On the 25th, Starship Entertainment announced through their official SNS that they are proceeding with civil and overseas lawsuits against "Sojang". They also mentioned, "Sojang" has caused serious defamation by continuously spreading false information about our artist, IVE members. The operator of "Sojang" admitted to this by posting on Nate Pann. Regardless of the truth or authenticity of the apology letter, we will hold the operator accountable for their past illegal actions."

The apology letter from "Sojang" mentioned by Starship Entertainment appears to be the one posted on Nate Pann by a netizen claiming to be the operator of the channel on June 29th. However, it remains unconfirmed whether the letter was genuinely written by the operator of "Sojang".

The individual claiming to be the operator of "Sojang" stated, "I am Park Joo Ah, who operated Sojang. From the first video I uploaded to when the channel was hacked, I know very well how malicious the videos I uploaded were. I thought that by targeting famous idols and actors, the videos would gain views and generate significant income. I am deeply sorry to the idols and actors for the harm caused. V from BTS mentioned that he knows about my channel, so I targeted him even more. I am sincerely sorry to V. I also apologize to Jang Won Young, whom I caused mental distress by editing videos and photos to spread exaggerated false information. I am truly sorry to all the other celebrities who suffered from false information and malicious rumors, and to the fans as well. I will never engage in such actions again."

She continued, "The reason I am posting this is not to avoid legal action and compensation from the agencies and celebrities. I will accept the consequences of my actions. I have opened a new channel, using the same channel name as before. I cannot give up being a YouTuber, so I plan to continue my YouTube activities, creating videos that can positively influence celebrities. I will not earn money through my new channel, and I will donate all the profits I have earned from my malicious videos. Once again, I express my sincere apologies."

ATTRAKT has recently filed trademark applications in key K-pop consuming countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Japan. It is reported that the applications have already been assigned registration numbers and are proceeding towards official registration.

As a result, FIFTY FIFTY members Saena, Aran, Sio, and Keena may find it challenging to use the group name "FIFTY FIFTY" in those countries without ATTRAKT's approval, even if their exclusive contracts with ATTRAKT are terminated.

Previously, FIFTY FIFTY members filed for an injunction to suspend the effect of their exclusive contracts with ATTRAKT on June 19, alleging non-transparent settlements and failure to fulfill contractual obligations. At the same time, they also applied for a trademark registration of their Korean group name(피프티 피프티).

ATTRAKT responded by denying any contractual breaches and accused Ahn Sung-il, the producer, and certain employees of The Givers of being the forces behind the members' violation of their exclusive contracts. ATTRAKT pressed charges against them for obstruction of business, destruction of electronic records, embezzlement in business, and other charges. Ahn Sung-il denies these allegations.

The Givers, on the 25th, stated, "We have confirmed that there are incorrect parts related to An Sung Il's academic background and career. We apologize for the confusion and will take corrective measures."

Previously, Korean entertainment media TVdaily reported on the same day that some parts of An Sung Il's academic background and career were forged. According to the report, An Sung Il had listed his final education as 'graduated from the Business Administration Department of Chung-Ang University,' but his name does not appear in the list of graduates from Chung-Ang University.

Furthermore, An Sung Il had introduced that he served as the representative of the Beyond Music Rights division for a total of 3 years and 4 months from January 2020 to April 2023. However, Beyond Music officials stated that while An Sung Il had worked as an external contractor from January 2021 to May 2022, the claim of 3 years and 4 months of career is false.

On the 25th, Starship Entertainment stated through their official social media that they have been actively pursuing civil and criminal lawsuits against 'Sojang' since November 2022.

They further added, "In May 2023, we received information requests from the US District Court for the Northern District of California, and in July 2023, we obtained significant information about the operator of 'Sojang' from Google's headquarters in the US. However, around the time when the notice of information request was sent to the operator of 'Sojang' by Google, the channel suddenly became hacked, resulting in the deletion of its existing videos and the disappearance of the account itself."

The entertainment agency explained, "Sojang has continuously spread false information about our artist, IVE, causing serious damage to their reputation and interfering with our business operations. Regardless of the authenticity of 'Sojang's' apology letter, we will hold them accountable for their past illegal actions."

Furthermore, Starship Entertainment stated, "We are also currently verifying additional personal information about the operators of 'Sojang' and other 'Cyber Wrecker' through legal procedures. We aim to hold the operators, including 'Sojang,' accountable for their actions."

They emphasized, "To protect the honor, privacy, and rights of our artists, we operate a constant monitoring system. We will take legal action against cases of defamation and any further damages without compromise. We sincerely appreciate fans' continuous support and contributions through reports and information, which greatly help our legal responses. We request ongoing cooperation in providing any relevant information."

Sojang is a YouTube channel known for spreading malicious rumors about South Korean celebrities. It has been particularly criticized for producing and disseminating rumors about artists such as Aespa, Jang Wonyoung, and V. The channel has now been deleted.

According to a report from Edaily on the 25th, AKMU will release a new song at the end of August. YG Entertainment stated on the same day, "AKMU is currently working on the latter part of the album with the goal of a summer comeback," and added, "We will provide more details once they are confirmed."

This upcoming release will be AKMU's first new song in about two years since their collaboration album 'NEXT EPISODE' was released in July 2021. Throughout their career, including albums like the first full-length album 'PLAY,' the first mini-album '思春記 上 (Puberty Part.1),' the second full-length album '思春記 下 (Puberty Part.2),' and the third full-length album 'SAILING,' AKMU has consistently topped the music charts with their fresh and meaningful music, transcending specific genres. Fans are eagerly anticipating the new music and message that AKMU will present after a long hiatus.

AKMU first gained recognition through the SBS audition program 'K-pop Star Season 2' in 2013. Their witty lyrics and relatable music at the time earned them the love of many people.

According to the latest Billboard chart on the 24th, Jungkook's solo single 'Seven', which was released on the 14th, claimed the top spot on the main singles chart, Hot 100. 'Seven' became the 68th song to debut at number one on the chart since its inception in 1958.

The Hot 100 ranks singles based on a combination of streaming, radio airplay, and sales (downloads and CDs). During the weekly tracking period from July 14th to July 20th, 'Seven' recorded 153,000 downloads, 21.9 million streams, and 6.4 million radio airplays.

Prior to this achievement, Jungkook made his mark on the Hot 100 chart with his OST 'Stay Alive (Prod. SUGA of BTS)' for the HYBE Original Story '7FATES: CHAKHO', and his collaboration track 'Left and Right' with Charlie Puth.

Billboard stated, "Jung Kook becomes the second member of BTS with a Hot 100 No. 1 (or, again, even a top 10), after Jimin’s “Like Crazy” debuted at No. 1 in April. Further, with BTS having logged six Hot 100 No. 1s and Jung Kook and Jimin with one No. 1 each, BTS joins The Beatles, The Black Eyed Peas, Destiny’s Child and Genesis as the only groups with leaders and multiple members also with No. 1s."

On the 22nd, CDNZA Records stated, "First and foremost we would like to thank all the fans for your love and support for JAY B. After much thought and discussion with the artist, we have come to a mutual agreement to terminate the artist contract effective as of 2023 April."

After the expiration of his contract with H1GHR MUSIC, JAY B signed an exclusive contract with CDNZA Records in September last year. However, after only 7 months with the new agency, he has decided to terminate the contract, leading to speculations and curiosity among fans.

In the midst of this, a controversy arose when private DMs (Direct Messages) between JAY B and an ordinary female individual were revealed on an online community. JAY B showed interest in a woman by asking questions like "Do you go to clubs often?" through DM exchanged with her.

JAY B made his debut in 2012 through the KBS 2TV drama "Dream High 2". In the same year, he formed the duo JJ Project with Jinyoung and later redebuted as part of the group GOT7 in 2014. He is currently serving in the military for his mandatory military service.

On the official YouTube channel of "IU's Palette," a post titled "Why is our heart pounding? Super Shy angels have visited Palette" was made on the 24th, revealing that NewJeans will be appearing as guests.

It continued, "IU X NewJeans are in a match, UAENA X Bunnies should gather around," and added, "Will be uploaded at 6:00 PM tonight."

Along with the announcement, a photo of IU and NewJeans members gathering their hands in the center was revealed. The harmony between IU and NewJeans, both known for their sweet voices, is raising fans' expectations.

Netizens commented, "A combination of my favorite singer and my favorite idol," "This is going to be epic," "I'm so excited," "I can't wait for their song cover."

Meanwhile, NewJeans had previously teased their appearance on IU's Palette by posting on their official SNS on the 20th, sharing a gift and a letter they received from IU.

KARA debuted as a 4-member group in 2007. Kang Jiyoung and Gu Hara joined the group on July 24, 2008, as new members after the departure of member Kim Sunghee, and today marks their 15th debut anniversary. Gu Hara passed away on November 24, 2019, at the age of 28.

On the 24th, Kang Jiyoung posted on her SNS, "Congratulations. I love you. 20080724," along with photos of her and Gu Hara. The photos captured their memories from their early debut days to more glamorous and mature moments.

She continued, "I debuted at the age of 15, and already half of my life has passed. I was a young and clueless kid, and now I'm already approaching 30 years old. I can't say anything grand, but I just want to say that I'm doing well and not to worry. I miss you."

Netizens left messages of support, saying, "Jiyoung, Hara, Seungyeon, we love you. Have a happy day," "It brings tears to my eyes," "I miss Hara," "Congratulations on your 15th debut anniversary. I sincerely wish you to stay healthy and continue your activities for a long time," "As the KARA gave me tremendous strength during my school days, I will continue to support whatever you do in the future."

Meanwhile, last year, KARA(Gyuri, Han Seungyeon, Nicole, Kang Jiyoung, Youngji) celebrated their 15th debut anniversary with all members gathering to release the new song "When I Move."

On the 24th, THEBLACKLABEL announced through official SNS that Jeon Somi will be making a comeback on the 7th of next month with her new EP album 'GAME PLAN'. The physical album will be released on the 14th of the following month.

Along with this announcement, they also revealed a new profile picture showcasing Jeon Somi's intense charm. She wore an all-black outfit, exuding a luxurious yet chic aura. Her provocative and mesmerizing gaze captivated the attention of the public.

Having received much love from fans with daring and charismatic concepts in her previous releases like 'XOXO' and 'DUMB DUMB', there is much anticipation about what kind of music and performance Jeon Somi will present this time.

Seventeen held their 'SEVENTEEN TOUR "FOLLOW" TO SEOUL' at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome for two days from the 21st to the 22nd. The offline concert was attended by a total of approximately 34,000 spectators, and there were also about 99,000 online viewers. Member Seungkwan was unable to participate in this concert due to health issues.

Seventeen showcased a variety of stages, starting with 'Super' performance. They continued with diverse stages such as 'DON QUIXOTE,' 'Clap,' 'Don't Wanna Cry,' 'F*ck My Life,' 'Thanks,' and more. The concert featured special unit stages from Seventeen's vocal team, performance team, and hip-hop team, as well as slogan events, sing-alongs with fans, and an encore stage using moving platforms. The group filled the more than 3 hours and 30 minutes with their unique energy and talent, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for the audience.

During the concert, Seventeen expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thank you for filling up this large concert venue. Today, while performing on stage, we reminisced a lot about our debut days. We sincerely thank Carat (their fans) for supporting us and walking with us. Carat are always Seventeen's energy and driving force."

They also revealed, "As you all know, our comeback is in October. We are almost done working on the new album." The album producer, Woozi, shared, "I felt a lot of pressure since 'Super' received so much love. I thought we had done everything we could, but it turned out to be a foolish thought. We made a great album, and we've worked hard on it, so please look forward to it."

In addition to their successful Seoul concert, Seventeen will continue their tour with 'FOLLOW' to Japan, performing in Tokyo Dome on September 6-7, Belluna Dome on November 23-24, Vantelin DOME Nagoya on November 30, and December 2-3, Kyocera Dome Osaka on December 7 and 9-10, and Fukuoka PayPay Dome on December 16-17.

Mnet announced on the 24th that Teddy, the overall producer of THE BLACK LABEL , will be joining Mnet's 'I-LAND2' as the master producer.

'I-LAND' is a global audition program that depicts the process of creating the next-generation K-pop artists. Through the first project aired in 2020, the group ENHYPEN was formed.

In 'I-LAND' season 2, the show will showcase the process of selecting members for a girl group under CJ ENM's label Wake One. They are currently recruiting applicants from all over the world for the upcoming broadcast in 2024. Applications are open until the 6th of next month, and any female born before January 1, 2011, regardless of nationality, can apply.

Teddy is a producer who has created hit songs for globally popular artists such as BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, JEON SOMI, and 2NE1. In 2021, he was ranked 25th on Billboard's list of 'The 50 Greatest Producers of the 21st Century.'

Expectations are high on how Teddy and THE BLACK LABEL will nurture the next generation of stars.

The agency, TR Entertainment, announced on the 21st through their official SNS that Jinha will be departing from TRI.BE. Jinha has been on hiatus since May last year due to health issues.

The agency stated, "Until recently, we have been discussing future entertainment activities with Jinha. We had many conversations about her return, as fans have been eagerly waiting for it. However, we have reached an agreement to conclude her activities with TRI.BE and focus a little more on her health recovery."

They continued, "We deeply thank all the fans who have sent Jinha abundant love and support. We ask for your unwavering love and support for the remaining six TRI.BE members and Jinha."

TRI.BE debuted in 2021 with their first single album 'TRI.BE Da Loca.' In February, they released their second mini-album 'W.A.Y' and recently held the US tour 'TRI.BE Vida Loca 2023 USA Tour.'

New Jeans(Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein)'s music video for the song 'ETA' was released on July 21st through the official HYBE YouTube channel. 'ETA' is one of the triple title tracks from New Jeans's mini 2nd album 'Get Up.'

This music video was created through a collaboration between Apple and New Jeans. As part of Apple's 'Shot on iPhone' campaign, all scenes in the music video were shot with the iPhone 14 Pro. New Jeans's passionate choreography was captured using the iPhone 14 Pro's action mode, providing stable footage without any shake. Additionally, the cinematic mode was utilized to achieve a more immersive visual experience, and the enhanced camera features allowed for beautiful nighttime scenes to be captured effortlessly.

In the 'ETA' music video, New Jeans members witness a scene where a friend's boyfriend approaches a strange woman at a party, which sets off the story. During their performance at the party, New Jeans secretly captures his actions with their iPhones and shares the real-time situation with their friend, who becomes angry and rushes to the scene.

The director, Shin Woo-suk, who produced the music video, said, "From the stage of writing the screenplay, I kept in mind the possibilities and meanings that can be achieved with an iPhone. 'ETA' has attractive lyrics that feel like you're talking to a friend. We utilized iPhone FaceTime to express those characteristics in the lyrics or shot dynamic choreography using the action mode to achieve stable scenes."

Min Hee-jin, the head of Adoer, said, "We wanted to provide consumers with a fun experience by attempting something different with one of the title tracks. That's why we suggested a music video production method that is lighter and more convenient than using traditional heavy tool and we proposed shooting the official music video with iPhones."

Behind-the-scenes footage of New Jeans members filming each other's choreography with iPhones on set will also be released through Apple's official Instagram and New Jeans's artist social media accounts, bringing small joys to fans.

The first episode of 'Nizi Project' Season 2, which launches JYP's new boy group, will be aired on July 21st at 10 p.m. through JYP's official YouTube channel. In Japan, it will be available on the online video platform, Hulu.

Ahead of the official broadcast, JYP raised anticipation for the project by posting a video titled '[Nizi Project Season 2] Part 1 #1 Highlights' on their official YouTube channel on the 18th.

In the video, Park Jin-young, the Chief Creative Officer of JYP, promised to personally meet the participants of 'Nizi Project' and showcase his discerning judgments, heightening the curiosity of viewers both domestically and internationally. The JYP trainees who threw their challenge into 'Nizi Project' Season 2 also appeared one by one, increasing curiosity about the main content.

In 'Nizi Project' Season 2, viewers can witness the process of forming and debuting a boy group. The global audition was held in a total of 11 cities, including Nagoya, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Sapporo, Okinawa, Tokyo, Sendai, Kobe, New York, Los Angeles, and Seoul, with over 10,000 applicants. To create a boy group with dance, vocals, star quality, and musicality, JYP added a new section for lyrics and composition, securing a wider range of talent.

Back in February 2019, JYP initiated the audition project 'Nizi Project' in collaboration with Sony Music, Japan's largest record label. Through this program, the girl group NiziU was born and has been gaining remarkable achievements and popularity since their debut, solidifying their position as a leading girl group.

These products will be available in nine Asian countries, including Korea, from the 25th of this month until the 21st of the following month. The BLACKPINK-themed goods offered by Starbucks include tumblers, bags, passport cases, key rings, and Starbucks cards. Most of the items are beautifully combined with black and pink colors, as expected from merchandise related to BLACKPINK.

One of the eye-catching items is the cold cup adorned with studs in pink or black colors, which exudes a glamorous and sophisticated vibe. The bottle, passport case, and key ring also prominently feature BLACKPINK's symbols and logos, emphasizing the group's identity. The tote bag can hold a 15-inch laptop, showcasing practicality along with style.

As for the food and beverages, there are three options: "BLACKPINK Strawberry Choco Cream Frappuccino," "BLACKPINK Strawberry Choco Baumkuchen," and "BLACKPINK Strawberry Cream Choco Bun." The "BLACKPINK Strawberry Choco Cream Frappuccino" combines oat base, strawberry syrup, and dark chocolate sauce to create a delightful drink. The "BLACKPINK Strawberry Choco Baumkuchen" and "BLACKPINK Strawberry Cream Choco Bun" are made with chocolate-based bread and topped with strawberry milk cream. Even in the beverages and food, the harmony of black and pink colors accentuates the collaboration with BLACKPINK. However, "BLACKPINK Strawberry Choco Baumkuchen" and "BLACKPINK Strawberry Cream Choco Bun" are exclusively available only in South Korea.

Starbucks has previously utilized K-pop stars to attract customers, as evidenced by the successful collaboration with BTS in 2020, which caused a frenzy among fans leading to sold-out products. BLACKPINK, like BTS, boasts a strong fan base both domestically and internationally, making this collaboration with them highly anticipated to bring positive synergy.

FIESTAR debuted in 2012 with the single album "VISTA" and released songs like "One More" and "Apple Pie." However, despite their efforts, the group did not achieve significant success and announced their disbandment after six years.

Recently, HyeMi appeared on YouTube channel that introduces updates on famous celebrities and showed herself in front of the camera after a long time. She shared, "It's been about 5 to 6 years since FIESTAR's activities ended. Now, I'm running a business that rents out practice space. I personally handled all the interior work. The income is about the same as what office workers earn."

She reminisced about her time as a member of FIESTAR and her friendship with IU, saying, "IU promoted us a lot when I was active with FIESTAR. We lived together in the same dorm as trainees and became close. IU bought me a luxury bag after her first payment. She's a very loyal friend. She used to give gifts of that price range to people around her."

In contrast, HyeMi revealed that she did not receive a payment during her five years as a FIESTAR member. She explained, "I need to surpass the break-even point to receive a payments, but we couldn't achieve that. Nevertheless, the company provided us with allowances and took care of us well. Upon reflection, there are quite a lot of idols, and many of them may not achieve significant profits compared to the investments made, and knowing this, it still feels regrettable."

She continued, "No matter how hard I worked, it seemed unrelated to whether we succeeded or not. I've been in the industry for 10 years, but I feel like I didn't achieve success as a singer, which is disappointing. At that time, I was overly conscious of others' perspectives. I didn't have a stable income, and I struggled because I was conscious of the opinions of people around me."

Despite feeling anxious and confused after the disbandment, HyeMi resolved to work harder. Currently, she works as a vocal trainer, teaching Kep1er's Yeseo, DKZ's Mingyu, and CLASS:y's Hyungseo.

Moreover, she hasn't given up on her dream as a singer and established her one-person agency to embark on a new challenge as a solo artist under the name "Yel." She plans to release a solo album this year.

HyeMi expressed her desire to perform on stage and meet the audience. She said, "I want to do things that showcase myself. I'm also planning various business ventures. I realized that doing what I love and living happily is the best. Please look forward to my upcoming album."

The funeral hall for the late Cheongrim is set up at Gangnam Severance Hospital, Hall 3, and the funeral procession will take place on the 21st at 9 a.m.

Born in 1986, Cheongrim majored in dance at the Korea National University of Arts. He made his debut in the entertainment industry through the drama "I Am Sorry, I Love You" in 2004 and also pursued a career as a singer by releasing her EP album [STEP] in 2009. At the time, He was dubbed as the "second RAIN" and gained attention. Apart from that, He also appeared in SBS drama "Dream" and KBS 2TV variety show "Dream Team Season 2."

On the 20th, NETFLIX unveiled the teaser poster and teaser trailer for "Mask Girl." "Mask Girl" tells the story of Kim Momi, an ordinary office worker with appearance complexes, who becomes an internet broadcast BJ by wearing a mask every night and gets entangled in an unintended incident.

The teaser poster features a captivating design with colors, lines, and blood intertwining on the iconic mask, evoking thoughts of three-dimensional pop art and arousing anticipation for the diverse narrative that unconventional characters will unfold.

The teaser trailer shows Mask Girl conducting a provocative live broadcast under dazzling lights while covering her face with a mask, and it includes a glimpse of the intense and dramatic storyline. Ko Hyun-jung, Ahn Jae-hong, Yeom Hye-ran, and Nana leave a strong impression even in the short video.

Especially due to the unique storytelling characteristic, three actresses will portray the adventurous life of Kim Momi in 'Mask Girl'. The intriguing concept of three actresses taking on the role of Kim Momi has sparked curiosity about how her eventful life will be portrayed through each of them.

"Mask Girl" is based on the webtoon of the same name.

On the 20th, Sports Chosun reported that V is making significant progress in preparing for his solo album release in the 3rd quarter of this year. It has been known that V has been steadily working on his album since last year.

A representative from the agency, Big Hit Music, responded to the rumors of his solo album release, stating, "We will announce the schedule after it is confirmed."

BTS members have been actively pursuing solo activities since last year, starting with J-Hope. They have been showcasing their individual personalities and sensibilities that were not fully revealed during their group activities. With J-Hope, Jin, RM, Jimin, Suga, and Jungkook all achieving successful solo debuts one after another, there is great anticipation for how V will capture the hearts of the public with his own unique charm.

On the 19th, the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards took place at Paradise City Crossma in Incheon. Song Hye-kyo received the grand prize for her role in the Netflix series "The Glory."

Song Hye-kyo expressed her gratitude, stating, "I'm really thankful. I'm so happy," and added, "If it weren't for the excellent staff, I wouldn't have been able to complete 'The Glory' successfully. I want to thank the staff once again. And Director Ahn Kil-ho, thank you for leading me well. After the drama ended, when I saw interviews with fellow actors, they said they received a lot of help from me. But in reality, I received more help and positive energy from them. The outstanding performances of my fellow actors stimulated me to act even harder." She also expressed her love for writer Kim Eun-sook, who entrusted her with the role of Moon Dong-eun in the series, saying, "I love you so much. Thank you very much."

she humorously added, "I think I won't have this kind of opportunity in the future. So, for the first time, I want to congratulate myself and say, 'Good job, Hye-kyo.'"

In an interview with MC Jeon Hyun-moo, Song Hye-kyo also talked about her experience working on "The Glory." She mentioned that it was her first time attempting such a genre, and every scene was challenging and difficult. However, she found it enjoyable because she was trying a genre and character she hadn't done before. Despite the difficulties, she felt happy and had a lot of fun during the filming. She expressed how she hadn't felt this way on set for a long time.

On this day, the drama excellence award went to Disney+ series "Big Bet," and the variety and culture excellence award was given to Netflix's "Siren: Survive the Island."

In the rookie award category, Dex from Wavve's "Game of Blood 2" and Kim Ah-young from Coupang Play's "SNL Korea Season 3" won in the variety division, while Park Jihoon from Wavve's "Weak Hero Class 1" and Shin Ye-eun from Disney+'s "Revenge of Others" received the award in the drama division. In the supporting actor category, Lee Dong-hwi from "Big Bet" and Lim Ji-yeon from "The Glory" took home the awards.

According to Starship Entertainment on the 19th, Joohoney will conclude his time as an MC on Mnet's music program 'M COUNTDOWN' after the broadcast on the 20th.

Joohoney has been active as an MC since February, alongside (G)I-DLE's Miyeon, for about six months. As a seasoned artist with nine years of experience, Joohoney showcased his maturity and sense of humor, displaying wit and engaging communication skills. His stable hosting earned him love from K-pop fans worldwide. However, with his upcoming military enlistment, Joohoney will step down from his MC position on the 20th.

Through his agency, Joohoney expressed his gratitude, stating, "I have been active as an 'M COUNTDOWN' MC for six months. Every moment was so precious. I am very grateful to Monbebe and global K-pop fans who have been with us every Thursday, the 'M COUNTDOWN' production staff, and (G)I-DLE's Miyeon, whom I hosted the show with."

He continued, "Thanks to all of you who have supported and loved MC Joohoney, I feel like I can say goodbye happily. Please continue to support 'M COUNTDOWN' in the future."

Meanwhile, Joohoney is set to enlist in the military on the 24th.

On the 19th, through his law firm, MC Mong provided an explanation regarding the leaked transcript that raised suspicions of his alleged attempt to sign EXO's Baekhyun and Kai. Earlier, TenAsia had disclosed the contents of this private conversation in which MC Mong expressed his intentions to sign the EXO members.

MC Mong's law firm stated, "The content of the reports is a private conversation that took place between MC Mong and acquaintances about a year and six months ago. It was illegally recorded by an individual, who we refer to as Mr. Ahn, without the consent of the parties involved. It was then intentionally edited and spliced together to be used as a means of coercion." The law firm further explained, "The recorded conversation took place around January 2022 and is a compilation where only MC Mong's voice was cleverly spliced and edited from a conversation that lasted about two hours. The mention of EXO's Kai and Baekhyun in the conversation accounts for only about one minute of the total duration. The edited conversation has no relation to the dispute between Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin and SM Entertainment that occurred in June 2023, both in terms of time and content."

The law firm emphasized, "Indeed, during June 2023, when there was a dispute between Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin and SM Entertainment, there was an incident where MC Mong and Big Planet Made were pointed out by external forces. However, MC Mong and Big Planet Made had no intention of contracts whatsoever, nor did they undergo any such procedures. SM Entertainment confirmed this fact and officially issued an apology to MC Mong and Big Planet Made through a public statement."

Regarding Mr. Ahn, who leaked the recording, the law firm stated, "We plan to take strong measures against Mr. Ahn for illegally obtaining the recording, maliciously editing and splicing it, and continuously engaging in illegal secondary and tertiary coercive acts even after police investigation."

On the 18th, it was confirmed that original members Jang Jin, Park Ji-yun, and Jang Dongmin would be returning, and they were joined by SHINee's Key, Joo Hyunyoung, and IVE's An Yujin, completing the dazzling lineup.

Key has proven his exceptional wit and sharp deduction skills on tvN's "Amazing Saturday." There is great anticipation for Key's role as a key player in "Crime Scene Returns."

Joo Hyunyoung has garnered attention for her detailed acting and character portrayal in both dramas and variety shows. Viewers are curious to see how she will captivate their hearts in this entertainment program.

Lastly, An Yujin, a member of IVE who showcased extraordinary variety show skills on "Earth Arcade," will also be joining. There are high expectations for her energetic presence and competitive spirit in the show.

"Crime Scene Returns" is scheduled to premiere on Tving in early 2024.

On the official Instagram account of "Unanswered Questions" on the 18th, a notice was posted. The production team announced, "On 'Unanswered Questions,' we are waiting for tips from individuals who are well-informed about the recent exclusive contract dispute of a certain girl group or have a good understanding of the idol industry." They also provided contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses.

Although the name of the girl group was not disclosed, given the recent spotlight on the exclusive contract dispute involving FIFTY FIFTY, it is speculated that the girl group in question is FIFTY FIFTY. There is growing anticipation to uncover the details of the dispute.

"Unanswered Questions" is a current affairs program that delves into socially sensitive issues and unsolved cases, based on in-depth investigative reporting. It airs on SBS every Saturday night at 11:10 PM.

Meanwhile, FIFTY FIFTY(Saena, Sio, Aran, Keena) gained a lot of expectations and attention by entering the US Billboard chart with their song "Cupid" just four months after their debut. However, they are currently engaged in a legal battle over an exclusive contract dispute with their agency, ATTRAKT.

ATTRAKT, the agency of FIFTY FIFTY, accused the external subcontracting company, The Givers, of attempting to take away FIFTY FIFTY members. However, The Givers has been refuting the claims made by ATTRAKT.

On the 18th, TenAsia revealed that they had obtained a transcript in which MC Mong stated, "I really want to bring Kai and Baekhyun. I'm working hard on it." It was reported that this conversation was recorded around January of last year.

Regarding this matter, MC Mong's agency, Million Market, stated that they will look into it.

Previously, EXO members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin expressed their dissatisfaction with SM Entertainment in June regarding settlement issues and their exclusive contracts, and they expressed their intention to terminate their contracts.

SM Entertainment claimed that external forces had approached Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin with false information to induce them to violate their exclusive contracts, and MC Mong was mentioned. MC Mong's side denied the suspicions, stating that they did not engage in any deliberate interference that could cause disputes between SM and EXO-CBX.

Amidst conflicting claims, SM Entertainment and EXO's Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin announced on June 19th that they had reached a mutual agreement through a joint statement.

Meanwhile, EXO recently released their 7th full-length album, 'EXIST'.

On the 18th, The Givers stated, "The Givers initially purchased the rights to 'Cupid' for a third-party artist, completely unrelated to ATTRAKT or FIFTY FIFTY. Therefore, the premise that we secretly acquired the rights without ATTRAKT's knowledge is distorted." They further added, "We have sufficient communication records with the original publisher of 'Cupid' and other relevant parties, which will be presented to investigative agencies or in court proceedings."

Regarding the claim that Ahn Sung-il, the representative of The Givers, owns approximately 95% of the 'Cupid' shares, they clarified, "The ownership details listed on the Korea Music Copyright Association website should reflect the actual shares held by the writers of the completed work at the time of registration. It is natural that the names of the Swedish original composers who transferred the rights to The Givers before registration are not included." They explained, "The distribution of shares was determined based on the actual level of participation in lyric writing, composition, and arrangement. The Givers hold 66.85%, Ahn Sung-il (SIAHN) holds 28.65%, AHIN holds 4%, and KEENA holds 0.5% is entirely false"

Regarding the allegations of forging the signatures of Swedish composers during the process of changing the shares, they stated, "The copyright registrants for the completed version of 'Cupid' are The Givers and others, and The Givers are the entity that acquired the rights to the original version of 'Cupid'. We have been delegated or transferred all rights related to the registration and utilization of the original version from the overseas composers and their publishers. This means that we have even received all the authority to fulfill the registration process from them. We will provide specific evidence to support this claim to investigative agencies or in court proceedings."

Previously, An Sung-il has been caught up in allegations that he acquired the copyright of 'CUPID' without ATTRAKT's knowledge. Additionally, there were allegations of forging the signatures of Swedish composers during the process of securing up to 95.5% of the 'Cupid' shares.

According to Sports Chosun on the 18th, Yoon Sang's eldest son, Lee Chan-young, is set to debut as a member of a new male group under SM Entertainment in September. It has been revealed that Lee Chan-young will be part of a group that includes Sungchan and Shotaro, who have previously been active in NCT, as well as Eunseok and Seunghan, who have been introduced as SM Rookies.

Born in 2003, Lee Chan-young drew attention in the past for his handsome appearance when he appeared with his father Yoon Sang on a variety program. At that time, Lee Chan-young was already pursuing a career as a promising junior swimmer in the United States. However, he developed a new dream of becoming a K-pop idol and has been preparing for a long time to pursue this path.

However, regarding Lee Chan-young's debut, SM Entertainment stated, "We plan to reveal the new male group on August 1st. We ask for your high expectations."

Meanwhile, the new male group under SM recently successfully filmed their debut music video in Los Angeles, USA, and returned to Korea.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's narcotics crime investigation unit recently transferred the YouTuber, Kim, in his 30s, who is being investigated as an accomplice in Yoo Ah-in's drug allegations, to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Violent Crime Section (led by Chief Prosecutor Shin Joon-ho) without detention, according to the police on the 17th. According to the police, Kim is accused of smoking marijuana while traveling in the United States with Yoo Ah-in and four other acquaintances in January (violation of the Narcotics Control Act).

According to a report by DongA Ilbo on the same day, Kim reportedly admitted to most of the charges during the investigation process. Kim is a YouTuber who uploads content such as vlogs, with over 300,000 subscribers.

In addition to YouTuber Kim, Yoo Ah-in is also accused of smoking marijuana along with another YouTuber, A, a writer who is an acquaintance, and a person with American nationality, B. Among them, A has not yet returned from France, despite the police taking measures such as invalidating his passport.

meanwhile, After receiving records from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety that Yoo Ah-in had received more than 4,000 ml of propofol over 73 occasions throughout 2021, the police initiated an investigation. According to the forensic results from the National Forensic Service, marijuana, propofol, cocaine, and ketamine, four types of narcotics, were detected in Yoo Ah-in's hair and urine samples. During the investigation process, the police obtained medical records, which led to additional allegations that Yoo Ah-in used drugs such as zolpidem, midazolam, and alprazolam. It was revealed that he had used more than eight types of narcotics.

Entertainment streaming service Tving announced on the 18th that 'Crime Scene Returns' will be aired in early 2024.

First aired in 2014, 'Crime Scene' is the first role-playing mystery variety show in Korea. It received praise for its unique concept where the cast members become both suspects and detectives in a murder case, solving the crime. With movie-like storytelling, intricate deduction skills, and outstanding performances by the cast, it provided diverse entertainment and garnered a solid fan base.

With the overwhelming demand for a new season, 'Crime Scene' will be produced by Studio Slam, a subsidiary of SLL (Studio Lululala), promising a grander scale and intense storytelling.

It has been confirmed that the original members from the previous season, Jang Jin, Park Ji-yun, and Jang Dong-min, will be appearing.

Director Jang Jin is highly regarded as an irreplaceable member with his exceptional deductive skills and acting prowess. Park Ji-yun, who appeared in the first, second, and third seasons, confirms her participation once again, becoming the only player to appear in all previous seasons and episodes. Adding to the excitement, Jang Dong-min, who showcased his witty remarks, character portrayal, and meticulous brainplay in 'Crime Scene,' has also been confirmed to return.

While the original members Jang Jin, Park Ji-yun, and Jang Dong-min have been confirmed, there is great curiosity about the new members who will be joining the show.