Category: K-POP ARTISTS

The music scene is bracing for the arrival of a new star. Wang Zi Hao, a former contestant on the survival show Boys Planet, has officially announced his solo debut. Adopting the stage name Le’v, he will debut in mid-August.

Born on March 6, 2001, in Henan, China, Wang Zi Hao has always been a fearless challenger with a never say die attitude. His journey to stardom began on Boys Planet, where he covered Lay’s “Veil” for his Star Level Test. Although he didn’t make the debut team, ZEROBASEONE, he still captured the hearts of fans worldwide, securing the 19th spot in the 11th episode.

Wang Zi Hao’s attitude, charisma, and talent were highlighted when PrimeKingz’s leader TRIX, his dance mentor (and someone he considers a brother), appeared on Boys Planet to support him. Wang Zi Hao was thrilled by his mentor’s surprise visit. The support from TRIX, plus his brilliant take on “SuperCharger” in the Artist Battle, amplified his stage presence.

What sets Wang Zi Hao apart

Chromosome Entertainment, founded by EXO member Lay, will be managing Le’v. But the company keeps its promotion strategy, including whether it will focus on Korea or have a global reach, under wraps. This ambiguity adds an element of suspense to his debut, keeping fans on their toes.

When he’s not busy prepping for his debut, Wang Zi Hao enjoys yoga, listening to music, shopping, and video games. As far as dancing is concerned, his specialty is krumping, a style he honed under the guidance of TRIX. This unique skill set and his fearless attitude set him apart.

In the lead-up to his debut, Chromosome Entertainment plans to release a variety of promotional content. This will give fans a glimpse into Le’v‘s musical style and persona.

Wang Zi Hao‘s journey on Boys Planet may have ended, but his career in the music industry is just beginning. With the backing of Chromosome Entertainment and the mentorship of EXO‘s Lay, he’s set to make a splash as a soloist. As the countdown to his debut begins, his fans are looking forward to seeing more of this promising new talent. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Wang Zi Hao sports a new blonde ‘do in a photo posted by his new agency. Source: Twitter/Chromosome Entertainment’s official Twitter account.

Jun, one of SEVENTEEN’s Chinese members, is causing quite a stir with his new role in the C-drama Exclusive Fairytale alongside actress Zhang Miaoyi.

Exclusive Fairytale tells the story of Ling Chao, a competitive, intelligent high schooler. He grew up knowing his mother wanted a daughter but gave birth to him instead. Coincidentally, their neighbors have a daughter his age named Xiao Tu. Ling Chao has a big chip on his shoulder because his mother dotes on Xiao Tu. Although he gets good grades and has the highest IQ among his peers, nothing he does is ever good enough for his mother. Worse, his father is cold and distant, so he grew up overly independent and sensitive. Luckily, Xiao Tu brings happiness and warmth into his life with her sunny disposition. Eventually, Ling Chao realizes he’s in love with her but doesn’t know what to do about his feelings.

Jun worked on the drama in 2021. He missed some of SEVENTEEN’s promotional activities because he spent so much time shuttling back and forth between China and South Korea. But it turned out to be worth the commute.

On July 27, all 24 episodes of Exclusive Fairytale were made available for IQIYI VIP subscribers. At first, CARATs (SEVENTEEN’s fans) didn’t know how to react to the intimate scenes Jun filmed with his co-star Zhang Miaoyi. But after their initial shock faded, they made memes featuring Jun’s bandmates’ reactions.

Jun is taking everything in stride

During a live broadcast on Weverse, Jun revealed that he didn’t want his bandmates to watch the drama but knew they’d find out about it eventually. So he decided to tell them about it himself and even taught them how to watch it with Korean subtitles. However, he knows they won’t stop teasing him for at least a year.

But Jun’s bandmates aren’t the only ones laughing at his expense. During the same broadcast, he revealed that his friend, NCT‘s Chenle, made fun of him when the Exclusive Fairytale teasers were released. Apparently, he hasn’t let up since. Chenle’s bandmate, NCT’s Mark, also got in on the fun. Jun told them to watch the drama together and sent them a screenshot of the available languages so they could watch it in their preferred language.

The “Psycho” singer has been acting since he was younger. Although this is his debut as a lead actor in a C-drama, Exclusive Fairytale isn’t his first acting stint. In 2006, Jun won the Best New Actor Silver Award at the Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild for The Pye Dog, where he played Lin Zhihong. Jun has several C-dramas under his belt: Children’s War, Cross Border Daddy, Da Ming Pin Feir, Drunk Red Dust, Give Me Folly, Go! Go! Daddy, Intouchable, Pearl Dragon, Special Police Dragon, and Who’s The Hero.

Despite his friends’ teasing, Jun is taking everything in stride. After all, it’s all in good fun. Fans of NCT and SEVENTEEN are enjoying the friendly banter and continue to support Jun in his new role in Exclusive Fairytale. -K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jun is a bright, sensitive student in his new C-drama. Source: Twitter/svtcontents’ Twitter account.

Joshua, a member of the PLEDIS Entertainment K-pop group SEVENTEEN, recently made headlines for a heartwarming act of filial piety. Joshua bought his mother a house, which says a lot about how much he appreciates and loves her. He made this story public on a recent episode of Yoo Jae Suk‘s YouTube show, Pinggyeyo (Just An Excuse), where the vocalist was a guest alongside Hoshi.

Joshua grew up in a single-parent household. His mother worked tirelessly seven days a week to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. She held multiple jobs, including running a restaurant and working in traditional medicine. No matter how challenging their circumstances became, she did everything to give her son a happy childhood. Inspired by her dedication and effort, a young Joshua promised to work hard to give back to his mother.

Joshua earned praise for what he did

Fast forward to the present, Joshua, now a successful idol, has fulfilled his childhood promise in a grand way. He bought a house for his mother in Korea, a country she had moved to from the United States. He intended to give his mother a comfortable life in her new home country.

News of Joshua‘s touching gesture came to light not because he boasted about it but because one of the show’s other guests, who knew what he did, asked if Joshua would mind sharing the story. He agreed, humbly sharing his recent “flex” for his mother.

The act earned Joshua praise from another guest on the show, who lauded his filial spirit. His story demonstrates his humility and deep gratitude for his mother’s sacrifices.

In a world where young people often struggle to afford their own homes, Joshua‘s buying a house for his mother stands out. It’s more than just a “flex.” It’s about the gratitude, love, and respect that motivated the singer to do it. Joshua’s story serves as an inspiration to many, reminding us how important it is to appreciate and give back to those who have made sacrifices for us. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: A fan posted a preview of Joshua’s photos from [GOING] Magazine vol. 2. Source: Twitter/archive_hanshua’s Twitter account.

The K-pop industry is buzzing with excitement because of Kyler, a member of MLD Entertainment’s all-Filipino boy group HORI7ON. This rookie made a mark with his talent and resemblance to Korean celebrities like ASTRO‘s Cha Eunwoo and ENHYPEN‘s Heeseung.

Kyler, whose birth name is Kyler Chua, was born on July 6, 2002, making him 21. Despite his young age, he managed to capture the attention of K-pop fans worldwide.

Raised in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, Kyler was a trainee at Celebrity Studio PH before his rise to fame. He dreamed of joining showbiz, but that didn’t stop him from finishing his studies. Kyler took up Hotel and Restaurant Management in college, proving his dedication to his dreams and academics.

His passion for K-pop is evident in his admiration for various acts, particularly SM Entertainment‘s boy group EXO. He looks up to member Kai, renowned for his charisma and dance skills.

Kyler and his group

HORI7ON, the group Kyler is part of, debuted in South Korea recently with the full-length album Friend-SHIP. The album features 21 tracks, including the lead single, “SIX7EEN,” which symbolizes the members’ talents and youthful energy. The group was formed through the Filipino survival show Dream Maker, a collaboration between Filipino TV network ABS-CBN and MLD Entertainment.

The septet, which includes Kyler’s members Jerome, Kim, Marcus, Reyster, Vinci, and Winston, went through a rigorous “K-training” regimen for 100 days to prepare for their debut. This regimen, much stricter and tougher than anything they’d ever done in the Philippines, included dance, language, and even vocal lessons.

HORI7ON‘s debut has been a significant milestone, not just for the group but also for the Filipino community. As the first all-Filipino group to promote in South Korea, they represent a unique case in the global music scene. They plan to be active in South Korea and their homeland to reach a broader audience. So far, they’ve performed on music shows like Inkigayo and M Countdown.

Kyler‘s rise in the K-pop scene is a testament to his dedication, talent, and the growing influence of Filipino artists. As he continues to make waves in the industry, fans eagerly await what the future holds for this promising star. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Some can’t believe Kyler is Filipino because he looks like top Korean stars. Source: Twitter/HORI7ON’s shared Twitter account.

In a delightful surprise for fans worldwide, Heeseung, a member of the fourth-generation K-pop group ENHYPEN, recently covered the song “Give Me Your Forever.” 

Before Heeseung covered it, BTS’ Jungkook played the same song during a recent live broadcast via Weverse. The K-pop superstar praised the original artist’s vocals and the song, cementing its global appeal.

“Give Me Your Forever” was written by Filipino singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo, who expressed his awe and gratitude to Heeseung on Twitter. 

“Give Me Your Forever” is a heartfelt ballad about true love. As Tabudlo explained via Apple Music, it’s about “how you can show your forever to the person you love. Whether virtually or physically, it’s how you make them happy and feel your love with your own take [on life].” The song’s relatable lyrics undoubtedly contributed to its widespread popularity.

This popularity is evident in the song’s impressive streaming numbers. “Give Me Your Forever” has hit more than 100 million streams on Spotify, a milestone shared by Republic Records Philippines on social media. This achievement is the latest in Tabudlo‘s burgeoning career, which started when he was a contestant on the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines. His other hits include “Binibini,” “Pano,” “Yakap,” and “Habang Buhay.”

Heeseung captured the song’s emotional depth

Heeseung, born Lee Hee Seung, is a member of ENHYPEN, a boy group that debuted in November 2020. Known for his vocal prowess and stage presence, Heeseung has built a significant fanbase. His cover of “Give Me Your Forever” effortlessly captured the song’s emotional depth, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

Heeseung’s take on “Give Me Your Forever” is more than just a cover of a popular song. It signifies music’s power to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. It serves as a reminder of how art can connect people. As both artists’ fans continue to celebrate this musical triumph, one thing is for sure: music knows no boundaries, and its power to unite is truly remarkable. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Heeseung will do a world tour with his members soon. Source: Twitter/ENHYPEN’s shared Twitter account.