Category: KPOP NEWS

With the anticipation building for RIIZE‘s official debut on September 4, fans and netizens are on a quest to uncover every tidbit about the group’s members. Recently, the bond between the group’s youngest member, Anton, and Sofia Chwe, SEVENTEEN‘s Vernon‘s sister, has piqued the curiosity of many. Although she’s not an idol, Sofia has made a name for herself as a YouTube personality and boasts a commendable following. Moreover, her singing prowess is undeniable.

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Anton and Sofia allegedly crossed paths during their school days and became friends. Both born in 2004, they recently graduated from high school. Interestingly, their closeness isn’t a shocking new discovery. Photographs of them together have surfaced in the past, but back then, Anton‘s status as an SM Entertainment trainee was still under wraps. 

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The rumor mill began churning when some intriguing photos of the pair, believed to be from Sofia‘s now-deleted Instagram posts, went viral again recently. In one of them, Sofia is spotted donning a bracelet identical to Anton‘s. A friend asked if it was a gift from “him,” and Sofia playfully replied that she “stole it,” prompting Anton to post a sad emoji in the comments. 

Another post, still visible on the girl’s Instagram, shows her posing against a picturesque mountain backdrop. While the post seems unrelated to Anton, a comment inquiring if she visited the spot with “that kid” has led some to believe it might hint at Anton. Sofia, with her characteristic wit, quipped that she was accompanied by her father.

All about Anton

Anton was originally christened Lee Chanyoung. He also answers to the English moniker, Anton Lee. Born under the Aries zodiac sign on March 21, 2004, his Chinese zodiac reveals him to be a Monkey. Towering at an impressive 6’1″, Anton‘s origins trace back to Boston, MA, but he relocated to New Jersey at the tender age of three. 

He also happens to be the son of illustrious singer-producer Yoon Sang and actress Shim Hyejin. Many affectionately address him by his nickname, Brachio. His talents aren’t confined to singing; he once dreamed of becoming a professional swimmer and is good at playing the cello. RIIZE welcomed him into their fold on August 1, 2023. Twenty days later, the boy group released a pre-debut single.

While it’s clear that Anton and Sofia share a close bond, the nature of their relationship remains shrouded in mystery. Many fans believe they’re just friends. Regardless, this speculation further underscores the challenges K-pop idols face in maintaining even a shred of privacy. 

That aside, it’s heartwarming to witness an almost-idol and an idol’s sister forging a bond, especially when they come from different worlds. It’s a testament to how interconnected we all are. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: So many things are coming out of the woodwork as Anton’s official debut with SM Entertainment’s new boy group nears. Sources: Twitter/@pannchoa and @RIIZE_official.

After a series of unforgettable performances at different Waterbomb events, soloist Kwon Eunbi is making waves as part of Calvin Klein’s “My Calvins” campaign. Her appearances at music festivals, where she was lauded for her physique, already set the stage. Now she’s taking it a notch higher.

On August 28, the “Flash” singer and IZ*ONE alum took to Instagram, unveiling a series of photos from the “My Calvins” campaign. In every photo she posted, Eunbi is the epitome of confidence and charm, clad in a wide variety of Calvin Klein pieces. From bralettes and underwear to denim jackets and jeans, each photograph perfectly captured her elegance and beauty.

This collaboration with Calvin Klein isn’t simply a testament to Eunbi’s growing popularity. It’s also a strategic move for her career. While some might be concerned about her album sales, the reality is that certain things are different for soloists. This includes metrics for success. If you’re a soloist, you don’t measure success solely by the number of digital or physical albums you sell. As a soloist, your goal is to receive invitations to events, land roles in dramas and movies, and secure sponsorship deals. That’s how you make big money, and Eunbi is clearly on the right path.

Eunbi is a force to be reckoned with

A testament to Eunbi’s popularity is her recent performance at The Cass Cool Festival in Gwacheon. Some footage from this event, where she flaunted her figure in a striking blue outfit, garnered a whopping 600,000 views on YouTube in two days. Clips and photos from the event have since flooded social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).

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In other news, Eunbi made a triumphant return to the music scene last August 2 with her newest single album, “The Flash.” This track not only climbed the charts, but it also helped her secure her first-ever music show win.

Whether it’s her performances, music, or modeling ventures, Eunbi is a force to be reckoned with. With her recent Calvin Klein campaign, she has once again proven her versatility and star power. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Sizzling’ doesn’t even begin to cover how hot she looks in these ‘My Calvins’ photos! Source: Twitter/@keitadj3.

Stray Kids‘ leader, Bang Chan, has been a consistent figure in the world of live broadcasts. Since 2019, fans eagerly awaited his weekly YouTube Live show, Chan’s Room, where he chatted with fans, played songs, and sometimes hosted guests. Due to the way he hosted it, STAYs came to regard the show as a safe place.

However, since May 14, 2023, the popular broadcast has been noticeably absent from the internet. This hiatus coincided with an episode in which Bang Chan shared his experiences at the Music Bank show in Paris. In that episode, the idol revealed his surprise at some of his peers not greeting their sunbaes, which he considers basic manners. 

Although he didn’t name names, fans worldwide speculated on possible culprits, with groups like IVE being mentioned. This led to some artists facing severe criticism, while Bang Chan was praised for being honest. Following the controversy, Bang Chan took to Instagram to apologize. He clarified he never intended to target specific artists and expressed regret for any offense caused.

The hiatus of Chan’s Room has led to STAYs criticizing JYP Entertainment, with many believing the company is behind the decision. A clip from a fan meeting seemed to confirm these suspicions, with Bang Chan saying, “I can’t do Chan’s Room anymore. So, uh, I actually want to, but the company said no.”

Did Bang Chan address the controversy?

This news ignited a firestorm of criticism towards JYP Entertainment, with plenty of fans trending hashtags like #JYPELeaderOfDisappointment, and #JYPEPROTECTSKZ. Some directed their ire at Division 1, the JYP Entertainment department in charge of managing Stray Kids. They did this with the hashtag #DIVDISBAND. Other fans mobilized protest trucks to express their anger.

In a recent twist, Bang Chan seemingly addressed STAYs’ concerns on the fan community platform Dear U Bubble. He posted a photo of himself with a towel wrapped around his head. He also wrote, “Why upload now? Because it’s my decision lol.” He further emphasized, “Everything is my decision, my rules—hahahahahahahaha.” Some believe that was his way of saying that pausing his broadcasts was his decision. Others aren’t convinced.

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While some fans remain skeptical, many hope for a resolution that sees the return of Chan’s Room. A harmonious relationship between Bang Chan, Stray Kids, their management, and the fans wouldn’t go amiss, either. But only time will tell whether that’ll happen or not. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Bang Chan made fans worldwide happy through Chan’s Room, so they’re all fighting to get it back. Source: Twitter/@sweetestdua.