K-News Weekly Headlines: Kang Daniel Teases Upcoming Solo Debut, Lai Kuan Lin Announces Departure From Cube Entertainment, “Hotel Del Luna” Premieres Successfully

By Angela Patricia Suacillo | July 22, 2019

This week has been met with continuous comeback and world tour updates from beloved K-Pop idols, as well as a series of exciting K-Drama premieres.

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!

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, as well as concert tours and fan meetings will also be included.

*Covers Korean entertainment news from July 14 to 20.

Upcoming K-Events

• Ong Seong Wu To Hold Six-Day Birthday Photo Exhibition In August

Fantagio Entertainment announced that Ong Seong Wu will be celebrating his birthday with a photo exhibition. Titled Oh! Happy Day, the photo exhibition will run for six days, from August 22 to 28, at the Ohara Art Center in Seoul. It will be open from 10 AM to 6:30 PM KST.

• BTS Announces Final Stops For Love Yourself: Speak Yourself World Tour

BTS is closing another colorful chapter in their lives as they announce the final stop for their Love Yourself concert series. The septet announced their upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia as the newest stop, as well as a final three-day concert in Seoul.

• Kang Daniel To Shower Singapore Fans With Bright Colors In August

Surely wanting only the best for his ever supportive fans, Kang Daniel has released a primer of his scheduled fan meeting in August. Hinting more stops to come, the announcement was revealed by event promoter UnUsUaL Entertainment on July 18.

• Prepare To Party With NCT 127 At #NEOCITYINSG

NCT 127 will charm their Singapore fans on July 20 at Singapore Indoor Stadium. This will mark the group’s first concert in the sunny island. Look forward to see your favorite boys as they pump up the Singapore Indoor Stadium stage this Saturday.

• Starship X Pepsi Announces Headliners For For The Love Of It Project Showcase

The beverage brand and the entertainment company will show the power of refreshing team-ups from their 2019 Pepsi K-Pop Collab Project as they take it on stage at the Olympic Hall in Seoul this September 8!

• Ticketing Details And Seat Plan For EXO PLANET #5 – EXplOration In Manila Unveiled

Marking the fifth installment of EXO’s  hit concert series, their latest world tour will hold its Manila stop on August 24, 2019 at the Mall of Asia Arena. On July 19, the seat plan and ticketing details for the much-anticipated show has finally been unveiled.

K-Concert And Fan Meeting Recaps

• AB6IX Wraps Up First Back-to-Back Fan Meeting In Seoul With Over 12,000 Fans In Attendance

Proving their hot rookie status once again, AB6IX successfully kickstarted their AB6IX 1ST FANMEETING [1ST ABNEW] tour with a two-day show in Seoul which gathered a crowd of over 12,000 fans.

• MONSTA X Successfully Completes European Leg of “We Are Here” World Tour

It’s a wrap for the 2019 MONSTA X <WE ARE HERE> WORLD TOUR in the Europe – and it ended with responses just as intense as MONSTA X’s explosive performances themselves! The boy group brought excitement to several European stages with their newest tour’s latest leg.

• TWICE Successfully Wraps Up Asia Leg of TWICELIGHTS World Tour 2019

With a showstopping performance at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, TWICE neatly wrapped up the Asian leg of the TWICE WORLD TOUR 2019 ′TWICELIGHTS’. So far, the nonet had attracted over 28,000 ONCEs to their shows in Bangkok, Manila, and Singapore.

• BLACKPINK Wraps Up “In Your Area World Tour” With An Encore Show In Bangkok

Thai BLINKs were truly gifted with a night to remember as the quartet wrapped up their tour with the BLACKPINK 2019 World Tour [IN YOUR AREA] Bangkok: Encore at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.

• GOT7 Successfully Completes North And South American Legs Of Keep Spinning World Tour

JB, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom set off on their journey from Toronto on June 30, Dallas on July 3, Los Angeles on July 6, Auckland on July 10, Mexico on July 13, and finally, Santiago on July 16.

K-Pop News Corner

1. Produce X 101 Recap: Third Elimination Round Names Final Twenty Trainees + Kim Yohan Reclaims Top Seat, MYTEEN’s Kim Kook Heon Pens Letter To Thank Fans And Support Song Yu Vin On Produce X 101, Lee Jin Woo Recounts Happy Memories In Sweet Letter Following Elimination, Produce X 101 Announces Winning Members And Name of New Boy Group, Debut Group X1 Launches Official Accounts On Social Media,

• EXO Receives Star On Dubai’s “Walk Of Fame”

EXO will have their name etched in their very own star for Dubai’s version of Walk of Fame along with some of the most famous names in the international scene! The boy group’s name will officially be put up on the upcoming Dubai Stars attraction, as revealed by their official Twitter account.

• Hello Venus Alumni Lime, Yooyoung, Seoyoung, And Yeoreum Kick Off Solo Careers

Months after Hello Venus’ disbandment, their members are working hard to build up their respective solo careers. Members Lime, Yooyoung, Seoyoung, and Yeoreum are reportedly in the midst of preparations for their musical and acting careers.

• IU Celebrates 100 Million Views Of “Bbibbi” With A Shower Of Cute Photos

Surpassing 100 million YouTube views, the 10th anniversary single of IU achieved another milestone. Even with her busy schedule, she posted behind-the-scene photos from the music video filming of the song.

• BTS Selected As One Of TIME’s “25 Most Influential People On The Internet” For Third Year In A Row

BTS’ massive social media presence continues to make waves as they make it to the list of TIME’s 25 Most Influential People On The Internet for the third time. The magazine cites their ARMYs and their various accolades for their success.

• The Boyz’ Hwall To Sit Out From Activities Due To Health Reasons

The Boyz’ Hwall will be temporarily sitting out from his group’s activities to keep his health in check, as Cre.ker Entertainment announced on July 20. During his break, the dancer-rapper-vocalist will be focusing on recovery in order to return as soon as possible.

• BTS And ARMY Named As Top Global Sustainable Future Leader And Group By Korean Association Supporting UN’s SDGs

BTS has been named as the world’s most sustainable future leader by the Korean Association for Supporting the SDGs for the United Nations! Additionally, BTS’ fandom ARMY was also named as the top sustainable global group.

• Lai Kuan Lin Confirmed To Have Requested For Contract Termination With Cube Entertainment

Lai Kuan Lin has recently filed a request to terminate his exclusive contract with Cube Entertainment. Following the confirmation of receiving Lai Kuan Lin’s appeal to terminate his contract, Cube Entertainment has released an official statement containing their side.

K-Pop Comeback News And Updates

• GWSN Teases Upcoming Summer Comeback, The Park in the Night Part 3

GWSN prepares to venture into the park in the night once more! Seoryoung, Seokyoung, Anne, Minju, SoSo, Miya, and Lena will be releasing a mini album in the form of The Park in the Night Part 3 on July 23, 6PM KST.

• Kang Daniel Releases Teasers For Upcoming Solo Debut, “Color on Me”

Raising anticipation for Kang Daniel’s much-awaited return, KONNECT Entertainment dropped teasers for the title and tracklist of his solo debut and the singer himself. Additionally, the singer topped real-time searches and launched a new Twitter account in preparation for his comeback.

• CIX Fixates Fans With Fierce Gazes In Teaser Photos For Nearing Debut With “Hello, Stranger”

C9 Entertainment’s newest boy group, CIX, continues to make the world look forward to their first “hello” to the music scene through their various teasers released ahead of their debut.

• EXO-SC Teases Upcoming Mini-Album, What A Life

Sehun and Chanyeol are continuously hyping up their debut as EXO-SC. The pair have posed on a road back drop and retro top down cars, and popped off in vibrant colors in their teaser photos. They also performed two of their title tracks on EXO PLANET #5 – EXplOration concert on July 19.

• NCT DREAM Lights Up The Universe With Special Single, “Fireflies”

NCT DREAM tells fans to keep shining with them through the newest special single they shared on July 15 at 6 PM KST! Titled “Fireflies”, the group’s newest track is courtesy of their newest designation as the first-ever global ambassadors of the World Scout Foundation.

• Day6 Gives Another Colorful Masterpiece With “Time Of Our Life” Music Video

Day6 unveiled yet another amazing track as they made their much-awaited comeback with the mini-album The Book of Us: Gravity, headlined by the light and catchy track “Time Of Our Life”.

• NCT DREAM Sets Off For Booming July Comeback

NCT DREAM made a booming announcement of their upcoming return with new music through a teaser, and it is piquing fans’ curiosity. They later made fans’ hearts explode in the newest set of teaser photos for their nearing comeback with the mini-album WE BOOM!

• DJ HYO Teases A Futuristic World In Upcoming Digital Single, “Badster”

Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon is returning with more solo music this month! Her upcoming release, titled “Badster”, is described as a psytrance track: combining electronic sound elements with strong percussion beats.

• NCT 127 Prepares To Roll Out “Highway To Heaven” English Version

NCT 127 rocked the midnight of July 18 with the announcement of the upcoming version of their hit “Highway to Heaven”! Now to be introduced with a new English version, it is slated for release as a single on July 18 at 9AM PDT or July 19 at 1AM KST on global platforms.

• NCT’s Taeyong Soars With Last Track For SM STATION “Long Flight”

NCT’s Taeyong has served first class-level aesthetics and sound in the final track for the third season of SM Station, titled “Long Flight”. Ranging from singing while aboard an airplane, standing out against a beautiful night sky, and more, the idol treated fans to different settings painting dreamy vibes.

• Norazo Returns With Hilarious “Instructional” Video About Taking Showers

South Korea’s probably most unique duo is back again with another incredible piece of music and equally entertaining music video. Norazo has been a staple in the Korean music industry since 2005. Their recent release, “Shower” also proves that they are still very relevant.

• Tiffany Young To Release New Digital Single “Magnetic Moon”

After charming the world with “Lips on Lips” last February, Tiffany Young gears up to stun the world once more through a new digital single! Her upcoming single is titled “Magnetic Moon”, and is slated for release on August 2— a few hours shy of her solo Korean concert OPEN HEARTS EVE.

K-Drama News, Recaps, And Reviews

1. K-Drama Review: Abyss, Voice 3,
2. K-Drama Sneak Peek: Justice,
3. K-Drama Premiere: Hotel Del Luna, Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung, Level Up, Class of Lies,
4. K-Drama Couch Recap – Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung: Episode 2

• Netflix Unveils Video Trailer Of My First First Love 2

Doubling the happy moments and young romance stories, My First First Love 2 teases with what to expect on its second season in a video teaser. The secret about Song Yi and Do Hyeon’s relationship is out. However, the new couple’s best friend Tae Oh, can’t seem to decide if he is happy for them.

• Park Ha Sun And Lee Sang Yeob Succumb To Growing Attraction On Love Affairs In The Afternoon

The main leads of Channel A’s newest romance drama have found themselves consciously giving in to their personal desires. On its second week, Park Ha Sun and Lee Sang Yeob’s characters found themselves in unexpected encounters, while feeling the strange connection between them.

• Hotel Del Luna Joins tvN Dramas’ Elite Circle With High Viewership Rating On Premiere Week

Headlined by Lee Ji Eun (IU) and Yeo Jin Goo, Hotel Del Luna registered 7.3% nationwide and 7.7% Seoul viewership rating based on data from Nielsen Korea. According to Good Data Corporation, Hotel Del Luna and its main leads also topped the drama and actor categories.

• Kim Jung Hyun Breaks Hiatus Through New Drama With Hyun Bin & Son Ye Jin

After taking a break due to health reason, Kim Jung Hyun returns to the small screen since his last drama via MBC – Time. The series already confirmed its main love pairing to be top actors Hyun Bin (Memories of the Alhambra) and Son Ye Jin (Something in the Rain).

• Welcome 2 Life Starring Rain Captures Parallel World Theme In Released Drama Teasers

MBC’s upcoming drama Welcome 2 Life dropped its main poster featuring two divided worlds. Starring Jung Ji Hoon (Rain), Lim Ji Yeon and Kwak Si Yang, the image shows distinction of the two worlds to be traversed by the actors.

• ONE Personally Discloses Departure From YG Entertainment After Her Private Life

ONE personally revealed his departure from former agency YG Entertainment via a recent interview for his upcoming film Goodbye Summer. Following this new step in his career, ONE shared that he is preparing to establish his own one-man agency.

• Lee Joon Gi Gifts IU With A Cameo Role In Hotel Del Luna

Lee Joon Gi sure dotes on IU and for fans who have not moved on yet since Scarlet Heart Ryeo, this is such a sweet news. IU’s former lead man showed another sweet gesture by confirming his guesting in her currently airing drama.

• KBS Confirms Seol In Ah And Kim Jae Young’s Pairing In New Romantic Healing Drama

KBS2 announced that the pair will lead cast for upcoming drama, Love is Beautiful, Life is Wonderful (working title). Excitement is rising because of the potential chemistry between the two rising stars.

• Park Seo Joon Lands Role In New Drama Based On Popular Webtoon

jTBC confirmed the cast for its upcoming drama, Itaewon Class. The drama is based on a popular webtoon about a group of young people who fight against injustice and unfair treatment.

• Lee Sung Kyung Proves Her Versatility In Two of Her Most Popular Roles To Date

With her breathtaking beauty and down to earth attitude, it’s no surprise that the actress is well-loved. Aside from her looks, she’s one talented actress as well. Let’s take a look back on two of Lee’s most memorable dramas and reminisce on her endearing roles.

K-Celeb Film/TV News

• Ha Sung Woon And AB6IX’s Daehwi To Reunite As Special MCs For 2019 K-WORLD FESTA

Former Wanna One groupmates Ha Sung Woon and AB6IX’s Daehwi have been selected to host the upcoming Korean Wave Festival 2019 K-WORLD FESTA live broadcast special show from CeluvTV, which will mark a special reunion fans should look forward to!

• Kim Young Kwang To Make An Explosive Big Screen Comeback In New Spy Action Film

Fresh from the success of his romantic drama The Secret Life of My Secretary, Kim Young Kwang challenges himself further by taking on the lead role of a spy action film. Kim is expected to showcase a new facet of his talents.

K-Magazine/Interviews

K-Photo Reel: Jung Hae In For Elle Korea August 2019 Issue, TWICE’s Nayeon For NYLON Magazine August 2019, MONSTA X’s Shownu And Wonho For Elle Korea And Tom Ford Beauty, TVXQ’s Changmin For Grazia August 2019 Issue, Ji Jin Hee For 1st Look Magazine Vol. 179, MAMAMOO’s Hwasa For Cosmopolitan Korea August 2019 Issue,

• Kim Jae Hwan Selected As New Face Of Cosmetics Brand Liz4EVER

Kim Jae Hwan will be showing everyone how to get flawless skin like him as he gets selected as the newest face of cosmetics and skincare line Liz4EVER! With this, he will be promoting various basic line products for the brand, which is set to officially launch this July 19.

• Jo Jung Suk Shares How Wife Gummy Influences Him To Become A Better Man

South Korean actor Jo Jung Suk has talked about his loving wife Gummy in a recent interview with the media after the successful finale of his drama Nokdu Flower. He specifically complimented his wife for having “a lot of likable strengths.”

K-Features

• K-Drama Time Machine: Lee Jong Suk & Han Hyo Joo’s Webtoon-Crossing Romance In “W: Two Worlds”
• MONSTA X’s Hyungwon And VIXX’s Hongbin Take Fans Behind The Scenes In “Cool Love” Making Film

MONSTA X’s Hyungwon and VIXX’s Hongbin talked about their latest collaboration and showed the fun time they had at its filming set in a making film recently shared by Starship Entertainment!