Top Korean News Of The Week: Stray Kids’ SKZFLIX Wins Award At SSFF & Asia 2024, Blackpink’s Lisa Teases New Music
Missed out on the important Hallyu news of the past week? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the latest edition of Top Korean Entertainment News of the Week. From Blackpink‘s Lisa announcing her comeback to Stray Kids‘ SKZFLIX bagging an award at a major film festival, keep scrolling to know which K-pop and -drama stars made headlines this week.
Blackpink’s Lisa announced solo comeback
Blackpink’s Lisa, who has been hinting at new solo music since the beginning of 2024, finally announced her first comeback. On June 6, the rapper took fans by surprise when she shared her first TikTok video with an unknown song and the caption, “Coming soon.” Just minutes later, Lisa dropped an Instagram story that read, “Coming Soon. Lisa. Pre-save on Spotify. Pre-add on Apple Music.”
G-Dragon appointed as professor at KAIST
BIGBANG‘s leader G-Dragon has been appointed as a special professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) under the Department of Mechanical Engineering. According to the educational institution, the legendary K-pop idol’s appointment is “aimed at expanding the global competitiveness of Korean culture by incorporating the latest science and technology developed at KAIST into K-content.” Additionally, G-Dragon will also serve as the university’s global ambassador in a bid to promote the institution’s work overseas.
Stray Kids’ SKZFLIX wins award at SSFF & ASIA 2024
Stray Kids bagged the Global Spotlight Award for their short film SKZFLIX at the ShortShorts Film Festival & Asia 2024 (SSFF & ASIA 2024). In case you missed out, Stray Kids’ short film SKZFLIX was screened at the 2024 Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia’s opening ceremony in Shibuya City, Tokyo on June 7. Directed by Kim Byeongjune, SKZFLIX centers around a group of students who team up to follow their dream of making movies.
Weki Meki announce disbandment
After seven years together, Weki Meki will be parting ways. The girl group’s label Fantagio recently announced that post the release of their digital single CoinciDestiny on June 12, Weki Meki would be disbanding.
NCT‘s Johnny and Haechan caught up in sex scandal
On June 3, Twitter user @kira_ceo_main, a well-known figure in the Japanese nightlife industry who helps connect girls who want to work in the nightlife industry with host bars, top-class clients and plastic surgery sponsors, took to their account to claim that NCT’s Haechan and Johnny had a 5-way with three girls. The user shared pics of the K-pop idols that the girls, two of who were fans, had posted on social media.
SM Entertainment denied the allegations and threatened to take legal action against those who spread the rumours. “Groundless rumours about Johnny and Haechan regarding prostitution, drugs and other shocking content that is difficult to say out loud are currently being spread and reproduced online. After checking, these rumours are completely false,” the label’s stated, before adding, “We plan to make sure that the perpetrators of these acts will be legally punished, with no settlements or leniency.”