Category: KPOP NEWS

The K-pop industry has been abuzz with speculation regarding the wildly popular boy group NCT and the exclusive contracts its members signed with their longtime agency SM Entertainment. Rumors say those contracts will expire this year, coinciding with the group’s seventh anniversary. However, SM Entertainment recently addressed these rumors, clarifying the situation.

NCT, a 20-member group known for its unique structure of different unit groups, debuted in 2016, around the same time as BLACKPINK, another prominent K-pop act. Since the YG Entertainment girl group signed contracts that expire in August, fans have wondered if NCT’s contracts would follow a similar timeline. This speculation was further fueled by the fact that some of the group’s units also turned seven this year.

SM Entertainment has stated that the contracts of NCT’s members will not expire anytime soon. Unlike the usual seven-year period typical of idol contracts, SM Entertainment took factors such as military enlistment and overseas activities into account when they signed the members. So although no two members’ contracts are the same, none will expire in 2023. All the NCT members’ contracts are valid until the end of 2024 at least.

Rather than calm the fans, SM Entertainment’s statements made them even more concerned. Many expressed surprise over the length of the members’ contracts. After a landmark ruling ended “slave contracts,” seven-year deals became the norm for idols. That’s why they didn’t feel better when SM Entertainment implied that NCT’s contracts are longer than that. They even wondered if somebody had manipulated the members into signing shady deals. But it’s important to note that South Korean courts already ruled that 10-year contracts are legal.

NCT is far from over

NCT is a unique group in the K-pop industry, consisting of different unit groups like NCT 127, NCT DREAM, and WayV, which promote independently. When members from different units collaborate, they do so as NCT U or NCT. The first lineup debuted as NCT U in April 2016. NCT 127 followed suit in July of that same year. Later, additional units were formed, and more members were added. The group was initially intended to be ever-expanding, with new members coming on board every so often. However, SM Entertainment announced that NCT Tokyo, formed in 2023, will be the group’s last unit.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that NCT’s journey is far from over. With their contracts secured for the foreseeable future, fans can look forward to more from this dynamic group.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: This is a screenshot from the official MV of “Beautiful,” NCT’s last single as a full group. Source: YouTube/SM Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

The K-pop scene was rocked by a new development in the controversy involving singer MC Mong and his alleged attempt to recruit members of the popular K-pop group EXO. Despite MC Mong‘s initial claim that he simply offered support to his younger colleagues, a recently surfaced recording tells a different story. 

On July 18, media outlet Ten Asia obtained a recording of MC Mong talking about Baekhyun and Kai during a meeting with unidentified entertainment industry officials. In the recording, which reports say was made in January 2022, MC Mong says he’s working on getting them.

A year and five months later, Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin of EXO and the sub-unit EXO-CBX filed a petition to terminate their exclusive contracts with their longtime agency SM Entertainment. In a statement, the trio said their main grievances were SM Entertainment’s alleged “refusal to provide settlement reports” and alleged “unjust long-term contracts and attempts to extend them further.”

In response to these allegations, SM Entertainment claimed that external forces were approaching their artists with false information and unreasonable offers to encourage contract breaches. Later, they accused fellow agency Big Planet Made (home to artists like Soyou and VIVIZ) of being behind everything. It was then that MC Mong’s name was mentioned in connection with the controversy for the first time.

Big Planet Made denied SM Entertainment’s accusation in their own statement, saying, “We’ve never met with the artists mentioned in the report, and we have never discussed or exchanged opinions on any exclusive contracts.”

Ultimately, Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin patched things up with SM Entertainment. In a statement, all four parties announced that they agreed on new terms. In other words, the trio’s contracts were amended to ensure they and the company would be on the same page moving forward. EXO has since released its seventh full-length album EXIST last July 10, led by the title track “Cream Soda.” 

Read: EXO-CBX Members Reach Agreement With SM ENTERTAINMENT

EXIST beat EXO’s previous first-week sales record of 902,210 copies in one day. That record had been set by the group’s 2021 special album, DON’T FIGHT THE FEELING. Six days later, on July 16, Hanteo Chart reported that EXIST had sold 1,562,649 copies in one week, nearly doubling their previous record. Just when it looked like things would return to normal, TenAsia dropped a bomb on the K-pop scene by revealing they had irrefutable proof of MC Mong’s plan to get Baekhyun and Kai to leave SM Entertainment. 

An SM representative told TenAsia they don’t know what MC Mong’s real intentions are. Regardless, this controversy underscored the industry’s need for fair practices and transparency. As the story unfolds, fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see how this latest revelation will impact the careers of those involved and the industry as a whole. -K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: Before TenAsia’s explosive revelation, EXO’s Baekhyun took a selfie backstage at a music show. Source: Twitter/Baekhyun’s personal Twitter account.

Photo Music Korea (PMK) recently launched a new series that introduces K-pop artists every month. The series kicked off with a special Kang Daniel edition for its July 2023 issue. The magazine cover and inside pages feature unreleased photos of the soloist from a photoshoot he did in Las Vegas for his recent album REALIEZ.

PMK’s Kang Daniel edition quickly became a hit among fans. Pre-orders for the magazine opened on July 12, and it soared to No. 1 on several sales charts, including Aladdin Daily Best, Kyobo Daily Best Sellers, and Yes24 Daily Best. In response to the overwhelming demand, PMK’s editor-in-chief, Kim Young Ik, expressed gratitude to Kang Daniel’s fans by expanding the singer’s spread to 50 pages, longer than originally planned.

The issue features an interview with Kang Daniel by Billboard pop columnist Jeff Benjamin. It also has spreads with other K-pop artists, including BB Girls, MIRAE, NINE.i, Play J, and TEEN TOP. With this issue, Photo Music Korea has initiated a monthly feature called “Jeff’s Corner,” which will introduce K-pop artists to readers.

In other news, Kang Daniel recently concluded promotions for REALIEZ and wrapped up his FIRST PARADE world tour with an encore concert. He was booked for the SUMMER SONIC 2023 festival in Japan and will serve as the MC on Mnet’s Street Woman Fighter 2.

The success of Kang Daniel‘s special edition of PMK is proof of his popularity and the dedication of his fans. It also sets a high bar for future editions of the magazine, which will continue to spotlight K-pop artists every month.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: Kang Daniel uploaded a couple of post-event selfies after a recent fan sign event. Source: Twitter/Kang Daniel’s official Twitter account.

Last July 15, 2023, the official SEVENTEEN YouTube channel released a video titled ‘[Code Name Seventeen Part One Interview]’. In this video, two of the group’s members, Joshua and Vernon, sat down with the stars of the Hollywood movie Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning. Present for the interview were Hayley Atwell (Grace), Pom Klementieff (Paris), and Simon Pegg (Benji).

Vernon opened the interview by telling Hayley and company that it was their first time interviewing anyone. He and Joshua were somewhat nervous at first, but they visibly relaxed when Simon talked about the connection between K-dramas and Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning.

“One of the things I love about K-drama is how varied those shows are,” he said. They’re dramatic, funny, sweet, and violent. ‘Mission’ has that mixture. It takes you everywhere, all over the spectrum of emotion.”

The interview covered a wide range of topics related to the movie. Joshua and Vernon asked the cast about their favorite scenes. The K-pop stars were particularly interested in finding out exactly how one of the actresses prepared for a drifting/driving sequence. They also asked the cast which of the movie’s many action-packed moments they were most excited for fans to see.

Although Joshua and Vernon have more experience answering questions, they did their best to act like real reporters. They didn’t hesitate to ask about the more challenging parts of working on the movie. The SEVENTEEN members asked the Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning cast what it was like to shoot a particularly daunting train scene. This provided viewers with a deeper understanding of the hard work that goes into creating a high-octane action movie.

The interview showcased Joshua’s and Vernon’s hosting skills. Their engaging manner and thoughtful questions made for an insightful, interesting interview. The video sparked interest among fans, with many expressing hope that Joshua and Vernon will host more interviews in the future.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: Hayley hoped she and her co-stars would be good guests for Joshua’s and Vernon’s first interview. Source: YouTube/SEVENTEEN’s official YouTube channel.)

The K-pop scene is witnessing the rise of a new sensation, ZEROBASEONE. The Boys Planet alums are making waves thanks to their captivating performances and engaging content. The group, which debuted with their mini album YOUTH IN THE SHADE last July 10, continues to release different types of content that have been well-received by fans worldwide. 

The group’s latest offering is a dance practice video of their first title track, “In Bloom.” Released on July 16, it showcases the group’s impressive skills and synergy. It’s a fixed version, offering an unobstructed view of the song’s choreography. The group’s energy and passion are palpable as they dance their hearts out, showcasing their dedication and talent.

The dance practice video is a testament to the group’s hard work and commitment to their craft. It provides a glimpse into the effort that goes into their content and performances. The choreography is engaging and fun, but more importantly, it gives each member a chance to shine. But despite their differences, their individual charms and styles don’t overshadow each other. They blend seamlessly, executing the flower-inspired moves with precision. Finally, the group’s synchronization is a sight to behold, reflecting their cohesion and teamwork.

Fans have been quick to notice the intricate details in the choreography. Twitter user @jiwoongiez pointed out that it references various Boys Planet performances. (That makes sense, as the group was formed on the show.) This garnered plenty of attention, with the tweet amassing over 192.2K views and 12.8K likes.

The release of the “In Bloom” dance practice video is part of ZEROBASEONE’s ongoing efforts to connect with their fans, also known as ZEROSE. By sharing behind-the-scenes content, the group is giving ZEROSE a closer look at their journey and the hard work that goes into their performances. This approach has helped them build a solid bond with their audience, who are eagerly anticipating their future endeavors.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: The “In Bloom” dance practice video racked up 125,000 views in two hours. Source: YouTube/ZEROBASEONE’s official YouTube channel.

Fast-rising K-pop group ENHYPEN was recently at the center of a heated debate among fans. The controversy was sparked by their performance of the track “BITE ME” without female dancers, a significant departure from the original choreography. The reaction to this change has been mixed, with fans expressing different views on social media.

The song’s original choreography featured a couple dance with female performers. This was initially met with praise for its refreshing change and its nod to similar dances by second-generation K-pop artists. However, it also faced backlash, particularly from Korean fans, who disliked the inclusion of female dancers. Eventually, they made their feelings known by sending protest trucks to the group’s agency.

The recent performance without female dancers occurred at a school event and was captured in a video that went viral on Twitter. The video, credited to user @0middl (whose account seems to have been deactivated), showed the septet dancing to the chorus alone. It sparked a heated discussion, with some fans—especially those who previously protested against the female dancers—celebrating the change.

Many Korean netizens voiced approval of the new choreography, stating it looked better without the female dancers as it focused on the members’ physiques. Some even revealed that they had become fans through the “pair dance controversy” and felt that the new choreography “works a lot better.” However, not all reactions were positive. Some fans expressed disappointment, stating that the new choreography was boring without the couple dance. 

Meanwhile, the new choreography made its music show debut in ENHYPEN’s July 15 performance on Japan’s Ongaku no Hi. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH-JyDgTJcE&pp=ygUZb25nYWt1IG5vIGhpIDIwMjMgZW5oeXBlbg%3D%3D

Despite the speculation and debate, BELIFT LAB, ENHYPEN’s agency, has not released an official statement addressing the issue. It remains to be seen whether this solo performance of “BITE ME” was a one-off event or if the agency has indeed responded to the protests by permanently removing the female dancers from the choreography.

As the group prepares for their FATE World Tour 2023, which will take them through South Korea, Japan, and the US, starting on July 29, fans are left wondering if the new “BITE ME” choreography is a temporary adjustment for specific performances or not. Regardless, the controversy definitely added a new layer of intrigue to ENHYPEN’s growing popularity.

— K-pop News Writer

Featured Image: ENHYPEN celebrated the music show debut of their song’s new choreography with a post-performance groufie. Source: Twitter/ENHYPEN’s official Japanese Twitter account.