Category: KPOP NEWS

In a surprising turn of events, TO1 member Renta has officially announced his departure from the group. On September 22, Renta reached out to fans with a handwritten letter, sharing his decision to leave and the reasons behind it.

Renta began, “While deeply considering my personal future, I shared many thoughts with my family, my members, and the company. After much deliberation, it was decided that I would conclude my activities as Renta of TO1 here, and that I would part ways with the company on good terms.”

The idol’s journey in the K-pop industry has been colorful. “I came to Korea with the dream of becoming a K-pop idol, and through various experiences and opportunities, I was able to debut as a member of TO1 and fulfill my dreams,” he reminisced. He went on to express his sincere gratitude to the members of TO1 for all the invaluable memories they made over the past year.

Renta looked to the future

However, Renta‘s letter wasn’t just about looking back. He also looked forward to the future with hope and determination. “I wanted to show TOgether my growth and improvements from here on, and I’m disappointed that I will not be able to. But I will do my best so that I can return one day as a better version of me,” he asserted. Concluding his message on a positive note, he added, “I hope that TOgether always be well and eat well. I’ll be well too, so don’t worry about me. I love you, TOgether, and thank you! See you again someday.”

For those unfamiliar with Renta‘s journey, he joined TO1 as a new member in June 2022. Before that, Renta, whose real name is Nishijima Renta, participated in Produce 101 Japan season 2. Born on 16 February 2003, this 19-year-old talent hails from Nagasaki, Japan. He made a significant impact in PD101, placing 16th, just shy of INI’s 11-member cut-off line. Fans also recall his involvement in a dance project group named DANsing Project. Apart from his native Japanese, Renta is fluent in Korean and has a basic understanding of English. His departure marks a year and six months with TO1, leaving fans with bittersweet feelings.

As the K-pop community processes this news, it’s evident that Renta‘s journey has left an indelible mark. His dedication, talent, and love for fans will always be remembered. Here’s hoping for a bright future for Renta and continued success for TO1. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The group and its fans wish Renta the best. Source: Twitter/@TO1_offcl.

Jongga Kimchi, a household name in fermented delights, unveiled SEVENTEEN‘s Hoshi as their latest brand ambassador. This renowned brand, known for its diverse range of products, celebrated the news with a photoshoot in Vogue Korea. Netizens found the news amusing and endearing. They congratulated Hoshi on becoming a successful fan of kimchi.

Soul food

The global acclaim that kimchi relishes today can be attributed significantly to Jongga. They made packaged kimchi in response to the Korean government’s initiative to commercialize the iconic dish before the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In 1987, experts crafted a standard recipe, ensuring consistent taste regardless of when and where it’s consumed. The brand name “Jongga” has to do with the Korean tradition of passing down recipes through generations, symbolizing a rich heritage and the joy of Korean cuisine.

Hoshi‘s association with Jongga Kimchi seems almost serendipitous. Known for his profound love for kimchi, he never misses an opportunity to have it as a side dish. In a conversation with Vogue Korea, he said, “Kimchi is my soul food. There are so many people around me who cook better than I do, so I haven’t felt the need to cook seriously yet. But I plan to challenge myself in the future. I want to ‘master’ kimchi stew first, which can be useful anytime, anywhere.”

The Vogue photoshoot creatively incorporated elements of kimchi. Hoshi was surrounded by a mist of powder reminiscent of the pepper flakes used in kimchi seasoning. He also wore red leather gloves, a nod to the traditional rubber gloves used in kimchi preparation. When asked about the shoot, Hoshi said, “I loved all the outfits with a red point. Especially the tight red top caught my eye. It looked good even with sunglasses. Throughout the summer, I enjoyed wearing thin shirts or long-sleeved t-shirts with shorts that came just below the knee. It made me feel the new season.”

Why Hoshi is perfect for the role

Jongga Kimchi’s influence is spreading. In 2021, over 40 countries, including the Americas, China, Japan, Europe, Oceania, and Singapore, imported 67 million USD worth of Jongga Kimchi. This marked a 131% increase from 29 million USD in 2016. Moreover, the first quarter of 2022 saw a dramatic 50% sales surge in Hong Kong, likely driven by the demand for anti-viral foods amidst the COVID-19 fifth wave.

The brand’s growth in Asia and North America is noteworthy. In the U.S., major distributors like Costco and Walmart have seen a significant uptick in sales. Interestingly, just five to six years ago, over 90% of kimchi buyers in the U.S. were local Koreans. But with the rising influence of Korean culture, more locals, including other Asians, are buying kimchi. Daesang recently inaugurated a large-scale factory in Los Angeles to cater to the growing demand, marking its 10th international production base and first outside Asia.

Given all these factors, Hoshi emerges as the ideal ambassador for Jongga Kimchi. His global fame and love for kimchi make him the perfect fit for the role. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Hoshi loves kimchi so much he calls it his ‘soul food.’ Source: Vogue Korea.

Soobin of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) recently found himself at the center of a Twitter storm, but not for reasons one might expect. His fans, MOAs (Moments of Alwaysness), trended the hashtag “#staystrongsoobin,” sending their “prayers” for his wellbeing. However, the reason behind this outpouring of support was more light-hearted than it seemed.

Soobin is a well-known admirer of Jujutsu Kaisen. His favorite character is Gojo Satoru. For the uninitiated, Jujutsu Kaisen is an anime and manga about sorcerers battling physical manifestations of curses to protect humans. Soobin‘s affection for Gojo is evident. Whether he’s imitating Gojo‘s moves, snapping photos with Gojo posters, or sharing his fandom with MOAs, Soobin‘s love for the character is undeniable.

However, the fandom was thrown into a frenzy when a leaked manga preview hinted at Gojo’s possible death. This revelation led to Gojo‘s name trending on Twitter worldwide. Given Soobin‘s admiration for Gojo, MOAs humorously initiated the hashtag, hoping the potential spoiler wouldn’t make him too sad.

A visibly upset Soobin

Their concerns weren’t unfounded. On September 21, Soobin, alongside Hueningkai and Taehyun, went live on Weverse. They engaged with fans on various topics, including the latest developments in Jujutsu Kaisen. Eager fans flooded the livestream with comments about the spoiler, to which a visibly upset Soobin responded, asking for no more spoilers despite being aware of the manga’s events. Hueningkai added that he had to exit the Weverse app immediately upon seeing the spoiler, even though he expected the update. Soobin, in his typical fanboy fashion, asked fans to refrain from discussing Jujutsu Kaisen further.

While MOAs who follow the manga found Soobin‘s reaction relatable, others had mixed feelings. Some appreciated his investment in the character, while others questioned why fans would spoil the update for TXT’s leader.

We don’t have the answer for that, but we do know it’s heartwarming to see fans support their idols, even if it’s over an anime spoiler. As the story unfolds, one thing is certain: MOAs always have Soobin‘s back, no matter what. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Worried MOAs wondered how Soobin would react to the news. Source: Twitter/@TXT_bighit.

Some years back, Japanese teen Michieda Shunsuke—also known as “Micchi”—went viral in South Korea because of his ethereal visuals. Today, this talented young man has matured, and his refined good looks continue to mesmerize fans.

Meet Micchi

Micchi‘s journey began under the renowned talent agency Johnny & Associates. Even as a rookie, he garnered significant attention, especially from Korean netizens. They lauded him as a “triple threat” for his voice, moves, looks, and charismatic personality. Born in Osaka, Japan, Micchi’s passion for music was evident from a young age. Influenced by his mother’s love for SMAP, he grew up listening to iconic groups like Hey! Say! JUMP. His family’s support led him to join Johnny & Associates in 2014, marking the start of his illustrious career.

His rise to fame was meteoric. At just 13 years old, Micchi became a backup dancer for senior groups at his agency. However, it was his inclusion in the Kansai Johny’s Jr. group Naniwa Danshi in 2018 that solidified his position in the entertainment industry. This group, consisting of seven boys, debuted with the single “Ubu Love” in 2021. But it was his star turn in the series My Son in 2017 that truly caught the attention of Korean netizens, many of whom had already become ardent fans.

Since then, he has done multiple dramas and films, with his role in Even if This Love Disappears From the World Tonight garnering significant attention. During the press conference for this film in Seoul, he thanked his Korean fans. Overwhelmed by the love, Micchi shared, “I was anxious, but I’m grateful knowing many people cheer for me. Thank you for welcoming me with warm support. I’m very impressed, and I think this is such a great city,” he said. Despite the language barrier, he endeared himself to them with charm and humility.

The ‘one-in-a-million male idol’

In Korea, Micchi is fondly nicknamed the “one-in-a-million male idol.” When asked about this title, he responded with genuine humility, attributing the success of his films to the collective efforts of the cast and crew. At just 21, his future in the entertainment industry looks incredibly promising.

His fans have more to look forward to, as Eye-Ai, an English magazine on Japanese culture and entertainment, put Micchi on the cover of its November issue. In recent news, Naniwa Danshi‘s new single, “Make Up Day/Missing,” secured the No.1 spot on the Oricon weekly combined singles ranking.

Michieda Shunsuke‘s journey from a young boy in Osaka to an international sensation is a testament to his hard work, talent, and the unwavering support of his fans. As he continues to shine in the entertainment world, there’s no doubt that his star will only burn brighter in the future. – K-Pop News Writer

なにわ男子 – Make Up Day [Official Music Video] YouTube ver.

Featured Image: Micchi has been described as ‘flower boy pretty’ by Koreans. Source: Twitter/@ironjeonss.

The K-pop survival show A2K (America2Korea) has ended, revealing its six finalists: Camila, Kaylee, KG, Kendall, Lexi, and Savanna. This venture saw teenage girls from North America auditioning for a chance to train in Seoul and debut in a global girl group called VCHA. A collaboration between JYP Entertainment and Republic Records, it marks the first American group trained under the rigorous K-pop system.

VCHA: What’s in a name?

The excitement was palpable during their first official group interview with Teen Vogue. Savanna expressed her eagerness to connect with fans, while Camila reflected on their incredible journey over the past year. Lexi said she can’t wait for people to listen to the music they’ve been working on. To mark their formation, VCHA announced the release of a pre-debut single, “SeVit (NEW LIGHT),” featuring the title track “Y.O.Universe” and other songs from the show.

After the show, the six finalists underwent intensive training at JYP Entertainment’s headquarters in Seoul. Eventually, their group received the name VCHA (pronounced vit-chaa). When asked about their reactions to the name, leader Lexi said, “We were really shocked at first. It was unexpected because we were so used to A2K that it just wasn’t something that we thought was going to be our name. But it’s really cool, and the meaning matches us really well.” 

Kaylee elaborated on the name’s significance, saying, “VCHA comes from the Korean word ‘비춰’ or ‘bichwo,’ which means ‘to shine the light.’ And the textbook meaning is basically that we’re supposed to inspire. We all have role models or people we want to be like, so we want to inspire and lead the way for people who also see us as role models.”

When asked what they did after the finale, Savanna revealed, “Honestly, we didn’t have that much time [to celebrate] after the members were announced. We went straight into training. But we have been spending a lot of time together, and we’re also next-door neighbors at the hotel. We’ve been bonding. We eat meals together and go on walks.”

Their ‘A2K’ journey

KG’s love affair with K-pop began after she went to KCON LA, where watching ITZY live inspired her. Meanwhile, Kendall and Lexi got into K-pop because of its distinctiveness. They emphasized its choreography, fan interactions, fashion, and rich culture. “I feel like one of the biggest things in K-pop is the interaction with fans is so much different than in Western music. I feel like in K-pop, there are more personal interactions and more content put out there for fans,” Kendall said.

Reflecting on their A2K journey, Camila said, “I think we can all agree that we learned how capable we are of overcoming hardships because the show was very challenging. There were a lot of intense moments, and at times, it got really hard, but it was really comforting to see that you can do it and that you have your members and your friends to help you throughout the whole process.” 

The show emphasized the importance of teamwork. When asked about the challenges of singing and rapping in Korean, the girls revealed that one member was particularly helpful. KG said, “It was fun to be on a team with Kaylee, who is fluent in Korean. I had to try and sing in Korean. She definitely laughed at me sometimes for my pronunciation, but she taught us well.”

In conclusion, Savanna expressed her gratitude for the experience. “Five months ago, I could never have imagined this moment, us sitting down. I never thought I would get here with all of them. We learned so much, and we all just grew so much. I’m happy to say that after all this training and hard work, I guess we can be considered somewhat professional now. At the same time, it was a lot of fun. I would maybe do it again.” – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The girls are looking to follow in the successful footsteps of JYP Entertainment’s other groups. Source: Teen Vogue.