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SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu Named as New Face of Calvin Klein Campaign

Mingyu updates fans with an outtake from a recent fashion shoot. Credit: Instagram/Mingyu

Attention, CARATs! Gear up to witness model Mingyu flaunt the Calvin Klein look!

On February 20, South Korean media outlets confirmed that Kim Mingyu of the multi-awarded K-pop group SEVENTEEN has been selected as the new face for a campaign of the prominent fashion brand Calvin Klein. 

According to the announcement, the SEVENTEEN rapper will begin representing the apparel for their 2024 spring/summer campaign. Aside from Mingyu, breakthrough girl group NewJeans has also been tapped as models for the same campaign.

In its previous collection, Calvin Klein showed the convergence of K-pop and high fashion through their ambassadors BLACKPINK’s Jennie, GOT7’s Mark and BTS’ Jungkook. 

Known for his impeccable fashion sense, Mingyu shared his excitement on the upcoming project. On the fandom platform Weverse, he wrote: “CK let’s go.”

As of writing, there’s no final details yet about the release of the said campaign. 

Fans react to Mingyu for Calvin Klein

Upon the news of the collaboration, fans of SEVENTEEN expressed their excitement on social media.

Taking Calvin Klein’s branding into account, several fans guessed that Mingyu will be posing in photos showing his fit and toned body, like the brand’s models in the past. “I’m so excited for him, I hope we all survive,” one fan wrote.

 

Moreover, another said that the campaign would highlight the idol’s defined features. “Once his Calvin Klein photoshoot [is] released, that would be the death of me,” another said. Notably, the rapper has also worn Calvin Klein pieces in his previous photoshoots – with some snaps easily becoming a favorite of his fans. 

Others also noted that it can be a continuous breakthrough for the K-pop star to dominate his modeling skills. Aside from being tapped as the newest face of Calvin Klein, the “Bittersweet” singer has also been invited to attend the 2024 Paris Fashion Week for the Dior show. Moreover, he has also modeled brands such as Bvlgari and Cartier for his previous magazine covers.

Featured image: Mingyu updates fans with an outtake from a recent fashion shoot. Credit: Instagram/Mingyu

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SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids among K-pop Acts That Made It To IFPI’s Best-Selling Artists Worldwide in 2023

SEVENTEEN releases special video for 'April Shower.' Credit: Twitter/SEVENTEEN

2023 was indeed a huge year for K-pop and groups SEVENTEEN and Stray Kids were among those that dominated it. 

On Thursday, February 22, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) released its annual rankings for the best-selling artists worldwide and several K-pop acts made it to the 2023 list!

According to Soompi, IFPI’s Global Recording Artist Chart “ranks aritsts based on physical sales, downloads, and streaming over the course of the past year.” 

Leading the K-pop acts is the “God of Music” hitmakers SEVENTEEN. Notably, the 13-member boy group ranked second overall in the worldwide rankings, just right after award-winning singer songwriter Taylor Swift. Moreover, this served group’s the third consecutive year in the top 10 of the chart. 

In 2023, SEVENTEEN bagged numerous awards for their recent albums FML and Seventeenth Heaven. Aside from that, the “Super” hitmakers made an unprecedented record of more than 10 million physical album sales, from January to September of 2023 alone.

Following SEVENTEEN is the 4th generation group Stray Kids, who achieved a number of milestones in 2023. To specify, the “LALALALA” singers scored a back-to-back No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Album Sales Chart for their full-length album 5-Star and their mini-album Rock Star.

Moreover, the five-member boy group TOMORROW X TOGETHER also made it to the list. Placing seventh in the overall list, TOMORROW X TOGETHER managed to be one of IFPI’s best-selling artists with the release of their album The Name Chapter: FREEFALL.

After the three boy groups, rookie monsters NewJeans made history as they became the first and only K-op girl group to make it to the Top 10 list. The quintet, who are best known for hits “Hype Boy”, “Attention”, “Super Shy”, ranked eight overall.

 

Fans rejoice as K-pop continues to dominate

With the K-pop acts securing their respective spots in the IFPI best-selling artists list for 2023, they now join international stars Drake, The Weeknd, Lana del Rey, and others in the Top 10.

After seeing the inclusion of the K-Pop names among the list of Western artists, the fans of SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and NewJeans expressed their happiness over their idols’ achievements.

On social media, CARATs, STAYs, MOAs, and Bunnies (the groups’ fan bases, respectively), showed how proud they are of the artists.

One Carat referred to SEVENTEEN as “global superstars who are insanely famous. Meanwhile, a STAY congratulated Stray Kids and said that their music is so loved.

MOAs also applauded TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s jump to the seventeen spot after not being on the list for the 2022 Top 20 chart. Having high hopes that the “Chasing That Feeling” singers continue to soar, a fan stated that 2024 will even be better for the group.

https://twitter.com/meemznn/status/1760667732633100331

 

Lastly, Bunnies also shared their congratulatory messages for NewJeans and called them “queens” and “smash hitmakers.” 

In addition to these Top 10 placers, K-pop groups IVE and NCT Dream also secured the No. 12 and No. 15 spots, respectively. Congratulations! 

Featured image: SEVENTEEN releases special video for ‘April Shower.’ Credit: Twitter/SEVENTEEN

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BLACKPINK’s Jisoo Launches Own Company BLISSOO

Jisoo announces the establishment of BLISSOO. Credit: Website/BLISSOO

From being an outstanding idol to a skilled actress, Jisoo is now entering a new era as a CEO! On February 21, Jisoo of the sensational K-pop girl group BLACKPINK has announced that she’s starting anew through her own company, BLISSOO. 

Alongside the confirmation about the newly-launched agency, the official social media accounts for it have also been available to the public. Sharing a photo of her smiling alongside the company logo, Jisoo announced that she is excited to share her new start with BLISSOO. 

In the caption, she wrote: “Stay tuned for what’s to come as I’m dedicated to bringing joy and happiness to each and everyone of you.” 

According to the company’s website, its name is a combination of the artist’s name, whose charm unfolds like a precious gift, and the word “bliss” which symbolizes complete happiness. Moreover, BLISSOO claims that their mission is to share the happiness Jisoo creates in her unique way.

Furthermore, the agency also asked fans to continue their support for the idol as well as her group, BLACKPINK. Earlier, it was rumored that the idol will pursue her solo activities under a family management system. 

Blinks send their well wishes for BLISSOO

With Jisoo now launching her own company, she now becomes the third BLACKPINK member to establish their own agencies. In December 2023, fellow member Jennie announced the establishment of own label Odd Atelier. Meanwhile, Lisa unveiled her own company LLOUD in early February 2024. 

As of now, Rosé is the only remaining member who has yet to establish her own label. 

To recall, the four BLACKPINK members renewed their group contracts with home agency, YG Entertainment, after their seven-year contract ended in August 2023. However, this renewal will only cater to their group activities as BLACKPINK. As for their individual schedules, YG Entertainment announced that Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé have different plans for their own respective career. 

Although set to be managed by their own labels for individual schedules, BLACKPINK assured that they will remain as OT4 for their group activities.

Following the news about BLISSOO, BLINKs, BLACKPINK’s fandom, expressed their happiness for Jisoo’s new era. On social media, they sent their congratulatory messages and well wishes for the “Flower” singer.

“I will always support you, our new CEO,” one fan wrote. Meanwhile, another said that she is both excited and proud of the idol.

Congratulations and good luck on your new journey, CEO Jisoo!

Featured image: Jisoo announces the establishment of BLISSOO. Credit: Website/BLISSOO

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Sandara Park, Gikwang, Lee Dae Hwi to Host ‘DNAcers: Global K-Dance Project’

Sandara Park, Gikwang, and Lee Daehwi are the hosts of 'DNAcers.'

On February 19, it was confirmed that K-pop stars Sandara Park, Gikwang, and Lee Dae Hwi will be the hosts for the newest dance competition program DNAcers: Global K-Dance Project.

According to a report by KoreaJoongAngDaily, the show will “oversee top K-pop dancers duking it out in dance battles and street performances in Las Vegas.” 

Apart from being the hosts of the show, the three K-pop idols will also play as the dancers’ managers. For those unaware, Sandara was a former member of the now-disbanded girl group 2NE1, Gikwang is a member of the boy group Highlight, while Daehwi is from the boy group AB6IX.

What we know about DNAcers: Global K-Dance Project

Bringing the South Korean talent in a global scale, the DNAcers show will feature the finest dancers from the industry to compete against international dancers. Moreover, the competition will only span 10 days.

In their teaser, the show gave a glimpse of the numerous performances showcased by the participants. Notably, renowned choreographers and dancers in the likes of Aiki, Lip J, Ri.hey and Harimu will battle against the local dance groups and street performers in the city. Previously, they all gained recognition for their participation in the hit reality program Street Woman Fighter. 

Moreover, what makes the show even more exciting is the surprise appearance of BTS’s J-Hope, who’s widely recognized for his outstanding dance skills. In DNAcers, the K-pop superstar will be participating as a special messenger who will give out the missions to the contestants.

Furthermore, the show will also be composed of a talented production team led by veteran music program producer Song Gwang Jong. Throughout his career, Song produced a number of hit shows including the third and fourth season of Hidden Singer, and the reality series Begin Again.

The first two episodes of  DNAcers will be released on Monday, February 26, via the streaming service TVing. 

Featured image: Sandara Park, Gikwang, and Lee Daehwi are the hosts of ‘DNAcers.’ Credit: YouTube/DNAcers

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TR Entertainment Confirms Producer Shinsadong Tiger Passed Away

TR Entertainment has confirmed the sudden passing of Shinsadong Tiger, a legendary figure in the industry, at the age of 40. The news came after reports surfaced of him being found collapsed at his studio in Seoul. The cause of death remains unknown, leaving the K-pop community in shock.

Shinsadong Tiger, born Lee Ho-yang and also known professionally as S.Tiger, was celebrated for his ability to craft chart-topping hits and significant contributions to K-pop. His agency, TR Entertainment, expressed their sadness over the news. They are currently in the process of confirming details regarding his funeral arrangements. They have asked the public to refrain from spreading speculative reports about what happened. The agency made this request for the sake of his bereaved family. They also stated that they will conduct the producer’s funeral quietly. They will allow only his relatives and colleagues to attend.

@thedirector.class

K-Pop producer Shisadong Tiger tells us what his biggest inspirations are #thedirector #kpop #southkorea #seoul #producer #entertainment #exid #momoland #tribe

♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

TRI.BE speaks

TR Entertainment also represents TRI.BE, Universal Music Korea’s first K-pop group. Shinsadong Tiger and collaborators crafted this group, which then signed to Republic Records in the US. Following the tragic news, TRI.BE has canceled and postponed its promotional schedule. This schedule was for the newly released single “Diamond” and b-side track “Run.” Both tracks were produced and co-written by Shinsadong Tiger. 

The group has since released a statement, which reads, “We regret to inform you that this week’s scheduled ‘Diamond’ comeback promotion has been canceled and postponed. Additional information regarding the schedules will be provided later. We apologize to the fans and kindly ask for your understanding.”

TR Entertainment added that TRI.BE promises to return for more televised performances as soon as possible. They want to honor the late producer by doing their best to promote “Diamond,” since it marks the last single Shinsadong Tiger worked on.

TRI.BE – Diamond

Shinsadong Tiger solidified his legacy

Shinsadong Tiger embarked on his journey as a songwriter in 2005. Between 2011 and 2013, he produced four chart-topping hits on the now-discontinued K-Pop Hot 100. These include Ailee’s “U&I,” T-ara’s “Roly-Poly” and “Lovey Dovey,” and Trouble Maker’s “Now.” He produced “Fiction” for Beast and won Song of the Year at the 2011 KBS Song Festival awards. His collaborations with EXID, HyunA, T-ara, and WJSN even made it to Billboard’s list of 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s.

HyunA’s “Bubble Pop!” exemplifies his knack for producing hits. It was a YouTube hit, making HyunA the first K-pop soloist to surpass 100 million views on a music video. Furthermore, his work on MOMOLAND’s “Bboom Bboom” played a crucial role in catapulting the group to stardom in 2018. The song’s music video has amassed over 626 million views on YouTube. It is one of the most-viewed K-pop videos on the platform. Through these achievements, Shinsadong Tiger solidified his legacy.

Shinsadong Tiger’s memory as a producer who shaped the sound of K-pop and reached audiences worldwide will be remembered. The music world mourns the loss of a true pioneer and visionary. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Rest in power, Shinsadong Tiger. Source: X/@Jeff__Benjamin.

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Production Suspended on Sewol Ferry Tragedy Documentary

KBS has officially halted the production of the Sewol Ferry Tragedy 10th Anniversary Documentary, sparking a wave of disappointment and controversy. The decision, as explained by Lee Jae Won, director of productions, was influenced by concerns that airing the documentary in April could affect the upcoming general elections. The documentary was approximately 40% complete at the time of the suspension.

Efforts to reverse the decision were unsuccessful. Jo Ae Jin, a member of the DocuInsight team, talked about the suspension at a press conference on February 19. Jo revealed that the documentary was meant to be part of a series focusing on recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), linking it to other tragedies to avoid influencing the general election scheduled for April 18.

Lee In Geon, the director of the documentary, expressed his disappointment in a separate interview. He apologized for being unable to share the survivors’ stories due to what he called “unacceptable reasons.” Lee In Geon added they would escalate the issue to the Fair Broadcasting Commission if it remains unresolved after the scheduling committee meeting set for the following Tuesday, the 27th.

KBS doubled down on the suspension

In response to inquiries about the documentary’s suspension, KBS doubled down on the suspension. They reiterated that the decision to air the documentary after June was intentional. It would allow the inclusion of other major disasters like the Cheonan Naval Ship sinking and the Daegu Subway Disaster, aligning with the original concept. Reportedly, the decision came shortly after the new director assumed office in December of the previous year.

Korean netizens have expressed frustration and disappointment with KBS’s decision. Many told the production team to take the documentary to a streaming platform like Netflix for airing. Their sentiments reflect a serious dissatisfaction with KBS’s handling of the issue.

What do you think KBS should have done? What should the production team do? – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Unfortunately, the documentary may never see the light of day now. Source: X/@4evrTin7.

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Netflix’s ‘Physical 100’ to Return with ‘Season 2: Underground’ in March

Netflix’s popular reality series Physical 100 is preparing for its highly anticipated second season, set to premiere on March 19. After the first season’s significant success, Netflix has revealed a poster for the next installment of this extreme physical competition.

What is ‘Physical 100’ all about?

Physical 100 tests contestants’ physical strength to crown the strongest from hundreds. A diverse cast of athletes, diplomats, performers, police officers, and more will battle it out to see who will take the top spot. The first season captivated audiences worldwide, clinching the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 TV Shows (Non-English) category in over 82 countries. Just six weeks after its release, it amassed an impressive 192.63 million viewing hours on Netflix.

The second season, Physical 100: Underground, promises to delve deeper into the competitive spirit of its participants. Set against the backdrop of underground mines, the season is expected to push contestants to their limits with more complex challenges. Director Jang Ho-gi hinted at the heightened intensity of the new season, stating, “If season one was based on ancient Greece, season two is based on the underworld.”

This season will see more former and current national athletes among the contestants, with a 30 percent rise compared to the first season. The production team has been preparing for over a year to make Physical 100: Underground bigger and better than its predecessor.

Contestant Reveal #1: THE WARRIORS

A truly thrilling season

The cast of Physical 100: Underground includes Kim Dong-hyun, the first Korean athlete to enter the UFC. South Korean national athletes Jeong Ji-hyun (wrestling) and Lee Won-hee (judo) are also taking part in the show. Jang Ho-gi praised the cast, saying, “All of the participants are in the top positions in their respective fields. But in the underworld, they are rank leaders.”

Inspired by ancient Greek culture, the first season featured challenges that pushed the contestants to their limits. Won Jin-young, a CrossFit athlete and snowboarder, emerged victorious among 99 participants. He won a cash prize of 300 million KRW (approximately 230,000 USD).

As Physical 100: Underground prepares to premiere on Netflix on Tuesday, March 19, fans and newcomers alike can look forward to a truly thrilling season. – K-Pop News Writer

Contestant Reveal #2: NATIONAL ATHLETES

Featured Image: Will you tune in to this new season of the hit show? Source: X/@netflixkcontent.

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MIRAE Makes Successful Debut in Japan

MIRAE made a splash in Japan with their first Japanese mini-album RUNNING UP on February 14, showcasing immense local popularity.

RUNNING UP entered the Oricon Daily Album Ranking at No. 6 in the week of February 15. In support of their debut, MIRAE appeared on the HBC Hokkaido Broadcasting program. The members—Jang Yubin, Khael, Lee Junhyuk, Lien, Park Siyoung, Son Dongpyo, and Yoo Dohyun— engaged with fans through an autograph signing and hi-touch event at Tower Records Shibuya, Japan’s largest record store.

RUNNING UP features the title track of the same name, along with new versions of MIRAE‘s hit songs “Marvelous – Japanese ver. -,” “JUMP! – Japanese ver. -,” “KILLA – Japanese ver. -,” and “Dear My Friend – Japanese ver. -.” The album’s lead track, “RUNNING UP,” is the group’s first song that discusses the future, a theme that resonates with the current generation’s greatest anxieties. Through their music, MIRAE conveys excitement and messages of comfort, expressing the kind of emotions only young people can embody.

MIRAE – RUNNING UP

MIRAE is sprinting towards success

The group’s debut in Japan is marked by their ongoing MIRAE 1st CONCERT TOUR [RUNNING UP] in JAPAN 2024, spanning six cities across the country. The tour kicked off in Sapporo on February 10, with subsequent performances in Osaka and Nagoya. They captivated audiences with full group performances of tracks from their mini-album. The members also did various solo and unit stages. Known for their dynamic choreography, MIRAE received enthusiastic responses from fans, leading to additional performances after the encore in Nagoya.

The group will continue their tour in Fukuoka on March 3, Sendai on March 10, and Tokyo on March 14, further solidifying their presence in the Japanese music scene.

MIRAE’s debut in Japan lays a good foundation for their future. As their album’s title indicates, they are sprinting towards the success they were always meant to enjoy. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Congratulations to DSP Media’s newest boy group on a successful Japanese debut! Source: X/@official_MIRAE.

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Korea University Establishes Entertainment Program for Foreign Students

Korea University will revolutionize the educational landscape for foreign students with the introduction of its Global Entertainment Department. This initiative comes as South Korean entertainment continues to rise in popularity worldwide. As such, there’s a growing need for professionals who can help introduce K-dramas, K-pop, Korean movies, and webtoons to international audiences.

The curriculum of the Global Entertainment Department will focus on various aspects of South Korean pop culture, moving away from traditional subjects like journalism and advertising. Instead, students will dive into cultural content creation, storytelling, and the business side of entertainment, including financing and distribution.

The university has received the necessary approvals to start the Global Entertainment Department, which will be part of a larger College of Media. This college will include the new department and the existing Media Department. Officials plan to begin selecting students for this program in the 2025 academic year.

CAMPUS TOUR!!! | Korea University 🐯

Korea University will hire staffers from the Big Four

Korea University aims to enroll about 70 students from abroad in the first year. The courses will be taught mainly in Korean, targeting students who already have a good grasp of the language. While Korean students can take some courses in this new department, they won’t be able to officially enroll at first. The university is considering allowing Korean students to enroll in the future.

Discussions are ongoing with major South Korean content companies, such as CJ ENM, Naver, and Kakao, for research and development cooperation, internship opportunities linked to employment, and investments in facilities. Plans also include inviting professionals from South Korea’s top entertainment agencies—HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment—to teach as adjunct professors.

A representative from Korea University mentioned that prestigious universities around the world already offer entertainment-focused majors. With the global surge in popularity of South Korean content, the Global Entertainment Department seeks to attract students from various countries and train them to become experts in promoting South Korean culture worldwide. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Korea University has a beautiful campus. Soon, it’ll also have an entertainment program. Source: KoreabyMe.

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KBS and Makestar Collaborate on New Boy Group Survival Show

KBS is collaborating with Makestar on a new boy group survival show. According to Ilgan Sports, the show, tentatively titled MakeMateOne, is set to air as early as May 2024. Its goal is to create a new global boy group. This initiative is KBS’s first foray into the survival show genre since 2018’s The Unit, which formed a girl group called UNI.T.

MakeMateOne is expected to form a boy group consisting of six or seven members, though the final number has yet to be confirmed. The contestants have already moved into their dorms and are preparing for their performances. This indicates that production on the show is well underway.

Makestar isn’t new to managing artists, but their clients have all been actors, like Park Hae Il and Soo Ae. They first announced plans to launch a boy group in October 2023, saying they recruited top K-pop experts to help them in their goal. This partnership with KBS signifies that they’re serious about branching out into managing idol groups.

About the company behind ‘MakeMateOne’

Makestar began operating in 2015 as a crowdfunding platform. It bridged the gap between K-pop fans and their favorites, allowing fans to invest in albums and other projects. This innovative approach has  generated significant revenue from overseas markets. It also gave fans a more meaningful and personal connection to their biases.

With operations spanning 134 countries, including major markets such as China, Europe, Japan, and the US, Makestar’s sales increased by 175% in 2021 compared to the previous year. The company has executed over 1,560 projects involving more than 580 stars and maintains partnerships with over 400 agencies in Korea. The company is planning to expand its focus to include beauty, fashion, and more. Their ultimate goal is to contribute significantly to the spread of Korean culture worldwide. 

Now, with MakeMateOne, Makestar will take a turn at making its own idol group, promising to bring something new to the K-pop scene. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Production on ‘MakeMateOne’ has already started. Will you tune in? Source: X/@kpopplanetofc.

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