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BTS’s j-hope Dropping New Documentary and OST Album Soon

j-hope

BigHit Music recently unveiled plans for Hope on the Street Vol. 1, a special album that j-hope worked on before enlisting in the South Korean military. This announcement sparked excitement across social media. ARMYs are eagerly awaiting the tracklist, especially amid rumors that Huh Yunjin from LE SSERAFIM recorded a duet with j-hope for the album. While BigHit Music remains tight-lipped about this and other details, fans’ anticipation only grows as the release date approaches.

X/@bts_bighit

However, the album is just one part of a larger endeavor. Alongside Hope on the Street Vol. 1, j-hope will release a six-part docuseries titled Hope on the Street. Through this series, viewers will get to go on a journey with j-hope as he travels to New York, Osaka, Paris, Seoul, and his hometown of Gwangju.

According to a press release from his agency, the idol’s goal is to “communicate with local dancers through movement.” BigHit Music describes both the album and the docuseries as deep dives into dance, which lies at the core of j-hope‘s artistic identity. The promotion schedule and teasers for these projects have since been released.

X/@bts_bighit

A taste of what’s to come

j-hope first teased this project during an appearance on SUCHWITA, the drinking show hosted by his fellow BTS member SUGA. On the July 18, 2023, episode of the show, he talked about the docuseries and album. He hinted that the digital single he released back in March, “on the street (with J. Cole),” was a taste of what’s to come.

“There’ll be new content about my life called Hope on the Street. It’ll be about my dancing and my story,” he said at the time. “The dancing scene is bigger than you think. It just hasn’t risen up to the surface. But if you really dig into it, there are many talented people and it’s a huge market. I experienced that personally. Although I didn’t go to a lot of cities, I traveled the world and filmed with plenty of amazing dancers. That documentary will come out in 2024. It’s literally like its name, Hope on the Street. It’s just j-hope dancing on the street.”

j-hope ‘HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1’ on delivery

A journey with j-hope

The first episode of Hope on the Street will premiere on March 28. It’ll be available on Amazon Prime for international fans and TVING for Korean viewers. New episodes will drop every Thursday and Friday, offering an intimate look at j-hope‘s journey through dance and his interactions with dancers across the globe.

Since debuting with BTS in 2013 as the group’s main dancer, j-hope has impressed fans worldwide with his dedication and talent. He joined the military on April 18, 2023, and will be discharged on October 17, 2024, after which he can greet fans in person once again. Until then, ARMYs will have to content themselves with seeing the world of dance through his eyes via Hope on the Street. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: BigHit Music announced the release of the album and docuseries around the time of j-hope’s birthday. Source: X/@ABSCBNNews.

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TXT to Make April Comeback With New Album

TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) is preparing for a glamorous return to the music scene with a new album slated for release in April. This album marks TXT‘s first batch of new material since their third full-length album The Name Chapter: FREEFALL dropped in October 2024.

The Name Chapter: FREEFALL sold 2.25 million copies in its first week, marking a personal best for the group. This achievement made them the fastest K-pop act to have two albums sell over a million copies in the first week, all within just four years and seven months of their debut in March 2019. Their success extended beyond sales, as they dominated international charts, including Japan’s Oricon and the US’s Billboard. They also clinched two music show wins with the title track “Chasing That Feeling.” Finally, their second tour TOMORROW X TOGETHER WORLD TOUR <ACT : SWEET MIRAGE> was another highlight for the quintet in 2023. Especially the tour’s finale at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea—now that was epic!

With each release, TXT has carved out a niche all their own in the K-pop industry. They have become known for their distinctive concepts, music, and performances. The anticipation for their upcoming album is palpable, especially after the 2024 Golden Disc Awards last January. It was then that TXT first teased their upcoming comeback with “cool performances.” Fans and critics alike are eager to see the new heights Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai will reach with their forthcoming album.

The spotlight is firmly on TXT

In other news, TXT emerged as winners at the Hanteo Music Awards, securing the Artist of the Year Grand Prize and the Global Artist Award in both the Asia and North America categories. This recognition underscores their significant impact not only in South Korea but also on the global stage.

Through a video message, the boys expressed, “Thanks to MOA, we had a truly happy year in 2023. We’re preparing a new album to give back to MOA’s love. We will return with great music that only TOMORROW X TOGETHER can do. We will always remember and never forget that we are here because of you.”

TXT is also set to connect with fans through the 2024 TOMORROW X TOGETHER FANLIVE PRESENT X TOGETHER event, scheduled for March 2 and 3 at the Seoul Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium. As they gear up for their comeback, the spotlight is firmly on them, with MOAs eagerly awaiting what promises to be another groundbreaking album from the group. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: MOAs everywhere are looking forward to April. Source: X/@PopBase.

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TWS Signs With Universal Music Group for Global Promotions

TWS is set to make waves on the global music scene through a strategic partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company. Their agency, PLEDIS Entertainment, announced that the rookie group has signed contracts with Geffen Records and Virgin Music for their activities in the US and Japan, respectively. This partnership aims to strengthen the sextet’s album distribution and promotion efforts in these major music markets.

This groundbreaking partnership comes just a month after TWS‘s debut in Korea. They’re the first boy group to debut under PLEDIS Entertainment in nine years, joining the ranks of international sensation SEVENTEEN. Since their debut, TWS—composed of leader Shinyu, and members Dohoon, Hanjin, Jihoon, Kyungmin, and Youngjae—has quickly made a name for themselves. They‘ve appeared on the covers of both domestic and international publications, endorsed various brands, and reached significant sales and streaming milestones.

For instance, TWS has already made an impact by ranking sixth in the highest first-week sales for a K-pop boy group, according to the Hanteo Chart. They also surpassed 100 million cumulative views on their TikTok account within a month, dominated daily music charts, and secured first-place wins on music shows.

@tws_pledis

오늘도 내일도 Together🫧💙 #TWS #투어스 #247WithUs #Sparkling_Blue #PHOTOISM #포토이즘

♬ BFF – TWS

TWS will make big moves

In addition to their music achievements, TWS will be the main performer at Japan’s largest fashion festival, The 38th MyNavi Tokyo Girls Collection 2024 Spring/Summer. Furthermore, a documentary on the group, titled TWS Document 2024.01.22, is scheduled to air on Fuji TV Two channel in Japan on March 8. This marks the first time Fuji TV has produced a documentary on a K-pop group.

The partnership with UMG is a pivotal moment for TWS. Now, they can truly set their sights on conquering the world. After all, they have the extensive network and resources of Geffen Records and Virgin Music at their disposal. Fans around the world can’t wait to see the big moves they’ll make as they work to captivate audiences with their music and performances. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The good news just keeps coming for TWS! Source: X/@TWS_PLEDIS.

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SISTAR’s Hyolyn Issues Apology for Using Racial Slur in Recent Video

Soloist Hyolyn, formerly of the second-generation girl group SISTAR, recently faced backlash for using a racial slur while singing along to Doja Cat‘s “Say So.”

The incident occurred when she went on vacation with a friend. Like many people, Hyolyn posted several videos to her Instagram Stories to record her trip for posterity. One video, in which she filmed herself dancing and singing to “Say So,” sparked outrage among netizens. The song itself is quite popular, but people took offense when Hyolyn sang along to a line that included a racial slur.

Realizing her mistake, Hyolyn promptly deleted the video in question, although she left the rest of her vacation footage online. However, since the internet is forever, someone had already recorded the video and shared it elsewhere, where it quickly went viral. This prompted many users to leave angry comments on Hyolyn‘s Instagram posts, demanding an apology for her actions.

Hyolyn apologized on social media

The day after the incident, Hyolyn addressed the situation on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). She wrote, “Yesterday, while singing along to a song that was playing in the background, I carelessly uttered a charged word with significant cultural and historical implications. I am deeply regretful and heartbroken to have hurt so many of you by my ignorance. I am sincerely sorry.”

Hyolyn further expressed her commitment to learning and growing from this experience. “Please know that I love you all very much, and I thank you for keeping me accountable for my actions. I hope you will be there in my journey to educate myself more on cultures beyond my own, to grow not only as an artist but as a person. Thank you again for all your love and support.”

This apology comes at a time when Hyolyn has been actively releasing new material. She recently reunited with fellow SISTAR member Bora to release music as SISTAR19 for the first time in 11 years. Their comeback track, “No More (Ma Boy),” along with a B-side titled “Saucy,” was well-received by fans. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Hyolyn messed up in a big way. The backlash was intense and swift. Source: X/@Jhyoniecorn.

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P1Harmony in Tears After Winning First Place on ‘Music Bank’

P1Harmony, a fourth-generation boy group, recently achieved a monumental milestone by winning first place on a music show for the first time since their debut. Their victory came on the February 16 episode of KBS2TV’s Music Bank. Their latest single  “Killin’ It” outscored (G)I-DLE‘s “Super Lady” with a total of 8,694 points.

“Killin’ It” is the eponymous title track of their latest album, characterized by its sparse arrangement. It boasts catchy synth sounds reminiscent of ’90s hip-hop, bolstered by 808 bass. The track embodies P1Harmony‘s confidence. In the song, the group’s members—Intak, Jiung, Jongseob, Keeho, Soul, and Theo—assert their unparalleled style and declare themselves incomparable, proclaiming themselves as the best. 

The boys were surprised to find themselves in the running for first place. On the day of their win, P1Harmony delivered a dynamic performance of “Killin’ It” that proved they truly deserved it. The victory brought the members to tears, with Intak, who had trained the longest among them, being particularly emotional. He was comforted by his longtime friend and fellow member, Jiung. Intak later admitted that he cried harder after the broadcast, as did the other members.

Killin’ It – P1Harmony [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 240216

Keeho’s heartfelt speech

Meanwhile, their leader Keeho, in a heartfelt speech in both Korean and English, thanked everyone involved in their journey. 

“I want to express my gratitude to our director for loving, supporting, and guiding us on the right path,” Keeho began, his voice trembling with emotion. “I also want to thank the FNC family who worked hard during the process of making this album, to the managers who work hard on the spot, to the hair and makeup staff who create beautiful appearances for us, to our families who support us, and finally, our fans. We’ve been working hard for three years, and you always support and love us. I’m grateful we were able to receive this award. This award is for all of you. This is for you guys, thank you so much!”

The group also posted about their victory on Weverse, acknowledging the long road they took to get to this moment since their debut in 2020. This long-awaited and well-deserved win has been a moment of celebration for both P1Harmony and their fans, known as P1eces.

(Interview) Winner’s Ceremony – P1Harmony🏆 [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 240216

Kudos to P1Harmony

P1Harmony‘s first full-length album, Killin’ It, propelled the FNC Entertainment act to new heights. It went to No. 1 on the Circle and Hanteo charts. The group also made a significant breakthrough in the US last year with their sixth EP, Harmony: All In, which hit No. 51 on the US Billboard 200 Albums chart. 

Their international footprint expanded further with a global tour, performing in 39 cities worldwide. They also participated in the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour. Finally, P1Harmony is slated to be the sole K-pop act performing at the 2024 Governor’s Ball Music Festival in New York this June.

Kudos to P1Harmony on their continued success! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The boys went live to celebrate their first win with P1eces. Source: X/@dailysoulie.

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Korea Forensic Service Concludes Kim Jiwoong Didn’t Swear During Fan Call

Earlier this month, an anonymous netizen posted about their fan call with ZEROBASEONE‘s Kim Jiwoong. The netizen alleged that he cursed at the end of the call, a claim that put the idol’s reputation at risk. However, the Korea Forensic Service came to Jiwoong‘s rescue with a detailed breakdown of what really happened.

They meticulously analyzed audio culled from two sources: CCTV footage from WAKEONE Entertainment‘s premises and the video of the call uploaded by the fan. The analysis focused on formants—key peaks in sound that result from the unique way our vocal tract shapes sound waves. In other words, formants are the acoustic signatures of speech. Since these acoustic signatures can vary significantly from person to person, the authorities often use them as a kind of auditory fingerprint to distinguish between speakers.

Forensic phonetics often relies on formant analysis among other techniques to compare voice samples in criminal investigations or legal proceedings. The analysis can help determine if a voice in a recording matches a suspect or victim’s voice by comparing the specific patterns and characteristics of their speech sounds, including their formants.

@wonnieisminee

kim jiwoong zb1 “sibal” fancall#kimjiwoong#zb1#fancall#kpopjunghyun_juice🧃@keita’s bodyguard 🇯🇵

♬ nhạc nền – #1 junhyeon jungwon stan – #1 junhyeon jungwon stan

Two critical conclusions

That’s what the Korea Forensic Service did in Jiwoong’s case. By examining the formants, their analysts identified three distinct phrases in succession: “Thank you,” followed by a controversial phrase interpreted as “Ssibal” (a swear word in Korean), and finally, a term that sounded like “Strange” or “suspicious.”

Interestingly, they found no anomalies in the sound frequencies transitioning from one phrase to the next, indicating that the recordings were continuous without any signs of clipping or editing. However, a significant discovery was made regarding the wave patterns between the first phrase and the subsequent ones. The analysis suggested that some form of editing accentuated the latter two phrases, making their pronunciation clearer than the first.

The difference in wave patterns led to two critical conclusions: Jiwoong likely did not utter the controversial second phrase. While the third phrase was confirmed to be spoken by the same individual as the first, it remained unclear if the speaker of the second and third phrases was the same or different.

@isfullsun

Dispatch sayang jiung #kimjiwoong #jiwoong #zb1 #zerobaseone #dispatch #fy #fypシ

♬ suara asli – fullsun – fullsun

Kim Jiwoong didn’t utter any curse words

Adding to the evidence, a staff member identified only as ‘D’ talked to Dispatch on Jiwoong’s behalf. D was present during the fan call to monitor the idol. They said, “I don’t remember the fan call between Kim Jiwoong and the fan exactly. But I’m certain Kim Jiwoong didn’t utter any curse words.”

ZEROBASEONE’s agency, WAKEONE Entertainment, issued a statement after Dispatch’s story went live. The label confirmed that it had requested the forensic analysis through its legal team at Law Firm Sejong. It also said they would stand behind the findings, emphasizing its commitment to protecting its artists.

The Korea Forensic Service’s report not only clears Kim Jiwoong of the accusations but also highlights the importance of thorough investigation in resolving disputes. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Forensic phonetics exonerated Jiwoong. Three cheers for forensic phonetics! Source: X/@fearl_ess.

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JYP Entertainment Responds to Reports of a DAY6 Comeback

Recent reports suggesting that DAY6 is preparing to return to the music scene have sparked excitement among fans. JYP Entertainment, the band’s agency, has just confirmed these reports. “DAY6 is filming their new music video. They are aiming for a March release, but the exact schedule will be announced once it is confirmed,” the agency said in a statement.

This comeback marks a significant moment for DAY6, as it will be their first release in three years. Their last was April 2021’s The Book of Us: Negentropy – Chaos Swallowed Up in Love. It was their seventh EP and the fifth and final installment in their three-year The Book of Us series.

The album DAY6 will drop in March is the group’s first since all members—Dowoon, Sungjin, Wonpil, and Young K—completed their military service. Wonpil was the last member to be discharged in November 2023. This comeback is highly anticipated because it signifies the band’s reunion as a full group. There’s also their proven track record of climbing charts and selling out concerts.

@seungwoodz

and currently filming their mv what the- #day6 #데이식스 #youngk #wonpil #sungjin #dowoon

♬ original sound – Lyrics – Dsylyrics

Fans are eager for the return of DAY6

DAY6 demonstrated their ticket-selling power by selling out all seats for their reunion concert The Present: You are My Day, held over three days from December 22 to 24, 2023. This event was their first face-to-face concert in four years. Their songs “You Were Beautiful” (2017) and “Time of Our Life” (2019) have seen a resurgence on various domestic music charts. This further fueled anticipation for the band’s comeback.

Following their comeback, DAY6 is scheduled to perform at the 2024 Asia Star Entertainer Awards (ASEA) in Yokohama City’s K-Arena Yokohama on April 10th. This will mark the first time for DAY6 to attend an award ceremony as a full group since their discharge.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the return of DAY6, ready to support the band as they embark on this new chapter. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: This is their first comeback after serving in the military. Source: X/@kchartsmaster.

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FNC Entertainment to Debut First Rock Band in 10 Years

FNC Entertainment has officially announced the debut of a new all-male rock group.

This marks the agency’s first foray into the rock genre in nearly a decade since N.Flying debuted in 2015. FNC Entertainment, known for debuting some of South Korea’s most successful bands, is doing it all over again with this yet-to-be-named band. The new band will feature four members, all long-time trainees at FNC, who are currently preparing to debut in the first half of 2025.

Since its inception in 2006, FNC Entertainment has been a significant player in the country’s band scene. In addition to F.T. Island, CNBLUE, and N.Flying, the agency also launched the girl group AOA (Ace of Angels) in 2012. Initially promoted as both a dance group and a rock band, AOA eventually shifted their focus towards dance music. FNC’s current roster includes actor Jung Haein and boy groups SF9, P1Harmony, and AMPERS&ONE, as well as the girl group Cherry Bullet.

Their Japanese branch also has a new rock band, Hi-Fi Un!corn. This group debuted on June 26, 2023.

Hi-Fi Un!corn(하이파이유니콘) – ‘U&I’ MV

A big move for FNC

Before their official debut, the new all-male rock group opened F.T. Island‘s 2024 F.T. Island Live ‘HeyDay’ in Taipei, playing for a sold-out crowd at the Taipei Music Center. They impressed over 5,000 concertgoers with their professionalism, talent, and visuals. This show was part of a tour that will also take F.T. Island to Kuala Lumpur on February 24, Hong Kong on March 2, Jakarta on March 16, and Singapore on March 22.

They began their set with a K-pop medley, followed by a cover of Billie Eilish‘s “Bad Guy,” and concluded with an original, unreleased song that left a lasting impression on the audience. Their 20-minute set earned rave reviews from Taiwanese media outlets, including China Times, CityOne, and NOW NEWS.

Before leaving the stage, the members expressed their gratitude, saying, “It’s an honor and a joy to perform on such a grand stage, all thanks to our seniors. Thank you for enjoying it with us.”

While it remains uncertain if they’ll continue to open for F.T. Island, the new all-male rock group’s official debut is eagerly anticipated. Fans are excited, given FNC Entertainment‘s track record of debuting successful bands and the extensive training the four members have undergone. This is a significant move for FNC and the industry as a whole. It could potentially revitalize the rock scene within the K-pop industry and mark a new chapter in the agency’s history as a launchpad for successful bands. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The as-yet unnamed group already made a splash in Taipei. Source: FNC Entertainment.

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ENHYPEN’s Jungwon Goes Viral for Sweet Interaction With a Fan

ENHYPEN‘s leader Jungwon is making waves on social media for his treatment of fans.

A South Korean netizen posted about her encounter with Jungwon outside the HYBE Labels building recently. As proof of her story, she shared a photo of the photocard she asked him to sign on social media, along with her account of what happened.

On X (formerly Twitter), the Jungwon fan account @jungwonglobal translated the netizen’s story. “OP said she met Jungwon in front of the HYBE building yesterday. When she called him and said she was an ENGENE, he came closer and gave her his autograph. He even greeted her with a fist bump.” This explains the signed photocard the netizen posted on her X account, which bore the username @wwxn28.

As if getting his autograph wasn’t a big enough coup, the fan was lucky enough to experience how sweet the “Sweet Venom” singer can really be. When the netizen handed Jungwon the photocard and a pen for him to sign it, their hands touched briefly. That’s when he offered to do something nice for her. “Jungwon said he would buy her a hot pack because her hands were cold. He even offered to buy her a meal because she had told him she hadn’t eaten. OP felt embarrassed, so she naturally said it was OK.”

Fans called Jungwon an ‘angel’

This act of kindness by the idol has impressed fans online, highlighting the reasons they adore him. Another X user commented, “This is the sweetest thing ever.” The story of this particular encounter has gone viral on social media, revealing Jungwon‘s true personality to the public. Fans were thrilled to hear about fellow ENGENEs meeting their favorite idol and expressed their joy at the kindness Jungwon showed.

With stories emerging from fans who have had chance encounters with him, the community praised him for treating them well. Many fans have also called him an “angel” for being kind to them, solidifying his reputation as a talented artist and a genuinely caring person. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: How can you not stan Jungwon after reading this story? Source: X/@honeywonietea.

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Bang Si-hyuk Arranged ENHYPEN’s ‘I Need U’ Cover for Spotify

For the 10th anniversary of Spotify’s K-Pop ON! (온) playlist, the BELIFT LAB boy group ENHYPEN recently unveiled their rendition of BTS’s “I Need U.” Their cover is markedly different from the original’s electronic synth sound. Instead, it’s an acoustic, almost serene take on the song, masterfully arranged by HYBE Labels’ chairman Bang Si-hyuk. This is notable because Bang PD had never granted any artist permission to release covers of BTS’s songs before. Therefore, ENHYPEN’s cover marks a first—and the significance of this milestone isn’t lost on the boys themselves. How can it be, when the song itself means a lot to them? 

In an interview released soon after the cover dropped, Heeseung, the group’s eldest member, shared his personal connection to the song. “I was much younger when I listened to this song for the first time, as you can imagine. My older brother would put this song on while he was preparing to go to school. I sort of woke up to this song every morning, so I grew up to be fond of it.”

“We decided to remake ‘I Need U’ for three reasons,” added ENHYPEN’s leader Jungwon. “It was meaningful because it marked the beginning of BTS sunbaenim’s The Most Beautiful Moment in Life series. We used to listen to it all the time. Some of us even performed this song on I-LAND. This was also the very first time HYBE chairman Bang PD-nim approved the recording and release of a cover. He even participated in the process. It was an honor for us to have him on board.”

ENHYPEN covers “I NEED U” by BTS | K-Pop ON! First Crush

ENHYPEN has learned a lot

ENHYPEN’s rendition of ‘I Need U’ is more mellow and incorporates elements of afrobeats. Sunghoon said this stylistic change is an opportunity for ENGENEs to see a new side of the septet. “Since this is a song that everybody knows and loves, I really want people to focus on what kind of spin we put on it.”

Jake revealed how they decided which member would sing which part. “What we usually do when we record is we go in one by one, sing the whole song, and the producer sort of chooses what lines would fit each member. When I went in to sing the whole thing, I was told that the second verse is going to be Ni-Ki’s so I didn’t get to sing that part.”

ENHYPEN tell us more about their cover of “I NEED U” by BTS | K-Pop ON! First Crush

This cover also presented a challenge for Sunoo, who sings a high-pitched note in the bridge. “I was concerned about it, but practiced a lot. Our own rendition is obviously meant to be different from the original, so I tried really hard to put my own style into it as well,” he shared.

ENHYPEN says they’ve learned a lot since coming together on the survival show I-LAND nearly four years ago. “We’ve done a lot of performances and we’ve become more professional. With this particular cover, we’ll be able to showcase how much we’ve grown,” declares Sunghoon.  Their take on ‘I Need U’ is now available for streaming on Spotify‘s K-Pop ON! (온) playlist. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ENHYPEN’s spin on the BTS classic is quite refreshing. Source: X/@kchartsmaster.

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