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Fans Urge NCT to End Puma Deal Due to Brand’s Alleged Ties to Israel

NCT 127

NCT 127‘s collaboration with the famous brand Puma came under scrutiny when fans demanded the termination of the group’s exclusive contract with the clothing brand.

The new campaign video was uploaded on social media and featured the NCT 127 members clad in winter apparel and shoes by the brand. When the brand posted the video, fans took to the comments section of the same, calling for a boycott of the German brand. They said they wouldn’t support a brand that had alleged relations with Israel.

Puma’s alleged violations

The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement, a Palestinian-led movement that works for freedom, equality, and justice, says the brand violated international law and human rights. “Puma is the main sponsor of the Israel Football Association (IFA), which includes teams in Israel’s illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land. In addition, Puma’s current and past exclusive licensees in Israel have operations in illegal Israeli settlements,” they explained. “Israel’s military occupation expels Palestinian families, including children, from their homes to make way for these settlements. Israeli settlements are considered war crimes under international law.”

The BDS Movement further stated that other Palestinian clubs are against Puma and want them to end their deal with the IFA. “More than 200 Palestinian sports clubs have called on Puma to end the sponsorship deal and stop supporting Israel’s illegal land grabs. Puma markets itself as a company that cares about equality, yet it funds the apartheid the IFA helps sustain,” they continued.

@venetialamanna

Learn more about boycotting #Puma and the other brands that are being targeted here: bdsmovement.net
ACTIONS‼️
1️⃣Sign the petition urging #PUMA to end its support for Isr43li aparte1d: bit.ly/PressurePuma 2️⃣e-mail #Puma directly to let them know you’re boycotting them: bdsmovement.net/boot-puma #boycottPuma #boycott #BDS #fashion #sustainablefashion

♬ original sound – Venetia La Manna 🍉

NCT 127 and SM remain silent

This angered several fans and they took to Twitter to urge SM Entertainment and NCT 127 to end their contract with the brand. They also called for a boycott of the company, calling the brand “disgusting.”

Meanwhile, netizens also observed that the brand deleted the replies from fans who asked them to terminate their contract with the group. The brand also posted some pictures featuring the group even after receiving backlash online, which further infuriated netizens. Puma, SM Entertainment, and NCT 127 are yet to comment on this issue. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The brand’s clothes do look really good on the boys, but for some fans, that doesn’t matter anymore. Source: X/@pumakorea.

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EXO’s Baekhyun and NewJeans to Open League of Legends World Championship

EXO’s Baekhyun and fast-rising girl group NewJeans will open the upcoming League of Legends World Championship with electrifying performances. Riot Games has confirmed that HEARTSTEEL, the virtual boy band of which Baekhyun is a member, will perform at the tournament’s opening ceremony. It will take place at the Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea on November 19. 

After taking the K-pop world by storm with hits like “Hype Boy” and “Super Shy,” NewJeans will perform their new track “GODS” at the event. Incidentally, the song is also the 10th official theme song for the League of Legends World Championship. It dropped on October 4 and has maintained a steady presence on the U.S. Billboard Global Chart for three straight weeks. NewJeans is the first K-pop group to record a theme song for the tournament, and Maria Egan, the Global Head of Music and Events at Riot Games, helped make this historic moment possible.

Egan’s role is to oversee talent partnerships. During her time at Riot Games, she masterminded collaborations with artists like Lil Nas X. This year, because the tournament will be held in South Korea for the third time, she and her teammates set out to do something special. Their goal was to pay tribute to the country’s vibrant gaming community and speak to the game’s massive international fanbase at the same time. With that in mind, it made sense to tap NewJeans. After all, as a group with a distinct South Korean identity that appeals to people worldwide, they were the perfect performers for the occasion.

@riotgamesmusic

HEARTSTEEL – PARANOIA // OUT NOW #LeagueofLegends #HEARTSTEEL #Sett #Ezreal #Kayn #Aphelios #KSante #Yone #RiotGames

♬ PARANOIA – HEARTSTEEL & League of Legends & BAEKHYUN

Idols as League champions?

Meanwhile, HEARTSTEEL will debut “PARANOIA,” which was released last month along with its music video. This virtual supergroup features reimagined League of Legends champions in new roles. Ezreal is a vocalist, while Kayn is a rapper and instrumentalist. Aphelios is an instrumentalist and songwriter, with Yone as producer. Co-leaders K’Sante and Sett step in as vocalist and rapper, respectively. The band showcases the talents of Baekhyun as the voice of Ezreal, ØZI as Sett, Tobi Lou as K’Sante, and Cal Scruby as Kayn.

Egan explained that fans expected Riot Games to collaborate with a K-pop boy group, so they made fan art reimagining their favorite idols as League champions. The team took this idea a step further by forming HEARTSTEEL. They carefully chose characters to feature, then envisioned how these characters would behave as real-life musicians while maintaining their in-game personalities. The last step involved refining their sound, which entailed experimenting, exchanging playlists, and composing before they settled on their debut single.

Anticipation is high for the League of Legends World Championship and its opening ceremony. It’s set to be a grand fusion of esports excitement and K-pop flair. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: What a great way to kick off a fun day of gaming! Source: X/@riotgamesmusic.

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BTS’s Jimin and V Make Surprise Appearance on Jungkook’s Live Stream

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.

@clarisedimaranan

11/03/23 V and jimin are outside jk’s house🤣🤣🤣 8 secs live🤣🤣🤣 #weverselive #jk #jimin #v

♬ original sound – C L A R I S A 💜💜💜 – C L A R I S A 💜💜💜

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.

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A ‘GOLDEN’ Moment: BTS’s Jungkook Drops Long-Awaited Debut Album

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.”

Weverse

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.”

Weverse

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.

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Jeon So Mi Picks Top 3 Most Beautiful Female Idols in K-Pop

There is little doubt that the K-pop industry is filled with gorgeous and talented women. But who does Jeon So Mi think are the prettiest? The “Dum Dum” singer has shared her top picks for the three most beautiful female idols and her choices are understandably relatable!

Jeon So Mi Shares Top 3 Most Beautiful Female Idols

On a popular online forum, enthusiastic netizens engaged in a spirited discussion, eagerly anticipating Jeon So Mi’s insights on her favorite idols in terms of beauty. These revelations came to light through a text message conversation she had with her dedicated fans via the Bubble platform.

“My top 3 beautiful idol according to my standards,” Somi wrote before admitting that, “It’s so difficult…?” Nevertheless, she confirmed that her top three most beautiful female idols are, “Jungyeon unnie, Joy sunbaenim, and Minnie”.

As it turns out, Jeon So Mi chose Jeongyeon of TWICE, RED VELVET’s Joy, and (G)I-DLE member Minnie. Her choices certainly reflect her preference for adorable eye-smiles and a reliable aura. It was also noted that Somi chose tall idols.

Jeon Somi certainly has no qualms about sharing details about her preferences and personal life with her fans. The “Gold Gold Gold” singer previously had netizens laughing about the casual way she confirmed that she isn’t dating anyone at the time.

During a live broadcast, Jeon Somi answered some fan questions after making undercooked pasta. When a netizen asked if she was dating anyone, the idol simply answered, “If I was, I wouldn’t be eating undercooked pasta by myself, yo.”

While Jeon So Mi is known for her openness and honesty, she has also made it clear that if she were in a relationship, she wouldn’t provide hints or confirmation unless the media uncovered it. This stance reflects the delicate balance celebrities must maintain between their public personas and personal lives, as they navigate the curiosity and scrutiny of fans and the media.

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EXO’s D.O.’s New Agency Confirms Legal Action For Malicious Posts

D.O. poses in the teaser of EXO's 'Cream Soda' music video. Credit: Facebook/EXO

D.O. has found a new agency and they are immediately taking action to protect their artists. Company Soosoo has issued a statement confirming they are taking legal action against malicious posts about the EXO member and their other affiliated artists.

D.O.’s New Agency Announces Intentions to Take Legal Action Against Malicious Posts

On November 6, Company Soosoo issued a statement about their plans.

“In order to protect the honor of our affiliated artists, we plan to take regular legal action against the creators of malicious posts and comments containing baseless accusations, defamation, and malicious insults on online communities and social media,” the statement read.

“We will collect relevant information through our internal monitoring system, and we would be grateful if fans could also report malicious posts and comments when they come across them. Please report any such content to our dedicated email account at clean@companysoosoo.com,” it continues.

“We will continue our ongoing efforts to safeguard our artists’ rights and vigorously respond to illegal activities, including the spread of false information and malicious rumors,” the statement concludes.

On October 18, SM Entertainment also confirmed that D.O. would be leaving the agency. He would then join a new agency founded by SM’s former manager. SM Entertainment further clarified that D.O. will continue his EXO activities with SM while also carrying out acting and individual activities through Company Soosoo.

“D.O.’s exclusive contract with us will expire in early November,” the statement read. “Following thorough discussions with D.O., it has been decided that he will continue his EXO activities with SM, but will also proceed with his acting and individual activities through the newly established agency founded by his and SM’s former manager.”

D.O.’s latest project is the variety show “You Reap What You Sow” which also stars Lee Kwang Soo, Kim Woo Bin, and Kim Ki Bang. In the series, the four friends are seen navigating the challenges of farm life on a vast 500-pyeong (about 17,792 square feet) field.

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G-DRAGON Visits Police Station for Voluntary Questioning

G-Dragon has willingly presented himself at the Incheon Metropolitan Police Department for a thorough investigation regarding the allegations of drug-related charges. His decision to cooperate with the authorities follows a previous statement by his legal representatives announcing his intention to undergo voluntary questioning by the drug crime investigation team.

G-Dragon Attends Voluntary Questioning at Police Station

On November 6 KST, G-Dragon arrived at the police station to address these allegations directly.

During the investigation, G-Dragon vehemently refuted the accusations against him, asserting that the reports of his involvement in drug crimes were entirely baseless. He emphasized his intent to reveal the truth and undergo the voluntary questioning promptly, expressing his determination to prove his innocence. Moreover, when questioned about the claims of bleaching and dyeing his hair, the BIGBANG leader responded with a clear denial, stating that he had never undertaken such actions.

The development comes at a time when various personalities within the entertainment industry, including actor Lee Sun Gyun, are under investigation for potential drug-related offenses. Reports concerning Lee Sun Gyun’s involvement suggest that he may have been “tricked into drug use by a female manager of an adult entertainment establishment,” although further information remains pending as investigations continue. The situation underscores the ongoing scrutiny surrounding drug-related issues in the entertainment sector, with several individuals facing investigations to determine the veracity of these claims.

On October 25, it was reported that G-Dragon had been booked by the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency under suspicion of violating the Act on the Control of Narcotics, Etc. He later issued an official statement through his legal representatives. Although the statement is brief, it assures VIPs that the BIGBANG member is innocent of the recent drug abuse allegations.

Later, G-Dragon’s lawyer Kim Soo Hyun shared a new statement about the drug-relation investigation.

“This is Kwon Ji Yong’s (G-Dragon’s) advisory counsel, lawyer Kim Soo Hyun of K1 Chamber LLP. As clearly revealed already, it is not true that Kwon Ji Yong used drugs,” the statement read.

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PENTAGON’s Hongseok Leaves CUBE Entertainment

CUBE Entertainment has lost another PENTAGON member. Hongseok has just been confirmed to depart from the agency. This makes Yang Hong-seok the sixth member of the idol group to leave the company.

Hongseok Becomes 6th PENTAGON Member To Officially Leave CUBE Entertainment

On November 6, CUBE Entertainment issued a statement confirming Hongseok’s departure from the agency.

“We are here to inform you that PENTAGON member Hongseok and Cube Entertainment’s exclusive contract has been terminated,” the statement read. “We shared many conversations with Hongseok regarding his activities, and as a result, we made the decision to end our contract.”

“We are grateful for Hong Seok’s hard work, who debuted as a member of PENTAGON back in 2016, and for unsparingly showing his passion and talent as a member of CUBE Entertainment. We look forward to and cheer for Hong Seok’s even more brilliant steps forward,” it continues.

“Please show your warm support and encouragement for Hong Seok of PENTAGON even after his departure from CUBE Entertainment, who will be starting anew,” the statement concluded.

Since the announcement, Hongseok shared a message to his fans on his official Instagram account. “CUBE Entertainment about 9 years together. Thanks to you, I met a team called PENTAGON, I gained a brother. And most of all, meet the UNIVERSE,” he wrote. “It was a series of happy times. Staying cool in front of you, I’ll turn up, Always be grateful!”

On October 9, CUBE Entertainment confirmed that Yeo One, Yan An, Yuto, Kino, and Wooseok decided against renewing their contracts with the company. This makes Hongseok the sixth member of PENTAGON to leave the agency. However, Yeo One also assured fans that the group will continue promoting despite their departure from their former company.

In related news, all members of BTOB decided to leave CUBE Entertainment after 11 years with the company.

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LE SSERAFIM Shows Support for LA Lakers During NBA Game

LE SSERAFIM poses with their customized LA Lakers jerseys. Credit: Twitter/Lakers

It’s the collaboration between K-pop and basketball that we didn’t saw coming! Girl group LE SSERAFIM took center stage as special guests of the NBA team Los Angeles Lakers. 

On Wednesday, November 1, the quintet stole the spotlight at the Crypto.com Arena as they witnessed the electrifying showdown between the Lakers and the Clippers.

Speculations about a potential collaboration between the two were prompted by an intriguing Instagram post from member Yunjin. In her photo, she shared the customized Lakers jerseys adorned with the names of the LE SSERAFIM members and their chosen numbers. 

LE SSERAFIM as Lakers Girls

During their appearance, the group was affectionately referred to as the Laker Girls cheerleaders. And to further amp up the excitement, LE SSERAFIM even treated the attendees with a performance of their  hit song “ANTIFRAGILE.”

As fate would have it, the LA Lakers emerged victorious over their local rivals, the LA Clippers. Notably, the win ended an 11-game losing streak.

In the aftermath of this victory, LE SSERAFIM was affectionately dubbed the “Victory Fairy” by sports fans. 

Moreover, the fun extended beyond the game itself, as members of LE SSERAFIM had the opportunity to meet some of the Lakers’ key players. For example, Magic Johnson, one of the iconic point guards of the Lakers and one of the most accomplished figures in basketball history, welcomed the K-pop stars with open arms. 

 

On social media, both K-pop fans and sports enthusiasts were delighted by the encounter. Some fans couldn’t help but notice and poke fun the height difference between the towering Magic Johnson and the members of LE SSERAFIM.

The ‘ANTIFRAGILE’ singers in the US

Interestingly, the Lakers game was just one of the many highlights in the group’s series of promotional activities in the United States. 

Primarily, the group is in the US to  promote their latest digital single, “Perfect Night.” Since this new song is a collaboration with the popular video game Overwatch 2, the group also attended the second night of BlizzCon 2023. 

In October, game developer BLIZZARD Entertainment announced the unexpected crossover between Overwatch and LE SSERAFIM. Not only did this collaboration delighted fans of both the game and the group but it also introduced their music to a new global audience.

Adding to their list of impressive appearances, LE SSERAFIM is also set to make their  television debut on Today with Hoda & Jenna. Furthermore, the group also performed at Grammy Museum’s Global Spin Live, solidifying their status as international superstars.

Featured image: LE SSERAFIM poses with their customized LA Lakers jerseys. Credit: Twitter/Lakers

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HyunA Signs Contract With AT AREA

HyunA changes her Instagram profile photo. Credit: Instagram/HyunA

Singer HyunA is set to embark on a new chapter in her career as she inked a contract with agency AT AREA. 

On Monday, November 6, the label confirmed to Korean media that the idol is now under their artist roster. “We will support HyunA in expanding her musical spectrum while she tries new music and performances,” they said. 

Notably, this move marks a significant development for the artist as it serves her return to an agency more than a year. She hasn’t been under any agency since she departed from in August 2022.

AT AREA, an agency founded in 2021 by the music production duo GroovyRoom, is home to a diverse roster of artists. Among their artists include GEMINI, Mirani, BLASÉ, and even HyunA’s ex-boyfriend and fellow solo artist, DAWN. 

Given the history between HyunA and DAWN, fans couldn’t help but wonder if the female artist signed with AT AREA because of her former flame. 

But the agency was quick to address the rumors, clarifying that the professional move does not indicate a romantic rekindling between the two stars. “DAWN was not the reason she signed with us,” the agency explained. They also added that the two being labelmates doesn’t mean that they’re “back together.”

Moreover, the ex-couple maintained their friendship despite splitting in November 2022. The two had a six-year relationship and even got engaged in February 2022. 

What’s next for HyunA under AT AREA?

Additionally, the move to AT AREA t came on the heels of a teaser that the singer dropped on Sunday, November 5.

In a surprise announcement, she released a trailer titled “This is HyunA’s ________” through her official YouTube channel. It left fans abuzz with speculation about what she might have in store for them with this exciting new project.

Also following the confirmation of the artist’s move to AT AREA, the agency released performance videos of HyunA’s new song titled “ATTITUDE.” 

 

For those unaware, HyunA first made her debut in 2007 as a member of the iconic girl group Wonder Girls. However, her time with the group was short-lived, and she left them the same year. In 2009, she re-emerged on the K-pop scene as a member of the highly popular girl group 4Minute. 

Yet, it was her solo career, which began in 2010, that truly catapulted her to stardom. Throughout her solo career, HyunA delivered chart-topping hits like “Bubble Pop” in 2011, “Ice Cream” in 2012, and “Lip & Hip” in 2017. 

Now that she’s under AT AREA, fans are looking forward to the next move of this talented artist.

Featured image: HyunA changes her Instagram profile photo. Credit: Instagram/HyunA

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