Author: Kpop News Writer

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SEVENTEEN’s DK and Hoshi Swap Toothbrushes on ‘NANA Tour’

SEVENTEEN

On January 10, the second episode of the travel series NANA Tour with SEVENTEEN premiered. This show is a collaboration between The Game Caterers producer Na Young-suk and Youth Over Flowers producer Shin Ho-jung. It features the members of SEVENTEEN—minus leader S.Coups, as he was on hiatus at the time of filming—as the main cast.

@schercoups

naurrr dokyeom accidentally used hoshi’s toothbrush instead of his so then dk gave hoshi his toothbrush to use 😭😭 #seventeen #dokyeom #hoshi #nanatour

♬ brotha ew – s ᥫ᭡

The toothbrush mix-up

The episode began with the group’s arrival in Italy, where they moved into small rooms with bunk beds. DK, Hoshi, Joshua, and Mingyu found themselves sharing one of these rooms. Everything appeared to be going smoothly until a surprising incident the next morning: Hoshi discovered that DK had used his toothbrush.

At first, DK didn’t realize the mix-up but acknowledged the mistake upon finding his toothbrush in his drawer. In lieu of an apology, DK offered his unused toothbrush to Hoshi. Surprisingly, Hoshi accepted this offer without any reservations and casually asked if he had any toothpaste to share. This exchange, involving a highly personal item like a toothbrush, left fans both amused and shocked at their nonchalant attitude. Even Joshua, witnessing this exchange, was visibly surprised by their approach to the situation.

DK, noticing Joshua’s astonishment, tried to ease the tension with a lighthearted comment. “What?! We’re family! Who cares?!” he said with a laugh. This incident not only showcased the strong bond between the members but also became a topic of conversation among fans, highlighting the deep camaraderie within the group.

@justaregularpotatooo

Mingyu and DK using the same toothbrush 😭 HAHAHAHA I KENNAT! #dokyeom #mingyu #dokyeomseventeen #dokyeomseventeen #dokyeomedit #mingyuseventeen #mingyuedit @SEVENTEEN

♬ original sound – justaregularpotato – SEVENTEEN17

SEVENTEEN explored Italy like tourists

Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time DK was involved in a toothbrush mix-up. He previously used Mingyu’s toothbrush in a special version of their dance practice video for “Home.” This video was as a token of appreciation when the song’s official MV reached 17 million views on YouTube. 

Apart from the toothbrush incident, the show’s second episode was a hit for other reasons. Fans enjoyed seeing the members explore Italy like tourists. The segment where SEVENTEEN played games to win money for their trip also received a positive reception.

New episodes of tvN’s NANA Tour with SEVENTEEN air every Friday at 8:40 PM. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: DK and Hoshi are so close, they share everything—even toothbrushes! Source: X/@dokyiowoo.

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NCTzens Express Concern Over Haechan’s Early Return From Hiatus

Earlier this month, NCT’s Haechan was seen at Incheon International Airport with his fellow NCT 127 members, preparing to fly to Jakarta for the group’s promotions. This sighting came as a shock to fans, as SM Entertainment had just announced the idol’s hiatus due to tonsillitis the day before. Despite Haechan telling fans about his recovery via DearU Bubble, the news of his return within less than twenty-four hours of the hiatus announcement raised concerns. This was particularly worrying given his back-to-back schedules with NCT Dream and NCT 127.

Fans, initially relieved that Haechan would get the rest he needed, were angered. They criticized SM Entertainment for allegedly overworking him and showing a lack of concern for their artists’ health. This sentiment grew after Haechan informed fans via DearU Bubble that he had been feeling sick and wasn’t in good condition to perform at NCT 127’s Nagoya, Japan concert on January 7.

@7llindream

just want him to be healthy ☹️ #haechan

♬ A Piece of You – Nathaniel Constantin

Haechan expressed his disappointment, saying, “I’m so bummed, I apologize. My fever went up to 39 degrees this morning, so I had no choice but to rest. I know I said I wouldn’t get sick anymore. I’m terribly sorry that I couldn’t keep that promise. But I’ll get well ASAP. I promise to take my meds, eat well, and recover soon!”

On January 10, SM Entertainment announced that Haechan had tonsillitis and would go on hiatus to recover. The agency stated, “Haechan flew to Korea from Japan on January 8 due to flu-like symptoms, a fever, and body aches. The hospital revealed he had a severe case of tonsillitis and that he needed ample rest. Haechan will be taking a rest to fully recover and heal. Decisions about his future activities will be based on his health condition.”

What happened to Haechan?

But just a few hours after the announcement, Haechan updated his fans. He said he was on the road to recovery. “I think I’m halfway there. Before, it was painful to even drink water. But yesterday, once I got to Korea, I got my shots and took the meds on time. And my mom has been basically forcing me to eat all her food. Drinking a lot of water and sleeping a lot have been helping, too. I’m getting better, for sure. I’m sorry for making you all wait, and I promise to make a full recovery ASAP so I can see you all!”

While fans were happy to hear that the idol was getting better, they didn’t expect him to be back on schedule so soon. On January 11, the NCT 127 members were seen at the airport. They were leaving for their concerts in Jakarta, Indonesia on January 13 and 14. NCTzens were surprised to see Haechan with them. 

NCT 127, Incheon International Airport DEPARTURE

Given that it had been only a day since the idol properly went on hiatus, fans were angered by the situation. They criticized SM Entertainment, accusing the agency of pulling Haechan out of his rest period too soon. They’ve also been demanding answers from the agency on social media. Meanwhile, NCT 127 has since returned to Korea. Fans hope Haechan can get some rest before hitting the road again.

In other news, NCT 127 is set to perform in the Philippines on January 21, 2024, at the Philippine Sports Stadium. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The fans want nothing more than for Haechan to get well. Source: X/@dreamleeline.

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M Countdown Overhauls Charting System, Introduces New Features

Mnet’s flagship music show, M Countdown, is making several changes to better connect with K-pop fans and stay up-to-date with 2024’s trends. First, they’re updating their weekly music chart to better reflect what’s popular in music right now. This means they’ll be taking into account how often songs are used in short-form videos on social media (presumably on platforms like TikTok) when deciding its rank.

Before, M Countdown’s chart rankings included 10% from views of official music videos on YouTube. Now, they’ll also consider how much a song is trending in short-form videos, which could affect its chart position. The new ranking system will give equal weight to a song’s popularity in South Korea and elsewhere, based on streaming numbers. This recognizes the global reach of K-pop stars and their music.

M Countdown is taking a fresh direction

Besides changing how they rank songs, M Countdown will introduce new segments in the show. These will not only feature new music but also focus on trending performances, photos, and other exciting content that K-pop fans are interested in.

The show is also reimagining the way idols interact with fans in the audience. The physical space for fan interactions will expand from the studio to the external lobby. Mnet plans to host events like comeback interviews and mini-fan meetings in these spaces. Additionally, new audience seating will be added on the second floor, allowing more fans to experience the show live.

@mnet_tiktok_official

︵‿୨˚̣̣̣͙୧엠카산 샤인멍또캣🐶🐥🐱의 당도 300퍼센트 귀여움을 만날 수 있는 최고의 기회୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿ 엠카운트다운 MCOUNTDOWN ZEROBASEONE 성한빈 BOYNEXTDOOR 명재현 RIIZE 소희

♬ 오리지널 사운드 – mnet_tiktok_official – mnet_tiktok_official

Finally, the iconic M Countdown logo itself has received a makeover. The new logo was first used on the January 11 broadcast. It symbolizes the fresh direction the show is taking in 2024. All these changes followed the recent addition of two new MCs earlier this month. After (G)-IDLE’s Miyeon stepped down, BOYNEXTDOOR’s Jaehyun and RIIZE’s Sohee joined the show. Starting January 11, they began co-hosting alongside ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Hanbin.

With these changes, M Countdown is set to offer a more dynamic and engaging experience for K-pop fans worldwide. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: These changes will take the show to greater heights in 2024. Source: X/@MnetMcountdown.

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ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo Confirmed for Solo Debut

Fantagio has officially confirmed that ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo will debut as a solo artist this year. On January 9, SpoTV News reported that Cha Eunwoo is preparing to release his first solo album in the first half of 2024. Confirming this report, the K-pop agency subsequently told Star1 that the information is accurate. Fantagio added that their artist plans to preview songs from his upcoming album at a fan meeting scheduled for this February.

“Cha Eunwoo is preparing his first solo album with the goal of releasing it in the first half of 2024,” the K-pop agency said in a statement. “In particular, he’s preparing with the objective of unveiling the songs from his solo album for the first time on stage at his first fan-con, so please show lots of anticipation.”

While the upcoming release will mark his official solo debut, the actor and idol has released solo songs in the past, many of which were for soundtracks of dramas he has starred in. These include 2023’s “Jealousy” from A Good Day to be a Dog. In 2022, Eunwoo and his ASTRO members each released solo songs as part of their third studio album Drive to the Starry Road. He even co-wrote his solo song “First Love” for that album.

First Love (First Love)

Cha Eunwoo will hit the road soon

In other news, Fantagio also announced that Eunwoo would be embarking on his 2024 Just One 10 Minute: Mystery Elevator Asia tour. The tour will feature eight stops across seven Asian countries. The ASTRO member will kickstart his upcoming tour with a show in Seoul, South Korea on February 17, 2024. Afterwards, the singer will head to Southeast Asia for shows in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Manila, before playing two shows in Saitama, Japan.

@latestktrendz3

𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗦‼️ 𝖧𝖾𝗋𝖾’𝗌 Cha Eun Woo’s 2024 𝖩𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝖮𝗇𝖾 𝖳𝖾𝗇 𝖬𝗂𝗇𝗎𝗍𝖾 Mystery Tour 1.𝖥𝖾𝖻𝗋𝗎𝖺𝗋𝗒 17 – 𝖲𝖤𝖮𝖴𝖫 2.𝖥𝖾𝖻𝗋𝗎𝖺𝗋𝗒 24 – 𝖪𝖴𝖠𝖫𝖠 𝖫𝖴𝖬𝖯𝖴𝖱 3.𝖬𝖺𝗋𝖼𝗁 09 – 𝖡𝖠𝖭𝖦𝖪𝖮𝖪 4.𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟲 – 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗟𝗔 5.𝖬𝖺𝗋𝖼𝗁 30 / March 31 – 𝖩𝖠𝖯𝖠𝖭 6.𝖠𝗉𝗋𝗂𝗅 13 – 𝖲𝖨𝖭𝖦𝖠𝖯𝖮𝖱𝖤 7.𝖠𝗉𝗋𝗂𝗅 20 – 𝖩𝖠𝖪𝖠𝖱𝖳𝖠 #chaeunwoo #aroha #justone10minute #mysteryelevator

♬ Love so Fine – CHA EUN-WOO (ASTRO)

Following that, Cha Eunwoo will play a show in Singapore on April 13, before wrapping up the tour in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 20. More details about the tour, such as venues, ticketing, and more are expected in the coming weeks. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Cha Eunwoo’s solo debut has been a long time coming. Source: X/@kchartsmaster.

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YG Entertainment Wins Trademark Case Against Monster Energy

YG Entertainment has successfully defended its right to register certain trademarks for its new K-pop girl group in Singapore. The entertainment agency overcame opposition from Monster Energy Company (MEC), an American manufacturer of energy drinks. The case, filed in a Singapore court, concluded with the court dismissing MEC’s objections and siding with YG Entertainment.

YG, known for managing superstars like BIGBANG and BLACKPINK, previously applied to trademark “BABYMONSTER” and “BABYMONSTERS.” These trademarks were for a range of products including clothing and music, specifically for their new girl group, BABYMONSTER.

BABYMONSTER, consisting of six members—Asa, Chiquita, Pharita, Rami, Rora, and Ruka—debuted on November 27, 2023. They were named Rookie of the Year – Global Streaming at the Circle Chart Music Awards for their first single, “Batter Up.” They’re set to release their new song, “Stuck in the Middle,” on February 1.

YG Entertainment Wins Trademark Case Against Monster Energy

The victory is a notable one for YG

MEC, known for their energy drinks, opposed YG’s trademark applications, arguing that the names were too similar to their own “MONSTER” trademarks and could confuse consumers. However, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) disagreed, finding the names different enough, especially with the addition of “BABY.”

The adjudicator, Ravindran Muthucumarasamy, referred to a past case, The Singapore Professional Golfers’ Association v Chen Eng Waye and others. Muthucumarasamy stressed the need to first see if a trademark really stands out as unique for specific goods or services. He concluded, “Having considered all the pleadings and evidence filed and the submissions made in writing and during the hearing, I find that the oppositions fail on all grounds.” MEC was also ordered to pay YG’s legal fees of around 17,400 SGD (13,000 USD).

This isn’t the first clash between these two companies. In 2020, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) also sided with YG in a similar dispute. This victory is a notable one for YG Entertainment, reinforcing the importance of distinct trademarks in the global entertainment industry. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: MEC failed to block YG’s bid for trademarks. Sources: Top PNG, X/@MonsterEnergy.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

PLEDIS Entertainment Shares Update on TWS’s Logo Controversy

Earlier this month, PLEDIS Entertainment responded to plagiarism accusations concerning the logo of their new boy group, TWS. The controversy began when TWM, a Korea-based custom watch brand, accused the agency (and, by extension, its new boy group) of plagiarizing their logo.

The issue surfaced when TWM aired their sentiments on Instagram. The brand said: “A group called TWS copied and used my logo. A very similar logo, it’s a logo I drew by hand and has trademark rights to. This is a frustrating start to a new year. I will have to report this as trademark infringement through a lawyer tomorrow. If you compare the group’s logo to my precious creation, it’s outrageous. It’s a logo with trademark protection under my name. I can’t just let this go.”

TWM also mentioned that they had been using their logo since September 2018. Many netizens also noticed the uncanny similarities between the brand’s logo and TWS’s logo. PLEDIS, however, clarified that no plagiarism was involved. Apparently, they outsourced the creation of TWS’s logo to an outside company. To settle the issue, PLEDIS met with someone from TWM.

@hybelabelsfamily

TWS (투어스) OFFICIAL LOGO MOTION #pledis #tws #247withus

♬ nhạc nền – HYBE LABELS FAMILY – HYBE LABELS FAMILY

PLEDIS and TWM settled things

In an interview with Newsen, PLEDIS Entertainment stated, “We met with the company representative in person and provided a general explanation of the logo creation process and all misunderstandings were amicably resolved.”

In response, the brand also released a statement. “We met directly with PLEDIS and the external designer who developed the TWS logo, and received an overall explanation of the TWS logo production process. In conclusion, both I and the designer created the logo to the best of our abilities. We confirmed that the other party didn’t plagiarize my logo. Unfortunately, both sides were victims in this situation. Through this conversation, we resolved all misunderstandings, and we hope TWS will do well in the future.”

As the controversy of PLEDIS Entertainment plagiarizing the logo of TWM has come to a conclusive end, netizens are now looking forward to the group’s future activities. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The issue was settled after both parties met to discuss it. Sources: X/@pledischarts, X/@syok_malaysia.

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Inside the Close Bond Between ZB1’s Seok Matthew and His Sister

ZEROBASEONE’s Seok Matthew, one of today’s most popular idols, shares a special bond with his sister, Seok Yaebin. In a recent Instagram live, Yaebin opened up about their relationship, offering fans a glimpse into their family life and Matthew’s personality.

@haoareyou

not yaebin exposing matthew live😂😂 #zb1 #zerobaseone #fyp

♬ original sound – yan🌹 – yan

Complete opposites

Yaebin described herself and Matthew as complete opposites, likening Matthew to the sun and herself to the moon. She says they both shine bright in different ways. Their differences extend to their tastes as well. For instance, Matthew loves mushrooms, which Yaebin dislikes, and while Matthew’s favorite food is now fried chicken, Yaebin prefers cheese. She also revealed that Matthew was an excellent student, better than her, and that he rarely swears. Unlike Yaebin, who can drive, Matthew can’t. She also said that her Korean is better than Matthew’s, a fact that surprised his agency during her visit.

When asked about what she admires most about Matthew, Yaebin praised his personality. She also described him as “the least scary thing ever.” They communicate in English with each other, switch to Korean when talking to their parents, and use Konglish at family gatherings. Matthew, who used to call Yaebin “noona” as a sign of respect, now simply calls her by her name.

Like any siblings, they have disagreements but always resolve them with a good hug and an apology. Their quality time together typically involves doing their own things in their rooms, then coming together for walks, dinners, and chats. Sadly, they don’t get to hang out or talk much these days because of Matthew’s schedule. Matthew’s been so busy, it’s even hard to stay in contact through the phone. That said, Yaebin’s happy he’s busy doing what he loves.

@haoareyou

回复 @seokmae23 #zb1 #zerobaseone #fyp

♬ 原声 – yan🌹 – yan

The idol life

Regarding Matthew’s participation in Boys Planet, Yaebin admitted she didn’t know much about the show at first. Wondering how best to support her brother, she made TikTok videos to promote him. She said his performance of “Say My Name” on the show was her favorite, feeling it embodied his personality. When he placed third, Yaebin, along with their mother, was moved to tears.

Matthew has come a long way since he debuted with ZEROBASEONE. The boy group now has two double million selling albums under its belt. But although she’s very proud of him, Yaebin still sees him as her little brother—albeit one who’s perfect for the idol life.

“I feel like the idol life is suitable for Matthew. Growing up, he was always good at being told what to do. I’m not saying he doesn’t have freedom. He definitely has freedom within the work that he does. But at the same time, I feel like it’s very planned out,” Yaebin explains. “Like, his life is so structured—you have to live it this way, you can’t do this, you can’t do that. There are a lot of restrictions. But he’s great at navigating that and he loves it.”

@haoareyou

回复 @overshe this whole thing is so hilarious😂 #zb1 #zerobaseone #fyp

♬ 原声 – yan🌹 – yan

Yaebin paved the way for Matthew

Matthew started dancing around the age of 10. His interest in dance grew when Yaebin joined a dance team and encouraged him to do the same. Yaebin, who chose to pursue dance over traditional schooling, believes her path made it easier for Matthew to follow his dreams.

“I was very adamant about living my life the way I want to live it and be happy with my choices, so I did grow up fighting a lot with my parents. I was very stubborn. So that’s why I didn’t go to school. I pursued dance instead, and that’s why I love to teach. I’m very happy with what I’m doing,” says Yaebin. “But I guess that had a big influence on my brother. It helped him realize that he didn’t want to go to school either, and he wanted to do something he loved. So, I guess that’s how I inspired him, because he watched me do what I wanted to do.”

Yaebin‘s insights reveal a deep and supportive bond between the siblings, one that has played a significant role in shaping Matthew’s journey as an idol. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Matthew and Yaebin may be polar opposites, but they have so much love for each other. Source: Reddit.

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HYBE Calls for Removal of Unofficial BTS-Themed Sculptures

HYBE, the management company of BTS, has initiated a nationwide removal of BTS-related murals and sculptures. According to a report by TenAsia, Samcheok City took down the BTS photo zone and guide signs at Maengbang Beach earlier this month. This decision followed an official letter from HYBE sent on December 21, 2023, demanding the removal of all BTS-related sculptures.

Many locations in South Korea are famous because BTS’s music videos were filmed there. Fans call these places “pilgrimage sites.” These include Maengbang Beach, the filming location of the “Butter” MV, and the Red Lighthouse in Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk, known as the “BTS Lighthouse.” BTS murals in Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village and murals dedicated to SUGA and V in Daegu contribute to their popularity.

However, HYBE is calling for the removal of BTS-related murals and sculptures from these sites. Attempts by Samcheok City to negotiate ultimately failed, leading to the removal of the popular tourist attraction. HYBE also called out the Nam-gu district office in Busan and Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province for using BTS’s logo and a mural of RM, respectively, for promotional purposes.

BTS Tourist Spots To Gradually Disappear

HYBE explains their stance

A company representative explained, “We don’t grant permission for streets, sculptures, and murals. We prohibit such creations as they could negatively influence the image of our artists when damaged or badly managed.”

This displeased some local authorities. They argue that putting up sculptures and murals at public expense for fans interested in visiting BTS’s filming locations serves a public interest. One official from an area featuring BTS-related tourist attractions expressed a desire to continue discussions with the company, hoping to reach a compromise through further talks.

Korean netizens largely agreed with HYBE’s decision to remove such installations. This consensus was especially strong after it was discovered that local authorities didn’t obtain permission first. HYBE’s stance highlights the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: This sculpture in Samcheok City has already been removed. Source: Naver.

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AO3 Year in Review: 2023’s Most Popular K-Pop Ships

The Archive of Our Own (AO3) has always been a hub for creativity, and 2023 was no exception. AO3 is a non-commercial and nonprofit fanfiction archive website. It was launched in beta in 2008 as a project of the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW), which was established the year before. The development and launch of AO3 addressed the need for a fan-run, non-commercial space. In this space, fanworks such as fan art, fan videos, and fan fiction could be archived, organized, and easily accessed.

One AO3 user, centreoftheselights, compiled a list of the most popular ships, or pairings, on the site in 2023. These ships inspired a large volume of fan fiction. Here are the K-pop ships that made the top 100 on the list.

The top K-pop ships on AO3

6. Jungkook and Jimin from BTS (KookMin): This is the sixth most popular K-pop ship and 94th in the world. They became more popular this year, rising from 52nd place last year. Fans wrote 1,570 new stories about them, making a total of 27,583.

The ultimate Jikook video

5. Bang Chan and Felix from Stray Kids (ChanLix): This ship is fifth in K-pop and 91st globally, with 1,584 new stories. This is their first time on the list, demonstrating a swift rise in popularity.

@chrs31097

So sweet #chanlix #bangchan #bangchanedit #straykids #bangchanstraykids #straykidscomeback #leeknow #changbin #leefelix #hyunjinedit #changbinedit #leefelixedit #hyunjin #seungmin #hanjisung #jeongin #특챌린지 #straykidsedit #viral #foryou #fyp #fypシ #fuppppppp

♬ لا تستخدم الصوت تايب – Gapu

4. BTS’s Suga and Jimin (YoonMin): With 1,616 new works, this ship ranked fourth among K-pop ships and 85th overall. They moved up from 78th place, showing more people became interested in them in 2023.

@ym_sj

it’s just a video,Why am I crying?😭#YOONMIN #yoonmin #minimini #SUGA #jimin #yoongi #yoonmin_shipper

♬ Don’t Blame Me – Taylor Swift

3. ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Hanbin and Zhang Hao (HaoBin): This ship made an impressive debut in the rankings with 1,776 new works. They placed third in K-pop ships and 72nd overall.

@01lineenthusiast

Okay… neck and arms. I think I’ve lost my mind y’all 😭 #haobin #sunghanbin #zhanghao #zb1 #fyp #4u

♬ suara asli – 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧 ☘ – 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧 🍬

2. BTS’s Jungkook and V (TaeKook): They’re second in K-pop and 45th overall, with 2,293 new stories. They moved up from 24th place last year.

@taekook_means_love

представьте сколько у них совместных фоточек могли бы быть🥺💫 #taehyung #jungkook #jeonjungkook #kimtaehyung #vkook #taekook #vkookedit #taekookedits

♬ Originalton – ᥫ᭡

1. Stray Kids’ Han and Lee Know (MinSung): They’re the top K-pop ship and 13th overall. They had a great year on AO3 with 4,489 new stories. This allowed them to move up from 34th place.

@yeocfied

ik im flopping but heres a cute minsung edit🫶🏼 #herlixie #ybxii #minsung #straykids

♬ original sound – y

An integral subculture

Fan fiction has been an integral subculture of the K-pop industry since its early days. Fans of first-generation K-pop groups like g.o.d and H.O.T. have long enjoyed writing and sharing stories about their favorite members. This tradition goes back to the early 2000s, where fan communities dedicated specific sections to fan fiction, allowing fans to post and share their stories. The popularity of some of these stories even led to their being published in print.

Some of these stories focus on friendship. Others are about intimate, romantic relationships between band members. Despite not being publicly acknowledged by the industry, fan fiction has been a significant part of K-pop fandom. In fact, some agencies have turned to this aspect for fan culture as a marketing strategy. For instance, in 2006, SM Entertainment held a fan fiction contest for the boy band TVXQ, aiming to interact with fans and promote creative expression within the fandom.

The list compiled by centreoftheselights shows how fans are interested in a wide range of K-pop artists. The popularity of these pairings also reflects the interests of the fans who write and read these stories. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: These ships made AO3 go round last year. Source: Archive of Our Own, Canva/Stock Photo.

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TXT’s Yeonjun Goes Viral for ‘Guilty’ Cover at the 38th Golden Disc Awards

At the 38th Golden Disc Awards, Yeonjun of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) captured people’s hearts with a stunning solo performance. He covered Taemin’s hit single “Guilty,” which allowed him to show off his dancing and singing. This reaffirmed the 24-year-old’s status as one of the most talented fourth-generation K-pop idols.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER YEONJUN – ‘Guilty’ ♪ (TAEMIN)

Nothing short of spectacular

The ceremony, held at the Jakarta International Stadium in Indonesia, was a star-studded affair, hosted by Cha Eun-woo and Sung Si-kyung. TXT made headlines by winning the Album Main Award and the Indonesia FANS CHOICE with Mandiri trophy. This marks their fourth consecutive win in this category since 2020.

Yeonjun’s rendition of “Guilty” was nothing short of spectacular. He flawlessly executed the original choreography, including the killing point where he reached inside his t-shirt to touch his chin. What’s more, his facial expressions complemented the song’s mood perfectly. Yeonjun received widespread acclaim for delivering a performance that remained faithful to Taemin’s version. Fans worldwide enjoyed it so much that he dominated real-time trends on X (formerly Twitter) in countries like South Korea and the US.

MOAs weren’t the only ones who praised Yeonjun’s execution of the cover. His fellow TXT member gushed about Yeonjun on Weverse, saying, “I’m going crazy, I’m crying. He’s so good.” This isn’t the first time Yeonjun blew people away with a solo performance on an awards show. His cover of “3D” by BTS’s Jungkook at the 2023 SBS Gayo Daejeon was also well-received.

YEONJUN (TXT) – INTRO + 3D (JUNGKOOK)

Yeonjun did Taemin’s song justice

However, Yeonjun‘s performance sparked a heated debate on the Korean forum Nate Pann. A topic titled “Is HYBE going too far, stealing Taemin’s ‘Guilty’ for Yeonjun?” drew over 80,000 views just before it was deleted. Some Taemin fans accused HYBE of acting as if “Guilty” was Yeonjun’s song. They pointed to the use of the hashtag #yeonty on TXT’s official TikTok account as proof.

@txt.bighitent

#연티 #길티

♬ Guilty – TAEMIN

TXT fans argued that Yeonjun and HYBE likely sought Taemin’s permission before the Golden Disc Awards performance. They also said that instead of stealing Taemin’s thunder, Yeonjun’s viral cover would boost the popularity of the original.

Despite this issue, Yeonjun’s dedication and talent are undeniable. He deserves all the praise for the hard work he put into making sure he did Taemin’s song justice. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Yeonjun’s performance was positively sizzling. Source: X/@yeonjunHD.

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