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UMI Releases BTS V Collaboration Single “wherever u r” On His Birthday

BTS’s V marked his birthday with a special release, delighting fans worldwide. American singer-songwriter UMI collaborated with V on the new song titled “wherever u r,” which was released on December 30 at 2 p.m. KST. The timing of the release added to the excitement, aligning with V’s birthday celebration.

BTS V Surprises Fans With Collab Single ‘wherever u r’ with UMI

The collaboration between V and UMI was met with enthusiasm from ARMYs, who expressed their joy over the special music video dropping on V’s birthday. In addition to the official lyric video for “wherever u r,” UMI shared a delightful video featuring herself and V singing along to the new single, offering fans an intimate glimpse into the collaboration process.

BIGHIT MUSIC, BTS’s management company, commented on the collaboration, stating, “V and UMI enjoyed listening to one another’s music [before working together on this song]. Through this collaboration, the two of them conveyed the messages they wanted to tell their fans through music.”

How BTS V Prepared Fans For His Military Enlistment

V, who released his debut solo album “Layover” on September 8, 2023, has continued to make waves in the music industry. “Layover” also recorded the highest first-week sales by a K-pop solo artist in history, with 2.1 million copies sold, and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 in the US. This accomplishment also solidified V’s status as one of the highest-charting Korean solo artists in Billboard chart history, alongside his BTS bandmates Jimin and Suga.

In recent news, V addressed speculations about his military service, particularly regarding joining the “Special Duty Team.” He acknowledged it as a personal challenge and also reassured fans that he would take care of himself during the enlistment period. Alongside BTS leader RM, V officially began his mandatory military service on December 11, 2023, marking a significant chapter in his journey.

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IU Admits Suga Is NOT The First BTS Member She Wanted To Work With

IU has already proven that she has a wonderful working relationship with Suga. However, the “Red Shoes” singer was initially undecided on working with the “Daechwita” rapper. As it turns out, IU had a different BTS member that she wanted to work with in the past!

IU Reveals First BTS Member She Wanted to Collaborate With

In a recent revelation on the latest episode of “Suchwita”, IU shared an interesting anecdote about her collaboration preferences, indicating that Suga was not initially the BTS member she had in mind for a musical partnership. The revelation offers fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse into IU’s creative process and the dynamics that led to her collaborations with BTS members.

Surprisingly, IU initially sought to collaborate with RM and not Suga. When asked about the type of song she would have created with RM, IU hinted that it might have been “something really serious,” reflecting her mindset at the time. However, despite obtaining RM’s contact information from Suga, IU never reached out to the BTS leader.

IU confessed that even asking for RM’s contact details required a significant amount of courage. However, being unfamiliar with RM and lacking a pre-existing connection, she hesitated to make the call and ultimately abandoned the idea of collaboration. It highlights the challenges artists may face in reaching out to potential collaborators, especially when there isn’t a pre-established relationship.

Interestingly, IU’s shift in interest led to the creation of “Eight,” a song that eventually became a collaboration with Suga. During the creative process, IU realized that working with someone her age would be more fitting for the project, and she deemed Suga, a fellow 1993-liner, as the ideal collaborator. The decision resulted in the successful and well-received collaboration between IU and Suga on “Eight.”

This revelation adds depth to the narrative surrounding IU’s creative journey and showcases the intricate decision-making process that artists undergo when selecting collaborators. It also sheds light on the organic nature of creative partnerships, where unexpected choices can lead to the development of meaningful and successful projects. Fans appreciate the transparency and authenticity shared by IU, providing them with a deeper understanding of the artist’s mindset and artistic evolution.

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KORAIL Employee Who Violated BTS’ RM’s Privacy Has Been Reinstated

The Korean Railway Corporation (KORAIL) has found itself in the midst of controversy as reports emerge of the reinstatement of an employee, referred to as “A,” who had been dismissed for illegally accessing personal data about BTS leader RM.

KORAIL Reinstates Employee Who Violated BTS RM’s Privacy

According to Dispatch, the decision to reinstate “A” came after a second review of the offense by the Central Labor Relations Commission. The employee, previously in charge of IT development at KORAIL, reportedly accessed RM’s personal information, including ticket details, address, and mobile phone number, over a period of three years starting in 2019.

It was revealed that “A” admitted to accessing RM‘s reservation information with the intention of seeing him in person. Furthermore, they shared details about the BTS leader’s seat with a friend to allow them to reserve a nearby seat. KORAIL acknowledged that “A” was a fan and characterized the actions as stemming from curiosity rather than malice.

Why The KORAIL Employee’s Reinstatement Might Be A Bad Move

The breach of privacy raised serious concerns as it violated the Personal Information Protection Act, which stipulates that customer information should only be accessed for necessary service processing. Unauthorized access to personal data, especially for non-business purposes, is strictly prohibited.

In addition to accessing RM’s information, “A” reportedly engaged in similar unauthorized access to personal data belonging to other KORAIL employees. The breach was brought to light during an internal audit, leading to the termination of “A’s” employment.

Despite the severity of the privacy breach, the reinstatement decision has sparked controversy and raised eyebrows. The initial dismissal of “A’s” application for a review highlighted the gravity of the situation. However, the subsequent reversal of this decision by the Central Labor Relations Commission has left many questioning the ethics and principles governing the protection of individuals’ private information.

This incident sheds light on the challenges organizations face in balancing the rights of employees with the need to maintain a secure and respectful work environment. The decision to reinstate “A” emphasizes the importance of a thorough examination of privacy breaches and calls for a reevaluation of the existing legal framework governing personal data protection in the workplace. The controversy surrounding KORAIL’s decision serves as a reminder of the ongoing discussions and efforts needed to safeguard individuals’ privacy in an increasingly digitalized world.

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Revisiting the Message BTS’s V Left for Fans Before Enlistment

As Kim Taehyung, better known as BTS’s V, continues his military service, we decided to revisit the emotional moments leading up to his enlistment. This is the second in a series of stories looking back at our last moments with him and the other members of BTS who enlisted this month.

On December 11, V entered the Nonsan Army Training Center in Chungcheongnam-do to begin his basic military training. V’s tenure as an active-duty soldier will last 18 months, with his discharge scheduled for June 2025.

@jkgolden_maknae_

taehyung revealing Jungkook’s shaved hair in a facetime call 💜 #jungkook #taehyung #armybtsforever #fyp #pourtoi #bts #taekook

♬ love maze – keehoswife⁷

V reached out to ARMYs through SNS

Before going to the training center, V reached out to ARMYs through social media. On Instagram, he posted a screenshot of a video call with fellow BTS member Jungkook, with the caption, “Hyung is going first. Enlist safely tomorrow.” This simple yet profound message highlighted the deep bond between the BTS members.

V also took to Weverse. He posted a message that read, “I think I’ll miss you all so much. Honestly, I’m sad that I can’t make happy memories with ARMY for the time being, but besides that, it’ll be fine. The hardest thing is not being able to see ARMY. After 18 months, I’ll return in really good health, so ARMY, take good care of your health, and if you spend each day looking for happiness, I will appear saying, ‘Ta-da! I’m here!’”

To ensure his fans wouldn’t feel his absence too keenly, he diligently arranged several surprises for them. “I prepared various things for those 18 months, so please look forward to it. As we always have, let’s make precious memories after I return. I will really miss you, and I really love you, so please wait for me until then. I will return soon! Bye!”

@taehyungielover10

#CapCut 🌟 Tae crew write a farewell letters for Taehyung and filmed a Vlog for him 😭❤️ They also made a cake for him 🥹 #v #bts #bts_official_bighit #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #foryou #foryoupage #trend #ontranding #viral #unfreezemyacount

♬ original sound – taehyungie lover ❤️‍🩹

A surprise from the ‘Taecrew’

V also acknowledged his dedicated staff on the eve of his enlistment. Sharing on his Instagram story on December 10 KST, he stated, “Our Taecrew’s letters are so cute, and they even made a vlog that I love, sending me a video message. I was deeply moved. I’ll go and return well!”

Accompanying his words were images of a rolling paper filled with farewell messages from V’s team and a special cake featuring a bear dressed as a member of the South Korean military’s Capital Defense Command unit, which V is set to join. The cake added a light-hearted touch to the farewell, showcasing the strong bond between V and his team.

Fans, moved by these gestures, flooded social media with messages of encouragement and love for V as he embarked on this new chapter of his life. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Like the others, V paused to address ARMYs before enlisting in the South Korean military. Source: Instagram/@thv.

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Looking Back on Jimin and Jungkook’s Emotional Goodbyes

BTS’s Jimin and Jungkook, who have been serving in the military for some time now, continue to be dearly missed by their fans, ARMYs. Reflecting on this, we are starting a series of stories looking back at our last moments with them before their enlistment.

Jimin and Jungkook had held emotional live broadcasts to bid farewell to their fans. On December 11, prior to their enlistment, Jimin appeared with a shaved head, symbolizing the beginning of his military journey. He also expressed his mixed feelings by saying, “I’m enlisting tomorrow, so I’m here. I’ll go and come back safely! Now that I’ve shaved my head, it’s starting to feel real.”

[SUB] Jimin Weverse Live 🔴 (11 DEC 2023) | Jimin live

Jimin couldn’t help but get emotional

He spoke about sending off RM and V. “I saw Namjoonhyung and Taehyung enlisting; they went in smiling! They said they’ll go and come back healthy. I miss them lots too, but if we go and come back quickly, the time of us getting back together will come sooner. I will be enlisting together with Jungkook, so I think I will be able to rely on him a lot. Yes, SUGAhyung is doing well too! And Namjoonhyung and Taehyung-hyung will do well. Jin-hyung and Hobihyung are doing well, and JK and I will do well too.”

Discussing his future plans, Jimin shared, “I’ll come back with lots of growth and work on the things I can! Actually, something the members and I said a lot is that we really want to tour together. Since Seokjinhyung went [to the army], we’ve worked hard on our own things and been going at it. A year has gone past with us putting our all into it. We really talked about wanting to tour together again. We’ll do a lot of the things we want to do once we’re back! The members and I talk about how much we want to tour, do a tour, concert, release albums. Once we’re back, hopefully, that time will come soon.”

Jimin’s reveal of his shaved head, initially hidden under a beanie, was a poignant moment for fans. Despite previously stating he wouldn’t show his hair, Jimin shared this significant change with ARMYs anyway. He couldn’t help but get emotional when he did.

[SUB] Jungkook Weverse Live 🔴 11.12.2023 | jungkook live

Jimin and Jungkook will serve together

Jungkook, on the other hand, approached his farewell in a more playful manner. In a previous livestream, he humorously sprinted by the camera. He later revealed just a glimpse of his buzz cut. In his final broadcast of 2023, Jungkook reflected on his day and the upcoming enlistment, “It looks like this will be my last live before enlisting. Today, I just sent off Vhyung and Namjoonhyung, then ate a meal and did some things I needed to do, so the live ended up being a little late, sorry.”

Expressing his gratitude to fans, Jungkook said, “I’ll go and come back safely. Now that it’s the day before, my heart feels… a bit iffy? But I need to sleep tonight so I can concentrate tomorrow and stuff too. Everyone, thank you so much for all of you always cheering for us and supporting us until now when we’re enlisting. Please be and stay healthy and happy.”

Luckily, while Jimin and Jungkook did separate live broadcasts to say goodbye to ARMY, they’ll be together while they serve in the military, as they signed up for the dongbanipdae or buddy system. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ARMYs cried when Jimin choked up. Meanwhile, Jungkook tried to keep things light. Instagram/@uarmyhope, X/@boraboravie.

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Watch: BTS Shares Rm, V, Jimin and Jungkook’s Military Entrance Ceremony

In an almost four-minute Bangtan Bomb clip, BTS shared the last moments of RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook before officially starting their mandatory military service. 

The heartwarming video showed the group’s leader and the maknae (youngest) line saying their goodbyes at the entrance ceremony. To recall, RM and V first entered the military on December 11th, while Jimin and Jungkook followed on December 12th. 

ARMYs, the group’s fanbase, were even more emotional seeing the older members Jin, Suga and J-Hope, who have already started their service, send off the remaining members. 

On their official X account, the members were seen striking a pose in an OT7 photo.  “Have a nice trip. Fighting,” the caption read. 

Moreover, Jin also shared photos in his personal Instagram account. Together with RM and V, the singer wrote: “Go and come back safely without getting hurt, my babies.” Meanwhile, for his photo with Jimin and Jungkook, Jin wrote: “I thought it’d be funny. But tears are…”

Furthermore, the footage also showed HYBE Chairman and producer Bang Si Hyuk preparing the necessary essentials for the idols. In a father-like gesture, Bang PD gifted the boys some face cream and hot packs before their departure.

As promised by the “Dynamite” singers, the group will return with complete members in 2025.

ARMYs’ promise to wait for BTS

With all the seven members now fulfilling their duties, ARMYs, overwhelmed with emotions, express their promise to wait for the K-pop powerhouse. The dedicated fandom trended the phrase “See you in 2025” after the members’ last content. 

On social media, fans showered the boys with well wishes and a healthy service. “Our paths will cross again. Until then, take care of yourself, serve well and come back safely!, one fan said.

https://twitter.com/ChartObsessed7/status/1734148042570514699

 

While some fans are saddened with the maknae line enlisting, some ARMYs remain optimistic especially with Jin’s nearing dischargment. Since he started his service in December 2022, the eldest member will finally be back in June 2024.

Featured image: All seven members of BTS reunite before the enlistment of RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook. Credit: Twitter/BTS

 

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BTS’s Jungkook Shares His Routine and More With Vogue Japan

BTS‘s Jungkook recently sat down with Vogue Japan. Known for his dedication and talent, the golden maknae’s revelations about his routine, fashion, and music provide a closer look at the star’s life. He may be off in the South Korean military now, but he prepared content like this before enlisting so fans won’t miss him too much.

Jungkook‘s routine, especially when he’s overseas, has evolved recently. “Lately, I’ve cut down on my weight training and do about 30 minutes of cardio exercise. Thirty minutes of it will help me burn about 300 kilocalories. My habit in the morning and night is to look at my phone when I wake up and do the same at night before I sleep,” he shares.

Shifting from weight training to cardio exercises, while burning around 300 kilocalories per session, can lead to improved cardiovascular health. Cardio exercises like running or cycling are effective in strengthening the heart and lungs, enhancing endurance, and reducing the risk of heart diseases. This change might also aid in weight management due to the higher calorie burn, potentially leading to fat loss if combined with a balanced diet.

JUNG KOOK Answers 5 Questions About His Routine | VOGUE JAPAN

Fashion faves

When traveling, Jungkook‘s must-have items are quite straightforward. His phone tops the list, followed by his passport. Interestingly, he also referred to Calvin Klein items as essentials, though he playfully withheld further details. 

Jungkook didn’t specify which Calvin Klein items are his favorites, but fans may remember the pieces he wore during his performance at the TSX stage last month. Those items—and others from the Fall 2023 collection, for which Jungkook did a photoshoot—are available on Calvin Klein’s website.

He did say that he enjoys matching Calvin Klein outfits and denim tops with bottoms. Comfort is key for him, as he prefers oversized shoes and clothes, with knitted hats being a particular favorite.

Jung Kook Live at TSX, Times Square

Jungkook is in his golden era

When asked about his current focus, Jungkook joked that he was concentrating on the interview. However, he also mentioned working hard on his new album, which was in preparation at the time of the interview. This album, titled GOLDEN, seems to be a significant milestone for him.

The concept of “gold” holds a special place in Jungkook‘s life. He shared a personal story about something that happened while his mother was pregnant with him. “She had a dream about gold. I feel that I’m shining the most now. ‘Golden’ has the word ‘gold’ in it too. So I think now’s my golden era.” Speaking of his parents, Jungkook attributes his talents and character to them, describing these traits as golden.

Jungkook‘s interview with Vogue Japan not only sheds light on his personal preferences and routines but also highlights his journey and growth as an artist. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Vogue Japan’s new video went a long way towards comforting ARMYs who were saddened when Jungkook left to serve in the military. Source: YouTube/@VogueJapan.

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BTS, BLACKPINK Hailed as Google’s Most Searched Bands in Its 25-Year History

Rejoice, ARMYs and BLINKs! South Korean groups BTS and BLACKPINK achieve another historic feat in their careers.

In an almost-four minute recap video posted by Google on Monday, December 11, it was announced that BTS and BLACKPINK are the most searched boy and girl groups, respectively. 

According to the report, the K-pop sensations were among the top searched acts in the search engine’s 25 year history. Both bands clinched a spot in the list alongside 2023 Time Person of the Year Taylor Swift, who was revealed to be the most searched singer-songwriter, and Beyonce for the most searched performance. 

Undoubtedly, this achievement marks K-pop’s growing global influence in the music scene. What makes these achievements more impressive is that both BTS and BLACKPINK weren’t that active in the recent months. 

As for BTS, the members have been preparing for their mandatory military service enlistments. Meanwhile, BLACKPINK’s contract was in limbo since August before they recently renewed with YG Entertainment for group activities. 

 

Looking back through milestones of BTS and BLACKPINK

Consisting of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, BTS debuted in 2013 under the then-small company BigHit Music. Through their heartfelt lyrics and stellar performances, the seven-member group rose to global success and achieved numerous historical records. Currently, they’re dominating both local and international music charts.

In 2019, BTS became the first Korean act to be nominated at the Billboard Music Awards. In 2020, the “Blood, Sweat and Tears singers were named as TIME’s Entertainer of the Year. Notably, they were also the first Korean group to perform at the Grammys in the same year. 

Furthermore, BTS is also known for their unrivaled Daesang Sweep, where they garnered a total of 65 trophies throughout their career — the most number of grand prizes in the Korean entertainment industry. 

On the other hand, BLACKPINK, composed of Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa, debuted in 2016 under YG Entertainment

Despite having released only two full-length studio albums, the quartet took the world by storm. Since their debut, they have also become one of the most successful female acts in the K-pop industry.

Moreover, BLACKPINK became the first K-pop act to headline the Coachella music festival. Recently, they were also granted honorary membership in the Order of the British Empire.

Featured image: BTS poses for FESTA 2022. Credit: Facebook/BTS

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Look: Wooga Squad Sends off BTS’ V for His Military Enlistment

With Kim Taehyung also known as BTS’ V’s military enlistment, his friend group Wooga Squad made sure to send him off before his service.

In an Instagram story shared by actor Park Seo Joon on Monday, December 11, the Wooga Squad were seen hanging out for the last time as they bid farewell to the idol. 

As seen in the black-and-white photo, actors Seo Joon, Choi Woo Shik, Park Hyung Sik, and rapper Peakboy were admiring Taehyung in his new buzz haircut. The squad also wished for V’s safety as they wrote “Our youngest, take care!” in the caption. 

Known as one of the famous friend groups in the Korean Entertainment industry, Wooga Squad has shown their strong friendship through numerous appearances. It was in the 2016 series Hwarang, which marked V’s acting debut, that the group first met. 

Since then, the five members developed a close bond. In 2022, the Wooga Squad even participated in the reality show In the Soop: Friendcation, where they spent time together on a getaway.

BTS’ V pens heartfelt message for ARMYs

While V’s friends bid him farewell, the idol also made sure to say goodbye to ARMYs, BTS’ fanbase, before starting off his mandatory service.

 V gifted ARMYs a heartfelt message which he shared on Weverse, alongside a couple of solo and group photos of the band. The “Slow Dancing singer began his post by saying, “I think I’ll miss you too much. Actually, I’m really sad to not see ARMYs for the time being”.

Then, V reassured the fans that he will have a healthy return after 18 months as he encouraged ARMYs to take care of their health too. Furthermore, he also mentioned that he prepared a lot of things for that period and asked ARMYs to look forward to it in the future.

“Let’s make another special memory like we always did. You have to wait until then, I’ll be right back,” the singer said as he sweetly ended his post.

With BTS leader RM enlisting alongside V on December 11, and Jimin and Jungkook following the next day, all BTS members are now serving in the military. As the seven members promised their fans, the sensational K-pop group will be back and complete in 2025

Featured image: Wooga Squad poses with BTS V ahead of his enlistment. Credit: Instagram/Park Seo Joon

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BTS’s V Confirmed to Star in IU’s Upcoming Music Video

The K-pop community is abuzz with excitement as BTS member V is confirmed to appear in IU‘s upcoming music video. This collaboration is part of the female soloist’s new album, her first release in two years since Pieces in late 2021. Her previous releases were all well-received, setting high expectations for this new project.

While the exact release date of IU‘s album remains under wraps, the music video was filmed ahead of time to accommodate V‘s schedule. V began his military service on December 11 KST. Recently, it was announced that BTS members RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook would be enlisting in the military. This music video is one of his last projects before his enlistment.

It was previously reported that he signed up to join the Special Duty Team (SDT) of the Army’s Capital Defense Command for his military service. The SDT is an elite military police unit involved in counter-terrorism.

[IU’s Palette🎨] ‘V’egin Again (With V) Ep.24

V and IU blended well together

V and IU showed off their close friendship when V appeared on the YouTube show IU’s Palette. He  appeared on the show to promote his debut solo album Layover, released on September 8. At first, both artists addressed each other formally while filming the episode. Eventually, they transitioned to a more casual manner of speaking.

The episode featured musical performances. They sang each other’s songs, with V singing his track “Slow Dancing” and both doing a duet of IU‘s track “Ending Switch.” V also danced along to IU‘s rendition of his track “Love Me Again.” Fans of both IU and V were delighted with the episode. They praised the two for blending well on their duet, their candid interactions, and their energy.

This marks IU‘s second collaboration with a BTS member, following her previous work with SUGA, another member of BTS. They worked on tracks like “Eight” and SUGA‘s “People Pt. 2.” The combination of IU‘s musical prowess and V‘s charismatic presence is set to make this music video a notable event in the K-pop world. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Fans can’t wait to see what IU and the BTS member have come up with. Source: YouTube/@dlwlrma.

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