SM Entertainment is cutting ties with Taeil. The company has confirmed the former NCT member‘s contract termination as the police continue to investigate the idol.
Taeil Contract Termination Announced
On October 16, SM Entertainment officially announced the termination of their contract with NCT’s Taeil. The agency released a statement confirming that the contract had been dissolved, marking Taeil’s formal departure from the company.
“We would like to inform you that our exclusive contract with Taeil has been terminated as of October 15, 2024,” the statement read.
“Taeil is currently under investigation by the prosecution for a criminal case. This not only constitutes grounds for termination under our contract but also makes it impossible to maintain trust in him as an artist. As a result, both parties have mutually agreed to terminate the contract,” it continued.
“We sincerely apologize once again for any concern caused by Taeil, who was previously one of our artists,” the statement concluded.
This incident comes after Taeil’s earlier departure from NCT in August. The initial allegations of sexual misconduct quickly followed this. The news of his exit from the group, along with the current investigation, has left many fans and the general public concerned and waiting for more information regarding the outcome of the legal proceedings.
The investigation began at the Bangbae Police Station in Seoul, and in September, the case was transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office for further legal proceedings. This development has prompted significant public concern, leading to SM Entertainment’s decision to terminate their contract with the former NCT member as the legal case continues.
The wait is finally over— j-hope has officially returned from the military! The BTS member received a warm welcome from fellow group member Jin during his military discharge.
j-hope Receives Warm Welcome Back From Jin
On October 17, j-hope completed his mandatory 18 months of service as a training instructor at the 36th Infantry Division in Gangwon Province. To celebrate his discharge, fellow BTS member Jin, who had also completed his military service earlier, was present at the ceremony. Jin even held the microphone for j-hope during his heartfelt speech.
j-hope expressed his gratitude, saying, “First of all, thank you so much. I completed my service in good health. I’m really grateful.” He also extended his thanks to the fans who have patiently waited for his return.
Reflecting on his time in the military, j-hope shared that serving as an instructor had a profound impact on him. “I went on many marches, and every time, I saw many citizens of Wonju. I want to convey my gratitude to the citizens of Wonju who always greeted me and supported me. It was very touching,” he said.
He added that the experience gave him a deep appreciation for the soldiers who serve the country, stating, “They are doing so much for the nation. I feel as if it will be meaningful to give those people warm interest and love.”
BIGHIT MUSIC had previously asked fans to avoid visiting the discharge site for safety reasons, and despite this, the love and support for j-hope were overwhelming.
“Discharge day is a day shared by many service members,” the statement read. “No special events are planned on the day of j-hope’s discharge.”
“To prevent any issues arising from overcrowding, fans are strongly advised to refrain from visiting the site. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts,” it added.
Welcome back, j-hope! Fans are excited for what’s next.
SEVENTEEN’s latest comeback is already making waves! ‘SPILL THE FEELS’ has sold over 2 million copies in its first day alone, setting a new record on Hanteo Chart.
SEVENTEEN’s ‘SPILL THE FEELS’ First-Day Sales Revealed
On October 14 at 6 p.m. KST, SEVENTEEN released their highly anticipated mini album ‘SPILL THE FEELS’ along with its title track “LOVE, MONEY, FAME,” featuring DJ Khaled. The album’s release marked an exciting moment for fans, and the numbers immediately proved it.
According to Hanteo Chart, ‘SPILL THE FEELS’ sold an astounding 2,494,180 copies on its first day alone, setting a new record for the highest first-day sales by any album in 2024. This achievement highlights SEVENTEEN’s continued popularity and influence in the global music scene. It also confirms their status as one of the biggest-selling K-pop acts in history.
In addition to its strong physical sales, the album quickly rose to the top of digital charts worldwide. By 10 a.m. KST on October 15, ‘SPILL THE FEELS’ had already reached No. 1 on the iTunes Top Albums chart in at least 18 different regions, solidifying SEVENTEEN’s global dominance. Needless to say, the idol group is expected to continue dominating the charts as they gain more fans around the world.
The group’s success doesn’t end there. SEVENTEEN will soon embark on their “RIGHT HERE” tour, which kicks off this October. Starting in Korea, the tour will take the group to the United States, Japan, and several other Asian countries, giving fans across the world the chance to experience their dynamic performances live. With their fanbase, known as CARATs, eagerly awaiting the tour, tickets are expected to sell out fast. It also means that the idol group will get the chance to connect with their fans everywhere around the globe.
Congratulations to SEVENTEEN on this incredible start, and best wishes for their continued success with ‘SPILL THE FEELS’ and the upcoming tour!
The name “ablume” is inspired by the German word for flower (blume), symbolizing growth and the journey of blooming. According to the group’s Instagram, “ablume” also represents how each member—Aran, Saena, and Sio—unfolds their creative potential, discovering and embracing their unique talents. These individual “colors” blend together to create the diverse and vibrant music that will define the group’s identity.
MASSIVE E&C’s CEO, Hwang Choi Han Cho, also expressed excitement over the trio’s new beginning, stating, “As Aran, Saena, and Sio reunite in this new group, we expect to showcase more diverse aspects of their talents. We are committed to providing opportunities for ablume to connect with both domestic and international fans.”
In related news, FIFTY FIFTY’s agency, ATTRAKT, previously announced plans to take legal action against Warner Music Korea following revelations of secret meetings with the group’s former members and alleged tampering. Back in September, Dispatch also released exclusive audio recordings featuring conversations between Ahn Sung Il, CEO of The Givers, and Jin Seung Young, CFO of Warner Music Korea, during meetings with FIFTY FIFTY’s former members and their parents.
Despite the legal setbacks that continue to connect Sio, Aran, and Saena to FIFTY FIFTY, fans are now eager to see what ablume will bring to the K-pop scene, with anticipation building around the group’s future activities and music releases.
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.
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