分类： entertainment

Global music phenomenon BTS has unveiled comprehensive plans for their monumental return to the music scene, marking their first collective activities since completing mandatory military service. The groundbreaking announcement includes a Netflix live stream event, an intimate documentary film, and an extensive world tour spanning 34 cities across 82 dates.

The comeback initiative launches with the release of their fifth studio album ‘ARIRANG’ on March 20th, followed by a historic live-streamed concert from Seoul’s iconic Gwanghwamun Square on March 21st. This performance will represent the septet’s first public appearance as a complete unit since their hiatus began in 2022.

Netflix, in partnership with Hybe Corporation, will broadcast the landmark event globally while simultaneously preparing ‘BTS: The Return’ documentary scheduled for March 27th release. The film promises unprecedented access to the group’s journey through military service completion and their creative process in developing new music that reflects their artistic evolution.

The world tour, their first global circuit since 2019, will include two nights at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 6th and 7th. This marks a significant moment for the Grammy-nominated ensemble, who haven’t performed outside the United States and South Korea in over five years.

Netflix representatives characterized the multifaceted comeback as “a defining cultural moment” that transcends musical performance, offering fans insight into the group’s personal and artistic transformation during their period of mandatory service.

In a groundbreaking move for the entertainment industry, Netflix announced on Tuesday its plans to livestream BTS’s highly anticipated comeback concert to approximately 190 countries. This landmark event, scheduled for March 21, marks the streaming platform’s first foray into large-scale K-pop live broadcasting and potentially represents the most extensive live K-pop event in history.

The seven-member supergroup, having recently completed their mandatory military service requirements throughout 2022-2025, will release their new album ‘ARIRANG’ on March 20. The subsequent day will feature a monumental free concert at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, serving as both a comeback celebration and prelude to their extensive world tour.

Netflix’s exclusive broadcast, titled ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG’, symbolizes a significant partnership between the streaming giant and HYBE, BTS’s management company. The new album itself carries profound cultural significance, named after a traditional Korean folk song that expresses themes of separation and longing, often considered Korea’s unofficial national anthem.

According to Netflix representatives, the album reflects ‘a deep contemplation on the group’s origins and identity,’ with an accompanying documentary ‘BTS: THE RETURN’ scheduled for release on March 27.

The economic implications of BTS’s return are substantial. Prior to their military hiatus, the group generated an estimated 5.5 trillion won ($3.8 billion) annually for South Korea’s economy, equivalent to 0.2% of the nation’s total GDP. Financial markets responded positively to the announcement, with HYBE shares rising 2.5% during morning trading in Seoul.

The subsequent world tour, commencing in April, will encompass 34 cities with 79 performances, establishing it as the most extensive tour by both performance count and geographical reach for any K-pop artist in history.

Shanghai’s Brand Mall became the site of a breathtaking culinary art installation on January 30th when a colossal 4-meter-high fondant pegasus made its spectacular debut. The magnificent creation, meticulously crafted by celebrated fondant artist Zhou Yi, represents an extraordinary fusion of contemporary confectionery artistry with traditional Chinese cultural symbolism.

The monumental sculpture showcases exceptional technical mastery of the fondant medium, demonstrating both structural integrity and intricate artistic detailing. Zhou Yi’s creation incorporates traditional blessing motifs within its design, transforming the mythical winged horse into a carrier of cultural significance and festive spirit. The installation attracted widespread attention from both art enthusiasts and culinary professionals, drawing large crowds to the commercial venue.

This impressive edible artwork marks a significant achievement in the field of food artistry, pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished with sugar-based materials. The pegasus installation serves not only as a visual spectacle but also as a testament to the evolving nature of culinary arts in urban Chinese culture. Its presence at Shanghai Brand Mall underscores the growing intersection between traditional craftsmanship, contemporary art, and commercial exhibition spaces in modern China.

The temporary exhibition provides Shanghai residents and visitors with an unexpected artistic encounter in a retail environment, blurring the lines between food, art, and cultural expression. Zhou Yi’s creation stands as a remarkable example of how traditional artistic mediums can be reinvented through innovative techniques and imaginative conceptualization.

In Zhengzhou, Henan province, 60-year-old Pan Yihong has transformed retirement into an unexpected acting career, becoming one of China’s most recognizable faces in the booming micro-drama industry. After decades as a discipline official in a state-owned enterprise, Pan has appeared in over 300 short-form productions since retiring, specializing in villainous grandmother and mother-in-law roles that have earned her the nickname ‘Rong Momo’ after Chinese television’s iconic antagonist.

Pan’s journey to micro-drama stardom represents a deferred dream finally realized. In 1984, she completed drama training but prioritized practical career concerns, keeping her faded pink certificate through multiple moves as a silent reminder of her unrealized passion. Her father had named her Yihong, meaning ‘artistic rainbow,’ in hopes she would someday achieve artistic heights.

That aspiration culminated in late 2025 when Pan received the Golden Leaf Honor at the Weibo TV and Internet Video Summit in Beijing—a moment she commemorated by visiting her father’s grave to share her accomplishment. ‘Your daughter didn’t just become an actress,’ she told him. ‘She won an award.’

Unlike actors who resist typecasting, Pan embraces her villain specialization. ‘It shows that I have successfully portrayed these images and they recognize my acting skills,’ she explained. Her approach to villainy focuses on capturing characters’ ‘human logic’ through subtle details rather than exaggerated outbursts.

Off-screen, Pan’s personality contrasts sharply with her on-screen personas. Younger colleagues affectionately call her ‘Auntie Pan,’ and her husband of decades, Qiao Rui, notes that despite rarely watching her productions, he fully supports her career. ‘This is just acting,’ he said. ‘In real life, she is very kind-hearted.’

As a pioneer in China’s rapidly evolving micro-drama industry, Pan has witnessed significant changes in production quality and audience expectations. ‘I have watched this industry rise from the ground,’ she observed. ‘From mindless thrilling dramas with all kinds of exaggeration to content that now requires warmth and social value.’

With nearly 700 million micro-drama viewers nationwide as of June 2025—representing nearly 70% of China’s internet users—the industry continues to expand rapidly. Pan remains highly motivated despite the industry’s demanding schedules, viewing age as merely symbolic. ‘Sixty can be the start of a new life,’ she said. ‘Retirement isn’t about the end. It means finding a new stage to shine on.’

Looking forward, Pan hopes to expand beyond her villain niche into comedy and spy films, aspiring to work in long-form dramas with veteran actors she admires.