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BTS’s Jungkook Wins ‘The Male Artist’ Award at the 2024 PCAs

On February 18, 2024, BTS‘s Jungkook bagged the Male Artist of the Year award at the 49th People’s Choice Awards. The ceremony, which took place in Santa Monica, California, was a night to remember. The Barker Hangar rang with applause and cheers for all who won awards. Hosted by actor Simu Liu, the event was broadcast live on NBC and E! News. A live stream available on Peacock allowed fans to witness the proceedings in real-time.

Jungkook was nominated in four categories, including Pop Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and Collaboration Song of the Year. His Male Artist of the Year victory was particularly significant as he became the first Asian to win that particular category at the People’s Choice Awards. He beat out artists like Bad Bunny, Drake, his “3D” collaborator Jack Harlow, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd. This win underscores his popularity, as fan votes determine the outcome of the People’s Choice Awards.

BTS Jung Kook and Stray Kids win People’s Choice Awards

Jungkook continues to make an impact

Fans expressed their joy on social media, congratulating the “Standing Next to You” singer for making history yet again. This victory follows Jungkook‘s win for Collaboration Song of the Year at the 2022 People’s Choice Awards for his song “Left and Right” with Charlie Puth. That means BTS’s golden maknae has two consecutive People’s Choice Awards wins under his belt. It’s remarkable that even as Jungkook serves in the South Korean military, his impact on the international music scene remains strong.

Looking ahead, Jungkook earned nominations in four categories at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards on April 1, 2024. He’s up for Best Music Video, Favorite Debut Album, K-Pop Artist of the Year, and K-Pop Song of the Year. Unfortunately, because he’s off in the 5th Infantry Division with fellow BTS member Jimin, he won’t be performing at the ceremony. But that’s fine because Jungkook has a good chance of winning at least one of those awards anyway. Who knows, if the stars align, he could win all four! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook left top artists in the dust and made history at the same time. Source: X/@calvinklein.

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BTS’s Jimin Earns Nine Wins at the Dabeme Music Awards

On Monday, February 19, BTS‘s Jimin won big at the Dabeme Music Awards 2024, an awards ceremony that honors artists based on fan votes. Conducted online annually, the Dabeme Music Awards revealed their list of winners, much to the delight of fans. Jimin won all nine awards he was up for.

From being named Artist of the Year to being recognized for the dedication of his fans, Jimin‘s haul of trophies this year has filled fans with pride. These achievements are particularly significant as they occur while Jimin is serving in the South Korean military, making the accomplishment even more memorable for fans. Although he’s currently off in the 5th Infantry Division, he continues to rack up awards for his music—a remarkable feat.

Jimin released his first solo mini-album, FACE, on March 24, 2023. The six-track collection had “Like Crazy” as its title track. The album allowed Jimin to stretch himself creatively, especially in terms of his vocal ability. The fact that there are no collaborations on it enables the album to stand as a testament of Jimin’s talent as a soloist. “Like Crazy” and its English version—which also made the album—captivated fans worldwide, becoming Jimin’s first solo No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.

DABEME MUSIC AWARDS 2024 – WINNERS

Jimin won awards as a soloist too

Therefore, when Dabeme Pop unveiled the winners of its recent awards ceremony, fans were thrilled to see Jimin win awards as a soloist. But he didn’t earn plaudits only for his solo work. His collaborations also received nods from voters. 

Jimin‘s wins at the Dabeme Music Awards included Artist of the Year, Collaboration of the Year for “VIBE” with Taeyang, Fandom of the Year for PJM, K-Pop Album of the Year for FACE, and K-Pop Idol of the Year. Meanwhile, his work on “Like Crazy” earned him Song of the Year, K-Pop Video of the Year, and Video of the Year.

Jimin‘s success at the Dabeme Music Awards 2024 not only highlights his talent but also the support of his fans. Despite being a relatively new soloist, he has already set numerous records and won many awards, with these nine recognitions from the Dabeme Music Awards being the latest. Winning these awards through fan votes is particularly meaningful, showing that even in his absence, the love and support of his fans remain as strong as ever. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jimin came out on top in nine categories. Isn’t that impressive? Source: X/@JiminGlobal.

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BTS’s j-hope Dropping New Documentary and OST Album Soon

BigHit Music recently unveiled plans for Hope on the Street Vol. 1, a special album that j-hope worked on before enlisting in the South Korean military. This announcement sparked excitement across social media. ARMYs are eagerly awaiting the tracklist, especially amid rumors that Huh Yunjin from LE SSERAFIM recorded a duet with j-hope for the album. While BigHit Music remains tight-lipped about this and other details, fans’ anticipation only grows as the release date approaches.

X/@bts_bighit

However, the album is just one part of a larger endeavor. Alongside Hope on the Street Vol. 1, j-hope will release a six-part docuseries titled Hope on the Street. Through this series, viewers will get to go on a journey with j-hope as he travels to New York, Osaka, Paris, Seoul, and his hometown of Gwangju.

According to a press release from his agency, the idol’s goal is to “communicate with local dancers through movement.” BigHit Music describes both the album and the docuseries as deep dives into dance, which lies at the core of j-hope‘s artistic identity. The promotion schedule and teasers for these projects have since been released.

X/@bts_bighit

A taste of what’s to come

j-hope first teased this project during an appearance on SUCHWITA, the drinking show hosted by his fellow BTS member SUGA. On the July 18, 2023, episode of the show, he talked about the docuseries and album. He hinted that the digital single he released back in March, “on the street (with J. Cole),” was a taste of what’s to come.

“There’ll be new content about my life called Hope on the Street. It’ll be about my dancing and my story,” he said at the time. “The dancing scene is bigger than you think. It just hasn’t risen up to the surface. But if you really dig into it, there are many talented people and it’s a huge market. I experienced that personally. Although I didn’t go to a lot of cities, I traveled the world and filmed with plenty of amazing dancers. That documentary will come out in 2024. It’s literally like its name, Hope on the Street. It’s just j-hope dancing on the street.”

j-hope ‘HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1’ on delivery

A journey with j-hope

The first episode of Hope on the Street will premiere on March 28. It’ll be available on Amazon Prime for international fans and TVING for Korean viewers. New episodes will drop every Thursday and Friday, offering an intimate look at j-hope‘s journey through dance and his interactions with dancers across the globe.

Since debuting with BTS in 2013 as the group’s main dancer, j-hope has impressed fans worldwide with his dedication and talent. He joined the military on April 18, 2023, and will be discharged on October 17, 2024, after which he can greet fans in person once again. Until then, ARMYs will have to content themselves with seeing the world of dance through his eyes via Hope on the Street. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: BigHit Music announced the release of the album and docuseries around the time of j-hope’s birthday. Source: X/@ABSCBNNews.

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StarNews Calls BTS’s Jimin ‘King of iTunes’

BTS‘s Jimin has once again demonstrated his global influence by setting a remarkable record on the iTunes charts. His digital single “Closer Than This,” released as a heartfelt gesture to fans before his military enlistment, soared to the top spot on the Russian iTunes Top Songs Chart on February 10, achieving number one in 116 countries. This achievement has solidified Jimin‘s status as the only artist in the world to have four songs reach number one on the iTunes Top Songs Chart in more than 116 countries and regions, marking a historic first in iTunes history.

Jimin‘s track record includes “Like Crazy,” the first song by a Korean solo artist to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart, and the tvN drama OST “With You,” which achieved an all-kill in 119 countries. Additionally, his solo track “Filter” from BTS’s fourth Korean-language album Map of the Soul: 7 reached number one in 118 countries. Now, “Closer Than This” has further extended his record with a number one in 116 countries.

#ThisIsJimin 정말 많이 사랑합니다 우리 아미💜 #지민 #Jimin #자정각👀

Jimin holds a unique record

Moreover, with “Set Me Free Pt. 2” from his debut solo album FACE topping the charts in 113 countries, his collaboration track “VIBE” with Taeyang in 102 countries, and the theme song “Angel Pt. 1” for the movie Fast X in 100 countries, Jimin holds a unique record of having a total of seven songs that have reached number one in over 100 countries on iTunes. This unparalleled achievement has led South Korean media outlet StarNews to call him the “King of iTunes.”

“Closer Than This” has also achieved significant success on other major music platforms, surpassing 88 million streams on Spotify, the world’s largest streaming platform, 16.4 million on the domestic music streaming platform MelOn, over 16.85 million views on YouTube, and has been searched for 90,000 times on the global music search site Shazam. Jimin‘s widespread popularity and the love he receives from fans around the world across various platforms both domestically and internationally are a testament to his enduring appeal and talent. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: No one does it like Jimin! Source: X/@ARMYonSpotify.

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Calvin Klein Reportedly Spent 10M USD on Jungkook’s New Ad

Calvin Klein’s new ad for their Spring/Summer 2024 collection took social media by storm upon its release on February 14. The seven-second ad, set to the tune of Iggy Pop’s 1977 single “The Passenger,” features BTS’s Jungkook moving and grooving through Grand Central Station. Normally one of the busiest places in New York City, the station was empty on the day of filming. Calvin Klein reportedly paid approximately 10 million USD to close down the station just so Jungkook could film in peace.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) acquired Grand Central Station for 33 million USD in May 2020. Anyone wishing to film on the premises must obtain permission from the MTA. The process involves completing an application. Only then will the MTA and Metro-North Railroad grant permission for the space to become a filming set. Sources indicate that the cost of shutting down the station for filming could range from 5 million to 10 million USD. This is due to the expenses per hour and additional costs like permits, estimated at around 500,000 USD.

Jungkook was spotted filming something at Grand Central Station in New York

News of Calvin Klein‘s actions sparked significant buzz on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Many admired the brand’s attention to detail and commitment to excellence, which spurred them to invest a substantial amount of money to ensure Jungkook‘s ad would turn out great.

Learn more about Grand Central Station in the video below.

Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour

Calvin Klein sees it as a worthwhile investment

The ad itself features Jungkook looking stylish in an oversized black half-sleeved shirt and black jeans, with the shirt unbuttoned to reveal his chiseled torso. A silver chain complemented his outfit. The ad ends with Jungkook beside a piano in the middle of Grand Central Station, with the location’s iconic clock in the background.

Jungkook‘s participation in this high-profile ad campaign comes just after his enlistment in the Republic of Korea Army on December 12, 2023, where he has been assigned to the 5th Infantry Division. He’s expected to return to the entertainment industry in June 2025, alongside fellow BTS member Jimin. Jimin enlisted with Jungkook on December 12, 2023. They signed up for the South Korean military’s “동반입대” (dongbanipdae) or buddy system, allowing them to train and live together for the duration of their service.

The fact that Calvin Klein was willing to spend so much money on Jungkook‘s campaign indicates they see it as a worthwhile investment. After all, despite his absence from the entertainment scene due to military service, Jungkook remains overwhelmingly popular. The brand will surely recoup their investment thanks to his star power. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Calvin Klein’s investment paid off handsomely, don’t you think? Source: Instagram/@calvinklein.

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Jungkook Heats Up Valentine’s Day in New Calvin Klein Ad

On February 14, 2024, Calvin Klein unveiled a new ad campaign featuring BTS‘s Jungkook, capturing hearts worldwide on Valentine’s Day. The campaign video, set in New York’s iconic Grand Central Station, showcases Jungkook‘s charisma and style, aligned with the brand’s Spring/Summer 2024 theme of self-assurance, fun, and allure. Iggy Pop‘s 1977 classic “The Passenger” plays in the background, adding a timeless vibe to the seven-second snippet that quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter).

Jungkook has been a brand ambassador for Calvin Klein since March 2023. His previous campaigns, including the 2023 Fall collection, have generated significant revenue for the American brand. Following the announcement of Jungkook as the face of Calvin Klein, the stock prices of its owning corporation, PVH Corp, saw a remarkable 20% increase. This highlights the immense impact of his endorsement.

In the monochrome video, Jungkook is seen wandering through a deserted Grand Central Station. He’s wearing a black shirt—unbuttoned to reveal his muscled torso—paired with matching jeans and a silver chain around his neck. He casts smoldering looks at the camera while descending an escalator and sauntering towards a piano in the middle of the station. This underscores the campaign’s edgy yet sophisticated aesthetic.

Jungkook set social media ablaze

The video set social media ablaze, with fans and followers lauding Jungkook‘s charisma and visuals. Comments like “He’s back to set our hearts on fire” reflect the excitement over the idol’s latest work. This reaction is partly because Jungkook has been serving in the South Korean military since December 2023. Active-duty soldiers can only use their phones at specific times. Ergo, fans don’t hear from him as often as they used to.

Despite his absence, BTS’s golden maknae continues to influence and inspire. Releases like this will whet ARMYs’ appetites for Jungkook content until he’s discharged in June 2025. Before his return, the older BTS members will make their respective comebacks to the entertainment scene. Jin is expected to return in June 2024 and j-hope in October 2024.

This campaign serves as a reminder of Jungkook’s enduring star power, even as he fulfills his national duties. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: This was one of several photos the brand posted after the video went viral. Source: Instagram/@calvinklein.

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BTS’s RM Is Playing Saxophone in the Military Band

A recent photo of BTS‘s RM in the military has captivated fans and the public alike. Shared on February 15, it shows RM clutching a saxophone and wearing the distinctive red uniform of the Army Band.

@purplemoon.92

𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐣𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝. #bts #btsmilitary #rm #namu 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐣𝐨𝐨𝐧

♬ Burning Up (Fire) – BTS

About the Army Band

South Korea has several military bands, each linked to a different branch of the South Korean Armed Forces, such as the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. Each branch has its own central band, along with additional regional bands and specialized ensembles within the military’s music departments.

These bands participate in international military music festivals and perform at military functions, national ceremonies, and official events. The red uniform, exclusive to band members, distinguishes them from other military personnel. Performing in the Army Band allows service members to use their talents while serving the country.

To join a military band in South Korea, individuals must audition. Applicants typically need a background in music, which might include formal education or performance experience. RM, with his background as the leader of BTS, certainly fits the bill. During the audition, would-be band members must prove they’re exceptionally skilled in playing an instrument or singing. Their suitability for military service might also be evaluated. Successful candidates then undergo basic military training before being assigned to the band.

@ems28090

rm message #foryoupage❤️❤️ #everyone #fypシ #tiktok #trinding #bts #armybts #btsarmy #bts #viral #rm

♬ Wild Flower (with youjeen) – RM

RM does his best to stay connected

Despite having his hands full performing in the military band, RM has done his best to stay connected to the fans. On the 11th, he reached out via Weverse, inquiring about ARMYs’ well-being and talking about how he’s adjusting to military life. He wrote, “Are ARMYs doing well?” He continued, “I’ve also arrived at my unit and am adapting well. I ate rice cake soup for the Lunar New Year. I’ve been resting a little since it’s Seollal and I’m doing well. Another Seollal will have to pass before I can see you all, but I’ll do well with my time.”

RM ended by writing, “I believe that it will be another place of learning and experiences. Whenever, wherever, always be healthy. And I wish that you will experience a lot more good things than bad things. Hoping that our connection will continue to go on, I hope you receive a lot of New Year blessings!”

RM enlisted on December 11 alongside fellow BTS member V and was named an elite trainee at his military graduation last month. He’s currently assigned to the 15th Infantry Division in Hwacheon, Gangwon-do. RM’s participation in the military band allows him to express his passion for music in a new setting. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: RM’s new role is perfect for someone like him. Source: Kpopping.

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BTS’s Jimin Says He and Jungkook Are Doing Well in Latest Weverse Post

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, BTS‘s Jimin took time out from his military duties to connect with fans on Weverse. Aside from his group’s fearless leader RM, he was the only other member of BTS who was able to greet fans on this special occasion.

Jimin enlisted with fellow BTS member Jungkook on December 12, 2023. They signed up for the South Korean military’s “동반입대” (dongbanipdae) or buddy system. This unique program allows soldiers to enlist with close friends or relatives, receive training together, and be assigned to the same residential unit. In his message, the “Like Crazy” singer reassured fans that he and Jungkook are alright.

@gracewagan88

Jimin’s greetings for Lunar New Year 💜 missing him dearly 🥺 #jimin #bts #bangtan #btsarmy

♬ Love wins all – IU

He wrote, “ARMYs, it’s Seollal! Have a happy Seollal, and this year too, be healthy and don’t get hurt or sick. I hope this year, you will only be happy. Jungkook and I are doing well, so don’t worry too much, and I’ll come again! Eat lots of delicious things and don’t diet today.” This message not only updated fans on his and Jungkook‘s well-being but also encouraged them to enjoy the festivities without restraint.

Lunar New Year, or Seollal in Korea, is a cornerstone of Korean culture, emphasizing family bonds and cultural heritage. It falls on the first day of the lunar calendar, typically in late January or early February. Jimin made the effort to write to fans during Seollal while serving in the military. That he did so underscores how important the fans and their happiness are to him.

@alcawena74

Mimi Trending today for His greeting for Lunar year to Fans#JIMIN

♬ With you – Jimin & HA SUNG WOON

Get in touch with Jimin while he’s away

In related news, fans discovered that Jimin‘s father had installed a transparent letterbox outside Magnate, the café he runs in Busan. Fans used to visit the café and leave gifts and letters for the singer there, even before his enlistment. When Jimin’s father installed the letterbox, fans realized that it was his way of ensuring fans could still get in touch with Jimin while he’s away. What’s more, he would most likely be the one to deliver the letters in the letterbox to the idol. Not many parents or relatives of idols would do something like this, so they really appreciated the gesture.

Jimin‘s Lunar New Year message and the news of the letterbox at Magnate café touched fans deeply. As Jimin and Jungkook continue serving together, their efforts to stay connected with fans do not go unnoticed, reinforcing the strong bond between BTS and the ARMY. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ARMYs were pleased that Jimin found time to greet them. Source: Instagram/@jikook_angelic.

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Will BTS V Return in ‘Jinny’s Kitchen’ Season 2?

The anticipation for “Jinny’s Kitchen” Season 2 is mounting, with fans eagerly awaiting news about the cast lineup and filming details. As reports indicate that the show will begin filming in Iceland in mid-March, viewers are curious to know whether BTS member V will return for the highly anticipated second season.

‘Jinny’s Kitchen’ Season 2 Officially Announced

“Jinny’s Kitchen” is a spin-off of the hit reality show “Youn’s Kitchen,” featuring a new restaurant venture led by Lee Seo Jin. The first season of “Jinny’s Kitchen” garnered widespread acclaim, thanks to its engaging storyline and star-studded cast, which included Park Seo Joon, Jung Yu Mi, Choi Woo Shik, and BTS’s V as restaurant employees.

While details about the cast for Season 2 have been shrouded in secrecy, fans have been eager to learn whether V will reprise his role in the upcoming season. However, with V currently fulfilling his mandatory military service obligations, speculation has been rife about his potential involvement in the show’s second installment.

In response to inquiries about the cast lineup for Season 2, a representative from tvN confirmed that Park Seo Joon, Jung Yu Mi, and Choi Woo Shik will indeed be returning for the new season. This announcement delighted fans who have grown fond of the chemistry and camaraderie among the cast members.

Will Kim Taehyung Return in ‘Jinny’s Kitchen’?

However, V’s absence from the confirmed cast list has left fans wondering about his participation in the upcoming season. As the only other cast member from the first season, V’s potential return would undoubtedly add to the excitement surrounding the show’s return.

Despite V’s current military service commitments, fans remain hopeful that he may still make a surprise appearance in “Jinny’s Kitchen” Season 2. The dynamic interactions and entertaining antics of the original cast contributed significantly to the show’s success, and V’s presence would undoubtedly be warmly welcomed by viewers.

As anticipation continues to build for the release of “Jinny’s Kitchen” Season 2, fans eagerly await further updates on the cast lineup and any potential surprises that may be in store for the upcoming season. Until then, viewers can look forward to enjoying the culinary adventures and heartwarming moments that “Jinny’s Kitchen” is known for, with or without BTS’s V.

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Park Hyung-sik Talks About BTS’s V, Military Service on ‘Salon Drip 2’

On February 13, a clip from Salon Drip 2, featuring Park Hyung-sik, went viral, capturing the attention of Hallyu fans worldwide. In the clip, the actor mentioned his good friend, BTS‘s V, aka Kim Taehyung. Salon Drip 2 is a comedy talk show hosted by Jang Do-yeon, who invites celebrities to sit down with her and talk about their current or upcoming projects. Park Hyung-sik and Park Shin-hye appeared on the show to promote their ongoing medical and slice-of-life drama, Doctor Slump.

During the interview, Park Hyung-sik brought up V, who is currently serving in the South Korean military. He shared that the Wooga Squad, a group of South Korean stars including himself, V, Peakboy, Park Seo-joon, and Choi Woo-shik, gathered before V’s enlistment to talk about their experiences. This close-knit group of friends, known for their unwavering support for each other, won hearts when they went on a holiday together for the reality show In the SOOP: Friendcation.

Park Hyung-sik, who began his mandatory military service on June 10, 2019, entered the Nonsan Army Recruit Training Center in South Chungcheong Province for basic training. He served in the Special Duty Team (SDT) of the South Korean military’s Capital Defense Command as an active duty soldier. When he appeared on the variety show Real Man, he showcased his shooting skills and received positive feedback. That inspired him to join the SDT, believing he could put his skills to good use there.

EP.28 Doctor Slump Park Shinhye Park Hyung Sik | Salon Drip2

Park Hyung-sik on the SDT

When his turn to enlist came, V followed in Park Hyung-sik’s footsteps by joining the SDT. V underwent a rigorous selection process, including document checks, interviews, and physical tests, before being accepted into the unit.

On Salon Drip 2, Jang Do-yeon asked Park Hyung-sik if he still talks about his time in the military. That was when the actor mentioned V. He said, “Taehyungah joined the military last December. We met up before he joined the army. There are military stories that people might not want to hear. My unit is the hardest. We talked about that for about two to three hours.” He also noted that the other members of the Wooga Squad tried to console V, suggesting he would have it easier than them.

V was deployed to the “Ssangyong Unit” in the 2nd Corps of the South Korean military after completing an three-week additional training at the Army General Administration School. The story Park Hyung-sik shared on Salon Drip 2 highlights the bravery he and V displayed by enlisting in the SDT. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The actor revealed that he and V met up with their other friends for a bonding sesh before the BTS member’s enlistment. Source: X/@kisgnuyh.

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