Boyfriend On Demand: BLACKPINK'S Jisoo And Seo In-Guk Confirmed For K-Drama Series

BLACKPINK member Jisoo and Doom at Your Service actor Seo In-guk will be seen together in the new Korean romantic comedy series, which is currently titled as Boyfriend on Demand, on Netflix.

The high-concept drama is about an overworked webtoon producer who discovers romance through a subscription-based virtual reality dating program.

Jisoo will portray Seo Mi-rae, a career-focused creative whose love life takes an unexpected turn when she receives a “Monthly Boyfriend” device that allows her to date seemingly perfect virtual suitors, reports Variety.

Seo In-guk is set to play Park Kyeong-nam, a rival webtoon producer whose frosty exterior masks hidden depths. His character's complex dynamic with Mi-rae promises to add tension to the workplace romance narrative.

At the helm is director Kim Jung-sik, known for his deft touch in series like comedy-drama Work Later, Drink Now (2021) and comedy-romance No Gain No Love (2024).

The director's track record suggests the show will balance its high-tech premise with grounded emotional storytelling. The series continues with the trend of Netflix's investment in Korean content, following the streamer's string of hits in the romance genre.

Earlier this month Netflix unveiled its 2025 slate. The series marks Jisoo's latest acting venture following her success in Snowdrop (2021) and her new series Newtopia (2025), which debuted in February and follows a couple's journey to reunite amid a zombie outbreak in Seoul.

In Newtopia, Park Jeon-min plays Lee Jae-yoon, a man completing his mandatory military service, while Jisoo takes on the role of Kang Young-joo, his girlfriend navigating early career challenges.

In January, Jisoo signed a global label deal with Warner Records for her solo music releases, ahead of the February 14 release of her debut solo mini album, Amortage.

Talking about BLACKPINK, the South Korean girl group is formed by YG Entertainment. The group is composed of four members—Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa.

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iPhone 16e Introduces Apple’s Proprietary C1 5G Cellular Modem With Improved Efficiency

After months of anticipation, Apple debuted the successor to the iPhone SE (2022) dubbed the iPhone 16e on Wednesday. The phone comes with several firsts in the company's affordable iPhone lineup, including an OLED display, a notch design with Face ID, and support for Apple Intelligence. However, a key addition which surprisingly only got a few lines of mention in the official press release and thus, might have been overlooked by many, is Apple's new proprietary C1 modem which powers the cellular connectivity on the iPhone 16e.

Apple C1 Chip

The C1 chip is the culmination of Apple spending billions of dollars over many years in a bid to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm for sourcing 5G modems. While it was expected to be launched a few years ago following the company's acquisition of Intel's modem business in 2019, the development has time and again been delayed due to various factors. This resulted in the iPhone maker extending its deal with Qualcomm last year to outsource the 5G modems for the iPhone till 2026.

Apple claims the new C1 modem is the first in its category to be designed by the company in-house and is the “most power-efficient modem ever” on an iPhone whilst maintaining fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity. The improved efficiency of the modem, coupled with the iPhone 16e's internal design and iOS 18's advanced power management, is said to result in “extraordinary” battery life on the new iPhone; up to 26 hours of video playback, according to Apple.

In comparison, the base iPhone 16 is claimed to deliver up to 22 hours of video playback on a single charge.

However, the iPhone 16e is not without its caveats. A look at the technical specifications of the phone reveals that it lacks support for mmWave — the extremely high frequency (EHF) band. This claim was first made by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman a few days ago and Apple's launch confirms it. Thus, its absence may result in slower download and upload speeds, at least on paper.

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A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty in Shooting Trial, Breaks Down After Verdict

A Los Angeles jury has found rapper A$AP Rocky not guilty on all counts of felony assault, bringing an end to a highly publicized three-week trial.

According to Variety, the Harlem-bred rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of firing a gun at his former friend, A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron), outside a hotel in Hollywood in November 2021.

Rocky, his defence team, his partner, Rihanna, and family members present in the courtroom cheered and wept with joy as the verdict was delivered.

Rocky, who was facing up to 24 years in prison if convicted, had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial centred around a confrontation between Rocky and Ephron on Hollywood Boulevard, during which Ephron alleged that Rocky aimed a gun at his head and stomach and fired shots that grazed his hand, as per Variety.

However, Rocky's defence attorney, Joe Tacopina, argued that Ephron's injuries were minor and that Rocky had used a prop gun to break up a scuffle between Ephron and Rocky's entourage.

Tacopina also suggested that Ephron had "planted" evidence, including two 9mm shell casings, in an attempt to extort Rocky, as per Variety.

Ephron had filed a USD 30 million civil lawsuit against Rocky, which Tacopina cited as evidence of Ephron's motives.

As Variety reports, the trial was marked by tense exchanges between Tacopina and prosecutor John Lewin. Tacopina accused Lewin of behaving unethically, and Lewin vehemently denied the claims.

Rocky's acquittal brings an end to a highly publicized and dramatic trial that had captivated the music and entertainment industries for a long time.

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Nothing Phone 3a Series Confirmed to Get 50-Megapixel Triple Rear Cameras

Nothing Phone 3a series is scheduled to be launched globally on March 4. Ahead of its anticipated debut, the British original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has confirmed key camera specifications of what appears to be the Pro model in the lineup. The phone will be equipped with a 50-megapixel triple rear camera system. Alongside specifications, the camera unit's layout has also been teased and the cameras appear to be arranged in an unusual manner compared to traditional designs.

Nothing Phone 3a Series Camera Specifications

In a new video posted on Nothing's YouTube channel, the company carries out a comparison of the camera capabilities of its unreleased Nothing Phone 3a against one of the heavyweights in the market, the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The former's triple rear camera module is confirmed to comprise a 50-megapixel “shake free” camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 50-megapixel periscope Sony sensor with OIS, and an 8-megapixel ultra wide-angle shooter with a Sony Sensor.

See more. Capture more. Every detail crystal clear. pic.twitter.com/Iqxz6hnxto

— Nothing (@nothing) February 18, 2025

The phone will also have a 50-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. Nothing claims that the primary camera on the Phone 3a series has the largest “full well capacity” of any comparable sensor. Notably, it refers to the maximum amount of light a single pixel can capture without becoming saturated. Traditionally, the higher the full well capacity, the wider the range of light levels the camera can capture without losing details.

The video confirms that the Phone 3a series' 50-megapixel periscope camera will offer 3x optical zoom, 6x lossless zoom, and up to 60x “ultra” zoom. This sensor also enables users to capture macro zoom shots with up to 6x magnification, which the company claims to eliminate the need of using external macro lenses to capture such media.

Another camera feature on the Phone 3a series is 4K video stabilisation. As per Nothing, it enhances the video stability by over 200 percent, allowing the phone to shoot in up to 4K/30fps. It also gets adaptive stabilisation that automatically analyses the footage to determine if changes are to be applied.

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Solar Sail Satellites Could Enhance Space Weather Forecasting and Alerts

Satellites equipped with solar sails may soon improve early warnings for space weather events that could disrupt technological infrastructure on Earth. These sails, which harness light from the sun for propulsion, are being explored as a cost-effective alternative to traditional propulsion systems. Scientists believe this advancement could enhance monitoring of solar activity and provide earlier alerts for geomagnetic storms, reducing potential risks to power grids, satellites, GPS systems, and air traffic operations. Current space weather forecasting systems operate from a fixed point in space, but solar sail technology could allow satellites to move beyond conventional locations for improved data collection.

Advancement in Space Weather Forecasting

As reported by space.com, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Space Weather Observations, which manages operational satellite systems, solar sails could allow spacecraft to travel beyond the Earth-sun Lagrange Point One (L1). This location, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, provides a stable position for solar observation. Irfan Azeem, Division Chief of the Research to Operations and Project Planning Division at NOAA, told Space.com that solar sails present a more efficient alternative to chemical propulsion, enabling satellites to move upstream of L1 for faster data retrieval. This could extend alert times for geomagnetic storms by up to 50 percent.

New Mission Underway

A project named Solar Cruiser, a collaboration between NOAA and NASA, is focused on developing a full-scale solar sail spacecraft. The sail, spanning 1,653 square metres, is designed to be deployed with four individual quadrants. NOAA has reported that the construction of the quadrants is expected to be completed by February 2026, with plans to secure a rideshare launch by 2029. Scientists are optimistic about the impact of this technology in space weather forecasting, as it could provide earlier detection of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, ultimately improving preparedness for disruptive space weather events.

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Priyanka Chopra Shares Throwback Gold From Her Childhood: "Clearing Up My Photo Library"

Priyanka Chopra's latest Instagram post is a throwback gem. Taking a trip down memory lane, the actress shared a series of nostalgic snaps on Instagram.

The first frame shows a baby Priyanka chilling on her father Ashok Chopra's bike. The little one is rocking her mom Madhu Chopra's oversized goggles – too cute to handle.

After that, there is a childhood shot of Priyanka lounging like a pro. Then comes a heartwarming moment from her birthday party, where her dad is lifting her up in his arms, followed by a snap from another birthday where she looks adorable in a pretty frock.

There is also a fun family vacation picture from Leh, featuring Priyanka and her brother Siddharth with their parents. 

The timeline moves on with glimpses of Priyanka's teenage years, her first-ever modelling shoot in 1999 and an iconic shot from her Miss India days in 2000. Oh, and wait for it – there is a black-and-white gem featuring Priyanka, Ajay Devgn and Yusuf Khan.

Saving the wildest for last — Priyanka in Miami, casually draping a snake around her neck. Yes, you read that right.

In her caption, Priyanka Chopra shared the story behind each image. The actress wrote, “As I was clearing up my photo library, I found some fun snippets of my life. 1: Fashion first. Moms sunnies, Dad's bike (make was Rajdoot or Java I think) 1983 2: As I said Fashion first. Always been a Desi girl 1982 3: it was my Birthday party but I had a bad asthma attack 1987 4: Fashion stole my smile. Another birthday another year.”

Priyanka continued, “5: My happiest place. Traveling with my family. Leh 1994 6: Camphor hospital grounds Bareilly. The hair though 1993 7: lanky teenager at 13 was allowed a cola! of course in a fancy glass. Notice the emergency light? 1995 8: Boston. Major upgrade in confidence 1997 9: 90s baby. Stylin' with Irfan Ahmed 1997.”

“10: My first modelling shoot in Bareilly. Hair and makeup by me 1999 11: First portfolio shot. Bareilly. 1999 12: Miss India official portrait shot by Atul Kasbekar 13: Miss India contestant. 2000 14: Baby steps into movies.. Paper clipping my grandma saved of the mahurat of a shelved film called Asar with Ajay Devgn and the late Yusuf sahib approx 2002 15: Dostana Miami post shoot shenanigans why don't ask! 2008,” Priyanka Chopra added.

Priyanka Chopra signed off with the words, “There's so much more that happened, but that will require another post and another break between shots. See you soon with some more nostalgia.”

Reacting to the post, Priyanka Chopra's husband, Nick Jonas dropped a red heart. Stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray wrote, “This post is GIVING!!! Love it!!!”  Producer Apoorva Bakshi said, “OMG! The traveling with Daddy and Momma days. Emergency lights and mixed tapes days!”

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On the work front, Priyanka Chopra is reportedly set to appear in SS Rajamouli's upcoming project, led by Mahesh Babu. However, there has been no official announcement about her involvement in the film.

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iQOO Neo 10R With Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Chipset Surfaces on Geekbench Ahead of Launch

iQOO Neo 10R is confirmed to be in development as the first smartphone arriving with the special “R” badge in India. Ahead of its anticipated March 11 debut, the purported phone has surfaced on a benchmarking platform. Its listing hints at some of the expected key specifications such as the chipset, RAM, operating system, and performance scores. This builds upon the recent confirmation of the colourway, AnTuTu score, and battery capacity of the iQOO Neo 10R by the company itself.

iQOO Neo 10R Geekbench Listing

A handset with the model number "vivo I2221" has been listed on Geekbench (via Xpertpick). It has an octa-core chipset with an ARM v8 architecture featuring three cores clocking speeds of 2.02GHz, two mid-cores capped at 2.80GHz, and one prime core operating at 3.01GHz.

iQOO Neo 10R's Geekbench Listing

This is expected to be the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC, which might be paired with approximately 11.03GB of RAM. The phone is listed as running Android 15 and has a motherboard named "pineapple.

Benchmark scores for the purported iQOO Neo 10R also give us an idea of what to expect from the handset in terms of performance. In the Geekbench 6.4.0 for Android AArch64, it had 1,944 and 5,062 single and multi-core scores, respectively.

iQOO Neo 10R Specifications (Expected)

Based on previous reports, the iQOO Neo 10R may sport a 6.78-inch OLED screen along with 144Hz refresh rate. It is rumoured to be equipped with a dual rear camera system, comprising a 50-megapixel primary camera with a Sony LYT-600 sensor and an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera. It could also feature a 16-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls.

The handset is tipped to pack a 6,400mAh battery with 80W wired charging support. The company has already confirmed that the iQOO Neo 10R will be powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, built on TSMC's 4nm fabrication technology. It is speculated to be paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

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