Author: Belle

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

G-Dragon Takes Epic Selfie With Fellow K-pop Legend PSY

In the dynamic realm of K-pop, few names radiate as brilliantly as G-Dragon and PSY. These two titans of the industry have enjoyed a dazzling reign, capturing the global music scene’s attention and acclaim. Therefore, the recent selfie shared by Kwon Jiyong, featuring himself alongside the iconic “Gangnam Style” singer, holds immense significance.

The King of K-Pop Poses With The King of YouTube in Epic New Selfie

The image, casually posted on G-Dragon’s Instagram story, swiftly ignited a social media frenzy, adding yet another layer to their colossal influence, both within and beyond the K-pop universe. Notably, G-Dragon cleverly captioned it as “Oppa, Hannam Style,” a wordplay that playfully swaps “Gangnam” from Psy’s hit song with “Hannam,” as both artists reside in Hannam-dong.

Their enthralling blend of exceptional musical talents, electric stage charisma, and unmatched performance prowess has catapulted G-Dragon and PSY to stratospheric stardom. The sight of them together in a single photograph is a true delight, showcasing the meeting of two unparalleled forces in the K-pop cosmos. This image encapsulates the convergence of their monumental careers, cementing their status as enduring icons of the genre.

xxxibgdrgn/Instagram

G-Dragon is widely recognized as the “King of K-pop.” In his role as the leader of BIGBANG, he has amassed a staggering collection of accolades, boasting seven Mnet Asian Music Awards, six Melon Music Awards, two Korean Music Awards, two Golden Disc Awards, and two MBC Entertainment Awards, to name just a few of his many honors. Notably, Kwon Jiyong holds the distinction of being the first and only solo artist to clinch the coveted Mnet Asian Music Award for Artist of the Year in 2013.

Meanwhile, PSY is known as the King of YouTube. This was coined after his music video for “Gangnam Style” exceeded one billion views. The MV became the first video to do so in the website’s history. Park Jae-sang performed under YG Entertainment from 2010 until 2018 before starting his own label P Nation in 2019.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Restaurant Employee Fired For Mocking NCT Dream’s Chenle

Aewol Restaurant has fired the employee who shared photos of the NCT members

A Seoul restaurant located in the prestigious Apgujeong district issued a formal apology following an incident involving derogatory language used by its employee in an Instagram story. The target of this offensive language was Chenle, a member of the popular group NCT Dream. Since then, the restaurant has confirmed that the staff member has been fired for their actions.

Chenle Gets Disrespected at a Restaurant

Chenle had visited Aewol Sikdang, a renowned establishment known for its expertise in preparing barbecued black pork from Jeju. The NCT member was joined by “EXchange” cast member Kim Tae Yi and the two set down to enjoy a meal together. However, an employee quickly recognized the celebrities and began posting their images on their Instagram story.

The invasion of privacy itself was already worrying but the employee made things worse by mocking Tae Yi. They also wrote derogatory terms about Chenle in one post, calling the Chinese idol “jjangkkae,” a rude Korean term similar to calling someone a “chink”.

Since then, the restaurant’s management expressed deep regret for the incident. In a statement posted on a new X account, they issued an apology to Chenle and Tae Yi. It was also confirmed that the staff member had been fired.

“This is Aewol Sikdang Apgujeong. We are deeply sorry to Chenle, Tae Yi, and their fans,” the statement read. “We believe that the mistake of one employee is the mistake of the entire restaurant. But we are firing the staff due to their unforgivable actions, and we have also personally directly apologized to Chenle, and have asked for his forgiveness. We are really sorry.”

It is unfortunate that Chenle and Tae Yi were disrespected during their visit to the restaurant. However, it is assuring that the restaurant has promised to take corrective action. Hopefully, they will foster a more respectful environment for all patrons, regardless of background or celebrity status.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

ITZY’s Lia Bows Out of Latest Schedules Due to Health Reasons

Lia is still dealing with some health issues. The ITZY member was unable to join the rest of the girl group during their latest schedules which included an appearance at a music show. Not surprisingly, MIDZYs are getting concerned about the “Always Be Your Star” singer.

Lia Absent For ITZY’s Most Recent Scheduled Activities

On September 2, JYP Entertainment issued a statement regarding Lia’s health status. According to the agency, the ITZY member will not join Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna in the group’s latest schedules. This would include an appearance at MBC’s “Music Core” and the in-person and video fan sign/fan call events scheduled for the day. However, the company assured that they are considering Lia’s health as a major priority.

“We made the decision for [Lia] to not participate because we considered our artist’s health our top priority. We ask for the generous understanding of the fans,” the statement read.

This isn’t the first time that Lia had to bow out for ITZY’s schedules due to health issues this year. In August, she was unable to join her bandmates on stage at the World Scout Jamboree “K-Pop Super Live.” The group performed with the remaining four members at the concert that took place at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

In related news, Lia recently stunned audiences when she participated in “The King of Mask Singer”. After performing Park Hwayobi’s ballad “A night like this” and The Black Skirts’ “Antifreeze,” it was revealed that “Aloha” was actually ITZY’s main vocalist. When asked about the group’s stable singing, Lia admitted that it wasn’t always that way.

“To be honest, when we first debuted, my voice shook a lot when I sang live because my style of singing includes a lot of air. So that was a big concern for me,” she said. “But after practicing a lot, I think I’m now better at singing those songs when I’m dancing.”

ITZY recently released their new album ‘KILL MY DOUBT’ with the title track “Cake.”

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

2PM’s Nichkhun Discusses NSFW Scenes in ‘The Modelizer’

2PM member Nichkhun opened up about the R-rated scenes he had to film for his upcoming movie 'The Modelizer'

Nichkhun has a good reason for not showing his mother his latest movie ‘The Modelizer’. The 2PM member revealed that he had to film some NSFW scenes for his new project!

2PM’s Nichkhun Opens Up About Sexy Scenes In Latest Movie

On the episode of ‘HK Coin’ that aired on August 31st, the 2PM members celebrated their 15th anniversary. During the show, Nichkhun discussed his recent busy schedule. He mentioned, “I’ve been travelling abroad lately. I’ve even had the opportunity to work on a Hollywood movie.”

His fellow 2PM groupmates chimed in, describing the film as, “A love story with a sensational, dark, and unconventional twist.” But when the topic turned to whether there were any revealing scenes in the movie, the 2PM members humorously revealed that the content was more R-rated than they initially expected.

Nichkhun agreed with his fellow members. He humorously shared, “When I went to shoot the second half of the movie, the first scene made me feel, for the first time, that I didn’t want my mom to watch it.”

Nichkhun might be known as a member of 2PM but he has also established himself as an actor and model. In 2021, Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul and Hwang Chan-sung made special cameo appearances in “Vincenzo” to support their bandmate Ok Taec-yeon. He was later cast in ‘The Modelizer’ alongside Hollywood actor Byron Mann. In the film, they portrayed the roles of affluent family scions who embark on a journey to Hong Kong. Along the way, they encounter a series of events that profoundly enlighten them about the true essence of love and friendship.

Nichkhun debuted with 2PM in 2008 and the group dropped their debut song “10 Out of 10”, which showcased their acrobatic dance styles. They then achieved their first number 1 single with “Again & Again”. In 2009, Jay Park left the group. The remaining members include Jun. K (formerly known as Junsu), Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho and Chansung.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Former IZ*ONE Member Honda Hitomi Reveals Final AKB48 Activity

Former IZ*ONE member Hitomi Honda has been a part of AKB48 since 2014 and only graduated from the group this year

Hitomi Honda has graduated from AKB48. The Japanese idol, who became a member of IZ*ONE as part of the program, confirmed her graduation in a social media post.

Hitomi Honda Officially Leaving AKB48

On August 30, Honda Hitomi delivered news of her graduation from AKB48 on X (formerly Twitter). In the post, she reflected on her time with the Japanese girl group.

“As a representative of Tochigi-ken in AKB48 Team 8, I joined the team at 12 years old and was promoted as a part of the group for 10 years,” Honda wrote. “As a member of AKB48, as a member of IZ*ONE, and as a selected member of the main team, not to mention being chosen as the center twice, I was able to grow while gaining valuable experiences.”

“Thank you so much for supporting me for the last 10 years, even though I was so inexperienced,” she continued. “I will be leaving this giving environment where I was so blessed, but I will not forget your love and support for me as I take on new challenges and test my capabilities.”

Hitomi Honda Reveals Final AKB48 Project

Honda then assured fans that they would still see her with the group. As it turns out, she will still be a part of AKB48 until next month.

“As the single set for release on September 27 will be my last activity as a member of AKB48, I will be participating in all group events currently being announced. Details on my graduation performance will be revealed at a later time,” she wrote.

AKB48 was established under the premise of being “idols you can meet”. In Japanese culture, idols are performers who rely on direct fan support. The close relationship between idols and their fans fosters a sense of loyalty and devotion. The group’s primary producer, Yasushi Akimoto, aimed to create a distinctive idol group that would perform regularly in its own theater, as opposed to other idol groups that only perform sporadically and appear primarily on television. The AKB48 Theater is located in the Don Quijote store in Akihabara, Tokyo.

Hitomi Honda debuted as part of IZ*ONE in 2018. She announced her departure when her contract expired in 2021.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

GIRL’S DAY Member Hyeri Speaks Out Over Delta Air Lines Seat Downgrade

The GIRL'S DAY member criticized Delta Air Lines for unexpectedly giving her a seat downgrade during a recent flight

Lee Hyeri recently took to social media to voice her dissatisfaction with Delta Air Lines for an unexpected downgrade of her seat without prior notice. The GIRL’S DAY member expressed her frustration over the airline’s decision, highlighting the lack of a clear explanation for the downgrade.

GIRL’S DAY Member Hyeri Gets Unexpected Seat Downgrade From Delta Air Lines

In a post shared on her Instagram story on August 31, Hyeri disclosed that Delta Air Lines had downgraded her first-class ticket to economy class on the very day of her flight. This sudden change left her baffled and disappointed. She further revealed that she had booked her first-class ticket a month in advance, making the unexplained downgrade even more perplexing and disheartening.

“The only option that they offered me was to either fly economy at the price of a first-class ticket or to walk away and wait for the next flight,” Hyeri stated. She further added, “This is the most absurd experience I’ve been going through recently.”

Hyeri’s candid revelation shed light on the importance of transparency and clear communication in the airline industry, where passengers rely on their bookings being honored as promised. Her experience serves as a reminder of the need for airlines to provide passengers with proper explanations and alternatives in situations like these.

GIRL’S DAY is a South Korean girl group that originally debuted under Dream T Entertainment in 2010. The group’s initial lineup included members Sojin, Minah, Yura, Hyeri, Jisun, and Jiin. However, Jisun and Jiin officially departed from the group in 2010 while Jihae left in late 2012.

Following these member changes, the quartet continued their journey and went on to achieve remarkable success. They became one of the era’s most popular and commercially successful girl groups. Notably, GIRL’S DAY released a series of chart-topping hits, including “Twinkle Twinkle,” “Hug Me Once,” “Expect,” “Something,” “Darling,” and “Ring My Bell.” Each of these songs surpassed the impressive milestone of selling over one million digital copies, solidifying GIRL’S DAY’s status as a prominent and influential group in the K-pop industry.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

TWICE’s Mina Dishes on Important Skin Care Tips

The TWICE member shared some important skin care tips with ONCEs

Throughout this year, Mina has maintained a whirlwind schedule. As a member of TWICE, she expertly juggled group activities, participated in MISAMO’s unit debut in Japan, and fulfilled her role as the global ambassador for the skincare brand SK-II. Amid her hectic agenda, Mina has found time to generously share her skincare wisdom, enabling ONCEs to replicate her skin care routines in the comfort of their homes.

MISAMO Member Mina Wants Fans To Take Care of Their Skin

In a recent development, Mina had the opportunity to explore the SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE exhibition in Japan last month. This captivating pop-up experience unveiled the best-kept secrets of SK-II. Following her visit, Soompi caught up with Mina to delve into her impressions and glean insights into her personal skin care regimen.

Mina described her visit to the SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE as nothing short of “incredible and immersive.” She found it utterly fascinating to uncover the mysteries surrounding PITERA, SK-II’s signature ingredient. Moreover, the exhibition presented groundbreaking scientific discoveries regarding the causes of seasonal skin issues, enlightening Mina about how her skin responds to the changing seasons. Her firsthand encounter with these revelations undoubtedly adds depth to her skincare expertise, which she generously imparts to her fans.

Mina addressed how her skin’s condition changes with the seasons. “While my skin definitely experiences more dryness during winter, I’ve also noticed that my skin can be dry during summer as well, especially when I spend a lot of time indoors in air conditioning,” she said, “I pay more attention to keeping my skin hydrated with moisturizers and face masks [during summer and winter].”

For fans who are struggling with their skin, Mina had some great advice. “Knowing your skin condition is essential because it helps you to understand how to help your skin,” she said. “I recommend trying out a contactless skin diagnostics and counseling session with the SK-II Magic Scan, which has been very beneficial for me.”

“Personally, my favorite feature of the Magic Scan is that it tells you your skin age,” Mina continued. “I tend to get nervous about my skin age whenever I use the Magic Scan, but it always comes back with positive results!”

She added, “Apart from skincare, do drink lots of water and take the time for sufficient rest. These seem like simple tips, but trust me, they are effective!”

These are all great tips and there is little doubt that ONCEs will be taking them all to heart. In the meantime, Mina is expected to continue promoting with TWICE this year.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

TWICE’s Chaeyoung Admits Jihyo Still Makes Her Feel Awkward

Chaeyoung reveals that she still feels a little awkward around fellow TWICE member Jihyo

TWICE’s Chaeyoung revealed that despite the time she spent together with the group, there is a member she still feels awkward with. Amazingly, Chaeyoung admitted that she still addresses Jihyo formally although they have worked together for more than eight years.

Chaeyoung Opens Up About Fellow TWICE Members on Somi’s ‘Yes Or Hot’

Chaeyoung recently made an appearance on Jeon Somi‘s innovative variety show, “Yes Or Hot,” where guests engage in a unique Q&A session. Their enduring friendship was evident, with Chaeyoung having attended Somi’s recent release party. As they progressed to the second, spicier round of questions, the atmosphere grew more intriguing. Somi wasted no time and probed Chaeyoung about any lingering awkwardness with a fellow member.

Initially, Chaeyoung hesitated to disclose the member’s identity. However, when Somi pressed for a hint by asking for the first letter of the member’s name, Chaeyoung held back, realizing it could unveil too much.

Still, Chaeyoung finally revealed that the member in question was Jihyo, highlighting that she still maintains a formal tone when communicating with her. The TWICE member added that she does this because Jihyo is the group’s leader. Jeon Somi agreed, stating that Jihyo is a cool person.

The candid exchange provided fans with a glimpse into the dynamics within the group, making for an engaging and revealing episode of “Yes Or Hot.” It also revealed more about Chaeyoung who generally tries to keep a low profile compared to the other TWICE members.

In a momentous revelation in June 2023, it was unveiled that Jihyo would embark on her solo career by releasing her debut EP titled “Zone” on August 18, 2023. This remarkable endeavor marked her as the second member of TWICE to venture into the world of solo music. Anticipation soared as the lead single, “Killin’ Me Good,” was introduced to fans. On August 25, Jihyo secured her first music show victory as a solo artist on KBS2’s “Music Bank.” The triumph served as a testament to her undeniable talent and further cemented her status in the music industry.

Categories
K-DRAMA KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo in Talks To Star in New Zombie Drama

Get ready for the return of Actress Jisoo! The BLACKPINK member is reportedly in negotiations to play the female lead in a new zombie thriller. If Kim Jisoo takes on the role, she will be starring alongside “Deliver Us From Evil” actor Park Jung Min.

Jisoo of BLACKPINK To Take On New Lead Role in Zombie Drama

In an exclusive revelation by YTN, it has been disclosed that the renowned actress Jisoo is set to take on the female lead role in the upcoming K-Drama “Influenza” on Coupang Play. This thrilling series revolves around a couple who, after parting ways, find themselves in a desperate battle for survival against hordes of menacing zombies.

Jisoo is poised to embody the character of Young Joo, the female protagonist, a somewhat sheltered individual who is navigating the complexities of society. Her life takes a tumultuous turn following her breakup with Jae Yoon, portrayed by Park Jung Min. Jae Yoon remains oblivious to her emotional turmoil, leaving Young Joo in disarray. Determined to reunite with Jae Yoon, she ventures outside, only to find herself entangled in the gruesome world of zombies. The harrowing encounter also triggers a profound transformation within her. It also compels Young Joo to confront not only the undead but also her own inner demons.

“Influenza” promises to deliver a gripping narrative filled with suspense and emotional depth. Needless to say, fans are eagerly anticipating Jisoo’s remarkable portrayal of Young Joo in this enthralling K-Drama.

The new drama is set to be Jisoo’s second starring role. She previously had a cameo in the 2015 series “The Producers.” Kim Jisoo then took on her first leading role in the drama “Snowdrop”. Her performance as Eun Yeong Ro was loved by viewers. It also helped her win the Best Actress Award at the 2022 Seoul International Drama Awards.

In March 2023, Jisoo released her solo debut album ‘Me’ with its lead single “Flower”.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

RIIZE’s Seunghan Apologizes For Hotel Photo Controversy

Seunghan from RIIZE has taken it upon himself to issue a personal apology for the recent controversy surrounding a hotel photo. The young idol took it upon himself to reach out to fans and explain what had happened. In addition to that, his agency might be getting ready to track down the source of the images.

On August 30, Seunghan took to RIIZE’s official Instagram account to post his apology.

“I’m writing this because I feel I need to tell you this in advance before standing in front of fans. Firstly, I sincerely apologize to fans who support RIIZE,” he wrote. “Because of my personal issues, I caused harm to the team at a very important and critical moment before our debut and disappointed the members and staff.”

“I am also feeling regretful for not being able to apologize quickly because I was scared and anxious,” Seunghan added. “I’m unable to blame anyone else, and all of this happened because of my imprudence. I reflected a lot on my past time and actions.”

Seunghan concluded by promising to do his best as a member of RIIZE.

The hotel photo controversy captured Seunghan sharing an intimate moment with his purported girlfriend from his trainee days. Not surprisingly, it ignited a considerable online buzz. Although SM Entertainment disclosed that Seunghan’s health concerns would lead to his temporary absence from the group’s ‘NPOP’ recording, many believe it was due to the recent uproar.

Seunghan’s decision to apologize directly suggests his understanding of the situation’s gravity and his commitment to addressing it sincerely. The hotel photo incident has not only generated public interest but has also impacted his professional commitments within RIIZE. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by K-pop idols in navigating personal matters while in the spotlight, often requiring them to balance their personal lives with their public image and career responsibilities.

RIIZE will release their first single album “Get A Guitar” on September 4, 2023.

Exit mobile version