Welcome to K-Buzz, your daily source for the latest Korean entertainment news.

We're your hosts bringing you all the hottest updates from the K-pop and K-drama world.

Today is September 18th, 2026, and we've got some incredible stories to share with you.

Let's dive right in.

IU is celebrating 18 years since her debut with a heartfelt gesture of generosity toward those in need. Her agency, Edom Entertainment, announced that the singer and actress donated $50 million, one each, to four different organizations, including the Korea Social Welfare Society, Seoul Rehabilitation Hospital, the Heart Heart Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity Korea. The funds will support independent living for youth aging out of foster care, rehabilitation treatment for children facing economic hardship, and housing improvements for national merit recipients. This latest donation was made under the name IUAENA, a combination of her own name and her fan club's title, continuing a beautiful tradition she upholds on meaningful dates like her birthday and children's day, bringing her total donations this year alone to 600 million one. The generous news comes right on the heels of her comeback, as her new digital single From This Star topped Mellon's Hot 100 chart immediately after its release last week.

Actress Lee Chung'a is reportedly stepping back from her upcoming drama after suffering injuries in a car accident last month. Industry reports indicate her agency is currently in talks to have her exit the project, titled The Genteel Killer, as she focuses on recovery. This isn't the first time the actress has dealt with such an injury, since she also hurt her hip in a car accident last year, and this recent crash appears to have aggravated that old pain. Lee had been playing the codename Miss Lee character in the 1970s and 80s set drama and had already completed filming a significant portion of her scenes since production kicked off back in July. Given the action-heavy nature of her role, it seems continuing on set became too difficult, so her agency and the production team are now working through several options regarding the footage already filmed and the path forward for the series.

This track blends the free-spirited improvisation of jazz with hip-hop and RB influences, and members John Minwook and Kenshin even helped write the lyrics. The song also features some serious musical talent behind the scenes, with pianist Johann Kim and jazz saxophonist Jacob Cessny lending their skills to create a rich and layered sound. Mark your calendars too, because the full album 256th Note arrives on the 30th, complete with a comeback live show to celebrate the release.

Get ready for some serious romantic tension because Netflix's new series, Scandal, is dropping today. And it's already generating major buzz. This modern take on the classic 18th-century novel, Dangerous Liaisons, brings together an incredible cast, including Sun Yein, who's making her comeback to period dramas after 24 years, playing the seductive Lady Joe, she's joined by Ji Chang Wuk as the desire-driven Joan, and Nana, who's taking on her very first historical drama role as He Yoon, a character caught in the middle of their dangerous love bet. Director Jung Ji Wu teased that all three characters have this fascinating gap between who they show the world and who they really are, creating incredible tension between them. What really sets this series apart is its unique production style, using voiceover narration for the letters exchanged between characters, plus creative touches of traditional Korean pansori music and folk art paintings to give it that perfect blend of historical charm and modern storytelling. Scandal premieres today at 5 pm, so get ready to dive into this steamy tale of Forbidden Desire.

Big news for Zero Base One fans today, as members Matthew and Park Gunwook are teaming up for the group's very first official unit. Industry sources revealed the exciting collaboration will be called Zero Base One EMP, with the name drawing inspiration from electromagnetic pulse while also cleverly incorporating both members' initials to represent going beyond the ordinary. The duo unveiled a striking logo teaser, featuring a rugged textured design that's already building major anticipation among fans. Their agency shared that both members have been honing their musical skills and encouraged everyone to watch closely as they take this exciting new step forward together. Mark your calendars because Zero Base 1 EMP is set to drop their very first mixtape on September 21st at 6 in the evening.

Releasing the track Enough alongside its music video on all major streaming platforms. The song captures the emotional journey of finally feeling complete after a long stretch of longing and emptiness, blending Hong Jung's delicate vocals with Bazi's signature trendy sound for a deeply immersive listening experience. What makes this release especially impressive is Hong Jung's creative footprint, as he's credited across songwriting, composition, and arrangement, showcasing a more lyrical and emotional side compared to IT's usual intense group sound. The track also boasts serious production star power, with contributions from LA-based multi-platinum producer Julia Lewis, known for her work on Bad Bunny and Archangel's La Jumpa, alongside Ambeza, the producer behind Future, and Drake's hit Life is Good. Fans can now stream Enough, featuring Bazzy across all music platforms, and catch the accompanying music video on IT's official channels.

Actor Puck Ji-hoon just added another shiny trophy to his shelf, taking home the grand prize for acting at the 8th Dejeon Special Effects Film Festival's OTT Awards for his role in The Man Who Lives With the King. Playing the tragic young King Dan Zhong with those signature, soulful eyes, Park Ji-hoon clearly struck a chord with audiences, and the film ended up pulling in an incredible 16.9 million moviegoers. During his acceptance speech, the actor got emotional, thanking his fans known as Mei, expressing gratitude to director Zhang Heng Jun and co-stars Yu Hai Jin, Yu Ji Tai, and Jong Mi Do, and promising to keep growing as an actor people can trust and believe in. This win adds to an already impressive trophy case for the film, which previously earned him a rookie acting award at the Baek Sung Arts Awards and another at the Director's Cut Awards. With all this momentum behind him, industry watchers say Park Ji-Hun is now carefully weighing his next project, and fans are eagerly waiting to see what he picks.

Yuna is stepping into a whole new role, trading her usual image for that of a sharp forensic pathologist in TVN's upcoming mystery medical drama, tentatively titled Unnatural. Industry reports revealed that Yuna will play Song Duon, a medical examiner working at the fictional forensic institute Yu Wu Di, where she uncovers the hidden truths behind unexplained deaths. Her character is described as calm and composed on the outside, but driven by deep compassion and relentless determination underneath, using a keen eye to give voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves. The production team expressed excitement about blending Yuna's warm and bright energy with Du Un's steely resolve, promising fans a fresh and compelling side of the actress they haven't seen before. Mark your calendars for this one a bit down the line since Unnatural isn't set to premiere until 2027.

Big news for film lovers as legendary director Alfonso Kwaron is set to make his very first trip to South Korea and is heading straight for the Busan International Film Festival. Organizers confirmed that the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Gravity and Roma will attend alongside his son, director Jonas Quaron, giving fans a rare chance to experience both of their cinematic visions in one place. Alfonso will kick things off at the opening ceremony before hosting a special talk following an IMAX screening of Gravity, plus a dedicated masterclass where he'll dive into his approach to character-focused storytelling and restrained editing. Meanwhile, Jonas is bringing his latest work, Gabacho Champion, a sharp and witty look at a Mexican immigrant struggle to survive in America, which will screen as an Asian premiere with a QA to follow. It's shaping up to be one of the festival's biggest highlights when the 31st Busan International Film Festival runs from October 6th through the 15th.

K-pop singer Chung Ha had to cancel a scheduled university festival performance after being rushed to the emergency room early this morning due to health issues. Her agency MoreVision confirmed the news through an official statement on social media, revealing that Chung Ha is currently receiving treatment but did not disclose the specific nature of her condition. The singer was originally set to perform at Kyongi University's Seoul Campus Festival, and the agency issued a sincere apology to university officials and students who were looking forward to her stage. MoreVision also stated they will do everything possible to help the artist recover quickly. This sudden health scare comes shortly after Chungar kicked off her comeback activities with the release of her new song, Mexico, on the 1st of this month.

NTC T127 is kicking off their fifth world tour in style, launching NEO City C-O, the Red Line at the KSPO Dome in Seoul from September 18th through the 20th. The concert theme builds on the energy from their previous tour, The Momentum, pushing things past the limit under this new redline concept for what promises to be an unforgettable set of shows. Fans can expect a set list packed with tracks from their seventh studio album, blingy alongside beloved hits spanning the group's 10-year career. For those who can't make it to Seoul in person, the shows will be simulcast through Beyond Live on Weavers, with live viewing events also planned across 1,000 theaters in 40 regions worldwide. The tour doesn't stop there either, as NCT-127 will continue on to Jakarta on October 3rd, followed by stops in Hong Kong, Singapore, Saitama, Kuala Lumpur, and Macau.

Up next, we've got Blackpink's Rose dropping a brand new single called New Trick. And it's a total genre switch up. Think raw, rebellious, garage punk energy paired with lyrics about pushing forward through heartbreak and life's toughest moments. Plus, the music video was shot entirely on iPhone for Apple's shot on iPhone campaign by acclaimed director Dave Myers. Let's take a listen to a preview. Such a bold departure from her usual sound, and it's exciting to see her experiment with this gritty punk edge. With heavy hitters like Amy Allen behind the production, this track is definitely one to watch. Now let's dive into more headlines.

In major legal news shaking up the entertainment and business world, prosecutors have requested a hefty 20-year prison sentence for Kang Zhong Hyun, the real owner behind several Bith Hum affiliate companies, and known publicly as actress Park Min Young's ex-boyfriend. At a court hearing on September 18th, prosecutors also sought a fine of 150 billion won, accusing Kang of embezzling 62.8 billion won from affiliated companies between 2020 and 2022 while orchestrating a stock manipulation scheme that generated around 35 billion won in illicit profits. Beyond the financial charges, Kong Hong is also accused of ordering staff to destroy evidence and helping an employee flee the country after industry reports first expose his background and hidden identity back in 2022. Several co-conspirators are facing serious sentencing requests as well, including former Chorukbam Group Chairman Wan Young Sik at 15 years, and Kang's own younger sister Kang Jiyon, who serves as a company representative at seven years. Parkmin Young herself was questioned as a witness in the case, and while she denied receiving financial support from Kang, prosecutors noted that around $250 million, one from an affiliated company, had reportedly gone into her personal account under the guise of living expenses.

Christopher Nolan's epic, The Odyssey, just crossed the 11 million admissions mark in South Korea, proving it still has serious box office power more than a month after release. Industry reports show the film has held the number one spot in advanced ticket sales for an incredible 47 consecutive days, with a share of 24.1% as of this week. That staying power let it dominate the competition even during the busy Chusyok holiday season, outperforming hyped local releases like Assassins, The Intern, and Tazza, Song of Belzebeth. The film is now closing in on becoming the fifth highest grossing foreign film ever released in Korea, nearly catching up to Avengers Infinity War and its 11,210,000 admissions record. Starring Matt Damon as the legendary hero Odysseus, alongside Anne Hathaway, as his wife Penelope and Tom Holland, as their son Telemachus, the film's journey through triumph and hardship on the way home from Troy is clearly resonating deeply with Korean audiences.

Her agency, New Order Entertainment, put out a statement warning fans that these fraudulent accounts are cleverly mimicking her official handles and sending direct messages asking for money and personal information. The agency made it crystal clear that Hinn and their other artists would never reach out to fans personally through private messages to request cash or personal details. So if you get a suspicious message, do not click any links or reply. Just block and report the account right away. This warning comes at an interesting time for HYNN, who debuted back in 2018 and has just dropped her new mini album called Summer Trace, featuring the title track three days later. The agency is also asking anyone who spots these fake accounts or experiences related issues to send screenshots to their official email so they can continue protecting their artists moving forward.

Boy Nextdoor is turning heads with a wonderfully quirky comeback concept this time around. The group is set to drop their first full album repackage, titled Home Deluxe, on September 28th at 6 pm, and they're already rolling out some seriously fun promotional content, taking a cue from their title track Animal. The members star in a mockumentary where each of them plays a person convinced they're actually an animal, mimicking everything from a penguin and an owl, to an ant, a llama, a sloth and even a pigeon. To keep fans engaged, they've even released a self-diagnostic checklist so people can figure out which animals lives inside them, along with a fake clinical trilad that's adding to the playful buzz. This isn't the group's first time getting creative with their rollouts either, having previously transformed into a retro postal service for one era, and an entire film crew chasing a spot at the Chicago Film Festival for another, and with home, deluxe expanding on their previous home album, they're promising an even broader emotional and musical range this time.

Kim Ji-won is about to show fans a side of herself they have never seen before, stepping into the role of a dark hero genius surgeon for the upcoming SBS drama Dr. X, The Age of the White Mafia. The newly released main poster shows her as surgeon Guy Su Jong, covered in blood right after finishing an operation, with an unwavering, intense gaze that hints at fierce determination. Industry reports say this marks the most powerful transformation of her career so far, as her character takes on the so-called white mafia, a group chasing power and profit within the medical world. The series is being described as a medical noir, following a brilliant surgeon who uses her skills to dismantle deep-rooted corruption, with director Lee Jong Lim, known for suspense hits like Revenant and You Killed Me at the helm alongside writer Pyon Song Gun. Dr. X, The Age of the White Mafia, is set to premiere on October 9th at 9.50 in the evening, and fans are already buzzing about what promises to be one of the boldest medical dramas of the year.

The sci-fi thriller follows a mother whose son returns home after nine years missing, only for her to grapple with an AI version of him that never aged alongside the real, changed young man who came back. Kim Hun-Joo stars as the mother, reuniting with the director after their work on Hellbound, while rising actor Bei Hun Sung plays the mysterious return sun, bringing an explosive new energy to the screen. The film already made waves at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month, with Yoon sharing that despite expecting it to be divisive, audiences connected deeply with its themes about choosing between comforting perfection and painful reality. Paradise Lost is shaping up to be one of the most thought-provoking Korean releases of the year, blending emotional family drama with sharp questions about technology and what it truly means to be human.

According to industry reports, agency The Muse Entertainment shared the comeback date this week, with more details on the release still to come. This marks Lycan's first new music in about four months, following their July single Pretty Girl, a remake of Cara's beloved 2008 hit, which shot straight to the top of Mellon's Hot 100 chart and even landed at number two on Bugs' real-time chart. Their earlier material has also seen incredible staying power, with Love Attack from their first mini-album Syndrome still holding the number one spot on Mellon's Top 100 chart two years after its release. Between these two tracks alone, Lycan has racked up an impressive six music show trophies, proving their resurgence is far from a fluke, and fans are eagerly awaiting more details as the countdown to November begins.

He'll be dropping his new single album, Love from Here, on October 7th at 6 in the evening, and fans got their first taste of what's coming with the newly released track list. The album features three songs, including the title track I Might Call It Love, and Kim Je Huan actually wrote and composed every single song himself, working alongside respected songwriters like Kim Yana and Park Wu Sang. This new release dives into the many stages of love from the very beginning all the way through to its end, with insiders describing him as transforming into a true love storyteller who connects with listeners through everyday tales of romance and heartbreak. On top of the album news, Kim Je Huan is also set to hold his solo concert called 2026 Kim Je Huan Concert Yobek at Blue Square in Seoul on October 31st and November 1st.

Lee Song Gi is stepping back into the spotlight as a singer, and fans could not be happier to see this side of him again. Coming off a recent court win against his former agency, which secured him roughly 690 million won in unpaid settlement funds, Li Song Gi is set to appear in part two of KBS 2's Immortal Songs, filming from the 2026 New Wave Festival in Olson alongside stars like Ailee, Santa Jin, Forestella, and Mad Clown. This comes after his part one appearance where he performed a string of his classic hits, including Jil Pungajo and My Girl, delighting a crowd of about 6,000 fans at Ulsan's. Tewa River National Garden with live vocals that proved his singing chops haven't faded one bit. Interestingly, Li Song Gi revealed that My Girl holds special meaning for him since it's the very song he debuted with back in high school. A track he says once made people forget he was even a singer at all, given his later fame as an actor and entertainer. Online reactions have been overwhelmingly warm, with fans commenting that he still sounds amazing and that he simply looks happiest when he's singing, marking a heartwarming return for the artist after a turbulent stretch dealing with legal battles.

Trot singer Su Kaang is facing fallout after losing part of a civil lawsuit tied to an affair scandal that rocked the industry late last year. A court in Chongnam ruled that Su Kaang must pay 30 million, one in damages, to the wife of the man she was romantically involved with, though that's far less than the 100 million one originally sought. Judges found that Su Kang began a relationship with the woman's husband back in January of last year and even lived with him, causing real emotional harm. And they rejected her side's argument that the marriage was already broken beyond repair at the time. The scandal first came to light through a Korean broadcast segment last December, featuring surveillance footage that showed the affair, which led Sukang to step away from the trot competition show she was appearing on and issue a public apology. Now, with this court decision landing just before her return to the stage, all eyes are on Sukhayang as she prepares for a fan concert in Seoul on the 30th, marking her first performance in about nine months.

Actor Bjun Johan is opening up about the intense journey behind his latest film, Taza, The Song of Belzebooth, the fourth installment in the long-running Taza series. Taking on the pressure of closing out a franchise that spanned 20 years, Bjun revealed he pushed his body to the limit, losing about 10 kilograms and even landing in the emergency room from hypoglycemic shock while preparing for the role. Rather than mimicking previous films, he focused on the emotional bond between his character, Zhang Tae Young, and his best friend Turned Rival, played by Ro Je Wan, crafting what he calls a friendship story at its core rather than just another gambling thriller. Bjun also spent months learning Holden Poker alongside real players to authentically capture his character's calm, calculated demeanor at the card table. Reflecting on the grueling process, the actor shared that enduring such intense physical and emotional strain is simply part of how he approaches every role, believing that an actor's pain ultimately translates into something audiences can genuinely feel.