Welcome to the Weekly Update – March 18 – 24. This week’s military news will leave fans with a “you win some, you lose some” mentality as SHINee’s Taemin returns from service, but we bid goodbye to MONSTA X’s Minhyuk. One drama concluded this week. And there were lots of casting announcements and new videos. I hope you had a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen!
Military News
Minhyuk
MONSTA X’s Minhyuk began his military enlistment on April 4th. Last month, he announced his upcoming enlistment date to fans with a letter promising to return safe and healthy. His bandmates, including Showno who is scheduled to finish his military service next month, were all on hand to send him off with smiles and well-wishes. Hurry home, Minhyuk. We will miss you!
Taemin
On March 4th, SHINee’s Taemin was officially discharged from military service. The singer celebrated his release with a handwritten letter to his fans talking about how grateful he is for them and how happy he is to be home. The group also released a video of their bandmate dancing with the caption “Taemin is Back”! Welcome home, Taemin. You have been missed!
Casting News
Uee
Uee will be starring in the upcoming weekend family drama “Hyo Shim’s Independent Life” . She will play the lead role as Hyo Shim, a young woman who struggles to take responsibility for family after the sudden disappearance of her father. Ha Jun In is currently in talks to play the lead opposite of her. “Hyo Shim’s Independent Life” will premiere on September 16th.
Lee Joo Bin
Lee Joo Bin has joined Kim Soo Hyun And Kim Ji Won In for the upcoming romantic drama “Queen of Tears”. A famous heiress of the successful conglomerate Queens Group and her husband fight all odds to stay together and find true happiness in life. “Queen of Tears” will air sometime in the second half of this year.
Yoon Chan Young, Jaehyun, and Lee Seo Jin
Yoon Chan Young, Golden Child’s Jaehyun, and Lee Seo Jin will play the leads in the upcoming fantasy drama “I Am a Gangster Who Became a High School Student”. A 47 year old gangster dies trying to save a young man from killing himself. But when he suddenly wakes up inside the student’s body, he gets new lease on life. With a younger mind and body, he pursues dreams he was never able to fulfill in his own life and builds valuable friendships along the way. “I Am a Gangster Who Became a High School Student” will air later this year.
Choi Yoojung, Kim Jonghyeon, Lee Han Jun, and Baek Seo Hoo
Weki Meki’s Choi Yoojung, singer Kim Jonghyeon, n.SSign’s Lee Han Jun, and actor Baek Seo Hoo will star in the upcoming ASMR romance drama “Sound Candy – Your Sound That Fills Me” . A group of friends stay at a guesthouse on Jeju Island where they find pieces of magic candy. This new ASMR genre is meant to bring peace to all five senses. “Sound Candy – Your Sound That Fills Me” is still in talks about scheduling so keep posted for more information on this as it comes.
Ryeoun, Choi Hyun Wook, Seol In Ah, and Shin Eun Soo
Ryeoun, Choi Hyun Wook, Seol In Ah, and Shin Eun Soo will star in the upcoming fantasy time-travel drama “Sparkling Watermelon”. A talented young musician is hurtled through time by a magic music shop. After meeting others who seem as out of place as she does, the group begin their own band. “Sparkling Watermelon” will air some time in the second half of the year.
Son Ho Jun and Jang Nara
Son Ho Jun and Jang Nara will be reuniting in the upcoming psychological thriller “Happy End”. The pair starred together in the 2017 hit “Go Back Couple” and were praised for their chemistry. Once again, with this drama they will play a married couple who have been driven by the wife’s need for success, to make up for the struggles she went through as a child. “Happy End” will air some time in the second half of this year.
Celebrity News
Lee Seung Gi and Lee Da In
Celebrity couple Lee Seung Gi and Lee Da In made their relationship official on April 7th by getting married in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by friends and family. The pair confirmed that they were dating in May of 2021 and announced their plans to marry earlier this year. We wish the happy couple many wonderful years together.
Music News
Heize
Vingle Vingle
Heize is brought to tears in her new single “Vingle Vingle”. This dance track is paired with the singer’s haunting vocals to blend into an upbeat, yet melancholy song. The beat is strong and highlights the whispy lyrics in a surprising way. The MV is optimisized for viewers watching on their phones, and emulates social media plaforms like instagram and snapchat, as it shows the singer trying to mend a broken heart.
from20
Bad Revenge
from20 has been on a rollercoaster in his new single “Bad Revenge”. This synthpop track is straight out of the 80’s, with icy, textured synth and bright, funky all-English vocals. The song is sprinkled with Michael Jackson style beats and vocals. The MV is a take on the famous American 80’s movie series “Terminator”.
Apink
D N D
Apink is living an exhausting day life in their new single “D N D”, which stands for Do Not Disturb. The group reverts back to their roots with this pop dance track. The song is bright and fun, and the melodies are upbeat and refreshing. The MV shows women living boring lives in their day to day jobs before they escape to a more exciting and gratifying dream life.
DreamNote
BLUE
DreamNote is singing love in their new pre-release single “BLUE”. This beautiful ballad is full of raw emotion and bittersweet memories. The stripped down guitar twinkles brightly through the song while the vocals give beautiful harmony and texture. The MV shows the group lost in their past, as they remember a brighter time.
Mark
Golden Hour
NCT’s Mark is feeding his appetite in his new single “Golden Hour”. This hip hop track features gritty guitar and distorted vocals. The references to food are rumored to stem from a dispute the artist had with famous chef Gordon Ramsey. The meandering lyrics are random and fully freeform. The MV shows the singer in an abandoned diner while food images flash randomly on screen.
Agust D (ft. IU)
People Pt. 2
BTS’ Agust D (Suga) explores the emotions of love in his new single “People Pt. 2”. In a second collab with singer IU, the pair sing a beautiful hip-hop track. The song is a mid-tempo arrangement that is gentle and lulling. The lyrics are thoughtful and articulate. The MV shows the artists through the process of creating music as he writes and arranges onscreen.
Drama News
Delivery Man
The fantasy rom-com “Delivery Man” finished on April 6th. A man who runs a taxi service for ghosts meets a dead woman with no memory of who she is or how she died. So until she can figure out what she is supposed to do next, she decides to stay in the taxi and help the young man run his business.