Category: KPOP NEWS

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

SEVENTEEN Soars to New Heights with ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’

Melon shares photos from SEVENTEEN's filming for 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN.' Credit: Twitter/SVT Contents

K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN continues to establish themselves as one of the biggest names in the industry. With their 11th mini-album SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN, the group have taken the industry by storm by setting new records and achieving remarkable milestones. 

On Monday, October 23, SEVENTEEN made their highly-anticipated comeback with SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN. The eight-track album served as the group’s return after five months following the release of FML in May.

Although it’s only been months since the group released new music, their latest album still had a meteoric rise to the top of charts, solidifying the group’s status as one of the most influential acts in the industry. 

Records set by ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’ 

Prior to the album’s official release, SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN amassed an astounding 5.2 million pre-orders, setting a new benchmark for Korean acts. Said number also served as the group’s best personal record as their previous album, FML, only recorded 4.64 million copies in pre-orders. Furthermore, with this final total, SEVENTEEN now holds the record for the highest pre-order volume for an album in the history of K-pop. 

Meanwhile, the first-day album sales of  SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN are equally impressive as it reached 3.288 million units. This places them second only to their previous release, FML, which achieved 3.99 million first-day sales. In doing so, SEVENTEEN now holds the top two positions for the biggest first-day album sales debuts in the history of the Hanteo chart.

 

Additionally, the reach of SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN extended far beyond Korea’s borders. According to a report from Naver, the album achieved an all-kill status as it dominated the Japanese iTunes album chart across all genres. Moreover, it also maintained its reign at the top of Line Music’s real-time album chart. 

In China, the album sold a total of ¥400,000 digital sales revenue in just 18 hours after its release. 

‘God of Music’ dominates charts

Some of the standout achievements of SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN is also attributed to its title track, “God of Music.” Within 24 hours of its release, the track quickly dominated charts such as Genie, and Bugs. What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is that SEVENTEEN became the first male group to top the Melon Top 100 for 2023, a milestone that speaks volumes about their growing influence and popularity.

Now that “God of Music” debuted at Melon’s Top 100, SEVENTEEN joins NewJeans, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and G-IDLE as the only idol groups to have a song top the list for 2023. 

 

Outside of the Korean music charts, “God of Music” achieved top rankings on the iTunes “Top Song” chart in an impressive 29 countries and regions. The song’s appeal transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries, finding favor in places like Brazil, the Philippines, and Singapore.

In an interview with Vulture, member Vernon says that the track shows SEVENTEEN’s “true colors.” “We’re just a really fun and bright group in general,” he said. Meanwhile, Joshua added: “It shows our energy, it shows our happiness, it shows our teamwork, it shows our performance skill sets.”  

Other songs included in the album are “SOS,” “Diamond Days,” “Back 2 Back,” “Monster,” “Yawn,” and “Headliner.” 

Featured image: Melon shares photos from SEVENTEEN’s filming for ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN.’ Credit: Twitter/SVT Contents

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

JYJ’s Kim Jaejoong Shares Terrifying Sasaeng Stories From TVXQ! Days

Kim Jaejoong is one idol who has experienced the best and the worst in the K-pop industry. After all, the former TVXQ! member has been making music for over 12 years. So it’s no surprise that the JYJ member has some shocking tales to tell. Kim recently shared terrifying sasaeng stories from his time with TVXQ!

Former TVXQ! Member Kim Jaejoong Shares Horrifying Sasaeng Stories

In an episode of his online podcast, Kim Jaejoong shared some chilling experiences with sasaengs, the obsessive and invasive fans known for their extreme behavior in the world of K-Pop. During the broadcast, Kim read an alarming story from a listener who had returned home one day, only to find that their door was unlocked, causing panic. The listener couldn’t recall if they had locked it that morning. Upon hearing this story, the JYJ member instantly connected with the listener’s fear, as he had his own share of disturbing sasaeng stories.

Jaejoong revealed that he had received photo text messages featuring images of his living room, kitchen, and bedroom, with an unsettling detail: he was present in every photo. The sasaengs had somehow entered his home, snapped the pictures, and then left. The mystery of how they obtained his phone number only added to the terror he experienced. Following this incident, Jaejoong changed the locks on his doors to ensure his safety.

Another harrowing incident involved Jaejoong moving into a new apartment. To his shock, sasaeng fans managed to rent or purchase an apartment directly opposite his, even on the same floor. These individuals would watch him closely whenever he appeared on his terrace, invading his privacy and leaving him feeling trapped and vulnerable.

Jaejoong’s sasaeng stories spanned over 12 years before his life gradually returned to a sense of normalcy. While he is no longer tormented by sasaengs today, his ability to endure and overcome such invasive intrusions for more than a decade is a testament to his resilience and strength.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

SEVENTEEN Actually Sent a Disco Ball Mic To Space for ‘God of Music’ MV

SEVENTEEN has officially returned with a vibrant new album and a dynamic title track that comes with a fun music video. However, there’s one moment in the “God of Music” MV that has been confirmed to be truly out of this world! It has just been revealed that the travelling disco ball mic was truly sent into space, teasing the budget spent on the latest music video!

SEVENTEEN Sends Disco Ball Mic into Space for ‘God of Music’ MV

On October 23, SEVENTEEN delighted fans with their latest album ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’ and the accompanying music video for its title track “God of Music.” While much of the music video was filmed in the picturesque landscapes of Budapest, Hungary, there’s one intriguing scene that stands out.

In a brief segment of the music video, a disco ball mic appears to be floating high in the sky above the ground, transitioning to a scene where it appears to float in outer space. What’s even more fascinating is that this wasn’t created through green screen technology; it’s actual footage captured for the “God of Music” music video!

The unique footage was made possible through a collaboration between PLEDIS Entertainment and a company called Sent Into Space. For their part, Sent Into Space recently shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the original footage on their Twitter account.

Not surprisingly, CARATs have been astonished by the fact that SEVENTEEN had the resources for such a seemingly expensive collaboration, especially for a short part of the music video. The collaboration demonstrates the group’s financial capabilities, which have grown significantly thanks to their remarkable album sales numbers. It also highlights their commitment to delivering high-quality music and visuals to their dedicated fan base.

SEVENTEEN released their latest EP ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’ along with the title track “God of Music” on October 23, 2023.

Categories
K-DRAMA KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

GOT7’s Jinyoung Reunites With ‘Yumi’s Cells’ Co-Stars

Jinyoung just gave fans a highly anticipated reunion but not with his fellow members of GOT7. The “Devil Judge” star has just reunited with Kim Go Eun and Ahn Bo Hyun who he previously worked on in “Yumi’s Cells”! 

‘Yumi’s Cells’ Stars Reunite in Delightful New Photo

On October 23, Kim Go Eun delighted fans by sharing a heartwarming photo on her Instagram featuring herself, Ahn Bo Hyun, and Jinyoung. She captioned the post, “It’s been a while—BabYumWoong,” making a playful reference to their beloved characters from the drama “Yumi’s Cells.”

The photo captures the trio—Kim Go Eun, Ahn Bo Hyun, and Jinyoung—standing together with their arms affectionately wrapped around each other’s shoulders, radiating a sense of camaraderie. Fans of the drama were thrilled to witness this surprise reunion.

The drama “Yumi’s Cells” was adapted from the popular webtoon of the same name and offers a unique perspective into the life of an ordinary office worker named Yumi. The story unfolds from the viewpoint of Yumi’s various brain cells, each of which controls her thoughts, emotions, and actions. Kim Go Eun portrays the titular character Yumi, a typical woman struggling to express her feelings, while GOT7’s Jinyoung takes on the role of her charming co-worker Yoo Babi.

In the first season, the story focused on Yumi’s romantic journey with Goo Woong, portrayed by Ahn Bo Hyun, while the second season delves into her relationship with Yoo Babi.

Kim Go Eun is currently busy filming for her upcoming film “Love in the Big City”, which has piqued the interest of fans. Ahn Bo Hyun, on the other hand, has been in discussions for an upcoming historical romance drama written by the same writer who penned “Love in the Moonlight.” Lastly, Jinyoung, who enlisted in the military earlier this year in May, has been dedicating his time to his military service.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

SEVENTEEN’s Dino Shares True Reason For Renewing His Contract

There is little doubt that being the youngest in a group with 13 members is not easy. However, Dino appears to take it all in stride. The SEVENTEEN maknae recently spoke about his loyalty to the idol group and revealed the true reason why he decided to renew his contract with PLEDIS Entertainment.

DINO Opens Up About Renewing Contract With All 13 SEVENTEEN Members

On October 23, a video featuring SEVENTEEN’s Dino and Mingyu was shared on comedian Shin Dong Yup’s YouTube channel. During the interview, Dino expressed his loyalty to SEVENTEEN and discussed the future of the group.

“I think about [the future] a lot these days,” he said. “We are the first singers to renew our contracts as 13 members, and I contemplate about if we will be together in the future or if we will be separate. I also think about what I want to do.”

Shin Dong Yup inquired about the members’ contemplation of the future, particularly given their recent ninth debut anniversary. Dino took the opportunity to convey the true reason behind his decision to renew his contract with SEVENTEEN, and his response was truly heartwarming.

“The reason I renewed my contract with SEVENTEEN is because if I’m not with these members, I don’t think I can enjoy activities as much as I do now. It’s one of the reasons I want to be with SEVENTEEN for a long time. Because of the people, sincerely,” he said.

It truly confirms that Dino is fully committed to the idol group but that doesn’t mean it was an easy decision. In a 2022 interview with Billboard, SEVENTEEN members revealed that the decision to renew their contracts had been a challenging one, causing them significant stress.

Despite the difficulties, all 13 members ultimately chose to renew. It was a decision that brought immense joy to CARATs and guaranteed the group’s bright future. Since then, SEVENTEEN has released several hits including “God of Music”, the title track from their latest album ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Sunmi Says ‘Love Dive’ Was Offered To Her Before Being Given to IVE

There is little doubt that “Love Dive” was a huge hit for IVE. The song has won numerous accolades for the girl group and is considered one of their signature songs. However, there was a time when the track was almost performed by a different artist. Sunmi revealed that the single was originally offered to her but the “Gashina” singer decided to turn it down!

“Love Dive” Was Almost a Sunmi Song

During an appearance on KBS Radio’s “Park Myung Soo’s Radio Show,” Sunmi shared some insights about her involvement with the hit song by the group IVE. Amazingly, the soloist disclosed that “Love Dive” was initially proposed to her, suggesting that she was considered for the song’s release. However, the track ultimately found its home with the group IVE and became a massive hit in the K-pop music scene.

“It’s such a great song, and when I first heard it, I thought that if my girl group friends perform it, it would do really well. I felt that it might be too obvious if I did it,” Sunmi said. “However, the IVE members did such an excellent job, and they received a lot of love for it.”

When asked if she was upset that IVE had “stolen” the song from her, Sunmi stated that she was not bothered at all and was happy to know “Love Dive” was a huge hit for the girl group.

“Not at all,” she said. “I’ve been in the industry for 17 years, and I don’t feel bad about others doing well.”

“Love Dive” as One of the Biggest K-Pop Songs in History

“Love Dive” was released as the lead single of IVE’s single album on April 5, 2022. The song belongs to the dark pop and electropop genres and features elements such as percussion sounds, rhythmic bass, synth, and a mix of trap, accompanied by lyrics that reinterpret the concept of Cupid in the modern era, shining on the stage.

The song “Love Dive” gained widespread acclaim, with various publications naming it one of the best K-pop tracks of 2022. Critics praised the song’s overall production quality and the vocal performance of the group IVE. Moreover, commercially, it enjoyed remarkable success in South Korea, securing the top spot on the Gaon Digital Chart for four consecutive weeks and ranking as one of the best-performing singles of the year.

The song received numerous awards and accolades, including the MAMA Award for Song of the Year, the Melon Music Award for Song of the Year, and Song of the Year honors at events like the Asia Artist Awards and the Golden Disc Awards.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

NewJeans Members Choose New Stage Names For Fun

A catchy name is always a good thing in the world of K-pop, and it looks like the idols have their own ideas on what they should be called. NewJeans made this clear when they were given the chance to get new stage names. Interestingly, only one member of the girl group chose to stay with her current name!

NewJeans Gets New Stage Names For A Day

NewJeans recently participated in an engaging interview with iHeartRadio and Most Requested Live’s “Ask Anything Chat”. During the interview, the group answered questions submitted by fans, covering various topics such as their Chuseok celebrations, their music style for new listeners, and their future aspirations.

In response to a fan’s request for a group roll call, the members decided to have a bit of fun by choosing unique new stage names for the day. This playful twist added an element of humor to their introductions.

Hanni, hailing from Melbourne, Australia, introduced herself as “Cherry Pham” for the day, adding a whimsical touch to her persona. Danielle, who has roots in both Australia and Korea, humorously adopted the stage name “Jerry Jamaica” for the occasion.

Minji, representing Korea, decided to stick with her original stage name. Haerin, also from Korea, followed Danielle’s suggestion and embraced the stage name “Vanessa” for the day, which Minji and Hanni playfully justified by remarking that Haerin resembled a Vanessa that particular day. Lastly, the youngest member, Hyein, from Korea, chose the unique stage name “Colin” for the day.

Fans and netizens had a lively response to these new stage names, with many noting Danielle’s humorous approach and Hanni’s affinity for the nickname “Cherry,” which fans had lovingly used before her debut. The playful and light-hearted nature of the exchange made the interview even more enjoyable for the viewers.

In related news, NewJeans recently dropped the new single “Gods”. It would serve as the anthem for the 2023 League of Legends World Championship, set to be held in South Korea from October 10 to November 19, 2023.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

VICTON Member Do Hanse Drops New Solo ‘Gummy Bear’ Teaser

Do Hanse is hyping up his upcoming solo release! The VICTON member just dropped a new teaser for his solo single “Gummy Bear”. This will be Hanse’s first project since leaving IST Entertainment earlier this year.

VICTON Member Do Hanse Hypes Upcoming Solo Release With ‘Gummy Bear’ Teaser

After signing with The Dial Music, VICTON member Do Hanse is gearing up for his first release with the new label. On October 22, Hanse unveiled a music video teaser, featuring vibrant and hipster visuals that complement his upcoming pop-punk track, “Gummy Bear.” This song will feature rapper BIGONE, who is also part of The Dial Music. The full music video and track are set to be released on October 23 at 6 PM KST, so fans are eagerly anticipating the release.

In addition to the MV teaser, Hanse shared a short live performance snippet of “Gummy Bear,” which he performed at ‘RAPBEAT 2023,’ offering fans a taste of the song ahead of its full release.

Do Hanse made his debut as a member of VICTON on November 9, 2016, with the EP “Voice to New World.” Originally a septet, VICTON saw some lineup changes over the years. Heo Chan left the group on October 11, 2022. Subsequently, on April 20, IST Entertainment announced that members Byungchan, Hanse, and Subin chose not to renew their contracts with the agency. Meanwhile, Seungwoo, Seungsik, and Sejun had their exclusive contract periods partially adjusted due to their military service commitments, allowing them to maintain their artist status for the time being. It is still unclear if they will leave the agency once their military service concludes.

Do Hanse has since assured fans that he intends to continue releasing music despite his departure from IST Entertainment. With that in mind, Hanse’s new music venture with The Dial Music marks an exciting new chapter in his career.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

FANTASY BOYS Member Hikaru to Miss Japan Promotional Event Due To Health Issues

Hikaru is taking a break from promotions. The FANTASY BOYS member has been confirmed to go on hiatus due to poor health issues. Unfortunately, this means the group’s Japanese member will also be unable to join the upcoming schedules in Japan.

FANTASY BOYS’ Hikaru Confirmed For Temporary Hiatus

On October 22, FANTASY BOYS’ agency POCKETDOL STUDIOS offered an explanation regarding Hikaru’s recent absence in the Japan promotional event for their debut album ‘NEW TOMORROW’. In their official statement, the company also explained that Hikaru’s absence is a result of his poor health condition. They also emphasized that the main focus will be on prioritizing Hikaru’s well-being and providing him with the necessary time and care for rest and recovery.

“Due to poor condition, Hikaru will not be participating in the FANTASY BOYS’ debut album ‘NEW TOMORROW’ promotion event scheduled today as rest is necessary and Hikaru’s recovery is top priority,” the statement read. “In addition to that, whether Hikaru will be participating in future schedules will be determined based on Hikaru’s recovery.”

“With that, we would like to ask for your understanding that Hikaru’s health is top priority and this decision made. We hope for Hikaru’s speedy recovery and will also do our best,” it continues. “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to the fans who are always supporting FANTASY BOYS and will also continue to do our best to take care of the health of FANTASY BOYS members.”

In related news, FANTASY BOYS is also expected to release new music in November. The comeback is also set to happen only two months after the idol group debuted in September.

FANTASY BOYS was formed through the MBC reality competition show “Fantasy Boys”. The group is composed of eleven members namely Kim Gyu-rae, Hong Seong-min, Oh Hyeon-tae, Lee Han-bin, Ling Qi, Kang Min-seo, Hikari, Soul, Kim Woo-seok, Hikaru, and Kaedan.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

EXO’s Chen Sparks Controversy by Playing Fan Songs at Wedding

EXO member Chen finally held a late wedding ceremony after three years of marriage. However, the joyous event was also marred by a bit of controversy. It has been revealed that Chen played EXO fan songs during the wedding ceremony and although this should have been a great celebration, people had strong reactions to the news.

Chen Plays EXO Fan Songs At Late Wedding Ceremony

Korean netizens have been expressing their thoughts and concerns regarding the choice of music at Chen’s wedding ceremony, which involved the use of EXO’s song “Don’t Go” in a live string performance.

Interestingly, the choice was viewed as a controversial one by fans. The song “Don’t Go” has a significant history as it was originally created in 2013 as one of the “fan songs” to symbolize the growing bond between EXO and their devoted fanbase, known as EXO-Ls.

The use of this particular song, which has the Korean title “Butterfly Girl,” has sparked discussions and debates online, making it one of the most trending topics on X (formerly Twitter) in Korea. Fans and netizens have raised questions about the appropriateness of using a song with such a distinct connection to the group’s fan community at a personal event like a wedding.

Additionally, some fans have highlighted Xiumin’s past statements emphasizing the importance of “Don’t Go” in fostering a unique connection between EXO and their fans. This has further fueled the discussion surrounding the fan songs’ use at Chen’s wedding ceremony.

Despite these discussions, it’s worth noting that all members of EXO came together to celebrate Chen’s wedding. They were seen in attendance at the event, even including Kai, who is currently fulfilling his military service in the public service department. The unity among the EXO members during such a significant event reinforces their strong bond and support for one another.

Exit mobile version