Category: K-POP ARTISTS

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SM Entertainment Denies That EXO’s Sehun and Chanyeol Moved to Another Agency

EXO-SC performs at the Waterbomb event in Japan. Credit: Facebook/EXO

SM Entertainment has refuted reports that EXO members Sehun and Chanyeol have signed with a different agency for their solo activities. 

On Tuesday, October 17, South Korean news outlet SBS reported that Sehun and Chanyeol, who’s also known as sub-unit EXO-SC, have signed with a different label to pursue more individual activities. 

According to the report, the unnamed agency was founded by Jung Hoon Tak, the former CEO of the entertainment agency iHQ. Furthermore, it also claimed that Sehun and Chanyeol will still continue their group activities with EXO under SM Entertainment. 

In response, the label announced that Sehun and Chanyeol transferred to another agency. “The contracts that EXO members signed with SM Entertainment at the end of last year remain valid,” the agency added. 

However, the label noted that they have reached a conditional agreement with the EXO members in terms of their plans of pursuing solo activities. Which, they explained, is only possible if the idol “proceed through their own established companies if they wish.” 

As of writing, Sehun and Chanyeol have yet to address the issue. 

EXO and SM Entertainment in 2023

The news about Sehun and Chanyeol’s status as an artist of SM Entertainment came four months after their fellow EXO members Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen also had a dispute with the agency. 

In June, the EXO-CBX sub-unit filed to terminate their contracts with the agency over alleged “mistreatment and unfair contract terms.” The EXO-CBX sub-unit cited unclear handling of earnings and slave contracts as their motivation. 

At the time, SM Entertainment had refuted claims made by the three EXO members. After a three-week legal battle, it was announced that both parties have reached a settlement. 

In July, EXO released their seventh full-length album EXIST. To note, it served as EXO’s first album as a full-group in two years.

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.” 

Featured image: EXO-SC performs at the Waterbomb event in Japan. Credit: Facebook/EXO

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SNSD’s Taeyeon Preparing to Drop New Solo Album in November

Girls’ Generation member and soloist, Taeyeon, is gearing up to release a new album this November, as confirmed by SM Entertainment. This announcement was part of the agency’s Q4 schedule for 2023, which also highlighted several other anticipated releases.

Her last album was a hit

“Taeyeon is currently preparing for a new album set for release in November,” SM Entertainment shared in a press release, as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily. “It will be her first album release after a while, following her third full-length album INVU which dropped in February last year.”

The INVU album was a commercial and critical success. Time magazine, a renowned American media outlet, included INVU in its list of The Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2022. Time praised the album, noting Taeyeon’s “sonorous and affectionate tone” and her ability to seamlessly transition between powerful high notes and soft falsettos. They also highlighted her versatility, calling her an artist who showcases her vocal prowess across various genres.

The title track “INVU” achieved significant chart success. It secured the No. 1 spot on Gaon’s Digital Chart and also made its mark on international charts, including Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales and Global Excl. U.S. charts. Furthermore, “INVU” featured on several Billboard charts worldwide, spanning countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea. Taeyeon‘s achievements didn’t stop there; she clinched Gaon’s Artist of the Year Award in the music category in February and topped the Gaon Digital Comprehensive Chart in March.

What else is Taeyeon up to?

While fans eagerly await her new material, they can stay updated with Taeyeon‘s activities on social media. Recently, on October 7 KST, the Girls’ Generation leader shared a series of photos on her Instagram from a promotional shoot for Benefit Cosmetics. The vibrant, high school-inspired set showcased Taeyeon‘s radiant charm, leading fans to shower her with compliments such as “You’re so beautiful today too” and “She looks like a fairy!”

In other updates, Taeyeon continues to entertain as a regular cast member on the tvN variety show Amazing Saturday. She has also been representing Benefit Cosmetics as an ambassador since April 2022.

Anticipation is high for Taeyeon‘s upcoming album, and fans are eager to see what the seasoned artist will bring to the table this time around. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ‘INVU’ rose to No. 179 (+19) on Spotify’s Daily Chart in South Korea after the news broke. Source: X/@ultsootaeng.

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ZEROBASEONE’s Official Lightstick Design Wins Fans’ Hearts

Rookie boy group ZEROBASEONE made waves in the K-pop community with the release of their much-anticipated lightstick. The group teased fans with a digital mockup of the design on October 13, showcasing the lightstick amidst a bed of flowers, evoking memories of their debut song “In Bloom.”

ZEROBASEONE (제로베이스원) OFFICIAL LIGHT STICK TEASER

Diverging from the traditional stick format that most groups adopt, ZEROBASEONE‘s lightstick boasts a distinctive design. Shaped like a ring, it shares similarities with only one other K-pop group’s lightstick: ITZY‘s. However, ZEROBASEONE has enhanced this design by incorporating a rose pattern at the top, giving their lightstick the appearance of an actual wearable ring. At the ring’s center is an interchangeable, customizable emoji face. Additionally, the lightstick’s petals emit a captivating blue glow, further enhancing its appeal.

The lightstick’s aesthetically pleasing and innovative design has garnered widespread admiration. ZEROSE have said it’s much better than the temporary lightstick used during the group’s fan-con. That one was rather simplistic, featuring an acrylic sign of the group’s name atop a plain white stick. The official lightstick was made available for purchase on October 16 at 3:00 PM KST, and pre-orders were quickly snapped up by eager fans.

What’s in a lightstick?

Lightsticks are more than just accessories. They’re symbols of fandom identity, and every K-pop group aims to design one that truly connects with its fans. These lightsticks amp up the concert experience, with fans coming together to create a mesmerizing ocean of lights that move in sync.

Today’s lightsticks come packed with features like Bluetooth, adding an interactive layer to the concert experience and deepening the bond between fans and performers. They’re not just tools for cheering; they’re cultural symbols that capture shared moments between idols and fans. And with unique designs, they often become sought-after collectibles. For K-pop idols on stage, seeing this sea of lights is a powerful reminder of their fanbase’s love and dedication. This sight often sparks deep emotions.

In this context, ZEROBASEONE‘s official lightstick truly shines. It reflects their understanding of fan culture and their drive to bring something fresh to the table. The unique ring design, paired with customizable features and a striking blue glow, sets them apart in the bustling K-pop world. As ZEROBASEONE continues to rise, this lightstick is sure to be a treasured symbol of their journey and the steadfast love of their fans. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The members have said they can’t wait to see ZEROSE toting this lightstick at their shows. Source: YouTube/@ZB1_official.

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ZEROBASEONE Achieves Double Million-Seller Status with Debut Album

Rookie group ZEROBASEONE has taken the music scene by storm with their record-breaking debut album. As of September 30, their album YOUTH IN THE SHADE has sold an impressive 2,034,594 copies since its release in July. This monumental feat positions them as the first K-pop group to sell over 2 million copies of a debut album.

They’ve also earned a spot on the elite list of artists acknowledged by Circle Chart for selling more than 2 million copies of a single album. Fans have even more to anticipate, as ZEROBASEONE is set to make a comeback with their second mini-album, MELTING POINT, on November 6.

Previously, ZEROBASEONE had already made waves by becoming the first K-pop group to sell over a million copies of their debut album in a single day, as reported by Hanteo Chart. On July 4, the group surpassed 1.08 million stock pre-orders for YOUTH IN THE SHADE. In doing so, they broke a record set by SECHSKIES in 1997, becoming the first K-pop group to record one million pre-orders for a debut album in over two decades. They achieved this feat 13 days after pre-orders began and five days before their official debut.

Congratulations, ZEROBASEONE!

The group’s soaring popularity during their pre-order phase led many to predict they would cross a million sales with their debut album. This prediction came true on July 10 when the album’s sales hit the one million mark in just nine hours on the Hanteo charts. By the end of their debut day, sales had reached 1.2 million.

ZEROBASEONE was formed on Mnet’s Boys Planet, a successor to Girls Planet 999. Although Boys Planet came after Girls Planet 999, it still garnered significant attention. The presence of popular contestants like Kim Jiwoong, known for being an OTT actor, and Chinese music prodigy Zhang Hao helped. Both made it to the final lineup of ZEROBASEONE.

Mnet unveiled the final lineup on April 20 during the Boys Planet finale. It included Sung Hanbin, Seok Matthew, Ricky, Park Gunwook, Kim Taerae, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin. These talented boys went on to break one record after another. Congrats, ZEROBASEONE! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: If any group deserves the ‘monster rookie’ title, it’s this one! Source: X/@GLOBALBASEONE.

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Look: EXO’s Chanyeol Drops Teaser for ‘Good Enough’

EXO releases the first teaser of Chanyeol's digital single 'Good Enough.' Credit: Twitter/EXO

The long wait is almost over, EXO-Ls! Chanyeol of K-pop group EXO has been confirmed to return with new solo music. 

On Monday, October 16, SM Entertainment announced that the rapper will be releasing the digital single “Good Enough” on October 20. 

In the first teaser released, Chanyeol is seen playing a Jenga game. But the overall aesthetic of the teaser appears to be more retro-themed. 

According to a Naver report, “Good Enough” is a synth-pop song with a rhythmic synthesizer line. It reportedly aims to give fans a sense of comfort as it will tackle the challenges everyone faces to achieve their dreams. 

Moreover, Chanyeol wrote the lyrics for “Good Enough.”

Following the news, fans have expressed their excitement for it as “Good Enough” will serve as Chanyeol’s first solo offering in two years and a half. He last released the single “Tomorrow” through SM STATION in April 2021.

Since then, he enlisted in the military and finished his service in September 2022. 

Look back on the career of Chanyeol 

Chanyeol made his debut as a member of EXO under SM Entertainment in 2012. In July, the group released their seventh full-length album EXIST in July. It served as EXO’s first album as a full-group in two years.

Together with member Sehun, Chanyeol formed the sub-unit EXO-SC in 2019. The duo is known for songs “What a Life,” “1 Billion Views,” and “Rodeo Station.” 

As a solo artist, he released his first single “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (SSFW)” in 2019. 

Outside of EXO, Chanyeol has also participated in various collaborations and singing of K-drama OSTs. For instance, he collaborated with Super Junior’s Yesung for “Confession,” Heize for “Don’t Make Me Money,” and Junggigo for “Let Me Love You.” 

In terms of OSTs, he recorded “Stay with Me” with Punch for the drama Goblin and “Go Away Go Away” with Punch again for Dr. Romantic 2. 

Given his wide range of releases, fans of Chanyeol are looking forward to his upcoming new music.

Featured image: EXO releases the first teaser of Chanyeol’s digital single ‘Good Enough.’ Credit: Twitter/EXO

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WayV to Release ‘On My Youth’ in November

WayV releases the digital single 'Welcome to my Paradise.' Credit: Facebook/WayV

Mark your calendars, Weyshennies! WayV, NCT’s China-based unit, is about to make their first comeback in almost 11 months. 

On Monday, October 16, SM Entertainment announced that the group is gearing up for their second full length-album On My Youth. 

According to a Naver report, the album will have a total of 10 songs of various genres. Its title track will have the same title as the album. 

Notably, all tracks will be released on digital platforms on November 1. But the physical album will only be available starting November 8. 

To note, On My Youth will serve as the group’s first album since their fourth EP Phantom came out in December 2022. 

Moreover, this will also mark WayV’s first comeback since member Lucas officially confirmed his exit from the group in May.

According to SM Entertainment, Lucas parted ways with NCT and WayV to pursue his individual endeavors. To recall, Lucas had been on hiatus since August 2021 after he was embroiled in cheating and gaslighting controversies. Following the news, he penned a letter to fans, saying that he was sorry to the members. 

With this, WayV has continued activities with the remaining six members: Kun, Hendery, Yangyang, Xiaojun, Ten, and Winwin. 

Also in May, the group released the digital single “Welcome to My Paradise.” 

2023 for WayV

In line with the release of their fourth EP, WayV also held their fan meeting tour Phantom. Between February to August, the group staged shows across several stops in Asia and Europe. 

In August, WayV also participated in the full group comeback of NCT. Aside from the release of their album Golden Age, the SM Entertainment act also held their first concert as a full group titled NCT Nation: To the World. 

WayV debuted in January 2019. The group is known for songs “Kick Back,” “Love Talk,” “Turn Back Time,” and “Miracle.” 

Featured image: WayV releases the digital single ‘Welcome to my Paradise.’ Credit: Facebook/WayV

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BLINKS Celebrate as BLACKPINK’s ‘Born Pink’ Tour Sets New Record

BLACKPINK recently made history when their ‘Born Pink’ World Tour became the highest-grossing K-pop tour ever. This achievement positions them as the first and only Asian act to hold this record. The data, encompassing net profit, seat occupancy, and ticket sales across global venues, showcases remarkable figures.

@kmlsoo27

BLACKPINK’s ‘BORN PINK WORLD TOUR’ is officially the highest-grossing tour by an Asian act in HISTORY, with a reported $260,597,475 earned from 56/68 shows and counting. #blackpink #bornpinkworldtour #blackpinkinyourarea #fyp

♬ How You Like That – BLACKPINK

TouringData, an independent platform that reports on concert grosses and live entertainment information, confirmed that ‘Born Pink’ amassed over 260.6 million USD in profits. The tour reportedly sold 1,485,245 tickets, with an average revenue of 4,653,526 USD per show and an average ticket price of 175.46 USD. These figures are based on 56 of the recorded 66 concerts from the tour.

The North American leg of the ‘Born Pink’ World Tour generated 51,280,096 USD from 14 shows. In Europe, the group earned 24,878,954 USD from 10 shows. In the Asia sub-continent, the girls made a staggering 164,460,142 USD from all 30 shows. Two shows in Latin America contributed 19,978,283 USD. 

The BLACKPINK members’ monumental success

Once their last ten shows—including some of their biggest encore shows—are taken into account, their total earnings might well exceed 300 million USD. This would make the ‘Born Pink’ World Tour one of the most successful tours by any female musical artist ever. BLINKs expressed their joy on social media, celebrating BLACKPINK‘s monumental success.

https://www.tiktok.com/@sir_ge/video/7289789560635149574?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6908322787502065153

According to a YG Entertainment report on September 20, the ‘Born Pink’ World Tour attracted 1.8 million spectators across 66 shows in 34 global locations. Including the Coachella and Hyde Park concert attendance, the total audience count rises to 2.11 million. The tour kicked off in Seoul in October 2022, drawing 55,000 attendees. It then attracted 540,000 fans in North America, 55,000 in Australia, and 215,000 in Europe. Notably, 900,000 attendees came from Asia alone.

In related news, each BLACKPINK member, namely Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé, recently achieved a total of 10 million Spotify listeners per month through their solo releases. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Wow! The ‘Born Pink’ World Tour broke yet another record. Source: X/@BLACKPINKSTATS5.

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Look: ENHYPEN to Return With ‘Orange Blood’

ENHYPEN shares a behind-the-scene photo from a magazine shoot. Credit: Facebook/ENHYPEN

Save the date, ENGENEs! K-pop boy group ENHYPEN is set to make their highly-anticipated comeback on November 17 with the release of Orange Blood. 

On Monday, October 16, agency BELIFT LAB confirmed that the septet is gearing up for their new extended play. This will serve as ENHYPEN’s return in just five months. 

In line with the announcement, HYBE LABELS also posted a 25-second logo trailer for Orange Blood. To note, HYBE acquired the full rights of BELIFT LAB in August. 

As for the logo trailer, it opens with a scene of a solar eclipse. Then, the phrase “You and I are connected through blood” flashed on the screen. Next, a montage of scenic videos appeared before the “Orange Blood” logo appeared. 

Additionally, ENHYPEN has also released the promotional schedule for Bad Blood. According to the calendar, the group will release a mood film on top of the usual concept trailers, photos, previews, and track list. Moreover, there will also be an activity called “Orange Blood EN-Connect” night set for November 18. Although details about it weren’t provided. 

As of writing, additional details about Orange Blood, such as the number of songs and its title track, have yet to be announced. 

Notably, Orange Blood will serve as a follow-up to the group’s EP Dark Blood. Released in May, the album carried the hit song “Bite Me” for its title track. 

Furthermore, Dark Blood set several personal records for the group. For instance, it’s the first album of the group to sell 1.1 million copies on the first day of its release. On top of that, it also recorded 1.32 million copies for its first tracking week. 

2023 highlights for ENHYPEN aside from ‘Orange Blood’ 

On top of their achievements with their music releases, 2023 is also shaping to be an impressive year for ENHYPEN on other aspects about their career. And what makes these milestones more memorable is that the group achieved them in less than three years into their debut. 

One of which is their recent 10th gold disk certification in Japan. According to the Japan Record Association, the group’s third Japanese single, “結-YOU-,” was certified Double Platinum.

Moreover, ENHYPEN is also making waves in the fashion industry. 

In June 2023, the “Drunk-Dazed” singers became brand ambassadors for the fashion luxury brand Prada. Then, the group also became ambassadors for the Seoul Fashion Week. 

In line with being brand ambassadors for Prada, ENHYPEN also appeared at the Milan Fashion Week. There, the group reportedly generated a 7 million USD in Media Impact Value.

Currently, ENHYPEN is also embarking on their second world concert tour, FATE. 

Featured image: ENHYPEN shares a behind-the-scene photo from a magazine shoot. Credit: Facebook/ENHYPEN

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LE SSERAFIM Stuns in Concept Photos for ‘Perfect Night’

LE SSERAFIM to return with 'Perfect Night.' Credit: Twitter/SOURCE Music

K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM is returning with new music titled “Perfect Night.”

Source Music announced that “Perfect Night” will serve as the group’s first English-language single. 

Previously, the quintet’s only all-English track was the hit song “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife.”

Despite being a B-track from the group’s Unforgiven album, it easily became a fan-favorite. Not only did LE SSERAFIM have to release a full English version of it, but it also spawned remixes with international stars such as Rina Sawayama, Upsahi, BIBI, Mirani, Camo, and Demi Lovato. 

While its success might be hard to follow through, LE SSERAFIM appears to be ready to take on the challenge. And their fans are already anticipating the upcoming single as it’s the group’s first release in five months. 

What we know about ‘Perfect Night’

In a press release, Source Music announced that ‘Perfect Night’ will “send an energetic message that even a not-so-perfect day can be fun when you spend it with your crew.”

Prior to the confirmation of the single, LE SSERAFIM also released a cryptic teaser for the track. There, a pink convertible is seen speeding along a race track. Then, the phrase “Tonight, I don’t care what’s wrong or right” appeared onscreen. 

On Monday, October 15, the “ANTI-FRAGILE” singers released the first set of individual and group photos for ‘Perfect Night.’ 

Similar to the vibes of the video teaser, the LE SSERAFIM members mixed sporty and futuristic themes in the photos. Overall, the pictures followed a neon pink, blue, and silver scheme. 

 

Meanwhile, track samplers and music video teasers will be available to the fans before the track’s official release on October 27. 

‘Perfect Night’ comes after LE SSERAFIM was supposed to wrap up their first concert tour FLAME RISES. However, their Bangkok show had to be canceled as three members were diagnosed with Type A influenza. 

In other news, LE SSERAFIM was also recently chosen as brand ambassadors for the fashion luxury house Louis Vuitton. Interestingly, they’re the first K-pop girl group to be tapped as a full act by the brand.  

Featured image: LE SSERAFIM to return with ‘Perfect Night.’ Credit: Twitter/SOURCE Music

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BTS’ Jungkook Reveals Star-Studded Track List for ‘Golden’

BTS' Jungkook poses for the concept photo of his album 'Golden.' Credit: Twitter/BIGHIT Music

Attention, ARMYs! The anticipation for the solo debut album of BTS member Jungkook just got higher as the track list for Golden was unveiled on Monday, October 16. 

The 11-track album was earlier confirmed to include Jungkook’s previously released singles “Seven” and “3D.” 

In July, the BTS member released “Seven,” which featured American rapper-singer Latto. Its explicit version achieved two Guinness World Records. First, it’s recognized as the  most streamed track on Spotify in one week by a male artist and the other record is about having the fastest time for a music track by a male artist to reach 100 million Spotify streams.

Meanwhile, “3D,” which featured American rapper Jack Harrow was released in September. 

More collaboration for Jungkook

Based on the track list for Golden, Jungkook will continue his trajectory of collaborating with international stars. 

Among the 11 songs, “Standing Next To You” will serve as a title track. It is co-produced by Andrew Watt and Cirkut. 

Notably, music producer DJ Snake and Jamaican American trio Major Lazer will feature in tracks “Please Don’t Change” and “Closer To You,” respectively. 

For those unfamiliar, DJ Snake has previously worked with the likes of Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and more. Meanwhile, Major Lazer has also previously worked with Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Machel Montano. 

As for other production and songwriting credits, English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is credited in the track “Yes or No,” while Canadian singer Shawn Mendes collaborated in the song “Hate You.” 

Notably, David Stewart, one of the writers of BTS’ hit song “Dynamite,” collaborated with Jungkook anew. For golden, he contributed to two songs: “Shot Glass of Tears” and “Too Sad to Dance.” 

A Golden era awaits! 

Following the release of the track list, ARMYs couldn’t help but express their excitement for the upcoming songs. 

Given the big names of collaborators, many are looking forward to how Jungkook will put his own flavor to each track. 

Some are also amazed at the amount of artists working together for Golden, saying that it’s already shaping to be a huge album even before its release. 

 

Thankfully, fans wouldn’t have to wait for long to get a taste of these tracks. According to his promotional schedule, a new track from Golden will be released daily between October 20 to 30. Then, a teaser for the title track will be released on November 2.  

Meanwhile, the official music video and the album will be available starting November 3. 

BIGHIT Music first confirmed on October 3 that Jungkook will be releasing his solo album Golden. 

“GOLDEN is an album inspired by the golden moments of Jungkook, the golden maknae of BTS and a solo artist,” the agency said in a press release. “Through this album, Jungkook will be able to show his identity and color to the fullest.”

In 2023 alone, Jungkook is the fourth BTS member to release a solo album. To note, Jimin’s Face was released in March, Suga’s D-Day in April, and V’s Layover in September. 

Featured image: BTS’ Jungkook poses for the concept photo of his album ‘Golden.’ Credit: Twitter/BIGHIT Music

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