Spring has sprung and so has the drama: Entertainment news round-up
Trinity Adams, News and Feature Editor
Spring has sprung — and so has drama in the entertainment industry. Between international scandals, new movie trailers, tour date announcements and local showcases, it looks like things are just getting started.
International
Globally renowned actor Kim Soo-hyun recently took a fall from grace after allegations of a relationship between him and an underage actress were brought to light. Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were a part of the same talent agency, Goldmedalist, before Sae-ron was dropped in 2022. These allegations were started by a popular Korean YouTube channel, best known for its contentious political content, which released a video stating that in 2016, Soo-hyun and Sae-ron were in a six-year relationship. Sae-ron was only 15 years old, making Soo-hyun 27 at the time.
This video was released a month after actress Kim Sae-ron was found dead in her apartment in February after an apparent suicide. Since the scandal broke in March, pictures and videos have been released from the YouTube channel claiming they were taken during the relationship, as well as transcripts of their conversations dating back to when Sae-ron was 16 years old. Sae-ron’s family has since confirmed the relationship, although Soo-hyun’s agency has denied the allegations that they were dating while she was still considered a minor, which in South Korea is under 19.
Since these allegations surfaced, Soo-hyun has been dropped from national and international brand deals like Prada, and shows that he was set to star in have halted production. Among the dating allegations, the source also claimed that Soo-hyun and his management company had been pressuring Sae-ron to pay back a loan she owed him. Goldmedalist also denied the two actors being in any type of romantic relationship, but later confirmed that they had been in a relationship for a year, but well after she was of age.
After almost a month of silence, actor Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference where he made a tearful apology, claiming that he and Sae-ron were only in a relationship from 2019 to 2020.
“I never dated her when she was a minor. Except for the fact that both of us were actors, our relationship was just like that of any other ordinary couple,” Soo-hyun said during the press conference.
Soo-hyun and his management agency Goldmeadalist currently have a lawsuit for over 12 billion won, over 8 million dollars USD, against the YouTube channel and Sae-ron’s parents for the emotional damage and reputational harm that has since come from these allegations.
National
Cinema Con is a four-day expo that takes place in Las Vegas, where some of the biggest production companies in the industry, like Sony, Disney, Universal and Lionsgate, announce their biggest releases that are in the works.
During this expo, influencers and movie critics hear from panels of directors and actors and also view trailers for some of the most anticipated movies of the year and the next. This year, attendees saw the trailer for the “Wicked” sequel, “Wicked: For Good,” which is set to release in November.
They were also given a sneak peek into the new Avatar movie by director James Cameron. A video message from Cameron and star Zoe Saldana was shared with the audience, giving them a look at the concepts for the newest instalment, “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which is set to release this December.
Lovers of the animated “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” received bittersweet news after it was announced that the third movie, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” will be released in 2027. The second movie, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” was released in 2023, with the third movie originally set to release in 2024.
Due to poor working conditions and complications between the management and graphic artists, the project was delayed multiple times. The film is set to follow Miles Morales as a fugitive in all the Spider-Verses, going against mass conformity and doing what he knows to be right.
State
The Jonas Brothers are coming back to the Colonial Life Arena on November 6 for their “Living the Dream Tour.”
The Jonas Brothers were a teen boy band that formed in 2005 and quickly rose to stardom in 2007 after their Disney Channel debut. The group is known for their starring roles in “Camp Rock” and “Camp Rock 2: Final Jam.” The band also had their own show, “Jonas,” that aired from May of 2009 to October of 2010.
The band is known for songs like “S.O.S.,” “Burning Up,” and “Year 3000.” The band took a two-year break to pursue separate careers and life goals and reunited in 2012 before splitting again in 2013. The band officially announced their comeback and went on to release their single “Sucker” and their album “Happiness Begins.”
Since then, the group has had a Vegas residency as well as completed their “Five Albums. One Night.” world tour in 2023, where they came to the Colonial Life Arena that October. Tickets for the tour are now on sale with prices ranging from $38 for nosebleeds to $569 for VIP seats.
Local
NGU’s school of theatre will be having a departmental showcase on April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Billingsly Theatre. “The Voices of NGU” showcase is an event open to all in the local community to present the works of students who have dedicated time throughout the school year developing their skills and talents through the NGU theatre department.
There will be scenes from students in the directing class as well as lighting designs from students in the lighting design class. There were selected songs from students on the musical theater track, as well as original pieces from students in the movement for actors class.
The event is estimated to be around two hours. No tickets are required, and it will not count for a PALS event, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to come.
