Japanese boyband WATWING held their first solo concert, titled WATWING LIVE TOUR 2024 – Get Em Back – at Makuhari Messe, on November 9 and 10 at the huge Makuhari Messe venue in Chiba, just outside of Tokyo.
WATWING are the first boyband from Japanese agency Horipro. The group features six members who won the Star Boys Audition: Ryo Furuhata, Asahi Suzuki, Fu Takahashi, Rintaro Hachimura, Ryuta Kuwayama and Noa Fukuzawa Nozomi.
This year marks the 5th anniversary of their formation; the group kicked off the year with a sold-out show at the revered Tokyo venue Nippon Budokan in February.
They also held their first nationwide seven-city hall tour this year, titled WATWING LIVE TOUR 2024 – Get Em Back -, starting with a concert in Saitama Prefecture in August â a reminder of the group’s massive popularity in Japan right now.
On the final day of their pair of solo performances at Makuhari Messe, WATWING announced they are moving to a new label, +WHAX (pronounced “Plus Wax”). The group announced the release of their first digital single in winter 2024 and an EP next spring. They also unveiled an awesome new group photo.
WATWING profile
WATWING formed in June 2019, featuring six members who won the Star Boys Audition held to create Japanese agency Horipro’s first boyband. The members are Ryo Furuhata, Asahi Suzuki, Fu Takahashi, Rintaro Hachimura, Ryuta Kuwayama and Noa Fukuzawa Nozomi.
The group’s name is a portmanteau of “WAT” (slang for “what”) and “WING” as in the wings of a bird, expressing their desire to “stick to their true selves and soar no matter what anyone says”.
Further information
WEBSITEÂ |Â INSTAGRAMÂ |Â X(TWITTER)Â Â |Â YOUTUBE
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Download hi-res artwork HERE
Following their bold self-titled debut, MEOVV prowls back with two new singles and music videos that further showcase the breadth of their musical spectrum: “TOXIC,” an emotional pop/R&B anthem, and “BODY,” a vibrant, dance-inducing hit – now available via THEBLACKLABEL / Capitol Records.
“TOXIC,“ which was co-written by MEOVV members GAWON and NARIN, features a minimalist rhythm that spotlights the unique vocal tones of MEOVV’s five members. With honest, delicate lyrics that capture the inescapable feeling of being caught in an emotional whirlwind, the song immerses listeners in its captivating atmosphere. “TOXIC” was written by Billy Walsh, 24, KUSH, TEDDY, Zikai, GAWON, NARIN and Claudia Valentina. The song was produced by 24. Listen HERE.
With an addictive chorus, “BODY” exemplifies MEOVV’s confidence, ambition, and vibrant energy as they prepare to make a bigger leap into the world. Combining a bouncy beat and memorable rap and vocal sections, “BODY” exudes a fresh, rhythmic energy. The track was written by TEDDY, Tommy Brown, Marqueze Parker, Theron Thomas, Steven Franks, Amanda Ratchford, Aliyah Scott and 24. Tommy “TB Hits” Brown, Leather Jacket and 24 produced the track. Listen HERE.
The music video for “TOXIC” captures the girls’ coming-of-age journey across diverse visual landscapes and storylines. As each character’s story unfolds, the visuals add depth and conviction to the song, making for a stunning and emotionally resonant experience. View video HERE.
(Clockwise from left: GAWON, SOOIN, NARIN, ELLA, ANNA)
Download hi-res photo here
Photo Credit: THEBLACKLABEL
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About MEOVV:
MEOVV (pronounced “meow”) are the first ever girl group launched by THEBLACKLABEL and represents the vision of label founder and mega-producer Teddy Park (a.k.a. TEDDY). TEDDY, who has played an integral role in shaping the overall direction and creative for BIGBANG, G-Dragon, 2NE1 and BLACKPINK, hand-picked the members of MEOVV and directed all facets of the creative and production.
The members of MEOVV were revealed one at a time in September with individual “EYES OF MEOVV” visuals, which amassed over 100 million combined views â all before the group had even released a single song. Watch the trailers for idols SOOIN (HERE), GAWON (HERE), ANNA (HERE), NARIN (HERE), and ELLA (HERE). Word quickly spread about the multidimensional group posed to break from the conventional K-Pop mold with signing stories in Billboard, Variety, and HITS.
“MEOW” debuted at No. 10 on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart. Teen Vogue said, “MEOVV are entering the scene claws out with new fierce single ‘MEOW'” and hailed the track as one of the “Best New Songs of September 2024.” UPROXX noted, “‘MEOW’ instantly shows why MEOVV is K-pop’s next enticing girl group. The five members … [have] seamless chemistry while delivering bilingual catchy lines…It shouldn’t take long for MEOVV to make their presence known on the charts.” Hypebeast observed, “MEOVV’s ability to effortlessly shift between languages and styles highlights their versatility and star power.” Listen to “MEOW” HERE. Watch the visual HERE.
In their native South Korea, MEOVV launched the single with performances on a trio of major national TV shows. Check out their performances on “M COUNTDOWN” (the world’s No. 1 K-Pop chart show), “SBS Inkigayo” and “NPOP LIMITED EDITION – SIDE A.”
With their ascension story continuing to unfold, the MEOVV takeover has only just begun.
About THEBLACKLABEL:
THEBLACKLABEL is a South Korean Entertainment Company, Record Label & Creative Agency founded by TEDDY. THEBLACKLABEL was established in 2016 and is home to acts such as TAEYANG, JEON SOMI, ROSĂ, MEOVV, & Vince.
LISTEN TO “TOXIC” HERE â VIEW VIDEO HERE
LISTEN TO “BODY” HEREÂ
#MEOVV #TheBlackLabel #TOXICbyMEOVV #BODYbyMEOVV #kcrush #koreankpop #kpop #kidol #music #koreancelebrity #kfashion #kmusic #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #hallyufivemembergirlgroup #knews #GAWON #SOOIN #NARIN #ELLA #ANNA #Asiantopentertainmentmagazine #kcrushannouncement
ROSĂ’S FIRST STUDIO ALBUM ‘rosie’ ARRIVES DECEMBER 6TH “APT.” WITH BRUNO MARS CONTINUES TO SMASH GLOBALLY
WATCH “number one girl” VIDEO: LINK
STREAM “number one girl”: LINK
Global icon ROSĂ has released new single “number one girl‘ – available now via Atlantic Records/THEBLACKLABEL alongside an official music video directed by ROSĂ.
“number one girl” (co-penned/produced by Amy Allen, D-Mile, Omer Fedi, Carter Lang, Bruno Mars & Dylan Wiggins) marks the second release off ROSĂ‘s first studio album rosie, arriving December 6th and available for pre-order now (link). The 12-track collection marks ROSĂ‘s most personal and candid release to date with her co-writing the project in its entirety.
The album’s lead single “APT.” with Bruno Mars has proven a worldwide sensation, debuting at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, making ROSĂ the first female Korean artist to reach the top 10 of the chart. Meanwhile the single has held the #1 spot on the Billboard Global 200 chart for the past 4 weeks and has amassed over 1 billion global streams to date.
As a member of BLACKPINK, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, ROSĂ has shattered records, performed on the most heralded stages, and amassed millions of fans around the world. On her own, the Korean-New Zealand superstar’s 2021 single “On The Ground” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and became the highest-charting song by a female Korean artist on the Billboard Hot 100 (a record she has now since broken with single “APT.“). Simultaneously, ROSĂ has been an unstoppable force in fashion as global ambassador for renowned brands including Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co, Rimowa and Puma. Her influence in music, fashion and philanthropy has proven her to be a testament to the growth of Korean influence in music and fashion on a global scale.
CONNECT WITH ROSĂ:
RosesAreRosie.com | Instagram | TikTok | X | YouTube | Press Assets
#ROSE #BLACKPINKROSE #NumberOneGirl #AtlanticRecords #BlackLabel #kcrush #kpop #kidol #koreankpop #hallyu #kidol #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #asiantopicmagazine #ROSEKFashion #kmusic #topasianentertainmentmagazine #kmedia #ROSENewSingle #ROSEFirstStudioAlbum #AmyAllen #DMile #OmerFedi #CarterLang #BrunoMars #DylanWiggins
TWS is the latest member to join the CELINE French luxury brand family even as they celebrate wins at the MAMA Awards US.
On November 22, CELINE announced that the TWS band had joined its ambassadorship family. The Pledis Entertainment boy band will join Park Bp Geum and BTSâs V. Suzy Bae also joined the family days ago.
TWS band also took home 2 MAMA Awards on November 21 during the MAMA Awards US at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles. TWS won the Best Male Rookie award and Best Dance Performance â Male Group award.
The rookie bandâs latest release is the âLast Bellâ single on November 25. TWS debuted in January of last year under Pledis Entertainment with the âSparkling Blueâ EP. They released their second âSummer Beatâ EP in July 2024.
â-Karen Mwenda
#TWS #LastBell #PledisEntertainment #SparklingBlueEP #kpop #kcrush #SummerBeatEP #kidol #MAMAAwards2024 #BestMaleRookie #BestDancePerformanceMaleGroup #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #recentarticles #hallyuboygroup
Written and directed by Heo Sung-wan, All the Days feels like a series of snapshots of the ordinary days in the lives of three 20-something young people trying to figure out what the next steps in their lives are.
All the Days which had its world premiere in the Country program of the 2024 Ulju Mountain Film Festival, in South Korea, is a film that would be perfectly described by the phrase âstill waters run deepâ, because on the surface the story being told about three young people seems very calm and ordinary, but the closer you lean in to take a closer look and listen to the sounds around, you realise that these waters have hidden depths.
Thereâs Ye-eun (Jeon Ryeo-eun), her best friend So-young (Lee Yeon-sil), and Sung-bin, Sung-bin (Sung-bin) who are each at personal and professional crossroads in their lives where the decision to prioritise whatâs socially expected of them, clashes with what they want for themselves order to feel fulfilled.
The film begins with Ye-eun and So-young quietly walking around the abandoned and dilapidated country home of Ye-eunâs maternal grandmotherâs house quietly speaking about the times spent there as a child and pondering the idea of homes becoming imprinted over time with the memories of the people who once filled them with laughter and conversation. Having left her job in the corporate field to pursue her dream of writing films, Ye-un wonders what she should to feel more secure at a time when success might not be guaranteed, at least not as quickly as sheâd like.
Similarly, So-young who has followed her passion of animation spends her time walking around a village now gone quiet with age, thinking about how events in her childhood such as the IMF crisis which crippled to South Korean economy in the late 90s, left a deeper impact on her than she realised.
And for Sung-bin, whom the spend time with in the city, ponders about how his own actions as a creator can impact the people close to him and the environment he lives in. See? Still waters run deep.
Just like for these three characters that Seun-seo created, for many people all over the world, the thought that this life weâre living is too short to spend it being unfulfilled when the opportunity to reach for what others tells us not to or meet the expectations of others no matter how unfair they may be to us personally.
In my interview with him, Sung-wan, he spoke about coming to the realization that All the Days, while being about the ordinary days of ordinary people, thereâs something profound that happens in each day that stays with us. He shared how the film brought to mind his own summers spent in his grandmotherâs house, the same house Ye-eun walks through, the characters being unintentional reflections of his own past and memories, and what âsustainable loveâ means to him as a filmmaker and individual.
Note: This interview was conducted with the assistance of a Korean-English interpreter and has been edited for clarity and length.
All the Days begins very quietly with Ye-eun and So-young in the yard of Ye-eunâs grandmotherâs house. Here they have a very mundane conversation about the state of the yard covered in grass, the condition of the house slowly falling apart, and the bathroom which would be called an âOuthouseâ where Iâm in Barbados.
Iâd like us to start discussing the film with this scene because itâs an interesting way to introduce the audience to the characters.
What I wanted to express the most were the things that happen in daily life, what happens in a day, so that when you add all these things together, they add up to mean something.
The film consists of three separate days, and the film opens the first day and in it I wanted to show that this day starts off the same as it would for anyone else and for the characters be an ordinary day.
It is an ordinary day, but the situation isnât necessarily, ordinary, but kind of still is because itâs a position a lot of young people are finding themselves in these days where theyâve left their jobs to find a life thatâs more fulfilling for them. Ye-eun quits her job because sheâs not being fulfilled by it, so she decides to pursue her passion writing screenplays for films.
So, while the film may start out rather mundanely, I think theyâre having pretty deep conversations. Iâd like to ask you about that. About making a film that on the surface seems to be about very mundane and ordinary situations, but the conversations the characters have reveal a lot about where they are in their lives, and the questions they have.
Thank you for seeing that, because that was my intention. I wanted to show that even in the small moments of our daily livesâŚeven amidst the mundane and the ordinary there are moments that stand out that are not normal. Like sparkling moments in our daily lives.
One example of that is when Ye-eun talks about spending time at her grandmotherâs house when she was younger and the sound of cars driving by outside sounding like waves. When sheâs talking about this, narrating this story, the audio is overlaid with the imagery of So-young walking around the village.
I wanted to have a sense of rhythm where you go from small daily life activities to these sudden peaks, these moments that stand out, then despite having these moments you go back once again to the ordinary moments being experienced, then peak moments once again. That what I wanted to show.
I wanted to ask you about that sequence with the narration by Ye-eun because the sound design in this film is very interesting. She speaks about the sound of the cars passing by sounding like waves, and that line of dialogue comes right after a scene of So-young walking in a greenhouse filled with tall grass, and when wind blows over and through the leaves it also sounds a lot like ocean and waves on a shoreline.
Talk about how the sound design in the film plays into the peaks and valleys of the overall story being told. The sound design and the score really do support the rhythm of the film.
That was actually something that I paid a lot of attention to because I wanted to make sure the dialogue is heard very clearly. So, my main focus for the sound design (by Baek Seung-seo) was to create an environment where everything that is said can be heard, and for that particular scene you referred to, I made sure that thereâs always this underlying sound of cars passing by. The viewer doesnât really think about it, but subconsciously they have this sound in the background of their mind, and then when they get to the part with Ye-eunâs narration of cars sounding like waves, at that moment the audience should have a lightbulb moment of âOh! It does sound like waves.â, then theyâll think differently about the sound from then on.
I wanted that to act as a way for the audience to think âAll of the sounds Iâve heard until now, they were also waves.â, because I also wanted it to be a refreshing moment for them.
I have to give you a thumbs up for that because audio mixing is becoming a challenge in films now for audiences because sometimes you canât really hear the dialogue. When I watch a film where I can actually hear what the characters are saying clearly, Iâm always very happy, so I have to give you thumbs up just for that alone for making it a priority that your characters are distinctly heard.
Itâs a major problem now especially with a lot of Western made films.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Another reference to the sound of the waves and So-young is walking through the green house is the story that she tells Ye-eun about the IMF crisis which happened in the late 1990s beginning in 1997. I thought it was very interesting that you again used the memories of waves as a prompt, but for So-young, it reminded her of that time during the crisis of family not being able to go to the beach because of their financial situation.
To me that scene indicates the ways children are aware of whatâs happening in the world around them even if they donât fully understand the circumstances. Even at the young age she wouldâve been then, the IMF crisis left a significant impact on So-young, Ye-eun, and other children in Korea at the time.
This has to do with my own personal experience. When I was young, in my teenage years, thatâs when the IMF crisis struck, and this was a very, very difficult time when families were being torn apart and everyoneâs life drastically changed.
That time had a huge influence on my early years. During that period, I spent time at my grandmotherâs house, my motherâs mother, and the house that you see in the film is her house. I went there and I would do the same thing of listening to cars sounding like waves passing by, and I think that the world of children and the world of adults are completely separate, but, because of the ambianceâŚthereâs something in the air that only children are able to pick up on.
I didnât intend to do it, but maybe it was something subconsciously I wanted to say about that time.
Yes. Children are much more aware of the world than adults give them credit for. Children are extremely smart, and I think your film kind of speaks to that in a very subtle way. That was just one conversation between Ye-eun, and So-young, but as you said what happened in the past had a significant impact on you and while you may not have thought about it in years, you remembered enough about it to put the way you felt in the film.
Yes. Thank you.
Another thing about children and adults, and itâs funny to say because we were all children before we grew up, is the expectations that parents place on children. For Ye-eun, she has a phone conversation with her mum, and her mum talks about Ye-unâs father being âsinfulâ, in reference him not being a good husband and father and not being Christian. But she wants Ye-eun to visit him at the hospital because Ye-eun performing that duty would make her âbeautifulâ in her motherâs eyes. I saw that as the mum placing an unfair burden of guilt on Ye-eun.
As Iâve had similar conversations with my own parents, I really related to Ye-eun in that moment because Iâve also said, âCanât I just not go?â because I donât want to and not be judged for it?
In Korea, the relationships between parents and children are not easy and in a way kind of bizarre.
From the childâs point of view, when youâre young youâre totally dependent on your parents, youâre on the receiving end for everything. But then, once you grow up and you start seeing flaws in your parentsâŚor the negative aspects to them, thereâs this moment where you go âOh! Theyâre just regular people. Theyâre humans, too.â There is a limit I think, to how many negative aspects or faults a child can deal with though, and then once they reach that maximum limit, something becomes the last straw and they canât take it anymore, they face a dilemma.
They canât break off ties with their parents completely, but they canât continue this relationship either, so theyâre stuck in between these two choices. My father wasnât a terrible father at all, but still, I had several types of clashes with him. These are things I think everyone can identify with at some point, and these are the types of small moments of daily life I wanted to show.
The main sentiment that underlines the entire movie is a sense of people not being sure what to do or what theyâre capable of doing.
In hearing you say that about how children can become disillusioned with their parents the older they get; as we grow, we start to notice more flaws, as you said, is that where the idea for Ye-eunâs story about the house being old and collecting the remnants of the people who lived in it came from? Because when you were younger, you saw your grandmotherâs house as a place of refuge, where you went for the summers and had happy moments. But as you aged, and the house aged you began to see more flaws in its structure.
Is it possible that the house and the story are a metaphor for that? That Ye-eun seeing the flaws in the hose are representative of her seeing the flaws in her parents?
Yes. There are some connections because when I was young my grandmother was just my grandmother, but then like you said, as I grew older, I began to see shortcomings in her and in my parents, but at the same time I also realized my grandmother was getting older so I experienced this sense of loss thinking that Iâm going to lose this person that I deeply care about. That theyâre all going to be gone soon at some point as I saw my grandmother age before my eyes. As a result, I was thinking that once theyâre gone, how can I remember and hold onto them.
So, my experiences with that are kind of melted into the story of the film as well.
In your biography on the UMFF website, you said All the Days âwas planned and created with the consideration of âsustainable loveâ. Is that what you mean with your intention to do the best you can to hold on to the memory of your grandmother and the people you love in a healthy way? In a conservative way in terms of preservation, by seeing them for who they are but still being able to appreciate them with their flaws and all?
That was my main goal while working on the film, and depending on how you see it there can be many interpretations of it, but the reason I set that as my goal was because in one way, making a film is an activity that could have a huge impact on myself or the people and environment around me, and if it has a negative effect it could destroy myself and others.
For instance, if Iâm overzealous, too passionate or if I put in too much money into the project then there could be negative effects. Filmmkaing itself destroys a lot of the environment as well so Iâm always conscious of that.
When Iâm making a film, Iâm always very aware of the fact that I need to remember not to do this. So, âsustainable loveâ for me means thinking about how I can sustain my filmmaking which is something I love, and how can I keep making movies without hurting others and those connected to my life outside of filmmaking, the people that I interact with daily and the world that I live in.
Iâm always asking myself âIs this possible? Is this sustainable love?â
Thatâs great! So, is the character of Sung-bin, Ye-eun and So-youngâs friend representative of you then? Thatâs the conversation he has with them where he says that he wants to do the things that heâs most interested in without hurting himself, others, and his surroundings. He wants to be sustainable in the way that he lives his life.
I think thatâs a great ambition to have now in the world that we live in. Especially here in North America where filmmaking is becoming such an excessive process with regards to how much money is being spent, and as you mentioned it can have a very negative environmental and social impact too, I think, when filmmakers arenât necessarily cognizant of the impact of the stories theyâre telling could have socially.
In that regard, I kind of see Sung-bin as being an avatar for you because heâs speaking of having balance in all thingsâŚthe way he lives his life for fun and for work.
Yes, Sung-bin is me [laughs].
Iâm aware of the impact of the film industry especially in North America and the effects it has on the environment, and Iâve seen some research on it and when I was working on this film I constant thought about sustainable love and in a way, I thought the film had gotten a little too big than I expected. So, Iâm always thinking of how I can tell the richest story within the smallest environment and will be something I continue to think about.
Something else thatâs said in that conversation by Ye-eun which I think ties-in, is that if she tries to hold onto things that are too big, theyâll break, so she tries to do trivial things. Can you talk about that a bit and explain what she meant?
That line by Ye-eun is closely connected to how I feel about filmmaking because if you make a commercial film well itâs going to be a ârags to richesâ story. Youâll be famous overnight. Successful overnight. But on the other hand, you could also lose everything, so itâs a huge gamble to make such a film, and my goal in making films is to create these moments that I can value over time. I think of something I want to make a film about, then I make the film, and I get something out of that.
But what sheâs saying is how I feel about making movies in that if I set my goals too high, and if I try to do something thatâs too big thatâs going to require a lot more, Iâm going to lose these very small or trivial but very precious moments to me along the way because Iâm preparing for that big goal, and Iâd rather not do that. Therefore, Iâve chosen to continue filmmaking in the way that I do so that I can continue to move towards the goal that I have in mind.
I think thatâs a very smart way to look at filmmaking especially in present times. I have to say âKudosâ to you for recognizing that so early on in your career because I think many filmmakers lose sight of that.
Thank you for saying that.
For my last question, before I mentioned the sound design, now, I want us to talk a bit about the score. Thereâs a scene in the film that made me think that if you ever wanted to make a horror film, you already have a sensibility of how to do it and could actually make some very creepy horror films.
Itâs the sequence where Ye-eun, So-young, and Sung-bin are at the gravesite and theyâre using a drone to get a high-up shot of the area, and the music that plays sounds very discordant and foreboding which didnât seem to fit the film as it was very different to the rest of the score.
I wanted to ask you about it because while the music is different, I think it represented how they felt looking for Ye-eunâs grandmotherâs grave as they didnât know what condition they would find it in had a sense of foreboding about it.
The particular music youâre talking about is used in two scenes, and I purposely asked the music director to make sure the music in these scenes is very different in tone and manner from the rest of the film.
Thereâs the scene at the grave, and the other is when thereâs a blackout and theyâre trying to find a light switch. When youâre trying to find something, thereâs a sense of being in the dark so to speak, and you feel scared because you donât know whatâs going to happen. You donât know what youâre going to find, or that youâre going to find it but not like it.
For the characters, each of them is looking for something in their own life and so am I but itâs not easy, because when youâre wandering through the dark you could come across something thatâs wrong.
Thatâs not the thing youâre looking for, and I felt that searching for something is a mysterious and scary thing to experience. Thatâs the feeling I wanted to convey.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Film Critic, Journalist, Podcaster & YouTuber
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Host & Producer Carolyn TalksâŚ, and So Hereâs What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram:Â @CarrieCnh12
#AlltheDays #HeoSungwan #filmakerHeoSungwan #kcrushinterview #kcrush #UIJUMountainFilmFestival2024 #filmfestival #asianfilm #kcrushfeaturedinterview #UMFF #20somethingyoungpeople #film #IMFCrisis #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine
PLAVE is a virtual K-pop boy group making millstones in the entertainment world a few months after debuting.
PLAVE is a virtual group that debuted in March 2023 with the âAsterumâ single under VLAST. PLAVE is derived from a combination of âPlayâ and âRaveâ which aligns with the membersâ purpose of creating a new world to realize their dreams.
The band is made up of avatar members resembling webtoon characters. The real character members include Yejun, Noah, Hamin, Eunho, and Bamby. The virtual AI avatars use body motion suits to capture the gestures, dancing, voices, and body motions of the real characters.
After debuting with the âAsterumâ single in March 2023, PLAVE released their first âAsterumâ EP in August 2023 and a second âASTERUM 134-1â EP in February 2024. PLAVE made history by being the first virtual group to top Show Champion & Show! Music Core program thanks to the âWay 4 Luvâ single from âASTERUM 134-1â EP.
PLAVE also held its first fan concert in April 2024. The band recently released their 3rd single, âPump Up The Volume!â in August 2024.
The âPump Up The Volume!â single skyrocketed the bandâs fame as it charted No. 1 on Melon’s ‘Top 100’ days after release. That month, PLAVE made headlines as the bandâs 7 songs, including âPump Up The Volume!â, landed in the top 10 list of Melonâs âTop 100â chart.
â-Karen Mwenda
#PLAVE #WhoIsPLAVE #PumpUpTheVolume #MelonsTop100Chart #kcrush #koreankpop #animatedboyband #kidol #ASTERUM #MusicCore #virtualkpop #virtualkpopboygroup #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreanpop #kfashion #VLASTAgency #virtualAIavatars #membersYejunNoahHaminEunhoBamby #Yejun #Noah #Hamin #Eunho #Bamby #PLAVEanewkpopboyband
Min Hee Jin has officially left ADOR and HYBE after a 5-year work relationship.
On November 20, Min Hee Jin announced that she had parted ways with both ADOR and HYBE. Min Hee Jin has been serving as the CEO of ADOR. Min Hee Jin stated that she has terminated her shareholdersâ agreement with HYBE agency and resigned from her ADOR internal director position. Min Hee added that she had done all she could to protect NewJeans, especially throughout the past few months.
Min He Jinâs misfortunes started early this year and escalated during the April audits. Min Hee confirmed that she is proud of her actions. She added rather than repentance, her actions were meant to invoke some human decency from HYBE, at the very least.
Min Hee Jin thanked NewJeans fans for their unwavering support, especially over the last few months. Min Hee also unfollowed NewJeans and ADORâs official account and removed ADORâs link from her profile. Before resigning from both HYBE and ADOR, Min Hee was dismissed as the CEO of ADOR in August 2024 and worked only as NewJeansâ producer and member of ADORâs board of directors.
â-Karen Mwenda
#MinHeeJin #MinHeeJinResignsFromADOR #NewJeans #kcrush #HYBE #koreankpop #kpopagency #kidol #MinHeeJinhadbeenremovedastheCEOofADOR #MinHeeJinunfollowedNewJeansandADOR #kcrushmagazine #MinHeeJinthankedfans #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #MinHeeJinnolongerworkswithNewJeans #hallyunews
Fantagio has released the contract status of the remaining WEKI MEKI members who were still under their cover after the band disbanded.
On November 18, Fantagio announced that Kim Doyeon and Choi Yoojung have decided to renew their contract with the agency after careful consideration. As such, Fantagio added that although WEKI MEKI band disbanded, the agency will support the two artists in whatever future path they choose.
On the other hand, the agency also announced that Ji Soyeon has chosen to end her contract with the agency. Soyeon joins other WEKI MEKI former members Lucy, Lua, Rina, Elly, and Sei who also ended their contract with Fantagio. WEKI MEKI confirmed their official disbandment in August 2024. The band debuted in 2017 as an 8-member team with the âWeMeâ EP.
â-Karen Mwenda
#WEKIMEKI #WEKIMEKImembers #Fantagio #WeMeEP #JiSoyeonendscontractwithagency #formermembers #Lucy #Lua #Rina Elly #Sei #koreankpop #kpop #kpopgirlgroup #kpopgirlgroupdisbandment #kcrush #KimDoyeon #kidol #ChoiYoojongrenewscontractwithFantagio #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreanhallyu #hallyunews
BTOB released its concept photos for the October 31 comeback album and there is still more in November and December.
BTOB COMPANY label members SEO EUNKWANG, LEE MINHYUK, LIM HYUNSIK, and PENIEL will be releasing their 10th digital single titled âPlease Stayâ.
The digital single, set for release on October 31, is part of the bandâs âBECOMING PROJECTâ album which showcases the BTOB membersâ charms, in both solo and unit activities, in ensuring the continuity of BTOBâs identity.
BTOB ended its contract with Cube Entertainment in November 2023. The bandâs Changsub signed with Fantagio agency the same month. In December 2023, Yook Sungjae signed with IWill Media agency.
In February 2024, it was revealed that the BTOB remaining four members had established their label, BTOB COMPANY. It was also revealed that the 4 members would continue their activities under the same group name after a trademark agreement with Cube Entertainment.
â-Karen Mwenda
#BTOB #BecomingProject #kcrush BTOBCompany #CubeEntertainment #topkpopgroup #kcrushamerica #koreanboygroup #koreankpop #koreancelebrity #kidol #hallyuboyband
MAMA Awards will hold its annual ceremony in the U.S. for the first time this November.
For the 1st time in over a 2-year decade of history, MAMA Awards will hold its annual event in the U.S. before heading to Japan. The event is scheduled to take place in Hollywood Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles on November 21.
At the U.S. event, J.Y. Park is set to collaborate with Anderson .Paak while KATSEYE will collaborate with Los Angeles Rams for stage performances. The Los Angeles ceremony is also scheduled to feature other K-pop acts including ILLIT, TWS, and RIIZE.
After the U.S. event on November 21, MAMA Awards will head to Japan from 22nd to 23rd November. Actress Kim Tae Ri and actor Park Bo Geum are scheduled to host the Japan event. K-Pop acts who will perform in the Japan chapter include ENHYPEN, IVE, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Aespa, and ZEROBASEONE.
â-Karen Mwenda
#MAMAAwards #MAMAAwardsUSevent #November 21st #KATSEYE #JYPark #kcrush #ILLIT #TWS #RIIZE #kpop #kpopawardevent #LosAngelesMAMAAards #KoreanActressKimTaeRi #KoreanActorParkBoGeum #knews #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #AndersonPaak
13FOUND debuted on November 13, 2024, making it the newest K-pop group in the industry.
13FOUND (13íě´ë) is a trio group under TAKIEL agency. The boy band members include Kim Seongyeon, Song Chiwon, and Park Minseo.
13FOUND debuted on November 13, 2024, with the âFoundâ mini album and âDominoâ title track. The album consists of 4 tracks including âMMMâ, âDominoâ, âRetryâ, and âMMM (Sped Up)â.
Seongyeon has some experience in the industry as he contested on Produce X 101 and YG Treasure Box, MIXNINE.
â-Karen Mwenda
#13FOUND #Whois13FOUND #kcrush #kpop #kpopgroup #ProduceX101 #YGTreasureBox #MIXNINE #kidol #pop #newgroup #Seongyeon #Foundminialbum #Dimino #Retry #MMM #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #koreanboygroup #TAKIELAgency #koreancelebrity #kfashion #koreankpop #hallyubobgroup
TIOT is a rising force that made its official debut in April 2024.
TIOT (í°ěě´ě¤í°)is a quintet group under Redstart ENM agency. The band consists of Kim Min Seong, Kum Jun Hyeon, Hong Keon Hee, Choi Wii Jin, and Shin Ye Chan. TIOT stands for âTime Is Our Timeâ.
Before making the April 2024 official debut, the group had made a pre-debut as a 4-member band with the âFrame the Blueprint: Prelude to Possibilitiesâ EP on August 2023.
After the pre-debut, TIOT held the âBlueprint: TIOTâ tour in Japan in October 2023 and released the âFind the Wayâ single, and held the â2023 TIOT Fancon: Find the Wayâ concert in December 2023.
Members Min Seong, Kim Jun Hyeon, Hong Keon Hee, and Choi Wii Jin participated in 2023 Boys Planet program before debuting Redstart ENM. The 4 performers joined forces as Redstart Boys and held fan meetings and concerts before the August 2023 pre-debut as TIOT. Shin Ye Chan joined the group during their official debut in April 2024.
â-Karen Mwenda
#TIOT #WhoIsTIOT #kcrush #MinSeong #KimJunHyeon #HongKeonHee #ChoiWiiin #ShinYeChan #RedstartENM #koreankpop #kpop #pop #koreanboygroup #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #kcrusharticle #hallyuboygroup #kidol #kcelebrity #BoysPlanet #FindTheWay #TimeIsOurTime
BABYMONSTER will be having their 1st ever world tour taking off in January 2025.
BABYMONSTER is gearing up for its first tour, scheduled for January of next year. Titled âHELLO MONSTERSâ, the tour is set to start in South Korea before heading to the US.
âHELLO MONSTERSâ tour will kick off in Seoul and then head to several U.S cities including New Jersey and Los Angeles. After starting in January, the tour will hit Los Angeles stages in March 2025. Additional cities and respective dates will be communicated in time.
â-Karen Mwenda
#BABYMONSTERTour #HelloMonstersTour #BABYMONSTERUS #kcrush #kpop #koreankpop #koreancelebrity #kidol #koreangirlgroup #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kcrushfilminterview #interview #USTour #firstworldtourannounced
“Luck is what you make of it” is a saying that has been around for generations to describe the work people have to put into to turn situations in their favor, and perfectly encapsulates the dilemma father and reformed poker player Lucky (Terry Chen, The Spiderwick Chronicles) finds himself facing in writer, director, and producer Gillian McKercher’s drama Lucky Star, which screened at the 2024 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.
Already struggling financially with a tech repair company that isn’t pulling in as much business as needed, Lucky, desperate to resolve at least one potential issue, falls victim to a phone phishing tax-fraud scam, costing him thousands of dollars his family can’t afford to lose. With his daughter Grace (Connie Miu, The Boys) stressing over her final college exams, and his wife Noel (Olivia Cheng, Warrior) doubting his truthfulness with her, Lucky keeps the truth of just how dire their financial situation has become from his family and ends up making a decision that could cost him everything. In their youth, Lucky was a successful gambler whose luck at the poker table provided some measure of financial stability, but as is the case with habitual gambling, his obsession with proving his skill at playing games put his relationship with Noel in jeopardy, and he made a vow to never play again. A vow he was able to keep…until the new troubles in their life, and he turns to poker games where the stakes are high in more than one way, as a solution.
Knowing that Lucky is in serious trouble, his best friend and accountant Darren, played by Andrew Phung (Run the Burbs), does his best to persuade Lucky to follow his advice to create a solid and manageable financial plan. Darren, knowing what’s at stake for Lucky, does his best but he can only do as much as Lucky allows him to do. And similarly to Darren, Grace tries her best to help her father, but their relationship becomes strained as the line of responsibility between parent and child is blurred with Lucky depending on her for help and asking Grace to keep his secrets of just how bad things have gotten from her mother.
Gillian does a great job of showing how finances can make and break a family as shame and guilt weighs heavily on them. While Noel does love Lucky, she doesn’t fully trust him to be honest with her when it comes to money. This doubt that she doesn’t like feeling for her husband causes Noel to place herself in a precarious situation where she has to consider having her own financial backup plan that may itself jeopardise the stability of her children’s life.
Set in Calgary, Alberta, Lucky Star is a very realistic portrayal of how people can feel unlucky in their lives despite appearing to have everything a person could want in life. Gillian’s direction and the performances of the cast are what makes this story work technically, and emotionally because these characters are people, we either have in our own families, or relatable and familiar to our own experiences. For who hasn’t worried about how to win against our inner demons and vices, been tempted to make a choice we know is morally wrong but could potentially change our lives for the better, or worried about owing money to the government when tax season comes around.
Happy and stable families must be cultivated, nourished, and cherished, and that takes time, effort, and above all, honesty and trust to achieve, not luck, which Lucky learns by coming to the realisation he can’t rely on his skills as a poker player to win at being a husband and father.
In my interview with Gillian and Andrew for the film’s premiere at Reel Asian, we had a great conversation about how people like Lucky could be dealt the best cards in life and still mess up, why and how guilt and shame change the way we see ourselves and loved ones, and what makes luck, luck.
Lucky Star had its world premiere in Gillian’s hometown at the 2024 Calgary International Film Festival.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Film Critic, Journalist, Podcaster & YouTuber
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Host & Producer Carolyn Talks…, and So Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram:Â @CarrieCnh12
#KCrush #KCrushAmericaMagazine #ReelAsian #TerryChen #OliviaCheng #AndrewPhung #AsianCinema #CanadianFilm #FilmFestival #Toronto #TorontoReelAsianInternationalFilmFestival #ChineseCanadian #kcrushmagazine #kcrushfilminterview #FemaleFilmmaker
The legendary Suzy Bae has joined Celine luxury brand ambassadorship crew
On November 15, Celine brand announced they were pleased to have Suzy join their family. The French fashion house is known for its luxurious high-end designer pieces since 1945.
Celine announced the ambassadorship news with Suzy Baeâs first campaign image. The legendary South Korean artist showcased a bold and elegant look in a black leather coat. The coat is part of Celine brandâs 2024 Winter Collection.
â-Karen Mwenda
#SuzyBae #MissA #JYP #SuzyBaeBrandAmbassadorforCeline #CelineLuxuryBrand #kpop #koreanActress #singer #kcrush #kcrushmagazine #knews #congratulationstoSuzyBae #whatisSuzyBaedoing #2024WinterCollection #kidol #koreancelebrity #SuzyBaeshowcasedwithCelineLuxuyBrand #kcrusharticle #CelineFrenchFashionHouse
JYP Entertainment’s rookie group NEXZ has released the âNALLINAâ MV as they prepare for their November comeback.
NEXZ boy band has released the âNALLINAâ music video teaser. The track is a part of their upcoming November comeback album. NEXZ will be releasing the âNALLINAâ mini album on November 18.
NEXZ debuted in May 2024 with the âRide the Vibeâ single album. The group later made a Japanese debut with the âRide Your Vibe (Japanese Ver.) / Keep on Movingâ EP in August 2024.
â-Karen Mwenda
#NEXZ #JYPEntertainment #RideYourVibe #NALLINA #newmusic #newalbum #novembercomeback #kcrush #kpop #koreanidol #koreancelebrity #kfashion #kcrushmagazine #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #KeeponMovingEP #NEXZcomebackinNovember #NEXZteaser #koreanboyband #boygroup #Japanesedebut #hallyuboygroup
SHINEeeâs Taein is this yearâs Korea Grand Music Awards legend after taking home 3 awards from the event.
Taemin, who recently released his 5th mini album, âETERNALâ, took the Korea Grand Music Awards by storm after bagging 3 awards. The artist took home the Best Artist, Best Solo Artist, and Best Popularity Artist awards.
Taemin is also on the âEphemeral Gazeâ tour, his first one that kicked off in August and runs through March 2025. Taeminâs wins confirmed his influence not only on a domestic scale bit on a global level.
â-Karen Mwenda
#Taemin #SHINeeTaemin #GrandMusicAwardsWinner #Taeminwins3awards #kcrush #Taeminawarded3awards #kpop #kidol #koreancelebrity #kpopsinger #TaeminsEphemeralGazeTour #TaeminBestArtist #BestSoloArtist #estPopularityArtist #Taeminthreeawards #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #kfashion #knews #hallyunews
Talented Ahn Ye-eun is making a comeback with her 4th EP after almost a 2-year break.
Ahn Ye-eun is set to make a comeback on November 21 with the âStory Bagâ EP. This is Ye Eunâs 4th extended play since her debut under DSP Media in 2016.
The âChangguiâ hitmaker also released a trailer teaser of the âěě´ě (KINGCARP)â track which will be part of the upcoming âStory Bagâ album.
Ye Eunâs last release was the âEasy Written Storyâ full-length album in February 2023. She is known for her musical storytelling and several dramas and webtoon OST performances, including âThe Man Who Became Kingâ.
â-Karen Mwenda
#AhnYeEun #Novembercomeback #SingersongwriterAhnYeEun #EasyWrittenStory #kdramaOST #kpop #kidol #kcrush #TheManWhoBecameKingOST #Changgui #KINGCARPtrack #StoryBagAlbum #DSPMedia #EP #extendedplay #newalbumAhnYeEun #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #koreansinger #hallyu #kfashion
Here are the latest music videos in the K-pop industry.
1. VIVIZ
VIVIZ released the âShhh!â MV which is the title track for their 5th mini-album, âVOYAGEâ.
2. ILLIT
ILLIT is making fansâ hearts go wild with the âTick-Tackâ music video. The track is part of the groupâs 2nd mini album, ‘I’LL LIKE YOU’.
3. BIBI
BIBI is dropping hit after hit creating a wave of excitement in the entertainment industry. BIBI dropped the âDerreâ MV which is part of her double single comeback set.
4. Yves
Yves is also ending the year in style. The artist released the âViolaâ music video which is part of her latest 2nd album titled âI Didâ.
5. MAMAMOOâs Hwa Sa
MAMAMOOâs Hwa Sa has yet again dropped an enchanting single for her 8th digital single. The track, âStarâ, was produced by LOGOS.
6. YOUNHA
YOUHNA released the âPoint Nemoâ music single for her 7th repackaged album, âGrowth Theory: Final Editionâ. The album commemorates YOUHNAâs 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry.
7. Taeyeon
Taeyeon is gearing up for her November 18 comeback with her 6th mini album, âLetter to Myselfâ album. In preparation, the artist released the âLetter to Myselfâ MV which is the title track for the upcoming album.
8. HEYOON
HEYOON teamed up with American rapper Armani White for the âPivotâ single. âPivotâ is one of HEYOONâs solo debut releases after moving from Now United global pop group and joining Universal Music Group.
â-Karen Mwenda
#8LatestMVReleases #kcrush #musicvideoreleasesinnovember #HEYOON #Pivot #ArmaniWhite #rapper #Taeyeon #LetterToMyself #YOUHNA #PointNemo #20thanniversary #HWASA #MAMAMOOHWASA #Star #LOGOs #YVES #IDID #Viola #BIBIDerre #Derre #BIBI #ILLIT #TickTack #IllLikeYouMiniAlbum #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kpop #koreanpop #kfashion #koreansinger #newmusic #VIVIZ #Shhh #VOYAGEVIVIZ #hallyumusic #kpopidol
Here are some K-dramas to binge on this November 2024.
1. Marry You
âMarry Youâ is a romantic comedy about an island bachelor, Bong Cheol Hui (Lee Yi Kyung), who has failed to be ineligible for marriage. To ensure the bachelor upgrades to marriage life, a âMarriage Encouragementâ team is formed and a civil servant is dispatched to oversee the team. The dispatchee is Jung Ha Na (Jo Soo Min) who on the other hand doesnât believe in marriage and is in it for the money.
2. Gangnam B-Side
âGangnam B-Sideâ is a crime drama involving solving mysteries amidst life-threatening encounters. Jae Hee (Bibi) is a bartender in Gangnam who goes missing because of uncovering a secret involving a series of disappearances. A demoted detective Kang Dong Woo (Jo Woo Jin) crawls his way back into the investigation business to unravel the Gangnam disappearances linked to Jae Hee. and Prosecutor Min Seo Jin (Ha Yoon Kyung) and Yoon Gil Ho (Ji Chang Wook), a famous Gangnam outlaw, also force their way into the investigations all for personal gain.
3. Brewing Love
Just like its title, âBrewing Loveâ K-drama is about a love that brews in a liquor brewing setting. Chae Yong Joo (Kim Se Jeong) is a former Special Forces who rises to become a liquor companyâs sales queen. To save her store from closing down, Young Joon must ensure the new liquor sells. Yoon Min Ju (Lee Jong Won), is a skilled brewmaster and the CEO of the liquor company that owns Chae Yong Jooâs branch store. Chae Yong Joo strives to show Yoon Min Ju her storeâs worth amidst stiff competition from Bang A Reum (Shin Do Hyun), the companyâs planning team manager.
4. Love Your Enemy
âLove Your Enemyâ tells the story of a reunion between young lovers turned rivals. Seok Ji Won (Ju Ji Hoon) and Yoon Ji Won (Jung Yu Mi) were born on the same day and given the same name, âJi Wonâ. Despite the existing generational rivalry between the two families, Seok and Yoon fought for their love throughout high school which later ended in chaos. Life goes on but fate brings the two âJi Wonâs together as workers in their former high school.
5. The Trunk
âThe Trunkâ is a melodrama that highlights deep marriage controversies. Jung Won (Gong Yoo) is a music producer who ends up seeking a contract marriage to heal the loneliness of missing his ex-wife. In Ji (Seo Hyun Jin) is a wife-on-contract at NM company which provides clients with a spouse on a 1-year marriage contract. Jung Won chooses a contractual spouse at NM company where his ex-wife works. As Jung Won and his second wife, In Jin, get to know each other, a trunk washes up on shore putting their new relationship in jeopardy while revealing a string of ordeals connected to NM company.
â-Karen Mwenda
#5KDramasToWatchThisNovember2024 #TheTrunk #GongYoo #SeoHyunJin #kcrush #LoveYourEnemy #kdrama #JuJiHoon #JungYuMi #BrewingLove #GangnamBSide #MarryYou #koreankdrama #kcrushamerica #hallyudrama #kcrushmagazine #LeeYiKyung #JoSooMin #ShinDoHyun
K-drama actor Song Jae Rim has passed away.
Known for his performances in âWe Got Marriedâ and âQueen Woo,â Song Jae Rim has passed away, leaving the Korean entertainment industry in shock. According to reports, he was found deceased in his Seoul house. Reports also highlight that a two-page note was found at the scene.
Song Jae Rimâs family is held a service at Seoul Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital funeral hall before escorting Jae Rim to his resting place at Seoul City Crematorium on November 14. Song Jae Rim, an actor and model, debuted in the acting industry in 2009 and appeared in several notable dramas including âWe Got Marriedâ and âMy Military Valentineâ. Tributes by fellow starts have been pouring in on several platforms.
We wish Song Jae Rimâs family peace and strength during these trying times.
â-Karen Mwenda
#SongJaeRim #JaeRimpassesaway #kcrush #kdramaactor #koreanactor #WeGotMarried #MyMlitaryValentine #condolences #QueenWoo #passedaway #koreandrama #koreankdrama #restinpeace #youwillbemissed #kcrushInRemembrance #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine