Author: Kpop News Writer

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

South Korea To Introduce Special Visa for K-Pop Fans

South Korea

South Korea is set to launch a new visa, specifically catering to enthusiasts of South Korean culture. They’re calling it the Hallyu visa or “K-culture training visa.” It allows non-Koreans who register at local performing arts academies to stay in the country for up to two years. Hallyu, meaning “Korean Wave,” refers to the international popularity of South Korea’s cultural exports, including K-dramas, K-pop, and other artistic mediums, including movies.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s business plan refers to the arts as “the driver of K-culture for the next generation.” Its focus is on supporting young artists and writers as one of its six key strategies to attract more tourists. South Korea also plans to launch the K-Tourism Road Show in countries like Sweden and the US this year. Specific requirements for the K-culture training visa have yet to be disclosed. Details are expected by the second half of 2024.

From a tourism perspective, nurturing the devotion of K-culture enthusiasts makes financial sense. The K-pop industry is worth 10 billion USD, and it’s an important part of South Korea’s economy. So much so, in fact, that the country’s GDP was affected last year after BTS announced a temporary hiatus for military service and the members’ solo careers. K-pop is the number-one reason tourists flock to South Korea, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Researchers found that K–pop was mentioned nearly 37 million times on social media in the top 20 countries that drive inbound tourism.

South Korea, maglulunsad daw ng “Hallyu Visa” para sa K-Pop fans | BT

South Korea will cater to digital nomads too

Visit Korea, South Korea’s official tourism website, often uses K-dramas and K-pop in its marketing campaigns. A video starring “Squid Game” actor Lee Jung-jae has earned 142 million YouTube views since its release six months ago. Another series promoting different destinations, featuring artists like BTS and BLACKPINK, has been viewed more than 2.1 billion times on YouTube in three years.

After taking a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea’s tourism industry is a significant economic driver again. The World Travel and Tourism Council says this sector will see a growth of 4.8% annually through 2032. This is greater than the projected 1.8% growth rate of the national economy.

In addition to the K-culture visa, South Korea has also announced a separate visa for digital nomads. Launched on January 1, this visa allows remote workers earning at least 66,000 USD a year to stay in South Korea for up to two years. The digital nomad scene is burgeoning, with dozens of countries worldwide competing to lure remote workers in sectors such as finance and technology. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Soon it’ll be easier for fans to fly to South Korea and see their idols in person. Source: Canva/Stock Photo

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Jimin’s ‘Closer Than This’ Continues To Achieve Impressive Numbers

Jimin from BTS has achieved remarkable success with his digital single “Closer Than This.” Released on December 22, 2023, the song quickly gained traction, achieving 213,757 streams on its first day. It didn’t stop there—it surpassed 1 million streams on Pandora four days later, a record-breaking achievement for a K-pop soloist. (For the uninitiated, Pandora is a music streaming service that’s only available to US-based users.)

The song also debuted at number 20 on Pandora’s Top Thumb Hundred Chart, which ranks songs based on the number of “thumbs up” they receive over 30 days. In its first week, “Closer Than This” accumulated a total of 1,431,048 streams, marking the highest debut week for a K-pop soloist. As of December 26, 2023, Jimin recorded 329,505 monthly listeners on Pandora, maintaining the highest number of listeners among K-pop soloists. He also surpassed 65 million cumulative streams on Pandora, the most among BTS members.

지민 (Jimin) ‘Closer Than This’ Official MV

“Closer Than This” also ranked first for eight consecutive days in four categories (Digital Music New Releases, Digital Music Bestsellers, International New Releases, International Bestsellers) on Amazon US. Finally, on January 3, Billboard US announced that the song debuted atop its Digital Song Sales chart, making it Jimin‘s fifth leader, tying him with his bandmate Jungkook as the Korean soloist with the most No. 1 songs on that chart.

The song’s impressive performance in the US underscores Jimin’s immense popularity in the US. He has so many fans there that Korean media outlets now call the country “Jimmerica,” a portmanteau of “Jimin” and “America.”

X/@PJM_data

His impressive trajectory

Meanwhile, in Japan, Jimin‘s “Closer Than This” topped the Billboard Japan Download Songs chart just three days after its release. This feat made him the only foreign artist to lead this chart with two Korean-language songs in a single year. In 2023, Jimin charted 13 songs on this chart, including five from his album FACE, and notable singles and collaborations like “VIBE” with Taeyang. “Closer Than This” also debuted at No. 84 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, marking his sixth entry on that chart.

The song also performed well on Japan’s Oricon charts. “Closer Than This” ranked first on the daily singles chart on December 22 and 23. On the weekly chart dated January 1, it recorded 1,366 downloads in two days. It went to No. 2, beating out songs by top Japanese artists. This achievement brought his total to 14 solo songs charted on Oricon. 

FACE also performed well in Japan. It ranked third on the Oricon daily albums chart on December 14, and 17th on Oricon’s annual album ranking. Jimin eventually received his very first Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). This was for a K-pop solo artist for a Korean-language album, a continuation of his impressive trajectory.

Jimin’s new gift for ARMY 💜’Closer than this’ 

Only Jimin can break records with a fan song

Jimin released “Closer Than This” to assure his fans that he’ll always be there for them. The song holds special significance as he dropped it before enlisting in the South Korean military. Its lyrics contain references to BTS’s career and their connection with ARMYs worldwide.

“Whenever it rains, I’ll remember the times I sang in the rain/Whenever it snows, I’ll cherish how you smiled for me in the snow/On the spring day we meet again, I’ll tell you everything I couldn’t before/My love, my babe, forever by your side/Seven equals one, right, our hearts still beat as one,” Jimin sings. (Did you catch the reference to one of BTS’s biggest hits in those lines?)

Media outlets worldwide heaped praise on “Closer Than This.” One writer noted that only Jimin can break records with a fan song. Its success is a win for BTS, Jimin, their fans, and the entire K-pop industry as a whole. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The success of ‘Closer Than This’ allows Jimin to maintain a public presence while he’s serving in the South Korean military. Source: X/@bts_bighit.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Hui Drops Concept Photos, Teasers for Solo Debut

PENTAGON‘s Hui is set to make his long-awaited debut as a soloist with the mini-album WHU IS ME: Complex on January 16. When his longtime agency, CUBE Entertainment, confirmed rumors that he was working on a solo album, fans could hardly contain their excitement. 

This was further fueled by Hui’s formal announcement of his solo debut on PENTAGON’s official X account. His announcement included two intriguing clips, the first of which featured a yellow birthday cake. 

The second video clip featured a plastic bag in the same hue. Both bore the release date and title of his mini-album.

How Hui feels about the album

Twelve days ago, he dropped a dramatic teaser video.

후이(HUI) – WHU IS COMING?

A longer concept trailer followed.

후이(HUI) 1st Mini Album [WHU IS ME : Complex] Concept Trailer

Hui recently expressed his feelings about the album. He said, “The biggest motivating factor while creating the persona of Hui so far was my complex. There were tough times, but there was also a lot of time for gratitude. In this album, I throw away those complexes and find a new me.” This introspective approach suggests a personal and transformative artistic journey. 

That journey will surely be reflected in his new material. The album’s tracklist features songs like “Cold Killer,” “Fully,” “MELO,” and “When Spring Comes Winter Passes.” Each song promises to showcase the depth and breadth of Hui‘s artistry.

His impressive history

Born in 1993 in Gwacheon, Hui has been a key member of PENTAGON since 2016, serving as the group’s leader, lead dancer, and main vocalist. In addition to his group activities, he gained recognition on the Mnet survival show Boys Planet, where he finished in 13th place.

Hui‘s upcoming solo album is highly anticipated, thanks to his impressive history in music production and songwriting. He helped write some of PENTAGON’s biggest hits, including “Daisy,” “Runaway,” “Shine,” and “Universe: The Black Hall.” He also produced “Never” for Produce 101 Season Two, “Energetic” for WANNA ONE, and “Boyness” for Produce X 101.

Fans are eager to connect with Hui on a deeper level by listening to WHU IS ME: Complex. The album is set for global streaming release on January 16 at 6:00 PM KST. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Hui’s solo debut has been a long time coming. Source: X/@CUBE_PTG.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

EVNNE Kicks Off First Comeback With Fresh New Content

Fast-rising K-pop group EVNNE will make their first-ever comeback this month. On January 3, the Jellyfish Entertainment act released an image of the promotion schedule for their second EP Un: SEEN on their official social media accounts. Starting January 4, EVNNE will release concept photos, with a total of four types of images to be released sequentially until January 17. 

X/@EVNNE_official

The schedule includes the tracklist reveal on January 12, the first music video teaser on January 16, a highlight medley on January 18, and the second music video teaser on January 19, leading up to the album release on January 22. With all this content, EVNNE is hinting at a transformation into a visual powerhouse through various concept photos and music video teasers, generating excitement among fans both in Korea and abroad. Check out the first set of concept photos below.

@pockeita08

aackkk finally my. babies #이븐 #evnne #boysplanet #PARKHANBIN #박한빈 #케이타 #KEITA #jiyunseo #leejeonghyeon #yooseungeon #MUNJUNGHYUN #PARKJIHOO #문정현 #박지후 #지윤서 #유승언 #ケイタ #kpopfyp

♬ daddys home – Galuh

Having gained popularity and critical acclaim with their first EP, EVNNE is set to showcase a range of styles in Un: SEEN. According to their agency, these styles embody both the “seen” and “unseen” aspects of their artistry. The group plans to demonstrate audacity and passion, which is unusual for rookies.

EVNNE has achieved notable success

Since their debut, EVNNE has achieved notable success. Their first EP Target: ME sold 243,747 copies within one week of its release. The members, all former contestants on the Mnet survival show Boys Planet, are active participants in the creative process. They helped write lyrics for the songs “Even More” and “Jukebox,” sharing feelings and personal messages with fans. Although they had only less than two months to prepare for their debut, their stints on Boys Planet gave them the tools they needed to succeed. And they did. 

Aside from their stellar first-week sales, they earned nominations for Rookie of the Year at the Golden Disc Awards and the Seoul Music Awards in 2023. They also received nominations at the MAMA Awards for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best New Male Artist, and Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10.

With the release of the scheduler, EVNNE is kicking off their comeback. Given their determination and talent, there’s no doubt that Un: SEEN will emulate the success of their first album. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: EVNNE hopes to continue their winning ways with the release of their sophomore EP. Source: X/@EVNNE_official.

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K-DRAMA LATEST STORIES

Ahn Jiho Confirms ‘Heesu in Class 2’ Adaptation Will Be a BL Drama

The live-action adaptation of the BL (Boys’ Love) webtoon Heesu in Class 2 is shaping up to be an exciting project. While we don’t know its exact air date, we do know that the adaptation’s story will stay true to the source material. In a recent interview, Ahn Jiho, the lead actor, confirmed that the webtoon’s BL element will remain intact.

@odxllll

Ahn Jiho : aku tahu genrenya BL, tapi karakter Lee Heesoo lucu dan menarik. dia murid biasa saja tapi menurutku dia adalah karakter yang menyenangkan dan sedikit konyol. aku tidak berpikir drama itu tentang BL (masa bodo). aku melakukannya karena seperti “human comedy” yang menunjukkan bagaimana Heesu tumbuh 👍👍 aktor” kek gini yang harus kita dukung, yang gapernah malu sama drama/karakter” yang pernah/mau dia ambil (apalagi BL) karena semua itu cuma bagian dari akting & drama 👍👍 #heesuinclass2 #ahnjiho

♬ suono originale – i’m FALLING

His recent interview alleviated the fans’ fears

When asked why he accepted the title role, Ahn Jiho said, “I was aware the genre was BL, but I found the character to be cute and charming. He’s an ordinary student, but with a touch of comedy, which I thought made him an interesting character. I didn’t think of the drama as primarily a BL story. It felt more like a human comedy, showing how Heesu grows and develops. That’s why I decided to take on the role.”

Fans of the original webtoon were relieved to hear this, as they were concerned that the adaptation might be “straightwashed.” (In the context of BL dramas, “straightwashing” is the alteration of LGBTQ+ characters or relationships to make them appear heterosexual.) Their apprehensions were heightened when Ahn Jiho signed on to play Heesu. Fans feared his casting could mean that the BL element would be removed, as few mainstream actors in South Korea take on BL roles. Additionally, some pointed out that previous articles about the adaptation never explicitly referred to it as a BL drama. 

Thankfully, Ahn Jiho‘s recent interview alleviated the fans’ fears, allowing them to look forward to the adaptation without worrying about straightwashing. That’s a good thing because, BL element aside, there are other reasons to get excited about the adaptation.

@heqjinz

WHY IS HE KINDA…. (TYSM FOR 70K AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 🫶) #heqjinz #ahnjiho #jindabum #nighthascome #kdrama #kdramaedit #kdramafyp #foryou #foryoupage #fyp #fypシ #viral #trending

♬ original sound – heqjinz

Ahn Jiho will lead a talented cast

First, there’s the cast. As mentioned, Ahn Jiho will play Heesu. He started as a child actor. Some of his notable TV appearances include Nobody Knows (2020), All of Us Are Dead (2022), and Gyeongseong Creature (2023). He has also done several movies, including Rebound, which hit theaters in April last year.

Ahn Jiho‘s talent has been recognized with awards as well. He won the Independent Star Award at the Seoul Independent Film Festival in 2018 for his role in A Boy and Sungreen. He also won the Best Young Actor award at the SBS Drama Awards for Nobody Knows.

Fans and critics alike are looking forward to seeing him in Heesu in Class 2. He’ll lead a talented cast that includes Lee Sangjun as Kim Seungwon and Cho Junyoung as Joo Chanyoung. Kim Doyeon of Weki Meki will play the bright, cheerful student Choi Jiyu. Finally, Jeon Yeongin and Yang Jungah have been cast in unspecified roles.

Heesu In Class 2 (2반 이희수) | MANHWA REVIEW/SUMMARY

A journey of self-discovery

The adaptation will be helmed by Park Kyungmin and will consist of 10 episodes, each 40 minutes long. It’s based on the webtoon of the same name by Lily Zuzu, which was originally published digitally in English by Lezhin Comics from February 7, 2018, to August 1, 2019.

The story of Heesu in Class 2 revolves around the main character Heesu, whose life is centered around his best friend and secret crush, Chanyoung. He doesn’t mind cheering Chanyoung from the sidelines or listening to all his girl problems. He’s content with the label “Chanyoung’s friend,” but things change when Heesu starts hearing his name everywhere. A school rumor—’Got a love problem? Find Heesu in Class 2 and he’ll tell you what to do!’—suddenly thrusts him into the spotlight. As Heesu navigates this newfound attention, he grapples with his own unresolved feelings, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and exploring the complexities of relationships.

Noted for its heartwarming narrative, the webtoon is available for reading on platforms like WEBTOON. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: According to Ahn Jiho, the adaptation will be faithful to the source material. What a relief! Source: X/@BLUPDATE2022.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

GOT7’s BamBam Airs Frustration Over Bad Experience in Seoul Music Awards

BamBam performs at the Seoul Music Awards. Credit: Twitter/ABYSS

The 33rd Seoul Music Awards (SMA) held on Tuesday, January 2 was supposed to be a celebration of achievements. However, several artists and attendees, including GOT7’s BamBam, were left disappointed due to the poor execution show.

Held in Bangkok, Thailand, the SMA was hosted by GOT7 members BamBam and Youngjae, Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany Young and actor Lee Seung-Gi. 

Several K-Pop groups in the likes of NCT Dream, ZEROBASEONE, Riize, STAYC, and Nmixx were in attendance. Soloists Kang Daniel, Sandara Park, and trot singer Young Tak also made an appearance in the show. 

However, despite the star-studded lineup of performers, the event drew attention with the events’ mishaps being exposed on social media.

In his personal X (formerly Twitter) account, BamBam, who was both an MC and a performer at the SMA, expressed his frustration over the experience. Furthermore, he directly called the event as “the WORST sound system” of his life.

In the same social media platform, several clips of BamBam’s performance surfaced with the idol seemingly challenged with the played music. One clip also showed the audio being completely cut off for a few seconds.

Moreover, some attendees echoed the singer’s criticism, as well as chiming the numerous setbacks they’ve experienced at the event. Among these complaints include a brief and late soundcheck, disorganized flow, and prolonged delays including its online broadcast. 

When one X user shared his thoughts about the mishap saying that they feel sorry for the artists involved, the Thai idol had another candid response. “They just want to make money from us. I’ll never go to awards shows again,” he declared. 

Fans applaud the professionalism of BamBam

Despite the poor management of the event, BamBam was still showered with positive remarks. After sharing his disappointment, fans immediately reassured the idol that he did a great job in handling the situation.

“You performed like a true and very skilled professional,” one fan wrote. Meanwhile another stated that given all their hard work and preparations, BamBam and the other artists did great during the event. “We are so proud of you,” a number of fans told the singer.

Other fans also took the opportunity to thank BamBam for speaking out. As it is not a common sight to see idols share their honest remarks about certain issues, K-pop fans were shocked to read his posts.

“This is revolutionary. Thank you for always being one of the few artists who stood up to talk about things that should be addressed,” one fan said.

As of writing, the organizers and management of SMA has yet to address BamBam’s post. 

Featured image: BamBam performs at the Seoul Music Awards. Credit: Twitter/ABYSS

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KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Watch: TWICE Shares Mood Film for ‘With You-Th’ Comeback

TWICE poses for their 'With You-th' album teaser. Credit: YouTube/TWICE

Just wait a little longer, ONCEs! TWICE will soon be back with new music!

On Wednesday, January 3, JYP Entertainment shared an enchanting mood film announcing the girl group’s return for their 13th mini album With YOU-th.

In the teaser, members Jihyo, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu flaunted their ethereal beauty as they roamed around a dreamy forest. “No matter what you got me, I got you. Just like we always do,” the teaser read, backed up with the group’s harmonization.

Based on the mood film, the “Set Me Free” singers will be dropping a pre-release single titled “I Got You” on February 2. Meanwhile, the extended play is slated to be fully released on February 23.

Other details about the album including its tracklist are yet to be revealed.

ONCEs’ excitement for new era of TWICE

To note, With YOU-th marks TWICE’s first Korean comeback in almost a year.  The group released their 12th mini EP Ready To Be in March 2023. Said album proved TWICE’s global influence as it broke Billboard 200’s record for the biggest first-week sales by any K-Pop female act.

Since then, member Jihyo made her solo debut with Killin’ Me Good in August 2023. Meanwhile, Japanese members Mina, Momo, and Sana also made their sub-unit debut through the Japanese album Masterpiece in July. As this is the first time in a while that the group will be releasing new music, anticipation for the upcoming release is evident. 

With the previous album’s massive success, fans, especially ONCEs, are even more looking forward for their February return. Upon the announcement of With YOU-th, the group’s fandom immediately brought their excitement on social media.

“Already sounds like a masterpiece,” one fan wrote. Another fan said: “The blending of their vocals screams SOTY already!”

Other fans also shared their interest with the captivating concept of the mood film. “Twice doing the cottagecore concept for their comeback! We are winning this year,” one fan said.

Aside from the album preparations, TWICE is also booked and busy meeting international fans for their Ready to Be World Tour. Since its kick-off in Seoul last April 2023, the girl group continued performing in several cities across their Europe, Australia, Asia, and North and South America stops.

Featured image: TWICE poses for their ‘With You-th’ album teaser. Credit: Twitter/TWICE

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Red Velvet Plans to Celebrate 10th Anniversary With a New Album

Red Velvet during SMTOWN Live 2023: SMCU Palace. Credit: Twitter/Red Velvet

Welcoming 2024 with a bang, Red Velvet just dropped some good news for ReveLuvs! 

On December 31, Red Velvet members Irene, Seulgi and Wendy had their year-end performance at the BGC New Year’s Eve Concert in the Philippines. In a press conference for the said event, the K-pop idols shared their plans for the new year.

There, the girls mentioned their plans in celebration of their 10th anniversary. To note, the famed SM Entertainment girl group debuted in August 2014 with the single “Happiness.” Since then, the quintet have been releasing hit tracks including “Red Flavor”, “Psycho”, “Feel My Rhythm”, among many others.

With 2024 marking their 10th year in the industry, the group’s leader Irene revealed that they hope to release an upcoming album to commemorate the milestone. “However, there’s nothing firmly scheduled, so we cannot really disclose about it”, the singer then clarified.

Red Velvet in 2024

Aside from their plans for the group, Irene, Seulgi and Wendy also shared their personal goals for 2024.

First, Irene started off by saying she wanted to challenge herself by trying to learn new things and new hobbies this year.

 

Next is Seulgi, who will be turning 30 in February. As she’s set to have a personal milestone for this year, the idol shared that she aspires to become a better adult. “As an adult, I want to become wiser,” she said. Moreover, she also hoped to have lesser worries in her work. “I’d like to have a happier life without anxieties in terms of doing work. I think it will help give this work more longevity if I do it with more happiness”, the “28 Reasons” singer added.

On the other hand, Wendy said that her top priority in 2024 is to stay happy and healthy, while also meeting new people along the way.

To recall, Red Velvet has recently dropped their third full-length album Chill Kill last November. Notably, the album served as a treat for the group’s fanbase as it was their first full album in six years.

Although there are no confirmations yet, fans have expressed their high hopes for Red Velvet’s 10th anniversary album on social media.

Featured image: Red Velvet during SMTOWN Live 2023: SMCU Palace. Credit: Twitter/Red Velvet

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

RIIZE’s Anton Goes Viral for Sassy Response to ‘Nepo Baby’ Comment

RIIZE‘s Anton recently became the talk of the town for his nonchalant yet uproarious response to being labeled a “nepo baby.” Anton has been in the spotlight even before his debut. That’s because he’s the son of noted musician Lee Yoon Sang.

Following Anton and his father‘s memorable performance at the 2023 Gayo Daejejeon, a netizen referred to him as a “nepo baby.” This is a derogatory term. It’s often used to refer to individuals perceived to have leveraged their family connections for success in the industry.

However, the idol’s response was anything but ordinary. He quoted Lady Gaga‘s “Born This Way,” an unapologetic and witty comeback that left netizens in stitches, catapulting Anton to a whole new level of internet fame. On X (formerly known as Twitter), many celebrated his bold and instantly iconic retort.

@we_riize.up

Replying to @riize_official I LOVE THAT FOR YOU ANTON! #RIIZE #ANTON #YOONSANG #앤톤 #윤상 #찬영 #CHANYOUNG #talksaxychallenge #talksaxyriize #talksaxy

♬ Born This Way Lady Gaga – johanna

Anton and Yoon Sang’s performance was well-received

Despite that comment, Anton and Yoon Sang‘s collaborative performance at the 2023 MBC Gayo Daejejeon was well-received by fans. Yoon Sang, a composer and contemporary music professor at Sungshin Women’s University, has been a prominent figure in the music industry since 1987. His diverse catalog spans various genres including ballads, electronica, jazz, pop, and R&B.

He and Anton performed his single “Running,” which he released in 1996 under the artist name Nodance. The song’s original version was a collaboration with Shin Hae-chul, a pioneer of Korean experimental rock music. At the festival, the father-and-son tandem’s rendition saw Yoon Sang on the keys and Anton on the cello. The other RIIZE members harmonized with them. Fans swooned over the duo’s playing and singing.

윤상 X 라이즈 – 달리기 (Yoonsang X RIIZE – Run), MBC 231231 방송

Anton‘s viral moment, paired with the duo’s heartwarming performance at the festival, underscores the unique combination of talent and personality that sets RIIZE apart in the K-pop industry. In a world where negativity often lurks in the comments, Anton‘s lighthearted response to the “nepo baby” comment is a good example of handling criticism with grace and style in a world where negativity often lurks in the comments. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Anton handled that really well, don’t you think? Source: X/@RIIZE_official, X/@yizeuns.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Stray Kids Unveils Exciting Plans for 2024 in ‘STEP OUT’ Video

ray Kids kicked off 2024 with a bang by releasing their STEP OUT 2024 video at midnight KST on January 1. The video not only celebrates their achievements in 2023 but also serves as a preview of what lies ahead for the group and their fans.

SKZ “STEP OUT 2024”

Stray Kids’ 2023 achievements

Stray Kids made history on the Billboard charts in various ways. Their eighth EP ROCK-STAR went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Furthermore, its title track, “LALALALA,” charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Adding to their accolades, at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, the group was honored with the Top K-Pop Album award for their third Korean-language studio album 5-STAR.

The group’s appearance at the 2023 MTV Music Video Awards was quite significant. They won the Best K-Pop award for their song “Thunderous” from 5-STAR.

Stray Kids‘ performance at Lollapalooza Paris in July 2023 was a historic moment for the group and for K-pop in general. They were the first K-pop act to headline this prestigious festival, which had an audience of 60,000. This performance not only showcased their musical talents but also their ability to engage with a large, diverse crowd.

Lollapalooza Paris 2023 | [Stray Kids : Docuseries]

Their plans for the year ahead

In the second segment of the STEP OUT 2024 video, the group unveiled a full slate of activities for the year ahead. They’re set to embark on their third world tour and hold their fourth fan meeting. They’re also preparing to release new material, which includes a new album, eight SKZ-PLAYER releases, and more content for 1Kid’s Room & 2Kids show. There will also be SKZOO pop-up stores in Busan and Seoul.

As fans are now aware of Stray Kids‘ upcoming activities, the excitement and anticipation for their third world concert are building up. Fans are hoping the group will add more dates to their tour so more STAYs can see them in person. They’re also excited for the upcoming fan meeting and are wondering what the members have in store for that particular activity.

Stray Kids’ agency JYP Entertainment is expected to release more details on the group’s plans soon. Watch this space for updates! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: It looks like the year ahead will be a busy one for Stray Kids! Source: X/@ABSCBNNews.

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