Welcome back to another Week in Review, folks! The last seven days have been quite the clusterfuck in some quarters, but there were still some good and exciting things happening. Here is what you may have missed:
Serious News
- South Korea’s Ministry of Personel Management has dismissed compensation claims from the families of two teachers — Kim Cho-won and Lee Ji-hye — who perished in the Sewol disaster, due to their status as temporary staff.
- Kim Hyun-joong‘s reps have stated they have proof that Miss Choi’s first pregnancy was faked, as the two parties go through the process of suing and counter-suing.
- Clara has won her case, with Polaris CEO Lee Kyu-tae being charged with blackmail.
- BTS‘ recent New York concert, the group’s first in the US, ended on a sour note after a Twitter user sent out a death threat with a picture of a gun. The encore was cancelled, as was the Hi Touch event.
- Winner‘s Mino released an official apology for using a visit to the gynocologist as a metaphor for his sexual prowess. This happened soon after the Korean Association of Obstetrics and Gynocology filed a lawsuit against the rapper for likening his sexual prowess to a gynocologist’s professional actions on Show Me The Money 4. The association demanded a more formal apology, and has since received it.
- Woollim and Tasty are engaged in a battle of words after the twins announced their intention to leave South Korea and continue their careers in China. Woollim claimed to have no idea what was going on, but So-ryeong and Dae-ryeong have disputed this version of events.
Comebacks and Debuts
- Got7 finally made their comeback with the cute and eye-catching “Just Right.” I’m still iffy on the overall message, but can appreciate it as a song of encouragement for a friend.
- Super Junior celebrates its 10th anniversary with special album Devil. Which sin do you think each member is representing in the MV?
- Infinite also chased after a “Bad” girl in their new MV. There’s also a 360 version, which will make you happily dizzy.
- Kara‘s Hara made her solo debut with Alohara. What did you think of the album and MV?
- The Koxx is back! After a military duty-enforced three year break, the band returns with “Trojan Horse”
- AOMG‘s Jay Park, Loco and Gray enjoyed the summer in their news MV for “My Last.”
- A Pink is on a boat in its MV for “Remember.”
- New JYPE group Twice hasn’t debuted yet, but they are now appearing on a new variety show, starting this week. Watch the Sixteen survivors on Twice TV!
- Girl group N*White made its first comeback as a three-member group with “Paradise.”
Teasers and Announcements
- Gfriend will be making a comeback with their second mini-album, Flower Bud, on July 27; the MV, meanwhile is expected on the 23rd.
- Cube‘s flagship male group, Beast, will be making their return to the Korean music scene on the 27th as well, with “Ordinary.”
- So Ji-sub and Shin Min-ah will be assaying the lead roles in upcoming drama Oh My God.
- Unprety Rapster will be returning this September. Which rappers would you like to see featured?
- Hot on the heels of Yunho‘s solo in Japan, he will be saying one more goodbye with a special TVXQ album. Check out the — rather confusing — teaser for Rise as God.
- You all have another reason to tune into upcoming Song Joong-ki drama Descendents of the Sun: he’s roped in former Running Man castmate and good friend Lee Kwang-soo for a cameo!
- Mamamoo will be performing at this year’s LA Korean Festival in October! Who’s going?
- Sonamoo appears to have stayed on the softer side for its second mini album, Cushion. What do you think of the teasers and album preview?
- Everything is a vulva in Stellar’s new teaser for “Vibrato.”
- DSP Media will be debuting its third girl group, named April. Seems like they’re a couple months late on that.
- And, finally, T-ara is returning! The MBK group will be coming back this August to see off the Northern summer.
Other News
- 24 year-old Lee Min-ji (left), a vocals major from Gyeonggi Province, was crowned Miss Korea 2015 last weekend.
- Meanwhile, Miss Korea Brazil 2013 Catharina Choi Nunes (right) has stepped up to the role of Miss World Brazil 2015 following the resignation of original winner, Ana Luisa Castro. It was revealed that Castro was married, which is against the Miss World competition rules. Nunes was also 3rd Runner Up in the Miss Korea 2013 pageant.
- Hollywood actress Emma Stone told Conan about her obsession with K-pop and 2NE1.
- Nation’s MC Yoo Jae-suk has joined FNC Entertainment, leading to the company’s stocks rising.
- Also, former YG trainee and Mix & Match contestant yang Hong-seok has now joined Cube Entertainment as a trainee there.
(Chosun, Facebook[1][2], I Am KoreAm, Inquisitir, The Korea Herald, The Korea Times, Nate, Naver[1][2][3][4], T-ara Diadem, Twitter[1][2], YouTube. Images via: Source Music, Big Hit Entertainment, SM Entertainment, Cube Entertainment, Yonhap News, Osen)
