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EXO’s Baekhyun Reveals Why He Doesn’t Listen To His Own Songs

Baekhyun may have a voice that millions of people have heard but the EXO member doesn’t necessarily enjoy hearing it. In a new interview, Byun Baek-hyun revealed that he doesn’t listen to any of his own songs. However, he has a valid reason for avoiding them!

EXO Member Baekhyun Admits He Doesn’t Listen To His Own Songs

In a recent episode of “Colde’s blue room”, Baekhyun spoke to friend and frequent collaborator Colde about working on music. Interestingly, the EXO member admitted, “I don’t really listen to the songs I sing.” He further explained that when he does, he tends to listen if “anything changed a lot in terms of skills or abilities compared to the past or now.”

Byun Baek-hyun further explained that listening to his own voice is not an enjoyable experience for him. This is because he ends up overanalyzing what he is listening to.

“But I don’t listen to enjoy it. Because it’s my song, I tend to analyze it with a cool head. That’s not much of enjoying my song,” Baekhyun said.

Although it’s disappointing to know that the idol simply can’t enjoy hearing his own songs. Hopefully, Baekhyun will eventually learn to simply appreciate the joy his songs bring to his fans.

Byun Baek-hyun is known as the “Genius Idol”. In addition to being a member of EXO, he is part of the subunits EXO-K and EXO-CBX. In 2019, he was confirmed as the leader of the SM Entertainment supergroup SuperM.

In June 2023, EXO-CBX members Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen notified SM Entertainment regarding the termination of their exclusive contracts. The agency responded by claiming that a third party influenced the termination. Since then, both parties have issued statements responding to each other through the EXO-CBX members’ legal representative. However, the idols and company have reached a settlement.

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DKZ’s Jaechan Officially Begins Solo Career With Media Showcase

On September 6, DKZ‘s Jaechan officially began his solo journey with a media showcase at Seoul’s YES24 Live Hall. This event, which attracted attention from the local press, celebrated the release of his first solo mini album, JCFACTORY.

Factory owner Jaechan

The media showcase was a blend of performances, interactions, and revelations. Jaechan posed for photographs, performed songs from his album, and participated in a Q&A session with reporters and the event’s MC, Yoo Jae Pil.

Jaechan’s title track, “Hello,” is a synth-pop number that blends a vibrant plucking sound with 808 bass, giving birth to a minimalist R&B/urban pop vibe. Its MV is a visual treat, contrasting “celebrity Jaechan” and “ordinary Jaechan.” It’s all about the duality of his daily life, with scenes of him as an award-winning actor, news anchor, and even a luxury car commercial star.

[재찬 JAECHAN] ‘Hello’ MV

“Honestly, I’d never written or composed performance-oriented music before ‘Hello.’ I felt that the album’s title song should be a performance element. Originally, I was going to use a song created by another composer, but I ended up making the song myself,” he said. 

His dedication to his craft is outstanding. He has writing credits on every song on JCFACTORY, so his fans affectionately nicknamed him “factory owner Jaechan.” They say Jaechan churns out songs as fast as a factory churns out products.

Jaechan: ‘My music is me’

The other songs on the album are bops. “Oh Girl” is a poignant song where Jaechan says he “wants to give them everything.” “MAYB” offers a refreshing twist on love songs, featuring the talents of Chinese singer-songwriter Nathania. “Replay” captures the essence of post-breakup emotions quite well, and “Time” was introduced to fans as the album’s pre-release single.

Jaechan revealed, “These solo tracks were something that had been planned for a long time. In the case of ‘Oh Girl’ specifically, the demo first came around two years ago.” He confessed to feeling a little worried about his solo debut. Luckily, he found solace in the support of his DKZ members, who always checked on his schedule and cheered him on. 

[재찬 JAECHAN] 1st Mini Album ‘JCFACTORY’ SHOWCASE

Addressing the recent trend of male idols pursuing solo careers, Jaechan responded with grace and humility. He said, “Rather than thinking about what makes me different when I make music, I think about what kind of music I’m capable of, what kind of music really demonstrates my personal color. My music is ‘me.’”

The media also asked him about the recent exit of Jaechan‘s groupmate, Kyoungyoon. Addressing the issue, Jaechan said, “Something bad happened to our group, and to say it hasn’t been difficult would be lying.” However, he assured fans of DKZ‘s commitment to staying together. “The members have been talking a lot about group activities, particularly what direction we’d like to go in.”

@dkz_dy

😽👋 #재찬 #JAECHAN #JCFACTORY #Hello #HelloChallenge #NewMusic

♬ Hello – JAECHAN

The advantage of solo activities

Concluding the event, Jaechan expressed his gratitude and aspirations by saying, “The advantage of solo activities is that I’m fully able to enter my own thoughts when preparing music. Through this round of promotions, I’ll show you my personality and the direction of my thoughts.” – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Good luck with your solo career, Jaechan! Source: Twitter/@dkz_dy.

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What Part Did BTS’ RM Play in the ‘Blooming Hwarot’ Exhibit?

The “Hwarot,” a symbol of Korean tradition and culture, is set to be showcased to the public, thanks to a generous donation from BTS’ RM. On September 15, the National Palace Museum of Korea will open a special exhibition. “Hwarot in Full Bloom, Joseon Royal Women’s Wedding Dress.” It’s a deep dive into the history and significance of the Hwarot.

What is a ‘Hwarot’?

Traditionally worn by princesses and other members of the nobility during formal ceremonies in the Joseon Dynasty, the Hwarot later became a popular wedding dress. Currently, only 40 Hwalots exist worldwide, with RM’s contribution playing a significant role in preserving one of them. In September 2022, he donated 100 million KRW (approximately 75,000 USD) to the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation. RM did the same thing in 2021, but it wasn’t until this year that word of his generosity came to light.

According to reports, the only request BTS’ RM made was that the foundation put his contributions toward preserving, restoring, and utilizing cultural assets abroad. So it was that the foundation fell to work with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) to preserve a Hwarot. People believe artisans crafted this Hwarot back in the early 20th century. Art collector Bella Mabury donated it to LACMA in 1939. Its intricate designs make it a captivating piece for comparison and examination.

In 2022, an Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation official said it would take around five months to restore the Hwalot to its former glory. Now that it’s in good condition, there are plans to exhibit it in LACMA next year. But it’ll stay in Gyeongbokgung Palace until December 13, surrounded by eight other exquisite Hwarots from the Joseon Dynasty. Reports say Princess Bokon, King Sunjo’s second daughter, wore one. “Visitors to the exhibit can feel the Hwarot’s beauty and the hopes for a happy life contained within it,” the museum shared.

A front view of the Hwarot RM helped preserve. Source: Insight Korea.

What else is BTS’ RM up to?

But the philanthropy displayed by BTS’ RM doesn’t stop there. In a bid to introduce the beauty of Korean paintings to the world, his donation will fund the production of a catalog introducing Korean paintings. The Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation plans to collaborate with experts to produce a catalog of Korean paintings scattered in galleries and museums worldwide. It’s unknown when and where this catalog will be distributed. But given BTS’ RM and his global popularity, it’ll surely boost interest in Korean cultural assets abroad.

RM’s dedication to preserving Korean heritage is commendable. As a foundation official said, “We’ll work with RM to spread interest in preserving and utilizing Korean cultural assets abroad.” Through his actions, BTS’ RM showcases the beauty of his country’s culture and sets an example for others to follow. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: RM’s generosity helped preserve and restore an archaeological treasure. Source: Twitter/@kaerwyns.

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Wow! Blackpink’s Lisa to Perform at Crazy Horse Cabaret in Paris

Are you ready for this, BLINKs? BLACKPINK’s Lisa is about to take another momentous achievement in her career! She’s set to become the first K-Pop artist to perform at the prestigious Crazy Horse Paris.

On Wednesday, September 6, the singer from the sensational girl group announced on that she would be transforming into a “Crazy Girl” soon. 

Lisa, known for her dancing prowess, is set to headline five iconic performances at Crazy Horse Paris this upcoming September 28, 29, and 30. 

According to Crazy Horse, Lisa will be performing classics including “But I’m a Good Girl” and Crisis? What Crisis?”. Her performances will reportedly feature several scenes, as well as appearances with the troupe. 

 

Earlier this year, the idol revealed that she visited the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris, prompting speculations among fans. It is also reported that the artist has long been a fan of the troupe’s unique style. 

For those unfamiliar, Crazy Horse Paris is a well-known cabaret famous for its alluring stage performances featuring nude female dancers. Aside from Lisa, international celebrities like Beyonce, Aubade, and Frederick Wiseman, have all previously performed at the art theater.

BLINKs on Lisa’s Crazy Horse

As a cabaret’s concept falls far from K-pop, fans have expressed their surprise and delight at the news.

BLINKs, however, are looking forward to watching Lisa in this new venture. Using the hashtag #LISAxCRAZYHORSEPARIS, fans praised on social media Lisa’s versatility as a performer. 

Lisa is so unpredictable. When it comes to her artistry and improving her craft she’ll never limit herself just to fit in & satisfy everyone’s normalcy,” one fan wrote.

 

Undoubtedly, Lisa proved her global impact as all her ticket shows were immediately sold out upon its release.

 

Lisa’s solo achievements

Apart from BLACKPINK’s notable success, Lisa continues to break barriers as a soloist.

In 2022, she became the first solo K-pop artist to win at the MTV VMAs, bagging the Best K-pop video award for her debut track Lalisa.

Moreover, she tops the list for K-pop artist with the most Guinness World Records titles. Lisa became the fastest Kpop female soloist to achieve 1 billion streams on the music streaming platform Spotify, despite having only three tracks. Additionally, she’s also going to be inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame.

Proving that she is indeed an icon, the multi-talented idol also holds the record for being the most followed K-pop idol on Instagram. Recently, it has been revealed that she’s part of Instagram’s Rich List of 2023.

Currently, Lisa is in preparations as BLACKPINK’s Born Pink World Tour finally reaches its finale with a two-night concert in Seoul this September 16 and 17.

Featured image: BLACKPINK’s Lisa in the ‘Born Pink’ concept poster. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK

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BTS’ V Opens Up About Filming ‘Jinny’s Kitchen’ Abroad

V is opening up about his time working on a reality show. The BTS member spoke about filming for “Jinny’s Kitchen”. Interestingly, the idol revealed that the cameras were always rolling on the set. This meant that Kim Taehyung was being filmed even while he was sleeping!

BTS Member V Opens Up About Working on ‘Jinny’s Kitchen’

The 210th episode of tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block,” broadcast on September 6, showcased a unique theme, “Shaking the World.” This special episode brought in remarkable guests, including a crime prediction alert site developer and a climbing gold medalist, each with impressive backgrounds that have made waves in their respective fields.

Adding to the star-studded lineup, V made a special appearance as a guest. The episode featured engaging and dynamic discussions, with V actively participating in a relay conversation with the hosts, Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho.

When asked about working with “boss” Lee Seo Jin who described him as “diligent but slow”, Kim Taehyung replied, “I did my best to be as fast as possible.” He also praised Lee for his youthful spirit.

“He’s very honest and extremely funny,” V said. “I’ve never met anyone like him before. He has the heart of someone in their 20s.

He also revealed that the cameras were always rolling on the set of “Jinny’s Kitchen”.

“To be honest, I thought you would be able to rest here and there while filming variety shows. But it wasn’t like that. The cameras rolled even when sleeping,” Kim said. He then added that important belongings were with producer Na Young Seok while he was working.

“The only time they cut the cameras was when I was on an airplane,” V said. “I wanted to go back to Korea, but my passport was with Na PD.”

We’re certainly glad that the BTS member decided against going home before production was over. With that in mind, V proved he has what it takes to be an important intern in the series.

“Jinny’s Kitchen” was shot in a snack bar in Bacalar, Mexico. The cast included Lee Seo Jin of “Love Forecast”, “Train To Busan” actress Jung Yu Mi, “The Marvels” actor Park Seo Joon, and “Parasite” star Choi Woo Shik.

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EXO’s Xiumin And MONSTA X’s Hyungwon Star In ‘CEO-Dol Mart’ Teaser

TVING has unveiled an exclusive sneak peek of its highly-anticipated drama “CEO-dol Mart” starring EXO’s Xiumin and MONSTA X’s Hyungwon. The captivating series delves into the unexpected journey of Thunder Boys, an idol group whose dreams are shattered when an unforeseen incident compels them to disband abruptly. Stripped of their aspirations and careers in the blink of an eye, the members of Thunder Boys find themselves in an unlikely role—co-owners of a struggling supermarket.

TVING Shares First ‘CEO-Dol Mart’ Featuring EXO’s Xiumin and MONSTA X’s Hyungwon

The drama’s latest teaser transports viewers back to Thunder Boys’ humble beginnings during their rookie days, as a music show MC excitedly introduces the fresh-faced group. Fast forward five years, and Thunder Boys’ leader Choi Ho Rang (Lee Shin Young) receives an astonishing revelation from a police officer. He is now the proprietor of a supermarket known as “Boram Mart.” What’s more, his supermarket partners are none other than his former bandmates. This includes Shin Tae Ho (EXO’s Xiumin), Jo Yi Joon (MONSTA X’s Hyungwon), Eun Young Min (Choi Won Myeong), and Yoon Sang Woo (Lee Sae On).

Amidst the bewildering situation, each member responds to their names in unison, confirming their ownership. When the perplexed police officer questions their identities, Shin Tae Ho and Choi Ho Rang exchange glances before proudly declaring, “Thunder Boys.”

“CEO-dol Mart” promises to deliver a heartwarming and humorous tale of resilience and camaraderie as these former idols navigate the challenges of running a supermarket together.

TVING had previously released the poster for “CEO-Dol Mart”. Alongside the Thunder Boys, the poster also features the experienced part-timer Oh Ye Rim (played by Choi Jung Woon). As they navigate this new venture, the Thunder Boys members will also uncover their hidden talents while working at the supermarket, adding depth and excitement to the series. “CEO-dol Mart” is set to be a must-watch drama filled with unexpected twists and heartwarming moments.

“CEO-dol Mart” has not yet been given an official release date. However, the new supermarket drama is set to premiere on TVING.

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Look: ‘NCT Universe: Lastart’ Announces Official Lineup for NCT’s Final Unit

Attention, NCTzens! SM Entertainment’s survival show NCT Universe: LASTART aired its final episode on Wednesday, September 6, revealing the seven members who will officially debut as NCT’s last unit .

In NCT Universe: LASTART, a total of 11 trainees underwent four rounds of missions showcasing their potential as K-pop idols. Super Junior’s Eunhyuk and soloist Boa served as art directors and mentors in the show.

Additionally, the contestants were also trained by numerous talented SM artists, including NCT members themselves. In episodes six and seven, Johnny and Haechan appeared as special artist directors. Aside from them, NCT members Taeyong and Ten also appeared as mentors in the earlier episodes of the show.

 

During the program’s last episode, Eunhyuk surprised both participants and viewers by revealing that the unit would consist of seven members. Initially, SM Entertainment announced that it will only have six members. 

Meet NCT’s last unit

Prior to the show, SMRookies members Sion and Yushi were already confirmed to be the unit’s first two members in June. The two have been fixed participants in all of the missions for the series. 

Joining Sion and Yushi are Riku, Sakuya and Daeyoung. They were ranked as the top three members in NCT Universe: LASTART’s final episode. Meanwhile, Jungmin and Ryo are the last two members who will complete the team. 

We’ll do our best to live up to the name of the world’s popular boy group NCT,” the members were quoted as saying. 

 

As of writing, SM Entertainment has yet to reveal the debut details of the new NCT unit. However, during the finale episode, it was revealed that the group will  hold pre-debut shows and participate in the NCT NATION concerts in Japan.

The new unit, considered to be the last chapter to NCT’s limitless expansion concept, is yet to reveal their final group name. Previously, it was stated that the group would be called NCT Tokyo, although this was not confirmed in the survival show’s last episode.

With this last addition, NCT now has a total of 27 members and six units. These are NCT 127, NCT Dream, Wayv, NCT U, NCT DoJaeJung, and the LASTART group. 

Also, it can be recalled that three members left the group in 2023. In May,  Lucas officially left NCT and WayV after a two-year hiatus. Meanwhile, Sungchan and Shotaro left NCT to debut under new boy group RIIZE.

Featured image: The seven members of NCT’s final unit pose for a photo. Credit: Twitter/K-pop Herald

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Netflix ‘One Piece’ Character Goes Viral For Resemblance To NCT’s Mark

Netflix has finally dropped the first season of its live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s popular manga ‘One Piece’. And while most fans are gushing about the Straw Hats Pirates, NCTZENs are clamoring about one particular character. Since the series premiered, the surprise character has been compared to NCT member Mark for their unexpected resemblance.

‘One Piece’ Character Goes Viral For Uncanny Resemblance To Mark of NCT

In the live-action Netflix adaptation of ‘One Piece’, Monkey D. Luffy ends up on a ship holding the Alvida pirates led by Alvida. The first crew member he meets is a young boy named Koby who dreams of being a Marine. Although their dreams are polar opposites, Luffy and Koby form a friendship that helps them escape Alvida.

The live-action version of Koby is played by Morgan Davies but NCT fans are seeing someone else while watching the series. One TikTok user went out of their way to compare Koby to Mark Lee during NCT Dream’s “Chewing Gum” era.

Koby certainly looks like Mark Lee and the TikTok video has since gone viral. The video has since received over 127,000 views as fans reminisce about NCT Dream’s memorable era.

@firelordtay

I knew he looked familiar 🤔🤔🤔 #onepiece #onepieceliveaction #koby #gear5 #kpop

♬ Chewing Gum – NCT DREAM

Mark Lee is one of the most prominent members of NCT its sub-units NCT 127 and NCT Dream. He is also part of SM Entertainment’s supergroup SuperM. However, there was a time when he debuted with pink hair as a member of NCT Dream. While Mark has grown so much since then, NCTZENs are happy to look back at the truly fun era.

The new Netflix series adapts the first few chapters of Eiichiro Oda’s successful manga ‘One Piece’. It features Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. The first season consists of eight episodes following how the Straw Hat Pirates came together. ‘One Piece’ is now streaming on Netflix.

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First Look: Cha Eun Woo in ‘A Good Day to Be a Dog’ Series

ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo is set to grace the screens again! He’ll be taking the lead role in the upcoming fantasy-romance drama series A Good Day to be a Dog.

Actress Park Gyu Young will star alongside Eun Woo. She’s popularly known for projects It’s Okay to Not be Okay, Sweet Home, and Celebrity.

On Tuesday, September 5, MBC unveiled teasers of both Eun Woo and Gyu Young in the highly-anticipated drama.

The television network also released cute posters of dogs, perfectly encapsulating the lighthearted tone of the drama. “Attention cuteness, Ready to dangle!” the post’s translation said.

 

To make things more exciting, the drama’s first trailer was released on Wednesday, September 6. Aside from the two main stars, it also featured appearances of adorable dogs.

 

What is the drama about?

A Good Day to be a Dog will revolve around Park Gyu Young’s character, Han Hae Na, a high school teacher who is cursed to transform into a dog with a single kiss. Whenever she kisses a man, she turns into a dog at midnight and reverts back to her normal appearance at dawn.

Meanwhile, Cha Eun Woo will play the role of Jin Seo-Won, a high school teacher who conceals a trauma for dogs due to his painful past. Interestingly, Seo-Won turns out to be the only cure to undo Hae Na’s curse.

With Hae Na and Seo-Won’s encounter, both of their lives take an unexpected turn and form a potential love interest.

The series is based on the Naven webtoon of the same name, which was written by Lee Hye. The author also wrote the recently adapted series See You In My 19th Life, starring Shin Hye-Sun and Ahn Bo Hyun.

As per reports, the series will air once a week with its premiere on October 11. It will run a total of 14 episodes.

Additionally, drama fans are even more excited for A Good Day to be a Dog since this marks the actors’ reunion project in four years. Eun Woo and Gyu Young have previously showed their chemistry in Urban Zakapa’s “You’re the Reason music video. There, the two played the roles of office lovers.

 

Actor Cha Eun Woo is back!

As an actor, Cha Eun Woo made his debut through a minor role in the 2014 drama My Brilliant Life. Meanwhile, hhe made his debut as an idol in the K-pop boy group ASTRO in February 2016.

Given the title “Genius Face”, he rose to popularity with the romantic comedy series My ID is Gangnam Beauty in 2018. Since then he has been casted in multiple dramas including True Beauty, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung and Island.

Throughout his acting career, Eun Woo was able to bag two MBC Drama Awards in 2019. These were Excellent Actor and Best Couple awards, both for his role in Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung.

Featured image: Cha Eun Woo stars in ‘A Good Day To Be A Dog’ series. Credit: Twitter/MBC Drama

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Viral Moment Propels H1KEY’s 1st-Week Sales from 7,000 to 70,000

After the success of “Rose Blossom,” H1-KEY saw an increase in album sales. Earlier this year, the poetic Korean title and inspiring lyrics of the track written by DAY6’s Young K caught the public’s attention. This traction led the song to gradually ascend the Korean music charts. It even secured the No. 1 spot on Bugs.

Last week was H1-KEY‘s first-ever comeback since the January release of “Rose Blossom.” Hanteo Chart reported that their latest mini-album, Seoul Dreaming, sold a staggering 74,231 copies in the first week (from August 30 to September 5). To put this in perspective, their previous album, also titled Rose Blossom, sold just 6,290 copies in its first week.

H1-KEY(하이키) ‘건물 사이에 피어난 장미 (Rose Blossom)’ M/V

Seoul Dreaming has seven tracks. It starts with “Intro: Seoul Dreaming,” which is followed by the synth-pop sound of “SEOUL (Such a Beautiful City).” The album also features the groovy “Time to Shine,” the danceable “Low-key Scared But H1-KEY Ready,” and ends with the Latin rhythms of “Magical Dream.”

The heart of Seoul Dreaming lies in its message: to hold onto one’s dreams. The album traverses a spectrum of emotions aiming to comfort those chasing their dreams amidst challenges and setbacks. All seven tracks resonate with ambition, perseverance, and the undying spirit of dreamers.

H1-KEY goes from strength to strength

Collaboration played a significant role in shaping this album’s sound. H1-KEY worked with the likes of producers and songwriters Alina Smith, Annalise Morelli, DAY6‘s Young K, Hong Ji Sang, Lee Ji Eun, and Stella Jang. Their collective expertise infused the album with an exciting blend of sounds and sentiments.

In a testament to their growing popularity and their album’s success, H1-KEY clinched their first music show win on The Show. This happened on September 5 for “SEOUL (Such a Beautiful City).” 

H1-KEY (하이키), THE SHOW CHOICE! [THE SHOW 230905]

The win not only marked a significant milestone in the girls’ careers. It also underscored the impact of their new material on fans and the industry alike.

H1-KEY‘s journey from the release of Rose Blossom to Seoul Dreaming is inspiring. Their increase in sales is a clear indicator that their star is on the rise. With their unwavering dedication and the support of their fans, H1-KEY is on track to reaching greater heights soon. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ‘Rose Blossom’ went viral, giving the group’s career a much-needed boost. Source: Twitter/@H1KEY_official.

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