Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

ITZY’s Lia Breaks Silence in Handwritten Letter for Fans After Hiatus Announcement

Lia is officially on hiatus. JYP Entertainment has made an official announcement confirming that the ITZY member will not join the rest of the group in upcoming activities. Soon after the statement was released, Lia broke her silence by sharing a handwritten letter addressed to MIDZYs.

On September 18, JYP Entertainment issued a statement confirming that Lia “underwent consultation and examination as she is experiencing extreme tension and anxiety about carrying out her scheduled activities.” The agency stated that the ITZY member “received medical advice that she needs rest and treatment.” They further confirmed that “Lia will not participate in scheduled activities starting today and will take a break for the time being to focus on her treatment.”

Lia Pens Heartfelt Letter For MIDZYs Following Hiatus Announcement

Since then, Lia posted a heartfelt message for her fans. In the letter posted on ITZY’s official Instagram account, she expressed her concern for MIDZYs.

“Since MIDZY worries about me more than anyone else even when I am a little sick, I was worried that you would be heartbroken and sad when you heard the news.” she wrote. “But at the same time, because MIDZY knows and believes in me more than anyone else, I was able to muster the courage, knowing you would understand and wait for me.”

Lia then reflected on her career before pointing out that she needs time for herself. “Of course, those times must also be filled with our memories and happy moments we spent together. Although they were such precious times, I came to realize that I’ve been gradually losing myself while running up to this point,” she wrote.

“To that end, I felt like I needed to take some time off to love and fill myself first,” Lia continued. “As I always say, I sincerely hope that MIDZY will be happy. I will work to return in good health in order to repay how much MIDZY wait and worry for me.

Not surprisingly, fans were fully supportive of Lia’s decision. With that in mind, MIDZYs are wishing the ITZY member well and look forward to her return.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Ryujin Shares Why She Thought She Would NOT Debut With ITZY

Ryujin might be an established idol right now but there was a time when she thought she would not debut with ITZY. Shin Ryu-jin admitted that she believed JYP Entertainment might not include her in the group line-up. However, it wasn’t because she didn’t have what it takes to be an idol. She explained that it had a lot to do with the agency’s point system!

Ryujin Opens Up About Concerns That She Would NOT Debut With ITZY

On September 10, ITZY members Ryujin and Lia were guests on the YouTube channel series ‘Psick Show’. During the interview, the idols were asked about the training process at JYP Entertainment. For instance, the hosts wondered if the agency gave the trainees any special lessons on good character. Interestingly, Ryujin confirmed that she had to take those lessons.

“That’s true. We have lessons [on good character] every two weeks,” she said. “There is a penalty point system in every curriculum during the trainee period. The point system considers things like our singing score, dance score, and our character score.”

Ryujin further explained that she didn’t do well in her lessons and scored badly.

Actually, I wasn’t amazing. I was ranked in the middle. My character score was also [in the middle]. I was a person who freely expressed my opinion, so my character score was not very good,” she said.

Lia then added that both she and Ryujin had a lot to work on because they had a lot of penalty points.

“I always thought to myself ‘I’m going to get fired this month’. I thought this because I had a lot of penalty points. If you eat something in the practice room, it’s a penalty point,” Lia said.

Ryujin agreed with her fellow ITZY member. “We both got a lot of penalty points for that,” she said. “We got caught eating something in the practice room. Food is prohibited in the vocal room.”

Luckily for Ryujin and Lia, those lessons are now far behind them. Since their debut in 2019, ITZY has made a name for themselves as an established girl group.

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

ITZY’s Lia Bows Out of Latest Schedules Due to Health Reasons

Lia is still dealing with some health issues. The ITZY member was unable to join the rest of the girl group during their latest schedules which included an appearance at a music show. Not surprisingly, MIDZYs are getting concerned about the “Always Be Your Star” singer.

Lia Absent For ITZY’s Most Recent Scheduled Activities

On September 2, JYP Entertainment issued a statement regarding Lia’s health status. According to the agency, the ITZY member will not join Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna in the group’s latest schedules. This would include an appearance at MBC’s “Music Core” and the in-person and video fan sign/fan call events scheduled for the day. However, the company assured that they are considering Lia’s health as a major priority.

“We made the decision for [Lia] to not participate because we considered our artist’s health our top priority. We ask for the generous understanding of the fans,” the statement read.

This isn’t the first time that Lia had to bow out for ITZY’s schedules due to health issues this year. In August, she was unable to join her bandmates on stage at the World Scout Jamboree “K-Pop Super Live.” The group performed with the remaining four members at the concert that took place at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

In related news, Lia recently stunned audiences when she participated in “The King of Mask Singer”. After performing Park Hwayobi’s ballad “A night like this” and The Black Skirts’ “Antifreeze,” it was revealed that “Aloha” was actually ITZY’s main vocalist. When asked about the group’s stable singing, Lia admitted that it wasn’t always that way.

“To be honest, when we first debuted, my voice shook a lot when I sang live because my style of singing includes a lot of air. So that was a big concern for me,” she said. “But after practicing a lot, I think I’m now better at singing those songs when I’m dancing.

ITZY recently released their new album ‘KILL MY DOUBT’ with the title track “Cake.”

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Here Are the Judges, Mentors for Survival Show ‘Universe Ticket’

Universe Ticket, SBS’ latest survival series, unveiled on Monday, August 21 the mentors and judges for their upcoming show.  

Girls’ Generation member Hyoyeon will be the lead judge. She will be joined by vocalist Younha, singer-songwriter Adora, former I.O.I and gugudan member Kim Sejeong, and Rian of group La Chica. 

 

Meanwhile, ITZY members Yeji and Chaeryeong will appear as mentors on the show. 

 

According to the producers, these seven celebrities will act as icons of Universe Ticket. Additionally, they will also serve as the role models for the contestants, aside from being just judges and mentors. 

However, it remains unclear whether the show will add more judges and mentors in the coming months. 

What we know so far about Universe Ticket 

In the meantime, Universe Ticket has started releasing concept photos and profiles for their 82 idol hopefuls. 

From 82 participants, only eight contestants will make it into the final debut lineup. 

They will then form a project girl group that will promote for two and a half years under the new K-pop agency F&F Entertainment. 

Interestingly, the 82 trainees came from 14 countries. The list includes South Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, Italy, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, Canada, Australia, and Thailand. 

https://twitter.com/UT_UPDATES/status/1680977600913588227

While most of the candidates are fresh faces, there’ some that are already familiar to the fans. For example, contestant Park Yewon is a former member of group HOT ISSUE.

Meanwhile, Kwon Chaewon was known as Eunchae during her days in group DIA, while Minju was known as Aki when she was in group Majors. 

Also, there are also who remain to be part of their existing groups such as Cignature’s Belle, Buster’s Jieun, Prikil’s Nana and Yukino. 

 

Moreover, Universe Ticket will be the latest survival series that will form a project group.

ZEROBASEONE or ZB1 was formed via Boys Planet. Said series is the sequel to the 2021 reality competition Girls Planet 999, which formed the girl group KEP1ERAdditionally, Mnet has also opened the application project for the second season of I-LAND

Featured image: ITZY member Yeji and Chaeryeong pose for a selca. Credit: Facebook/ITZY

Categories
KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Jyp Entertainment Takes Legal Action for Malicious Posts Against Itzy

JYP Entertainment has taken legal action against online users who published malicious posts and comments against their artist, K-pop girl group ITZY. 

In a statement on Monday, August 14, the agency said that they have “secured evidence on all actions that insult and defame the honor and image of our artists.”

They added that the securing of evidence was done through an internal and external monitoring system. 

 

According to the label, the acts they’ve flagged include malicious slander, and circulation of false information. It also includes sexual harassment, illegal filming, and the creation and circulation of fake content. 

JYP Entertainment then declared that they’ve coordinated with a specialized law firm to continue with the legal proceedings. 

Additionally, the agency said that they will actively monitor and act against possible threats to ITZY

 

“We will continue to take strong civil and criminal action for all actions that are defamatory and disrupt healthy activities of the artists and that there will be no leniency or settlement in that process,” they said. 

Moreover, JYP Entertainment also asked fans to send tips to their work email in case they have evidence on said violations. 

“We will do our best in order for no harm to be done to not only the artists but also to all the fans who love ITZY,” the agency ended their statement.

Idols’ safety and security

JYP Entertainment is the latest agency to crack down on harmful attacks against their artists. 

Recently, WakeOne Entertainment filed criminal charges against individuals who threatened the personal security of ZEROBASEONE members. 

Meanwhile, SM Entertainment also filed a complaint against an online user who sent death threats to aespa’s Winter. The agency also heightened the security of the group as they’re currently on their concert tour in the United States.  

Another is Starship Entertainment, who also sued YouTubers who published false content regarding their artists, specifically IVE. 

In terms of these legal battles about idol’s safety, Bae Suzy had the most recent win. The court fined a man who posted libelous comments against the idol-actress in 2015. 

Featured image: ITZY shares behind-the-scene photo from filming ‘Cake.’ Credit: Facebook/ITZY

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Here Are the K-Pop Groups Performing at World Scout Jamboree Concert

More than 15 artists are expected to perform at the 2023 World Scout Jamboree’s K-pop Super Live Concert! 

The much-awaited K-pop finale concert was initially scheduled for August 6 at an outdoor campsite in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province. However, it was postponed due to the heat wave warning, extreme weather conditions, and safety issues. 

Now, the Friday, August 11 concert will be held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium with a new lineup for the show. 

Prior to the Seoul World Cup Stadium, the organizers first thought of conducting the rescheduled concert at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium. But the venue was moved again after all the participants of the Jamboree had to leave the Saemangeum campsite due to the threats of Typhoon Khanun. 

According to the Jamboree’s organizing committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the new MCs for the event will be Gong Myung, ITZY’s Yuna, and NewJean’s Hyein. 

Meanwhile, K-pop acts MAMAMOO, NCT DREAM, ITZY, IVE, NewJeans, and The Boyz are confirmed to be part of the new lineup. 

 

Additionally, ZEROBASEONE, MONSTA X’s Shownu x Hyungwon, KARD, and fromis_9 will also be performing. Other groups include P1Harmony, The New Six (TNX), Xikers, ATBO, Libelante, and dance crew HolyBang. 

Lastly, soloists Kwon Eun Bi, Jo Yu Ri, and Kang Daniel will also be taking the stage. 

“These top artists will vibrantly showcase the essence and charm of K-culture at a concert that will bring together 40,000 young scouts from 150 countries around the world,” Park Bo Gyoon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism said in a press release. 

Featured image: IVE poses during the filming of ‘I AM’ music video. Credit: Facebook/IVE

Exit mobile version