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YG’s New Girl Group Babymonster to Debut in September

BABYMONSTER, the highly-anticipated new girl group of YG Entertainment, is gearing up for a September debut. 

The agency told Korean media on Tuesday, July 11 that the debut project of the seven-piece act is coming together swiftly under the monitoring of producer Yang Hyun Suk. 

YG Entertainment also shared that the group will have a strong hip song for their debut track, and that the members are currently working on the song’s choreography and preparing for the filming of the music video. 

The label said that the debut song is set for a September release, but additional details, such as final release date and title, have yet to be announced. 

 

BABYMONSTER will serve as YG Entertainment’s first girl group since BLACKPINK made their debut in 2016. 

Between 2022 to 2023, the agency saw departure of its several artists, including BIGBANG members Daesung and Taeyang, boy group iKON, and actor Kang Dong-won. The only remaining artists in their roster are BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, duo AKMU, groups Sechskies, WINNER, BLACKPINK, and Treasure. 

YG Entertainment launched the reality show Last Evaluation in March, wherein it will follow the formation of its new girl group. Founder Yang Hyun-suk initially announced that only five members will be included in BABYMONSTER, but after a huge demand from the viewers, YG Entertainment decided to include all seven members in the official lineup. 

In May, BABYMONSTER released their pre-debut song “DREAM.” 

The group is composed of Ahyeon, Haram, and Rora from Korea, Pharita and Chiquita from Thailand, and Ruka and Asa from Japan. 

Featured image: BABYMONSTER’s Facebook

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KARD’s Provocative “CAKE” Choreography Shocks Fans

DSP Media’s co-ed K-pop group KARD is making waves with their provocative and sexy choreography for the song “CAKE.” Known for incorporating mature themes into their work, KARD has once again pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in the K-pop industry.

Earlier this year, KARD stirred controversy with their latest mini album, “ICKY,” and its title track of the same name. The song’s lyrics, packed with suggestive phrases, sparked reactions from critics and fans alike. BM’s verse, in particular, had everyone doing a double-take. BM himself had fun with netizens’ reactions, tweeting that “ICKY” was milder than the other songs on the album, including “CAKE.” 

He’s right. Based on the title, one might think it’s about dessert, but it’s not. Like “ICKY,” its lyrics are packed with sexual innuendos, and BM told fans the choreography would be “freaky.” Sure enough, when the group did “CAKE” on their 2023 PLAYGROUND World Tour, the performance raised eyebrows. Some were taken aback by the song’s suggestive choreography since KARD is a co-ed group.

Usually, not many people would bat an eyelash at provocative dance moves like humping. Especially not in this day and age. But the fact that a co-ed group performed such moves added an extra layer of shock. Some fans who were going to watch the concert with their parents are reconsidering their decision, given the explicit nature of the performances.

Despite the controversy, KARD continues to captivate huge crowds on tour. Besides, their longtime listeners know none of this is that shocking. For one thing, BM’s solo work, which includes songs like “Bad Intentions,” makes “ICKY” sound downright wholesome. Not only that, but he was featured on “Put It On Ya” by Jessi alongside Korean rapper Nafla, and that song is also quite explicit.

The ladies of KARD aren’t shy when it comes to lyrics, either. On their new album, they have a song together called “Fxxk You,” which is not about hating someone.

(Featured Image: The members of KARD took time out for a selfie during a recent video call event. Source: Twitter/KARD’s official Twitter account)

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Thai Artist Yorch Yongsin to Debut in GRID Entertainment Boy Group

Yorch Yongsin, a distinguished Thai artist, is set to make his K-pop debut in a new boy group under GRID Entertainment.

Despite his young age, Yorch has already worn many hats in the entertainment industry. He caught the Thai public’s eye with his role in Thong Nuea Kao (2013) and has since participated in numerous projects in Thailand. In 2022, he was selected as a trainee by BigHit Music and put in the Trainee A project. Although it was later called off, Yorch continued to pursue his dream.

Upon returning to Thailand, Yorch founded his own entertainment agency, Yorch Entertainment, and promptly released a single titled “Seven (7).” His dedication and hard work eventually paid off when he announced on Instagram that GRID Entertainment would be his new home. GRID Entertainment is part of 131 Label under Kim Han Bin, a.k.a. B.I., a former member of the boy group IKON.

The announcement of Yorch’s forthcoming debut has sparked excitement among many, heightening anticipation for the reveal of additional group members. In line with its boy group plans, GRID has also started a label business and incorporated 131 Label as its first subsidiary. This move is part of GRID’s strategy to bolster its global footprint by concentrating on the core of K-Pop performance to produce diverse music that blends various genres.

GRID Entertainment is not just another newcomer in the industry. It was established by a group of experienced professionals from esteemed agencies like SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment. The company’s CEO, Sim Hyejin, brings a wealth of expertise from her former roles in planning and production at various companies. Under her guidance, GRID meticulously manages every facet of its operations, from scouting talents to nurturing artists.

She says, “131 will be incorporated as a subsidiary label and strengthened as a specialized label for soloists. We’ll preserve its autonomy and offer comprehensive support for recruiting and developing extraordinary artists.”

Yorch‘s journey to becoming a K-pop idol is a testament to his resilience and dedication. Despite the disbandment of Trainee A, he continued to pursue his passion for singing and is now on the verge of realizing his dream. His forthcoming debut with GRID Entertainment is a significant development in K-pop and is eagerly awaited by fans worldwide.

(Featured Image: Yorch posted this photo to announce that he joined GRID Entertainment. Source: Instagram/Yorch Yongsin’s official Instagram account)

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Is BTS’ RM Preparing for Military Enlistment?

The K-pop world is abuzz with speculation, and the epicenter of all the chatter is none other than BTS‘s leader, RM, aka Kim Namjoon. The cause of all the speculation? An Instagram story in which RM is seen sporting a new, shorter haircut.

RM, known for being active on social media, recently posted a series of photos on Instagram. Among these images, one particular photo has caught the attention of fans worldwide. The photo features RM with a noticeably shorter haircut, a stark departure from his usual style. This change has led to widespread speculation among ARMY, BTS‘ dedicated fanbase, about whether RM’s new ‘do is a sign of his impending military enlistment.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for a certain period. This has led to many popular K-pop idols temporarily stepping away from their entertainment careers to fulfill their duties. Given RM‘s age, fans have been anticipating news about his enlistment.

 

Adding fuel to the speculation, RM captioned the post, “Gotta expect the unexpected.” This cryptic message has left fans wondering if he is subtly preparing them for his upcoming military service.

Also, at the recent FESTA in Seoul on June 17, RM delivered a heartfelt performance, hinting that it might be the last time he’ll stand onstage for a while. These hints, coupled with RM’s latest social media posts have led to increased speculation about his military enlistment.

Despite the speculation, there has been no official confirmation from BigHit Music, the agency that manages BTS. The fans, however, remain on high alert.

As the speculation continues, fans worldwide send their love and support to RM, hoping for the best for their beloved idol, whether he is preparing for military service or simply trying out a new look.

In the world of K-pop, where every post can hold a hidden message, the question remains: Is RM‘s new haircut a fashion statement or a sign of his upcoming military enlistment? Only time will tell.

(Featured Image: RM recently posted a photo of himself on a sailboat. Source: Instagram/RM’s personal Instagram account)

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(G)I-DLE Collaborates with 88rising for New Single and EP

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Cube Entertainment’s (G)I-DLE, one of the leading girl groups in K-pop’s fourth generation, joined forces with 88rising, an Asian-focused music and media company. The result is the group’s highly anticipated new single, “I DO,” and an upcoming EP called “HEAT.”

Known for their fearless approach to performing and self-crafted smash hits, (G)I-DLE has gained recognition as leaders in K-pop. Last year, their chart-topping single “Tomboy” was even named the No. 1 K-pop song of 2022 by Billboard critics. 

Now, the group is taking a significant step forward by collaborating with 88rising.

“I DO,” set to drop soon, is (G)I-DLE‘s first original English single. Unlike their previous bold and energetic tracks like “Queencard,” “Nxde,” and “Tomboy,” this heartfelt mid-tempo song showcases a different side of the group. With sweet and emotional vocal performances from members Minnie, Miyeon, Shuhua, Soyeon, and Yuqi, “I DO” was designed to be easy to sing along to and resonate on a deeper level with listeners. It also serves as the opening track for the girls’ upcoming EP, “HEAT,” co-executive produced by 88rising.

Woohyung Ahn, the CEO of Cube Entertainment, is very excited about HEAT, which will be the first all-English EP produced by the company in its 17-year history. “HEAT is about feeling confident and bringing the spirit of an endless summer with you wherever you go,” he says. “We hope the release of HEAT will allow us to bring the message and mission of (G)I-DLE to the whole world.”

Sean Miyashiro, CEO and founder of 88rising, admires (G)I-DLE because of the girls’ artistry and creativity. “We’ve been fans of (G)-IDLE for a long time because they’re in tune and involved with what they put out. I was like, ‘Wow, they know what they want to do,’ which is important—it makes the process much more meaningful when there’s a firm belief and point of view. I felt honored that they were open to collaborating with us.”

John Yang, 88rising’s executive vice president, says the (G)I-DLE members are “full of excitement and positivity. We got so excited about what we could do together.” He praised 24-year-old Soyeon, the group’s leader, primary songwriter, and producer. “Soyeon knows what she wants for every song, from the delivery of the vocal to the overall cadence and tone—she truly is a genius.”

While 88rising has recently signed several K-pop artists, such as Chungha and Jackson Wang, their collaboration with (G)I-DLE has been in the works for a year since their initial introduction.

“I DO” and its official music video will be released on Friday, July 14, at 9:00 AM KST. The global release of the EP, HEAT, is scheduled for September.

(Featured Image: This photo accompanied their sixth EP. Source: Twitter/(G)I-DLE official Twitter account)

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BTS K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

BTS Fans, ARMY, Lauded for Cleaning Up After Massive Anniversary Event

The dedicated fanbase of the global K-pop sensation BTS, known as ARMY, has been praised for behaving responsibly after the boy group’s 10th anniversary celebration. The fans cleaned the venue after the event, displaying a high level of responsibility and respect for public spaces.

On June 17th, BTS celebrated their 10th debut anniversary with a massive event called 2023 BTS 10th Anniversary Festa @ Yeouido held at Hangang Park in Seoul. The event attracted an estimated 400,000 people, including 120,000 international fans, according to HYBE, the group’s management company. Despite the massive gathering, the venue was left spotless because of ARMY’s concerted efforts.

BTS‘s leader, RM, took to Instagram to express his gratitude towards the fans and staff members for what they did at Hangang Park. He posted a screenshot of a news article about the cleanup on his Instagram Story and thanked the ARMY and the staff for their efforts. “To all the staff, and proud ARMYs, Thank You,” he wrote.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5tIjGSJI_kU

In an interview with Korean media, a street cleaner confirmed the fans’ efforts. “We were tasked to clean the place by 12 o’clock, but there was no trash left,” they said.

The fans’ initiative to clean up after the event was widely praised by netizens. Photos of the clean venue went viral on social media. 

ARMY’s actions sparked a wave of positive comments online, with many expressing their admiration for what the fans did.

ARMY’s actions reflect not only their dedication to BTS but also their commitment to maintaining order in public spaces, setting a good example for fans worldwide. The 10th-anniversary celebration of BTS was proof of the band’s enduring global popularity and their fans’ maturity. The event was so well-managed that it made headlines in South Korea and beyond.

This isn’t the first time ARMY was lauded for cleanliness. In October 2022, some fans organized a fantastic event to celebrate BTS member Jimin‘s 27th birthday. They gathered at Gwangali Beach in Busan for what they dubbed a “plogging” program, an activity that combined picking up trash with jogging. A nonprofit organization called EARTH SAVE spearheaded the project. After clearing the beach of litter, ARMYs gathered for a photo session and shouted, “We purple Busan.”

Busan, being the hometown of Jimin and Jungkook, made that project more meaningful.

(Featured Image: The official BTS Twitter account run by the group’s label posted a photo of RM in Hangang Park on the day of the event. Source: Twitter/BTS’s official Twitter account)

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Look: BB Girls Unveils New Photos, Logo and Social Media Accounts

We’re entering a new era with BB GIRLS, formerly known as K-pop girl group Brave Girls! 

On Monday, July 10, BB GIRLS unveiled their new group logo and launched new social media accounts.

 

They also released a set of new photos for each members. Minyoung, Youjuong, Eunji, and Yuna showcased a mature and sophisticated look while posing in monochromatic ensembles. 

 

 

This came after Minyoung, Youjuong, Eunji, and Yuna signed with Warner Music Korea in April following the expiration of their exclusive contracts with Brave Entertainment. 

Brave Entertainment initially announced that Brave Girls has officially disbanded. But after moving as a full group in Warner Music Korea, the agency announced that the members will continue their activities under the name BB GIRLS as their former label still own the trademark rights for the group’s first name. 

Warner Music Korea also confirmed that BB Girls will be making an August comeback, but additional details, such as album title and release date, have yet to be announced. 

Brave Girls debuted in 2011 and had several changes in their member line-up over the years. The group gained massive popularity in 2021 after their 2017 track “Rollin’.” went viral. Their last album with Brave Entertainment was Summer Queen, which was released in September 2021. 

Featured image: collage from BB GIRLS’ Twitter

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Here Are the K-Drama and K-Pop Documentaries Coming to Disney+ for the Rest of 2023

Hallyu fans have a lot of things to look forward to in Disney+ as the streaming platform unveiled on Tuesday, July 11, its slate of Asia-Pacific originals for the remaining half of 2023. 

The Korean projects included in Disney’s lineup are: 

  • Moving, a fantasy-action series which follows a group of superpowered individuals as they attempt to run away from government personnel and a mysterious assassin. It is based on the hit webtoon of author Kangfull, and stars Ryu Seungryong, Han Hyojoo and Jo In Sung. Moving will premiere in Disney+ on August 9. 
  • Worst of Evil, an action series starring Ji Chang Wook, Wi Ha Jun, and Lim Semi. It is set in 1990s Seoul where a rural police officer is recruited to track a gang that pushes a new drug in the city’s nightclubs. 
  • Vigilante, a crime drama series that follows a star student at the police academy who uses his knowledge to exact revenge on non-repentant offenders. 
  • Han River Police, a comedy action series starring Kwone Sangwoo and Kim Hiiewon, revolves around the works and antics of Seoul’s Han River Police Force. 
  • Soundtrack #2, a sequel to the 2022 series Soundtrack #1, will feature a new storyline between an ex-couple who got reconnected again after ending their six-year relationship. It stars Keum Saerok and Steve Sanghyun Noh. 

Disney+ has yet to announce the release dates for the other titles. 

Meanwhile, Disney+ also confirmed that they’ll be releasing the much-anticipated BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star in the second half of 2023. Although a final release date has yet to be announced, the docu-series was first teased by Disney+ in November 2022. 

 

BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star will chronicle the idol group’s journey to being pop icons through “unprecedented access to a vast library of music and footage over the past nine years.” 

In the series’ teaser, V teased that it will “share candid stories that have never been told.” “I hope you find new sides of us that are previously unseen,” Jungkook added. 

While BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star is their first docu-series as a full group under Disney+, the streaming platform has previously released several content related to BTS, including Permission to Dance LA stage movie, Suga’s Road to D-Day,and  j-hope’s Jack in the Box documentaries. 

Aside from BTS, Disney+ will also be releasing documentaries for K-pop groups Tomorrow X Together and NCT 127. 

BTS also recently released the memoir Beyond The Story: 10-year record of BTS.

Featured image: BTS’ Facebook

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Zerobaseone’s ‘Youth in the Shade’ Becomes Best-Selling K-Pop Debut Album

The highly-anticipated debut of rookie group ZEROBASEONE (ZB1), the K-pop boy group formed through the reality survival series BOYS PLANET, is off to a good start. 

On Monday, July 10, the nine-member group released their mini-album YOUTH IN THE SHADE, with “IN BLOOM” as its title track. 

The music video for “IN BLOOM” shows the ZB1 members flaunting their fresh charms and vocal prowess as they sing about their determination to do well in this new journey they’re embarking on. 

 

During their debut showcase, the members talked about their resolve as a rookie group. 

“We will become an artist who can give back the love we have received,” member Kim Tae Rae, according to a translation by Soompi. 

Member Kim Ji Woong added: “We feel a greater sense of responsibility, so we hope to show that going forward to return the love and show our best performance.” 

And in just 24 hours of sales, the album YOUTH IN THE SHADE has sold over 1,240,700 copies, making it the best debut album in K-pop history. 

The record was previously set by X1’s QUANTUM LEAP, which sold around 500,000 copies during its first day. 

In addition, YOUTH IN THE SHADE has also become the fifth highest-selling album in first-sales day in 2023. They trail behind SEVENTEEN’s FML, Stray Kids’ 5-STAR, TXT’s The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION, and aespa’s MY WORLD. 

However, there’s a damper on the group and fandom’s celebration as member Kim Gyu Vin had to take a break due to his health condition. 

WAKEONE Entertainment, ZEROBASEONE’s agency, announced on Tuesday, July 11, that Kim Gyu Vin is “experiencing dizziness.” 

They added that said member will visit the hospital for a thorough examination and treatment. 

ZEROBASEONE or ZB1 is composed of Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook, and Han Yu-jin. 

They’re a project group that will promote under WakeOne Entertainment, a CJ ENM subsidiary, for around two and a half years. 

Boys Planet, which premiered in February and ran for 12 weeks, served as the sequel to the 2021 reality competition Girls Planet 999. Said series formed the girl group KEP1ER. 

WakeOne Entertainment, in partnership with Mnet, also recently announced that they’ll be forming a new girl group through the audition program I-LAND 2.

Featured image: ZEROBASEONE’s Twitter

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Exo Sets New Personal Record With ‘Exist’

The wait is over, EXO-Ls! K-pop powerhouse EXO made their highly-anticipated comeback on Monday, July 10 with their seventh full-length album EXIST. 

EXO also released on Monday the music video for its title track “Cream Soda,” a dance-pop song with heavy brass and drum sounds. 

The music video of “Cream Soda” only featured members Suho, Xiumin, Chen, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, D.O., and Suho. 

 

Member Kai, who enlisted in May, was absent. But he was present in the music videos of the two earlier released songs “Hear Me Out” and “Let Me In.” 

EXIST, which has a total of nine tracks, also includes songs “Regret It,” “Private Party,” “Cinderella,” “No Make Up,” “Love Fool,” and “ Another Day.” 

Within hours of its release, EXIST recorded a total of 1,074,914 sales, making it EXO’s highest first day sales. It’s also the first album of the group to surpass 1 million first-week sales. 

Meanwhile, “Cream Soda” placed no 1. on the worldwide ITunes song chart after topping the chart in more than 60 countries on its first day. 

 

EXIST served as EXO’s first album as a full-group in two years, following the extended play Don’t Fight This Feeling that was released in June 2021. 

The group comeback came after three members – Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin – had a legal dispute with agency SM Entertainment about their settlements. The two parties reached an agreement in June, saying that they’ve resolved their differences and agreed to continue their activities as EXO. 

Aside from the new album, EXO is also confirmed to star in a new reality show. 

Originally a 12-piece act, EXO debuted under SM Entertainment in April 2012. Chinese members Kris, Tao, and Luhan have left the group, while Lay left SM Entertainment in April 2022. 

EXO is known for songs “Growl,” “Monster,” “Love Shot,” Overdose,” and “Tempo.” 

Featured image: EXO’s Facebook

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