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BLACKPINK’s Lisa Highlighted as a Top Act in Guinness World Records 2023

Lisa receives an award during MTV VMAs 2022. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK

Guinness World Records recently released its “Record-breaking best of 2023” list. And to no surprise both Lisa and her group BLACKPINK had their names mentioned in it.

According to GWR, 2023 was a huge year for K-pop. But what makes the year more monumental is three records were set by Lisa in January alone. 

“She became the first solo K-pop winner at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) and the first solo K-pop winner at the MTV Europe Music Awards,” they wrote. Moreover, the Thai rapper was also praised for “earning the record for most followers on Instagram for a K-Pop artist.” 

With an astounding total of eight Guinness World Records under her name, Lisa has now solidified herself in the industry. As of writing, she remains to be the first and only K-Pop artist to achieve this feat.

Aside from three previously mentioned records, BLACKPINK’s youngest member also earned records as the fastest solo K-pop female artist to reach 1 Billion streams on Spotify. Moreover, she also holds the first K-Pop track and album by a solo artist to reach 1 Billion streams on Spotify for the track “Lalisa” and album of the same name.

Meanwhile, her last two Guinness Records are for the most views for a music video in 24 hours by a solo K-Pop artist.

In addition, Lisa’s group, BLACKPINK also earned recognition for GWR’s year-end ranking. There, the “Pink Venom” singers were mentioned to be the most streamed female group on Spotify.

Lisa and BLACKPINK’s unstoppable global influence

As testament to their global influence, both Lisa and BLACKPINK have achieved numerous awards for several endeavors. 

For one, Lisa has been honored as the first K-Pop Act to be inducted as a cultural icon in the “Asian Hall Of Fame” list of 2023.

As for BLACKPINK, the quartet continued to break records in multiple categories especially this year. Some of which are: the highest-grossing tour by an Asian act for their Born Pink World Tour, the first girl group in 18 years to win at the Billboard Music Awards, and the most searched girl group of all time in Google, among many others.

With all the members’ confirmed contract renewal with YG Entertainment, 2024 already looks promising for the powerhouse act. As per reports, BLACKPINK has already earned a spot on the Guinness World Records 2024! This achievement is for being the first K-Pop girl group to reach the #1 spot on US and UK album charts.

Featured image: Lisa receives an award during MTV VMAs 2022. Credit: Facebook/BLACKPINK

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Fantasy Boys’ Agency to Take Legal Action Against Malicious Posts Involving Kim Gyu Rae

Kim Gyu Rae poses for the group's latest EP 'Potential.' Credit: Twitter/FANTASY BOYS

PocketDol Studio has released an official statement denouncing the dating rumors involving FANTASY BOYS member Kim Gyu Rae. 

Recently, rumors about the 14-year old idol dating a 22-year old staff member in their company have circulated online. According to other reports, these rumors were posted alongside alleged private messages and videos involving the idol.

In response, PocketDol Studio released an official statement to react to the malicious posts. 

According to the agency, the idol is “truly apologetic and reflecting on himself for causing disappointment and confusion” to his team members and fans as “issues related to his private life” are being leaked without his permission on social media. 

However, PocketDol Studio then clarified that the disclosed chat logs were misleading. In their statement, the agency emphasized that the disseminator of the content used malicious methods such as editing the conversations to generate baseless facts which caused harm to the artist’s reputation.

Moreover, the label shared that they were able to identify the person behind these malicious actions. With all the evidence collected, PocketDol Studio said that they plan to submit a defamation lawsuit. 

“We are considering additional legal action against the specified person not only for defamation. but also for various illegal acts such as cybercrime and intimidation,” they added. 

Furthermore, the agency also asserted that they will take strong actions to protect their artists. Not only will they file lawsuits, but PocketDol Studios emphasized that these will be done without “any settlement or leniency.” 

As of writing, member Kim Gyu Rae has yet to react on the issue. 

More about FANTASY BOYS

For those who don’t know, Kim Gyurae is a member of the rookie boy group FANTASY BOYS. Said group was formed through MBC’s reality competition show of the same name, FANTASY BOYS. 

11 members compose the group, namely: Gyurae, Seongmin, Hyeontae, Hanbin, Qi, Minseo, Hikari, K-Soul, Wooseok, Hikaru and Kaedan.

In September, the boy group officially debuted with the mini EP NEW TOMORROW.

After marking their entrance in the K-pop scene, FANTASY BOYS immediately made a comeback in late November with their second mini EP Potential.

Featured image: Kim Gyu Rae poses for the group’s latest EP ‘Potential.’ Credit: Twitter/FANTASY BOYS

 

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Watch: JYPE’s New Boy Group NEXZ Drops ‘Miracle’ Performance Video

Meet the members of JYP Entertainment's newest Japanese boy group NEXZ. Credit: Twitter/NEXZ

Here comes the latest addition to the JYPE family! On Monday, December 18, JYP Entertainment’s newest Japanese boy group, NEXZ, dropped the performance video of their pre-release track “Miracle.” 

Just a day after the song’s release, the Japanese version has now garnered over 4 million views while its Korean counterpart has now over 820,000 views.

Composed of seven members, NEXZ was formed through the agency’s audition program Nizi Project Season 2. Interestingly, its first season gave birth to the girl group NiziU, which made its debut in 2020. Said program is a collaboration between JYPE and Japan’s largest record label Sony Music.

Prior to the release of “Miracle,” the agency’s founder Park Jin Young coined the group name which he explained to be the Next Z (Generation), who will lead the K-Pop scene in the future. According to the agency, it was also JYP himself who wrote the song after getting inspiration from the growth of participants and the dreams they had in common.

Meet the 7 NEXZ Members

Seven contestants were announced as winners in Nizi Project season’s final episode. Those who have been selected as the members of NEXZ are: Tomoya, Yu, Haru, Ken, Seita, Yuhi and Yuki. 

And here’s what we know so far about the boys:

https://twitter.com/NEXZ_official/status/1736409423311212926

First is Uemura Tomayo who will be the rookie group’s leader. Born in January 2006, his journey began as a JYP trainee at the age of 13. With a 2 year and 7 months trainee experience, he is now finally ready to turn his idol dreams into reality.

Next on the list is Tomiyasu Su who was born in April 2005. He is the eldest member in NEXZ.

The third one making up the team is Inoue Haru who began his journey as an aspiring idol by auditioning in Seoul, South Korea. Carrying his passion for dance, Haru placed 2nd in the finale of the audition program.

They are joined by Ken whose real name is So Gun. Although his specific position in the group remains undisclosed, fans are anticipative of his role as he impressively secured the fourth spot in the show.

Next is Kawashima Seita who also started his idol journey by auditioning in Seoul. In the show, Seita ranked seventh place and was revealed to be the final member of NEXZ.

Also part of the lineup is sixth placer Komori Yuhi who is also a former JYP trainee.

Lastly, we have the youngest member Nishiyama Yuki who was born in September 2007. The young contestant was able to secure the 3rd spot thanks to his splendid dancing skills.

With the pre-release track gaining massive support, fans are now expecting more for the group’s future activities.

Featured image: Meet the members of JYP Entertainment’s newest Japanese boy group NEXZ. Credit: Twitter/NEXZ

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Red Velvet’s Joy Shares Health Update After Receiving Comments About Her Weight

Joy posing for the group's album 'Chill Kill.' Credit: Facebook/RED VELVET

Several clips of K-pop girl group Red Velvet went viral recently for their latest performance at an event  in Indonesia. However, one of the group’s members, Joy, was called out for her appearance.

In the girl group’s performance at the said show, some netizens noticed that Joy had a sudden weight gain. 

On the paid service app Bubble, the singer gave a health update to Red Velvet’s fanbase also known as Luvies. 

“There are a lot of luvies who are worried and curious about year-end me. I’m kinda worried about saying this. But since I didn’t fully recover when I went on a hiatus this year, my health got worse because of recent activities,” the singer opened up.

To note, Joy went on a hiatus in April to focus on her declining health. But after only about two months of getting rest, the singer immediately resumed her activities in June. 

Taking the recent matter into consideration, the singer and her agency, SM Entertainment, had a discussion regarding her activities. Both parties decided to allow the singer to focus on her health for the rest of the year.  Moreover, she then clarified that she won’t be going on a full hiatus unlike last time.

At the end of her message, Joy left an apology to her fans. “I always want to show you the best of myself but it doesn’t go as well as I want. I’m sorry,” she said.

Fans’ unwavering support for Joy

Following the unsolicited comments that Joy received, many of her fans were quick to jump to her defense.  On social media, Reveluvs reassured the artist with warm and positive remarks. Furthermore, a lot of fans expressed their continued support for the artist especially since she had a tough year. 

One fan wrote: “Joy gaining a bit of weight does not make her any less beautiful than she was before. Meanwhile, others said that the singer is “beyond beautiful in any shape.”

https://twitter.com/joysuniverse138/status/1735465978169872509

Moreover, many K-pop fans stated that the Red Velvet member did not need to explain or apologize for her appearance. Wishing for Joy and the rest of Red Velvet members to continue being healthy! 

Featured image: Joy posing for the group’s album ‘Chill Kill.’ Credit: Facebook/RED VELVET

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SEVENTEEN’s S.Coups Donates 50M KRW to Shelter for Abandoned Pets

S.Coups, the fearless leader of the boy group SEVENTEEN, recently made another significant contribution to animal welfare. He donated 50 million KRW (approximately 38,500 USD) to Angels’ Nest, a private, non-profit shelter for abandoned animals in South Korea. His agency, PLEDIS Entertainment, revealed what he did.

A warm and healthy winter

Angels’ Nest will use S.Coups’s donation to care for the animals living in the shelter and cover their medical expenses. This shelter is a no-kill facility, meaning it doesn’t euthanize animals that haven’t been adopted yet. Currently, Angels’ Nest has about 200 animals in its care. It relies on donations and volunteers across various fields to sustain its operations.

In South Korea, animal shelters like Angels’ Nest play a key role in offering shelter, protection, and medical treatments for stray, sick, lost, or abandoned animals. These shelters often put animals up for adoption. After a certain period of time, they euthanize those no one adopts.

S.Coups’s donation comes at a crucial time for Angels’ Nest, and the people running it are deeply grateful for his help. “We are sincerely thankful for S.Coups’s benevolence,” the shelter expressed. “Thanks to his warm support, the animals can spend a warm and healthy winter.”

@cheolswallet

🥺🥰💖 #animalsoftiktok #dogsoftiktok #furbabies #kkuma #choiseungcheol #scoups #seungcheol #cutedogs #seventeen

♬ Original Sound – Unknown

S.Coups is a real animal lover

Known for his efforts to promote animal welfare, S.Coups’s actions are not surprising, especially considering how much he loves his own pet. Kkuma, a white Maltese dog, has been a major source of comfort and strength for S.Coups, especially when he went on hiatus for a while to focus on his mental health.

This isn’t the first time S.Coups has extended his support to animal welfare. In September, he donated 30 million KRW to the animal rescue organization WEACT to help save dogs from breeding farms. In February, he donated 20 million KRW to aid recovery efforts after a massive earthquake hit Turkey and Syria.

S.Coups’s acts of kindness underscore the ongoing need for support and attention to animal welfare issues in South Korea. The efforts of organizations like Angels’ Nest are crucial in addressing these issues. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: S.Coups is a dog lover through and through. Source: The Korea Times, X/@rubykies777.

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Revisiting the Message BTS’s V Left for Fans Before Enlistment

As Kim Taehyung, better known as BTS’s V, continues his military service, we decided to revisit the emotional moments leading up to his enlistment. This is the second in a series of stories looking back at our last moments with him and the other members of BTS who enlisted this month.

On December 11, V entered the Nonsan Army Training Center in Chungcheongnam-do to begin his basic military training. V’s tenure as an active-duty soldier will last 18 months, with his discharge scheduled for June 2025.

@jkgolden_maknae_

taehyung revealing Jungkook’s shaved hair in a facetime call 💜 #jungkook #taehyung #armybtsforever #fyp #pourtoi #bts #taekook

♬ love maze – keehoswife⁷

V reached out to ARMYs through SNS

Before going to the training center, V reached out to ARMYs through social media. On Instagram, he posted a screenshot of a video call with fellow BTS member Jungkook, with the caption, “Hyung is going first. Enlist safely tomorrow.” This simple yet profound message highlighted the deep bond between the BTS members.

V also took to Weverse. He posted a message that read, “I think I’ll miss you all so much. Honestly, I’m sad that I can’t make happy memories with ARMY for the time being, but besides that, it’ll be fine. The hardest thing is not being able to see ARMY. After 18 months, I’ll return in really good health, so ARMY, take good care of your health, and if you spend each day looking for happiness, I will appear saying, ‘Ta-da! I’m here!’”

To ensure his fans wouldn’t feel his absence too keenly, he diligently arranged several surprises for them. “I prepared various things for those 18 months, so please look forward to it. As we always have, let’s make precious memories after I return. I will really miss you, and I really love you, so please wait for me until then. I will return soon! Bye!”

@taehyungielover10

#CapCut 🌟 Tae crew write a farewell letters for Taehyung and filmed a Vlog for him 😭❤️ They also made a cake for him 🥹 #v #bts #bts_official_bighit #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #foryou #foryoupage #trend #ontranding #viral #unfreezemyacount

♬ original sound – taehyungie lover ❤️‍🩹

A surprise from the ‘Taecrew’

V also acknowledged his dedicated staff on the eve of his enlistment. Sharing on his Instagram story on December 10 KST, he stated, “Our Taecrew’s letters are so cute, and they even made a vlog that I love, sending me a video message. I was deeply moved. I’ll go and return well!”

Accompanying his words were images of a rolling paper filled with farewell messages from V’s team and a special cake featuring a bear dressed as a member of the South Korean military’s Capital Defense Command unit, which V is set to join. The cake added a light-hearted touch to the farewell, showcasing the strong bond between V and his team.

Fans, moved by these gestures, flooded social media with messages of encouragement and love for V as he embarked on this new chapter of his life. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Like the others, V paused to address ARMYs before enlisting in the South Korean military. Source: Instagram/@thv.

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Looking Back on Jimin and Jungkook’s Emotional Goodbyes

BTS’s Jimin and Jungkook, who have been serving in the military for some time now, continue to be dearly missed by their fans, ARMYs. Reflecting on this, we are starting a series of stories looking back at our last moments with them before their enlistment.

Jimin and Jungkook had held emotional live broadcasts to bid farewell to their fans. On December 11, prior to their enlistment, Jimin appeared with a shaved head, symbolizing the beginning of his military journey. He also expressed his mixed feelings by saying, “I’m enlisting tomorrow, so I’m here. I’ll go and come back safely! Now that I’ve shaved my head, it’s starting to feel real.”

[SUB] Jimin Weverse Live 🔴 (11 DEC 2023) | Jimin live

Jimin couldn’t help but get emotional

He spoke about sending off RM and V. “I saw Namjoon–hyung and Taehyung enlisting; they went in smiling! They said they’ll go and come back healthy. I miss them lots too, but if we go and come back quickly, the time of us getting back together will come sooner. I will be enlisting together with Jungkook, so I think I will be able to rely on him a lot. Yes, SUGA–hyung is doing well too! And Namjoon–hyung and Taehyung-hyung will do well. Jin-hyung and Hobi–hyung are doing well, and JK and I will do well too.”

Discussing his future plans, Jimin shared, “I’ll come back with lots of growth and work on the things I can! Actually, something the members and I said a lot is that we really want to tour together. Since Seokjin–hyung went [to the army], we’ve worked hard on our own things and been going at it. A year has gone past with us putting our all into it. We really talked about wanting to tour together again. We’ll do a lot of the things we want to do once we’re back! The members and I talk about how much we want to tour, do a tour, concert, release albums. Once we’re back, hopefully, that time will come soon.”

Jimin’s reveal of his shaved head, initially hidden under a beanie, was a poignant moment for fans. Despite previously stating he wouldn’t show his hair, Jimin shared this significant change with ARMYs anyway. He couldn’t help but get emotional when he did.

[SUB] Jungkook Weverse Live 🔴 11.12.2023 | jungkook live

Jimin and Jungkook will serve together

Jungkook, on the other hand, approached his farewell in a more playful manner. In a previous livestream, he humorously sprinted by the camera. He later revealed just a glimpse of his buzz cut. In his final broadcast of 2023, Jungkook reflected on his day and the upcoming enlistment, “It looks like this will be my last live before enlisting. Today, I just sent off V–hyung and Namjoon–hyung, then ate a meal and did some things I needed to do, so the live ended up being a little late, sorry.”

Expressing his gratitude to fans, Jungkook said, “I’ll go and come back safely. Now that it’s the day before, my heart feels… a bit iffy? But I need to sleep tonight so I can concentrate tomorrow and stuff too. Everyone, thank you so much for all of you always cheering for us and supporting us until now when we’re enlisting. Please be and stay healthy and happy.”

Luckily, while Jimin and Jungkook did separate live broadcasts to say goodbye to ARMY, they’ll be together while they serve in the military, as they signed up for the dongbanipdae or buddy system. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ARMYs cried when Jimin choked up. Meanwhile, Jungkook tried to keep things light. Instagram/@uarmyhope, X/@boraboravie.

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RIIZE Fans Defend Wonbin From Hateful Height Comments

Since the debut of RIIZE just a few months ago, member Wonbin has garnered positive attention for his striking visuals and exceptional performance abilities. However, with rapid popularity often comes unwarranted criticism, and Wonbin has faced negative comments, particularly regarding his height.

RIIZE Member Wonbin Gets Subjected to Mean Height Comments

Wonbin is noted as one of the shorter members in RIIZE, although there hasn’t been an official announcement about his exact height. Estimates place him between 170cm-175cm (approximately 5’7″-5’9″), while the majority of his fellow group members stand between 178cm-187cm (5’10”-6’1.5″). The noticeable height difference has unfortunately led to criticism and comparisons meant to emphasize his perceived shorter stature.

Critics have taken to sharing photos of Wonbin alongside other RIIZE members, attempting to highlight the difference in height. This type of commentary reflects an unfortunate trend in the K-pop industry where idols may face unnecessary scrutiny for aspects of their appearance over which they have no control.

Wonbin’s height, however, has no bearing on his handsome visuals or his talent as a K-pop idol. Despite the criticism, there has been a positive response from fans who have come to Wonbin’s defense. Many have emphasized that his abilities and appeal extend beyond physical attributes, and height should not be a factor in evaluating an idol’s worth.

It’s not uncommon for K-pop idols to face unwarranted criticism as their popularity rises, and it’s crucial for fans and the industry alike to promote a culture of positivity and acceptance. Wonbin’s supporters hope that he remains unaffected by such comments and continues to focus on his passion for music and performance. Ultimately, the emphasis should be on celebrating the diverse talents and qualities that each idol brings to the industry, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for artists.

RIIZE is currently preparing for a January 2024 comeback.

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YG Entertainment Confirms G-Dragon’s Exit From Agency

G-Dragon, a prominent figure in the K-pop industry, has officially parted ways with YG Entertainment, as confirmed by an announcement from the agency on December 20. G-Dragon’s exit from the company follows recent speculation about the renewal of the BIGBANG leader’s contract. It also comes on the heels of drug abuse allegations, which have been subsequently cleared by the police.

YG Entertainment Issues Official Statement Confirming G-Dragon’s Exit

On December 20, YG Entertainment shared an official statement.

“This is YG Entertainment. G-Dragon was one of our iconic artists since his debut with Big Bang in 2006. It was an honor to spend this past time with him,” the statement read. “We sincerely wish G-Dragon blessings for his new chapter. We ask for a lot of support and encouragement from his fans.”

The announcement marks a significant change in G-Dragon’s professional trajectory, and it comes amid a complex situation involving the renewal of the ‘G-Dragon’ trademark by YG Entertainment. Notably, the agency applied for the renewal of the trademark, signaling its intention to retain ownership of the iconic stage name. The ‘G-Dragon’ trademark was initially secured in February 2003 and had its rights extended in 2013, with validity until September 13, 2023.

What Will Happen to G-Dragon?

The renewal of the trademark suggests that YG Entertainment aims to maintain control over the ‘G-Dragon’ stage name. This move can potentially impose restrictions on G-Dragon’s use of the name if he were to sign with another company, as the rights to the stage name would remain with YG Entertainment. Trademark ownership plays a crucial role in protecting intellectual property, and in the context of the entertainment industry, it often involves safeguarding the brand identity of artists.

In related developments, G-Dragon’s recent drug test results came back negative, concluding the investigation into drug suspicions related to his hair color. The National Forensic Service conducted the test to determine whether recent changes in hair color, such as dyeing or bleaching, could impact the accuracy of drug tests. The investigation stemmed from statements made by a female manager at an entertainment establishment in Gangnam, Seoul. Despite initial drug suspicions, the lack of additional evidence during the investigation has cleared G-Dragon of any drug-related allegations.

G-Dragon’s departure from YG Entertainment marks a new chapter in his career, and the situation highlights the intricacies involved in managing intellectual property and navigating controversies in the dynamic landscape of the K-pop industry.

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KOZ Entertainment Issues Apology for BOYNEXTDOOR Security Incident

KOZ Entertainment, the agency representing BOYNEXTDOOR, issued a formal apology on December 19 in response to concerns raised about the excessive behavior of the group’s bodyguards. The agency’s statement expressed regret over the security incident and outlined steps they are taking to address the situation.

BOYNEXTDOOR’s Agency Addresses Shocking Security Incident

In the official apology, KOZ Entertainment acknowledged the gravity of the incident and extended personal apologies to those directly affected. The agency made it clear that the security personnel involved in the incident would not be assigned to provide security for their artists in the future. This decision was likely made to reassure the public and the fan community that such behavior would not be tolerated within the agency.

“We apologized separately to the person who was directly harmed [in the incident], and for the sake of aftercare, we are currently asking them about their mental and physical health, as well as whether there was any damage to their belongings. We have taken measures to ensure that the security personnel in question is not assigned to our artist on-site in the future,” it read.

To prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, KOZ Entertainment also announced plans to implement additional security training and guidance for their personnel. This commitment to enhanced security education reflects the agency’s acknowledgment of the need for comprehensive measures to avoid any recurrence of such incidents. By taking proactive steps to improve security protocols, the agency also aims to address concerns about the behavior of their security personnel and ensure the safety of both artists and fans.

What Happened in The BOYNEXTDOOR Security Incident?

The controversy emerged when a video circulated online, showing an individual believed to be a member of BOYNEXTDOOR’s security team forcefully pushing a female fan. The incident drew criticism and condemnation from netizens who also characterized the action as an assault. The public reaction prompted KOZ Entertainment to respond swiftly with a public apology and a commitment to rectify the situation.

The agency’s response not only seeks to address the specific incident but also demonstrates a broader commitment to accountability and transparency. The decision to provide additional training and guidance also indicates a proactive approach to preventing similar incidents, showcasing a dedication to the safety and well-being of both artists and fans.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, incidents like these underscore the importance of maintaining ethical standards, ensuring the safety of all involved parties, and addressing concerns promptly. KOZ Entertainment’s apology and commitment to improvement also serve as a step toward rebuilding trust with the public and fostering a safer environment within the K-pop community.

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