Top News This Week (3rd Week Of April 2023)

Hello and welcome to another edition of Kpopmap's weekly series "Top News This Week". In this themed article, we will be curating a list of key news and happenings surrounding both K-Pop idols and K-Drama actors during the course of the week. Noting that the news cycle is super fast-paced and many fans may have rightly missed some key information regarding their favorite idol, actors, or the genre as a whole, this article is set to keep you updated with the information you may find relevant.

The 3rd week of April has notably been a sad and heartbreaking one as in the midst of various positive and exciting news, a breaking story brought shock and dismay to the hearts of global fans.

Before we proceed with this article, we would like to once again express our deepest condolences to the family of MoonBin, ASTRO members, and the millions of AROHAs around the world who are deeply saddened by this great loss. MoonBin's story may have ended so soon but the beautiful chapters of his life will always be engraved in our hearts.

Here are the top news of the week. Please note that much of this information was gathered before the 19th of April and a lot of schedules may change following the sad news of MoonBin's passing.

K-POP STORIES

1. ONEUS releases the tracklist of their upcoming 9th mini album

The 4th gen group are gearing up for another comeback as they released the tracklist of their 9th mini album titled "PYGMALION". The album is set to drop on the 8th of May 2023.

2. NCT's new sub-unit DOJAEJUNG makes their debut with "PERFUME"

The long-awaited debut of the sub-unit finally happened this week with the release of their 1st mini album "PERFUME".

3. BTS' j-hope enlists in the military

It is sad news for ARMYs as the BTS member enlisted into the military this week. Surrounded by his fellow members, he was beaming with love and smiles as he bid his global fans a temporary farewell. We wish him a safe and healthy enlistment period.

4. BTOB suspend promotions for their upcoming album "WIND AND WISH"

The famous group announced that they would be suspending the release of their upcoming 12th mini album "WIND AND WISH" following the shocking news of the passing of ASTRO's MoonBin.

5. MONSTA X's I.M to officially start his solo promotions

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Im창균 (@imnameim)

This week, Sony Music Korea dropped a promotional video of I.M's new logo, drawing much attention and comments about I.M finally kickstarting his solo career since he joined the agency in November 2022.

6. WOODZ shares track list and lyrics teaser for his upcoming album

Top News This Week (3rd Week Of April 2023)

EDAM Entertainment

This week, WOODZ continues the promotional teasers ahead of the release of his 5th mini album "OO-LI". The album will be released on the 26th of April.

7. Jessi joins Jay Park's agency MORE VISION

Jessi's official Instagram

Through a series of posts, it was revealed Jessi has joined Jay Park's agency MORE VISION. Congratulations to the artist. We look forward to more exciting work from her.

8. iKON shares scheduler and individual concept photos of their upcoming 3rd full album "TAKE OFF"

143 Entertainment

The excitement for the return of iKON continues to build as the famous idol group shares the scheduler and some concept photos of their upcoming 3rd full album "TAKE OFF". The album is scheduled for release on the 4th of May 2023. Click here to see more photos.

9. SEVENTEEN releases highlight medley of their upcoming mini album

The countdown to the 24th of April continues as SEVENTEEN releases the highlight medley of their upcoming 10th mini album "FML".

10. DKZ's KyoungYoon to halt all activities and schedules due to health issues

DONGYO Entertainment

This week, DONGYO Entertainment shared that the idol will be taking a break due to anxiety disorder and sociophobia. We hope the idol gets all the treatments and rests he needs and greets us with good music and performances soon.

11. Comebacks and new releases

DRIPPIN - 'SEVEN SINS'

TEMPEST - 'Dangerous'

HIGHLIGHT's Lee GiKwang - 'Predator'

ALICE - 'SHOW DOWN'

ONEWE's GiUk - 'Time Machine'

12. BIGBANG's TaeYang shares the poster of his title track "Shoong" for his upcoming mini album

THE BLACK LABEL

The album and song which features BLACKPINK's Lisa will be released on the 25th of April.

13. IVE earns their 2nd music show win for 'I AM'

IVE's official Instagram

Congratulations to the girl group and their global fans for another win!

14. NewJeans unveiled as the muse for jewelry brand STONEHENgE

STONEHENgE

It's yet another win for NewJeans and fans as the famous jewelry brand shared that the group are their new brand muse. Congratulations to them. Check here for more pictures.

15. Aaron Kwak set to hold his Asian tour "2023 AARON ' SPECTRUM OF' in May

INTERPARK

The idol shared that he will be greeting fans with a new tour starting on the 16th of May in Tokyo.

16. aespa share individual concept photos for the upcoming 3rd mini album

SM Entertainment

They month of May is brimming with comebacks as the 4th gen idol group joins the list of exciting comebacks that we will all be looking forward to next month. The group are set to make their comeback with the release of their 3rd mini album "My World" on the 8th of May. Click here for more pictures.

17. INFINITE's Nam WooHyun to perform at Miss Universe Philipines 2023

Smilee Apparel

The famous acting-dol will be performing at the coveted beauty pageant which will hold on the 13th of May 2023.

18. BTS' JungKook shines in more black and white photos for Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein

The Calvin Klein x JungKook frenzy is unending as the famous idol shines in these amazing concept photos for the brand. See more here.

19. VICTON members' ByungChan, SuBin, and Hanse to leave IST Entertainment following the end of their contract

IST Entertainment

This week, IST Entertainment released a statement saying that the three idols will be leaving the agency following the expiration of their contract. While the other 3 members Han SeungWoo, SeungSik, and SeJun, will continue their activities with them.

20. BTS' Suga makes his solo comeback with his album "D-DAY"

The D-day is finally here as the famous rapper makes his comeback with his new album "D-DAY" and title track 'Haegeum'.

K-DRAMA NEWS

1. tvN confirms the release schedule of "Uncanny Counter 2"

tvN

This week, tvN shared that the fantasy drama starring Cho ByeongKyu, Yoo JunSang, and Kim SeJeong, will be released in the second half of 2023.

2. Famous actor Ryu JunYeol is announced as the ambassador for Greenpeace in East Asia

Greenpeace

The famous actor becomes the first official ambassador for the NGO in East Asia. In an interview, he stated that "Now we have to abandon the thought that it is difficult to solve the climate crisis by ourselves.” I want to become an environmental activist who works together with Greenpeace to raise awareness and make big changes."

3. tvN shares the final trailer of its upcoming drama "Tale Of The Nine-Tailed 1938"

Ahead of its May 6th release, the production company shared one last exciting trailer for the drama.

4. tvN drops new poster for its upcoming drama "Delightfully Deceitful" and drops teaser as well

tvN

The drama starring Chun WonHee and Kim DongWook will begin airing on the 29th of May.

5. TVING shares the main trailer of its upcoming high-teen drama"All That We Loved"

The high teen drama tells the story of two best friends who become love rivals. It is starring EXO's SeHun, Cho JunYoung, and Jang YeoBin. It is scheduled to start airing on the 5th of May.

6. SBS shares teaser video of "Dr. Romantic 3"

This week, SBS shared an exciting and suspense-filled teaser video of the upcoming hospital drama "Dr. Romantic 3". The star-studded drama will begin airing on the 28th of April 2023.

BIRTHDAY BUMPS

Ahn HyoSeop - 17th of April

Ahn HyoSeop's official Instagram

OMEGA X's HwiChan - 18th of April

OMEGAX's official Instagram

OMEGA X's JeHyun - 20th of April