Week in Review, 8/17 to 8/23

Welcome to another edition of SB Week in Review. Here’s all the news you might have missed over the past week:

HEADLINES

* An ex girlfriend of actor Hong Min-ki accused him of dating violence and a forced abortion during their relationship. The actor’s agency Fable Company released a statement denying the claims and announcing legal action.

DEBUTS & COMEBACKS

* Check out our playlist of all the week’s releases above!
* Onewe went analogue for “Scenario.”
* Jun K teamed up with Wendy for “Your Lips.”
* With the help of Monsta X × About group MONSTA X MONSTA X is a South Korean boy group formed through the survival show No.Mercy under Starship Entertainment. They debuted May 14, 2015, with their first mini album, TRESPASS and are known for powerful performances, strong rap and vocal lines, and a global fanbase. The group is currently active with Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. Former member includes solo artist, Wonho. Tap again to view profile → Close ‘s Joohoney × Artist bio Joohoney Real name: Lee Joo-heonPosition: Rapper, ProducerNationality: South KoreanBirthday: 1994-10-06Birthplace: Daegu, South Korea Joohoney is a rapper and producer of MONSTA X known for high energy, sharp delivery, and hands-on musical contribution. He is heavily involved in songwriting and production, helping define the group’s intense sound and dynamic performances. Tap again to view profile → Close , Baby Shark Boy debuted with “Wave.”
* Oh My Girl‘s Mimi released her first hip-hop single “Bish Bash.”
* JYP‘s latest girl group OurBirthday debuted with “Squeezy.”
* Kiss of Life dropped the special MV for “What!“
* AtHeart went back to first-gen for “3!4!“
* Odd Youth enjoyed the season in “Can’t Go Back.”
* Kim Jaejoong rocked out in nature for “Tonight.”
* Astro‘s MJ kept it positive despite experiencing the disappointment of “Ghosting.”
* Tiffany Young was healed by her inner child in “Edge of Calm.”
* Big Bang marked their 20th anniversary with “Biiig.”
* FT Island came to take the crown with “Lemonade.”
* Stray Kids × About group Stray Kids Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. Tap again to view profile → Close experienced hardship and the power of friendship in the special MV for “After You.”
* Enhypen × About group ENHYPEN ENHYPEN is a six member boy group formed through I-LAND, known for powerful performances, storytelling concepts, and global popularity. Tap again to view profile → Close went MIA with Brazilian funk in “Bloody Paradise.”

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TEASERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Tuide will debut on August 24 with “Sun Kiss.”
* Dino will drop the MV for “Like It” on the same day.
* Alpha Drive One × About group ALPHA DRIVE ONE ALPHA DRIVE ONE (알파드라이브원), also known as ALD1, is an eight-member boy group under WAKEONE. The group consists of LEO, JUNSEO, ARNO, GEONWOO, SANGWON, XINLONG, ANXIN, and SANGHYEON. Formed through BOYS II PLANET, ALPHA DRIVE ONE officially debuted on January 12, 2026 with the mini album EUPHORIA. The group name represents the goal of becoming the best (ALPHA), the passion and momentum to move forward (DRIVE), and unity as one team (ONE). Tap again to view profile → Close will return with a darker edge for “Born Dire” on August 24.
* Arno × Artist bio ARNO Real name: Zhang Jia HaoPosition: Main DancerNationality: ChineseBirthday: 2002-07-07Birthplace: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China ARNO is the main dancer of ALPHA DRIVE ONE and a Chinese performer known for his strong dance background. Disciplined, focused, and highly self-managed, with a strong performance mindset. Tap again to view profile → Close injured his ankle and will scale back participation in comeback promotions.
* SF9 asked “what keeps pulling us deeper into the dark?” in the trailer for their August 26 album, Tenacity.
* NCT × About group NCT NCT is a South Korean boy group formed by SM Entertainment with a unique multi-unit concept. There are 6 units within NCT; NCT 127, NCT DREAM, NCT WISH, WayV, NCT U, NCT DOJAEJUNG. Tap again to view profile → Close 127 will try their hand at racing in the “Blingy” MV, out August 27.
* TNX will put out the digital single “Die Another Day” also on the 27th.
* Jennie will get theatrical with “Fallen Angel” on August 28.
* Her agency OA Entertainment also announced they would be taking legal action for the spreading of false information and manipulated images following her Summer Sonic performance.
* The first trailer for Taemin‘s Phase 1: Soft Violence was filled with textures. The new album drops August 31.
* Chungha × Artist bio Chungha Real name: Kim Chung-haPosition: Soloist, Singer, DancerNationality: South KoreanBirthday: 1996-02-09 CHUNG HA is a South Korean solo singer and dancer and a former member of I.O.I. She launched her solo career in 2017 and is known for performance-focused pop and dance music. CHUNG HA is known for a hardworking, thoughtful, warm, and performance-focused personality. Despite being particularly recognized for dance and stage presence, she has spoken candidly in interviews about uncertainty, pressure, career growth, and finding her own identity as a solo artist. Tap again to view profile → Close announced the digital single “Mexico” will be out on September 1.
* 82Major will also be back on September 1 with Heat.
* Unchild will make their first comeback on September 2 with the digital single “Ting Ting.”
* Keeping the string of digital singles going will be Kwon Eunbi on September 3 with “Dejavu.”
* Monsta X will drop The Phase on September 4.
* Minho will “Make It Hot” on September 6.
* VeriVery return on September 7 with Confetti.
* I-dle‘s Soyeon will also be back in September, though an official date has not been announced.

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OTHER NEWS

* Yoo Ah-in signed with Billions.
* Gunil‘s legal representative released a statement saying the drummer did not agree to contract termination or his departure from Xdinary Heroes.
* All NCT Dream members have renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment.

(YouTube, Naver, Weverse. Images via: ABD Entertainment, Jellyfish Entertainment.)