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ZEROBASEONE Continues to Break Records Days After Debuting

ZEROBASEONE

In the competitive world of K-pop, the rookie group ZEROBASEONE has made an impressive debut. They won their first music show just nine days after their debut and clinched another win the next day. Their first mini album, YOUTH IN THE SHADE, set first-week sales records.

ZEROBASEONE‘s first win was on SBS’s The Show. Some group members expressed gratitude to their families and fans on air.

Canadian-Korean Seok Matthew shared his feelings about ZEROBASEONE’s first win in English.

ZEROBASEONE’s second win came on MBC M’s SHOW CHAMPION. This time, all nine members got to speak.

ZEROBASEONE is a Million-Seller

The group’s first mini album, YOUTH IN THE SHADE, solidified their place in the K-pop industry. According to Hanteo, a music sales tracker, the album sold a remarkable 1,822,028 copies in its first week. This made ZEROBASEONE the first K-pop group to become a million-seller with a debut album. It also put YOUTH IN THE SHADE in the all-time top five for the highest first-week sales of a K-pop group album.

The success of YOUTH IN THE SHADE extends beyond album sales. All six songs from the album, including the lead single “In Bloom,” entered Korean charts like MelOn, Genie, and Bugs right after its release. It also surpassed 3,350,000 streams on Spotify and ranked No. 2 for five consecutive days on LINE Music’s daily chart, showing the group’s international appeal.

Meanwhile, the official MV for “In Bloom” keeps racking up views. They also released a performance version of the MV. Check it out below.

Their journey so far clearly indicates that they are not just another rookie group but a force to be reckoned with in K-pop. As they continue to break records and win hearts, ZEROBASEONE’s future looks very bright indeed. –K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: This was taken on the set of their concept trailer shoot. Source: Twitter/WAKEONE’s official Twitter account.

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Girls’ Generation’s “Gee” Tops Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Songs in K-pop History

American music publication Rolling Stone released its list titled “The 100 Greatest Song In The History of Korean Pop Music,” with Girls’ Generation’s “Gee” taking the top spot. 

According to the article released on Thursday, July 20, the entries were “crafted by a panel of music journalists and critics, both based in Korea and the United States.”

 

The list featured songs of various genres, and even those released from the 1920s. 

Describing “Gee” as a “testament to the way love — and all of its indescribable ecstasies — can be translated through pop music,” Rolling Stone explained that it’s an “enduring hit” because of its “rapidly repeated syllables” and “dizzying, maximalist aesthetic.” 

“Gee” served as the lead single of Girls’ Generation’s debut EP in 2009. Its music video saw the girls — in their iconic colored skinny jeans — harboring a crush on SHINee’s Minho. 

 

When it was released, “Gee” set the record for the longest-running number one song on Music Bank with nine consecutive wins before Psy broke it with “Gangnam Style” in 2012. 

“Gee” was also the first K-pop group music video to reach 100 million views — a feat it achieved in 2013, or almost four years after its release. 

Trailing “Gee” are H.O.T’s “Candy” and IU’s “Good Day” in second and third place, respectively. 

Rolling Stone wrote that “Candy” has “set the bar for every K-pop boy band’s sugary-sweet summertime earworms to come,” while “Good Day” has “emphasized IU’s bright, bold, and candied sensibility.”

The rest of the top 10 are: 4) BTS’ “Spring Day,” 5) Cho Yong Pil’s “Short Hair,” 6) BLACKPINK’s “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” 7) BIGBANG’s “Haru Haru,” 8) 2NE1’s “I Am the Best,” 9) Seo Taiji and Boys’ “I Know” and 10) Wonder Girls’ “Tell Me.” 

The rest of the songs included in the Top 100 can be found HERE. How do you feel about this ranking?

Featured image: SM Entertainment’s YouTube

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Kwon Eunbi Set For Electrifying Comeback with “The Flash”

K-pop star Kwon Eunbi is making a highly-anticipated return to the music scene with her first single album, “The Flash.” News of her comeback was met with excitement from fans, especially following her viral performance at the summer music festival Waterbomb Seoul.

Kwon Eunbi‘s agency Woollim Entertainment unveiled the comeback poster for “The Flash” on their official social media. Designed like a fashion magazine cover, the poster features Eunbi looking very sultry in smokey makeup. The release date “2023.08.02,” “6 PM,” and “Coming Soon” are displayed in the bottom right of the poster, further heightening the anticipation.

Kwon Eunbi, Hot Summer Queen

“The Flash” will be Eunbi’s first drop after about ten months. Her third mini-album, “Lethality,” was released in October last year. She recently wowed the audience at Waterbomb Seoul. Videos of her performance at the South Korean summer music festival earned millions of YouTube views. Although she was drenched in water, she still showed off her dancing skills, live vocals, and stunning physique. Netizens dubbed her “Hot Summer Queen” and “Mermaid Princess” after that.

In addition to her comeback and viral performance, Eunbi also made a memorable appearance on the popular variety show Knowing Bros. Eunbi was joined by fellow soloist Jeon So Mi and the members of STAYC. Eunbi’s hosting skills (which she honed as the main host of the SBS Radio program Kwon Eun Bi’s Young Street) and stage presence will surely make for an unforgettable episode.

As Eunbi preps her comeback, fans eagerly await the release of “The Flash” on streaming platforms this August 2 at 6:00 PM KST. Pre-orders for the physical album have already started. With her viral performances, new single album, and exciting variety show appearances, Eunbi will surely make waves again. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Kwon Eunbi exudes a seductive charm in the poster for her upcoming single album, “The Flash.” Source: Twitter/Kwon Eunbi’s official Twitter account.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

ENHYPEN Teams Up with Pokémon for a Special Quiz

K-pop group ENHYPEN has joined forces with Pokémon for a special quiz as part of their YouTube series, EN-o’clock. This collaboration aims to promote the 2023 Pokémon World Championships by showcasing the band‘s love for the franchise.

The 62nd episode of EN-o’clock featured the members of ENHYPEN challenging themselves with a round of Pokémon trivia. The quiz included naming various Pokémon and completing other challenges related to the franchise. The episode, available with English captions, offered fans a chance to test their Pokémon knowledge against the band members.

This collaboration is not the first time ENHYPEN has expressed fondness for Pokémon. The band also participated in the Pokémon Music Collective, a project launched by The Pokémon Company in September 2022. The project involved musicians using Pokémon sounds to produce music, spreading the creations of artists of various genres. ENHYPEN‘s contribution to the project, “One and Only,” was the second installment of the Music Collective.

The Pokémon Music Collective and this quiz collaboration highlight the band’s ongoing relationship with the franchise. The Pokémon Company’s decision to link up with ENHYPEN to promote the 2023 Pokémon World Championships further solidifies this connection.

What’s next for ENHYPEN x Pokémon?

The upcoming Pokémon World Championships is a major event in the Pokémon community, attracting fans from across the globe. The event features competitions in different Pokémon games, including the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon video games.

As the Pokémon World Championships draw closer, collaborations like this generate excitement and anticipation among fans. The band’s involvement not only promotes the event but also showcases the intersection of music and gaming, two areas where the members of ENHYPEN excel.

The EN-o’clock episode featuring part one of the Pokémon quiz is available on ENHYPEN‘s YouTube channel. ENGENE and Pokémon can enjoy the members’ enthusiasm for the franchise and test their own Pokémon knowledge. A second part will be available soon. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ENHYPEN got many questions wrong, but they have one more round to compensate. Source: YouTube/ENHYPEN’s official YouTube channel.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

ZEROBASEONE’s Zhang Hao: A Successful Fan of GOT7’s Youngjae

Zhang Hao, center of the K-pop project group ZEROBASEONE, recently had a dream come true. As a huge fan of GOT7, he had the opportunity to meet Youngjae, a member of the group, on the Best Friend radio show.

Zhang Hao’s admiration for GOT7 is well-known. The Chinese performer and violinist auditioned for Mnet’s survival show, Boys Planet, with GOT7‘s “Lullaby.” He has been consistent in saying GOT7 is his role model and “Lullaby” is his favorite song of all time. That’s probably why he decided to start his survival show journey with it. He must’ve thought it would bring him good luck—and it did.

During the radio show, hosted by Youngjae, Zhang Hao could hardly contain his excitement when GOT7‘s signature song, “Hard Carry,” was played in the studio. Not only did he dance to it, but he also clapped when GOT7‘s audio introduction came on afterward. He even got to sing “Lullaby” for Youngjae, showcasing his talent and fandom.

Zhang Hao, successful fan

The best moment of the radio show came when Youngjae presented Zhang Hao with an autographed album. Youngjae had previously promised to gift Zhang Hao an album, and he kept his word. Zhang Hao‘s reaction was priceless. He was visibly excited, fanning his face and struggling to contain his joy.

The two stars also took selfies together, showing off the autographed album. The photos, shared on social media, were met with excitement from ZEROBASEONE and GOT7 fans. Ahgase and ZEROSE alike celebrated the ZEROBASEONE center’s successful fanboy moment and memorable encounter with Youngjae.

Zhang Hao‘s experience is a heartwarming story of a fan meeting his idol. It highlights the power of music and fandom, showing how K-pop connects people from various walks of life. As Zhang Hao continues his journey with ZEROBASEONE, his love for GOT7 will remain a significant part of his story. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Zhang Hao, the successful fan, got a selca with his idol, GOT7’s Youngjae. Source: Twitter/Best Friend’s official Twitter account.

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K-DRAMA LATEST STORIES

Jo Byung Kyu Addressed Unresolved Bullying Accusations at Press Conference

Jo Byung Kyu, the actor known for his breakout role in The Uncanny Counter, is still embroiled in a lawsuit against an individual who accused him of school bullying. The case remains unresolved as the accuser, residing in New Zealand, refuses to cooperate with South Korean police for questioning.

The actor reportedly considered filing a lawsuit in New Zealand, even if it meant incurring costs of around 1.2 billion KRW or 940,000 USD. However, due to the lengthy process and lack of guarantee that the lawsuit would prove his innocence in South Korea, he decided against it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixQmeFe62VU&pp=ygUhSm8gQnl1bmcgS3l1IGJ1bGx5aW5nIGFsbGVnYXRpb25z

Jo Byung Kyu has faced school violence allegations four times, one in 2018 and three times in 2021. The first accuser, who claimed to have attended the same school he did in New Zealand, accused him of verbal abuse. This accuser later deleted their post. In 2021, two others accused him of school violence, but one admitted their claim was fake.

Despite these allegations, Jo Byung Kyu maintains that he’s innocent. He expressed his frustration on social media once. “Why did I become a target every time there was a school violence accusation and have to explain myself over and over again?” he wrote.

Jo Byung Kyu returns as So Mun

Amidst these controversies, Jo Byung Kyu is making a comeback through The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch. On July 21, the show’s cast held a press conference before its premiere. Jo Byung Kyu took this opportunity to address the allegations again.

“I’m careful in addressing this issue, but I’d like to say that I put in effort for vindication, that it’s not true. I’m still continuing my efforts now. It has taken much time, as it involves an individual who is overseas, and so I’m now returning with a new project before a conclusion has been reached,” the actor stated.

“I also believe that I approached the filming of this project with that much desperate resolve and gave my best efforts. Please pay attention to The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch,” he added.

The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch will premiere on July 29 at 9:20 PM KST. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The actor looked dapper at the press conference. Source: Naver/Kairos’ Naver photo blog.

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Jungkook of BTS Mesmerizes with Live Performance on “Live Lounge”

Jungkook, a member of the global K-pop sensation BTS, recently graced the UK’s BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge with a captivating live performance. He was introduced as a “global pop star” and performed his debut solo single, “Seven.” Jungkook also covered Oasis’s “Let There Be Love,” leaving listeners in awe of his vocal prowess.

This appearance on Live Lounge marked Jungkook‘s return to the station after approximately two years, albeit as a soloist. (His last appearance was with BTS in 2021.) During an interview with the host, Jungkook expressed his excitement about his solo single “Seven,” saying, “I’ve been waiting to meet fans with good music, and finally, I could do it.”

The singer also shared his fond memories of the UK, particularly BTS‘s Wembley concert, which he described as “a great time.” However, Jungkook cleverly added that the present moment, his return to the Live Lounge, is his new “best moment.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L-bnDophkw&pp=ygUeSnVuZ2tvb2sgTGl2ZSBMb3VuZ2UgaW50ZXJ2aWV3

Jungkook on BTS

“Seven” has been making waves since its release. The song won first place on Mnet’s M Countdown and held the top spot on Spotify’s Daily Top Song Global chart for six consecutive days, racking up over 11.84 million streams daily. Remarkably, it surpassed 100 million streams within six days of its release.

In addition to his solo work, Jungkook also talked about BTS‘s current activities and future plans. He said that through their solo activities, each member is expressing their individuality and colors, continuously growing. “Based on this, when we come together as a complete group, BTS‘s appearance will be amazing, and there will be incredible synergy. I hope to see it happen soon,” he said.

Jungkook’s words come when BTS isn’t doing any group projects. Jin and j-hope are still serving in the military, and the remaining members will soon follow suit.

Despite the temporary hiatus of BTS as a group, the members continue shining individually, with Jungkook‘s performance on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge being a testament to their success. Even so, ARMY worldwide eagerly await the group’s reunion, which, as Jungkook predicts, will bring about an extraordinary synergy. —K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook’s English has improved greatly, as evidenced by his Live Lounge interview. Source: YouTube/BBC Radio 1’s official YouTube channel.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BLACKPINK and Starbucks Brew Up a Storm with New Collaboration

BLACKPINK, the world-renowned K-pop group, will team up with Starbucks one more time to launch limited-edition merchandise and a themed drink. The collection will be available starting July 25 and sparked excitement and controversy among fans.

The YG Entertainment girl group‘s “bright and bold style” inspires the collection, which includes a range of drinkware and lifestyle merchandise. The highlight of the collection is the BLACKPINK Strawberry Choco Cream Frappuccino, a blend of strawberry syrup and dark chocolate sauce with oat milk and chocolate curls, topped with light pink whipped cream and heart-shaped chocolate.

Aside from the themed drink, the collection has 11 types of drinkware and six lifestyle accessories. They all showcase BLACKPINK‘s signature pink and black palette. The limited-edition merchandise includes reusable cups, mugs, tumblers, tote bags, yoga mats, passport holders, and key chains.

The controversial BLACKPINK tumbler

However, one item in the collection has caused a stir among fans. The collection features a pink rhinestone tumbler, labeled Lisa’s Pick, which has a price of 95,000 KRW (approximately 74.30 USD), making it the most expensive item in the collection. The price of this tumbler has sparked discussions on online forums, with some fans questioning whether the price was a typo.

Despite the controversy surrounding the rhinestone tumbler, many expressed excitement about the collection. BLACKPINK fans can find the merchandise in select Starbucks stores. These stores are in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Starbucks has a history of collaborating with K-pop stars like BTS and BLACKPINK to maximize its reach. The first collaboration between Starbucks and BLACKPINK in 2021 was exclusively launched in Thailand and sold out within minutes.

Emmy Kan, Starbucks Asia Pacific’s senior vice president and president, spoke with the media about the collaboration. “BLACKPINK is synonymous with an authenticity that’s bold and confident, making them an inspiring force that transcends geographies and cultures,” she said. She further promised an “unforgettable Starbucks Experience” to customers.

As the launch date approaches, fans are eager to get their hands on the merchandise. Despite the mixed reactions, this new collaboration between BLACKPINK and Starbucks is expected to be a hit among fans of the K-pop group. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The BLACKPINK x Starbucks goods are inspired by the girl group’s bright and bold style. Source: Starbucks Stories Asia.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BB Girls, Formerly Brave Girls, Announce Comeback with New Album

The K-pop scene is buzzing with anticipation as BB Girls, the group formerly known as Brave Girls, announced their return with a new album slated for release on August 3. Warner Music Korea, their new agency, retweeted their announcement on social media, sparking excitement among fans.

The promotional photos released with the announcement showcased the BB Girls members in a new light. They radiated charisma and confidence in the photos, a stark contrast to the refreshing vibe of their fifth mini-album, 2021’s Summer Queen. This change in image marks a significant shift for the group, as this will be their first album release under their new name and agency.

BB Girls, not Brave Girls

The group, consisting of Minyoung, Yujeong, Yuna, and Eunji, rose to fame as Brave Girls in 2021. Their 2017 single “Rollin’” surprised them by climbing back up the charts four years after its initial release, catapulting the group into stardom. However, Brave Girls disbanded earlier this year after the members parted with their label, Brave Entertainment, at the end of their seven-year exclusive contracts.

In a surprising turn of events, all four members signed with Warner Music Korea in late April and rebranded themselves as BB Girls. The group expressed their gratitude for the continued support from their fans during this transition. “We’re grateful to be able to continue our journey with our fans, as we’ve joined a new agency. We hope to make good memories together. We exist because of our fans,” Minyoung shared in an interview with PMK magazine.

The upcoming album from BB Girls is not just a comeback but a new beginning for the girl group. As they enter a new career phase, fans eagerly await BB Girls’ new music and fresh direction. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The girls didn’t just change agencies; they also changed their look. Will they also change their sound? Let’s see. Source: Twitter/BB Girls’ official Twitter account.

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Look: Yerin to Release “Ready, Set, Love” in August

Mark your calendars because K-pop idol Yerin is gearing up for her highly-anticipated comeback. 

The soloist released on Friday, July 21, an arcade-inspired illustrated teaser that showed the details of her upcoming album. 

Yerin’s second EP will be titled Read, Set, LOVE, and will be released on August 23. 

 

This will serve as Yerin’s first comeback in more than a year, following her debut EP Aria that was released in May 2022. It will also be her first music release under her agency Bill Entertainment. 

Yerin made her debut in 2015 as a member of girl group GFriend under the agency Source Music. The six-piece act was known for their hits “Me Gustas Tu,” “Navillera,” and “Mago.” 

In 2021, all six members of GFriend left Source Music and signed with different agencies, with three members forming the group Viviz. Yerin first joined Sublime Artist Agency after their departure from Source Music. 

She transferred to Bill Entertainment in April. 

 Featured image: Yerin’s Twitter

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