Riku will not be participating in the upcoming activities scheduled for NCT WISH.
In a statement on October 22, SM Entertainment stated that Riku will be taking a leave of absence for some time because of his health concerns. In the statement, the agency revealed that the Japanese rapper and singer recently visited the hospital and was advised to take plenty of rest.
As a result, SM Entertainment confirmed that Riku will not be participating in NCT WISH’s activities as of October 22. This means that Riku will not be performing at the ‘2024 NCT WISH ASIA TOUR – LOG in JAPAN’ scheduled for November 3. On October 4, NCT WISH performed and took position 1 at KBS’ ‘Music Bank’ for their latest album, ‘STEADY’. SM Entertainment promised to keep fans updated on Riku’s health status.
—-Karen Mwenda
#Riku #NCTWISH #SMEntertainment #Rikuhaltsgroupactivities #kcrush #Rikuvisitshospital #NCTWISHAsiaTourLOG #Japan #kpop #koreanpop #koreanboygroup #boyband #Rikuadvisedtotakeplentyofrest #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kidol #kmusic #Rikushealth
TNX will now continue as a 5-member group after Kyungjun decides to leave the group and enlist in the military;
On October 23, P Nation agency made an official announcement stating that Kyungjun is enlisting in the military and will part ways with TNX (The New Six) even after being discharged. P Nation highlighted that Kyungjun voluntarily applied for mandatory military service before informing the agency of his post-discharge decisions.
As a result, both P Nation and Kyungjun made the mutual decision to terminate the star’s contract and membership to TNX. Kyungjun debuted under P Nation and as a TNX member in 2022. This abrupt and shocking decision was received with mixed reactions with fans still in a state of shock and denial.
Later on October 23, TNX released a teaser of their upcoming ‘The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY’ mini album set to be released on November 4. In the teaser album photos, there are only 5 members officially confirming Kyungjun’s departure.
—-Karen Mwenda
#TNX #Kyungjun #KyungjunleavesTNX #TNXmilitaryservice #KyungjuncancelscontractwithTNX #kcrush #PNation #kpop #PNationandKyungjunmutuallyagree #TheStarChapterSANCTUARYminialbum #TNXSANCTUARYminialbum #November #kidol #koreanmilitary #koreanpop #teaseralbumphoto #TNXisnowa5membergroup #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #knews
Attrakt, FIFTY FIFTY’s agency, confirmed it had sued Warner Music Korea for allegedly poaching the girl band months after its debut and mind-blowing success.
On October 23, Attrakt agency confirmed that they have filed a lawsuit against Warner Music Korea for trying to poach members of its start group, FIFTY FIFTY. In the 20 billion won ($19 million U.S.) lawsuit, Attrakt claims that top executives from Warner Music Korea tampered with some of FIFTY FIFY members’ contracts.
FIFTY FIFTY became a global sensation after their “CUPID” track went viral making the band an overnight success which also attracted unwanted attention. After the June 2023 “CUPID” song’s success, Attrakt made allegations that some influential external forces were attempting to poach the group members. In the same month, all FIFTY FIFTY members filed for contract termination with Attrakt on grounds of contractual disputes.
In August 2023, Attrakt agency won the case and Keena dropped the case. Nonetheless, the other 3 members filed for an appeal, which was also rejected, and they were removed from FIFTY FIFTY and their contracts with Attrakt terminated. In the October 23 statement, Attrakt shared their disappointment that such a big company would be shameless enough to try and take away artists from a small agency. Attrakt further added that 20 billion won is not worth the damage caused and that they plan to increase the damage claim with time.
—-Karen Mwenda
#FIFTYFIFTY #AttraktSuesWarnerMusicKorea #PoachingAllegationsfromAttrakt #kcrush #20billionWon #CUPID #kpop #koreangirlgroup #kmusic #koreanpop ##WarnerMusicKorea #FIFTYFIFTYFirstUSTOUR #KENNA #CHANELLEMOON #YEWON #HANA #ATHENA #TWENTY #LoveSprinkleTourUSA #SOS #StarryNight #Gravity #kcrushamerica
Jaejoong, a talented actor and singer, revealed that he learned of his adoption upon debut.
Jaejoong on Radio Star
Jaejoong debuted as a TVXQ + in 2003 before making a solo debut in 2013. While appearing on MBC’s ‘Radio Star’ on October 16, Jaejoong shared that he was adopted into a family of 8 girls when he was three years. After debuting with TVXQ in 2003, Jaejoong learned that he was adopted, a secret that his family had kept for years to protect him.
Photo book of Jeojong’s childhood
Jaejoong said he received a strange call after a photo book with baby photos of TVXQ members was shared online. Despite having committed to ignoring calls as most of them were from overly obsessive supporters, Jaejoong couldn’t help but answer this particular call. The caller asked Jaejoong how he’d been fairing in a manner and tone that only her aunt would use. This call would change Jaejoong’s life forever.
The singer expressed gratitude to his adoptive family which sacrificed a lot to hide the fact that he was adopted. Jaejoong was grateful to her sister, the youngest and ten months older, because she was celebrating her birthday on the wrong dates to keep the family secret. Jaejoong revealed that it was not until the sister became older that she started celebrating her birthday on the correct dates.
Episode of Oh Seo Jin’s story
Jaejoong’s biological mother told her side of the story in MBC’s ‘True Story Theater’ that aired in February 2013. Oh Seo Jin, Jaejoong’s biological mother, revealed that she was born into a prestigious family but as a surrogate’s daughter denying her family care. The surrogacy issue also caused her arranged marriage to be called off after the engagement trip despite being pregnant. Oh Seo Jin later got married to a civil servant and begot Jaejoong but after the marriage turned violent, she fled with her two kids. Despite her endless efforts to raise two kids in poverty, Oh Seo Jin had no choice but to send Jaejoong to another family.
Jaejoong and his sisters
On September 20, Jaejoong and his family appeared on SBS’ ‘Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant’. During the episode, Jaejoong candidly revealed how his mother nags him about getting married. The discussion candidly elevated during dinner with his sisters with some supporting the motion while others showed concern about Jaejoong’s wife-to-be being overwhelmed by the big family.
At the end of the episode, Jaejoong left a message for his wife-to-be assuring her that he will protect and cherish her personal space. The message read, “I don’t know when or if you’ll appear, but please don’t feel burdened. It might be noisy, but it’s better than loneliness. I’ll make time plenty of time for you”.
—-Karen Mwenda
#Jaejoong #FindingOutHeIsAdopted #BadMemoryEraser #kdrama #kcrush #koreandrama #koreanactor #adoption #happyadoption #SBSStars #TopRecipeatFunStaurant #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreannews #koreanvarietyshow #MBCsTrueStoryTheater #OhSeoJin
October’s lineup for movie star’s brand reputation is out. Here are the top 5 best-ranked film actors.
1. Cha Seung Won
Cha Seung Won topped October’s movie star brand reputation rankings with an index of 5,841,596. In addition to moving 3 places up, the actor also improved by 31.83% from last month’s scoring. Cha Seung Won’s ranking has been greatly contributed to by the ongoing dramas including ‘Three Meals a Day’ and ‘The Tyrant’.
2. Kim Woo Bin
Kim Woo Bin came in second with a brand reputation index of 5,009,360. Woo Bin’s role in ‘Officer Black Belt’ played a huge part in skyrocketing his ratings. In the movie, Woo Bin plays a martial arts parole officer committed to maintaining law and order.
3. Yoo Hae Jin
Yoo Hae Jin took third place with a brand reputation index of 4,867,842 making a 220.43% improvement in scoring compared to September’s rankings. Yoo Hae Jin’s outstanding performance in ‘Exhuma’, a horror movie that was recently awarded the Special Jury Award at Spain’s Sitges Film Festival, helped improve his reputation ranking.
4. Jung Hae In
Jung Hae In came in fourth with a brand reputation index of 4,305,979. The ‘Love Next Door’ actor is still making waves even after the drama’s finale aired weeks ago. Jung Hae is also rumored to be in talks for a Japanese drama project.
5. Hwang Jung Min
Number five went to Hwang Jung Min who scored a brand reputation index of 4,073,033, which is a 19.48% increase from his September score. Jung Min’s role as an agent-turned-househusband in the recently released ‘Mission Cross’ drama contributed significantly to raising his score ranking.
These top 5 actors were followed by Lee Dong Wook, Um Tae Goo, Park Seo Joon, Lee Jee Hoon, and Ma Dong Seok who scooped positions 6 to 10 respectively.
—-Karen Mwenda
#ChaSeungWon #Top5OctoberMovieStarBrandReputationRankings #kcrush #kcrama #koreandrama #koreanactors #OSTs #kfashion #koreanculture #kcrushmagazine #HwangJungMin #MissionCross #koreandrama #JungHae #TheLoveNextDoor #YooHaeJin #Exhuma #horrorfilm #SpecialJuryAwardatSpainsSitgesFilmFestival #KimWooBin #OfficerBlackBelt #knews #koreanranking #ThreeMealsADay #TyrantChaSeungWon
Korean Business Research Institute used various index parameters to rank male K-pop idols. These are the 5 boy bands that topped October’s brand reputation indexes.
1. SEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN outdid itself by maintaining position 1 with a reputation index of 6,566,205. Despite topping for the second tie, the band also marked a 97.13% increase from September’s index score. SEVENTEEN’s comeback 12th mini album, ‘SPILL THE FEELS’, released on October 14 largely contributed to the band’s scoring.
2. BTS
BTS climbed up three places and scooped position 2 with a brand reputation index of 5,579,105. The rise marked a 305.05% increase from the group’s September index of 2,940,740. Jin’s upcoming November album release, RM’s ‘Right People Wrong Places’ documentary, and J-Hope’s graduation from military duties among others.
3. TWS
TWS took number 3 with a brand reputation index of 5,579,105. Despite being a position lower than September’s ranking, TWS achieved a 143.06% increase from last month’s score. The “Plot Twist” hitmaker’s anticipated November comeback also played a role in increasing the band’s percentage score.
4. Stray Kids
Stray Kids ranked fourth with a brand reputation index of 2,482,888. the band achieved a 30.22% increase compared to September’s score index. Stray Kids band’s performance at the AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL, alongside notable artists like Mariah Carey, is among other milestones that contributed to Stray Kids’ top 5 ranking.
5. BOYNEXTDOOR
BOYNEXTDOOR came in fifth with a brand reputation index of 2,433,671, which is a 172.52% increase from September’s score. The news of BOYNEXTDOOR’s upcoming world tour and the recently released ‘19.99’ album played a part in positioning the band in October’s top 5 ranking.
—-Karen Mwenda
#BOYNEXTDOOR #Top5OctoberBoyGroupBrandReputationRankings #kcrush #StrayKids #kpop #kidol #TWS #BTS #kmusic #SEVENTEEN #koreanboygroup #kcrushamericamagazine #kcrushmagazine #boygrouprankings #rankingsforOctober2024 #top5 #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #AmericanMusicAwards50thAnniversary #NovemberComebacks #JinBTS #korean #JinsNovemberComeback2024 #RMsRightPeopleWrongPlacesDocumentary #JHopereturnfrommilitaryservice #SpillTheFeels #KoreanBusinessResearchInstitute
VIVIZ girl group, former GFRIEND, will be making a comeback in November with the ‘VOYAGE’ mini album.
VIVIZ will be returning to the spotlight with their 5th mini album, ‘VOYAGE’, on November 7. The band recently released bold and vibrant photo concepts for the upcoming album.
VIVIZ debuted in 2022 under Big Hit Entertainment after the original previous 6-member group, GFRIEND, dissolved. VIVIZ also renewed its contract with Big Hit Entertainment in August 2024.
GFRIEND band debuted under Source Music agency in 2015 comprising of Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, and Umji. After GFRIEND’s contract with SOURCE MUSIC ended, members went their separate ways but Eunha, SinB, and Umji re-debuted under Big Hit Entertainment as VIVIZ, a 3-member group.
—-Karen Mwenda
#GFRIENDnowVIVIZ #BIGHITENTERTAINMENT #Eunha #SinB #Umji #3membergirlgroup #kcrush #kpop #kidol #kmusic #NovemberComeback #VIVIZComebackinNovember2024 #newmusicbyVIVIZ #5thMiniAlbumVOYAGE #kcrushmagazine #VOYAGEbyVIVIZ #minialbumcominginNovember2024 #VIVIZwillreturninNovember2024 #kcrushamericamagazine
The renowned 2AM will be kicking off its national tour this November.
2AM will take its national concert tour across Korea from November 18. Titled ‘2AM is Coming to Town’, the tour will see the four-member team perform in various stations starting from Chunma Arts Center Tower in Yeungnam University, Daegu.
This celebrated ballad group made a memorable comeback in 2021 after 7 years of hiatus. 2AM band’s latest release, the “If You Change Your Mind” single in January 2024, created an internet frenzy and die-hard fans played it on repeat.
—-Karen Mwenda
#2AM #2AMIfYouChangeYourMind #kcrush #2AMIsComingToTownNationalConcertTour #kpop #kballad #kidol #knews #koreanmalegroup #kcrushmagazine #2AMComebackinNovember #comebacktour #kcrushamerica #kfashion #fansofkpop #koreanopopnews #2AMConcertTour2024
TWICE will be making a comeback in December with the ‘STRATEGY’ mini album.
TWICE girl group is coming back after 10 months with their 14th mini album, ‘STRATEGY’. The album is set to be released on December 6. TWICE shared a teaser on their socials confirming that the album will be released on December 2, 2pm KST time.
TWICE just celebrated its 9th anniversary through the ‘HOME 9ROUNG’ fan meeting at Olympic Hall on October 20. The upcoming 14th album released follows TWICE band’s February mini-album, ’With YOU-th‘, which took position 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 a month after. The ranking can also be attributed to TWICE’s ‘READY TO BE’ world tour which had taken place a few months before the ‘With YOU-th’ album release.
—-Karen Mwenda
#TWICE #TWICE9thAnniversary #DecemberComeback #Comeback #kcrush #kpop #kidol #koreangirlgroup #ReadyToBebyTWICE #TWICE14thMiniAlbum #STRATEGY #comingsoon #TWICEisreturning #kcrushnews #kpopnews #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreanculture #korean #newmusicbyTWICE
EXID’s Hani had just confirmed her stage comeback before her psychiatrist and broadcaster fiancé, Yang Jae Woong, received an additional lawsuit.
On June 1, EXID’s Hani announced she would be getting married to her boyfriend of 4-years through a heartfelt letter on her social media platforms. On September 3, Yang Jae Woong’s agency announced that their client’s marriage to EXID’s Hani would be postponed due to the controversy that Jae Woong has gotten entangled in. Jae Woong also halted his appearances on MBC FM4U’s ‘Starry Night‘ radio show while Hani was voluntarily withdrawn from JTBC4’s ‘Review 4 Cut‘ variety show.
On May 27, a patient, being treated for diet pills addiction, died after being hospitalized at Yang Jae Woong’s Bucheon mental health. Previously, the patient’s family filed charges against the attending physician, nurse, and nursing assistant for negligence that led to the patient’s death.
On October 15, after the air had cleared and the marriage postponed, Hani was reported to be making a stage comeback on November 16. Hani is set to reunite with other EXID members at ‘BIG GROUND FEST 2024’ on November 16th KST, taking place at the Beach City International Stadium in Ancol, North Indonesia.
On October 21, it was reported that the deceased patient’s family had filed a new lawsuit against Yang Jae Woong. Previously, the family had only accused him of violating medical laws by falsifying medical records. In the latest lawsuit, the family sued Jae Woong for involuntary manslaughter because of professional negligence. Jaw Woong is expected to appear in a hearing by the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee on October 23.
—-Karen Mwenda
#YangJaeWoong #HaniEXID #EXID #YangJaeWoongnewlawsuit #kcrush #EXIDtoperformatBIGGROUNDFEST2024 #kpopidol #kpop #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #NationalAssemblysHealthansWelfareCommitteeYangJaeWoong #lawsuit #EXIDsHanimarriagepostponed #wishthemwell #kpopnews #knews #koreannews #EXIDperformsinIndonesia #kpopgroup
Real world legend, Jackie Chan, is forced to prove his martial arts skills are good for more than just entertainment in “Panda Plan”. When the adoption ceremony for the irresistibly adorable baby panda, HuHu, is interrupted by a bumbling group of mercenaries aiming to take away the ball of cuteness, Jackie Chan and his two accidental sidekicks must become real life heroes. I dropped in to watch Well Go USA’s “Panda Plan” at AMC Theaters this past weekend. There is no better way to experience an action movie than on the silver screen. Add in some side-splitting laughter and quirky personalities, and you’ve got an afternoon well spent.
Jackie Chan plays himself, a mega global star going about his mega global star business, who somehow gets entangled in the kidnapping of HuHu. To make his real-but-fake character more believable, we are given a needle’s eye view into his world of movie sets and world-trotting events. We’ve all seen how overzealous some “fans” can be for celebrities. Now imagine you’re Jackie Chan, a guy that even celebrities fan over. Yeah, absolute madness. But within all of that crazy, Jackie Chan’s character remained humble and down-to-earth. That’s consistent with the things I have heard about him. So, it warmed my heart to see it portrayed here as well. I was worried that the stunts and action would be lacking because Jackie is literally grandpa age now, but I was delightfully mistaken. From “Action” this movie brought the energy levels to the roof. And in true Jackie Chan fashion, the laughter wasn’t far behind.
The adventure begins after he and his agent, David, played by Wei Xiang, go to a remote island converted into Noah City Walk Zoo where they meet HuHu and his caretaker, Su Xiaozhu. Xiaozhu has deep love for the fur baby and does whatever it takes to protect him once the panda-stealing shenanigans begin. Between David’s cowardly but clever antics and Xiaozhu’s clumsy determination, Jackie has his hands full trying to save the quartet. Director Zhang Luan perfectly paired Jackie’s high-energy stunts with Wei Xiang’s mischievous antics and Shi Ce’s dead-pan humor.
HuHu, the baby panda, undoubtedly steals the show. Every time he came on screen, everyone in the theater squealed and awed at his cuteness. Not to worry, animal lovers. No pandas or other animals were harmed during the filming of this movie. Sweet HuHu is computer generated. But the design is so impressive that one could barely tell. Sometimes movie graphics are so unnatural that it’s hard to develop affection for CGI characters. However, that’s not the case with HuHu. You’ll be in love in seconds as soon as you see him. The rest of the supporting cast also cannot be forgotten. This crew had excellent chemistry and the two dumb and dumber characters kept the laughs coming. Their involvement in the plot twist was completely unexpected and hilarious. Aside from the outstanding graphics, the set was also rich and vibrant. The soundtrack and overall production was solidly upbeat and engaging.
In my experience, people either love or don’t love Jackie. I am in the former group. As a fan of old school Saturday morning kung fu movies and new school martial arts films, I am always down to watch Jackie put a whipping on someone. But keep in mind, this isn’t a young, nimble Jackie we’re talking about. He is a 70-year old man. Of course, his stunts are adjusted to account for that. This is obviously intended to be a light-hearted comedy adventure. Not a kick-ass kung fu film. While the plot is about all the zany and ridiculous things Jackie and his allies have to go through to save HuHu from the bad guys, there is also a pretty grounding message if you pay attention.
Jackie Chan still has deep, passionate zeal for his work. His happiness for life was on full display in this movie. Hidden amongst the laughter, we learn from him how to laugh at ourselves as he points out the ridiculousness of one guy taking out a whole troop of armed men despite him being notorious for these types of roles. There are all sorts of lucky charms to grab hold of as you watch “Panda Plan”. I won’t give them all away here. Instead, I recommend you get together with your favorite people and head out for a happy time to watch this movie. It is a great date night, solo date, or family movie that many will love. Keep in mind that there are subtitles throughout the movie, so strong readers would probably enjoy it more.
CoolHappyTash
Jackie Chan: Panda Plan
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5/5
#WellGoUSA #JackieChan #PandaPlan #Englishtranslation #kcrush #newJackieChanmovie #Chineseactor #HuHu #famousChineseactorJackieChan #WeiXiang #DirectorZhangLuan #kcrushmoviereview #movierating #Chinese #kcrushamericamagazine #kcrushmagazine #JackieChanhasanewmovieoutOctober2024 #reviewofJackiesmovie #lookingforJackieChanmovies #JackieChanmoviefan #JackChanisbackwithanewmovie #whatisJackieChandoing
Chie Izuno works full time at an office Branch. Though she’s 30, she’s very young at heart and kind of innocent. She tries hard to go into the dating field but finds herself struggling due to her weight and self-esteem issues. She meets up with one of the company’s investors, Jin Harada, a super sucessful and young business man. However Jin has a severe lack of social skills. Chie strives to make a deal with Jin in order to aide her in her goal to lose weight and gain confidence, she tells Jin she can help him with his own flaws. Where will this agreement lead them to, and can two total opposites and flawed individuals overcome their personal demons?
How far is an artist supposed to go or allowed to go in their creative process before they’ve crossed boundaries into the unforgivable? Why are people having periods still taboo to talk, show and reference about in person and on screen? And what does all of this have to do with fermentation? These are just some questions audiences will ask of themselves after seeing the Canadian short film A Fermenting Woman, directed by Priscilla Galvez, and written by Maisie Jacobson.
Winning the Programmer’s Choice Award at the 2024 Bali International Short Film Festival’s Minikino Film Week, A Fermenting Woman stars Sook-yin Lee as Marielle Lau, a passionate chef who has dedicated her life to perfecting the art of fermentation. A process that requires time, patience, a love of science, and imagination when to create new flavors and ingredients to complement her inventive culinary inventions. But her creativity is put to the test when she learns the restaurant she works in has been bought over by a new set of owners.
With this sudden and very unwanted change, Marielle’s creativity is affected when the stress of this new situation coincides with the beginning of her period during her menstrual cycle. Priscilla and Maisie brilliantly tie the emotional stakes of Marielle’s job being threatened to the emotional turmoil women experience during their periods.
Desperate to create the perfect new dish to impress her new bosses, Marielle becomes obsessed with creating a new fermentation product, and in so doing comes up with an idea so outlandish (and perhaps stomach churning for some), but is what she believes is what’s necessary, one wonders if the stress has completely broken her.
Lee is terrific at conveying Marielle’s gradual loss of control until she crosses a line no chef should ever cross. Going from the calm and composed person introduced at the beginning of the film, Sook-yin, Priscilla and Maisie take Marielle on a journey where she seems to lose her sense of self and does the unthinkable, giving up a piece of herself to obtain the approval of others.
Jacobson writes a new narrative context to the old adage of giving of one’s “blood, sweat, and tears”, that women will find intimately and achingly – pun fully intended – familiar. In my interview with Priscilla and Maisie they shared about how Marielle’s plight is reflective of the sacrifices women are expected to make and the pain they’re expected to endure in professional setting such as the film industry, and how A Fermenting Woman, challenges audiences to examine their own thoughts on periods, why we still find them difficult to speak about. We also discussed the similarities between chefs, directors, and writers and how far is too far where a creation, whether it be a fancy dish, or an inventive film goes from enjoyment to punishment.
A Fermenting Woman, was co-produced by Priscilla and Rielle Ramos of Silent Tower, and won the Short Film Audience Award at the Strasbourg European Fantastic 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 http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
#KCrush #MinikinoFilmWeek #CanadianFilm #AsianFilm #FemaleFilmmaker #AsianCinema #ShortFilm #InternationalFilmFestival #Indonesia #KCrushMagazine #KCrushAmerica #KCrushFeaturedInterview
SM Entertainment agency has officially terminated its contract with former NCT member, Taeil.
On October 16, one of South Korea’s giant entertainment agencies, SM Entertainment, officially terminated its contract with Taeil. Taeil left NCT group and its subunits back in August after being affiliated with a sexual crime case. Given that the allegations were still in the investigation stages, SM agency stood by their client as expected.
However, things went south after reports that Taeil was now being investigated on grounds of aggravated quasi-rape allegations. Given the change of status, SM Entertainment announced that since Taeil was now under investigation for a criminal defense case by prosecutors, contract termination became an inevitable option. SM agency further clarified that both parties, including Taeil, had amicably agreed to the contract termination. SM Entertainment also apologized for any distress caused by one of their artists.
The termination was received with mixed reactions. Some claimed that the termination was long overdue while others felt that SM expressed dedication and loyalty towards their artists by supporting Taeil until the change of circumstances forced them to withdraw.
—-Karen Mwenda
#SMEntertainmentTerminatesTaeilsContract #Taeil #SM #kcrush #NCTTaeil #kpop #kidol #koreanidol #kcrushnews #kculture #TaeilandSMEntertainment #allegationsofabuse #circumstancesforcedthetermination #kcrushmagazine
The celebrated comedian Park Soo Hong and his wife are the newest parents in Korea’s entertainment industry.
Park Soo Hong and Kim Da Yee welcomed their daughter on October 10. This marks 3 years since the couple walked down the aisle. The courageous couple shared that they were happy to be parents through the IVF process.
For the past 2 years or so, Park Soo Hong, comedian-turned-celebrity, has been in the spotlight because of family issues. Despite the issues, his wife stood by his side and now their small family is overwhelmed with joy from the birth of their child.
—-Karen Mwenda
#ParkSooHong #firstchild #comedian #kcrush #koreancomedian #KimDeYee #IVFprocess #celebrity #koreanentertainmentindustry #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #koreannews #knews #celebritynews #birthoftheirchild #IVF #koreanculture
– ‘ODD YOUTH’ expresses their brand image through the exciting and fun vibes of teenage friendships.
– Each of the 5 members has their charm, sparking curiosity about them.
– The music video features a movie-like scale with over 100 background actors.
The new girl group ‘ODD YOUTH’ set to debut in the second half of 2024 under TOP MEDIA, has announced their official debut through the release of their brand music video “Best Friendz,” introducing the members for the first time.
On the 18th, TOP MEDIA revealed the brand music video ‘Best Friendz’ on their official SNS channel, showcasing the vibrant visuals and unique charms of members MYAH, SUMMER, MAIKA, KANIE, and YEEUM, capturing the attention of viewers.
The brand music video highlights ‘ODD YOUTH’’s bright and lively concept. While all five members have distinct visuals, the “Best Friendz” music video beautifully showcases their harmony, allowing viewers to feel their genuine friendship vibes. This brand music video was filmed in various locations in Georgia, featuring nearly 100 background actors, creating a cinematic experience.
Moreover, the lyrics of ‘ODD YOUTH’ express their honest feelings and the support of friends, reflecting teenage emotions with catchy phrases and an easy melody. They have already shared parts of the lyrics related to their story on social media, enhancing the authenticity of the song.
At midnight on the 18th, when the music video was released, many fans who had been eagerly waiting for MYAH’s debut, who is from Girls Planet 999, celebrated the official debut and expressed their excitement for ’ODD YOUTH’.
Meanwhile, TOP MEDIA’s first girl group ‘ODD YOUTH’ may appear unconventional to others, but their brand is meaningful as it brings together unique and vibrant youth to share their honest stories. The five girls, each with their personalities, will shine even brighter together as the brand ‘ODD YOUTH’. “In the future, they plan to share their authentic stories through their music.
#ODDYOUTH #GirlsPlanet999 #TOPMEDIA #kcrush #MYAH #BESTFRIENDZSbyODDYOUTH #kpop #kidol #pop #newmusic #koreangirlgroup #kpopgirlgroup2024 #teenagefriendship #friendship #youth #kcrushmagazine #kculture #SUMMER #MAIKA #KANIE #YEEUM #fivemembergirlgroup #kcrushamerica #newgirlgroupfromTOPMEDIA2024 kcommunity
ROSÉ’S FIRST STUDIO ALBUM ‘rosie’ ARRIVES DECEMBER 6TH
WATCH “APT.” VIDEO: LINK
STREAM “APT.”: LINK
Global icons ROSÉ and Bruno Mars have released new single “APT.” – available now via Atlantic Records/THEBLACKLABEL alongside an official music video directed by Daniel Ramos and Bruno Mars.
“‘APT.‘ is actually my favorite Korean drinking game that I play with my friends back home. It’s so simple, puts a smile on your face, and breaks the ice at any party,” ROSÉ explains. “One night in the studio I taught my crew how to play the game. Everyone was fascinated, especially when I started the chant, so we played around with it and I said we should make a song out of it… and after Bruno joined the track, the rest became history!”
“APT.” (produced by Bruno Mars, Cirkut, Omer Fedi & Rogét Chahayed) is the lead single off ROSÉ‘s first studio album rosie, arriving December 6th and available for pre-order now (link). The 12-track collection marks ROSÉ‘s most personal and candid release to date with her co-writing the project in its entirety, including “APT.”
As a member of BLACKPINK, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, ROSÉ 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 solo K-pop female on the Billboard Hot 100. Simultaneously, ROSÉ 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 ROSÉ:
RosesAreRosie.com | Instagram | TikTok | X | YouTube | Press Assets
#ROSE #BRUNOMARS #APT #producedbyBrunoMarsCirkutOmerFediRogétChahayed #kcrush #kpop #pop #kidol #kmusic #BLACKPINKROSE #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #directedbyDanielRamos #THEBLACKLABEL #APTKoreanfundrinkinggame #RoseFirstStudioAlbum #AtlanticRecords #listentoRoseandBrunoMars #kfashion #koreangirlgroup #OnTheGrounddebutedonBillboardGlobal200 #kcrushnews #koreannews #kpopnews
K-pop sensation FIFTY FIFTY is set to embark on their highly anticipated first-ever tour with FIFTY FIFTY : Love Sprinkle Tour in USA. Fresh off the success of their chart-topping single Cupid and the release of their mini-album Love Tune, the group will now bring their dynamic performances across 8 cities in the United States, giving TWENY (official fandom name) an unforgettable experience.
FIFTY FIFTY recently released their second mini-album Love Tune with the title track, “SOS,”. “SOS” quickly climbed the ranks on YouTube’s trending music chart and made its way into Korea’s Melon Top 100, signaling the group’s strong comeback. Four tracks from the album—”SOS,” “Push Your Love,” “Starry Night,” and “Gravity”—appeared on Melon’s Hot 100, reflecting widespread interest and a successful start for this era.
In collaboration with MyMusicTaste, FIFTY FIFTY showcased their exceptional live vocals through a special MMT Live performance of “Gravity.” The teasers released prior to the live performance garnered enthusiastic feedback from TWENY, and the performance video quickly ascended to number 7 on YouTube’s Trending in Korea, highlighting the immense anticipation surrounding their return.
Expanding their global influence, FIFTY FIFTY continues to captivate audiences with their unique blend of retro pop, synth-driven melodies, and introspective themes. Fans can expect an immersive concert experience that not only showcases the group’s vocal prowess but also features exclusive live performances and stunning stage productions. As FIFTY FIFTY embarks on this exciting new chapter, fans can look forward to a show filled with captivating performances and a celebration for the group’s growth into global stars.
Tickets for the FIFTY FIFTY : Love Sprinkle Tour in USA will go on sale on October 18, 2024, 9 AM PDT. The details about the tour will be provided via the MyMusicTaste website (mmt.fans/b02X) as well as FIFTY FIFTY’s official social media channel (@we_fiftyfifty).
About ATTRAKT Entertainment:
ATTRAKT Entertainment creates music and content that resonates with audiences by embracing the values of comfort, empathy, and connection. With K-pop emerging as a key player in global cultural content, ATTRAKT Entertainment is committed to fostering lasting interest rather than fleeting attention. By setting a clear vision and engaging in diverse global projects, the company seeks to shape the future of K-pop. FIFTY FIFTY, the current artist under ATTRAKT Entertainment, is part of this innovative journey.
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste (MMT) is a pioneering platform dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of K-pop fans around the globe. As an all-rounder in the music industry, MMT empowers fans by transforming their voices into action. By leveraging fan-initiated campaigns, MMT brings top-tier K-pop artists to cities worldwide, bridging the gap between artists and their global audiences. MMT’s mission extends beyond concert planning; with the newly-launched MMT App, MMT aims to create immersive, fan-centric experiences, and exclusive content that resonate deeply with the K-pop community. Additionally, MMT also offers a wide range of K-pop albums and exclusive merchandise, providing fans with unique and memorable collectibles. Through innovative technology and a passion for music, MMT is committed to reshaping the landscape of fan engagement and setting new standards in the entertainment industry
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Author Han Kwang, from South Korea, scooped the 2024 Literature Nobel Prize.
The 53-year-old fiction-story writer is the first Korean and 18th woman to win the Nobel Literature Prize for The Vegetarian piece. Han Kwang was awarded for her intense poetic prose confronting historical traumas while exposing human life’s fragility.
The Vegetarian, published in 2007 and translated to English in 2015 and 2016, portrays the patriarchal sovereignty over the female body oozing ecofeminist and anti-capitalist uprising. Like its title, the book comprises nuances of vegetarianism as the protagonist woman fights against food intake norms.
Han Kwang was also awarded the International Man Booker Prize for the same book in 2017. Han Kwang’s writing ability runs in their bloodline as her father, Han Seung Won, is also a celebrated novelist in South Korea. Before debuting as a fiction short story writer in 1995 with Love of Yeosu, Han Kwang published her first pieces, five poems in the Literature and Society magazine, in 1993.
The celebrated writer is currently working on her sixth novel. Some of Han Kwang’s most notable pieces include 2023’s Convalescence and 2014’s Human Acts. Han Kwang is the second Korean national to win a Nobel Prize after the Late former President Kim Dae Jung who scooped the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize for his democracy restoration efforts.
We want to offer our congratulations to author Han Kwang.
—-Karen Mwenda
#HanKwang #HanKwangNobelPeacePrizeWinner #koreanwriter #koreanliterature #kcrush #PresidentKimDaeJung #TheVegetarian #literaturewinnerofNobelPeacePrize #InternationalManBookerPrice #koreanculture #respectedwriter #HanKwangConvalescence #HumanActs #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #kcrushnews
J-Hope has finally finished his 18-month mandatory military service.
BTS’ J-Hope was discharged from the military on October 17 after diligently enduring the over 1-year grueling service compulsory for all males in Korea. J-Hope is BTS band’s second member to wrap up the required service after Jin was discharged months ago.
Jin welcomed J-Hope with a bouquet congratulating him on his latest milestone. Despite their global eminence, BTS members put their careers on hold to undertake the obligatory service. Although this broke the fans’ hearts, the group also earned the same fans’ respect for doing what’s expected of them despite their fame.
J-Hope was released at Wonju military base where a swam of fans were waiting to greet him and thank him for his service. In a few words, J-Hope thanked the fans for showing love and support to those undertaking military duties. He shared his respect for those serving to protect the country.
—-Karen Mwenda
#JHOPE #JHOPEreleasedfrommilitary #JHOPEdischarged #JHopegreetsfans #kpop #kidolreleasedfrommilitary #JHopeWonjumilitarybase #JHopeJin #kcrush #kcrushnews #JINwelcomedJHope #flowersforJHope #kculture #JHopeservedinmilitary #kcrushmagazine #BTS #ARMY #BTSARMY #JHopethanksARMY #BTSJHOPE #JHOPEBTS #JHOPEtalksnewactivities
Former LABOUM member, Yulhee, poured the beans on her life after divorce.
On October 15, Yulhee appeared on TV Chosun’s trailer for the ‘Now Alone’ show. Yulhee finally spoke about her 5-year marriage that came to an end about 2 years ago. Yulhee was married to FTISLAND’s Choi Min Hwan in 2018 and have 3 children together.
In the preview, Yulhee battles to hold back her tears as she answers some of the questions she has strived to keep from discussing for the last 2 years. An inquiry on whether she abandoned her children and chose to enjoy her life brings the former idol into tears.
Yulhee highlights that she constantly took photos of her children before officially leaving their family house after the divorce. After the divorce, Choi Min Hwa got custody of the children and is currently making appearances on KBS’s ‘The Return of Superman’ show.
—-Karen Mwenda
#LABOUM #Yulhee #FTISLAND #ChoiMinHwa #divorce #postdivorce #kcrush #TheReturnofSupermanShow #kpop #kband #kcrushmagazine #KBS #TVChosunNowAloneShow #NowAloneShow #koreanTV #koreanmusic #custodyofchildren #ktv #koreannews #kcrushamerica #recentnews #hallyu