JUNE 10 - JUNE 16

 This week we’re back with even more new and exciting content! Both Kang Daniel and Exo-CBX were in the news this week due to their various ongoing legal challenges. Then later, former Hello Venus member, Go Ara shared that she had been diagnosed with a malignant form of cancer, which, unlike benign forms of cancer, is a type of cancer that can actively spread the cell-attacking cancer cells. Then in releases, we saw new music from Cignature, Weki Meki, Chen Linong & more. Now, with that said, let’s jump into this week’s update!

BY POLARIS_TAE

MONDAY:
#1- We started the week with various updates related to legal challenges and contract negotiations. Kang Daniel’s one-man agency, KONNECT Entertainment officially closed its doors on Monday. This comes following the reports that the idol would be pursuing legal action against the label’s largest shareholder, Mr A, for forgery, embezzlement and breach of trust. The idol shared a statement via Instagram personally announcing the company’s closure, while also thanking all of his former employees who helped to keep the label running smoothly. Daniel also shared that while the closure of KONNECT is sad, he plans to continue working diligently and hopes to share some good news soon. Meanwhile, the three EXO members — Baekhyun, Chen & Xiumin — who are currently under the management of INB100 were back in the news this week after it was announced that they would be holding a press conference related to their complaints against SM Entertainment. The trio shared that they had filed a complaint against the label concerning a clause that would force the three to forfeit 10% of their individual earnings to SM Entertainment rather than the initially intended 5.5%. Additionally, the three EXO members shared that SM had pressured the members to re-sign with the label while in the military — an act that is staunchly illegal — as well as reportedly refusing to pay the trio for their recent EXO activities under the label. CBX also shared that they have not received a response from SM in relation to their complaints in two months. That same day, INB100 held an emergency press conference to address the news that SM Entertainment would be suing the label — and their artists — for repeatedly trying to nullify their contracts for personal gain. A representative for INB100 stated:”As a large entertainment agency, please stop making petty excuses to sway public opinion and reveal the basis for the dispute fairly and clearly.” It was later shared that the three EXO members would be counter-suing SM Entertainment for unfair profit distribution. What are your thoughts on this ongoing dispute?

#2- The PD behind the discovery of Lim Youngwoong will be launching a new audition program very soon. The program will be titled Under 15 and is open to anyone between the ages of 3 & 14 from over 70 different countries. The producer reportedly aims to create a group younger than NewJeans. However, it’s unknown whether this future group will be an idol group, or something else. What are your thoughts on the Korean Entertainment industry’s penchant for debuting idols at such a young age?

#3- YouTuber & the producer behind the Korean band QWER Kim Gye-ran — or Kim Egg — has shared that he will be going on a temporary hiatus after suffering injuries stemming from a car accident. The YouTuber shared that he had suffered fractures to his head and shoulder and would be taking a break to recover from his injuries. We wish him a speedy recovery.



TUESDAY:
#1- Kim Soohyun and former ioi member Lim Nayoung were caught up in dating rumours this week. Their respective management companies, Gold Medalist & Mask Studio, denied all relationship rumours by stating that they were unfounded and that the two greeted each other at a festival by chance.

#2- Anda had some exciting news to share on Tuesday. The soloist shared that she had given birth to her first child on the 4th of June. We congratulate her on the new addition to her family!



WEDNESDAY:
#1- There were various comeback announcements throughout the week! Urban Zakapa & Red Velvet will both be making their return in June. Red Velvet will be dropping a new EP, Cosmic on the 24th of June. Meanwhile, Urban Zakapa will be making their return for the first time in over three years with a new song, ‘Both Hands’ in order to celebrate their 15th anniversary as a group. Then in July, we’ll see new releases from Apink’s Chorong, CHEEZE & Weeekly! CHEEZE will return on the 1st of July with her latest single, ‘We Were Held By The Sea’. Apink’s Chorong will be dropping a new single, ‘모르시나요’ on the 2nd of July as a part of ARTMATIC Company‘s The PLAYlist Project. According to ARTMATIC Company — the label behind the project — The PLAYlist Project will act as a music release project with the aim to naturally blend into listeners’ daily lives as addictive songs through creative music of various genres. The label further stated that there would be no restrictions on the genre or singer. Then on the 9th of July, Weeekly will make their return with a new mini album. Our last comeback update concerns B.A.P. Who shared via their documentary teaser that they would be making their return as a group in the very near future. The comeback line-up will reportedly consist of four members: Bang Yongguk, Daehyun, Youngjae & Jong-up. Zelo is unable to participate due to his ongoing mandatory military service, while Himchan was removed from the group in 2019 following an accusation — and later conviction — of sexual assault committed by the former idol. Are you looking forward to any of these upcoming releases?

#2- Former Hello Venus member Yoo Ara took to Instagram this week to update fans that she had been diagnosed with a malignant form of cancer and that she had recently undergone surgery in order to remove the cancerous tumour. Malignant cancer is a type of cancer that is prone to spreading active cell-attacking cancer cells through the blood or lymphatic system. We applaud the idol for feeling safe and confident enough to discuss such a heavy topic like cancer on social media and hope that her cancer scares are now officially behind her.



THURSDAY:
#1- We’ve finally entered an era where we’ll be welcoming back the members of BTS from their mandatory military service! This week, BTS’ eldest member Jin was set loose on society once again after he concluded his service as an assistant drill instructor at Yeoncheon military base in Gyeonggi Province. five of the six other BTS members — and a Saxophone — took the day off to see the idol say his goodbyes at the base, while Suga joined Jin and the rest of the BTS members at the HYBE headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul. The following day, at Jin’s special in-person hug event, one of the attendees sexually harassed the idol by attempting to kiss him during their allocated one-on-one time with Jin. Later that same day, HYBE shared that they had officially filed a criminal complaint against the individual with the local police.

#2- We had a few more legal updates on Thursday. It was shared via JTBC that a man in his 30s had been arrested for impersonating N.Flying’s Jaehyun. Meanwhile, Kakao Entertainment is currently being investigated by the Korean FTC for inflating music distribution fees for non-Kakao music labels. This comes months following Big Planet Made‘s complaint against Kakao regarding the distributor’s unfair music distribution fees.

#3- Weeekly’s Zoa has opened a YouTube channel under the name ”오히려조아’ where she will reportedly be transforming into a time-traveller to meet with viewers. The idol will reportedly produce time-slip content where she will experience various period situations under the retro concept of “That time, That feeling.” A new video will be published every Thursday at 6PM (KST) starting on the 13th of June. Are you looking forward to Zoa’s YouTube era?



FRIDAY:
#1- There were more comeback announcements during the latter half of the week as well! BTOB’s Peniel will be making his solo comeback this June with a new digital single album, L:ife along with the title track, ‘Make It Or Break It”.Then in July, NCT127 & former WANNAONE member, Ha Sungwoon will both be dropping new music! NCT127 will be dropping their 6th LP during mid-July. This will be the group’s first summer comeback since 2017’s ‘Cherry Bomb’. It will also be their first release without NCT leader Taeyong as the idol is currently serving as an active-duty soldier in the military band. Also releasing new music in July will be Ha Sungwoon, who will be making his first comeback since completing his mandatory military service this April. Then, as we get closer to the end of the year, we’ll be seeing new releases from SNSD’s Taeyeon, a new TripleS unit & FIFTY FIFTY! Taeyeon will be making her solo comeback this August with her 4th LP. TripleS will be coming back in the second half of the year with the 12-member unit Visionary Vision (VV) during the second half of 2024. Meanwhile, FIFTY FIFTY will be making their comeback as five members — including Keena — in September. This will be the groups’ first comeback since the legal dispute between their agency ATTRAKT & THE GIVERS/Sihan, as well as the departure of Sio, Aran & Saena in 2023. Are you looking forward to any of these upcoming releases?

#2- BE:LIFT has shared that ILLIT’s Wonhee recently sustained an ankle injury and has been advised to wear an ankle brace following a consultation with medical professionals. The idol will still be participating in the 2024 Weverse Con Festival but will remain seated during the entirety of the performance.



SATURDAY:
#1- There were no relevant Updates on Saturday.



SUNDAY:
#1- There were no relevant updates on Sunday.


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