In mid-April, when daily temperature swings remain wide, which entertainment stories moved the public?

A youth-film-style coffee advertisement featuring BTS member V has become a talking point, while Astro member and actor Cha Eun-woo, who was at the centre of tax evasion allegations, bowed again after paying his taxes in full.

As a hoodie featuring global group KATSEYE and goods for the drama “21st Century Daegunbuin” tempt fans’ wallets, the acting of IU and Byeon Woo-seok has come under scrutiny.

In the music scene, boy groups including Tomorrow X Together, Plave, Modisai and Xdinary Heroes are set to tickle listeners’ ears with new releases.

• BTS' V in a school uniform draws attention, like a scene from a youth film

BTS member V is winning over fans worldwide through an advertisement video with the feel of a youth film.

On April 10, Compose Coffee said it officially launched its new advertising campaign, “That Night, Our Decaf,” in collaboration with its exclusive model V.

In the video, V returns as a high school student, wearing a school uniform and acting out varied moments of youth. He is shown gently removing dandelion seeds from a first love’s hair, sleeping in a classroom and running across a basketball court, drawing attention with multiple scenes.

The campaign was planned to reflect consumer demand to enjoy the original taste of coffee while reducing the burden of caffeine, as the “healthy pleasure” trend of managing health enjoyably becomes part of daily life.

With Astro member Cha Eun-woo having caused repercussions amid tax evasion allegations, he bowed again as he stated he had paid all of the additional tax assessment that became an issue. His agency Fantagio also acknowledged weak internal controls in an official apology.

On April 8, Cha posted a lengthy message on his Instagram saying, “I respect the National Tax Service’s procedures and results, and I have paid all related taxes.” He wrote, “I hope no further confusion continues,” and said he would “diligently follow the remaining procedures.” He also said that if there were parts he did not review 충분ly, he bears all responsibility, and made clear he would not hide behind his family or company. He said he missed some parts while setting up a corporation to continue his activities stably, and that he must shoulder that responsibility as well, showing he does not take the matter lightly.

Fantagio then apologised for causing public concern over tax-related controversy involving its artists. “We are not accepting this as a simple individual issue but as a serious matter stemming from a lack of management responsibility,” Fantagio said. It acknowledged that, as an agency that should support and check artists’ overall activities, it did not conduct sufficient prior review and that there were shortcomings in the management process. It added, “We are thoroughly reviewing internal management systems and decision-making processes, and we will strengthen prior verification procedures, including tax and legal reviews.”

• Cha Eun-woo with 'tax evasion allegations' pays 20 billion won in full, says he respects NTS procedures

Global group KATSEYE has teamed up with apparel brand GAP.

KATSEYE will launch a “limited-edition KATSEYE x GAP hoodie collection” through Complex’s official online store on April 15.

A video released through official social media accounts shows the members wearing the limited-edition hoodies. The sleeves feature each member’s country of origin, drawing attention. On Korean member Yoonchae’s grey hoodie, the South Korean flag stands out.

• KATSEYE to release limited-edition GAP hoodies, flags on wrists draw attention • IU and Byeon Woo-seok's 'Daegunbuin' meets Chun-sik, sells out soon after release

The MBC drama “21st Century Daegunbuin,” starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok, has met a popular character and transformed into special goods.

On April 9, the drama’s official Instagram revealed news of a collaboration between “21st Century Daegunbuin” and lifestyle brand Kakao Friends, with the line: “Are you ready to welcome Daegunbuin?”

The collaboration features the meeting of “21st Century Daegunbuin,” named as this year’s most anticipated work, and the national character Chun-sik. The main products are cute keyring dolls that reflect the traits of the drama’s main characters. In the revealed goods, a keyring inspired by Seong Hee-joo (played by IU) has Hee-joo’s signature beauty mark stamped on Chun-sik’s cheek and features a ceremonial hat and wedding robe. A keyring for Prince Ian Daegun (played by Byeon) highlights details such as his dimples and shows a dignified Chun-sik in uniform and wedding attire.

■ This week’s key K-snapp news

Concerns over the acting of IU and Byeon Woo-seok, the male and female leads in “21st Century Daegunbuin,” which was unveiled amid high expectations, drew attention on Global K-snapp.

First aired on April 10, “21st Century Daegunbuin” is set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy in South Korea. It portrays a romance about breaking status barriers and shaping destiny, between a woman who has everything as a chaebol but is irritated at being merely a commoner in status, and a man who is the king’s son but is sad because he cannot have anything. The series is showing an upward trend in viewership ratings, with 7.8 percent for episode 1 and 9.5 percent for episode 2, according to Nielsen Korea.

In the drama, the chaebol Seong Hee-joo, played by IU, broadly expressed a complex inner life as she confronts her background and reality, showing a bold and ambitious side as well as professionalism and a lovable, cute side, heightening immersion. Byeon has also drawn praise for captivating home viewers with a different charm from his tvN drama “Lovely Runner.”

But it appears not everyone thinks the same. After the release, online criticism poured in, with comments such as “Both IU and Byeon Woo-seok’s acting is bad,” “IU was good in ‘Pokssak’ but why is she like this now,” “Byeon Woo-seok’s Seon-jae image is too strong,” and “Byeon Woo-seok reading lines like a Korean textbook with blank eyes is creepy.”

Still, as the 12-episode series has aired only 2 episodes so far, there are also many voices saying it is “too early to judge praise and criticism.”

• [Global PICK] Even K-drama fans worry, IU and Byeon Woo-seok’s acting in 'Daegunbuin' • [OTT Ranking] Netflix no, Disney+ hit! IU and Byeon Woo-seok’s 'Daegunbuin' works

Recently, interest in Disney+ works has been hotter than in Netflix. That is because the drama “21st Century Daegunbuin,” starring IU and Byeon, is on the platform.

On April 14, FlixPatrol, an OTT content ranking site, showed “21st Century Daegunbuin” at No. 4 globally in the Disney+ Top 10 TV shows category as of the previous day. It entered the Top 10 in 44 countries and regions, ranking No. 1 in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, No. 2 in Brazil, No. 4 in Mexico, No. 5 in Canada and Australia, and No. 6 in the United States, underscoring its global popularity.

It also ranked No. 1 in the second week of April 2026 TV-OTT drama buzz rankings in a FUNdex survey by Good Data Corporation, a specialist in analysing K-content competitiveness. Among the indicators that make up buzz, it ranked No. 1 in VON (community reaction, Voice of Netizen), social media and news, and No. 2 in video.

In the third week, as warm spring breezes begin to blow in earnest, a rush of boy group comebacks is stirring excitement. Among them, Mamamoo member Wheein is drawing attention as the lone female comeback.

Tomorrow X Together has fired a signal flare for success with its eighth mini album, while Plave has also moved to line up the charts. Modisai has debuted by teaming up with Stray Kids’ producing team, and Xdinary Heroes has strengthened the group’s colour with all members participating in work on its new release. Wheein of Mamamoo signalled a treat for the ears with her distinctive voice.

• [New Song Hot Clip] 'TXT, Plave, Modisai' boy group clash heats up

Snapp It First. Feel It K. This is an online article published by K-snapp, which provides the fastest and most entertaining entertainment news.