Category: KPOP NEWS

MONSTA X is ready for another comeback this year! Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. have announced the new single “Only One” set for release in September. This is the group’s first official comeback after Shownu’s enlistment in July.

The official MONSTA X Twitter account confirmed the news by sharing the “Only One” teaser poster. The poster simply features the group’s logo and the song’s title. However, it also has a line, “Wish you the best with somebody new, but they’ll never love ya like I do.” MONBEBEs believe this is a lyric in the song.

Fans were quick to point out that the line could be from Joohoney’s verse in “Only One”. The MONSTA X main rapper had previously posted a photo on his official Instagram account with the caption, “Love ya.” With that in mind, it’s possible that the upcoming single was produced by Lee Jooheon just like the group’s previous title track “Gambler”.

Recently, MONSTA X dropped hints at a comeback. On August 27, the group dropped a cryptic tweet that said, “They say hindsight’s 2020.” MONBEBEs immediately believed that this was a tease at new music coming soon. In hindsight, there’s a possibility that the line is also a lyric in “Only One”.

The upcoming comeback will be the first for MONSTA X since Shownu’s enlistment. Son Hyunwoo began his military service on July 22. However, fans believe he had recorded enough content so MONBEBEs will not miss him. This could mean that the MONSTA X leader’s vocals will still be featured in “Only One” and he could appear in the music video.

MONSTA X returns with the new single “Only One” on September 10, 2021.

Featured image: MONSTA X Kiss or Death Teaser. Photo: MonstaX/Twitter

Pledis Entertainment confirmed that SEVENTEEN’s Chinese members are returning to China this month. The good news is that JUN and THE8 will finally get a chance to reunite with their families. However, this also means that the idol group will have to continue promoting with only 11 members.

Their agency shared the official statement on the official SEVENTEEN Twitter account, along with an update on the group’s promotions for the rest of the year.

“Our company provides full support for both the group and individual activities of SEVENTEEN,” the statement reads. “We plan the Korean and international activities of our members by exploring a wide range of opportunities for the members to take part in, striving to ensure that the artist can enjoy their full potential as close to our fans as possible.”

It is then confirmed that JUN and THE8 will need to return to China to focus on their activities there. The “My I” singers have reportedly postponed several activities that are due this year.

“They will resume their work in China that had been postponed by COVID-19, and spend time with their families after having been forced to stay apart from them for a considerable amount of time due to the pandemic,” the statement declares.

It is also pointed out that Wen Junhui and Xu Minghao will need to stay in China until December, giving consideration to the current situation and importance to the health and wellness of everyone involved.

Pledis further announced that the 11 members group will continue to promote their activities as SEVENTEEN, while JUN and THE 8 will focus on their activities in China until December. If the talks about SEVENTEEN’s comeback in October are true, promotions will have to continue with the OT13 in two countries.

Wen Junhui and Xu Minghao have been unable to return to China last year due to COVID-19. Instead, JUN and THE8 returned to South Korea with the rest of SEVENTEEN after the rest of their Ode To You world tour was canceled. Hopefully, the two will be able to get enough rest and quality time with their families in between activities.

Featured image: The OT13 of SEVENTEEN. Photo: pledis_17/Twitter

ABYSS Company just confirmed that Sandara Park, also fondly called Dara, is the newest artist on their roster. The former 2NE1 member is now set to pursue bigger projects with her new management.

On August 31, the official ABYSS Company Twitter account teased fresh talent joining the company. The tweet simply read, “New Artist is Coming From ABYSS,” leading to several speculations. Some fans thought it would be a member of the recently-disbanded GFRIEND while some believed it would be a male artist.

ABYSS then made an official announcement about their new artist, welcoming Sandara Park into the company. The tweet featured four new photos of Dara which are now officially used on the ABYSS website.

In addition to the tweet, a gorgeous teaser was released to announce Sandara is now part of the ABYSS roster. It shows small glimpses at the 2NE1 visual, before eventually revealing Dara’s face.

ABYSS is undoubtedly thrilled to have Sandara on board. “We are happy to be part of the new beginning of Sandara Park, who has been loved both domestically and abroad for a long time,” the agency said in a statement.

So why did Sandara choose ABYSS above all companies? The 2NE1 sub rapper reportedly wanted to reunite with the manager who recruited her and ensured her debut with the group.

Dara was a member of K-pop girl group 2NE1, along with CL, Park Bom, and Minzy. The idol group debuted in 2009 but eventually disbanded in 2016.

In May 2021, YG Entertainment confirmed that Dara did not renew her contract with the company. Since then, Dara had been working as a solo artist appearing in variety shows and musicals.

ABYSS also represents GOT7’s BamBam and former Wonder Girls member Sunmi. BamBam released his solo EP “RiBBon” on June 15, while Sunmi released his third EP “⅙” on August 6.

Sandara Park signs with Abyss Company. Photo: ABYSS COMPANY/YouTube

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve most probably heard the news that Red Velvet’s representative actress and “face of the group”, Joy, has R&B singer Crush. What’s fantastic about this was that once rumors started circulating that the two former collaborators have explored the possibility of furthering their relationship, their agencies, SM Entertainment and PNation wasted no time in confirming the news. And much to the surprise of Korean entertainment onlookers, the public response has been positive!

What? No saesangs threatening to set SM Entertainment on fire? No petitions to the Blue House for the removal of Joy from RV? Are ReVeLuvs gunning for the Nobel prize for most matured fandom? The degree of acceptance and even love for the newly dating couple is something not a lot of us are used to, or even have experienced in the past.

Thus, this begs the question, why are the fans manifesting a great deal of calm and even approval to Joy and Crush? Of course, K-netz have a gazillion opinions ranging from logical hot takes to grand “Next Level by aespa” theories. Let’s check out the more outstanding ones:

1. Crush is not an idol.

When an idol dates another idol, two fandoms usually go to war with each other – the fandom of the boy group who has a lot of displaced anger at both their oppa who is “abandoning” them by prioritizing this girl than them, his loyal supporters and the girl (and obviously, her fans) for taking away their oppa from them and the fandom of the girl group who will naturally defend their girl from haters. This is not happening in the case of Crush, who has mostly male fans, and Joy, whose fans won’t be up against overly possessive female fans. Now, if say, Joy transforms her reel relationship with her We Got Married “husband” BTOB’s Sungjae into a real one, ReVeLuvs and Melody might get into a full-blown confrontation. Also, this ties to point #2, which is…

2. Joy enjoys a balanced (i.e., equal number of female and male) fandom.
Because Joy has successfully dabbled in an acting career, she has widened the demographics of her fanbase. Now, it appears that she has a healthy male fanbase, a majority which are Red Velvet fans, as well as a growing number of female fans composed of 20-something women to ahjummas who have grown to like her in The Liar and His Lover and Tempted, and are anticipating Only One Person. Thus, despite constant criticism of Joy (or more precisely, her acting) being a wet blanket in the TV dramas she has starred in, most people (even the causal TV viewer) have identified her in different acting roles (and thus having different personalities) are not overly possessive when it comes to her. Maybe, if it was visual Irene getting caught in a dating “scandal”, then men might definitely react.

3. Crush started off as a Joy-stan.
The relationship did not just pop out of nowhere.

Joy and Crush first collaborated on a song called Mayday from his album homemade. Mayday became a moderate hit, chartering as high as #32 in the Gaon Digital Chart. Days after, both parties posted cute photos of them together on their social media accounts, which fans credited to them just promoting their song. A lot of people did notice that they looked nice cute good together. In behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, the two went on to gush about each other. Joy admitted to being a fan of the singer even before she was offered the project, while the R&B singer revealed that his Red Velvet collaborator has been his ideal type for some time.

And have you seen that music video for Mayday? Cutest. Thing. Ever. Thus, when dating rumors started swirling days ago, people somehow just had smiles on their faces upon hearing the speculations.

4. ReVeLuvs and K-pop fans welcome some good news.
In the midst of a fresh batch of depressing news, K-pop fans are faced with on their every waking day, from former EXO member Kris Wu’s woes to (G)-IDLE losing a member (or a forced resignation, perhaps?) because of a bullying scandal and NCT Lucas’ abuse rumors, k-pop followers are surely hankering for some feel-good developments. Thus, when it was revealed that Joy is dating Crush, her groupmates subjected her to some good-natured teasing and the PR Department of SM Entertainment surely celebrated this break from having to issue apology statements. Alas, with Wendy’s accident in 2019 and Irene’s attitude scandal last year, the successful Seulgi and Irene sub-unit (successfully launched just before the Irene scandal), solo releases of Wendy and Joy, and finally Joy’s rosy personal life may just be what ReVeLuvs need.

And it is on this note that we wish the new couple more happiness as they get to know each other more and for Red Velvet and the fandom to enjoy more good news in the months and years to come. Isn’t the contract renewal for the group coming up very soon? Stand by for further developments!

Featured image: Crush and Red Velvet’s Joy in Mayday. Photo: Crush/YouTube

MONSTA X is having a busy year.

The six-member boy group has been releasing new music and endorsing products since January. So are the idols now ready for their next project without their leader? MONSTA X has posted a cryptic tweet that teases the group’s latest project without Shownu.

In July, Shownu confirmed his enlistment into military duty. The MONSTA X leader revealed he will serve as a public service worker because of his medical history. Son Hyunwoo had eye surgery for a detached retina last year. The main dancer had also dislocated his shoulder in the past.

Shownu might be serving his country but he continues to be a part of MONSTA X’s ongoing promotions. Most of the current MONSTA X content, like the promotional single Kiss or Death, was recorded before his enlistment. However, the group could be working on their first project as a five-member band.

https://youtu.be/nPEmoaNCBNg

The official MONSTA X Twitter account is usually posting new photos of the idols or updates on their current promotion. However, a recent tweet proved to be different because it was written in English and seemed rather cryptic.

“They say hindsight’s 20/20,” the tweet reads along with the eyes emoji and the MONSTA X hashtags. It doesn’t say much but Monbebes were mystified by the post.

Fans have many theories about the mysterious tweet. Some believed that it was a teaser for the next MONSTA X comeback before the end of the year. Others pointed out that it could be a new project that will look back on the group’s six-year career.

The expression “hindsight is 20/20” is attributed to humorist Richard Armour. It points out how something is easier to understand after it has happened. It is generally stated when someone realizes late how to act in a situation.

For now, MONSTA X has not yet clarified their cryptic tweet. However, Monbebes hope that if it is for a new project, it would still involve Shownu.

Featured image: MONSTA X – Kiss or Death Official Preview. Photo: UNIVERSE_OFFICIAL/YouTube

Lim Jaebeom’s solo career is officially taking off.

As of August 26, 2021, the leader of GOT7 has finally released his first mini-album SOMO: FUME. Not surprisingly, it’s filled with songs that are distinctly Jay B.

While JB is currently promoting the title track “B.T.W” and enjoying his status as a solo artist, he is also eager to work with Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom again. Jay B has confirmed that they are working to make a GOT7 reunion happen soon.

GOT7 has been working together since 2014 but the group hit an unusual milestone in early 2021. All members of the idol group decided against renewing their contracts with JYP Entertainment. The decision made Ahgases worry that it would mean the group’s disbandment. However, the boys made it clear that GOT7 is “Forever Seven” and will continue to perform together.

Since then, the GOT7 members have signed with different companies and worked on solo projects. Jay B was the last member to choose a new company and signed with Jay Park’s H1ghr Music. Jaebeom then made his mark as a solo artist with the digital single “Switch It Up.”

https://youtu.be/D-kjUANWM9c

It’s clear Jay B is having the time of his life writing new music on his own. While speaking to MTV, the other half of JJ Project admitted he loves the artistic freedom of a solo artist.

“The freedom that I feel is that my ideas, my creativity, and my direction do not get lost in translation and doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. It doesn’t get overridden by other people’s opinions,” Jay B elaborated. “Now, my creativity is becoming more of a reality. It’s not that I have the freedom to do whatever I want with my music—that’s not it. It’s just that my ideas are being more prioritized here, and I feel like you see that in my songs.”

Being a solo Korean R&B artist means new fans but Jay B also wants to please Ahgases with his current sound. Jus2’s second member assures GOT7 fans that he hasn’t changed at all. 

“I want the fans to continue to see me and keep their love for me. Nothing’s going to change. Just look at me and take me for what I am and who I am. I’m still me,” he said.

https://youtu.be/cUAsTQUU3xk

Pleasing Ahgases means a GOT7 reunion. Jay B knows this and reveals that he and his fellow members are looking for ways to make it happen.

“I really want to let the fans know that every one of the seven members are trying extremely hard to continuously do good work and maintain the name of GOT7,” Jay B said. “Even today, we were talking and are still thinking of ways we can do something together so we can maintain the fandom and honor for GOT7. We’re always thinking of new ways to progress, but it’s challenging.”

Jay B, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom are all working on their own solo projects. However, fans can expect GOT7 to eventually work together again when the time is just right.

SOMO: FUME, Jay B’s first mini-album, is out now.