Welcome to another edition of SB Week in Review! Here’s all the news you might have missed:

Headlines

  • In a departure from the usual rule of not commenting on current events, particularly social and political movements, many K-pop artists have shown support for the Black Lives Matter movement. This includes a hefty donation of $1 million by BTS, and a welcome acknowledgement of the influence of black culture on K-pop by CL.
  • Former PD Ahn Joon-young has filed an appeal against his sentence of two years in prison and a fine of ₩36 million for his role in the Produce vote manipulation controversy. An appeal against the lower court ruling has also been filed by the prosecution.

Debuts & Comebacks

  • Twice returned with a mature release in the form of “More and More“. Check out our review here.
  • Victon returned with the dramatic “Mayday“. Read what our reviewer had to say about the comeback here.
  • TXT released a dark and moody MV for “Puma“, a B-side off their latest mini album The Dream Chapter: Eternity.
  • Treasure‘s Bang Ye-dam released a solo track, “Wayo” ahead of the group’s debut sometime in July.

Teasers & Announcements

  • Super Junior-K.R.Y., a ballad unit consisting of Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung, is ready to release When We Were Us on June 8. Can’t wait? Check out the album highlight medley here.
  • BTOB‘s Eunkwang is all set to make his return with his first mini album, FoRest: Entrance, led by title track, “No One Knows” on June 8.
  • WJSN look angelic in teasers released ahead of their June 9 comeback, Neverland.
  • Soloist Heize will be releasing a mini album Lyricist on June 10. Not much else has been shared about the release yet.
  • DIA will return after a long break — their least comeback being in March 2019 — with Flower 4 Seasons on June 10.
  • Also returning on June 10 are N.Flying. Their seventh mini-album So, 通 (So, Tong) led by “Oh really” marks their first comeback with new member Seo Dong-sung.
  • Momoland will be releasing a special album Starry Night, on June 11.
  • Brown Eyed Girls‘ JeA‘s solo track “Greedy” due for release on June 12, will feature Mamamoo‘s Moonbyul.
  • Iz*one announced the release of their third mini-album, Oneiric Diary, scheduled for June 15.
  • Stray Kids will be releasing their first full album, titled GO生 (Go Live), on June 17. The group shared the cryptic “Prequel (Highlight Reel)” and the intense “UNVEIL : TRACK “GO生”” ahead of the release, giving fans some idea of what to expect.
  • Rookies Cravity will be releasing an MV for “Cloud 9”, a B-side off their debut mini Hideout: Remember Who We Are on June 17.
  • Ab6ix‘s comeback, Vivid, was postponed from June 8 to June 29, when it was announced that leader Lim Young-min had been caught drunk driving by the police on May 31, and will be temporarily halting all promotions and activities.
  • CIX will be returning with the five song mini HELLO Chapter 3. Hello, Strange Time, led by “Jungle” on June 30.

Other News

  • Award ceremonies are going ahead in South Korea with social distancing and safety norms intact. The 56th Baeksang Arts Awards were held on June 5 at Kintex Hall in Ilsan, Gyeonggi province. The ceremony was hosted by Park Bo-gum, Suzy and Shin Dong-yup, making this the trio’s third consecutive year as hosts of the awards.
    • The Daesang for television went to last year’s hugely popular When The Camilla Blooms, while that for film went to Bong Joon-ho for the critically acclaimed Parasite. Congratulations to all the winners!
  • Blackpink‘s Lisa was confirmed to have been the victim of fraud by a former manager, who had worked with the group since debut. The ex-manager was reportedly entrusted with 1 billion won to look into real estate on her behalf. According to YG’s statement, the ex-manager has since reimbursed a part of the money, and has left the company after committing to a reimbursement plan for the remainder of the sum.
  • Former CEO of Yuri Holdings, Yoo In-suk, plead guilty to the charges of embezzlement and prostitution mediation at the Burning Sun, before the Seoul Central District Court.

(Market News, Naver: [1] [2] [3] [4], Variety; YouTube [1] [2]; Images Via: Big Hit Entertainment, YG Entertainment)