Welcome to another edition of SB Week in Review. Here’s all the news you might have missed over the past week:
Headlines
Hybe audited Min Hee-jin and Ador executives for scheming to separate Ador from Hybe and called for Min to step down. Min responded on April 22 that Hybe engaged in “media play” to dismiss her internal complaint that Belift Lab girl group Illit was copying NewJeans.Hybe’s interim audit results on April 25 found “concrete evidence” that Min and other executives planned to usurp control, attack Hybe, and contact external investors. Hybe planned to file a criminal complaint. Min held a press conference on April 25 to outline claims of mistreatment, including that NewJeans’ debut was pushed back in favor of Le Sserafim‘s.Hybe issued a statement refuting Min’s claims.
Debuts & Comebacks
NCT’s Doyoung made his solo debut with “Little Light.” Check out our MV review! TIOT showed off their “Rock Thang” for their debut. Kim Woojin returned with the smooth “I Like the Way.”(G)I-dle’s Yuqi declared she is a “Freak” in her new solo single. Lee Jinhyuk urged listeners to “Relax.”Zerobaseone came back with summery pre-release single “Sweat.”Artms dropped their third pre-release single, the city pop song “Candy Crush.”NewJeans also delved into city pop with their pre-release single “Bubble Gum.”Zico collaborated with Blackpink‘s Jennie on “Spot.”Bibi and Jackson Wang showed considerable chemistry in “Feeling Lucky.”
Teasers & Announcements
Ive will come back with “Heya” and their album Ive Switch on April 29. Seventeen teased a dark, AI-themed concept for “Maestro” from the anthology album 17 is Right Here, also out on April 29. U-Kiss will also make their return that day with pre-release single “Morse Code.”Mamamoo‘s Solar promises to display all her Colours in her second mini-album, out on April 30. Xdinary Heroes‘ first full album Troubleshooting will come out on the same day. The KingDom tweaked their group name and concept for Realize, also scheduled for an April 30 release.E’Last‘s first full album Everlasting is scheduled for a May 2 release. Kard‘s BM will drop his first mini-album Element on May 7. TripleS revealed the track list for their first full album Assemble 24 ahead of its May 8 release.BTOB‘s Yoon Sungjae will release his first solo single album Exhibition: Look Closely on May 9.Stray Kids will drop a collaboration with Charlie Puth, “Lose My Breath,” on May 10. BTS‘ RM will release Right Place, Wrong Person on May 24.Aespa made an epic intro video for their May 27 full album Armaggedon.Ateez followed up their Coachella sets by announcing their May 31 comeback Golden Hour.
Other News
BBGirls has departed from Warner Music Korea and will establish a new agency, except for Youjoung, who has left the group. Cherry Bullet has disbanded. Members Bora, Chaerin, and Yuju will remain with FNC Entertainment for individual activities. BTS renewed their partnership with UNICEF for a new “Love Yourself” initiative focused on mental health. Apink’s Yoon Bomi confirmed that she has been dating Black Eyed Pilseung producer Rado for seven years. Ha Sungwoon has completed his military service.AOMG announced that Code Kunst has terminated his contract. Alice‘s Sohee will marry this year and will retire when her contract expires next month.The cast of KBS’ “Pick Me Trip in Bali,” including SNSD‘s Hyoyeon, Apink’s Bomi, former I.O.I member Im Nayoung, Secret Number‘s Dita, and Choi Hee were temporarily detained in Bali for not obtaining proper filming permits.N.Ch Entertainment announced that Nature has disbanded. Member Haru had previously referred to herself as a former idol in a recent video.Touch’s Kim Sunwoong and Spica‘s Park Narae have married. Congratulations to the couple!
(YouTube: [1][2], Naver: [1][2][3][4][5], Yonhap News, X: [1], Weverse, Billboard, Daum: [1][2][3][4], Instagram. Images via: Ador/Hybe, RBW, FNC Entertainment).
