Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BLACKPINK’s Jennie Has A Special Message For BLINKs On MelOn

Jennie has a special message for her fans. The BLACKPINK member has released a new single and as an additional gift, she wrote a playful note for BLINKs on MelOn.

BLACKPINK’s Jennie Drops Sweet Message on MelOn

To celebrate the release of her single “You & Me,” Jennie shared a personal and playful message with her fans on the Korean streaming platform MelOn. The platform had previously introduced an “Artist Note” feature where musicians can leave messages. Idols usually use it to promote their new releases and for the BLACKPINK member’s latest single, it was something perfectly Jennie.

In her special message for the release of “You & Me”, Jennie kept it short but incredibly cute. She wrote, “I picked this up on the way. Here! It’s a gift.”

The phrase “I picked this up on the way” is known for its cheeky connotation in Korean culture. It signifies playfulness and suggests that someone has put in effort to prepare something for another person but is too shy or humble to make a big deal out of it. Instead of straightforwardly saying, “I got this for you,” Koreans humorously claim that they “found it on the floor, so take it or whatever.”

In addition to that, the expression “Here you go!” adds an extra layer of good-natured silliness. Although it can be used sarcastically, it also allows for liberal use and is akin to the English or French equivalent of “voilà.” In her “Artist Note”, Jennie whimsically pretends to “throw” the song at her fans, as if it’s a small favor. However, given the context, cultural nuances, and Jennie’s playful tone, Korean fans understand that she is keeping things light, fun, and endearing.

It’s a delightful way for Jennie to connect with her audience and share her appreciation for their support. Not surprisingly, BLINKs are loving the short but sweet message and are truly grateful for the new song.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

LABOUM’s Haein Announces Pregnancy and Upcoming Marriage

Haein is getting married! The LABOUM member has confirmed that she is tying the knot with her non-celebrity fiancé next month. In addition to that, Youm Hae-in is already expecting a little bundle of joy soon!

LABOUM Member Haein Confirms Pregnancy with First Child

On October 7, Haein’s agency RND Company shared the news. The agency revealed that the LABOUM member is getting married in November.

“Haein has met the companion with whom she’ll be spending the rest of her life, and they will be getting married in November,” the agency wrote. “Her groom-to-be is not a celebrity. We ask that you give your fond support and warm blessings to Haein, who is making a new start.

But that’s not the only big news that Haein had for her fans. The LABOUM member penned a handwritten letter confirming that she and her fiancé are expecting their first child.

“As we were gratefully preparing for our marriage, a blessing came to us in the form of a child,” she wrote. “Hearing our child’s heartbeat, I was moved in a way that I can’t express in words. It was a moment in which I felt a strengthening sense of responsibility together with a touching joy.”

She continued, “I think no congratulations would be more moving than if LATTEs, who always give me boundless love, support, and encouragement despite my shortcomings, would give me their blessings together in this happy and overwhelming moment. I’m still lacking in many ways, so even now, as I convey this news, I think there may be feelings that I haven’t thought of or considered. I’d be grateful if you looked kindly upon the apologetic feelings, feelings of gratitude, and feelings of love that I have sincerely tried to capture in this letter.”

Not surprisingly, fans loved the news and were truly happy for the idol. With that in mind, we are also wishing Haein and her family all the best.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Former Hello Venus Member Alice Announces Marriage Plans

Former Hello Venus member Alice is set to embark on a new journey as she prepares to tie the knot! The idol, whose real name is Song Ju Hee, wrote a heartfelt letter announcing her marriage. She also shared the gorgeous images from her wedding photoshoot.

Hello Venus Member Alice Confirms Wedding Plans With New Photos

On October 6, Alice took to Instagram to reveal that she will be getting married later this month. Alongside her announcement, she shared a series of stunning photos from her wedding photoshoot, adding a touch of joy and romance to the exciting news.

In a heartfelt letter, Alice personally conveyed her happiness and the news of her upcoming marriage to her devoted fans. She also admitted that her soon-to-be husband truly makes her happy.

“I, who used to always have a lot of worries and fears, am currently feeling peaceful and secure as I spend my days happily. I think this is only possible because there is someone who is spending my days together with me,” Alice wrote. “That’s why I’ve promised to marry that person, and we will be holding a wedding with our families this month. That person is someone warm and sensitive who is always a positive influence as he remains by my side, so I am very grateful to him, and he is very precious to me.”

She then expressed her gratitude to her fans for always supporting her in her decisions.

Because I know that you have always supported my every moment and decision, I’m mustering up the courage to tell you this news with feelings of excitement. I pray that the rest of this year, in which there aren’t many months left, will be full of only happy things for all of you. And I ask that you give lots of support and blessings as I make a new start. Thank you!” Alice wrote.

The announcement marks a significant moment in her life, and her fans are undoubtedly thrilled to celebrate this special occasion with her. With that in mind, we are wishing Alice and her future husband all the best!

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BIGBANG’s Daesung Confirmed To Judge New Trot Competition

BIGBANG’s Daesung is set to make his return to variety shows as a judge in the upcoming trot competition. This will mark the first time that the K-pop idol has returned to variety shows.

Daesung of BIGBANG Confirmed As New Judge on ‘Living Legend’

On October 6, it was confirmed that Daesung would serve as one of the judges on a new trot competition show. “Living Legend” is a survival music variety program that aims to identify the top 7 currently active female trot singers who will represent South Korea at the 2024 Korea-Japan Trot Legend Championship.

Even before its premiere, the show has garnered attention as it is created by the same team behind hit programs like “Miss Trot,” “Mr. Trot,” and “Burning Trotman.” Furthermore, Shin Dong Yup will serve as the show’s MC, marking his debut as a trot music variety show host.

In addition to his involvement in BIGBANG, Daesung has displayed his versatility as a solo artist, exploring various music genres, including rock, ballad, and trot. His trot songs, such as “Look at Me, Gwisoon” and “It’s a Big Hit,” have received immense affection in Korea. Furthermore, he has made appearances on popular variety shows like “Family Outing” and “Night After Night” as a fixed panel member.

Daesung Takes on Special Role in New Competition Show

Daesung will take on the role of a “special national producer” on the show, and fans are also eager to see the new and unique charms he will bring to the table. This appearance marks his first regular variety show appearance in 12 years.

Expressing his anticipation, Daesung stated, “I’m looking forward to this opportunity to gain valuable experience alongside exceptional mentors and senior artists. I also have big concerns about how I can contribute and provide assistance. I’ll approach this with the goal to offer my help as best as I can to as many people as possible.

The production team also expressed their confidence in Daesung, stating, “We believe that ‘Living Legend’ gained even more credibility with the inclusion of Daesung, who possesses unparalleled expertise and dedication to music. Starting with Daesung, we will continue to unveil special national producers who are a perfect fit for the scale of ‘Living Legend.’ We kindly request your ongoing interest in the upcoming lineup for ‘Living Legend.'”

“Living Legend” is scheduled to air in the second half of 2023. Fans are also eagerly awaiting Daesung’s return to the variety show scene.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

ASTRO’s Sanha Dedicates Emotional Cover Song to Moonbin

Sanha has released an emotional cover of a Japanese song that seems to express his true feelings. The ASTRO member also had a heartfelt message for everyone and may have chosen the song as a tribute to the late Moonbin.

Sanha Dedicates Emotional Cover of ‘Neko’ To Moonbin

In the early hours of October 7, ASTRO member Sanha shared a touching cover song that resonated deeply with fans. He chose to perform an acoustic rendition of “Neko” by the Japanese band DISH//, allowing fans to glimpse into his emotions and connect with him on a personal level.

“When I first heard this song, tears came to my eyes,” Sanha wrote. “I felt like the song had put my own feelings into words. So I wanted to sing a cover of it. Me, my family, our members, our Arohas, everyone. I’m sure that we will be happy one day. Definitely.”

What made this cover even more special was Sanha’s thoughtful gesture. He took the time to personally transcribe the Korean translation of the song’s lyrics, modifying them to convey a unique message. In the original lyrics, the song is dedicated to an unspecified “you.” However, Sanha made a poignant alteration by replacing “you” with “hyung.”

This change held a significant meaning for fans, as it was a nod to the late ASTRO member Moonbin, who was affectionately referred to as “pup-kitty.” Moonbin’s nickname captured his multifaceted personality, as he exhibited both playful puppy-like traits and enigmatic cat-like qualities.

Sanha’s heartfelt cover resonated deeply with fans, offering them solace and a sense of camaraderie. They appreciated his sincerity in using music as a medium to express his emotions and found comfort in the emotional connection they shared with him.

Through this touching gesture, the ASTRO maknae not only showcased his musical talent but also demonstrated his willingness to share his innermost feelings with those who support him, strengthening the bond between him and his fans.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

MONSTA X’s Minhyuk and GOT7’s Jinyoung Cover NewJeans During Military Service

Minhyuk might be serving in the military but that hasn’t stopped the MONSTA X member from performing like a proper idol. Lee Min-hyuk recently put on a great performance at a special military event and he wasn’t alone.

3RD GEN Idols Perform At Ground Forces Festival

MONSTA X’s Minhyuk, GOT7’s Jinyoung, and former Wanna One members Ong Seongwu and Ha Sungwoon are all 3rd generation K-Pop idols who are currently serving in the military. However, they recently had the opportunity to showcase their talents at the Ground Forces Festival, also known as the 2023 Army Fest.

Despite their absence from their respective groups due to military enlistment, these talented idols came together to perform as part of the same group of soldiers. They treated the audience to dance covers of popular K-Pop songs, creating an entertaining and memorable experience.

Their dance covers included hit songs such as NewJeans’ “Super Shy” and LE SSERAFIM’s “Eve, Psyche, & The Bluebeard’s Wife.” Additionally, each member had the chance to showcase their own group’s iconic tracks. GOT7’s “Hard Carry,” Wanna One’s “Energetic,” and MONSTA X’s “Shoot Out” were all featured in their performances.

Fans of these talented idols appreciated their dedication to providing entertainment even while fulfilling their mandatory military service. It’s clear that their passion for music and performance continues to shine, even in a different setting. As they showcased their dance skills and performed some of their group’s most beloved songs, it was a special moment for both the idols and their fans.

It’s heartwarming to see these 3rd generation K-Pop idols come together and bring joy to the audience, despite the challenges of their military service. Their performances at the Ground Forces Festival served as a reminder of their talent and dedication to their craft, and fans look forward to the day when they can return to the stage with their respective groups.

Categories
K-DRAMA KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Girl’s Day’s Sojin, Actor Lee Dong Ha to Wed in November

Sojin of K-pop girl group Girl’s Day is set to tie the knot with actor Lee Dong Ha, their respective agencies announced on Friday, October 6. 

Sojin’s agency Noon Company and Dong Ha’s label 51K released a joint statement to confirm the two stars’ relationship. 

Moreover, Noon Company added that the private wedding will be held in November. And it will only be in the presence of the couple’s families, relatives, and close acquaintances. 

 

“We ask for your warm support and blessings for the future of the couple,” the agency added. 

Meanwhile, Sojin also personally confirmed the news as she penned a letter to her fans on Instagram. Along it were photos from the couple’s pre-wedding shoot. 

“This coming November, I will promise to spend the rest of my life with the person I love most on Earth, Lee Dong Ha,” the Girl’s Day lead vocalist wrote. “Yes, I have become a bride about to get married.”

Furthermore, she continued to describe her fiancée as a person “who filled the empty space in [her] heart with love.” 

“And he is the person who gave me a place to rest while I was busy living life. Also, he is someone I respect and love who made me realize that I am a precious person in the world,” she added. 

 

Additionally, the idol-turned-actress assured fans that she will continue to share snippets and milestones of her life with them. 

“I am sincerely grateful to fans who have supported and loved me for a long time,” she said. 

As for her future plans, Sojin promised fans that she will do her “best to repay the love and support with great projects and better acting.”

So much love for Sojin and Dong Ha

In the comments section of her Instagram post, several of Sojin’s celebrity friends showed their support and happiness for the couple. Among those who congratulated them were Girl’s Day’s Hyeri, actors Yoon Bak, Bae In Hyuk and Lim Se Mi. 

Following the news, several fans also sent their well-wishes for the couple through social media posts. Some were even surprised that the two were in a relationship.

The two previously worked together on the 2021 horror film Grotesque Mansion. 

Featured image: Girls’ Day’s Sojin shares prenuptial photo with actor Lee Dong Ha. Credit: Instagram/Sojin

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

LE SSERAFIM Cancels Bangkok Concerts as 3 Members Got Sick

K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM canceled their two-night concert in Bangkok as three of its members were diagnosed with Type A influenza. 

Source Music made the announcement on late Friday, October 6. The quintet was supposed to hold their FLAME RISES concert stop in Bangkok on October 7 and 8. 

According to the agency, members Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, and Kazuha visited the hospital on Friday due to sudden fever and headaches. “After a series of medical evaluations, they were diagnosed with Type A influenza,” the label revealed. 

Moreover, all those affected by the virus quickly underwent self-quarantine and are currently under medical supervision. 

Because of the members’ current well-being, Source Music decided to cancel the concert as it’s not feasible for LE SSERAFIM to perform. With this, they apologized to fans for the sudden development in the event. But they also requested for their understanding as the decision was made under guidance of health professionals and in consideration of the artists’ health. 

Furthermore, they also assured the ticket buyers that refunds for the show will be available. 

“We will continue to place the highest priority on the health and safety of our artists,” Source Music ended their statement.

LE SSERAFIM members pen message to fans 

Following the release of the statement, fans of LE SSERAFIM quickly took to social media to express their worry for the group. 

Many are wishing for their speedy recovery, while others are clamoring for the agency to prioritize the members’ resting period. 

On the group’s Weverse community, each LE SSERAFIM member penned a message to their fans to assure them of their condition. 

In Yunjin’s case, she wrote that “everything is okay.” “We are doing our best to get better as soon as possible,” she added. 

Moreover, she also apologized to fans who were excited for the show and expressed her sadness over the situation. “All five of us wanted to complete this tour by showing you guys only our best performances. So it’s truly such a shame that things ended up like this,” she wrote. 

Similar to Yunjin, Kazuha also wrote an apology for fans and promised that they’ll recover quickly. 

As for leader Chaewon, she also expressed her regret of not being able to see their fans in Thailand. Although she’s sad and upset, she promised that she will give them back with a better performance.  

Aside from the three members who got sick, Sakura and Eunchae also penned letters to their fans. 

LE SSERAFIM was supposed to wrap up FLAME RISES, their first concert tour, in Bangkok. The group made its debut on May 2, 2022. 

Featured image: LE SSERAFIM poses for their ‘FLAME RISES’ poster. Credit: Twitter/LE SSERAFIM

Categories
KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Watch: Stray Kids Announces ‘Rock-Star’ Comeback With a Cinematic Prologue Video

Are you ready, STAYs? K-pop boy group Stray Kids will soon be blessing fans with new music!

On Friday, October 6, the “S-Class” hitmakers released a cinematic prologue video to announce their comeback with the upcoming mini-album 樂-STAR (pronounced as ROCK-STAR).

In the one-and-a-half minute clip, members Felix and Bang Chan narrated the story of a young boy dreaming before going on stage. Following the striking plot, Felix’s voice offered a soothing presence while Bang Chan showed a manic delivery of lines.

In addition, all the eight members: Han, Felix, Bang Chan, Hyunjin, Changmin, I.N. Seungmin and Lee Know made their appearance as different characters in the young boy’s dreams. 

With the young boy’s stage time approaching, Bang Chan whispered: “The anxiety is something we create ourselves.” Then, Felix tried to calm the boy by saying: “We believe that you’ll do great if you can get beyond these emotions and enjoy these moments.”

The prologue concluded with the child finally stepping on the stage to perform. Which was followed by the narrators shouting in unison: “Let’s show them how we rock!”

With its November 10 release, 樂-STAR will come five months after Stray Kids released their full-length album 5-STAR in June. 

According to the group’s agency, JYP Entertainment, the upcoming album will have a “close relationship” to the previous record. However, additional details, such as number of songs and title track, have yet to be announced. 

STAYs’ anticipation for Stray Kids’ 樂-STAR

With the official announcement, the group’s fandom, STAYs, have trended the hashtags “StrayKidsComeback” and “ROCK_STAR” to showcase their excitement.

“It looks so amazing and cool I cannot wait for it. Stray Kids you never cease to surprise us,” one fan wrote. Meanwhile, another fan gave a flattering remark of how detailed the prologue video is. 

 

STAYs are even more thrilled to see the new album break new records. 

To note, the eight-member boy group has previously dominated the Billboard charts, having three of their works: ODDINARY, MAXIDENT and 5-STAR all clinched the No. 1 spot in the Billboards 200

Aside from the album records, Stray Kids continue to solidify their position in the music industry through their consecutive achievements. 

In 2023 alone, Stray Kids became the first K-pop group to headline the LollaPalooza Festival in Paris. As well as bagging the “Best K-Pop” award at the 2023 MTV VMAs. 

Currently, the group from JYP Entertainment is also nominated at the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Featured image: Stray Kids for their ‘TOPLINE’ music video. Credit: Facebook/Stray Kids

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Aju Nice! SEVENTEEN Surpasses 10 Million Album Sales for 2023 in Just 9 Months

K-pop powerhouse SEVENTEEN continues to dominate the industry by setting records after records. With the last quarter of 2023 still to come, the group has achieved another milestone in their career.

In the data released by the group’s agency Pledis Entertainment on Thursday, October 5, it was revealed that the “Super” hitmakers have sold an unprecedented record of 11,043, 625 physical albums, from January to September of 2023 alone.

A huge contributor to this massive number is the group’s 10th Mini Album FML, released in April. For that album, SEVENTEEN broke the group’s personal record for the most pre-ordered album, having sold a whopping 4.64 million pre-orders. 

Two months after its release, Circle Charts revealed that FML is now the highest-selling Korean album of all time, surpassing 6 million copies in sales.

Moreover, the boy group’s 4th full-length album Face The Sun released in May 2022 sold more than 950,000 copies. 

Meanwhile, Second Wind by SEVENTEEN’s subunit BSS also contributed to the total sales. Consisting of members Seungkwan, Dokyeom, and Hoshi, BSS topped local and international charts with the release of their title track “Fighting”, featuring rapper Lee Young Ji.

Notably, SEVENTEEN’s decision to re-release eight of their out-of-print albums also helped in boosting sales. Among the albums they re-released include: 17CARAT, BOYS BE, A1, and TEEN, AGE. 

Prior to this achievement, SEVENTEEN’s cumulative album sales in South Korea exceeded 10 million in November 2021. Which means that the group achieved the feat six and a half years after their debut in 2015. 

Undoubtedly, the group’s popularity continued to grow exponentially thanks to their unrivaled discography and world-class performances. With the impressive 10 Million album sales in just nine months, SEVENTEEN has now become the first Korean artist in history to achieve this feat.

More to come from SEVENTEEN

After the previous album’s success, the “theater kids of K-pop” are soon getting back on track with their 11th mini album. Titled Seventeenth Heaven,  the group is set to celebrate their wins so far with the fandom CARATs, through a festival-like concept.

As part of the promotions, the 13-member group will hold the offline event “Seventeen Street in Seongsu-dong.” The will consist of exhibition experiences, art walls, and collaboration stores. As for the album, it will officially be released on October 23.

Apart from music, the group also proved their entertainment skills through a number of variety shows. As of writing, Seungkwan stars in the Netflix survival show The Devil’s Plan. Meanwhile, Jeonghan and Dino are part of the travel program Magic Lamp

Additionally, SEVENTEEN has also finished shooting Nana’s Tour, the group’s version of Youth Over Flowers with PD Na Yeong Seok. Details about the show’s release are yet to be announced.

Featured image: SEVENTEEN shares behind-the-scenes photo from their ‘FML’ album. Credit: Twitter/SEVENTEEN

Exit mobile version