Weekly Hallyu Highlights: What’s Happened Last Week in K-Entertainment World

From electrifying K-pop performances at Coachella to gripping new K-dramas, the last week of April 2025 was packed with exciting Korean entertainment news. BLACKPINK’s solo stars and a thrilling film premiere led the headlines, captivating fans worldwide.

K-Pop Stars Shine at Coachella 2025

BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Lisa delivered show-stopping solo performances during Coachella’s final weekend, April 19-20, 2025. Performing at the Sahara Stage, Jennie wowed with hits like Mantra, while Lisa debuted tracks from her solo album Alter Ego, released under RCA Records. Fans praised their energy, with Lisa overcoming earlier lip-syncing rumors to earn widespread acclaim.

“Lisa’s set was perfection! She owned the stage.”
“Jennie’s vibe was unreal, her confidence is everything.”

ENHYPEN also took the Sahara Stage, opening with their 2021 B-side Blockbuster. Their explosive choreography and festival-ready discography left a lasting impression. Critics noted their second weekend performance improved, cementing their status as fourth-generation K-pop leaders.

LE SSERAFIM’s song HOT reclaimed the top spot on Soompi’s K-Pop Music Chart for its third week at number one. The group’s dynamic sound continues to dominate airwaves. Meanwhile, G-Dragon’s TOO BAD slipped to number three, and Jennie’s like JENNIE held steady at number two.

Breakthrough Hits Theaters with Lee Hye Young

The action film Breakthrough, also known as The Old Woman With The Knife, premiered in South Korean theaters on April 30, 2025, after debuting at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 20. Starring Lee Hye Young as a 60-year-old assassin, the movie blends intense action with emotional depth.

Lee Hye Young’s performance as Hornclaw earned praise for its commanding presence and nuanced portrayal of aging. Co-stars Kim Sung Cheol and Yeon Woo Jin added intensity to the gripping tale of rivalry and redemption. Despite mixed reviews on pacing, the film’s unique premise has sparked buzz.

“Lee Hye Young is a legend! The hairpin scenes are iconic.”
“Kim Sung Cheol’s Bullfight is so intense, wish we knew more about him.”

K-Drama Rankings Heat Up

Buried Hearts, a romance revenge thriller starring an idol-turned-actor, topped South Korea’s Brand Reputation Rankings for K-dramas in April 2025, outranking When Life Gives You Tangerines. The latter, starring IU and Park Bo Gum, earned eight nominations at the Baeksang Arts Awards 2025, including Best Drama.

Other popular dramas included New Recruit Season 3, Resident Playbook, and The Art of Negotiation, which ranked high among the week’s most discussed shows. Resident Playbook, a spin-off of Hospital Playlist, follows the OBGYN department and streams on Netflix.

Karma, a Netflix thriller that aired its six episodes on April 4, continued to captivate viewers. Its complex plot, weaving six characters through crimes and schemes, earned praise for its gripping narrative.

“Karma messed with my mind in the best way! Such a wild ride.”
“Resident Playbook feels so real, I’m hooked on the romance.”

Upcoming K-Pop Releases and Tours

Fifty Fifty announced their third mini-album, set for release on April 29, 2025. NCT’s Mark will drop his debut solo album, The Firstfruit, this month, while TOMORROW X TOGETHER prepares their single Love Language for May 5. BTS’s Jin confirmed his second solo album, Echo, for May 16, and SEVENTEEN will mark their 10th anniversary with HAPPY BURSTDAY on May 26.

BtoB kicked off their 3,2,1 GO! MELympic fan-con tour in Hong Kong on April 25-26. NCT’s Ten held concerts in Seoul, Bangkok, and Shanghai to promote his second mini-album, Stunner. STAYC began their world tour in Asia, supporting their single album S. EXO’s Suho shared that the group plans a full comeback in late 2025 after Sehun and Kai complete their military service.

“Can’t wait for Jin’s Echo, it’s going to be epic!”
“STAYC’s tour is a must-see, their energy is unreal.”

Taeyeon Calls Out SM Entertainment

Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon made headlines by publicly addressing SM Entertainment over a concert cancellation controversy. On April 24, 2025, she expressed frustration on social media, calling the situation “ridiculous” and demanding clarity for fans. The incident sparked discussions about artist-agency relations.

“SM needs to treat Taeyeon better, she deserves respect!”
“This is so unfair to fans who waited for her concert.”

New Drama Announcements

IU, Byeon Woo Seok, Noh Sang Hyun, and Gong Seung Yeon will star in a new romance drama, with details about its airing date still under wraps. Chae Soo Bin and Kim Young Kwang are reportedly leading a fantasy romance series, adding to April’s diverse K-drama lineup.

Way Back Love, a fantasy romance drama that premiered on April 3, continues to draw viewers with its bittersweet story of a woman reuniting with her first love, now a grim reaper. The show streams on multiple platforms, including Netflix.

Fan and Netizen Buzz

Social media was abuzz with reactions to the week’s events. Fans celebrated TWICE’s Jihyo acknowledging LE SSERAFIM’s Yunjin as her “daughter” in a playful interaction. BTS fans counted down to the group’s return, expected in June 2025, just 50 days away. LESSERAFIM’s successful concerts and ILLIT’s rumored comeback also trended online.

“Jihyo and Yunjin’s moment was so cute, I’m living for it!”
“50 days until BTS, the countdown is real!”

As of April 27, 2025, Breakthrough is generating buzz ahead of its theatrical release, with Lee Hye Young’s performance tipped for awards. Coachella 2025 concluded with K-pop acts like Jennie, Lisa, and ENHYPEN earning global praise. Buried Hearts and Karma remain viewer favorites, while Fifty Fifty’s upcoming album fuels anticipation. Fans are also watching Taeyeon’s situation with SM Entertainment, hoping for a resolution.

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