Category: KPOP NEWS

Stray Kids has achieved a significant milestone by successfully selling out both days of their solo concert, Stray Kids 5-STAR Dome Tour 2023 Seoul Special (UNVEIL 13), at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul’s Guro-gu on October 21 and 22. This accomplishment comes five years after their debut, highlighting the group’s substantial growth and escalating popularity.

The performance initially opened ticket pre-sales on the 18th for third-generation fan club members. General ticket sales commenced on the 20th. The rapid sell-out of both performances underscores the group’s widespread appeal and the anticipation surrounding UNVEIL 13. This extended performance title, derived from the word “UNVEIL,” has been a significant part of Stray Kids’ journey. It was introduced in signature teaser content like “UNVEIL: TRACK” and their debut overseas showcase tour UNVEIL TOUR ‘I am…’.

The Gocheok Sky Dome is one of South Korea’s largest indoor venues. Fans eagerly await the group’s performance, expecting a showcase of their unique presence and musical evolution.

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stray kids just sold out their 2-day concert in Gocheok Sky Dome in SOUTH KOREA in under 4 hours after general sale.

first JYPE act and first 4th gen artists to perform and sell out this venue, in SOUTH KOREA. 👍 pic.twitter.com/ze4JXFRRt1

— nyel (@gyuhanwooV) September 20, 2023

Stray Kids is making great strides

In addition to their concert success, Stray Kids made a notable appearance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards held at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, USA, on the 12th (local time). They clinched the Best K-Pop trophy with the title track from their third regular album. Its release marked their third consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The debut performance of “S-Class” on U.S. television and the subsequent high-ranking video on MTV’s official YouTube channel confirmed their popularity in South Korea and beyond.

Furthermore, their third regular album continued to chart on the Billboard 200 chart for 15 straight weeks, setting another record for the group’s longest-ranking period on the chart. This achievement, along with the members of their in-house producing team, 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), performing at the 2023 Global Citizen Festival in  New York on the 23rd, showcases Stray Kids‘ rising global prominence. As if that wasn’t enough, their agency recently confirmed that the eight-member group is finally recording new material.

Stray Kids‘ journey from their debut to selling out one of South Korea’s largest venues illustrates their remarkable growth and K-pop’s increasing global appeal. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: This group just keeps racking up achievements! Source: X/@8KIZS.

Actor-singer Rain (real name Jung Ji-hoon) has refuted allegations of an 8.5 billion KRW real estate scam, calling it an attempt to tarnish a celebrity’s reputation. On September 25, his agency, RAIN Company, posted on their official SNS, stating, “The claims related to Rain are false.” They added, “The seller is merely trying to tarnish his reputation excessively just because he is a celebrity.”

@diaryofakpopstan

Then vs now. Why doesn’t he age?! #rain #rainism #kpoptiktok #irishkpop #kpopedit #fyp

♬ Rainism – RAIN

Rain vs. Mr. A

The real estate scam suspicions surrounding Rain came to light through a video released by a YouTuber named Guje Yeok. In the video, Guje Yeok conveyed the stance of informant Mr. A. The latter claimed, “I sued Rain for a real estate scam worth 8.5 billion KRW.”

According to the video, Mr. A had a deal to sell his building in Hwaseong Namyang New Town, Gyeonggi Province, and buy Rain‘s residence in Itaewon, Seoul. During this process, Mr. A expressed his intention to visit Rain‘s residence, but Rain declined due to privacy concerns and only showed photos. Mr. A, who liked the house in the photos, trusted Rain because he is a celebrity and the real estate agency was a big company, finalized the contract. However, Mr. A claimed that the actual building was completely different from the photos shown by the real estate agency.

In response, Mr. A reportedly filed a lawsuit against Rain at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul last month on fraud charges under the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes Act.

@uskpopjrock

RAIN ignores CIIPHER on KCON LA stage #rain #ciipher #blackocean #kcon2023la #blackoceankpop #rainism #fypシ

♬ original sound – uskpop

One controversy after another

Rain’s career, while successful, has been marred by one controversy after another. As a celebrity soldier, Rain was caught in a string of controversies during his service. Once, he and several other active duty soldiers were filmed wearing civilian clothes, using cell phones, and drinking alcohol. The year before, Rain also came under fire following reports of going on dates while on duty.

Earlier this year, he attended KCON LA as a performing guest. While Rain showed off his usual dancing and singing skills, including his firm physique by going topless, the audience members were surprisingly quiet throughout the performance. Some reportedly turned off their light sticks. One netizen speculated that this is because all idol groups managed by Rain end up disbanded or mismanaged.

For context, Rain is known for having actively promoted and trained the idol group MBLAQ, whose music show trophies ended up on sale in flea markets, which angered fans. Recently, Dohwan, Tag, Tan, and Won of Ciipher—another group managed and promoted by Rain—left the group. The remaining three members’ futures remain up in the air. And now, this real estate issue has cropped up.

@neoriizeallday

RAIN BLACK OCEAN (almost) AT KCON LA #kconla2023 #kpop #fypシ

♬ original sound – kpopverse – ࣪˖ 𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙞 ཐིཋྀ

Strong legal action

Rain‘s side has completely refuted Mr. A’s claims. The agency stated, “It’s nonsensical to think someone would buy a house worth tens of billions of won based only on photos. Even if you only look at the building register or the building ledger provided or checked when buying and selling real estate, the buyer’s claims are invalid. You can verify it by looking at the house’s exterior.”

They continued, “We have already secured evidence that the buyer’s claims are untrue. If the buyer files a lawsuit based on false facts, we will submit evidence according to legal procedures. We can only see that the buyer is maliciously tarnishing the reputation.”

Furthermore, they emphasized, “The facts of this case are very clear, and the buyer’s claims are completely disconnected from common sense and reality. We will take strong legal action against such acts targeting celebrities and set a precedent to ensure that such false propaganda and victimization do not occur again.” – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Rain is facing another controversy. Source: X/@cloudjjhph_.

Yeonjun, a charismatic member of the K-pop quintet TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), recently connected with fans on Weverse Live. Recognizing the lateness of the hour, he began his broadcast by saying, “If you’re sleepy, you can sleep! It’s OK, go to bed if you’re tired.” He chuckled when one fan said they could bear being sleepy but couldn’t handle missing out on seeing him.

His genuine affection for his fans, known as MOAs, was palpable throughout the chat. “Did I come on too late? I don’t think it’s been that long, though. You’re asking if I’m sleepy? I’m okay! It’s been so long since I was able to stay in and talk to MOAs. It has some sort of midnight vibe, and I love it. If you’re sleepy, put me to the side and sleep. Or you can just watch tomorrow through the replay!”

(FULL ENG SUB) #yeonjun 🦊 Weverse live 25/09/23

Yeonjun is busy with comeback prep

Shifting the focus to TXT‘s activities, Yeonjun provided insights into their preparations for The Name Chapter: FREEFALL. “I’ve been diligently preparing for our comeback. We had schedules all day, but nothing big, just dance practice. The rest of the boys got off work, but I’m still at the company working on music. ‘Were there tough times?’” he said, reading a fan’s comment. “Yes, but I overcame all of them. For this comeback, I’m excited about MOA’s reaction. Just imagining MOA’s smiling and laughing makes my heart flutter and makes me feel thrilled.”

His recent change in appearance also became a topic of discussion. “My hair is pink now. Do you want me to take off my hat? I put it on because I didn’t like how my hair looked, but if MOAs think it looks OK, I don’t mind keeping it off. Let me know if it looks OK. Salmon hair? Oh, it does kind of look like that.”

@txt.bighitent

Respect @kirstendodgen. Respect @JamRepublicAgency. Let’s go @Audrey Lane @lingzhangx @e @Latrice #투모로우바이투게더#TOMORROW_X_TOGETHER #TXT #YEONJUN #JAMREPUBLIC #Anitta #TheNameChapter #FREEFALL #BackforMore

♬ Back for More (Anitta’s Verse) – TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Anitta

A reflective turn

The conversation then took a reflective turn as Yeonjun discussed the Smoke Challenge. For those unfamiliar, the Smoke Challenge originated as a dance choreographed by dancer Bada Lee. It gained widespread popularity, prompting several idols to take on the challenge. However, what was initially intended as something fun soon evolved into a platform for K-pop enthusiasts to engage in spirited discussions about the abilities of their favorite idols. Furthermore, some seized this opportunity to praise those who executed the dance skillfully, often asserting that they possess a natural aptitude for the stage or that elusive “it” factor. Conversely, idols they felt didn’t dance as well faced ridicule, with some fans questioning their talent.

Sharing his thoughts on the matter, Yeonjun said, “I did watch Hueningkai’s smoke challenge, but I have no plans of doing it. I’m kind of half-half on whether I want to do it. I don’t know… it’d be nice to film it, and MOAs would like it, but the meaning of challenges has changed. Not everyone will like it and leave a nice comment. Of course, I’d do it for MOAs, but I don’t know why people argue about who did the challenge better. When did dance challenges become an actual battle? I’ll be honest; I’ve seen negative comments like those. I think Hueningkai did a great job, too. Why do people have to compare?”

@txt.bighitent

THIS you will be Back for More. With @kirstendodgen @Audrey Lane @lingzhangx @e @Latrice @JamRepublicAgency #투모로우바이투게더 #TOMORROW_X_TOGETHER #TXT #YEONJUN #HUENINGKAI #JAMREPUBLIC #Anitta #TheNameChapter #FREEFALL #BackforMore

♬ Back for More (with Anitta) – TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Anitta

Wrapping up

Wrapping up the conversation, he said, “I have to go back home and shower, then sleep, so I’m going to get going now. I’ll be back soon! Do you feel like you’re going to get nightmares? OK, I’ll stay for a few more seconds so you can stare at my face. Look at me for three seconds before you go to bed so I’ll appear in your dreams.”

This intimate conversation was a clear testament to Yeonjun‘s deep bond with MOAs. His genuine care and transparency left fans with a heartwarming experience, eagerly awaiting TXT‘s next moves. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Yeonjun’s latest live broadcast gave new meaning to the term ‘midnight madness.’ Source: X/@txt_sarangdan2.

 

FNC Entertainment has officially confirmed rumors regarding the new addition to their roster. The company revealed, “Na Kamden and Choi Jiho will join our new seven-member boy group. We are preparing for a debut in November this year,” and added, “We ask for your continued interest and support.” Jiho and Kamden participated in Mnet’s boy band audition program, Boys Planet. 

눈으로 주고 받는 불꽃 튀는 싸움! ‘플래닛 EYE 파이터’

Kamden, originally from Seattle, United States, was a member of the G group in the 2022 edition of Boys Planet. Despite his efforts, he secured the 17th rank and was eliminated in the finale. Before this, he had participated in Wild Idol but was eliminated in the third episode. Fluent in both English and Korean, Kamden, nicknamed “Tofu,” has a twin brother, Na Kade, and the two spent a decade living in the USA. Kamden‘s trainee journey in the music industry spans three years and two months, during which he closely trained with Keeho from P1Harmony.

Jiho also appeared on Boys Planet. He is an all-rounder with solid rap skills and vocals, captivating fans with his sleek and clean visuals. Born on June 10th, 2004, Jiho is a Gemini by zodiac sign and falls under the Wood Monkey in the Chinese zodiac. Standing tall at 182cm (5’11”), Jiho has undergone rigorous training for three years and three months. He is fluent in both Korean and English and holds great confidence in his distinct nose. Jiho looks up to industry stalwarts like G-Dragon and BTS‘s Jimin as his role models.

거기 너! 다른 곳 보지 말고 오직 나 ‘만보기’♡

The new FNC septet

With the addition of Kamden and Jiho, there is growing anticipation for FNC’s next rookie group. Information about the new FNC septet, which is preparing for a debut in November this year, will be released sequentially in the future. As of now, it is not known who will debut in the group alongside Kamden and Jiho.

FNC Entertainment, founded in 2006, is home to many bands and artists, including K-pop rock bands FT Island, CNBLUE, N.Flying, and Hi-Fi Un!Corn; boy band SF9, entertainer Noh Hong-chul, Moon Se-yoon and more. The agency was best known as entertainer Yu Jae-seok and girl group AOA‘s former agency.

The upcoming group will be FNC Entertainment’s first boy band since P1Harmony, which debuted in October 2020. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: These two are the latest ‘Boys Planet’ trainees to make their debut. Source: X/@theomoroll.

Jellyfish Entertainment’s new boy group, EVNNE, has surpassed 240,000 initial album sales just one week after their official music industry debut. Having released their first mini-album, Target: ME, on the 19th, EVNNE recorded sales of 243,747 copies on the Hanteo Chart, a domestic album sales aggregation site, and also ranked first on the weekly chart.

Before their debut, the EVNNE members had garnered significant attention on every episode of Mnet’s Boys Planet, proving their potential star power. They were put in one team after the show’s finale, setting them on the path to their current success. On the Target: ME release day, EVNNE’s debut simultaneously topped daily and real-time physical album charts. They also made a significant impact on overseas charts, receiving fervent support from domestic and international K-pop fans.

TROUBLE – EVNNE [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 230922

EVNNE continued their winning streak on music shows. So far, they’ve performed on M Countdown, Music Bank, and Show! Music Core. They showed off their teamwork with powerful performances of their first title track, “TROUBLE.” They danced well, sang well, and looked good doing it, too. 

They pulled off diverse styles, from light-colored duds to well-fitting dark suits. In casual clothes, they exuded an energetic, playful vibe; in suits, they had a certain masculine appeal. After each performance, the members’ “ending fairies” captured their unique appeal.

(Interview) Interview with EVNNE [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 230922

EVNNE is set to continue shining

They were brimming with charm on Music Bank as they introduced themselves to the audience. When asked to explain the meaning of their group’s name, Leader Keita said, “EVNNE stands for ‘Evening’s Newest Etoiles.’ It conveys our vow to captivate everyone by shining brightly at the top, like new stars in the night sky.” His words heightened fans’ expectations for their future activities.

EVNNE‘s first mini-album was produced with the intent of turning the seven members into “the targets the public wants.” In addition to the title track, Target: ME has five other songs, all of which are certified bops: “Role Model,” “Pretty Thing,” “Your Text,” “JUKEBOX,” and “Even More.”

With a successful first week behind them, EVNNE is set to continue shining in the K-pop world. They’re definitely on their way to earning the coveted “super rookies” title! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Don’t the suits suit them? Source: X/@EVNNE_official.

A South Korean court recently gave the green light to a provisional attachment on copyright claims filed by talent agency ATTRAKT against Ahn Sung Il, the CEO of The Givers. On September 25, ATTRAKT said, “We discovered Ahn Sung Il of The Givers misappropriating company funds during his services for ATTRAKT. Consequently, we sought provisional attachment of copyright fees as compensation for the embezzled funds, a request the court has now approved.”

Payments for FIFTY FIFTY‘s albums THE FIFTY and The Beginning: Cupid, registered under Ahn Sung Il with the Copyright Association, are currently on hold. That means Ahn Sung Il won’t be able to profit from them for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, ATTRAKT plans to seek provisional attachment on the remaining funds, given the additional lawsuit regarding breach of trust and embezzlement filed by The Givers against Ahn Sung Il.

@hunniesfiftyfifty

Please help the boycott of attrakt!!Block fiftyfifty on Spotify.. remove their songs from your playlist.. i know it might be hard but it will help the girls in the long run 🥹🥹 #fyp #foryou #kpopfyp #foryou #kpop #kpoptiktok #kpopstan #fiftyfifty #hunny #hunnies #hunniesfiftyfifty #boycottattarkt #boycottfiftyfifty

♬ Super Shy – NewJeans

FIFTY FIFTY intends to keep fighting

Earlier in June, Jun Hong Joon, the CEO of ATTRAKT, filed a police complaint against three individuals, including Ahn Sung Il, for fraud, breach of trust, and business obstruction. Jun Hong Joon alleged that Ahn Sung Il and his associates attempted to poach FIFTY FIFTY members through Warner Music Korea, their overseas distributor. He also accused The Givers of covertly purchasing the “Cupid” sound source copyright from an international composer, keeping this information from ATTRAKT.

In response, The Givers denied wrongdoing and pledged to pursue legal action. FIFTY FIFTY also sought a preliminary injunction, expressing their desire to terminate their contract with ATTRAKT. They cited breaches in providing settlement data, management issues, and insufficient resources. However, a court ruled that FIFTY FIFTY lacked valid reasons for contract termination, forcing them to stay with ATTRAKT. This decision prompted FIFTY FIFTY to file an appeal and express their intent to keep fighting.

@sehyunsundrop

tge attrakt and givers you will pay for your crimes istg #fyp #kpop #kpopnews #gg #boycott #fiftyfifty #boycottattrakt #saena #keena #sio #aran

♬ My Love Mine All Mine – Mitski

ATTRAKT is facing a boycott

The girls’ fans are behind them all the way. On September 23, 2023, FIFTY FIFTY‘s fans declared a boycott against ATTRAKT. The boycott extends to digital and physical albums, paid event tickets, singles, and other goods. Even the new girl group ATTRAKT is reportedly putting together will be affected. Fans can’t believe the agency has the gall to start a new project while FIFTY FIFTY’s issues remain unresolved.

The fandom’s displeasure with the court’s verdict led them to unite in starting this boycott. They also initiated a mass unfollowing of the agency’s accounts and have taken to social media to demand justice for FIFTY FIFTY. The future trajectory of this situation remains to be seen. – K-Pop News Writer