Category: KPOP NEWS

In a pleasantly surprising twist, the K-pop scene and the pageant world have come together. It’s all because of one Park Seyeon—better known by her stage name, Seyeon. Not only is she a fourth-gen idol, but she’s also a contender for the Miss Universe Korea 2023 title.

Seyeon‘s rise to fame began as the youngest member, or maknae, of the K-pop group PURPLEBECK. Signed to Majesty Entertainment, this group burst onto the scene in 2019 with their single album Crystal Ball. Later that year, they made a comeback with “Dream Line.”

PURPLEBECK, Crystal Ball, SeYeon Focus [THE SHOW 190709]

PurpleBeck, Dream Line [THE SHOW 191022]

Transitioning from her school days at Hanlim Multi Arts School to the dynamic stages of K-pop was no small feat. After finishing high school in February 2020, Seyeon participated in her group’s first mini-album. It was titled Starry Night and was bannered by the title track “VALENTi.” 

MVㅣPurpleBeck (퍼플백) – VALENTiㅣStarry Night

With every new release from PURPLEBECK, Seyeon consistently showcased her prowess as a singer and rapper.

However, the surprises didn’t stop there. Seyeon‘s venture into pageantry piqued the interest and excitement of many. She’s not content with simply being an idol; she’s on a mission to display the many facets of her personality and talent.

Seyeon hopes to make an impact

Known for her endearing qualities, such as her passion for cooking and her fondness for the colors black, purple, and white, Seyeon embodies beauty with depth. Her love for summer, arguably the most lively season, mirrors her vibrant and bubbly nature, making her a fitting representative for the Miss Universe Korea title.

The pageant she’s competing in is called Miss Queen Korea, and it’s responsible for selecting South Korea’s representatives for the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. Should Seyeon win it all this year, she’ll head to San Salvador, El Salvador in November for the chance to succeed R’Bonney Gabriel of the U.S. as the new Miss Universe. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnmOEY_uqls

과거는 아이돌, 현재는 미스 유니버스 코리아를 꿈꾸는 저의 행보를 기대해 주세요🙏

As of August 6, 39 contestants have been confirmed, including the Netherlands’ Rikkie Kollé. Kollé is the second transwoman to compete for the Miss Universe crown, following Spain’s Angela Ponce in 2018. Like South Korea, the other participating countries are still selecting their representatives. Seyeon is currently in seventh place. But her journey in the competition is far from over. She’s set her sights on the finals and she’s doing her best to make a significant impact. 

Fans and pageant enthusiasts alike can show their support by voting for Seyeon on the OHMYSTAR app. As she continues to break barriers, Seyeon exemplifies the evolving landscape of K-pop, where idols aren’t just limited to making music. Some are branching out, challenging norms, and setting new benchmarks. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Seyeon’s profile is filled with striking photos like this one. Source: OHMYSTAR.

In a triumphant moment for Kwon Eunbi, her new single “The Flash” clinched the top spot on SBS M’s The Show on August 8. Competing against top tracks from various artists, including xikers‘ “DO or DIE” and BBGIRLS‘ “ONE MORE TIME,” Eunbi‘s “The Flash” emerged victorious, marking her first-ever solo music show win. With 9,260 points, the victory wasn’t just a testament to the song’s popularity. It also reflected Eunbi‘s unwavering dedication and connection with her fans.

KWON EUN BI, The Flash (권은비, The Flash) [THE SHOW 230808]

Eunbi has been in the K-pop scene for a while. She started her journey with the group Ye-A in 2014 and later made waves with IZ*ONE in 2018. Her solo endeavors have spotlighted her determination and talent. After IZ*ONE‘s disbandment, she went solo and released three mini-albums. Her most recent one, Lethality, garnered significant attention. But “The Flash” set the charts alight, gaining traction among fans and critics alike.

KWON EUN BI (권은비), THE SHOW CHOICE! [THE SHOW 230808]

The episode of The Show was a celebration of K-pop, with many other performers taking the stage. Also on the bill that day were 8TURN, BXB, HORI7ON, ILY:1, LIMELIGHT, NINE.i, SATURDAY, SEVENUS (formerly known as MASC), TAN, The Wind, and YOUNITE. Each performance added to the electric atmosphere of the show. Yet, the highlight remained Eunbi’s win, a moment filled with emotion, pride, and joy.

KWON EUN BI (권은비), THE SHOW CHOICE! (Non-edited ver.) [THE SHOW 230808]

Eunbi continues to shine

A day before her big win, Eunbi collaborated with Mnet’s digital studio M2. Together, they treated her fans to a cool relay dance video for “The Flash.” This special treat showcased her impeccable dancing and vocal prowess., further solidifying her position as a versatile artist.

[릴레이댄스] 권은비(KWON EUNBI) – The Flash (4K)

Eunbi‘s first win with “The Flash” is a significant milestone, reflecting her hard work, talent, and the support of her fans. As Eunbi continues to shine in the music scene, her fans eagerly await her next steps. Congratulations, Kwon Eunbi! – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Eunbi’s “The Flash” earned over 9,000 points to beat new material from BB GIRLS and xikers. Source: YouTube/@thekpop.

On August 9, Jellyfish Entertainment made headlines by unveiling a significant change to their new boy group. Initially, the septet, consisting of Ji Yoon Seo, Keita, Lee Jung Hyun, Moon Jung Hyun, Park Han Bin, Park Ji Hoo, and Yoo Seung Eon, was set to debut under the name BLIT. However, after careful consideration and receiving feedback, the company decided on a name change to avoid any potential negative misunderstandings.

The decision came after the realization that the name BLIT might carry negative connotations in some languages. Furthermore, the name was met with jokes and mixed reactions online, prompting the agency to take swift action. Moving forward, the seven-member boy group will now be known as EVNNE, pronounced ‘even’. This new name stands for “Evening’s Newest Etoiles,” symbolizing a new rising star in the night sky. It’s a testament to the group’s ambition to shine brightly and capture the attention of fans worldwide.

Interestingly, EVNNE was not a name pulled out of thin air. It was a nickname that Jellyfish and the members had been using internally since the group’s inception. After the potential issues with the initial name surfaced, the agency collaborated with the members, and together they settled on EVNNE.

EVNNE is gearing up to debut

In line with the name change, EVNNE also unveiled their official social media accounts, giving fans a glimpse of their first group photo and individual selfies. This move showcases the group’s readiness to engage with their audience. Their goal is to build a strong online presence ahead of their debut.

The group, formed by contestants from the hit Mnet survival show Boys Planet, showcases talents who garnered significant attention and popularity. They may not have debuted, but they captured the public’s hearts nonetheless. Now, under the guidance of Jellyfish Entertainment, these seven boys are gearing up for their official debut, scheduled for the latter half of this year.

It’s commendable that Jellyfish Entertainment acted promptly to ensure their new group starts on the right foot. Fans are eagerly awaiting EVNNE‘s debut, and with the positive steps taken by the agency, the future looks promising for these rising stars. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: EVNNE’s first group photo shows them covered in shadows because they have yet to debut. Source: Twitter/@EVNNE_official.

The Daebak Show, hosted by the multifaceted artist Eric Nam, bridges fans and the K-pop scene. It offers people a deep dive into the lives of their idols through casual yet insightful conversations. In a recent episode, ENHYPEN members Jay and Jake opened up about their personal and shared experiences.

ENHYPEN’s JAY & JAKE had ‘FATE’ to Join Eric Nam 😍 | DAEBAK SHOW S3 EP12

Jay candidly shared his initial apprehensions about his English proficiency. Having spent more time in Korea than in Seattle, he felt out of touch with the language. He was nervous that he would find it hard to express himself on The Daebak Show because Eric is fluent in English. But his concerns proved to be unfounded. When the interview started, Jay surprised himself by communicating his thoughts in clear, perfectly accented English. His time living oceans away from his birthplace hadn’t dulled his linguistic skills.

Still on the topic of languages, Jay revealed his attempt to learn French. Using books and YouTube as his primary resources, he did his best to learn the language on his own, without a tutor to guide him. While he’s made commendable progress, he’s considering formal lessons in the future.

Interestingly, Jay‘s journey into K-pop wasn’t driven by a lifelong dream. He was street-casted by a company, which ignited his interest in dancing. This led him to HYBE and, later, to the first season of I-LAND. Today, Jay stands as a testament to the power of fate, echoing sentiments shared by Eric and his fellow ENHYPEN member Jake.

Jake speaks 

Speaking of Jake, his first impression of Jay was beyond amusing. He recalled Jay‘s penchant for man buns, headbands, and oversized glasses. He also humorously pointed out the other boy’s unique walk, which always made him look like he was in a rush.

The interview took a musical turn when Jay reminisced about his audition. He remembered singing “Fall” by Crush in an attempt to showcase his versatility as an artist. Jake, on the other hand, is a massive fan of Post Malone. He’s been listening to the American rapper’s latest album often lately. He credits BTS as the catalyst for his interest in performing.

Jake‘s journey into the world of dancing and singing felt natural to him. He expressed gratitude toward his parents for their unwavering support. As he tells it, their encouragement was a pillar of strength, especially during challenging times. 

Jake confessed to Eric that he’s the type of guy who usually breaks down when things go south, but his parents’ sage advice on coping with problems has helped him so much over the last few years.

An engaging “Daebak Show” episode 

Group dynamics play a pivotal role in ENHYPEN‘s success. Jake highlighted their practice of holding regular meetings. These sessions, which took place often in the past, facilitated open communication among members. But as all seven grew closer to each other, they found that they didn’t need to talk like that to work things out.

A rather eerie revelation was the location of the I-LAND building. Situated next to a cemetery, it was rife with ghostly encounters. Jay humorously recounted his determination to debut, even if it meant cohabiting with spirits.

In a lighter segment, they talked about who they’d want to travel with if they had time. Given their similar fashion tastes, Jake expressed his desire to go on vacay with Ni-ki to shopping destinations like Paris. Jungwon was Jay’s first choice, but he also said he’d like to travel with Ni-ki. They said Sunghoon would make a relaxing vacation buddy because he can be quiet whenever he wants.

The Daebak Show provided a rare yet welcome glimpse into the boys’ lives. Their candid revelations and light-hearted moments made for a truly engaging episode, further endearing them to their fans. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The boys posted these after the episode premiered. Source: Twitter/@ENHYPEN.