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RED VELVET Wendy to Return as ‘Young Street’ DJ

Red Velvet’s Wendy is all set to return as the DJ of SBS Power FM’s “Young Street,” bringing her warmth and energy back to the beloved radio program.

Red Velvet’s Wendy Confirmed to Return to “Young Street” Radio Show

On August 13, SBS PowerFM confirmed Wendy’s much-anticipated comeback, which will begin on August 19, marking approximately a year since she stepped down from the role due to conflicting schedules.

https://x.com/wendythread/status/1823161043796799965

Wendy initially took on the role of DJ for “Young Street” in July 2021, where she quickly won the hearts of listeners with her cheerful demeanor and positive energy. For two years, she created a space where fans could connect with her and enjoy her lively interactions, making “Young Street” a popular show. Her departure in July 2023 left many fans disappointed, but her return is set to rekindle the vibrant atmosphere that she brought to the show. The comeback broadcast is scheduled to air on August 19 at 8 p.m. KST on SBS PowerFM, and fans can also tune in via the SBS Gorilla app for live viewing.

An Awesome Year for Red Velvet

Wendy’s return to “Young Street” comes on the heels of Red Velvet’s recent success with their latest EP, “Cosmic,” which was released in June. The mini-album received an overwhelmingly positive response from fans around the world, quickly becoming a global sensation. Upon its release, “Cosmic” soared to the top of iTunes charts in numerous countries, achieving the No. 1 spot on iTunes Top Albums charts in at least 41 different regions by June 25 KST. This remarkable achievement underscores Red Velvet’s strong international appeal and the global anticipation for their music.

The success of “Cosmic” is a testament to Red Velvet’s continued ability to captivate audiences with their distinctive blend of musical styles and engaging performances. Each track on the album showcases the group’s versatility, further solidifying their status as K-pop royalty. The album’s triumph not only highlights Red Velvet’s established presence in the K-pop scene but also emphasizes their growing influence on a global scale.

As Wendy prepares to return to the airwaves and Red Velvet continues to dominate the music charts, fans have much to look forward to. Wendy’s return as the DJ of “Young Street” is sure to bring back the infectious energy that fans have missed, while Red Velvet’s ongoing success continues to shape the global K-pop landscape.

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Weverse, YG Plus, SM, and JYP Refund Violation Accusations

The Korea Fair Trade Commission sanctions major K-pop companies for illegal refund practices

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has taken action against several major companies in the K-pop industry. This includes Weverse Company, YG Plus, SM Brand Marketing, and JYP 360. These companies, which handle the online sales of idol merchandise, faced sanctions for illegal refund practices that unfairly targeted consumers, particularly teenagers.

The KFTC discovered that these companies have been shortening the legally mandated refund period. Under current e-commerce law, customers are entitled to withdraw from a purchase within three months or within 30 days of discovering a defect. However, Weverse Company and others informed customers that even defective products could only be refunded within seven days. Additionally, they imposed unreasonable restrictions, such as requiring video evidence of the unboxing process to qualify for refunds.

This behavior, known in Korea as “gapjil” (abuse of power), effectively shifted the burden of proof onto the consumers, violating e-commerce laws. These practices not only limited customers’ rights but also exploited the loyalty of teenage fans, who are less aware of their legal protections.

   

The idol merchandise shops of the four biggest K-Pop agencies, Weverse, YG Plus, JYP 360, and SM Brand Marketing, have been sanctioned by Korea’s Fair Trade Commission. Photos via Wikimedia Commons.

In response, the KFTC issued corrective orders and imposed fines totalling 10.5 million KRW (approximately 7,740 USD) on the companies involved. Weverse Company was fined approximately 3 million KRW (2,210 USD), while YG Plus, SM Brand Marketing, and JYP 360 each received fines of 2.5 million KRW (1,840 USD). The fines were reduced as the companies voluntarily corrected their practices following the investigation.

A KFTC representative emphasized protecting teenage consumers in the entertainment industry and stated that the commission would continue to monitor for similar violations. They warned that stricter penalties, including business suspensions, could follow if such practices persist.

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Former FIFTY FIFTY Members Sio, Aran, and Saena Sign With New Agency

The three former FIFTY FIFTY members have found a new home! Sio, Aran, and Saena have signed with a new agency and are set to release new music later this year.

Former FIFTY FIFTY Members Sign With New Label

On August 12, IOK Company announced the launch of its new label, MASSIVE E&C, and revealed that they had signed exclusive contracts with Saena, Aran, and Sio, three of the former members of the popular girl group FIFTY FIFTY.

With this exciting new chapter, Saena, Aran, and Sio will be joining MASSIVE E&C and are set to embark on their new journey as part of a global idol group. The trio is expected to begin their activities under this new label later this year, signaling a fresh start after a turbulent period.

“We plan to fully support these talented and passionate members to help them achieve even greater success worldwide,” a spokesperson for IOK Company said. “With the team behind the success of ‘Cupid,’ we aim to create a new success story in the global market.”

A Rocky Start for Sio, Aran, and Saena

IOK Company’s decision to launch MASSIVE E&C and sign the three former FIFTY FIFTY members is a strategic move aimed at bolstering its presence in both domestic and international music markets. The company is clearly positioning itself to become a significant player in the global entertainment industry, with Saena, Aran, and Sio playing a pivotal role in this ambition.

The road to this new beginning has been anything but smooth for the three idols. Last year, Sio, Aran, and Saena faced significant challenges when they sought to suspend their exclusive contracts with their previous agency, ATTRAKT. Unfortunately, their request was denied by the Seoul Central District Court, leading to a complicated legal battle. While all four members of FIFTY FIFTY initially decided to appeal the court’s decision, Keena eventually chose to withdraw her appeal and rejoined ATTRAKT in October. This decision led to the termination of Saena, Aran, and Sio’s contracts with ATTRAKT, effectively ending their tenure with the original group.

Meanwhile, ATTRAKT has moved forward with its plans to reorganize FIFTY FIFTY as a five-member group, with Keena remaining in the lineup. The agency has confirmed that the newly revamped group is preparing for a comeback in September, which is eagerly awaited by fans.

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EXO Baekhyun Drops ‘Hello, World’ Scheduler

Mark your calendars: EXO’s Baekhyun is making his highly anticipated return! Following the announcement of his September comeback, the “Bambi” singer has unveiled the ‘Hello, World’ scheduler.

Baekhyun Drops ‘Hello, World’ Scheduler

On August 12 at midnight KST, Baekhyun officially shared the date and details for his upcoming solo comeback. Fans were thrilled as the EXO member revealed the ‘Hello, World’ scheduler, offering a glimpse into what lies ahead for his next release.

This upcoming EP is particularly significant as it marks Baekhyun’s first album to be widely available in North America. In line with this milestone, Baekhyun’s USA Official Artist Store, aptly named ‘BAEKHYUN STORE,’ opened its doors on August 13th.

The ‘BAEKHYUN STORE’ is the go-to site for pre-ordering and purchasing the USA Exclusive versions of Baekhyun’s highly anticipated fourth mini album, “Hello, World.” To add to the excitement, the store features a mini-game with a delightful surprise at the end, making the shopping experience even more engaging for fans.

The release of a U.S. exclusive album signals Baekhyun’s first major step into the U.S. music scene as a solo artist. By making this album available in North America, Baekhyun is not only reaching out to his American fans but also solidifying his presence on a global scale. Following the release of “Hello, World,” fans can expect Baekhyun to have an active presence in North America, with potential appearances in global mass media.

In related news, fellow EXO member Chanyeol is also set for a solo comeback in late August. ‘Black Out’ is Chanyeol’s first solo EP since debuting with the group back in 2012. This also means that two members of EXO will be dropping new music just within a week.

Baekhyun will be making his grand return with his fourth mini album, “Hello, World,” on September 6 at 6 p.m. KST.

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SEVENTEEN Seungkwan Face Online Attacks from BTS Fans

SEVENTEEN Seungkwan recently found himself at the center of controversy after BTS fans launched a wave of online attacks against him. The situation started when Seungkwan, who currently models for Cass beer, posted a promotional message on Instagram featuring Cass Light. The post, which included a supportive message for South Korean athletes at the Olympics, also contained a mandatory health warning about responsible alcohol consumption.

SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan becomes the target of online backlash after a misunderstanding related to a promotional post

The post triggered a backlash from Suga’s international fanbase, who interpreted the message as a subtle jab at the BTS rapper. Some fans speculated that his promotion of Cass Zero Sugar was intentionally aimed at Suga due to the product’s “sugar” reference. While the connection seems far-fetched, it fueled a wave of criticism.

SEVENTEEN Seungkwan posts a photo on Instagram promoting a drink. The idol received backlash from BTS fans not long after. Photo via his personal Instagram account @pledis_boos.

The situation escalated as fans flooded Seungkwan’s comments with harsh remarks. Some even dragged his close friend, the late Moon Bin, into the controversy, leading to a flood of disrespectful comments. Due to the overwhelming negativity, he eventually unpinned his tribute post to Moon Bin from his profile and changed his profile picture, which had been set in memory of his friend.

This controversy has highlighted how misunderstandings and online speculation can quickly spiral out of control, especially in the world of K-pop fandoms. Despite the intense criticism, many SEVENTEEN fans have rallied around Seungkwan, urging others to spread positivity and support during this challenging time.

In related news, it will take some time before SEVENTEEN reunites as a full group. PLEDIS Entertainment shared updates about two members, announcing major changes for the latter half of 2024. Jeonghan is set to start mandatory military service, while Jun plans to pursue acting and other opportunities in China.

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BTS Suga Accused of Careless Attitude on Military Service

BTS Suga finds himself in hot water following serious allegations regarding his behavior during alternative military service. The controversy began after complaints surfaced accusing him of neglecting his duties and even indulging in careless actions during training.

Allegations surface accusing BTS Suga of neglecting his duties during his alternative military service

The issue first emerged on a public service-related app, Gongik Ingan, where a fellow service worker detailed their experience training alongside Suga last November. According to the post, Suga, appointed team leader, allegedly failed to engage in the required classes.

The worker claimed, “Suga did not attend any classes during the five-day training period. Even the instructor hinted that his behavior was excessive.” The post described his lack of participation, noting that he would often sleep, look at his phone, and barely engage with the lessons. This allegedly led to his group having the lowest participation rate, drawing comparisons to a “school bully” who tries to act indifferent.

These allegations have rapidly spread across online communities, amplifying criticism against the artist. The controversy grew worse after reports of his involvement in a drunk driving incident on a weekday emerged. This led to additional complaints and further investigation into his conduct during his public service.

The Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration has now taken charge of the investigation, with complaints, both old and new, being addressed by the department. Fans and the public are awaiting the outcome of the investigation, which will determine if any disciplinary action is necessary.

BTS Suga fell off his scooter after drinking outside. The public expresses strong criticisms of this incident, emphasizing that it’s illegal. Photo via Instagram @agustd.

Suga’s current situation has drawn attention not just due to the accusations but also because of his high-profile status as a member of one of the world’s most influential K-pop groups. While the investigation is ongoing, the situation raises broader questions about how celebrities manage their responsibilities during military service.

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SEVENTEEN Jeonghan Military Enlistment and Jun to Pursue Acting in China

PLEDIS shares updates about SEVENTEEN Jeonghan and Jun’s plans for this year

It will be a while before SEVENTEEN appears as a complete group again. On August 12, PLEDIS Entertainment shared updates on two group members, revealing significant changes for the second half of 2024. Jeonghan is preparing to begin his mandatory military service, while Jun will focus on acting and other opportunities in China.

For Jeonghan, PLEDIS announced that although he pre-recorded much content for the group, he won’t participate in the promotional activities for SEVENTEEN’s upcoming 12th mini-album or the SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR, set to begin in October. However, fans can still see him at an upcoming fan-sign event and the group’s headlining performance at Lollapalooza Berlin on September 7-8. The label also promised to share more details about his enlistment schedule soon.

SEVENTEEN Jun plans to pursue acting in China. PLEDIS shares that Jun will try to participate in SEVENTEEN’s activities if the schedule permits. Photo via Jun’s Instagram.
SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan will enlist in the military this year. Photo via Jeonghan’s Instagram.

As for Jun, the label revealed that he plans to pursue acting in China for the rest of the year. Like Jeonghan, Jun also pre-filmed content but will miss major events such as the Lollapalooza Berlin performance, music show appearances for the upcoming album, and the SEVENTEEN world tour. This is due to an overlap with his on-location filming schedule for his acting projects. Despite these changes, PLEDIS emphasized that Jun will still try to participate in group activities whenever possible.

With Jeonghan heading to the military and Jun focusing on acting, SEVENTEEN will have to navigate the rest of 2024 with a temporary lineup adjustment. Fans are eagerly waiting for more updates as the group continues its journey with both excitement and challenges ahead.

Here’s their full statement:

Hello.
This is PLEDIS Entertainment.

We would like to provide information regarding SEVENTEEN’s JEONGHAN and JUN’s activities in the second half of 2024.

JEONGHAN is due to fulfil his military obligation in the second half of 2024. While JEONGHAN filmed most of the content he could in advance, he will not be able to participate in promotional activities for the 12th mini album and the SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR, scheduled to start in October. JEONGHAN will still be able to meet with CARATs through the previously announced fan signing event and Lollapalooza Berlin. Further details regarding JEONGHAN’s military service will be provided later in a separate notice.

After thorough discussions with JUN and the other members of SEVENTEEN, we have decided that JUN will pursue acting and other opportunities in China during the latter half of this year. Like Jeonghan, JUN has completed filming for content that could be prepared in advance. However, due to an overlap with the on-location filming schedule, JUN will not be able to participate in Lollapalooza Berlin, music show performances for the 12th mini album, and the SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR. Jun is determined to participate in SEVENTEEN’s group activities, and though he is unable to take part in the world tour, Jun will participate as much as he can in schedules that engage with CARATs.

We ask for your kind understanding and support for JEONGHAN’s healthy completion of his military service and Jun’s upcoming projects. Please continue to show your love for SEVENTEEN and stay tuned for SEVENTEEN’s upcoming activities this year.

Thank you.

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BTS Suga is Being Summoned by Police for DUI Incident

The police plan to summon BTS Suga for questioning regarding a recent DUI incident involving an electric scooter. The Yongsan Police Station in Seoul confirmed on August 11 that they are coordinating the date for Suga’s formal appearance, emphasizing the need to investigate the circumstances of the incident and determine the amount of alcohol he consumed.

BTS Suga faces police questioning after a DUI incident involving an electric scooter

The incident occurred on the evening of August 6 near Suga’s home in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu. According to reports, Suga fell off an electric scooter, and a patrolling police officer discovered him at the scene. The officer administered a breathalyzer test, which revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.227%, far exceeding the legal threshold for license revocation, which is 0.08%.

At the time, the police did not recognize Suga as a member of the globally famous K-pop group BTS. Due to his intoxicated state, they were unable to conduct a thorough investigation and only performed the breathalyzer test before allowing him to return home. As a result, the police now intend to summon him for further questioning and to obtain a formal statement.

BTS Suga is currently a hot topic for driving under the influence. K-Netizens show mixed opinion. Some emphasize its illegal nature, while some think that he did not cause harm to make this issue big. Photo via X/The Tonight Show.

Suga, who began his mandatory military service in March, currently serves as a social service worker following his basic training at the Nonsan Training Center in South Chungcheong Province. His expected discharge date is set for June 2025.

Suga’s fans on X are making massive tweets to remove him from the trending tags. As this situation unfolds, both fans and the public are closely monitoring the developments, with the upcoming police questioning expected to provide more clarity on the incident.

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HYBE and Other Three Big Agencies’ Online Stores Fined By Fair Trade Commission

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) fined South Korea’s four largest K-pop entertainment companies—HYBE, SM, YG, and JYP—for violating e-commerce consumer protection laws. On August 11 KST, the FTC imposed a total fine of 10.5 million KRW (approximately $7,700 USD) on these agencies and issued corrective orders to ensure they comply with the ‘Electronic Commerce Act’.

The FTC penalizes the Big 4 K-pop agencies for violating consumer protection laws in their online stores

Fair Trade Commission found that these companies set excessively strict and unfair conditions for refunds on idol-related merchandise, including albums and official goods. The FTC highlighted practices like shortening the legally mandated refund period and requiring unreasonable documentation, such as filming product unboxings to qualify for refunds when items were missing.

Weverse Company, associated with HYBE, received a fine of 3 million KRW. SM Brand Marketing (SM), YG Plus (YG), and JYP Three Sixty (JYP) were each fined 2.5 million KRW.

Among the violations, SM’s policy required customers to return products due to a change of mind within seven business days of delivery, which goes against the law, allowing customers seven days from the receipt date to decide on a return. SM and JYP also broke the law by demanding that customers submit claims for defective or incorrect items within seven days of delivery, while the law permits returns within three months from receipt or 30 days from discovering the defect.

The companies also denied compensation for lost items after a specified period, restricted returns if packaging was opened or damaged, and demanded video proof of unboxing for claims of missing items. These actions placed an undue burden on consumers, violating legal protections that should favor the buyer.

Korea’s Big 4 K-Pop Agencies face fines ordered by the Fair Trade Commission. The 4 agencies have revised policed to comply with FTC’s terms. Photos via Wikimedia Commons.

Moreover, in response to the FTC’s findings, all four companies corrected their policies voluntarily, which led to reduced fines. However, the FTC’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of fair consumer practices in the e-commerce space, especially within the influential K-pop industry.

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EXO Chanyeol Solo Debut EP ‘Black Out’ Surpasses 26K Pre-Orders on Ktown4U

Chanyeol is already set for domination ahead of the release of his solo debut EP. The EXO member‘s upcoming EP ‘Black Out’ has already gained over 26,000 pre-orders on Ktown4U in the first 24 hours!

‘Black Out’ Surpasses 26K Ktown4U Pre-Orders in 24 Hours

On August 9, the EXO social media channels announced that Chanyeol will be dropping his first solo mini-album ‘Black Out’ on August 28, 2024. Soon after, the EP was made available on several online stores including Ktown4U.

Interestingly, it didn’t take long for the highly anticipated EP to dominate Ktown4u sales. It was revealed that the mini-album has surpassed 26,694 pre-orders in the first 24 hours alone. With that in mind, Chanyeol is expected to continue dominating with ‘Black Out’ later this month.

Chanyeol’s upcoming mini-album ‘Black Out’ marks a significant milestone in his career as it is his first solo project in 12 years since debuting with EXO in 2012. This mini-album, set to feature six tracks across various genres, showcases Chanyeol’s versatility as an artist. The title track, also named “Black Out,” is anticipated to be a standout, reflecting his growth and evolution as a musician.

In addition to his album release, Chanyeol is preparing to embark on an exciting solo tour, the ‘2024 Chanyeol Live Tour: Cityscape’. The tour will kick off with performances in Seoul at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall on September 6-7. From there, Chanyeol will continue to connect with his fans across Asia, visiting 10 different cities. This tour promises to be a unique opportunity for fans to experience Chanyeol’s music and stage presence up close.

Adding to the excitement, Chanyeol is also set to appear in the highly anticipated Netflix series “The Frog” which is scheduled to premiere on August 23, 2024. His role in the series is expected to further demonstrate his talents as an actor, broadening his already impressive repertoire in the entertainment industry. With both his music and acting projects on the horizon, 2024 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Chanyeol.

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