Author: Kpop News Writer

The upcoming BLACKPINK concert in Hanoi, part of their Born Pink world tour, has been caught in controversies. Vietnamese authorities are investigating the promoter’s website over a disputed South China Sea map. At the same time, YG Entertainment, the South Korean agency that manages BLACKPINK, has denied the authenticity of a leaked set list for the concert.

The Vietnamese culture ministry has ordered an inspection of the concert promoter’s website after fans noticed it featured a map of the South China Sea with disputed boundaries. This controversy follows Hanoi’s recent decision to ban Hollywood’s Barbie film over a scene allegedly featuring the “nine-dash line” used in Chinese maps to illustrate Beijing’s claims over some areas of the South China Sea, including swathes of what Vietnam considers its continental shelf.

Although BLACKPINK’s agency hasn’t commented on the issue, the organizer has apologized for publishing the controversial map. According to  Vietnam National Television VTV and the VnExpress news website, Brian Chow, chief executive of iMe Entertainment, promised the company would remove the map. The organizer’s website is no longer accessible, but a cached version showed a faint line encompassing the South China Sea. Vietnam and China have always had overlapping territorial claims to a potentially energy-rich stretch of the waterway. Hanoi has repeatedly accused Chinese vessels of violating Vietnamese sovereignty.

This incident has sparked outrage among Vietnamese fans. Some are even thinking about boycotting the concert. A fan named Tu Anh Xinh wrote on Facebook, “Bought two tickets for me and my date. Then I saw the cow-tongue and quit. I am a patriot.” (“Cow-tongue” is a Vietnamese phrase used to describe the U-shaped line.”)

In a separate issue, YG Entertainment has refuted claims about a leaked setlist for the concert. The alleged setlist, which featured only 14 tracks, had been circulating online and received criticism from netizens due to the high ticket prices.

A representative from YG Entertainment stated, “The set list of BLACKPINK’s Vietnamese concert circulating online is not true. We will proceed as usual with the normal tour procedures.”

The alleged set list had caused disappointment among fans who were expecting a more extensive lineup of songs from the world-renowned K-pop group. The ticket prices, which ballooned to almost 540,000 won (414 USD), added to fans’ discontent. But YG Entertainment’s words put to rest any concerns over the setlist.

BLACKPINK is a cornerstone of South Korea’s multi-billion dollar K-pop industry. The world-famous girl group is due to perform in Vietnam for the first time on July 29 and 30, having been granted a license that requested the organizer to comply with the government’s regulations on all performing activities.

Despite the issues, the excitement for BLACKPINK’s debut performance in Vietnam remains high. The group’s dynamic performances and immense popularity are expected to draw a big crowd. Fans are excited for the Hanoi stop of the Born Pink world tour. They hope all the issues will be resolved soon so the event will proceed as planned.

Featured Image: BLACKPINK poses for a photo with the crowd at the Sydney, Australia stop of the BORN PINK tour. Source: Twitter/BLACKPINK’s official Twitter account

K-pop sensation NewJeans has taken the music industry by storm again with their highly anticipated album, Get Up! The album officially dropped on July 7th, and its title track, “Super Shy,” made an impressive debut at No. 46 on the global Spotify charts. What’s more, it earned a staggering 2.49 million streams, setting a new record for the largest Spotify debut by a fourth-generation group!

Previously, the record for the highest Spotify debut by a fourth-generation group was held by the JYP Entertainment boy group Stray Kids when their new song, “S-Class,” debuted with 2.23 million streams. However, NewJeans’ “Super Shy” achievement exceeded expectations and solidified their position as a rising force in the K-pop industry, further amplifying their global popularity.

The “Super Shy” music video has stunning visuals that perfectly complement the song. In the video, the NewJeans members can be seen riding bikes and meeting people from all walks of life.

Its vibrant colors make it a visual feast, while the athleisure and Zumba-inspired choreography give it a truly dynamic feel. Another notable aspect of the “Super Shy” video is the addition of dancers in different locations, which sets it apart from the group’s previous releases.

But although “Super Shy” has been praised for its summery sound, some Koreans were disappointed in it due to its predominantly English lyrics. 

In another remarkable move, NewJeans unveiled another music video for the track “New Jeans,” in which the members transformed into versions of the Powerpuff Girls. 

As you can see, this video aligns with the resurgence of everything Y2K. It combines uptempo pop music with 90s animation and early console video games. The video generated significant excitement online thanks to its unique concept. Its success is proof of Min Hee Jin’s creative genius.

With their latest releases and groundbreaking achievements, NewJeans continues solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with in the global music scene. Fans eagerly anticipate their future endeavors and the unique experiences they bring through their music and performances.

(Featured Image: NewJeans posed for a group photo after their first fan meeting ‘Bunnies Camp’ on July 1. Source: Facebook/NewJeans’ official Facebook page)

Shinhwa‘s Minwoo, aka Lee Min Woo, is set to embark on a new journey as he takes on the role of a girl group producer at his new label, LEAN Branding. Known for his remarkable solo career and his participation in the legendary 1st-generation K-Pop boy group Shinhwa, Minwoo is ready to make his mark in the K-Pop industry once again, this time by creating a global K-Pop girl group.

To kickstart this exciting venture, the LEAN Branding Audition Tour will begin on July 22 in Daegu, South Korea. The tour will visit various cities over the next several weeks, including Bucheon, Busan, Changwon, Daejeon, Gangneung, Sungnam, and more. Regardless of nationality, all females from 12 to 17 years old are eligible to audition. Those who make the cut will debut under Minwoo’s guidance.

Minwoo‘s extensive experience and success as a member of Shinhwa and a soloist make him a highly capable mentor and producer for aspiring idols. Minwoo’s first solo album Un-Touch-Able exceeded industry expectations by selling more than 100,000 copies, establishing him as a prominent figure in the Korean music scene. As a girl group producer, he hopes to use his experience, skills, and passion to develop the next generation of K-Pop stars.

LEAN Branding, the label Minwoo joined earlier this year, has a diverse roster. Aside from Minwoo himself, the label handles actors Lee Se-eun and Ryu Hwa-Yeong, broadcasters Kim Bin-Woo, Lee Ha-Jun, and Seo Hyun-Jin, and singer Hwang Woo-Rim.

As Minwoo celebrates the 20th anniversary of his solo debut this year, fans and industry insiders eagerly anticipate his new endeavors under LEAN Branding. With his dedication to K-pop and proven track record, Minwoo can produce a global girl group that will surely captivate fans worldwide. The LEAN Branding Audition Tour is an excellent opportunity for young talents to showcase their skills and join the ranks of K-Pop’s next big thing.

Stay tuned for updates on the audition tour and the exciting journey of Minwoo and LEAN Branding as they shape the future of K-Pop girl groups.

(Featured Image: Minwoo performing at one of the first stops on his 20th anniversary tour. Source: Instagram/Minwoo’s personal Instagram account)

Members of the KQ Entertainment boy group ATEEZ are facing criticism after they were caught singing “The Curry Song.” The song became a massive hit in Korea when Norazo released it 10 years ago, but it has been criticized for its offensive lyrics and dance moves that mock Indian cultures.

“The Curry Song” features harmful assumptions and stereotypes of South Asian people. In the MV, one of Norazo’s members can be seen wearing brownface while singing the lyrics, “Shanti, Shanti, I love hot curry” and imitating a traditional South Asian dance.

On July 8, Idol Radio released a behind-the-scenes video from the radio broadcast starring ATEEZ in which San and Yunho were shown dancing to and singing Norazo’s controversial hit. The video is no longer on YouTube, but a fan managed to preserve it on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Seonghwa mentioned “The Curry Song” when he was asked to name three food-related songs on 1N2D.

ATEEZ’s agency KQ Entertainment released an apology for what happened on Idol Radio, but as of this writing, they have yet to acknowledge Seonghwa’s mention of “The Curry Song” on 1N2D. Idol Radio also issued an apology.

ATEEZ isn’t the first K-pop group to get caught up in a controversy involving “The Curry Song. On July 13, 2020, PLEDIS Entertainment boy group SEVENTEEN released an episode of their variety show GOING SEVENTEEN. In it, the group’s 13 members participated in challenges and games for their fans, referred to as Carats. During a mock audition for a singing competition, member Wonwoo sang a song that Korean fans instantly recognized as “The Curry Song.”

Before that, in April 2020, the SEVENTEEN members sang the same song in an episode of INSIDE SEVENTEEN. In that episode, all 13 members visited an Indian restaurant in North America while on tour and sang “The Curry Song” as they sat down to eat there. After these incidents, South Asian Carats voiced their concerns on social media.

On July 15—two days after the GOING SEVENTEEN episode was released—Norazo‘s Jobin wrote a lengthy letter of apology to global K-Pop fans, saying Norazo didn’t intend to offend anyone when they recorded and released the song.

(Featured Image: ATEEZ backstage at their recent Taipei show. Source: Twitter/ATEEZ’s official Twitter account)

Macau was ablaze with excitement as SEVENTEEN emerged victorious at the Tencent Music and Entertainment Awards 2023 (TMEA). The prestigious event saw the group clinch the highly coveted title of “Most Influential Overseas Group of the Year.” This award signifies SEVENTEEN‘s talent and acknowledges their significant impact on the global music scene.

SEVENTEEN‘s win is a testament to their popularity and the support of their fans, aka Carats. The 13-member group has consistently demonstrated camaraderie and unity, captivating audiences with their energetic, impeccable performances.

A heartwarming moment occurred when Jun, one of the members of SEVENTEEN, requested fans to cheer on the group’s main vocalist Seungkwan, who’s currently taking time off for health reasons. This display of friendship left Carats touched. As news of their ult group’s win spread, Carats took to social media platforms to celebrate the milestone.

SEVENTEEN‘s journey at the TMEA 2023 began with their safe arrival in Macau. While Seungkwan was absent, the rest of the members arrived, ready to blow the audience away. That’s exactly what they did with their electrifying group performance of “Hot.”

They also performed their latest title track “Super.”

Jun was given a solo stage, for which he performed his digital singles “Limbo” and “PSYCHO.”

The accolades for SEVENTEEN continued to pour in at the TMEA 2023 ceremony. Jun‘s talent as a singer-songwriter earned him the “New Singer-Songwriter of the Year” award.

As the curtains closed on the Tencent Music and Entertainment Awards 2023, SEVENTEEN‘s wins were a testament to their hard work, talent, and unwavering commitment to their craft.

(Featured Image: SEVENTEEN, minus Seungkwan, performed “Hot” and “Super” at the TMEA 2023 in Macau. Source: Twitter/SEVENTEEN’s official Twitter account)

Sandara Park, formerly of the legendary K-pop girl group 2NE1, is gearing up for her highly anticipated solo debut with the release of her self-titled EP. As part of her preparations, she unveiled a lyric teaser for one of the album’s tracks, along with stunning concept photos that have captivated fans and showcased her timeless visuals.

The lyric teaser offers a sneak peek at one of the songs she recorded for the EP. When translated into English, the line she shared goes, “Your place, which still remains on beautiful Gangbyeonbuk-ro even today.” These evocative words were presented alongside a blurred photo of the mesmerizing night view of Seoul.

Sandara‘s concept photos, shared on her social media accounts last July 4, further delighted fans. She shared three different sets.

In an MV teaser for the title track, released on her YouTube channel, Sandara can be seen holding a ticket to an amusement park that shares her name—a scene that fits the overarching concept of her EP. You can check out the MV teaser below.

The title track, “Festival,” is a cover of a 1995 hit by Uhm Jung Hwa, whom Sandara calls her role model. Sandara aspires to be a “little Uhm Jung Hwa” in her own career.

“When Uhm Jung Hwa acts, people don’t think of her as a singer. On the flip side, it’s not awkward when she stands on the stage. It’s to the point where you don’t even think of her image as an actor,” she says. “I also want to transform whenever I’m active in different fields.”

The EP will have five tracks: “Festival,” “Play!,” “Dara Dara,” “T Map,” and “Happy Ending.” Notable producers and songwriters helped the former 2NE1 member craft them all. She collaborated with GRAY, Heize, and Sunwoo Jung-a, further heightening fan expectations.

In addition to her EP, Sandara has lined up some solo gigs. One such gig is her performance at the Super Stage by K-POP in Manila, where she’s set to join an all-female lineup of Kep1er, Lapillus, and MAMAMOO+. The concert will occur at the Mall of Asia Arena on August 11.

Sandara remains popular in the Philippines. Recently, she participated in SBS Medianet’s YouTube channel show, Idol Truck, alongside other K-pop stars. The show features teams going to different locations to sell K-products. As part of the Philippines team, Sandara expressed confidence in her influence in the country. As a testament to her lasting impact, she revealed that a drama inspired by her life was produced in the Philippines.

As Sandara gears up for her solo debut under ABYSS Company, the excitement among her fans is palpable. Her forthcoming EP showcases her artistry, and her concept photos highlight her timeless appeal. Those who have followed her since 2009 are waiting with bated breath for her new material.

(Featured Image: Sandara debuted a chic blonde hairdo in the concept photos for her upcoming EP. Source: Twitter/SANDARAxABYSS official Twitter account)