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Watch: Red Velvet Showcases Versatility in New Album ‘Chill Kill’

Red Velvet poses for their concept photo for 'Chill Kill.' Credit: Twitter/Red Velvet

K-pop girl group Red Velvet has made a highly-anticipated return to the music scene, dropping their third full-length album, Chill Kill, on Monday, November 13. 

As this album marks the group’s first full-length release in six years, fans were definitely anticipating it. Notably, Red Velvet’s second full album, Perfect Velvet, came out in November 2017.

Meanwhile, the title track “Chill Kill” is described as a  distinctive pop dance composition that showcases the broad musical spectrum of Red Velvet. According to SM Entertainment, it has a cold yet warm and hopeful melody. 

As for what Chill Kill means, member Joy said in a press release that it refers to a situation or person that disrupts silence. In line with that, the song explores the feeling of missing Chill Kill, even though it altered one’s world, and expresses a desire for hope. Moreover, the group encouraged their fans to pay attention to the  duality portrayed in the song. 

Apart from “Chill Kill,” the album has nine other tracks. 

Red Velvet on returning with a full album

Meanwhile, Seulgi expressed the group’s aim to reveal their growth and unique style to fans. “We have undergone by exploring our past and present throughout the album’s creation,” she added. 

Despite the long gap since their last full-length album, Irene, the group’s leader, highlighted their continuous musical releases and experimentation with various concepts. “We worked hard to showcase a new side of ourselves through this album,” she said. 

In terms of the key points of Chill Kill, Wendy shared that the album follows the theme of “duplicity” – portraying both tragedy and hope.

“We put our minds on showing both sides of the album through all the content,” she said. Moreover, she noted that the group have been hands-on in terms of choosing the songs and making the choreography for their latest album. 

Known for their intriguing concepts, fans of the group are aware of the consistent “red” and “velvet” themes of the group throughout the career.

To note, the “red” theme shows more of the group’s fresh, fun, upbeat, and vibrant concepts. Meanwhile, the “velvet” theme goes for a more sensual, mature, and sophisticated sound. 

Apart from it being a full album, Chill Kill also marked the group’s first comeback in almost a year. In November 2022, they released the mini-album The ReVe Festival 2022- Birthday.

Moreover, the comeback also came amidst speculations regarding the members’ status as SM Entertainment artists. 

In August, Seulgi was confirmed to renew her contract with SM Entertainment.  It marked the second time the K-pop idol has re-signed with the K-pop agency. However, the agency has yet to reveal the status of the other Red Velvet members, namely Irene, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri. 

Featured image: Red Velvet poses for their concept photo for ‘Chill Kill.’ Credit: Twitter/Red Velvet

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ENHYPEN Opens Up About ‘ORANGE BLOOD’ Recording in Forbes Middle East Interview

In an exclusive interview with Forbes Middle East, ENHYPEN shared exciting details about their upcoming mini-album ORANGE BLOOD. The interview was published ahead of their first gig in Abu Dhabi on November 11.

Brighter, warmer things

The album continues the narrative introduced in DARK BLOOD. Jake, a member of the septet, says that while previous album focused on darker themes like sacrifice and fate, ORANGE BLOOD is a representation of brighter, warmer things. “It’s going to portray this warm vibe we’re trying to send to our fans.”

ENHYPEN has been actively involved in the creative aspects of their music. For “Bite Me,” DARK BLOOD’s title track, Heeseung took part in studio directing and Ni-Ki worked on the choreography. For ORANGE BLOOD, Jay played a significant role in writing “Sweet Venom.” I just tried to figure out what word is best for our team and matches our team then sent it to our company. But yeah, I think I was just lucky, and they liked some of those,” he says modestly.

“Sweet Venom” is a pop-punk song with a groovy bassline. It tells the story of a boy confronting his own mortality, expressing his feelings through a poison metaphor. He says the poison, while harmful, makes him feel alive. The song is available in three versions: Korean, English, and a version featuring American singer Bella Poarch.

ORANGE BLOOD also includes the R&B/soft pop song “Mortal,” the ballad “Still Monster,” and the alternative R&B track “멀어 (Far Away).” Each song has a unique theme. For example, “Orange Flower (You Complete Me)” likens gratitude and positive emotions to orange blossoms.

ENHYPEN (엔하이픈) ORANGE BLOOD Preview

ENHYPEN on the pressures of idol life

ENHYPEN, candid about the pressures of idol life, continues to delve deeper into their artistry and their personalities with each new release. But since they live life at the center of a storm, how do they navigate it?

Ni-Ki, their maknae, says he leans on his hyungs a lot. “That’s a tricky question, but you know, I’ve got my brothers, my members beside me all the time. They got my back, and I want to think of this experience not as something I’m doing on my own, but as a journey we’re on together, as a group,” he explains. “And the parts that I’m missing or lacking, the other members are always there to fill the gaps. So, I wouldn’t mind much of the negative things. I’d like to view this from a positive aspect and, you know, enjoy the entire experience and always be excited.”

For his part, Sunghoon says the confidence he gained after three years in the industry is key. Jay, meanwhile, says standing his ground on certain things helps him get through it all.

As they approach their third anniversary as a band, ENHYPEN looks forward to the response to ORANGE BLOOD and the dance challenges it will inspire on social media. The band, set to release the album at 2:00 PM on the 17th, will also unveil the first teaser for the “Sweet Venom”  music Video on the 14th as part of their promotional activities. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The Forbes Middle East article was quite the eye-opener. Source: X/@ENHYPEN.

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Jungkook Drops ‘Standing Next to You’ Remix Album

Jungkook unveiled new material, Standing Next to You: The Remixes, on November 6 at 2:00 PM KST. This album is entirely dedicated to remixes of his new single “Standing Next to You,” from his debut solo album GOLDEN. The remix album not only includes the original version; it also has band and instrumental versions, along with a “Future Funk Remix,” “Holiday Remix,” “Latin Trap Remix,” “PBR&B Remix,” and “Slow Jam Remix.”

BTS’s maknae reunited with songwriter-producer duo Andrew Watt and Cirkut for “Standing Next to You.” This time, they embraced retro funk sounds to highlight Jungkook‘s dynamic and powerful vocals. The album also boasts songwriting credits from Ali Tamposi, known for co-writing Camila Cabello‘s “Havana,” and Jon Bellion, co-writer and co-producer of Justin Bieber‘s “Justice.”

The remix album is available on streaming services. BigHit Music also dropped visualizers for all the tracks on YouTube. Check out one of them below.

정국 (Jung Kook) ‘Standing Next to You – Future Funk Remix’ Visualizer

Jungkook scores with ‘Standing Next to You’

In related news, “Standing Next to You” just set an impressive record on Spotify. On November 7, the track climbed to No. 1 on Spotify’s daily Global Top Songs chart for the first time, becoming his third solo song to achieve this milestone. Jungkook previously reached No. 1 with his singles “Seven feat. Latto)” and “3D (feat. Jack Harlow)” earlier this year.

Remarkably, Jungkook has become the first K-pop artist in history to top Spotify’s global chart with three different songs. With this latest achievement, he has surpassed his own group BTS and BLACKPINK—both of whom have two No. 1 songs each—becoming the K-pop artist with the most No. 1 songs to date on Spotify’s Global Top Songs chart. Jungkook also extended his reign as the K-pop artist with the most days at No. 1 on Spotify’s global chart, now totaling a combined 73 days across all of his solo songs.

Moreover, Jungkook’s “Seven (feat. Latto),” his first collaboration with Andrew Watt and Cirkut, recently became the fastest song in Spotify history to hit 1 billion streams, shattering the record set by Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers.” To add to his list of accolades, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) officially announced that “Seven (feat. Latto)” had been awarded a platinum certification for over 1 million units sold. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Jungkook’s remix album proves ‘Standing Next to You’ is a bop, no matter its sound. Source: Weverse.

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Look: SNSD’s Taeyeon Drops Emotional Teaser for ‘To. X’

Taeyeon shares a behind-the-scene from 'ODD OF LOVE' concert. Credit: Twitter/Taeyeon

SONEs are buzzing with excitement as SNSD’s Taeyeon has announced that she’ll be releasing her long-awaited fifth mini-album To. X

On Monday, November 6, Taeyeon treated her fans to a sneak peek of what’s to come by releasing a teaser video for To. X.

In the short clip, the vocalist is seen portraying a character breaking up with a lover over a text message. “As much as I liked you, I tried to compromise for you. Now I’m saying goodbye. I’m gonna block you,” the text from the teaser read. 

Accompanied by this heart-wrenching message are artistic photographs of an apartment in disarray. On the first teaser alone, fans are already promised an emotional narrative. Moreover, fans are already anticipating the topic of the songs and the album’s theme since the teasers already served as a visual metaphor for a bad breakup. 

Aside from the teaser, the SNSD member also released an artistic comeback scheduler. Arranged like a series of photos, the artist appeared to be pondering on whether to “delete all memories and reset them all.” Notably, Taeyeon will be releasing highlight clips, teasers, and samplers before the official album’s release on November 27.  

Taeyeon is back! 

Even before the first teaser was released, fans have been eagerly awaiting for Taeyeon’s return as SM Entertainment have been rescheduling the idol’s comeback several times now. 

Moreover, To. X will serve as the artist’s first comeback in more than a year and a half. Her second full-length album, INVU,  was released in February 2022.

Since February 2023, the agency SM Entertainment has been hinting that Taeyeon will make a solo comeback. At first, they said that the new offering from the SNSD star will be out by April. However, these plans were postponed, leaving fans eagerly waiting for the highly-anticipated album.

Then, the label published a preview of their upcoming releases, which mentioned that Taeyeon will release a solo album by the third quarter of 2023. But the singer didn’t release any new music within that time frame. 

In mid-October, SM Entertainment confirmed that Taeyeon is gearing up for her mini-album that will be out by November. 

Although additional details about To. X have yet to be announced, fans are eager to see what this seasoned artist will bring to the table this time around.  Especially since Taeyeon has a remarkable track record of delivering memorable and impactful music that resonates with fans.

As a solo artist, Taeyeon has delivered hit after hit. Among her popular songs are “What Do I Call You,” “Set Myself On Fire,” “Fine,” and “Dear Me.”

Featured image: Taeyeon shares a behind-the-scene from ‘ODD OF LOVE’ concert. Credit: Twitter/Taeyeon

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Ex-ASTRO’s Rocky to Release Solo Debut Album ‘ROCKYST’

Rocky releases new profile photos under his agency One Fine Entertainment. Credit: Twitter/One Fine Day Entertainment

Attention, AROHAs! Former ASTRO member Rocky is making a significant milestone in his career as he steps into the world of solo artists. 

On Monday, November 6, Rocky’s own agency One Fine Day Entertainment confirmed that he’s gearing up for his solo debut. 

According to Korean media, the mini-album called ROCKYST will be released on November 22. It will comprise a total of six songs, with the title track called “LUCKY ROCKY.” Moreover, the upcoming release promises to deliver a unique musical journey that showcases the idol’s versatility and artistry.

Additionally, the title track “LUCKY ROCKY” is described as a retro pop song with an infectious groove. With this, fans are looking forward to seeing Rocky showcase his strength as a dance artist. Since he’s known for his signature moves and flair during his stint in ASTRO. 

Furthermore, Rocky has been super involved in the creation of the album. Among the things he took charge of are planning and writing the songs to composing, producing, and choreographing. Which is why fans are looking forward to see how his vision come to life.

 

Rocky as a solo artist

What makes this debut even more special is that Rocky has established his own agency, One Fine Day Entertainment. Accordingly, the agency’s name reflects the idea of hope and positivity.

Under this new label, Rocky expressed his desire to continue his activities as both an artist and the CEO of the company. Since this move allows him greater creative control and a platform to bring his artistic vision to life, fans can expect an incredible showcase of the artist’s talent. 

During his time with ASTRO, he contributed self-composed songs like “When the Cold Wind Blows,” “No, That’s Right,” and “Our Season.” He also dabbled in songwriting during his unit activities with Jinjin, creating tracks like “Let’s Take a Breath” and “CPR.”

Moreover, this will be Rocky’s return to the industry following his departure from ASTRO and FANTAGIO Entertainment in March. 

Featured image: Rocky releases new profile photos under his agency One Fine Entertainment. Credit: Twitter/One Fine Day Entertainment

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Moon Jong Up Makes 1st Solo Comeback in More Than 2 Years

Moon Jong Up updates fans with new photos. Credit: Twitter/Jongup

The long wait is over as B.A.P’s Moon Jong Up finally returned with his second mini-album, SOME, on Monday, October 30. 

In SOME, five songs are included  in the album with “X.O.X“ as the title track. Meanwhile, it’s sub-title “Common” has two versions: Korean and English. 

Moreover, SOME marks Jong Up’s first solo comeback in more than two years and 3 months. His last solo release was the min-album US, which  was released in July 2021. 

Moon Jong Up on being a solo artist

In an interview with allkpop, Jong Up looked back on his career, including pursuing a solo career outside of B.A.P. activities. 

“There was definitely a lot of pressure going solo. With the energy and everything that I have shown when I was part of a group, I don’t want to come out as a solo artist to disappoint with my releases,” he said. 

The artist added that he wants to show to his fans a “different performance and side” of him that they haven’t seen yet. Moreover, he also admitted that while doing solo activities is a difficult experience, it also helped him mature as an artist. 

Additionally, Jong Up also opened up about his involvement in the production of the album. As well as his thought process in penning the lyrics for the tracks. 

“I really put my personal story and emotions into it because I wanted to embed my own color into this song,” he said. 

And his hardwork is definitely paying off as charts showed that he’s broken his personal record for album sales with SOME. 

According to the Hanteo chart, SOME has recorded exactly 9,642 album sales on its first day. It surpassed the 600 units sold on the first day for his debut album US. Furthermore, SOME also has become his highest-selling album in first-week sales.  

Jong Up’s career

Moon Jong Up debuted as a member of the K-pop group B.A.P in 2012. However, he left TS Entertainment in 2019, alongside three other B.A.P members. 

Despite being under different agencies, the B.A.P members remain close and supportive of each other. In fact, the B.A.P members congratulated Jongup for the release of SOME. 

Prior to making his solo comeback, Jong Up also participated in the JBTC survival show Peak Time. There, he placed first in the global individual votes and his team finished third overall. 

Featured image: Moon Jong Up updates fans with new photos. Credit: Twitter/Jong Up

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ONE PACT Drops Teaser for November Debut

ARMADA Entertainment shares group photo of ONE PACT. Credit: Twitter/ARMADA Entertainment

It’s official: ARMADA Entertainment’s upcoming boy group ONE PACT is gearing up for their debut. 

Moreover, ONE PACT is composed of five former Boys Planet contestants. They are Yoon Jong Woo, former TO1 member Oh Seong Min (who did promotions  as Jerome), former Ciipher member Tag, Lee Ye Dam, and Jay Chang. 

Notably, Tag initially joined Boys Planet as a contestant, but ultimately left the survival show before it began airing. Furthermore, Jay Chang was also first rumored to debut as a soloist, before surprising fans with his ONE PACT involvement. 

On Thursday,  November 2, the group released a scheduler for their first mini-album Moment. The quartet will be releasing the usual concept photos, track lists, and teasers prior to the album and music video release on November 30. 

As of writing, other details, such as the number of songs and title track for Moment have yet to be announced. 

Prior to the release of Moment, ONE PACT already released a performance video for their pre-debut track “Hot Stuff.” Aside from the video showcasing the synchronization of the group, fans were also impressed that the song is produced by member Tag. 

Through “Hot Stuff” and other performance video teasers, the upcoming boy group has been gaining attention among the fans. 

 

What we know so far about ONE PACT

In September, ARMADA Entertainment first confirmed  their plans of debuting a new idol group. 

As for the group name ONE PACT, it reportedly is a fusion of the words “one” and “impact.” Furthermore, the group name is meant to signify the act’s goal of being united to make a significant impact. 

Ahead of their official debut, the group is also embarking on a pre-debut fan concert tour in Japan and Thailand.

With their upcoming debut, ONE PACT will join the list of growing Boys Planet contestants who entered the industry after the series. 

First, the formed group who won in the show are now promoting as ZEROBASEONE, or ZB1. Consisting of Zhang Hao, Sung Han Bin, Seok Matthew, Ricky, Park Gun Wook, Kim Taerae, Kim Gyu Vin, Kim Ji Woong, and Han Yu Jin, ZB1 debuted in July with their first mini album Youth in the Shade.

Another boy group produced by Boys Planet is EVNNE, who made their debut in September. Meanwhile, four more former contestants of Boys Planet are set to debut as the boy group TOZ  in 2023.

Featured image: ARMADA Entertainment shares group photo of ONE PACT. Credit: Twitter/ARMADA Entertainment

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Everything We Know About ENHYPEN’s ‘ORANGE BLOOD’

ENHYPEN is preparing to release their fifth EP, ORANGE BLOOD, which promises to be a sensory delight. BELIFT LAB recently hosted a listening session for the album, attended by select members of the entertainment press. They reported that three of the agency’s in-house producers, Pdogg, Slow Rabbit, and Wonderkid, have worked on ORANGE BLOOD. The album reportedly features tracks ideal for festivals and live performances.

ENHYPEN (엔하이픈) ‘ORANGE BLOOD’ Concept Trailer

The concept trailer for ORANGE BLOOD picks up where the concept trailer of their last EP, DARK BLOOD, left off. Filming took place on Jeju Island. ENHYPEN worked with director Yu Kwang-kwon again to put together a video with striking direction and vivid colors.

 

ENHYPEN (엔하이픈) ‘ORANGE BLOOD’ Concept Trailer Shoot Sketch

The concept trailer begins with the members washing ashore on a beach, followed by scenes of them enjoying nature. The mood shifts when Sunoo discovers a girl they were hanging out with trapped in a burning house, leaving the members in a state of helplessness and shock.

ENHYPEN piqued fans’ curiosity

ENHYPEN has also released mood films for the “KSANA” and “KALPA” versions of the album, both of which piqued fans’ curiosity about ORANGE BLOOD’s concept. “KSANA,” meaning “momentary” in Sanskrit, features a car under a cloudy, red-tinted sky with a heart-shaped lightning bolt. It evoked a sense of mystery. The “KALPA” version features orange flowers bathed in warm sunlight, hinting at a connection to the flower featured in an ORANGE WEEK spoiler video.

https://www.tiktok.com/@en_miaaa/video/7295059901162720518?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6908322787502065153

Phrases like “LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE NOTHING IN IT IS EVERLASTING” and “WE WILL BE REMEMBERED IN FATE BECAUSE THERE IS TO BE AN END” in the mood films hint at deeper meanings. Finally, the “ENGENE” mood film, made especially for the fans, opens on a serene lake in sunlight, with the phrase “WE ARE BEAUTIFUL WITHIN MORTALITY.”

#ENHYPEN (#엔하이픈) ORANGE BLOOD (ENGENE Ver.)

ORANGE BLOOD is set to drop at 2:00 PM on November 17. It’s expected to be a significant addition to ENHYPEN‘s discography. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: This is one of the ENGENE Ver. concept photos. Source: X/@BELIFTLAB.

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The Boyz to return with ‘Sixth Sense’

IST Entertainment shares photo of The Boyz from their 'Christmas in August' album. Credit: Twitter/IST Entertainment

Mark your calendars, DEOBIS! K-pop boy group The Boyz is returning with new music on November 20 through Sixth Sense. 

On Wednesday, October 25, IST Entertainment confirmed that The Boyz is gearing up for their comeback. 

“They will start their comeback by releasing Sixth Sense, the second part of their second full-length album PHANTASY,” the agency said in a press release. 

Notably, this will mark The Boyz’ first comeback in three months following the release of Christmas in August. To recall, Christmas in August, which carries the title track “Lip Gloss,” served as the first part of the group’s PHANTASY trilogy. 

Other details about Sixth Sense, such as its title track, concept photos, and number of songs, have yet to be released. 

But it can be recalled that The Boyz have earlier released posters for their PHANTASY trilogy. In which, the poster for Sixth Sense featured a drive-in theater. Moreover, it had a different vibe and concept as to the beach featured in the poster for Christmas in August. 

The Boyz’ PHANTASY trilogy

In July, IST Entertainment first revealed that the group’s second full-length album PHANTASY will be divided into three parts. 

Additionally, they noted that the three installments will all be released by the second half of 2023. The first part, Christmas in August, was released in August. 

As for its third installment, it will be titled Love Letter. For its sequence poster, Love Letter featured a field of snow. However, there’s no additional details yet about the third installment. 

PHANTASY serves as The Boyz’s first full-length album in more than three years following REVEAL, which was released in February 2020. As for their latest release prior to PHANTASY, it was the February 2023 mini-album BE AWAKE. 

Initially a 12-member boy group, The Boyz made their debut in December 2017. However, Hwall left in October 2019 due to health reasons. 

Currently, the group is composed of Sangyeon, Jacob, Hyunjae, Younghoon, Kevin, Juyeon, New, Q, Sunwoo, Ju Haknyeon, and Eric. 

In between the releases for the group’s PHANTASY installments, The Boyz is also embarking on their second world tour ZENERATION.

Featured image: IST Entertainment shares photo of The Boyz from their ‘Christmas in August’ album. Credit: Twitter/IST Entertainment

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Look: ATEEZ Drops Teaser for ‘The World Ep. FIN: WILL’

Members pose for individual photos in 'The World EP. FIN: WILL' Credit: Facebook/ATEEZ

Save the date, ATINYs! K-pop boy group ATEEZ is returning with the new album The World EP. FIN: WILL 

On Wednesday, October 25, the “Bouncy” hitmakers announced their plans of releasing the final installment for their The World trilogy. 

In the teaser for the third album, graffiti over the wall shows the words Historia (History),  Amistad (Friendship), Beliefs, a rabbit silhouette, and the mini album’s title. 

Notably, The World EP. FIN: WILL will come six months after the release of their The World EP 2: OUTLAW album in June. For those unfamiliar, the first part of the trilogy started with the July 2022 release The World EP. 1: Movement. 

As seen in the individual teasers, ATEEZ members also pose with a dark, rebellious theme. Which prompts fans to anticipate the concept of the upcoming album, as many are excited to see how the group will conclude the trilogy. 

 

Additionally, ATEEZ also released a scheduler for their pending comeback. Aside from the usual concept photos, posters, and tracklist, the group hinted at two activities set for November 19 to November 23 and November 24. 

Meanwhile, the album and official music video for the title track will be out on December 1. Other details, such as the number of songs in the album, have yet to be announced. 

As of writing, it remains unclear whether member Jongho will be participating in the activities for the upcoming album as he’s currently on hiatus. In August, KQ Entertainment announced that the idol has experienced “extreme pain” in his leg. 

Five years with ATEEZ

The announcement about The World EP. FIN: WILL came shortly after the group marked their fifth debut anniversary. 

In a special interview video, ATEEZ looked back around their idol journey. 

 

“I hope we continue to grow and for 2024, we’ve been growing and getting better all this time. So I believe we’ll be at a higher place. Even when we’re up there, we won’t lose our focus,” member Yunho said. 

Moreover, they also expressed their gratitude to their fans who continue to support them. “I felt that the love for us is truly extraordinary. I love ATINY just as much as I started,” Seonghwa shared. 

Composed of Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho, ATEEZ debuted in October 2018 with the song “Pirate KIng.” 

Currently, the group is embarking on their The Fellowship: Break the Wall world concert tour. 

Featured image: Members pose for individual photos in ‘The World EP. FIN: WILL.’ Credit: Facebook/ATEEZ

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