Cupid's roller coaster ride [REWIND 2023]

Fifty Fifty was perhaps one of the hottest acts of 2023, for better or for worse. Fifty Fifty debuted on Nov. 18 last year as a quartet and shot to the top of the charts with “Cupid.” Things suddenly took an unexpected turn.

Fifty Fifty debuted as a quartet but now only has one remaining member, Keena, second from right. [ATTRAKT]

Fifty Fifty was perhaps one of the hottest acts of 2023, for better or for worse.

Fifty Fifty debuted on Nov. 18 last year as a quartet and shot to the top of the charts this year when its dance track “Cupid” went viral online. It became the fastest K-pop girl group to land its song on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Things suddenly took an unexpected turn when the four members filed for an injunction against their agency Attrakt, claiming that the company mistreated them and refused to share the income with the members.

The court sided with the agency rather than the members, and three members were kicked out of the agency and the group — with the exception of Keena, who returned to the agency after apologizing to the CEO.

Fifty Fifty is now a one-woman band with Keena as the sole remaining member.

REWIND 2023

In 2023, Korea witnessed a tumultuous year in its entertainment and culture scenes. A drug scandal sent shock waves through the industry, ensnaring luminaries like Yoo Ah-in, G-Dragon and Lee Sun-kyun, with Lee reportedly dying by suicide at the age of 48 on Wednesday. BTS members one by one reported for duty to fulfill their looming military service, and Blackpink decided to stand united as a quartet with YG. The K-pop market grappled with alleged tampering scandals, involving artists Fifty Fifty, EXO, Omega X and soloists like Chuu. K-dramas continued their global reign, with "Moving" on Disney+ and "The Glory" on Netflix ranking among the most viewed shows worldwide. Korean literature earned accolades, with the international recognition of Cheon Myeong-kwan and Han Kang's works. Historic cultural landmarks and treasures also made the news, from vandalized Gyeongbok Palace walls to Jikji's exhibition and Gucci's fashion show in Gyeongbok Palace. Only two Korean films were able to make the 10 million ticket sales mark.

Here are the top 10 culture stories in 2023:

1. Lee Sun-kyun dies by suicide, drug scandal sweeps entertainment scene

2. Bye for now, BTS says

3. Blackpink 'fourever'

4. Cupid's roller coaster ride

5. Streaming services up the ante with hit shows

6. Scribbling on the royal palace walls

7. Fiction books find global acclaim

8. Jikji sees spotlight after half a century in hiding

9. Luxury brands secure their spot in Korea

10. Two films in the 10 million club

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]