Category: KPOP NEWS

The home furniture brand iloom recently launched the campaign “Where Life Becomes Creation” with BTS‘s RM. iloom chose RM because his intellectual curiosity and emotional depth align with the brand’s values. The campaign includes photos and videos of him, along with new products and promotions.

An iloom representative said, “Through the photoshoot, known for his creative sensibility, we wanted to showcase iloom’s honest attitude towards furniture and our thoughtful contemplation. We hope that the value of creation will be added to the daily lives of consumers using iloom furniture, inspired by RM‘s free-thinking and honest expression.”

The video showcases iloom’s genuine approach to furniture-making, reflecting RM‘s own artistic methods. It focuses on iloom’s careful attention to detail and its consideration for the people who use their furniture. This is depicted by scenes of RM at a desk, writing and deep in thought. He fits the campaign’s theme perfectly. He’s always deep in thought and in search of inspiration, indicating that his entire life revolves around creating.

[일룸] 생활이 창작이 되는 곳 – iloom x BTS RM (FULL ver.)

Why RM is perfect for iloom

RM  draws inspiration from many things, including art, books, and pop culture. He also enjoys caring for bonsai trees. Such activities aren’t just hobbies to RM. They help BTS’s leader see the world in new ways, keep him grounded, and spark his creativity. For instance, his exposure to art influenced his approach to making music.

In a previous interview, he explained how his creative process has changed. “I used to be attuned to speech and focus on language and auditory textures, but now I can look at my thoughts from many different angles. That’s why I spend more time studying art now. I’m waiting for the day that it all comes to the surface, like when you paint the base on a canvas over and over so the colors pop. People who create music develop a way of seeing the world through their personal experience and their creative process. Painters naturally exhibit their art over a very long period of time. I think it gave me an eye for looking at the world in one long, continuous stroke. So now it’s a little challenging for me to write lyrics these days. I’ve become more cautious,” RM said. 

When he says he’s become more cautious, that means he takes time to really think about what he’s working on. This mindset fits his status as the face of iloom’s new campaign. Speaking of the brand, the campaign video features the “Roy Mute Edition,” a variant of the “Roy” series, which iloom just released. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: RM’s introspective nature is perfect for the brand. Source: Instagram/@iloom_official.

BTS’s Jin is no stranger to making waves, but his recent acts of strength and kindness during his military service are earning him the nickname “Superman.” Serving in the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon County, Jin was promoted to corporal in July, a notable two months ahead of the usual schedule, showcasing his capability and dedication.

An anonymous source has been sharing tales of Jin‘s military life on social media. Her boyfriend’s senior, another member of the 5th Infantry Division, was struck by Jin’s kindness and generosity. “He said that Kim Seokjin’s face was the size of a fist but hundreds of times more handsome than what you see on the screen. He also emphasized that his back muscles were incredibly well-defined. During the completion ceremony, he bought a box of snail cream for each of the trainees’ parents to give away, and during the training period, he bought snacks for everyone three times, which is considered a lot. He was described as very kind, never getting angry or scolding anyone.”

What Jin did during training

Jin‘s physical prowess is as impressive as his character. The “Superman” moniker comes from an exceptional feat he performed during a ruck march. In the context of the South Korean military, ruck marches are a critical component of the rigorous training soldiers undergo. These grueling exercises are designed to bolster the physical stamina and mental fortitude that soldiers need to face challenging situations. Typically, a soldier is expected to carry a rucksack loaded with 20 to 30 kilograms of vital equipment. This includes weaponry, ammunition, food, and sometimes additional mission-specific gear.

The terrain in South Korea can be quite challenging, with many mountainous areas. The ruck marches often take place in these tough conditions to simulate real combat scenarios. The distances covered can vary, but they are often substantial, with 20 kilometers being a common length for a march. These exercises are not just about individual capability; they also foster teamwork and camaraderie as soldiers learn to support each other and work together under strain.

The same woman recounted, “I heard that the military gear weighs well over 10 kilograms and is very heavy, but when three trainees were excused, Kim Seokjin carried all three of their gear to the destination, shouldering two on one side. I was moved to tears when I heard all this from my boyfriend over the phone, realizing that Kim Seokjin is genuinely a great person.”

A true ‘Superman’

If the story is accurate, it would be an exceptional display of physical strength and endurance. Such a scenario would be a significant departure from standard military training procedures. In typical training exercises, redistributing a fallen soldier’s gear among the squad maintains the unit’s ability to continue the mission. However, for one person to take on the weight of three full sets of gear would be extraordinary. If each set weighed 20 to 30 kilograms, that would mean Jin carried an additional 60 to 90 kilograms. That’s a considerable amount of weight to bear, especially over a distance of 20 kilometers.

The story, as it stands, is a testament to Jin‘s character. It shows his willingness to go above and beyond to aid fellow soldiers. What he did is a reflection of the values instilled by military training and the spirit of perseverance that defines a true “Superman.” – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: These cute photos Jin posted two years ago kind of foreshadowed his new nickname, don’t you think? Source: X/@JinBase_.

On Friday, November 3, BTS‘s Jungkook hosted a live stream on Weverse to engage with fans after dropping his first solo album, GOLDEN. As the idol played his new material in the background, he chatted about the album and responded to fans. The broadcast took a playful turn when fellow BTS member V popped up in the comments, saying that he and Jimin were outside Jungkook‘s house, urging him to open the door. V‘s unexpected comments read, “Jungkook-ah. Hey, Jeon Jungkook. Look at the screen. Jimin and I are coming to your house. Open the door.”

V also started a brief live stream, hinting that they were en route to Jungkook‘s place, but it ended abruptly with Jimin suggesting they shouldn’t interrupt Jungkook‘s stream. Fans speculated that the duo was indeed waiting for the “Standing Next to You” hitmaker, especially when V‘s own stream seemed to show them standing outside the idol’s residence. Jungkook, upon reading the comments, couldn’t help but smile, yet he expressed concern about his unclean house and the possibility of the duo being inebriated, which could lead to a chaotic broadcast.

[SUB] JUNGKOOK WEVERSE LIVE (2023.11.03) | JUNGKOOK LIVE

“No, don’t come! I didn’t clean the house, okay? Would they really come? I shouldn’t say that. Just come then. Got it? I have to turn off the live broadcast because they might show up. I think they met up and drank,” an amused and slightly flustered Jungkook said.

He wrapped up the stream by encouraging fans to enjoy and support the album while taking care of themselves. This interaction was a hit among fans. They found the impromptu visit and the members’ banter endearing and hilarious.

Jungkook of BTS broke records

In other news, GOLDEN, bannered by the title track “Standing Next to You,” has been a massive success. According to Spotify, the album amassed over 39 million streams on its first day, setting a record for a K-pop soloist’s album on the platform. The songs from the album dominated Spotify’s Daily Top Song Global chart, with “Seven (feat. Latto)” claiming the top spot and “Standing Next to You” at second place. The album also made waves in Japan. It topped Oricon’s daily album ranking with over 200,000 copies sold on the first day.

GOLDEN shattered records by selling two million copies in less than five hours, according to Hanteo Chart, becoming the first K-pop solo artist’s album to achieve the double million-seller title on its first day. The album’s success continued internationally, hitting No. 1 on iTunes’ Top Albums chart in 77 countries, while “Standing Next to You” swept the Top Song chart in 71 countries.

Jungkook also made history on Billboard with the new album, placing three songs in the top 10 of the Global 200 (US excl.) chart as the first Asian artist. With “Seven (feat. Latto)” and “3D (feat. Jack Harlow),” he became the first solo singer to grab the top two spots on the Global 200 (US excl.). Additionally, he tied the record on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the most number of hits placed by a K-pop soloist with “Gangnam Style” hitmaker Psy.

As Jungkook makes waves with his work, the BTS members’ bonds remain strong, much to the delight of ARMY. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The group’s maknae line made ARMY laugh uproariously with their antics. Source: X/@boraboravie.

Jungkook, BTS’s youngest member, has embarked on a solo journey with the release of his first solo album GOLDEN. After the band announced a temporary hiatus in 2022 to pursue individual projects and fulfill their military service requirements, fans were eager to see what the members would do. GOLDEN arrives on the heels of pre-release singles “Seven (feat. Latto)” and “3D (feat. Jack Harlow).” Its title is derived from Jungkook‘s nickname, “golden maknae,” a nod to his reputation for excelling in everything he does. GOLDEN is edgier and more mature than anything he has done before, delving into themes of intoxication and sex.

“If you were able to sense the maturity, then that is good,” he tells reporters during a video call from Seoul. Promoting as a solo artist brings new challenges for Jungkook, who has experienced a whirlwind of success with BTS. GOLDEN marks his first full record in English, a deliberate choice to push his boundaries. But making that choice wasn’t easy for him. “I was thinking, ‘Is it okay for a Korean to not release Korean songs at all?’” he confessed. He only forged ahead when he realized he wanted to connect with people beyond language.

“When you think about pop stars, they’re these really cool singers that you’d look up to since your childhood,” he said. “Of course, things have been changing a lot. But I still have that pop-star image stuck in my head since my childhood. And I want to be a cool guy that gives off that amazing vibe.”

Jungkook on songwriting

GOLDEN features collaborations with renowned producers Andrew Watt, Cirkut, David Stewart, Ed Sheeran, and Major Lazer. Its 11 songs range from acoustic numbers to synth-pop earworms to trendy R&B. Jungkook acknowledges the explicit nature of their lyrics, but insists they should be seen as separate from his personal life. “Lyrics are just lyrics, and images are just images,” he says. “I just wanted to try diverse genres and styles and work on my own sound. As of now, that is still my goal. I want to work on different stories.”

Jungkook used to think it was important for artists to write their own material. He has written and produced songs for BTS; in fact, at least two tracks he planned for his solo release ended up on the group’s albums. But for GOLDEN, he chose to focus on performance skills and vocal techniques. “At this moment, there’s nothing I want to write about. So I was thinking, ‘Do I really need to invest my time into creating a song from the beginning to the end?’” 

But he hasn’t ruled out songwriting completely. “On the other hand, when the moment comes when I do want to share my story, I do think it’ll be a song with honest lyrics that I want to share with my fans.”

Golden moments

As Jungkook steps out on his own, the title of his album represents his journey of hard work and self-discovery. “The term ‘golden’ started with the nickname that Namjoon coined. At first, I wasn’t very confident so that term was quite overwhelming for me. But as I grew up and went through so many various changes, the term ‘golden maknae’’ became a source of pride for me. This album includes the whole journey of my hard work and passion, starting all the way from my debut days, from finding my self-confidence to owning this nickname of ‘golden.’ On top of that, it also includes all the moments leading up to now. I use this term ‘golden moments.’ It’s an album that encompasses all these golden moments leading up till now.”

Jungkook has his own definition of success. “I don’t think success is determined by other people’s perspectives,” he says. “Just experiencing self-satisfaction, being happy, experiencing difficulties, being frustrated—I think in all those moments, ‘success’ is always mixed in with it. For me, instead of chasing success, it’s enough to be satisfied.”

On that note, he’s proud to say he’s satisfied with what he’s achieved thus far. “I am satisfied. I do have some things I wish I had done, but I did my best. You could think of it like that,” Jungkook concludes. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook looks like a proper pop star in the concept photos for ‘GOLDEN,’ released by BigHit Music. Source: Weverse.