Author: Kpop News Writer

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Here’s What International Fans Are Doing for BTS Jimin’s Birthday

Jimin

Today, on Jimin‘s birthday, Indonesian fans are celebrating in grand style. Spearheaded by the fanbase Jimin Indonesia (PJM_INA), they’ve orchestrated magnificent festivities for today and tomorrow. Their deep admiration for the BTS member is broadcast on an impressive 94 LED screens across 13 major cities, with Jakarta as a focal point.

Fans lovingly call this month “Jimtober” and packed it with activities. Collaborations with photobooth companies like Pictple, Selfi Time ID, and Snaplab are in full swing. Fans in Indonesia can revel in events and gatherings set up in 67 locations across 17 cities. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@anggun_park/video/7284507434830417157?q=Jimtober%20Indonesia&t=1697158494765

Embodying Jimin‘s charitable spirit, PJM_INA has embarked on a noble initiative. They’ve joined hands with Save the Children Indonesia to assist children in Eastern Indonesia battling the severe effects of a prolonged drought.

JIMIN LOVERS INDONESIA, another fan group, curated a special birthday video for Jimin. This video will light up the exterior of Graha Mandiri, Jakarta’s tallest building, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM tomorrow. Moreover, in honor of Jimin‘s special day today, video tributes are showcased from 4:00 AM to midnight at 93 bustling train stations in 12 cities.

Fans worldwide love Jimin

Jimincherisher is also marking the occasion in their distinctive style. They’re highlighting Jimin‘s birthday today from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM with a billboard at Jakarta’s famed M Bloc Space. Their celebration extends to charitable acts, including distributing dry cat food and supporting Shelterpejaten, a refuge for abandoned dogs.

Meanwhile, Mexican composer Pili Martin dedicated a piano piece to him, accompanied by a touching letter and YouTube video. 

Always With You Jimin

The genuine and heartfelt bond between Jimin and the ARMY is a shining example of the authentic bond artists can forge with their fans. Over the years, Jimin has received countless tributes, all of which are a testament to his gratitude for the love and support fans send his way.

Happy birthday to the cutie sexy lovely Park Jimin! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jimin is the face of Dior Men’s new campaign. Source: X/@jiminpics.

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TXT Drops Teaser for ‘Chasing That Feeling’ MV

TOMORROW X TOGETHER, or TXT, unveiled a teaser for their forthcoming single, “Chasing That Feeling,” on October 11. It’s the title track of their new album, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL.

TXT (투모로우바이투게더) ‘Chasing That Feeling’ Official Teaser

A fresh start

The teaser begins with members Yeonjun, Soobin, Hueningkai, Beomgyu, and Taehyun exchanging intense glances in what seems to be an underground tunnel. This is followed by scenes of Yeonjun hitching a ride on the back of a yellow taxi and Taehyun boldly standing atop a traffic light. As the lively pop tune starts, the group starts to dance. The teaser fades to black with the group singing the song. It ends with a reminder that the video will drop on October 13.

“Chasing That Feeling” comes after TXT‘s recent single, “Back for More (feat. Anitta).” The group premiered this track with a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, followed by its official release on September 18.

Korean media outlets have described “Chasing That Feeling” as a song that signifies a fresh start in reality, leaving behind a past that, although sweet, lacked growth. They stated, “Unlike other youth anthems filled with aimless hopes, TOMORROW X TOGETHER honestly reveals the pain and anxiety of reality. By directly confronting the topic, it is expected that this song and the album it’s part of will be relatable to the youth.”

@txt.bighitent

What’s in our new #FREEFALL album?🤭 #BEOMGYU #TAEHYUN #투모로우바이투게더 #TOMORROW_X_TOGETHER #TXT #TheNameChapter #ChasingThatFeeling

♬ Chasing That Feeling – TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Kim Youngdae praised TXT

After attending a listening party for the album, music critic Kim Youngdae said, “‘FREEFALL’ feels complete and genuine, just as a full-length album should. Their move away from typical music genres was bold and sophisticated. They also introduced methods not commonly seen in the idol industry.”

He continued, “While opinions on its direction might vary, it’s a top-quality album with few flaws. The performance was so engaging it made me want to dance. The album is catchy and modern, but it’s not mundane. I need to give it another listen, but it might be my favorite TXT album since ‘FREEZE.’”

The Name Chapter: FREEFALL is the second installment in TXT‘s “Name” series, following The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION, which was released in January. This EP was TXT‘s highest-charting album, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It remained on the chart for 19 weeks. “Sugar Rush Ride,” the single from this project, peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard Global 200. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: TXT’s MV is only hours away! Source: X/@txt_bighit.

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ENHYPEN Receives 10th Gold Disk Certification in Japan

ENHYPEN has achieved another milestone by securing their 10th gold disk certification in Japan. The Japan Record Association recently announced that ENHYPEN‘s third Japanese single, “結-YOU-,” released last month, was certified Double Platinum. This accolade is given to releases that have shipped over 500,000 copies. “結 -YOU-” sold 273,491 units on its release day, breaking the group’s record for first-day sales in Japan. This achievement underscores their dominance and soaring popularity.

@_lee0hily

ENHYPEN 3rd singl 結 – YOU – /Part 1 みなさんミーグリ何に応募しますか?? #enhypen #engene #jay #05년생 #fyp #추천 #結 #開封動画

♬ BLOSSOM – ENHYPEN

With this accomplishment, ENHYPEN has garnered gold disk certifications for all their 10 releases. Their second Japanese track, “DIMENSION: 閃光,” went Double Platinum. Their first full album, “定め,” and their debut track, “BORDER: 儚い” both achieved the Platinum certification, signifying over 250,000 shipments. Furthermore, their other releases have all been certified Gold. Everything from their debut album, BORDER: DAY ONE, to their fourth mini album, DARK BLOOD, has surpassed 100,000 shipments.

ENHYPEN continues to engage with fans

ENHYPEN also showcased their talent on Japanese platforms, including the country’s largest music festival, SUMMER SONIC 2023, and venues like Kyocera Dome and Tokyo Dome. That said, their influence isn’t just limited to Japan. Their reach extends to countries like Italy and the USA, where they promote their music and participate in events.

As brand ambassadors for Prada, ENHYPEN appeared at the PRADA 2024 WOMEN/SShow in Milan, Italy. They were the only K-pop boy group present, generating 7 million USD in Media Impact Value™ (MIV®), as the global fashion and beauty journal WWD reported. This October, the group will tour the USA, performing in Chicago, Dallas, Glendale, Houston, and Newark.

Back home, ENHYPEN continues to engage with their fans through various stages. In August, they premiered “Criminal Love” on Mnet’s M Countdown. Last month, they also performed at Lotte World, creating unforgettable memories with hundreds of fans. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ENHYPEN is on a roll in Japan. Source: X/@ENHYPEN_JP.

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BTS’ Jungkook, Central Cee, and The Kid LAROI to Drop New Single ‘Too Much’

The Kid LAROI, Central Cee, and BTS‘ Jungkook are set to release their collaborative single, “Too Much,” on October 20. This single is a precursor to The Kid LAROI‘s debut studio album, The First Time.

The Kid LAROI previously hinted at this collaboration. He fueled the anticipation by sharing a video of Central Cee tattooing the words “Too Much” on his leg. Adding to the excitement, on October 5, he posted a selfie taken aboard a plane, captioned, “Was it too much?” Notably, a Funko Pop! figure of Jungkook was spotted beside him in the snap.

He later shared a selfie with the BTS star, which he captioned “Me & JK,” accompanied by a series of emojis, including a black arrow with “soon” beneath it. This post linked to a website called “Too Much Magazine,” which hinted at an announcement scheduled for October 10.

On October 10, the two-time Grammy nominee unveiled a teaser that seemed to be from the music video of the new track. The clip showcased the artists grooving to the song’s catchy instrumental, with details of the single’s release times across various cities like London, New York City, Seoul, and Sydney. In the caption, The Kid LAROI mentioned that his album is now up for pre-order.

Jungkook joins a stellar lineup

This year has been monumental for all three artists. The Kid LAROI started strong with his hit “Love Again,” which made it to the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a Song of the Year nomination at the 2023 ARIA Music Awards.

Jungkook, on the other hand, has been dominating the charts. His recent single “3D” featuring Jack Harlow debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart. He also became the first Korean soloist to debut multiple songs in the top 10 of the Hot 100. His first single, “Seven,” featuring Latto, debuted at No. 1 in July. Furthermore, “3D” secured the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, marking him as the first Korean soloist to achieve this feat with more than one song.

Central Cee gained immense popularity with “Doja,” which went viral on TikTok in 2022. It sampled Eve‘s 2001 smash “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” and referenced American rapper-singer Doja Cat. This track debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart and topped the charts in New Zealand and Greece.

With such a stellar lineup, “Too Much” is bound to be a hit, and fans eagerly await its release. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Talk about the power of three! Source: Too Much Magazine.

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BTS Jimin’s Debut Solo Album ‘FACE’ Is Coming to Vinyl Soon

BTS‘ Jimin is gearing up to release a vinyl edition of his debut solo album FACE, as announced by BigHit Music on October 12. Initially released in March, FACE marked Jimin‘s official foray into solo music, following several individual tracks he had previously unveiled on Soundcloud.

The FACE vinyl album is packaged with a unique outer sleeve. Inside, you’ll find a vinyl disc, a booklet secured in its own envelope, a postcard, and two different photo cards. For fans eager to get their hands on this edition, pre-orders are already open in Japan and South Korea. Pre-orders will open at 11:00 AM KST (10:00 PM ET) on October 18 for those in Europe and the US. The vinyl editions will ship on December 8 in South Korea, December 15 in Japan, and January 12, 2024, in Europe and the US.

The Weverse announcement emphasized FACE’s profound impact on the fans. It resonated deeply with them due to its authentic expression of everything Jimin had experienced over the past two years.

A monumental milestone for Jimin

In related news, Jimin is set to launch a solo documentary titled Jimin’s Production Diary later this month. This film offers an intimate glimpse into the making of FACE, capturing the raw emotions he navigated while crafting the album. A teaser trailer has been released, showing Jimin in the studio, deeply engrossed in his music. Reflecting on his creative process, he shares, “It’s something that I shouldn’t think is simple. It was a chance for me to know exactly what I should do from now on.” Jimin’s Production Diary will premiere on Weverse on October 23.

‘Jimin’s Production Diary’ Teaser Trailer

FACE has been a monumental milestone for Jimin, making him the first South Korean soloist to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart when “Like Crazy” went to No. 1. The same song also made the UK Top 10.

NME, in its review of FACE, lauded Jimin‘s creativity. “If Jimin’s mission on this record was to stretch himself creatively and distill that dissonance in these songs, it’s one he’s accomplished.” – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jimin poured his heart and soul into this album. Source: YouTube/@BTS.

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Look: WHIB Reveals Final Lineup, Launches First Group Trailer

WHIB releases their first group trailer. Credit: Twitter/WHIB

The newest K-pop act in town is here! On Wednesday, October 11, C-JeS Studio revealed the final lineup of its latest boy group, WHIB.

Through a series of captivating posters on their social media, the agency introduced the members for their upcoming group. The eight members completing the team were: Jayder, Jinbeom, Leejeong, Inhong, Haseung, UGeon, Jaeha, and Wonjun.

In the individual photos, the members showed off their unique charms and gave a hint of their varying personalities.

 

According to the agency, the group name WHIB is a combination of the colors “black” and “white.” As for its meaning, the name is meant to signify the group’s desire to show various colors in the spectrum, covering all the dark and light hues.

Interestingly, the boy group introduced themselves through this concept in its recently released group trailer. In the 30-second clip, the members joyously played with spray paints while dressed in clean white clothes.

Moreover, fans are also looking forward to WHIB as they become C-JeS Studio’s first boy group in 13 years. Notably, the agency last launched a boy group in 2010, having the trio JYJ, composed of former TVXN members Junsu, Yoo-Chun and Jaejoong.

Upon the group’s debut announcement, C-JeS stated: “We ask for your attention to the new boy group that will lead the new generation of K-pop.” 

Get to know the WHIB members

Even before WHIB announced its debut, the members had already made an impression on several K-pop onlookers through a number of promotions.

For instance, Leejeong and Jaeha were previously featured as models for a carbonated beverage brand. On the other hand, Jayder and Jaeha have already made an appearance through MC Yoo Jae Suk’s web variety show titled PLAYou Level Up.

Two members of the group have also gained visibility through competing in survival shows. In 2018, Inhong gained recognition by taking part on YG Entertainment’s program YG Treasure Box, which gave rise to the “DARARI” singers, TREASURE.

In addition, Haseung has showcased his talent in the survival show Stars Awakening. Said series later formed the boy group n.SSign, who also marked their debut recently.

All the eight members have also released covers and vlogs through the group’s Youtube variety show M.I.C. Trainees.

With most of the members already familiar to the public eye, fans have high anticipation for WHIB’s upcoming debut.

The boy group is scheduled to make their debut on November 8.

Featured image: WHIB releases their first group trailer. Credit: Twitter/WHIB

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Dawn Quietly Begins His Military Enlistment

Dawn in the poster of his EP 'Narcissus.' Credit: Twitter/Dawn

K-pop singer Dawn surprised his fans as he announced on Thursday, October 12, that he will be starting his mandatory enlistment on the same day.

In his personal Instagram account, the singer delivered the news and apologized to his fans for the sudden notice.

“I am carrying out my compulsory military duty through alternative service from today”, he said. Moreover, he also explained his decision, saying: “I wanted to enlist quietly, so please forgive me for not announcing it in advance.”

Furthermore, Dawn took the chance to express his gratitude to his supporters. “I sincerely thank the fans for their generous support, and I promise to return healthy after completing my duties,” he mentioned.

Additionally, AT AREA, the singer’s agency, confirmed the announcement. 

According to several Korean media reports, Dawn will carry out his public service as a social worker due to health concerns. As the singer has been suffering from myopia for a long time, reports explained that this may have resulted in his alternative service judgment.

A recap of the 2023 activities of Dawn

Before embarking on his solo journey, Dawn initially made his debut under the boy group Pentagon. The idol, whose former stage name was E’Dawn, left both the band and its agency, CUBE Entertainment in 2018.

In 2019, the “Dear My Light” singer signed with P Nation where he gained more recognition for his duo act with ex-girlfriend, HyunA. The former couple was known for their bold music and unrivaled visual performances, particularly their collaborative track “Ping Pong”.

In January, Dawn started afresh with AT AREA after parting ways with the PSY-led label in August 2022. Since then, the singer has worked on individual projects under his new home. In fact, Dawn even gifted fans with new music before enlisting. 

On September 15, the artist dropped his studio album Narcissus. Said album consists of eight songs including the double title track “Heart” and “Star,” with singer-songwriter 10CM featured in the latter.

Moreover, Narcissus also contained several songs featuring other artists such as pH-1 for the track “Fallin’”, GEMINI for “Seasons”, and Kim Sawol for the track “Memory.” 

As for his personal life, Dawn ended his engagement with fellow artist Hyuna in November 2022. Although in an April 2023 interview, he opened up that he still loves her. 

With his temporary break in the music scene, fans can only wait patiently for his return.

Featured image: Dawn in the poster of his EP ‘Narcissus.’ Credit: Twitter/Dawn

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Debate Over Jini Leaving NMIXX Reignites Amidst Her Solo Debut

Jini poses for her solo debut album 'An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove.' Credit: Twitter/JINI

Jini made her official debut as a soloist on Wednesday, October 11, with the mini album An Iron Hand In a Velvet Glove. However, netizens are still left wondering about her sudden departure from K-pop girl group NMIXX.

On the same day of the album launch, Jini held a media showcase to celebrate her fresh start. There, the singer was suddenly questioned about her reason for leaving her former group, NMIXX. 

The show’s MC, Park Seul Gi, immediately spoke on her behalf. “It’s difficult to go into detail as it’s a personal matter. Right now, we’re here to introduce the album,” she said.

A clip of the incident immediately circulated on social media, leaving fans concerned with the artist’s seemingly anxious reaction and trembling voice. 

Despite her difficulty to speak about the matter, Jini carefully clarified: “It’s hard to discuss this due to personal reasons, but I’m determined to debut as a solo artist this time.”

This is the first time that the young idol briefly commented about her departure from NMIXX. As per JYP Entertainment’s statement, Jini terminated her exclusive contract due to personal circumstances. At the time, the singer also didn’t provide additional details about her career move. 

However, her departure came as a shock to NSWERS, NMIXX’s fans, especially that Jini was known as one of the members who trained the longest. Moreover, she left not even a year after NMIXX made their official debut. 

Focusing on Jini and her new beginning

After parting ways with NMIXX and JYP Entertainment in December 2022, Jini found a new home under the entertainment company, ATOC.

After signing with the agency, Jini focused on preparing for her first mini album An Iron Hand In a Velvet Glove. Said album consisted of a total of five songs, including the English title track “C’mon,” featuring American rapper Amine and three other B-sides.

During the media showcase, Jini shared her thoughts about the title song. “When I first heard the demo, I was so fond of the English version that I suggested it to the company,” she explained as to why she opted for the track.

In addition, the singer also took the opportunity to express her appreciation to her devoted fans. “First of all, I would like to say thank you so much for waiting. I want to tell you that I hope to make many memories together for a long time,” she said. 

With a positive mindset, Jini mentioned her ambitions for the future. “I want to show a more positive side of myself in the future, alongside never-seen-before sides of myself. Please look forward to it,”  she declared.

Featured image: Jini poses for her solo debut album ‘An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove.’ Credit: Twitter/JINI

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Look: aespa to Return With ‘Drama’ in November

aespa shares photo from filming 'Better Things.' Credit: Facebook/aespa

Save the date, MYs! K-pop girl group aespa is returning with new album titled Drama in November. 

On Wednesday, October 11, the quartet released the first teaser for their fourth mini-album Drama. 

In the 19-second “INTRO” teaser, the shot opened with the members walking on what appears to be an abandoned building. Then, the shot changed to a hand picking up a miniature car toy. 

According to the press release from SM Entertainment, Drama will include six songs encompassing a variety of genres. Notably, the title track will be of the same name as the album. 

Moreover, SM Entertainment teased fans that aespa will “showcase more mature vocal charms and musical colors” in the upcoming album. 

MYs’ excitement for ‘Drama’ 

Drama will serve as aespa’s comeback in five months. 

Previously, the quartet released their third EP My World in May, which carries the title track “Spicy.” Said album recorded over 1.37 million sales on the first day of its release and 1.69 million in the first week. Which made it the highest-selling K-pop girl group album in the first week of its release. 

Given this feat, SM Entertainment shared that the group is looking forward to setting a new record for their upcoming release. 

“With the overwhelming popularity of the prior album’s title track, ‘Spicy,’ we are excited to witness the fresh music and evolving personas that aespa will unveil in this new album,” the agency said. 

In between these albums, the group also released their English-language single “Better Things” in August.

And although no other details about Drama have been provided yet, fans are already looking forward to the group’s new music. 

Drama is set to drop on November 10.

2023 for aespa

Outside of their album releases, aespa alo recently wrapped up their first world concert tour called SYNK: Hyper Line. It included stops across the United States, Asia, and Europe. 

In May, the group made history as the first K-pop act to attend the Cannes Film Festival. The quartet attended the prestigious event as the global ambassador of the luxury Swiss jewelry Chopard. 

Aside from that, aespa also recently collaborated with footwear brand Crocs. 

Featured image: aespa shares photo from filming ‘Better Things.’ Credit: Facebook/aespa

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SHINee’s Taemin to Make Solo Comeback With ‘Guilty’

Taemin poses for the teaser of SHINee's 'Hard' album. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

Mark your calendars, SHAWOLs! Taemin of K-pop boy group SHINee is making his first solo comeback in over two years with his fourth mini-album Guilty.

On Tuesday, October 10, the group released a poster announcing Taemin’s solo return. In the photo, a person’s feet is standing next to what appears to be a white shirt on the ground. 

Notably, the poster revealed that Guilty will be released on October 30. Moreover, the mini-album will reportedly contain six songs.

Other details such as its track list and concept have yet to be disclosed. 

Soloist Taemin is back!

Following the news, fans couldn’t contain their excitement as it’s been awhile since Taemin released a solo music. For those unfamiliar, his last solo comeback was in May 2021 for the EP Advice. 

Shortly after the release of the mini-album, Taemin enlisted in the military.

In January 2022, the SHINee member was transferred from the military band to supplementary public service. According to SM Entertainment, it was because the idol had “worsening symptoms of depression and anxiety.” However, at the time, the agency was quick to assure fans that he’s receiving treatment and therapy in the military. 

In April 2023, he was discharged from the military. Among the SHINee members, Taemin was the last to complete his service. 

As for his career as a soloist, he made his solo debut in August 2014 through the album Ace. Since then, he has had many hit singles such as “Move,” “Criminal,” and “Danger.” 

SHINee’s year for 2023

Aside from all SHINee members completing their service, 2023 also saw the 15th debut anniversary of the group. 

To celebrate, the group released their eight full-album Hard in June 2023. It served as the group’s first new music in over two years, following their April 2021 repackaged album Atlantis.

Moreover, the group will also be marking their anniversary with the release of their documentary My SHInee World. Said film is expected to premiere in November. 

Managed by SM Entertainment, SHINee made their debut in May 2008 with the extended play Replay. Initially a five-member group, vocalist Jonghyun passed away in December 2017. 

Throughout their career, the boy group has been collecting masterpieces in their discography. The list includes “Ring Ding Dong”, “Lucifer”, “Sherlock”, among many others. 

Recently, Key confirmed that all four members of SHINee renewed their third contract with SM Entertainment. 

Featured image: Taemin poses for the teaser of SHINee’s ‘Hard’ album. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

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