SHINee's Onew is gearing up to meet fans across four Asian cities with his exciting solo concert series!

Onew will kick things off with 2025 ONEW CONCERT [ONEW THE LIVE : CONNECTION] in Seoul, where he'll perform at the Olympic Hall in Seoul's Olympic Park from February 21 to 23.

But that's not all! After Seoul, Onew will bring his new branded performance to Yokohama, Japan (February 15-16 at Yokohama Arena), Taipei, Taiwan (April 5 at Taipei Music Center), and Macau (April 20 at Broadway Theatre), giving fans across Asia the chance to see his unique musical style.

The 'CONNECTION' concert is set to highlight Onew's one-of-a-kind vocal tone and incredible singing skills. The performance will focus on the deep connection between Onew’s inner and outer self, with themes of looking back at cherished moments and looking forward to what’s next. Onew plans to bring hope and comfort to fans with his emotional and powerful performances.

On January 6, Onew released his highly anticipated 4th mini-album, CONNECTION, which has already made waves worldwide. Onew was deeply involved in the album, contributing to both its production and writing lyrics for every track. The album quickly hit the top of iTunes' "Top Albums" charts in 18 countries and regions! The title track, Winner, delivers a strong message of empowerment—“We are all winners”—paired with an unforgettable band-driven chorus.

Fans can start purchasing tickets for Onew’s Seoul concert starting with pre-sale access for fan club members via Melon Ticket on January 16 at 8 PM. General ticket sales will open on January 20 at 8 PM.

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to see Onew live!

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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.

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