Category: BTS

BTS‘ Jungkook, the golden maknae of the world-renowned K-pop group, recently surprised fans with a candid talk session on Stationhead. Fans logged on to the music streaming service expecting a fun listening party for “SEVEN,” scheduled for August 29 at 8:00 AM ET. They were thrown for a loop (pleasantly so, mind you) by the raw, unfiltered things Jungkook said when things got underway.

Jungkook began by addressing the elephant in the room: his upcoming material. “It’s nine thirty-six, but I have to be going at ten o’clock because I have another schedule after this,” he shared, hinting at the preparations for his solo comeback in November. He also hinted at wanting to do a Weverse live session, but said he may not be able to do that anytime soon.

“Although live broadcasts are my main thing, I’m going to be very busy preparing so many things,” he added, further fueling fans’ excitement. This revelation not only gave fans a glimpse into the hectic life of an international superstar but also teased the much-anticipated new music.

Cool as a cucumber

Despite the excitement surrounding his upcoming projects, Jungkook‘s humility shone through. Even as some technical glitches disrupted the session, he was as cool as a cucumber. When Stationhead’s comment section froze, he simply expressed how perplexed he was by what happened. But once the comments started pouring in again, he was quick to engage with those online. He answered questions and shared snippets of his life. 

One ARMY’s comment stood out. When Jungkook expressed concern about all the work he has to do, a fan reassured the Korean superstar that he can do anything he sets his mind to. They said, “What are you afraid of? You’re Jungkook. You can do it well.” To which Jungkook candidly responded, “I’m just scared. Will I be able to do well?”

Jungkook also shared some exciting news about his official TikTok account, humorously adding, “I’m a TikToker now? I’ll try my best as a TikToker.” His words left fans eagerly awaiting content from the star on the popular platform.

This Stationhead session

In a heartwarming moment, Jungkook mentioned his upcoming birthday, pondering aloud if he should make seaweed soup for himself. (It’s tradition for Koreans to eat seaweed soup on their birthdays.) This simple wish highlighted his down-to-earth nature, which endeared him to fans even more. On a slightly sour note, he talked about a trip he went on with friends, which saw them in his hometown of Busan. He expressed slight disappointment that someone had posted about it.

As the session neared its end, Jungkook‘s genuine affection for his fans was evident. “Everyone, I have to go now. What should I do? I have to go,” he said, sounding almost regretful. He apologized for the abrupt end, promising to attend the next listening party and hoping for a better experience. His parting words were filled with love and gratitude, “Hope you wrap up your day well. Make sure to eat well. I wish you happiness. I’ll get going ARMY, I love you!”

This Stationhead session with Jungkook was a testament to the bond between BTS and their fans. It was a reminder that behind the glitz and glamor, K-idols are human too. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook recently debuted a new, shorter haircut. Source: Twitter/@dreamjeons.

The international K-pop sensation BTS is known for breaking records. So it’s not surprising that two of its members, Jimin and Jungkook, have carved out their own unique places in the annals of music history. Their solo work not only resonated with fans, but has also set unprecedented milestones on Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming platform.

Jimin ‘FACE’ Playlist l 지민 ‘FACE’ 플레이리스트 – BTS (방탄소년단)

Jimin, despite having struck out on his own as a solo artist just five months ago, has had an enviable, undeniable impact. His solo debut set new milestones previously unseen in the history of Korean solo artists. For instance, he became the first Korean solo artist to debut at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and achieved the highest debut for a B-side track by a Korean soloist on the same chart. Furthermore, Jimin became the first Korean soloist to reach No. 1 on the Japan and US Billboard Artist 100 charts, ranked as the top two biggest music markets worldwide. 

Most importantly, his album FACE has now exceeded 1 billion streams on Spotify as of August 24, making him the first and so far only Korean soloist to cross that mark with just one album. Notably, FACE achieved this record in just 153 days.

Jimin and Jungkook shine on their own

Meanwhile, Jungkook has written a new history on Spotify. If you add up the number of streams his solo songs have earned, they’ll amount to 2 billion streams. This includes the streams earned by hits like “Dreamers,” “Left and Right,” “SEVEN,” and “Still With You.” Jungkook joins the ranks of BTS member SUGA and female soloist IU in achieving this particular milestone.

정국 (Jung Kook) ‘Seven’ @ BBC The One Show

Jungkook‘s achievements don’t stop there. In July, he became the first Korean soloist to debut a song at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, Global 200, and Global Excl. U.S. charts. His song “SEVEN” has maintained its hold on the No. 1 position on both the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts for an impressive fifth consecutive week. “SEVEN” has also achieved the distinction of becoming the very first Korean song to spend five weeks at No. 1 on the Global 200, surpassing the prior record set by BTS‘ 2020 hit “Dynamite.”

Even as BTS is taking a break from group activities, individual members like Jimin and Jungkook are proving that they too can shine brightly on their own. Their recent Spotify achievements are a clear indication that K-pop, as a genre, is not just a fleeting trend but a musical movement that’s here to stay.  Congratulations, Jimin and Jungkook! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Not many can say they’ve hit this milestone. Source: Twitter/@BIGHIT_MUSIC.

The K-pop world is buzzing with a series of plagiarism allegations that are taking an ironic twist. Yang Joon Young, a first-generation K-pop producer, accused BTS‘s Jungkook of plagiarizing his song. Jungkook‘s accuser claimed that “SEVEN” copied the scale sequence of Fin.K.L‘s “Time of Mask,” a track he had produced. 

This bold claim was met with skepticism from many corners, especially since “SEVEN” was crafted by international producers. Moreover, a significant portion of listeners found it hard to pinpoint any notable similarities between the two tracks.

The plot thickened when Dispatch, a reputable news outlet, stepped into the fray. On August 24, they published an article that seemingly exonerated Jungkook from Joon Young’s plagiarism claims by providing compelling evidence. 

But as the controversy continued to simmer, many listeners, driven by curiosity, revisited Fin.K.L‘s “Time of Mask.” Their collective astonishment was palpable when they discovered the song bore a striking resemblance to the Spice Girls‘ 1996 classic, “Say You’ll Be There.” 

It’s worth noting that the Spice Girls‘ track predates “Time of Mask” by three years, having been released in 1996.

Jungkook’s accuser exposed himself

Netizens worldwide recognized the irony of the situation. Many took to social media platforms to voice their disbelief and amusement. Comments ranged from observations about “Time of Mask” sounding more like the Spice Girls than Jungkook‘s “Seven,” to declarations that the Fin.K.L track was eerily similar to the British girl group’s classic.

The overwhelming sentiment was one of incredulity, with many finding it almost laughable that Yang Joon Young‘s attempt to call out Jungkook for plagiarism had inadvertently shone a spotlight on his own potential act of borrowing from a legendary pop group.

As the K-pop community and fans worldwide continue to grapple with this unexpected development, the question remains: What’s next in this unfolding drama? – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook’s accuser shot himself in the foot when his attempt to shame the global star backfired. Source: Naver.

Kim Taehyung, also known as BTS‘ V, graced the pages of W Korea’s latest issue. After the media outlet uploaded the cover story, a behind-the-scenes video followed. This video gave fans a glimpse at everything that happened on the set of the photoshoot, set to the tune of V answering questions from the W Korea team.

Opening with a cheerful, “Hello, W Korea! I’m V of BTS,” he set the tone for a candid conversation. One of the first topics broached was his pet, Yeontan. V affectionately remarked, “Yeontan ate too much, so I put him on a diet. Yeontan also got his hair cut recently, so he looks very cute.” He added that while Yeontan is close to him, the dog has a very special bond with his mother, which means he competes with her for Yeontan’s attention.

BTS V Q&A by W Korea

V also shared insights about his fitness regimen. “I actually shared my routine on my Story, I hope you check it out.” When asked which part of his body he’s most proud of these days, he confidently and simply stated, “Hands!”

Discussing his downtime, V revealed that he’s been recharging and is now channeling all his energy into work. Naturally, the conversation veered towards his much-anticipated solo album. While V was a bit secretive about the exact genre, he did drop several hints. “Standard jazz can be too complex, so I tried to make my songs more contemporary and popular,” he explained. He also painted a serene picture for fans, when asked what time of day best suits his album. “When the sun’s setting, under the sunset, when you’re driving, when you get off work—that would be the best time to listen.”

BTS’ V and the heartfelt goodbye

Known for his unparalleled bond with the ARMY (BTS‘s fanbase), V emphasized his commitment to them. “There are many contents that ARMY can enjoy when they’re bored. I’m trying to make more communication channels for ARMY, so I’m shooting a lot of those contents,” he said, showcasing his dedication.

Reflecting on his journey as the last member of BTS to release a solo album, V expressed respect for his members. “BTS members went through so much. I learned that as I made my album. It’s not easy,” he confessed. However, he also expressed the joy in the process, “But because it’s so hard, it makes the process more fun.”

V‘s personal style also became a topic of discussion. Identifying as a minimalist, he shared, “I don’t usually carry around a bag.” Yet, he always has his cherished accessories with him, especially his bracelet, necklace, and a special ring. His penchant for luxury was evident when he spoke about his endeavors to acquire a Cartier Crash watch and fondly reminisced about his first Cartier purchase, the Cartier Tank Louis watch.

He left fans with a brief yet heartfelt, “I’m V, thank you,” signaling the end of a conversation that offered a deeper understanding of the person behind the global sensation. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: V talked about everything from his album to his dog. Source: YouTube/@wkorea.