have recently confirmed cases of threats being sent to responsible employees regarding Hi-Fi Un!corn(Kim Hyun-yul, Son Ki-yoon, Uhm Tae-min, Fukushima Shuto, Heo Min), and instances of verbal abuse and distribution of slanderous videos targeting artists and staff due to their demands not being met."The company added, "Private threats, personal insults, and malicious dissemination of false information against others are serious matters that violate the Information and Communications Network Act and obstruct business. We plan to take strict measures to protect the minimum human rights and safety of our artists and employees."Furthermore, they warned, "We will continue to carefully review and actively reflect reasonable suggestions and voices from our fans through the official suggestion channel. However, if acts of threatening employees or distributing malicious content towards artists are confirmed, we will not only forcibly withdraw them from the official fan club but also permanently revoke their right to participate in all events organized by our company, including concerts and fan meetings."The agency emphasized, "We are continuously monitoring excessive threats, personal insults, and malicious fake news through our legal representatives and will take strict civil and criminal legal action without any leniency."Finally, they promised, "Communication with our fans can be maintained most valuably within a culture of mutual respect and courtesy. FNC Entertainment will do its best to protect the precious space created by our artists, including Hi-Fi Un!corn, and our fans."Meanwhile, Hi-Fi Un!corn is the winning team of the audition program 'The Idol Band : Boy's Battle,' hosted by FNC in collaboration with SBS M in Korea and TBS in Japan. They debuted in June 2023 with the single album 'Over the Rainbow.' They are actively promoting, having released the ninth new song 'Smile' from their monthly digital single project 'H!dden Color' on the 25th.subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 After releasing a pre-release song on October 19, the album will be released on October 26.Group IVE will release their new mini-album 'Looks Can Kill' on October 26. The photo shows An Yu-jin Gaeul Rei Leeseo Liz, and Jang Won-young of IVE (from top left, clockwise) posing at the media showcase for their second full album 'REVIVE+' held on February 23. / Reporter Seo Ye-won[THE FACT|Choi Hyun-jung] Group IVE will make a comeback to the music industry immediately after finishing their second world tour.Agency Starship Entertainment announced their comeback by releasing a coming soon video for their new mini-album 'Looks Can Kill' on their official social media on the 28th.The video featured the new album logo along with the phrase 'IVE SPIN-OFF RELEASE 2026.10.19(IVE Spin-off Release)' and captured attention with Seoul's landmarks behind a high-rise building. In particular, the intense IVE logo graphic filling the entire building, combined with the stylish direction, heightened curiosity about the new album.Previously, IVE achieved great success in music charts and music broadcasts in February with their second full-length album 'REVIVE+'. The double title track 'BANG BANG' ranked first on major domestic music charts, achieving the team's sixth perfect all-kill (PAK).Additionally, 'BANG BANG' entered major global charts such as the U.S. Billboard 'Global 200', 'Global (Excl. U.S.)', and 'World Digital Song Sales', and the double title tracks 'BANG BANG' and 'BLACKHOLE' achieved a total of 9 wins on music shows.In addition, IVE continued their global journey with their second world tour 'SHOW WHAT I AM', starting in Seoul and covering major cities across Asia, Oceania, and North America.IVE will release a pre-release song on October 19th and release the new mini-album 'Looks Can Kill' on music sites on October 26th. / Starship EntertainmentThe tour saw IVE perform at major venues in each region, including Kyocera Dome and Tokyo Dome in Japan, and notably, the North American tour expanded to a total of 8 cities, including three Canadian cities: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, where they met with local fans.Having connected with fans worldwide through her world tour, further expanding her stage experience and musical spectrum, IVE is set to showcase even newer music and concepts with her new mini-album 'Looks Can Kill'.IVE will release a pre-release song on October 19th and release the new mini-album 'Looks Can Kill' on music sites on October 26th.[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]laugardagr@tf.co.kr]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Jo Se-ho appeared on the YouTube channel ’DoDriver’ and was seen bowing his head during a conversation with Joo Woo-jae. In the recently released ’DoDriver’ video, Jo Se-ho said to Joo Woo-jae, ″Things really worked out well, Woo-jae brother-in-law,″ and Woo-young added, ″You really married well.″ In response, Joo Woo-jae acknowledged, ″That’s right. Things really worked out well for me,″ and explained the reason for his good fortune as ″There is only one reason why things worked out well for me. I met good friends.″ Then, when he mentioned, ″When I see people who just meet anyone and end up making mistakes like that...″ Jo Se-ho silently bowed his head. Kim Sook also joined the joke, saying, ″Among us, there is even someone without connections.″ Jo Se-ho responded, ″That’s a really important statement,″ and added, ″In life, relationships are important.″ Jo Se-ho was involved in a controversy late last year over his acquaintance with a certain individual. At that time, a photo of Jo Se-ho with Mr. A, who was identified as a key figure in organized crime, was released, sparking rumors of ties to gangsters, along with suspicions of bribery and business connections. Jo Se-ho denied these allegations, stating that Mr. A was just an acquaintance he met while attending local events in the past and that there was no involvement in bribery, financial matters, or business. Furthermore, Jo Se-ho bowed his head, admitting that he had not been cautious enough about his relationships as a public figure. After the controversy, he withdrew from KBS2’s ’2 Days & 1 Night’ and tvN’s ’You Quiz on the Block.’ Later, through ’DoDriver 4,’ he expressed, ″I am sorry for causing concern,″ and ″I will be more careful about my relationships going forward.″ Since then, Jo Se-ho has continued his activities mainly through the ’DoDriver’ series and resumed his SNS activities in August after about eight months.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer LEE HYO RI shared a video of challenging running on her SNS. On the 26th, LEE HYO RI posted a video of herself running on SNS, updating her recent status. In the video, LEE HYO RI was seen running on the street wearing a hat and comfortable clothes. She was running lightly without any special exercise equipment. LEE HYO RI left the phrase ″First time running″ on the video, revealing that it was her first attempt at running. LEE HYO RI married singer Lee Sang-soon in 2013. The two lived in Jeju for a long time before moving to Seoul last year to continue their daily lives. Meanwhile, news of Fin.K.L’s full group activities resuming was also announced. On the 21st, Gemstone E&M stated that they are preparing for full group activities with LEE HYO RI, Ok Joo-hyun, Lee Jin, and Sung Yu-ri. This marks the first time in about 21 years since 2005’s digital single ″Forever Fin.K.L″ that Fin.K.L is actively promoting as a team name. Although the four members reunited and released a new song through JTBC’s ″Camping Club″ in 2019, that was a project-based activity linked to the program.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Kim Da-ye, the wife of Park Soo-hong, revealed the grown-up appearance of their daughter Jae-i, who is about to turn two. On the 24th, Kim Da-ye posted several photos on her account with the caption, ″Jae-i, who has grown up a lot one month before her second birthday.″ In the photos, Jae-i was seen wearing a hat and tracksuit while holding a pink doll during an outing. Jae-i showed a more mature appearance with distinct facial features and long hair. Kim Da-ye shared an update on her daughter following the controversy involving Park Soo-hong’s family last month related to a flight delay. Last month, Park Soo-hong and Kim Da-ye expressed their intention to disembark after their daughter cried on the plane, but later decided to reboard after she stopped crying. During this process, it was revealed that the flight was delayed due to baggage handling procedures. Park Soo-hong apologized, saying, ″This incident occurred entirely due to my ignorance of airline procedures, and there is no excuse for it.″ Park Soo-hong married Kim Da-ye, who is 23 years younger, in 2021, and after undergoing in vitro fertilization, the couple welcomed their daughter Jae-i in 2024.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Lee Kyung-kyu expressed his thoughts on the clown son-in-law in episode 14 of JTBC’s variety show ″Love War.″ The episode featured a couple consisting of a clown boyfriend with 11 years of experience and his manager girlfriend who works as a social worker. In response to the recent online question, ″Can you accept a clown son-in-law who has saved 200 million won?″ Lee Kyung-kyu firmly said, ″A clown son-in-law is not acceptable.″ When LEE HYO RI said, ″He makes people around him happy, works hard to earn money, so he doesn’t seem bad,″ Lee Kyung-kyu replied, ″People who make others happy can’t manage their own household. I’m the same,″ which brought laughter. The actual couple revealed realistic conflicts between the girlfriend, who manages the boyfriend’s SNS, schedule, and household chores, and the boyfriend, who is passive about self-development for the future. The boyfriend compared himself to the meme of the ″clown boyfriend who saved 200 million won,″ saying, ″I don’t even have 20 million won, let alone 200 million.″ In response, Seo Jang-hoon criticized, ″What kind of behavior is this?″ He then said, ″The girlfriend can definitely live well with someone else.″ When the boyfriend continued to belittle himself, Seo Jang-hoon sharply said, ″Then leave.″ Regarding the couple’s story, Lee Kyung-kyu showed interest in the scenario, saying, ″The narrative is a typical melodrama, but the content is good,″ and hinted at a twist with the comment, ″It might hit you from behind.″ Episode 14 of ″Love War″ will air at 9:50 PM that night.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The movie ″Assassin(s)″ took first place at the box office during the Chuseok holiday period. According to the Korea Film Council’s integrated ticket sales network, ″Assassin(s)″ attracted 1,119,154 viewers from the 25th to the 27th, reaching the top spot. It surpassed 1 million cumulative viewers within four days of its release and recorded a total of 1,566,220 viewers by the weekend. ″Assassin(s)″ is a crime thriller that traces the hidden suspicions and background of the assassination attempt on the First Lady of South Korea on August 15, 1974, and it was the audience’s choice during this Chuseok holiday. The second place at the box office went to ″Tazza: The Belzebub’s Song,″ which attracted 566,527 viewers and has a cumulative audience of 833,031. This film depicts a revenge drama between Jang Tae-young, who ran an online casino business, and Park Tae-young, who took everything from him, unfolding on a global gambling stage. In third place was ″Odyssey,″ which drew 364,763 viewers. Following were ″Intern″ (206,349 viewers) and ″Possible Love″ (72,022 viewers).]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 It has been revealed that Park Myung-soo and Han Soo-min’s daughter, Park Min-seo, has been admitted early to the Creative Department at Korea National University of Arts. On the 27th, Han Soo-min shared recent updates on her SNS by posting photos of Min-seo’s dance activities. She wrote, ″Teachers say only old photos of Min-seo come out, so they told me to post recent ones,″ adding, ″They said to post that she is good at creative dance as well as traditional. Love you, teachers.″ Min-seo graduated from Yewon School and majored in Korean dance at Seonhwa Arts High School. She has been steadily active in the field of dance, receiving scholarships during her studies. With this acceptance, she has taken a step closer to her long-held dream of becoming a dancer. Along with the news of Min-seo’s acceptance, the CEO of an aesthetic company who has watched her for a long time sent a congratulatory message through SNS. The CEO revealed that Min-seo has a quiet and calm personality but showed exceptional passion and perseverance for dance. Despite her busy schedule with school and private lessons, she made time to visit the company and carefully managed areas where she needed improvement. The CEO also mentioned that Min-seo never acted in a way that would make others conscious of her famous parents and always remained humble and polite. The CEO congratulated her, saying that this acceptance is not just a simple result but the fruit of the effort and time Min-seo invested while preparing for the entrance exam. Meanwhile, Park Myung-soo and Han Soo-min married in 2008 and have a daughter, Min-seo.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 San of the group ATEEZ recently attracted attention by sharing photos taken in Italy on his SNS. On the 27th, San posted several photos showing him relaxing leisurely on a yacht with an exotic lake in the background, accompanied by the greeting ″Ciao.″ The photos captured him standing shirtless on the boat railing, revealing his well-defined back muscles and broad shoulders. Recently, San was embroiled in dating rumors after a video circulated online showing him walking with a woman on the streets of Milan. In response, his agency KQ Entertainment explained, ″The woman is a brand representative, and they were accompanied by local security and managers while going to buy necessary items.″ San also directly addressed the rumors on a fan communication platform, stating, ″(The dating rumors) are completely untrue.″ Additionally, he warned against unauthorized photography by sasaeng fans, saying, ″It is very embarrassing to be followed everywhere I go. Secretly taking photos is clearly wrong, and do not commit crimes before getting caught.″ San is active as a global ambassador for the Italian luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana and is also the main model for the 2026-27 Fall/Winter campaign featuring Steven Meisel. This visit to Milan was made to attend the Vogue World showcase and collection event. Meanwhile, San debuted in 2018 as the main dancer and lead vocalist of ATEEZ, leading numerous hit albums such as the ’TREASURE,’ ’ZERO : FEVER,’ and ’THE WORLD’ series.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actress Kang Sung-yeon spent her first Chuseok holiday after remarriage with her husband, Director Jang Min-wook. Through her SNS, Kang Sung-yeon shared the process of preparing holiday food and moments with her family. On the 26th, she posted photos and videos of notes filled with recipes, prepared ingredients, and homemade dishes, expressing her feelings about family with the caption, ″The taste of life. This Chuseok makes me realize once again that no matter what, family is truly on my side.″ She also left a holiday greeting, saying, ″Wishing everyone good health. And may today be a little happier than yesterday.″ On the 27th, she shared another family photo along with the message, ″Just like boiling, skimming, and boiling again to make a clear but deep and rich broth, our beloved family also matures and deepens.″ Kang Sung-yeon showed scenes of spending the holiday with her husband, Director Jang Min-wook, and her parents, and on the last day of the holiday, she said, ″Ending the long holiday sweetly and refreshingly with the last sale of red bean shaved ice today, and on the way home, a rainbow appeared, ta-da~.″ Kang Sung-yeon married jazz pianist Kim Ga-on in 2012 and had two sons but divorced in 2023. Later, in May, she announced her remarriage to neurologist Director Jang Min-wook. Director Jang Min-wook is the director of Brain Navigation Neurology Clinic, has appeared on several broadcasts including KBS1’s Morning Yard, and the two appeared together on JTBC’s Doctors’ Talk King Tale.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The MBC variety show ″I Live Alone″ is attempting a new change by announcing actor Kim Min as a cast member amid a recent decline in viewership ratings. ″I Live Alone″ recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 3.5% in its broadcast on the 25th. This is 0.7 percentage points lower than the previous episode’s 4.2%, marking the lowest rating in recent broadcasts. Since recording 6.5% on August 21 last year, the program has shown a downward trend with 5.2% on September 4, 4.8% on the 11th, 4.2% on the 18th, and 3.5% on the 25th. Previously, there was a controversy over directing related to Jun Hyun-moo’s impromptu travel episode, and the production team admitted to some directing in certain scenes last September. Some viewers criticized the production team’s explanation. In this situation, the program will feature actor Kim Min in next week’s broadcast. In the preview released at the end of the broadcast on the 25th, Kim Min revealed, ″I have lived alone for 28 years,″ and it was previewed that he lives in an 80- to 90-year-old old house in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province. Kim Min will show a modest daily life, including living alone while repairing his house himself and having breakfast with a baguette and coffee in front of a folding screen. Additionally, Kim Min will be shown riding a bike to a hapkido gym, teaching young students as a hapkido instructor. He is expected to reveal a daily life different from his intense image as an actor. Kim Min has appeared in Disney+’s ″Casino,″ the films ″The Outlaws 3,″ ″Smuggling,″ Netflix’s ″Delivery Man,″ ″The Thief: Sound of the Sword,″ Disney+’s ″Killer’s Shopping Mall,″ and others. Especially in ″Killer’s Shopping Mall,″ he showcased action acting as ″Pashin,″ a colleague of Lee Dong-wook and a martial arts instructor to Kim Hye-jun. Recently, he has continued his activities in Wavve’s ″Reverse″ and tvN’s ″For Hands.″]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900