K-pop idols Kyuhyun (Super Junior) and Leo (VIXX) to star in musical Frankenstein. Photo: ncc_musical/Instagram
E.L.Fs and Starlights are in for a treat this November, as Super Junior’s Kyuhyun and VIXX’s Leo have been cast in the fourth run of the musical “Frankenstein.” Kyuhyun will be playing the role of Victor Frankenstein, while Leo will be taking on the roles of Henri Dupre and the Monster.
The musical is an original Korean production that first premiered in 2014 and was adapted from the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley. The story follows the tale of Victor Frankenstein, a genius scientist who created a monstrous creature that eventually turned against him. Victor meets and befriends Henri Dupre (an original character). Henri, fascinated by his friend’s research, asks Victor to use his body for science. Victor proceeds to create and bring to life a new being using various body parts and his friend’s head.
Kyuhyun has made a name for himself as a reliable musical actor; he first showed off his acting chops and excellent singing skills in The Three Musketeers in 2010. Since then, Kyuhyun has taken on lead roles in other productions such as Werther, Mozart!, The Man Who Laughs, and Phantom. E.L.Fs can definitely expect SJ’s main vocal to put out another outstanding performance in his new role as Victor Frankenstein.
Leo has also shown expressive performances in his previous roles for Mata Hari, Elisabeth, and Marie Antoinette. Starlights are already excited to see Leo take on the dual role of Henri Dupre and the Monster, especially as this production marks the idol’s first musical after completing his mandatory military service. Leo served as a public service worker and was discharged last September 9, 2021.
Frankenstein will be performed at the Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall in Seoul from November 24, 2021 to February 20, 2022.
Featured photo: Poster for the musical “Frankenstein,” where Super Junior’s Kyuhyun and VIXX’s Leo are set to appear. Photo: ncc_musical/Instagram
(From L-R) BTS’s V, Jungkook, RM, Jin, Suga, Jimin, and J-Hope are now officially diplomats of South Korea. Photo: BTS_official/Twitter
RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have formally accepted their special documentations as special presidential envoy from South Korean President Moon Jae In, officially making BTS diplomats of South Korea just a week ahead of their attendance to the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
On September 14, Moon presented BTS their certificates as South Korea’s “Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture.” The seven members of BTS attended the awarding ceremony at the Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, along with Big Hit Music President Shin Young Jae and HYBE executive Lee Jin Hyung. With this official designation, the Bangtan Boys also received their Republic of Korea diplomatic passports.
BTS continues to prove that they are more than just another K-pop act. As with any country, diplomatic passports are only awarded to a few, qualified individuals. Along with their new status as diplomats comes expectations that the OT7 will be deployed for more official government businesses.
In July 2021, President Moon announced BTS’s appointment as Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generation and Culture. With this officially sealed, the septet will accompany him at the 76th session of the U.N. General Assembly (September 21 to 30, 2021). For their first diplomatic duty, BTS will deliver a message during the Sustainable Development Goals Moment (SDG Moment) of the Decade of Action session.
Featured image: (From L-R) BTS’s V, Jungkook, RM, Jin, Suga, Jimin, and J-Hope are now officially diplomats of South Korea. Photo: BTS_official/Twitter
BTS wins 2021 VMAs: Best Group award, Best Kpop award, and MTV's Song of the Summer 2021. Photo: MTV/YouTube
What can we not expect from BTS?
The Bangtan Boys took home two major awards and a previously unannounced award category at MTV’s 2021 Video Music Awards (VMAs)last September 12, 2021. For the third year straight, BTS nabbed both Group of the Year and Best Kpop awards.
RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have consistently won Best Kpop at the VMAs since it was introduced in 2018. First for Boy With Luv in their historic (not to mention controversial) first VMA win in 2019, ON in 2020, and now, for Butter.
BTS was up against some major players for the 2021 VMAs Group of the Year award. The OT7, however, proved that they are unstoppable because they are “not seven, with you.” Beaming with love, they credited ARMY—the group’s equally phenomenal fandom—for their VMA win.
“And ARMYs, this is all possible thanks to you guys.”
-BTS in their acceptance speech for the 2021 VMAs Group of the Year award.
BTS was unable to attend MTV’s awarding ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. They accepted their 2021 VMA awards through a video message instead.
In addition to these two major awards, BTS also took home the Song of the Summer award for their hit single Butter.
BTS was nominated in six major categories including Best Pop, Best Editing (for Lumpens’ Yong Seok Choi), and Best Choreography (for Son Sung Deuk with BHM Performance Directing Team). The hit single Dynamite was nominated for the Song of The Year category instead of Best Kpop.
The show is over and BTS ended the night with 3 awards:
We’re always on the lookout for fresh content from our idols—anything from music show performances to variety show appearances. But in the last few years, we have seen idols open their own YouTube channels, giving us a new opportunity to see our idols living their lives away from the stage.
Some idols open their own channels to post song covers, and several grab the chance to better showcase other aspects of their personalities. But above all, K-pop idols use the platform to better connect with fans.
Take a look at the personal YouTube channels of these male K-pop idols and click that subscribe button so you can catch up with their daily lives!
EXO
Baekhyun
Baekhyun’s KyungTube contains vlogs, behind the scenes footage of album recordings and music video shoots, ASMR and mukbang videos, and more. Before he left for his military enlistment, he pre-filmed lots of content to be released regularly, and it looks like he’s keeping his promise!
For the EXO fan club’s anniversary, Baekhyun uploaded a video of him preparing a rainbow cake to greet EXO-Ls a happy birthday:
Chen
If you’re missing Chen’s soothing vocals, make sure to check out his YouTube channel. Aside from his solo songs and OSTs, he also covers songs from other artists.
Chen hasn’t uploaded any videos recently, but you can still get your fill of his amazing covers such as his rendition of Breath by Park Hyo Shin:
Chanyeol
Chanyeol’s Studio NNG documents the idol’s life as he goes to recording sessions with his bandmates and collaborators, tries out baking, and builds a bar in his studio. There’s also behind-the-scenes footage from music video filming, and backstage videos from music show performances.
Like Baekhyun, Chanyeol also pre-filmed content to be released monthly throughout his military enlistment. Make sure to subscribe and click the notification bell so you don’t miss an update!
Lay
EXO’s only Chinese member, Lay, also has his own channel! Subscribe to Lay Zhang so you watch his amazing dance performances, cinematic music videos, and more!
iKON
Chanwoo
iKon’s Chanwoo posts a variety of content on his Chanwoo Sari channel for iKONICS to enjoy! From food reviews to gaming to car interviews, there’s a lot of stuff for fans to indulge in.
Chanwoo also gives fans a sneak peek of the new YG building. Check out his YG New Building Tour video below:
BIGBANG
Daesung
Bigbang’s Daesung tried to make his YouTube channel D’splay as anonymous as possible, but there’s no hiding from VIPs! In his channel, Daesung uploads drum covers of K-pop and western songs. He has also recently started uploading vlogs of his daily life and activities.
Watch his drum cover of Take My Breath by The Weeknd:
VIXX
N
Want to wind down and relax after a long day? Head over to VIXX N’s channel, Today’s Record, to watch soothing videos that give Starlights a glimpse of the idol-actor’s daily life.
Watch N as he drives around Korea for his drama Mine:
Ken
On the other hand, main vocal Ken’s YouTube channel, ! Ken Do !t, is rife with bright and cheerful energy! In his channel, the idol and musical actor posts song covers, mukbang videos, backstage footage from his musicals, and more.
Ken is still serving in the military, but his pre-filmed content is uploaded regularly on the channel. Watch his hilarious—and on point!—cover of Into the Unknown from Frozen 2:
Hyuk
VIXX’s maknae Hyuk only recently launched his YouTube channel H:Life. The idol posts vlogs about his daily life and work. In his first few videos, though, he never showed his face—but a lot of Starlights easily figured out his secret. On the 100-day anniversary of his channel, Hyuk finally revealed himself! Fingers crossed for English subtitles to be added soon for international fans!
Day6
Jae
Day6’s Jae also runs his own YouTube channel. Initially, the channel was called Jaesix, and he posted videos of him interviewing and playing games with fellow idols, as well as his a-day-in-the-life vlogs. More recently, renamed the channel to eaJ. The latest posts are now the singer-songwriter’s self-written tracks.
GOT7
Jay B
GOT7’s Jay B launched his channel in February 2021 as a way to communicate with his fans. His initial uploads were the songs from his mixtapes. But just last August, Jay B uploaded his first vlog—so make sure to hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss future updates!
Fans everywhere are delighted to see their idols show off their unique talents and fun personalities on YouTube! Who’s your favorite male idol YouTuber?
September 12 is Kim Namjoon day. Photo: bts_bighit/Twitter
BTS’s leader, Kim Namjoon, is effortlessly extra in a lot of things. He has an IQ of 148, chose rapping and music over school (he once ranked as South Korea’s top 1% students), serves as BTS’s English translator since he learned the language by watching the sitcom Friends, lives and breathes as BTS’s God of Destruction every chance he gets, and, at the age of roughly 19, started to lead the Bangtan Boys.
Rightfully so, ARMYs all over the world also go extra in celebrating Namjoon Day every September 12. Just like Kookie’s birthday celebration, tributes poured out for leader-nim Rrrrrrrap Monster this year.
Billboards and display ads
ARMYs made it an agenda to let Namjoon and the world know about RM’s birthday. In South Korea, ARMYs installed various RM ads across the country. These include digital billboards, display ads, a book café, a “book street” that showed different tribute posters for the BTS member.
ARMYs in New York were blessed with these Times Square ads.
— Namjoon: art thief who stole my heart (@ohdaddyjoon) September 11, 2021
In Pakistan, ARMYs broke through by putting up RM Birthday Ads in Lucky One Mall, Karachi. Fans say that RM is the first South Korean idol to have such a display in the biggest mall in Pakistan.
🎉RM Birthday Project #4🎉
Birthday Ad Support at Lucky One Mall, Karachi
Namjoon is the first Korean idol in Pakistan to have a Bday ad display at the biggest mall of Pakistan and South Asia. The ad will be on display for the whole day today.#RMonPakistaniLEDpic.twitter.com/75F9iMyNnn
RM—along with fellow BTS members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—are loved for spreading light and positivity across the globe. That same spirit is also seen in various RM birthday projects that benefit non-profit organizations, charities, and communities.
This group partnered with Greenpeace for their initiative. It’s a month-long joint project for Namjoon and Jungkook’s birthdays.
Join us as we celebrate NamKook for Nature, a month-long campaign in collaboration with Greenpeace @gpph. Together, we’ll learn what it means to be #EarthWarriors and to strive for a sustainable future.
There’s also a birthday charity project that aims to help empower children through art, feeding, and educational programs.
In honor of Namjoon's 🐨 birthday we present:#JoonAndYouthForArt🎨@ACFFCjacmel empowers children in need through art, to give them tools to create their own reality. They provide art tutoring, food and water, educational expenses and more.
Hey army we are doing a special project for Namjoon’s birthday. “ Trees 4 Joon” a donation to save the environment. We would greatly appreciate the help #RM#Trees4Joon#ARMYhttps://t.co/L90DeYZqf9
For Namjoon’s Birthday we want to collect Money together with @rmswissarmybase & @bts_swiss_army and donate in his name to the organization BOS Switzerland, a organization for Protection of the Rainforest and its Animals.
— BTS Swiss FUNDS | Fan-Account (@BTS_Swiss_Funds) August 30, 2021
These are only some of the ways ARMYs celerbated Namjoon Day, and, considering RM’s positive impact, we are certain that there are a lot more out there.
Celebrating the one and only Rrrrrrrap Monster
RM doesn’t mean “Rap Monster” for no reason. He carries the name for his incredible rapping skills. Just check out how he spat and sped through bar after bar in his solo track from 2015.
His performances are just amazing and topnotch
All while exuding that effortlessly cool vibe.
But he can be cute and soft, too. His love for that small crab? ADORABLE.
RM is also known for being one of the youngest and most credited songwriters in the industry. Last July, he trended on Twitter for having more than 170 songs under his name (and counting!).
The second most credited Korean artist and the youngest! so proud of you joonie💜
Even when he is offstage, Namjoon shows that he is the epitome of a good group leader. Even other K-pop idols take him as a role model. We have witnessed this time and again, whether it’s for a huge concert, variety show, or Bangtan Bomb episodes.
He can get a bit scary, but that’s just him caring for the group.
Have we mentioned that Namjoon is a genius?
And that he learned to converse in English by watching the sitcom Friends? Tbh with BTS members taking English lessons now, we will surely miss RM’s strong power translations.
And he’s great at Math, too. Totally nothing extra about it.
He doesn’t fail to make ARMYs and BTS laugh, whether it’s through his jokes, expressions, or just exceeding expectations as God of Destruction.
— little Namu(moonchild)Indigo💙🐨🚲🌱🦀📚🌚🖼 (@namus__crab) September 7, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpUiuHoIOa4
Beyond all these, we love Namjoon because of his kind heart and how he spreads positivity through his platform.
He even led the UN speech addressed to the youth.
Whenever BTS was asked about RM, a unified voice says that they won’t be who they are today if he wasn’t their leader (and yes, even though he and V once sneaked out for some Melona after tonkatsu while they were still trainees. Lol; I know.) With all their achievements and seeing how well they have raised the Maknae Line, we all have proof that while Namjoon is BTS’s God of Destruction, he has created a lot of good in this world.
Happy birthday, RM!
Featured image: September 12 is Kim Namjoon day. Photo: bts_bighit/Twitter
Blackpink's Lisa Manoban debuted her first solo album, LALISA, on September 10, 2021. Photo: BLACKPINK/YouTube
So, finally, Lisa of BLACKPINK drops her debut single, the third member of the group to do so. Only six months after main vocal Rosé released the all-English On the Ground, it’s the group’s Thai rapper-main dancer to go solo by introducing herself in her debut single, LALISA. Notice the power in that? She keeps on saying her name throughout the highly repetitive chorus while seemingly hypnotizing us listeners into saying “Lalisa love me Lalisa love me, Call me Lalisa love me Lalisa love me.” It’s definitely a trap, not that we mind at all.
And in now-typical YG fashion, the music video dropped at 1 in the afternoon, Korean time. This is not that usual considering most MVs and singles in Korea get released at 6 PM, so that they can compete with the other popular music that day in the charts, as 6 pm is a time when a lot of people are still awake, employees getting home from work or students waiting for their academy classes to start while listening to music.
Up until around 2016, the most common practice was to release songs and music videos at midnight. However, many fans complained that some artists (obviously not them exactly, but their companies) are manipulating the chart systems, using bots to continue streaming music even during ungodly hours. With the rise of these accusations of forms of sajaegi (chart manipulation), most music charts implemented a chart freeze, particularly between 1 AM until 7 AM, so downloads and streams during that time will not be counted until when the charts reopen after 7.
Most companies, including YG have followed the practice for fear they might be accused of chart manipulation. Even Jennie’s Solo was released at 6 PM, but things started to change with Rosé, whose music video for On the Ground was released at 2 PM. The company took it a notch further (make that an hour earlier) now by releasing Lisa’s music video and single at 1 in the afternoon.
So far, the move has proven to be successful, as Lisa has immediately charted on Instiz, Korea’s music chart aggregator. As of 6:30 KST, Lalisa is already at #18 on Instiz, #41 in Melon, #27 in Genie, and #2 in Bugs (only topped by former YG artist Lee Hi and her Red Lipstick, which was only released September 10). Since Flo and Naver’s VIBE do not have real-time charts and only release daily charts, we can be sure that Lalisa shall chart higher in Instiz by tomorrow. An all-kill or even a PAK (perfect all-kill) shouldn’t be that impossible.
Another thing international fans obsess over is YouTube views of music videos. With BLACKPINK holding a number of YouTube view records, it is expected that Lisa will also break a number of records with this solo debut. After two hours, total views for the music video reached 25,228,666 views and as of 7 PM KST, the video has slid past the 30 million view mark.
After reaching 10 million YouTube views after only an hour and a half, the LALISA MV has already broken numerous records, although these are still unofficial.
LALISA is the fastest debut MV to hit 10 million views on YouTube in history, as well as the fastest music video by a K-pop solo artist to reach the 10 million mark and the fastest MV by a female soloist in the world to exceed 10 million YouTube views, breaking Taylor Swift’s record of two hours for her Me! music video. It is also the second-fastest MV by a female K-pop artist to accumulate 10 million views in history, only beaten by a video of her own group, Lovesick Girls, which achieved the figure in under 53 minutes.
It’s safe to say that Lisa’s record-breaking ways will continue in the coming days, and we’re here to witness it all.
BTS's dance line drops a special performance video for Megan Thee Stallion "Butter" remix. Photo: BANGTANTV/YouTube
3J—BTS’s dance line—is back with a performance nothing short of euphoria.
Watch J-Hope, Jimin, and Jungkook as they dance their way to our hearts (or, quoting Jin in Festa 2021 Chicken Noodle Soup performance, poppin poppin poppin poppin poppin poppin poppin) featuring the Megan Thee Stallion remix:
ARMYs were quick to appreciate the new video and could not stop gushing about Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, and Jeon Jungkook’s cheeky performance of the Butter feat. Megan Thee Stallion remix (which also coincides with Butter climbing back to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart).
Considering it’s been three years since BTS’s dance line owned the iconic Idol stage at the 2018 MMA, it’s almost a given that they have made us fall like that.
Lee Hi and B.I. collaborate for “Savior" track in Ha-yi’s fourth studio album, 4 Only. Photo: AOMGOFFICIAL/YouTube
“An extremely loyal friend.” That’s how Lee Hi calls former iKON member B.I.
The “No One” singer recently appeared as a guest on NAVER NOW, where she discussed her new album 4 Only. She also talked about her latest collaboration with former YG label-mate Kim Hanbin, expressing her gratitude for collaborating with her in the new song Savior.
“I want to relay my thanks toward B.I for featuring (in my album),” Lee Hi said. It’s a sweet shoutout considering that the two have collaborated numerous times in the past.
The former K-pop Star Season 1 contestant also spoke about her friendship with B.I., who had previously worked on her song “No One”.
“He called me a loyal friend in an interview that he did, but I think he is also an extremely loyal friend,” Lee Hi said. She then addressed a message to the former iKON rapper. “Hanbin, thanks to you I think a good music video was able to come out.”
It’s no secret that Lee Hi and B.I. make great music together. The two have worked together on several songs in the past. Their most recent collaboration before “Savior” was on the track “Daydream”, which was featured in Hanbin’s debut solo album Waterfall.
Their collab song “Savior” debuted days before the launch of Lee Hi’s latest album. In the music video, she and B.I. played childhood sweethearts who went through several hardships as her character was sick. The chemistry in the MV proves that Hayi and Kim Hanbin truly enjoy working together.
Lee Hi’s fourth studio album 4 Only was released on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
Featured image: Lee Hi and B.I. collaborate for “Savior” track in Ha-yi’s fourth studio album, 4 Only. Photo: AOMGOFFICIAL/YouTube
VICTON Hanse ALICE Concept image. Photo: VICTON1109/Twitter
Just in time for his birthday, VICTON’s Hanse is finally dropping his first solo album this September.
VICTON’s label, Play M Entertainment, has announced that Do Hanse’s solo album will be released on September 25, 2021. Although details were not immediately available, ALICEs were immediately thrilled with the news. After all, the album is set to be released on Hanse’s birthday this year.
There is a good reason why ALICEs are hyped up over the news. In late 2020, Hanse confirmed that he is working on his first mixtape. The VICTON main rapper shared the news on his official Instagram account, adding that he doesn’t know when it will be released.
Hanse also admitted that he wanted to release the album before the end of 2020. However, the mixtape had to be put on hold in favor of VICTON’s comeback. (The comeback was also delayed to January 2021).
The delay of Hanse’s mixtape has been hard on the rapper, who was eager to share his music with his fans. There were hopes that it would be released earlier this year but Play M had been quiet with the updates. By then, ALICEs were concerned that the mixtape will never see the light of day. To be fair, fans also speculated that Hanse was still working on his music.
Luckily, ALICEs can finally get to hear Hanse’s new music. It’s been a long wait for the “HanSolo” and fans are already looking forward to its release. Everyone is eager to embrace the new music considering that it will be released on Hanse’s birthday.
Fans already know that Hanse’s self-produced songs vibe a distinct style. The VICTON main rapper is already known for writing his own songs and producing music. Back in 2019, Do Hanse dropped his self-produced track Hallelujah and it was well-received by ALICEs.
Hanse is the second VICTON member to release a solo album after Seungwoo, who has already released two solo efforts. This will be Do Hanse’s first solo endeavor since he debuted with the idol group in 2016.
Hanse’s still-untitled solo album will be released on Saturday, September 25, 2021.
Featured image: VICTON Hanse ALICE Concept image. Photo: VICTON1109/Twitter
Butter, BTS’s digital single of summer 2021, has officially returned to the top spot on Billboard Hot 100. The song has now spent 10 weeks at the summit, giving RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook another major achievement.
Butter has always been a mainstay on the Billboard Hot 100, comfortable in the Top 10 since its release. The single would then rise back up to Number 1 whenever BTS drops a new remix, such as the recent release of the BTS x Megan Thee Stallion Butter remix. The first time it left the top spot was when the Bangtan Boys’ own song, Permission to Dance, took over.
The BTS x Megan Thee Stallion “Butter” remix was released on August 27 after the American rapper appealed for its release. Megan had previously revealed that her label was against the version’s release, so she filed a petition asking for emergency relief. A judge ruled in favor of the Houston-born musician, allowing the song’s release.
The release of the Butter Megan Thee Stallion remix had encouraged ARMYs and Hotties to continue supporting the single. The effort ensured the song’s return to the top spot on Billboard Hot 100, and BTS was eager to reward their fans.
On Wednesday, the BTS dance line dropped the “Butter” Megan Thee Stallion remix Special Performance Video. The sweet treat featured J-Hope, Jimin, and Jungkook showing off their swoon-worthy moves, to the tune of everyone hopint that 3J is here to stay.
Butter also drew 12.2 million radio airplay audience impressions this week, in addition to the 10.7 million U.S. streams and 143,000 downloads sold last week. The song is now expected to continue dominating the charts and sales, thanks to the relentless support of ARMYs and Hotties.
![[4K] BTS RM Birthday Street Walk - Ilsan,Itaewon,Hongdae Namjoon Tour | 방탄 남준 생일 투어 - 이태원,홍대 RM 책거리](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Or7G3ISf6ds/hqdefault.jpg)
![[BANGTAN BOMB] ‘Butter’ Stage CAM (RM focus) @ SiriusXM - BTS (방탄소년단)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WhqNDk51f5w/hqdefault.jpg)
![😁When Namjoon Speaks English [BTS]😁](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eXCRVoz2oss/hqdefault.jpg)
![[CHOREOGRAPHY] BTS (방탄소년단) 'Butter (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)' Special Performance Video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IkeZX2hnoOk/hqdefault.jpg)
![[BANGTAN BOMB] 'IDOL' Intro Performance (3J focus) @2018 MMA - BTS (방탄소년단)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/w2hn8OJbJSo/hqdefault.jpg)
