Category: K-POP ARTISTS

Sung Hanbin, the charismatic leader of the K-pop group ZEROBASEONE, recently sat down for an intimate chat with his alma mater’s official magazine. As a proud alumnus of Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts Department of K-pop, he reminisced about his college days. He also talked about his journey to stardom, and his aspirations for the future.

“I’ve wrapped up the activities for our debut album YOUTH IN THE SHADE and am preparing for our second mini-album,” Hanbin shared. His recent stint as an MC for Mnet’s M Countdown has been a dream come true, a role he had aspired to since his trainee days.

Reflecting on his debut with ZEROBASEONE in July, Hanbin expressed immense pride. “I worked really hard with the goal of debuting. Now, it feels like I’ve finally reaped the fruits of my labor,” he said.

Hanbin‘s participation in Mnet’s survival program Boys Planet, where he clinched second place, was a pivotal moment in his career. His performance of “Hot Summer” during the finals remains etched in his memory, marking the day he felt an overwhelming outpour of love from fans.

Sung Hanbin encouraged his juniors

He picked the school because of his passion for music and the class structure of the college. Hanbin choreographed a K-pop song for his college entrance exam. He confidently told the department head, “I’ll see you in March after enrolling!”

Balancing schoolwork with trainee life was very challenging. When asked about his inspiration to become a singer, Hanbin credited performances he watched in elementary school. The unwavering belief in himself and the guidance of wise mentors propelled him towards his dream. In challenging times, he seeks solace in familiar surroundings or indulges in chocolate for a quick pick-me-up.

Touting his “tutting” skills as his unique charm, Hanbin described it as a dance that uses one’s hands and arms to create movements in right angles and straight lines. “It’s appealing on screen,” he added.

For Hanbin, the Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts symbolizes burning passion and youth. As he gears up for his group’s second mini-album, Sung Hanbin urges his dongsaengs to stay the course, no matter how hard things get. “Believe in yourself and work hard. I’ll always support you. Fighting!” he said. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The interview was long, with many quotable quotes from Hanbin. Source: X/@roseslation.

SM Entertainment’s latest boy group, RIIZE, is gearing up for a musical comeback. The agency announced on the 23rd that RIIZE‘s new single “Talk Saxy” will drop on various music platforms at 6:00 PM KST on the 27th. This dance track promises to hook listeners right from the start with its catchy saxophone riff coupled with a robust 808 drum sound. The lyrics candidly and confidently express interest in a stranger.

RIIZE has carved a niche for themselves by introducing the “emotional pop” genre, channeling a spectrum of emotions through their music. Their previous tracks, the refreshing “Memories” and the funky “Get A Guitar,” have set the stage for high expectations for “Talk Saxy.”

Staying true to their theme of musical instruments, after guitars, RIIZE is now spotlighting the saxophone. This woodwind instrument, invented in 1840 by Adolphe Sax, uses a reed to produce sound. Players blow air into the mouthpiece, causing the reed to vibrate. The saxophone, with its approximately 22 keys, has been a staple in various music genres, from classical to jazz. Notable saxophonists include Marcel Mule, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker.

RIIZE has a cool new look

Teaser photos and videos for “Talk Saxy” were unveiled on RIIZE‘s official SNS accounts at midnight on the 23rd. The visuals of the seven members in their stylish uniforms, combined with snippets of the song and its choreography, amplified fans’ excitement. 

When RIIZE debuted, some said the members’ weird hairstyles detracted from their natural good looks. But if the teasers for “Talk Saxy” are any indication, it seems the group’s stylists took this feedback to heart. They gave the members a new look, and fans love it!

RIIZE made a significant impact with their debut single album, Get a Guitar, released on September 4. They became million-sellers in just one week after debut, and landed high-profile collaborations to boot. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The members’ styling is better this time around. Source: X/@RIIZE_official.

Many K-pop idols resonate with LGBTQIA+ causes, but few can voice their support due to South Korea’s conservative stance and company policies. However, subtle gestures, like wearing Pride items or engaging with queer entertainment, hint at their solidarity. Recently, NCT‘s Kun took a bold step by publicly supporting gay marriage. This move comes at a time when South Korea grapples with its stance on LGBTQIA+ rights, making Kun‘s endorsement all the more significant.

On October 17, Kun drew attention for engaging with a post by singer-songwriter Sevn Dayz. The post celebrated Sevn Dayz‘s engagement to his partner, Harry Skyers, with photos from their Bali ceremony. Kun‘s heartfelt comment congratulated the couple, showcasing his support for marriage equality.

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Sevn Dayz, a prominent figure in both the K-pop and global music scenes, has collaborated with NCT and other SM artists multiple times. His recent work includes tracks with NCT‘s sub-unit, Dojaejung, and WayV‘s English version of “Phantom.” 

Beyond professional ties, Sevn Dayz shares a close bond with many K-pop idols, especially Kun and NCT‘s Jaehyun. Fans have glimpsed their outings and hangouts on social media, with one memorable instance in June featuring Sevn Dayz, Kun, Harry Skyers, and Adrian Gram sharing a meal.

Kun is a beacon of hope

Kun‘s supportive comment on Sevn Dayz‘s engagement post deeply moved fans. His open endorsement of gay marriage and the LGBTQIA+ community, despite potential backlash due to his celebrity status, was celebrated by many. Historically, South Korea’s conservative Christian culture has resisted LGBTQIA+ acceptance. While there are no federal LGBTQIA+ rights laws, some cities have imposed restrictive regulations. Compared to neighboring democratic countries like Japan and Taiwan, South Korean society has been less inclusive. However, change is on the horizon.

South Korean lawmakers are pushing for legislation granting marriage rights to same-sex couples. This pivotal bill aims to amend the civil code’s gender-specific marriage definition, allowing same-sex couples the same privileges as their heterosexual counterparts. Additionally, the National Assembly is considering introducing civil partnerships as a marriage alternative for both same-sex and heterosexual couples.

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Without official partnership recognition, South Korea’s same-sex couples face potential discrimination, especially in areas like taxation, inheritance, and family law. A landmark decision by South Korea’s High Court earlier this year ruled that denying health insurance benefits to same-sex couples, available to heterosexual ones, is discriminatory based on sexual orientation. But despite the popularity of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in South Korea, its progress has been stymied by legislative inaction and resistance from a vocal minority.

Kun‘s support for marriage equality and the LGBTQIA+ community is a beacon of hope in a changing landscape. His stance not only uplifts his fans but also underscores the evolving perspectives on LGBTQIA+ rights in South Korea. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: This was brave of Kun. Source: X/@qiankun96_th.

MONSTA X‘s Hyungwon, on October 20, posted a handwritten letter on the group’s official fan cafe, announcing his impending military enlistment. As the second youngest member of MONSTA X, Hyungwon‘s enlistment follows the footsteps of the group’s older members like Shownu, Joohoney, Minhyuk, and Kihyun. He is slated to begin his mandatory military service on November 14.

In the letter, Hyungwon wrote, “Hello, Monbebe! This feels like the strangest letter I’ve ever written. I’ll enlist for my mandatory military service on November 14. Because I’ve been preparing myself while watching the other members enlist one by one, I feel more relief than disappointment. I’m not worried about me, but about Monbebe. I mean, I worry about Monbebe whenever there’s a cold wind, so it’s not too out of the ordinary but I guess I could say that my goal is to come back as a strong and reliable person who, by then, can block any wind that tries to blow toward Monbebe.”

Hyungwon‘s heartfelt sentiments continued as he acknowledged the unwavering support of his fans. He said, “It was all because Monbebe helped me grow into the person I am today that I feel I can endure this short time apart without concern, and so I want to make sure to thank you for that.”

Hyungwon strategically planned his return

He concluded his letter with a promise, “Thank you so much, and I love you so much. I’m going to try my best to become someone who can repay you much more for your love. For that, though, I need Monbebe to be healthy and well while I’m gone, okay? It would make me happy if you could. Oh, it turns out, my returning date is May 13. Just thinking about meeting Monbebe the day after makes me giddy. Let’s greet one another with a smile on that day! Love you, Monbebe!”

The letter, filled with raw emotions, left many fans teary-eyed. The significance of Hyungwon‘s enlistment date is profound, as he has strategically planned his return to be right before MONSTA X‘s tenth debut anniversary, ensuring all members can celebrate together. Fans, despite their sadness, remain optimistic, sending him wishes for a safe return and pledging their unwavering support.

In related news, the sub-unit Shownu x Hyungwon, of which Hyungwon is a part, is set to launch its first photo exhibition and pop-up store on Tuesday. This event, scheduled to run until November 5 at the Hongdae branch of exhibition space Noudit in western Seoul, will feature artist photos, merchandise, and more. A photobook titled On My Way will also be available. This sub-unit, the first for MONSTA X, released its debut EP The Unseen with the lead track “Love Me A Little” on July 25. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Hyungwon really poured his heart and soul out in the letter. Source: Naver.