Category: K-POP ARTISTS

After nearly two years away, EVERGLOW, composed of Sihyeon, E:U, Mia, Onda, Aisha, and Yiren, finally made a triumphant return. On August 18, coinciding with the release of their fourth single album All My Girls, the Yuehua Entertainment girl group held a press showcase at the YES24 Live Hall in Seoul. There, they candidly shared their feelings about their hiatus and much more.

EVERGLOW 4TH SINGLE ALBUM [ALL MY GIRLS] SHOWCASE

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to greet you all,” began leader Sihyeon, her voice tinged with excitement and nerves. “We’ve poured our hearts into preparing for this comeback. Thank you to all the fans who’ve patiently waited for us.”

The group says All My Girls is more than just an album. It’s a message to young women everywhere, urging them to stay true to themselves in a world that often tries to fit them into boxes. The album also encapsulates EVERGLOW’s dreams and aspirations. Aisha confessed, “Given our long absence, we felt immense pressure to deliver a perfect album. We didn’t want to disappoint our fans.” That said, they also emphasized that the hiatus was a blessing in disguise, allowing them to prepare even more intensely for their return.

EVERGLOW (에버글로우) – SLAY MV

Talk turned to their lead single, “SLAY.” The track is a mesmerizing blend of EDM, hip-hop, and pop, boasting a powerful drumbeat and a catchy hook. Drawing parallels with their previous hit “Pirate,” “SLAY” exudes a bolder, more confident energy. It’s no wonder that EVERGLOW, known for their stellar performances, has centered the music video for “SLAY” around a captivating “zombie dance” choreography.

Yiren’s return to EVERGLOW

However, the press showcase wasn’t just about the music. Yiren‘s long-awaited return from China was also addressed. She took a break for academic reasons and to spend time with her family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially planned as a short hiatus, her return was delayed until November. Reflecting on her time away, Yiren shared, “Although I cherished the moments with my family, the thought of being away from the group weighed heavily on me. This experience fueled my motivation for the album, and I hope it resonates with our fans.”

All My Girls features three songs: the lead single “SLAY” and two B-side tracks, “Oh Ma Ma God” and “Make Me Feel.” The album, a testament to EVERGLOW‘s dedication and growth, was officially released on August 18.

For those eager to experience EVERGLOW‘s latest offering, the official music video for “SLAY” is now available for streaming. So is the album; it’s already on Spotify and other digital music services. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The girls looked truly happy to be back. Source: Twitter/@EVERGLOW_STAFF.

In a recent episode of MMTG – Civilization Express, Jaejae got a firsthand experience of life as a YG Entertainment trainee, guided by none other than the members of TREASURE. The group shed light on the routines, rules, and unique perks that come with being signed to the prestigious agency.

(SUB) [문명특급 EP.304]

Upon entering YG Entertainment, Jaejae‘s first stop was the ‘Rookie Training Team’ office. Here, she was promptly asked to hand over her phone, a standard rule for all trainees. This rule ensures that trainees remain focused on their training without distractions.

Moving on to the practice room, Jaejae‘s curiosity led her to ask about TREASURE‘s trainee days. Jaehyuk, one of the members, detailed their rigorous schedule. He shared, “Our day starts with a gym session at nine o’clock in the morning, followed by foreign language lessons. Then, we dive into dance and vocal lessons, and we end things with team practice. Official practice hours end at ten or eleven, but many of us stay back for personal practice sessions.”

The long hours are just the tip of the iceberg. YG Entertainment trainees also abide by a strict “No dating” rule. Jaejae, taken aback by this revelation, commented on how love is essential in her life.

(SUB) [문명특급 EP.305]

YG Entertainment doesn’t burden trainees

But it’s not all work and no play. One of the best things about being a YG Entertainment trainee, as highlighted by TREASURE, is the absence of “trainee debt.” The boys unanimously expressed their gratitude for this policy. “Unlike other companies, this one doesn’t burden trainees with debt. From lessons to meals, everything is on the house. The company sees such expenses as an investment in its future stars.”

Later, with TREASURE members Hyunsuk and Junghwan in tow, Jaejae visited YG Entertainment’s renowned Vietnamese pho restaurant. Here, the duo reminisced about their strict dieting days as trainees. They revealed a little secret: “Trainees receive boxed meals and are required to report each meal to the staff. We would snap a photo of our lunch, send it with a message saying, ‘Starting lunch now,’ sneak out to the convenience store for a quick bite, and then send another picture of the empty lunchbox with the caption, ‘Finished lunch.'”

While the path of a YG Entertainment trainee is paved with dedication, discipline, and hard work, it also offers unparalleled perks and experiences. The journey might be challenging, but with the right attitude and passion, it’s a dream worth chasing. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jaejae and the TREASURE members clearly had fun. Source: Twitter/@iksanpjw.

On August 16, HIGHUP Entertainment’s STAYC unveiled their newest mini-album TEENFRESH at Gangnam’s Ilchi Art Hall. This album follows their hit single “Teddy Bear,” and it showcases their signature “teen fresh” sound, which blends addictive melodies with a high-teen concept. Isa, one of the group’s members, likened their new music to a summer festival, saying, “When you listen to each song on the album, you get the feeling that a summer festival has arrived.” 

Indeed, the lead single “Bubble” exudes a light-hearted vibe with its catchy “bubble-bubble-bubble” hook. In contrast to their previous single “Teddy Bear,” which talked about resilience in the face of life’s challenges, “Bubble” dismisses judgmental comments, comparing them to fleeting bubbles. The girls’ decision to release another positive single stemmed from the comfort “Teddy Bear” provided many, including themselves. They believe “Bubble” has an even more hopeful message.

STAYC(스테이씨) The 3rd Mini Album [TEENFRESH] Showcase

Due to the amount of love “Teddy Bear” received, including topping MelOn’s real-time chart, they knew comparisons between the two were inevitable. When asked about that, Sumin just said, “We’re grateful that ‘Teddy Bear’ was able to receive so much love.”

During their showcase, STAYC performed “Bubble” live. They amazed the crowd with their dynamic choreography and stable live vocals. Sumin, reflecting on their performances, said, “We were really nervous today. We worked very hard to make sure we could convey our title track’s positive message well.”

STAYC goes global

STAYC‘s meteoric rise, especially since they’re not from any of the Big 4 agencies, is noteworthy. Their albums have consistently outperformed previous releases, with “Teddy Bear” setting greater sales records. When quizzed about the secret behind their success, Sieun attributed it to the girls’ authenticity and heart, stating, “I think the biggest factor is our sincerity.”

Their growing global popularity prompted the girls to record an English-language version of “Bubble” and announce their first world tour. Slated to commence next month, the tour will take them to 11 cities, including New York and Singapore. Sieun conveyed their excitement, saying, “Because it’s our first world tour, we’ve been feeling a lot of excitement and anticipation.”

The English version of “Bubble” is a testament to how much they love their international fans. Yoon candidly shared the challenges they faced with singing in English, saying, “English pronunciation was really difficult while working on this track.”

However challenging it may have been for them to sing in English, they pushed through it with their trademark authenticity and heart. STAYC‘s TEENFRESH, bannered by their title track “Bubble,” is out now. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Dance your troubles away with STAYC’s latest! Source: Twitter/@STAYC_official.

MSD Korea, represented by their CEO Kim Albert, announced on August 17 that they’re partnering with the world-famous K-pop group SEVENTEEN to emphasize the importance of HPV prevention. The partnership aims to leverage the 13-member group’s vast global reach to spread the message of HPV prevention worldwide.

The campaign, which was first unveiled on August 14th, will be accessible through various channels, including Instagram, TV, YouTube, and other digital platforms. It will also be on outdoor mediums. This strategic move ensures that the message reaches as many people as possible, emphasizing the significance of early prevention.

The slogan “Change the Future, Change the World” gives the campaign a powerful message: while we can’t predict the future, we can shape it positively by preventing HPV. The campaign will have four videos, and each will deliver the message of prevention in a unique way. 

SEVENTEEN has three units: the hip-hop team, vocal team, and performance team. Each unit is set to contribute its distinct style to the campaign. Furthermore, SEVENTEEN introduced a signature pose for the campaign, combining the ‘V’ from “prevent” and the ‘W’ from “we.” It reinforces the campaign’s message of, “Let’s create a healthier future together through correct information and prevention against HPV.”

MSD Korea execs speak

SEVENTEEN expressed their gratitude for this collaboration, stating, “We consider it a valuable opportunity to serve as global ambassadors for a campaign aimed at improving public health through HPV prevention.”

Jo Jaeyong, the executive of MSD Korea’s vaccine division, talked about the true urgency of the situation. He mentioned that every minute, one person in the world is diagnosed with an HPV-related disease.

Given that 70% of adults will get an HPV infection at least once, men and women should be informed and proactive. He hopes this campaign will make people see the importance of preventing diseases caused by HPV.

In conclusion, the collaboration between MSD Korea and SEVENTEEN is not just a campaign; it’s a movement. One that aims to change the future by educating and encouraging people to take action against HPV. 

With the power of music and SEVENTEEN’s influence, this campaign is poised to make a significant impact on public health. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: SVT’s Mingyu doing the campaign’s signature pose. Source: Twitter/@svtcontents.