Current Entertainment News Briefs: Updates on HYBE, JioCinema, Taylor Swift, David Ellison, Ryan Gosling, Alok, Eurovision, Russian K-pop Fans, and John Lennon’s Guitar Auction

Record giant HYBE audits ‘NewJeans’ label as infighting returns to K-pop

In the world of K-pop, tensions are running high as South Korea’s largest music company, HYBE, is conducting an audit of one of its labels, NewJeans. The audit comes amidst suspicions that the label is planning to break away from HYBE, causing internal strife within the industry.

HYBE is known for housing multiple labels behind globally renowned groups such as BTS and Seventeen. However, the recent internal dispute has caused shares of HYBE to fall nearly 8% on Monday, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

Meanwhile, in India, the streaming war is heating up as JioCinema, the streaming platform run by Reliance Industries, has slashed its subscription prices to compete with giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime. With the media and entertainment market in India valued at $28 billion, the competition is fierce as companies vie for a larger share of the streaming audience.

On a lighter note, Taylor Swift fans are buzzing with excitement as they flock to The Black Dog, a pub in southwest London, after it was mentioned in the singer’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” The pub’s events and social media manager, Lily Bottomley, shared that the buzz started online before the album’s release, with fans eager to visit the establishment.

In Hollywood, the worlds of Silicon Valley and entertainment collide as David Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison, bids for Paramount Global. With a background in technology and a passion for movies, Ellison’s bid could potentially reshape the future of the storied studio.

Elsewhere, Brazilian DJ Alok is taking a unique approach to his music by infusing indigenous songs from his country into his dance tracks. His new album, “The Future is Ancestral,” showcases a blend of traditional Brazilian music with modern electronic dance beats, offering a fresh take on the genre.

As Eurovision fever sweeps through Sweden, travel searches for the city of Malmo have surged by 176%, according to eDreams ODIGEO. The upcoming song contest has sparked interest in the coastal city, drawing visitors from around the world to experience the excitement firsthand.

Lastly, in Russia, a growing interest in Asian culture, including K-pop and anime, is taking hold among younger generations. As access to Western cultural products becomes more restricted due to sanctions, young Russians are turning to countries like South Korea, Japan, and China for entertainment, embracing a new wave of cultural influences.

In a surprising turn of events, a lost 12-string acoustic guitar that once belonged to the legendary John Lennon is set to go up for auction in May. The guitar, which was found in the attic of a home in Britain, is expected to fetch a hefty sum, given its historical significance and connection to the Beatles’ iconic album, “Help!”

With a mix of drama, competition, creativity, and cultural exploration, the entertainment industry continues to captivate audiences around the world, offering a diverse array of experiences and stories to enjoy.