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RIIZE’s Shotaro Reflects on Moving From NCT to Rookie Group

Former NCT member Shotaro discussed what it was like making the big move to the latest rookie group RIIZE
Former NCT member Shotaro discussed what it was like making the big move to the latest rookie group RIIZE

Shotaro opened up about his honest reaction to the big change in his career. The former NCT member discussed what it was like to debut in an established K-pop act. Shotaro Osaki then reflected on what he faced when he joined SM Entertainment’s new rookie group RIIZE.

Shotaro Reflects on Moving From NCT to Rookie Group RIIZE

Back in May, SM Entertainment issued a statement regarding Sungchan and Shotaro’s status in NCT. The company revealed that the idols, who joined the group in 2020, will join a new group. Since then, Shotaro and Sungchan went from members of an established group, NCT, to starting over in a rookie group, RIIZE.

But what was it like to make the big change for Shotaro? The Japanese idol discussed his thoughts during RIIZE’s debut event on September 4. First, Shotaro stated that he was proud to have been part of NCT.

“I had been promoting as a member of NCT before and it was such an honor for me to perform in that group,” he said. “I really appreciate the fans and members for supporting me.”

Shotaro continued by admitting he is happy and excited to be a part of RIIZE.

“And now I’m debuting as RIIZE, I’m so happy to debut with the members I practiced with,” he said. “I’m excited for us to show you many things in the coming days. We’re also preparing a lot of things for you, so please look forward to them.”

Jung Sungchan and Osaki Shotaro debuted as part of NCT on October 12, 2020. They were featured as part of the group project NCT 2020 and participated in the album ‘NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1’. SM Entertainment initially planned for the two idols to become a part of a new NCT unit.

RIIZE released their debut single album ‘Get A Guitar’ and the title track of the same name on September 4, 2023.

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K-DRAMA KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

EXO’s Xiumin, MONSTA X’s Hyungwon Join New Supermarket Drama

The K-pop idols will be joining Lee Shin Young, Choi Jung Woon, Choi Won Myeong, and Lee Sae On

Get ready to dive into the excitement of the upcoming supermarket drama “CEO-dol Mart” (working title), which promises an intriguing storyline and a talented ensemble cast. The upcoming supermarket drama will feature EXO’s Xiumin and MONSTA X’s Hyungwon!

New Supermarket Drama ‘CEO-dol Mart’ Drops First Poster

On the 5th of September, “CEO-dol Mart” unveiled an eye-catching group poster, featuring the lead actors, including Lee Shin Young, EXO’s Xiumin, MONSTA X’s Hyungwon, Choi Jung Woon, Choi Won Myeong, and Lee Sae On.

The series unfolds the captivating narrative that follows the aftermath of Thunder Boys, an idol group, disbanding due to an unexpected incident. These former idols embark on an unexpected journey as they take over the reins of a struggling supermarket.

The newly released poster introduces the five Thunder Boys members: the leader Choi Ho Rang (played by Lee Shin Young), the main dancer Shin Tae Ho (portrayed by Xiumin), the rapper Jo Yi Joon (brought to life by Hyungwon), the vocalist Eun Young Min (played by Choi Won Myeong), and the charismatic youngest member Yoon Sang Woo (portrayed by Lee Sae On). Despite reaching the pinnacle of their careers, they are forced to disband abruptly due to an unforeseen accident. Five years later, they discover the astonishing truth that, on paper, they are the owners of a supermarket.

This captivating storyline follows the journey of these former idols as they transition from living aimlessly to becoming supermarket owners, igniting a remarkable adventure. Alongside the Thunder Boys, the poster also features the experienced part-timer Oh Ye Rim (played by Choi Jung Woon), who brings her wealth of supermarket experience to the table, showcasing remarkable leadership skills. As they navigate this new venture, the Thunder Boys members will also uncover their hidden talents while working at the supermarket, adding depth and excitement to the series. “CEO-dol Mart” is set to be a must-watch drama filled with unexpected twists and heartwarming moments.

“CEO-dol Mart” has not yet been given an official release date. However, the new supermarket drama is set to premiere on TVING.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Here’s How The Boyz’ Juyeon Reacted to Getting Hit On in Paris

Juyeon, the visual of the popular K-pop group The Boyz, is renowned for his striking looks. But it’s not just his appearance that leaves a lasting impression on other people. His charm and humility are equally captivating. A recent encounter in Paris is proof of this.

On September 3, 2023, a European fan shared a delightful story about her unexpected encounter with the K-pop idol in the City of Lights. While exploring the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Montmartre district, she and her friend stumbled upon a “really handsome guy” in a chapel next to the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. Little did they know, this handsome stranger was none other than Juyeon.

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), the fan recalled, “I was taking photos when my friend came up to me and said, ‘Look behind me! There’s a really handsome guy!’”

Initially unaware of his identity, the duo continued their tour. However, curiosity got the better of them, and they approached Juyeon and his companion to ask for their Instagram handles. Juyeon‘s response was endearing and surprising. “When we asked him if he had Instagram, he seemed a little surprised, then he said, ‘Um, no.’ He asked where we were from. We said France and he said Korea. We then told him ‘Have a good day!’”

Close encounters with Juyeon

The story took another nice turn when the fan bumped into someone while taking a photo in front of the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. To her astonishment, it was Juyeon. He recognized her too, and that culminated in a revelation. “He told me, word for word, ‘Actually, I have Instagram.’ Surprised again, I handed him my phone. When Juyeon handed me back my phone, I quickly looked at his photos. I thought to myself, ‘Weird, it looks like a celebrity account,’ until my eyes fell on the account’s name, which was @official_theboyz. I was shocked and started to stammer a little.”

Twitter/@MlissaMichelon1

She told Juyeon that while she didn’t recognize him at first, she knew of the band and loved their music. He responded by calling her a liar—as a joke, mind you. When she asked for a photo, he gave in and even put his best foot forward. “He was very motivated to take beautiful photos because the first time I tried to take my phone back after taking one, he said, ‘Again.’ It was cute and fun,” she wrote. “After taking photos. We thanked him and he asked us not to post them just yet. We said we could wait. We didn’t want to cause him any problems.”

 Twitter/@MlissaMichelon1

The encounter didn’t end there. As the girls deliberated their next destination, Juyeon approached them once more, this time bearing two cups of strawberry granita as a token of appreciation. Their final farewell was marked by Juyeon‘s gracious wave, leaving an indelible mark on their hearts.

What to do when you meet an idol

The fan then offered some wise advice to others lucky enough to meet their idols in public. “If you ever meet a star, don’t jump on him with a video right away! Ask nicely if you can take a photo, and simply enjoy the moment. That way, you and your idol can have a good time without any problems and create a good memory!”

She then addressed Juyeon directly, “Finally, I’d just like to say a few words to Juyeon. Thank you for this simple and precious moment. We’ll remember it! I hope your trip to Paris went well and that you were able to enjoy it without problems. We’ll definitely be coming to The Boyz’s next concert!”

In related news, The Boyz released their second album [PHANTASY] Pt.1 Christmas in August. It features six tracks, including the summery bop “LIP GLOSS,” which has garnered over eight million streams on MelOn. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Two lucky Europeans lived every Deobi’s dream. Source: Twitter/@juyeonleepics.

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Jeon Somi Discusses New Friendship With BTS’ RM

Jeon Somi opened up about meeting BTS leader RM through BIGBANG's G-Dragon

Jeon Somi is opening up about her new friendship with a K-pop superstar. The “Dumb Dumb” singer reportedly discussed how she met BTS leader RM. In addition to that, Somi revealed some interesting details about how she and Kim Namjoon communicate.

Somi Reportedly Talks About New Friendship With RM of BTS

On September 4, an observant netizen took to an online community forum and shared an intriguing post titled, “Jeon Somi Reveals Friendship with BTS’s RM.” In their post, they included a screenshot of an article capturing a noteworthy moment from Somi’s recent fan sign event.

The article highlighted Jeon Somi’s revelation to her fans about her newfound friendship with RM of BTS. According to her, this connection had only recently blossomed, with their initial encounter occurring at G-Dragon’s exclusive ‘PEACEMINUSONE X Nike’ private dinner event. It’s worth noting that PEACEMINUSONE is G-Dragon’s renowned brand, sparking speculations that he might have played a pivotal role in introducing Jeon So Mi and RM to each other.

What piqued the curiosity of fans even more was Jeon Somi’s disclosure that she often engaged in conversations with RM in English. This linguistic connection added an extra layer of intrigue to their blossoming friendship. The revelation stirred excitement within both Somi’s and BTS’s fandoms, further cementing the dynamic nature of the K-pop industry’s interpersonal relationships.

Somi soared to nationwide recognition when she secured the coveted first position on the competitive reality show “Produce 101,” which led to her membership in the eleven-member project girl group, I.O.I. Following the disbandment of I.O.I, she inked a contract with YG Entertainment’s subsidiary, The Black Label. This pivotal move marked the commencement of her solo artist career, with her debut taking place on June 13, 2019. Recently, Jeon Somi signed with Universal Music Japan and is preparing for her Japanese debut.

Meanwhile, RM recently revealed he would “not be taking on any projects in the near future.” This is in connection with his approaching mandatory military service.

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Watch: DAY6’s Young K Comforts Fans With ‘Letters With Notes’

Young K in the behind-the-scenes filming for 'Letters with Notes.' Credit: Twitter/DAY6

Rejoice, My Days! Young K of K-pop band DAY6 made his highly-anticipated solo comeback with Letters with Notes on Monday, September 4. 

Alongside his first full-length solo album Letters with Notes, Young K also released the music video for the album’s title track “nothing but.” Said song is an emotional rock ballad about love.

In the “nothing but” music video, the DAY6’s bassist and vocalist acted with labelmate TWICE’s Dahyun. The two portrayed a couple who is on the verge of breaking up. 

Prior to the release of the album, the singer also treated fans with two pre-release tracks: “waited” and “let it be summer.” Moreover, “let it be summer” saw Young K playing his guitar all over beautiful sceneries in its official music video.

 

Eight more tracks make up Letters with Notes. These include “dreamer,” “bungee jumping,” “natural,” “STRANGE,” “SOUL,” “playground,” “babo” and “what is..”

Young K as a solo artist

Undoubtedly, this album proved Young K’s exceptional talent as a musical artist as he took part in composing and writing lyrics for all 11 tracks.

“My mentor, composer Hong Ji-sang, always tells me that I have to make an improvement or at least a change. So I took a stab at many different things this time, trying to pull off diverse genres of music, while writing more metaphorical lyrics.” the singer said in an interview with The Korea Times. 

He also hoped the album can deliver diverse emotions to listeners. “It will be great if it can bring comfort, joy, or something else that they can resonate with… If they can feel something from my music, then that will be enough,” he added.

Additionally, Young K, who released his debut mini album Eternal in September 2021, will also perform on the international stage.

It was announced on DAY6’s social media accounts that Young K will be having his solo concerts in Jakarta and Bangkok this October and December, respectively.

 

Moreover, fans have truly waited a long time for Young K’s solo comeback in the music scene. Letters with Notes is even more special as it is the singer’s first release since he was discharged from military service in April.

When he enlisted, Young K became the first K-pop idol to join the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA), which apparently only recruits about 2,000 men each year.

Shortly after his discharge, he returned as the radio program DJ of Kiss the Radio all while preparing for his album. Young K was the DJ for the show from November 2020 to October 2021. 

Featured image: Young K in the behind-the-scenes filming for ‘Letters with Notes.’ Credit: Twitter/DAY6

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Taeil and Haechan Release Teaser for NCT Lab Project ‘N.Y.C.T’

Taeil and Haechan poses for the concept photos of their duet under NCT Lab. Credit: Twitter/NCT

NCTzens, get ready for this amazing team-up! NCT 127 members Taeil and Haechan are joining forces to release their first NCT LAB track, which will be titled “N.Y.C.T.”

On Monday, September 4, SM Entertainment unveiled more concept teasers for Taeil and Haechan’s upcoming duet. Aside from individual photos, other pictures also showed the two members posing together.  

 

An abbreviation for New York City, “N.Y.C.T” is an R&B pop song. The two vocalists, who are known for their soulful singing, have also participated in composing and writing the song. 

Although it will be officially released on September 7, Taeil and Haechan first performed “N.Y.C.T” during NCT127’s Neo City: Seoul The Link+ concert in October 2022. 

 

Moreover, fans are looking forward for the duet since it served as member Taeil’s first release following a motorcycle accident. Currently, the idol is on hiatus to focus on his recovery.

What is NCT LAB?

NCT LAB is a SM Station series allowing NCT members to release their self-composed solo and unit tracks outside of regular NCT albums.

As of this writing, NCT LAB has a total of seven tracks. 

Additionally, the project was first announced on January 27, 2022. It immediately kicked off a few days after with its first release: “Child” by member Mark.

Meanwhile, its first unit song “coNEXTion (Age of Light)” was sung by members Doyoung, Mark, and Haechan. Said song also featured a performance by Shotaro, who is now a member of RIIZE.  Then, it was followed by another unit song “Rainy Day,” which was performed by Kun, Taeil, and Yangyang. 

 

For the rest of 2022, NCT LAB released two more tracks. Jaehyun showed off his angelic vocals with “Forever Only” while Ten exhibited his powerful dance skills with “Birthday.”

In 2023, Mark and Jaehyun both released their second NCT LAB solo tracks. Mark proved his versatility as a performer with the hit “Golden Hour,” while Jaehyun blessed the fans’ ears yet again with the R&B song “Horizon”.

Taeil and Haechan’s upcoming duet track will now be NCT LAB’s eight official release.

Moreover, SM Entertainment also confirmed more upcoming NCT LAB songs including a solo track by Kun, and another unit song by Kun, Xiajun, Renjun, and Chenle. Although, details about these upcoming NCT LAB songs have yet to be released. 

In other news, NCT returned as a full group with the fourth album Golden Age and held their first full group offline concert NCT NATION: To The World. Currently, NCT 127 is gearing up to make a comeback with their fifth album, Fact Check, in October. 

Featured image: Taeil and Haechan poses for the concept photos of their duet under NCT Lab. Credit: Twitter/NCT 

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RIIZE Announces Official Fandom Name

RIIZE has finally announced their official fandom name after the release of their single album 'Get a Guitar'

RIIZE, the exciting new musical sensation, recently made a thrilling announcement that sent their fans into a frenzy of excitement. On the 4th of September, the group hosted a spectacular showcase titled “RIIZING DAY: RIIZE Premiere” to commemorate the launch of their debut single album, “Get A Guitar.”

RIIZE’s Official Fandom Name Finally Announced On Social Media

Amidst the electrifying atmosphere of the showcase, RIIZE took a momentous step by introducing their official fandom name, which they proudly christened as “SUNZ.” This announcement was met with resounding cheers and applause from their dedicated supporters in attendance, and it resonated far and wide as RIIZE spread the word through their official social media channels.

RIIZE also shared the news on X with a hopeful message for their fans. “SUNZ, who will always make RIIZE shine brightly from the same place and mature together with RIIZE, please continue to show great support for RIIZE,” it reads.

This momentous occasion marked a significant milestone in RIIZE’s journey, solidifying the bond between the group and their devoted fans, who can now proudly identify themselves as “SUNZ.” As the group continues to captivate audiences with their music and performances, the SUNZ fandom is set to grow and thrive as an essential part of RIIZE’s vibrant and passionate community of supporters.

RIIZE is comprised of seven members namely Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee, and Anton. Shotaro and Sungchan were previous members of NCT before SM Entertainment announced they would be joining the new group. The members’ profiles were released in August 2023. Since then, the upcoming idols dropped their pre-release single “Memories” on August 21. The group officially debuted with their single album ‘Get A Guitar’, which was released on September 4, 2023.

In addition to announcing their fandom name, RIIZE was also confirmed to promote internationally. The group has signed a contract with RCA Records for their promotion and activities in the United States.

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

ONEUS Confirms September Comeback With ‘La Dolce Vita’

ONEUS is preparing for a September comeback

ONEUS is getting ready for their next release this year. The boy group has just confirmed that they are preparing for a September comeback. Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong, and Xion have just dropped a cool teaser for their tenth mini-album ‘La Dolce Vita’.

ONEUS Set for September Comeback With ‘La Dolce Vita’

On September 4, the official ONEUS YouTube account dropped the logo motion teaser for the group’s September comeback. As a tradition, the boy group unveils a new version of their logo with every comeback. The new logo is more delicate than its predecessors. It suggests that the idols might be going for a lighthearted and fresh comeback later this month.

‘La Dolce Vita’ will be ONEUS’ second effort as a five-member group after RAVN’s departure in October 2022. Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong, and Xion had previously made their debut as a five-member group with the mini-album ‘Pygmalion’ in May 2023.

ONEUS made their debut with the EP ‘Light Us’ in January 2019, marking the beginning of their musical journey. Following this, they went on to release an impressive catalog of music, comprising seven mini-albums and the full album ‘Devil’ in January 2021. In March 2020, they also treated fans to the single album ‘In Its Time,’ showcasing their versatility and dedication to their craft.

In a significant development, September 2022 saw the release of their album ‘Malus,’ which served as the centerpiece for their ‘ONEUS 1st World Tour [Reach For Us].’ Originally planning to embark on this global tour as a six-member group, the unfortunate departure of Ravn due to reports of inappropriate behavior led them to adapt their plans. Undeterred, the remaining five members pressed on, commencing the tour in October 2022.

Despite the challenges they faced, ONEUS’s dedication and talent shone brightly throughout their tour, as they delivered an astounding total of 22 shows across four continents. This journey reflects their resilience and commitment to their music, solidifying their place in the hearts of fans worldwide.

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KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

GOT7 Unveils New Official Light Stick Ver. 3

It’s almost time to get a new AHGABONG. GOT7 has just unveiled the first look of their latest official light stick Ver. 3. Not surprisingly, the unexpected announcement already has IGOT7s wondering if the idol group are preparing for a comeback concert.

GOT7 Confirms New Light Stick Version 3

GOT7 has sent their fans into a frenzy of excitement with the unveiling of the highly anticipated third iteration of their official light stick. The AHGABONG Version 3 immediately sparked a global wave of anticipation, with fans eagerly marking the days until its official release.

The new design boasts a sleek black base that exudes elegance. Its upper portion resembles a bird, an homage to GOT7’s devoted fanbase IGOT7 or AHGASE. The second official nickname for the fandom translates to “baby bird” in Korean. This upper section is adorned with captivating green illumination, perfectly aligned with the group’s official fandom color. To add to its allure, the handle proudly features the unmistakable GOT7 logo, making it an essential item for fans to own and cherish.

It’s certainly an awesome update from GOT7 considering that the idols haven’t released a group effort since May 2022. Needless to say, AHGASEs are now wondering if this means the boy group will reunite for a new project. After all, why would the idols release a new lightstick if it wouldn’t be used in a concert? Could there be a comeback concert in the future? Keep checking this page for more updates on this story.

In the meantime, GOT7 fans can circle September 8, 2023, on their calendars.  This is the date of the official debut of the official light stick Version 3. The exciting release is scheduled for a Friday afternoon, ensuring that fans have something to look forward to at the end of the week.

In related news, member Mark Tuan recently dropped his latest music video for the song “Everyone Else Fades.”

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES VARIETY

BTS’ V Delights Netizens in Chaotic ‘Running Man’ Promo

BTS‘ V is gearing up for his first solo appearance on SBS’ Running Man as part of the promotional activities for his first solo album, Layover. The initial promo suggests that ARMY are in for a treat, with the episode promising to be a comedic spectacle. For the uninitiated, Running Man is a staple in Korean entertainment. It’s a fun variety show where participants engage in a series of humorous and challenging games to win the ultimate prize.

[Trailer] BTS’s V on Running Man 😍 | Coming Soon to Viu for FREE!

V’s first solo flight

The show enjoys immense popularity not only in Korea but also wherever Hallyu content is consumed. While BTS as a group had graced the Running Man set during its 300th episode in 2016, this marks the first time V is appearing solo, causing a surge of excitement among fans.

A recently released promo showcases V‘s duality. It begins with the “Rainy Days” singer stepping out of a car and striding down a red carpet, exuding the aura of a global superstar. Dressed in a black velvet ensemble with his blonde hair styled to perfection, V embodied the international music icon he is. The scene then shifts to V being handed a paper detailing the game’s rules, revealing his character as the affluent owner of lands in eight regions of the fictional “Running Country.”

The promo also shows V meeting the other cast members. The atmosphere is electric and the awe in their eyes is palpable as they greet the singer-songwriter. In a light-hearted moment, he reveals he was told to dress fancy for the show, leading to a humorous exchange with Ji Suk-jin. The comedian bent his head so V could whisper to him, “Your nose hair is showing.” The cast laughed uproariously at that. Fans are reacting similarly to the promo. Here’s what they’ve said:

Will the ‘Running Man’ cast beat him?

Later in the promo, V changes into a more casual outfit. He dons a yellow t-shirt and jeans. As the landowner, he holds the power to determine taxes in each region, much to the shock and dramatic despair of the regular cast members. This episode’s narrative revolves around the cast’s attempts to negotiate tax reductions with V, who proves to be a tough negotiator. BTS fans worldwide are excited to see if the Running Man cast can wrest the upper hand from him or not. 

Mark your calendars for a riveting episode of Running Man airing on September 10 at 6:15 PM KST. He’s also set to appear in Suchwita as the last member of BTS to grace SUGA’s beloved talk show. 

[슈취타] EP.18 TEASER

With BTS‘ V at center stage, the upcoming episodes of both promise to be unforgettable. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: V really took his job as “landowner” seriously. Source: YouTube/@ViuSingapore.

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