Author: Kpop News Writer

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

n.SSign Announces Official Debut and Reveals Exciting Release Schedule

Finally, after a year-long wait, boy group n.SSign is ready to make their official debut! On July 6 KST, n.SSign confirmed their debut plans by sharing a release schedule for their first EP, Birth of Cosmo. The group unveiled a detailed timeline leading up to their highly-anticipated debut on August 9 at 6:00 PM KST.

Unfortunately, it was announced on July 5 KST that member Hyun will not participate in the team’s debut promotions due to health issues. However, you can check him out in the official MV for their pre-release track “Salty.”

Formed as a seven-member project group from Channel A’s survival show Stars Awakening, n.SSign announced their transition to a fixed team. Last week, their label n.CH Entertainment revealed that the members expressed their desire to promote together, so their label decided to debut them as a permanent group. To enhance their journey towards becoming a globally recognized group, n.SSign will add three new members to their lineup, making it a 10-member team.

n.CH Entertainment expressed their gratitude to fans and talked about the group’s future plans in a statement. They said, “We would like to deliver our sincerest thanks to the fans who love n.SSign. n.SSign was created as a project group with a limited promotion period of two years. But both the agency and the members shared the view that this group should continue. After a discussion, it was decided that n.SSign would become a permanent team. We ask fans to shower all the members with love and encouragement as they embark on a long journey.”

The upcoming debut of n.SSign marks an exciting milestone for the group. With their debut EP on the horizon, fans can anticipate a series of teasers and promotions leading up to the release. The group will release teasers from July 7 to 20, including an album highlight medley, the track list, and three sets of concept photos. Additionally, n.SSign will treat fans to a pre-release MV of “Higher” to build anticipation for their debut.

Before their official debut, n.SSign has been actively promoting in Japan, showcasing their talent through a successful tour and appearances on Japanese television. Building anticipation among their growing fanbase, n.SSign has already begun establishing a strong presence outside South Korea.

In addition to their debut EP, n.SSign has also announced four concerts in Tokyo, Japan. These will take place at the Ariake Arena from November 11. This exciting opportunity will allow fans in Japan to witness the group’s remarkable stage presence in person.

Fans who have been eagerly waiting for n.SSign‘s official debut can now mark their calendars for August 9. n.SSign‘s official debut and the subsequent concerts in Japan mark the beginning of an exciting journey for the group. With their dedication and desire for worldwide recognition, n.SSign is ready to captivate audiences with their talent and charm.

Let’s support and cheer on n.SSign as they work hard to make their mark in the music industry!

(Featured Image: n.SSign at HMV & Books Shibuya. Source: Twitter/n.SSign’s official Twitter account)

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

LE SSERAFIM Drops First English Release with “Eve, Psyche, & The Bluebird’s Wife”

LE SSERAFIM, the renowned K-Pop girl group, is making waves once again after releasing their highly anticipated English version of “Eve, Psyche, & The Bluebird’s Wife.” This is a real milestone for the group because it’s their first English-language track since their 2022 debut. Making it more exciting is the fact that LE SSERAFIM member Huh Yunjin was the one who translated the lyrics for this particular release.

“Eve, Psyche, & The Bluebird’s Wife” garnered significant attention on domestic and international music charts, captivating listeners with its infectious choreography and melodies. Its popularity is a testament to LE SSERAFIM‘s exceptional talent and ability to captivate audiences worldwide. With their mesmerizing vocals and powerful performances, LE SSERAFIM connected with fans from different countries, transcending cultural boundaries and language barriers.

In addition to their music achievements, LE SSERAFIM recently unveiled exciting news about their first tour, FLAME RISES. The tour is set to touch down in different cities, including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Nagoya, Osaka, Seoul, and Tokyo, and has generated earnest anticipation among fans. Moreover, its official poster, featuring the group’s logo and the shadows of the members, hints at the enigmatic and captivating experience that awaits concert-goers.

On July 3, Source Music, LE SSERAFIM‘s agency, announced the ticket prices for the Seoul leg of the tour. Starting at 154,000 KRW (approximately 117 USD), fans will have the opportunity to see LE SSERAFIM‘s electrifying performances live. VIP packages are also available, priced at 198,000 KRW (approximately 150 USD), offering an enhanced concert experience for dedicated fans.

Fans of LE SSERAFIM (aka FEARNOT) have taken to social media platforms, including Twitter, to express their excitement for the English version of “Eve, Psyche, and the Bluebeard’s Wife,” not to mention the upcoming tour.

Prepare to be enchanted by LE SSERAFIM‘s global journey as they dominate the charts, captivate fans, and embark on their highly-anticipated FLAME RISES tour. With their first English release and more on the horizon, LE SSERAFIM is poised for continued success and an even larger global fanbase.

(Featured Image: LE SSERAFIM in their outfits for the 2023 TMEA Music Festival. Source: Twitter/LE SSERAFIM’s official Twitter account)

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Former LOONA Member Yves Embarks on Solo Career

Former LOONA member Yves is embarking on an exciting new chapter in her career. She’s pursuing a new musical path separate from her former group members. While the other LOONA members have signed exclusive contracts with new companies, Yves chose to go it alone, focusing on her solo activities and pursuing music that represents her unique style.

Yves’ decision comes after Chuu’s departure from LOONA in November last year and subsequent legal actions taken by other members against their former agency, Blockberry Creative, to suspend their exclusive contracts.

In a recent interview, Yves shared insights into her current status and plans. Yves shared, “I’m staying with my sister and cute cats. There’s a space at home where I can work, so I’ve been busy working. I also started a blog recently.”

Regarding her musical direction, Yves stated, “I like dreamy and rhythmic R&B music or pop-punk with cool band sounds. The fans love the charm that comes from the difference between my strong side on stage and my big smile. I think the musical genre also has that tendency, so I’ll be able to show you various sides.”

Before LOONA’s debut, Yves was interested in acting. Unfortunately, she was never able to pursue it. Now that she’s back in control of her own life, she expressed her desire to learn more about it, keeping the possibility of expanding her career open.

@lipsoulcrs

#CapCut i love her sm #loonaot12 #yves #loona #artms

♬ Elastic Heart (yeah, let’s be clear, I’ll trust no one. You did not break me, I’m still fighting for peace) – Sia

When asked who her role model is as a solo artist, Yves mentioned BoA. She said she admires the SM Entertainment artist’s unique color, singing skills, and performances that have stood the test of time. But although she’s looking forward to growing independently, Yves also had heartwarming words for her former group members. She expressed her love for them and acknowledged their impact on her life and career. 

“I don’t think they’ll like it if I say something long,” Yves laughed. “It sounds cheesy even after a few years, but I love the members and feel like I’m here because of them. Thank you so much.”

Lastly, Yves shared that her fans are a major source of happiness in her life. “I want to thank the fans who supported me silently. And I want to repay you.”

Fans can look forward to witnessing Yves’ solo journey as she continues to explore her musicality and showcase her growth as an artist. Although what she does from now on may be different from what she did during her time with LOONA, she remains dedicated to shining onstage.

(Featured Image: Yves posted a series of selfies recently. Source: Instagram/Yves’ official Instagram account)

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Watch: Zerobaseone Releases Album Sampler for ‘Youth in the Shade’

ZEROSE, we’re one step closer to the highly-anticipated debut of ZEROBASEONE — the K-pop boy group formed through the reality survival series BOYS PLANET!

The nine-member group released on Friday, June 7, the album sampler for its first mini-album YOUTH IN THE SHADE, giving fans a snippet of their upcoming six tracks. 

The album will start with “Back to ZEROBASE” and followed by the title track “IN BLOOM.” Its other songs include “New Kidz on the Block,” “and I,” “Our Season” before wrapping up with “Always.” 

Prior to the release of the album sampler, ZEROBASEONE also dropped a series of individual and group concept photos. One set showed the members in white tops while posing in the middle of a flower field, while another set featured a more edgy vibe, as the members wore darker clothing. 

 

Aside from the album sampler and concept photos, ZEROBASEONE will also be releasing a teaser for the music video on July 9 before the official album and music video release on July 10. The group will also have their debut show on July 10. 

ZEROBASEONE or ZB1 is composed of Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook, and Han Yu-jin. 

They’re a project group that will promote under Wake One Entertainment, a CJ ENM subsidiary, for around two and a half years. 

Boys Planet, which premiered in February and ran for 12 weeks, served as the sequel to the 2021 reality competition Girls Planet 999. Said series formed the girl group KEP1ER. 

Featured image from ZEROBASEONE’s Facebook

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Blackpink’s “Boombayah” Reaches 1.6 Billion Views on YouTube

K-pop powerhouse BLACKPINK continues to dominate the global music scene as evident in the number of views in their music video releases. 

YG Entertainment announced on Tuesday, July 2, that the music video for the group’s debut song “Boombayah” has now reached 1.6 billion views on YouTube.

According to The Korea Times, the agency reported that the said milestone was achieved at around 6:50 am on July 2, which is about 6 years and 11 months after the original release of “Boombayah.” 

Initially released in August 2016, “Boombayah” served as one of the two tracks from BLACKPINK’s debut EP SQUARE ONE, alongside the song “Whistle.” 

“Boombayah” served as the third music video of BLACKPINK to surpass 1.6 billion views on YouTube, following “Ddu-du Ddu-du” and “Kill This Love.” As of writing, “Ddu-du Ddu-du” has 2 billion views while “Kill This Love” has 1.8 billion views. 

This marks the latest achievement for the girl group in 2023 alone. 

In April, they set the Guiness World Record (GWR) for the group with the most viewed music channel on YouTube. According to GWR, BLACKPINK has 30, 151,716,121 video views as of April 12, 2023. In March, they also set the record for the most streamed female group on Spotify. 

BLACKPINK is currently embarking on their “BORN PINK” concert tour. 

Aside from their group activities, all four members – Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa – also have made their respective solo debuts. Jisoo and Jennie have also ventured into acting, with Jisoo working on Snowdrop and Jennie in the recently-concluded The Idol.

Featured image from BLACKPINK’s Facebook

Categories
BTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Look: BTS’ Jungkook Sizzles in Campaign Photos for Single ‘Seven’

Jungkook of K-pop royalty BTS has yet to release his digital single “SEVEN,” but ARMYs are already in for a treat with his concept teaser photos alone! 

In the photos released by BIGHIT MUSIC on Thursday, July 6, Jungkook — also affectionately called as the “golden maknae” by fans — flaunted not only his stunning visuals but his fit physique! A black-and-white snap captured him showing off his tattoos, while another photo of him with a blazer gives a peek at his bare abs. 

HYBE LABELS also released on Friday, July 7, a behind-the-scenes short film from Jungkook’s photoshoot, giving fans a longer view of the idol. 

The BTS maknae is set to release his solo digital single “SEVEN” on July 14. 

BIGHIT MUSIC announced the news in late June, describing the track as an “invigorating summer song.” “We hope that SEVEN will bring your summer fun to the next level,” the agency added. 

Although “SEVEN” marks Jungkook’s official solo debut, he already released solo songs and collaborated with other artists prior. 

His solo songs “Still With You” and “My You,” which were recently released on streaming platforms during BTS’ annual FESTA — a special event in celebration of the group’s anniversary — topped the ITunes charts in several countries. 

Jungkook has also collaborated with Qatari artist Fahad Al-Kubaisi for the song “DREAMERS” and with Charlie Puth on the hit “Left and Right.” 

Following BTS’ announcement in June 2022 that they’ll be taking a break, the members have focused on solo activities, with other members enlisting in the military. 

Jungkook is the latest BTS member to have a solo release in the past year, following j-hope’s JACK IN THE BOX, Jin’s The Astronaut, RM’s Indigo, and Jimin’s FACE. 

After the release of “SEVEN,” Jungkook is also set to perform at the Good Morning America summer concert series. He’ll be kicking off the show on July 14 at Central Park. 

According to Soompi, Jungkook will be the first K-pop solo artist to perform at the concert series. Two other K-pop groups BTS and aespa previously headlined the shows in 2019, 2021, and 2022.

Featured image from BIGHIT MUSIC’s Twitter

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Watch: Newjeans Returns With Trendy Tracks “New Jeans” and “Super Shy”

Bunnies, rejoice! NewJeans are back with new bangers. 

The rising K-pop girl group released on Friday, July 7, the music videos for tracks “Super Shy” and “New Jeans.” 

Both songs serve as a pre-release for their upcoming sophomore EP GET UP, which will be released on July 21. 

“Super Shy,” which has predominantly funk, jazz, and R&B sounds, is one of GET UP’s triple title songs, alongside yet-to-be-released tracks “ETA” and “Cool With You.” 

Meanwhile, the music video for “New Jeans” was in collaboration with the 25th anniversary of the hit American cartoon series THE POWERPUFF GIRLS. The music video saw the group transform into superheroes with their respective powers and have their own adventures in this animated universe. 

GET UP will have a total of six songs, with each track having accompanying music videos. Aside from “ETA” and “Cool With You,” the other tracks remaining to be released are “Get Up” and “ASAP.” 

GET UP will serve as the group’s second EP following their self-titled EP,  which was released in July 2022. The five-member group under ADOR, the HYBE sub-label headed by Min Hee-jin, was known for their surprise debut — releasing a series of music videos starting with “Attention” and “Hype Boy” before the official release of their debut EP. 

ADOR first confirmed in June that NewJeans is making a comeback. The group’s latest release is the January 2023 single “OMG.”

Composed of Minji, Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, and Danielle, NewJeans is posing to be one of the rookie powerhouse of the new generation of K-pop artists.

In May, the quintet became the fastest K-pop act to garner 1 billion streams on Spotify. And they’ve achieved the feat in 219 days with only six songs under their belt. Impressive, right?

Featured image from NewJeans’ Facebook

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Watch: Txt Drops Trailer for ‘Our Lost Summer’ Documentary

Be still, our MOA hearts! K-pop boy group TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) released on Thursday, July 6, the official trailer for their first documentary titled Our Lost Summer, which will premiere on Disney+ on July 28.

The one-and-a-half minute clip gives fans a sneak peek into the group’s unforgettable experiences at their ACT: LOVE SICK world tour and headlining the 2023 Lollapalooza music festival. 

“Touring has always been our dream,” the group said in the video. “It feels like the beginning of our team. We’re currently evolving.” 

 

The members – Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai – were seen talking about their preparation for the activities, excitement for their performances, and their resolve to provide the best show for their fans – the MOAs.

“Despite the challenges, and even if we were to collapse on stage, we have the determination to perform until our last bit of energy,” they said in the video. 

In the poster released by Disney+, the featured concert stops on the documentary include shows in Seoul, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. ACT: LOVE SICK was TXT’s first international concert tour since their debut in 2019. 

The five-piece act is currently embarking on their second world tour, ACT: SWEET MIRAGE, which will have stops in Asia in July to August. They also recently released their new digital single “DO IT LIKE THAT,” which is in collaboration with American band Jonas Brothers. 

Aside from TOMORROW X TOGETHER: Our Lost Summer, Disney+ has also released other documentaries featuring K-pop stars, such as BTS members Suga and j-hope and group Super Junior. 

TXT is known for songs “Good Boy Gone Bad,” “Crown,” “Blue Hour,”and“Anti-Romantic.” 

Featured image from TXT’s Twitter

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Look: NCT 127’s Docu-Series on Disney+ to Chronicle the Group’s Idol Journey

Good news, NCTzens! K-pop boy group NCT 127 is set to star in their first documentary series on Disney+! 

Titled NCT 127: The Lost Boys, the four-part documentary-series will delve into the pre-debut lives of the nine group members, their journey to stardom, and their thoughts on the group’s current success. 

Through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and heartwarming anecdotes, members Taeil, Johnny, Taeyeong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan, will open up about their personal challenges, sacrifices, triumphs, and connection as a group. 

Each episode will reportedly feature two to three different members of the group, with two episodes airing from August 30 to September 6. 

NCT 127: The Lost Boys is directed by Jayil Park and created by Cho Youngchul and Yim Pilsung. It is the latest documentary offering of Disney+ that revolves around K-pop idols. Other acts who have documentary shows with Disney+ include BTS members Suga and j-hope, and groups Super Junior and Tomorrow X Together. 

Launched in 2016, NCT 127 is one of the sub-units of the SM Entertainment act NCT. The group is best known for their songs “Cherry Bomb,” “Kick It,” “Sticker,” “2 Baddies.”  

The sub-unit also recently celebrated their seventh anniversary since debut.

In April, NCT 127 launched their first sub-unit – NCT DoJaeJung, which is composed of members Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Jungwoo. 

Meanwhile, NCT is set to establish their last sub-unit through the reality survival series NCT Universe: LASTART.

Featured image from NCT 127’s Facebook

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

What Happened to FIFTY FIFTY and ATTRAKT?

kpop-controversy-fifty-fifty-agency-attract-comprehensive-overview

Read the timeline of what happened to FIFTY FIFTY and ATTRAKT here: FIFTY FIFTY and How a Phenomenal K-Pop Career Can be Destroyed in Weeks; A Timeline

The world of K-pop has recently been rocked by a controversy surrounding the popular group FIFTY FIFTY and their agency, ATTRAKT. Known for the catchy song “Cupid,” FIFTY FIFTY is embroiled in a legal battle with their agency, leading to concern and speculation among fans and netizens alike. 

So what happened to FIFTY FIFTY and ATTRAKT?

ATTRAKT’s Response

In response to the cancellation of the girl group’s Barbie OST MV filming and their appearance at KCON LA, ATTRAKT released a statement about the issue. The agency confirmed the cancellation of these scheduled activities, citing internal problems and the ongoing legal dispute as the primary reasons. However, the agency has yet to provide specific details about the nature of these issues, leaving the public in the dark about the exact circumstances leading to these cancellations.

The controversy about what happened to FIFTY FITY has led to widespread speculation about the specific opportunities the K-pop group might have missed out on. Fans have expressed disappointment over the K-pop girl group’s canceled KCON LA appearance, a significant event in the K-pop calendar that would have allowed the group to reach a wider audience. The cancellation of the Barbie OST MV filming was also a major blow because it would’ve boosted the group’s international profile and potentially opened up new opportunities for collaborations and endorsements.

Legal Battle Between FIFTY FIFTY and ATTRAKT Begins

The legal battle between FIFTY FIFTY and ATTRAKT officially started on July 5, with the first hearing held at Central Seoul’s 50th District Court. The group has asked to terminate its exclusive contract with ATTRAKT on the grounds that the agency violated it. The members’ lawyer has cited many grievances, including cloudy accounting practices and disregard for the members’ health. Such allegations could have serious implications for ATTRAKT and potentially lead to significant changes in how K-pop agencies operate.

ATTRAKT CEO Jeong Hong Joon’s mismanagement of the K-Pop group HOTSHOT also resurfaced. He founded K.O Sound, the company under which that ill-fated group debuted. Fans of HOTSHOT expressed concern about Jeong’s style, citing a lack of promotion and poor communication. This led to increased scrutiny and skepticism regarding Jeong’s handling of FIFTY FIFTY‘s situation.

A report by Dispatch has brought several of the group’s claims into question. The report provided text messages showing the group’s producer, Ahn Sung Il, pressuring the CEO to tell them to work on a music video for the upcoming Barbie movie, despite health concerns. This added another layer of complexity to the controversy and raised questions about power dynamics in the K-pop industry and the pressures idols face.

In a new development, The Givers, the producers of FIFTY FIFTY‘s hit single “Cupid,” released a statement addressing allegations made by ATTRAKT. The Givers claimed that ATTRAKT had given them $9,000 to purchase neighboring rights to “Cupid,” not the song’s copyrights. They also stated that the copyrights to “Cupid” are rightfully owed to them and Ahn Sung Il, and that ATTRAKT is spreading misinformation and confusing the public. The Givers ended their statement with a “final warning” to ATTRAKT and reporters, stating they would reveal their innocence in court.

The Controversy’s Impact on FIFTY FIFTY

The controversy has undoubtedly had a significant impact on FIFTY FIFTY. The group’s image may have been tarnished, potentially affecting their future prospects. The cancellation of their KCON LA appearance and the “Barbie” OST MV filming are significant setbacks, and there is speculation that the group may have missed out on other opportunities as a result of the controversy.

Despite what happened to FIFTY FIFTY and the controversy, fans of FIFTY FIFTY remain hopeful. They believe the group’s talent and charisma will help them overcome these challenges. The agency’s assurance that they are working to resolve the issues has also provided relief to the fans. However, the situation remains uncertain, and it is unclear what the future holds for FIFTY FIFTY.

It’s still too soon to determine the controversy’s long-term impact. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on what happened to FIFTY FIFTY and everyone else involved in it. People are waiting to see what their next steps will be. The controversy highlighted the need for greater transparency and fairness in K-pop, and it is hoped that this situation will lead to positive changes.

Featured Image: FIFTY FIFTY releases official photos for their first Single Album, “The Beginning: Cupid”. Source: Twitter/FiftyFifty Official Twitter account

Exit mobile version