https://en.fannstar.tf.co.kr FANNSTAR RSS Service - All Articles copyright (c) FANNSTAR fannstar@tf.co.kr 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 IVE (IVE, An Yujin, Leeseo, Rei, Jang Wonyoung) is making a comeback with a new mini-album after about eight months. Starship Entertainment, the agency, released a promotion teaser and coming soon video for the mini-album ″Looks Can Kill″ on its official SNS channels on the 28th. The video featured projection mapping on the exterior walls of a high-rise building in the city, displaying the new album logo along with the phrase ″IVE SPIN-OFF RELEASE 2026.10.19,″ and attracted attention with stylish scenes of Seoul’s landscapes and landmarks. IVE will release a pre-release track on October 19, followed by the full mini-album ″Looks Can Kill″ on the 26th. This album is the group’s first new release in about eight months since their second full album ″REVIVE+″ in February. During the promotion of their second full album, IVE achieved a perfect all-kill (PAK) on major domestic music charts with the title track ″BANG BANG,″ marking the team’s sixth all-kill record. In addition, ″BANG BANG″ and the album track ″BLACKHOLE″ won nine music show trophies, bringing their total to 83 wins since debut. ″BANG BANG″ also entered overseas charts such as the US Billboard Global 200 and has remained in the top ranks of major charts even eight months after its release. After the promotion of their second full album, IVE held their second world tour ″SHOW WHAT I AM,″ meeting local fans in eight cities across Asia and North America, including Seoul, Tokyo Dome, and Kyocera Dome. Debuting in 2021, IVE has released numerous hit songs such as ″ELEVEN,″ ″LOVE DIVE,″ ″I AM,″ and ″AFTER LIKE.″ The team name ″IVE″ is an abbreviation of ″I HAVE,″ meaning ″We will confidently show everything we have.″]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 BTS won the ’Song of the Year’ award at the ’2026 MTV Video Music Awards’ (MTV VMA) held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, USA. At this ceremony, BTS took home the ’Song of the Year’ trophy, a major category, with the title track ″SWIM″ from their fifth full-length album ARIRANG. The ’Song of the Year’ category featured various nominees competing, including Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s ″Bring Your Love,″ PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s ″Stateside,″ and LE’s ″WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!″ BTS was the first Korean artist to be nominated for ’Song of the Year’ at the MTV VMA in 2021 with ″Dynamite,″ but did not win. They achieved the honor of winning in the same category after five years. In addition, BTS was nominated in a total of three categories at the 2026 MTV VMA, including ’Best K-pop’ and ’Best Group.’]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Jeonghan and Joshua of Seventeen are launching an active new duo project called ’JxJ’ with the release of their first mini-album, ’DREAMSCAPE.’ The two will release their first mini-album ’DREAMSCAPE’ on various music platforms at 6 PM KST on October 19. The album title track, ’Daydreamers,’ refers to those who dream, and the music and emotions conveyed by Jeonghan and Joshua are expected to deeply resonate with fans. The teaser image released together shows Jeonghan and Joshua dressed in white shirts and pants, sitting side by side against a backdrop of green trees and grass, gazing directly ahead. The natural atmosphere and clear colors highlight their pure charm. Additionally, photos of them lying on the grass in relaxed poses evoke a comfortable yet dreamy mood. Jeonghan and Joshua have demonstrated solid skills and diverse charms as members of Seventeen, and this duo project is anticipated to showcase new musical colors and collaborative synergy. In particular, this album is a work that focuses more on their unique emotions and music, attracting great interest from fans. Meanwhile, Seventeen, to which Jeonghan and Joshua belong, continues to communicate steadily with domestic and international fans by balancing active individual activities, such as member Dino’s successful solo concert tour, with group activities. The release of the ’JxJ’ mini-album is expected to mark a new turning point for unit and solo activities within Seventeen.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The official NCT account shared a congratulatory message celebrating HENDERY’s birthday, sharing joy with fans. The post included the message ″🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO #HENDERY WE💚YOU″ along with the hashtags ″#HAPPYHENDERYDAY #NCT #WayV,″ showing affection for HENDERY. In the released photo, HENDERY is smiling and looking straight ahead in front of a solid gray background, wearing a gray top and a long-sleeved outer garment. His pose, with one hand stretched forward and the other extended to the side, created a bright and lively atmosphere that caught attention. HENDERY continues active musical activities through NCT and WayV, recently receiving great love from fans with the release of a solo single. Along with the warm messages from fans celebrating his birthday, anticipation for his future activities is growing even more.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Jeno and Jaemin of NCT DREAM have captured global fans’ attention by sharing photos taken together in Bangkok, Thailand. The two showcased their natural charm wearing white shirts, jeans, and comfortable indoor attire. In various photos set against city parks and restaurants, their V-sign finger poses and friendly hand-holding stood out. These photos were released through NCT DREAM’s official SNS, containing a message that hints at 2026 alongside ’EVERYTHING, ALL AT ONCE, NEO,’ raising fans’ anticipation. Additionally, the hashtags #JENO, #JAEMIN, #NCTDREAM, #DREAMxDREAM, and #NCT_10TH_ANNIVERSARY highlighted the special significance of the team’s 10th debut anniversary. Through this update, Jeno and Jaemin have heightened expectations for their upcoming activities in the near future. The relaxed moments captured in Bangkok have sparked enthusiastic responses among fans, focusing attention on their future endeavors.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Global idol group Stray Kids took the stage at Brazil’s Rock in Rio festival, sharing an electrifying connection with local fans. Recently, a member of Stray Kids posted a message on the group’s official SNS saying, ″meus fãs de Stray Kids, talvez eu tenha zerado a vida depois disso no @rockinrio 🥹🇰🇷📍🇧🇷″ (Stray Kids fans, I think I’ve achieved everything in life after this stage), expressing the emotion and joy felt during the performance. This festival stage became an opportunity for Stray Kids to communicate with fans worldwide beyond Korea, further solidifying their position as global artists. In the released photos, the members are styled in white short-sleeve T-shirts paired with black pants, jeans, and blue uniforms, standing on a stage with a black background and green carpet. Four members stand together while one kneels in a unique pose, drawing fans’ attention with various expressions. Stray Kids delivered an unforgettable experience to the festival audience with their outstanding performance and intense stage presence, receiving explosive reactions overseas as well. This event is regarded as a symbolic stage proving the global influence of K-pop artists. Earlier, member Bang Chan shared recent photos with blonde hair, along with Chuseok greetings in hanbok and the release of the new song ″Slow it down″ music video. Stray Kids will continue to engage closely with domestic and international fans through diverse content and music.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Girl group ITZY successfully completed their stage at the ’KRAZY Music Festival’ held last week in Taipei, spending a special time with local fans. During the performance with the local fan club ’MIDZY,’ ITZY received a warm response with their dazzling stage manners and powerful performance. Wearing unique outfits that paired yellow tops with short skirts, they took the stage showcasing a variety of expressions and poses, heightening the excitement of the venue. In particular, the stage set featuring a blue container highlighted ITZY’s energy and refreshing charm even more. After the performance, ITZY expressed their gratitude for the enthusiasm and fans through their official SNS, saying, ″What a KRAZY night,″ and ″Another incredible memory in Taipei with MIDZY.″ This experience, shared with fans, reaffirmed the group’s strong teamwork and close bond with their global fandom. Recently, even as member Yuna has temporarily adjusted her activities due to health reasons, ITZY continues to actively participate in various festivals and music shows based on their high-quality teamwork. They consistently receive love for their musical abilities and diverse charms while maintaining ongoing communication with their global fans.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The group NCT WISH has confirmed their comeback with their fourth mini-album, ″I SPY,″ set for October 12 at 6 PM. This album consists of a total of six tracks, including the title track ″I SPY,″ and is their first new release in about six months since their full-length album ″Ode to Love″ released last year. In this new song, NCT WISH delicately expresses the emotions of boys inexperienced in love, previewing a more mature musical color that raises fans’ expectations. Their agency, SM Entertainment, revealed teaser images for ″I SPY″ on their official SNS channels on the 23rd and 24th. Against a calm, monochromatic background, the concept of ″Confused Boy,″ portraying members bewildered by their first encounter with love, was visualized, drawing attention. The members wore white T-shirts and created an intense atmosphere as they appeared deep in thought in front of a bright blue background adorned with star-shaped graphics. Along with this, the group announced the start of their full-scale activities by releasing the ″I SPY″ Trailer Part 2 ″Lover Boy″ video on their official YouTube channel. The video sensually captures the story of boys exploring love using smartphones and colorful cubes. NCT WISH has been actively expanding their global fandom through overseas activities in places like Hong Kong and Japan. In September, they successfully held a fan meeting at AsiaWorld Arena in Hong Kong, and on the 23rd, they met local fans by attending the Rakuten GirlsAward 2026 A/W stage in Tokyo, Japan. Meanwhile, even before the album release, NCT WISH has been intensifying the comeback excitement by conducting various promotions both digitally and offline. They have introduced a new way of communicating with fans by opening the ″WISH LAND″ server on the messenger app Discord, creating a digital world related to the new album. Attention is focused on whether NCT WISH, returning with ″I SPY,″ will continue their consecutive hits and heat up the music scene in 2026 even more.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Trot singer Hong Jin Young shared recent updates by sharing small joys from daily life. Recently, Hong Jin Young posted lighthearted everyday photos on her SNS with captions such as ″Just for the mood #Highball,″ ″I’m the one going to #BestSnackPlaces to eat snacks🙋‍♀️,″ and ″They say it’s autumn, but why is it so hottttt💦.″ In the photos, she is wearing a black sleeveless top and pants, striking a pose facing forward with one hand stretched out to the side on a city street. Her long hair paired with a necklace created a neat yet sophisticated atmosphere. Known for her lively and positive energy, Hong Jin Young communicated with fans by showing moments of enjoying small pleasures and relaxation in everyday life through this post. Especially, enjoying a glass of highball and exploring popular eateries despite the hot weather in autumn resonated naturally with fans. Meanwhile, last month, Hong Jin Young revealed photos from a golf course and indoor events, showcasing various charms. She is expected to continue actively communicating with fans along with diverse activities in the future.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 American broadcaster Lisa Rina captured attention by appearing at the recently held 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Lisa appeared at the official event wearing a white dress with a short blonde hairstyle, striking a pose with one leg forward to emphasize the slit of the dress. Lisa, smiling brightly in front of the stage with a gradient background and the MTV logo, drew enthusiastic reactions from fans. As photos from the event were released, numerous channels including social media praised her sophisticated fashion and confident demeanor. Especially known for showcasing various looks on this stage, Lisa’s white dress outfit attracted much attention. Many reviews noted that it harmonized with the atmosphere of the event, creating a luxurious and modern style. Meanwhile, Lisa’s attendance at this year’s VMAs marks a step in strengthening her ongoing activities as a broadcaster, raising expectations for her active presence in various official events and broadcasts in the future.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The girl group TWICE raised fans’ expectations by releasing the teaser image for their 2027 Season Greeting, ″Spotless.″ In the released teaser image, member Momo is seen comfortably lying on a sofa wearing a white top and blue striped pants. Pink flower petals are scattered around, creating a soft and pure atmosphere, while her arms wearing long gloves and her calm expression drew attention. Momo gazes straight ahead with her lips closed, showcasing a mysterious yet elegant charm. TWICE will hold the official pre-order for the 2027 Season Greeting from 2 PM on October 6 until midnight on October 14. This season greeting is expected to be a special gift for fans, consisting of various content capturing the diverse charms of TWICE members. Meanwhile, TWICE has been actively engaged in music activities as well as individual members pursuing various fields. Jeongyeon has officially started her career as an actress, and Jihyo recently communicated with the public in various ways, including showcasing a new style on the stage of the ″Waterbomb″ event. In 2027, TWICE plans to continue meeting fans through music and various content.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 NCT Haechan captivated fans with his intense presence on stage. In recent performances and behind-the-scenes moments, Haechan showcased his passion while wearing black clothing and sporting blonde hair, holding a microphone in his hand. Especially under the stage lights, his gaze directed straight ahead conveyed deep concentration, highlighting his charisma that dominated the stage. Haechan serves as the main vocalist for both NCT 127 and NCT DREAM, primarily handling the introduction and climax parts, earning the nickname ″Introduction Master″ for his unique musical presence. In this performance, he also presented a more diverse stage production by incorporating a gun-shaped prop, capturing the audience’s attention. In his daily life off stage, Haechan displayed various charms, wearing camouflage-patterned clothing and holding hair spray with a calm expression during a photoshoot. The photos he shared on SNS along with the message ″NCT127❤️″ demonstrate his ongoing engagement and communication with fans. Recently, Haechan solidified his position as a solo artist by releasing his first full-length solo album, TASTE. This album reflects the musical tastes he has developed since childhood, showcasing a wide musical spectrum centered on the R&B genre. Actively promoting with the music video for the title track ″CRZY,″ Haechan plans to continue taking on new challenges through his stage performances and music.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer Jang Wonyoung attracted attention by revealing her recent updates in collaboration with Dior. Jang Wonyoung recently posted various mood photoshoots on her official SNS with the Dior hashtag. She completed a neat yet sophisticated style with a white T-shirt and simple outfit, emphasizing her unique pure beauty with natural makeup and long hair styled attractively. In the photos, Jang Wonyoung showcased various poses in different settings such as a plain white wall, building exteriors, and plant backgrounds, revealing a luxurious atmosphere along with a relaxed charm. The newly released photoshoot is part of a campaign Jang Wonyoung did with Dior, and it is evaluated that her elegant yet modern image harmonizes with the brand’s signature style. Jang Wonyoung has been recognized as a fashion icon and has actively collaborated with global luxury brands. Recently, Jang Wonyoung has been actively communicating with the public through various activities, and with this collaboration with Dior, she is presenting a more mature style, raising fans’ expectations. Much attention continues to be focused on her future endeavors.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Tomorrow X Together (TXT) (Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, HUENING KAI) met with fans through a live broadcast from the practice room after the ’2026 Global Citizen Festival’ scheduled to be held at Central Park in New York, USA, was canceled due to bad weather. At 9 a.m. on the 27th, the day after the festival was canceled, they presented a prepared stage from the practice room via Weverse live streaming. Tomorrow X Together (TXT) was scheduled to perform the opening stage as the only Korean artist and delivered the performance to fans worldwide through quick action. The choreography team, who had prepared the festival stage together, also participated in the practice room live. The members’ fundamentals were revealed through intense choreography and unwavering live performance in front of a fixed camera. They showed the prepared stage setup as it was, without any fancy stage equipment or sound devices. The broadcast featured various stages including ’You and I Found in the Sky at 5:53’, ’0X1=LOVESONG’, and a cover of a Justin Bieber song. They also performed a Korean traditional music version of ’Sugar Rush Ride’ with costumes incorporating hanbok and traditional Korean colors. Yeonjun revealed his solo songs ’Talk to You’, ’Ice Cream’, and a cover of a Post Malone song. Tomorrow X Together (TXT) said, ″We prepared hard, and it was disappointing not to show it, so we rented the practice room. Only the space changed, but everything was properly set up. As long as there is music and a microphone, we can work hard anywhere.″ At the end of the broadcast, a surprise comeback spoiler video containing the phrase ’We need something different from before’ was revealed. Meanwhile, Tomorrow X Together (TXT) will start their world tour ’STEAL THE WIND’ at KSPO DOME, Olympic Park, Seoul, from November 13 to 15, and continue touring in North America, Europe, and other regions. In December, the group and Yeonjun solo will each participate in the US ’2026 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour.’]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Actress Song Hye-kyo showcased a new charm in her daily life through her social media account. On September 27, Song Hye-kyo posted a photo with the caption ″Good night.″ In the photo, she is seen resting with her eyes closed while leaning on a sofa, dressed comfortably in a zip-up top and glasses. She displayed a natural atmosphere without any flashy makeup or styling. Notably, she caught attention by covering herself with a large packaging bag from the luxury brand Bottega Veneta like a blanket. Unlike the sophisticated and elegant image she usually presents at official events or in photo shoots, the photo released that day emphasized a simple and friendly vibe. Meanwhile, Song Hye-kyo is set to return to the small screen with the Netflix series ″Slowly but Surely,″ scheduled for release in December. The work is set against the backdrop of the Korean entertainment industry from the 1960s to the 1980s and tells the story of those who lived fiercely, dreaming of brilliant success.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer WOODZ (Cho Seung-yeon) recently addressed rumors about his appearance in a Japanese film featuring the atomic bomb. WOODZ explained that after receiving the script, he carefully reviewed it but ultimately declined to participate. On September 27, during a live broadcast, WOODZ stated, ″The article was incorrect,″ adding that after reading the script and understanding the content, he shared his opinion with his agency and, after careful consideration, decided not to appear. He mentioned that by the time the casting report was released, he had already made the decision not to participate. WOODZ said, ″The reason I did not immediately make an official statement was because I thought the fandom, Mooz, might feel upset for a day,″ and added, ″I also felt uneasy after seeing the posts on social media, but due to my performance schedule, I was late in sharing the news.″ Earlier, there were reports that WOODZ had been cast in the Korea-Japan joint film Damako, but it was confirmed that he declined after reviewing the script. Damako is known to depict the story of a boy who lost his parents to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945, and who follows Korean residents in Japan to Korea, experiencing the Korean War. The casting rumors led to criticism and malicious comments online, but WOODZ’s side clarified the facts. WOODZ said, ″I did not expect this to escalate so much, but I was aware that many people were worried. Please do not worry,″ and added, ″I also think a lot and try to proceed with everything carefully, considering various factors.″ Meanwhile, WOODZ is set to appear as actor Cho Seung-yeon in the film Nambul. Nambul is a hard-boiled martial arts action film set in early Joseon, depicting nine warriors who embark on a journey to Tsushima Island to rescue prisoners kidnapped by Japanese pirates. WOODZ will play the role of the first archer. As a singer, he is preparing for the world tour encore concert ″2026 WOODZ WORLD TOUR Archive. 1 : Completed,″ with fan club pre-sale starting on October 6 and general ticket sales beginning on October 7. Additionally, he released his first full-length album Archive. 1 and plans to release the Seung Chul Lee 40th debut anniversary single ″Our Story″ on September 30.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 TWICE member Sana revealed photos from the filming site in Milan. On the 27th, Sana posted several photos on her account with the caption ″During the shoot.″ In the photos, Sana showed behind-the-scenes moments from a pictorial shoot with the luxury brand P, wearing a black sleeveless dress and styled with thick wavy hair. She gazed at the camera, exuding a captivating and elegant atmosphere. Striking various poses in Milan, Sana displayed a goddess-like visual and a slender figure. Fans left various comments such as ″Oh my,″ ″Really so pretty,″ ″Looks like an actress,″ and ″Dazzling.″ Sana was recently cast in the Japanese film Nyan: May It Reach Your World. This work is a Korea-Japan co-production project, starring Japanese actor Sato Takeru. Meanwhile, TWICE completed contract renewals with all former members and JYP Entertainment in July 2022. Recently, as the second contract renewal season approached, news emerged that some members had meetings with other agencies, drawing attention to the members’ future plans.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 All tracks from the special digital album ’IM HERO 10,’ released to celebrate Lim Young Woong’s 10th anniversary since debut, have surpassed 1 million views on YouTube. The last track from the album, the ’A Bientot RE’ video, exceeded 1 million views on September 27 on Lim Young Woong’s official YouTube channel, making all 10 songs achieve million-view status. This song is a remake version featuring newly arranged existing hit songs and was released along with the album on the 8th. ’IM HERO 10’ includes six new songs such as the title track ’Again Again,’ ’Moise,’ ’Baila,’ ’Please Be Happy,’ ’To Us Who Have Lived,’ and ’New York,’ as well as four newly interpreted existing tracks: ’I Hate You RE,’ ’Love Always Runs Away RE,’ ’Grains of Sand RE,’ and ’A Bientot RE.’ The tracks entered the top ranks of major music charts immediately after the album’s release, with ’Again Again’ reaching the top positions on the Melon Artist Chart and music charts. It is notable that the views were evenly distributed across both new and remake songs, rather than concentrated on specific tracks. ’Again Again’ was the first to surpass 1 million views, followed by other songs such as ’Baila,’ ’New York,’ and ’Grains of Sand RE,’ which also achieved million views in turn. This album by Lim Young Woong was released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their debut, and the music videos for each track have consistently attracted attention and set records.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 In JTBC’s new Saturday-Sunday drama ″Final Table,″ Ahn Hyo-seop and Hong Hwa-yeon appear as genius chef Kang Han and Familia’s hall manager Choi Song-yi, respectively, challenging themselves in a cooking survival competition. ″Final Table″ is set against the backdrop of the ″The Table: K Chef 2026″ competition, depicting the process of Korean chefs from around the world competing for the top spot. In the drama, Kang Han, who travels the world every year searching for new restaurants, visits Familia, a restaurant filled with memories of his father, and ends up becoming the head chef and participating in the competition. Choi Song-yi, aiming to restore the honor of her chef father, enters the cooking survival competition. Although she has no cooking experience, she grows into an assistant chef under Kang Han’s training, relying on her dexterity. The two form a team with the shared goal of protecting Familia and compete against top chefs. The combination of mentor Kang Han’s aesthetic sense and cooking skills with disciple Choi Song-yi’s dexterity highlights the changes in their relationship and teamwork as key points of interest. Released still cuts show their first meeting at the restaurant and scenes of training together in the kitchen, capturing the process of their relationship gradually growing closer. ″Final Table″ will premiere on October 24 at 10:40 PM.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Young Tak took first place on KBS 2TV’s ’Music Bank’ K-Chart for the 4th week of September with the new song ’Kkeokgeo.’ On that day, ’Music Bank’ was canceled due to the live broadcast of the ’2026 Aichi Nagoya Asian Games,’ and the rankings were announced through the official website. Young Tak shared the news of the first-place win with fans by reposting producer Ji Gwangmin’s SNS post on the official account. Through the agency Abyss Company, Young Tak expressed gratitude, saying, ″I never expected to win first place on a music show. Thank you, Youngbls. It’s all thanks to Youngbls.″ He continued, ″It would have been better to share the joy of winning first place with Youngbls on site and show an encore stage, but although it’s regrettable, I will definitely convey this joy through other content, so please wait a little longer.″ ’Kkeokgeo’ is the title track of the full-length third album ’GOGO,’ released on online music sites on the 14th. It is an electronic dance song that cheerfully conveys the courage to be okay with moving differently than expected. Young Tak will continue activities with the solo concert ’TAK SHOW5.’ ’TAK SHOW5’ will start from October 3 to 5 at Korea University Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul, then be held in Jeonju on October 24–25, Daegu on November 28–29, Incheon on December 19–20, and Busan on January 16–17 next year. Additionally, Young Tak is also active in acting in various works such as ’Kkondae Intern,’ ’Surviving as a Celebrity Manager,’ ’Strong Woman Kang Nam-soon,’ and ’Fine: Country Bumpkins.’]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Singer IU recently revealed a new look with a short bob haircut. On the 25th, he posted several photos on his SNS with the caption ″A horizontal shot of a bob person.″ In the photos, IU was lying on a bed, gazing at the camera. His dark-colored bob haircut, gray-toned top, and white patterned pajamas caught attention. Some of his face was covered by hair, exposing his jawline and neck. IU recently changed his style to a straight bob without layers for the first time in about 10 years. This change was showcased during the release of his new digital single ″From This Star″ and the preparation for his 6th full album comeback. He released the digital single ″From This Star″ on the 10th. Additionally, on the 20th, he attended the stage greetings for the movies ″IU Concert: The Golden Hour″ and ″IU Concert: The Winning″ held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall, sporting the bob haircut. At that time, IU said, ″Isn’t short bob Lee Ji-eun even prettier in person? It was a truly happy Sunday filled with fun and love spent with Uaena.″ IU announced his breakup after four years of public dating with actor Lee Jong-suk in July. Afterwards, he temporarily paused activities by postponing scheduled performances and new album plans due to worsening symptoms of vocal cord nodules. At that time, he personally informed fans, saying, ″I think I have been pushing myself too hard without properly taking care of my condition.″]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 All the tracks from the special digital album ’IM HERO 10,’ released to celebrate Lim Young Woong’s 10th debut anniversary, have surpassed 1 million views on YouTube. As of the 27th, the video for ’A Bientot RE’ posted on Lim Young Woong’s official YouTube channel exceeded 1 million views, making all 10 songs on this album reach 1 million views. ’A Bientot RE’ is a newly arranged version of an existing hit song and was the last track on the album to join the million-view club. ’IM HERO 10’ is a special digital album released on the 8th to commemorate Lim Young Woong’s 10th debut anniversary. This album includes six new songs such as the title track ’Again Again,’ ’Moise,’ ’Baila,’ ’Please Be Happy,’ ’To Us Who Have Lived,’ and ’New York,’ as well as four RE versions of existing songs newly interpreted: ’I Hate You RE,’ ’Love Always Runs Away RE,’ ’Grains of Sand RE,’ and ’A Bientot RE.’ The tracks on the album ranked high not only in YouTube views but also on music charts. The title track ’Again Again’ topped the Melon Artist Chart and digital music charts and also won first place on music broadcast programs. After ’Again Again’ was the first to surpass 1 million views, the new songs and RE version tracks sequentially reached million views. Recently, ’Grains of Sand RE,’ a reinterpretation of a self-composed song from three years ago, also exceeded 1 million views.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Tomorrow X Together (TXT) (Subin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, HUENING KAI) will release their 9th mini album, ″Perfect Storm,″ on November 16. This album will include a total of six tracks, and detailed information such as the tracklist will be announced later through Weverse. Tomorrow X Together (TXT) revealed a comeback spoiler video during a live stream on the global fan platform Weverse the day before, which included the phrase ″We need something different from before,″ sparking fans’ curiosity. The album title and release date were also first disclosed in this broadcast. The new album ″Perfect Storm″ is the first release in seven months since their 8th mini album, ″7TH YEAR: When the Thorns Momentarily Stopped the Wind,″ released last April. While the previous work featured ″wind,″ this album centers around the keyword ″storm.″ Further details about the album will be sequentially shared through Weverse. Before the album release, the fifth world tour ″Still the Wind″ will begin from November 13 to 15 at KSPO DOME in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Additionally, starting at 1 PM on the 28th, pre-saving for the new album will be available on the global music streaming platform Spotify. Tomorrow X Together (TXT) is a five-member boy group under Big Hit Music that debuted in 2019. The team name signifies ″different you and I coming together with one dream to create tomorrow together.″]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 CLOSE YOUR EYES(JEON MINWOOK, MA JINGXIANG, JANG YEOJUN, KIM SUNGMIN, SONG SEUNGHO, Kenshin, SEO KYOUNGBAE) held a special cinema session with fans ahead of the comeback of their fourth mini-album ’256th Note.’ The event, held at 7:30 PM on September 27 at CGV Yeongdeungpo in Seoul, was organized to celebrate the release of the interlude film ’OPEN YOUR EYES’ from ’256th Note.’ On this day, the members watched the interlude film on the big screen with fans and shared various stories firsthand, including their impressions of their first group acting challenge, the acting lessons process, and behind-the-scenes of the filming. ’OPEN YOUR EYES’ tells the coming-of-age story of seven boys who have lived their entire lives inside a botanical garden and meet a being called ’Odin,’ through whom they experience and dream of a wider world. The members shared with fans the message on the poster, ″Only those who have seen a wider world can dream of a wider world when they close their eyes,″ and the meaning of the work. At the venue, various programs showcasing the members’ acting challenges were held, including a scene acting challenge where participants guessed lines from random scenes in the interlude film and a corner where they directly attempted famous scenes from the drama. Additionally, the members greeted fans while walking through the audience, and a celebration was held for JANG YEOJUN, who had a birthday that day, and SEO KYOUNGBAE, whose birthday is on the 29th. They sang birthday songs with fans and took group photos and photo time, creating precious memories. The event concluded with a stage performance of the pre-release track ’OPEN YOUR EYES’ from the fourth mini-album ’256th Note.’ The members performed the pre-release song, which shares the same name as the interlude film, in front of the fans. CLOSE YOUR EYES will release their fourth mini-album ’256th Note’ on various online music sites at 6 PM on the 30th and will hold a comeback live at 8 PM on the same day.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Stray Kids attracted 270,000 spectators with their self-branded festival ″Stray City″ held in Latin America. ″Stray City″ is a new festival planned by JYP Entertainment and the American concert planning company Live Nation, featuring Stray Kids as the headliner. It is the first festival presented under the group’s name in Latin America. This tour started on the 9th in Bogotá, Colombia, continued with performances on the 14th and 15th in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and concluded with two shows on the 25th and 26th in Mexico City, Mexico, covering three regions with a total of five performances. At the Mexico City concert, the setlist included representative songs such as ″MANIAC″ and ″Sori-Kkun,″ and the stage was filled with large-scale sing-alongs and cheers from the local audience. The performance began with dazzling fireworks, and the members maintained their energy until the end, finishing the stage with full enthusiasm. Previously, Stray Kids became the first K-pop artist to headline at Brazil’s ″Rock in Rio,″ meeting an audience of 100,000. Last year, their world tour ″DOMINATE″ gathered about 400,000 people across eight stadium shows in five Latin American cities. Including this ″Stray City,″ they have met a total of 370,000 spectators in Latin America over the course of a month. The producing team 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, Han) has been directly creating the group’s music. According to the Korea Music Copyright Association, Bang Chan holds copyrights for 245 songs, Changbin for 210 songs, and Han for 207 songs. Stray Kids plans to continue showcasing various stages and music through ″Stray City″ in the future.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Super Junior Yesung will pre-release the new song ″Winds of Time″ included in the 10th anniversary album on the 28th. The first track ″Winds of Time″ from this album, prepared to celebrate Yesung’s 10th solo debut anniversary, is known as an alternative pop song characterized by acoustic-centered instrumentation and a calm atmosphere. Yesung personally participated in writing the lyrics, which combine self-confessional words reflecting on the past and efforts to live in the present, along with sweet vocals. The song will be released on various music sites from 6 PM that day, and the music video will be simultaneously uploaded on the SMTOWN YouTube channel. The music video depicts the passage of time and changing scenery through a moving vehicle and shows scenes of Yesung recalling various memories from his past. Meanwhile, Yesung’s second full-length album ″Where We Are,″ commemorating his 10th solo debut anniversary, will be released on October 6.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 The Busan travel video from the Korea visit campaign ’BIAS (Be In Artists’ Scenes)’, a collaboration between Stray Kids, JYP Entertainment, and the Korea Tourism Organization, has surpassed 10 million cumulative views. The ’BIAS’ campaign, inspired by the word meaning ’favorite’ in K-pop fandoms, was designed to encourage fans to visit places that artists have been to. The Busan edition video features major tourist attractions such as Songdo Beach, Bupyeong Kkangtong Market, and Gamcheon Culture Village, set against the hometown of member I.N. Stray Kids members completed various missions to promote Busan’s food and local landmarks. The Korea Tourism Organization is operating the ’BIAS Campaign Special Exhibition’ in partnership with the global online travel agency KLOOK. They offer experience products and discount benefits linked to the tourist sites featured in the video, enabling foreign tourists to directly enjoy ’Busan as experienced by Stray Kids.’ Additionally, the integrated Korean tourism platform VISITKOREA introduces the landmarks appearing in the video in multiple languages and conducts online and offline marketing by broadcasting Stray Kids’ Busan travel messages on major overseas city billboards and SNS channels. In August, a BIAS campaign promotional booth was set up at the Stray Kids world tour ’RUN IT’ Seoul concert venue, providing foreign fans with an opportunity to learn about Busan tourist spots firsthand. Baek Man-seong, head of the Hallyu Content Team at the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, ″Among the foreign fans we met at the concert venue, we confirmed many cases of people traveling to Busan after watching the campaign video,″ and added, ″We will continue to expand collaborations with K-pop artists to strengthen local tourism marketing so that global fans can discover Korea’s hidden regional attractions in a familiar and enjoyable way.″]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 Seventeen’s agency, Pledis Entertainment, is continuing measures to protect the rights of the artists along with legal actions against ticket scalpers. On September 28, Pledis Entertainment announced through Seventeen’s official account that they are continuously taking legal action against malicious acts such as spreading false information, insults, and sexual slander against the artists. The agency stated that they have filed lawsuits against authors of malicious posts based on their own monitoring data and reports from fans, and that many cases are undergoing judicial procedures. A defendant charged with defamation of the artist was fined 2 million KRW in the first trial, and the defendant appealed the decision, with the appeal trial currently underway. The agency emphasized that they will respond strictly until the end in the appeal trial as well. Regarding illegal ticket transactions, Pledis Entertainment revealed that they have been cooperating with investigative agencies to catch and punish professional scalpers. Some recently arrested scalpers were sentenced to prison terms of 1 year and 8 months, and 1 year and 4 months respectively, along with confiscations totaling over 1 billion KRW. Investigations into overseas-based scalpers are ongoing, and the agency stated that they are actively cooperating with investigative agencies’ requests. They also conveyed their intention to continue responding strictly without leniency toward illegal ticket transactions. Regarding malicious posts related to Seventeen, the agency explained that they are collecting evidence of rights violations against the artists across domestic and international online channels using a real-time monitoring system. They stated that even if posts are deleted, it is possible to trace the authors and secure evidence. The agency added that they will respond strongly with a zero-tolerance policy toward acts such as spreading false information, insults, disparagement based on appearance or nationality, mocking and hateful expressions, sexual harassment, and sexual objectification. Meanwhile, Seventeen is currently on a temporary hiatus for military service. About half of the members are fulfilling their military duties, with Jeonghan having been discharged in September 2024. Wonwoo enlisted in April last year and is serving alternative military service, Woozi has been serving as an active-duty soldier in the army since September 15 last year, and Hoshi since September 16 last year. Vernon began alternative service on August 20, and Mingyu started alternative service on September 10. Dokyeom enlisted as an active-duty soldier in the army on September 8, and Seungkwan and Dino are scheduled to enlist in the army band on October 26. Before the military hiatus began, the Seventeen members signed their second contract renewal with Pledis Entertainment. The members said, ″We are happy to share good news with CARATs. With the belief that there is nothing we cannot achieve together as members and the shared desire to go further as a team, all 13 of us have decided to stay together. We ask our fans to join us in our promise to challenge eternity as members of ’TEAM SVT.’″ While group activities are temporarily paused, the members are continuing solo and unit activities. Jeonghan and Joshua will release their first mini-album as the new unit JeonghanXJoshua, titled ’DREAMSCAPE,’ on October 19, and Jun will release his first EP ’9’ in China on September 28.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900 BTS won the ’Song of the Year’ award at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, USA, for the title track ″SWIM″ from their fifth full-length album ″ARIRANG.″ With this win, BTS took home the trophy competing against ″Bring Your Love″ by Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter, ″Stateside″ by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, and ″WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!″ by Ray. In addition to ’Song of the Year,’ BTS won a total of three awards, including ’Best K-pop’ and ’Best Group.’ This marks their fifth consecutive win for ’Best Group’ from 2019 to 2022. The award was won by Black Pink in 2023, Seventeen in 2024, and Black Pink again in 2025. In March, BTS ended their full-group military hiatus and released their fifth full-length album ″ARIRANG,″ and they are currently on a large-scale world tour following the album release. They did not attend the awards ceremony. Last year, Black Pink Rosé won ’Song of the Year’ for ″APT.″ featuring Bruno Mars, and this year BTS continued the streak, making K-pop the recipient of the grand prize for two consecutive years.]]> FANNSTAR Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0900