YOUNITE’s Hyungseok has sustained a nose injury, prompting concern among fans. The group’s agency has confirmed that the idol will need to undergo surgery and suspend activities.
YOUNITE Member Hyungseok Suspends Activities After Sustaining Nose Injury
On October 15, BRANDNEW MUSIC, the agency representing YOUNITE, released an official statement on X (formerly Twitter) regarding Hyungseok’s condition.
“Following an examination, the medical team has determined that he requires urgent surgery due to a fractured nasal bone, with an estimated recovery period of about three weeks. As a result, Hyungseok will regrettably be unable to attend the ‘2024 Dream Concert’ scheduled for Saturday, October 19,” the statement read.
While the extent of his injury was not specified, the agency assured fans that appropriate medical care is being provided and updates on his recovery will follow.
“Hyungseok is dedicated to his treatment and recovery, and we will provide updates if there are any changes to his schedule,” the agency confirmed. “We apologize for the sudden news and any concern it may cause our fans. We will do our utmost to support Hyungseok’s swift recovery.”
In addition, YOUNITE has been confirmed to perform at the 2024 Dream Concert, which is set to take place on October 19 at 4:30 p.m. KST at Goyang Stadium. This highly anticipated event will feature a star-studded lineup, including NCT WISH, KISS OF LIFE, Kep1er, Dreamcatcher, Choi Ye Na, and many more. Super Junior’s Leeteuk and Kwon Eun Bi will serve as MCs for the concert.
Fans are hoping for Hyungseok’s swift recovery and are eager to see YOUNITE perform on stage alongside other popular acts.
Netflix’s popular cooking survival show “Culinary Class Wars” is officially returning for a second season! The renewal also comes shortly after Season 1 concluded last week.
Fans are also eagerly awaiting the return of the show after its intense first season, which featured 100 talented chefs competing in a high-stakes culinary showdown. The competition also pitted “black spoon” non-celebrity chefs against some of Korea’s finest “white spoon” celebrity chefs, all vying for a grand prize of 300 million won (approximately $223,000). The final episodes of Season 1 also aired on October 8, where viewers witnessed the crowning of the ultimate winner.
In related news, chefs Napoli Matfia (Kwon Sung Jun) and Edward Lee, who appeared in the first season of the Netflix series, will make a special guest appearance on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block” on October 16. The show also teased their upcoming appearance with a post on Instagram, promising an equally exciting episode featuring the two beloved chefs.
Season 2 of “Culinary Class Wars” is also expected to begin production soon, with a release planned for the second half of next year. Fans are also already buzzing with excitement for what’s to come and eager to see more intense culinary battles unfold.
The second season of the beloved cooking show has not yet been given an official release date. However, it is already expected to return on Netflix before the end of the year. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
Who was your favorite chef in Season 1? Let us know in the comments below!
The 2024 MAMA Awards is gearing up for an exciting celebration, with its star-studded lineup of performers starting to be revealed!
2024 MAMA Awards Announces First Lineup of Performers
On October 15, the awards show announced the first batch of artists slated to perform, including some of the biggest names in K-pop. The lineup features aespa, ENHYPEN, ILLIT, INI, IVE, KATSEYE, RIIZE, TXT, and ZEROBASEONE, guaranteeing thrilling performances across multiple days.
ILLIT, KATSEYE, and RIIZE are scheduled to perform on the first day of the event, November 21 PST, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Following that, ENHYPEN, IVE, and TXT will light up the stage on November 22 KST in Japan, performing at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka. Finally, aespa, INI, and ZEROBASEONE will bring their dynamic energy to the stage on November 23 KST at the same venue.
Additionally, the nominees for this year’s awards was announced on the same day. The list of nominees for the 2024 MAMA Awards are:
BIBI – “Bam Yang Gang”
IU – “Love wins all”
Lee Mu Jin – “Episode”
Lim Young Woong – “Warmth”
Taeyeon – “To. X”
Best Vocal Performance Group
AKMU – “Hero”
Davichi – “A very personal story”
(G)I-DLE – “Fate”
PLAVE – “WAY 4 LUV”
Red Velvet – “Cosmic”
Best Band Performance
DAY6 – “Welcome to the Show”
LUCY – “The knight who can’t die and the silk cradle”
N.Flying – “Into You”
Hyukoh, Sunset Rollercoaster – “Young Man”
QWER – “T.B.H”
GroovyRoom – “Yes or No (Feat. Huh Yunjin, Crush)
Jay Park – “Taxi Blurr (Feat. Natty)”
Lee Young Ji – “Small Girl (Feat. D.O.)”
Sung Si Kyung, Naul – “Even for a moment”
Zico – “SPOT! (Feat. Jennie)”
Best OST
Roy Kim – “Whenever, Wherever” (“My Demon” OST)
Lee Chang Sub – “Heavenly fate” (“A Not So Fairy Tale” OST)
ECLIPSE – “Sudden Shower” (“Lovely Runner” OST)
Taeyeon – “Dream” (“Welcome to Samdalri” OST)
Crush – “Love You With All My Heart” (“Queen of Tears” OST)
Best Music Video
aespa – “Armageddon”
K.will – “No Sad Song For My Broken Heart (Prod. Yoon Sang)” IU – “Love wins all”
IVE – “HEYA”
SEVENTEEN – “MAESTRO”
8TURN
AB6IX
ASTRO
ATBO
ATEEZ
B1A4
Baekhyun
BamBam
B.D.U
BOYNEXTDOOR
CRAVITY
DAY6
D.O.
ENHYPEN
EPEX
EVNNE
FTISLAND
Hui
j-hope
Jimin
Jungkook
JUST B
Key
NCT 127
NCT DREAM
NCT WISH
ONEUS
P1Harmony
PLAVE
RIIZE
RM
SEVENTEEN
Stray Kids
Super Junior
Taemin
TEMPEST
THE BOYZ
THE NEW SIX
TIOT
TREASURE
TWS
TXT
V
WayV
WOODZ
Xdinary Heroes
xikers
YOUNITE
ZEROBASEONE
Zico
Fans’ Choice Female
aespa
ARTMS
BABYMONSTER
BADVILLAIN
BIBI
Billlie
Blackswan
BoA
Choi Ye Na
Chungha
CLASS:y
CRAXY
Dreamcatcher
EVERGLOW
FIFTY FIFTY
fromis_9
(G)I-DLE
H1-KEY
Hwasa
HyunA
ILLIT
ITZY
IU
IVE
Jennie
Jeon Somi
Kep1er
KISS OF LIFE
Kwon Eun Bi
LE SSERAFIM
Lee Young Ji
LIGHTSUM
MEOVV
Moonbyul
NewJeans
NMIXX
OH MY GIRL
QWER
Red Velvet
STAYC
Sunmi
Taeyeon
tripleS
TWICE
UNIS
VIVIZ
Weeekly
Wheein
WOOAH
Young Posse
The 2024 MAMA Awards will take place on November 21 in Los Angeles and November 22 and 23 in Japan.
Minho is gearing up for his long-awaited solo comeback! The SHINee member is dropping his first LP, as confirmed by the first ‘CALL BACK’ teaser.
SHINee’s Minho Prepares for Full Album Release with ‘CALL BACK’ Teaser
On October 15 at midnight KST, Minho officially announced the release of his first full-length album titled ‘CALL BACK’.
The album is set to drop on November 4 at 6 p.m. KST, marking Minho’s return to music after approximately 10 months since the release of his digital single “Stay for a night”. Fans are eagerly anticipating what new music and styles Minho will bring in this upcoming project, as it will showcase his growth as a solo artist.
In addition to his music career, Minho has also been active in acting. He recently appeared in the JTBC drama “Romance in the House”, playing the role of Nam Tae Pyeong, a former national taekwondo player who now works as a security guard at a large supermarket.
Although Nam Tae Pyeong is the son of J Plus Mart’s CEO, he chooses to live independently, distancing himself from his chaebol background. His character develops a romantic relationship with Byun Mi Rae, portrayed by Son Naeun, who works as a merchandiser at the same supermarket and is also the breadwinner of her family.
Minho shared his thoughts on his role, stating, “I prepared diverse styling and acted with different facial expressions and gestures depending on the situation. I made an effort so that viewers could immerse themselves more deeply in Tae Pyeong’s story and emotions.” He further explained his decision to keep his distance from co-star Son Naeun at the beginning of filming, saying, “Just like the progression in the drama, I thought that starting off awkward and gradually becoming closer would naturally be reflected in our acting.”
With his new album and recent acting achievements, Minho continues to showcase his versatility as both a singer and an actor, exciting fans for what’s to come.
Mark your calendars for Jin’s highly anticipated solo comeback! The BTS member has just dropped the first ‘Happy’ teasers for his return in November.
Jin Set for November Solo Comeback with ‘Happy’ Teasers
On October 15 at midnight KST, BIGHIT MUSIC officially announced that BTS’s Jin will be making his long-awaited comeback with a new solo album titled ‘Happy’.
“’Happy’ is Jin’s heartfelt invitation for fans to join him on his journey to discover happiness. The album features six tracks, each with its own unique vibe, all grounded in a band sound,” they said in a statement. “With his sincere emotions and warm messages to his fans woven throughout ‘Happy’, we hope the album brings joy to all of you.”
The album is set to be released on November 15 at 2 p.m. KST, exciting fans worldwide. This marks Jin’s first solo project since his military discharge, making it a special moment for ARMYs who have eagerly awaited his return to the music scene.
Jin previously gained attention for his solo work with the release of his special single “Super Tuna”. The playful track, inspired by Jin’s love for fishing, also became an instant viral sensation. The track, which was previously shared as part of his birthday celebration, also showcased Jin’s fun and quirky side, which was well received by fans. “Super Tuna” quickly took over social media, with its catchy beat and humorous choreography becoming a hit.
With the upcoming release of ‘Happy’, fans are also expecting more of Jin’s unique charm. Known for his versatility and ability to bring out different sides of his personality in his music, ‘Happy’ is also expected to capture Jin’s signature style. Fans are also excited to see how this new project will build on his previous work and celebrate his return to the spotlight after completing his military service.
BIGHIT MUSIC has addressed the financial losses incurred by Jimin after lending money to comedian Lee Jin Ho. The BTS member is just one of many celebrities who lent money to the controversial actor.
What Happened to Lee Jin Ho?
On October 14, Lee Jin Ho revealed that he had accumulated substantial debt due to illegal gambling, leading him to seek financial assistance from several individuals, including well-known celebrities. He claims to be repaying the debt steadily each month, with the intention of settling it in full. However, it was reported that the total debt amounts to hundreds of millions of won, affecting not just Jimin but also celebrities like Lee Soo Geun, Young Tak, Ha Sung Woon, and various broadcasting executives, producers, and writers.
Some of these individuals reportedly lent money to Lee without a promissory note, making them vulnerable to tax penalties. Since these transactions were classified as “gifts” rather than loans, they now face potential tax liabilities. In light of the situation, several celebrities have reportedly chosen to file fraud charges against the comedian, aiming to seize his appearance fees to recover their losses.
BIGHIT MUSIC Addresses Debt Issue
In Jimin’s case, the comedian approached him in 2022, requesting to borrow 100 million won (approximately $73,600) for a week, claiming urgent need. Despite signing a promissory note, Lee failed to repay the loan within the agreed time frame. As reported, Jimin concluded that Lee had no genuine intention of repaying the money and, in a gesture of leniency, told him to “just pay me back within 10 years.”
BIGHIT MUSIC confirmed the situation, stating, “It is indeed true that financial losses have occurred [to Jimin]. He lent money with a signed promissory note.”
Following the controversy, Lee Jin Ho has stepped down from his role on JTBC’s popular variety show “Knowing Bros” (also known as “Ask Us Anything”). Additionally, he did not attend the press conference for Netflix’s variety show “Comedy Revenge”, which was scheduled for the morning of October 14. The scandal has raised concerns about trust and financial accountability within the entertainment industry.
Mark your calendars for ENHYPEN’s highly anticipated return! The boy group has just dropped the first ‘ROMANCE : UNTOLD -daydream-‘ teaser!
ENHYPEN Confirms November Comeback with ‘ROMANCE : UNTOLD -daydream-‘ Teaser
On October 14 at midnight KST, BELIFT LAB officially announced ENHYPEN’s upcoming comeback, scheduled for November 11 at 6 p.m. KST. The group will be releasing ‘ROMANCE : UNTOLD -daydream-‘, a repackaged version of their latest studio album ‘ROMANCE : UNTOLD’, building excitement among fans worldwide.
Following the triumphant start of their world tour in Korea, ENHYPEN is also preparing for the next leg of “WALK THE LINE” in Japan. The group will perform at several major dome venues, starting with the Belluna Dome in Saitama on November 9 and 10. They will also continue their tour at Fukuoka’s Mizuho PayPay Dome on December 28 and 29, before wrapping up at Osaka’s Kyocera Dome on January 25 and 26, 2025.
Fans are also eagerly awaiting ENHYPEN’s return, and with ‘ROMANCE : UNTOLD -daydream-” on the horizon, the group’s comeback is poised to make a major impact on the K-pop scene. The other dates for the “WALK THE LINE” world tour have not yet been announced. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates on this story.
EXO’s Xiumin, veteran entertainer Lee Kyung Kyu, and actress So Yi Hyun have officially joined the panel of judges for TV Chosun’s highly anticipated show “Mister Trot 3”. The new program is already set to premiere later this year.
‘Mister Trot 3’ Reveals Talented Panel of Judges
On October 14, TV Chosun confirmed their participation, marking an exciting addition to the star-studded judging lineup for the popular trot competition program.
Xiumin of EXO, the youngest of the judging panel, shared his perspective as someone familiar with the pressure of auditions, having previously served as an MC for similar programs. “Rather than evaluating them, I will be supporting them,” Xiumin commented, expressing his desire to encourage the participants.
Lee Kyung Kyu, known for his long-standing career in Korean entertainment, shared his enthusiasm for being part of the show, stating, “I really enjoy listening to trot music. When it comes to Bae Ho, there’s no one who knows more about him than I do.” He also expressed his desire to use his foresight to discover the next generation of trot stars, attributing the current trot craze to the success of the movie “Highway Star”.
Actress So Yi Hyun, who has personal connections to the trot world, explained, “My father-in-law has released trot albums and participated in auditions, and my husband has also acted as a trot singer and released trot music. I can’t be separated from trot.” She emphasized that “Mister Trot” is beloved by mothers across Korea, and she plans to judge contestants through the lens of a typical Korean housewife, looking for unique charms.
When Will The New Program Be Broadcast?
Production for “Mister Trot 3” is already underway, with the show having completed its recruitment phase on October 10. Out of over 12,000 applicants, only around 1,000 were selected to move forward, with 100 finalists ultimately chosen after a rigorous selection process. According to the production team, the competition was fierce, with a staggering ratio of 120 applicants for each spot.
The show is set to premiere by the end of the year, promising exciting performances and emotional moments as contestants vie for the coveted title of the next trot star.
Seunghan recently shared a heartfelt handwritten letter addressing his departure from the group RIIZE, following an official announcement by SM Entertainment. The decision comes shortly after fans sent a row of funeral wreath to the group’s building.
Seunghan Announces RIIZE Departure After Funeral Wreath Controversy
In his letter, Seunghan expressed his thoughts on the decision, explaining that leaving the group was a difficult choice. He acknowledged the support he received from fans and his fellow members, stating that he would continue to support RIIZE despite his departure.
“After pondering deeply whether I’ve been thinking only of myself too much, whether I’m causing too much harm to the members and the company, and whether it’s really okay for me to be part of RIIZE, who should be loved, I only felt worried and apologetic. So I think that my leaving the group is the right path for everyone,” he wrote.
“I don’t want to cause any more hurt or confusion for the fans, and I don’t want to harm the members any further, and I also don’t want to hurt the company any further,” he added.
In protest, some fans sent funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters, symbolizing their belief that the company’s production sensibilities had “died.” The backlash prompted SM Entertainment to reconsider their decision, resulting in Seunghan’s withdrawal from the group just two days later. This series of events has left fans divided, with some supporting Seunghan’s departure while others lament the loss of a cherished member.
Jennie is taking the world by storm with her latest solo single “Mantra”! The latest solo single from the BLACKPINK member is already dominating iTunes charts all over the world.
Jennie’s ‘Mantra’ is a Confirmed Hit, Solo Single Dominates Global iTunes Charts
Released on October 11 at 9 a.m. KST, the highly-anticipated track quickly soared to the top of iTunes charts across the globe. Within just 24 hours, Jennie’s new single had claimed the No. 1 spot on iTunes Top Songs charts in at least 47 different regions, including major markets like the United States, Brazil, Singapore, Mexico, and the Philippines.
What makes Jennie’s accomplishment even more impressive is that “Mantra” is currently the only song by a female K-pop soloist to reach No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Top Songs chart in 2024. This achievement is a testament to Jennie’s immense global popularity and the powerful impact of her music.
Needless to say, the upcoming guest appearance on the talk show may only be the beginning as netizens also expect to see Jennie work on more high-profile promotions for her latest release. With that in mind, we’re also expecting more news from the agency in the near future. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
As Jennie continues to dominate the global music scene with her unique style and musical talent, her solo comeback has solidified her status as one of the most influential K-pop artists. Fans are eagerly celebrating her success, and the excitement surrounding her “Mantra” era is only growing.
Congratulations to Jennie on her phenomenal return and the overwhelming success of “Mantra”!