BTS's V has captured the spotlight in Japan, securing first place in various popularity votes and demonstrating unrivaled popularity nationwide.

From June 24 to June 30, V topped the K-pop male idol ranking vote on the Japanese site 'NEHAN,' maintaining his streak with a record-breaking 170 consecutive weeks at number one.

During the same period, on the Korean actor popularity site 'BIHAN,' V also held the top position for 19 consecutive weeks in the 'Actor Popularity Ranking' category and for 166 consecutive weeks in the '20s Korean Actor Popularity Ranking' vote.

In 'K-pop Idol Handsome Men General Election' and 'Korean Drama Male Actor General Election' by 'K-board,' a leading provider of K-culture info, V has not only dominated real-time, weekly, monthly, and yearly rankings but also maintained his lead for an impressive 127 consecutive weeks.

In votes hosted by 'KPOP JUICE,' focusing on K-pop info, V accumulated a staggering 4.8 million votes, consistently holding first place.

V's photo book 'TYPE 1,' released before his enlistment, started pre-sales on June 27 and has become a bestseller both domestically and internationally, repeatedly selling out on the official commerce platform Weverse Shop.

The response in Japan to V's photo book has been equally enthusiastic. It topped the K-pop Asia Ranking on Rakuten and secured multiple spots in the top 10 on global internet shopping mall Qoo10, including first place.

At Japan's Universal Music Store, V's photo book dominated sales across all categories, proving his explosive popularity.

Since his debut in 2013, V has consistently been the most searched K-pop star on Google Trends in Japan.

Even during his military service, he continues to maintain high search volumes in the first half of 2024, capturing widespread public attention and enjoying popularity that transcends idol fandom to become a beloved star among all audiences.

Source [1]

Director Kim Hyung Joo of The Match has finally shared his thoughts on Yoo Ah In’s involvement in a drug scandal, calling it a major disappointment, especially considering the actor’s role as the lead in the film.

On March 19th, the director attended a press screening and briefing for The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Alongside Kim, actors Lee Byung Hun, Ko Chang Seok, Hyun Bong Sik, Moon Jung Hee, and Jo Woo Jin were present to discuss the film.

The Match revolves around the legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after a loss to his disciple, decides to challenge the top players again, driven by his competitive spirit. The movie is directed by Kim Hyung Joo.

Lee Byung Hun plays the iconic Go champion Cho Hun Hyun, while Yoo Ah In portrays his disciple, Lee Chang Ho.

During the event, Kim recalled the casting process, saying, "When we were casting, Lee Byung Hun was cast first. Just having him felt like we had the world, and then, getting Yoo Ah In as a bonus made me even happier."

Although filming wrapped up in 2021, Yoo Ah In's drug scandal led to the indefinite postponement of the film’s release. Now, nearly four years later, The Match is finally set to hit theaters on March 26th.

Reflecting on Yoo Ah In's scandal, Director Kim openly shared his frustration, calling it "irresponsible and disappointing" for the actor to make such a mistake as the lead.

He added, “Before being an actor, he made a mistake as a member of society and was punished, so I don’t think there’s much more to say.” Kim smiled bitterly as he spoke.

Describing the challenges he faced due to the scandal, Kim compared the experience to being trapped in "a hellish tunnel."

He said, "There was nothing I could do inside, so it was overwhelming. But now that we have the light of release, it feels like I can breathe. I’m deeply moved."

The director also shared that because Yoo Ah In was the lead actor, the film had to be released as it was, without editing. This has led some people to feel uneasy about watching the film, given the actor’s scandal.

When asked about this, Director Kim said, "Choosing and judging is up to the audience, so I can't force anything. But I hope they watch the movie as it is. I unintentionally got hurt before the release, so I hope people watch the movie warmly, as if applying ointment to a wound."

The Match will officially be released on March 26th.

Source: [1]