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K-News Weekly Headlines: 2019 ISAC, BTS’ V Breaks Records, EXO’s Lay Highlighted By Steve Aoki, “Sky Castle” Review
Trust us when we say how Korean entertainment news literally never sleeps.
A week of sabbatical away from K-Pop and K-Drama will make fans miss a lot of things that might have happened in the dynamic world of Hallyu. Hence, as we greeted the new Lunar Year, we are bringing back this weekly roundup special.
Catch up with the Korean entertainment news as we summarized what happened in this alternate world each week. Stay regularly updated with your favorite artists and bias by following this segment closely with us!
This weekly digest will cover K-Pop comebacks, album releases, and Korean drama news, reviews and updates. Relevant news on Korean entertainment such as celebrity buzz, film and box office information and concert tours and fan meetings will also be included.
*Covers Korean entertainment news from February 3 to 9.
Events
- 2019 Idol Star Athletics Championships Recap, Highlights & Winners
Anticipated every Lunar New Year celebration, the 2019 Idol Star Athletics Championships gathered active and well-loved K-Pop artists for a friendly sports competition.
- 2019 One K Concert Announcement
A loaded lineup of K-Pop stars will take the center stage at the 2019 One K Concert! The lineup was earlier announced to include ONF, ASTRO, SF9, April, Kim Johan, and Jung In. Ha Sung Woon also confirmed on February 2 that he will participate in the event, which is currently his first official schedule as a solo artist.
- The Boyz Fan-Con Tour Announcement
The Boyz will sweep The Bs off their feet as the boys tour Asia in June for their first fan-con in the region.
- Lovelyz Japan Promotion
A representative from Woollim Entertainment noted that their promotional events in Japan have been prompted by a high demand for the group.
- Photo from One K Global Campaign
K-Concert & K-Fan-meeting Recaps
- BLACKPINK In You Area in Manila Concert Recap
A sold-out 2019 World Tour BLACKPINK “In Your Area” in Manila greeted Jisoo, Lisa, Rosé, and Jennie on February 2 — a testament to their unyielding popularity in the country and their influence as one of the most in-demand K-Pop groups of their generation.
- SHINee’s Key Concert Series – Keyland
Key’s first domestic concert made the fans go wild with diversified music and performances showered on them.
- U-KISS’ Jun Phenomenal First Solo Showcase In Japan
Jun of U-KISS successfully completed his first solo showcase in Japan held at the Tsutaya O-east in Tokyo on February 4.
- Park Bo Gum Sold-Out Fan Meeting In Japan
An incredible mammoth crowd of 15,000 fans came to witness the “Nation’s Boyfriend” as he marked the second leg of his “Good Day” Asia tour at the Saitama Super Arena on February 3.
- (Photo from YG Entertainment)
- (Photo from SMTOWN)
- (Photo from Avex)
K-Pop News Corner
- YG Treasure Box Relay: Park Ji Hoon & Asahi
- Kim Jae Hwan Fandom name
Kim Jae Hwan shared the delightful news about the unveiling of his official fandom name on February 3.
- BTS Heads To Grammys as Guests
BTS is confirmed to be attending this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony!
- BTS’ V Breaks Multiple Records On SoundCloud With “Scenery”
BTS’ V is now the official titleholder for a total of four records on SoundCloud with his self-composed masterpiece “Scenery”!
- Yang Hyun Suk Confirms Debut Of New YG Boy Group Treasure 13
YG Entertainment’s Yang Hyun Suk personally confirmed earlier reports of the entertainment company’s plan to debut a 13-member boy group through its official blog, yg-life.com.
- TXT March Debut Announcement
Big Hit Entertainment finally confirmed the debut of its new boy group TXT by sharing more details on the upcoming activities of the boy group.
- GOT7 Tops Oricon Chart
GOT7 has proved to be one of the popular acts in Japan by placing its 3rd mini album on top of the Oricon daily chart on the day of release (January 30) and Oricon weekly for the first time.
- Photo from BTS’ SoundCloud Account
- (Photo from YG Entertainment)
- Photo from BigHit Entertainment
- Photo from GOT7 Twitter
- (Photo from Big Hit Entertainment)
- Photo from WANNA ONE Facebook Page
K-Pop Comeback News & Updates
- ONF ‘We Must Love’ Comeback Launch
When ONF announced comeback in romantic hues, they meant business in making the love month for their fans memorable.
- (G)I-DLE February Comeback Announcement
This will be (G)I-DLE’s latest comeback after six months when they released their first digital single on August 14, 2018.
- Dreamcatcher Comeback Teasers
Newly unveiled teaser photos of Dreamcatcher definitely have gotten InSomnias waiting at the edge of their seats.
- MONSTA X Comeback Teasers
Proving that they are the kings of dark concepts, MONSTA X released the first and second parts of their teaser photos in seven deadly sins concept – and we are definitely sinning.
- ITZY Comeback Teasers
Revealing an electrifying and vibrant tracklist for their first single album IT’z Different on February 6, ITZY means serious business to delight their fans.
- Infinite Comeback Announcement
Woollim Entertainment has confirmed the return of INFINITE with the digital single “Clock” through a teaser photo uploaded on the boy group’s social media channels.
- Loona Comeback
LOONA’s comeback is right around the corner, and they are making sure everyone is waiting on their toes as they released the tracklist for their upcoming album, X X.
- (Photo from Woollim Entertainment)
- Photo from JYP Entertainment
K-Drama News, Recaps & Reviews
For a man and a woman who have been friends for a while, there’s a thin line that separates familiarity and romance. That is so far the drawing point of Romance Is A Bonus Book as it goes to fulfill a love story despite age disparity and friendship.
- Sky Castle Review
Top-rating and phenomenal jTBC satire drama Sky Castle ended its run on a high note. Read our review HERE.
- Clean With Passion For Now Review
The love story of O Sol and Sun Gyeol in Clean With Passion For Now was anything but easy. It was a classic case of opposite attraction.
- Legal High Teasers
Jin Goo and Seo Eun Seo are teaming up for quirky jTBC courtroom drama Legal High set to premiere on February 8.
- Hot-blooded Priest Teaser
Playing the titular character, Kim Nam Gil is not your typical clergyman in the three stills released for SBS’ The Fiery Priest.
- Hellokpop K-Drama Picks: Love Second Chance Stories
Continuing our month-long celebration of love this February, we picked our favorite Korean dramas with themes of finding love again or giving an old flame a second chance.
- K-Drama Couch January 5th Week/Feb 1st Week
As one series ended on a high note, a few others are slowly getting their own fair share of the audience’s attention in the parade of 2019 Korean Dramas.
- Image from SBS
- Respective TV Networks
K-Celeb/Film News/Interviews
- Joo Won Completes Military Service
Despite the cold weather, Joo Won’s faithful fans gathered in front of the unit to celebrate his return to civilian life.
- Ji Sung And Lee Bo Young Welcome Their Second Child
Ji Sung posted on his Instagram account on February 5 to announce that his wife has given birth to their second child.
- Sandara Park New “Video Star” MC
2NE1’s Sandara Park shared her thoughts on being part of MBC Every1’s talk show Video Star following the airing of her first episode as a new cast member.
- Hoya’s Surprise Military Enlistment
Hoya personally made the announcement on February 5 about his looming military enlistment set on February 7.
- Rain Kicks Off Promotion Of New Film “The Cyclist King”
Prepping up for his upcoming film The Cyclist King, Rain visited Radio Star.
- Steve Aoki Says EXO’s Lay Can Make It Big In The US
American DJ and producer Steve Aoki believes EXO’s Lay has what it takes to successfully make a crossover to the United States.
- Ong Seong Wu Fan Cafe
Fantagio Entertainment has launched an official fan cafe via Daum for Ong Seong Wu on February 7!
- Photo from Sports Seoul
- Images from MBC
- Photo from Fantagio Entertainment
- (Photo from Lay’s Twitter)
K-Features
- K-Pop’s Ultimate Face Geniuses
Various K-Pop idols took the time to crown their own fellow idols in several categories, including K-Pop’s ultimate face geniuses.
- Music Quick Reviews: The Suites, Lolly, & Choyoung
- HallyuPopFest 2019, Ong Seong Wu, The Boyz, ONF & MAMAMOO Singapore K-Pop Events 2nd Qtr 2019
For the second quarter of this season, Singapore fans should prep themselves up with loads of performances by their favorite K-Pop artists.
- ATEEZ ‘HALA HALA’ MV Review + Album Insights
Anticipated performance video of “Hearts Awakened, Live Alive” dropped on February 7, making the world know the next level of their own standards.
- SF9’s Rowoon Interview About SF9 & Career Goals
Rising idol-actor Rowoon presented himself for an interview where he spoke about his experiences of being an actor and a fellow member of SF9.
- Photos from BigHit Entertainment and Fantagio Music
- Photo from ATEEZ Twitter
- Photo from dongA.com