Category: K-POP ARTISTS

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ENHYPEN Teams Up with Pokémon for a Special Quiz

ENHYPEN

K-pop group ENHYPEN has joined forces with Pokémon for a special quiz as part of their YouTube series, EN-o’clock. This collaboration aims to promote the 2023 Pokémon World Championships by showcasing the band‘s love for the franchise.

The 62nd episode of EN-o’clock featured the members of ENHYPEN challenging themselves with a round of Pokémon trivia. The quiz included naming various Pokémon and completing other challenges related to the franchise. The episode, available with English captions, offered fans a chance to test their Pokémon knowledge against the band members.

This collaboration is not the first time ENHYPEN has expressed fondness for Pokémon. The band also participated in the Pokémon Music Collective, a project launched by The Pokémon Company in September 2022. The project involved musicians using Pokémon sounds to produce music, spreading the creations of artists of various genres. ENHYPEN‘s contribution to the project, “One and Only,” was the second installment of the Music Collective.

The Pokémon Music Collective and this quiz collaboration highlight the band’s ongoing relationship with the franchise. The Pokémon Company’s decision to link up with ENHYPEN to promote the 2023 Pokémon World Championships further solidifies this connection.

What’s next for ENHYPEN x Pokémon?

The upcoming Pokémon World Championships is a major event in the Pokémon community, attracting fans from across the globe. The event features competitions in different Pokémon games, including the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon video games.

As the Pokémon World Championships draw closer, collaborations like this generate excitement and anticipation among fans. The band’s involvement not only promotes the event but also showcases the intersection of music and gaming, two areas where the members of ENHYPEN excel.

The EN-o’clock episode featuring part one of the Pokémon quiz is available on ENHYPEN‘s YouTube channel. ENGENE and Pokémon can enjoy the members’ enthusiasm for the franchise and test their own Pokémon knowledge. A second part will be available soon. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ENHYPEN got many questions wrong, but they have one more round to compensate. Source: YouTube/ENHYPEN’s official YouTube channel.

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ZEROBASEONE’s Zhang Hao: A Successful Fan of GOT7’s Youngjae

Zhang Hao, center of the K-pop project group ZEROBASEONE, recently had a dream come true. As a huge fan of GOT7, he had the opportunity to meet Youngjae, a member of the group, on the Best Friend radio show.

Zhang Hao’s admiration for GOT7 is well-known. The Chinese performer and violinist auditioned for Mnet’s survival show, Boys Planet, with GOT7‘s “Lullaby.” He has been consistent in saying GOT7 is his role model and “Lullaby” is his favorite song of all time. That’s probably why he decided to start his survival show journey with it. He must’ve thought it would bring him good luck—and it did.

During the radio show, hosted by Youngjae, Zhang Hao could hardly contain his excitement when GOT7‘s signature song, “Hard Carry,” was played in the studio. Not only did he dance to it, but he also clapped when GOT7‘s audio introduction came on afterward. He even got to sing “Lullaby” for Youngjae, showcasing his talent and fandom.

Zhang Hao, successful fan

The best moment of the radio show came when Youngjae presented Zhang Hao with an autographed album. Youngjae had previously promised to gift Zhang Hao an album, and he kept his word. Zhang Hao‘s reaction was priceless. He was visibly excited, fanning his face and struggling to contain his joy.

The two stars also took selfies together, showing off the autographed album. The photos, shared on social media, were met with excitement from ZEROBASEONE and GOT7 fans. Ahgase and ZEROSE alike celebrated the ZEROBASEONE center’s successful fanboy moment and memorable encounter with Youngjae.

Zhang Hao‘s experience is a heartwarming story of a fan meeting his idol. It highlights the power of music and fandom, showing how K-pop connects people from various walks of life. As Zhang Hao continues his journey with ZEROBASEONE, his love for GOT7 will remain a significant part of his story. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Zhang Hao, the successful fan, got a selca with his idol, GOT7’s Youngjae. Source: Twitter/Best Friend’s official Twitter account.

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Jungkook of BTS Mesmerizes with Live Performance on “Live Lounge”

Jungkook, a member of the global K-pop sensation BTS, recently graced the UK’s BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge with a captivating live performance. He was introduced as a “global pop star” and performed his debut solo single, “Seven.” Jungkook also covered Oasis’s “Let There Be Love,” leaving listeners in awe of his vocal prowess.

This appearance on Live Lounge marked Jungkook‘s return to the station after approximately two years, albeit as a soloist. (His last appearance was with BTS in 2021.) During an interview with the host, Jungkook expressed his excitement about his solo single “Seven,” saying, “I’ve been waiting to meet fans with good music, and finally, I could do it.”

The singer also shared his fond memories of the UK, particularly BTS‘s Wembley concert, which he described as “a great time.” However, Jungkook cleverly added that the present moment, his return to the Live Lounge, is his new “best moment.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L-bnDophkw&pp=ygUeSnVuZ2tvb2sgTGl2ZSBMb3VuZ2UgaW50ZXJ2aWV3

Jungkook on BTS

“Seven” has been making waves since its release. The song won first place on Mnet’s M Countdown and held the top spot on Spotify’s Daily Top Song Global chart for six consecutive days, racking up over 11.84 million streams daily. Remarkably, it surpassed 100 million streams within six days of its release.

In addition to his solo work, Jungkook also talked about BTS‘s current activities and future plans. He said that through their solo activities, each member is expressing their individuality and colors, continuously growing. “Based on this, when we come together as a complete group, BTS‘s appearance will be amazing, and there will be incredible synergy. I hope to see it happen soon,” he said.

Jungkook’s words come when BTS isn’t doing any group projects. Jin and j-hope are still serving in the military, and the remaining members will soon follow suit.

Despite the temporary hiatus of BTS as a group, the members continue shining individually, with Jungkook‘s performance on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge being a testament to their success. Even so, ARMY worldwide eagerly await the group’s reunion, which, as Jungkook predicts, will bring about an extraordinary synergy. —K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook’s English has improved greatly, as evidenced by his Live Lounge interview. Source: YouTube/BBC Radio 1’s official YouTube channel.

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BLACKPINK and Starbucks Brew Up a Storm with New Collaboration

BLACKPINK, the world-renowned K-pop group, will team up with Starbucks one more time to launch limited-edition merchandise and a themed drink. The collection will be available starting July 25 and sparked excitement and controversy among fans.

The YG Entertainment girl group‘s “bright and bold style” inspires the collection, which includes a range of drinkware and lifestyle merchandise. The highlight of the collection is the BLACKPINK Strawberry Choco Cream Frappuccino, a blend of strawberry syrup and dark chocolate sauce with oat milk and chocolate curls, topped with light pink whipped cream and heart-shaped chocolate.

Aside from the themed drink, the collection has 11 types of drinkware and six lifestyle accessories. They all showcase BLACKPINK‘s signature pink and black palette. The limited-edition merchandise includes reusable cups, mugs, tumblers, tote bags, yoga mats, passport holders, and key chains.

The controversial BLACKPINK tumbler

However, one item in the collection has caused a stir among fans. The collection features a pink rhinestone tumbler, labeled Lisa’s Pick, which has a price of 95,000 KRW (approximately 74.30 USD), making it the most expensive item in the collection. The price of this tumbler has sparked discussions on online forums, with some fans questioning whether the price was a typo.

Despite the controversy surrounding the rhinestone tumbler, many expressed excitement about the collection. BLACKPINK fans can find the merchandise in select Starbucks stores. These stores are in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Starbucks has a history of collaborating with K-pop stars like BTS and BLACKPINK to maximize its reach. The first collaboration between Starbucks and BLACKPINK in 2021 was exclusively launched in Thailand and sold out within minutes.

Emmy Kan, Starbucks Asia Pacific’s senior vice president and president, spoke with the media about the collaboration. “BLACKPINK is synonymous with an authenticity that’s bold and confident, making them an inspiring force that transcends geographies and cultures,” she said. She further promised an “unforgettable Starbucks Experience” to customers.

As the launch date approaches, fans are eager to get their hands on the merchandise. Despite the mixed reactions, this new collaboration between BLACKPINK and Starbucks is expected to be a hit among fans of the K-pop group. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The BLACKPINK x Starbucks goods are inspired by the girl group’s bright and bold style. Source: Starbucks Stories Asia.

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BB Girls, Formerly Brave Girls, Announce Comeback with New Album

The K-pop scene is buzzing with anticipation as BB Girls, the group formerly known as Brave Girls, announced their return with a new album slated for release on August 3. Warner Music Korea, their new agency, retweeted their announcement on social media, sparking excitement among fans.

The promotional photos released with the announcement showcased the BB Girls members in a new light. They radiated charisma and confidence in the photos, a stark contrast to the refreshing vibe of their fifth mini-album, 2021’s Summer Queen. This change in image marks a significant shift for the group, as this will be their first album release under their new name and agency.

BB Girls, not Brave Girls

The group, consisting of Minyoung, Yujeong, Yuna, and Eunji, rose to fame as Brave Girls in 2021. Their 2017 single “Rollin’” surprised them by climbing back up the charts four years after its initial release, catapulting the group into stardom. However, Brave Girls disbanded earlier this year after the members parted with their label, Brave Entertainment, at the end of their seven-year exclusive contracts.

In a surprising turn of events, all four members signed with Warner Music Korea in late April and rebranded themselves as BB Girls. The group expressed their gratitude for the continued support from their fans during this transition. “We’re grateful to be able to continue our journey with our fans, as we’ve joined a new agency. We hope to make good memories together. We exist because of our fans,” Minyoung shared in an interview with PMK magazine.

The upcoming album from BB Girls is not just a comeback but a new beginning for the girl group. As they enter a new career phase, fans eagerly await BB Girls’ new music and fresh direction. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The girls didn’t just change agencies; they also changed their look. Will they also change their sound? Let’s see. Source: Twitter/BB Girls’ official Twitter account.

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Jin of BTS “Saves Fan” from Robbery + Military Updates

BTS member Jin is a beloved figure in the music industry. He’s known for his charming personality, fan dedication, and soulful voice. Recently, Jin’s been in the news for his heroic deeds, both in and out of the military.

In a remarkable incident, Jin reportedly “saved” a Brazilian fan named Natali Vitoria Ramos Reis from a robbery. The 21-year-old ARMY was waiting at a bus stop in São José dos Pinhais, in the Curitiba Metropolitan Region, when a robber approached her. The robber managed to take her phone, which had a photo of Jin in his military uniform as the wallpaper.

When he saw the photo, the robber immediately returned the phone and fled, presumably assuming that the man in the picture was Natali’s boyfriend and a member of the armed forces. This incident sparked a wave of reactions from BTS ARMY worldwide. They praised Jin’s indirect role in Natali’s rescue and joked about changing their phone wallpapers to pictures of Jin in his military uniform for protection.

Jin’s off-stage heroism is commendable, and his military achievements are also impressive. Despite being a world-renowned singer, he has dedicated himself to his mandatory military service in South Korea. Jin enlisted in the recruit training center in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, on December 13, 2022. His expected discharge date is June 12, 2024.

Jin the “elite soldier”

Recently, Jin was given the rank of Corporal in the military earlier than scheduled. This came after he received the title of “elite soldier,” a prestigious title given to those who excel in various areas of training. These include first aid, Chemical, Biological, and Radiological training, individual combat, shooting, a three-kilometer race, and vigilance. To earn the elite soldier title, one must meet strict conditions like having a 90% shooting hit rate and completing over 72 push-ups in two minutes. This promotion underscores Jin’s dedication, discipline, and hard work.

The title comes with perks. These include extra leaves of up to five days, early promotion, and the privilege of wearing a special emblem on their uniforms. Additionally, outstanding shooting scores can earn them more rewards.

Jin’s military achievements give ARMY immense pride and joy. Despite his absence from the music scene due to his military service, his influence continues to resonate worldwide. This story reminds us that heroes can appear in the most unexpected places, even on a smartphone’s home screen. As fans eagerly await his return to the stage, they continue to celebrate his achievements and the inspiring individual he has proven to be. –K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jin posted some selfies on Weverse during a lull in his training. Source: Weverse’s BTS Community.

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Legend Tony Leung and SAG Winner Jung Hoyeon Star in Newjeans’ “Cool With You” Music Video

Rising K-pop girl group NewJeans released on Thursday, July 20, two cinematic music videos for their song “Cool With You,” which stars Squid Game actress Jung Ho Yeon (for which she won the SAG Award for best performance by a female actor in a drama series in 2022) and a cameo appearance from veteran actor Tony Leung. 

In the first video for “Cool With You,” dubbed the “A side”, Ho Yeon was introduced as a cupid who appears to be completely invisible in life and prompts couples to fall in love through her glance. The latter part of the video saw the actress becoming interested in a man, with the members of NewJeans acting out as angels who are watching the forbidden love story unfold. 

 

Meanwhile, the “B side” video for “Cool With You” picks up from where the “A side” left off but Ho Yeon is now visible to the world. She’s then seen starting a relationship with her love interest. But as their budding romance starts to pick up, Ho Yeon comes across a mysterious man (played by Tony). From that moment, her lover can no longer see Ho Yeon. 

The “B side” video also saw the NewJeans members dancing to a snippet of their unreleased song “Get Up.” 

 

Aside from “Cool With You,” NewJeans has already released the music videos for “Super Shy” and “New Jeans.”

“Cool With You” and “Super Shy” are two of GET UP’s triple title songs, alongside the yet-to-be-released track “ETA.” 

NewJeans’ sophomore EP GET UP, which will be released on July 21, will have a total of six songs, with each track having accompanying music videos. 

GET UP will serve as the group’s second EP following their self-titled EP,  which was released in July 2022. 

Composed of Minji, Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, and Danielle, NewJeans is a five-member group under ADOR, the HYBE sub-label headed by Min Hee-jin. 

Featured image: HYBE Labels’ YouTube

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Look: Stray Kids’ Hyunjin Revealed as Versace’s New Global Brand Ambassador

Hyunjin, member of K-pop boy group Stray Kids, has been named as the newest global ambassador of luxury fashion house Versace. 

On Thursday, July 20, Versace made the announcement, revealing that Hyunjin will also front the brand’s Versace Holiday 2023 campaign, which will be launched in November. 

Donatella Versace, the brand’s chief creative officer, described Hyunjin as a “true Versace man.” 

Hyunjin as a ‘Versace man’

“I am constantly inspired by new voices defining culture around the world and for me Hyunjin has great new energy and creativity. I love his confidence and freedom of expression,” she explained about casting Hyunjin. 

The idol also relayed his excitement to be working with the brand. He said that he’s “both inspired and honored to play a part in the House’s truly amazing heritage.”

Hyunjin is the first K-pop idol to be chosen by Versace to become their global ambassador. He’ll be joining the likes of international stars Chris Lee, Anne Hathaway, Bella Hadid, and Li Yuchun, among others. 

Prior to the official announcement, Hyunjin has been seen attending several events of the brand, including going to the opening of the Versace pop-up store in Seoul. 

In May, Hyunjin also attended Versace’s “La Vacanza” fashion show in Cannes alongside popstars Dua Lipa and Troye Sivan. 

While Versace serves as Hyunjin’s first solo ambassadorship, Stray Kids has been previously tapped by luxury Italian footwear Etro. Aside from fashion names, the group has been recently tapped by mobile accessory brand SLBS. 

Stray Kids initially debuted as a nine-piece act. Woonjin left the group in October 2019. 

Members Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. are the current lineup.

The group is known for their songs “CASE 143,” “Thunderous, “God’s Menu,” and “Back Door.”  Stray Kids made their recent comeback in June with the third studio album 5-STAR.

Featured image from Stray Kids’ Instagram

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Look: BTS’ V Is Cartier’s Newest Ambassador

ARMYs all over the world spazzed over V of BTS in his latest photoshoot! 

French luxury jewelry brand Cartier announced on Wednesday, July 19, that V, or Kim Tae-hyung in real life, is the newest addition to their roster of A-list ambassadors. The pop superstar is the brand’s face of their Panthére De Cartier campaign.

Sporting light brown hair, the K-pop idol donned a striking red suit as he flaunted pieces from the brand’s collection – a gold ring and a necklace with a pendant that resembles a panther.

Arnaud Carrez, the International Senior Vice President of Cartier and Chief Marketing Officer said in a press release that they chose V because of his “powerful aura” and that he can naturally “express a panther’s charm and aura.” “[He] will showcase a style of his own as well as his grace,” he added.

V joins a star-studded list of ambassadors for Cartier, including GOT7’s Jackson Wang, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, Rami Malek, Gong Li, and Elle Fanning. 

Aside from Cartier, though, V is also a brand ambassador for French luxury fashion brand Celine, while BTS also serve as faces of Louis Vuitton. Other BTS members have also sealed partnerships with various luxury brands – RM with Bottega Veneta, Suga with Valentino, Jimin with Tiffany & Co., and Jungkook with Calvin Klein. 

BTS announced in June 2022 that they’re taking a break to focus on solo releases while other members enlist in the military. The group marked their 10th anniversary in June and released the digital single “Take Two” and the memoir “Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS.”

Meanwhile, as a solo artist, V has released songs “Stigma,” “Singularity,” and “Inner Child.” He also ventured into acting in the 2016 series Hwarang, and starred in the variety show Youn’s Kitchen.

Featured image: Cartier’s Twitter

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SM Entertainment Confirms No NCT Members’ Contracts Expire This Year

The K-pop industry has been abuzz with speculation regarding the wildly popular boy group NCT and the exclusive contracts its members signed with their longtime agency SM Entertainment. Rumors say those contracts will expire this year, coinciding with the group’s seventh anniversary. However, SM Entertainment recently addressed these rumors, clarifying the situation.

NCT, a 20-member group known for its unique structure of different unit groups, debuted in 2016, around the same time as BLACKPINK, another prominent K-pop act. Since the YG Entertainment girl group signed contracts that expire in August, fans have wondered if NCT’s contracts would follow a similar timeline. This speculation was further fueled by the fact that some of the group’s units also turned seven this year.

SM Entertainment has stated that the contracts of NCT’s members will not expire anytime soon. Unlike the usual seven-year period typical of idol contracts, SM Entertainment took factors such as military enlistment and overseas activities into account when they signed the members. So although no two members’ contracts are the same, none will expire in 2023. All the NCT members’ contracts are valid until the end of 2024 at least.

Rather than calm the fans, SM Entertainment’s statements made them even more concerned. Many expressed surprise over the length of the members’ contracts. After a landmark ruling ended “slave contracts,” seven-year deals became the norm for idols. That’s why they didn’t feel better when SM Entertainment implied that NCT’s contracts are longer than that. They even wondered if somebody had manipulated the members into signing shady deals. But it’s important to note that South Korean courts already ruled that 10-year contracts are legal.

NCT is far from over

NCT is a unique group in the K-pop industry, consisting of different unit groups like NCT 127, NCT DREAM, and WayV, which promote independently. When members from different units collaborate, they do so as NCT U or NCT. The first lineup debuted as NCT U in April 2016. NCT 127 followed suit in July of that same year. Later, additional units were formed, and more members were added. The group was initially intended to be ever-expanding, with new members coming on board every so often. However, SM Entertainment announced that NCT Tokyo, formed in 2023, will be the group’s last unit.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that NCT’s journey is far from over. With their contracts secured for the foreseeable future, fans can look forward to more from this dynamic group.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: This is a screenshot from the official MV of “Beautiful,” NCT’s last single as a full group. Source: YouTube/SM Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

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