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Look: Seventeen Releases First Season of Artist-Made Collection

SEVENTEEN shares how their artist-made collection came to be. Credit: Twitter/HYBE MERCH

SEVENTEEN surprised fans by announcing that they’ll be releasing their first batch of artist-made collection! 

Similar to BTS’ artist-made collection, this SEVENTEEN version will see each 13 members create their own set of merchandise. 

From conceptualizing and planning the product to reviewing the samples, each merchandise in their collection was made with personal contribution of the SEVENTEEN members. 

 

However, the release schedule for the artist-made collection of the members differ. The SEVENTEEN members were divided into three groups, whose collections will be released from 2023 to late 2024. 

According to the scheduler released by HYBE MERCH, the division of the members and the release date are as follows: 

  • Season 1 (September 2023): S.coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun 
  • Season 2 (Early 2024): Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, The8 
  • Season 3 (Late 2024): Mingyu, Vernon, DK, Dino, Seungkwan

 

The first season of SEVENTEEN’s artist-made collection will be available via offline and online stores.

Offline stores will run from September 1 to September 10. Meanwhile, the online selling will start on September 13. Additionally, the shipping schedules also vary for each regional retailer. 

On the other hand, there’s still no other details about the second and third season of the artist-made collection for the rest of the SEVENTEEN members. 

Moreover, HYBE MERCH also released a making log of how each product came to be. 

S.coups’ collection 

With the theme “bright after rain,” SEVENTEEN’s leader made a customized umbrella and glass set for CARATs. 

“When it rains, I don’t usually feel very happy,” he said. “So I want you all to use the umbrella I made on a rainy day and feel a little bit better.” 

 

The umbrella has bright doodles inside, while the glass set even has stickers and features that changes depending on the temperature. Seungcheol even joked that he’ll use the glass set often. 

Jeonghan’s collection 

As for Jeonghan, he mixed a bunny and a squirrel to make a character that represents him. 

“I want him to be bright and energetic but gets exhausted easily,” he said of Toram. Aside from his representative animals, Jeonghan also used wings as the ears for his character.

 

For his products, he had a stuffed animal of Toram that carries a blanket and a mood light. 

After seeing the final products, Jeonghan said that he was so happy with the results. “i’ve always wanted to create my own character. And through this great opportunity, we got to create this after a long discussion,” he said. 

Joshua’s collection 

One of Joshua’s recent habits is making scents, as mentioned in SEVENTEEN’s In The Soop. So it was not surprising that he made a DIY perfume-making kit. 

He said that it was a kit that includes different scents that he personally likes. “CARATs can mix the scents however they want,” he explained. 

Among some of the scents included in his kit are vanilla, rose, woody notes, and citrus. What makes it even cuter is the scents had names associated to Joshua, such as “Sunday morning” and “deer.”

Jun’s collection 

Most, if not all, CARATs knew that cats are Jun’s representative animal. And seems like the idol’s more than okay with it as he makes a cat-themed collection. 

One of his two products are the phone cases. Jun said that since he changes phone cases often, he’d want to use the same style as CARATs. 

Next are stuffed animals, cats, specifically. He explained it’s because he has been playing claw machines often lately. 

 

CARATs, they’re all cute, right? Which one of them are you planning to get? 

Featured image: SEVENTEEN shares how their artist-made collection came to be. Credit: Twitter/HYBE MERCH

 

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

GIRLS GENERATION’s Sooyoung on Decision To Pursue Acting Career

Sooyoung reflects on her career move from GIRLS GENERATION member to acting in numerous successful films and TV shows

GIRLS GENERATION member Sooyoung is opening up about her successful career shift. The former SM Entertainment talent has been pursuing an acting career after leaving her original agency. But does this present a dilemma for Choi Soo-young? The “Winter Breath” singer has opened up about her decision to make the move to acting and how it affected her career.

Sooyoung on Balancing GIRLS GENERATION With Acting Career

Sports Chosun, a prominent media outlet, recently conducted an insightful interview with GIRLS GENERATION’s Sooyoung. This engaging conversation, dated August 24, 2023, delved deep into various aspects of her acting career.

Sooyoung’s transition into the acting industry following her remarkable tenure in the nation’s top idol group, GIRLS GENERATION, has been widely recognized. For numerous idols who embark on an acting career, shedding their idol image can be a challenging feat. There’s often a prevailing bias against idol-actors. During the interview, an intriguing question was posed: whether she felt any constraints as an actor, given her firmly established image as a member of the girl group.

Interestingly, Choi Soo-young gave her answer a lot of thought and her response was intriguing.

“I’ve never thought about ever breaking up GIRLS’ GENERATION and leaving. GIRLS’ GENERATION’s existence is akin to my own skin,” she said. “It is a matter of my own skills and competitive edge, for the audience to not be reminded of GIRLS GENERATION as I promote as an actor.”

“I think that this isn’t a question of the essence,” Choi continued. “Although I am working on acting projects as Choi Sooyoung, I cannot change the fact that I’ve been living as part of GIRLS’ GENERATION continuously. There’s nothing to change about this in fact. It’s not something that I have to escape from. If GIRLS GENERATION becomes a weight for me to bear as an actor, then I think that my own skills are lacking.”

Choi Soo-young began her acting career by working on variety shows. She made her acting debut in “Hello, Schoolgirl” in 2008. Since then, she appeared in TV shows like “The Third Hospital”, “Run On”, and “If You Wish Upon Me.” Sooyoung also appeared in films like “Girl Cops” and “New Year Blues.”

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BTS K-POP STYLE LATEST STORIES

NBA and BTS’ SUGA Launch Collaboration With Mitchell & Ness

NBA shares SUGA's capsule collection. Credit: Twitter/NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and BTS’ SUGA announced on Friday, August 25, its collaboration with clothing brand Mitchell & Ness for a new apparel collection.

The collection comes months after SUGA was named as the league’s global ambassador in April. “Music and basketball have been shared passions of mine since my youth, and it’s a dream to be named an NBA ambassador,” SUGA said then. 

As an NBA ambassador, the rapper is expected to participate in numerous initiatives and promotional activities that will be featured on the league. 

In an official release, NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum also shared his excitement towards joining forces with the worldwide superstar. 

Tatum said: “We look forward to working with SUGA to bring the same excitement he engenders from his global fanbase in support of our continued efforts to grow our brand.” 

Even before he was made an ambassador, SUGA has been very vocal about being an avid fan of basketball. The producer opened up that he initially dreamt of becoming a professional basketball player when he was younger. 

In one of BTS’ initial interviews, the rapper also revealed that even his stage name is inspired by the sport. The idol took “SUGA” out of the first syllables of “Shooting Guard”, a position he played during his early years.

The SUGA X NBA Capsule Collection 

Taking their relationship into the next step, the NBA and the South Korean idol now unveiled its collaboration with the American sports clothing company Mitchell & Ness. 

Titled “Suga x NBA Capsule Collection,” it will feature a total of six NBA teams. The list includes Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets.

These teams were chosen based on the US locations the BTS member visited for his Agust D D-DAY world tour.

 

The apparel will include hoodies, jackets, t-shirts, shorts, and headwear featuring the said teams. The collection, which SUGA personally provided creative input into, will also include the Agust D logo.

“I’m so excited for the next phase of my relationship with the league with the launch of my very own NBA capsule collection. As a longtime fan of the NBA and its teams, this collection is incredibly special to me. I look forward to sharing this with all of you.” SUGA said.

Meanwhile, NBA announced that the “SUGA x NBA Capsule Collection” will be available in the coming weeks via NBA stores, Mitchell & Ness stores, and HYBE’s Weverse Shop. 

Fans can also get early access to the collection by registering with an NBA ID through the league’s Official Website.

In other news, SUGA started his military enlistment process in early August. He will be the third member of BTS to enlist in the military. 

Featured image: NBA shares SUGA’s capsule collection. Credit: Twitter/NBA

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BLACKPINK’s JENNIE is First K-Pop Artist On ELLE France Cover

Jennie is also the second Asian celebrity to grace the cover of Elle France after Maggie Cheung back in 2004!

BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim has firmly established her presence in the global fashion realm, gracing the cover of ELLE France’s September issue. This significant achievement underscores her profound impact and influence within the fashion industry, a feat rarely accomplished by K-pop idols.

ELLE France Unveils Jennie’s September Issue Cover

ELLE France shared the news on their official X (formerly Twitter) account. The tweet shares the cover of the magazine’s upcoming issue and it features the BLACKPINK member. Not surprisingly, Jennie is clad in one of her group’s trademark colors.

Following her historic appearance as the first Korean idol on the cover of ELLE USA in late 2022, Jennie has now extended her accomplishments by becoming the first K-pop artist to feature on the cover of ELLE France. Furthermore, she joins the ranks of only a few Asian artists to achieve this honor, with the last being acclaimed actress Maggie Cheung in 2004.

ELLE France, renowned as a premier fashion publication worldwide, typically reserves its covers for French celebrities and models, making this recognition exceptionally rare for Hollywood or Asian luminaries. Jennie’s cover debut signifies the end of nearly two decades since an Asian artist was last featured. ELLE France celebrated this historic moment on their official Twitter account, eliciting widespread excitement among her fans.

BLACKPINK’s Jennie Foray Into Fashion

Jennie Kim, a prominent member of BLACKPINK, has recently made a splash in the fashion world with the launch of her exclusive capsule collection, JENNIE for Calvin Klein. This limited-edition line, handpicked by Jennie herself, encompasses both intimate and outerwear pieces, highlighting “minimal silhouettes with a relaxed attitude.” Her venture into the fashion industry demonstrates her evolving influence and taste beyond the music scene.

Furthermore, Jennie’s versatility extends to the screen, where she appeared in the HBO series “The Idol,” sharing the spotlight with stars like Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd. Her foray into acting showcases her multifaceted talent and expanding horizons in the entertainment realm.

Despite these individual endeavors, Jennie remains committed to her BLACKPINK duties. Fans can eagerly anticipate her continued contributions to the group as they maintain their presence and impact in the world of music.

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K-DRAMA K-POP ARTISTS LATEST STORIES

Look: Astro’s Sanha to Star in Historical Romance Film

ASTRO's Sanha to star in film 'Suunjapbang.' Credit: Twitter/Fantagio Group

Sanha of K-pop boy group ASTRO is confirmed to be the main lead in a historical romance film titled Suunjapbang. 

On Friday, August 25, the film’s producers shared the photo of Sanha with other cast members Kim Kang Min and Baek Sung Hyun. 

According to Korean media, Sanha is set to play the role of Kim Yu, a noble based on a real person who wrote a traditional cooking book called “Suunjapbang” during the Josen Dynasty. 

Then, Kim Yu meets Gye Am, who calls himself the best chef in Joseon. Gye Am will be played by actor Kim Kang Min, who starred in To My Star.

Meanwhile, Casting a Spell to You actor Baek Sung Hyun will also make a special appearance in the film as Kim Yu’s older brother.

 

Interestingly, the real life “Suunjapbang” is considered as one of Korea’s national treasures as it is the oldest Chinese manuscript in Korea containing numerous traditional Joseon-era dishes.

Suunjapbang is set for a December 16 release. 

Actor Sanha is back! 

Fans, especially AROHAs, can’t help but feel emotional upon hearing the news. They quickly took to social media to mark the milestone, trending the hashtag: “Yoon Sanha Actor Return.” 

In the past, Sanha has appeared in various dramas including To Be Continued, Soul Plate, and Your Playlist. However, this project will serve as his first time being casted as a main lead in a movie. Additionally, Suunjapbang will also be Sanha’s first Joseon-era acting project. 

“You made me go speechless! A movie? That too the MAIN LEAD? Bro, that is huge! I am so proud of you. ACTOR YOON SANHA IS BACK”, one fan wrote.

https://twitter.com/behappy_sanha/status/1694946804146843740

 

Moreover, fans are extra sentimental about the movie given it’s Sanha’s first solo major project after the passing of ASTRO member Moonbin in April.

They were the group’s first official sub-unit and the duo was in the middle of their DIFFUSION fan concert tour during Moonbin’s death. 

Featured image: ASTRO’s Sanha to star in film ‘Suunjapbang.’ Credit: Twitter/Fantagio Group

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BTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BTS’ V Calls ‘Barbie’ The Most Impactful Movie He Watched

The 'Blue' singer shared his thoughts on the Greta Gerwig film and how jazz influences his solo album 'Layover'

V is sharing his thoughts about everything, from his beloved dog Yeontan to the best film he has watched. The BTS member is currently promoting his upcoming album “Layover” but he also spoke about movies that had an impact on him. Not surprisingly, Kim Taehyung called “Barbie” the most impactful movie he has seen recently. In addition to that, the “Rainy Days” singer discussed how jazz influenced his solo endeavor.

V Gushes About ‘Barbie’

Kim Taehyung recently sat down with W Korea for a photoshoot and an accompanying interview. When asked if he had watched any good movies lately, V enthusiastically admitted that he has seen “Barbie.”

“I watched ‘Barbie’. Seriously, it really is the most impactful movie I’ve watched recently,” he said.

“Barbie” is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie as the titular doll. The film follows Barbie and Ken (Ryan Gosling) as they embark on a journey of self-discovery following an existential crisis. “Barbie” has grossed $1.28 billion worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 2023.

It’s great to know that V has already watched “Barbie” but the influences on his new album are very different from the film’s soundtrack. Still, Kim Taehyung confirmed that “Layover” is inspired by his love for jazz.

“Standard jazz could be a bit too complex, so I tried to make my songs more contemporary and popular,” he said. “When the sun’s setting, under the sunset, when you’re driving, when you get off work… That would be the best time to listen.”

V has recently unveiled two pre-release tracks “Love Me Again” and “Rainy Days”. He is now preparing to drop his third one, titled “Blue.” All this excitement precedes the highly anticipated release of the BTS member’s debut solo mini-album, “Layover,” scheduled for September 8th. Fans are eagerly anticipating this milestone in his career, as V showcases his individual artistry and musical prowess.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Modhaus to Take Legal Action for Malicious Posts Against Kim Lip

Kim Lip in the teaser for LOONA's 'The Origin' album. Credit: Twitter/LOONA

South Korean record label and entertainment agency MODHAUS announced that they would take legal action against malicious posts directed at their ARTMS artist, former LOONA member Kim Lip. 

On Thursday, August 24, MODHAUS released a statement that they’re continuously monitoring posts containing defamation, harassment, and personal attacks against Kim Lip.

“MODHAUS does not tolerate any form of right infringement against our artist,” they wrote. “MODHAUS is considering taking legal actions in cooperation with legal experts to address the issue.” 

Interestingly, the agency didn’t go into detail of what prompted the statement. But the label wrote that “unfortunate incidents” arose as fans got access to a more active communication with the artists. 

Furthermore, MODHAUS expressed its commitment to ensure the safety of the artists and fans in the future. Additionally, they also encouraged fans to report cases of rights infringements against the artists to their Response Team. 

Kim Lip as a MODHAUS artist

Kim Lip made her debut in May 2017 when she was introduced as the sixth member of LOONA. At the time, she was also a member of the group’s second sub-unit ODD EYE CIRCLE before LOONA officially debuted as a 12-member act in August 2018. 

 

However, in November 2022, Kim Lip, together with nine other LOONA members, filed an injunction against their agency Blockberry Creative. 

Kim Lip, together with Heejin, Jinsoul, and Choerry, won their injunctions in January 2023. The four of them signed exclusive contracts with MODHAUS in March. 

Since then, the agency  launched the ARTMS project. It will reportedly refer to the activities of the former LOONA members under their agency. Haseul, who signed with MODHAUS in June, has also been added to the ARTMS project. 

In July, Odd Eye Circle, the sub-unit composed of Choerry, Jinsoul, and Kim Lip, released their album Version Up.

Fans’ reactions

Numerous fans thanked the agency for taking the necessary measures to protect their artist.

“I’m genuinely so glad you guys are doing this. thank you for protecting her!”, one fan wrote.

 

Others also commended MODHAUS for the speedy action as they responded even before the allegations spread.

https://twitter.com/whoiskimlip/status/1694674174193910027

 

More agencies take legal actions to protect artists

Just like MODHAUS, more agencies are taking legal actions to protect their artists.

In August, JYP Entertainment announced that the agency is taking legal actions for malicious posts and comments against their girl group, ITZY. 

WakeOne Entertainment, ZEROBASEONE’s agency also announced in July that they’ve taken legal actions against individuals who have been spreading hateful posts and threats against the nine-member rookie boy group. 

Another is Starship Entertainment, who also sued YouTubers who published false content regarding their artists, specifically IVE. 

Meanwhile, SM Entertainment also filed a complaint against an online user who sent death threats to aespa’s Winter. The agency will also take a legal action against a fan who invaded NCT’s Jaehyun’s privacy. 

In addition, these agencies stated that they will regularly monitor and report posts that spread false information, hate, and insult towards their artists. 

Featured image: Kim Lip in the teaser for LOONA’s ‘The Origin’ album. Credit: Twitter/LOONA

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Jeon Somi Signs With Universal Music Japan

Jeon Somi is collaborating with Universal Music Japan for her first Japanese release

Jeon Somi has ignited excitement among her fans, as she recently revealed her signing with Universal Music Japan!

The announcement, made via her official Twitter account, has left supporters eagerly anticipating her imminent Japanese debut. On August 24, Somi shared the news, officially declaring herself an artist under the renowned Universal Music Japan label. She warmly invited her Japanese fanbase to connect with her on her official Japanese Twitter account and website, signaling the beginning of a promising chapter in her music career.

This significant development not only underscores her global appeal but also sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting journey in the Japanese music industry for the talented artist. Fans worldwide are poised to witness her artistic evolution as she ventures into new horizons with Universal Music Japan.

Somi Discusses ’11-Line Abs’ Secret

Somi is currently preparing for her Japanese debut and that includes her diligent commitment to maintaining her physical fitness. She was recently a guest on “Knowing Bros.” where she admitted that she has been working out for six years.

Furthermore, Somi credited her Pilates instructor for imparting the knowledge necessary to achieve what’s commonly referred to as “11-line abs.” She explained that this is influenced by a person’s early life experiences, such as excessive crying as a baby. Somi stated that it strengthens their abdominal muscles through deep breathing exercises.

Somi soared to nationwide recognition when she secured the coveted first position on the competitive reality show “Produce 101,” which led to her membership in the eleven-member project girl group, I.O.I. Following the disbandment of I.O.I, she inked a contract with YG Entertainment’s subsidiary, The Black Label. This pivotal move marked the commencement of her solo artist career, with her debut taking place on June 13, 2019.

Presently, Somi is in the midst of an active promotional phase for her latest EP, titled “Game Plan.” She also started a fun variety show “Yes or Hot” where Somi had longtime friend HyunA as her first guest.

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NewJeans to sing OST for Netflix’s ‘A Time Called You’

NewJeans shares photo from their Bunnies Camp. Credit: Facebook/NewJeans

A Time Called You, the Netflix series starring Ahn Yeo Seop and Jeon Yeo Been, has given fans another reason to look forward to their drama as it announced that rising rookie group NewJeans will be involved in the show’s original soundtrack. 

What we know so far about ‘A Time Called You’ 

Based on the hit Taiwanese series Some day or One Day, A Time Called You is a romance drama involving time-travel. 

Jeon Yeo Been will portray Jun Hee, a girl who’s grieving the death of her boyfriend Yeon Jun, played by Ahn Hyo Seop. 

 

Mysteriously, Jun Hee will be transported to the year 1998 as a different person. There, she’ll meet a fellow high school student who has a striking resemblance to her late boyfriend. 

In the trailer released on Thursday, August 24, it showed Jun Hee trying to grapple with her past emotions and current feelings. A budding love triangle with Kang Hoon’s character In Gyu was also revealed.

Moreover, the poster also featured the three main characters in two different timelines. “One past, one chance to save you,” it read. 

In addition to the mystery romance themes, viewers are also looking forward to Ahn Hyo Seop and Jeon Yeo Been’s chemistry. 

Ahn Hyo Seop is best known for his roles in Business Proposal and Dr. Romantic 2. Meanwhile, Jeon Yeo Been starred in Vicenzo and Night in Paradise. 

Additionally, A Time With You will premiere on Netflix on September 8. 

NewJeans’ involvement 

While the acting and story alone are already promising, the anticipation for the series rose after it was confirmed that NewJeans will be lending their voices for the show. 

According to representatives from Netflix, the quintet will sing a remake of Kim Jong Seo’s 1996 song “Beautiful Restriction.” 

Also, this will serve as NewJeans’ first time to sing an OST for a drama. 

 

Interestingly, a snippet of NewJeans’ OST was featured in the trailer. Fans were quick to pinpoint how it sounded like the group even before Netflix confirmed the news. 

On top of that, fans are curious as to how NewJeans’ rendition of the hit ballad can further elevate the storytelling in the drama. 

The OST is also the group’s next project after the release of their second EP Get Up. Said album gave NewJeans’ their first entry to the Billboard 200 chart. 

Get Up, which has six songs, was released on July 21. “ETA,” “Super Shy,” and “Cool With You” are the album’s triple title tracks. 

Composed of Minji, Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, and Danielle, NewJeans made their debut in July 2022. 

Featured image: NewJeans shares photo from their Bunnies Camp. Credit: Facebook/NewJeans

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Go Behind the Scenes of BTS V’s W Korea Shoot In New Q&A Video

Kim Taehyung, also known as BTS‘ V, graced the pages of W Korea’s latest issue. After the media outlet uploaded the cover story, a behind-the-scenes video followed. This video gave fans a glimpse at everything that happened on the set of the photoshoot, set to the tune of V answering questions from the W Korea team.

Opening with a cheerful, “Hello, W Korea! I’m V of BTS,” he set the tone for a candid conversation. One of the first topics broached was his pet, Yeontan. V affectionately remarked, “Yeontan ate too much, so I put him on a diet. Yeontan also got his hair cut recently, so he looks very cute.” He added that while Yeontan is close to him, the dog has a very special bond with his mother, which means he competes with her for Yeontan’s attention.

BTS V Q&A by W Korea

V also shared insights about his fitness regimen. “I actually shared my routine on my Story, I hope you check it out.” When asked which part of his body he’s most proud of these days, he confidently and simply stated, “Hands!”

Discussing his downtime, V revealed that he’s been recharging and is now channeling all his energy into work. Naturally, the conversation veered towards his much-anticipated solo album. While V was a bit secretive about the exact genre, he did drop several hints. “Standard jazz can be too complex, so I tried to make my songs more contemporary and popular,” he explained. He also painted a serene picture for fans, when asked what time of day best suits his album. “When the sun’s setting, under the sunset, when you’re driving, when you get off work—that would be the best time to listen.”

BTS’ V and the heartfelt goodbye

Known for his unparalleled bond with the ARMY (BTS‘s fanbase), V emphasized his commitment to them. “There are many contents that ARMY can enjoy when they’re bored. I’m trying to make more communication channels for ARMY, so I’m shooting a lot of those contents,” he said, showcasing his dedication.

Reflecting on his journey as the last member of BTS to release a solo album, V expressed respect for his members. “BTS members went through so much. I learned that as I made my album. It’s not easy,” he confessed. However, he also expressed the joy in the process, “But because it’s so hard, it makes the process more fun.”

V‘s personal style also became a topic of discussion. Identifying as a minimalist, he shared, “I don’t usually carry around a bag.” Yet, he always has his cherished accessories with him, especially his bracelet, necklace, and a special ring. His penchant for luxury was evident when he spoke about his endeavors to acquire a Cartier Crash watch and fondly reminisced about his first Cartier purchase, the Cartier Tank Louis watch.

He left fans with a brief yet heartfelt, “I’m V, thank you,” signaling the end of a conversation that offered a deeper understanding of the person behind the global sensation. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: V talked about everything from his album to his dog. Source: YouTube/@wkorea.

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