Stray Kids has released its 2025 plans and confirmed its Valentine’s Day fan meeting dates.
On February 14, 2025, Stray Kids will be holding its 5th official fan meeting. The ‘Stray Kids 5TH FANMEETING “SKZ 5’CLOCK”’ is scheduled for 14,15, and 16 February at Inspire Arena, Incheon. The band will hold a live online broadcast on February 16 via Beyond LIVE for their global fans.
On January 6, Stray Kids shared the ‘Stray Kids “STEP OUT 2025”’ video highlighting a list of activities scheduled for 2025. The video includes plans like the upcoming official fan meeting and ‘Stray Kids World Tour ‘DOMINATE’ tour.
—-Karen Mwenda
#StrayKids #ValentinesDayFanMeeting #kcrush #StrayKidsStepOut2025 #StrayKidsWorldTourDominateTour #kpop #kidol #JYP #5TH FANMEETINGSKZ5CLOCK #InspireArenaIncheon #ValentineDay #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kculture #koreankpop
JYP Entertainment has revealed teaser images of their newest boy group band ahead of the group’s album release.
JYP has released teaser images of the members of KickFlip. The band is a septet comprising Minje, Keiju, Donghwa, Kyehoon, Juwang, Amaru, and Donghyeon.
KickFlip, formed through LOUD program, was scheduled to debut on New Year’s Eve but plans changed due to the Jeju flight incident.
Earlier on, JYP had released the “Umm Great” music video. The track is KickFlip’s pre-debut track for the upcoming ‘Flip It, Kick It!’ album scheduled for release on January 20.
—-Karen Mwenda
#JYP #NewJYPboygroup #Kickflip #KICKFLIPJYPnewgroup #kcrush #FlipItKickItAlbum #January20Release #kpop #kpopidol #kpopnewgroup2025 #newmusic #UmmGreat #LOUDProgram #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kmusic #JYPEntertainment #Minje #Keiju #Donghwa #Kyehoon #Juwang #Amaru #Donghyeon #koreanfashion #khallyu
BLACKPINK’s Lisa has partnered with Armra to develop a limited-edition beverage that will be only available at Erewhon supermarket.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa is becoming an international partnership sensation with her latest deal being with Los Angles’ Erewhon supermarket chain. The limited-edition beverage is an iced tea with inspirations from Thailand.
The ice tea, consisting mainly of Colostrum, clover Sonoma organic heavy cream, and Just Iced Tea black tea, will be available for purchase from February 7.
—-Karen Mwenda
#LisaBlackpink #BLACKPINK #Erewhon #Erewhonbeveragepartnership #kcrush #Armra #kpop #kpopidol #ErewhonSupermarket #kculture #Thailandinspired #icetea #Colostrum #cloverSonomaorganicheavycream
Lee Hee Chul, a renowned influencer and broadcaster, passed away at the age of 40.
Lee Hee Chul passed away on January 7 after succumbing to a heart attack after being hospitalized for a week for a chronic illness treatment. A message by Hee Chul’s younger brother on his social media platforms confirmed the devastating news that indeed the star had passed.
Before the passing. Lee Hee Chul was a former photographer turned visual director of CLASS.y girl group. Over the years, the Hee Chul built a career as a broadcaster and restauranteur, which appeared in KBS2’s Mr. Househusband Sn 2 and ‘Trust and Tell – Let’s Be My Chef’ Sn 2 shows.
In his last Instagram post on December 31, Lee Hee Chul had termed 2024 as an ‘incredibly difficult year both physically and mentally’. The post however, continued on a positive note highlighting ‘hardships lead to growth’ and he would ‘use these difficulties as fertilizer for his health’. The funeral is scheduled for January 10 at Suwon City Yeon Crematorium from Soonchunhyang Seoul Hospital funeral hall.
Sincere condolences to the family.
—-Karen Mwenda
#LeeHeeChul #LeeHeeChulPassesAway #Broadcaster #Influencer #kcrush #funeralSuwonCityYeonCrematorium #kpop #SoonchunhyangSeoulHospital #CLASS,y #photographer #creativedirector #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine
2NEI girl band has confirmed it will be interacting with local fans in Seoul as part of their ongoing 15th anniversary Asia tour.
2NE1 is scheduled to hold the “2025 2NE1 CONCERT [WELCOME BACK] ENCORE IN SEOUL” on 12 and 13 April at KSPO DOME, Seoul.
The band is currently on the “2024-25 [WELCOME BACK] Asia tour” which kicked off on October 2024. 2ne1 reunited in 2024 for their 15th debut anniversary after disbanding in 2016.
—-Karen Mwenda
#2NE1EncoreinSeoul #2NE1 #WelcomeBack #AsiaTour #15thdebut #April2025 #kcrush #kpopgirlgroup #kpopidol #kpop #hallyu #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #kcrushannouncement #KSPODomeinSeoul #koreansinger #kpopcelebrity #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #2NE1
EXO-CBX will reunite this February through its first fan meeting in 6 years in Japan.
INB100 agency announced that EXO-CBX will be holding a fan meeting in Japan this February. The ‘GET, SET, GO!’ (Get, 3, Go!) 2025 CBX JAPAN FANMETING will be taking place at Yokohama’s Pia Arena MM, Japan.
The fan meeting is scheduled for 8 and 9 February 2025. The members have been carrying out solo projects including Chen’s 2024 ‘DOOR’ mini album and ‘Beyond the Door’ fan concert Asia tour, Xiumin’s MCing KBS 2TV’s ‘MAKE MATE 1)’ program, and Baekhyun’s 2024 ‘Hello, World’ mini album.
—-Karen Mwenda
#EXOCBXBand #Chen #Baekhyun #Xiumin #JapanFanMeeting #kcrush #kpop #kpopfanmeeting #kpopcelebrity #hallyu #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #INB100Agency #TheGetSetGo #YokohamaPiaArenaMM #Japan
JYP Entertainment has rolled out a fan recruitment drive for Stray Kinds boy band.
JYP Entertainment released the Stray Kids Official Fanclub STAY 5th Gen Recruitment Main Poster in a bid to gather more fanbase to the already overwhelming family of supporters.
The recruitment, which kicked on January 9 is expected to run until January 19. All Korean fans (link) and Global fans (link) are welcome so as enjoy a variety of special membership benefits.
—-Karen Mwenda
#STRAYKIDS #STRAYKIDSRecruitment #StrayKidsFanclub5thGeneration #Koreanfans #Globalfans #kcrush #kpop #kpopidol #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #OverStayTheRain #JYPEntertainment #FanClubStrayKids
Despite its rising global popularity, “Squid Game 2” is facing criticism in Vietnam over a controversial Vietnam War dialogue.
“Squid Game 2” is facing criticism for alleged history distortion after a dialogue referencing the Vietnam War. In the dialogue, Actor Kang Ha Neul, (Dae Ho, participant No. 388), says “My father wanted me to become a real man, so he sent me to the Marines. My father was a Vietnam War veteran.” Other participants respond to him saying, “Your father must be an honorable man.”
This dialogue angered Vietnamese viewers who claimed that the section glorified South Korean soldiers who were in the Vietnam War. Social media buzzed with comments some claiming that the series was whitewashing the atrocities done by South Korean soldiers during the Vietnamese war. Others pointed out South Korea’s double standards for demanding apologies from Japan (for colonial rule) while on the other hand boasting of military participation in Vietnam.
According to reports, the Vietnamese Cinema Department in the process of reviewing the issue and will take the necessary measures if necessary., including pulling it from Netflix Vietnam. In 2022, South Korea’s “Little Women” tVN drama was also pulled out of Netflix Vietnam for violating local laws and distorting history.
—-Karen Mwenda
#SquidGame2 #BoycottinVietnam #tVNdrama #distortinghistory #VietnameseCiinemaDepartmentReviewing #kcrush #Netflix #kdrama #koreandrama #NetflixVietnam #VietnamWar #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #dialogueangered
BLACKPINK’s Jennie has taken control over the cover of Billboard’s January issue.
Jennie is the cover for Billboard magazine’s January issue. Accompanied by additional captivating pictorials, Jennie discusses her career under BLACKPINK and as a solo artist.
The global icon also touches on her struggles within the industry and how she has managed to stay on top of them all.
The in-depth interview showcases Jennie’s growth as an artist and individual throughout the years, including in fashion, music, and film.
—-Karen Mwenda
#Jennie #BLACKPINK #BlackpinkJennie #JennieonBillboardJanuaryCover #kcrush #kpop #kculture #kpopidol #koreanfashion #kmusic #kpopfilm #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreanculture #kcelebrity #hallyu
Here are the latest music videos to brighten your day.
1. MAMAMOO’s Whee In
Whee In released the “Aftertaste” music video on January 9 showcasing her growth as a solo artist.
2. SEVENTEEN’s BSS
BSS released the “Jeans” official music video on January 8 giving CARAT fanbase a new way to start the year.
3. CREZL
CREZL released the “HAKUNA MATATA” music video on January 7.
4. Kwon Eun Bi
Kwon Eun Bi released the “Snowfall” music video featuring Coogie on January 7.
5. NEXZ
NEXZ dropped the “’Eye to Eye’ B-Side” music video edited by Tomoya on January 7.
6. XLOV
XLOV dropped their 1st debut single “’I’mma Be” on January 7.
7. (G)I-DLE Minnie
Minnie released the “Blind Eyes Red” official music video on January 6.
8. “When The Phone Rings” drama’s Actor Yoo Yeon Seok
Actor Yoo Yeon Seok released the “Say My Name” music video as part of ‘When the Phone Rings’ OST Part 6 on January.
—-Karen Mwenda
#LatestmusicvideoReleases #KwonEunBi #MAMAMOO #SEVENTEEN #YooYeonSeok #koreanactor #kcrush #XLOV #NEXZ #CREZL #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kfashion #koreannewmusic #newmusic #newmv
Actor Jung Woo Sung was recently excluded from his agency’s New Year greetings.
Artist Company agency excluded its client, Jung Woo Sung, from this year’s New Year greetings. The agency released handwritten holiday greetings from its actors except Jung Woo Sung. Woo Sung was however mentioned in the hashtags.
Surprisingly, Jung Woo Sung is not only an actor under the agency but also its co-founder. Jung Woo Sung was recently involved in a scandal after it was revealed he was the father of Model Moon Ga Bi’s son.
—-Karen Mwenda
#ActorJungWooSung 3JungWooSung #MoonGaBi #model #ArtistCompanyAgency #kcrush #koreanactor #koreandrama #cofounderofArtistCompany #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #notincludedinNewYeargreetings
EXO band member Lay has indeed given fans a happy new year with an intriguing release.
Lay made his last public appearance alongside EXO members in 2016 during EXO Planet 3 – The Exo’rdium world tour in Hong Kong. Fans hope that Lay will be part of EXO’s 2025 reunion after Sehun completes military duty in September.
—-Karen Mwenda
#EXOLay #LayEXO #Chineseartist #kcrush #EXOPlanet3TheExordiumWorldTour #EXO2025Reunion #kpopidol #kpop #KaiTain #newmusic #kcrushamerica #EXOLayCombackMV #newLayPopvideo #kcrushmagazine #krapper
Former LOONA member, Yves, has revealed her light stick as she gears up for the upcoming North America tour.
Yves has revealed her official light stick solidifying her soloist career. Titled ‘orchard piece’, the light stick is shaped like an apple signifying her character as Eve (from the Garden of Eden) during her tenure with Loona.
Yves is also scheduled to tour North America through the ‘Apple Cinnamon Crunch’ from January 2025. This will be Yves’ first tour as a soloist. Yves signed with Paix Per Mil agency in March 2024 after the court allowed her and other members to suspend their Blackberry Creative agency’s contracts.
—-Karen Mwenda
#Yves #YvesLightStickReveal #YvesNorthAmericaTour #YvesAppleCinnamonCrunchTour2025 #YvesNorthAmericanTour #kcrush #kpop #koreanpop #koreanevent #kpopculture #koreancelebrity #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #PaixPerMilAgency
After the tragic December 29 Jeju air crash, individuals across the globe have been sending their support and condolences to the affected families. K-pop artists and acts have also joined the cause and are showing support through various avenues and means.
On 29 December, a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 passengers crashed at Muan International Airport which has so far claimed the lives of 179 people. On December 29, the south Korean government declared a 7-day mourning in honor of the fallen victims.
As the news of the tragedy spread, messages of support and condolences started pouring in. Jay Park canceled his Tokyo event, Lee Young Ji cancelled ‘The Seasons’ recordings, Lee Seung Chul postponed his concert, JYP postponed debuting its new KickFlip boyband and LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin delayed the release of “Jellyfish”. Posting of BTS V’s birthday content was postponed as so was the release of EVE SEO’s new song.
NewJeans and Lee Junho also mourned the Jeju air victims amid preceding with their appearances in Japan and Taiwan respectively. Lim Young Woong and Sung Si Kyung also held moments of silence at their concerts to mourn crash victims.
Other artists posted symbolic photos with messages of condolences on their social media platforms. comedians Park Myung Soo and Park Na Rae, actor Kim Hye Soo, and broadcaster Jun Hyun Moo posted photos of chrysanthemum which symbolizes mourning. G-Dragon posted a black-and-white daisy photo with a yellow ribbon emoji.
KCrush would like to offer our condolences to all concerned.
—-Karen Mwenda
#JeJuAirCrash #condolences #kcrush #kpopartistsdelaytheirschedules #Korea #aircrashinkorea #kcrushamerica #December29tragedy #kpopdelaysperformances #sympathies
9Ato confirmed that Han So Hee and G-Dragon are not in a relationship.
On December 20, Han So He’s agency confirmed that she and G-Dragon are not dating. The official announcement comes after rumors of the two allegedly giving dating vibes.
According to the rumors, the two artists oozed ‘lovestagram’ vibes through identical photo backgrounds. In one instance, the rumors claimed that both artists showed a connection as they posed on identical black chairs on their individual social media platforms.
In another instance, the two were revealed to have a photo with the ‘Love for Life’ phrase.
—-Karen Mwenda
#GDRAGON #HanSoHee #relationshiprumors #kcrush #BIGBANG #LoveforLifephrase #kpop #koreanpop #kpopidol #GDragonisnotdatingHanSoHee #9AtoAgency #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kculture #kmusic #kfashion
GOT7 surprised their fans with an all-member concept photo and album teasers of their major comeback scheduled for 2025.
All GOT7 members slayed in black outfits oozing power and confidence. The bad is scheduled to make a comeback next year with all members present.
GOT7 last appeared as a full-member group three years ago. Its big comeback is set for January 20, 2025.
GOT7 is also expected to celebrate their comeback with the ‘Winter Heptagon’ album. The album is ready for preorder.
—-Karen Mwenda
#GOT7 #JYP #GOT7return #GOT7allmemberJanuary2025 #2025kpopreturninggroup #kcrush #kpop #kpopidol #WinterHeptagonalbum #welcomebackGOT7 #kcrushmagazine #kcrushinterviewwithGOT7 #koreanpop #knews
Taeyang will be interacting with fans during the 2025 encore.
On December 20, The Black label agency announced that Taeyang will be holding the 2025 encore in February 2025.
The encore, titled ‘Taeyang 2025 Tour [THE LIGHT YEAR] Encoure is scheduled to happen at Inspire Arena. Tickets will be open for sale on 7 and 8 January 2025.
—-Karen Mwenda
#BIGBANGTaeyang #Taeyang2025TheLightYearencore #TheLightYearencore #Taeyang #kcrush #InspireArena #kpop #koreanpop #kpopidol #kpopcelebrity #FebruaryEncoreforTaeyang #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine
TXT boy band has announced the dates of their upcoming ‘ACT: PROMISE EP.2′ 2025 World Tour.
TXT band has announced that it will be going on a world tour next year. TXT will be embarking on the ‘ACT: PROMISE EP.2’ World Tour starting March 2025. The tour is an extension of ‘ACT: PROMISE’ World Tour which took off in March 2024 and ended on December 1, 2024.
‘ACT: PROMISE EP.2’ World Tour will kick off in March 2025 at Inspire Arena, Incheon, South Korea. The tour will also have a European leg with performances in cities including Barcelona, London, and Berlin.
—-Karen Mwenda
#TXT #BIGHIT #HYBE #ACTPROMISEEP2WorldTour #kcrush #InspireArenaIncheon #SouthKorea #kpop #kpopidol #hallyu #Europeantour #Barcelona #London #Berlin #TXT2025WorldTour #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #knews
ADOR has issued a statement regarding NewJeans opening a new social media account.
On December 18, ADOR released a statement regarding NewJeans band’s ‘Jeanz for Free’ Instagram account without their consent. Through the statement, the agency hoped that NewJeans would rather continue using the already existing official platforms to communicate with their fans as they have been doing.
The agency clarified that platforms other than NewJeans’ official platforms were opened without their consent which has legal repercussions. NewJeans members opened the ‘Jeanz for Free’ account after declaring their contract termination with ADOR. ADOR later filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the said ‘terminated’ exclusive contract.
In their latest posts with VOGUE Korea on the ‘Jeanz for Free’ account, NewJeans members went with their names and not as ‘NewJeans’. In their statement, ADOR also claimed that it conveyed to the concerned artists and their legal representatives their actions’ responsibilities regarding the new account issue.
—-Karen Mwenda
#NewJeans #VOGUE #JeanzforFree #NewJeansmembers #ADOR #kcrush #kpopgirlgroup #kpop #kidol #kfashion
Actor Na In Woo has been exempted from military service after 3 years of not being summoned by MMA.
On December 17, Hanada Company confirmed that their client Na In Woo had been exempted from military service. They explained that Na In Woo had received Grade 4 supplementary service classification and had been waiting for further guidance from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA). Nonetheless, since it’s been 3 years of not receiving MMA’s summons, In Woo automatically becomes eligible for military exemption.
Korea’s military service act outlines that individuals classified under Grade 4 supplementary service are granted military exemption if summoned by the MMA in 3 years. Na In Woo was quite lucky as thousands applied for the same without success.
—-Karen Mwenda
#NaInWoo #koreanactor #kcrush #exemptfrommilitaryservice #kdramaactor #koreamilitary #kdrama #hallyu #mma #NaInWooexemptfrommilitary #MilitaryManpowerAdministration #HanadaCompany #grade4supplementaryservice #kcrush #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine
While updating his fans on his status, Rapper Woodie revealed the grisly accident he encountered.
On December 17, Rapper Woodie shared on his social media platforms about the unfortunate ordeal he faced as he bid his 20s goodbye. The rapper revealed that he fell from a 3-story building to the ground.
Rapper Woodie confirmed that he did not sustain any life-threatening injuries and only requires a simple rehabilitation. Woodie assured his fans that he is doing better, especially after regaining his ability to move his body.
The rapper added that the encounter made him reflect on his life even as he entered his 30s. Rapper Woodie also revealed that his perspective has changed compared to the time when he judged people based on their appearances and financial status.
—-Karen Mwenda
#RapperWoodieGochild #RapperWoodie #3StoryBuildingAccident #fell3stories #kcrush #krapper #rapper #koreanrapper #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #doesnotjudgeanymore #krapmusic #rap