Category: LATEST STORIES

Photo Music Korea (PMK) recently launched a new series that introduces K-pop artists every month. The series kicked off with a special Kang Daniel edition for its July 2023 issue. The magazine cover and inside pages feature unreleased photos of the soloist from a photoshoot he did in Las Vegas for his recent album REALIEZ.

PMK’s Kang Daniel edition quickly became a hit among fans. Pre-orders for the magazine opened on July 12, and it soared to No. 1 on several sales charts, including Aladdin Daily Best, Kyobo Daily Best Sellers, and Yes24 Daily Best. In response to the overwhelming demand, PMK’s editor-in-chief, Kim Young Ik, expressed gratitude to Kang Daniel’s fans by expanding the singer’s spread to 50 pages, longer than originally planned.

The issue features an interview with Kang Daniel by Billboard pop columnist Jeff Benjamin. It also has spreads with other K-pop artists, including BB Girls, MIRAE, NINE.i, Play J, and TEEN TOP. With this issue, Photo Music Korea has initiated a monthly feature called “Jeff’s Corner,” which will introduce K-pop artists to readers.

In other news, Kang Daniel recently concluded promotions for REALIEZ and wrapped up his FIRST PARADE world tour with an encore concert. He was booked for the SUMMER SONIC 2023 festival in Japan and will serve as the MC on Mnet’s Street Woman Fighter 2.

The success of Kang Daniel‘s special edition of PMK is proof of his popularity and the dedication of his fans. It also sets a high bar for future editions of the magazine, which will continue to spotlight K-pop artists every month.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: Kang Daniel uploaded a couple of post-event selfies after a recent fan sign event. Source: Twitter/Kang Daniel’s official Twitter account.

Last July 15, 2023, the official SEVENTEEN YouTube channel released a video titled ‘[Code Name Seventeen Part One Interview]’. In this video, two of the group’s members, Joshua and Vernon, sat down with the stars of the Hollywood movie Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning. Present for the interview were Hayley Atwell (Grace), Pom Klementieff (Paris), and Simon Pegg (Benji).

Vernon opened the interview by telling Hayley and company that it was their first time interviewing anyone. He and Joshua were somewhat nervous at first, but they visibly relaxed when Simon talked about the connection between K-dramas and Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning.

“One of the things I love about K-drama is how varied those shows are,” he said. They’re dramatic, funny, sweet, and violent. ‘Mission’ has that mixture. It takes you everywhere, all over the spectrum of emotion.”

The interview covered a wide range of topics related to the movie. Joshua and Vernon asked the cast about their favorite scenes. The K-pop stars were particularly interested in finding out exactly how one of the actresses prepared for a drifting/driving sequence. They also asked the cast which of the movie’s many action-packed moments they were most excited for fans to see.

Although Joshua and Vernon have more experience answering questions, they did their best to act like real reporters. They didn’t hesitate to ask about the more challenging parts of working on the movie. The SEVENTEEN members asked the Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning cast what it was like to shoot a particularly daunting train scene. This provided viewers with a deeper understanding of the hard work that goes into creating a high-octane action movie.

The interview showcased Joshua’s and Vernon’s hosting skills. Their engaging manner and thoughtful questions made for an insightful, interesting interview. The video sparked interest among fans, with many expressing hope that Joshua and Vernon will host more interviews in the future.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: Hayley hoped she and her co-stars would be good guests for Joshua’s and Vernon’s first interview. Source: YouTube/SEVENTEEN’s official YouTube channel.)

The K-pop scene is witnessing the rise of a new sensation, ZEROBASEONE. The Boys Planet alums are making waves thanks to their captivating performances and engaging content. The group, which debuted with their mini album YOUTH IN THE SHADE last July 10, continues to release different types of content that have been well-received by fans worldwide. 

The group’s latest offering is a dance practice video of their first title track, “In Bloom.” Released on July 16, it showcases the group’s impressive skills and synergy. It’s a fixed version, offering an unobstructed view of the song’s choreography. The group’s energy and passion are palpable as they dance their hearts out, showcasing their dedication and talent.

The dance practice video is a testament to the group’s hard work and commitment to their craft. It provides a glimpse into the effort that goes into their content and performances. The choreography is engaging and fun, but more importantly, it gives each member a chance to shine. But despite their differences, their individual charms and styles don’t overshadow each other. They blend seamlessly, executing the flower-inspired moves with precision. Finally, the group’s synchronization is a sight to behold, reflecting their cohesion and teamwork.

Fans have been quick to notice the intricate details in the choreography. Twitter user @jiwoongiez pointed out that it references various Boys Planet performances. (That makes sense, as the group was formed on the show.) This garnered plenty of attention, with the tweet amassing over 192.2K views and 12.8K likes.

The release of the “In Bloom” dance practice video is part of ZEROBASEONE’s ongoing efforts to connect with their fans, also known as ZEROSE. By sharing behind-the-scenes content, the group is giving ZEROSE a closer look at their journey and the hard work that goes into their performances. This approach has helped them build a solid bond with their audience, who are eagerly anticipating their future endeavors.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: The “In Bloom” dance practice video racked up 125,000 views in two hours. Source: YouTube/ZEROBASEONE’s official YouTube channel.

Fast-rising K-pop group ENHYPEN was recently at the center of a heated debate among fans. The controversy was sparked by their performance of the track “BITE ME” without female dancers, a significant departure from the original choreography. The reaction to this change has been mixed, with fans expressing different views on social media.

The song’s original choreography featured a couple dance with female performers. This was initially met with praise for its refreshing change and its nod to similar dances by second-generation K-pop artists. However, it also faced backlash, particularly from Korean fans, who disliked the inclusion of female dancers. Eventually, they made their feelings known by sending protest trucks to the group’s agency.

The recent performance without female dancers occurred at a school event and was captured in a video that went viral on Twitter. The video, credited to user @0middl (whose account seems to have been deactivated), showed the septet dancing to the chorus alone. It sparked a heated discussion, with some fans—especially those who previously protested against the female dancers—celebrating the change.

Many Korean netizens voiced approval of the new choreography, stating it looked better without the female dancers as it focused on the members’ physiques. Some even revealed that they had become fans through the “pair dance controversy” and felt that the new choreography “works a lot better.” However, not all reactions were positive. Some fans expressed disappointment, stating that the new choreography was boring without the couple dance. 

Meanwhile, the new choreography made its music show debut in ENHYPEN’s July 15 performance on Japan’s Ongaku no Hi. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH-JyDgTJcE&pp=ygUZb25nYWt1IG5vIGhpIDIwMjMgZW5oeXBlbg%3D%3D

Despite the speculation and debate, BELIFT LAB, ENHYPEN’s agency, has not released an official statement addressing the issue. It remains to be seen whether this solo performance of “BITE ME” was a one-off event or if the agency has indeed responded to the protests by permanently removing the female dancers from the choreography.

As the group prepares for their FATE World Tour 2023, which will take them through South Korea, Japan, and the US, starting on July 29, fans are left wondering if the new “BITE ME” choreography is a temporary adjustment for specific performances or not. Regardless, the controversy definitely added a new layer of intrigue to ENHYPEN’s growing popularity.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: ENHYPEN celebrated the music show debut of their song’s new choreography with a post-performance groufie. Source: Twitter/ENHYPEN’s official Japanese Twitter account.

In the first half of 2023, six acts from HYBE, a leading K-pop company, accounted for a staggering 40% of all K-pop album sales. The artists contributing to this impressive figure include BTS‘s Jimin, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, SEVENTEEN, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.

According to Circle Chart, a music sales tracker, K-pop artists sold 55 million albums from January to June 2023. Of these, 22 million, or 40.4%, were by the artists mentioned above. Each is with one of the labels under the HYBE umbrella. Jimin‘s band BTS is with BigHit Music. So are TOMORROW X TOGETHER. Meanwhile, ENHYPEN is managed by BELIFT LAB, LE SSERAFIM by Source Music, NewJeans by ADOR, and SEVENTEEN by PLEDIS Entertainment.

SEVENTEEN emerged as the top performer. The 13-member boy group sold a whopping 8.9 million albums during this period. This figure includes sales from their 2023 mini album FML and their past albums.

Regarding downloads and streams, HYBE’s girl groups made a significant impact. Five of the top 10 most popular songs were from LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans. According to Circle Chart, the latter’s singles “Ditto,” “Hype Boy,” and “OMG” were the top three most-downloaded and streamed songs in the first half of 2023. “Attention” was No. 7 and LE SSERAFIM’s “ANTIFRAGILE” was No. 9.

HYBE attributes its success to its multi-label system, where it acquires smaller K-pop agencies and allows them to maintain their unique style while benefiting from the resources of a larger system. 

“The excellent result comes from the power of HYBE’s multi-label strategy,” the company stated in a press release. “HYBE allows the absolute independence of a label’s work to guarantee the birth of super content. This has allowed our labels to fulfill their creative potential and provide high-quality music to K-pop fans.”

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: HYBE’s headquarters is a 19-story building in Yeongsan, Seoul. It opened in March 2021. Source: HYBE Corp.’s company profile.)

The top 6 teams of JTBC‘s K-pop competition show for boy groups Peak Time are set to release a special concert single, “Your Time.” It aims to preserve the precious memories from their concert and give fans a chance to relive the magic of their performances.

The teaser for the song’s music video features BAE173, DKB, M.O.N.T, SEVENUS, Team 24:00, and VANNER. It recaps the moment from the Peak Time Top 6 concert when the teams performed the special single in front of fans for the first time. The teaser offers a glimpse of the energy and excitement that filled the concert venue, capturing the essence of the performance.

The special single and its accompanying music video will drop on July 18 at 12:00 PM KST. Its arrival is eagerly anticipated by fans who are looking forward to experiencing each group’s unique charm all over again. Not to mention reliving the concert’s highlights!

In addition to the release of the special single, the Taiwan show of the Peak Time concert also took place in that country’s capital city of Taipei on July 15. M.O.N.T, SEVENUS, and VANNER hit the stage at 7:00 PM local time. That show was a spectacular showcase of the three groups’ talent, each bringing their unique charms, energy, and style to the stage.

The Peak Time K-pop competition show served as a platform for these boy groups to showcase their talents in a bid to connect with more fans. The release of the special single “Your Time” is a testament to all their dedication and hard work. It’s a celebration of their journey in the competition and their growth as artists.

Featured Image: VANNER, the group that won Peak Time, celebrated the success of their show in Taipei with a group photo. Source: Twitter/VANNER’s official Twitter account.

In a recent interview, former MBLAQ member and solo artist Thunder addressed some questions about his relationship with former actress Jung Mimi, who used to be part of a girl group, Gugudan. They recently admitted to being in their fourth year of a serious relationship, with marriage on the horizon.

Thunder and Mimi first hinted at their relationship during an episode of KBS2‘s Second House 2. In the interview, Thunder confirmed that they plan to marry in the second half of 2024. He talked about their shared vision of an energetic, happy family life, drawing comparisons to the families in the anime Crayon Shin-chan and the sitcom High Kick. “It’s our dream to have a family where not a day goes by without a fun episode,” Thunder shared.

About speculations that they’re rushing to get married due to unexpected circumstances, Thunder clarified that they’re not in a hurry. He said he and Mimi are looking forward to preparing for their marriage at a leisurely pace and enjoying many dates in the process.

Thunder also shared his sister Dara‘s reaction to his relationship with Mimi. He revealed that Dara has always been supportive, saying they make a good couple. Dara has shown her affection for Mimi by giving her gifts, and Thunder expressed his support for his sister’s activities.

When asked if they plan to have children, Thunder revealed they want one daughter and one son. He wants a daughter who looks like Mimi, but Mimi says she wants one who looks like Dara.

When talk turned to their professional future, Thunder shared that he’s currently promoting as a hip-hop musician. Mimi, on the other hand, released a solo single after Gugudan‘s disbandment and recently starred in a movie. She’s now looking for an agency to represent her acting promotions. The couple also expressed their desire to appear on family variety shows and release an album together, much like Choi Soo Jong and Ha Hee Ra from Second House 2.

Thunder’s interview looked candidly at his relationship with Mimi and their future plans as a couple and individuals. As they plan their wedding and continue their professional pursuits, fans can expect more updates and exciting news from the couple.

Featured Image: Thunder and Mimi posted the same photo on their respective Instagram accounts but with different messages. Source: Instagram/Thunder’s personal Instagram account.

Jang Wonyoung, a member of the Starship Entertainment K-pop girl group IVE, was recently in the spotlight for her extraordinary professionalism while filming their latest music video, “I Am.” The idol‘s commitment to her craft was tested when she suffered a severe injury on set, for which she needed immediate medical attention and seven stitches.

The untold story of Wonyoung’s injury was revealed by the music video’s director, Son Seung Hee, during an appearance on the MBC FM4U radio program GOT7 Youngjae’s Best Friend Forever. She shared, “I don’t believe this has ever been mentioned, but Wonyoung got injured on the filming set. She hurt her arm and had to get seven stitches. That was the biggest scare I’ve had on a set.”

Despite her injury, Wonyoung’s dedication to her work didn’t waver. The director recalled, “We had two more sessions left, but I thought filming would be canceled because Wonyoung got injured. But she went to the emergency room, got stitches, then returned to the set to continue filming.”

Wonyoung’s resilience was further highlighted by her ability to perform the choreography for “I Am,” which required extensive use of her arms. Director Son expressed admiration for Wonyoung’s fortitude, saying, “She was so professional. She didn’t show that she was having a difficult time. At her age, too. The choreography for ‘I Am’ has some moves where they have to use their arms a lot. I just winced watching her do those moves. It pained me to see her doing them with that injury.”

The director further praised Wonyoung, saying, “There are scenes from the MV that wouldn’t have been possible if Wonyoung hadn’t pulled them off with her injury like she did.”

That wasn’t the first time Wonyoung’s professionalism shone through. Last year, she was praised for her incredible performance despite a knee injury. Her ability to overcome physical adversity and deliver a stellar performance is a testament to her dedication and passion for her craft.

Featured Image: Days before IVE’s first full-length album dropped, Wonyoung posted this photo and captioned it, “It’s our time.” Source: Instagram/Wonyoung’s personal Instagram account.