K-News Weekly Headlines: TWICE Announces World Tour, BTS & BLACKPINK Break Records + Thrilling K-Drama Premieres

This has been quite an exciting week as beloved K-pop idols have been preparing for tours, making comebacks AND breaking records. K-drama fans, meanwhile, have an exciting roster of shows to watch and look forward to.

Catch up to Korean entertainment news with ease as we summarize what happened each week. Stay regularly updated with your favorite artists and bias by following this segment closely with us!

*Covers Korean entertainment news from April 7 to 13

Upcoming K-Events

• TWICE World Tour 2019

ONCEs, better get ready to see their favorite girl group in their city soon as TWICE has released the full list of their stops for their world tour! Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu will be visiting nine cities in Asia and the United States in total.

• TXT Prepares To Steal Hearts in SHOWCASE: STAR in US

Fresh from their successful debut, South Korean boy group TXT (Tomorrow X Together) is ready to steal hearts of North American fans as the boys announced an upcoming tour SHOWCASE: STAR in US.

• iKON To Show Their KEMiSTRY Through Upcoming Private Stage In Seoul

On April 10, iKON announced that they will be greeting fans once again with a set of live performances! Titled 2019 PRIVATE STAGE [KEMiSTRY], the group’s private stage will take place on May 11 at the Jangchung Gymnasium.

• NEO CITY – The Origin

NCT 127 announced the addition of more stops to their world tour NEO CITY – The Origin on April 10! Besides the U.S, fans in Mexico and Russia will also be seeing the boys from the NCT sub-unit as they add three more stops for their latest world tour.

• MONSTA X To Party With Malaysian Monbebes With 2019 MONSTA X World Tour [WE ARE HERE]

Shownu, Wonho, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M will be returning to bring their powerful performances on the Malaysian stage – this time, at the Malawati Indoor Stadium in Shah Alam.

• Skechers’ Sundown Festival

It will be a weekend of non-stop music, food and activities for festival goers at 2019 Skechers’ Sundown Festival on April 19 to 21 in Singapore’s beach capital – Siloso Beach. Get to know the Korean headliners that will power the music scene in the celebrated Asian music festival. 

K-Concert And Fan Meeting Recaps

• VIXX’s Ken Celebrates Birthday With Successful Fan Meetings

VIXX’s talented vocalist Ken had celebrated his birthday together with fans in his first solo fan meeting HAPPY KEN DAY (I KEN DO IT) on April 6. Not only for a single time, but he amazed fans in two fun-filled shows held at COEX’s SM Town in Seoul.

• Lai Kuan Lin Wraps Up First Fan Meeting In Seoul

Lai Kuan Lin met with his fans for a good time at the Olympic Park, Olympic Hall on April 6 for his first-ever solo fan meeting 2019 Lai Kuan Lin Fan Meeting [Good Feeling] in Korea!

• Lee Je Hoon Spends A Special Night With His Japanese Fans

Charming celebrity lee Ji Hoon conveyed anecdotes and facts about the Korean culture in different fields such as the food, the best sightseeing spots to go to at the Special Night event held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization.

K-Pop News Corner

• BT21 Universe Unveils Background Stories Of Koya, RJ, And Shooky

The official launch of the BT21 Universe series showed fans new – and maybe even a bit shocking – sides to three of its well-loved characters! For its first part, BT21 unfolded the interesting stories behind three characters – RJ, Koya, and Shooky.

• ITZY Marks Impressive YouTube Record With “Dalla Dalla”

On April 8, ITZY’s “Dalla Dalla” from debut single album, IT’z Different, surpassed the 100th million mark of YouTube views. That is 57 days since it was uploaded on February 12.

• EXO’s Xiumin To Enlist Quietly In The Military Next Month

EXO’s eldest member Xiumin had finally announced that he will be quietly joining the military on May 7. The words “Minseok” and “Xiumin” found their way on the trending topics as fans express their emotions about the impending entrance to boot camp of the EXO member on May 7.

• SHINee’s Key And VIXX’s N Share First Updates On Social Media After Enlistment

SHINee’s Key and VIXX’s N delighted fans with a personal update after joining the military camp on April 9! Fans were happy to see that both have been doing and looking well during their absence in the scene.

• BLACKPINK Creates New Record As Highest Charting K-Pop Act On Spotify’s Global Top 50 Chart

BLACKPINK extended the chart-topping success of its newest single “Kill This Love” to Spotify after setting a new record on Global Top 50 Chart and taking over the Top 50 Charts across Asia.

• Pledis Entertainment Updates Fans On The Health Condition And Concert Participation Of NU’EST’s Aron

According to the notice, the NU’EST member received advice from the doctor to get adequate rest and treatment following a thorough examination for the pain he felt on both his shoulders and arms.

• MONSTA X New Releases: Light Stick V.2 And Tour Dates In America

MONSTA X surprised Monbebes with a new and improved light stick to wave around in their upcoming concerts. Moreover, the group also released dates for tour legs in Australia and North America.

• BLACKPINK To Debut On The Late Late Show With James Corden

BLINKS can look forward to seeing their favorite girl group on television once more, as BLACKPINK is set to make their debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden!

• AB6IX Hypes Upcoming Debut With New Reality Show BRANDNEWBOYS

Brand New Music confirmed on April 11 that their upcoming group AB6IX will be starring in their own reality show! BRANDNEWBOYS aims to share the group’s excitement and anticipation for their upcoming debut – especially since they are composed of both formerly debuted members and a relatively new face.

K-Pop News Comeback News And Updates

• Bolbbalgan4 Gears Up To Make Their Japanese Debut

According to their management agency, Shofar Music, the indie pop duo had signed with the Japanese music company King Records. They will officially debut in Japan on June 4. The Korean pop duo is currently gearing up to debut in Japan with a Japanese version of their hit song, “Galaxy”.

• BTS Makes Comeback With Map of the Soul: Persona

After unveiling the title track, tracklist, and their plans to bring back Kkul FM 06.13, and surprising details about Map of the Soul: Persona, BTS made a smashing comeback by breaking Spotify records and dominating music charts!

• VERIVERY Unveils Exciting Teaser For Their First Comeback

The rookie boy group from Jellyfish Entertainment will make spring bloom more beautifully with the announcement of their April comeback. The group dropped a colorful video teaser on April 7 at 12 AM KST, which brought an air of mystery by keeping the boys’ faces hidden all throughout.

• B1A4’s Sandeul To Make Solo Artist Comeback After Three Years

WM Entertainment shared that B1A4’s Sandeul is set to make his comeback as a solo artist in a few months! The agency confirmed that the singer is aiming to have his solo comeback in June 2019 after over three years.

• GOT7’s Jackson Releases Teasers For “Oxygen”

Counting down to D-3, the rapper dropped a stunning, all-dark-blue online cover photo on his social media accounts before the premiere of “Oxygen” on April 12.

• OH MY GIRL To Show New Colors For Comeback In May

OH MY GIRL is preparing for another surprise up their sleeves with the upcoming release of their seventh mini album. According to WM Entertainment, the septet started filming their new music video and are now in the final stages of working on the new album.

• Super Junior-D&E Teases Fans For “Danger” Comeback With Highlight Medley

Donghae and Eunhyuk upped the excitement for their “dangerous” comeback as Super Junior-D&E with the release of the highlight medley of their third mini album Danger.

• The Boyz Announces Blooming Comeback

On April 11 midnight KST, The Boyz dropped a cheerful and colorful teaser announcement of their upcoming return with new music! Titled Bloom Bloom, the single album is slated to drop on April 29 at 6 PM KST.

• TWICE Unveils Enchanting FANCY YOU Teaser Posters And Tracklist

After four months of waiting, TWICE will finally bring fans to a “FANCY” era on April 22! The girl group is making ONCEs more excited as they continuously dropped teasers for their seventh mini album FANCY YOU.

• Kim Jae Joong Intensifies Star Status In Japan With Latest Album

C-JeS Entertainment unveiled more details about Kim Jae Joong’s first Japanese album! Flawless Love will contain 15 tracks: including seven new songs, four previously released Japanese singles, and Japanese reissues of his Korean songs.

• NCT 127 To Get Busier As It Gears Up For A May Comeback

SM Entertainment confirmed on April 12 that NCT 127 aims to return with new music in May. However, the entertainment company did not disclose a specific date or other information regarding the upcoming release.

• Highlight’s Dongwoon Makes A Memorable Goodbye With First Mini Album

Before he says a temporary goodbye to fans, Highlight’s Son Dongwoon will treat them with a meaningful present — his first solo mini album. On April 12, the singer, through the boy group’s social media channels, unveiled the schedule plan for the release of the new EP titled Act 1: The Orchestra.

• B.A.P’s Youngjae Gets Ready For A “FANCY” Solo Album This April

Youngjae shared aesthetic photographs of of flowers and a geometrical figure on his social media channels and official fan cafe on April 11 with the word “FANCY” and the numbers “04.19” on the images.

K-Drama News, Recaps, And Reviews

1. K-Drama Sneak Peek: Special Labor Inspector Jo, Nokdu Flower, Her Private Life,
2. K-Drama Premiere: Beautiful World, My Fellow Citizens,

• Lee Yi Kyung To Share His Humble Life Stories In Please Take Care of My Refrigerator TV Guesting

Together with his co-star Ahn So Hee, the actor revealed his refrigerator to public broadcast. Famed entertainment show Please Take Care of My Refrigerator flows on how top South Korean chefs show off their cooking prowess with ingredients found inside the celebrity guests’ refrigerators.

• Han Suk Kyu, Seo Kang Joon & Kim Hyun Joo Team Up For OCN’s Watcher

On board the latest OCN original series Watcher is acclaimed veteran actor Han Suk Kyu. Together with Seo Kang Joon and Kim Hyun Joo, they will power an enthralling narrative about people who bond together after a tragic incident.

• Moon Geun Young Makes Long-Awaited Small Screen Comeback

Moon Geun Young’s agency announced that the actress chose the drama as her comeback to the small screen. She will star with Kim Sun Ho, who is currently in Welcome to Waikiki 2.

• IU Challenges Four Roles In Netflix Original “Persona”

The latest Netflix original is split into four different short films. Lee Kyoung Mi, Yim Pil Sung, Jeon Go Woon and Kim Jong Kwan are at the helm of each of their own segments. Lee Ji Eun, whose screen name is IU, plays the main character for the aforementioned mini films.

• Her Private Life Releases Exclusive Glossary For Fandom Beginners To Kick Off Premiere Episode

tvN Asia’s 24-hour express drama Her Private Life had released a glossary, which is an exclusive beginners’ guide, fandom 101. The glossary is said to be a helpful guide for the newly joined fanboy Ryan Gold (Kim Jae Wook), as he shows no interest in fandom previously.

• Song Seung Heon Signs An Exclusive Contract With King Kong By Starship

On April 12, King Kong, the acting leg of Starship Entertainment, announced that Song has joined its family. Song joins an impressive roster: Lee Dong Wook, Chae Soo Bin, Lee Kwang Soo, Kim Bum, Kim Ji Won, Yoo Yun Seok and Cho Yoon Hee are just a few actors also with King Kong By Starship.

• KBS Confirms Cast for Upcoming Thriller Drama Let Me Hear Your Song

• Upcoming K-Drama Asadal Chronicles Alleged Filming Up To 151 Hours A Week

K-Celeb Film/TV News

• Lee Jung Hyun Celebrates Happy Marriage With Closest Circle

Supported by her closest friends and family, Lee Jung Hyun held a press conference at Shilla Hotel before the private wedding ceremony. Attended by A-list actors, Lee’s wedding saw the attendance of actors Son Ye Jin, Yoo Ji Tae, Go So Young, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Min Jung, Uhm Ji Won, Seo Hyun and other artists.

• Joo Jin Moo To Tie The Knot In June

The 45-year old premiere actor announced marriage with Min Hye Yeon, a medical doctor who has appeared a few times in television shows as a panel member of medical advisers.

• Song Hye Kyo Makes Generous Patriotic Donation For 100th Anniversary Of The Provisional Government Of The Republic of Korea

Together with Professor Seong Kyung Deok from Sungshin Women’s University, Song Hye Kyo  marked the 100th anniversary of establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea by donating 10,000 copies of the tourist guidebook to the Provisional Government Memorial Hall in Hangzhou, China.

K-Magazine/Interviews

• BLACKPINK To Take Over Vogue Korea’s July 2019 Issue

BLINKs can look forward to seeing their queens on print media, as BLACKPINK is primed to take over Vogue Korea’s July 2019 issue. The magazine showcased their cover girls in a photoshoot video posted on their Instagram account.

• Shin Se Kyung For Grazia

Adorned with flowers, Shin effortlessly modeled clothing made out of sustainable materials such as recycled polyester and organic cotton. These are all part of global fashion brand H&M’s Conscious Collection, which were launched for Spring 2019.

• Park Hyung Sik And Moon So Ri Grace The Cover Of Cine 21

K-Features

• Album Review: Oohyo – Far From The Madding City
• K-Drama Couch: “Item” Finale + “Beautiful World” & “My Fellow Citizens” Premiere
• 5 BTS Music Videos That Surpass 450 Million YouTube Views

One of BTS’ many accolades is that they are the only Korean boy group to garner 450 million views on not one, but FIVE music videos. Let us celebrate this phenomenal milestone by taking a look back at all the music videos that have reached such massive amount of views!

• #7YearsWithEXO: EXO And EXO-L Celebrate 7 Record-Breaking Years With Sweet Messages And Generous Donations

Together with their beloved EXO-L, Suho, Xiumin, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun commemorated their record-breaking and history-making career with sweet messages, special song recommendations, and a beautiful photo book.