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Why the World Scout Jamboree K-Pop Super Live Concert Upset Soccer Fans and Teams

Jamboree

The 2023 World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) faced a series of unfortunate events, culminating in a last-minute K-Pop Super Live concert that many believed “saved” the event. However, this decision sparked significant outrage among soccer enthusiasts.

From the outset, the 25th WSJ was marred by disasters. First, a heatwave struck the campsite, giving hundreds of attendees heatstroke. With no nearby hospitals, the situation became quite dire. Additionally, attendees reported rotten food, unsanitary conditions, and a disturbing incident where a man walked into a girls’ shower facility. Consequently, 4,500 UK scouts withdrew early, incurring a staggering loss of 1 million GBP (approximately 1.27 million USD).

K-POP SUPER LIVE Full Video Part1 | KBS WORLD TV 230811

Due to the extreme heat, the WSJ’s closing ceremony and the highly anticipated K-Pop concert needed a new venue. The solution? A soccer stadium. Initially, the Jeongju World Cup Stadium was chosen. However, Typhoon Khanun forced another change, this time to the Seoul Sangam World Cup Stadium. While these changes were problematic for the scouts, they wreaked havoc in the soccer community.

In Jeongju, the FA Cup semi-final game between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC and Incheon United FC was abruptly canceled. This sudden change disrupted schedules, causing chaos. Jeonbuk’s coach, Dan Petrescu, was particularly frustrated.

K-POP SUPER LIVE Full Video Part2 | KBS WORLD TV 230811

The situation in Seoul was equally challenging. The concert required a massive stage setup, damaging the soccer field. This damage was significant considering how important turf condition is for player safety and game flow. Furthermore, the Seoul Sangam World Cup Stadium had recently undergone a significant renovation, with nearly 1 billion KRW (around 752,000 USD) spent on hybrid grass. The concert nullified this effort overnight.

The aftermath of the jamboree

Although the South Korean government vowed to repair the damage swiftly, soccer fans criticized them for sidelining the sport. This criticism coincided with public discontent over the government’s handling of the entire WSJ event. Many felt that various parties had to make undue sacrifices due to poor planning.

Rumors also circulated that artists like IVE were coerced into performing under the pretense of “volunteering.” Fans wondered why K–pop acts had to “fix” the government’s shortcomings regarding the Jamboree. Moreover, the organizers faced backlash for exposing workers to unsafe conditions during concert preparations.

Despite these challenges, the K-pop concert proceeded smoothly. Artists like ITZY and THE BOYZ delivered stellar performances, showcasing K-pop’s global influence. However, the lingering question remains: will the government be held accountable for their hasty decisions and the ensuing public frustration? Only time will tell. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The concert was a hit with K-pop fans and the scouts, but soccer enthusiasts were less than thrilled. Source: Facebook/Marvin Susmiña.

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xikers’ World Scout Jamboree Performance Goes Viral, But Not for the Reasons You’d Expect

The 2023 World Scout Jamboree concert, despite its initial controversies and lineup changes, saw some of the brightest stars in K-Pop take the stage. Among these acts was the rookie group xikers. Since debuting, xikers has been making waves with their catchy songs, powerful performances, and undeniable stage presence.

Their performance at the World Scout Jamboree concert was no exception. With their unmatched energy, they captivated both the live audience and those tuning in via live stream. However, amidst their electrifying performance of “DO or DIE,” a moment in the crowd stole the spotlight. As the camera panned over the audience, two male scouts shared an unexpected kiss. The camera captured this moment, a rarity in conservative Korea, and it quickly went viral.

The video clip of the kiss was shared on social media by a Korean netizen and rapidly gained traction among Korean and international fans. Many international fans expressed their surprise and delight, attributing the spontaneous act to the infectious energy of xikers‘ music. Some netizens joked that xikers‘ music “turns everyone queer” and praised the group for their outstanding show.

The unexpected public display of affection added to the buzz surrounding xikers‘ performance and introduced many new fans to the group’s undeniable talent and charisma.

 

xikers set a new record

In other news, xikers have also made headlines for another reason. Their latest album, HOUSE OF TRICKY: HOW TO PLAY, set a new first-week sales record for the group. 

According to data from Hanteo, the album recorded 205,895 copies sold within its first week. This figure surpassed the sales of their first mini-album, HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing, which sold around 100,000 units in its first week. This achievement further cements xikers‘ rising status in the K-Pop industry.

Congratulations to xikers on their continued success! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Their new album’s sales numbers and performance at the Jamboree boosted their public profile. Source: Twitter/@xikers_official.

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BTS’ V Sings of “Rainy Days” in Video for Second Pre-Release Track

BTS‘s V has once again captured hearts with his second pre-release single, “Rainy Days.” Released at midnight, this ballad is a testament to his artistry, blending melancholic lyrics with a captivating melody. Set to feature on his debut solo album, Layover, which is scheduled to drop on September 8, “Rainy Days” is a preview of what ARMY can expect from the six-track collection. The album also includes “Love Me Again,” which was recently unveiled with its official music video.

With a focus on V’s vocals, “Rainy Days” is accompanied by a snapping snare and an intriguing piano refrain. BigHit Music, the powerhouse behind BTS, labeled “Rainy Days” as an “alternative pop R&B track.” This 1970s-inspired romantic soul song, with its fusion of contemporary drum sounds and vintage percussion, exudes a relaxed and free-spirited aura.

Rainy Days

V‘s collaboration with Min Heejin, the creative director of NewJeans and president of ADOR, has been instrumental in shaping his debut solo album. She supervised choreography, design, music, and promotion. They worked well together because when Min pitched her concept for the album to V, he loved it instantly.

Min describes “Rainy Days” as the perfect introduction to Layover, emphasizing his calming vocals and visuals. The album’s tracklist comprises six songs: “Rainy Days,” “Blue,” “Love Me Again,” “Slow Dancing,” “For Us,” and a special piano version of “Slow Dancing.” BigHit says that fans should listen to the album in order, highlighting “Slow Dancing” as its centerpiece.

The “Rainy Days” music video

The music video accompanying the track offers a candid look into V‘s daily life. The music video also showcased various locations, with some scenes filmed in the iconic Torres Blancas in Madrid, Spain. His beloved dog Yeontan also played a significant role in the music video.

Fans have witnessed Yeontan grow and become integral to V‘s life. This bond was highlighted in the “Rainy Days” music video. But what caught fans’ attention was the music video’s color palette. They quickly noticed that the predominant colors in the video were blue and yellow, the primary shades that dogs perceive. This led to a heartwarming realization: the video might have been filmed from Yeontan’s perspective, a unique viewpoint that resonated deeply with fans.

V ‘Rainy Days’ Official MV

Beyond the music video, V‘s connection with Yeontan was further emphasized during a surprise live broadcast on Weverse. He expressed a desire to give the first copy of his album to Yeontan. While the idea of a dog receiving an album might seem amusing, it was V‘s way of acknowledging Yeontan’s contributions to his life and work.

ARMY couldn’t help but imagine Yeontan’s reaction to receiving the album.

 

All told, “Rainy Days” is more than a song; it reflects V’s inner world, relationships, and the things that matter to him. With its intimate moments and heartwarming details, the video offers fans a deeper understanding of the artist behind the music. Whether it’s his bond with Yeontan, or the song’s introspective lyrics, “Rainy Days” is a testament to V‘s ability to make profound connections with listeners, making it a great addition to his discography. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Peep V’s smoldering look in the album’s concept photos. Source: Weverse.

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SEVENTEEN’S The8 on Interacting With CARATs Outside Official Schedules

SEVENTEEN‘s The8—one of the K-pop group’s two Chinese members—is known for being candid. In a live broadcast on Weibo, he talked about a topic close to his heart: his interactions with CARATs outside official events.

Reflecting on his evolution from an unknown to a world-famous member of SEVENTEEN, The8 said, “Whenever I go out, I almost always encounter CARATs who recognize me. That brings me immense joy, considering I was virtually unknown when I debuted.”

However, his new level of fame has its challenges, especially regarding fan interactions in public. “If I’m just resting outside because it’s my private life, I don’t like being interrupted,” he said honestly. “But if I already noticed that you saw me, say hi. I’d appreciate that. If you’re afraid of disturbing me so you don’t want to say hi, but you’re also secretly filming me, I’ll have to avoid you. If I avoid you, then you’ll try to find me, and that will make me uncomfortable, right? It’s a vicious cycle.”

Personal moments

The8 emphasized how uncomfortable he feels when fans take pictures and videos of him when they think he’s not looking. “I believe genuine fans of mine or SEVENTEEN’s should be confident enough to greet me. That way, I won’t feel anxious about being covertly photographed or recorded. You may think I’m oblivious when you do that, but I notice. I always do.”

While he treasures the affection from CARATs, The8 also hopes they understand the significance of boundaries. Genuine support, he believes, means respecting his privacy during personal moments.

“If I’m with my family or friends, perhaps you can wait until I’m free to greet me,” The8 suggested. When I went to the seaside with my parents, we met a lot of CARATs. Everyone was polite. There was a little girl who probably wasn’t even ten years old yet. As we were leaving, she said softly, ‘Are you The8? I’m your fan. I really like SEVENTEEN.’ I was taken aback because we were there for almost thirty minutes, and she didn’t come over to interrupt at all. I thought, ‘Wow, she’s so polite at such a young age.’ I was truly happy.”

The8 on art and self-care

The8 also discussed his recent endeavors, including filming a new episode of GOING SEVENTEEN and his love for art. Lately, he’s been more into drawing and painting than dancing.

When some fans asked him to post photos of his work on social media, The8 replied, “I’m hesitant to share my art casually. I’m happy to talk about my process, but I’d prefer to present my finished pieces in a more formal setting, where I can fully convey the emotions behind each work. I hope to share my art with you in the future. But for now, I need more time. I want to feel truly proud of my creations, whether they’re dance, musical, or visual art projects. I know CARATs are eager for new content, but I ask for your patience.”

He’s been into self-care lately because he wants to show CARATs his best side. “I want to interact with you when I’m at my best. Lately, I’ve realized I shouldn’t overexert myself. I’ve always been ambitious, pushing myself to improve my performance. While I enjoy being active, I understand my body’s limits now. That’s why I’m focusing on rest. But you’ll still see me in upcoming content.”

The8 wants CARATs to keep supporting him and his group while respecting their boundaries. As his live broadcast ended, he imparted a poignant message to them: “Take a moment to gaze at the sky, relish the clouds, and treasure life.” – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The8 looks adorable in a behind-the-scenes collage from the next issue of GOING SEVENTEEN magazine. Source: Twitter/@svtcontents.

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Weki Meki’s Kim Do Yeon to Star in ’18 Youth’

Weki Meki's Kim Do Yeon will headline the film '18 Youth.' Credit: Twitter/FANTAGIO

Kim Do Yeon of K-pop girl groups Weki Meki and IOI is set to make her big screen debut! 

She will headline the film 18 Youth alongside Jeon So Min. 

26 Company made the announcement on Thursday, August 10 by sharing photos from the project’s script reading. 

 

Additionally, the production company revealed that shooting for the film already started at a school in Cheongju on August 5. 

According to Korean media, So Min will portray high school teacher Hee Joo while Do Yeon will act as Soon Jung. 

What we know so far about the film 

Based on the novel of the same name, 18 Youth will follow a popular high school teacher who is well-loved by her students for her unique educational approach. However, said approach is hated by her fellow educators. 

Aside from her co-teachers, high school student Soon Jung is also annoyed by her teacher Hee Joo. 

As for her role, So Min said: “I’ll do my best to portray the quirky yet charmingly friendly teacher.” Although known for her stints in variety shows Running Man and Sixth Sense, So Min also starred in series Cross and Top Star: U Back. 

Meanwhile, Do Yeon shared that she’s “nervous and excited” since 18 Youth is her first movie. Do Yeon has previously appeared in series Short, Jirisan, and One the Woman. 

 

Moreover, Exy of K-pop group WJSN is also confirmed to be part of the cast. However, details about her character have yet to be revealed. Exy’s previous acting projects include Idol: The Coup and Urban Myths. 

18 Youth is slated for a 2024 release. 

Featured image: Weki Meki’s Kim Do Yeon will headline the film ’18 Youth.’ Credit: Twitter/FANTAGIO

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Cute! Yoona Shares Photos From Last Day of Filming ‘King the Land’

YoonA shares a photo with Lee Junho from a scene in 'King the Land.' Credit: Instagram/YoonA

It’s a happy ending for Cheon Sa Rang and Goo Won! 

YoonA of Girls’ Generation marked the finale of King the Land, her series with 2PM’s Lee Yunho, with behind-the-scenes photos from the set. 

 

The romantic comedy series aired its final episode on Monday, August 6. According to Nielsen Korea, the series finale logged an average nationwide rating of 13.8%, a new personal record for the drama. 

To celebrate the milestone, YoonA took to Instagram to share photos with her fellow cast members. 

In the photoset she shared on August 9, YoonA and Junho posed during the wedding scene in the finale. 

 

Additionally, she also shared photos of them with Ahn Se Ha, Kim Ga Eun, Go Won Hee, and Kim Jae Won. They were referred to as the “six siblings” in the series. 

 

YoonA on ‘King The Land’

Following the end of the series, the idol-actress also opened up about her experience filming King the Land. 

“I did my best, and I’m really grateful to the viewers who watched the drama & loved it affectionately,” she said. 

 

Moreover, YoonA expressed her happiness in having the series ranked first on Netflix globally. She said, “I actually felt blissful that many people from around the world love the series.” 

 

As for her chemistry with Junho, YoonA shared that it was really important for the series. 

“Our opinions regarding the highlight points are matching and I received lots of help from him,” she said. “Therefore, we managed to communicate well and express things comfortably during the filming.” 

During the filming, Im YoonA and Lee Junho were rumored to be dating. But both of their agencies denied the reports. 

Featured image: YoonA shares a photo with Lee Junho from a scene in ‘King the Land.’ Credit: Instagram/YoonA

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Watch: Zerobaseone’s Kim Ji Woong to Star in Own Variety Show

Kim Ji Woong in the concept photos for ZEROBASEONE's 'Youth In The Shade' album. Credit: Facebook/ZB1

Kim Ji Woong of rookie group ZEROBASEONE will be starring in his own variety show, just a month after his official debut! 

In Boy Detective Kim Ji Woong, the ZEROBASEONE member will act as a detective whose mission is to investigate the current trends.

The rookie idol will participate in a series of challenges to solve topics ranging from popular locations to trivial questions and patterns. 

 

In the teaser, Ji Woong shared that he’s interested to do extreme activities such as bungee jumping and rock climbing. “I can do it all,” he declared. 

Boy Detective Kim Ji Woong will premiere on August 30. New episodes will air every Wednesday. 

Additionally, the upcoming web variety show is under CJ ENM’s Studio Horak Horak. Said studio is also in charge of the Fearless Kura show headlined by LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura

Busy month for ZEROBASEONE 

ZEROBASEONE or ZB1 is a nine-member group formed via Boys Planet. 

Aside from Ji Woong, the other members are Sung Han-bin, 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 project group that will promote under WakeOne Entertainment, a CJ ENM subsidiary, for around two and a half years. 

Featured image: Kim Ji Woong in the concept photos for ZEROBASEONE’s ‘Youth In The Shade’ album. Credit: Facebook/ZB1

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Kara’s Heo Young Ji to Make Solo Debut

Heo Young Ji updates fans with new photo of her. Credit: TWITTER/Young Ji

Good news, Kamilias! Heo Young Ji of K-pop girl group KARA is gearing up to make her official debut as a solo artist. 

DSP Media confirmed the news on Friday, August 11. The agency said that the release is set for September. 

“We will announce the concrete details at a later time,” they added. 

 

Heo Young Ji joined the lineup of KARA in 2014 after winning the reality show KARA Project. At the time, original members Nicole and Jiyoung didn’t renew their contracts with DSP Media and left the group. 

As a result of Young Ji’s inclusion, KARA promoted as a four-member group. They released two singles “Mamma Mia” in 2014 and “Cupid” in 2015. 

However, in January 2016, DSP Media announced KARA’s disbandment following the expiration of Gyuri, Seungyeon, and Hara’s contracts. 

Heo Young Ji as an artist

Since then, Heo Young Ji continued promoting as a solo artist under DSP Media. She also renewed her contract with the agency in August 2021. 

Although Young Ji released a solo song called “Memory Clock” in 2017, she hasn’t really promoted as a solo artist. 

 

Aside from her singing career, Young Ji also participated in several variety shows. She appeared in Roommate, Hitmaker, Very Private TV, and Humanity Busking. 

Meanwhile, KARA reunited in November 2025 for the special album Move Again. The release was in celebration of the group’s 15th debut anniversary. It’s also their first comeback in approximately seven years. 

KARA is known for their hit songs “Honey,” “Mr.,” “Jumping,” “Rock U” and “Pretty Girl.”

Featured image: Heo Young Ji updates fans with new photo of her. Credit: TWITTER/Young Ji

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Look: Bighit Music Opens Global Auditions

K-pop groups BTS and TXT are under BIGHIT Music. Credit: Twitter/BIGHIT Music Audition

Dreaming of becoming labelmates with K-pop powerhouses BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)? Well, this might be your chance! 

BIGHIT MUSIC announced on Friday, August 11, that they are opening global auditions for their next boy group. 

The auditions are open to male candidates of any nationality born from 2005 and after. 

Additionally, interested applicants can choose to audition among several categories: vocal, rap, dancing, acting, modeling, and producing. 

Applications are open from August 11 to September 22 via the Big Hit Audition website. 

Previously in February to April 2023, BIGHIT MUSIC also held an audition for aspiring idols. Only male applicants born between 2005 and 2013 were eligible. 

During this set of auditions, the label also held in-person auditions in Korea and Japan aside from the online ones. 

 

 

Besides these series of global auditions, BIGHIT MUSIC remains mum about their next act. Their latest group to debut was TXT in 2019. Before that was BTS, who debuted in 2013. 

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

Featured image: K-pop groups BTS and TXT are under BIGHIT Music. Credit: Twitter/BIGHIT Music Audition

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SM’s New Boy Group RIIZE Drops Teaser Photos For Upcoming Debut

The K-pop scene is abuzz with excitement as SM Entertainment’s newest boy group, RIIZE, shared teaser images for their debut single album, “Get A Guitar.” These images, released on the group’s official social media, show the members in their practice room, embodying the concept of “Training Days.” The photos radiate a cool, unique vibe, highlighting the members’ fresh visuals.

 

RIIZE‘s teasers are connected to their album’s theme, which encapsulates the time they invested in preparing for their debut. This theme also hints at the “Real-Time Odyssey (Journey of Growth)” the members will embark on post-debut. Moreover, RIIZE recently held their first live broadcast on Instagram. They interacted with fans from South Korea and elsewhere by sharing insights into their music and performance journey. 

[ENG/INDO SUB] 230808 RIIZE First Instagram Live

This live broadcast was followed by their performance video for the song “Siren,” which has already garnered significant attention.

RIIZE 라이즈 ‘Siren’ Performance Video

However, the group’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. After their live broadcast, RIIZE faced a wave of discussions and debates regarding photo editing and perceptions of reality. The live broadcast, intended to offer fans a candid glimpse of the members, inadvertently sparked fandom discourse. Some K-netizens felt the members’ visuals during the live broadcast were very different from the polished images they posted before.

Comments ranged from praising the group’s photographic skills to questioning the extent of photo enhancements in earlier releases. While some fans defended the group, emphasizing that all artists’ photos are edited to some extent, others expressed disappointment. This incident underscores the challenges artists face in the digital age, where edited content can influence perception.

RIIZE is making waves

Accusations of too much photo editing aside, RIIZE is making waves on social media. Impressively, they earned one million Instagram followers in just four days, becoming the fastest K-pop group to do so. The septet—Anton, Eunseok, Seunghan, Shotaro, Sohee, Sungchan, and Wonbin—has been generating significant buzz leading up to their debut. To better engage with fans, RIIZE plans to expand their presence on some social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Weibo, and YouTube.

RIIZE, a name derived from the English words ‘Rise’ and ‘Realize,’ refers to a team that grows and realizes dreams collectively. They introduce their unique music genre, ‘Emotional Pop,’ which aims to express their myriad emotions through their songs. As the first rookie boy group launched by SM since NCT‘s debut in 2016, RIIZE is poised to make a significant impact in the K-pop industry.

With their debut single album set to release on August 21st, which includes the title track ‘Get A Guitar’ and the prologue single ‘Memories,’ anticipation is high. Pre-orders for the album are ongoing. As RIIZE continues their journey, fans worldwide eagerly await their official debut and the unique musical experience they promise to deliver. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: RIIZE already has an international fanbase, even if they haven’t officially debuted yet. Isn’t that great? Source: Twitter/@RIIZE_official.

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