by Ra Hwakjin / An Hayeon
 |
| ▲ This photo shows the director Hong Sang-soo. (Yonhap) |
◇ Director Hong Sang-soo wins grand jury prize for 'The Novelist's Film' at Berlin film fest
South Korean director Hong Sang-soo on Thursday (Korean time) won the grand jury prize at this year's Berlin International Film Festival for his latest film, "The Novelist's Film."
At the award ceremony streamed online, the director's 27th feature was awarded the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 72nd Berlin festival, which kicked off on Feb. 10 in person.
It is the third year in a row that auteur Hong has won a silver bear prize at the Berlinale, following his best director honor for the drama "The Woman Who Ran" in 2020 and the best screenplay prize for "Introduction" last year.
Starring Lee Hye-young and Kim Min-hee, the 92-minute movie tells a story of a famous novelist who encounters a famous actress and shares some feelings about art and filmmaking.
Director Hong not only wrote and directed the screenplay but also filmed and edited the movie.
He accepted the prize with lead actress Kim Min-hee, known to be in an extramarital relationship with the director.
 |
| ▲ This photo, provided by Big Hit Music, shows BTS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
◇ BTS announces Seoul concert in March
K-pop supergroup BTS will hold its first live concerts in Seoul after two and a half years next month, the management agency said Wednesday.
Three concerts, titled "BTS Permission To Dance On Stage - Seoul," will be held on March 10 and March 12 to 13 at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul.
It is the septet's first in-person concert in Seoul since its world tour performance in October 2019.
The first and the last shows will be live-streamed online while the second one will be available for live-viewing at movie theaters around the world, according to the agency.
Suga revealed his excitement on Wednesday through Weverse by saying, “Korea concert, let’s go!”
Tickets for offline performances can be reserved only by fan club members.
 |
| ▲ This photo, provided by YG Entertainment, shows TREASURE. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
◇ TREASURE makes comeback… releases “THE SECOND STEP: CHAPTER ONE” album
K-pop rookie TREASURE released the mini-album "The Second Step: Chapter One," on Tuesday.
"The Second Step: Chapter One" is the first release from the group in about a year after its first full-length album, "The First Step: Treasure Effect."
This album also marks the start of a new album series under the common title "The Second Step" after "The First Step" series, which is composed of three single albums and one full-length album.
The new album topped the iTunes album charts in 30 countries, including Japan, Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, Canada, and Russia, soon after its release.
Furthermore, the music video of "JIKJIN" surpassed 10 million YouTube views on Wednesday, only 21 hours after its release.
 |
| ▲This photo, provided by Big Hit, shows BTS's V. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
◇ COVID-19 hits the music industry... BTS’s V tests positive
While South Korea reports more than 100,000 new daily cases of COVID-19, the music industry is also facing a series of confirmed cases.
On Tuesday, Superband BTS member V has tested positive for COVID-19.
This is the fifth confirmed case of BTS. Since December last year, Suga, RM, Jin, and Jimin were diagnosed with COVID-19. The four have since recovered.
Super Junior's Kyuhyun has been confirmed with COVID-19, on Friday morning.
Kyuhyun did not appear in the musical "Frankenstein," which he was supposed to perform the day before.
Meanwhile, the NMIXX debut online showcase which was scheduled to be held on Feb. 22 was postponed to Mar. 1, because member BAE tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.
Furthermore, group TXT's member Yeonjun, AB6IX's member Park Woo-jin, BTOB member Seo Eun-kwang, and Singer Lee Seung-gi also tested positive for the coronavirus this week.
(END)
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
