Category: K-POP ARTISTS

TXT unveiled the first glimpse of their concept for The Name Chapter: FREEFALL. Released on September 25 at midnight KST, the concept teaser sets the stage for their next full-length album, due out on October 13 at 1:00 PM KST. The teaser explored the nature of hope, ending with these words: “Sometimes magical moments can be found in the most unmagical places.” Finally, a bright blue flower stood out, capturing fans’ attention.

The Name Chapter: FREEFALL continues the story that began in the boys’ last album. Previously, TXT touched upon the youth’s susceptibility to temptation. This new album follows a group of boys who once fled reality but now choose to confront it. Netizens determined that the blue flower in the teaser is the star-shaped borage flower. It served as a focal point of the teaser, sparking curiosity about its connection to the new album’s narrative.

TXT (투모로우바이투게더) The Name Chapter: FREEFALL Concept Teaser

What are borage flowers?

Borage flowers symbolize courage, positivity, spirituality, and transformation. They seem to be a central motif for TXT‘s comeback. The group appears to be using borage flowers to convey a deep, meaningful narrative about facing challenges and the concept of growth. The teaser suggests a new, transformative beginning for the group. They’re moving from being easily swayed by temptation to facing reality. That requires courage and hope, making the borage flower an appropriate symbol.

Borage flowers get their name from the Celtic word “borrach,” meaning “courage.” They often appeared in art and literature mainly because of their unique shape and vibrant color. In medieval times, borage flowers symbolized a knight’s courage, and they appeared in different books and poems alongside illustrations of knights or soldiers. Greek myths claim that these flowers surrounded Zeus’s palace, and warriors ate them to enhance their courage.

TXT set a personal record

In other news, TXT recently released a pre-release single, “Back for More (feat. Anitta),” which they debuted to much acclaim at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. Their upcoming album, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL, has already set a personal record, surpassing 2.35 million stock pre-orders in just eight days. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The teaser suggests a transformative journey for the boys. Source: YouTube/@HYBELABELS.

Jennie and Jisoo, two prominent members of the renowned girl group BLACKPINK, reportedly put up their own talent agencies, as reported by media outlet News1 on the 25th. However, discussions with the group’s agency, YG Entertainment, regarding BLACKPINK‘s activities continue. It seems that the agencies founded by these two members will focus primarily on their solo endeavors.

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The BLACKPINK members’ plans

According to an executive from Sports Seoul, multiple music insiders have revealed that another BLACKPINK member, Rosé, has renewed her contract with YG. The remaining three—Jennie, Jisoo, and Lisa—are in the final stages of discussing a “separate yet together” strategy. This would allow them to work with agencies other than YG but continue to participate in group activities for half the year. This strategy mirrors the agreement Super Junior members Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Kyuhyun have with SM Entertainment.

A previous report suggested that Lisa, the Thai member enjoying immense international popularity, is moving to a foreign agency. She was said to have received an offer worth billions of KRW. Others say she and Jisoo, who is reportedly interested in an acting career, signed with domestic (Korean) agencies. Insiders have mentioned that foreign investors have already poured significant funds, recognizing Jisoo‘s potential as an actress and Lisa‘s influence in the Southeast Asian market.

However, YG Entertainment was quick to respond to the Sports Seoul report. The agency issued a statement saying nothing is confirmed regarding BLACKPINK’s contracts or their future as a group, Interestingly, there was only a 13-minute gap between the News1 exclusive and YG’s response.

An evolving story

BLACKPINK debuted in 2016 and spent the next seven years churning out hits. The girls captivated fans worldwide with “Boombayah,” “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du,” “How You Like That,” “Pink Venom,” and more. Given the group’s impact and popularity, all eyes are on the outcome of these negotiations.

In the year leading up to the contract renewal, BLACKPINK embarked on the BORN PINK tour. Spanning approximately a year, the tour covered 34 cities with 66 performances and attracted a staggering 1.8 million fans. This makes it the largest-scale tour for a K-pop girl group. They also headlined major festivals like the Coachella Festival in the US and Hyde Park in the UK.

Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: What do you think of this news, BLINKs? Source: X/@globalmyeon.

People often see the world of K-pop as glamorous, but the road to stardom isn’t easy. Recently, the members of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) shed light on their pre-debut days, revealing some shocking stories from their time as BigHit Music trainees.

On September 21, during a live broadcast, Hueningkai, Soobin, and Taehyun talked about their past. They shared some pre-debut tales, one of which stunned their fans. Recounting an incident from their old dormitory days, Taehyun spoke about a near-death experience caused by a broken extension cord. The cord almost electrocuted him when he touched it.

“I’m telling you, I’m still too scared to even touch here just in case something happens again,” he confessed. The gravity of the situation became evident when Taehyun mentioned that if it weren’t for an older trainee and Younite‘s Eunho, he would’ve died. “Both of them really helped me,” he emphasized.

(17/ SUB LIVE) TXT SOOBIN huening Kai taehyun WEVERSE LIVE TODAY( 21.9.2023

TXT versus the hyungs

They also touched upon the strict hierarchy. Taehyun shared another memory, saying, “The other memory was when Kai was messing around, and the ‘Hey, you, come outside’ moment.” Hueningkai elaborated on an incident where he innocently mimicked a dance move he saw senior trainees practicing. They misinterpreted this act, which led to a confrontation. Soobin recounted the stern words they heard. “They were like, ‘Is this funny to you?’ and ‘The hyungs are filming a video, and you’re at the back doing this.”

The incident didn’t end there. Hueningkai, unaware that the seniors were filming, was taken aback by their reaction. Soobin provided more details, explaining that Hueningkai‘s playfulness, witnessed by five younger trainees, was misconstrued. The atmosphere turned tense, and the older trainees’ response was to make them all do a plank as punishment.

These revelations from the TXT members provide a glimpse into the rigorous and sometimes harsh world of K-pop training. It’s a reminder that behind the glitz and glamour, there are real stories of challenges, perseverance, and resilience. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Things weren’t easy for TXT in the beginning. Source: YouTube/@mylovebts2293.

In a surprising turn of events, TO1 member Renta has officially announced his departure from the group. On September 22, Renta reached out to fans with a handwritten letter, sharing his decision to leave and the reasons behind it.

Renta began, “While deeply considering my personal future, I shared many thoughts with my family, my members, and the company. After much deliberation, it was decided that I would conclude my activities as Renta of TO1 here, and that I would part ways with the company on good terms.”

The idol’s journey in the K-pop industry has been colorful. “I came to Korea with the dream of becoming a K-pop idol, and through various experiences and opportunities, I was able to debut as a member of TO1 and fulfill my dreams,” he reminisced. He went on to express his sincere gratitude to the members of TO1 for all the invaluable memories they made over the past year.

Renta looked to the future

However, Renta‘s letter wasn’t just about looking back. He also looked forward to the future with hope and determination. “I wanted to show TOgether my growth and improvements from here on, and I’m disappointed that I will not be able to. But I will do my best so that I can return one day as a better version of me,” he asserted. Concluding his message on a positive note, he added, “I hope that TOgether always be well and eat well. I’ll be well too, so don’t worry about me. I love you, TOgether, and thank you! See you again someday.”

For those unfamiliar with Renta‘s journey, he joined TO1 as a new member in June 2022. Before that, Renta, whose real name is Nishijima Renta, participated in Produce 101 Japan season 2. Born on 16 February 2003, this 19-year-old talent hails from Nagasaki, Japan. He made a significant impact in PD101, placing 16th, just shy of INI’s 11-member cut-off line. Fans also recall his involvement in a dance project group named DANsing Project. Apart from his native Japanese, Renta is fluent in Korean and has a basic understanding of English. His departure marks a year and six months with TO1, leaving fans with bittersweet feelings.

As the K-pop community processes this news, it’s evident that Renta‘s journey has left an indelible mark. His dedication, talent, and love for fans will always be remembered. Here’s hoping for a bright future for Renta and continued success for TO1. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The group and its fans wish Renta the best. Source: Twitter/@TO1_offcl.

Jongga Kimchi, a household name in fermented delights, unveiled SEVENTEEN‘s Hoshi as their latest brand ambassador. This renowned brand, known for its diverse range of products, celebrated the news with a photoshoot in Vogue Korea. Netizens found the news amusing and endearing. They congratulated Hoshi on becoming a successful fan of kimchi.

Soul food

The global acclaim that kimchi relishes today can be attributed significantly to Jongga. They made packaged kimchi in response to the Korean government’s initiative to commercialize the iconic dish before the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In 1987, experts crafted a standard recipe, ensuring consistent taste regardless of when and where it’s consumed. The brand name “Jongga” has to do with the Korean tradition of passing down recipes through generations, symbolizing a rich heritage and the joy of Korean cuisine.

Hoshi‘s association with Jongga Kimchi seems almost serendipitous. Known for his profound love for kimchi, he never misses an opportunity to have it as a side dish. In a conversation with Vogue Korea, he said, “Kimchi is my soul food. There are so many people around me who cook better than I do, so I haven’t felt the need to cook seriously yet. But I plan to challenge myself in the future. I want to ‘master’ kimchi stew first, which can be useful anytime, anywhere.”

The Vogue photoshoot creatively incorporated elements of kimchi. Hoshi was surrounded by a mist of powder reminiscent of the pepper flakes used in kimchi seasoning. He also wore red leather gloves, a nod to the traditional rubber gloves used in kimchi preparation. When asked about the shoot, Hoshi said, “I loved all the outfits with a red point. Especially the tight red top caught my eye. It looked good even with sunglasses. Throughout the summer, I enjoyed wearing thin shirts or long-sleeved t-shirts with shorts that came just below the knee. It made me feel the new season.”

Why Hoshi is perfect for the role

Jongga Kimchi’s influence is spreading. In 2021, over 40 countries, including the Americas, China, Japan, Europe, Oceania, and Singapore, imported 67 million USD worth of Jongga Kimchi. This marked a 131% increase from 29 million USD in 2016. Moreover, the first quarter of 2022 saw a dramatic 50% sales surge in Hong Kong, likely driven by the demand for anti-viral foods amidst the COVID-19 fifth wave.

The brand’s growth in Asia and North America is noteworthy. In the U.S., major distributors like Costco and Walmart have seen a significant uptick in sales. Interestingly, just five to six years ago, over 90% of kimchi buyers in the U.S. were local Koreans. But with the rising influence of Korean culture, more locals, including other Asians, are buying kimchi. Daesang recently inaugurated a large-scale factory in Los Angeles to cater to the growing demand, marking its 10th international production base and first outside Asia.

Given all these factors, Hoshi emerges as the ideal ambassador for Jongga Kimchi. His global fame and love for kimchi make him the perfect fit for the role. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Hoshi loves kimchi so much he calls it his ‘soul food.’ Source: Vogue Korea.