Top News This Week (1st Week Of March 2023)

Hello, and welcome to another edition of our new weekly series article “Top News This Week”. In this themed article, we will be sharing with you some of the breaking news in both K-Pop and K-Drama.

As fans of both K-Pop and K-Drama, we’ve realized how fastly spreading information, news, and events are. There is always something new and exciting being released every second, some gaining widespread popularity and becoming a trending stories. Others simply not reaching their desired audience due to how polarized social media and other relevant news outlets are now.

In a bid to sort of curb this in our own way, we created this themed article to sort of bring to your attention some of the key happenings in both K-Pop and K-Dramas that you may have missed or just to serve as a little reminder as well.

Here are the top in K-Pop and K-Dama this week.

 

K-POP

1. Rocky leaves both ASTRO and Fantagio

Perhaps one of the most shocking news this week, Fantagio Entertainment released a statement, stating that Rocky was no longer part of the group ASTRO and the agency after the expiration of his contract. The news came as a shock to many fans especially considering the group had just celebrated their 7th year anniversary last week. While many fans have vividly expressed their disappointment, there is still a lot of positivity in the air as more than many have vowed to continue to support him with whatever he does in the future.

 

2. EXO’s Kai continues to tease fans ahead of the release of his comeback album “Rover”

The excitement for Kai’s solo comeback is building rapidly as the prolific performer teases fans with these concept teasers for his new album. Click here for more of the pictures.

 

3. ATEEZ re-enters Billboard 200 with “Spin Off: From The Witness”

The 4th gen group’s popularity continues on its meteoric rise as they consistently record more wins. Adding this to their list, the group’s album “Spin Off: From The Witness“, re-entered the Billboard 200 chart, ranking at number 15 this week.

 

4. STAYC records 4th win for their ‘Teddy Bear’

Girl group STAYC are seeing an impressive run in the music shows as they record their 4th win for their hit song ‘Teddy Bear“.

 

5. EXO are set to meet fans ahead of their scheduled comeback this year

The legendary group are finally having their much-anticipated comeback this year. However before they thrill with new music, they are set to greet fans through their fan meeting “EXO CLOCK” on the 8th and 9th of April 2023. Click here for more information.

 

6. UP10TION’s Lee JinHyuk will leave TOP Media after his contract’s expiration this month

This week, TOP Media released news that Lee JinHyuk will be leaving the agency after a mutual agreement to not renew his contract.

 

7. 5 members of UP10TION also set to leave TOP Media

Lee JinHyuk is not the only member leaving the agency as members Bit-to, SunYoul, Kuhn, KoGyeol, and GyuJin are also set to leave the agency as well. However, they will still be promoting as UP10TION.

 

8. Mnet’s “I Can See Your Voice” is scheduled to air from March 22nd

Mnet are continuing their impressive rollout of competition series as the tenth season of the hit show “I Can See Your Voice” is set to air on the 22nd of March with SUPER JUNIOR’s LeeTeuk, Yoo SeYoon, and Kim JongKook set to reprise their roles as host of the show.

 

9. THE BOYZ records 1st win for ‘ROAR’

THE BOYZ are kicking off their promotions with a bang by recording a first win for their title track ‘ROAR‘.

 

10. GOT7’s Bambam is set to make a return with the release of his full-length album “Sour & Sweet”

Fans can finally have their thirst for new music from Bambam satiated as the famous idol is set to make his return with a full-length album “Sour & Sweet” on the 28th of March 2023.

 

11. Golden Child’s Y to enlist in the military on the 20th of March

Early this week, Woollim Entertainment shared the news of Golden Child Y’s enlistment schedule, stating that the idol will be enlisting on the 20th of March. It is also noted that the idol will be treating fans to a new digital single just before his enlistment date.

 

12. iKON’s Bobby is scheduled to make a comeback with the release of his solo single in March

The famous rapper and member of the group iKON is set to greet fans with new music as he makes a comeback with his 1st solo single on the 21st of March, 2023.

 

13. SEVENTEEN’s BSS take home an 8th win for ‘Fighting’

BSS! Fighting! The unit group continues their impressive run on the music stage as they record yet another win for their hit song ‘Fighting’ this week.

 

14. WINNER’s MiNo to enlist in the military on March 28th

This week, YG Entertainment shared that WINNER’s MiNo will be leaving for his mandatory military enlistment on the 28th of March. The 29-year-old will be serving as a Public Service Officer. Stay healthy MiNo!

 

15. SHINee’s Onew drops an exciting teaser for his new album “Circle”

The leader of SHINee, Onew is set to thrill the minds of fans with the release of his first album “Circle” on the 6th of March. And judging by this teaser, we believe every expectation will be duly met.

 

16. AB6IX’s Park WooJin proves to be a top-tier artist with his solo debut

The idol has been the talk this week as fans have been duly pleased with his impressive creativity and sound which are captured in his solo debut album “oWn“. Check out this fun special reaction video with artists like EXO’s SuHo, YOUNITE, and ITZY’s ChaeRyeong below.

 

17. Hwang MinHyun makes his solo debut with “Truth and Lie”

The acting-dol makes an impressive solo debut with his 1st mini album “Truth and Lie” and its title track ‘Hidden Side‘. Showing off his beautiful colors and growth as an artist, the album has been well-received by both fans and critics alike, with the idol receiving a ton of praise for his creativity and style of music.

 

18. Solo artist GaHo to hold his first offline concert in 4 years

The famous soloist is set to greet his fans with an offline concert titled “DIAMOND“. With a discography filled with hit records, we already know fans will be in for a wonderful time at his concert. Ticket sales start on the 7th of March, 2023.

 

19. MCND to embark on South America tour in May

The rising K-Pop group are set to continue their world tour with scheduled dates in major South American countries.

 

20. CRAVITY teases fans with the concept photos of their upcoming album “MASTER: PIECE”

The boy group are set to make a comeback on the 6th of March with their 5th mini album “MASTER: PIECE“. But before then, they are further exciting the hearts of fans with the release of these concept photos. Click here to see more.

 

21. 4th gen boy group TRENDZ look like the coolest kids in school as they drop the concept teaser image for their 2nd single album

The 4th gen group are set to make their comeback with the release of their 2nd single album “BLUE SET CHAPTER. NEW DAYZ” on the 15th of March.

 

22. MCND celebrates their 3rd year debut anniversary!

The sensational 4th generation male idol group celebrated their 3rd year debut anniversary this week. With their ever-increasing talents and rise in global popularity, we can’t wait to celebrate more anniversaries with the group.

 

23. Cherry Bullet releases the tracklist of their upcoming 3rd mini album “Cherry Dash”

The girl group are set to make their anticipated comeback with the release of their 3rd mini album “Cherry Dash” on the 7th of March.

 

24. BTS’ JungKook deletes his personal Instagram

Amidst speculations of a possible hack as fans noticed that his account was deleted, JungKook shared a message on Weverse stating he wasn’t hacked and he just deleted the account because he wasn’t using it.

 

25. BTS’ j-hope releases exciting collaboration with US rapper J. Cole.

The two famous rappers joined forces to create this buzz-worthy single titled ‘On The Street‘. Check out the music video above.

 

 

K-DRAMA

1. Netflix release the cast list for the thriller drama “Hellbound 2”

Earlier this week, Netflix released the list of actors who will be starring in the second season of the popular thriller drama “Hellbound 2“. Notably, rising actor Kim SungCheol is set to replace Yoo AhIn as the main lead. See the full list here.

 

2. 2PM’s OK TaecYeon signs contract with a major US-based talent agency

The acting-dol is broadening his horizons as he signs with WME a US-based talent agency. He shared his excitement about the new challenge and the opportunity to greet fans with a new charm on a wider stage. Congratulations to the famous star.

 

3. Famous actor Joo Won is set to make his drama comeback with tvN’s “Stealer The Treasure Keeper”

This week, tvN released pictures from the script reading of their upcoming drama “Stealer The Treasure Keeper“, which will star Joo Won, Lee JooWoo, Jo HanCheol, Kim JaeWon, and Choi HwaJeong. Its first episode is scheduled to air on the 21st of April 2022.

 

4. Rising actor Yoon ChanYoung returns with the ghost-themed series “Delivery Man”

The fast-rising actor makes his drama comeback with the mystical dramedy “Delivery Man“. The first episode of the drama aired on the 1st of March and has already been a buzz online. Check out the trailer above.

 

5. Kim MyungSoo (INFINITE’s L) parted ways with his agency Management 2Sang following contract expiration in February

The famous acting-dol and his now former agency, after long discussions, decided to not renew his exclusive contract which expired at the end of February 2023. As of the date of this article, there is currently no news about what is next for the acting-dol but we would be eagerly awaiting his return.

 

6. Netflix shares the teaser poster for their upcoming movie “Kill BokSoon” starring Jeon DoYeon

The action thriller movie is one of the most anticipated releases this year and it is scheduled to air on the 31st of March. Click here to see more of its cast.

 

7. Actor agency NINE ato Entertainment seeks fresh new actors to join its agency

The famous entertainment company put an open call out for young actors, who are seeking to join their agency and showcase their acting charms. See the the link for more information.

 

Birthday Bumps! 🎂🎊

WonHo – 1st of March

 

Kim JuYoung – 2nd of March

 

Lee HaNee – 2nd of March

 

Mun JiHyo – 2nd of March

 

Jang DeokSu – 2nd of March

 

Kim YoungDae – 2nd of March

 

ATBO’s Oh JunSeok – 3rd of March

 

CRAVITY’s SeRim – 3rd of March

 

Kim WooSeok – 3rd of March

 

Trivia – share your answers in the comments section

1. Which boy group debuted with the song ‘Girls Girls Girls‘

A)  WANNA ONE  (B) NU’EST  (C) GOT7  (D) 2PM  (E) NCT DREAM

 

2. Who is the most followed active male actor on Instagram

(A) Lee MinHo  (B) Cha EunWoo  (C) Park SeoJun  (D) Wi HaJun  (E) Jung HaeIn

 

3. How many EXO members have completed their military enlistment?

(A)  4  (B) 5  (C)  6  (D) 3  (E)  7

 

The best music stage performances this week

 

Variety show recommendations for the weekend