Category: K-POP ARTISTS

As a way to give back some of the love their fans have showered them with, the seven-member boy group ENHYPEN made a surprise appearance on M Countdown. This wasn’t just any performance; they debuted “Criminal Love,” a second song from the soundtrack of HYBE’s original webtoon Dark Moon: Altar of the Moon.

Released just last month, the lyrics of “Criminal Love” paint a vivid picture of a dangerous love, one that’s continuously yearned for despite a recurring cruel fate. The song is more than just lyrics and music; it’s an experience. With ENHYPEN‘s slick choreography and strong vocals, it’s not surprising the song has garnered so much attention.

Before “Criminal Love” hit streaming services (and before the boys performed it on M Countdown), fans got a sneak peek at the song during ENHYPEN‘s second world tour. Held on the 29th and 30th of the previous month, the choreography of the song elicited enthusiastic cheers from the crowd at the KSPO Dome. Such was the impact of this performance that “Criminal Love” dominated social media real-time trends in South Korea for two consecutive days. Moreover, on the day of the song’s official release, its title and the septet’s name snagged the 2nd and 4th spots on Melon’s real-time search, indicating an explosive response from fans.

ENHYPEN is marking a new roadmap for K-pop

In K-pop, it’s quite rare for an artist to perform a song outside of their album activities on a music show. But ENHYPEN isn’t your run-of-the-mill group. They combined the music and story IP for the soundtrack of Dark Moon: Altar of the Moon. They also incorporated it into the mini album DARK BLOOD. This innovative approach solidified their unique color in the industry. In essence, the boys are marking a new roadmap for K-pop.

As of this writing, ENHYPEN is gearing up for a series of shows in Japan. After hitting the Kyocera Dome on September 2 and 3, they’ll make history with their Tokyo Dome concerts on September 13 and 14. Heeseung, Jake, Jay, Jungwon, Ni-Ki, Sunghoon, and Sunoo will set a new record for the shortest time it has taken a K-pop boy group to perform at Tokyo Dome since debut.

That achievement alone proves that ENHYPEN‘s journey, marked by their unique approach to their craft, continues to captivate fans worldwide. Meanwhile, their performance of “Criminal Love” on M Countdown is a testament to their growing influence in the world of K-pop. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ENGENEs went wild over the boys’ ‘Criminal Love’ debut on M Countdown. Source: YouTube/@Mnet.

The world of K-pop is no stranger to collaborations, but the recent partnership between NewJeans and BTS‘ V has taken it to another level. This collaboration reached new heights when NewJeans‘ Danielle covered V‘s recent release, “Rainy Days.”

[By Jeans] ‘V – Rainy Days’ Cover by DANIELLE | NewJeans

Danielle, along with her fellow NewJeans members—Haerin, Hanni, Hyein, and Minji—had a unique opportunity to preview tracks from V‘s upcoming solo album, “Layover.” During a meeting with their CEO, Min Hee Jin, they listened to their own songs before being offered a sneak peek at V‘s album. 

“All five of us were gathered together for a meeting with the CEO. We listened to every song from our albums, and then the CEO told us, ‘We’re preparing for V’s album. Do you want to listen to those songs too?’ So we said ‘Yes!’ and listened with lots of excitement,” Danielle shared. The song “Rainy Days” struck a chord with Danielle, reminding her of a nostalgic rainy day from her childhood.

The emotional connection Danielle had to the song led her to film a cover of it. Clad in an oversized cardigan, she delivered a serene version of “Rainy Days.” She captured the essence of V’s original and added her unique touch. She particularly shone on the chorus. Not only were her vocals flawless, but she also displayed emotional depth.

Danielle impressed V

Excitingly, there’s potential for more covers of V‘s songs by the NewJeans members in the future. Danielle expressed the group’s enthusiasm, stating, “‘All the tracks are beautiful and covering them would be so fun,’ we said. So the CEO told us, ‘Then let’s try it!’” This hints at a promising future of collaborations and covers, much to the delight of fans.

V‘s reaction to Danielle‘s cover was so heartwarming. He posted about it on his Instagram Stories, saying that he was “touched” accompanied by a teary-eyed emoji. Furthermore, during a Weverse Live streaming session, V chose to play Danielle‘s cover of “Rainy Days.” Throughout the song, V‘s appreciation was evident. He frequently signaled his approval with two thumbs up, a universal sign of praise, and highlighted his admiration for Danielle‘s singing talent. After the song ended, V simply stated, “It’s so definitive.”

The mutual admiration between Danielle and V showcases the power of music to foster connections. As artists continue to collaborate and cover each other’s work, the K-pop scene can look forward to more such heartwarming moments in the future. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Danielle ate, left no crumbs, and impressed V. Sources: Twitter/@boraboravie and YouTube/@NewJeans.

On August 28, the K-pop world was abuzz with the news that Blockberry Creative filed an appeal to overturn the court decision which invalidated artist Chuu‘s exclusive contract with the agency. This move by Blockberry Creative is not just limited to Chuu. The agency has also expressed its intent to pursue legal action against five other members of LOONA who had previously won their injunction applications to suspend their exclusive contracts.

For those unfamiliar with such legal proceedings, an individual or entity in a contractual relationship makes a preliminary injunction request to the court. The petitioner will argue that due to the other party’s actions, continuing under the terms of the contract would cause them irreparable harm. But winning an injunction doesn’t end the legal battle. The petitioner also must prove their full case and argue that the actions of the party they’re suing warrant setting the contract aside.

Chuu‘s legal battle with Blockberry Creative began when she filed a lawsuit against her ex-agency in December 2021, citing issues related to a loss of trust and profit settlement. The court attempted mediation in March, but both parties failed to come to an agreement. Her victory came on August 17 when the Seoul Northern District Court ruled in Chuu’s favor, confirming the non-existence of her exclusive contract with Blockberry Creative.

Drama and intrigue are the backdrop to this legal tussle. Chuu, who debuted with LOONA in 2017, was expelled from the group in November 2022. Blockberry Creative claimed that she had assaulted a staff member. Chuu countered this allegation, saying she had “never done anything to embarrass her fans.” Amidst this turmoil, Chuu found a new home with ATRP. She signed a contract with the agency in April.

The stakes are high for Chuu

Interestingly, the criteria to win a preliminary injunction are stringent. The judge considers factors like the likelihood of success in a main lawsuit, the potential irreparable harm if the contract goes on, the balance of fairness between both parties, and whether suspending the contract aligns with public policy.

In a twist that has fans eagerly awaiting October, Chuu is finally set to make her long-awaited solo debut. The timing of Blockberry Creative’s appeal and Chuu‘s upcoming solo debut has captured the public’s attention, with many keenly observing their next moves. 

The stakes are high for both parties. If the former LOONA member’s victory stands, Blockberry Creative will bear all litigation costs. Moreover, Chuu wasn’t the only LOONA member to part ways with the agency. Some are now with other agencies and preparing to re-debut. 

As the legal battles continue and Chuu embarks on her solo journey, the K-pop community watches with bated breath, anticipating the next chapter in this riveting saga. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Chuu’s free, but her ex-agency continues to bug her. Source: Twitter/@chuu_atrp.

On August 29, Sports Chosun stirred excitement among K-pop enthusiasts with the announcement that TOMORROW X TOGETHER, commonly known as TXT, is preparing to release new material on October 13. The media outlet said that the quintet is gearing up for their comeback promotions and putting the finishing touches on The Name Chapter: FREEFALL. In response to fans’ anticipation, their company BIGHIT MUSIC initially stated, “The comeback schedule will be officially announced later.” 

As promised, later in the day the agency put out a teaser for The Name Chapter: FREEFALL on August 30 KST. This album is the group’s third regular release. They will release it on October 13, 2023, and pre-orders will start on August 30.

TXT (투모로우바이투게더) The Name Chapter: FREEFALL

Amidst the buzz, TXT members Soobin and Hueningkai couldn’t resist sharing a few tidbits about the album. Leader Soobin, trying to contain his excitement, shared, “Our new song? OK, I’ll tell you this much. I almost have a really big spoiler. But I’ll tell you this, there are multiple songs, and we’re currently recording them. And there’s this b-side track which is my new favorite song.” Hueningkai, with his characteristic cute tone, added, “There are a lot of good songs on this album. We’ve been constantly listening to the final versions after receiving them.”

Pre-ordering ‘The Name Chapter: FREEFALL’

BIGHIT MUSIC has also provided details on how fans can pre-order the album. Starting from 11:00 AM KST on August 30 to 11:59 PM KST on October 12, the album can be pre-ordered from various stores. Some of those stores are Aladin, Ktown4u, Music Korea, Sponge Music, and Weverse Shop. It will be available in three versions: REALITY, MELANCHOLY, and CLARITY. Each version comes with a unique package box. It contains a Bluespring card, lyrics poster, sticker pack, and more.

The Name Chapter: FREEFALL follows TXT‘s collab with the Jonas Brothers, “Do It Like That.” It also marks their first release since January’s The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION. 

Anticipation is soaring

The excitement is palpable among MOAs (TXT‘s fans), who have made #TXT_IS_COMING_BACK a trending topic. In addition to this news, TXT has been nominated for two awards at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, which will be held on September 12 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Further showcasing their global appeal, TXT recently wrapped up their second world tour, ACT: SWEET MIRAGE, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

With members dropping hints and the promise of returning with better performances and hot new tracks, the anticipation for The Name Chapter: FREEFALL is soaring. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: MOAs can hardly wait to dive into TXT’s new era. Source: Twitter/@txtarchivee.

On August 31, fans of the renowned J-pop supergroup AKB48 received a shock. Honda Hitomi, a beloved member and one of its superstars, announced her graduation from the group. She wrote, “I, Honda Hitomi, will graduate from AKB48. As the representative of Tochigi prefecture in Team 8, I have been in AKB48 for about 10 years now.”

“I served as the group’s center twice, as a member of Team 8. I was a member of IZ*ONE, and was given the chance to be a senbatsu member,” she continued. “With these experiences, I have grown day by day. I feel confident that all of this will serve as my foundation and illuminate my future. I’m grateful to Akimoto-sensei, who has helped me grow up to this point, to the fans who always support me, to the staff, to the members, and to everyone who has worked hard in their work. I was able to spend happy days with everyone.”

Furthermore, Hitomi conveyed her gratitude for the love she received during her time with AKB48. She mentioned, “I will be leaving such a blessed environment I am truly grateful for, but I will never forget the love I received from everyone. I will continue to challenge various things and expand my potential. The single that will be released on September 27 will be the last single I will participate in, so I will be participating in all the talk sessions that have been announced. Regarding graduation performances and such, we will let you know as soon as they are decided.”

According to an official blog post by AKB48, Hitomi‘s activities with the group will persist, including the Budokan concerts, handshake events, and online talk sessions until January 2024.

What will Hitomi do next?

IZ*ONE, where Hitomi was a member, carved a niche in the K-pop scene, amassing an international fanbase known as WIZONE. However, the group disbanded on April 29, 2021, after the expiration of their exclusive contract. Despite this, all the members, including Hitomi, continue to make their mark in the entertainment world.

Hitomi, a multifaceted talent, isn’t merely a singer and songwriter. She’s also an actress, model, and radio host. After IZ*ONE‘s disbandment, she returned to Japan and made a comeback with AKB48 with the song “Nemohamo Rumor.” Earlier this year, rumors circulated about Hitomi joining Mnet’s survival show Queendom Puzzle, but they were quickly debunked. 

HONDA HITOMI IS BACK !!!!!

With her graduation from AKB48 on the horizon, speculations are rife about Hitomi joining former IZ*ONE bandmate Miyawaki Sakura at HYBE, the label behind global sensations like BTS.

As Hitomi embarks on this new chapter, fans eagerly await her next move, confident that her past experiences will guide her to even greater heights in the industry. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Hitomi, aka Hiichan, made the surprising announcement in a since-deleted YouTube video. Source: Twitter/@48RequestHour.