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JYP Entertainment and Republic Records to Launch Joint K-pop Girl Group Project “A2K”

JYP Entertainment and Republic Records, a renowned American music label, have announced their collaborative project “A2K,” set to debut on JYP’s official YouTube channel starting on July 13. This joint venture aims to create a K-pop girl group under the K-pop idol training system, marking the first collaboration between the two labels.

The project will document the selection process of candidates from various nationalities through auditions held in five major cities across the United States. JYP Entertainment will share clips on YouTube, offering viewers a glimpse into the diverse talents vying for a spot in the group.

After the initial selection, the candidates will undergo a rigorous boot camp in Los Angeles, where they will be evaluated based on four essential qualities of a K-pop star: singing, dancing, entertaining, and displaying an upright character. 

Only those who pass the Los Angeles boot camp evaluation will proceed to the JYP Entertainment headquarters in Seoul.

 

Once in Seoul, the candidates will undergo intensive K-pop idol training and face three different competition rounds. These rounds will determine the final members who will have the opportunity to debut as part of the girl group.

The selected finalists will have the unique opportunity to work in both Korea and the United States, benefiting from the combined expertise and support of JYP Entertainment and Republic Records.

Park Jinyoung, the producer of JYP, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “A2K is the biggest project for JYP and myself. We want to discover true artists and performers who will become leaders in the music industry. Our goal is to provide them with the necessary training and guidance.”

Monte Lipman, CEO of Republic Records, praised Park Jinyoung’s contributions to the music industry and emphasized the potential for global success.

He stated, “Park Jinyoung, a K-pop icon, continues revolutionizing the music industry and popular culture. With JYP’s values and musical expertise, artists discovered through this collaboration can become global superstars in the international music market.”

Fans and music enthusiasts can anticipate an exciting journey as “A2K” unfolds, witnessing the creation of a new K-pop girl group with the combined efforts of JYP Entertainment and Republic Records.

Featured Photo Credit: Popbase Official Twitter

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STRAY KIDS Announces June Comeback Date With ‘5-STAR’ Trailer

STRAY KIDS just confirmed a June comeback. The eight-member group dropped the awesome trailer for their upcoming album ‘5-STAR’.

STRAY KIDS Drops Edgy ‘5-STAR’ Trailer for June Comeback

JYP Entertainment‘s official YouTube channel dropped the cool ‘5-STAR’ trailer highlighting STRAY KIDS’ funky new concept. The trailer opens with Felix getting candy from a vending machine before stumbling upon a slogan that simply reads, “I Am Ground.”

Things get more interesting from there as the other members get their own spotlight. The trailer concludes with Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. in edgy outfits. It announces that STRAY KIDS’ comeback is on June 2, 2023.

‘5-STAR’ is the group’s third studio album following the release of ‘Go Live’ in 2020 and ‘Noeasy’ in 2021. The tracklist is still a mystery but “I Am Ground” is clearly a major clue. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.

STRAY KIDS Confirmed To Headline Lollapalooza in Paris

The June comeback is a welcome one for STAYs who have been waiting for new music from the idols since last year. It also coincides with STRAY KIDS being chosen to headline Lollapalooza in Paris in July. They will be the first K-pop group to serve as a headliner in a French music festival.

STRAY KIDS debuted in March 2018 with the EP ‘I Am Not’. The group started out with nine members until Woojin’s departure in 2019. Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. are known as a self-producing group. Their latest release is the Japanese-language album ‘The Sound’ which dropped on February 22, 2023.

The third STRAY KIDS full album ‘5-STAR’ is currently available for pre-order. The lead single has not yet been announced. ‘5-STAR’ drops on June 2, 2023.

STRAY KIDS will perform as one of the headliners at Lollapalooza in Paris on July 21, 2023.

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Xdinary Heroes’ Jun Han Announces Temporary Hiatus

Jun Han is taking a break to focus on his health. The Xdinary Heroes guitarist has confirmed his temporary hiatus due to enteritis. Han Hyeong-jun will not be promoting with the rock group in their latest comeback.

JYP Entertainment Confirms JunHan’s Temporary Hiatus

JYP Entertainment issued a statement regarding Jun Han’s absence from upcoming Xdinary Heroes’ activities.

“While preparing for the group’s comeback, Jun Han experienced a peculiarity in his health and visited the hospital for a check-up, after which he was diagnosed with enteritis. Based on the advice of health experts that he needs rest and recuperation, it has been decided that JunHan will halt his promotions temporarily, as to prioritize his recovery,” the statement reads.

“As JunHan plans on focusing on his recovery for the time being, the band’s planned schedules will be temporarily carried out by 5-members including Gunil, Jungsu, Gaon, O.de, and Jooyeon,” it continues.

The agency apologizes to VILLAINs who are looking forward to the comeback. However, JYP Entertainment assures fans that the guitarist will get enough rest before returning to work.

“We promise to do our best so that JunHan can recover his health through plenty of rest,” the statement read.

JunHan is the second guitar player of Xdinary Heroes. Gaon will take over solo guitarist duties in the group’s latest comeback. It has not yet been revealed when Jun Han will reunite with the rest of the group. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.

Xdinary Heroes consists of six members namely leader Gunil on drums, Jungsu on vocals and keyboards, Gaon on guitar, O.de on synthesizer, JunHan on guitar, and Jooyeon on bass. The group debuted in December 2021 with the single “Happy Death Day”. They released the first EP ‘Hello, World!’ in July 2022.

Xdinary Heroes released their third EP ‘Deadlock’ on April 26, 2023. The album features seven new tracks including the lead single “Freakin’ Bad”.

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TWICE’s Nayeon ‘Confused’ After Contract Renewal

Nayeon is feeling positive about her career. The TWICE lead singer spoke about the group’s contract renewal with JYP Entertainment. Im Na-yeon explained that things are looking up but it also had her “confused” for some time.

Nayeon Confirms Awesome Changes Since TWICE Renewed Contract With JYPE

In July 2022, TWICE survived the seven-year curse as all nine members renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment. The girl group has been thriving since then. This is evident in Nayeon as she graces the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Korea’s May issue.

In an interview with the magazine, the “Pop!” singer revealed that there were several positive changes since the contract renewal.

“It feels like the house I live in has become warmer. It is more stable when the members come together more closely, understand each other, and go towards the same goal,” Nayeon said.

The TWICE vocalist added she was initially puzzled about her goals but ultimately decided to work towards them.

“Personally, I was also confusedI thought about what I wanted to do the most, and it was to match what I wanted to do as Twice and Nayeon. I am very satisfied now,” she said.

Nayeon is on a roll even before the contract renewal. In May 2022, she announced the release of her first solo EP “Im Nayeon”. The mini-album was the first album by a South Korean soloist to reach the top ten on the US Billboard 200.

TWICE is also on a roll since they renewed their contract with JYP Entertainment. Since July 2022, the group has released two mini-albums and the English single “Moonlight Sunrise”. They will release the Japanese single “Hare Hare” next month.

Nayeon shares the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Korea’s May issue with Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon and Newjeans‘ Hyein. TWICE’s next Japanese single “Hare Hare” will drop on May 31, 2023.

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