Category: KPOP NEWS

K-pop is no stranger to young talent. But even by industry standards, the journey of LE SSERAFIM member Sakura is remarkable. Recently, Korean netizens expressed astonishment at the tender age at which she began her career with HKT48 in Japan.

Sakura was only 13 years old when she first stepped into the limelight as a member of HKT48, a regional offshoot of the famous Japanese idol group AKB48. Her time with HKT48 wasn’t a fleeting phase. She began as a trainee in 2011 and was a full-fledged member by 2012. Sakura made history as the first HKT48 member to rank in the AKB48 general election at No. 47.

Her first A-side participation with HKT48 came with its first single, “Suki! Suki! Skip!” and “Melon Juice.” In 2014, she was transferred to the newly formed Team KIV, promoted to vice-captain, and given a concurrent position in AKB48’s Team A. Sakura also became one of two centers for AKB48’s 38th single, “Kiboteki Refrain.”

In 2015, she played a lead role in AKB48‘s drama Majisuka Gakuen 4 and released a photobook. She achieved her first solo lead position on AKB48’s 43rd single with “Kimi wa Melody” in 2016.

Sakura and K-pop

In 2018, Sakura‘s career took a significant turn. She participated in the survival show Produce 48, a joint venture between AKB48 and the K-pop scene. Despite the fierce competition, Sakura stood out, eventually securing a spot in the project group IZ*ONE.

After IZ*ONE‘s disbandment in 2021, Sakura took another bold step. She moved to South Korea and joined the K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM. This transition was met with widespread anticipation and excitement, as fans were eager to see how Sakura‘s unique blend of Japanese and Korean idol training would manifest in her performances.

Korean netizens’ recent discussions about Sakura‘s early start in the 48 Group brought her journey back into the spotlight. They admire her for joining the entertainment industry at a very young age and successfully transitioning from J-pop to K-pop.

Sakura‘s journey from the 48 Group to LE SSERAFIM is a testament to her talent, resilience, and adaptability. Her journey demonstrates that it’s possible to do great things, even when starting at a young age. As Korean netizens continue to discuss her early start, one thing is clear: her impact on the music scene is far from over. —K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: Sakura returned to SNS when she signed with HYBE. Source: Instagram/Sakura’s personal Instagram account.

K-pop idol Jang Wonyoung recently found herself in the eye of a social media storm. A video of the IVE center reacting to a child touching her in Madrid, Spain, went viral on social media, leading to baseless accusations of racism and colorism. However, her fans came to the singer’s defense.

In the video, a child can be seen approaching Wonyoung, waving and appearing to touch her hair. She reacts with surprise before security moves the child out of the way. The video has earned over five million views, with some calling her a colorist and racist.

https://twitter.com/taelvq/status/1682547503747551237

However, Korean netizens came to Wonyoung‘s defense, pointing out her tendency to get startled easily. Wonyoung herself previously opened up about her fears in an interview with Y Magazine. “I’m afraid of horror movies with ghosts, large insects, and the dark. I get scared or surprised easily, so people always ask why I get surprised so often.”

This information provides much-needed context to Wonyoung‘s reaction in the viral video. Her fans also argued that there was nothing wrong with her reaction to someone invading her personal space.

They shared similar experiences and emphasized that someone’s boundaries should be respected, no matter their age or profession.

Wonyoung and children

Meanwhile, one of Wonyoung’s fans shared a clip of the idol reacting kindly to children in the past.

It’s important to note that the children in question greeted her without invading her personal space. Those clips further supported the argument that how she reacted in Madrid was normal. After all, the child who approached her there took her by surprise.

Some have expressed hope that this incident will lead to a broader conversation about respect for people’s personal boundaries, even in the context of fan interactions with celebrities. As Wonyoung continues her journey with IVE, her loyal DIVEs are ready to stand by her in the face of any future controversies. —K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: Wonyoung posted several selcas to mark the end of IVE’s first world tour. Source: Instagram/Wonyoung’s personal Instagram account.

Teen Vogue recently featured the K-pop group Odd Eye Circle. American writer Tamar Herman sat down with the group via Zoom for an exclusive interview. They discussed the group’s transition from LOONA to ARTMS, and their plans for the future.

In 2017, Odd Eye Circle, a sub-unit of LOONA, made waves in the K-pop scene. The trio, consisting of Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry, introduced a unique blend of dance music and alt R&B that set the stage for LOONA‘s future success. But 2023 marked a significant shift. Due to contract disputes, the group left their previous agency, Blockberry Creative, amid several lawsuits. That signaled the end of LOONA as we knew it. 

But now, Odd Eye Circle is back and leading the charge for ARTMS, a collective of former LOONA members. Earlier this year, the trio reunited with ex-LOONA members Heejin and Haseul at Jaden Jeong’s new label Modhaus. Jeong was LOONA’s early-stage creative producer. In the Teen Vogue feature, the official artist profile of ARTMS is quoted as saying, “ARTMS is not a name of a new group. It’s a story about the amazing strategies and plans of the girls to get to the moon. Choerry, HeeJin, JinSoul, and Kim Lip will start this story.”

Soon, Odd Eye Circle will release their second-ever album, Version Up, under the ARTMS banner. Choerry says the lead single, “Air Force One,” is a track that “really fits the summer vibes.” It also symbolizes the group’s evolution. Kim Lip, co-lyricist of “Air Force One,” explains that they all wore Converse during the LOONA days. It was their signature shoe. “However, wearing [Nike] Air Force Ones now symbolizes our new start as a group by changing our symbol shoes.”

Their Odd Eye Circle roots

The trio revisited their earlier album and recordings, striving to distinguish Odd Eye Circle’s Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry from their roles in LOONA. Kim Lip shares, “We’re trying to bring our old colors and our musicality along for the new journey and the new release. And we’re also bringing the old storyline of our worldview with us for this. However, you’ll be able to see just the overall upped version of them, just like the album name, in terms of our visuals or even our skills.”

Working with Modhaus CEO Jaden Jeong again helped bring back the expressive, quirky Odd Eye Circle spirit. Reuniting with Jeong, Odd Eye Circle says, was natural. Choerry shares, “He has a lot of love [and support] for us,” which made the decision to join Modhaus an easy one.

While they’re excited about returning to their Odd Eye Circle roots, that doesn’t mean they don’t regret leaving the past behind. JinSoul admits she has mixed feelings about it. “We achieved a lot during the LOONA days, and it feels, not necessarily sad, but it’s not a great feeling to let all that go and create a new beginning,” admits JinSoul. “However, because of those experiences, we’re able to do what we do now as Odd Eye Circle. So I’m not that sad. Because of those experiences, we can show many new and unique sides of ourselves as Odd Eye Circle too.”

The Teen Vogue feature shines a light on Odd Eye Circle‘s journey, evolution, and future plans. As they embark on this new chapter, they carry the lessons of the past and the promise of the future.  — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Aside from the Teen Vogue feature, the OEC girls have been uploading content to the ARTMS YouTube Channel. Source: YouTube/ARTMS’s official YouTube channel.

In the competitive world of K-pop, the rookie group ZEROBASEONE has made an impressive debut. They won their first music show just nine days after their debut and clinched another win the next day. Their first mini album, YOUTH IN THE SHADE, set first-week sales records.

ZEROBASEONE‘s first win was on SBS’s The Show. Some group members expressed gratitude to their families and fans on air.

Canadian-Korean Seok Matthew shared his feelings about ZEROBASEONE’s first win in English.

ZEROBASEONE’s second win came on MBC M’s SHOW CHAMPION. This time, all nine members got to speak.

ZEROBASEONE is a Million-Seller

The group’s first mini album, YOUTH IN THE SHADE, solidified their place in the K-pop industry. According to Hanteo, a music sales tracker, the album sold a remarkable 1,822,028 copies in its first week. This made ZEROBASEONE the first K-pop group to become a million-seller with a debut album. It also put YOUTH IN THE SHADE in the all-time top five for the highest first-week sales of a K-pop group album.

The success of YOUTH IN THE SHADE extends beyond album sales. All six songs from the album, including the lead single “In Bloom,” entered Korean charts like MelOn, Genie, and Bugs right after its release. It also surpassed 3,350,000 streams on Spotify and ranked No. 2 for five consecutive days on LINE Music’s daily chart, showing the group’s international appeal.

Meanwhile, the official MV for “In Bloom” keeps racking up views. They also released a performance version of the MV. Check it out below.

Their journey so far clearly indicates that they are not just another rookie group but a force to be reckoned with in K-pop. As they continue to break records and win hearts, ZEROBASEONE’s future looks very bright indeed. –K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: This was taken on the set of their concept trailer shoot. Source: Twitter/WAKEONE’s official Twitter account.

K-pop star Kwon Eunbi is making a highly-anticipated return to the music scene with her first single album, “The Flash.” News of her comeback was met with excitement from fans, especially following her viral performance at the summer music festival Waterbomb Seoul.

Kwon Eunbi‘s agency Woollim Entertainment unveiled the comeback poster for “The Flash” on their official social media. Designed like a fashion magazine cover, the poster features Eunbi looking very sultry in smokey makeup. The release date “2023.08.02,” “6 PM,” and “Coming Soon” are displayed in the bottom right of the poster, further heightening the anticipation.

Kwon Eunbi, Hot Summer Queen

“The Flash” will be Eunbi’s first drop after about ten months. Her third mini-album, “Lethality,” was released in October last year. She recently wowed the audience at Waterbomb Seoul. Videos of her performance at the South Korean summer music festival earned millions of YouTube views. Although she was drenched in water, she still showed off her dancing skills, live vocals, and stunning physique. Netizens dubbed her “Hot Summer Queen” and “Mermaid Princess” after that.

In addition to her comeback and viral performance, Eunbi also made a memorable appearance on the popular variety show Knowing Bros. Eunbi was joined by fellow soloist Jeon So Mi and the members of STAYC. Eunbi’s hosting skills (which she honed as the main host of the SBS Radio program Kwon Eun Bi’s Young Street) and stage presence will surely make for an unforgettable episode.

As Eunbi preps her comeback, fans eagerly await the release of “The Flash” on streaming platforms this August 2 at 6:00 PM KST. Pre-orders for the physical album have already started. With her viral performances, new single album, and exciting variety show appearances, Eunbi will surely make waves again. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Kwon Eunbi exudes a seductive charm in the poster for her upcoming single album, “The Flash.” Source: Twitter/Kwon Eunbi’s official Twitter account.

K-pop group ENHYPEN has joined forces with Pokémon for a special quiz as part of their YouTube series, EN-o’clock. This collaboration aims to promote the 2023 Pokémon World Championships by showcasing the band‘s love for the franchise.

The 62nd episode of EN-o’clock featured the members of ENHYPEN challenging themselves with a round of Pokémon trivia. The quiz included naming various Pokémon and completing other challenges related to the franchise. The episode, available with English captions, offered fans a chance to test their Pokémon knowledge against the band members.

This collaboration is not the first time ENHYPEN has expressed fondness for Pokémon. The band also participated in the Pokémon Music Collective, a project launched by The Pokémon Company in September 2022. The project involved musicians using Pokémon sounds to produce music, spreading the creations of artists of various genres. ENHYPEN‘s contribution to the project, “One and Only,” was the second installment of the Music Collective.

The Pokémon Music Collective and this quiz collaboration highlight the band’s ongoing relationship with the franchise. The Pokémon Company’s decision to link up with ENHYPEN to promote the 2023 Pokémon World Championships further solidifies this connection.

What’s next for ENHYPEN x Pokémon?

The upcoming Pokémon World Championships is a major event in the Pokémon community, attracting fans from across the globe. The event features competitions in different Pokémon games, including the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon video games.

As the Pokémon World Championships draw closer, collaborations like this generate excitement and anticipation among fans. The band’s involvement not only promotes the event but also showcases the intersection of music and gaming, two areas where the members of ENHYPEN excel.

The EN-o’clock episode featuring part one of the Pokémon quiz is available on ENHYPEN‘s YouTube channel. ENGENE and Pokémon can enjoy the members’ enthusiasm for the franchise and test their own Pokémon knowledge. A second part will be available soon. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ENHYPEN got many questions wrong, but they have one more round to compensate. Source: YouTube/ENHYPEN’s official YouTube channel.

Zhang Hao, center of the K-pop project group ZEROBASEONE, recently had a dream come true. As a huge fan of GOT7, he had the opportunity to meet Youngjae, a member of the group, on the Best Friend radio show.

Zhang Hao’s admiration for GOT7 is well-known. The Chinese performer and violinist auditioned for Mnet’s survival show, Boys Planet, with GOT7‘s “Lullaby.” He has been consistent in saying GOT7 is his role model and “Lullaby” is his favorite song of all time. That’s probably why he decided to start his survival show journey with it. He must’ve thought it would bring him good luck—and it did.

During the radio show, hosted by Youngjae, Zhang Hao could hardly contain his excitement when GOT7‘s signature song, “Hard Carry,” was played in the studio. Not only did he dance to it, but he also clapped when GOT7‘s audio introduction came on afterward. He even got to sing “Lullaby” for Youngjae, showcasing his talent and fandom.

Zhang Hao, successful fan

The best moment of the radio show came when Youngjae presented Zhang Hao with an autographed album. Youngjae had previously promised to gift Zhang Hao an album, and he kept his word. Zhang Hao‘s reaction was priceless. He was visibly excited, fanning his face and struggling to contain his joy.

The two stars also took selfies together, showing off the autographed album. The photos, shared on social media, were met with excitement from ZEROBASEONE and GOT7 fans. Ahgase and ZEROSE alike celebrated the ZEROBASEONE center’s successful fanboy moment and memorable encounter with Youngjae.

Zhang Hao‘s experience is a heartwarming story of a fan meeting his idol. It highlights the power of music and fandom, showing how K-pop connects people from various walks of life. As Zhang Hao continues his journey with ZEROBASEONE, his love for GOT7 will remain a significant part of his story. — K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Zhang Hao, the successful fan, got a selca with his idol, GOT7’s Youngjae. Source: Twitter/Best Friend’s official Twitter account.