Category: K-POP ARTISTS

YG Entertainment has unveiled the debut date for their latest girl group, BABYMONSTER. On the 10th at 1:00 PM, the entertainment giant signaled the group’s imminent debut by sharing a “coming soon” poster on their official blog.

In preparation for BABYMONSTER‘s debut, YG Entertainment has collaborated with international composers and their in-house producers. That resulted in the creation of many high-quality tracks. One particular song, characterized by its intense mood, was chosen as BABYMONSTER‘s debut track. Addressing the change in their debut plans, the agency said, “We aimed to deliver the best outcome and were cautious in selecting the title track. We ask for your understanding regarding the slight delay.”

The members of BABYMONSTER are currently immersed in practicing the choreography for their title track. They are also gearing up to shoot their music video by the end of October. The entire agency put in much effort to ensure the group’s success. 

BABYMONSTER – DEBUT MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO

The BABYMONSTER girls are ready

YG Entertainment says the girls are more than ready. “All preparations are now complete. Once the official debut takes place in November, we will continuously give our best and run with full force. We ask for much interest.” This announcement has heightened global music fans’ excitement.

BABYMONSTER – ‘DREAM’ (PRE-DEBUT SONG)

Previously in July, the agency had announced that BABYMONSTER aimed to debut in September. The group, introduced by YG after a seven-year gap following BLACKPINK, boasts top-tier skills in dance, rap, and vocals. Comprising multinational members like Ahyeon, Haram, and Rora from Korea, Chiquita and Pharita from Thailand, and Asa and Ruka from Japan, they are set to stir things up as “monster rookies.” Despite not having debuted yet, their official YouTube channel already has over 3.12 million subscribers, with their videos nearing 450 million views.

The news of BABYMONSTER‘s debut has garnered mixed reactions from Korean netizens. While the excitement is palpable, some fans expressed skepticism, pointing out YG’s previous statements and noting that the group has yet to film their music video. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: It’s been quite a long road for the girls, but their moment is almost here! Source: X/@picbaemon.

Kim Garam, once a member of the K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM, faced a whirlwind of challenges early in her career. A mere month after her debut, she was engulfed in multiple bullying allegations that sent shockwaves through the industry. Consequently, she announced her departure from the group. Instead of letting this setback define her, Kim Garam returned to a more typical teenage life, attending the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA). By May 2023, she celebrated her graduation from this esteemed institution.

SOPA, located in the heart of Seoul, is renowned for giving aspiring artists top-notch music, drama, and dance training. Many of its graduates, including Kim Garam, made their mark in entertainment. As an acting major at SOPA, she immersed herself in the intricacies of drama and theater. Her training covered everything from script analysis and voice modulation to character development and on-camera techniques.

Her dedication and hard work paid off. Following her graduation, Kim Garam was among the select few who cleared the first round of applications for the prestigious acting department of Dongguk University. With its central location in Seoul, this university offers a comprehensive curriculum in theater, film, and television. It’s a hub for budding actors, directors, and scriptwriters, providing them with the skills and exposure needed to thrive in the entertainment industry.

Congratulations to Kim Garam

To put Kim Garam’s achievement into perspective, the acting department of Dongguk University receives over 2000 applications annually, accepting only 30 students. With a 72.5% acceptance rate, it ranks as the third most sought-after acting department in South Korea. Notable alums from this department include Girls’ Generation‘s Seohyun and YoonA.

While the Dongguk University announcement redacted the second syllabus of her name, fans were confident that it referred to her. Why? There’s her unique name and the fact that the list only included students from SOPA’s acting department. 

Now, with just the second round of applications standing between her and a place at Dongguk University, the future looks bright for this young star. Congratulations to Kim Garam on her continued journey in the arts. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Garam is doing well after leaving the group. Source: X/@GARAMGLOBAL.

On October 9, Lim Young Woong‘s latest digital single, “Do or Die,” hit various streaming platforms. The song speaks of becoming the protagonist in one’s life and living with no regrets. Notably, Lim Young Woong had a hand in writing it. Once again, his talent as a singer-songwriter is on full display, following his self-composed songs “London Boy” and “Grain of Sand.”

Lim Young Woong has taken a bold step with “Do or Die,” revealing a side of his artistry that’s distinctly different from his signature style. The 32-year-old musician, best known for his ballads and trot songs, enjoys a vast following among South Korea’s older generation. That’s why the fresh EDM-pop vibe of “Do or Die” caught many off guard. That said, there’s no doubt that it’ll be a huge hit. After all, his fanbase is primarily composed of ahjummas, known for their unwavering support of all his endeavors.

임영웅 ‘Do or Die’ Official M/V

Moreover, Lim Young Woong‘s performance in the song is captivating and powerful. One reviewer noted that he “sounds surprisingly comfortable within this soundscape, his voice matching intensity with the bombastic production.” Netizens are buzzing, wondering how his core audience will react to this change. Some suggest it may draw in a younger demographic, broadening his listener base.

Lim Young Woong wore a spacesuit in the MV

The styling and visuals in the official “Do or Die” music video, which premiered on October 8, also received much attention. It’s a cinematic masterpiece that transports viewers to an otherworldly realm. It opens with a scene featuring Lim Young Woong clad in a spacesuit and segues to dynamic dance sequences with backup dancers. His intense gaze and the expansive backdrop featuring cosmic vistas and spaceships came together to create something reminiscent of a blockbuster movie. Again, it’s markedly different from anything he’s ever done. 

The highly-anticipated music video was helmed by Flipevil, a director known for his artistic flair and top-notch production. He has worked with many K-pop artists, including SEVENTEEN (“Dream”) and TWICE (“Set Me Free”).

2023 IM HERO TOUR TEASER

Besides the song and music video, fans eagerly await Lim Young Woong‘s upcoming IM HERO tour. The tour is set to begin in Seoul on the 27th. It will then proceed to Daegu from November 24-26, Busan from December 8-10, and Daejeon from December 29-31. The tour will wrap up in Gwangju from January 5-7, 2024. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The ‘Do or Die’ music video has a futuristic feel. Source: YouTube/@LYW_official.

Blinks, BLACKPINK‘s dedicated fanbase, are in for a treat as Jennie unveils her latest solo single, “You & Me.” Elevating the release is the cover art, a masterpiece crafted by the legendary Japanese mangaka, Naoko Takeuchi, who portrayed Jennie in her signature Sailor Moon style.

Naoko Takeuchi, the mastermind behind the iconic Sailor Moon series, has left an indelible mark on the anime and manga world. Born in Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan, in 1967, her creation of Sailor Moon revolutionized the magical girl genre, blending action, romance, and transformation sequences. The series garnered global acclaim, spawning anime adaptations, films, musicals, and a plethora of merchandise. While Sailor Moon remains her crowning achievement, Takeuchi’s distinct artistry and storytelling skills have cemented her legacy.

The digital cover showcases Jennie against a luminous full moon, adorned in a radiant white ensemble. Fans have noted the striking resemblance of the song title’s font to that of the Sailor Moon logo. Beyond the cover, an exciting collaboration between Jennie and Takeuchi is on the horizon, with a merchandise line teased by YG Select’s X account, hinting at its imminent release.

The unexpected collaboration between the “SOLO” singer and the esteemed Japanese artist has left fans in awe. Given the global prominence of both BLACKPINK and “Sailor Moon,” this union seamlessly bridges two pop culture titans. The album cover has been lauded for its artistic brilliance and originality.

Naoko Takeuchi contributed to its success

Jennie introduced “You & Me” during the Born Pink world tour, captivating audiences with its sultry dance-pop rhythm. In a YouTube interview, Jennie shared insights into the song’s conception, revealing its years-long journey from recording to performance. 

“I did the recording about three to four years ago. I think it was on the list of nominees for my solo, or maybe after that. It was in the closet for a while, but while preparing for this concert, I thought about what kind of performances and songs I wanted to do and looked through them with Teddy. We decided to bring out that song we liked, and that’s when we decided to prepare for it,” she said.

JENNIE – ‘You & Me’ DANCE PERFORMANCE VIDEO

The track showcases Jennie‘s enchanting vocals and rap skills, with heartfelt lyrics like, “I really like it / Nothin’ in the world can make me feel the way you do, the things you do.” At the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, a “You & Me” remix was unveiled, introducing an additional rap verse and a more hip-hop heavy beat. The song’s release was accompanied by a dance performance video, spotlighting Jennie in a stunning red dress, performing intricate choreography alongside backup dancers. The ethereal setting, reminiscent of dancing under the moonlight, adds to the song’s allure.

“You & Me” and its Coachella version took the charts by storm, thanks partly to Naoko Takeuchi and her contributions. The track secured the 18th spot on Spotify’s Global Top Songs chart and reigned supreme on MelOn’s Hot 100. Furthermore, it clinched the top position on the global iTunes chart on October 7, underscoring Jennie‘s global appeal. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The mangaka transformed the idol. Sources: X/@PopBase and @saintdemie.