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BTS’ V Feels ‘Fulfilled’ In New Interview With W Korea

W Korea

BTS‘ V, also known as Kim Taehyung, has always been a force to reckon with in the music industry. His recent collaboration with W Korea magazine solidified his position as a global icon. It marks the superstar’s debut as Cartier’s global brand ambassador, representing the ‘Panthère de Cartier’ line. The photoshoot is a visual treat, with V blending elegance and sensuality. 

But it’s not just the photos that captured netizens’ attention. V’s interview with W Korea provided a candid look into his life. He talked openly about the pressures and thrill of being in the limelight. One of the most intriguing parts of the interview revolved around his debut album, Layover.

“The entire process was reminiscent of revisiting my early vocal training days,” he said. “I stumbled upon my new vocal identity. Certain tonalities and pronunciations seem to resonate more now. My love for diverse genres often has me humming away. While creating this solo album, I discovered my vocal essence, and that’s what makes me incredibly fulfilled.”

His dedication to his craft was evident in the interview, even when he talked about working with Min Heejin of ADOR, the CEO behind NewJeans.

“I trust my instincts, but I remain open to the insights of those around me. Both are important to me. I wanted to show a different side of my music compared to my past releases, and collaborating seemed like the best way to achieve that,” he says. “f(x)’s Pink Tape was a big inspiration. I reached out to her when I recalled it. Our discussions were productive, encompassing all the details, and the whole process was seamless. Min Hee Jin brought expertise and sincerity to the table. She has such a warm presence.”

It’s all about ARMY

V also reflected on his personality. He said resilience is one of his core traits. But he acknowledged his vulnerabilities as well, including his tendency to move at his own pace. He realized that may have frustrated some ARMY, which made him feel terrible. That left V with a strong desire to make it up to them however he can.

“While I may not always operate at a rapid pace, there’s a steadfast and unyielding resilience within me, akin to that of a tanker. I tend to move at my own rhythm, which might test ARMY’s patience at times. For instance, with my solo album, the wait was extensive. My initial intention was a release in December of the previous year; but the process was extended, leaving me with an enduring sense of apology,” he said. “It feels like forever since I connected with ARMY on stage. The burning question in my mind is ‘Do I need to diet for this grand return?’ Trust me, that thought was non-stop. It’s all about ARMY. Being in their presence, feeling their energy—that’s paramount.”

W Korea is a feather in V’s cap

But amidst the challenges that come with life in the spotlight, V’s personality remains unchanged at its core. The pursuit of joy is very important to him, whether it involves small things like a nice meal or big things like spending time with the BTS members. Now that they’re currently working on their own projects, V makes it a point to keep up with the others’ achievements. Seeing them excel makes him feel good.

“Every time they hit the stage, I’m proud of how far they’ve come. They bring something fresh and it’s just amazing to see. Honestly, I’ve been all in, soaking up every scene they’ve been in and on,” he shared.

His LP Layover will be out on September 8. With songs like “Slow Dancing,” “Love Me Again,” and “Rainy Days” generating buzz, it’ll be another feather in his cap—just like this W Korea spread.

Featured Image: V exuded the aura of a panther in his W Korea photoshoot. Source: W Korea.

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Did Rain Really Receive a Black Ocean in Kcon LA 2023?

Rain updates fans with new photo of him. Credit: Twitter/Rain Company

Rain is a K-pop star that needs no introduction. But while he’s undeniably a talented artist, fans have started wondering if he’s a capable handler, too. 

Concerns about him as a talent producer have escalated recently. To the point that his performance at the KCON LA 2023  reportedly received a black ocean from the attendees. 

But why is there a hate for Rain to begin with? And was he really met with a black ocean during KCON LA 2023? 

 

Rain as an artist and producer

For starters, Rain is an established singer-songwriter, dancer, and actor. With seven studio albums, three extended plays, and more than thirty singles under his belt, there’s no denying how rich his musical career is. 

Additionally, he’s also a seasoned actor, having starred both in local Korean projects and international ones. 

 

In fact, he was even included in Time’s 100 most influential people in the world for the years 2006 and 2011. It’s a real testament on how much of a global superstar Rain is. 

Unfortunately, his knack as an artist seemingly didn’t translate well to him being a good record producer. 

 In November 2007, Rain started his own entertainment company J.Tune Entertainment, or formerly known as Rainy Entertainment. Said agency had a subsidiary called J.Tune Camp, which debuted the boy group MBLAQ in October 2009. However, JYP Entertainment merged with J.Tune Entertainment in December 2010 and became the latter’s shareholder. 

In September 2015, Rain announced that he’ll be creating his own one-man emergency. 

In December 2020, he revealed that he’s planning to debut a new boy group next.

Come March 2021, the seven-piece act Ciipher made their debut. The members were reportedly handpicked by Rain himself, as some of them have previously appeared on survival shows such as Produce X 101, Under Nineteen, and YG Treasure Box. 

The backlash against Rain 

However, Rain’s competence in handling the group has been put into spotlight when four members of Ciipher announced their departure from the group. 

In early August, Dohwan, Tag, Tan, and Won left the group following the expiration of their contracts. 

As for the remaining members, Hwi, Hyunbin, and Keita, they will reportedly regroup as a trio in the future. Although final plans about them have yet to be announced. 

Unsurprisingly, the news wasn’t received well by the fans. Many were speculating that Ciipher was mistreated and mismanaged when they were active as a group. 

 

Additionally, several fans related Ciipher’s situation to the previous idol groups that Rain managed such as MBLAQ and Madtown. Despite the popularity and potential of the two latter groups, they weren’t given enough promotion to the public, as compared to their idol contemporaries. 

 

With this, fans were intent to express their displeasure against Rain and planned to boycott his performance at the KCON LA 2023. 

Some even pointed out that instead of him performing in the show, Ciipher should’ve been in Rain’s position instead. 

How KCON LA attendees reacted to Rain’s set

Even before Rain’s performance, there were several fans who were organizing a black ocean during this set. 

For those unfamiliar, a black ocean is wherein the attendees turn off their lightsticks and stop cheering for the performer as a form of protest. 

“I don’t care what your opinion is on a black ocean nor Rain’s legacy in K-pop. This man ruined and crushed the dreams [of] seven talented boys. He literally openly said he regretted funding their dreams! He deserves no cheers and no lightstick ocean regardless of his status in K-pop,” one fan wrote. 

https://twitter.com/winxyeojin/status/1690160162756014080

According to the attendees of KCON LA, Rain was reportedly met with a lukewarm response during his performance. 

https://twitter.com/mistflm/status/1693215126688874593

Clips of Rain reportedly being booed and flipped by attendees also circulated on social media. An attendee was also seen holding a “We wanted Ciipher” sign during Rain’s performance. 

https://twitter.com/mistflm/status/1693215126688874593

However, several attendees also claimed that it wasn’t to the point that it can be called a black ocean. Although many did agree that compared to the stages of other artists, Rain’s KCON LA performance wasn’t as loud. 

“It felt more like most people simply didn’t know Rain, rather than mass action,” one wrote. 

 

As of writing, Rain has yet to acknowledge the supposed protest. 

Featured image: Rain updates fans with new photo of him. Credit: Twitter/Rain Company

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TWICE Jihyo Admits She Almost Quit As A Trainee

Jihyo discussed her trainee days and how she almost didn't debut in TWICE because she ran away from her company!

Being an idol is a dream come true for most people but for Jihyo, it was an ambition that was almost too much. The TWICE leader has just revealed that she considered quitting when she was just a trainee. It was so bad that Park Ji Hyo actually ran away from her company!

Jihyo Opens Up About the Difficulties of Being a JYPE Trainee

During the August 21st episode of “Neighborhood Friend Kangnam,” Jihyo teamed up with the show’s host Kangnam to create a delectable crepe cake. Amid the culinary adventure, the TWICE member shared a captivating story from her trainee days, adding a personal touch to the episode.

“I actually used to be a pig,” she revealed. “I don’t worry about things like this. As long as it tastes good.”

The carefree attitude was something that Park Ji Hyo had for years before she became a trainee. “I was a trainee for 11 years,” she shared. The TWICE leader then admitted that there was a time that she tried to escape her own company.

“I ran away once because it was so hard. I ran away from home,” she shared. “When I was in my third year of high school, I ran away to my aunt’s house, but I got caught.”

Jihyo reflected on her actions and the difficult time she faced as an aspiring idol. “It was so hard right before our debut,” she said. “If I think about it now, I seriously could’ve messed things up.”

Luckily, things changed for the girl who was born Park Ji-soo. After she debuted with TWICE, things have been looking up for the former model.

In a June 2023 announcement, it was revealed that Jihyo was set to launch her debut EP, titled “Zone,” on August 18, 2023. The EP’s leading single, “Killin’ Me Good,” was disclosed as part of the announcement, marking Jihyo as the second member of TWICE to embark on a solo debut journey. Notably, before this official revelation, Jihyo had already treated fans to a sneak peek of her upcoming work by performing an unreleased track titled “Nightmare” during Twice’s “Ready to Be World Tour.”

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Wow! Blackpink’s Lisa Is the Only K-Pop Idol in Instagram’s Rich List of 2023

Lisa poses for BLACKPINK's Summer Diary in Seoul. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK

“Dollar bills, dollar bills. Watch it falling for me, I love the way that feels.”  This is the lyrics from the solo song “Money” of BLACKPINK’s Lisa and we can just tell you how true it is! 

Social media marketing management platform Hopper HQ recently released its “Instagram Rich List” for 2023 and unsurprisingly, BLACKPINK’s Lisa is included in the rankings. 

 

The Thai-born rapper ranked 26th in the list. Also, she’s the only K-pop artist to be included in the Top 100. 

According to HopperHQ, Lisa had a total of 95,815,834 followers on Instagram when the list was released. Additionally, she’s reportedly earning $575,000 for one sponsored post on Instagram. 

 

Meanwhile, South Korean actor Lee Minho and actress Song Hye Kyo are also included in the Top 100. 

With a following of 33 million, Lee Minho secured the 55th spot and is earning $200,000 per post. As for Song Hye Kyo, her 16 million follower count earned her the 93rd spot. She’s reportedly accumulating $100,000 per sponsored post on Instagram.

Moreover, Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo topped the rankings with a whopping $ 3.2 million a post. With his 601 million followers, the athlete is the most followed person on Instagram. 

As for international celebrities, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, and Emma Watson are also included in the list. 

Lisa’s star power

Frankly, Lisa’s inclusion in the list is no longer surprising given her worldwide popularity. 

In May 2023, the BLACKPINK member became the K-pop soloist with the most Guinness World Records in history. 

With seven records under her belt, Lisa was able to surpass PSY’s previous record of five titles. Currently, some of Lisa’s achievements include:

  • most followers on Instagram for a K-pop artist
  • fastest solo K-pop female artist to reach one billion streams on Spotify 
  • first solo K-pop winner at the MTV Video Music Awards 

 

Aside from her solo titles, BLACKPINK also holds several Guinness World Records, including being the most viewed channel on YouTube which further heightens Lisa’s star power. 

In fact, Lisa has also been recently announced as one of the inductees for Asian Hall of Fame 2023. She’s nominated alongside Far*East Movement and Freddie Mercury, among others. 

However, in between this good news, several rumors about Lisa are also circulating. First, she’s speculated to no longer renew with YG Entertainment given that BLACKPINK’s seven-year contract with the agency is set to expire by August 2023. 

Second, she’s also embroiled in dating rumors with TAG Heuer CEO Frédéric Arnault. As of writing, both camps have yet to address the relationship rumors. 

Featured image: Lisa poses for BLACKPINK’s Summer Diary in Seoul. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK

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VERIVERY Leader Dongheon Reveals Enlistment Date

As the oldest in the group, Lee Dong Heon will be the first member of VERIVERY to enlist for military service

Dongheon of VERIVERY has formally disclosed his impending military enlistment date.

Jellyfish Entertainment, on August 23, conveyed an official statement via VERIVERY’s official fan cafe, confirming that Dongheon will embark on his military service in the upcoming week.

“Dongheon plans to fulfill his military duty as an active duty soldier after receiving basic military training at the training center on August 28,” the agency wrote. “In respect of the artist’s wishes to enlist quietly, the enlistment location and time will be kept private, and there will be no other formal procedure. We ask for your generous support and encouragement for Dongheon, who will return in good health after fulfilling his military duties.”

VERRER React to Dongheon’s Enlistment Plans

Not surprisingly, fans were sad to know that Dongheon will be enlisting soon. However, most were understandably prepared for the news. After all, Jellyfish Entertainment had already confirmed that the VERIVERY leader is planning to enlist this year. Nevertheless, everyone is already hoping he will stay happy and healthy.

Dongheon will be the first member of VERIVERY to enlist for mandatory military service. He is the eldest member of the group and is already expected to enlist this year. Other members Hoyoung, Minchan, Gyehyeon, Yeonho, Yongseung and Kangmin are not yet due for enlistment.

Lee Dong Heon assumes the pivotal role of leader and main rapper of the group. His journey to debut with the group was marked by five years of dedicated training, culminating in their January 2019 debut. VERIVERY made their debut with the EP ‘Veri-Us,’ featuring the standout single “Ring Ring Ring.” Soon, the group took creative reins into their own hands, producing their music video for the track. Today, VERIVERY stands as a self-producing entity.

In 2020, the group participated in Mnet‘s reality competition, “Road to Kingdom,” where they left an indelible mark. Morever, their song “Beautiful-X” was unveiled for the show’s grand finale. It then secured them a commendable fifth-place finish in the overall rankings.

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Riize to Hold Photo Exhibition to Mark Debut

RIIZE in a teaser for 'Get A Guitar.' Credit: Twitter/RIIZE

From web novel to photo exhibition: the highly-anticipated debut of SM Entertainment’s newest boy group RIIZE is looking like a huge celebration of its own! 

SM Entertainment announced on Tuesday, August 22 that RIIZE will be holding a photo exhibition to celebrate the group’s upcoming debut album. 

The exhibition is set for August 26 to September 10 at D Museum in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. 

 

Additionally, the theme of the event will revolve around the memories made by the members while they were preparing for their debut.

Fans will also see never-before-seen photos from the group’s album jacket shoot and music video filming. 

 

Interestingly, those who will visit the photo exhibition will also get one random selfie photocard of a RIIZE member. Fun, right? 

 

Moreover, this isn’t the only special event prepared by SM Entertainment for RIIZE’s upcoming debut. The agency also partnered with Kakao Entertainment for a web novel called Rise and Realize. 

Said web novel will see the members of RIIZE try to overcome growing pains. It will have a total of eight episodes, with one episode being released on Kakao Page every Saturday starting August 19. 

Countdown to RIIZE

Even before the group’s official debut on September 4, RIIZE is already gaining worldwide popularity. 

Just days after all seven members were introduced on Instagram, RIIZE’s account became fastest K-pop group to reach 1 million followers on the said platform. 

The interest might come from members Shotaro and Sungchan, who were former NCT members. Meanwhile, Eunseok and Seung Han were first introduced as SMROOKIES. Still, even the newly introduced members Won Bin, So Hee, and Anton have also garnered huge followings. 

Besides, the group also makes sure to spotlight the members’ talents in their pre-releases. They were already praised by fans in the “Siren” performance video and pre-debut song “Memories.”

 

What’s even more amazing is that RIIZE also already took the KCON LA 2023 stage! Yes, right even they made their official debut!

Like how SM Entertainment plans for the group to “write a new chapter of music history,” RIIZE seems to be already off to a good start! Which is nice given that RIIZE will serve as the agency’s first boy group in seven years following NCT.

Featured image: RIIZE in a teaser for ‘Get A Guitar.’ Credit: Twitter/RIIZE

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Blackpink to Launch Roblox Interactive Experience ‘The Palace’

BLACKPINK announces Roblox game 'The Palace.' Credit: Twitter/YG Select

BLACKPINK in your (Roblox) area! The South Korean girl group continues to dominate the K-pop scene and they’re even widening their domain in the metaverse. 

On Tuesday, August 22, YG Entertainment announced that they partnered with metaverse studio Karta to give BLACKPINK fans a Roblox interactive space to celebrate the group’s music and career. 

What to expect?

In BLACKPINK THE PALACE, fans can “meet, socialize, and enjoy content from the band.” According to the press release, the players will also enjoy the members’ favorite things from digital fashion to signature choreography. 

All rooms and grounds will also be inspired from some scenes in BLACKPINK’s music videos, such as “DDU-DU DDU-DU” and “Pink Venom.”

Roblox players will also be able upgrade their in-experience items by smashing crystals using their BLACKPINK lightstick. The more currency the users collect, the more they can purchase items related to the group. 

They can also make their idol dreams come true by trying on the members’ iconic stage outfits and even practice the group’s choreography! 

 

And the most interesting part? Fans can also take photos with the avatars of BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa in the game!

“We look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world to a beautiful virtual palace where they can party, connect, and experience everything BLACKPINK beyond the constraints of time and space,” YG PLUS’ head of IPX division, Hyojung Lee, said in the press release.

Thankfully, BLACKPINK THE PALACE will be a permanent addition to the virtual game. Meaning, Roblox players could anticipate updates and brand new content releases throughout the year. 

However, fans who step into BLACKPINK THE PALACE within the first 24 hours of its launch on August 25 will get a special badge. So best to mark your calendar for that, BLINKs!

Meanwhile, BLACKPINK is the third K-pop group to open an interactive fan hub on Roblox. NCT 127 and TWICE also launched their virtual communities called NCT 127 World and TWICE Square, respectively.

From Roblox to mobile game 

Interestingly, Roblox isn’t the first virtual game for the group. 

The four-piece act also have the mobile game BLACKPINK THE GAME. In it, fans will act as the producer of the quartet and help them grow more popular.  

Additionally, players could organize the members’ schedules, prepare their outfits, and troubleshoot challenges. Besides the fun games, it also has exclusive content from the group, such as photos and videos. 

And on Wednesday, August 23, BLACKPINK released the song “The Girls” in the mobile game. 

Aside from the OST music video, a reaction video of the members was also released in the app. 

BLACKPINK made their debut under YG Entertainment in August 2016 with the album Square One. The quartet also holds several Guinness World Records, including being the most viewed channel on YouTube. 

Currently, the group is set to conclude their Born Pink world tour with encore concerts in Seoul. 

BLACKPINK’s seven-year contract with YG Entertainment is also set to expire by August 2023, with member Lisa being rumored to no longer renew with the agency. As of writing, the agency has yet to address the status of the group’s renewal. 

Featured image: BLACKPINK announces Roblox game ‘The Palace.’ Credit: Twitter/YG Select

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Lee Chae Yeon Drops Teaser Image For ‘The Move: Street’ Single Album

Lee Chae Yeon is gearing up for her first single album this September

Lee Chae Yeon is gearing up for her next comeback. The soloist has dropped the first teaser for her new album. In addition to that, Chaeyeon revealed the schedule for her return in September.

Lee Chae Yeon Unveils Teasers For Upcoming Single Album

On August 22, WM Entertainment unveiled a teaser image heralding the return of Lee Chae Yeon with her first single album, “The Move: Street.”

The teaser image intriguingly spotlights Lee Chae Yeon’s feet, artfully clad in a striking combination of footwear. On one foot, sneakers make their bold statement, while on the other, delicate ballet shoes exude an altogether contrasting charm. This striking juxtaposition crafts a captivating and distinctive ambiance, setting the stage for her highly-anticipated comeback.

In addition, Lee Chae Yeon has officially revealed the teaser schedule chart for “The Move: Street.”

The insightful chart outlines an exciting journey for fans, commencing on August 24. As the countdown unfolds, Lee Chae Yeon promises a series of captivating teaser releases. The upcoming teasers will include a highlight medley, action poster, music video teaser, and a host of additional intriguing content that promises to give fans a sneak peek into what they can expect from her upcoming album.

With each scheduled release, the anticipation for Lee Chae Yeon’s return continues to grow, as fans eagerly await the unveiling of the diverse facets of “The Move: Street.” This teaser schedule chart sets the stage for an exciting and immersive experience for fans in the lead-up to her highly awaited comeback.

Lee Chae Yeon debuted as a member of the South Korean–Japanese girl group Iz*One and secured her spot by finishing 12th on Mnet’s competitive girl group series, “Produce 48”. She later transitioned into her solo career with the release of the extended play “Hush Rush” on October 12, 2022. Since her journey with Iz*One, Chaeyeon has blossomed into a solo artist, marking her presence in the K-pop scene with her remarkable talent and artistry.

“The Move: Street” will be released on September 6, 2023.

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ATTRAKT and The Givers Didn’t Give FIFTY FIFTY Adequate Meals

The glitz and glamor of the K-pop industry has recently been overshadowed by even more unsettling revelations surrounding the group FIFTY FIFTY. The group’s management company, ATTRAKT, has come under fire for allegedly failing to provide adequate meals. However, the plot thickens as both the girls’ agency and The Givers, an external company, were implicated in the infamous food dumping incident.

Documents obtained by media outlet Ten Asia revealed that ATTRAKT claimed to have supported FIFTY FIFTY‘s meal expenses from June 2020 to March 2023. The total expenditure amounted to 7.26 million KRW (~5,416.82 USD) over 33 months. This translates to a meager 55,000 KRW (41.04 USD) per member per month. 

However, there were 12 months during this period when the agency gave no food support. Moreover, beginning October 2022, when the members began their debut preparations in earnest, the manager provided meals. The financial statements didn’t distinguish between members’ and staff’s meals. In reality, ATTRAKT didn’t bear any costs as they divided the 726 million won among the members.

The diet provided by the agency consisted mainly of butter coffee and chicken breasts. From June to September 2020, this was the only food provided. In June, the agency calculated that the girls consumed 1 million KRW worth of food. This amount included the share of FIFTY FIFTY trainees. Over three months, they spent 172 million KRW on the aforementioned butter coffee and chicken breasts. In March 2021, they also included the cost of meals for photo staff (36 million KRW) in the members’ food expenses. In May 2021, they spent 102 million KRW on detox ingredients.

The mistreatment of FIFTY FIFTY

Members and their families were concerned about their diet, fearing it would harm the members’ health. Feedback from a trainer in the second half of 2021 noted a lack of protein and vegetables and emphasized the need for essential nutrients. Responding to these growing concerns, the agency consulted a nutritionist in June 2022. 

After the consultation, members were given a daily meal allowance at a salad restaurant. However, this allowance was capped at 10,000 KRW (7.46 USD) per day. FIFTY FIFTY‘s legal representative revealed that the agency only provided a diet chart, and the members managed food preparation by themselves. They would report to ATTRAKT by sending photos.

Adding to the controversy, an episode of Unanswered Questions shed light on the mistreatment of FIFTY FIFTY. The episode highlighted an incident where management tossed out food sent by the members’ families. It took place in July 2021 at the agency’s training center in Gangnam. ATTRAKT and The Givers operated as one entity then. Both companies controlled the members excessively, so distinguishing between the two would be meaningless.

Adding to the members’ distress, surveillance footage from the same month revealed an excessive number of CCTV cameras installed at the members’ dorms and the training center. These cameras, believed to be for monitoring, could reportedly be accessed directly from ATTRAKT CEO Jun Hong Joon’s office.

Challenges and hardships

A representative from another agency weighed in on the issue, highlighting the challenges faced by small to mid-sized companies in managing idols. They pointed out that although dietary management is essential, not considering the artists’ health is an outdated management approach.

@sehyunsundrop

Replying to @soyliarrzz there is proof #fyp #fiftyfifty #urwrong #cctv #extremediets #kpop #viral #abuse

♬ original sound – 🎧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

These latest developments in the FIFTY FIFTY controversy shed some light on the darker aspects of the K-pop industry. While fans see the glamor and success, the artists often face challenges and hardships behind the scenes. It’s a stark reminder that the well-being of artists should always be a priority. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: They were practically starved by their agency. Source: Twitter/@fiftyfiftylog.

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Fantasy Boys to Debut as 11-Member Group Without YU Jun Won

Yu Jun Won poses in his profile photo for Fantasy Boys. Credit: Twitter/Fantasy Boys

Fantasy Boys is already being hounded by controversy even before its official launch as member Yu Jun Won is confirmed to no longer debut with the group. 

Pocketdol Studio announced on Wednesday, August 23, that only 11 members of Fantasy Boys will debut in September, with Yu Jun Won not part of the lineup.

Initially, 12 individuals were chosen from MBC’s global audition program to debut as members of Fantasy Boys. Among the 12 members, it was even Yu Jun Won who ranked first in the competition. 

 

What went wrong? 

According to the agency, while they’d want the 12 members to debut together, Yu Jun Won cannot participate in group activities due to “his unauthorized departure.” 

Pocketdol Studio mentioned that after the program ended, they discussed the contract with the members’ parents several times. The company shared that the contract was even according to the standard terms and conditions established by the Fair Trade Commission. 

However, the agency claimed that Yu Jun Won’s parents requested to modify the contract. Allegedly, the parents wanted to increase their son’s profit sharing rate, citing that he was the one who ranked first in the program. 

In response, the agency said that they couldn’t have a different profit distribution rate among the members as it may cause equity issues in the future.

Next, Pocketdol Studio claimed that Yu Jun Won’s parents made him leave the company without permission twice. They said that by this time, they already told the idol that he wouldn’t be able to join the team. 

Given this circumstance, the agency decided to continue with the 11 members instead. Only Hikari, Hikaru, Hong Sung Min, Kaeden, Kang Min Seo, Kim Gyu Rae, Kim Woo Seok, KSoul, Lee Han Bin, Lingqi, and Oh Hyeon Tae will debut. 

Additionally, the agency requested fans to continue their support to the remaining 11 members. They also promised that they will resolve the issue with Yu Jun Won amicably.

 

How are fans taking the news?

Even before Pocketdol Studio released a statement, fans have already been clamoring for an update about Yu Jun Won in the previous days.

On social media, they trended the hashtag “Where is Yu Jun Won” as they noticed that the aspiring idol was not in any of the group’s recent activities. 

Following the news, fans are worried about Yu Jun Won‘s current status with the group. Some fans are confused whether he’s no longer part of the group at all, or is it just a temporary suspension. 

https://twitter.com/fanbotwt/status/1694189428946698478

https://twitter.com/fanbotwt/status/1694190688747814978

Moreover, fans are also wary about the reasoning given by Pocketdol Studio. Several online users said that they’d rather wait for a statement from the idol’s side, as well. 

Meanwhile, there is still no official debut date for Fantasy Boys in Korea. Although, the group has been actively promoting in Japan. 

Featured image: Yu Jun Won poses in his profile photo for Fantasy Boys. Credit: Twitter/Fantasy Boys

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