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 October 20th, 2026, and we've got some incredible stories to share with you.

Let's dive right in!

Rising Rookie Group Tweede is heading back to school, in a literary sort of way. Members Sohi and Soyon are joining an audio learning project called Idols Reading Literature from Textbooks, a collaboration between Korea's Ministry of Education and EBS, in which K-pop artists read 30 major works from high school literature textbooks. So He will read the poem Spring Day by Kim Gi-Tek and tie it to her hobby of capturing everyday moments with a vintage camera. Soyon will read To Each Other by Mun Tejun and connect its message to the time she made beadrings for her fellow members. Their episodes go live on October 21st at 9 in the morning, free on the Together School website and app, and the group, which debuted in August, will also hit major year-end award stages, starting with the KGMA on November 7th.

Agency ABD has announced it's taking firm legal action against malicious commenters targeting the rookie girl group TUID. In a notice posted on Weaverse on the 19th, the company said it will pursue cases involving false rumors, defamation, insults, sexual harassment, and invasions of privacy, and it plans to share progress updates every six months starting next year. Industry reports say the team's real-time monitoring turned up numerous posts and comments that repeatedly mocked the members and attacked their character, and evidence is now being gathered from online communities, portals, social media, and music sites. The agency stressed there will be no settlements and no leniency, and it urged fans to report violations through the Hybe Artist Rights Protection site, noting that many of the members are minors. Touid is a seven-member group and the first girl group from Hybe label ABD, and they released their debut EP, Tune and Play, this past August.

Park Thihu of the group Even is turning heads with a fresh batch of high-definition photos from the music video for the group's sixth mini album, Lukat Ma. The images show off his intense gaze, a soft smile, and a strong, confident energy that really fills the frame. Elsewhere in the headlines, Plaive just hit a career high in first week sales, with their fifth mini album passing 1,300,000 copies. Kim Hee son is also returning to television in The Wife, reuniting with Kursu for the first time in 24 years. And NCT's Chisong is heading to the ballpark to throw the ceremonial first pitch at game three of the baseball semi-playoffs.

Get ready for another round of Who Done It Fun, because the role-playing mystery variety show Crime Scene Zero is officially returning for season two. News sources report that the fan favorite lineup of Tang Jin, Pak Jun, Tangdong Min, Kim Ji Hun, and Anyo Jin will all reunite as players, after season one earned rave reviews for staying true to the heart of the franchise. Producer Yun Yun-jun said these five are the people who best understand and bring to life the world of crime scene, and he promised that each episode will feature a special guest to crank up the thrill of the game. Pak Tion is set to continue her streak of appearing in every single episode, while Tao Jin brings his sharp eye and veteran reasoning, and Anyu Jin is expected to keep growing as a detective. Crime Scene Zero Season 2 is scheduled to premiere sometime next year.

The title track was pre-released on the 19th as part of their fifth mini album of the same name, and it also topped the charts in six countries and regions, including South Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom. By 9 in the morning on the 20th, the video had landed on trending charts in 34 countries and regions, so interest is still climbing. The video borrows from superhero movie storytelling, moving between behind-the-scenes and on-set scenes with slick visual effects. And it flips the idea from Ive playing heroes to Ive being heroes themselves. The song is an electronic dance pop track full of the group's trademark confidence. And the full six-song album, which also features tracks like Mirror Mirror, Snakeskin, and Crumbs, arrives on the 26th.

Sad news for fans of the boy group Tempest, who are pausing group activities about four years after their March 2022 debut. YH Entertainment announced on October 20th that, after long discussions with the members, they decided to focus on individual activities for now. Hyok will enlist in the military on October 26th, and the agency asked fans not to visit the site since other enlistees and their families will be there and to send warm support from afar instead. LEW will leave the agency when his exclusive contract ends on November 1st, while Hanbin, Hyongsopp, Untan and Tere are staying with YH and plan to meet fans through solo projects. News sources say the agency apologized for the sudden announcement and promised to keep supporting the members, including Hyongsop and LEW, who first drew attention as alumni of Produce 101 Season 2.

Kater of the group Even is turning heads with fresh photos from the music video for the group's sixth mini album, Look at Ma. News sources describe his wistful gaze as something that slowly draws you in, and the stills show off his strong, striking eyes. The photos highlight his glowing visuals and standout proportions, with one caption saying he is simply wearing coolness itself. The set captures a stylish, polished side of the concept, and it's exactly the kind of eye contact that makes fans' hearts skip a beat. If you're curious about this comeback, the music video is the perfect place to start.

NCT member Jisung is heading to the mound at Tamshil Baseball Stadium today, October 20th, to throw the ceremonial first pitch for Game 3 of the KBO League semi-playoff between LG Twins and Kia Tigers. Industry reports say he's hoping to bring some winning energy to LG, who lost both Game 1 and Game 2 on October 17th and 18th, and now must win all three remaining games to advance to the playoffs. This isn't his first time on the field, since Jisung also threw the first pitch at the LG and Samsung Lions game on the 4th of last month, and LG went on to win that day. He said he's delighted that this is his second first pitch of the year, which makes him feel a special bond with LG, and he promised to throw with double the cheer and double the winning spirit. Meanwhile, his group NCT Dream is set to make a comeback on November 9th with their sixth full-length album titled Dream After Dream.

Get ready for a vampire high school romance, because Wave has unveiled the first teaser and poster for its new original drama, Next Seat Francesca. The series is a spin-off of the beloved 2005 sitcom Hello Francesca, reimagined as a teen romance that expands the original world. Actress Han Sua stars as Pina Yong, a vampire who transfers from Romania to a Korean school and struggles to fit into human society. Things get chaotic when she meets Chang Oju, the model student class president played by Kim Hun-jin, and the teaser hints at a forbidden romance between the two. Fans of the original will also be happy to hear that Shim He-jin, Paksugi, and Pa Kijin are joining as special guests, and the drama arrives exclusively on Wave on November 6th.

Actor Kung Hyongjin has issued an apology after his behaviour at a recent event drew criticism online. Industry reports say that during the Far East broadcasting's 70th anniversary celebration, he asked musical actress Tajion to bow again out of seniority, and he also joked about why her photo was on screen but not his. Video clips spread quickly on social media, and many viewers said they felt uncomfortable watching the exchange. His agency, Khart Entertainment, explained that he only meant to be friendly with a junior colleague he knows well, and that he never intended to upset her. The company added that he has already apologized to Tajian's side and that he is taking to heart the importance of showing consideration at public events.

Plave is celebrating a new career high, as their fifth mini album, Hyperdrive, sold more than 1.32 million copies in its first week, according to Hanteo Chart. That tops the group's previous best of over 1.25 million copies, set by their fourth mini album, Caligo Part 2, so they keep breaking their own records. The 5-track project marks their comeback after about 6 months, and the members stretch their musical range by trying out a variety of genres. On the streaming side, every song on the album landed near the top of Melon's top 100, and the title track, Star Trace, also placed in the top 5 on both Genie and Bugs' real-time charts. Industry reports add that the group is currently on their first world tour, Keep It Manic, with the next stops coming up in Taipei on the 23rd and 24th.

K-pop fans, we have a surprise wedding to celebrate. Singer-songwriter Eje, whose real name is Kimun Zé, tied the knot with producer Samuel Kim, also known as Sam Kim, in Seoul on the 17th. According to industry reports citing Vogue, the ceremony took place at stage 28 in Kangdong District, about a month ahead of the original schedule, after the couple postponed their wedding because of K-pop demon hunters' promotions and award events. They had planned a California ceremony for next month, but decided to hold it in Korea, choosing the former home site of Ede's grandfather, the legendary actor Xinjonggyun. Ede shared that they had only four months to prepare, which was stressful, but everyone pitched in to make it perfect. The pair first met at a songwriting session in May of 2017, dated for eight years, and got engaged after Sam Kim proposed last June, while Ede, now 34, rose to global fame singing Golden from the film and even took home a Grammy for it.

And the captions are calling it a true visual paradise. The photo set shows off the members' striking looks and group chemistry, with fans describing it as a feast for the eyes. Industry reports say the phrases attached to the release include Heading Toward Number One and A Charm That Never Runs Out, which shows how much confidence surrounds this comeback. It's the kind of release that makes you want to watch the video and the photos side by side. Elsewhere in K-pop this week, Plave hit a career-high first week figure, with their fifth mini album passing 1.32 million copies.

Kim plays Chong Min Yong, a former pro baseball pitching coach who gains a special ability after an unexpected accident and then takes over as manager of the worst high school baseball team in the country. So joins him as the team's baseball department head, Yun Zao Jin, who values the process over results, while Zoo Yunnu plays Angi Man, a numbers-obsessed acting manager of the pro team who clashes with Mignon. Newcomers Tabin and Han Xi Hun, both former high school baseball players in real life, add some authentic flavor to the team, and reports say the cheerful chemistry at the reading even included the young players shouting their school cheer. Kim told fans he hopes to gather lots of joyful energy and make a fun series. And Gift premieres on December 5th at 9.10pm.

17's newest unit, Chonghan and Joshua, just invited fans into a dreamy world with the music video for 12 o'clock, the title track from their first mini-album, Dreamscape. The video, which runs about 2 minutes and 28 seconds, went up on the Hive Labels YouTube channel on the 19th. It follows the duo as they chase their ideals between noon and midnight, with surreal touches like railroad tracks cutting across a field, a warped train car, and a room that stretches on forever. A fantastical creature also appears, blending a peacock, a symbol of wisdom, with an auroboros swallowing its own tail, and it stands in for the pair drifting between reality and fantasy. Musically, the song is a dance rock track that reimagines 70s and 80s disco and funk, with bouncy bass and rhythmic guitar. And the duo kicks off their music show promotions on MNET's M Countdown this Thursday, the 22nd.

Actress Kim Hi-sun is reportedly heading back to the small screen with a new NBC drama called The Wife. Industry reports say her agency, Hinge Entertainment, confirmed she has received an offer for the lead role of Unipse and is reviewing it, though nothing is final yet. The show is a suspense drama about a woman who steals another person's life in order to survive, and it follows a character who looks perfect on the surface, with a top university education, but hides a dark secret from her past. Actor Kusu is said to be the leading candidate for her counterpart, and if both sign on, it would be their first reunion in about 24 years, since they appeared together in the 2003 drama Yu Ju Zonggyo. Kimizan earned fresh praise in 2024 for Our House, and the wife is aiming to premiere in the first half of next year.

Lee says the song is where everything starts for a K-pop act, and he wants listeners to feel this is good first. Here's a preview, so let's take a listen. Now, back to more news.

Big night ahead for Korean Cinema, as the Korean Film Critics Association has announced the winners of its 46th awards. Nahongdin's Hope was the biggest winner with three trophies, including Best Director for Na, Best Actor for Chuin Zong, and Best Cinematography. Elsewhere, Ye Sudong and Oo Jungse won the Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor Awards, while Pak Zhuun and Sosu-bin were named Best New Talents. This year also introduced a new streaming series category, with Xinhe san and Hyunbin each earning their first lead acting honours. And the ceremony takes place on November 4th at the Korean Film Archive.

Industry reports describe the photos as showing off his intense magnetic gaze, with fans pointing to his overflowing masculine charm and commanding presence. The captions call him a heart stealer, and they say, the more you look, the more you get pulled in. It's the kind of visual teaser that makes you want to hit play on the full video right away. If this is just a taste of the concept, his latest comeback looks set to leave a strong impression.

Rising Girl Group Rescene is getting fans excited for their return by dropping a first look at the concept photos for their fourth mini album, Pulse, which arrives on November 3rd at 6 in the evening Korean time. The group shared the group and individual images on their official social media on the 19th, and they show the members as mysterious guardian angels, complete with feathered wing props and feather details on their arms and shoes. The concept is tied to the album title, centering on the idea of protecting one another and a love that completes each other, with metallic materials added to show a look that is both delicate and strong. Rest Scene has built its identity around a unique fragrance-focused concept, so fans are eager to find out what kind of music and scent the group will bring this time. The group debuted in 2024 and first went viral with the Kote Yahumim, then saw their song Love Attack climb the charts long after release, and they have kept the momentum going with Pretty Girl.

Music critic Kang Hyun, chairman of the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service, passed away on October 20th at the age of 64, according to industry reports, though the cause of death has not been disclosed. Born in Busan in 1962, he studied Korean literature at Seoul National University and music theory at its graduate school, then began his career in independent film with the collective Changzangutme, working on titles like Oh, Dreamland and Eve of the Strike. He rose to fame in the early 1990s as a pop music critic whose elegant writing caused a sensation. And fellow critic Im Jin-mo recalled that people used to say Kang Hyun was the voice of Korean pop, while Im was the voice of Western pop. Beyond criticism, he taught popular music history at several universities for 20 years, created concerts and music theatre productions, and even published a book on Eastern fortune-telling studies in 2015 after surviving a life-threatening aortic tear at the age of 42. He also led the Kyongi Cultural Foundation and was appointed chairman of the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service last December, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in Korean popular culture.

Some classical music news from Korea today. Composer Cho Yun-de has been named the Grand Prize winner at the 45th Korea Composition Awards. The Korean Music Association and the Awards Committee announced on Tuesday that they chose Cho's large-scale ensemble piece titled For All We Took as this year's top work. Along with the honor, Cho will receive the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award and a cash prize. It's a big milestone for Cho, and a nice reminder that Korea's music scene stretches well beyond K-pop into contemporary classical composition. Congratulations to Chuyunze on this well-deserved recognition.

Yenna Choi is putting her own spin on a Japanese classic, with a Korean version of Sakurambo set to drop on November 17th at 6 in the evening Korean time. Industry reports say she has been teasing the release on her official social media, starting with a pink-toned image of a glass full of cherries that hints at the song's bubbly charm. A second teaser leans into retro vibes, with a design that feels like classic Japanese animation and a magical girl style phone that has fans talking. The original Sakurambo was released by Japanese singer Aiotsuka back in 2003, and it is still loved for its upbeat melody and catchy chorus. Yenna promises to keep the spirit of the original while adding her signature bouncy energy as part of a J pop remake project that reimagines iconic Japanese songs through the style of Korean artists.

Rookie Girl Group A20 Lite just scored their first music show win in only seven days since debuting. The nine member group took the top trophy on SBS Life's The Show with their debut track Neon after officially launching on the 13th, and they even treated fans. To an encore stage to show off their live skills. Industry reports say Neon reached the top of Melon's top 100 chart about 29 hours after its release, which is an impressive start for any newcomer. The group is led by producer Ysuman's A20 Entertainment, and its members are Yong, Hua, Ayun, Aijing, Himeki, Rada, Shiri, Pura, and Mercy. With Yuyongdin and Them Joints working on the song, and with strong praise for the members' skills and visuals, all eyes are on what other milestones A20 Lite can reach during this debut run.

Two former managers of comedian Pak Nare are pushing back hard in court, fully denying charges that they extorted her. At the second hearing held this morning at the Seoul Western District Court, the managers, identified as A and B, said they only asked for wages and severance they were owed after leaving, and never threatened her. They are accused of demanding about 250 million won, roughly 10% of her company's 2024 revenue, though no money ever changed hands. When the judge asked whether they had only requested unpaid pay rather than a percentage, B answered yes. Prosecutors have also added embezzlement and computer fraud charges against A over about 44 million won in company funds, and A's side says 24 million of that was transferred with Park's approval, and claims some evidence was collected illegally, while the legal battle, which began last December, includes countercomplaints from both sides.

Singer and musical actress Ok Chuhyun is facing backlash after posting a photo on her social media with a crude, profanity-laced phrase set to the IT's song BAD. The quote was essentially a saying about how, in life, you have to get past certain difficult people even more than big mountains, and it spread online fast. Once articles appeared, she explained that she had just finished practice, that the post was a quote she re-shared from someone else because it sounded like a wise saying, and that there was no target at all. Still, public reaction has been cool, since she previously took legal action over a post by fellow musical actor Kim Hooyong during the casting favoritism controversy, and she has recently been at the center of debate over her influence in the musical world. Industry reports say some fans worry her words could dampen the excitement over the long-awaited full group comeback of FinKL, the group she debuted with in 1998.

Park Hanbin of Even is turning heads with fresh photos from the music video for the group's sixth mini album called Look At Ma MV. Industry reports described the visuals as a fall into a black hole, with a deadly gaze, hipster charisma, and a presence that feels truly on another level. It's the kind of cinematic, confident look that fans love to replay, and it shows how much the group is leaning into bold concepts this time around. Elsewhere in the headlines, Plaive hit a career high in first week sales, with their fifth mini album passing 1,300,000 copies. And in drama news, Kim Yi-sun is returning to the small screen in The Wife, reuniting with Gosu after 24 years.

An exclusive industry report is raising eyebrows over how money from mining giant Korea Zinc flowed into the Korean entertainment business, with Chairman Cheyun Bomb at the center of the questions. According to the report, Korea Zinc put about 563 billion won into 8.1 Asia funds run by his childhood friend Chi Tangbe, and those funds backed a K-pop agency called Hyatt, the drama studio Slingshot, and Acme Media, with losses reportedly topping 70 billion won. ACME Media, which used that money to pre-fund hit series like Casino, Grid, and Uncle Samshik, had a 2021 shareholder list that reportedly included heirs from the Hanhua, Hyundai, and LG families, many of them Choi's school friends. The report also points to a valuation of roughly 1 trillion won for Acme Media after a Kakao entertainment investment, which it says could have delivered huge returns for those early backers. The article argues that while Korea Zinc shareholders were left with the losses, the deals may have served Choi's personal interests and strengthened his circle of allies, though these are claims from the report and not confirmed findings.

NCT Dream just surprised fans by dropping a music video ahead of their upcoming full-length album. On October 20th, SM Entertainment uploaded the video for The Sun to the SM Town YouTube channel, and it's a track from their sixth studio album, Dream After Dream. The roughly 4.5 minute video follows the members on a camping van road trip, with wide open fields and a red sunset over the sea setting a nostalgic, cinematic mood that celebrates their close friendship. The song itself is a pop ballad built on synthesizers and electric guitar, reflecting on the group's past 10 years while dreaming up what comes next, and it opens the album as track number one. The 10-track record also features the title track Boogie Woogie, and it arrives on November 9th at 6 pm Korean time, with pre-orders already open at online and offline music stores.

Big news for movie fans! The hit film series Along with the Gods is coming back for a third chapter. Dexter Studios announced on October 20th that Along with the Gods, Life and Death, directed by Kim Jong-hua, is aiming to begin filming in the second half of 2027. The original film drew about 14.4 million viewers, and the sequel pulled in around 12.2 million, making it the first Korean film franchise to hit double 10 million admissions. This news story, based on the webtoon by Chu Homin, will take place in a realm called Kutan, a space for souls who can't move on because of lingering attachments. Industry reports say the hero, caught between life and death, will cross nine worlds searching for a song he never got to sing. And Dexter Studios, the team behind the visual effects for the earlier films, is also investing in the project.

Industry reports are buzzing over fresh photos of Mun Jong Hyun from the boy group Even, taken around the music video for the group's sixth mini album. The images show him in full charisma mode, with a deep, intense gaze that fans are calling pure romance on camera. Reactions describe it as the kind of look that makes your heart skip a beat, and the more you look, the more flawless it seems. The visuals add to the excitement around Even's latest comeback, showing off a polished and confident side of the group. If you're curious about the new era, now is a great time to watch the music video and see what everyone is talking about.

Dating rumors are swirling again around Blackpink's Lisa and Thai actor Blue Pong Tiwat. Photos shared online on October 20th show the two walking side by side in casual outfits on a street in Bangkok, with Lisa in jeans, a t-shirt and a cap, and Blue in shorts and a shirt with glasses. Just days earlier, on October 15th, they were reportedly spotted having a meal at a restaurant in Thailand with Lisa's mother, which has only fueled fans' curiosity. Industry reports say sightings of the pair have also come from Hong Kong and Japan, and a video from London in September even showed them walking arm in arm. Still, there has been no physical affection captured on camera, and neither side has confirmed or denied anything. So for now, it could just as easily be a close friendship of many years.

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

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