ATTRAKT has confirmed the termination of its contract with three of the FIFTY FIFTY members Sio, Saena, and Aran. The decision comes amid a legal dispute regarding the exclusive contracts of these members.
ATTRAKT Confirms Termination of FIFTY FIFTY Members Sio, Saena, and Aran’s Contracts
On October 23, ATTRAKT confirmed the news in a statement.
“We notified the FIFTY FIFTY members Saena, Sio, and Aran that we terminated our contract with them starting on October 19. The three FIFTY FIFTY members have not showed any signs of reflections regarding their serious contract violations and thus, made our decision. We will discuss follow-up measures regarding the members moving forward,” the statement read.
In contrast, FIFTY FIFTY’s Keena has chosen to return to ATTRAKT. She switched her legal representation from Barun to Shinwon and submitted a notice of withdrawal of appeal related to FIFTY FIFTY’s ongoing request to suspend their contracts.
“Keena met with CEO Jeon Hong Joon yesterday,” a source from ATTRAKT said. “Keena will be taking the time to self-reflect for the time being, and then we will gradually talk about our future course of action.”
The legal matters surrounding these contracts have been a subject of attention and concern, but with Keena’s return to ATTRAKT, the situation appears to be moving towards resolution for the members involved. The K-pop industry is known for its legal complexities surrounding contracts, and these recent changes also highlight the challenges artists and agencies face in navigating such issues.
For now, it is unclear if FIFTY FIFTY will continue promoting in the future. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
On October 21, BigHit Music, the agency behind TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), unveiled a delightful surprise for fans. The five-member boy group is set to appear in the iconic Japanese animated series, Crayon Shin-chan. Their episode, titled “TXT is Here,” is scheduled to air on October 28.
In this highly-anticipated episode, animated versions of Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai will interact with the mischievous Shinnosuke “Shin-chan” Nohara and his family. Notably, they will teach their devoted fan, Shin-chan, how to dance to their song “Happy Fools (feat. Coi Leray).” This track was the third on their fifth mini-album, The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION, released on January 27, 2023.
Soobin expressed his excitement, saying, “Even though I really love Shiro, I was really happy to meet Shin-chan’s entire family this time.” For those unfamiliar with the franchise, Shiro is Shin-chan’s intelligent and somewhat neglected white fluffy dog.
Adding to the excitement, the members ventured into voice acting for this collaboration. They recorded their dialogue in Japanese and Korean. The Korean version of the episode will be aired in South Korea at a later date. Beomgyu talked about his experience, stating, “It was my first time doing a voiceover for an anime, and it was a very new and special experience. We worked hard on it, so please make sure to watch it!”
Yeonjun hinted at more surprises, saying, “We’ve prepared a lot more than just the anime! I hope you enjoy it a lot!”
Sure enough, in addition to the anime, TXT will also appear in the Crayon Shin-chan manga. They will visit Kasukabe City and meet the Nohara family in a chapter that will drop on November 4. Furthermore, to celebrate this collaboration, exclusive merchandise and limited edition products will be available on Futabasha and the Weverse Shop.
Crayon Shin-chan, penned by Yoshito Usui, first appeared in the Japanese magazine, Weekly Manga Action, in 1990. After Usui passed away in 2009, his team introduced a new manga in 2010. The anime adaptation, starting in 1992, now airs in 45 countries, translated into 30 languages, and boasts over 1000 episodes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJOYsdj3HOc
TXT on CRAYON SHINCHAN preview!!❤👏
Fans and members are excited
Given the series’ immense popularity, it has seen numerous collaborations, including appearances by renowned personalities and other K-pop idols. Just last month, the JYP Entertainment girl group BLACKPINK made a cameo in the anime, and now TXT is set to follow suit. Fans are excited to see the animated versions of the members.
Taehyun is just as pumped. He said, “I was really shocked and happy when I heard that we were going to be on Crayon Shin-chan.” Hueningkai added, “I’ve been watching Crayon Shin-chan since I was a little kid, so I enjoyed this collaboration a lot. Please look forward to it!”
As the air date approaches, fans and the TXT members themselves are eagerly counting down to it. They’re also looking forward to getting their hands on the merchandise. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: The members and their fans are equally excited for this collaboration. Source: X/@_AlessandraMM.
STRAY KIDS can now add another remarkable achievement to their already extensive list of accolades. The idol group has just been honored with an exclusive award that only a select few K-Pop groups have received in the history of the industry.
STRAY KIDS Awarded With Prime Minister’s Commendation
STRAY KIDS has been named one of the eight recipients of the prestigious Prime Minister’s Commendation for the 2023 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards. This distinction is a significant recognition bestowed upon individuals and groups who have made substantial contributions to the promotion and dissemination of Korean culture. The awards program, held annually by the South Korean government, features four potential accolades: Order of Cultural Merit, Presidential Commendation, Prime Minister’s Commendation, and Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Commendation.
This is amazing news considering that there have only been six other K-pop groups in history to receive this award. It was previously given to legendary K-Pop groups such as Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, JYJ, SHINee, EXO, and most recently, SEVENTEEN. STRAY KIDS are also the first fourth-generation idol group to receive the exclusive award. The special club of recipients signifies the remarkable impact STRAY KIDS has had on the global stage and their substantial contribution to Korean culture.
STRAY KIDS’ extraordinary popularity has propelled them to perform at prestigious events like Lollapalooza Paris 2023 and the 2023 VMAs, in addition to several other accolades.
Their most recent album ‘5-STAR’ has solidified their position as one of the industry’s front-runners. The group made history by surpassing five million preorders for the album and achieved over 2.3 million in first-day sales. Only BTS and SEVENTEEN have previously accomplished this feat, underlining STRAY KIDS’ exceptional impact and fan base in the world of K-Pop.
In the meantime, STRAY KIDs is set for a comeback in November. The idol group recently released a cinematic prologue video to announce their comeback with the upcoming mini-album ‘ROCK-STAR’. On October 19, they shared the teaser for the first track “MEGAVERSE”.
GOT7 has once again achieved a remarkable milestone in their music career! The music video for the first member-produced title track “You Are” has finally crossed the 100 million views mark on YouTube. “You Are” is now the ninth GOT7 MV to accomplish the feat, and it only took a little over six years to achieve the remarkable goal.
GOT7’s ‘You Are’ Officially Reaches 100 Million Views
On October 20, “You Are” finally became GOT7’s ninth music video to reach 100 million views. The song, which was originally featured in the EP ‘7 For 7’, officially joined an impressive list of the group’s notable MVs to achieve the milestone.
GOT7’s previous music videos that accomplished the feat include “Just Right,” “If You Do,” “Never Ever,” “A,” “Lullaby,” “Hard Carry,” “You Calling My Name,” and “Girls Girls Girls.”
The music video for “You Are” was initially released on October 10, 2017. It took the song approximately six years and 10 days to amass the 100 million views, signifying the enduring popularity of GOT7’s music and the unwavering support from their dedicated fanbase.
AHGASEs clearly believed that “You Are” deserves all the attention. After all, it is the first GOT7 song to be produced by the group’s leader Jay B, who also wrote and composed the track while promoting the subunit JJ Project‘s album ‘Verse 2’ in August 2017.
This achievement not only demonstrates the group’s consistent success but also underscores their enduring presence in the global music scene. GOT7 continues to capture the hearts of fans and maintain their status as one of the most influential K-pop groups, exemplifying their remarkable journey and the impact they’ve had on the industry.
In related news, GOT7 members Mark and Youngjae are currently preparing their new solo projects. Mark will release the digital single “Fallin'” on October 27, 2023. Meanwhile, Youngjae’s first full solo album ‘Do It’ will be dropped on November 6, 2023.
During the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many sought solace wherever they could. For countless fans worldwide, K-pop supergroup BTS was a beacon of hope. A recent Dartmouth College study has now revealed that this wasn’t just a subjective feeling. BTS, in fact, played a pivotal role in enhancing public health outcomes during the pandemic. Their impact even overshadowed major health institutions such as the CDC, NIH, and WHO.
Herbert Chang, a professor of Quantitative Social Science at Dartmouth College, spearheaded the study during his graduate years at the University of Southern California. With access to the world’s most extensive Twitter dataset, Chang embarked on this research journey after observing people’s heavy reliance on digital content during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Although initially unfamiliar with K-pop, one of his co-authors was a fan. Their combined perspectives led to an exploration of BTS’ influence, especially during a time when the group’s global popularity was skyrocketing due to their musical success. Additionally, their advocacies, such as when they addressed mental health during a talk at the United Nations General Assembly, further highlighted their impact.
As researchers examined data from online discussions on public health and safety, they discovered that BTS had been the most effective and influential in spreading the message. A few years back, the World Health Organization launched the Wear A Mask campaign on social media. Despite its clear benefits to public health, mask-wearing became a contentious issue worldwide. However, the campaign witnessed a significant boost after a tweet from WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on August 22, 2020. He thanked the septet for reminding people to mask up, coinciding with the release of their hit single, “Dynamite.” This tweet became a sensation, with K-pop fans globally making it the most shared mask-wearing tweet.
In a recent interview, Chang delved deeper into the data, emphasizing the significant difference in reach between tweets that mentioned BTS and those that didn’t. A series of 16 tweets by the head of the WHO referencing BTS garnered nearly 234,600 retweets. In contrast, 2,140 other tweets without a BTS mention accumulated 282,650 retweets, indicating that tweets mentioning the septet achieved 111 times more virality.
The study also explored mask-wearing tweets across countries. The number of tweets with K-pop content spiked in Western countries, with the U.S. leading. But the biggest increase in virality was seen in the global south, particularly Southeast Asia and South America. According to the retweet data, Vietnam had a 3,840% increase (38.4 times more virality), South Korea a 3,190% increase, Philippines a 1,290% increase, Peru a 1,080% increase, and Argentina an 845% increase.
In the U.S., the most significant viral upticks, percentage-wise, were seen in South Dakota (52%), North Dakota (41%), Mississippi (39%), Missouri (39%), Utah (37%), Louisiana (37%), Wisconsin (36%), and Nebraska (33%). Chang’s team also noticed a surge in the use of the #WearAMask hashtag by right-leaning users after BTS appeared at the United Nations General Assembly.
BTS (방탄소년단) Speech at the 75th UN General Assembly
The fans’ involvement
Chang admitted his surprise at BTS‘ dominant presence in public health messaging. He emphasized that it wasn’t just BTS‘ influence as artists but also their fandom, the ARMY, that amplified the messages. “We observed the strength of their online communities. Social media networks aren’t just networks; they’re connections between users. We gauged the strength of these communities using specific algorithms,” he explained.
When asked about the depth of the fans’ involvement, Chang highlighted their tangible actions. He noted that when BTS concerts were canceled due to the pandemic, the ARMY redirected their ticket refunds to causes like the Black Lives Matter movement and UNICEF, raising over three to four million USD in just a few days.
Becky Pham and Emilio Ferrara at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, also contributed significantly to this groundbreaking study. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: At the height of the pandemic in 2020, BTS taped a message for the 75th United Nations General Assembly. Source: X/@JeonAngel_18.
The ENHYPEN members—Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki—are on a roll. Not only did they become the fastest K-pop boy group to cross the 1 billion streams mark, but they were also named brand ambassadors for Prada earlier this year.
During a recent trip to Los Angeles, they sat down with Women’s Wear Daily to talk about their fashion journey. When asked about their experience at Milan Fashion Week, Jay said, “It was our second Prada show, but the first women’s show we’ve been to. We were curious about it and after the show, too, there were a lot of things to experience, like exhibitions.” Sunghoon added, “We were able to have some free time while we were there, so we got to enjoy ourselves. And at the show, we saw many actors and fellow artists, so it was really fun.”
At fashion events, the ENHYPEN members find a unique blend of fan interactions and style inspo. Jake reminisced about their European visits, saying, “We’ve now been to two in Europe, and we don’t normally have much opportunity to see our fans in Europe. Being able to see them after so long is really memorable. They welcomed us so warmly in Milan.” For his part, Heeseung loved the immersive experience of attending fashion shows in person. “I think the best thing is just the fact that we get to attend these fashion shows. It’s so different when you’re there in person compared to just watching a video. You can really feel what the designer is trying to convey,” he said.
For ENHYPEN, fashion is a form of expression. Each member has a distinct style that sets them apart. While Sunoo prefers to keep it simple, Sunghoon leans towards a more embellished look with plenty of accessories. Ni-ki‘s style is hip with a touch of vintage, and Jungwon is known for his love of oversized clothing. Jay, on the other hand, shared, “There are a lot of things I like, but recently I’ve been into retro and newtro… Like ’70s and ’80s styles. Rockstuds, things like that.”
They know that fashion and K-pop are inextricably linked. Jake said, “Being on stage and showing yourself is a major element of K-pop, so we put a lot of thought into fashion and what we wear. And I think the public also keeps a close eye on the fashion and visual aspects.” Heeseung added, “That and it’s also a big part of how we portray ourselves. A certain outfit can make you look a certain way, according to the style. Because we’re able to change that based on how we want to be perceived, I think it’s a really important part of being an idol.”
A lot of effort goes into curating looks that align with the theme of their music. Sunoo said, “For DARK BLOOD, we had outfits that are similar to what vampires wear, like suits. In the music video, we had pearl vests, and we tried a lot of new things. Things that had a vampire vibe to it.” Jungwon elaborated, “We had an artisan create the clothes custom for us. I think the fans may have been intrigued by the outfits at first, but we were so proud of them. It was heavy but we loved it.”
Their ongoing U.S. tour is another testament to their global appeal. The tour began in Los Angeles, where they mesmerized fans with their performances. Sunghoon expressed his excitement, saying, “Doing a show in a stadium in L.A., it felt really different. I think the ENGENEs really enjoyed themselves too, so we were also extra excited. It gave us strength. It was so fun on stage.” The members also shared their favorite songs from the setlist, with Sunoo choosing “Karma” and Jay picking “Blockbuster.”
When WWD asked about their favorite tour outfits, Ni-ki shared, “The encore outfits. I think compared to the other outfits—the other outfits were created by our label to match the songs, but for the encore, I requested the style that I wanted, baggy jeans and a shirt. I was glad I was able to wear that. It was my favorite.” Sunghoon, sounding a bit surprised, responded, “I think only Ni-ki requested. I didn’t know we could do that.” He also mentioned that they updated the encore outfits for the U.S. tour. Jungwon added that they change those outfits for each tour leg. Ni-ki then pointed out that similar changes are made to the merchandise as well.
The WWD interview proved that the ENHYPEN members aren’t just talented, they’re stylish too. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Noted photographer Michael Buckner shot ENHYPEN for WWD. Source: WWD.
Get ready to meet DREAM SWEET! The fictional girl group that was featured in Netflix’s new series “Doona!” has just dropped a full MV for their hit song. As expected, the music video features lead star Bae Suzy with some surprising fellow members!
DREAM SWEET Unveil ‘The Whispering Spell’ MV Following ‘Doona!’ Premiere
“Doona!” has finally premiered on Netflix and the streaming service found an excellent way to promote the release. In the wake of the drama’s premiere, DREAM SWEET, the idol group that has been eagerly awaited by fans, has officially released the music video for “The Whispering Spell.” This song holds a special place in their career, having been introduced during the peak of their popularity.
Suzy, the lead vocalist of this renowned five-member idol ensemble, takes center stage, lending her captivating voice to the track. Joining her are other talented artists, including Go Ah Sung, Simeez, and Rian, who are part of the dance crew La Chica, renowned for their participation in “Street Woman Fighter.” Soloist Janet Suhh further adds to the musical ensemble.
As the drama unfolds, viewers can enjoy not only the riveting storyline but also the musical talents of these artists as they bring “The Whispering Spell” to life through an enchanting music video. This synergy of talent and storytelling promises to enhance the overall experience of “Doona!” and create a deeper connection with the audience.
Netflix’s much-anticipated romance drama, “Doona!” made its debut on October 20, bringing with it a sense of excitement and anticipation. This captivating series, based on the webtoon “The Girl Downstairs,” unfolds the story of Doona, a retired K-pop idol portrayed by Suzy, and Won Jun, an ordinary university student played by Yang Se Jong. Their paths cross when they meet at a shared house, setting the stage for an engaging romantic narrative.
Lee Hyori has exhibited her generous spirit once again by making a substantial donation of over $222,000 to ‘The Beautiful Foundation.’ The “Don’t Forget Me” singer’s act of kindness is directed towards aiding single mothers who are in need of support.
Lee Hyori Lauded for Generous Donation to ‘The Beautiful Foundation’
The donation, which was made on October 19, amounts to a generous 300 million Won. It will be instrumental in assisting low-income single mothers in various ways. ‘The Beautiful Foundation’ will utilize these funds to provide critical emergency assistance to single mothers facing financial difficulties. Additionally, the donation will facilitate tailored vocational training, educational opportunities, and the development of social networks through the ‘Single-Parent Women’s Resurgence Support Project.’
The support project also intends to help prepare single mothers for job searching. It also provides social networks that can provide practical help for a stable parenting environment and economic independence.
Lee Hyori donates $222K to 'The Beautiful Foundation' to support single mothers in needhttps://t.co/is2d6lPtiY
“I started sharing because I wanted to practice small actions that would make a better world,” she said. “I want to support the shining life of single mothers and spread the beauty of life with my neighbors through sharing in the future.”
Lee Hyori’s commitment to philanthropy has been evident in the past as well. She has previously made donations to ‘The Beautiful Foundation,’ focusing on helping disadvantaged senior citizens who require heating assistance during the winter months. Additionally, she and husband Lee Sang Soon are active members of an animal rights group and previously collaborated on a song that Lee recorded to support animal shelters. Her continued dedication to contributing to meaningful causes also demonstrates her compassion and desire to make a positive impact on those in need.
In related news, Lee Hyori is currently promoting the digital single “HOODIE E BANBAJI” (Hoodie and Shorts).
There is little doubt that the cast of “Jinny’s Kitchen” grew close after spending several days together in a foreign country. So it’s no surprise that the cast members always looked out for each other behind the scenes. BTS member V has just impressed viewers of the new spin-off series with his thoughtful behavior towards co-star Jung Yu Mi.
BTS’ V Gets Noticed for Thoughtful Behavior Towards ‘Jinny’s Kitchen’ Co-Star
Earlier this year, V embarked on an exciting journey to Mexico to join the cast of “Jinny’s Kitchen,” alongside renowned stars like Lee Seo Jin, Jung Yu Mi, Park Seo Joon, and Choi Woo Shik. While the show’s conclusion left many fans feeling a bit melancholic, the cast recently reunited for a spin-off show filled with the same delightful chaos that endeared them to viewers. During a recent episode, amidst the abundance of humorous moments shared by the cast, V’s heartwarming gestures truly stood out.
In one heart-melting scene, V exhibited his thoughtful behavior toward Lee Yu Mi. Upon entering a room, he noticed that she was peacefully dozing on the sofa. Without disturbing her slumber, he quietly went about the room, gently closing the blinds to ensure that Yu Mi could enjoy uninterrupted rest.
Yumi was slumped out on the sofa and sunlight kept peeking in through the blinds. Taehyung closed all the blinds as he didn’t want her sleep to be disturbed. He is such a precious soul pic.twitter.com/0FbCFuQbtW
This act of kindness didn’t go unnoticed, and when the video was shared on social media, netizens couldn’t help but shower the idol with praise. They were particularly impressed by V’s thoughtful behavior, appreciating not only that he took the initiative to close the blinds but also did so in such a hushed manner to prevent Yu Mi from being disturbed.
V’s caring nature extended beyond Yu Mi. In another clip, he was seen lowering the blinds for his fellow Wooga Squad member, Choi Woo Shik, and he even went as far as giving Lee Seo Jin the master bedroom.
Despite being a global superstar, V consistently displays his thoughtful and considerate behavior. This quality is one of the many reasons why ARMYs adore him, as it highlights his genuine and compassionate nature, making him all the more endearing to fans.
Hwarang’s shoulder injury has finally caught up with him. The TEMPEST member is currently scheduled to undergo surgery due to the injury. Unfortunately, this means the idol will not be able to participate in the group’s upcoming schedules.
TEMPEST’s Hwarang To Go on Hiatus to Undergo Shoulder Injury
“Hwarang has been advised by a doctor that he needs surgery in order to recover from his shoulder injury, so he plans to focus entirely on his recovery while undergoing surgery and all necessary treatment,” the statement read. It also confirms that the idol will only be able to attend one upcoming schedule.
“Out of respect for Hwarang’s wish to meet his fans, he will attend the fan signing event scheduled for October 22, but we are informing you that he will inevitably be unable to participate in some future fan signing events and Japanese release events held after that date,” the statement continued.
It concludes with Yueha Entertainment assuring fans that they are prioritizing Hwarang’s health.
“We will make another announcement when Hwarang is able to return to activities,” the statement read. “We apologize for giving cause for concern to the fans who support TEMPEST. We will do our utmost to help Hwarang recover his health.”
Hwarang is expected to make an appearance at TEMPEST’s upcoming fan signing event on October 22 as previously planned. However, after this event, he will temporarily suspend his participation in the group’s activities to prioritize his recovery.
TEMPEST was initially scheduled to make their debut on February 21, 2022, but on February 14, Yuehua Entertainment revealed that the debut would be delayed. The delay was attributed to all seven members testing positive for COVID-19. Eventually, the group officially marked their debut on March 2, 2022, with the release of the EP ‘It’s Me, It’s We’. They are currently promoting their first single album ‘Into the TEMPEST’ and the title track “Vroom Vroom”.
![[이두나! (Doona!) OST] 드림스윗 (DREAM SWEET) - 네 꿈에 숨어 들어가 (The Whispering Spell) MV](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nEM9fQJpJvg/hqdefault.jpg)
![[MV] LEE HYO RI(이효리) _ HOODIE E BANBAJI(후디에 반바지)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IGZVXBSQhi8/hqdefault.jpg)
