Category: KPOP NEWS

On August 30, a brief live session on TikTok featured none other than BTS‘ Jungkook. Amidst his interactions, he expressed a sudden hunger and mentioned his intention to order food from a fried chicken brand named GCOVA. He promised to return after his chicken feast.

Originating in Jungkook’s hometown of Busan, this barbecue-style chicken restaurant rapidly gained popularity, leading to the opening of many branches. It primarily operates as a delivery service. But recognizing the challenges tourists might face with the Korean delivery system, GCOVA inaugurated a branch at Hongik University, a prime tourist destination in Seoul, with a dine-in space.

The brand provides two variations of chicken: bone-in and boneless. Customers have the liberty to select between spicy seasoned chicken or the simply salted variant. Their chicken pieces are grilled to perfection with a distinctive sauce. The spicy seasoned chicken stands out because it has much more kick than its counterparts. The rice cake that accompanies it is an added delight.

GCOVA isn’t just another chicken brand

For those who can’t handle spicy food, never fear: GCOVA has got you covered. It allows customers to choose from three spice levels: Less Spicy, Normal, or Very Spicy. Given the flavorful and unique seasoning GCOVA employs, many love to mix some rice with the sauce, creating a dish commonly and fondly referred to as “Chi-bob,” a delightful combination of chicken and rice.

For those unfamiliar with the term “Chi-bob,” it’s a relatively new phrase compared to “Chi-maek.” While “Chi-maek” refers to enjoying chicken with beer, “Chi-bob” translates to eating chicken with spicy or soy sauce accompanied by rice. The term “Bob” denotes rice in Korean.

GCOVA isn’t just another chicken brand. It’s an experience, a culinary journey that resonates with both locals and celebrities like Jungkook. Whether you’re in Seoul or elsewhere, GCOVA promises a taste that’s hard to forget. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook talked about his fried chicken cravings in a short TikTok live broadcast. Source: Twitter/@BTSJKHEY.

September 1 is eagerly anticipated by ARMYs worldwide, because it’s the natal day of BTS‘ golden maknae, Jungkook. This year, the celebrations took an unexpected turn when Jimin, another beloved member of BTS, decided to gift fans with a rather cheeky birthday post for Jungkook.

Fans from all corners of the globe flooded SNS with birthday wishes for Jungkook. But amidst the sea of greetings, Jimin‘s Instagram post stood out. The black-and-white photo showcased the duo shirtless, flaunting their chiseled physiques. Jimin, with a playful attempt to appear taller, stood on his toes beside Jungkook. Their tattoos, including Jimin‘s full moon and Jungkook‘s full sleeve, were on full display. The caption? A simple yet sweet “Happy birthday jk” accompanied by a winking emoji with its tongue out.

Fans were taken aback by the unexpected nature of the post. Given Jimin‘s infrequent activity on Instagram, this particular update was all the more shocking. Many fans humorously commented that the picture was “practically illegal,” expressing their overwhelming surprise and delight.

Jimin also has reasons to celebrate

In other news, Jimin also has reasons to celebrate. His solo album, FACE, achieved a staggering 1 billion streams on Spotify. This monumental achievement came only 153 days after release, making Jimin the first Korean soloist to hit this milestone. To put this into perspective, in 2023, only global sensations BTS and BLACKPINK had previously reached the 1 billion stream mark from Korea.

FACE isn’t just a fleeting sensation. As of the 27th, the album has 1.021 billion streams on Spotify. The title track “Like Crazy” alone garnered 677.2 million streams, spanning its Korean and English versions. Other tracks like “Set Me Free Pt.2,” “Face-off,” and “Alone” received love from fans as well. They amassed 190 million, 60 million, and 50 million streams respectively.,Moreover, Jimin‘s FACE remains the only Korean solo album to feature on Billboard’s World Albums chart, marking its 21st consecutive week on the list.

While September 1 began as a celebration for Jungkook, it evolved into a day highlighting Jimin‘s bond with him and his unparalleled solo achievements. The K-pop world continues to be enriched by their contributions, and fans eagerly await their next surprises. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jimin posted this for Jungkook’s birthday in 2020. Source: Twitter/@bts_twt.

On the eve of his 26th birthday, BTS‘ Jungkook became the talk of the town. Photos of him chilling outside a restaurant in South Korea made the rounds on social media. They weren’t just any photos; they depicted genuine moments of the singer engaging with fans, sharing smiles and taking selfies.

Among the lucky fans was a young woman whose Instagram username is @ka_young2000. She shares a birthday with Jungkook, and she ran into him at the restaurant while celebrating her own special day. She posted photos with him and expressed her joy in the caption, describing the encounter as a dream come true. Later, two other fans also shared their own delightful run-ins with the idol at the same spot.

The ARMY, BTS‘ global fanbase, was abuzz with excitement. Many were happy for them, while some playfully wished they could fly to Seoul for a similar serendipitous encounter. These events further highlighted Jungkook‘s down-to-earth nature, with fans noting how friendly and warm he was. 

Later that day, he posted a message on Weverse. “Hi, everyone, It’s my birthday,” Jungkook began. As time passes, it feels more and more as if my birthday doesn’t feel like much. But since the time that all of you guys prepared for is precious, I’m making sure to clearly write these words.”

Jungkook is ‘always thankful’

He expressed his gratitude for the time fans devote to him, acknowledging the love he receives and reciprocates. “I’m just always thankful, and as precious as all of your time is, I want to tell you that I’m receiving your love and also that I love you,” he continued. “Lately, I’ve been happily spending my day by day. I have confidence that I’m doing well these days, but I’m certain that if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know how things would’ve turned out. Moving forward, let’s just trust each other, and I want to trust myself and walk alongside all of you. Thank you always! Let’s be happy.”

After posting that message, he did a short live broadcast where he opened up some more. Dressed in the same outfit from earlier—a notable t-shirt from ENFANTS RICHES DÉPRIMÉS—he sounded off on certain topics and said goodbye with signature warmth and charm.

“I feel good. Today I’ll keep this happy heart and sleep well. Recently, my insomnia has gotten a bit worse. On one occasion, I only had five hours to sleep, and it was like I just closed my eyes for five hours and then I had to go out. But today, I’ll put everything down and go to sleep happily. Anyway, today, I wanted to say hello. I’ll go now. Thank you, thank you always! Love you! Have a good time and take your meals. Bye!”

Such interactions between BTS and their fans underscore the strong bond they share, a testament to the mutual love and respect that defines their relationship. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: In honor of Jungkook’s birthday, his agency BigHit Music shared a photo album on their fan community platform. Source: Weverse.

BTS‘s Jimin isn’t just famous for his musical prowess; he’s also making waves with his philanthropic endeavors. His recent donation of 100 million KRW to the Chungbuk Provincial Office of Education has become a topic of discussion among ARMY and the general public. 

An official “Public Disclosure Document” revealed that Jimin‘s donation will benefit 10 educational institutions in the province, with each receiving 10 million KRW. The fund targets reading education programs.

Interestingly, Jimin’s father had asked that the donation remain private, emphasizing the genuine intent behind the superstar’s gesture. An official from the Chungbuk Provincial Office of Education said, “We’ll strive to cultivate upright character in students through reading various books so that the donor’s warm heart can be conveyed well.”

This isn’t Jimin‘s first act of generosity. Last year, he made a donation to the Gangwon Education Scholarship Foundation. Recently, he contributed 5 million KRW to Busan‘s Nam District as part of the Hometown Love Donation initiative. It encourages people to donate to local governments, even if they live and work elsewhere. In exchange, donors can avail of tax deductions and get local specialty products. The funds collected go to projects that benefit residents, like those that revitalize local communities and support vulnerable populations.

Jimin sparked a global movement

Jimin‘s consistent philanthropy, including previous donations to the Busan and Jeonnam Offices of Education, the Green Umbrella Child Fund and polio patients, solidified his reputation as a prominent celebrity who leverages his platform for the greater good. His actions have not only made headlines but have also inspired fans worldwide to follow in his footsteps.

For instance, Jimin’s Swiss fanbase was really moved by his commitment to children’s welfare. They gave to UNICEF and expressed their goal to “help children around the world enjoy a better future and protect them from harm.” Indonesian fans were similarly inspired and contributed to the SOS Children’s Villages in their country. On Twitter, fans used the #ShareYourHeartLikeJimin hashtag.

Furthermore, Jimin Nation of the Asia-Pacific region, celebrated Jimin‘s Spotify achievement of 1 billion streams by donating to UNICEF in his honor. Their message was clear: “Inspired by the role model that is Jimin, we wanted to give back to society and help children.”

Jimin‘s acts of kindness sparked a global movement. Fans from all corners of the world are coming forward to support children in war zones, endangered animals, and victims of COVID-19 and natural disasters, as well as people from vulnerable communities. This ripple effect of generosity, initiated by Jimin, showcases the power of positive influence and the potential of a global community united by compassion and empathy. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jimin truly has a giving heart. Source: Twitter/@_BTSMoments_.