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Today is April 10th, 2026, and we've got some incredible stories to share with you. Let's dive right in. The K-pop industry is facing a major shakeup as EXO members Chen, Beekyun, and Xumin, collectively known as CBX, have sent contract termination notices to the agency IMB100. The trio cited unpaid settlement fees and contract violations as reasons for their departure, requesting answers that reportedly went unanswered for over two weeks. This follows a wave of artist departures from companies under CEO Cha Gawan's management, including Taemin, Li Mujin, Bibi, Li Sungi, and the Boys, all citing similar issues with unpaid fees and outstanding vendor payments. In response, Cha's legal representative has announced plans to file a 100 billion, one lawsuit, claiming the situation is part of an orchestrated hostile takeover attempt, though the artists' exits have effectively left the entertainment company struggling to operate normally.

Korean cinema is making a triumphant return to the Cannes Film Festival after a notable absence, with director Na Hong Jin's new film Hope securing a coveted spot in the competition section. This marks the first time a Korean feature film has been invited to compete at Cannes in four years since Park Chan Wuk won the Best Director Award for Decision to Leave in 2022. Nahong Jin, whose previous works The Chaser, The Yellow Sea, and The Wailing were all invited to Cannes, has now achieved the remarkable feat of having every one of his feature films selected by the prestigious festival. The film, which boasts an impressive cast, including Huang Jungmin, Joe Insung, Jung Ho-yun, Michael Fassbender, and Alicia Vikanda, tells the story of events unfolding at a demilitarized zone outpost after reports of a tiger sighting emerge.

Haybe's Latin pop group Santos Bravos has officially launched their Korean activities, bringing their unique blend of Latin music soul and K-pop precision to Seoul. The five-member group, consisting of Drew, Caué, Alejandro, Gabi, and Kenneth from diverse backgrounds, including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and Puerto Rico, held their media day at Hybes headquarters after arriving in Korea on April 4th. The group emphasized their goal to become known not just in Latin America but worldwide, particularly in Korea, which they view as crucial since Hybe originated there. Santos Bravos expressed gratitude for learning the K-pop training methodology, noting that it taught them the value of hard work and dedication, and they're approaching their Korean debut with the mindset of students eager to learn about Korean culture, food, and language.

Hybe's rising boy group Cortis is experiencing explosive growth with their second mini-album, You Green Green, which has surpassed 1.96 million pre-orders as of April 9th. This represents more than a fourfold increase compared to their debut album's first week sales of 430,000 copies, putting them on track to achieve double million seller status for the second consecutive release. The group's popularity extends beyond album sales, with their combined streaming count on Spotify exceeding 470 million plays and their Instagram followers surpassing 10 million. Cortis will pre-release their title track, Readread, on April 20th, before beginning full promotional activities, and they're set to perform at Lollapalooza Chicago in August.

Singer and actor Park Ji-Hoon is gearing up for his comeback after three years with his first single album, Reflect, set for release on April 29th at 6 p.m. The album features three tracks, including the title song Body L Say, a medium pop dance track with an addictive chorus and dreamy synthesizers, along with the refreshing Watercolor, and the emotional acoustic pop ballad I Can't Hold Your Hand Anymore. According to his agency, the album explores the theme of confronting the present while reflecting on past emotions, with Park Ji-Hun expressing various emotional textures through his characteristically delicate vocals. Pre-orders for both online and offline album sales are currently underway.

C9. Entertainment's new multinational boy group, Nays, is making waves with an unprecedented promotional strategy, releasing 129 album photos ahead of their debut. The seven-member group, consisting of Kaizai, Yungi, Otto, Turn, Yuya, Kim Gun, and Doyuk, unveiled their second and third version album photos, showcasing their bright, friendly charm in pink-toned settings and vintage-style dressing room concepts. Naze, which means the geographical formation where sea and land meet, represents the group's infinite possibilities and journey to find their true selves. Before their official debut, the group has already made significant strides in Japan, appearing as main cast members in the TBS primetime drama Dream Stage, performing on major music shows and participating in Tokyo Girls Collection for three consecutive seasons.

Big Bang's upcoming Coachella performance has sparked speculation about TOP's potential surprise appearance, though fans remain cautiously realistic about the possibility. The buzz intensified when G Dragon reportedly liked an online post interpreting the group's Coachella teaser imagery, which featured a spaceship, moon, and Big Bang flag, as hints toward TOP's involvement, though he has since unliked the post. Despite some fans' hopeful interpretations, TOP recently released a solo album that strongly indicated his complete separation from Big Bang, making his participation highly unlikely. The complete Big Bang lineup of G Dragon, Teyang, and Daisong will perform at Coachella's outdoor theatre on April 12th and 19th for approximately 60 minutes, marking the beginning of their new global tour celebrating their 20th debut anniversary.

The song's lyrics emphasize living boldly in the present, with the message that everything depends on your mindset, while the music video transforms mundane daily life into a personal playground, expressing joy, confidence, and solidarity. The choreography features an addictive point move where members form horns with their pinky fingers during the repetitive Pinky Up chorus. Cat's Eye will premiere the live performance of Pinky Up at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California on April 11th, continuing their pattern of showcasing different transformations with each release.

TOP has released his first full-length solo album, Multiple Perspectives, after 20 years in the industry, a deeply personal project that took 10 years to complete. The album serves as a multifaceted examination of his journey, addressing his past glory with Big Bang, self-reflection on his controversies, and heartfelt messages to fans through 11 tracks that blend various sounds and perspectives. Notably, the song Ovaya explicitly confirms his departure from Big Bang with lyrics stating, I'm leaving Big Bang, the five were happier, while other tracks like Studio 54 revisit his underground hip-hop roots and For Fans offers a belated confession to his supporters. The album achieved impressive results, reaching number three on iTunes Worldwide Top Albums chart, and topping charts in 15 countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, with TOP announcing this is just the first chapter of a multi-year project with additional songs already completed.

That wraps up today's episode of K-Buzz.

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