Category: K-POP ARTISTS

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Moon Sua and Suhyeon Return to Billlie After Health-Related Hiatus

Billlie

Moon Sua and Suhyeon of the K-pop group Billlie are officially returning to work after taking a break due to health issues. Mystic Story, their management company, shared this positive development with fans through a heartfelt announcement on the group’s fan club website.

The agency expressed gratitude for the concern and unwavering support fans showed while the girls were away. “Both took a hiatus due to health issues, but after extensive rest and stabilization, their condition has greatly improved,” the company wrote. Mystic Story added that they made the decision to bring the girls back considering their condition and the advice of their doctors.

Moon Sua took to Weverse on Friday to update fans. She opened up about how she spent her break engaging in activities that brought her joy and comforted her, like traveling, spending time with friends, enjoying good food, and staying active. “I would think of Belllie’ve”—Billlie’s fans—”from time to time after looking at pretty things. I decided to return as a stronger person” she wrote.

Billlie will be a full group again

She first went on hiatus in April 2023 after the untimely passing of her brother, ASTRO’s Moonbin. When he was laid to rest, Moon Sua put on a brave face and returned to work. But she crumbled and went on hiatus again in September because losing her oppa took a major toll on her. Thankfully, the surviving ASTRO members—namely Cha Eun-woo, JinJin, and Sanha—rallied around her. In October 2023, Eun-woo posted photos from a trip they took together. The photos showed all four of them, including Moon Sua, in high spirits, which elicited positive reactions from fans.

Meanwhile, Suhyeon is making her comeback after a 10-month hiatus, which began in June due to health issues. Her return is eagerly anticipated by fans, who have missed seeing her in the group. As both she and Moon Sua join the other members, Billlie and Mystic Story emphasize that the safety and well-being of their artists will continue to be a priority. 

Billlie will be a full group again at Billlie The First Fan-Con ‘Your B, I’m B (Belllie’ve You), which is set for May 5, 2024 at Myunghwa Live Hall. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Belllie’ve everywhere are so glad to have Moon Sua and Suhyeon back. Source: X/@Billlieofficial.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Kim Jaejoong’s Shocked Reaction to K.Will’s ‘Please Don’t’ MV Goes Viral

During a recent episode of his YouTube show JaeFriends, second-generation K-pop idol Kim Jaejoong watched K.Will’s music video for “Please Don’t” for the first time. He went viral for his epic reaction, a video of which has since amassed over a million views on X (formerly Twitter). Despite their long-standing friendship of over 20 years, Jaejoong admitted to not having watched all of K.Will’s videos, which set the stage for a surprising revelation.

The “Please Don’t” music video is known for its twist ending, which broke new ground in South Korean media at the time of its release. It features Ahn Jae Hyun, Seo In Guk, and SISTAR’s Dasom in a love triangle. At the end of the video, viewers find out that Seo In Guk’s character is in love with Ahn Jae Hyun’s character, not Dasom’s. When Jaejoong watched the video, he misunderstood the plot. At first, he believed the video was about the female character’s romantic problems. K.Will wondered if they were watching the same thing.

[MV] 케이윌(K.will) – 이러지마 제발 (Please don’t…)

Jaejoong isn’t homophobic

When the video ended, Jaejoong exclaimed, “What’s going on? What’s wrong with this ending?” His reaction, captured live, showed the former TVXQ member struggling to process what he saw. This sparked angry and disappointed responses from JaeFriends viewers. They thought Jaejoong reacted that way because he was uncomfortable with the homosexual theme of the video. However, others came to his defense, sharing that they were also surprised by the video’s ending when they first saw it. They viewed Jaejoong’s reaction as a natural response to an unexpected plot twist.

His supporters also pointed out his history of engaging with BL (Boys’ Love) content and his well-documented fan service, which often included playful interactions with bandmate U-Know Yunho. Furthermore, Jaejoong has been spotted reading Japanese yaoi manga in public. He also promoted BL K-drama The Eighth Sense on his socials and contributed an OST to Mr. Heart, another drama of the same genre. Fans believe this shows Jaejoong isn’t homophobic.

[SUB] 키스(?)까지 나눈 꽤 깊은 사이 │ 재친구 Ep.35 │ 케이윌 김재중

Finally, in the same JaeFriends episode, Jaejoong himself encouraged K.Will to make a sequel to the “Please Don’t” MV. If he were truly against same-sex relationships, he wouldn’t have done that, would he? – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Anyone would’ve reacted like that upon watching the ‘Please Don’t’ MV for the first time! Source: X/@Jaeobsession.

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Italian Winery Debuts ‘Layover’ Wine Inspired by V of BTS

GherarVini di Matteo Gherardini, an Italian winery, unveiled a new wine named Layover. This wine is inspired by V of BTS and his solo album. It’s part of the winery’s innovative Music In A Bottle series. The Layover wine is linked to Spotify through a barcode on the back of the bottle. Enthusiasts can scan that barcode and listen to V’s single “Slow Dancing” while enjoying the wine. GherarVini picked a white wine to complement the jazzy and refreshing vibes of the song.

GherarVini’s Music In A Bottle series also features wines inspired by other musicians and cultural icons. So far they have bottles linked to Taylor Swift’s “Exile,” King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man,” and various Christmas carols. They also produced a Lionel Messi wine celebrating the football star’s 2022 FIFA World Cup victory.

More on the ‘Layover’ wine

The idea for the series originated during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, as Matteo Gherardini, the proprietor of GherarVini, sought to combine his two greatest passions: wine and music. Gherardini took great care in developing this project, registering the designs to secure the uniqueness of his idea. The product’s name reflects the simplicity and directness of the concept.

The initiative not only appeals to wine lovers but to music fans as well, particularly those of BTS’s V. Their idol previously influenced wine markets without meaning to. In September, V went on SUGA’s YouTube show Suchwita and talked about his preference for white wine. He revealed that when he posted about the 2001 vintage Chateau Margaux, led to a global sell-out and the drink’s rise in popularity on Google Trends.

Gherar Vini’s Music In A Bottle series, including the Layover wine, is but one of the many ways in which wine can be paired with other things to create a unique consumer experience. For more details on this delightful fusion of music and wine, enthusiasts can check out the GherarVini website. The brand also has an active Instagram account. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: What do BTS’s V and a fine wine have in common? They’re loved by millions worldwide. Source: X/@thv_btstwt.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Eric Nam Joins Cast of New ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Movie

Korean-American singer Eric Nam has been cast as the voice of Aang in the upcoming animated film Aang: The Last Airbender. Paramount broke the news of his casting during its CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas. This role places Eric at the heart of a major film project. Dave Bautista, Dionne Quan, Jessica Matten, and Roman Zaragoza are also part of the cast. Dante Basco, the original voice of Zuko in the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, will also return for the movie. It’s set for release on January 20, 2026.

The announcement at CinemaCon follows a 2022 revelation by the studio that three standalone Avatar animated films are in the works, with this project being the first slated for release. Directed by Lauren Montgomery, who was involved in the original series, and co-directed by William Mata, the film promises to align closely with the creators’ vision. Creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and Eric Coleman are on board as executive producers.

@geekfreakspods

Dave Bautista and Eric Nam to Star in ‘Aang: The Last Airbender’ Animated Film Keywords: Dave Bautista Avatar movie Eric Nam Aang voice actor Aang The Last Airbender 2025 Paramount CinemaCon announcement Avatar animated film cast New Avatar The Last Airbender movie release Hashtags: #DaveBautista #EricNam #AvatarTheLastAirbender #avatar Aang Paramount CinemaCon AvatarMovie

♬ original sound – Geek Freaks – Geek Freaks

Damage control

Eric’s excitement about his new role was made clear when he reacted to the announcement on X (formerly Twitter). He shared a post about his casting and added a series of emojis. This marks a significant step in his career, which has spanned music and interviews with Hollywood’s elite. Now Eric is making a seamless transition to voice acting.

However, Eric’s casting has stirred controversy, revisiting past backlash he faced over comments related to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. In October 2023, he liked a social media post that took a neutral stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which did not sit well with many of his fans. The post suggested it was logical to oppose the Israeli government’s policies while also advocating for the protection of Jews globally. This action sparked significant discontent among his fans, particularly in Malaysia, leading to calls for a boycott of his concert in Kuala Lumpur, which was subsequently canceled without public explanation.

The controversy deepened when Eric’s brother and manager, Eddie Nam, indicated in a private Discord server that they would not respond to the backlash, which only fueled the fire. Eric later addressed the issue on his X account. He claimed his stance was “pro-human” and that the concert cancellation was due to death threats, not his political views. Critics accused him of merely performing damage control.

@cardamomcutie

in case u didnt know! #kpop #ericnam #avatarthelastairbender #greenscreen #freepalestine

♬ original sound – sahar 🍉

Why are people against Eric voicing Avatar Aang?

In light of his new role as Aang, a pacifist and the lone survivor of the Air Nation genocide, the backlash he received has resurfaced. Some say he’s not fit to play Aang because of his perceived neutrality on a real-world genocide. Eric’s casting has been criticized as being in poor taste by those who see a disconnect between his beliefs and the values embodied by Aang.

Avatar: The Last Airbender, which aired from 2005 to 2008, was continued by The Legend of Korra from 2012 to 2014. It follows the journey of the Avatar, a being capable of mastering all four elements—air, water, earth, and fire—to bring balance to the world. The show is celebrated for its deep storytelling and complex moral themes, making the controversy around Eric’s casting a somewhat sticky situation for fans and observers alike. – K-Pop Life

Featured Image: Not everyone is glad that Eric will play Aang. Sources: X/@FireSiblings, X/@MAKOSSANCE.

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BTS’s V Bulked Up While Serving as a Special Forces Soldier

BTS member V has been making waves for his impressive transformation while serving in South Korea’s elite Special Forces, the Special Duty Team (SDT). Recently, V took to Instagram to tell fans about his rigorous training and its effects on his physique. Before he enlisted, he held a live broadcast on Weverse with Jimin, Jungkook, and RM, in which he revealed his plan to bulk up while in the military. V’s goal was to go from 61 kg to 85 kg.

From BTS to the SDT

On April 12, V posted a bunch of photos on his Instagram Stories, highlighting the muscular build he developed as a member of the elite Special Duty Team (SDT) in the South Korean military. One photo featured him in a black shirt with the SDT logo. Other images showed him in more casual attire, such as a yellow T-shirt and jeans, and another in which he sports a black T-shirt with “AMAZING” across his chest. These photos captured bits and pieces of his daily life in and out of uniform.

One particularly striking post was a shirtless photo of V. In it, he was facing away from the camera, showing off the scars on his back. He captioned the photo with the words, “Wounds of glory.” This photo indicated the intensive and physically demanding nature of his military training.

ARMYs and military personnel alike felt for V when they saw his scars. “I was in the military seven years ago, and I still have scars like that on my lower back, so I can empathize with him,” wrote one veteran. “I think it’s because we’re asked to march while carrying heavy gear on our backs, crawl on a mountain, or get chafed by a long rope while climbing up. It could be any one of these three reasons. I hope Taehyung heals quickly. Even though some people recover quickly, applying cream can help!”

V’s bangin’ body

V also posted a photo of his hand and a four-leaf clover. He captioned it with, “Salute. How’s everyone doing? I’m working out healthily, wearing a cool black uniform and doing great training! When I went on vacation a little while ago, I celebrated Na PD’s birthday and had a great time talking to friends about the military. Now, I am working out very hard and weigh 75 kg, but since the soldiers of our unit have really great bodies, I have to work harder. I’ll try. Bye.” Netizens praised V for following through on his promise to bulk up while in the military. He hasn’t hit his goal weight yet, but he’ll get there soon enough at the rate he’s going.

This is the second sighting of V in as many months. Last March, he and other soldiers were spotted at a soccer match between Gangwon FC and FC Seoul. His appearance at the match, marked by fans’ cheers and his shy responses, was a delightful surprise to ARMYs who had been missing him dearly. 

V’s military journey has been filled with significant milestones. After undergoing basic training, where he was named an elite soldier, he went to the Army Administrative School for an additional three weeks of training. After completing his advanced training, he was assigned to the “Ssangyong Unit”of the 2nd Corps of the Republic of Korea Army. He’s set to be discharged on June 10, 2025. 

If his latest updates are any indication, his body might be even more bangin’ by the time he returns to the entertainment scene. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Just when you thought it was impossible for V to get even hotter, he goes and tops himself. Source: X/@chartdata.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

aespa’s Winter Recovering From Surgery for Collapsed Lung

Winter of K-pop girl group aespa has recently undergone surgery to treat a pneumothorax, commonly known as a collapsed lung, her management company SM Entertainment confirmed. 

This medical condition, which can occur spontaneously or due to trauma, involves air entering the pleural space between the lung and chest wall, preventing the lung from fully expanding.The severity of a pneumothorax can vary, with smaller cases possibly healing on their own and more severe instances requiring medical intervention. 

In Winter’s case, she went under the knife after consulting a team of medical professionals. This decision was influenced by the recurrent nature of her condition and the potential for significant air leakage.

Pneumothorax – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

When did Winter have surgery?

Winter’s surgery took place shortly after she returned to South Korea from Japan, where she had been performing. On April 6, just days before her surgery, Winter appeared on Venue 101, a live music show aired by NHK alongside her group members. The timing indicates the severity of her condition, necessitating immediate medical attention upon her return.

SM Entertainment reassured fans, stating, “Pneumothorax is a common condition, and Winter opted for preemptive surgery after ample discussion based on medical advice.” They emphasized that her recovery and health are their utmost priority, with her future schedules being adjusted to ensure a full recovery.

Recovery from such surgeries can vary; simpler procedures like needle aspirations may allow for rapid improvement, but surgical interventions like video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or pleurodesis—aimed at preventing future collapses—require weeks of healing. During this time, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and closely follow their doctor’s recommendations to prevent complications or recurrence.

[#토레타!] 가벼운 일상 이온보충 토레타! – 30′

What is aespa up to?

Despite her health challenges, Winter continues to be a significant presence in aespa’s promotions. Recently, a new beverage advertisement featuring her was released. It showed her in various everyday situations and highlighted her charming and bubbly energy. This includes scenes of her cooking, exercising, and playing the guitar, all while promoting hydration and health. In light of her surgery, this advertisement comes across as a poignant reminder of her resilience and the support she receives from her team and fans.

aespa is slated to return with new music in May and will begin their SYNK: Parallel Line world tour in late June, with performances scheduled across Asia and Australia. As Winter recovers, aespa and their management are likely to take every precaution to ensure her health is never compromised as they continue their international engagements. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: She looks super pretty in her new cf for Coca-Cola Korea, doesn’t she? Get well soon, Winter! Source: YouTube/@CocaCola_Korea.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

TXT’s Yeonjun Opens Up About Stepping Down From ‘Inkigayo’

TXT’s Yeonjun, BOYNEXTDOOR’s Woonhak, and actress Park Ji Hu have stepped down from their roles as MCs of SBS’s Inkigayo. Yeonjun started hosting the show in April 2022, followed by Park Ji Hu and Woonhak in July 2023. Although their time on the show has come to an end, fans will still see them as they return to their main careers, where they will continue to engage with fans in their respective fields.

240414 (G)I-DLE – ‘Fate’ 3rd Win on SBS Inkigayo

Yeonjun opens up about ‘Inkigayo’

When he got back to TXT’s dorm after the broadcast, Yeonjun went live on Weverse to talk about the show. He revealed that he was able to take home some very special souvenirs: “Inkigayo gave me a few things—this picture, the sign I held up, and my last cue card. I cried so much today, so my eyes are really puffy right now. I’m just so grateful.”

The connection he felt with the show was deep and meaningful. “I can’t imagine my Sundays without Inkigayo. Inkigayo is actually a job, right? But from the day I started, I never thought of it as work. I always felt like, ‘I’m going for a healing time, I’m going to have fun,’” Yeonjun shared.

He reflected on his experiences and the bonds he formed with his colleagues. “The staff were all really kind. The MCs that I did Inkigayo with now and in the past…I was able to meet really good people and find really good relationships within them. I actually missed a lot of Inkigayo episodes because of our tour, right? I always felt really bad and sorry about it. But they never made me feel anything, and they were so kind every time I’d come back. I felt really bad because I felt like I couldn’t be that great of an MC, but the staff always made me feel so great, and they always said to me, ‘You’re the best MC.’ So, I felt really grateful; they were always kind to me even though I was lacking.”

(ENG SUB) TXT Yeonjun Weverse live 240414

Forever son

The emotional weight of his farewell was evident as Yeonjun discussed how he managed his feelings during his final hours on the show. “All the MCs were trying their best to be hyped today, even though we were all teary-eyed. When I went on stage for the performance, I was feeling teary-eyed again, so I was dancing with tears in my eyes. I just had tears in my eyes the whole time,” he admitted.

“Even on my way back, I kept thinking about it and holding in my tears. I didn’t even look at my phone on purpose. I was just zoned out and thinking about things. I cried so much today, my eyes hurt now,” Yeonjun continued. “I guess I still have a lot of lingering feelings from it. I was an MC for 2 years. I guess I felt very strongly about it. It was very special to me. Although I’m very sad about it, and I will miss it, I think it ended very beautifully. All the Inkigayo staff members, when I was crying, they were crying too, and they kept telling me, ‘It’s not the end, this is just a new beginning.’”

Finally, he said, “I miss it already. I already miss you, Inkigayo. I’m Inkigayo’s forever son.’”

Who will replace them?

Following their departure, the Inkigayo stage is set to welcome new hosts: IVE’s Leeseo, ZEROBASEONE’s Han Yu Jin, and actor Moon Sung Hyun, who are expected to bring fresh charisma to the beloved music show. Ahead of their first episode, BOYNEXTDOOR’s Sungho, Taesan, and Woonhak will take the stage for the April 21 broadcast as special MCs. 

Inkigayo airs every Sunday at 3:20 PM KST. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Yeonjun’s bandmates Hueningkai and Soobin looked on as he bid the show goodbye. Source: YouTube/@lvlyminmin.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

TXT Fans React to Francine Diaz’s Mistake at ASEAN Prize 2024

At the ASEAN Prize 2024 event in Japan, Francine Diaz accidentally mispronounced the name of the K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER, aka TXT. Instead of saying “Tomorrow by Together,” the Filipina actress said “Tomorrow times Together.” The mistake occurred when Francine announced the winner of the ASEAN GLOBAL KPOP LEADERS award. Despite the mix-up, the TXT members were visibly thrilled when they realized they had won.

When a clip of the moment went viral on the internet, Francine’s family, fans, and friends were worried that the actress would be harshly criticized for her mistake. But fans of TXT, affectionately known as MOAs (Moments of Alwaysness), reacted in a way no one saw coming. 

@czeryy_cam

she’s so cute with that “tomorrow times together” 😅😊 #francinediaz #francine #lia #itzy #txt #tomorrow_x_together #foryou

♬ original sound – 🍒🎥

An honest mistake

Instead of getting upset, MOAs worldwide rallied around the actress. They found Francine adorable and recognized it was an honest mistake. Some even loved the way she pronounced “TOMORROW X TOGETHER” because she took the name literally. After all, the “x” symbol is most commonly used to denote multiplication in math. For instance, in equations or mathematical expressions, “x” often means “times,” as in “3 x 4,” which is read as “three times four.”

Francine took to Instagram after the event to address the incident. During a live broadcast, she issued a heartfelt apology for the slip-up. “I’m very sorry for that very big mistake. Please excuse me because I am not that updated anymore with what is happening in the K-pop world,” she explained, adding humorously, “You know I only stan two groups. But now, I know better because I’ve been educated: Tomorrow By Together.”

The actress also told fans what went down when she met up with TXT backstage. “In fairness, they were very kind when I went down the stairs with them; they let me walk first. They even offered me a seat. They are very kind,” Francine recounted.

@news5everywhere

Nag-sorry na ang Pinay aktres na si #FrancineDiaz dahil sa mali niyang pagkakabasa sa K-pop group na TomorrowXTogether. #News5 #FrontlineTonight #EntertainmentNewsPH

♬ original sound – News5 – News5

MOAs lifted Francine up

She ended her broadcast by thanking TXT’s fans for their understanding and light-hearted take on the situation, which could have easily turned into a nightmare. “But thank you because you took it in a positive way. Thank you for not making it a big deal,” she said.

With their reaction to Francine’s gaffe, MOAs worldwide proved they have a lot in common with Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai: They’re as kind and funny as the group they stan. Instead of bashing Francine, they lifted her up and showed that compassion trumps destructive criticism every time. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Francine thanked MOAs for not bashing her because of her mistake. Sources: Instagram/@francinesdiaz, X/@tubatuxtxt.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

TXT Tops Charts, Wins Music Shows With New EP ‘minisode 3: TOMORROW’

K-pop powerhouse TOMORROW X TOGETHER, aka TXT, has once again captured the hearts (and ears) of fans worldwide with the release of their latest mini album, minisode 3: TOMORROW. The album’s title track, “Deja Vu,” accompanied by a visually striking music video, has quickly garnered attention. Within just 15 minutes of its release on YouTube, the video amassed over 115,000 views, underscoring the quintet’s immense popularity.

The mini album includes tracks such as “Miracle,” “I’ll See You Tomorrow,” and “- — — — .-. .-. — .– (TOMORROW),” along with a remix of “Deja Vu.” It also features unit songs “The Killa” by Yeonjun and Soobin, and “Quarter Life” by Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai.

TXT (투모로우바이투게더) ‘Deja Vu’ Official MV

International appeal

Upon its release, minisode 3: TOMORROW debuted at number one on the Circle Album Chart (formerly Gaon Chart), with 1,542,718 copies sold in its first week. This achievement marks TXT’s ninth No. 1 album on the Circle Album Chart, bringing their total sales across all albums to 14.6 million units on this chart. The impact of TXT’s latest project extends beyond the South Korean music scene. minisode 3: TOMORROW is expected to debut at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in the US with sales of over 105,000 units in its first week.

As further proof of their international appeal, TXT recently appeared on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show for the second time. Host Kelly Clarkson introduced them as “one of the most famous K-pop groups on the planet.” She also highlighted their performances at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards and the music festival Lollapalooza.

Their performance of “Deja Vu” on the show began with a scene where a coin marked “2019”—the year of the group’s debut—was displayed. It featured sand slipping through fingers and props meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia. TXT combined all that with their dynamic choreography and facial expressions to convey the mood of the song. The highlight of the performance was a dazzling dance break featuring all five members.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER Performs ‘Deja Vu’ On The Kelly Clarkson Show

Congratulations, TXT

Back in South Korea, “Deja Vu” has also seen remarkable success on the music show circuit. It clinched the first-place trophy on the April 10 episode of Show Champion. It beat strong contenders like BABYMONSTER’s “SHEESH” and DAY6’s “Welcome to the Show.” TXT went on to pick up two more wins on M! Countdown and Music Bank, where “Deja Vu” outperformed tracks from ILLIT and other artists. It secured a total of 6,402 points on M! Countdown and 10,327 points on Music Bank.

[4K] 투모로우바이투게더 ‘Deja Vu’ 뮤직뱅크 1위 앵콜직캠 240412

With continuous chart-topping performances and music show wins, TXT‘s minisode 3: TOMORROW solidified their position at the forefront of the K-pop industry. Congratulations, TXT! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: TXT is on a roll! Source: X/@BIGHIT_MUSIC.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

TOZ From ‘Boys Planet’ to Make Korean Debut in Early May

The Mnet survival show Boys Planet has already given us many successful K-pop groups. There’s EVNNE, ONEPACT, and of course, the winning nine-member team of ZEROBASEONE. But it seems the show isn’t done being the gift that keeps on giving. Another group—the four-member Japanese act TOZ—is set to make their official Korean debut. Their EP, TO my new friends, will be released on May 2.

TO my new friends is TOZ’s second EP, following their debut EP Flare, which included five Japanese tracks and was released simultaneously in Japan and Korea last September. The upcoming EP, featuring all Korean lyrics, aims to cement TOZ’s presence in the Korean music industry. A promotional poster featuring a light blue teddy bear and the EP’s release date was shared on the band’s social media pages, sparking excitement among fans.

Meet the members of TOZ

All four members of TOZ were popular contestants on Boys Planet, but they didn’t make the ZEROBASEONE lineup. Anthonny, the group’s leader and main vocalist of Filipino-Japanese descent, trained under WAKEONE for a while before joining Boys Planet. He also participated in Produce 101 Japan Season 2. When he’s not onstage, he enjoys drawing, playing badminton, and watching movies. His role model is AB6IX’s Lee Dae Hwi.

Haruto has a rich multicultural background. He lived in the US—specifically in New Jersey—which is how he became fluent in English. He can also speak Japanese and Korean, and is currently trying to learn Chinese. Not only is he multilingual, but he’s also adept at various styles of dance including ballet, breakdancing, and tap dancing. His smooth moves made him popular on Boys Planet and an integral part of TOZ.

@toz_yyent

🐼🐶🍑❤ #TOZ #ANTHONNY #HART #YUTO #TAKUTO

♬ summerlove – kit 🎀

Like Haruto, Yuto is fluent in English, Japanese, and Korean. His admiration for BTS influenced him to become an idol. His favorite BTS song is “Spring Day.” When he’s not dancing, he can be found eating ice cream (he says his specialty is “eating food quickly”) or watching animated movies.

The youngest member, Takuto, is known for his love of nature. When he has spare time, he enjoys going on bike rides to soak up some fresh air. For his Boys Planet audition, he dressed up as a boxer, charming both the judging panel and his fellow contestants. He can do backflips and round-offs, which make him a compelling presence onstage. His favorite song is “Cheers” by the SEVENTEEN leaders.

A wide variety of content

According to their agency YY Entertainment, TOZ will hold live concerts, perform on music shows, and work on a wide variety of content to connect with the Korean audience. All four boys are determined to make their mark in the highly competitive K-pop scene, like many of their fellow Boys Planet alums have done. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Anthonny, Hart, Takuto, and Yuto are so cute! Source: X/@TOZ_YYent.

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