20160305_seoulbeats_yunbyungse_yonhapHi everyone, and welcome back to another edition of Week in Review. Here’s the news you need to know:

Serious news

  • South Korean foreign minister Yun Byung-se notably excluded mention of the comfort women issue in a speech to the UNHCR on Wednesday. This falls in line with the latest agreement with Japan, where Japanese government-supported fund for surviving comfort women was traded for avoiding talking about the matter at international forums.

Debuts & Comebacks

20160305_seoulbeats_day6_junhyeok_jypeTeasers & Announcements

  • Day6 member Junhyeok has left the group. While JYP Entertainment has only cited ‘personal reasons’ for his departure, there is speculation that fandom disapproval over his closeness with a person (rumoured to be his girlfriend) who leaked information about the group was the impetus for this decision.
  • Meanwhile, EXID’s agency Yedang Entertainment has changed its name to Banana Culture, following its partnership with Chinese agency Banana Project.
  • A Cube Entertainment, home of A Pink and Huh Gak, is also changing its name after being acquired by Loen Entertainment. The company will now be known as Plan A Entertainment.
  • Over at Cube Entertainment, the agency parted ways with soloist G.na.
  • On the other end of the spectrum, Jessica has officially joined Tyler Kwon-owned Coridel Entertainment as she prepares for her solo debut.
  • 20160305_seoulbeats_leehi_breathe_ygLee Hi has released teasers for her upcoming half album Seoulite. Of the two title tracks — “Hold My Hand” and “Breathe” — the latter has been gaining extra attention for being written by Shinee‘s Jonghyun.
  • Leading up to Fiestar‘s second mini album, the group has released an audio preview of the tracks.
  • A Red Velvet comeback has been confirmed for March.
  • Got7 will be making an aviation-themed comeback on the 21st.
  • Ravi‘s mixtape is still happening, and he is holding a two-day concert to celebrate.
  • Brand New Music girl group Miss $ has released the MV teaser for “영혼없이 말하지마.”
  • Hyomin keeps teasing her comeback on Instagram, with the latest reveal being Nam Goong-min starring in her MV.
  • Rookie boyband Snuper teased their sophomore mini-album Platonic Love.
  • The line-up for this April’s Kcon Japan-cum-M!Countdown special has been revealed: AOA, Winner and Day6 will perform, with Supernova‘s Yoon Hak and ex-Kara member Seungyeon hosting.
  • JJCC will be coming back sans Prince Mak as he recovers from a severe ear infection.
  • I keep pinching myself over this Seo In-guk comeback; but these MV teasers show that “Seasons of the Heart” is an actual song that he will be releasing. I can’t wait!!

20160305_seoulbeats_hwangjungeum_cjesOther News

  • The recent Bolivian constitutional referendum — on the matter of allowing the current president and vice-president run for another consecutive term in office beyond the legislated maximum — has seen a number of invalid ballots call instead for BTS to be brought to perform in the country. It is not clear how many of the alleged 262,175 invalid/blank ballots (approximately 5%) are being attributed to BTS fans. The referendum was voted down by a narrow margin.
  • Kang Dong-wan is planning to take legal action over rumours that he is dating Jung Ryeo-won.
  • Hwang Jung-eum tied the knot with golfer Lee Young-don last weekend. Congrats to the couple!
  • Eurovision will have at least one Korean performer entering this year… though for another country. X Factor Australia winner Dami Im will be repping the land down under in Sweden.

(Coridel EntertainmentDaumFacebook, The FactInstagram, JYP Entertainment, Korea HeraldMwaveÓrgano Electoral Plurinacional, Newsen, Osen[1][2][3], Reuters, Twitter[1][2], Xsports NewsYonhap, YouTube[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]]. Images via: SM Entertainment, Yonhap, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, C-JeS Entertainment)