Top Korean News Of The Week: BTS’ J-hope Promoted To Sergeant, Kim Go-Eun Honoured With Pioneer Award For Exhuma
Amid ADOR and HYBE‘s feud, there’s many other Hallyu headlines that you probably missed out. From Kim Go-eun being honoured with the Pioneer Award at 11th Marie Claire Film Festival to BTS‘ J-hope getting promoted in the military, here’s the most important K-pop and K-drama news of the last week.
On April 28 this year, Kim Go-eun was honoured with the Pioneer Award at 11th Marie Claire Film Festival for her performance in 2024’s Exhuma. The film festival, which was held at the Yongsan CGV, recognizes individuals who have carved their own path and made significant contributions to the South Korean film industry. Expressing her gratitude, Kim Go-eun said, “I’m thankful to the audience who took the time to watch Exhuma,” before adding, “I will continue to become a better actress in the future as well.”
BTS’ J-hope gets promoted to sergeant As per the official Camp Soldier Star application, BTS’ J-hope has been promoted to the rank of sergeant on May 1. The Arson rapper was supposed to be promoted in July 2024, however, he reportedly received an early promotion for his exceptional service in the military.
ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin had reportedly requested the rights to terminate NewJeans’ contract without interference from ADOR shareholders and HYBE in February 2024. According to South Korean media outlets, the request was proposed as an amendment to the ADOR CEO’s current shareholder’s contract with HYBE. However, HYBE declined the demand.
Responding to the reports, ADOR said, “On January 25, 2024, Min Hee-jin had a face-to-face meeting with HYBE CEO Park Ji-won, in which she made some requests about important contracts including that of selected external service providers and artists’ exclusive contracts. She had made the request in order to resolve the unfair interference she faced during NewJeans’ debut process, as well as to run a more independent label. This is yet another item that shows how HYBE distorts the truth and starts media play wars by cherry-picking.”
Blackpink’s Rosé makes history as the first Korean idol and the second K-pop star to be chosen as a guest jury member at the ANDAM Prize. Aside from the Gone singer, Carla Bruni, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Anja Rubik, Alek Wek, Béatrice Dalle, Rossy de Palma, Gaspar Noé, Niels Schneider, Virginie Efira, Augustin Trapenard, Virginie Despentes and Emmanuelle Alt are the 13 guest jury members to be selected by Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello for the 2024 ANDAM prize.
Nevertheless fame Han So-hee and Wedding Impossible actress Jeon Jong-seo will be starring together in a new drama, Project Y. The upcoming noir K-drama will follow two friends who plan to steal gold bars worth 8 billion won and vanish without a trace. Filming will begin in the second half of 2024.
