TWICE’s official YouTube channel recently dropped the “Chaeyoung x OhBoy! Behind The Scenes” video showing the rapper having fun at the photoshoot. Chaeyoung also answered a few questions in-between takes.
The TWICE member spoke about the magazine’s concept for the issue. At one point, Son Chaeyoung was asked what she has been doing with her time. Her response confirmed that the girl group has been busy recording new songs!
“I’m relaxing and working. Recording and preparing for the next album. We recorded already,” Chaeyoung said.
This is great news for ONCEs who have been waiting for new music from TWICE. In June, the girls released their 10th EP, Taste of Love with the title track Alcohol-Free.” TWICE also dropped their Japanese album Perfect World in July. In true album promotion fashion, one can only hope that this also means seeing more of TWICE on variety shows.
There have been speculations as to what TWICE has been up to these days, but that’s just that. While Chaeyoung did not reveal whether TWICE recorded a single album, another EP, or a full album, it has been announced that they will release their first English single The Feels on October 1, 2021.
BLACKPINK's Lisa Manoban finally releases her solo debut, LALISA. Photo: BLACKPINK/YouTube
It’s been an exciting past week in K-pop, thanks to the hot new music drops after Labor Day. We got the solo debut of BLACKPINK’s Lisa, and the first comeback from promising girl group PURPLE KISS. MONSTA X has returned with another English single, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER dropped a hot remix featuring MOD SUN. On top of all that, it couple HyunA & DAWN finally made their debut as a musical duo.
SEPTEMBER 6
DAY6’s Young K: Guard You
The DAY6 bassist and rapper has released his first solo album Eternal with the gorgeous title track Guard You. The mini-album features seven songs that were written and produced by Kang Younghyun himself. The EP is a gift for MYDAYs ahead of Young K’s military enlistment in October 2021.
OMEGA X: WHAT’S GOIN’ ON
It’s only been three months since the 11-member rookie group debuted but now they’re back with a darkly sexy single album. Hangyeom, Jaehan, Hwichan, Sebin, Taedong, Xen, Jehyun, Kevin, Junghoon, Hyuk, and Yechan are proving their drive for excellence. OMEGA X has also revealed their official fandom name, FOR X.
SEPTEMBER 7
MAMAMOO’s Solar: Always, be with you (Lovers of the Red Sky OST)
Kim Yongsun turns in a breathtaking ballad for the Lovers of the Red Sky OST. The MV features Hong Cheon Gi (Kim Yoo Jung) as she slowly falls for Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo Seop). Solar also joined MAMAMOO on their “best of” album, released on September 15.
SEPTEMBER 8
PURPLE KISS: Zombie
The promising rookie girl group is back just six months after their debut with a new mini-album Hide & Seek. The title track Zombie is a refreshing take on zombies that shows off the girls’ unique vibe.
FUN FACT: The boy in the MV is played by ONEWE bassist Cya, who co-wrote the song with members Dosie and Yuki.
SEPTEMBER 9
HyunA & DAWN: PING PONG
The power couple has officially debuted as a musical duo with the mini-album 1+1=1. The bright and energetic MV for PING PONG showcases the unique, individual styles of HyunA & DAWN that always complement each other.
Lee Hi: Red Lipstick (Feat. 윤미래)
Lee Hayi is back with her fourth studio album 4 Onlyand the LP proves the soloist’s distinct versatility. For instance, the funky title track Red Lipstick featuring rapper Yoon Mirae doesn’t sound anything like the pre-release song Savior (feat B.I.), yet, the songs still feel like they should be in the same album.
SEPTEMBER 10
BLACKPINK’s Lisa: LALISA
Lalisa Manoban in your area! The Blackpink rapper and main dancer is here with her first solo single album which proudly chants her real name. While the track is clearly all about Lisa, it vibes the same sound and energy that Blinks love.
MONSTA X: One Day
MONSTA X is back with another English track and yes, it’s another emotional breakup song from the idol group. One Day was released early on audio streaming services, several hours before the official MV was dropped. The music video features leader Shownu who had enlisted for military service in July.
TXT: 0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You) feat. MOD SUN
The new remix for TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s hit single is finally here and it is just as energetic as the original track. MOD SUN and TXT have both been hyping up the remix’s release and with its awesome MV, it was all worth the (brief) wait.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa Manoban finally releases her solo debut, LALISA. Photo: BLACKPINK/YouTube
EXO's Kai named global ambassador of 2022 Seoul Fashion Week. Photo: Seoul Fashion Week Official - 서울패션위크/Facebook
With Rosé and CL making their debut appearances at the Met Gala—one of the fashion industry’s biggest events—the floodgates may have opened for other K-pop idols to also attend the event. Here are some names that may be great ideas to grace Met’s steps in May next year.
Given that the Met Gala is already one of the most important events in the fashion industry’s calendar, just imagine the commotion it would cause if some of the members of the world’s biggest band to date would attend the event! Maybe having all seven members attend the event would be a bit too much, so we’re thinking the V would be great representatives for the band. Kim Taehyung has long been considered to be the most fashion-savvy among BTS members, and it would be great to see him grace the Met steps, with all the world’s red carpet photographers capturing his unique fashion sense.
Blackpink’s Jennie
When people got wind of news that a Blackpink member was going to attend the Met Gala, most of them made the quick assumption that it was going to be the first member who also launched her solo career. But lo and behold, it was the face of Saint Laurent, Rosé, who was on the grounds of Met, becoming one of the first two female K-pop idols to attend the event. So, if we are to think of the next Blackpink member who needs to be seen in the Upper East Side’s most famous steps, then it may be high time for Calvin Klein’s most recent brand ambassador to make her appearance But then we wouldn’t mind at all if it were Celine’s muse, Lisa, who would be next in line. Since the next Met Gala will be in May next year, we may think Jisoo might not make it because she should be too busy preparing for her solo release, cross fingers.
EXO’s Kai
2022 S/S Seoul Fashion Week will be held from 7th October to 15th online; historical sites of Seoul will turn into a runway.
If we’re on the subject of fashion, it simply is a must to mention EXO’s main dancer Kai. Since being a global brand ambassador of Gucci, Kim Jongin has appeared in countless fashion spreads and pictorials for the brand, as if we still need convincing that the group’s visual (not that the group lacks in this respect) can hold his own with the fashion world’s movers and shakers. That height, those chiseled features, and that camera-ready aura would be such a refreshing sight to see in Met’s fabled steps. With tennis queen Serena Williams and red carpet mainstay British actress Sienna Miller wearing Gucci in last Thursday’s event, I say let’s go for Kai attending next year’s event in full Gucci regalia.
It can be argued that they would rather see the Red Velvet’s original visual Irene in fashion’s biggest event, but I’d rather see Seulgi in attendance. With those sharp features that scream high-fashion and commanding presence, Red Velvet’s main dancer would no doubt be a hit in New York. Also, it should be noted that Seulgi has been Besides, shouldn’t Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo may want to push its muse to attend the event? This needs to happen, ASAP!
SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu (and Vernon)
Blessed with a fashion model’s height and matinee idol features, SEVENTEEN’s visual-cum-rapper Mingyu would surely create waves should he appear in the Met Gala. Everything looks good on him and luxury fashion houses would love to give him something to wear. Besides, he has walked several runways for Korean fashion designers and is one of the busiest idols every Seoul Fashion Week, so he shouldn’t have any problems going head to head with other bigwigs in the fashion industry. But then, Mingyu is also known to be a bit awkward in social situations, not to mention he is quite a klutz, so being escorted by the group’s resident Leonardo di Caprio-lookalike and English speaker Vernon should be a great idea.
Let’s hope for more K-pop idols to make their appearances in next year’s event.
CL "understood the assignment," attends the Met Gala 2021 in denim and white briefs. The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. Photo: themetgalaofficial/Instagram
While it is true that K-pop may have already pervaded the world’s entire cultural landscape, there may still be records to be broken, glass ceilings to be shattered, and opportunities to be taken advantage of. This is especially true in the world of fashion, with K-pop’s influence only manifesting in recent years.
While groups such as 2NE1 and Girl’s Generation may have endorsed global brands such as Fila, Adidas, and Casio, it was only in 2017 when BIGBANG’s G-Dragon was selected by Karl Lagerfeld himself as the brand ambassador for Chanel. While many idols have been spotted attending fashion shows for haute couture houses and getting front seats to the world’s premier fashion weeks, it was also only two years ago when WINNER’s Mino was handpicked to walk in LV’s men’s wear collection in Paris. While former 2NE1 leader CL did walk the runway for DKNY in 2014, it was only in Seoul.
So, it may not come as much of a shock when it was only this year’s Met gala that saw not one, but two of K-pop’s luminaries in attendance. And what a debut it was for Blackpink’s Rosé and CL! It is the first time that two leading female figures of K-pop attended the event, as only the guys have graced the Met’s annual fundraiser in previous years. In the past, only men—Psy, Super Junior’s Siwon. Rain, and EXO’s Lay—have raised the banner for K-pop on one of the fashion industry’s biggest nights.
As the event last year was postponed, it seems that everyone in attendance was all too eager to make up for lost time as they pulled out all the stops, fashion-wise to the event’s theme, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Iman appeared in what looked like a chandelier gown and an enormous headdress, Rihanna wore a black voluminous gown and Balenciaga beanie from the house’s latest couture collection, and Kim Kardashian wore a black-out Balenciaga haute couture gown with matching mask and train which cloaked her features and for a time, gave the celebrity a fair amount of anonymity.
So, how did our fierce K-pop ladies fare? Blackpink’s main vocal wore a classic little black dress with a twist as a white asymmetrical bow hid her cleavage area. As the brand ambassador official of international fashion house Saint Laurent, she didn’t only show up wearing a YSL dress, but actually appeared on the Met steps alongside the house’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello.
On the other hand, the Spicy singer, in adherence to the theme, wore a blue denim coat, because what can be more American than denim? The coat, as American as it is in detail, has a distinctly Korean detail with a ribbon that is usually attached to a hanbok top. She wore this over white briefs, and the attire was designed by Taiwanese-American fashion staple Alexander Wang.
With Rosé and CL making their presence felt at the 2021 Met Gala, here’s to hoping that we can see more K-pop ladies in its future stagings, with the next one happening in May to make up for last year’s canceled event.
Featured image: CL “understood the assignment,” attends the Met Gala 2021 in denim and white briefs. The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. Photo: themetgalaofficial/Instagram
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.
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