Category: KPOP NEWS

Jang Wonyoung, a member of the popular K-pop group IVE, recently found herself in the midst of a controversy. The issue arose when she used an iPhone-exclusive emoji on Instagram after attending a Samsung event. This seemingly innocuous act sparked a wave of criticism from netizens and media outlets alike.

On July 26, Samsung held their Unpacked event in South Korea. Wonyoung was not only a celebrity attendee but also ended up in the front row. She was even featured in a show-and-tell segment by American actress Sydney Sweeney, showcasing Samsung’s new ZFlip5 phone. The two young ladies took a selfie together with the new device, which Wonyoung later reposted on her Instagram.

However, the controversy erupted when observant netizens noticed she used a black heart emoji in her post, an emoji exclusive to the iPhone. Consequently, some accused her of being disloyal to the brand whose event she attended.

Fans defend Wonyoung

Nevertheless, a section of the public has come to her defense. They argued that Wonyoung isn’t an official Samsung endorser, so she’s under no obligation to use their products exclusively. Also, it’s worth noting that she has been featured in campaigns for Samsung, but this was due to her role as an endorsement model for SK Telecom, not Samsung directly.

This incident comes on the heels of another controversy involving her, where she was criticized for reacting poorly to a child approaching her. Despite the backlash, she continues to maintain a strong presence in the entertainment industry. In fact, IVE is getting ready for an October comeback. 

The controversy surrounding Wonyoung‘s iPhone use after the Samsung event is a perfect example of the intense scrutiny faced by celebrities in the digital age. Something as small as an emoji kicked up a storm on social media, underscoring the delicate balance between an idol’s personal choices and the public’s expectations. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Before the controversy erupted, Wonyoung was a beautiful sight to see on the red carpet. Source: Twitter/@IVEstarshipNews’ Twitter account.

In an unexpected and heartwarming display of fan service, global K-pop sensation ENHYPEN kicked off their FATE World Tour at the KSPO DOME in Seoul, South Korea. They made a special effort to connect with ENGENEs seated in the section farthest from the stage. During the performances of “10 Months” and “Polaroid Love,” the members ascended to these so-called “nosebleed” seats to greet fans. This considerate gesture made every fan feel included and valued.

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This unprecedented move by the BELIFT LAB boy group set the tone for an unforgettable evening. The venue, adorned with banners featuring the ENHYPEN members, created a vibrant atmosphere. Moreover, ENGENEs had been lining up since dawn to buy official merchandise. Most items sold out quickly, demonstrating the group’s immense popularity.

The concert showcased ENHYPEN‘s hard work, showmanship, and talent. The setlist was comprised of fan-favorite tracks, and the concert began with an introductory VCR. This was followed by great performances of “Drunk-Dazed” and “Blockbuster.” The members took turns addressing the fans in the crowd, expressing their gratitude and sharing their thoughts.

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The concert featured a mix of group performances and unit stages. Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, and Sunoo did an acoustic version of “That Feeling When.” Heeseung, Jungwon, and Ni-Ki performed “Just A Little Bit.” The concert also included performances of tracks like “Shout Out” before the members wrapped things up with an encore performance of “One In A Billion” and “Karma.”

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ENHYPEN became emotional 

During the closing comments, the members of ENHYPEN became emotional. Ni-Ki thanked the fans for their unwavering support. Jake expressed the group’s aspiration to deliver a flawless show. Jay extended his gratitude to all who helped them prepare for the show. Sunghoon thanked his parents and ENGENEs. Sunoo, with teary eyes, expressed his hope to meet ENGENE often. Jungwon shared his concerns about the hot weather and their performances, expressing joy that ENGENEs enjoyed themselves. Lastly, Heeseung expressed his happiness at getting to create beautiful performances with his members.

The evening concluded on a high note, with ENHYPEN expressing their love for ENGENE in a tweet, “As expected, our ENGENEs are the best. I will absolutely not let you go with this knot that is tied right now.”

As the group prepares for the rest of the stops on their world tour, one thing is certain. ENHYPEN and ENGENE’s journey together has just begun. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The boys expressed their post-show high on Twitter. Source: Twitter/ENHYPEN’s official Twitter account.

Woollim Entertainment is currently embroiled in controversy. The K-pop agency recently announced the departure of Alex, a member of the boy group DRIPPIN. Woollim Entertainment has also been hit by a series of negative reviews from former employees.

Earlier this year, Alex took a break from his promotional activities due to health concerns. Woollim Entertainment released a statement, saying he was ill and needed time away to focus on recovering. During this period, DRIPPIN continued promoting as a six-member group.

However, after talking to Woollim Entertainment, Alex decided to end his activities with DRIPPIN and terminate his exclusive contract with the agency. In a heartfelt letter to fans, Alex expressed his deep gratitude for the love and support he received during his time with the group and promised to work hard to deliver good news in the future. Despite his departure, Alex pledged his continued support for DRIPPIN and Woollim Entertainment and asked fans to do the same.

Is Woollim Entertainment a toxic company?

Alex‘s departure isn’t the only issue the agency is dealing with. Some former employees of Woollim Entertainment left extremely negative reviews on an employer review site. The reviews paint a grim picture of the company’s internal workings, with one reviewer describing the company as a “Caged Scrap Waste Farm Full of People With Flaws.”

The reviews highlight a range of issues, like favoritism, poor management, and low wages. One even accused the company of fabricating performance stats and manipulating fan reactions. The reviews left netizens shocked and concerned for the artists under the agency. In response to the reviews, they expressed concern and shock.

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The controversies surrounding Woollim Entertainment have raised questions about how the agency manages its artists. As the agency is home to artists such as Golden Child, Kwon Eun Bi, and Rocket Punch, many are eagerly awaiting the company’s response to these allegations.

It is hoped that the issues will be addressed properly and that the artists will continue to thrive in a supportive and fair environment. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Alex sported a somber expression and outfit in a concept photo for DRIPPIN’s 1st album, released last year. Source: Twitter/Woollim Entertainment’s official Twitter account.

K-pop idols are known for delivering unforgettable visual spectacles at every event, and the recent Waterbomb Festival in Tokyo was no exception. Amidst a line-up featuring many high-profile acts, it was ATEEZ‘s Mingi who emerged as the showstopper, leaving fans and netizens spellbound.

Mingi‘s allure was not just in his looks but also in his charisma and talent. He took to the stage in a pair of jeans, a plain white shirt, stylish sunnies, and two gold chains—in other words, the perfect boy-next-door look. His outfit, combined with his charisma, made fans’ hearts race. When Mingi got wet, he looked even sexier.

But what is it about a hot guy in wet clothes that’s considered sexy? In the context of Mingi and the Waterbomb Festival in Tokyo, the idol’s wet clothes clung to his body, accentuating his physique and highlighting his physical fitness. People often associate those traits with attractiveness. The image of him wearing wet clothes also suggested a certain intimacy and vulnerability that fans found appealing. The novelty of catching Mingi in that state added an element of excitement and intrigue. Moreover, by portraying attractive men in wet clothes in romantic and sensual contexts, the media actively shapes societal perceptions of what’s sexy.

But Mingi wasn’t just there to showcase his looks. He was there to entertain and entertain he did. Mingi fully embraced the spirit of the festival, engaging with fans and fellow members by spraying them with water and allowing himself to get drenched. By the end of ATEEZ’s set, Mingi was totally soaked, his white shirt providing a show of its own.

Mingi was the trending topic of the day

The highlight of the day was a fan-recorded video of Mingi dancing, which has since gone viral. His movements, perfectly in sync with the beat, were irresistible. The fan filming the moment couldn’t help but squeal in delight, making the scene even more memorable.

Mingi‘s look and stage presence turned him into the trending topic of the day. His performance at the Waterbomb Festival in Tokyo redefined the concept of a “wet look.” Mingi’s charisma created a wave that inevitably swept fans and netizens alike off their feet.

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Fans are still recovering from the “Mingi effect,” with numerous tweets and posts exclaiming: “Am I a joke to you, Mingi?”

Given his performance at this year’s Waterbomb Festival in Tokyo, it’s clear the KQ Entertainment idol has raised the bar for fan service and stage presence. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: One ATINY snapped as many pictures as possible to preserve Mingi’s wet look for posterity. Source: Twitter/@Constance_0809’s Twitter account.

In a recent YouTube video, K-pop sensation Seo In-Guk surprised fans by acknowledging his secret nickname, “World Gay,” during a quick game of Ideal Type World Cup. It saw the singer compare his past acting roles and love interests.

Seo In-Guk kicked off the video by announcing his intention to play Ideal Type World Cup with his past love-interest characters. However, the first phase of the game, which pitted Yoo Jin Kang of The Smile Has Left Your Eyes against Ahn Jae Hyun of K.Will‘s “Please Don’t…” music video, left the singer laughing in disbelief.

서인국 : 이러지마 제발 (Seo In-guk: Please don’t do this)

At this juncture, Seo In-Guk brought up his secret nickname. This nickname, which has been a hot topic among fans for years, ties back to his role in K.Will‘s “Please Don’t…” music video. Entering “월드게이” (“World Gay” in Korean) into YouTube’s search bar will produce plenty of results, but the first one will be the “Please Don’t…” music video starring Seo In-Guk, SISTAR’s Dasom, and Ahn Jae Hyun.

In the music video, Seo In-Guk was the male lead. Anyone watching it for the first time will believe his character was pining for Dasom‘s character, who married Ahn Jae Hyun’s character. However, the music video revealed a surprising twist towards the end. Seo In-Guk‘s character was actually in love with his friend, played by Ahn Jae Hyun.

Seo In-Guk on his sexuality

This unexpected revelation of a one-sided same-sex love was a rare theme in K-pop music videos at the time, making “Please Don’t…” a groundbreaking piece. The smooth storytelling and the emotional performances of the actors cemented the music video’s place in K-pop history. But it also sparked rumors surrounding Seo In-Guk’s sexual orientation, which he addressed on an episode of the SBS talk show Incarnation in 2013.

“I’ve heard the gay rumors,” he admitted. “Even in internet searches, ‘Seo In-Guk gay’ will pop up as a related term. This is because, in the drama Reply 1997, INFINITE‘s Hoya‘s character had a crush on me. In K. Will’s music video, I played a guy with a one-sided crush on another guy, so gay rumors kept surfacing, which is why the related search terms came up.”

[MV] K.will(케이윌)_ Please don’t…(이러지마 제발)

After winning Superstar K in 2009, Seo In-Guk built a successful career in both acting and singing. Despite his popularity and talent, he struggles with his self-image. He once said, “Sometimes when I look at myself in the mirror, I think, ‘I look nice,’ but there are times when I find myself ugly.” His fans would undoubtedly beg to disagree, we’re sure.

Seo In-Guk‘s YouTube video entertained fans with his humorous take on the Ideal Type World Cup. What’s more, the candid way he talked about his old nickname added authenticity to his person and endeared him to his fans, reinforcing his image as a genuine, relatable star. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Seo In-Guk will soon go to Manila for his first-ever fan meeting in Southeast Asia. Source: Facebook/EPIC Events’ official Facebook page.

The music scene is bracing for the arrival of a new star. Wang Zi Hao, a former contestant on the survival show Boys Planet, has officially announced his solo debut. Adopting the stage name Le’v, he will debut in mid-August.

Born on March 6, 2001, in Henan, China, Wang Zi Hao has always been a fearless challenger with a never say die attitude. His journey to stardom began on Boys Planet, where he covered Lay’s “Veil” for his Star Level Test. Although he didn’t make the debut team, ZEROBASEONE, he still captured the hearts of fans worldwide, securing the 19th spot in the 11th episode.

Wang Zi Hao’s attitude, charisma, and talent were highlighted when PrimeKingz’s leader TRIX, his dance mentor (and someone he considers a brother), appeared on Boys Planet to support him. Wang Zi Hao was thrilled by his mentor’s surprise visit. The support from TRIX, plus his brilliant take on “SuperCharger” in the Artist Battle, amplified his stage presence.

What sets Wang Zi Hao apart

Chromosome Entertainment, founded by EXO member Lay, will be managing Le’v. But the company keeps its promotion strategy, including whether it will focus on Korea or have a global reach, under wraps. This ambiguity adds an element of suspense to his debut, keeping fans on their toes.

When he’s not busy prepping for his debut, Wang Zi Hao enjoys yoga, listening to music, shopping, and video games. As far as dancing is concerned, his specialty is krumping, a style he honed under the guidance of TRIX. This unique skill set and his fearless attitude set him apart.

In the lead-up to his debut, Chromosome Entertainment plans to release a variety of promotional content. This will give fans a glimpse into Le’v‘s musical style and persona.

Wang Zi Hao‘s journey on Boys Planet may have ended, but his career in the music industry is just beginning. With the backing of Chromosome Entertainment and the mentorship of EXO‘s Lay, he’s set to make a splash as a soloist. As the countdown to his debut begins, his fans are looking forward to seeing more of this promising new talent. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Wang Zi Hao sports a new blonde ‘do in a photo posted by his new agency. Source: Twitter/Chromosome Entertainment’s official Twitter account.

Jun, one of SEVENTEEN’s Chinese members, is causing quite a stir with his new role in the C-drama Exclusive Fairytale alongside actress Zhang Miaoyi.

Exclusive Fairytale tells the story of Ling Chao, a competitive, intelligent high schooler. He grew up knowing his mother wanted a daughter but gave birth to him instead. Coincidentally, their neighbors have a daughter his age named Xiao Tu. Ling Chao has a big chip on his shoulder because his mother dotes on Xiao Tu. Although he gets good grades and has the highest IQ among his peers, nothing he does is ever good enough for his mother. Worse, his father is cold and distant, so he grew up overly independent and sensitive. Luckily, Xiao Tu brings happiness and warmth into his life with her sunny disposition. Eventually, Ling Chao realizes he’s in love with her but doesn’t know what to do about his feelings.

Jun worked on the drama in 2021. He missed some of SEVENTEEN’s promotional activities because he spent so much time shuttling back and forth between China and South Korea. But it turned out to be worth the commute.

On July 27, all 24 episodes of Exclusive Fairytale were made available for IQIYI VIP subscribers. At first, CARATs (SEVENTEEN’s fans) didn’t know how to react to the intimate scenes Jun filmed with his co-star Zhang Miaoyi. But after their initial shock faded, they made memes featuring Jun’s bandmates’ reactions.

Jun is taking everything in stride

During a live broadcast on Weverse, Jun revealed that he didn’t want his bandmates to watch the drama but knew they’d find out about it eventually. So he decided to tell them about it himself and even taught them how to watch it with Korean subtitles. However, he knows they won’t stop teasing him for at least a year.

But Jun’s bandmates aren’t the only ones laughing at his expense. During the same broadcast, he revealed that his friend, NCT‘s Chenle, made fun of him when the Exclusive Fairytale teasers were released. Apparently, he hasn’t let up since. Chenle’s bandmate, NCT’s Mark, also got in on the fun. Jun told them to watch the drama together and sent them a screenshot of the available languages so they could watch it in their preferred language.

The “Psycho” singer has been acting since he was younger. Although this is his debut as a lead actor in a C-drama, Exclusive Fairytale isn’t his first acting stint. In 2006, Jun won the Best New Actor Silver Award at the Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild for The Pye Dog, where he played Lin Zhihong. Jun has several C-dramas under his belt: Children’s War, Cross Border Daddy, Da Ming Pin Feir, Drunk Red Dust, Give Me Folly, Go! Go! Daddy, Intouchable, Pearl Dragon, Special Police Dragon, and Who’s The Hero.

Despite his friends’ teasing, Jun is taking everything in stride. After all, it’s all in good fun. Fans of NCT and SEVENTEEN are enjoying the friendly banter and continue to support Jun in his new role in Exclusive Fairytale. -K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jun is a bright, sensitive student in his new C-drama. Source: Twitter/svtcontents’ Twitter account.

Joshua, a member of the PLEDIS Entertainment K-pop group SEVENTEEN, recently made headlines for a heartwarming act of filial piety. Joshua bought his mother a house, which says a lot about how much he appreciates and loves her. He made this story public on a recent episode of Yoo Jae Suk‘s YouTube show, Pinggyeyo (Just An Excuse), where the vocalist was a guest alongside Hoshi.

Joshua grew up in a single-parent household. His mother worked tirelessly seven days a week to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. She held multiple jobs, including running a restaurant and working in traditional medicine. No matter how challenging their circumstances became, she did everything to give her son a happy childhood. Inspired by her dedication and effort, a young Joshua promised to work hard to give back to his mother.

Joshua earned praise for what he did

Fast forward to the present, Joshua, now a successful idol, has fulfilled his childhood promise in a grand way. He bought a house for his mother in Korea, a country she had moved to from the United States. He intended to give his mother a comfortable life in her new home country.

News of Joshua‘s touching gesture came to light not because he boasted about it but because one of the show’s other guests, who knew what he did, asked if Joshua would mind sharing the story. He agreed, humbly sharing his recent “flex” for his mother.

The act earned Joshua praise from another guest on the show, who lauded his filial spirit. His story demonstrates his humility and deep gratitude for his mother’s sacrifices.

In a world where young people often struggle to afford their own homes, Joshua‘s buying a house for his mother stands out. It’s more than just a “flex.” It’s about the gratitude, love, and respect that motivated the singer to do it. Joshua’s story serves as an inspiration to many, reminding us how important it is to appreciate and give back to those who have made sacrifices for us. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: A fan posted a preview of Joshua’s photos from [GOING] Magazine vol. 2. Source: Twitter/archive_hanshua’s Twitter account.