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MIRAE Makes Successful Debut in Japan

MIRAE

MIRAE made a splash in Japan with their first Japanese mini-album RUNNING UP on February 14, showcasing immense local popularity.

RUNNING UP entered the Oricon Daily Album Ranking at No. 6 in the week of February 15. In support of their debut, MIRAE appeared on the HBC Hokkaido Broadcasting program. The members—Jang Yubin, Khael, Lee Junhyuk, Lien, Park Siyoung, Son Dongpyo, and Yoo Dohyun— engaged with fans through an autograph signing and hi-touch event at Tower Records Shibuya, Japan’s largest record store.

RUNNING UP features the title track of the same name, along with new versions of MIRAE‘s hit songs “Marvelous – Japanese ver. -,” “JUMP! – Japanese ver. -,” “KILLA – Japanese ver. -,” and “Dear My Friend – Japanese ver. -.” The album’s lead track, “RUNNING UP,” is the group’s first song that discusses the future, a theme that resonates with the current generation’s greatest anxieties. Through their music, MIRAE conveys excitement and messages of comfort, expressing the kind of emotions only young people can embody.

MIRAE – RUNNING UP

MIRAE is sprinting towards success

The group’s debut in Japan is marked by their ongoing MIRAE 1st CONCERT TOUR [RUNNING UP] in JAPAN 2024, spanning six cities across the country. The tour kicked off in Sapporo on February 10, with subsequent performances in Osaka and Nagoya. They captivated audiences with full group performances of tracks from their mini-album. The members also did various solo and unit stages. Known for their dynamic choreography, MIRAE received enthusiastic responses from fans, leading to additional performances after the encore in Nagoya.

The group will continue their tour in Fukuoka on March 3, Sendai on March 10, and Tokyo on March 14, further solidifying their presence in the Japanese music scene.

MIRAE’s debut in Japan lays a good foundation for their future. As their album’s title indicates, they are sprinting towards the success they were always meant to enjoy. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Congratulations to DSP Media’s newest boy group on a successful Japanese debut! Source: X/@official_MIRAE.

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Korea University Establishes Entertainment Program for Foreign Students

Korea University will revolutionize the educational landscape for foreign students with the introduction of its Global Entertainment Department. This initiative comes as South Korean entertainment continues to rise in popularity worldwide. As such, there’s a growing need for professionals who can help introduce K-dramas, K-pop, Korean movies, and webtoons to international audiences.

The curriculum of the Global Entertainment Department will focus on various aspects of South Korean pop culture, moving away from traditional subjects like journalism and advertising. Instead, students will dive into cultural content creation, storytelling, and the business side of entertainment, including financing and distribution.

The university has received the necessary approvals to start the Global Entertainment Department, which will be part of a larger College of Media. This college will include the new department and the existing Media Department. Officials plan to begin selecting students for this program in the 2025 academic year.

CAMPUS TOUR!!! | Korea University 🐯

Korea University will hire staffers from the Big Four

Korea University aims to enroll about 70 students from abroad in the first year. The courses will be taught mainly in Korean, targeting students who already have a good grasp of the language. While Korean students can take some courses in this new department, they won’t be able to officially enroll at first. The university is considering allowing Korean students to enroll in the future.

Discussions are ongoing with major South Korean content companies, such as CJ ENM, Naver, and Kakao, for research and development cooperation, internship opportunities linked to employment, and investments in facilities. Plans also include inviting professionals from South Korea’s top entertainment agencies—HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment—to teach as adjunct professors.

A representative from Korea University mentioned that prestigious universities around the world already offer entertainment-focused majors. With the global surge in popularity of South Korean content, the Global Entertainment Department seeks to attract students from various countries and train them to become experts in promoting South Korean culture worldwide. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Korea University has a beautiful campus. Soon, it’ll also have an entertainment program. Source: KoreabyMe.

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KBS and Makestar Collaborate on New Boy Group Survival Show

KBS is collaborating with Makestar on a new boy group survival show. According to Ilgan Sports, the show, tentatively titled MakeMateOne, is set to air as early as May 2024. Its goal is to create a new global boy group. This initiative is KBS’s first foray into the survival show genre since 2018’s The Unit, which formed a girl group called UNI.T.

MakeMateOne is expected to form a boy group consisting of six or seven members, though the final number has yet to be confirmed. The contestants have already moved into their dorms and are preparing for their performances. This indicates that production on the show is well underway.

Makestar isn’t new to managing artists, but their clients have all been actors, like Park Hae Il and Soo Ae. They first announced plans to launch a boy group in October 2023, saying they recruited top K-pop experts to help them in their goal. This partnership with KBS signifies that they’re serious about branching out into managing idol groups.

About the company behind ‘MakeMateOne’

Makestar began operating in 2015 as a crowdfunding platform. It bridged the gap between K-pop fans and their favorites, allowing fans to invest in albums and other projects. This innovative approach has  generated significant revenue from overseas markets. It also gave fans a more meaningful and personal connection to their biases.

With operations spanning 134 countries, including major markets such as China, Europe, Japan, and the US, Makestar’s sales increased by 175% in 2021 compared to the previous year. The company has executed over 1,560 projects involving more than 580 stars and maintains partnerships with over 400 agencies in Korea. The company is planning to expand its focus to include beauty, fashion, and more. Their ultimate goal is to contribute significantly to the spread of Korean culture worldwide. 

Now, with MakeMateOne, Makestar will take a turn at making its own idol group, promising to bring something new to the K-pop scene. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Production on ‘MakeMateOne’ has already started. Will you tune in? Source: X/@kpopplanetofc.

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Four BTOB Members Establish BTOB Company

BTOB members Eunkwang, Hyunsik, Minhyuk, and Peniel have taken a significant step in their careers by founding BTOB Company, their own label. This new venture operates as a subsidiary of DOD, a newly-formed agency that the four members joined in December after signing exclusive contracts. They recently acquired the rights to use the name BTOB in an agreement with Cube Entertainment, their previous agency.

A representative from BTOB Company expressed their commitment to supporting the members in their future endeavors. “We will spare no effort to support Eunkwang, Hyunsik, Minhyuk, and Peniel as well as BTOB’s future activities so that they can be more active in various fields,” they said in a statement.

Following their departure from Cube Entertainment in November last year, when their contracts expired, all six BTOB members took new paths. Changsub signed with Fantagio, joining other K-pop acts like ASTRO and Weki Meki, while Yook Sungjae moved to I Will Media in December 2023.

[FULL] BTOB TALK SHOW｜fromm live｜240221

BTOB Company marks a new chapter

Despite the members signing with different labels, these companies have promised to support their activities with BTOB. Their latest group release was the mini-album Wind and Wish in May 2023.

Some of the group’s members are pursuing solo activities. Hyunsik released his second solo EP The Young Man and the Deep Sea on February 16 under DOD. Eunkwang is appearing on Mnet’s vocal survival show Build Up as a judge, not as a contestant. Changsub is also active in musical theater and hosts the online variety show Jengwaja on YouTube.

The establishment of BTOB Company marks a new chapter for Eunkwang, Hyunsik, Minhyuk, and Peniel. It provides them with a platform to explore and expand their musical and creative horizons while continuing to contribute to their group’s legacy. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Check out the new label’s logo. What do you think? Source: X/@jetzki06.

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Former ‘Produce 48’ Contestant Lee Kaeun Talks Vote Manipulation

Lee Kaeun, a former contestant on Produce 48, recently broke her silence on the vote manipulation scandal that rocked the show. 

During an appearance on the YouTube show Gatalk Chat, Kaeun joined a chatroom with other survival show alums, including GHOST9’s Lee Jinwoo, who appeared on Produce X 101. At one point, Kaeun opened up about how she felt upon learning that her rankings were manipulated. Throughout Produce 48, she was consistently in the Top 10 until a sudden drop in the final episode placed her at No. 14. Since then, it has been revealed that she actually placed fifth. That would’ve put her in the final lineup of IZ*ONE.

Kaeun looked back on the moment she learned about the manipulation. “I was getting skincare treatment, and when I finished, I started to get calls like crazy. So at first, I thought I did something wrong.” 

《가톡방》 EP1.🚫참가자 외 출입 금지🚫 서바이벌 리얼 후기방

She expressed discomfort with being labeled a victim. “It was something I wished to be forgotten. But when the list was revealed, I felt like I was being labeled as a victim in the world. I was fine, but people around me looked at me sympathetically, so I think that was hard.”

Despite her discomfort, Kaeun found solace in her mother’s happiness, “But my mom was happy that I actually made the cut. So I was satisfied with that.”

Kaeun has made significant strides

She may have missed out on a spot in IZ*ONE, but Kaeun has made significant strides in her showbiz career anyway. When she left PLEDIS Entertainment, she released a digital single called “Remember You” as a gift to her fans. She signed with High Entertainment in July 2019, embarking on a new chapter as an artist. 

In 2020, Kaeun participated in the special album project PROJECT10, for which she covered “Can You Hear Me” by SNSD’s Taeyeon.

Project 10 | 들리나요 – 이가은

Kaeun has since ventured into acting, making her debut in the web movie Motelier. The comedy, which includes elements of the multiverse genre, features Kaeun in the lead role of Yoo Da Hee, a concierge at a motel who runs a secret podcast at night where she shares intriguing stories.

Here’s hoping she has more in store for fans this year! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: She was cheated out of a place in IZ*ONE by one of the show’s producers. Source: K-Pop Database.

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Fans Discover Evidence That Ex-NCT Member Lucas Will Return Soon

On February 21, excitement surged among fans as photos of former NCT member Lucas appeared online, fueling speculation about his upcoming solo debut. According to those who shared the photos, Lucas went to Budapest, reportedly to film a music video for his solo comeback. While the idol and his team are staying quiet, fans have gathered several pieces of evidence to support their theory that his return is imminent.

First, an SM Entertainment staff member was also spotted in Budapest. This staff member is known for their role in casting and scheduling for SM artists. Fans believe they accompanied Lucas to the set of his music video shoot.

But that’s not all. Lucas’s recent public appearances suggest that SM Entertainment is laying the groundwork for his solo career. Earlier this month, Lucas attended Ten’s fan concert in Seoul alongside NCT members Jaehyun, Johnny, and Mark. Before that, he received a shoutout from SHINee‘s Key at another show.

Are you excited to see Lucas again?

Fans have also been monitoring social media. On February 23, SM Entertainment launched official accounts for Lucas on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). The agency has yet to post anything on either account, but they did use his new logo and profile photo to set them up. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@neocoffeebean/video/7338739002180177194?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6908322787502065153

Lucas went on an extended hiatus in 2021 amid accusations of abuse, cheating, and gaslighting from his exes. The first accuser came forward on August 23, 2021, and more followed suit. Despite the absence of conclusive evidence, he still received significant backlash, leading him to issue an apology. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. In May 2023, he officially left both NCT and WayV but stayed with SM Entertainment to go solo.

Now that all signs are pointing to his imminent solo debut, the question is: Are you excited to see Lucas again? – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: It’s clear that Lucas will return. But when? Source: UHD Wallpaper.

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BTS’s Jungkook Arranges to Take Care of ARMYs Visiting Gangnam Restaurant

BTS‘s Jungkook recently made headlines again. This time, it’s because of a heartwarming act of kindness towards an ARMY who visited a restaurant he had recommended.

Angoo, a popular Korea-based food and travel content creator and a proud fan of BTS, posted a TikTok of her visit to Sokurichon Cheongdam (소쿠리촌 청담), a barbecue place in Gangnam that Jungkook had frequented in the past. This restaurant has also played host to other idols like SEVENTEEN‘s Hoshi and Mingyu, as well as ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo. Their signatures adorn the restaurant’s wall.

@angootv

Jungkook bbq tour with a mini food history😎 편집하는데 배가 너무 고팠다🥓 📍소쿠리촌 청담 서울 강남구 삼성로148길 10 #bts #jungkook #btsarmy #korea #seoul #food #foodtrip #koreanbbq #koreatravel #seoultravel #맛집

♬ Vintage – Cōrt

Located at 1st floor, 10 Samseong-ro 148-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Sokurichon Cheongdam is famous for its naengsam or frozen pork belly barbecue. It also offers a variety of traditional Korean pocha snacks and side dishes. Its unique blend of kitsch and retro vibes makes dining here a memorable experience. This restaurant is ideal for romantic dates, family gatherings, or company dinners. Go here to enjoy late-night meals in a cozy, nostalgic setting. The staff’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes it a must-visit spot in Cheongdam-dong.

During her visit, Angoo ordered the same menu Jungkook had supposedly enjoyed. It included three servings of frozen pork belly barbecue, kimchi rolled noodles, and cheonggukjang, a type of soybean paste and tofu stew. She praised the dishes he ordered, commending Jungkook for ordering a perfectly balanced meal.

Jungkook treats fans well

The visit took an even sweeter turn when the restaurant’s manager informed Angoo that Jungkook had asked him to take extra care of ARMYs who visited the place. In honor of Jungkook‘s request, the restaurant treated Angoo to some amazing freebies, including makgeolli, highball, and red bean shaved ice.

The video of Angoo’s experience recently went viral on X (formerly Twitter), where fans expressed gratitude for having an idol like Jungkook who treats them so well. Many fans reiterated how much they miss the singer, who is currently serving in the South Korean military.

Jungkook and fellow BTS member Jimin enlisted under the “동반입대” (dongbanipdae) or buddy system. This program allows them to enlist, train, and live together for the duration of their service. They’re scheduled to be discharged in 2025. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: This incident proves Jungkook thinks about ARMY 24/7. Source: X/@CalvinKlein.

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Baekhyun’s KSPO Dome Show Sells Out in One Day

EXO member and solo artist Baekhyun has proven his ticket-selling prowess once again with his 2024 solo concert, LONSDALEITE, at the KSPO Dome. The show sold out in just one day! General ticket sales opened at 8:00 PM on the 20th through the online ticketing site Melon Ticket. All seats were snapped up on the same day, highlighting the intense anticipation for Baekhyun’s solo concert.

LONSDALEITE is his first offline solo concert. It has been the subject of much attention since he announced it, which is proof of his unparalleled ability to draw a crowd. The KSPO Dome, formerly known as the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, holds significant prestige as a concert venue in South Korea. It boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced sound and lighting systems. What’s more, it can accommodate 15,000 spectators. These features make it an ideal location for artists to deliver spectacular performances. Holding a concert at the KSPO Dome is often seen as a milestone for artists. The fact that Baekhyun sold out a show there in just one day shows how popular he really is.

Baekhyun has been working hard

Baekhyun has been working hard to prepare for the concert. His goal is to showcase his strengths as a soloist while unveiling new facets of his artistry. He has also been meeting fans through various performances, which he carried out under his independent label, INB100. He has made headlines for his exceptional fan service on his SNACK PARTY national tour, which spanned seven shows across Busan, Gwangju, and Seoul.

The ‘LONSDALEITE’ concert is set to kick off an Asia tour, beginning with shows on March 16 and 17 at the KSPO Dome. Baekhyun will then visit 13 cities across Asia to bring his captivating performances to fans across the continent. He will hit Japan, specifically Chiba, Fukuoka, Kobe, Sendai, and Tokyo. The tour will also take him to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, and Taipei. BTW, tickets to the Manila show also sold out in just one day. Talk about amazing! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Tickets to his shows have been selling like hotcakes. Source: X/@BAEKHYUN_INB100.

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Listening Party of GOT7 Yugyeom Turns Into a Star-Studded Event With SEVENTEEN, NCT, and Other Celebs

Numerous celebrities were present for the listening party for the album 'Trust Me.' Credit: Instagram/Yugyeom

It’s not every time that we get to see several artists from different agencies in one frame. But Yugyeom just did that! And to the delight of fans, these artists also come from different fields in the South Korean entertainment industry. 

On February 20, Yugyeom of the K-pop boy group GOT7 hosted a listening party for his first full-length album Trust Me. To fans’ surprise, a number of familiar faces in the industry came in to support the singer.

After the event, the youngest GOT7 member treated the fans by showing a glimpse of the party through a series of photos. Notably, the guest list included SEVENTEEN members DK, Mingyu, The8, Woozi and Vernon, NCT members Johnny and Jaehyun, and fellow GOT7 member Bambam.

Moreover, ATEEZ’s Mingi, BtoB’s Peniel, iKON’s Donghyuk, and Pentagon’s Kino and Hui were also among the boy group members who went to celebrate with Yugyeom.

As if these male idols’ crossover wasn’t enough, a couple of soloists and celebrities were also spotted at the star-studded event. Some of which are actor Song Kang, rapper Loco, music producer CODE KUNST, and the Kwon brothers who gained popularity in the hit reality show Street Man Fighter.

All out support for Yugyeom and his debut album

As Yugyeom finally dropped Trust Me on February 21, his friends and fans made sure to praise him on this milestone.

In his Instagram post where he announced the album’s track list, the idol was showered with congratulatory messages. Among those who celebrated his achievement is Jennie of BLACKPINK, who’s known to be close friends with GOT7’s maknae.

In addition, his labelmates in AOMG Record Label, also showed their support for the singer. For instance, rapper PUNCHNELLO and singers Gray and DeVita, who also attended the listening party, all commented under Yugeom’s post.

Meanwhile, Ahgases, GOT7’s fanbase, also shared their excitement on social media as they showered the artist with praises. One wrote: “The album is insane honestly. Yugyeom deserves all of this.”

Only two days after the album’s release, Trust Me already debuted at the #2 spot on the iTunes Worldwide Album Chart.

 

Featured image: Numerous celebrities were present for the listening party for the album ‘Trust Me.’ Credit: Instagram/Yugyeom

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Look: The Boyz’ Juyeon Attends the 2024 NBA All-Star Game as a Fashion Ambassador

The Boyz member Juyeon shares photos from NBA All-Star Weekend 2024. Credit: Instagram/The Boyz

The basketball fanboy is now living his fanboy dreams! On February 19, Juyeon of the K-pop boy group THE BOYZ attended the 2023 NBA All-Star Game as an NBA Fashion Ambassador. 

To his fans, Juyeon is known as an avid fan of basketball. Now, the idol had the chance to watch the main games, attend events such as fashion content shooting and exclusive interviews related to the sport. 

In a statement, Juyeon, through his agency IST Entertainment, relayed his gratitude on getting the invitation. “Thank you very much for inviting me to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. It’s an honor to be able to see the great game with my own eyes,” the singer said.

For those who don’t know, THE BOYZ was selected as the official ambassador for NBA Style Korea in September 2023. Recently, THE BOYZ members Jacob, Kevin, Eric and Juyeon were also invited to watch a Lakers game a few days before the All Star Weekend.

 

 

A dream come true for Juyeon

As most of THE BOYZ fans would know, Juyeon has been very vocal and transparent with being a basketball fan. Knowing that it is his dream to witness the NBA idols play live, Deobis, the group’s fanbase, are extremely happy for the idol’s achievement.

On his personal Instagram account, Juyeon, sharing his exciting experience, revealed that his phone wallpaper has been a picture of Kobe Bryant for years. After watching the Los Angeles Lakers game where Lebron James showed a jaw-dropping performance, Juyeon wrote in his caption: “Yesterday I saw a similar photo of another legend and I was there.”

Aside from watching on the courtsides, Juyeon also had the opportunity to meet a number of NBA stars including Jaylen Rose and Jackson Hayes. Moreover, he even played a mini shooting game with the veteran player Pau Gasol. 

Wrapping up his dream-come-true moment, the idol posted a couple of his photos of his experience. In his caption, he wrote: “It was an honor to be at the All Star Weekend.”

Meanwhile, NBA Korea’s Tiktok account also shared a compilation of clips from the event. In the comments section, the THE BOYZ member wrote: “I had such a good time during the All Star Weekend. It doesn’t feel like work, it feels like I came to have fun.” 

 

Featured image: The Boyz member Juyeon shares photos from NBA All-Star Weekend 2024. Credit: Instagram/The Boyz

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