Category: LATEST STORIES

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Yuju Pushes For GFriend Reunion

Yuju is hoping that Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, SinB, and Umji will all be available for the possible GFriend reunion
Yuju is hoping that Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, SinB, and Umji will all be available for the possible GFriend reunion

Yuju is hoping to see her old friends again really soon. The former GFriend member recently spoke about her hopes to reunite with Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, SinB, and Umji. Not surprisingly, she isn’t the only one pushing for a GFriend reunion in the future!

Yuju Wants A GFriend Reunion To Happen Soon

In a recent interview, former GFriend member Yuju expressed her enduring dedication to GFriend’s legacy and her deep affection for her fellow group members. Since her departure from GFriend in January of last year, Yuju has been pursuing her solo career, which has allowed her to explore new musical directions while cherishing the memories and bonds formed during her time with the group.

“During my time with GFriend, my role was well-defined. I was responsible for performing the powerful sections and delivering the climax in most songs. Now, as a solo artist, my task is to relay the entire narrative of a song on my own,” she said. “I attach immense importance to the lyrical aspect of music, ensuring its message is successfully communicated to my audience.”

Yuju shared her strong commitment to continue her solo journey, even if it means her accomplishments may differ from those achieved as part of GFriend. Her determination to grow as an artist while honoring the group’s legacy remains unwavering.

“Deciding to go solo was by no means a quick and easy decision,” she said. “Despite having been in the industry for quite a few years, as a solo artist, I am essentially starting afresh, much like a rookie. I don’t harbor unrealistic expectations to instantaneously reach the heights we scaled as GFriend. Even though it might take more time, I am convinced of the importance of sincerity and authenticity in this journey.”

GFriend Members Consider Possible Collaborations

Additionally, in a previous interview, fellow GFriend member Yerin had expressed her excitement about the possibility of collaborating with Yuju in the future, keeping the hopes of fans alive for a potential reunion or joint project between the two talented artists.

“We often converse about how wonderful it would be to perform together again,” Yuju said in response. “We all know that this day will certainly arrive but prefer not to prematurely speculate about when.”

So when can we expect a GFriend reunion? For now, there has been no official announcement as the other members are also busy with their own promotions. For instance, VIVIZ is also active these days. Still, fans are hoping that the members will reunite soon.

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Xdinary Heroes Announces October Comeback Date With New EP ‘Livelock’

The rock band has revealed their October comeback date with a new teaser for the fourth mini-album 'Livelock'

JYP Entertainment’s Xdinary Heroes is gearing up for an exciting comeback, and fans couldn’t be more thrilled. The group recently released teaser content for their upcoming 4th mini album titled ‘Livelock,’ and the official comeback date is set for October 11th.

Xdinary Heroes Confirm October Comeback Date with ‘Livelock’ Teaser

The teaser video offers a sneak peek into what fans can expect from the new album. It starts with a captivating scene featuring individuals in motion set against a suspenseful beat, instantly piquing the interest of music enthusiasts worldwide. The video showcases the six main members – Geonil, Jeongsu, Gaon, O.de, Jun Han – exuding confidence with their piercing gazes and engaging scenes of them playing musical instruments and creating electrifying sounds. In addition, the teaser hints at an album that embodies Xdinary Heroes’ unique musical style and concept, generating excitement and curiosity among fans.

Xdinary Heroes has a history of naming their albums using computer programming terms, such as ‘Hello, world!’ for their 1st mini album, ‘Overload’ for the 2nd album, and ‘Deadlock’ for the 3rd album. Each album has also allowed the group to express their musical journey in a distinctive way. Their new album, ‘Livelock,’ also continues this trend, with the IT term signifying ‘infinite repetition.’ Known for bringing fresh and stimulating experiences to the world of K-pop, fans eagerly anticipate the energy and creativity that Xdinary Heroes will bring to their comeback activities.

As the comeback date approaches, fans are counting down the days to immerse themselves in the exciting world of Xdinary Heroes and their latest musical offering. Stay tuned for more updates as the group prepares to make their mark once again.

Xdinary Heroes debuted with the single “Happy Death Day”. The song debuted at number 12 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales. Their fourth EP ‘Deadlock’ was also released in April 2023 with the lead single “Freakin’ Bad”.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Lightsum Confirms October Comeback

LIGHTSUM in a behind-the-scene photo from their 'SUMtime University' filming. Credit: Twitter/LIGHTSUM

The long wait is almost over SUMITs! K-pop girl group LIGHTSUM has confirmed that they’re gearing up for their highly-anticipated comeback. 

On Monday, September 18, the group’s agency, CUBE Entertainment confirmed the news to Korean media. “LIGHTSUM will end its hiatus, and an October comeback is confirmed,” the label said. 

According to reports, the album will be released in the second week of October. However, a final date has yet to be announced. 

Additionally, details such as the name of the EP and its number of tracks haven’t been disclosed. 

Although there’s no concept photos and teasers yet, the group’s official social media accounts have changed its profile pictures to mark a new era. 

LIGHTSUM is back! 

The news was met with ecstatic cheers from fans as it’s LIGHTSUM’s first music release in around 17 months. 

They last released their first EP Into the Light in May 2022. Which contains five tracks, including the lead single “Alive.” On social media, fans expressed their excitement in finally having new music from the group. 

Moreover, the October release would mark LIGHTSUM’s first release as a six-piece act. In October 2022, members Hulyeon and Jian left the group. However, CUBE Entertainment didn’t disclose the reason for the two members’ departure. 

Following this, only members Sangah, Chowon, Nayoung, Hina, Juhyeon, and Yujeong will stay with the group. At the time, the agency promised fans that they will continue to support LIGHTSUM in being active in the industry. They also asked for fans’ continued support for Hulyeon and Jian even though they’re no longer with the group. 

Originally an eight-piece act, LIGHTSUM debuted in July 2021 with the lead single “Vanilla.”

They were CUBE Entertainment’s first girl group in three years following (G)I-DLE. Other active artists under the label include BTOB and PENTAGON.  

Featured image: LIGHTSUM in a behind-the-scene photo from their ‘SUMtime University’ filming. Credit: Twitter/LIGHTSUM

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Blackpink’s Lisa Becomes Most Streamed K-Pop Soloist With ‘Money’ Surpassing 1 Billion Streams

Lisa in the performance video of her song 'Money.' Credit: Twitter/YG Entertainment

The power that LALISA holds! Lisa of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK continues to etch her name in history as her song “Money” reaches 1 billion Spotify streams. With this feat, Lisa now becomes the most-streamed K-Pop artist in history.

According to Spotify records released on September 19, Lisa’s “Money” has officially surpassed 1 billion streams. Which makes Lisa the first and only South Korean singer to join the Billions club.

She now joins hitmakers Adele, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, and Gayle as the only female artists to achieve this feat.

Following this achievement, Lisa’s “Money” is now in competition against Doja Cat’s “Woman” for being the most streamed rap song by a female artist on Spotify. As of writing, “Woman” has a total record of 1.3 billion streams.

To celebrate the milestone, Lisa shared the feat on her Instagram story. “Thank you for loving and listening to ‘Money,’” she said. 

Apart from the billion streams on Spotify, YG Entertainment also revealed that the exclusive performance video of “Money” on Youtube has exceeded 900 million views.

 

But what makes these achievements particularly noteworthy for fans? It’s because it has only been two years since Lisa released the song. In September 2021, she released her solo debut album LALISA, which includes the track “Money.”

Lisa: breakthrough solo artist

The billion Spotify streams is now added to Lisa’s long list of breakthrough accomplishments as a soloist. 

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.

With her undeniable global influence, Lisa was announced to be inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame this October. Aside from Lisa, fifteen other individuals will be inducted this year. Other notable names on the list include Freddie Mercury, Johnny Cash, and more.

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.

In other news, BLACKPINK has recently wrapped up the historic Born Pink world tour. According to reports, Born Pink earned over 163.8 Million US Dollars. Which makes it the highest-grossing tour by a female artist that debuted in the 2010s.

As the group celebrated their seventh debut anniversary in August, their seven-year contract also came to an end. Because of this, BLINKs and K-pop onlookers are anxiously waiting for the members’ decision regarding the contract renewal. As of writing, it is rumored that Lisa will not be renewing with YG Entertainment. However, there’s also no confirmation as to whether Jisoo, Jennie, and Rosé are staying. 

Featured image: Lisa in the performance video of her song ‘Money.’ Credit: Twitter/YG Entertainment

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Look: (G)I-DLE Releases Tracklist for Ep ‘Heat’

(G)I-DLE in the concept photo for 'Heat.' Credit: Twitter/(G)I-DLE

K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE aims to soar to greater heights with their first all-English EP HEAT as they collaborate with globally-renowned names. 

On Tuesday, September 19, the “Queencard” hitmakers revealed the official tracklist for their upcoming release.

According to the list, HEAT will consist of five songs, with the title track being “I Want That.” It also includes the previously released single “I Do”, and three more songs namely; “Eyes Roll”, “Flip It”, and “Tall Trees.”

Compared to (G)I-DLE’s previous releases, none of the five members were involved in the production of Heat. Even the group’s main songwriter Soyeon was not mentioned in the credits, leaving fans perplexed. 

However, a few tracks in the album were surprisingly written and produced by some of the biggest names in the music industry. 

In “I Want That,” OneRepublic’s frontman Ryan Tedder is credited as a co-writer. For those unfamiliar, Tedder is known to have created several masterpieces including Beyonce’s “Halo,” Adele’s “Rumor Has It” and Taylor Swift’s “I Know Places.” 

Aside from Tedder, the title track is also co-written by Madison Love and frequent TWICE songwriters Melanie Fontano and Michel “Lindgren” Schulz. 

Additionally, Tedder is also credited as a co-writer in the side track “Eyes Roll” alongside GRAMMY Award-winning singer Meghan Trainor. 

HEAT is about to arrive! 

Apart from the tracklist, (G)I-DLE has also started releasing the concept image of the album.

In the photo, Soyeon, Yuqi, Miyeon, Minie and Shuhua served their ethereal visuals while posing in a fancy white car.

Besides being the group’s first all-English EP, fans are also looking forward to HEAT because it’s a collaboration of the group’s agency, CUBE Entertainment, and American music recording company 88Rising. The collaboration was first announced in July. 

Initially set for a September 8 release, HEAT will be out on October 5. According to 88rising, the changes are made to “ensure the best quality” for the EP. At the time, they said that they’re already working hard to put the finishing touches. 

(G)I-DLE’s record after record

With their upcoming English EP, fans are excited to witness the girl group surpass their previous achievements.

In May, (G)I-DLE released their sixth mini-album I feel with the hit title track “Queencard”. Said album broke the group’s own first-week album sales record having sold over 1.16 Million copies upon its release. 

The number marked a significant increase since (G)I-DLE’s previous albums: I love which sold 680,000 copies and I Never Die with 176,900 copies. Both albums which were released in 2022, gifted K-Pop stans the viral hits “Nxde” and “TOMBOY”.

Now, Neverland, the group’s fandom, are looking forward to seeing (G)I-DLE break their personal record with HEAT.

Feautred image: (G)I-DLE in the concept photo for ‘Heat.’ Credit: Twitter/(G)I-DLE

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BTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

RM Confirms BTS Contract Renewal With BIGHIT MUSIC

It’s official: all seven members of BTS have renewed their contracts with BIGHIT Music. Several news outlets were quick to print the news but ARMYs had a more reliable source. RM announced the BTS contract renewal on his official social media accounts and it further confirmed the group’s love for their fans.

RM Confirms BTS Contract Renewal on Instagram

In a surprising turn of events, all seven members of the globally renowned K-Pop sensation, BTS, have officially renewed their exclusive artist contracts with BIGHIT MUSIC, as reported on September 20, KST. This announcement has come as a pleasant shock to devoted ARMYs, as the group’s previous contract was still in effect. However, the BTS members have a history of opting for early renewals, highlighting their commitment to their future together.

In a heartwarming gesture, RM, the group’s leader, took the initiative to share the news directly with ARMYs. He posted a photo of the contract document on his Instagram, followed by another story dedicated to their devoted fanbase. RM’s actions not only revealed the unexpected contract renewal but also provided ARMYs with the assurance they may not have even realized they needed.

BTS initially signed their first contract with BIGHIT in 2013, which was set to last until 2020. Remarkably, in 2018, they chose to renew their contract well ahead of its expiration date, showcasing their strong bond and determination to continue their remarkable journey. Their second contract, originally set to conclude in 2025, coinciding with the year when all BTS members are expected to complete their mandatory military service, has been extended by two years, ensuring their continued presence as a group.

This announcement has brought immense joy and relief to fans, as it guarantees the group’s unity and the highly anticipated reunion expected in 2025. The early renewal reaffirms the enduring commitment and enduring bond shared by BTS and their dedicated supporters worldwide.

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

EXO’s Suho Confirmed For Asia Artist Awards 2023

EXO member Suho is the latest idol confirmed to make an appearance at the Asia Artist Awards 2023 to be held in December

A true K-pop icon is coming to the Asia Artist Awards 2023! EXO member Suho has just been confirmed to make an appearance at the highly anticipated event. Not surprisingly, EXO-Ls based in the Philippines are excited about seeing the idol later this December!

EXO Member Suho Set To Make an Appearance at Asia Artist Awards 2023

In December, EXO’s Suho is set to make an appearance at the highly anticipated Asia Artist Awards 2023, which will be held in the Philippines. Suho, renowned for his multifaceted talents as both an actor and a member of the immensely popular group EXO, has continually diversified his career with various impressive works.

Most notably, he recently portrayed the iconic role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the musical “Mozart!,” garnering widespread acclaim and admiration from his dedicated fanbase. As a seasoned artist, Suho’s presence at the awards ceremony is also highly anticipated by fans and industry enthusiasts alike.

Kim Jun Myeon is the leader of EXO and its sub-unit Exo-K. He debuted as a soloist on March 30, 2020, with the release of his EP, ‘Self-Portrait’. It has not yet been confirmed whether Suho will perform at the upcoming event. Nevertheless, Philippine-based EXO-Ls are already excited about his return to the country.

It was previously confirmed that BSS from SEVENTEEN, ATBO, HORI7ON, KINGDOM, LUN8, ONEUS, and the popular Filipino boy band SB19. The event will also showcase other remarkable artists such as NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, BOYNEXTDOOR, NMIXX, Stray Kids, ZEROBASEONE, The Boyz, ITZY, KARD, and more. Hosting the prestigious ceremony will be IVE’s Wonyoung, along with Kang Daniel and Sung Han Bin.

Scheduled for December 14, the Asia Artist Awards 2023 promises to be an exciting event celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions of artists across diverse fields. Suho’s participation also adds to the anticipation and excitement surrounding this prestigious gathering of talents in the entertainment industry.

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

LOOSSEMBLE Wins Group Name Lawsuit Against Blockberry Creative

The group name lawsuit filed by Blockberry Creative has been overturned in favor of the LOOSSEMBLE members

LOOSSEMBLE just got a landmark victory. The former LOONA members have won in a group name lawsuit filed by their former company Blockberry Creative. This means that they will be able to continue promoting under their new name!

LOOSSEMBLE Group Name Lawsuit Comes To A Close

According to multiple legal officials, CTD ENM, the agency representing the K-Pop girl group LOOSSEMBLE, has recently emerged victorious in a lawsuit brought forth by Blockberry Creative. Blockberry Creative had filed a civil suit, seeking various injunctions, including a ban on performances and the restriction of using names similar to “LOONA,” “LOONA ASSEMBLE,” or “LOOSSEMBLE.”

Had Blockberry Creative succeeded in its petition, it would have barred LOOSSEMBLE from utilizing their newly adopted name. However, following the court’s decision, LOOSSEMBLE can continue using their new name and carry on with their activities without any hindrances.

This legal outcome signifies a significant development for LOOSSEMBLE and their agency, CTD ENM, as it enables them to move forward with their musical endeavors and promotional activities under their chosen name. It also marks a resolution to the dispute with Blockberry Creative, allowing the group to focus on their artistic pursuits and engage with their fans without any further legal constraints.

This is great news for LOOSSEMBLE and their fans who recently got an official name. The idols recently took to a live broadcast to unveil their new fan club name. It was confirmed that the fandom will be known as C.LOO (pronounced as “crew”). This choice carries the sentiment that fans are an integral part of LOOSSEMBLE’s crew, an acknowledgment of the tight-knit bond between the group and their supporters.

LOOSSEMBLE has wasted no time in generating anticipation for their debut album. The group has already unveiled their plans for the highly-anticipated US Debut Ceremony tour, during which they intend to connect with fans across the United States at eight different locations. This tour promises to be an exciting opportunity for fans across America to engage with LOOSSEMBLE and be part of their milestone US debut.

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KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Look: Seventeen to Return With ‘Seventeenth Heaven’

SEVENTEEN poses for their 'Your Choice' album. Credit: Facebook/SEVENTEEN

Brace yourselves, CARATs! The “theater kids” of K-pop are returning with new music as group SEVENTEEN has finally unveiled details for their comeback Seventeenth Heaven. 

On Wednesday, September 20, the “Super” hitmakers posted a motion teaser video for their upcoming release. There, it was revealed that their 11th mini album will be out on October 23, but pre-orders for the album are already underway. 

In a Weverse post, SEVENTEEN has also unveiled the titles and cover arts of Seventeenth Heaven’s album versions. 

In contrast to the minimalistic cover of their last album FML, Seventeenth Heaven features a light and playful vibe which piqued the interest of fans. Additionally, The cover included random details such as a smiling flower, a unicorn and some hot air balloons.

Moreover, fans were moved upon discovering the version names were important dates for the group and the fandom.

The first version “AM 5:26” marks SEVENTEEN’s debut date. Then, the second version “PM 2:14” marks CARATs, the fandom’s, anniversary. Meanwhile, the third version “PM 10:23” marks the release date for the said 11th mini album.

From FML to Seventeenth Heaven

Given its October release, Seventeenth Heaven will come six months after the release of their FML in April. The group’s record-breaking 10th mini-album set various career highs for the group. 

Previously, FML set the record for the highest first-week sales of any album in Hanteo, having sold over 4.5 million copies.  What’s more impressive is that 3.99 million copies were sold on the first day alone. 

In July, the album distributor YG PLUS announced that FML had officially sold over 6.2 million copies. With this feat, SEVENTEEN became the first K-Pop artist to sell over six million copies of a single album.

Moreover, in 2023 alone, SEVENTEEN already sold more than 10 million copies of their albums. Now that they’re set to release another album, it’s expected that the number will go higher before the year ends. 

CARATs’ anticipation for SVT’s comeback

With the success of FML, CARATs are even more anticipating what SEVENTEEN has yet to show.

Interestingly, the group’s performance unit leader Hoshi, who’s also known to be a spoiler king, teased the fans saying they “always go beyond expectations”.

Others are also looking forward to the puzzling concept of the album as SEVENTEEN is known to have a wide range of genres. In fact, some fans are already making theories as the group has apparently been teasing about their new album for awhile already. 

 

Moreover, CARATs are also beyond thrilled to see member Seungkwan rejoin the group in the upcoming album. In July, the group’s main vocalist took a hiatus but PLEDIS Entertainment has already confirmed his return. 

However, the group’s leader S.Coups will have to sit out on the promotions for Seventeenth Heaven. Currently, he’s taking a break from group activities as he suffered from a knee injury in August.

Apart from the Seventeenth Heaven preparations, the “Rock With You” singers are also in the middle of their fourth world tour, Follow. The 13-member group is set to finish Follow’s Japan leg in December, then continue the tour by dominating the stadiums in Asia in 2023. 

Aside from their records made through FML, SEVENTEEN also achieved another milestone with their previous world tour BE THE SUN. According to reports, the act was the only K-pop artist that ranked in Billboard’s 2023 Top Tours chart. 

Featured image: SEVENTEEN poses for their ‘Your Choice’ album. Credit: Facebook/SEVENTEEN

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

TXT Drops Dance Practice Video for MTV VMAs Performance

On September 19, K-pop sensation TOMORROW X TOGETHER, aka TXT, released a new dance practice video, giving fans an in-depth look into their performance of “Back for More” for the MTV Video Music Awards. This video features all five TXT members—Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai—with a Korean dancer filling in for Anitta.

During the ceremony held at New Jersey’s Prudential Center, TXT and Brazilian star Anitta premiered their chart-topping single “Back for More.” This collaboration not only marked their debut of the song but also celebrated their win for Push Performance of the Year.

TXT (투모로우바이투게더), Anitta 2023 VMAs ‘Back for More’ Dance Practice

The performance was nothing short of electrifying. Beomgyu took the stage first, capturing the crowd’s attention with his slick moves. He danced across the LED floor, his arms and legs moving in time to the water “rippling” beneath his feet.

“Back for More” is a hip blend of Anitta‘s Brazilian flair and TXT‘s Korean style, a testament to the star power of both acts. The song, which was eagerly awaited by fans, arrived on streaming platforms on September 15. Additionally, a TXT-only version, along with house and afrobeat remixes, followed on September 18.

TXT was firing on all cylinders

TXT took center stage as the lines “I can see you coming back for more / Coming back for more, if you walk out that door” reverberated throughout the venue. After the chorus, the song took on a Latin feel. Anitta joined the quintet via a back staircase and delivered her verse in English and Spanish.

Their combined energy was palpable, especially during the synchronized sequences that led to a thrilling dance break led by main dancer Yeonjun. Throughout this performance, TXT was firing on all cylinders. They impressed the crowd with their dancing and live singing skills.

TXT feat. Anitta – “Back For More” | 2023 VMAs

TXT‘s performances on American stages, such as their appearances at Lollapalooza in 2022 and 2023, have always garnered attention. However, the VMA debut of “Back For More” underscored their versatility and burgeoning influence in the global music industry. 

Thankfully, MOAs everywhere can relive the performance through the dance practice video. This footage, released today, offers a panoramic view of Anitta’s and TXT’s moves, including the special intro and dance break that wowed the VMA crowd. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: TXT’s synchronization is on point, as always. Source: YouTube/@TXT_bighit.

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