Tag: BELIFT LAB

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Meet I’ll-It: Hybe’s Girl Group From ‘R U Next?’

The I'LL-IT members pose together after the finale of 'R U NEXT?' Credit: Twitter/I'LL-IT

Watch out for I’LL-IT! JBTC’s reality survival show R U Next? aired its final episode on Friday, September 1, and viewers are introduced to the members of HYBE’s upcoming girl group. 

For those unfamiliar, R U Next? began with 22 female trainees who were assessed through seven rounds. The mentors and judges evaluated the participants as they go through different vocal and dancing missions.

The top six contestants who have earned their spot for the official debut lineup were announced during the final episode.

 

SNSD’s Sooyoung, the show’s MC, revealed Wonhee and Youngseo as the first two members of the group. The two placed first and second in the global vote rankings, respectively. 

Meanwhile, the four other members who were chosen by the agency and judges were Minju, Iroha, Moka, and Yunah.

 

In the finale episode, it was revealed that the six will then debut under the group I’LL-IT, which is a combination of the English words “I will” and “it.”

Netizens’ react on the final lineup 

While the debuting members received congratulatory messages from their fans, a lot of Korean netizens and international viewers have expressed their frustration regarding the show.

https://twitter.com/ilitgirls/status/1697610316287287673

 

Viewers heavily criticized the sudden changes in R U Next?’s voting process as the final episode generally disregarded international votes and relied more on label picks. 

 

Many were also disappointed that the ace-considered participants did not make it to the cut.

https://twitter.com/runextlovre/status/1697603923933274542

 

Next, netizens also raised their suspicions as to the group’s promotional activities. Just a day after the final lineup was announced, Vogue Korea already featured the debuting members, making viewers think the group was pre-selected.

https://twitter.com/rinswurld/status/1697995130668466546

 

What’s next for I’LL-IT

BE:LIFT LAB, a former joint venture between CJ ENM and HYBE Corporation, will manage I’LL IT. The agency is also home to the multinational boy group ENHYPEN, who were formed through the 2020 survival show I-Land

In early August, it was revealed that HYBE has gained full ownership of BE:LIFT LAB.

After the show’s finale, I’LL-IT immediately launched their official social media accounts. 

 

Fans can now catch the group’s latest announcements through Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok, and Weverse channels. Additionally, the group will have two X (former Twitter) accounts – one for group activities and another for members’ updates. 

 

I’LL-IT members have also penned messages for their fans. Most of them also recall their journey in R U NEXT? and how they feel to be part of the final lineup. 

 

BE:LIFT LAB has yet to announce details about I’LL-IT’s debut as of writing. 

Meanwhile, in other news, HYBE has also launched another survival reality show The Debut: Dream Academy. This time, in partnership with Geffen Records, they’re aiming for a global girl group.

Featured image: The I’LL-IT members pose together after the finale of ‘R U NEXT?’ Credit: Twitter/I’LL-IT

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K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Enhypen Getting Mobbed at Airport Causes Uproar Among Fans

Fans of K-pop boy group ENHYPEN took to social media to express their outrage at the act’s recent encounter at the Incheon Airport with fans. 

ENHYPEN recently performed at the KPOP LUX festival in Madrid, Spain, and returned to South Korea on Monday, July 24. However, the group was met with an enthusiastic throng of fans at the airport. 

 

In the videos circulating on social media, the crowd flocked the members right after they walked through the airport doors, with some fans even crossing barricades and coming dangerously close to the artists. 

The clips also showed that some of the ENHYPEN members were even getting pushed by the crowd, while others were almost getting separated from the group. Many netizens also pointed out how member Jake is visibly seen aiding Sunoo in navigating the crowd. 

ENGENEs, or fans of ENHYPEN, were immediately infuriated by the incident, calling for tighter security measures from both the group’s agency BELIFT LAB and the airport. 

Fans online also berated the crowd at the airport, saying that their lack of control in handling their excitement harmed the members.

“Jake got pushed, his jacket got grabbed. Even the reporter had to ask him if he was okay. Sunoo got separated from the group at some point. This is terrible. I genuinely feel so frustrated,” one tweet read.

Another wrote, “It’s been 3 years since ENHYPEN is getting mobbed at the airport by fan sites and fans in general, every time. They need to move and do something to protect their artists.” 

“If even the press had to ask the boys whether they’re okay or not there’s something very wrong with the way ‘fans’ are acting. this conversation is getting very tiring,” another fan said. 

https://twitter.com/Bl0bfishSpand3x/status/1683397684999122944

https://twitter.com/heedaze_/status/1683403688453320704

https://twitter.com/Bl0bfishSpand3x/status/1683398576448352256

 

As of writing, BELIFT LAB has yet to address the issue. But it can be recalled that the agency released in September 2020 a fan etiquette guideline after ENHYPEN was also mobbed at the airport following their event on Jeju Island. 

Composed of Jungwon, Heeseung, Jake, Jay, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki, ENHYPEN was formed through the reality talent program I-LAND. They made their debut in November 2020, and are known for songs “Drunk-Dazed,” “FEVER,” “Polaroid Love,” and “Future Perfect.” 

ENHYPEN is also set to embark on their second world tour titled FATE, which will kick off on July 29 and 30 at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, South Korea. It will also have stops in Japan and the United States. 

Featured image: ENHYPEN‘s Twitter

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