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SEVENTEEN’s Jun Reveals Heartwarming Story Behind ‘Lie Lie Lie’ Cover

Jun revealed the reason why he chose to cover Lee Juck's 'Lie Lie Lie' and it dates back to his pre-debut days!
Jun revealed the reason why he chose to cover Lee Juck's 'Lie Lie Lie' and it dates back to his pre-debut days!

JUN might be an established K-pop idol now but there was a time when the SEVENTEEN member was just a trainee with big dreams. Interestingly, Wen Junhui reflected on his past after delivering a sweet cover of Lee Juck’s “Lie Lie Lie.” The Chinese idol shared how the song helped him connect with a random stranger who left a lasting impression.

Jun Shares Why ‘Lie Lie Lie’ Has a Special Connection To Him 

In a recent episode of Lee Mujin‘s popular musical variety program “Leemujin Service”, JUN sang his own version of some classic songs. The second cover was Lee Juck’s “Lie Lie Lie” and the SEVENTEEN member shared why he chose to sing it.

According to JUN, he had trouble finding the confidence to sing when he was a trainee. In fact, he would often lose his voice when singing to a crowd. Since this would be a major hurdle for a K-pop idol, PLEDIS Entertainment decided to send Jun on a mission to face his fears.

He continued by sharing how he had to find someone in a crowd to listen to him sing. Although JUN was told he only had to sing the first verse, he admitted that finding a listener was difficult. The trainee was sent to the busy streets of Gangnam for almost an hour around lunchtime. Whenever he approached an individual, they would tell him they didn’t have time to listen.

Luckily for JUN, one older man stopped to listen to him. When the trainee declared that he would cover “Lie Lie Lie”, the man admitted that he was a Lee Juck fan. After listening to the future SEVENTEEN member, the man even gave some feedback. He reportedly praised JUN for his emotion but told him to practice his pronunciation.

JUN clearly appreciated the feedback and admitted he wanted to reconnect with his listener. “I wanted to thank him again if I have a second chance, but it’s hard to find him,” he admitted.

It’s a great story that confirms a kind gesture is always treasured. Hopefully, JUN will be able to reconnect with his random listener from his pre-debut days. In the meantime, SEVENTEEN is preparing for a comeback in October.

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Watch: The Devil’s Plan, Featuring Seventeen’s Seungkwan, Releases Trailer

Netflix releases the trailer for 'The Devil's Plan.' Credit: Twitter/Netflix Korea

Netflix Korea’s upcoming survival game reality series The Devil’s Plan released its official trailer on Wednesday, August 30. 

The 30-second teaser gives fans a glimpse on the challenges and games that the players will face. Interestingly, it also hints at possible betrayal among the players. 

 

“This is going to be a bloodbath,” one player said, while another declared: “You’re very suspicious.” Other players were also heard saying: “We have to use every trick and scheme.” 

In the description, Netflix Korea teased that The Devil’s Plan is a “whole new chapter of brain competition.” 

What we know so far about The Devil’s Plan

Aside from Seungkwan, 11 other participants will be joining the competition. 

The cast includes Problematic Men star Ha Seok Jin, professional Go player Cho Yeon Woo, and other professionals such as lawyer,  doctor, and announcer among others. 

Aside from popular personalities, the show also introduced two non-celebrity contestants: American orthopedic surgeon Seo Yoo Min and college student turned professional poker player Kim Dong Jae. The two were chosen through an open recruitment that the show held. 

 

The Devil’s Plan will be directed by Jung Jong Yeon. He is best known for producing and directing the popular survival shows Great Escape, The Genius, and High School Mystery Club.

“I have long wanted to create a brain survival format in the most reasonable and fun way. Everyone wonders, ‘I think like this?’ and The Devil’s Plan is a program that raises such questions,” the director said. 

Jung also described each participant’s strengths where he characterized Seungkwan as a player who has an “immense presence.” He added that the vocalist will meet the viewer’s expectations thanks to his experiences in various TV programs. 

Aside from The Devil’s Plan, Seungkwan has also participated in shows Prison Life of Fools, Unexpected Q,  and Idol Dictation Contest. He’s also the SEVENTEEN member with the most variety program appearances, having participated in Racket Boys, Five Cranky Brothers, and Job Dongsan. 

The Devil’s Plan is set to make its premiere on September 26.

CARATs’ excitement for Seungkwan 

Upon releasing the trailer, CARATs (SEVENTEEN’s fans) and Boosadans (Seungkwan’s fandom) flooded the comment section and social media with positive remarks.

“Seungkwan will make all the shows amazing, funny, and good. So, I know this will be a thrilling, good, and funny show,” one fan wrote.

 

The series is highly anticipated especially since it is Seungkwan’s first project after his hiatus. Last July, Pledis Entertainment, SEVENTEEN’s agency, announced that the idol will be taking a break for health reasons. With his hiatus, the singer missed the group’s promotional activities for their album FML and FOLLOW concert.  

However, the agency has already confirmed in early August that Seungkwan is set to join the group’s comeback in October. Additional details about SEVENTEEN’s upcoming album have yet to be announced. 

Featured image: Netflix releases the trailer for ‘The Devil’s Plan.’ Credit: Twitter/Netflix Korea

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Wow! Twice’s Jihyo Makes Her Billboard 200 Debut in Top 14

TWICE's Jihyo in the teasers for ZONE. Credit: Facebook/TWICE

TWICE’s Jihyo stunned the music industry with her solo debut album Zone, which was released on August 18. 

Following the release of her solo album, the leader of JYPE’s 9-member girl group set an impressive record as Zone debuts at #14 in Billboard 200. 

The US-based charts announced on Tuesday, August 29, that the solo album of TWICE’s Jihyo recorded a total of 41,000 units in its first week. 

 

With this, Jihyo becomes the only second female K-pop soloist to enter the Top 100 of the Billboard 200. 

Interestingly, Jihyo joins fellow TWICE member Nayeon, who made her No. 7 debut on the Billboard 200 chart in August 2022 with her solo debut album IM NAYEON. Coincidentally, Nayeon and Jihyo are the first two TWICE members to release their solo albums.

Additionally, Jihyo also made history in other Billboard charts including Billboard’s Artist 100 where she debuted at No. 10. She once again became the second female K-Pop soloist to enter the Top 50, following Nayeon who debuted at No. 5 last year.

 

Zone also debuted at No. 2  on Billboard’s World Albums chart. It also  bagged the fourth spot on both the Top Album Sales and Top Current Album Sales charts.

Local album sales tracker Hanteo Chart also shared that Zone sold over 534,585 copies just a week since its release.

With this, Zone became the highest-selling mini album in the first week of its release, making Jihyo the first K-pop female soloist to achieve this feat.

11 years in the Making

Jihyo’s career as an idol was never easy as she once admitted she almost quit as a trainee. The singer trained for 11 years before finally debuting in TWICE.

“I ran away once because it was so hard. I ran away from home,” she said.

Luckily, Jihyo surpassed all the hardships and debuted as a singer. Now, Jihyo actively promotes her first album in various TV programs in the midst of group activities.

The vocalist’s debut solo EP consists of seven tracks including its lead single “Killin’ Me Good,” which continues to thrive on various streaming platforms worldwide.

The title track entered Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart at No. 11, and topped Spotify’s Top Song Debut Global chart.

 

Other tracks in the album are “Closer”, “Waiting On You”, “Room”, and “Nightmare.” Moreover, Zone saw Jihyo collaborating with two artists. The song “Talkin’ About It” featured American rapper 24kGoldn, while she had a duet with Korean soloist Heize for the track “Don’t Wanna Go Back.”

This upcoming September, TWICE is also set to showcase their astounding performances at the Asia and Europe leg of their 5th World Tour Ready To Be.

Featured image: TWICE’s Jihyo in the teasers for ZONE. Credit: Facebook/TWICE

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(UPDATED) STAYs Believe a Hyunjin-Troye Sivan Collab Is Finally in the Works

The K-pop scene is abuzz with whispers of a potential collaboration between Australian actor-singer Troye Sivan and Stray Kids‘ Hyunjin. The seeds of this speculation were sown in May when the two were spotted together at Dua Lipa x Versace‘s “La Vacanza” 2023 Fashion Show. Their camaraderie was evident as they chatted and took pictures, with Hyunjin even making an appearance on Sivan‘s Instagram.

Apparently, Hyunjin made quite an impression on Sivan, who posted on social media about wanting to connect with the South Korean star. The internet was soon flooded with fans offering suggestions on how Sivan could get in touch with Hyunjin. Many even tagged Stray Kids‘ official SNS accounts in their comments, hoping to bridge the gap between them. The buzz eventually reached such great heights that even Spotify’s official account tweeted about the topic.

However, not all reactions were positive. Following his posts about Hyunjin, Sivan took to TikTok to share an unfortunate update. He revealed that he received death threats after publicly expressing admiration for Hyunjin. Despite the negativity, many STAYs (Stray Kids’ fans) held onto the hope of a collaboration, especially since Hyunjin is known to be a huge fan of Sivan‘s work. When quizzed about the possibility of a collaboration, Sivan enthusiastically replied, “That would be sick. I would do that in a heartbeat.”

Is a collaboration in the works?

Adding more fuel to the fire, Sivan recently duetted a fancam of Hyunjin performing Stray Kids‘ “S-Class” on social media. His caption read, “Wow, absolutely love this guy. Would love to sing with him one day.” Fans couldn’t help but be amused by Sivan‘s continued admiration for his “celebrity crush.” Even as some playfully told Sivan to “get in line,” others saw his post as a hint regarding the long-awaited collaboration.

@troyesivan

#duet with @kep1bts ✩ #hyunjin

♬ S-Class (Short Ver.) – Stray Kids

Drawing parallels, fans recalled a similar post by Sivan about singer PinkPantheress. Shortly after expressing his desire to collaborate with her, it was announced that PinkPantheress would feature on the remix of Sivan‘s song “Rush.” Given this pattern, netizens are now speculating that Hyunjin is next. Some STAYs even say they heard Hyunjin‘s distinct vocals in PinkPantheress‘ collaboration announcement video.

Further strengthening these speculations, producer Zhone, known for his work on “Rush,” recently started following Hyunjin on Instagram. With all these clues aligning, it seems fans might soon get the collaboration they’ve been waiting for. Only time will tell if these speculations come to fruition. 

UPDATE: Sivan just made an announcement on TikTok.

The rumors have been confirmed! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Ever since they met at a fashion event months ago, Troye Sivan hasn’t been able to get Hyunjin off his mind. Can you blame him? Source: Twitter/@viraltakes.

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SEVENTEEN Confirms October Comeback With 11th Mini Album

SEVENTEEN, the 13-member Pledis Entertainment K-pop group that has taken the world by storm, is gearing up for another major comeback. According to a recent report by Hankook Ilbo, the group is slated to drop their 11th mini album in October. This news sent waves of excitement throughout their massive fanbase, eagerly anticipating what the group will bring to the table this time.

Seungkwan, the group’s main vocalist, is confirmed to be part of the October comeback promotions. This is particularly noteworthy as CARATS have been eagerly awaiting his return. What’s more, the group’s overall leader S.Coups also plans to return for this comeback. He had temporarily halted his activities due to a torn ACL. But as per Pledis Entertainment’s statement, his involvement will be “flexible and within reasonable limits, ensuring his health and well-being are prioritized.”

In a recent interaction with Elle Man Korea, Wonwoo, another member of SEVENTEEN, shed light on the group’s hectic schedule. Although they had concerts lined up in Seoul on July 21 and 22, they squeezed some studio time into their jam-packed days. Wonwoo shared, “I’m currently going back and forth between preparing for our concert and new album. Even yesterday, after practicing for our concert, I worked on songs that will be included in our next album. Although it’s been really busy working on two different things at once, it’s a lot of fun, and I’m enjoying it.”

SEVENTEEN recorded a ‘shocking’ new album

S.Coups, in a previous interaction with Marie Claire Korea, teased fans with some intriguing details about their next album. He said, “The work in progress is more ‘shocking’ than previously announced. It feels fresh and fun, but this album has a lot of shocking elements. Also, additional ideas based on novel ideas have also been poured out. Yes, we have prepared a lot of interesting content.”

SEVENTEEN‘s meteoric rise is evident in their previous achievements. Earlier this year, they made history with their mini album FML, which sold over 6.2 million copies. This feat was monumental, and it set a new record for the best-selling Korean album of all time. FML also set a new record for the highest first-week sales of any album in Hanteo history. It became SEVENTEEN’s highest-ranking album on the Billboard 200 as well, debuting at an impressive No. 2.

With such a stellar track record and the promise of a “shocking” new album, the anticipation for their October comeback is palpable. Fans worldwide are counting down the days till they can witness another groundbreaking achievement from SEVENTEEN. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ‘FML’ was a smash. What will the boys do to top it? Watch this space for updates. Source: Twitter/@WORLDMUSIC AWARD.

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Netizens Suspect RIIZE’s Anton Dated SEVENTEEN’s Vernon’s Sister

With the anticipation building for RIIZE‘s official debut on September 4, fans and netizens are on a quest to uncover every tidbit about the group’s members. Recently, the bond between the group’s youngest member, Anton, and Sofia Chwe, SEVENTEEN‘s Vernon‘s sister, has piqued the curiosity of many. Although she’s not an idol, Sofia has made a name for herself as a YouTube personality and boasts a commendable following. Moreover, her singing prowess is undeniable.

count on me *a lil surprise for my loves*

Anton and Sofia allegedly crossed paths during their school days and became friends. Both born in 2004, they recently graduated from high school. Interestingly, their closeness isn’t a shocking new discovery. Photographs of them together have surfaced in the past, but back then, Anton‘s status as an SM Entertainment trainee was still under wraps. 

https://twitter.com/luismileyy/status/1689387662036094976

The rumor mill began churning when some intriguing photos of the pair, believed to be from Sofia‘s now-deleted Instagram posts, went viral again recently. In one of them, Sofia is spotted donning a bracelet identical to Anton‘s. A friend asked if it was a gift from “him,” and Sofia playfully replied that she “stole it,” prompting Anton to post a sad emoji in the comments. 

Another post, still visible on the girl’s Instagram, shows her posing against a picturesque mountain backdrop. While the post seems unrelated to Anton, a comment inquiring if she visited the spot with “that kid” has led some to believe it might hint at Anton. Sofia, with her characteristic wit, quipped that she was accompanied by her father.

All about Anton

Anton was originally christened Lee Chanyoung. He also answers to the English moniker, Anton Lee. Born under the Aries zodiac sign on March 21, 2004, his Chinese zodiac reveals him to be a Monkey. Towering at an impressive 6’1″, Anton‘s origins trace back to Boston, MA, but he relocated to New Jersey at the tender age of three. 

He also happens to be the son of illustrious singer-producer Yoon Sang and actress Shim Hyejin. Many affectionately address him by his nickname, Brachio. His talents aren’t confined to singing; he once dreamed of becoming a professional swimmer and is good at playing the cello. RIIZE welcomed him into their fold on August 1, 2023. Twenty days later, the boy group released a pre-debut single.

While it’s clear that Anton and Sofia share a close bond, the nature of their relationship remains shrouded in mystery. Many fans believe they’re just friends. Regardless, this speculation further underscores the challenges K-pop idols face in maintaining even a shred of privacy. 

That aside, it’s heartwarming to witness an almost-idol and an idol’s sister forging a bond, especially when they come from different worlds. It’s a testament to how interconnected we all are. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: So many things are coming out of the woodwork as Anton’s official debut with SM Entertainment’s new boy group nears. Sources: Twitter/@pannchoa and @RIIZE_official.

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Kwon Eunbi Shows Off Her Sexy Body in New Calvin Klein Campaign

After a series of unforgettable performances at different Waterbomb events, soloist Kwon Eunbi is making waves as part of Calvin Klein’s “My Calvins” campaign. Her appearances at music festivals, where she was lauded for her physique, already set the stage. Now she’s taking it a notch higher.

On August 28, the “Flash” singer and IZ*ONE alum took to Instagram, unveiling a series of photos from the “My Calvins” campaign. In every photo she posted, Eunbi is the epitome of confidence and charm, clad in a wide variety of Calvin Klein pieces. From bralettes and underwear to denim jackets and jeans, each photograph perfectly captured her elegance and beauty.

This collaboration with Calvin Klein isn’t simply a testament to Eunbi’s growing popularity. It’s also a strategic move for her career. While some might be concerned about her album sales, the reality is that certain things are different for soloists. This includes metrics for success. If you’re a soloist, you don’t measure success solely by the number of digital or physical albums you sell. As a soloist, your goal is to receive invitations to events, land roles in dramas and movies, and secure sponsorship deals. That’s how you make big money, and Eunbi is clearly on the right path.

Eunbi is a force to be reckoned with

A testament to Eunbi’s popularity is her recent performance at The Cass Cool Festival in Gwacheon. Some footage from this event, where she flaunted her figure in a striking blue outfit, garnered a whopping 600,000 views on YouTube in two days. Clips and photos from the event have since flooded social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).

230819 권은비 KWONEUNBI Full Ver

In other news, Eunbi made a triumphant return to the music scene last August 2 with her newest single album, “The Flash.” This track not only climbed the charts, but it also helped her secure her first-ever music show win.

Whether it’s her performances, music, or modeling ventures, Eunbi is a force to be reckoned with. With her recent Calvin Klein campaign, she has once again proven her versatility and star power. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Sizzling’ doesn’t even begin to cover how hot she looks in these ‘My Calvins’ photos! Source: Twitter/@keitadj3.

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Bang Chan Seemingly Responds to STAYs’ Concerns About ‘Chan’s Room’

Stray Kids‘ leader, Bang Chan, has been a consistent figure in the world of live broadcasts. Since 2019, fans eagerly awaited his weekly YouTube Live show, Chan’s Room, where he chatted with fans, played songs, and sometimes hosted guests. Due to the way he hosted it, STAYs came to regard the show as a safe place.

However, since May 14, 2023, the popular broadcast has been noticeably absent from the internet. This hiatus coincided with an episode in which Bang Chan shared his experiences at the Music Bank show in Paris. In that episode, the idol revealed his surprise at some of his peers not greeting their sunbaes, which he considers basic manners. 

Although he didn’t name names, fans worldwide speculated on possible culprits, with groups like IVE being mentioned. This led to some artists facing severe criticism, while Bang Chan was praised for being honest. Following the controversy, Bang Chan took to Instagram to apologize. He clarified he never intended to target specific artists and expressed regret for any offense caused.

The hiatus of Chan’s Room has led to STAYs criticizing JYP Entertainment, with many believing the company is behind the decision. A clip from a fan meeting seemed to confirm these suspicions, with Bang Chan saying, “I can’t do Chan’s Room anymore. So, uh, I actually want to, but the company said no.”

 

Did Bang Chan address the controversy?

This news ignited a firestorm of criticism towards JYP Entertainment, with plenty of fans trending hashtags like #JYPELeaderOfDisappointment, and #JYPEPROTECTSKZ. Some directed their ire at Division 1, the JYP Entertainment department in charge of managing Stray Kids. They did this with the hashtag #DIVDISBAND. Other fans mobilized protest trucks to express their anger.

In a recent twist, Bang Chan seemingly addressed STAYs’ concerns on the fan community platform Dear U Bubble. He posted a photo of himself with a towel wrapped around his head. He also wrote, “Why upload now? Because it’s my decision lol.” He further emphasized, “Everything is my decision, my rules—hahahahahahahaha.” Some believe that was his way of saying that pausing his broadcasts was his decision. Others aren’t convinced.

https://twitter.com/rainbecomestars/status/1696618833191051721

While some fans remain skeptical, many hope for a resolution that sees the return of Chan’s Room. A harmonious relationship between Bang Chan, Stray Kids, their management, and the fans wouldn’t go amiss, either. But only time will tell whether that’ll happen or not. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Bang Chan made fans worldwide happy through Chan’s Room, so they’re all fighting to get it back. Source: Twitter/@sweetestdua.

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Kwon Eunbi Fires Back At Sexually Charged Comments

Kwon Eunbi and her agency Woolim Entertainment are standing against the sexually charged comments about the idol

Kwon Eunbi is boldly confronting issues of sexual harassment, privacy invasion, and defamation. The former Iz*One member is taking a stand along with her agency in an effort to halt sexually charged comments about the idol.

Woollim Entertainment Shares Plans To Track Down Netizens Posting Malicious Comments About Kwon Eunbi

On August 29, Woollim Entertainment, Kwon Eunbi’s label, issued a statement expressing their growing concern regarding the surge of defamatory, false, and sexually explicit comments. First, the agency established that the “The Flash” singer has already made a name for herself as a soloist.

“Woollim Entertainment and Kwon Eunbi have been active and successful in solo activities, and she has established herself as an all-rounder artist thanks to the love of her fans,” the statement read.

“Recently, we have found several posts on online communities and social media pages that are defamatory, sexually vulgar and spread misinformation,” it continues. “We are aware of the inappropriate content of these posts and have collected evidence regarding this. We are releasing this statement after deciding that we are no longer able to stand idly by.”

The agency added that they will need the fans’ help in taking down the malicious comments.

“We will continue to monitor and collect evidence of malicious posts to protect our artists to the best of our abilities. Moving forward, we will take legal action on all malicious content that we find. To this end, we ask fans to help us by emailing these posts to us,” the statement added.

This cautionary note follows Kwon Eunbi’s remarkable surge in popularity during the summer. The exceptionally talented singer catapulted to superstardom due to her outstanding live performances at numerous summer festivals this year. It is hoped that this warning will serve as a deterrent against any future malicious comments aimed at the star.

Kwon Eunbi debuted as the leader of Iz*One in 2018. After the group disbanded, Woollim Entertainment announced that Eunbi would make her debut as a solo artist. She released her first mini-album “Open” and the title track “Door” on August 24, 2021.

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GIRL’ GENERATION’s Hyoyeon Shares Surprisingly Lazy Off-Season Habit

The GIRLS' GENERATION member admitted she is often laidback and mostly lazy during her off-season

Hyoyeon has just opened up about a surprising off-season habit. The GIRLS’ GENERATION member recently revealed that she is always prepared for a comeback. However, HYO admitted that she gets to relax when she isn’t promoting. Interestingly, her habit takes her laziness to another level.

HYO Reveals What She Does When She Isn’t Promoting

The artist, who made a recent comeback with her latest track “Picture,” appeared as a guest on KBS Cool FM’s ‘Lee Eunji’s Gayo Plaza’ on August 29 KST. During the program, she discussed her approach to her on-season versus her off-season.

HYO admitted that she works hard when it is time to promote a comeback. “During the active season, I place a high standard on my performance and can become quite sensitive,” she said. The GIRLS’ GENERATION idol then shared that she is very different when it’s time to relax.

“During my off-season, I am just like anyone else – I even wear the same clothes for five days straight,” Hyoyeon said.

The host Lee Eunji supported HYO’s claim. “I think it’s a style of recharging only during the off-season,” she said.

In response, Hyoyeon explained the lazy habit. “Exactly,” she said. “I just lie low, mostly staying at home. It’s a total homebody style.”

Hyoyeon recently made her triumphant return with her latest release, “Picture,” following her first solo mini-album, “Deep,” from the previous year. While her comeback had some initial hiccups, things have been running smoothly for the artist during her promotional activities. A remarkable achievement during this period was reaching the number one spot on iTunes charts in multiple countries, a feat that speaks to her widespread appeal as an artist.

Kim Hyo-yeon is also widely known as Hyoyeon or DJ Hyo. Her remarkable career began when she made her debut as a member of the renowned girl group GIRLS’ GENERATION in August 2007. The group achieved monumental success as one of the best-selling musical acts in South Korea. She is currently promoting under the name HYO.

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