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Finally! Survival Show Winners FANTASY BOYS to Debut in September

FANTASY BOYS

The K-pop industry is no stranger to talent, but once in a while, a group emerges that captures the world’s attention. Enter FANTASY BOYS, the winners of the MBC global audition program. After months of anticipation, the group has finally confirmed their official debut in September.

Composed of 12 members, FANTASY BOYS is a unique blend of charisma and talent. Each member was handpicked by global audiences, a testament to their appeal. The lineup includes Hikari, Hikaru, Hong Sung Min, Kaeden, Kang Min Seo, Kim Gyu Rae, Kim Woo Seok, KSoul, Lee Han Bin, Lingqi, Oh Hyeon Tae, and Yu Jun Won. With such a diverse group, fans are eagerly awaiting the range of music and performances they will bring to the table.

Even before their official debut in Korea, the group has been actively promoting in Japan. They held a fan-con in Tokyo last July 9, which was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. They also made several TV appearances and participated in offline events, building a strong foundation for their upcoming debut.

The future is bright for FANTASY BOYS

But it’s not just their activities that have fans buzzing. In July, FANTASY BOYS unveiled a set of group and individual profile photos. Oozing charisma and elegance, those photos gave fans a taste of the group’s style. Fans and industry insiders alike praised their concept and visuals.

Going from being on a survival show to debuting isn’t easy. It requires determination, talent, and a lot of hard work. Luckily, FANTASY BOYS have those qualities in spades, and they showcased them throughout their time on the show. Their dedication to their craft and fans is evident in everything they do.

웰컴 투 판타지 월드 njfz#(NeW Joyful Fantasy Zone)

As the days inch closer to their official debut, their fans’ excitement is palpable. They’re gearing up to support the group in the next chapter of their career. Social media is abuzz with well-wishes for leader Yu Junwon and his members. With such a strong foundation and worldwide anticipation, the future is bright for these talented young artists. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey and upcoming projects. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: After promoting in Japan, the group will make their South Korean debut. Source: Twitter/@fantasyboys_twt.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

CNBLUE’s Yonghwa to Release a New Album Next Month

CNBLUE fans are buzzing with anticipation as the act’s main vocalist, Yonghwa, prepares for a solo comeback. Reports from media outlets on August 15th confirm that the singer is set to release his new solo album in September. This report sent shockwaves of excitement throughout the CNBLUE fandom, especially since it marks his first solo album release in South Korea after six years.

Back in July of 2017, Yonghwa graced the music world with his first mini album titled Do Disturb. Since that release, he has been primarily active in China and Japan, delighting fans with music and more. Additionally, he has contributed to OSTs and engaged in special collaborations, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

What does Yonghwa have in store?

While his previous works have been well-received, the upcoming album holds a special place for both Yonghwa and his fans. It signifies his return to the Korean music scene as a soloist, a move eagerly awaited by many. Their anticipation is palpable—in fact, as of this writing, CNBLUE fans are making a lot of noise on social media. They’re wondering what the singer has in store for them.

But CNBLUE’s main vocalist doesn’t plan to stop at simply releasing an album. Fans can expect a slew of promotional activities accompanying his comeback. From interviews to performances, he’s gearing up to engage with his supporters on multiple fronts. This proactive approach ensures that everyone will have ample opportunities to connect with him and his music.

Yonghwa’s upcoming solo album is more than just a collection of songs. It represents his journey as an artist and his commitment to his fans. With the release date drawing closer, their excitement is building, and the music world is eagerly awaiting what promises to be a stellar comeback. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Yonghwa is set to make a splash in SK with his long-awaited solo comeback. Source: Twitter/@CNYongvely.

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Jyp Entertainment Takes Legal Action for Malicious Posts Against Itzy

ITZY shares behind-the-scene photo from filming 'Cake.' Credit: Facebook/ITZY

JYP Entertainment has taken legal action against online users who published malicious posts and comments against their artist, K-pop girl group ITZY. 

In a statement on Monday, August 14, the agency said that they have “secured evidence on all actions that insult and defame the honor and image of our artists.”

They added that the securing of evidence was done through an internal and external monitoring system. 

 

According to the label, the acts they’ve flagged include malicious slander, and circulation of false information. It also includes sexual harassment, illegal filming, and the creation and circulation of fake content. 

JYP Entertainment then declared that they’ve coordinated with a specialized law firm to continue with the legal proceedings. 

Additionally, the agency said that they will actively monitor and act against possible threats to ITZY. 

 

“We will continue to take strong civil and criminal action for all actions that are defamatory and disrupt healthy activities of the artists and that there will be no leniency or settlement in that process,” they said. 

Moreover, JYP Entertainment also asked fans to send tips to their work email in case they have evidence on said violations. 

“We will do our best in order for no harm to be done to not only the artists but also to all the fans who love ITZY,” the agency ended their statement.

Idols’ safety and security

JYP Entertainment is the latest agency to crack down on harmful attacks against their artists. 

Recently, WakeOne Entertainment filed criminal charges against individuals who threatened the personal security of ZEROBASEONE members. 

Meanwhile, SM Entertainment also filed a complaint against an online user who sent death threats to aespa’s Winter. The agency also heightened the security of the group as they’re currently on their concert tour in the United States.  

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

In terms of these legal battles about idol’s safety, Bae Suzy had the most recent win. The court fined a man who posted libelous comments against the idol-actress in 2015. 

Featured image: ITZY shares behind-the-scene photo from filming ‘Cake.’ Credit: Facebook/ITZY

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a.c.e’s Chan, Donghun, and Jun Change Stage Names

A.C.E. members Donghun, Jun, and Chan pose for a photo. Credit: Twitter/A.C.E Brasil fan page

Beat Interactive announced on August 12 that three members of K-pop boy group A.C.E will make changes in their stage names. 

According to the agency, members Chan, Donghun, and Jun have decided to use their real names instead. 

Meaning, Chan will move forward with his activities as Kang Yuchan, Donghun with Lee Donghun, and Jun with Park Junhee. 

Additionally, Beat Interactive emphasized that members Kim Byeongkwan and WOW made no changes. With this, WOW, whose real name is Kim Se Yoon, is the only A.C.E member to use a stage name. 

“Please look forward to the future activities ahead,” the agency told fans. 

While Beat Interactive didn’t provide any explanation or reason behind the changing of names, it can be noted that the A.C.E members have been using their real names in their acting activities. 

Kang Yungchan has appeared in Age of Youth 2 and Marry Me Now, while Park Junhee starred in Tinted with You and Sometoon 2021. 

Fans also pointed out how their stage names are common among other K-pop groups. And the change would help the A.C.E members be recognized instantly.

The changes came almost six years after the group made their debut in 2017. 

As for A.C.E’s future group activities, there’s no details yet as two members, Kim Beyongkwan and Kang Yungchan, are still in the military. 

Meanwhile, Park Junhee, Lee Donghun, and WOW have all been recently discharged.

Featured image: A.C.E. members Donghun, Jun, and Chan pose for a photo. Credit: Twitter/A.C.E Brasil fan page

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Listen: Stray Kids’ Seungmin Treats Fans With New Solo ‘Hold On’

Stray Kids' Seungmin releases a new solo song. Credit: Twitter/Stray Kids

STAYs were in for a treat! Seungmin of K-pop boy group Stray Kids unveiled a new solo song titled “Hold On” on August 13.

The track is part of Stray Kids’ “SKZ-RECORD” YouTube series. In this series, the Stray Kids members are seen doing covers and unveiling original songs that are not part of the group’s official album or single releases. 

Meanwhile, “Hold On” is composed by Stray Kids members Han and Bang Chan and producer VERSACHOI. Additionally, Han wrote all the lyrics for the track. 

 

Prior to “Hold On,” the other releases under “SKZ-RECORD” includes “Party’s Not Over,” which was released on the fandom’s anniversary.

Changbin, Felix, and Seungmin’s song “Snain” and “Volcano” by Han were also released under “SKZ-RECORD” in 2023. 

A busy Stray Kids in 2023

As for their official releases, Stray Kids released their third studio album 5-STAR in May. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard’s 200 albums chart. With this, 5-STAR became the group’s third top entry following 2022 albums MAXIDENT and ODDINARY. 

Currently, Stray Kids is composed of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. It initially debuted as nine-piece act in March 2018. Although, Woonjin left the group in October 2019. 

Their hits include “CASE 143,” “Thunderous, “God’s Menu,” and “Back Door.”

Moreover, the group is known for having their songs produced by 3RACHA, the sub-unit of members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. 

In an interview with Teen Vogue, Changbin opened up how important it is for them to take reins on their journey as musicians. 

“At the beginning of our career, I think there was a bit of wandering when it came to our music,” he said. “But through the consistent pursuit and development of our musical color, we were able to establish the Stray Kids genre and become the team we are today.”

Featured image: Stray Kids’ Seungmin releases a new solo song. Credit: Twitter/Stray Kids

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

4 ‘Boys Planet’ Contestants to Debut as Toz in Japan

Anthony, Haruto, Takuto, and Yuto are forming the boy group TOZ. Credit: Twitter/The Hallyu News

Following the success of Mnet’s survival talent series Boys Planet, four more contestants from the show are set to turn their idol dreams into a reality. 

YY Entertainment revealed on Monday, August 14 that Anthonny Iinuma, Haruto Maeda, Takuto Toyonaga, and Yuto Takano signed an exclusive contract with their label. 

 

The four Boys Planet alumni are confirmed to form the boy group TOZ, which stands for “To Our Zone.” 

Additionally, the act is aiming to debut in Japan in the latter half of 2023. Final details about the debut album and date have yet to be disclosed. 

Moreover, the agency shared that the upcoming group will promote both in Japan and  Korea in the future. 

As to why they chose these four members, YY Entertainment shared that despite not making it to the debut team, each still gained global popularity among fans for their charms and proficient Korean skills. 

Following the news, TOZ started releasing updates from the members on their social media accounts. 

 

Although a new agency, YY Entertainment is home to B.A.P’s Bang Yong-guk, actor Bae Na-ra, and Lee Joo Ahn, among others. 

Where are the ‘Boys Planet’ contestants? 

Boys Planet, which started with 93 trainees, gave birth to the formation of ZEROBASEONE or ZB1. 

The group’s members include Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji Woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, and Kim Tae-rae. Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook, and Han Yu-jin are also part of the lineup.

ZB1 made their debut on July 10 with the release of their mini-album YOUTH IN THE SHADE. Shortly after, YOUTH IN THE SHADE set the record for being the best-selling debut album in K-pop history. Over 1,240,700 copies were sold in just 24 hours of sales. 

ZB1 is a project group that will promote under WakeOne Entertainment, a CJ ENM subsidiary, for around two and a half years. 

Meanwhile, seven contestants from Boys Planet will also debut as the boy group EVNNE under agency Jellyfish Entertainment. 

The septet consists of Ji Yoon Seo, Keita, Lee Jung Hyun, Moon Jung Hyun, Park Han Bin, Park Ji Hoo, and Yoo Seung Eon. 

Featured image: Anthony, Haruto, Takuto, and Yuto are forming the boy group TOZ. Credit: Twitter/The Hallyu News

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Look: Ikon Drops Teasers for ‘Panorama’

iKON poses during their 'Flashback' concert. Credit: Facebook/iKON

Mark your calendars, iKONICs because K-pop boy group iKON is set to release some new music. 

The act surprised fans on Monday, August 14 with a track list for their upcoming single album Panorama. 

Further, the teaser revealed that PANORAMA, which will have two songs, will be released on August 23. 

First, the song “T.T.M,”  which stands for “Talk to Myself,” was co-composed by members DK and Bobby. Meanwhile, Bobby co-wrote the lyrics for the second song “PANORAMA.” 

Aside from the track list, iKON also released individual concept photos for all six members. The posters saw the members looking melancholic. 

 

Fans were also delighted to see a teaser for Jay even if the vocalist already enlisted in the military on July 20. Jay is the first member of iKON to enlist in the military. 

Additionally, PANORAMA comes three months after the group released their third studio album Take Off in May. 

Currently, the group is embarking on their TAKE OFF concert world tour. It includes shows around Asia, Europe, and the United States. 

Composed of Bobby, DK, Chan, Ju-ne, Jay, and Song, iKON debuted in September 2015 under YG Entertainment. They left the agency in December 2022 and signed with 143 Entertainment. 

Featured image: iKON poses during their ‘Flashback’ concert. Credit: Facebook/iKON

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Koz Entertainment Launches Global Audition Tour

BOYNEXTDOOR during their Music Broadcast special stage. Credit: Facebook/BOYNEXTDOOR

KOZ Entertainment, the subsidiary agency under HYBE Labels founded by rapper Zico, is on the lookout for more aspiring idols! 

The label has launched its 2023 KOZ Global Audition titled “You Become What You Believe.” 

 

Only individuals born after 2006, regardless of gender or nationality, are eligible to apply. 

Additionally, those interested in audition should showcase their talents in either dance, vocal, rap, songwriting, or playing a musical instrument. 

Moreover, all applications should complete the mandatory online registration that can be found on KOZ Entertainment’s website. 

After the online applications, only those who pass the initial screening will be able to attend the on-site global audition on the specified dates. 

The audition tour will span over 20 cities. The list includes Seoul, Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Okinawa, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. 

Auditions are set to run until November 18. 

HYBE’s growing number of artists 

KOZ Entertainment is home to rookie boy group BOYNEXTDOOR. The six-piece act, who made their debut on May 30, will release their first mini-album Why on September 4. 

Aside from KOZ Entertainment, BIGHIT Music is also holding an online global audition. Said agency is home to groups BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT). 

Moreover, BIGHIT MUSIC is one of the many record labels housed under HYBE. Recently, HYBE acquired BELIFT LAB, ENHYPEN’s agency. 

Featured image: BOYNEXTDOOR during their Music Broadcast special stage. Credit: Facebook/BOYNEXTDOOR

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Nct’s Taeil Takes a Break Due to Motorcycle Accident Injury

SM Entertainment shares a greeting for Taeil's birthday. Credit: Facebook/NCT

Taeil of K-pop boy group NCT will be taking a break from band activities after getting injured in a motorcycle accident. 

NCT’s agency SM Entertainment revealed the idol’s condition through a statement posted on Kwangya Club on Tuesday, August 15. 

In a Soompi report, the agency shared that Taeil was returning from his activities in the early morning of Tuesday when he got involved in a motorcycle accident. 

 

“He immediately visited a hospital for a detailed examination and treatment,” SM Entertainment was quoted as saying. 

However, the results of the medical examination showed that Taeil sustained a fracture in his right thigh. The doctors also advised the idol to get the necessary surgery. 

Despite this, the agency assured fans that the singer is currently in stable condition. He is also receiving proper treatment ahead of his surgery. 

With this, SM Entertainment announced that Taeil will be taking a hiatus to focus on his treatment and recovery. As a result, he no longer won’t be able participate in the NCT Nation: To The World concert happening on August 26. 

Fans wish for Taeil’s speedy recovery 

Following the announcement, fans quickly took to social media to hope for Taeil’s safe and speedy recovery. 

Related hashtags and phrases such as “Get Well Soon Moon Taeil” also became one of the top trending hashtags on Twitter. 

https://twitter.com/haefolders/status/1691300602301853696

Taeil is the main vocalist of NCT 127 and NCT U. 

Meanwhile, all NCT sub-units such as 127, DREAM, U, and WayV will join forces for their first offline full-group concert. In NCT Nation: To The World show, other diverse combinations of the NCT members, as well as full-group stages will be featured. 

Additionally, NCT as a full group is also releasing the album Golden Age. 

The album, their first full group comeback in more than a year and a half, will be released on August 28. Previews for some tracks included in Golden Age were also released in a press conference. 

Featured image: SM Entertainment shares a greeting for Taeil’s birthday. Credit: Facebook/NCT

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Trot Singer YoungTak Says BTS’ Jin Breathed New Life Into His Career

In 2021, a catchy trot tune titled “Jjin-iya” by the singer YoungTak became the talk of the town. It had a repetitive chorus that goes “Jin, Jin, Jin, Jjin-iya,” mirroring BTS‘ Jin‘s stage name. This serendipitous overlap didn’t go unnoticed by BTS, who playfully engaged with the trend, giving the song an even broader audience in South Korea.

Every time he interacted with the media, YoungTak never missed an opportunity to thank BTS. For instance, during a recent interview, YoungTak shed light on the transformative impact this song had on his career. He candidly referred to Jin as the catalyst that rekindled his musical journey. Due to the rising popularity of “Jjin-iya,” YoungTak found himself performing in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. 

[MMA 2020] 영탁 – 니가 왜 거기서 나와 + 찐이야 #멜론 #MELON

Delving into his past, YoungTak opened up about the challenges he faced before his breakthrough. “There was a time in my career when I was hit by the thought that a singer’s income isn’t that much. So I transitioned to teaching kids for two to three years. As I was doing that, people around me were complimenting me, saying, ‘I think you’re a great teacher.’ The positive feedback I received as a teacher kept me going,” he said. 

However, during this phase, he confessed, “During those times, I lost the will to write music. I was very sad about not performing. The truth is that I am a singer who gave up and stopped because I had no income. But all those experiences became a big motivation for me to live a better life for my future,” he said.”

YoungTak wants to treat BTS’ Jin to a meal

Highlighting a memorable moment, YoungTak reminisced about his performance of “Jjin-iya” at the 2020 Melon Music Awards. “I’m grateful to BTS, especially Jin. My performance coincided with his birthday, and because of my song’s chorus, BTS was left wondering, ‘Who’s this Jin, Jin, Jin guy?’ This intrigue played a pivotal role in propelling my song to viral status,” he said.

Another heartwarming incident YoungTak shared was when Jin publicly declared his fondness for YoungTak‘s song “Why Are You Coming Out From There” during a TV appearance. “Every time Jin showers, he listens to my song. I was deeply touched by his shoutout and look forward to the day I can express my gratitude in person, perhaps over a meal,” YoungTak added with a smile.

The trot singer’s story serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of fame and the power of genuine appreciation between artists. Isn’t that nice? – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: As far as YoungTak is concerned, he owes the BTS member a debt that can never be repaid. Sources: Instagram/@jin and YouTube/@MelonOfficial.

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