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BTS Yet Again Wins Group of the Year and Best K-pop at 2021 VMAs

BTS wins 2021 VMAs: Best Group award, Best Kpop award, and MTV's Song of the Summer 2021. Photo: MTV/YouTube

What can we not expect from BTS?

The Bangtan Boys took home two major awards and a previously unannounced award category at MTV’s 2021 Video Music Awards (VMAs) last September 12, 2021. For the third year straight, BTS nabbed both Group of the Year and Best Kpop awards.

RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have consistently won Best Kpop at the VMAs since it was introduced in 2018. First for Boy With Luv in their historic (not to mention controversial) first VMA win in 2019, ON in 2020, and now, for Butter.

BTS was up against some major players for the 2021 VMAs Group of the Year award. The OT7, however, proved that they are unstoppable because they are “not seven, with you.” Beaming with love, they credited ARMY—the group’s equally phenomenal fandom—for their VMA win.

“And ARMYs, this is all possible thanks to you guys.”
-BTS in their acceptance speech for the 2021 VMAs Group of the Year award.

BTS was unable to attend MTV’s awarding ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. They accepted their 2021 VMA awards through a video message instead.

In addition to these two major awards, BTS also took home the Song of the Summer award for their hit single Butter.

BTS was nominated in six major categories including Best Pop, Best Editing (for Lumpens’ Yong Seok Choi), and Best Choreography (for Son Sung Deuk with BHM Performance Directing Team). The hit single Dynamite was nominated for the Song of The Year category instead of Best Kpop.

Congratulations to BTS and ARMY!

Featured image: BTS wins 2021 VMAs: Best Group award, Best Kpop award, and MTV’s Song of the Summer 2021. Photo: MTV/YouTube
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Happy Namjoon Day: World Creates a Lot of Love for BTS’s God of Destruction

September 12 is Kim Namjoon day. Photo: bts_bighit/Twitter

BTS’s leader, Kim Namjoon, is effortlessly extra in a lot of things. He has an IQ of 148, chose rapping and music over school (he once ranked as South Korea’s top 1% students), serves as BTS’s English translator since he learned the language by watching the sitcom Friends, lives and breathes as BTS’s God of Destruction every chance he gets, and, at the age of roughly 19, started to lead the Bangtan Boys.

Rightfully so, ARMYs all over the world also go extra in celebrating Namjoon Day every September 12. Just like Kookie’s birthday celebration, tributes poured out for leader-nim Rrrrrrrap Monster this year.

Billboards and display ads
ARMYs made it an agenda to let Namjoon and the world know about RM’s birthday. In South Korea, ARMYs installed various RM ads across the country. These include digital billboards, display ads, a book café, a “book street” that showed different tribute posters for the BTS member.

ARMYs in New York were blessed with these Times Square ads.

In Pakistan, ARMYs broke through by putting up RM Birthday Ads in Lucky One Mall, Karachi. Fans say that RM is the first South Korean idol to have such a display in the biggest mall in Pakistan.

Namjoon’s face was also seen in birthday ad displays in Ukraine.

Greeting projects

Namjoon is a known lover of art and museums. With this, ARMY artists teamed up to create a virtual gallery of fanart and fan-made portraits of RM.

ARMYs also showed their love in this 92 minute-long greeting project that’s full of kind words and heartfelt messages for RM.

They also used the occasion to showcase their creativity, as seen in this poem-writing initiative.

FUNDRAISERS AND CHARITY PROJECTS

RM—along with fellow BTS members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—are loved for spreading light and positivity across the globe. That same spirit is also seen in various RM birthday projects that benefit non-profit organizations, charities, and communities.

This group partnered with Greenpeace for their initiative. It’s a month-long joint project for Namjoon and Jungkook’s birthdays.

Another group of ARMYs worked in creating storybooks for children.

There’s also a birthday charity project that aims to help empower children through art, feeding, and educational programs.

Other ARMYs also gathered to help victims of gender-based violence.

Tree-planting projects were also arranged by ARMYs all over the world.

These are only some of the ways ARMYs celerbated Namjoon Day, and, considering RM’s positive impact, we are certain that there are a lot more out there.

Celebrating the one and only Rrrrrrrap Monster

RM doesn’t mean “Rap Monster” for no reason. He carries the name for his incredible rapping skills. Just check out how he spat and sped through bar after bar in his solo track from 2015.

His performances are just amazing and topnotch

All while exuding that effortlessly cool vibe.

But he can be cute and soft, too. His love for that small crab? ADORABLE.

RM is also known for being one of the youngest and most credited songwriters in the industry. Last July, he trended on Twitter for having more than 170 songs under his name (and counting!).

Even when he is offstage, Namjoon shows that he is the epitome of a good group leader. Even other K-pop idols take him as a role model. We have witnessed this time and again, whether it’s for a huge concert, variety show, or Bangtan Bomb episodes.

He can get a bit scary, but that’s just him caring for the group.

Have we mentioned that Namjoon is a genius?

And that he learned to converse in English by watching the sitcom Friends? Tbh with BTS members taking English lessons now, we will surely miss RM’s strong power translations.

And he’s great at Math, too. Totally nothing extra about it.

He doesn’t fail to make ARMYs and BTS laugh, whether it’s through his jokes, expressions, or just exceeding expectations as God of Destruction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpUiuHoIOa4

Beyond all these, we love Namjoon because of his kind heart and how he spreads positivity through his platform.

He even led the UN speech addressed to the youth.

Whenever BTS was asked about RM, a unified voice says that they won’t be who they are today if he wasn’t their leader (and yes, even though he and V once sneaked out for some Melona after tonkatsu while they were still trainees. Lol; I know.) With all their achievements and seeing how well they have raised the Maknae Line, we all have proof that while Namjoon is BTS’s God of Destruction, he has created a lot of good in this world.

Happy birthday, RM!

Featured image: September 12 is Kim Namjoon day. Photo: bts_bighit/Twitter
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All Rise for Lalisa’s First Solo Album

Blackpink Lisa's first solo album, Lalisa, drops on September 10, 2021 midnight EST. Photo: BLACKPINK/Facebook.

Anticipation is high for Blackpink’s main dancer, lead rapper and vocalist, and maknae Lalisa Manoban’s solo turn on the world stage. Her debut album will drop on September 10, 2021 at midnight EST  (1:00 P.M. KST) and will likely mark the beginning of her global dance and pop music domination.

Simply titled Lalisa, the single album features the A-side track Lalisa and the B-side Money—written and composed by a few of the most talented songwriters and music producers in the K-pop business: Teddy Park, 24, Bekuh Boom, Vince, and R.Tee.

With the exception of Bekuh Boom, who is signed with American music publishing company Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Lalisa’s record team hails from YG Entertainment’s subsidiary record company The Black Label. Most of them have also worked on previous Blackpink songs, such as Boombayah and Ddu-Du Ddu-Du, so expect the trademark Blackpink flavor with more than a little twist of Lalisa thrown in.

That happens to be the current recipe for K-pop music success.

Tracklist poster for Lisa Maboban’s first solo album, Lalisa. Photo: BLACKPINK/Facebook

Get ready, world. Lalisa’s coming to your area—pretty soon!

Featured image: Blackpink Lisa’s first solo album, Lalisa, drops on September 10, 2021 midnight EST. Photo: BLACKPINK/Facebook
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Is BTS’s Butter the Undisputed Song of the Summer?

BTS's Butter Special Performance music video. Photo: BANGTANTV/YouTube

It looks like ARMYs and our Bangtan Boys are getting more reasons to celebrate this September, in addition to Jungkook’s birthday, RM’s birthday, and the confirmation of BTS In the Soop 2.

BTS’s chart-topping 2021 single, “Butter,” has been unwavering on the Billboard charts since its release in May 2021. It debuted at number 1 on the Hot 100 and has now melted its way to Billboard’s Songs of the Summer 2021 chart (11 consecutive weeks as of chart dated September 4, 2021). If the BTS hit is still on the summit when the running tally ends next week, it will be declared Billboard’s undisputed Song of the Summer 2021.

“Butter” is the group’s second English-language song, following Dynamite. It consistently held on to the top spot of Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks since release, before their own song “Permission to Dance” took over. “Butter” is now on its 14th week on the same chart, currently placing seventh.

The global K-pop icon released multiple versions of the song, such as a Butter Hotter remix..

a Butter Cooler one..

And a Butter noraebang (karaoke) version.

Recently, the BTS x Megan Thee Stallion “Butter” remix also dropped.

Following its debut, various shows have invited the Bangtan Boys to perform Butter live. Watch BTS on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon..

BTS on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert..

And BTS on SiriusXM.

BTS has also performed Butter live at the Billboard Music Awards 2021.

 

“Songs of the Summer” was an unofficial title, but both Billboard and MTV have added it to their institutions. In 2020, Blackpink’s “How You Like That” won MTV’s Songs of the Summer title, while “’Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande led Billboard’s Songs of the Summer that year.

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BTS In The Soop Confirmed For Season 2 This October

BTS In The Soop confirmed for S2. Photo: INTHESOOP_TV/Twitter

It’s time to return for more happy, quiet moments in the forest: The seven boys of BTS are going back to the soop (숲; the Korean word for forest) for In The Soop 2.

The official In The Soop Twitter account shared the news with a teaser poster. Although the release date was not revealed, it is confirmed that In The Soop BTS ver. Season 2 will air in October 2021.

ARMYs were delighted when BTS In The Soop 2 was officially announced. Many fans admitted that they have been looking forward to it since the previous one concluded. While it is a reality show, most ARMYs were just thrilled with the idea of seeing RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook enjoying the time they have for themselves, away from their busy schedules and usual worries of the world.

The first season of In The Soop followed the idol group as they spent several days in a beautiful remote lakehouse in Gangwon-do Chuncheon.

The reality series gave the Bangtan Boys some time to recharge, unwind, and enjoy their time together, with nature as their setting. It consists of eight episodes that were an instant hit with ARMYs worldwide. Here we witnessed Jungkook prepare jjapaguri, V trying to unlock the door with his “passcodes” Lajibolala and Rock Bison, and Jimin clear the dishes and even play ping-pong in his hanbok. It was the same BTS reality show where we saw RM paint, Jin fish, and Suga panic to get his music equipment. Most moments with J-Hope, on the other hand, are shared sweetly with each member as he took the time to bond with them. Particularly heartwarming is when, on his drive with Taebear, they ate sandwiches packed by Taehyung’s eomma.

In The Soop was such a success that it spawned another reality show featuring the group’s HYBE labelmates SEVENTEEN. In The Soop SEVENTEEN ver. is currently being broadcast on JTBC and Weverse.

While we wait for the official broadcast date of BTS In The Soop Season 2, let’s watch the official teaser featuring our favorite Bangtan Boys.

Stay tuned for more updates on this story.

Featured image: BTS In The Soop confirmed for S2. Photo: INTHESOOP_TV/Twitter

 

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ICYMI: Jungkook Welcomes Birthday on VLIVE, Composes Song on the Spot

Jungkook welcomed his 24th birthday with ARMY on VLIVE. Photo: BTS/VLIVE

“Happy birthday to me!”

Around an hour before his birthday, Jungkook just surprised ARMYs with a VLIVE broadcast. Being the soondoongie that he is, he had a mini-concert and asked ARMys to send him comments which he then turned into an insta-song.

J-Hope, his Hobi Hyung, also made a special appearance and brought him his birthday cake.

He then sang a few more songs and connected with ARMY before capping his birthday concert, thanking everyone for the 축하해/happy birthday.

As of writing, Jungkook’s birthday Vlive has been played at least 21 million times and “liked” with at least 2.4 billion hearts. #HappyBirthdayJungkook is also trending on Twitter, with more than 1 million tweets in less than 3 hours after midnight (KST) of September 1.

Watch the replay of Jungkook’s birthday broadcast on VLIVE here and check out how ARMYs worldwide are celebrating Jungkook Day from North America to Europe and across Asia.

Featured image: Jungkook welcomed his 24th birthday with ARMY on VLIVE. Photo: BTS/VLIVE
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Celebrating BTS’s Bunny Jeon Jungkook

Jungkook's BTS Festa 2021 photo sketch. Photo: BTS (방탄소년단)/Facebook

Each year before September 1, ARMYs across the globe make intricate plans to celebrate the golden maknae of BTS: Jeon Jungkook.


2021 is no different even with strict lockdowns in place. In South Korea, the K-pop act’s home, a themed custom-made themed cruise ship will sail on the Han River in Seoul. As of writing, his birthday ads are already up in one of South Korea’s subway stations.

There are also bus wraps, train wraps, and flower paths:

In the US, ARMYs can immerse in three floors of art exhibit dedicated to Jungkook at Lightbox in Manhattan, NY. There are also cafe events in both New York and Chicago. From August 30 to September 5, “Happy Jungkook Day” will flash on multiple billboards in Times Square, while ARMYs in Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand will see nothing less than large-scale digital billboards.  There are multiple cafe events, PR trucks, and mall ads in Japan. In Europe, digital billboards in Paris and Spain, and subway ads in the UK will make it known to the world that September 1 is Jungkook Day.

Fans have also been actively donating to charity on Jungkook’s behalf, raising over $10,000 as of writing. ARMYs in the Philippines is collaborating with Liter of Light, a non-profit organization, to create a solar artwork visible from the sky. They have pledged to donate the solar lights from the event to communities without proper electricity. In China, where he has the strongest fanbase (credits to Baidu JEON JUNGKOOK BAR) art classes will be held on his behalf in the hopes of helping kids get closer to their dreams.

The list does not even include offline activities yet, and still, it goes on. How ARMYs celebrate his birthday keeps getting grander each year, too. A profession of love from a fanbase that is as phenomenal as the group. Evidently, nothing can come between ARMY and Kookie, or any BTS member for that matter.

Where is all the love for BTS’s bunny coming from?
Jeon Jungkook: Golden maknae to adorable bunny and back to being lit on stage

BTS has always been praised for their duality, and it’s hard not to notice it on Jungkook who never disappoints. From being smooth, soft, and hot within seconds in Butter:

to being BTS’s representative when it comes to girl group dances

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHQb9ygjGY
J-Hope and Jungkook dancing to Red Velvet on Star Show 360


BTS dancing to K-pop girl group dances on Weekly Idol

and back to being fierce and adorable at the same time in Permission to Dance:

Off the stage, the golden maknae shows that his heart is more golden. Many ARMYs find it adorable how Jungkook called his mom in Run BTS:

(Bonus: It’s the same episode where Kookie’s eomma affectionally said saranghae, the Korean for I love you, to Jimin).

And equally adorable how Suga’s dad calls Jungkook, “Soondoongie” (순둥이), which translates to naive, pure, or very gentle person. A testament of his character whether on the stage or irl.

And who can forget Jungkook’s crying incident with Jimin?

BTS’s guesting on Yoo Jae Suk’s Yoo Quiz on the Block showed a more intimate side of Kookie:

“By confronting things and suffering from it, I was able to build my current self. So I am thankful for the members for criticizing, teaching, and always taking care of me.” – Jeon Jungkook

And even when confronted, he gets bashful:

Beneath his strong hip thrusts, muscles, and powerful vocals lies the true Jungkook: A kind-hearted softee raised by BTS.

Just look at him with his new pet, the now-famous chicken from the set of Daechwita.

 

Beyond the stage, Jeon Jungkook gives all of us more reasons why it’s easy to love him. Trite but true: More than being BTS’s golden maknae, his golden personality is what stands out.

Happy birthday, Kookie!

Bonus: Enjoy this clip of Jungkook bunny for BTS’s Halloween dance practice 2016 (21st Century Girl)

Feature image: Jungkook’s BTS Festa 2021 photo sketch. Photo: BTS (방탄소년단)/FacebookBTS (방탄소년단)/Facebook
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New Teaser Drop for Girls’ Generation’s Guesting on Yoo Quiz on the Block

Teaser for Girls' Generation's reunion on Yoo Quiz on the Block. Photo: youquizontheblock/Instagram

Finally!

After four years and a month after their 14th year anniversary, our beloved OG girl group Girls’ Generation (also known as SNSD, short for Sonyeo Sidae or in Korean, 소녀시대) comes back on broadcast as a full group. On September 1, Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun will all appear on National MC Yoo Jae Suk’s Yoo Quiz on the Block (유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭).

Watch this teaser posted a few hours ago!

https://youtu.be/PGXz-TyCzoc

Even though the girls are active on social media and their respective careers, fans both old and recent are excited about this reunion. The eight members of Girls’ Generation are, too!

Stay tuned as we all wait for this much-anticipated SNSD reunion on Yoo Quiz on the Block! For now, let us all enjoy the preview:

Featured image: Teaser for Girls’ Generation’s reunion on Yoo Quiz on the Block. Photo: youquizontheblock/Instagram
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MONSTA X Posts Cryptic Tweet Teasing Next Comeback

MONSTA X - Kiss or Death Official Preview. Photo: UNIVERSE_OFFICIAL/YouTube

MONSTA X is having a busy year.

The six-member boy group has been releasing new music and endorsing products since January. So are the idols now ready for their next project without their leader? MONSTA X has posted a cryptic tweet that teases the group’s latest project without Shownu.

In July, Shownu confirmed his enlistment into military duty. The MONSTA X leader revealed he will serve as a public service worker because of his medical history. Son Hyunwoo had eye surgery for a detached retina last year. The main dancer had also dislocated his shoulder in the past.

Shownu might be serving his country but he continues to be a part of MONSTA X’s ongoing promotions. Most of the current MONSTA X content, like the promotional single Kiss or Death, was recorded before his enlistment. However, the group could be working on their first project as a five-member band.

https://youtu.be/nPEmoaNCBNg

The official MONSTA X Twitter account is usually posting new photos of the idols or updates on their current promotion. However, a recent tweet proved to be different because it was written in English and seemed rather cryptic.

“They say hindsight’s 20/20,” the tweet reads along with the eyes emoji and the MONSTA X hashtags. It doesn’t say much but Monbebes were mystified by the post.

Fans have many theories about the mysterious tweet. Some believed that it was a teaser for the next MONSTA X comeback before the end of the year. Others pointed out that it could be a new project that will look back on the group’s six-year career.

The expression “hindsight is 20/20” is attributed to humorist Richard Armour. It points out how something is easier to understand after it has happened. It is generally stated when someone realizes late how to act in a situation.

For now, MONSTA X has not yet clarified their cryptic tweet. However, Monbebes hope that if it is for a new project, it would still involve Shownu.

Featured image: MONSTA X – Kiss or Death Official Preview. Photo: UNIVERSE_OFFICIAL/YouTube
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Jay B Releases First EP, Hints at Possible GOT7 Reunion

GOT7's Jay B releases first solo EP, SOMO:FUME. Photo: H1GHR MUSIC

Lim Jaebeom’s solo career is officially taking off.

As of August 26, 2021, the leader of GOT7 has finally released his first mini-album SOMO: FUME. Not surprisingly, it’s filled with songs that are distinctly Jay B.

While JB is currently promoting the title track “B.T.W” and enjoying his status as a solo artist, he is also eager to work with Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom again. Jay B has confirmed that they are working to make a GOT7 reunion happen soon.

GOT7 has been working together since 2014 but the group hit an unusual milestone in early 2021. All members of the idol group decided against renewing their contracts with JYP Entertainment. The decision made Ahgases worry that it would mean the group’s disbandment. However, the boys made it clear that GOT7 is “Forever Seven” and will continue to perform together.

Since then, the GOT7 members have signed with different companies and worked on solo projects. Jay B was the last member to choose a new company and signed with Jay Park’s H1ghr Music. Jaebeom then made his mark as a solo artist with the digital single “Switch It Up.”

https://youtu.be/D-kjUANWM9c

It’s clear Jay B is having the time of his life writing new music on his own. While speaking to MTV, the other half of JJ Project admitted he loves the artistic freedom of a solo artist.

“The freedom that I feel is that my ideas, my creativity, and my direction do not get lost in translation and doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. It doesn’t get overridden by other people’s opinions,” Jay B elaborated. “Now, my creativity is becoming more of a reality. It’s not that I have the freedom to do whatever I want with my music—that’s not it. It’s just that my ideas are being more prioritized here, and I feel like you see that in my songs.”

Being a solo Korean R&B artist means new fans but Jay B also wants to please Ahgases with his current sound. Jus2’s second member assures GOT7 fans that he hasn’t changed at all. 

“I want the fans to continue to see me and keep their love for me. Nothing’s going to change. Just look at me and take me for what I am and who I am. I’m still me,” he said.

https://youtu.be/cUAsTQUU3xk

Pleasing Ahgases means a GOT7 reunion. Jay B knows this and reveals that he and his fellow members are looking for ways to make it happen.

“I really want to let the fans know that every one of the seven members are trying extremely hard to continuously do good work and maintain the name of GOT7,” Jay B said. “Even today, we were talking and are still thinking of ways we can do something together so we can maintain the fandom and honor for GOT7. We’re always thinking of new ways to progress, but it’s challenging.”

Jay B, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom are all working on their own solo projects. However, fans can expect GOT7 to eventually work together again when the time is just right.

SOMO: FUME, Jay B’s first mini-album, is out now.

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