The internet reacts to actress Kim Sae Ron’s tragic death at age 24
Hallyu hour
This month has been a whirldwind in the world of South Korean entertainment. Ahead, get caught up on the biggest Hallyu news, from South Korean actress Kim Sae Ron’s shocking death to the latest K-pop releases.
K-drama star Kim Sae Ron passes away at the age of 24
In a tragic piece of news that has sent shockwaves across the K-entertainment sphere, it has been confirmed that South Korean actress Kim Sae Ron has died at 24. According to reports, she was found unresponsive in her home by a friend on 16 February. While investigations are ongoing, police officials have found no signs of foul play.
Kim began her career at the tender age of nine as a child actor and quickly earned praise and recognition for her talents. Her debut film, A Brand New Life, was screened at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, making her the youngest South Korean actress in history to attend the prestigious festival. A year later, she rose to stardom in the 2010 action feature, The Man from Nowhere. Despite her young age, she was also a seasoned K-drama star in shows such as Secret Healer, Hi! School-Love On, Kiss Sixth Sense and The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim.
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In May 2022, Kim was involved in a DUI scandal in which she crashed into an electrical transformer. This incident forced the actress into hiding after receiving extensive backlash from netizens and caused a huge career setback for the young actress. Due to the scandal, her role in her most recent project in 2023, Bloodhounds, had to be severely reduced. On social media, netizens react to her shocking death, sparking conversations about the devastating consequences of cyberbullying, the double standards between female and male celebrities, and cancel culture.
I feel very sad reading about Kim Sae Ron’s passing. It’s been a rough few years for this talented girl and made me wonder where it all went wrong. She made some mistakes but IMO nothing that warranted the sort of “cancellation” she got. They were too harsh on her. Her… pic.twitter.com/nGFz4WOPfv
— abs-oluteM (@triplem11543909) February 16, 2025
a male celebrity’s scandal is just a hiatus, but for a female celebrity, it’s a career death sentence (even death itself).rest in peace, kim saeron. I will only remember all the good things. https://t.co/NGiI2OgP9o
— 김 (@soshirevelae) February 16, 2025
She made a mistake, but she was still young & had plenty of time to make things right . Yet, the world didn’t allow her that chance. They treated her as if she didn’t deserve to live again.Rest in peace, Kim Saeron I hope you finally find the peace this world denied you… pic.twitter.com/8rpwpowztx
— penge iuda⁷ia (@tinkytae) February 16, 2025
yes she did some mistakes, but who didn’t anyway? this world and those rude comments from a rude stranger destroyed her life for good. Im not a fan, but she’s too lovely and too young to be treated this way. Rest in peace, Kim Saeron, world don’t deserves you #KimSaeRon pic.twitter.com/gKBuWaLZMl
— kdramagirl (@sparklehooman) February 16, 2025
#KimSaeRon is another talent gone too soon—another victim of cyber bullying and media scrutiny.
— RT (@myonliluv) February 16, 2025
rest in peace, kim saeron. we all witnessed how k-media & k-netizen bullied this woman. she is not innocent but there are men out there who did the worst but still walking & acting in the industry. https://t.co/Bc1ctB77C1
— gabi (@hannikyuuu) February 16, 2025
i feel so bad for kim saeron. she made a terrible mistake and was exiled from the industry she grew up in as a whole. and everytime she tried to do something or any public sighting the amount of hate comments and reminders of her past was horrifying. they never let her go
— a 툥 (@nanataeyongs) February 16, 2025
Jisoo shakes up the room with her love in ‘Earthquake’
Returning two years after her smash hit, ‘Flower’, the Blackpink star has dropped her debut solo mini EP, Amortage, together with the music video for her title track ‘Earthquake’! Featuring a playful and dynamic pop baseline, the song speaks about a thrilling and intense romance that shakes the singer up—a perfect anthem in the month of love. Stream Amortage below!
Lisa, Doja Cat and Raye are girl squad goals in ‘Born Again’
Looks like we just found our new girl power anthem! Ahead of Lisa’s upcoming debut solo album, Alter Ego, on 28 February, the Blackpink star unveiled her newest single titled ‘Born Again’ featuring pop powerhouses Doja Cat and Raye. Dripping in regal aura, the dynamic and high-energy pop track brings together three global superstars who showcase each of their talents in an uplifting banger about turning heartbreak into power.
From NewJeans to NJZ
Say hello to NJZ! Members Hanni, Danielle, Minji, Hyein, and Haerin of NewJeans fame have rebranded under a new name amidst the ongoing dispute between Hybe and ADOR. This news comes on 8 February after NJZ announced that they will be headlining Complex Con 2025 in Hong Kong from 21 to 23 March across their social media channels, which have previously under the username jeanzforfree.
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“Even though we have to leave our previous name behind us for a bit, we’re not fully moving on from it,” Hanni said in an interview with CNN. “And we don’t want to either, because (being NewJeans) was still a very special period of time to us, and it’s something that our fans also probably hold really dear.” On the group’s new direction moving forward, the Vietnamese-Australian artist had this to say, “Beforehand, we were very focused on being the kind of ‘girl next door’… So, we’re going for a (look that’s) a lot more sharp, a lot more bold.” The quintet will also be releasing a new song at the festival, so stay tuned!
SM Entertainment welcomes its newest girl group
There’s a new member in the SM Family and it goes by the name Hearts2Hearts! Joining labelmates Girls Generation, Red Velvet, and Aespa is SM Entertainment’s latest girl group. On 3 February, Hearts2Hearts revealed a debut trailer for its eight members Carmen, Jiwoo, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian, and Ye-on. The group will make their debut on 24 February with their debut single album The Chase. Are you excited for them to join the new era of K-pop?
Jennie unveils two music videos in the lead-up to Ruby
[Updated on 2 February 2025]
The wait for the Blackpink star’s solo debut album just got even more exciting! On 25 January, Jennie dropped the album trailer with a cinematic and artistic music video titled ‘Zen’. Directed by Cho Gi-Seok, the creative mastermind behind XG’s ‘Howling’, ‘Zen’ also showcases the director’s signature blend of surrealism, cosmic horror, and nature in one spellbinding visual spectacle.
This was quickly followed up with another music video on 1 February for ‘Love Hangover’. Collaborating with rapper Dominic Fike, the single features a Neo Soul sound that captures Jennie’s airy vocals and talks about the dangers of falling in and out of love. Rising Hollywood actor Charles Melton (May December, Riverdale) plays her on-screen lover. The music video is directed by Bradley & Pablo who many K-pop stars may recognise as the same director behind Jungkook’s smash hit ‘Seven’. With both songs showcasing a diverse mix of genres, Blinks can’t wait for what Jennie has up her sleeve with ‘Ruby’.
[Original article]
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Rubies, this is the news you’ve been waiting for! After dazzling fans with ‘You & Me’ and ‘Mantra’, Jennie’s debut solo album is on the horizon. On 22 January, OA Entertainment officially announced that the Blackpink star’s first studio album, Ruby, will drop on 7 March 2025. In the album trailer, Jennie is seen donning a red wig against a backdrop, evoking a gothic and intriguingly eerie vibe that has fans excited for the artist’s new musical era.
The record will contain 15 songs and feature a stacked lineup of collaborators such as Childish Gambino, Doechii, Dominic Fike, Dua Lipa, FKJ, and Kali Uchis. Ruby is now available for pre-order in three editions (CD Digipack, Ruby Photobook Jane Version, and Ruby Photobook Zen Version) here.
Love is blooming between IU and Park Bo Gum in new series
Pop star and South Korea’s sweetheart, IU, is making her highly anticipated return to the small screen—with heartthrob Park Bo Gum, no less! Titled When Life Gives You Tangerines, this coming-of-age romantic comedy series follows the adventures of Ae Sun, “the remarkable rebel,” and Gwan Sik, nicknamed “unyielding iron,” through four vibrant seasons on Jeju Island. When Life Gives You Tangerines premieres exclusively on Netflix on 7 March 2025.
Minnie is ‘Her’ in stunning solo debut
Joining fellow G(I)-DLE members Soyeon and Miyeon’s footsteps in launching a solo career, Minnie turns heads with ‘Her’ which is also the title of her debut EP. The K-pop star who reigns from Thailand also took part in composing and songwriting for the lead single. Known for her sultry voice and siren-like features, ‘Her’ is a bright pop track that captures the artist’s various charms with its funky topline and bass riffs. Stream ‘Her’ below!
Robert Pattinson is in his oppa era for Mickey 17
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Since touching down in South Korea for the promotional tour of his upcoming film Mickey 17, Robert Pattinson has been showing off all kinds of adorable charms (known as ‘aegyo’ in Korean) to delighted fans. On 20 January, the Hollywood star attended a press conference with director Bong Joon Ho at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. The pair were all smiles as they showed off their friendship and struck plenty of heart poses.
Pattinson will also be making a brief cameo in the popular variety show, Running Man, as the actor was coincidentally near the filming location. The episode with his appearance will air on 9 February. Helmed by Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho (Parasite), the sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 premieres on 7 March 2025.
GOT7 makes a triumphant return with ‘Python’
20 January was an exciting day for Ahgases as GOT7 made their highly awaited return as a full group with their latest EP Winter Heptagon. This comeback marks the boy group’s first project together in four years since their disbandment and departure from JYP Entertainment in 2021. With this new release and the music video for their title track, ‘Python’, fans can expect even more thrilling content from the seven members, including a concert in the pipeline—stay tuned for more updates! Stream Winter Heptagon below.
Zerobaseone is lovesick in ‘Doctor! Doctor!’ music video
Popular boy group, Zerobaseone, is feeling all kinds of lovesick in the music video for their pre-release single, ‘Doctor! Doctor!’. Featuring a cameo by actor Jung Kyung Ho, the dreamy and whimsical music video sees the nine members in a hospital pleading to doctors to cure their lovesickness. The contemporary R&B pop song is the first single to be released for their upcoming fifth EP which will drop sometime in February.
T.O.P breaks his silence after 11 years with a landmark interview
Before becoming the talk of the town as Thanos, the breakout star of Squid Game season 2, the actor was known as T.O.P, a rapper and member of the legendary boy group Big Bang. However, after a drug scandal where he was charged with marijuana use in 2017, the star announced his departure from the group and later on, his retirement from the entertainment industry in 2020. The star rescinded himself to a quiet life away from the public eye. 11 years later, the 37-year-old broke his silence in an interview with The Korea Times, giving his fans an insight into his life after all these years.
“The offer to play Thanos was a daunting proposition. The character mirrored my past, reflecting aspects I’d rather keep hidden. The fear of being pigeonholed into one role made me hesitate. But destiny seemed to be pulling me in this direction,” he said in his role as Thanos in Squid Game season 2.
“For almost 10 years, I felt no one looked at me, but director Hwang Dong-hyuk reached out to me first. The trust (and) the belief he had in me gave me the courage to take this on. As an actor, it is my duty to repay the trust. Excelling in my performance is another assignment in my life,” he added.
Having spent 17 years of his life with the Big Bang members, the topic of reuniting was inevitably brought up. He revealed that he no longer keeps in contact with them out of guilt and regret. “I do imagine it a lot…Honestly, I just carry a lifelong sense of guilt. I left because I felt I had no right to stay. All I feel is that I’m just deeply sorry,” T.O.P humbly shared.
However, Thanos may not be the last we see of T.O.P just yet as he revealed that he hopes to release music soon. “I wrote a countless number of songs, just by listening to my own dark heart and inner turmoil. I wanted to heal myself through music and I want to share that music with my fans in some way.”
“I think those years have allowed for my musical universe to change greatly. I feel that my music has become richer and expanded in size as well, so I’m quite confident that my fans will feel that I have matured musically,” he shares.
IVE releases an anthem for rebels around the world
On 13 January, girl group powerhouse IVE released ‘Rebel Heart’, the first of dual title tracks from their upcoming third EP IVE Empathy. Characterised by up-tempo drums and colourful vocal harmonies, ‘Rebel Heart’ captures the group’s signature spunky yet graceful sound as they express solidarity for those who are rebels at heart. Stay tuned for their second title track, ‘Attitude’ and EP on 3 February 2025.
Jisoo drops hints for her upcoming solo project
Not one to be left out, Jisoo has also announced that she will be having her solo come back soon! On 13 January, the Blackpink star dropped a mysterious teaser that confirmed a new release on 14 February 2024. This will mark Jisoo’s first solo release in two years since her hit ‘Flower’ in March 2023. Currently, the artist is promoting as an actress and will star in the zombie comedy series Newtopia coming out on 7 February on Prime Video.
J-Hope announces a world tour for Hope on the Stage
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Good news, ARMYs—you’ll have a chance to catch J-Hope live this year! On 10 January, Big Hit Entertainment announced his plans for his upcoming solo world tour, Hope on the Stage. The tour will kick off in Seoul on 28 February where he will then embark around the United States in March before starting the Asian leg of his tour in April onwards. In Southeast Asia, J-Hope will be performing in Singapore, Manila, Jakarta, and Thailand. Stay tuned for more updates on concert tickets!
BSS puts on their best jeans in ‘CBZ (Prime Time)’
Leave it to Seventeen’s sub-unit BSS to show you a good time! On 8 January, members Seungkwan, Hoshi, and DK unveiled their new single album Telepathy along with a fun music video for the title track, ‘CBZ (Prime Time)’. Meaning ‘jeans’ in Korean, the phrase “CBZ” also has a dual meaning for ‘youth is right now’. With that, the single features vibrant swing jazz and country elements to capture BSS’s trademark of delivering positive messages and happiness through their music.
For more K-pop news, head here.
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