Min Hee Jin's Plan Exposed, Zhang Hao K-Drama Debut, EXO Comeback

ZEROBASEONE’s Zhang Hao to Make Acting Debut in MBC’s New K-Drama

ZEROBASEONE’s Zhang Hao is making his acting debut in MBC’s new drama “To the Moon”. He takes on the role of Wei Lin, the boyfriend of Jo Aram’s character, marking his first step into acting since debuting as an idol.

The drama, based on a novel, follows three women navigating financial struggles and turning to cryptocurrency. Alongside its main cast, the show also features cameos from Kang Tae Oh, Roh Jeong Eui, and Kang Hye Won.

“To the Moon” is set to premiere on September 19.

EXO Gears Up for Comeback Following Two-Year Hiatus

EXO has fans buzzing after dropping a cryptic teaser hinting at a December comeback.

Shared on September 8 KST, the image featured the words “DECEMBER, 2025” alongside a message that recalls their debut era: “WHEN WE BECOME TRUE ONE, A NEW WORLD AWAKENS.” The teaser sparked excitement among EXO-Ls, who have been eagerly awaiting the group’s return.

While no further details have been revealed, the timing suggests a major year-end release.

ICYMI:

• Police have summoned HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk next week over an unfair stock trading case.

• PD Na is working on a special JYP Game Caterers episode featuring 2PM members, DAY6, TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, NMIXX, Xdinary Heroes, and Kickflip.

• “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN: SHINSEKAI” applications have officially closed, and the show is confirmed to air in the first half of 2026.

HYBE’s CLO Exposes Min Hee Jin in Court Testimony

The legal battle between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin took another sharp turn this week, as HYBE’s Chief Legal Officer (CLO) exposed new details in court.

According to testimony, Min allegedly devised a strategy to manipulate music chart narratives and orchestrate a “public opinion war” against fellow HYBE groups LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT even before ILLIT’s official debut.

A key piece of evidence, the internal “Project 1945” document, outlined plans to frame these groups negatively, with references tied to their debut dates.

Court records also revealed that Min reportedly met with Japanese investors, presenting legal documents that suggested NewJeans would win its injunction case, while also coordinating messaging strategies with the parents of NewJeans members. Messages shown in court suggest that Min prepared timelines for launching media leaks and controversies, signaling a calculated campaign.

HYBE’s representatives argue this demonstrates a breach of trust and deliberate sabotage within the company. Meanwhile, Min continues to deny wrongdoing, claiming that the plagiarism of group concept lies at the root of the conflict.

With both lawsuits, HYBE’s termination suit and Min’s counterclaim, still ongoing, the case has intensified, raising questions about the future of NewJeans’ management.

Upcoming Tours & Performances

• The 2025 Music Global Festival in Japan announces its first lineup: Stray Kids, ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, IVE, &TEAM, BOYNEXTDOOR, ZEROBASEONE, and ILLIT.

• G-Dragon reveals two cities and dates for the 2025 WORLD TOUR: Übermensch (Phase 4), with more stops to be announced later.

• Kwon Eunbi joins the lineup for Waterbomb Ho Chi Minh 2025 on November 15.

• Red Velvet’s Wendy announces her first U.S. world tour with seven stops across the country.

• Yves and DIA’s Jueun will perform at J-POP ZIP 2025.

• Grand Mint Festival 2025 announces its full lineup, including AKMU, LUCY, 10CM, CNBLUE, and more.

Favorite New Music This Week

After the much wait, CORTIS finally debuted with it's first EP "Color Outside the Lines" which captured the turbulence of adolescence in a way that feels both specific and universal. Across its tracks, the five-member group leans into rawness over polish, offering messy snapshots of youth that cut through the gloss often associated with K-pop debuts.

The high-octane opener “GO!” serves as a manifesto, brimming with adrenaline and determination, while “What You Want” channels restless ambition with unrefined, almost desperate vocals that amplify its hunger for recognition. “FaSHion” plays with irony and identity, bouncing between thrift-store finds and high-fashion fantasies, reflecting the contradictions of growing up in a media-saturated world. “Joyride” shifts gears into a breezier escape, balancing the chaos with moments of levity. Finally, “Lullaby” lingers on exhaustion and quiet camaraderie, turning mundane details into confessions of burnout and resilience.

What makes Color Outside the Lines stand out is its refusal to conform to one mood or sound. Its shifts between euphoria, weariness, rebellion, and reflection mirror adolescence itself, unpredictable and contradictory.

NEXT WEEK’S COMEBACK SCHEDULE

• Sunday, September 14, 2025

  • N/A

• Monday, September 15, 2025

  • JANG WOOYOUNG (2PM): 3rd Mini Album “I’m into”

  • BADVILLAIN: Digital Single “Thriller”

  • IDID: Debut EP “I did it".”

• Tuesday, September 16, 2025

  • YUQI (idle): 1st Single “Motivation”

  • Doh Kyung Soo (EXO D.O.): Digital Single “Dumb (feat. PENOMECO)”

  • SOORIN: 2nd Single Album “Fever”

• Wednesday, September 17, 2025

  • ATEEZ: 2nd Japan Full Album “Ashes to Light”

  • LUN8: 2nd Single Album “Lost”

  • PRIMROSE: Digital Single “Love Your Flower”

  • YOUNBIN: 1st Digital Single “Freak Show”

  • FTISLAND: 10th Japan Full Album “Instinct”

  • ORβIT: 2nd Japan Full Album “Roar”

• Thursday, September 18, 2025

  • N/A

• Friday, September 19, 2025

  • N/A

• Saturday, September 20, 2025

  • N/A

— Javeria Yousuf

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