[Today’s K-pop] NCT’s Haechan fined for smoking e-cigarette indoors

Haechan of NCT was issued a fine for smoking an e-cigarette inside a building, acknowledged label SM Entertainment on Thursday.

He was seen smoking an e-cigarette device at the studio in the video clip showing the members of NCT127 practicing dance, which was uploaded on the day before, and will pay the penalties, explained the firm, adding an apology for his “negligent behavior.” The scene of him smoking has been edited out. Fines for smoking indoors here are customarily 100,000 won ($76).

On Wednesday, the label announced that Haechan will be taking some time off to recover from severe tonsillitis. He returned to Seoul from Japan early last week amid the band’s activities after suffering from high fever and aches and was diagnosed with the condition.

Is Blackpink’s Rose preparing solo album?

Rose of Blackpink uploaded a photo of a recording studio Thursday showing a machine spelling out “ROSIE.”

The picture stirred up another bout of speculations that she may be working on her solo album.

A number of music producers in the US, including cirkut, Rob Bisel and Gian Stone, started following her on Instagram recently, raising expectations for her new solo music. Cirkut worked on Katy Perry’s “Roar” and Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” as well as BTS’ Jungkook’s “Standing Next to You.” Bisel worked with Sza, Harry Styles, Doja Cat and Kendrick Lamar while Stone produced Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande’s “Stuck with U” and Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You,” to name just a few.

The artist was also seen with Ron Perry, CEO of Columbia Records in October last year.

Rose, along with her bandmates, renewed her contract with YG Entertainment for group activities last month but there have been no reports regarding her solo career.

Special movie to document aespa’s 3-year career

A movie celebrating the third anniversary of debut for aespa will be unveiled nest month in Seoul, according to label SM Entertainment on Thursday.

The film, dubbed, “aespa: MY First Page,” will include the members’ interviews carried out in their early days as well as the live scenes from them performing their hit songs on stage. A pop-up store will open in advance of the release in Seoul offering visitors a number of experiences, running Jan. 12-21.

In the meantime, the four members will put out a remake of “Regrets of the Times,” a 2008 hit song from Seo Taiji, as part of the label’s “remastering” project. On Feb. 10, they will headline Krazy Super Concert in Los Angeles, along with Lauv and Taeyang.

SF9’s Juho signs with new agency

Juho of SF9 signed with management firm Haewadal Entertainment recently, said the agency on Thursday.

He will continue as a member of the band, said the band’s agency FNC Entertainment, explaining that the other company will oversee his individual activities, including acting.

He debuted as the rapper of the then nine-member act in 2016 and branched into acting in 2020 with web drama “Mealkid.” Since then, he has appeared in a series of web dramas and theater pieces.

Meanwhile, SF9 put out 13th EP “Sequence” last week and the album made top five on iTunes top albums chart in 18 regions. Juho co-wrote lyrics for five songs from the mini album including main track “Bibora.” He also wrote the melody for B-side track “Midnight Sun.”