United News of Bangladesh

The global popularity of Korean dramas continues to soar, weaving intricate emotions into mesmerizing storytelling and visual brilliance. The March 2025 lineup brings diverse genres, including romance, comedy, drama, thriller, and fantasy. Unparalleled storylines and intricate suspense keep audiences on edge, blurring the lines between expectation and surprise. Let’s explore the most anticipated K-drama series set to premiere this month. Top 10 Korean Dramas Arriving This March . The Potato Lab | Romantic Comedy | March 1, 2025  Written by Kim Ho-soo, this drama series flourishes with Kang Il-soo as its director. The narrative centers on Kim Mi-Kyung, portrayed by Lee Sun-bin, a dedicated researcher whose life revolves around her work with potatoes. Her routine is disrupted by the arrival of So Baek-ho, played by Kang Tae-oh, a pragmatic director from a large corporation aiming to commercialize the institute's research. Their clashing perspectives lead to humorous conflicts and a budding romance. The supporting cast includes Lee Hak-joo and Kim Ga-eun. Backed by Chorokbaem Media, the comedy series is scheduled to be broadcast globally on Netflix. Read more: 12 Most Anticipated South Indian Movies Releasing in March 2025 Mother and Mom | Family Drama | March 3, 2025 Jointly written by Jo Won-dong and Sung Yoon-ah, and helmed by Kim Chul-gyu, this family show is an adaptation of the novel ‘Riding Life’ by Go Seon-mi. The plot follows Lee Jung-eun, a determined beauty industry marketer played by who strives to balance her demanding career with the education of her seven-year-old daughter. Her life becomes more complex when she seeks assistance from her estranged mother, Yoon Ji-ah, a pediatric art therapist. Starring Jeon Hye-jin, Jung Jin-young, Jeon Seok-ho, and Jo Min-su, the family drama boasts production by Betty & Creators. I Am a Running Mate | School Drama | March 6, 2025  Directed by Han Jin-won, the sports drama is penned by writers Han Jin-won, Hong Ji-soo, and Oh Do-geon. The narrative follows a model student who becomes a running mate for the school student council to improve his image. Read more: March 2025 Bollywood Movie Releases: Top 10 Most-Anticipated Hindi Films to Watch Starring Yoon Hyun-soo, Lee Jung-shik, and Choi Woo-sung, the school drama brings together a talented ensemble cast. The production credit goes to collaboratively Blade Entertainment, Ace Maker Studio, Running Mate Culture Industry Specialty Co., Ltd., and TVING. When Life Gives You Tangerines | Romantic Drama | March 7, 2025  Set against the picturesque backdrop of Jeju Island in the 1950s, this romance slice-of-life drama portrays the intertwined lives of two individuals amidst societal changes. Written by Lim Sang-choon, this romantic series takes shape under the direction of Kim Won-seok. Read more: Top Amazon Prime Originals to Binge-Watch in March 2025 The series features IU as Ae-soon, a spirited young woman aspiring to become a poet despite financial hardships preventing her from attending school. Park Bo-gum co-stars as Gwan-sik, a steadfast and diligent young man deeply devoted to Ae-soon. The supporting cast includes Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon. Bankrolled by Pan Entertainment and Baram Pictures, the show is slated for release on Netflix. The Art of Negotiation | Legal Drama | March 8, 2025  Penned by writer Lee Seung-young, this drama series thrives with Ahn Pan-seok as the director. ‘The Art of Negotiation’ follows Yoon Joo-no, portrayed by Lee Je-hoon, a legendary M&A expert renowned for his unparalleled negotiation skills. He leads a team that includes lawyer Oh Soon-young, played by Kim Dae-myung, and Choi Jin-soo, enacted by Cha Kang-yoon. Their collective expertise is tested as they navigate complex corporate deals and ethical dilemmas. Read more: 10 Must-Watch Netflix English Originals Arriving in March 2025 Starring Sung Dong-il and Jang Hyun-sung in supporting roles, the legal drama features a collaboration of production houses- BA Entertainment and SLL.

Popular television actor Azadur Rahman Azad was shot and injured by unidentified assailants at his residence in Ashulia early Sunday. His mother and wife were also injured in the attack. According to family members, the incident took place around 2:45 am when Azad, who was staying on the third floor of his house, heard noises coming from the second-floor kitchen. Lamia, daughter of Sohel Chowdhury-Diti, alleges attack over property dispute As he went downstairs and opened the kitchen door, the attackers fired multiple rounds, hitting him in both legs. Hearing the gunshots, Azad’s mother and wife rushed to the scene but were also assaulted by the assailants. The attackers then fired several more rounds before fleeing. Azad, along with his injured mother and wife, was taken to a private hospital in Uttara for treatment. Azad’s elder sister, Afrina Akter, said, “We are not sure who carried out the attack. When we reached the kitchen, we saw Azad had been shot in the legs. My sister-in-law and mother were also injured when they tried to intervene. The assailants fired around 10 to 15 rounds before escaping.” Bapparaj finally finds ‘Hena’ but… Md Nur Alam Siddique, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ashulia Police Station, confirmed the incident, saying that two attackers had entered the kitchen by cutting the grill. “As the family became aware, the assailants shot Azad three times in the legs. They also hit his wife with a cooking pan before fleeing,” he said. “Police visited the scene immediately after the incident, but we have not received a written complaint yet. Our investigation is ongoing,” OC Siddique added.

Sean Baker's “Anora” won best film, best director and best actor for Mikey Madison at the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday in what could be a preview of next Sunday’s Oscars: The film about a Brooklyn sex worker and her whirlwind affair with a Russian oligarch’s son has emerged in recent weeks as an awards season front-runner. The Spirit Awards, held in a beachside tent in Santa Monica, California, is the shaggier, more irreverent sister to the Academy Awards, celebrating the best in independent film and television. Host Aidy Bryant called it “Hollywood’s third or fourth biggest night.” In accepting the directing prize, Baker spoke passionately about the difficulty of making independent films in an industry that is no longer able to fund riskier films. He said indies are in danger of becoming calling card films — movies made only as a means to get hired for bigger projects. “The system has to change because this is simply unsustainable,” Baker said to enthusiastic applause. “We shouldn't be barely getting by.” “Anora’s” best film competition included Jane Schoenbrun’s psychological horror “I Saw the TV Glow,” RaMell Ross’ adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s “Nickel Boys,” Greg Kwedar’s incarceration drama “Sing Sing” and Coralie Fargeat’s body horror “The Substance.” This year had several other possible Oscar winners celebrating. Kieran Culkin, considered an Oscar favorite, won the supporting performance award for “A Real Pain.” His director, co-star and writer Jesse Eisenberg won best screenplay for the film about two cousins embarking on a Holocaust tour in Poland. Culkin was not there to accept — he also missed his BAFTA win last weekend to tend to a family member — but other Oscar nominees like Madison and Demi Moore were. Madison won the top acting prize over Moore at the BAFTAs last weekend, as well, and stopped Saturday to pet Moore's dog Pilaf on the way to the stage. Acting categories for the Spirit Awards are gender neutral and include 10 spots each, meaning Madison and Moore were up against Oscar nominees like Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”) and Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”). Emilia Pérez leads Oscar nominations with 13 The documentary prize went to “No Other Land,” the lauded film by a Palestinian-Israeli collective about the destruction of a village in the West Bank which doesn’t have distribution. It’s also a strong Oscar contender in a competitive category. The filmmakers were not in attendance to accept the award. “Flow,” the wordless animated Latvian cat film, won best international film. At the Oscars, it's competing in the international film category and animation. While the Spirit Award winners don’t always sync up with the academy, they can often reflect a growing consensus as in the “Everything Everywhere All At Once” year. The awards limit eligibility to productions with budgets of $30 million or less, meaning more expensive Oscar nominees like “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two” were not in the running. Sean Wang accepted best first feature and best first screenplay prizes for “Dìdi.” He said it was special to be sharing the stage with one of his stars, Joan Chen, who was also nominated for the same award 25 years ago for “Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.” The Netflix phenomenon “Baby Reindeer” also picked up several prizes, for actors Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning and Nava Mau. Mau, who is trans, spoke about the importance of actors sticking together “as we move into this next chapter.” “We don’t know what is going to happen, but we do know our power,” Mau said. “We are the people and our labor is everything.” Other television winners included “Shōgun,” for best new scripted series, and “How to Die Alone,” for best ensemble. “How to Die Alone” creator and star Natasha Rothwell was emotional while accepting the ensemble prize. The show was recently canceled after its first season. Rothwell said it was “a show about the need to feel seen, to be valued just as you are.” “For Black stories, visibility isn’t a privilege: It is a necessity,” Rothwell said. “We deserve to take up space, to be complex, to be hilarious and to be fully human.” The generally lighthearted show took a moment to acknowledge the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. Bryant made a plea to anyone watching the show, in the audience or on the YouTube livestream, to help rebuild L.A. She pointed to a QR code that appeared on the livestream to make donations to the Film Independent Emergency Filmmaker Relief Fund, providing grants to alumni impacted by the wildfires. The show also paid tribute to longtime Film Independent president Josh Welsh, who died earlier this year at age 62. Welsh had colon cancer. Bryant said in her opening that it had been a “great year for film and a bad year for human life.” The “Saturday Night Live” alum kicked off the event ribbing some of the nominees, like Emma Stone. ‘Emilia Pérez’ and ‘Wicked’ Advance in Oscars Shortlists “Emma was a producer on four nominated projects tonight,” Bryant said. “But even more importantly, her hair is short now.” Stone also featured prominently in Eisenberg’s speech, when he picked up the best screenplay prize for “A Real Pain.” Since they met on the set of “Zombieland” in 2009, he said, she’s been supportive of his writing despite being “the most famous person I know” and produced both of his films. “I think of her not as my producer, but as a fairy godmother, like I’m riding the coattails for her goodwill,” Eisenberg said. The camera cut to Stone, teary and moved, in the audience. She and her husband Dave McCary’s production company Fruit Tree also produced Julio Torres’ “Problemista” and “Fantasmas” and Schoenbrun’s “I Saw the TV Glow.” “I Saw the TV Glow” went into the show tied with “Anora” with six nominations. It left with only one, for producer Sarah Winshall.

Lady Gaga has confirmed that she will perform a free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach on May 3. “I’ve been dying to come perform for you for years and was heartbroken when I had to cancel years ago because I was hospitalized,” Gaga said Friday on social media. In 2017, she canceled a performance at Rock in Rio for medical reasons. At the time, she apologized and said she needed to focus on her health. “I am now coming back and I feel better than ever and am working so hard to make sure this show is one you will never forget,” she added. Gaga’s concert on the beach follows Madonna’s free performance there in May. The “Queen of Pop” drew an estimated 1.6 million people to Copacabana Beach, one of the world’s most famous shorelines. Music Review: Sam Fender's pop-rock soars on his third album, 'People Watching' Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, who was re-elected last year to a four-year term, has pledged to bring a major international concert to the city every May. “I don’t have tickets for the Lady Gaga show! It’s open and free!” he joked on X while sharing Gaga’s announcement.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck officially became divorced and single Friday. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge approved their divorce settlement on Jan. 6, and declared that it would take effect on Feb. 21, after California's required six months passed since Lopez filed to dissolve their two-year-old marriage. The document said they settled through mediation in September, avoiding the kind of drawn-out court fight that other celebrity couples have gone through. Lopez now drops the Affleck from her legal name. Most of the financial details were kept private, but neither star will pay the other spousal support, and they have no children together so custody is not an issue. The superstar pairing married in July 2022. Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024. The filing said they had separated more than a year earlier. It was their second stint as a couple. In the early 2000s, they met, fell in love, got engaged and starred together in the infamous “Gigli” and “Jersey Girl” in 2004. They split up that same year, blaming in part the pressure of the public eye. Music Review: Sam Fender's pop-rock soars on his third album, 'People Watching' But to the joy of many fans and perhaps the doubt of others, they got back together two decades later and got married. Affleck divorced Jennifer Garner, with whom he has three children, in 2018. Lopez has been married four times and has twins with singer Marc Anthony.

As its title “People Watching” suggests, Sam Fender spends the bulk of his third studio album putting his observations about others — their histories, their futures, their troubles, their hopes — to music. The concept is simple. The results are anything but. Written by the English singer-songwriter over two years, the album’s 11 pop-rock tracks reveal a tender, strong-willed and observant lyricist. They also show off Fender's skills as a musician and co-producer, capable of tying together instrumental threads into rich productions that enliven his stories. None of that is news to his fans, who have already sold-out tour dates ahead of the album's release. Like the best of his previous releases, the project's titular opening track is anthemic and robust. Its Springsteen-style makes you want to move, or at least, shout along with Fender. That energy is achieved through a fast-paced and meticulously arranged production: Guitar and piano are layered over strings. Metallic cymbals punctuate the chorus, cut by a saxophone solo. The drumbeat is steady but quick, standing in for Fender's racing heart. “I can't stop running,” he sings, “I see the whole town fall." That town, his home of North Shields, England, serves as inspiration throughout the album. Meghan Markle faces criticism over name choice for new lifestyle brand On “Crumbling Empire,” atop grooving electric guitar, Fender appears to describe his family and the systems they were failed by: “My mother delivered most of the kids in this town / My stepdad drove in a tank for the crown," before summarizing his album in a few lines: “I don't wear the shoes I used to walk in / But I can’t help but thinking where they’d take me / In this crumbling empire.” He speaks of specific struggles, but his observations are built upon the understanding that pain is always universal. On “Something Heavy,” he offers reprieve: “Everybody here's got, something heavy / I'll shoulder it a while if you just want a night off.” The album closes with “Remember My Name,” a tribute to Fender’s late grandparents. It is written from the perspective of his grandfather as he cared for Fender's grandmother, who had dementia. Absent the upbeat guitars and drum beats that accompany much of the album, Fender’s vocals are strikingly crisp. Featured instead is the muffled, nostalgic sound of horns, performed by Northeast England's Easington Colliery Band. 'Wicked' choice: Cynthia Erivo to host 2025 Tony Awards in June  The song's chorus is tight but powerful. “Humor me / make my day / I'll tell you stories / kiss your face / and I'll pray / you'll remember / my name," Fender sings as his grandfather, his voice soaring with aching emotion. Closer to his roots here than anywhere else on the album, his people watching is complete.

Shah Rukh Khan, one of Bollywood's most iconic stars, has made headlines yet again, this time for leasing two luxurious duplex apartments in Mumbai's upscale Pali Hills, Khar West. According to reports, the actor has signed a three-year lease for the properties, owned by the Bhagnani family, at an annual rent of Rs 2.9 crore, totaling Rs 8.67 crore over the lease period. The monthly rent for both apartments combined amounts to Rs 24.15 lakh. The duplexes are located in the Puja Casa building, spanning the first, second, seventh, and eighth floors. One of the units is owned by actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani and his sister Deepshikha Deshmukh, leased by Shah Rukh Khan for Rs 11.54 lakh per month, with a security deposit of Rs 32.97 lakh. Meghan Markle faces criticism over name choice for new lifestyle brand The other unit, owned by producer Vashu Bhagnani, has been rented for Rs 12.61 lakh per month, with a security deposit of Rs 36 lakh. The lease agreements were officially registered on February 14, with a stamp duty of Rs 2.22 lakh and a registration fee of Rs 2,000. This move comes shortly after Shah Rukh Khan's wife, Gauri Khan, applied for permission to expand their iconic Mumbai bungalow, Mannat. The proposal, submitted to the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), seeks to add two floors to the six-storey annexe behind the residence, increasing the built-up area by 616.02 square meters. On the professional front, Shah Rukh Khan had a stellar 2023 with two blockbuster hits, Jawan and Pathaan. He is now preparing for his next project, King, directed by Siddharth Anand. The film is rumored to feature Abhishek Bachchan and Shah Rukh's daughter, Suhana Khan, adding to the anticipation surrounding the project. Salman Khan and Atlee's Mega Reincarnation Film to be Made on Rs 500 Crore Budget Renting luxury properties is a common practice among Bollywood celebrities. For instance, in December 2024, Shraddha Kapoor reportedly leased a plush apartment in Mumbai’s Juhu locality for Rs 6 lakh per month. Shah Rukh Khan's latest lease further underscores the trend of high-profile actors opting for luxurious rentals in prime locations. Source: Indian media

Meghan Markle’s newly announced lifestyle brand, “As Ever”, has sparked controversy due to its name, which is identical to an existing clothing company in New York.  The Duchess of Sussex introduced her brand on Instagram, describing it as a passion project centred on food, gardening, entertaining, and “thoughtful living.” Set to launch in Spring 2025, the venture will not include clothing. “I’m thrilled to introduce “As Ever” — a brand that I created and have poured my heart into,” Markle wrote.  However, a New York-based clothing brand, also called “As Ever”, has responded to the name overlap. Founded in 2017, the company’s co-founder, Mark Kolski, addressed the situation on Instagram. “We are aware. We are not affiliated,” he stated, thanking supporters for their concern. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Kolski revealed that he only discovered Markle’s brand after being informed by a friend. He is now seeking legal advice.  Meghan Markle spends heavily on wardrobe ahead of showbiz comeback The similarity in names has led to backlash on social media, with some accusing Markle of failing to conduct proper research. One X user wrote, “‘As Ever’ is a well-known fashion brand in NYC. Meghan Markle stole their name! Did she not do a business search?” Another added, “She took the name of an already established, trademarked store.”  The controversy emerges just ahead of Markle’s upcoming Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan”, which is now set to premiere on March 4 after being postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires. 

Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo has been chosen to host this year’s Tony Awards, set to take place on June 8 at Radio City Music Hall.  Erivo, known for her role in Wicked, has received numerous accolades, including a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony, along with a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and three Oscar nominations. She expressed her excitement about the opportunity, calling it a "glorious honour." She hopes to guide the theatre community through a night dedicated to celebrating outstanding performances from the past year.  The Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.  Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing, and Jason Laks, president of The Broadway League, praised Erivo’s contributions to musical theatre. A$AP Rocky acquitted of firearm assault charges in LA They highlighted how her performances on stage and screen have introduced the art form to millions worldwide—aligning perfectly with the Tony Awards’ mission.  With Erivo at the helm, the event promises to be a remarkable tribute to Broadway’s best, honouring excellence in live theatre. Source: with inputs from wires  

Rapper A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, has been acquitted of charges related to firing a gun at a former friend during an altercation in Los Angeles. A jury found him not guilty of two felony assault charges, which could have resulted in a 24-year prison sentence. The charges stemmed from an incident on November 6, 2021, when Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, accused Mayers of shooting at him during an argument on a Hollywood street, grazing his knuckles with one of the bullets. Mayers, who is also a fashion mogul and Rihanna's partner, denied the allegations, claiming the weapon was a prop gun and that Ephron was motivated by financial gain. The verdict was met with cheers and applause in court, with Mayers quickly embracing his family, including Rihanna, who attended the trial with their young sons. Rapper Aly Hasan collaborates with Toffee for World Cup song Mayers thanked the jury and expressed relief, stating, “Thank God for saving my life.” The altercation occurred after a disagreement between the two men the previous day. Prosecutors alleged that Mayers drew the gun, threatened to kill Ephron, and fired several shots.  However, the defense argued the weapon was a non-lethal prop gun. The firearm was never recovered, and the prosecution's case relied partly on surveillance footage, but there was no direct evidence showing the shooting. Ephron took two days to report the incident and was unable to provide supporting evidence, including missing shell casings and surveillance footage. Rapper and singer Aaron Carter passes away at age 34 in California Mayers, who is preparing for the release of his first solo album in nearly a decade, is also scheduled to perform at the Rolling Loud festival in Los Angeles in March 2025 and stars in Spike Lee’s upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest.