Hello everyone, and welcome back to another edition of SB Week in Review! Here’s what you need to know:

Headlines

  • One-time President hopeful taken down by the #MeToo movement in South Korea, Ahn Hee-jung has once again changed his story to claim that he engaged in consensual sex with his accusers. This comes after Ahn resigned as Governor following the accusations being made public claiming responsibility. Before that, his office had denied the claims.
  • Wanna One has issued an apology after their private comments were unintentionally aired. Just before starting a V Live broadcast from Bangkok, the members made a number of loud and blunt comments about their lack of pay and sleep, fans stalking them, and their bowel movements. Comments mocking Thai people were also made, which were deserving of an apology more than for everything else.
  • Yuk Ji-dam is asking her labels CJ E&M and YMC for an apology for their lack of support during her negative experiences while signed to them. The rapper is also seeking the termination of her contract.
  • Red Velvet and Seohyun will be part of a 160-strong troupe of performers set to entertain North Korean crowds as part of reunification efforts between the two Koreas.
  • A total of 13 products have been recalled after they were found to contain traces of antimony greater than acceptable levels. Amore Pacific has apologised for the issue — a full list of recalled products can be found here.

Debuts & Comebacks

  • Honey Popcorn debuted with “Bibidi Babidi Boo,” though many are still unhappy about the J-pop idols-turned-adult video stars entering the Korean music industry.
  • Highlight‘s Junhyung teamed up with 10cm for “Sudden Shower.”
  • Girl’s Day‘s Sojin features in Crucial Star‘s “Three Things I Want to Give You.”
  • This week’s Station single is Super Junior‘s “Super Duper.”
  • And there’s more Penomeco on SM’s YouTube channel, this time with an assist from Car, the garden in “Good Morning.”

Teasers & Announcements

  • On the 26th
    • Stray Kids officially debuts!
    • Don’t let any “Jealousy” get in the way of enjoying Monsta X‘s comeback.
  • On the 28th, Hoya is set to “Shower” us with his new solo music.
  • On the 30th, Loona‘s final member Olivia Hye will come out with her solo album.
  • On the 2nd
  • On the 3rd, “Giddy Up” for The Boyz‘s comeback.
  • On the 4th, Winner returns to remind us that there are still four of them.
  • On the 7th, The Unit‘s winning boy group will debut as UNB.
  • On the 9th, Twice returns from Japan with “What is Love?”
  • On the 12th, Super Junior returns with the repackage for November album Play, titled Replay.
  • Dia is planning a Shinsadong Tiger-produced comeback.
  • TVXQ has been teasing up a storm ahead of their first post-military comeback.
  • April will be debuting in Japan in, um, April.
  • CLC is holding a charity concert on Good Friday; fans are encouraged to make a donation to charity in lieu of paying for a ticket.
  • Got7 are embarking on a world tour, starting in Seoul in May.
  • Red Velvet will be holding their first US fanmeet in Chicago on the 29th — see Subkulture for more details!
  • Some casting news:
    • 2PM‘s Junho will be starring alongside Jung Ryeo-won in SBS’ Greasy Melo.
    • Exo‘s D.O, AKA Do Kyung-soo, has been cast in upcoming tvN drama Hundred Days Husband.

Other News

  • Weekly Idol has found new MCs in Kim Shin-young and Yoo Se-yoon.
  • Lee Tae-im is currently pregnant and will be getting married after her child’s birth. Lee has already bought out her contract and will be retiring. Congrats to the new family!
  • The South Korean Supreme Court has ruled that the exclusive contract between SM and Tao is valid. This is the third appeal Tao has lost in disputing the contract, so we will see what happens from here.
  • Big Hit Entertainment have almost doubled their net profit figures thanks to BTS‘ growing fame.

(Korea Herald, MyDaily, News1, NK News, Sports Chosun[1][2], Star, TV Report[1][2], Twitter[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], World of Buzz, Yonhap[1][2][3][4][5][6], YouTube. Images via: WM Ent., High Cut Korea, W Korea)