[K-enter] BTS's "IDOL" hits 500mil. streams on Spotify

Time for our daily dose of K-entertainment news with Bella Kim.

Bella, nothing can stop "IDOL" group BTS from reaching new milestones! What's the latest?

BTS have added another streaming milestone to their name. According to Spotify's latest chart update, BTS's hit track "IDOL" has officially surpassed 500 million streams. It's the group's 15th song to cross the 500-million-stream mark on Spotify.

"IDOL" was released back in August 2018 as the title track of the repackaged album "LOVE YOURSELF 結 'Answer'." It's a song with global sounds as it blends South African dance rhythms with traditional Korean musical elements.

Upon its release, the song achieved major chart success, landing at No.11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No.21 on the UK Official Singles Chart. In 2022, it also earned a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan in the streaming category.

"IDOL" indeed. Our second story for today is on a Korean film set to influence global viewers?

"Lobby," released earlier this month in Korea, will soon hit theaters in overseas countries, including Vietnam, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong.

According to its distributor, SHOWBOX, the film has confirmed its premiere in Vietnam on April 18th and in Australia and New Zealand on the 24th. It will continue its release in Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and other places around the world.

"Lobby" tells the story of a startup CEO, Chang-wook, played by Ha Jung-woo, who only knows research but turns to lobbying on the golf course in order to secure a 4 trillion won national project. It sounds pretty serious, but it's actually a comedy film. What's also notable is that this film is Ha Jung-woo's third film as a director.

So if you're a fan of Ha Jung-woo or just want to have some laughs, make sure to check it out when it premieres in your area.

Just by the title and the summary, it does sound pretty serious, but it's very interesting to hear that it is a comedy film.

Along with "Lobby," there's also a Korean show that global viewers can enjoy very soon in their living room?

Netflix has dropped the official trailer for upcoming drama series "Weak Hero Class 2," starring Park Ji-hoon, Ryeo Un and Choi Min-young.

Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, "Weak Hero Class 2" follows the story of Yeon Si-eun, a model student who transfers to Eunjang High School carrying the trauma of failing to protect a friend from violence. Determined not to lose another friend, he faces even greater challenges in a gripping tale of survival and growth.

The first season, "Weak Hero Class 1," was initially released on Wavve in 2022 and was re-released on Netflix last Month. Upon its release on Netflix, it received tremendous love as it made into the TOP 10 in over 70 countries and stayed in the Top 10 non-English show category for 2 consecutive weeks.

With the first season's success, the anticipation for its sequel is growing bigger and bigger. "Weak Hero Class 2" will be available worldwide on Netflix on April 25th.

I should go watch the first season before the second one comes out. Thank you Bella for today's stories.

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