Category: K-POP ARTISTS

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K-DRAMA K-POP ARTISTS LATEST STORIES

Park Jihoon and Hong Yeji to Star in ‘Fantastic Sonata’

Park Jihoon shares photo from script reading. Credit: Instagram/Park Jihoon

Rising stars Park Jihoon and Hong Yeji, who both participated in Produce series, are confirmed to headline the upcoming KBS series Fantastic Sonata. 

Based on the webtoon of the same name, Fantastic Sonata is a historical fantasy romance drama. It will revolve around a man with a split personality and a woman with a dark past who loves him.

The series will mark the first project between Jihoon and Yeji. 

What we know so far about ‘Fantastic Sonata’

For the upcoming series, Park Jihoon will take on the challenging role of Hyun, a crown prince leading a double life. By day, he is a talented fashion designer, concealing his royal lineage from the world. Yet, beneath his composed exterior lies a traumatic past, rooted in the abuse he endured from his father.

But he also have an alternate personality through Ak-hee, a charismatic and charming man who possesses the unique ability to make anyone fall in love with him. However, his life is marked by a curse, causing him intense pain whenever physical contact is made with others.

Meanwhile, Hong Yeji will portray Yeon Wol, a descendant of the fallen Yeon Dynasty, a prestigious clan that faced decimation by the royal government. Raised as an assassin under the identity of Gye Ra, Yeon Wol‘s life takes an unexpected turn when she infiltrates the palace with the intent of assassinating the king. But she’ll find herself losing consciousness and waking up as the crown prince’s concubine.

The series is directed by Lee Jung-sub, whose previous works include the Dali and Cocky Prince and Queen For Seven Days. Joining Lee is scriptwriter Yoon Kyung-ah, who’s known for her work on the 2019 teen series At Eighteen. 

Fantastic Sonata is set for a January 2024 premiere, but a final release date has yet to be announced. 

More on Park Jihoon and Hong Yeji’s career

For those unfamiliar, both Jihoon and Yeji participated in the Produce series. 

Jihoon initially made his debut as a child actor. However, it was his appearance in Mnet’s Produce 101 in 2017 that thrust him into the limelight. There, he made it into the top 11 finalists, leading to his debut as a member of the now-disbanded group, Wanna One.

In addition to his music career, Jihoon has ventured into acting with roles in various television series. Notably, he is best known for his roles in Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency and Weak Hero Class 1. 

As for Yeji, she was a former contestant of Produce 48. In the entertainment industry, she’s making waves through her roles in films like 2037 and School Caste. 

Now, fans are eager to see the chemistry between the idol-actors in the upcoming series. 

Featured image: Park Jihoon shares photo from script reading. Credit: Instagram/Park Jihoon

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Suho Reassures Fans That EXO Will Continue as a Group

Suho poses for EXO's 'Cream Soda' music video. Credit: Facebook/EXO

EXO fans around the world breathed a collective sigh of relief when leader Suho assured them that they will continue as a group.  Notably, the short but sweet message came after a series of developments with the EXO members’ involvement with agency SM Entertainment. 

In a private messaging app, the leader assured EXO-Ls that the group’s future activities would remain intact. “No need to worry about EXO promotions. Suho will take responsibility,” he said. 

Where are the EXO members? 

The reassurance from Suho came in light of news regarding fellow EXO member D.O.‘s establishment of his own agency for solo activities. 

According to several reports, D.O. will explore his solo endeavors through an agency established by a long-time manager. Moreover, SM Entertainment confirmed that D.O.’s contract with the agency will expire in early November. However, he will still continue activities with EXO, which will be handled by SM Entertainment.  

Prior to D.O., there were also rumors circulating about Chanyeol and Sehun potentially transferring to another agency. But SM Entertainment swiftly denied these rumors, emphasizing that the contract signed by the members last year remains valid. However, it was then when the agency revealed that they “conditionally allowed” EXO members to pursue individual activities only through their own established companies. 

Additionally, these recent developments in the EXO camp come after a dispute earlier in the year involving members Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen, who formed the EXO-CBX sub-unit. In June, EXO-CBX filed to terminate their contracts with SM Entertainment, citing alleged “mistreatment and unfair contract terms.” In response, SM Entertainment refuted these claims. After a three-week legal battle, both parties had reached a settlement. 

Following the legal battle with EXO-CBX, it can be recalled that Baekhyun also aired his plans of setting up a new agency. As of writing, news about it has yet to be confirmed. 

‘We are One’ 

Throughout this whole ordeal, the EXO members have emphasized their unyielding commitment to continue their journey together. And Suho’s recent message is just another proof of that. 

Following his message, many EXO-Ls expressed their heartfelt admiration and gratitude for the EXO leader. Many fans commended him for his leadership andis unwavering dedication to EXO. 

Originally a 12-piece act, EXO made their debut in April 2012. Chinese members Kris, Tao, and Luhan have left the group, while Lay left SM Entertainment in April 2022. 

EXO is known for songs “Growl,” “Monster,” “Love Shot,” Overdose,” and “Tempo.” In July, EXO released their seventh full-length album EXIST. 

Featured image: Suho poses for EXO’s ‘Cream Soda’ music video. Credit: Facebook/EXO

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Wow! BLACKPINK’s Lisa earns 8th Guinness World Record with ‘Money’

BLACKPINK shares photo from 'Lalisa' music video. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK

There’s no doubt that BLACKPINK’s Lisa remains to be one of the leading names in the K-pop industry. A proof of that is how her solo debut single, LALISA, released in September 2021, has continued to bring her a wave of international acclaim.

And now, the Thai rapper-dancer has achieved her eight Guinness World Record with her sensational B-side track, “MONEY.”

According to Guinness World Records, “MONEY” stands as the first K-pop track by a solo artist to reach an astounding 1 billion streams on Spotify. What makes this feat more remarkable is that it was initially a B-side track. However, given its immense popularity, the song was released as a second solo single on November 9, 2021. 

In September, Spotify first noted  that “MONEY” has amassed over 1 billion streams on their platform. Which makes Lisa the first and only South Korean singer to join the Billions club. Aside from the BLACKPINK member, other female artists to achieve this feat include Adele, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, and Gayle. 

But that’s not all; the accompanying performance video for “MONEY” has also become one of the most-watched videos. As of writing, it boasts a staggering 919 million views. 

A record-breaking year for Lisa

The milestone achieved by “Money” is the latest addition to Lisa’s incredible achievements for 2023 alone.

To recall, her solo EP, Lalisa, also secured two remarkable Guinness World Records titles. As per GWR, the EP Lalisa reached over 1 billion streams on Spotify, making Lisa the fastest solo K-pop artist to achieve this milestone on the platform.

In 2022, she wrote down her name in history as the first K-Pop soloist to win the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) Best K-pop video award. Moreover, she also holds the title for the most Guinness World Records for a K-pop singer having a total of seven feats under her name.

In 2023, Lisa’s reach expanded further, as she secured the Guinness World Record for having the most followers on Instagram among K-pop artists. Aside from that, the multi-talented rapper and dancer is the only K-pop idol to be part of Instagram’s Rich List of 2023.

Outside of her idol activities, the BLACKPINK member also made waves for her participation at the Crazy Horse Cabaret in Paris. 

Featured image: BLACKPINK shares photo from ‘Lalisa’ music video. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK

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K-DRAMA K-POP ARTISTS LATEST STORIES

Kim Sejeong to Make Theatrical Debut With ‘Temple’

Sejeong shares behind-the-scenes photo from her first concert. Credit: Twitter/Sejeong

Multitalented South Korean artist Kim Sejeong is expanding her diverse career as she plans to venture into the world of theater. 

On Monday, October 23, Korean media reported that the idol-actress is making her highly-anticipated theatrical debut in the play Temple. 

According to a Daum report, Temple is based on the life of Dr. Temple Grandin, a world-renowned zoologist who was diagnosed with autism in her childhood. It follows her journey to Mountain Country High School wherein she received massive support from her mother and a dedicated doctor. 

Sejeong will reportedly play the titular role of Dr. Temple. Other details such as its show dates have yet to be announced. 

 

 

Despite her previous experience in musicals, Temple marks her first foray into traditional theater. Prior to this, Sejeong’s stage appearances were predominantly in musicals. In 2020, she acted in the production Return while in Red Book in 2021. 

Following the news, fans couldn’t help but applaud the idol’s continued pursuit for her craft, with many eagerly anticipating her first steps onto the theatrical stage. 

Look back on the career of Kim Sejeong 

Known for her versatile talents, Sejeong gained fame through the first season of Produce 101 in 2016. There, she finished as the runner-up and eventually became part of the project group, I.O.I. During I.O.I’s promotions, she also debuted with the group Gugudan, under Jellyfish Entertainment.

Although I.O.I and Gugudan disbanded in 2017 and 2020, respectively,  Sejeong continued to rise as a prominent figure in the industry.

As a solo artist, she made her solo comeback in September with her first full-length album Door. It marked her return to the music scene after a two-year hiatus. Her last solo release was the second mini-album, I’m, in March 2021.

Despite her success in the music industry, Sejeong has been dedicating herself to her acting career.  Her acting career took off with her debut in “School 2017,” where she was recognized with a Best New Actress award. Additionally, she’s best known for starring in dramas like Business Proposal, Today’s Webtoon, and The Uncanny Counter 2. 

In addition to her acting pursuits, Sejeong has hosted various television variety shows, including Busted, Get It Beauty, and Wanna Hear Your Song. 

Featured image: Sejeong shares behind-the-scenes photo from her first concert. Credit: Twitter/Sejeong

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

SEVENTEEN Soars to New Heights with ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’

Melon shares photos from SEVENTEEN's filming for 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN.' Credit: Twitter/SVT Contents

K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN continues to establish themselves as one of the biggest names in the industry. With their 11th mini-album SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN, the group have taken the industry by storm by setting new records and achieving remarkable milestones. 

On Monday, October 23, SEVENTEEN made their highly-anticipated comeback with SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN. The eight-track album served as the group’s return after five months following the release of FML in May.

Although it’s only been months since the group released new music, their latest album still had a meteoric rise to the top of charts, solidifying the group’s status as one of the most influential acts in the industry. 

Records set by ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’ 

Prior to the album’s official release, SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN amassed an astounding 5.2 million pre-orders, setting a new benchmark for Korean acts. Said number also served as the group’s best personal record as their previous album, FML, only recorded 4.64 million copies in pre-orders. Furthermore, with this final total, SEVENTEEN now holds the record for the highest pre-order volume for an album in the history of K-pop. 

Meanwhile, the first-day album sales of  SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN are equally impressive as it reached 3.288 million units. This places them second only to their previous release, FML, which achieved 3.99 million first-day sales. In doing so, SEVENTEEN now holds the top two positions for the biggest first-day album sales debuts in the history of the Hanteo chart.

 

Additionally, the reach of SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN extended far beyond Korea’s borders. According to a report from Naver, the album achieved an all-kill status as it dominated the Japanese iTunes album chart across all genres. Moreover, it also maintained its reign at the top of Line Music’s real-time album chart. 

In China, the album sold a total of ¥400,000 digital sales revenue in just 18 hours after its release. 

‘God of Music’ dominates charts

Some of the standout achievements of SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN is also attributed to its title track, “God of Music.” Within 24 hours of its release, the track quickly dominated charts such as Genie, and Bugs. What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is that SEVENTEEN became the first male group to top the Melon Top 100 for 2023, a milestone that speaks volumes about their growing influence and popularity.

Now that “God of Music” debuted at Melon’s Top 100, SEVENTEEN joins NewJeans, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and G-IDLE as the only idol groups to have a song top the list for 2023. 

 

Outside of the Korean music charts, “God of Music” achieved top rankings on the iTunes “Top Song” chart in an impressive 29 countries and regions. The song’s appeal transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries, finding favor in places like Brazil, the Philippines, and Singapore.

In an interview with Vulture, member Vernon says that the track shows SEVENTEEN’s “true colors.” “We’re just a really fun and bright group in general,” he said. Meanwhile, Joshua added: “It shows our energy, it shows our happiness, it shows our teamwork, it shows our performance skill sets.”  

Other songs included in the album are “SOS,” “Diamond Days,” “Back 2 Back,” “Monster,” “Yawn,” and “Headliner.” 

Featured image: Melon shares photos from SEVENTEEN’s filming for ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN.’ Credit: Twitter/SVT Contents

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TXT Set to Appear in Special Episode of Japan’s ‘Crayon Shin-chan’

On October 21, BigHit Music, the agency behind TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), unveiled a delightful surprise for fans. The five-member boy group is set to appear in the iconic Japanese animated series, Crayon Shin-chan. Their episode, titled “TXT is Here,” is scheduled to air on October 28.

What’s in the episode?

In this highly-anticipated episode, animated versions of Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai will interact with the mischievous Shinnosuke “Shin-chan” Nohara and his family. Notably, they will teach their devoted fan, Shin-chan, how to dance to their song “Happy Fools (feat. Coi Leray).” This track was the third on their fifth mini-album, The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION, released on January 27, 2023.

Soobin expressed his excitement, saying, “Even though I really love Shiro, I was really happy to meet Shin-chan’s entire family this time.” For those unfamiliar with the franchise, Shiro is Shin-chan’s intelligent and somewhat neglected white fluffy dog.

Adding to the excitement, the members ventured into voice acting for this collaboration. They recorded their dialogue in Japanese and Korean. The Korean version of the episode will be aired in South Korea at a later date. Beomgyu talked about his experience, stating, “It was my first time doing a voiceover for an anime, and it was a very new and special experience. We worked hard on it, so please make sure to watch it!”

@jw_n209

MOAの皆さん必見❣️ 10月28日午後4時30分かららしいです!!私も見ます👀#tomorrow_x_together #TXT #moa #クレヨンしんちゃん #fyp #おすすめ

♬ オリジナル楽曲 – ポケッズの沼 – うぉん

More surprises from TXT

Yeonjun hinted at more surprises, saying, “We’ve prepared a lot more than just the anime! I hope you enjoy it a lot!” 

Sure enough, in addition to the anime, TXT will also appear in the Crayon Shin-chan manga. They will visit Kasukabe City and meet the Nohara family in a chapter that will drop on November 4. Furthermore, to celebrate this collaboration, exclusive merchandise and limited edition products will be available on Futabasha and the Weverse Shop.

Crayon Shin-chan, penned by Yoshito Usui, first appeared in the Japanese magazine, Weekly Manga Action, in 1990. After Usui passed away in 2009, his team introduced a new manga in 2010. The anime adaptation, starting in 1992, now airs in 45 countries, translated into 30 languages, and boasts over 1000 episodes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJOYsdj3HOc

TXT on CRAYON SHINCHAN preview!!❤👏

Fans and members are excited

Given the series’ immense popularity, it has seen numerous collaborations, including appearances by renowned personalities and other K-pop idols. Just last month, the JYP Entertainment girl group BLACKPINK made a cameo in the anime, and now TXT is set to follow suit. Fans are excited to see the animated versions of the members. 

Taehyun is just as pumped. He said, “I was really shocked and happy when I heard that we were going to be on Crayon Shin-chan.” Hueningkai added, “I’ve been watching Crayon Shin-chan since I was a little kid, so I enjoyed this collaboration a lot. Please look forward to it!”

As the air date approaches, fans and the TXT members themselves are eagerly counting down to it. They’re also looking forward to getting their hands on the merchandise. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The members and their fans are equally excited for this collaboration. Source: X/@_AlessandraMM.

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Dartmouth College Study Highlights BTS’ Positive Impact During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many sought solace wherever they could. For countless fans worldwide, K-pop supergroup BTS was a beacon of hope. A recent Dartmouth College study has now revealed that this wasn’t just a subjective feeling. BTS, in fact, played a pivotal role in enhancing public health outcomes during the pandemic. Their impact even overshadowed major health institutions such as the CDC, NIH, and WHO.

Herbert Chang, a professor of Quantitative Social Science at Dartmouth College, spearheaded the study during his graduate years at the University of Southern California. With access to the world’s most extensive Twitter dataset, Chang embarked on this research journey after observing people’s heavy reliance on digital content during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Although initially unfamiliar with K-pop, one of his co-authors was a fan. Their combined perspectives led to an exploration of BTS’ influence, especially during a time when the group’s global popularity was skyrocketing due to their musical success. Additionally, their advocacies, such as when they addressed mental health during a talk at the United Nations General Assembly, further highlighted their impact.

As researchers examined data from online discussions on public health and safety, they discovered that BTS had been the most effective and influential in spreading the message. A few years back, the World Health Organization launched the Wear A Mask campaign on social media. Despite its clear benefits to public health, mask-wearing became a contentious issue worldwide. However, the campaign witnessed a significant boost after a tweet from WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on August 22, 2020. He thanked the septet for reminding people to mask up, coinciding with the release of their hit single, “Dynamite.” This tweet became a sensation, with K-pop fans globally making it the most shared mask-wearing tweet.

BTS’ impact, by the numbers

In a recent interview, Chang delved deeper into the data, emphasizing the significant difference in reach between tweets that mentioned BTS and those that didn’t. A series of 16 tweets by the head of the WHO referencing BTS garnered nearly 234,600 retweets. In contrast, 2,140 other tweets without a BTS mention accumulated 282,650 retweets, indicating that tweets mentioning the septet achieved 111 times more virality.

The study also explored mask-wearing tweets across countries. The number of tweets with K-pop content spiked in Western countries, with the U.S. leading. But the biggest increase in virality was seen in the global south, particularly Southeast Asia and South America. According to the retweet data, Vietnam had a 3,840% increase (38.4 times more virality), South Korea a 3,190% increase, Philippines a 1,290% increase, Peru a 1,080% increase, and Argentina an 845% increase. 

In the U.S., the most significant viral upticks, percentage-wise, were seen in South Dakota (52%), North Dakota (41%), Mississippi (39%), Missouri (39%), Utah (37%), Louisiana (37%), Wisconsin (36%), and Nebraska (33%). Chang’s team also noticed a surge in the use of the #WearAMask hashtag by right-leaning users after BTS appeared at the United Nations General Assembly.

BTS (방탄소년단) Speech at the 75th UN General Assembly

The fans’ involvement

Chang admitted his surprise at BTS‘ dominant presence in public health messaging. He emphasized that it wasn’t just BTS‘ influence as artists but also their fandom, the ARMY, that amplified the messages. “We observed the strength of their online communities. Social media networks aren’t just networks; they’re connections between users. We gauged the strength of these communities using specific algorithms,” he explained.

When asked about the depth of the fans’ involvement, Chang highlighted their tangible actions. He noted that when BTS concerts were canceled due to the pandemic, the ARMY redirected their ticket refunds to causes like the Black Lives Matter movement and UNICEF, raising over three to four million USD in just a few days.

Becky Pham and Emilio Ferrara at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, also contributed significantly to this groundbreaking study. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: At the height of the pandemic in 2020, BTS taped a message for the 75th United Nations General Assembly. Source: X/@JeonAngel_18.

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K-POP ARTISTS K-POP STYLE KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

ENHYPEN Talks Fashion with Women’s Wear Daily

The ENHYPEN members—Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki—are on a roll. Not only did they become the fastest K-pop boy group to cross the 1 billion streams mark, but they were also named brand ambassadors for Prada earlier this year.

During a recent trip to Los Angeles, they sat down with Women’s Wear Daily to talk about their fashion journey. When asked about their experience at Milan Fashion Week, Jay said, “It was our second Prada show, but the first women’s show we’ve been to. We were curious about it and after the show, too, there were a lot of things to experience, like exhibitions.” Sunghoon added, “We were able to have some free time while we were there, so we got to enjoy ourselves. And at the show, we saw many actors and fellow artists, so it was really fun.”

At fashion events, the ENHYPEN members find a unique blend of fan interactions and style inspo. Jake reminisced about their European visits, saying, “We’ve now been to two in Europe, and we don’t normally have much opportunity to see our fans in Europe. Being able to see them after so long is really memorable. They welcomed us so warmly in Milan.” For his part, Heeseung loved the immersive experience of attending fashion shows in person. “I think the best thing is just the fact that we get to attend these fashion shows. It’s so different when you’re there in person compared to just watching a video. You can really feel what the designer is trying to convey,” he said.

The ENHYPEN members’ styles

For ENHYPEN, fashion is a form of expression. Each member has a distinct style that sets them apart. While Sunoo prefers to keep it simple, Sunghoon leans towards a more embellished look with plenty of accessories. Ni-ki‘s style is hip with a touch of vintage, and Jungwon is known for his love of oversized clothing. Jay, on the other hand, shared, “There are a lot of things I like, but recently I’ve been into retro and newtro… Like ’70s and ’80s styles. Rockstuds, things like that.”

They know that fashion and K-pop are inextricably linked. Jake said, “Being on stage and showing yourself is a major element of K-pop, so we put a lot of thought into fashion and what we wear. And I think the public also keeps a close eye on the fashion and visual aspects.” Heeseung added, “That and it’s also a big part of how we portray ourselves. A certain outfit can make you look a certain way, according to the style. Because we’re able to change that based on how we want to be perceived, I think it’s a really important part of being an idol.”

A lot of effort goes into curating looks that align with the theme of their music. Sunoo said, “For DARK BLOOD, we had outfits that are similar to what vampires wear, like suits. In the music video, we had pearl vests, and we tried a lot of new things. Things that had a vampire vibe to it.” Jungwon elaborated, “We had an artisan create the clothes custom for us. I think the fans may have been intrigued by the outfits at first, but we were so proud of them. It was heavy but we loved it.”

Stylish and talented

Their ongoing U.S. tour is another testament to their global appeal. The tour began in Los Angeles, where they mesmerized fans with their performances. Sunghoon expressed his excitement, saying, “Doing a show in a stadium in L.A., it felt really different. I think the ENGENEs really enjoyed themselves too, so we were also extra excited. It gave us strength. It was so fun on stage.” The members also shared their favorite songs from the setlist, with Sunoo choosing “Karma” and Jay picking “Blockbuster.”

When WWD asked about their favorite tour outfits, Ni-ki shared, “The encore outfits. I think compared to the other outfits—the other outfits were created by our label to match the songs, but for the encore, I requested the style that I wanted, baggy jeans and a shirt. I was glad I was able to wear that. It was my favorite.” Sunghoon, sounding a bit surprised, responded, “I think only Ni-ki requested. I didn’t know we could do that.” He also mentioned that they updated the encore outfits for the U.S. tour. Jungwon added that they change those outfits for each tour leg. Ni-ki then pointed out that similar changes are made to the merchandise as well.

The WWD interview proved that the ENHYPEN members aren’t just talented, they’re stylish too. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Noted photographer Michael Buckner shot ENHYPEN for WWD. Source: WWD.

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LE SSERAFIM Partners With Overwatch 2 for In-Game Event

BLIZZARD Entertainment announces collaboration with LE SSERAFIM. Credit: Twitter/Overwatch

Fearnots, you have another thing to look forward to as K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM is partnering with the hit game Overwatch 2. 

On Thursday, October 19, game developer BLIZZARD Entertainment announced this surprising crossover. 

This interesting collaboration promises to bring gamers and music enthusiasts alike an unforgettable fusion of gaming and music. Moreover, it will offer a unique and immersive experience to both fandoms.

 

What we know so far in LE SSERAFIM x Overwatch 2 

As of writing, many details about this collaboration are still under wraps. 

But the project will kickstart with the release of “Perfect Night” on October 26. Previously, the quintet has released concept photos for this all-English single. There, the members followed a mix of sporty and futuristic themes.

Now that it’s confirmed to be a collaboration with Overwatch 2, fans are anticipating as to how the single will complement the high-octane world of the game. 

Additionally, BLIZZARD Entertainment has also hinted at a “LE SSERAFIM-inspired custom game mode and exclusive Overwatch hero skins.” 

Based on the teaser art alone, fans and gamers are anticipating for more in-game items. As well as how the game will draw inspiration from the distinctive style and energy of the LE SSERAFIM members. 

More information about this collaboration will be revealed on October 30. Then the exclusive content will be available in-game starting November 1. 

To make this partnership even more unforgettable, LE SSERAFIM will also grace the second night of BlizzCon 2023, scheduled for November 4. At this annual gaming extravaganza, the girl group will treat attendees with their latest single “Perfect Night.” 

For those interested to catch the quintet in the event, tickets for BlizzCon 2023 are currently available for purchase on the official BlizzCon website. 

Fans’ reaction on the collaboration

While the particulars of this partnership have not yet been fully disclosed, fans are abuzz with anticipation on what LE SSERAFIM and Overwatch have to offer. 

On social media, fans are eagerly speculating on how the collaboration between the worlds of gaming and music come to be. 

Since this also marks the first time for BLIZZARD Entertainment to collaborate with a music artist,  gamers worldwide are eagerly awaiting this unique gaming experience. 

Meanwhile, fans of LE SSERAFIM are delighted at this memorable addition to the Overwatch universe. 

Featured image: BLIZZARD Entertainment announces collaboration with LE SSERAFIM. Credit: Twitter/Overwatch

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BTS’ Concert Film ‘Yet to Come’ to Stream on Amazon Prime

BTS poses with banners after their 'Yet to Come' concert in Busan. Credit: Twitter/BTS

K-pop sensation BTS is bringing their latest concert film BTS: Yet to Come to the small screens worldwide. 

On October 17, the septet announced that it  partnered with Amazon Prime Video to host BTS: Yet to Come on their platform. Starting November 9, the concert film will be available to 240 countries and territories across the world. 

To recall, the Yet to Come concert was initially a free-of-charge event held in Busan in October 2022. Moreover, it was organized to support the city’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo. 

Originally planned for a different venue, the Asiad Main Stadium ultimately hosted approximately 50,000 enthusiastic fans. According to reports from Korean media, thousands of viewers also enjoyed a live retransmission at Busan Port and at the popular tourist destination, Haeundae. 

Additionally, the concert was also live streamed on television channels JTBC and online platforms Weverse and Naver. Previously, HYBE claimed that an astounding 49 million viewers streamed the concert on Weverse. 

Notably, the concert was just one of the highlights for BTS The City in Busan. Other activities included a photo exhibition and official merchandise store.

The ‘BTS: Yet to Come’ concert film

One of the reasons why said concert is meaningful for ARMYs is because it’s their last live show as a full group for the time being. Within 48 hours after the concert, they announced that all seven members  – RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook – would soon be fulfilling their mandatory military enlistment. 

During the concert, BTS amazed the crowd with performances of fan-favorites “Run, Boy with Love,” “Fire,” and “Idol.” For the unit performances, Jin, Jimin, V and Jungkook teamed up for “00:00 (Zero O’Clock)” and “Butterfly.” Meanwhile, rap line RM, SUGA and J-Hope performed “UGH!” and “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER.”

And to wrap up the show, they prepared special songs for the encore: “Spring Day” and “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment).”

In a press release from Amazon Prime Video, the concert film will feature all of the 19 electrifying stages from the show, as well as touching speeches from the members. 

Interestingly, the concert film has been first remixed and re-edited as BTS: ‘Yet To Come’ In Cinemas. In January, the film produced by HYBE and CJ 4DPlex made a limited appearance in cinemas. 

But the release on Prime Video will mark the first time for the concert film to be available in streaming platforms. “We know the popularity of high-quality Korean content worldwide and we look forward to delighting consumers around the globe with BTS: Yet to Come,” David Simonsen, director of Prime Video Southeast Asia.said. 

With this, ARMYs can keep on rewatching the concert film over and over again as they wait for BTS to reconvene as a full group in 2025. 

Featured image: BTS poses with banners after their ‘Yet to Come’ concert in Busan. Credit: Twitter/BTS

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