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 28th, 2026, and we've got some incredible stories to share with you.

Let's dive right in.

Eilit is gearing up for a bold comeback, and this one comes with an attitude. The group will drop their fifth mini album, Break Even, on October 26th, with the title track carrying the fierce name, Arrest You. According to industry reports, the album title reflects the concept of a relationship's break-even point, capturing a message about breaking free from one-sided love. The track list tells a story, moving from realizing an unrequited crush in, super in love, through frustration in more, to the emotional climax in the title track, where Eilit decides to cut ties for good before ending on a surprising twist with Pop, where a brand new spark of love begins. Staying true to their playful charm, Eilit even added a witty touch to the promotional image, listing the sender as the daily annoyance management department, showing off both attitude and humor as they prepare for this next chapter.

The controversy surrounding veteran singer Sim Su Bong's comments about young trot star Kim Dayun is taking a strange new turn, thanks to an unexpected addition to the conversation. Former Rura member Go Young Wuk recently posted on social media expressing his understanding of Sim Su Bong's mindset, revealing that he himself struggles with misophonia, a condition involving extreme sensitivity to certain sounds. But things got messy when Go Young Wook went further, publicly naming specific artists and groups whose music he finds hard to listen to, including Buzz, S.G. Wannabe, Sea, T. Ara, and Da Vichy, along with strong comments about stars like Hwasa, Jesse, and Sue In Young. This all stems from an incident on September 20th when 71-year-old Sim Su Bong made comments about 17-year-old Kim Da Hun's performance at a trot festival, saying she seemed like someone who didn't understand what singing or life truly meant, and asking that Kim Da Hun not perform right before her again. Sim Su Bong later apologized directly to Kim Dayun, who confirmed the two spoke by phone and that she received both an apology and warm words of encouragement. But Go Young Wook's comments have reignited online debate, shifting the conversation from a simple generational dispute into a broader discussion about celebrities publicly criticizing other artists' music styles.

Boy Next Door is bringing back their bold and playful side with a brand new repackage, and fans are already buzzing about it. Dropping this evening, the group's deluxe edition of their first full album, titled Home Deluxe, features 14 tracks total, adding five fresh songs, including the title Track Animal to the Nine from their original release. The members dove into Electrofunk for this title track, drawing inspiration from the energetic chants they heard from fans during their recent shows in the United States, channeling that raw, instinctive energy into a performance about chasing what you want with wild abandon. Member Ryu proudly stepped into choreography credits for the first time, crafting movements that let everyone in the crowd join in the fun rather than just watch. The group says they hope listeners will simply let loose and feel the music, with their ultimate goal being recognized as a true performance idol group that lives for the stage and their connection with fans known as Wonder.

According to the Korean Film Council's Integrated Ticketing Network, the film drew in 1,407,636 moviegoers during the four-day holiday stretch from September 24th to 27th, bringing its cumulative total to 1,566,222 admissions. That's nearly double the numbers posted by its closest competitor, Taza Belzebub's song, which currently sits in second place with 7,100,483 tickets sold overall. The film follows a mysterious assassination attempt on South Korea's First Lady that was broadcast live nationwide back on August 15, 1974, unraveling the conspiracy and hidden forces behind the shocking event. However, its momentum may be cooling off, as reservation rankings have already slipped to third place with just 11.6% as of Monday morning, with the animated film Chicawa the movie The Secret of Mermaid Island now leading the pack at 37.4%.

A South Korean court has handed down a two-year prison sentence to a woman in her 40s for spreading false claims about actor Ko Sei Wan, closing out a disturbing case that stretched back to 2021. The Suan District Court's Anyang branch found the woman guilty of stalking law violations and defamation through false information online, ruling that her claims of pregnancy, miscarriage, and sexual assault against the actor were fabricated after reviewing medical records and expert testimony. Judges noted the woman repeatedly posted content online that made the victim easily identifiable, severely damaging his acting career, and ordered her to complete a 40-hour stalking treatment program alongside her prison term. Ko Sei Won, who debuted with KBS back in 1997 and later gained recognition through the TVN series Naughty Mims Cha Young A, I had firmly denied all allegations and revealed he endured relentless harassment himself, including thousands of threatening messages sent to him and even his family members. His representatives say there will be no settlement or leniency, confirming plans to pursue civil damages and enforce accountability well beyond this criminal ruling.

Ive is gearing up for a big comeback, and fans are already buzzing with excitement. Starship Entertainment just dropped a teaser video on the group's social media, showing city skyscrapers lighting up with the Ive logo against Seoul's iconic skyline, all building up to their spin-off release date of October 19th. This marks the group's first new domestic music in about eight months, following the massive success of their second full album back in February, which topped charts everywhere and scored an impressive nine wins on music shows thanks to the double title track. Now I've is set to release a pre-release track on October 19th, ahead of their new mini album, Looks Can Kill, dropping on October 26th. They'll be joining a stacked lineup of comebacks next month, going head to head with artists like Kickflip, NCT Wish, Plave, NMX, Jong Han and Joshua, Reez, and Elit, making October one seriously competitive month for K-pop releases.

New From the Boys is officially starting a new chapter, and this time he's going solo, in more ways than one. His new agency, Only New Entertainment, announced on the 28th that they've signed an exclusive contract with The Idol, sharing fresh profile photos to mark the occasion. The agency praised New's distinctive vocal tone and versatile talent, promising full support as he explores new creative territories. This comes after a turbulent period for the Boys, where unpaid settlement issues with their previous agency, 100, led the other nine members to terminate their contracts back in February, eventually joining a new label called 7-8 Records. New, who debuted with The Boys back in 2017 and has since expanded into musical theatre, took a bit longer to finalise his own departure, but now finally has a fresh start with his very own dedicated agency.

Rapper Loco is starting a fresh chapter, signing an exclusive contract with Duover Entertainment, and joining the Star-Started Roster alongside Grey, Code Kunst, Gary, Wu Wan Jee, and Kuki. This move comes after Loco spent the past two years running his own independent label, Locomotive, where he released his third studio album, Scraps, and even hit the road for the Scraps Tour last year. Industry sources say Duover is fully committed to supporting Loco so his music can branch out and reach new creative heights. A representative from the label expressed excitement, teasing that fans should look forward to seeing Loco's one-of-a-kind musical world flourish even further under this new partnership. With Duover already home to major names in the hip-hop and RB scene, Loco's arrival adds even more firepower to what is quickly becoming one of Korea's most talent-packed music labels.

Director Lee Chang Dong is back with a powerful new film, and industry critics are already calling it one of his most thought-provoking works yet, earning a strong four out of five star rating. The movie stars an incredible lineup including Sol Kyung-gu, John Doyon, Joe Yohjong, and Joe Insung, who bring to life a complex story about a laid-off worker, his wife, a documentary filmmaker, and her husband, whose lives become intertwined through the lens of a camera. Rather than relying on dramatic explosions of emotion, the film takes its time. Running over two and a half hours, letting quiet moments and subtle expressions carry the weight of questions about love, class, and whether we can truly document someone's pain without exploiting it. Critics are praising the ensemble cast, especially Zhou Yojong's nuanced portrayal of a filmmaker who believes her obsession with her subjects is actually love, and Join Sung's chilling turn as a wealthy husband whose calm exterior hides something unsettling. With its haunting final image of a couple staring at the moon in silence, this new release is being talked about as a slow-burning meditation that lingers long after the credits roll, cementing its place as a must-watch for fans of thoughtful Korean cinema.

BTS just made history at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, taking home the top prize Song of the Year for their track Swim from their fifth studio album Ah Ray Rang. The group beat out major contenders, including the K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack hit Golden, along with tracks from Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter, marking their very first Song of the Year win and extending K-pop's winning streak in the category to two years running. Beyond that big win, BTS also swept Best K-pop and best group, bringing their total to three trophies on the night, with the group sharing through their label that this milestone feels especially meaningful since Are Rang represents a fresh new chapter for them. Meanwhile, Blackpink's Lisa made her own history, becoming the first K-pop soloist and first Asian soloist ever to win Best Pop, beating out heavyweights like Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift with her song Dream, featuring Japanese actor Sakaguchi Kentaro. Lisa was visibly emotional accepting the award, thanking everyone who helped bring the song to life, while overall Madonna stole the night with seven total wins for her album Confessions 2.

FNC Entertainment is stepping up to protect its artists and staff. After a wave of disturbing incidents involving some fans of the group Hi-Fi Unicorn, the agency revealed that certain individuals sent threatening messages to staff members and circulated abusive videos targeting both the artists and crew, prompting a firm public warning. FNC made it clear that private threats, personal attacks, and the spread of malicious false information are serious violations that could constitute both a breach of communications law and obstruction of business. Going forward, anyone confirmed to be involved in such behavior will be permanently removed from the official fan club and banned for life from all future concerts and fan events, with the company also pursuing legal action through its legal representatives without any leniency. FNC emphasized that maintaining a respectful and safe environment is essential for preserving the special bond between artists and their supporters, reaffirming its commitment to protecting everyone involved with Hi-Fi Unicorn and its other artists.

17's newest duo, Jong'an and Joshua, are hitting the road with their very first solo tour, and it's shaping up to be a dreamy adventure across six cities. Kicking things off at Incheon's Inspire Arena from October 30th through November 1st, the pair will then head to Saitama, Macau, Taipei, Busan, and Hong Kong, wrapping things up by February of next year. The tour ties directly into their debut mini-album, Dreamscape, dropping October 19th, which explores the concept of dreams both literal and aspirational, blending fantasy and reality into one hypnotic musical experience. Promotional artwork already teases that surreal, almost trance-like atmosphere fans can expect live, as Jong An and Joshua promise to build an entirely new world with their fandom Karat. With this solo era, the duo is clearly stepping outside their usual 17 dynamic to showcase a fresh, more intimate side of their artistry.

Zhou Yi heun takes on the role of the calm observer Hee-in, while Kim Jewon plays the warm-hearted idealist Jinwu, and they're joined by a talented ensemble, including Kang Yu Siok, Bai Kang Hee, Kwak Dong Yon, and Shin Sung-ho. The film cleverly blends the very real struggles of today's brutal job market with a thrilling mystery twist, as these six hopefuls compete for just one final spot. Ahead of its theatrical run, Final Interview has already caught the industry's attention, earning an invitation to the panorama section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, which kicks off on October 6th.

Today's featured song is I'm Gonna Quit by Idol Soyon, the title track from her very first solo full-length album. This bold, brutally honest anthem about walking away from a soul-crushing job has struck a nerve with office workers everywhere, rocketing to number one on every major chart, and it even features a special narration cameo from comedian Gian 84. Let's take a listen.

This marks their first release in about seven months, following their eighth mini album back in April. The group teased fans with a special livestream on Wiverse, revealing not just the album title, but also a spoiler clip that has everyone buzzing about what's next musically. The new album will feature six tracks, with more details to be unveiled soon on Weavers, and Spotify pre-save options opening up shortly after the announcement. Adding to the excitement, Tomorrow by Together will kick off their fifth world tour called Still the Wind, right here in Seoul, at KSPO Dome from November 13th to 15th, giving fans plenty to look forward to this fall.

TVXQ's Max Changmin is making a solo comeback, and fans have been waiting a long time for this one. On October 19th at 6 in the evening, he'll drop his third mini album called All of My Life through global music platforms, marking his first solo release in about four years and nine months. The sixth track record is packed with emotional depth, capturing life's ups and downs while carrying a message about moving forward no matter what challenges come your way. Beyond the album, Max Changmin has a huge live schedule ahead, kicking off with his live session resonance concerts in Seoul this November, then heading to Macau and Taipei early next year, followed by a 12-city tour across Japan running from February through May. It's clear this solo era is just one part of a jam-packed schedule for the Idol, who's also been keeping busy with a recent Nissan Stadium performance and various TV appearances as an MC, so keep an eye out because pre-orders for the new album open today.

Big news out of the K-pop world today as professional scalpers who targeted 17 concert tickets have officially been sentenced to prison time. Pledis Entertainment confirmed the ruling, revealing that the scalpers received real jail sentences of one year and eight months and one year and four months respectively, alongside a combined fine of over 1 billion one. This case traces back to March, when authorities cracked down on a scalping ring that used macro programs to rake in a staggering 7 billion won in illegal profits from ticket sales. The agency says investigations are still ongoing for other scalpers, especially those operating overseas, and they're vowing a zero tolerance policy moving forward. Pledis also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its artists, stating it will continue monitoring for hate speech, false rumors, and other rights violations with strict legal action.

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Whook is facing yet another social media ban, as TikTok Korea has shut down his account just one day after he created it. According to industry reports, the platform made the call based on its community guidelines, which mandate permanent suspension for any account holder confirmed to have committed sex crimes against minors. This isn't Co.'s first rejection from social platforms either, since Instagram also blocked his account within a single day back in 2020, and his YouTube channel launched in 2024 was shut down for the same reason. Coe served two and a half years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting and molesting a minor and was released back in 2015. Despite his repeated attempts to return to social media, it seems every platform is drawing a firm line when it comes to protecting young users from convicted offenders.

Kickflip just gave fans an exciting surprise with a sneak peek at their new music video, and it is already stirring up a lot of buzz. JYP Entertainment dropped the video for Unfinished, one of the double title tracks from their upcoming mini album, Kick Off the Wool Part 1. And it beautifully captures the messy, beautiful chaos of youth with its dreamy sound mixed with rough pop punk energy. The video follows different young people each carrying their own worries as their paths slowly converge toward one shared future. And it actually draws from the members' own real life experiences, like Gayehoon's trainee days, Dongwa's love for photography, Chuang's long distance commute to school, and Minja's passion for basketball. The members are credited across all eight tracks on the album, with Gehun contributing to Unfinished and joining Donghua in creating the other title track, Kick Off the Wall. Mark your calendars because Kickflip's full mini album drops next month on October 6th at 6 in the evening. And based on this preview, it sounds like a really heartfelt release capturing the beauty of imperfect unfinished youth.

The group performed their pre-release track Summer in Animal and title song Hooty Fruity from their upcoming third EP Wild, bringing serious heat to the stage with bold expressions, dramatic lighting, and even some jacket tossing moments before switching gears into a fun tropical juice shop set for their second number. Beyond the performances, Kat's Eye also showed off their comedic chops in a sketch parody. Seeing The Debut Dream Academy, playing judges instead of contestants with hilariously deadpan delivery. This SNL debut comes on the heels of a major US media run, including Stops on The Tonight Show and Today, and the group is also nominated for four categories at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Group and Best K-pop, with award show season heating up and a performance at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour kickoff in Dallas, Fort Worth. Already lined up for December 1st, it's clear CatSai's momentum is only building heading into the end of the year.

And this time it is a repeat of an old problem. Recently, an AI synthesized photo showing Yuna standing with a man while cradling her stomach as if pregnant has been circulating across online communities and social media, resurfacing an issue that first went viral back in June. Despite the passage of about three months, the same fabricated image has made a comeback, reigniting public concern over the unchecked spread of AI generated fake content targeting celebrities. Her agency, SM Entertainment, previously announced plans to pursue legal action, including criminal charges, against those responsible for spreading such malicious content. Fans have also raised their voices, warning that these AI-generated composite images represent a serious invasion of privacy and a violation of celebrities' basic rights.

During a live broadcast, the artist explained that the initial report was simply inaccurate, revealing that after reading the script and understanding its content, he and his team carefully discussed the project, and ultimately declined the role well before the article was even published. He expressed regret over the confusion this caused fans, noting there was little he could say, publicly since he hadn't taken any action tied to the film in the first place, but he wanted to reassure everyone that the matter has since been resolved with a correction issued, and nothing further to worry about. On a brighter note, fans can look forward to seeing him in the upcoming film Nambiol, where he'll play an archer named Chiot Nom in a story about nine warriors from early Joseon rescuing captives from Japanese raiders. He's also gearing up for his Encore World Tour concert. Archive Point 1, completed, set to take the stage at KSPO Dome in Seoul's Songpa district on October 31st and November 1.

Director Yoon Sung Ho is expanding the cinematic universe of his thriller, Paradise Lost, with a brand new short film series, and it's diving straight into the eerie promise of AI resurrection technology. Titled Paradise Lost Universe, the four-part series kicks off on September 29th with two episodes, Your Seaweed Soup and Dad Is Here, both penned personally by the director and crafted using generative AI to mirror the film's own themes. The first episode follows an elderly man who reunites with his deceased wife through a mysterious device, sharing a quiet ordinary afternoon that feels almost too real. The second episode takes a much darker turn, showing a young girl who reconnects with her late father through special glasses, only for the comforting illusion to shatter when someone fumbles the door lock in the early morning hours. Together, these stories ask the haunting question at the heart of the franchise: whether artificial intelligence can truly heal grief, or if it simply dresses up a new kind of horror, with the remaining two episodes set to premiere on October 6th.

Legendary Irish Rockers. You two are marking a huge milestone, announcing their 16th studio album titled Carnival de Luz, set for release on November 13th. This comes nearly nine years after their last full album. An industry reports note the timing perfectly aligns with the band's 50th anniversary, since forming back in 1976. The new record, whose title translates to Carnival of Light, explores themes of spirituality, friendship, and resilience against darkness, featuring 12 tracks, including a touching final duet between Bono and the late Dolly Parton. To celebrate, the band returned to their roots in Dublin, performing surprise shows at their old school Mount Temple, and even on a cafe balcony on Grafton Street, drawing massive crowds of devoted fans into the streets. With 15 studio albums under their belt and a spot in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, U2 continues to prove why they remain one of music's most enduring acts.

Super Junior's Yesung is warming things up for his big comeback, dropping a sneak peek of his new track Winds of Time Today, ahead of his 10th anniversary solo album. The song landed on music platforms this evening, with a music video releasing simultaneously on the SM Town YouTube channel, giving fans around the world plenty to celebrate. Placed as the album's opening track, Winds of Time is an alternative pop tune built around acoustic instrumentation, featuring Yesung's own songwriting that reflects on the past while embracing the effort it takes to live in the present, all wrapped in his signature sweet vocals. The accompanying music video promises to be an emotional journey too, weaving together nostalgic scenes from Yesung's memories into what feels like a heartfelt short film. Fans can look forward to the full experience when his second full studio album, Where We Are, marking 10 years since his solo debut, officially drops on October 6th.

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

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