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IU Celebrates Her 15th Debut Anniversary by Donating to Several Charities

K-pop icon IU marked her 15th debut anniversary with a grand gesture of goodwill. On September 18, her agency, EDAM Entertainment, revealed that IU donated a grand total of 300 million KRW to several institutions. These include the Korea Child Welfare Association, the ASAN Medical Center, and the Seoul Children’s Hospital. Notably, these donations were made under the name ‘IUAENA,’ a heartwarming blend of IU‘s name and her official fan club, UAENA.

The funds given to the ASAN Medical Center will be used to support adolescent and female cancer patients who, due to financial constraints, are often sidelined when it comes to getting treatment. Meanwhile, the Korea Child Welfare Association plans to use IU‘s donation to improve child welfare facilities nationwide. Some of these facilities recently sustained damage due to typhoons. Finally, the Seoul Children’s Hospital outlined its intention to use the money to help underprivileged groups with their medical expenses.

IU has always been deeply involved in philanthropy. Earlier this year, she extended her support to the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation on Children’s Day in May. She led fundraising efforts for coal briquettes to assist economically disadvantaged households in Yangpyeong. Aside from donating money, IU also lent her time and talent to disabled students from Milal School.

IU remains active and engaged with fans

In tandem with her fan club, ‘UAENA,’ IU has consistently strived to make a difference. Together, they aim to set positive precedents and cultivate an atmosphere of collective positivity and warmth. Expressing her gratitude, IU stated, “Thanks to ‘UAENA,’ who always send me unwavering support, I’m delighted to share warmth in society. We’ve built memories and valuable experiences together. As ‘IUAENA,’ I believe in sharing all the love I’ve received and making small but positive changes in people’s lives. Thanks to ‘UAENA,’ I’m constantly learning gratitude. I love you. See you soon.”

Since her debut with the track “Lost Child” in 2008, IU has enjoyed consistent success, becoming a top artist in Korea. She has released five studio albums and nine EPs, and she’s putting the finishing touches on her first new album in two years. But she’s not just a singer. She has also earned awards for her acting.

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#IU #dlwlrma #preciosa #이지은 #leejieun #李知恩 #leejongsuk #fypシ #beauty #thisisthefit #59thbaeksangartsawards

♬ Mabruk Alfa Mabruk – MAZRO AKHIRO

As she commemorates her 15th anniversary, IU remains active and engaged with her fans. Despite a hectic schedule, she managed to host the media art exhibition Moment earlier this year. Fans can also look forward to seeing her at the [2023 IU Fan Concert ‘I+UN1VER5E’], scheduled later this month at the KSPO Dome. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: IU is a talented performer with a golden heart. Source: Twitter/@_IUofficial.

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Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun on Being a ‘Celebrity Dispatch Gave Up On’

Seohyun, a prominent member of the second-generation girl group Girls’ Generation, recently shed light on her unique status in the South Korean entertainment industry. In an intimate conversation with Esquire Korea, she talked about being portrayed as a “celebrity Dispatch gave up on.” This label was given to her by the media outlet Dispatch due to her commendable and upright lifestyle.

서현 이제 반말 잘한다고?ㅣ서현, SEOHYUN, 소녀시대, ESQUIRE KOREA

During the interview, Seohyun recalled an instance where she was photographed reading at a cafe. She commented, “I was reading a book, and I think I went with my manager at the time. I think we talked there.” This simple, everyday activity was a testament to her grounded nature, which set her apart from most celebrities.

On a lighter note, Seohyun reminisced about her appearance on the variety show Happy Together. One segment of the show required guests and co-hosts to converse informally. Seohyun‘s hesitation to speak casually to her seniors became a highlight. Reflecting on the audience’s reaction, she said, “I didn’t know people would think that was so funny. I speak informally very well now. At the time, I really couldn’t, so it was awkward.”

Seohyun shared some exciting news

She also pointed out her role in the movie Love and Leashes. “I think I used all the slang I’ve never used in my life in this movie. I cursed a thousand times,” the actress-singer shared, highlighting the contrast between her on-screen characters and her real-life persona.

In addition to discussing her past experiences, Seohyun also shared some exciting news about her upcoming projects. She’s confirmed to return as host of the 2023 Fact Music Awards alongside Jun Hyun Moo. Fans can also see Seohyun in the Netflix series Song of the Bandits, set to premiere on September 22.

Seohyun‘s revelations provide a refreshing perspective on the life of a celebrity. Her commitment to maintaining an authentic image and her dedication to her craft continue to endear her to fans worldwide. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Her immaculate ensemble matched her image. Source: YouTube/@ESQUIREKorea.

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EVNNE’s Keita and Park Hanbin Drop Truth Bombs on The K-Star Next Door

The K-pop scene is no stranger to the rollercoaster of emotions and challenges that budding artists face. Recently, Boys Planet alums Keita, Lee Jeonghyeon, Park Hanbin, and Yoo Seungeon sat down with television personality Jonathan Thona on The K-Star Next Door. This episode was filled with candid confessions, raw emotions, and a glimpse into the world of these talented artists.

On August 1, the K-pop community buzzed with excitement when it was announced that these boys, along with Ji Yunseo, Mun Junghyun, and Park Jihoo, would debut as EVNNE. This project group, formed and managed by Jellyfish Entertainment, promises to bring a fresh wave of talent and music to the industry. During their appearance on The K-Star Next Door, the members opened up about being eliminated from Boys Planet.

EVNNE declares war on ZEROBASEONE! Revealing ‘TROUBLE’ for the first time

Park Hanbin, who’s signed to the same agency as ZEROBASEONE, revealed that he often crossed paths with the members after the show. He admitted to chatting with them individually but said he found interacting with them as a group challenging. 

In a heart-wrenching moment, he confessed that he blocked ZEROBASEONE on social media after the show ended. Why? It broke his heart to see them following his elimination. Of course, now that Hanbin is set to debut in his own group, he feels better about the whole thing.

Why Keita changed his plans

Keita‘s revelations were equally compelling. According to him, he was surprised when he didn’t make the final lineup for ZEROBASEONE. After all, he consistently made the top nine in the first three ranking announcements. 

This unexpected turn of events led Keita to contemplate selling songs he wrote to ZEROBASEONE. However, fate (and Jellyfish Entertainment) had other plans. Upon learning that he had been picked to join EVNNE with other Boys Planet alums, the Japanese producer and rapper decided not to sell his compositions. With a hint of humor, Keita added, “If they want those songs now, they’ll have to call me.”

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#kconsaudiarabia #كيكون2023 #كيكون_الرياض #كيكون #كيكون

♬ original sound – ❤️ (김 카랴밀) ❤️

In other exciting news for K-pop enthusiasts, EVNNE is set to join KCON in Saudi Arabia, which is scheduled for October 6 and 7. Aside from Keita, Park Hanbin, and their bandmates, big names like Oh My Girl and Super Junior will participate in this event too. The convention will take place at the Boulevard Riyadh City, while the concert will light up the Mohammed Abdu Arena. 

Keita and Park Hanbin may not have made the final lineup of ZEROBASEONE, but they’re on their way to great success anyway as part of EVNNE. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Keita and Hanbin were very forthcoming on the show. Source: YouTube/@Diggle.

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CRAVITY Sets New First-Week Sales Record With ‘SUN SEEKER’

Starship Entertainment boy group CRAVITY made headlines with their latest album SUN SEEKER. Aside from captivating fans with the catchy title track “Ready or Not,” it shattered sales records, underscoring their growing popularity in the music scene. Isn’t that amazing?

CRAVITY 크래비티 ‘Ready or Not’ MV

The album’s release was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. It sold 157,567 copies on the first day. On day two, SUN SEEKER sold an additional 56,433 copies, bringing its total to 214,000. By the end of its first week, it sold an impressive 273,714 copies, as reported by Hanteo Chart. This surpassed CRAVITY’s previous first-week sales record of 192,018, set by their fifth EP, MASTER : PIECE.

In a candid conversation with CNN Philippines, some members of CRAVITY talked about the album. Allen, the group’s lead rapper, highlighted every member’s individuality, saying, “We’re all unique and we each bring different charms to the table.” 

‘SUN SEEKER’ means a lot to CRAVITY

This synergy of distinct personalities is evident in the songs on the album. SUN SEEKER’s tracks all resonate with the group’s charisma and vibrant energy. Describing the album’s sound, Allen labeled it as bright, pop, and upbeat. He said this sound “really suits our members’ visuals and also suits our voices and how we perform on stage.” 

The songs revolve around determination and self-discovery. Lead dancer Taeyoung elaborated that SUN SEEKER is all about “finding one’s path and strength.” Echoing his sentiments, Allen said, “In this album, we’re telling our LUVITYs to follow your gravity, to seek what attracts you, what makes you want to do what you want to do.” One of the album’s standout tracks, “Vibration,” encapsulates this message perfectly. It emphasizes the happiness people feel when what they’re doing is aligned with their true calling.

Clearly, SUN SEEKER is more than a record-breaking album for CRAVITY. It reflects the group’s dreams, identity, and relationship with their fans. That’s why all nine members were beyond thrilled when they heard it broke records. Congratulations to CRAVITY! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Soon after the album dropped, CRAVITY went on music shows to promote its title track. One of their first stops was Inkigayo. Source: Twitter/@kpop_sbs.

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BTS’ Jungkook Talks to KISS FM’s Brady About Missing His Members and More

On September 17, 2023, the airwaves of iHeart Radio’s 1035 KISS FM were filled with anticipation as BTSJungkook joined Brady for an intimate conversation. Sporting blue denims and a crisp white t-shirt, coupled with a short hairstyle, Jungkook’s presence was magnetic. Though the interview was relatively short at just eight minutes, it was packed with revelations that have since become talking points among the BTS fandom.

It’s no secret that fans miss seeing BTS as a full group. Despite his success as a soloist, Jungkook feels the same way. When asked what he misses about the members, his words, filled with emotion, resonated deeply with fans everywhere.

Brady Talks to Jung Kook of BTS Talk About New Song ‘Seven’

“Of course, each member has his own trait, so I could say what I miss about each of them,” he said, “But more than that, as I worked on my solo project, I missed all the moments we shared together. For example, staying in the waiting room even though we were all doing our own thing. When I went to SUGA-hyung’s concert, and when I performed solo on stage, I just thought that I want to be on stage with all our members. Or I want to hang out with them in the waiting room. I really miss those ordinary moments. I hope that day comes back very soon.”

The conversation took a lighter turn as Jungkook talked about his TikTok. Chuckling, he shared, “It was unexpected. But now that ARMY and many others found my account, I might use it officially. As you know, everything is fast on TikTok. So I can use it to learn what’s trending. I don’t want to get behind in trends. So maybe? I’d assume you will be seeing more from me on TikTok!”

Jungkook reignited fans’ hopes

On the topic of his newfound passion for cooking, Jungkook revealed, “I watched numerous cooking videos online. I tried the recipes, and it naturally became my hobby.” However, after indulging a tad too much, he’s now more diet-conscious.

Discussing his aspirations as a solo artist, Jungkook expressed a desire to showcase his identity and explore different genres and styles. “First of all, it’s a bit contradictory. So, I think it’s important to have a distinct color, but I also want to show various colors as a singer. Genre, style, whatever lyrics, whatever voice, I really want to try various things. So, I wonder how far I can go, and I want to challenge myself. I’m curious.”

Finally, when asked about ARMY, the global fanbase that ardently supports BTS, Jungkook‘s words were deeply touching. “I’d describe them as a ray of light. But it’s more of a feeling than an image. I’d say it’s love, but it’s much bigger than that. When I was going through hard times, I was able to get back on my feet because I had ARMY by my side. So that’s why I can say they’re a ray of light.”

In this revealing convo, Jungkook not only shared his personal journey and feelings about BTS but also reignited the hope of millions of fans eagerly awaiting their return. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The interview didn’t last very long, but eight minutes was all Jungkook needed to bare his soul for the KISS FM audience. Source: YouTube/@1035KISSFM.

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Breaking Down BTS’ SUGA’s Final Live Broadcast Before His Military Service

BTSSUGA, known for his deep connection with fans, recently held a live Weverse session, marking his final interaction before embarking on his military service journey on September 22. The session was filled with emotions, updates, and a glimpse into SUGA‘s life.

(All SUB) SUGA🔴LIVE [goodbye to armys before military]

“I think it’s been about forty days since I last came here. I gained a bit of weight. I’ve been eating well and resting. I guess I haven’t really been resting. I’ve been filming a lot. I came to show that I am alive!” SUGA shared with fans. Sporting a noticeably shorter hairstyle, he added, “Anyways, I’m not used to my hair! It’s been a while since I’ve had such short hair. The staff didn’t recognize me! They asked me, ‘Who are you?’”

Diving deeper into his recent activities, SUGA revealed why he kept a low profile after wrapping up his world tour. The last time ARMY saw him before this live broadcast was at its three-day finale in Seoul last month. “I never was in that much pain after a tour, but this time, my body hurt so much I couldn’t get up! So I rested for two weeks after the concert. Then Taehyung‘s album came out, and I didn’t want to distract from that. I also spent time with the members. The next thing I knew, one month went by!”

SUGA reassured fans

With two members off in the military, BTS hasn’t performed as a full group in quite some time. But the others kept fans entertained with their solo work. For ARMY, SUGA’s talk show has been a real highlight of this period in the septet’s career. While he won’t be able to film new Suchwita episodes until he’s discharged, he assured fans that he prepared plenty of content to tide them over until his return.

As the broadcast neared its end, SUGA‘s words resonated with love. He replied to a fan’s comment by saying, “Yes, you’re right. The future’s going to be OK. Everything will be OK. Everyone, you don’t need to cry. We’ll be meeting in 2025, right? We promised. I’ll see you all again in 2025.” His words reassured fans that neither he nor the group will disappear for good.

In South Korea, military service is a rite of passage for all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28, spanning about two years. BTS members had the privilege to delay their service until they hit 30. As SUGA turned 30 on March 9, he could delay his enlistment no longer. ARMY worldwide eagerly await 2025, by which time all members of the group will have fulfilled their duties. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: SUGA’s new hairstyle was a hit with everyone, even his fellow BTS member j-hope. Source: Twitter/@boraboravie.

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Chuu Reveals Date for Solo Debut Album Release

Mark your calendars, KKOTIs! Former LOONA member Chuu has finally announced that she’s making her official solo debut on October 18. 

On Monday, September 17, the singer shared a 17-second teaser video for her upcoming release. 

In the film-inspired clip, Chuu is seen sporting pink hair as she poses and wink for the camera. She then points to the sky, wherein the release date of her debut mini-album is unveiled. 

Aside from the date, other details such as album name and number of tracks have yet to be disclosed. 

What we know about the solo debut of Chuu so far

After the release of the teaser, fans of Chuu took to social media to express their excitement for her solo debut. 

The still-untitled mini-album will mark several milestones in Chuu’s idol career. One is that it’s her first official release as a soloist. As well as her first album release under her new agency ATRP. 

Moreover, it’s Chuu’s fresh start after the conclusion of her legal battle with former agency BlockBerry Creative. 

It was in December 2017 when Chuu was introduced as the 10th member of LOONA. She was also a member of the group’s third sub-unit LOONA/yyxy, before the group officially debuted as a 12-member act in August 2018. 

However, Blockberry Creative expelled her from the group in November 2022, nearly a year after she filed an injunction to terminate her contract. 

Citing “abuse of power,” the agency accused Chuu of mistreating her staff. But fans and actual staff members came into the defense of the idol.

In August 2023, the Seoul Northern District Court ruled in favor of Chuu on her lawsuit against Blockberry Creative. 

While she wasn’t releasing new music during this legal battle, Chuu has been active in variety shows. She’s confirmed to appear as an MC in the variety show Steel Unit. And she’ll also be participating in Star Girl, alongside (G)-IDLE’s Yugi and BILLLIE’s Tsuki. 

Where are the LOONA members now

With her solo debut confirmed, Chuu is the latest of LOONA members to start anew after leaving their former agency. 

In July, Odd Eye Circle, the sub-unit composed of Choerry, Jinsoul, and Kim Lip, released their album Version Up. 

In September,  HyunJin, YeoJin, Vivi, Go Won, and HyeJu made their debut as the group LOOSSEMBLE (LOONA Assemble). 

Meanwhile, Heejin is also set to make her solo debut.

Featured image: Chuu invites fans to join her official membership. Credit: Twitter/Chuu

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Jay Chang From ‘Boys Planet’ to Debut as Soloist

Heads up, K-pop fans! Jay Chang from the survival show Boys Planet is confirmed to be gearing up for his solo debut.

On Monday, September 18, FM Entertainment announced that Jay Chang signed an exclusive contract with their agency. And he’s currently preparing for his official debut in October. 

Additionally, the agency mentioned that the artist took part in the album preparations. “Jay Chang’s participation and contribution are high as it is his debut album,” they said. 

As of writing, details such as album title and final release date of Jay Chang’s solo album have yet to be released. However, FM Entertainment promised fans that they will support Jay Chang so he “can show his potential and versatile talent.”

Jay Chang and his idol journey

Even before joining any survival series, the aspiring idol was already making waves online. In his trainee years, he released his first digital single “Is You.” Apart from that, Jay was also part of the pre-debut group M.O.N.T Arena.

Prior to his participation in Boys Planet, Jay Chang was already a familiar face to some K-Pop fans. The Filipino-American singer has previously competed in the 2018 survival program Under Nineteen. Unfortunately, he was eliminated early on which led him to continue pursuing his idol dreams in Boys Planet.

Despite drawing attention for his charm and excellent vocals, Jay Chang did not make it to the final lineup. In Boys Planet, MNET only intended to form a nine-member global boy group, and Jay Chang placed 10th in the global rankings. 

Which paved the way for Jay Chang to embark on his solo career. 

Where are the participants from Boys Planet now?

With Jay Chang about to debut as a soloist, he now joins the list of the Boys Planet contestants who entered the industry after the series. 

To start off, the formed group who won in the show are now promoted as ZEROBASEONE, or ZB1. Consisting of Zhang Hao, Sung Han Bin, Seok Matthew, Ricky, Park Gun Wook, Kim Taerae, Kim Gyu Vin, Kim Ji Woong, and Han Yu Jin, ZB1 debuted in July with their first mini album Youth in the Shade.

Interestingly, ZEROBASEONE sets records as they become the first K-Pop group to have sold over a million copies for their debut album. According to WAKEONE, their agency, the group sold a total of 1.24 Million copies on the first day of its release.

Another boy group produced by Boys Planet is EVNNE, which is set to debut on September 19. The project group consists of seven members including Park Han Bin, Lee Jung Hyun, Moon Jung Hyun, Park Ji Hoo, Yoo Seung Eon, Ji Yeon Seo, and Keita. As announced earlier, the group will be managed by Jellyfish Entertainment.

Meanwhile, four more former contestants of Boys Planet are set to debut as a boy group in 2023. This time, Anthonny, Haruto, Yuto, and Takuto will debut in Japan as TOZ. In an announcement made by YY Entertainment in August, the quartet are expected to debut this September 27 with the album Flare.

Featured image: Jay Chang during his fan meeting in Taipei. Credit: Twitter/Jay Chang

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Rowoon Officially Leaves SF9 After 7 Years

Rowoon is getting ready for a new chapter of his life. FNC Entertainment has confirmed that the SF9 member decided not to renew his contract with the group after 7 years. Instead, Kim Seok-woo will continue to pursue his successful acting career.

Rowoon Officially Leaves SF9 To Pursue Solo Activities

On September 18, FNC Entertainment issued a statement regarding SF9’s status. The agency confirmed that the group is moving forward after every member renewed their contracts.

“Hello, this is FNC Entertainment. We’re writing to notify you of SF9’s activities,” the statement read. “SF9’s contract with us came to an end on September 18th, after being promoted as our artist for 7 years since the group’s debut in 2016.”

It is then revealed that although Rowoon renewed his contract, we will no longer promote with SF9.

“All members renewed their contracts with us. However, the group will be starting fresh as an 8-member group except for Rowoon,” the statement confirmed. The company also assured fans that the idol will continue to be active and pursue his acting career.

“Rowoon will be focusing on his individual projects including acting,” they wrote.

FNC Entertainment concluded by stating that Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon, Dawon, Zuho, Yoo Taeyang, Hwiyoung, and Chani will pursue individual activities. They also asked FANTASYs to continue supporting SF9 in their future work.

Rowoon debuted with SF9 in October 2016 with the single “Fanfare”. He immediately began acting the following year, taking on minor roles. In May 2019, he skyrocketed to fame after playing Haru in “Extraordinary You”. From there, Kim Seok-woo actively took part in several shows including “She Would Never Know”, “The King’s Affection”, “Tomorrow”, and “Destined With You”. Rowoon is set to appear in KBS2’s upcoming series “The Wedding Battle” in October 2023.

SF9 recently released their twelfth EP ‘The Piece OF9’ in January 2023. It has not yet been revealed whether the remaining eight members are preparing for another comeback this year.

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Look: TXT’s Soobin Reunites With Bebe Rexha in MTV VMAs 2023

With the recently concluded MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), TOMORROW X TOGETHER bagged the Push Performance of the Year award for their track “Sugar Rush Ride.” Aside from that recognition though, the group’s leader Soobin had one more thing to celebrate!

Soobin, known to be an avid fan of Bebe Rexha, got to reunite with his idol at the awards show. The American singer-songwriter even took to Instagram the selfies they took at the event.

In one of Bebe’s backstage interviews at the VMAs, she even congratulated TXT and mentioned Soobin. “I’m excited to see them, say hi and just hang out with them. I’m happy for them,” she stated.

Fanboy Soobin

In Soobin’s Weverse live on September 16, the idol talked about his recent VMAs experience. There, Soobin shared his encounter with Bebe Rexha and reminisced how her music helped him get over tough times.

 “I gained a lot of  strength through her music when I was a trainee and I felt like a lot of those lyrics were talking about me… I still feel the same”, he told MOAs. Upon knowing they were both attending the VMAs, Soobin restlessly sent Bebe a text message, in the hopes that they would meet. 

Additionally, the leader excitedly shared about how their seats were close to each other during the show. And how Bebe looked out for him and his group throughout the night. Also he made sure to let Bebe know he missed her too.

Heartwarmingly, Soobin mentioned how he was really nervous during the awards show but Bebe made him feel relaxed. “Since our seats were close to each other, whenever we’d make eye contact, she’d smile at me and it really made me feel very calm,” he said. “I was really grateful to her,” he added.

Moreover, that’s not the end for Soobin’s fanboy moments during the VMAs!! When he was asked which artist he would want to work on a record with, he naturally said Bebe Rexha without a second thought.

 

Bebe Rexha and Soobin’s friendship 

In 2019, the two had a cute interaction on social media. At the time, Soobin told Bebe Rexha that he is her biggest fan.

A year later, in 2020, TXT and Bebe Rexha also held a joint Instagram live. After that virtual chat, the American singer was all praises for the K-pop group, describing them as sweet and awesome. 

Unsurprisingly, Soobin talked about how nervous he was talking to his idol. He even shared some of his favorite unreleased tracks of Bebe and asked her if she’ll release them in the future. 

 

However, the duo only met each other in-person in March 2023. To commemorate their first encounter, Bebe took to social media to share some adorable photos and clips of them together. “Sweet sweet angel,” she said in the caption.

With several interactions now, fans of both groups couldn’t help but wish for a Soobin-Bebe Rexha collaboration next!

Feautred image: Soobin and Bebe Rexha met each other in person for the first time. Credit: Instagram/Bebe Rexha

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