The six-piece act also released the promotion scheduler, which showed that a trailer film will be out on August 13.
Meanwhile, the track list will be available on August 17. The scheduler also showed thatthe group will have two concept photos with the themes “Moody” and “Dazed.”
Additionally, the track spoiler and music video teaser will be unveiled on August 27 and 31, respectively.
BOYNEXTDOOR made their debut under KOZ Entertainment on May 30 with the single album WHO! Aside from the title track “Serenade,” said album also carries the songs “But I Like You” and “One and Only.”
Moreover, KOZ Entertainment is a subsidiary label under HYBE Labels founded by rapper Zico.
BOYNEXTDOOR is composed of members Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan, and Woonhak.
Additionally, the youngest member, Woonhak, has been tapped to host Inkigayo. He’s hosting the music show alongside TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Yeonjun and actress Park Ji Hu.
SM Entertainment’s statement was prompted by an anonymous post in an online community who claimed that they will threaten to kill Winter.
Furthermore, the said death threat says they will use a weapon to harm Winter when aespa is at the Incheon International Airport.
Consequently, aespa was flying out to the United States to attend the Outside Lnads Music & Arts Festival in San Francisco.
In response, SM Entertainment updated fans that aespa was able to depart South Korea safely. The agency said that they cooperated with bodyguards and airport police to ensure the members’ safety.
Moreover, the label added that the police also received multiple records about the incident. And in turn, the police went to SM Entertainment’s company building for two days to check on the security situation and Winter’s welfare.
PLEASE PROTECT WINTER.
Ensure that the culprit is found and Winter is surrounded by security at all times. This is not a minor issue that you can ignore. We are heavily concerned for Winter’s safety. @SMTOWNGLOBAL
— Team WINTER Official (@teamwinteroffcl) August 8, 2023
“We will always give our best to ensure the safety of our artists,” they assured fans.
After the festival in San Francisco, aespa will start their Synk: Hyper Line concert in the United States. Its stops will include Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Boston, among others.
aespa will also release their new English single “Better Things” on August 18.
Featured image: aespa’s Winter in a the jacket behind cut of ‘MY WORLD.’ Credit: Facebook/aespa
BLACKPINK in a behind-the-scenes photo from their Coachella 2023 set. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK
There’s no denying how huge K-pop has become in the international music scene. And the growing amount of K-pop act nominees in 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) is proof of that.
MTV unveiled on Wednesday, August 8, the nominees for this year’s awarding, and six K-pop acts made it to the list.
BLACKPINK is the most nominated K-pop act this year, garnering a total of four nods.
The girl group’s hit single “Pink Venom” is nominated for Best Choreography, Best Art Direction, Best Editing, and Best K-pop.
Meanwhile, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)scored a total of two nominations with their recent title track “Sugar Rush Side.”
It is nominated in the Push Performance of the Year and Best K-pop categories.
In addition to BLACKPINK and TXT, four other acts are also nominated in the K-pop category.
SM Entertainmentconfirmed that all 20 members in NCT’s different subgroups; NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV, will take part in the album.
The albumwill have two title tracks, including the full unit song “Golden Age.” Meanwhile, the other title track will be called “Baggy Jeans.” Only members Taeyeong, Ten, Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Mark reportedly took part in “Baggy Jeans.”
Other details about the album have yet to be announced.
Additionally, Golden Age will serve as NCT’s first full group comeback in more than a year and a half. Their last was the studio album Universe that was released in December 2021.
Prior to the release of Golden Age, NCT will also hold their first-ever offline concert as a full group. Titled NCT Nation: To The World, it will be held on August 26 at the Incheon Munhak Stadium
2023 started with NCT having 23 members, but it has now whittled down to 20 following a series of changes.
After a two-year hiatus, Lucasofficially left NCT and WayV in May. SM Entertainment announced that Lucas plans to pursue a solo career.
Also in May, Sungchan and Shotaro left NCT. The two, who made their debut as members of NCT in October 2020, were initially expected to join NCT’s next NCT unit.
As of writing though, Sungchan and Shotaro are now members of RIIZE, SM Entertainment’s newest boy group. The seven-piece act is expected to debut on September 4 with the single album Get A Guitar.
Meanwhile, the members of NCT’s final unit will be formed through the predebut reality show NCT Universe: LASTART.
Only six members will reportedly be part of NCT Tokyo. Four members are going to be chosen from the reality show NCT Universe: LASTART,while the other two members are SM Rookies Yushi and Sion.
Aside from that,NCT Labalso recently unveiled its lineup for four new releases and debuts.
Featured image: NCT poses for their third album ‘Universe.’ Credit: Facebook/NCT
BTS‘ V, also known as Kim Taehyung, is making waves in the music industry by announcing his debut solo album Layover. His agency BigHit Music recently released the promotional schedule. A series of activities will lead up to the album’s official launch on September 8.
Music videos for “Love Me Again” and “Rainy Days” will drop on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Both tracks will be available on streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music by Friday, August 11, at 1:00 PM KST. An initial set of Layover concept photos will drop at midnight KST on the same day, and a second set is set to drop the following Wednesday.
Moreover, the music videos for “Slow Dancing” and other album tracks like “Blue,” “For Us,” and the piano version of “Slow Dancing” will be released on Layover’s actual street date. The announcement sent the ARMY, BTS’ dedicated fanbase, into a frenzy on social media. Many expressed excitement for V’s solo music, with comments ranging from excitement to playful impatience.
BTS’ V nailed magazine shoots
Outside the music scene, V has also been captivating fans with his recent magazine shoots. For the September issue of W Korea, V showcased his intense aura adorned in signature Cartier pieces. His magnetic presence didn’t stop there. In Arena Homme Plus, V exuded the alluring and bold essence of youth, wearing select pieces from CELINE. His portrayal as the brand‘s global ambassador was nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing the enigmatic allure of a Parisian in love.
#제작지원 <아레나> 9월호 커버의 주인공은 독보적인 존재감, 방탄소년단 뷔 입니다. 눈부시게 빛나는 청춘의 표상 그 자체인 뷔의 커버, 그리고 아직 공개되지 않은 화보가 담긴 <아레나> 9월호를 가장 먼저 만나보세요!
<더블유> VOL.9 커버를 장식한 얼굴은 방탄소년단(BTS)의 뷔. – The cover star of W Korea Vol. 9 is V! V's colorful spectrum is spread over nearly 50 pages, including his very intimate interview.#뷔#방탄소년단#까르띠에#V#BTS#Cartierhttps://t.co/RkWNd0jNk5
V‘s solo debut with Layover marks a significant milestone, especially since his fellow BTS members have all done solo work in the past year. His album is a collaboration with ADOR CEO and NewJeans mastermind Min Heejin, who spearheaded its production. Fans can expect Layover to have a strong R&B influence. For instance, “Love Me Again” is a light R&B song that highlights V’s unique baritone, while “Rainy Days” harmoniously blends his vocals with the soothing sound of rain.
The upcoming weeks will be exhilarating for ARMY worldwide. With the 95-liner‘s solo debut on the horizon and his enchanting magazine features, there’s no doubt that September will indeed be Kim Taehyung’s month. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: V’s visuals are on point in ARENA’s new issue. Source: Twitter/@arenahommeplus.
The Daebak Show, hosted by the multifaceted artist Eric Nam, bridges fans and the K-pop scene. It offers people a deep dive into the lives of their idols through casual yet insightful conversations. In a recent episode, ENHYPEN members Jay and Jake opened up about their personal and shared experiences.
ENHYPEN’s JAY & JAKE had ‘FATE’ to Join Eric Nam 😍 | DAEBAK SHOW S3 EP12
Jay candidly shared his initial apprehensions about his English proficiency. Having spent more time in Korea than in Seattle, he felt out of touch with the language. He was nervous that he would find it hard to express himself on The Daebak Show because Eric is fluent in English. But his concerns proved to be unfounded. When the interview started, Jay surprised himself by communicating his thoughts in clear, perfectly accented English. His time living oceans away from his birthplace hadn’t dulled his linguistic skills.
Still on the topic of languages, Jay revealed his attempt to learn French. Using books and YouTube as his primary resources, he did his best to learn the language on his own, without a tutor to guide him. While he’s made commendable progress, he’s considering formal lessons in the future.
Interestingly, Jay‘s journey into K-pop wasn’t driven by a lifelong dream. He was street-casted by a company, which ignited his interest in dancing. This led him to HYBE and, later, to the first season of I-LAND. Today, Jay stands as a testament to the power of fate, echoing sentiments shared by Eric and his fellow ENHYPEN member Jake.
Jake speaks
Speaking of Jake, his first impression of Jay was beyond amusing. He recalled Jay‘s penchant for man buns, headbands, and oversized glasses. He also humorously pointed out the other boy’s unique walk, which always made him look like he was in a rush.
The interview took a musical turn when Jay reminisced about his audition. He remembered singing “Fall” by Crush in an attempt to showcase his versatility as an artist. Jake, on the other hand, is a massive fan of Post Malone. He’s been listening to the American rapper’s latest album often lately. He credits BTS as the catalyst for his interest in performing.
"my parents really believed in me, i had to give up everything in australia to just come to korea and i didnt even know that i was gonna make it cz there's a low chance of becoming a kpop star… idk why they supported me so much but im really grateful" #ENHYPEN_JAKE#제이크pic.twitter.com/znOejgql6G
Jake‘s journey into the world of dancing and singing felt natural to him. He expressed gratitude toward his parents for their unwavering support. As he tells it, their encouragement was a pillar of strength, especially during challenging times.
Jake confessed to Eric that he’s the type of guy who usually breaks down when things go south, but his parents’ sage advice on coping with problems has helped him so much over the last few years.
An engaging “Daebak Show” episode
Group dynamics play a pivotal role in ENHYPEN‘s success. Jake highlighted their practice of holding regular meetings. These sessions, which took place often in the past, facilitated open communication among members. But as all seven grew closer to each other, they found that they didn’t need to talk like that to work things out.
A rather eerie revelation was the location of the I-LAND building. Situated next to a cemetery, it was rife with ghostly encounters. Jay humorously recounted his determination to debut, even if it meant cohabiting with spirits.
From Daebak Show 💬#JAY and #JAKE revealed that the I-Land studio was built beside a graveyard located somewhere in Paju, which therefore explains their sightings of ghosts during their stay there.
In a lighter segment, they talked about who they’d want to travel with if they had time. Given their similar fashion tastes, Jake expressed his desire to go on vacay with Ni-ki to shopping destinations like Paris. Jungwon was Jay’s first choice, but he also said he’d like to travel with Ni-ki. They said Sunghoon would make a relaxing vacation buddy because he can be quiet whenever he wants.
The Daebak Show provided a rare yet welcome glimpse into the boys’ lives. Their candid revelations and light-hearted moments made for a truly engaging episode, further endearing them to their fans. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: The boys posted these after the episode premiered. Source: Twitter/@ENHYPEN.
In a delightful twist of fate, S. Coups, the charismatic, talented general leader of the K-pop group SEVENTEEN, started his birthday live broadcast at exactly 10:10 PM. S. Coups humorously dubbed it “Hoshi o’clock” after his bandmate. (Hoshi has said he was given the nickname “10:10” because his eyes are slanted so that they look like the hands of a clock set to that time.) That candid moment set the tone for a session filled with heartwarming revelations and surprises.
S. Coups said he spent his birthday happily because he received a lot of love from family, fans, and friends. He was surprised when Hoshi called to ask him what he wanted for his birthday present. He confessed his longing for the Nike Air Force x Louis Vuitton collaboration, a luxury he hesitated to indulge in due to its hefty price tag. His members were astonished by how much it cost. That said, it seems they chipped in to buy him some items from the collaboration because S. Coups promised to flex his gifts soon.
A special gift
Moreover, Mingyu‘s unexpected call to convey birthday wishes and the cozy hat and shirt gifted by his brother, which he proudly wore during the broadcast, showcased the close-knit bonds he shares with everyone around him. The only fly in his soup, so to speak, was the fact that his plan of working on a new episode of cookscoups fell through. (For the uninitiated, cookscoups is a combination of S. Coups’ stage name and the word “cook.”)
The first and so far only episode of his passion project was posted on his birthday last year, and he wanted to do a follow-up. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the filming location so he had to change his plans.
— [steal the look] Cheol with Satur Knit on today’s weverse live.
— ☘️ K. | Open PO Jastip Korea (@ninefourtykey) August 8, 2023
S. Coups also took the time to unveil a really special gift for his fans. Acknowledging that he rarely does solo photoshoots, he did one for his birthday this year. Everyone watching his broadcast was thrilled. After all, not many K-pop idols would celebrate their birthdays by giving fans a gift. But he did because that’s how much he cares about CARATs. Anyway, hisbirthday photoshoot for Marie Claire will be released in September. S. Coups teased fans by saying, “I think CARATs will like it. I wore clothes that I never thought I’d wear in my life.”
The rest of the rapper’s live broadcast was packed with candid moments, from his bemusement at how many photos SEVENTEEN’s DK had of him to his heartfelt gratitude toward those who helped make sure his birthday would be a happy one. Although traditional seaweed soup wasn’t on the menu, he assured fans that his taste buds were treated to a delectable feast anyway.
Looking back on S.Coups’ journey
For those unfamiliar with the dynamo that is S. Coups, a brief introduction is in order. He was born Choi Seungcheol and he has been the backbone of SEVENTEEN since they debuted in 2015. As the group’s eldest member and leader, he’s also affectionately known as their “father,” a testament to his nurturing nature and unwavering patience.
His leadership style has evolved over the years, as he revealed in a chat with Weverse Magazine a few years ago. When S. Coups was younger (and not as wise as he is today), he used to think being a leader meant being in charge of everything all the time. Now he knows the importance of sharing responsibilities, and he often leans on the group’s younger members because he respects and values their emotional intelligence.
Reflecting on SEVENTEEN‘s journey, his hopes for the future are simple yet profound.
“We make the music we want to make, the staff is so helpful, and we’ve been able to put on so many performances, so my goal is simply to live happily with the other members and make music with them for a long time,” S. Coups told Weverse Magazine. “The wider you set your sights, the less you look up at the sky. I ended up seeing all the things around me. I think it’s the same for the others too. A love that isn’t boiling over or going cold—a warm love. I want a love that keeps on going like that.” – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: One of S.Coups’ fan accounts posted a ton of cute photos for his birthday. Source: Twitter/@Stunning_COUPS.
BTS‘ Jimin is not only a member of the world’s largest-selling, most popular K-pop group. He’s also a solo artist making a splash in the global music industry. Jimin’s recent achievements on Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming platform, are a testament to his growing influence and popularity.
Jimin‘s debut solo single, “Like Crazy,” has been a sensation since its release. It notched 254,000 pure sales in its first week. Four months after its initial release, the song has only gotten bigger. As of August 5, it earned 400 million streams on Spotify in 133 days. That made it the fastest song by a Korean soloist to hit this milestone, breaking the previous record of 159 days. (Incidentally, that record was set by Jimin’s fellow BTS member, Jungkook, with the Charlie Puth collaboration “Left and Right.”)
Jimin's music always speaks for itself. Be proud and let your support make the noise for you.
"Like Crazy" achieved the first #1 by a K-soloist in Hot 100 history and charted for 5 weeks even with…
✔️ Billboard changing rules retroactively, deleting ~120K sales in US for its…
But that’s not all. On August 6, “Like Crazy” set another record on Spotify’s streaming charts. The song secured its spot at No. 44 in the Global Daily Top Songs chart based on data from August 5. Remarkably, this marked the song’s 124th day in the Top 50, surpassing Lisa‘s single “Money” which charted for 123 days. This achievement makes “Like Crazy” the K-pop solo track with the longest presence in the chart’s Top 50.
In addition to these accolades, “Like Crazy” is the most-streamed track by a Korean solo artist on Spotify USA, boasting 24.8 million streams. It remains the Korean solo track that has charted the longest on Spotify USA’s Daily Top Songs chart. Additionally, it’s the second-longest charting song by a K-pop solo artist and ranks third among all K-pop soloist songs on the chart.
Jimin’s other achievements on Spotify
Jimin‘s album, FACE, is also making significant strides. It recently became the most streamed LP by a Korean soloist in Spotify’s history, amassing 772 million streams in just 110 days. As of August 5, FACE had already surpassed 900 million streams in 135 days, shattering the previous record of 507 days set by LALISA. This makes FACE the first and only album by a Korean soloist to achieve such a feat.
FACE has surpassed 900 million streams on Spotify!! 🥳
The EP is the fastest album by a Korean, K-pop and non-western based Asian solo artist to ever make this feat. 🔥
It is also the fastest debut album by a K-act to reach this mark.
All these milestones, achieved in just four months of his solo career, hint at a promising future for Jimin as a solo artist. Fans eagerly anticipate more successes in his journey, and given his current trajectory, they won’t have to wait long.
Congratulations to Jimin on these outstanding achievements! – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Inkigayo recently released these photos of Jimin performing on the show. Doesn’t he look sharp? Source: SBS Inkigayo.
Love always comes with unexpected twists and turns, even if you’re a celebrity. One such twist came to light during an Instagram live stream celebrating BLACKPINK‘s seventh anniversary. A renowned young Filipino actress, Andrea Brillantes, had a candid exchange with Rosé. Andrea updated the girl group member on her recent breakup with athlete-model Ricci Rivero.
The backstory is as intriguing as the update itself. Andrea had previously sought Rosé’s assistance for her promposal to Ricci Rivero. This event occurred during BLACKPINK‘s March concert at the Philippine Arena. Between songs, Rosé and Lisa paused to acknowledge a “promposal” sign held up by Andrea. The result? A beaming Ricci, present at the concert, accepted Andrea‘s proposal, and they attended the Star Magical Prom on March 30th together.
It was during one the group’s banters with the audience when Lisa and Rosé read the “promposal” sign Andrea held to invite Ricci to the Star Magical Prom.
Fast forward to the live stream, where Rosé engaged with fans, reminiscing about their cherished memories as BLINKs (BLACKPINK fans). Andrea chimed in, mentioning the unforgettable promposal moment. Rosé remembered her and said, “Oh, was that you? I think it was somewhere in Southeast Asia. I don’t remember, but I do remember [your promposal], I do.”
However, the conversation took a surprising turn when Andrea updated Rosé about her relationship status, typing, “We broke up now.” Rosé‘s reaction was genuine and spontaneous. She covered her mouth, laughing at the unforeseen revelation, and remarked, “You broke up now? Oh no, I’ll pretend I didn’t see that.”
Andrea reassured the K-pop star quickly, emphasizing that she’s in a good place and remains happy post-breakup. Rosé, the supportive figure, gave Andrea a thumbs-up, saying, “I’m happy that you’re happy.”
Andrea has moved on and Rosé supports her
The relationship timeline of Andrea and Ricci is noteworthy. The two officially became a couple on April 9 of the previous year. The romantic gesture was made by Ricci, a collegiate basketball player, who proposed to Andrea after the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons won against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
Unfortunately, the rumor mill was abuzz with speculations about their breakup by May. Some even believed beauty pageant titleholder-turned-politician Leren Bautista played a role in their split. For his part, Ricci refuted claims of a third party causing their breakup. Reflecting on the past, Andrea said she has moved on and holds no grudges against her ex-boyfriend.
Their relationship is strong but Rosé's curse is stronger.
In conclusion, the world of celebrities is glamorous yet unpredictable. Relationships begin and end, but what remains constant is the support and love from fans and fellow artists. Rosé‘s reaction to Andrea‘s news is a testament to the genuine bonds formed between artists, transcending borders and cultures.
As fans continue to support Andrea and Rosé, one can only hope to see them interact more in the future. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Two worlds collided when Andrea and Rose interacted on Instagram Live. Sources: Instagram/@blythe and Twitter/@Metroscene Mag.
Recently, rumors about EXO‘s Baekhyun and his alleged involvement in shady business dealings have been circulating. These rumors gained traction when a netizen posted about Baekhyun‘s move to the UN Village in Seoul’s prestigious Hannam district. The netizen highlighted the connection between Baekhyun and a company named One Signature, suggesting potential financial foul play.
What hate posts, what past rumors? I’m so worried seeing Baekhyun so serious 🥹
The netizen revealed that the CEO of the construction company that built Baekhyun‘s new home is his landlord. Interestingly, the records showed One Signature took out a 13 billion KRW mortgage. Further investigations into One Signature’s public records unveiled Baekhyun‘s position as a board executive. Another executive, Cha Dae Young, was identified as the father of Cha Ga Won, the CEO of the construction company and Baekhyun‘s landlord.
This discovery led to another revelation. Cha Ga Won is an executive at Big Planet Made, an agency previously accused by SM Entertainment of trying to recruit the EXO-CBX members. The timing of these events raised eyebrows, as EXO-CBX had requested contract termination a day after One Signature’s incorporation.
— 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮🍭c(^ㅅ^🍬c) 「백현이의 든든이🩷」 (@lightbaek614) August 7, 2023
As these findings spread, many netizens started believing that Baekhyun‘s publicized dispute with SM Entertainment was premeditated. Some speculated that he planned to take his company public and profit from selling his shares during the IPO.
In response to the growing criticism, Baekhyun took to a live stream on August 7th to address the controversy. “Seeing how the misunderstandings and misinformation were being taken as truths, I worried for my fans,” Baekhyun said. “That’s why I decided to live stream my story.”
Baekhyun clarified his reasons for the legal dispute with SM Entertainment during the live stream. He said, “I’ve always wanted to inquire about accounting. There were incidents during Lee Soo Man’s absence that piqued my curiosity. But we reached an amicable compromise, and now SM and I have a good relationship.”
Baekhyun also talked about One Signature, revealing his intention behind putting up the company. “I started One Signature with my good friend Kasper to produce good choreographers and dancers,” he said. He further clarified that the company might undergo a name change.
Addressing the loan on his home, Baekhyun explained, “The reason I borrowed the money was for a promise I made to myself. I plan to start my own company while staying with SM Entertainment as a member of EXO. The loan serves as a reminder to always strive for better.”
You are about to embark on a road less travelled, and it will make all the difference. By your side, now and always ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZBvcW4yrYa
He also spoke about his relationship with Cha Ga Won and her father, emphasizing their close bond. “They came to know my parents, and we’ve gotten along like family ever since,” Baekhyun added.
Concluding his live stream, Baekhyun revealed that SM Entertainment is aware of and supports his ambitions. “SM knows about my plans to start my own company and positively supports my decision,” he affirmed.
With this live stream, Baekhyun hoped to clear the air and address the concerns of his fans. Only time will tell how these revelations will shape his future endeavors. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Baekhyun was so troubled by the rumors that he went live to address them quickly. Source: Twitter/@xunhuas.
![[#라스타트] Ep.01 하이라이트 - SMROOKIES 시온&유우시 | NCT Universe : LASTART💫 [EN/JP]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/b8QuvnLFUNQ/hqdefault.jpg)
