In a country and culture where the R&B music genre is still gaining traction, HALLEY band has made groundbreaking strides and gained global attention despite their recent debut. This young and multi-cultural bandâs music pieces are a fusion of Asian pop, jazz, funk, gospel, and soul music vibes showcasing their uniquely diverse backgrounds. K-Crush America Magazine sits with HALLEY band members; Taehyung (vocals), Shin Nishiyama (keyboards), Haru Toyama (guitar), Naoto Shimizu (drums), and Kay Takahashi (bass), to have a glimpse of what their musical journey entails.
Given your diverse roots, how did you all meet?
We met at the university music club âthe Naleioâ (Waseda University). The club was famous amongst the young youths, college students, and musicians in Tokyo for its unique concept: Black Music Circle. All of us knew that and gathered at this place in seek of musical inspiration and friends with same music tastes. I (Taehyun) first met Naoto at a jam session for freshmen hosted by seniors of the club and got to know each other briefly and found out that both of us wanted to form a band. Shin and Haru, who were also at the jam session, joined right after. I (Taehyun) called Kay, who was my friend from the freshman year, right on the spot and asked if he wanted to join; and he answered yes. All this happened 2 years ago and still is vivid to this day.
Why âHALLEYâ and how does it complete your bandâs identity?
If you flip the name around, it is YELLAH and this was our first candidate. YELLA represents our identity of Asians, and the letter H was to quote biblical musical term âSelahâ, which means pause. We wanted to quote the bible, not only because I (Taehyun) and Kay are Christians, but also all of us love and somewhat have connections to Gospel/Christian music.
Moreover, It was very important for us to include our identity as Asians in our name because we love and respect the history of the genre we play as much as we love our home: Asia. we want to recreate the genre into âAsian R&Bâ and be the musical innovation to represent it. This is the goal of HALLEY and our identity.
Of all genres, why a blend of Western R&B and Asian pop, and how has been the reception so far?
To put it simply, it is because we were born in Asia and all of us grew up listening to Western R&B, including Gospel, Jazz, and Funk. It was not our first intention to blend the two, but we got to this place naturally as we aim our pieces to be heard by everybody in the world.
The reception has been very good in Japan so far. Despite most of the lyrics being written in English, people in Japan love our music. We realized that by how media treated us as well. Rolling Stones Japan, the well-renowned music magazine, selected us as âFuture 25â, which is a project to represent Japanese freshest music, after the release of our 1st album. Additionally, Spincoaster, one of the most famous Japanese music media, also featured us in their annual project âSPOTLIGHT 2024â, stating HALLEY is one of the freshest R&B band in Japan.
âSet Freeâ was among the first back-to-back singles you released in your debut season. Whatâs the inspiration behind this song?
In the production of Set Free, we let our funky side to take its course. It was to show people that Weâre not just some kids who only listens to recent popular neo-soul music. We wanted show our funky side and thatâs why it more leaned toward funk/soul.
In the composition phase, PJ Morton and DâAngelo, especially âblack messiah (album)â and âEverythingâs gonna be alrightâ were the biggest inspiration to us. We just love these two artists.
Also, we intended the structure to be as simple as possible, hoping that someday, this song would become a session standard in Japanese jam session scenes.
The  âSugaryâ single, from our 1st EP titled âDazeâ, was recently claimed to be a hit and anthem on 21 different radio stations across Japan. How did this make you feel as artists and what do you think attributed to the song going viral?
It left us speechless at first. Just by looking at the list of the radio station, I could understand our tunes are being played literally all across Japan.
And it made me more determined as an artist, as Sugary became the somewhat indicator that we have to breakthrough in near future.
The song used to be more energetic before, but we intentionally made it to be more organic and retro, referencing Isley Brothers and Fleur East. This made the song more easy-listening and warm, and I think this is the one of the reasons why this song got so much attention and love.
Your latest and 1st âDusk Till Dawnâ album released last month has become a global sensation. What is the overall message and conception story behind this masterpiece?
First of all, thanks for calling our album a masterpiece!
The core concept of the album âFrom Dusk Till Dawnâ lies in its âambiguityâ. If you look up the sky during this hour of the day, you canât tell if its dusk or dawn. Itâs just orange, pink, or blue, and you donât know the time unless you look at the watch. We wanted to embody that feeling of complexed âambiguityâ throughout this album.
Just like the sky, the emotions that lyrics try to deliver swings throughout the album. You can feel the flow of time as you listen to the album but will witness that this person who sings is stuck at each moment (song) wondering where to go.
In another meaning, we often worked on songs of this album from dusk till dawn, and it was always this beautiful ambiguous sky that welcomed us when we went outside during breaks. We felt like we are in a wonderland hovering around the city, and that was the very time we dwelled in.
So, the title not only represents the time we went crazy making music, but also shows our naked self as young ambitious musicians teamed up in the middle of Tokyo, enjoying themselves.
Your music is a fusion of not only Western R&B and Asian Pop but also Gospel, funk, Soul, and Jazz themes not to mention the Hong Kong, South Korean, and Japanese roots. Whatâs your music creation process like and how do you blend all these elements?
We donât necessarily think in advance to include each element. Rather we keep the creative process as intuitive and improvisational as possible, so that all membersâ thoughts blend in naturally.
There are many ways to start, but most of the time we start from one of the membersâ little ideas, whether that be chord progressions, drum loops, or just a verbal image. When we composed âBreezeâ we started from a guitar loop and I sang to that riff and that made the momentum to the song and ended up finish writing it on the day. We also often change the place of production. For example, we developed the idea of âsugaryâ from a jam session, but we brought that back to DAW and brushed up into the latest version. The other way around was the case of âWhimâ and âLemonadeâ.
You recently performed in the USA for SXSW 2024 and toured across Tokyo and Osaka for 1st ever one-man tour. How was it compared to being inside recording studios and what are your takeaways?
Itâs always a blessing to perform in front of loving audiences, but what we felt and learned was definitely different this time.
In the US, we realized what we do as a band is surely one of a kind and competitive enough to be on the same stage as big names of the west. It felt like the audience in Texas enjoyed our set and thought of us as pure musicians, and not some interesting or even comedic acts from âJapan, Asiaâ.
And at our first One-Man-tour, we wanted to show our fans that we are promising artists that are worth being proud of, and that we have become even firmer as artists. We are confident that we would become the one of the most influential Asian R&B/Soul artist in the near future.
How do you perceive music as a tool and what impact do you wish to make or inspire?
I personally think music is a language that can speak to peopleâs soul. As a vocalist I want to be more able to talk, or to be more persuasive, to peopleâs heart when Iâm singing.
And as a band, I wish to be more versatile so that we can create new value as we grow. We donât play music for ourselves, but to be heard by as many people as possible.
Are there any particular artists, Japanese or international that have shaped your approach to your chosen music genre?
There are so many that we canât name them all in here but to name a few, there are PJ Morton, DâAngelo, Erykah Badu, Musiqsoulchild, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, and J Dilla. Even Korean R&B artists like Crush, Zion. T, DEAN, fisherman, and Sam Kim had huge influence on my musical thinking process.
How do you balance your vision as artists and the expectations of the rapidly changing hip-hop industry?
Music has been an ever-changing media throughout time. We have witnessed J Dilla and DâAngelo bringing sensations of Neo-Soul into the industry. Just like them, as we learn, respect and love the history of music, I hope that not only the hip-hop industry but also other genre to be more inviting toward alternative music.
We, as a band, also wish to be as alternative as ever. It is to keep ourselves fresh, and I believe that is the only way to keep everybody, including myself, motivated.
What does the future hold for HALLEY as a brand?
We will keep on producing music and go on another tour when the time comes. And our short-term closest goal is to play in, either HK, Taiwan or Korea within this year.
Thank you for your time. It was an absolute pleasure getting to delve into your musical journey. We wish you the very best in your endeavors.
â-Makena Mwenda
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#HALLEY #Taehyun #KayTakahashi #NaotoShimizu #ShinNishiyama #HaruToyama #kcrush #kcrushinterview #Gospal #Christianmusic #RnBmusic #Japanesegroup #JPop #musicaljourney #bandmadeoffriends #beliefs #newmusic #JCulture #JFashion #AsianRnRSoul #hardworkingAsianartists #RollingStoneFuture25 #SpincoasterSpotlight2024 #interview2024 #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #JSoul #SetFree #Sugary #Daze #DuskTillDawn #newalbum #kcrushmedia #kcrushJapaneseinterview #bass #guitarist #vocals #keyboards #drums #topnewbandinJapan #kcrushnews #bandtowatch
Global K-pop boy group A.C.E is gearing up to meet âCHOICEâ (official fandom name), through their A.C.E 2024 US Tour [REWIND_US]. The five-member boy group, managed by BEAT INTERACTIVE, will showcase their charms in fourteen cities, including Madison, Denver, Santa Rosa, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Tampa, Orlando, Nashville, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Detroit, New York and San Juan. The tour kicks off in Madison on June 19, 2024, and concludes in San Juan on July 18, 2024.
A.C.E returns to A.C.E 2024 US Tour [REWIND_US] for the first time in a while. A.C.E, a quintet under the label BEAT INTERACTIVE, comprises members PARK JUNHEE, LEE DONGHUN, WOW, KIM BYEONGKWAN, and KANG YUCHAN. Since their debut in 2017, the group has fearlessly experimented with various concepts and sounds, continually surprising their dedicated fanbase.
Recently making waves with their sixth mini-album, A.C.E released <My Girl: âMy Choiceâ> on February 22. As evidenced by their popularity, “My Girl: My Choice” topped the Hanteo Chart’s weekly chart for the first week of May, with the highest certification rate in the U.S. region. A.C.E is greeting global fans in more diverse ways, after their long break and reunited as an entire team this year. They met their fans through concerts in Seoul and Japan after their album promotion. Their tour in Japan (2024 A.C.E JAPAN 1st LIVE TOUR ď˝ĺăăŽćĽď˝) was held at a venue representing the region to demonstrate the global power of the artist. Successfully wrapping up their tour in Japan, A.C.E will continue to accelerate their global activities with the upcoming tour in the U.S.
Ahead of the tour, A.C.E expressed the following aspirations;
Thinking back on our tour in the U.S. in 2019, we didn’t expect to take this long to meet our fans. We were longing for this moment and missed them so much. It feels like a dream to finally meet CHOICE again in the U.S. As much as our fans have been waiting for a long time, we do desire to show the best performance. As we are standing in front of CHOICE in the U.S. after such a long time, we plan to tear up the stage with our greatest performance.
Per the released setlist, A.C.E might be performing “Savage,” “Facetime,” “Down,” “Baby Tonight,” and “Under Cover,” drawing attention from many fans. The noteworthy part is, that A.C.E will show, the A.C.E 2024 US Tour [REWIND_US] will show English version songs and cover stages with various concepts specifically prepared for local fans. Especially since this tour is being held in the U.S. after a long time, a very special event will be held. Fans can choose the stage they want to see using the voting function on MyMusicTaste website. Many local fans are enthusiastic about A.C.E’s passion for preparing various promotional content and events to celebrate their first tour in a long time.
A.C.E has become an irresistible force in the K-pop industry, conquering the global stage with their music and unique style. A.C.E will continue their journey of being the âperformance blockbustersâ. After the tour announcement, they have quickly garnered keen attention from both local and global fans alike as they anticipate making memories together through their tour.
Information regarding ticketing for the shows can be found at MyMusicTaste: mmt.fans/bw6G
A.C.E 2024 US Tour [REWIND_US] – Tour Dates
[Madison, WI] Jun 19 – Orpheum Theater
[Denver, CO] Jun 21 – Fillmore Auditorium
[Santa Rosa, CA] Jun 23 – Luther Burbank Center for The Arts
[Los Angeles, CA] Jun 26 – The Orpheum Theatre
[Phoenix, AZ] Jun 28 – The Van Buren
[Houston, TX] Jul 1 – House of Blues
[Tampa, FL] Jul 3 – Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center
[Orlando, FL] Jul 5 -The Plaza Live
[Nashville, TN] Jul 7 – James K. Polk Theater at Tennessee Performing Arts Center
[Minneapolis, MN] Jul 9 – Uptown Theater
[Indianapolis, IN] Jul 11 – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
[Detroit, MI] Jul 13 – The Fillmore
[New York, NY] Jul 16 – Town Hall
[San Juan, PR] Jul 18 – Coca Cola Music Hall
About Beat Interactive:
Beat Interactive is where creative talents passionately strive to develop transcendent content to create a world that connects with the unique emotions and sentiments of the artists.
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste organizes fan-initiated concerts around the world. Weâre driven by our mission to connect and amplify the voices of fans all over the world. Weâve successfully promoted concerts of artists such as EXO, Machine Gun Kelly, ATEEZ, and more in over 40 different cities. With the simple idea – empowering fans to bring their favorite artistâs concert to the city of their choice based on fan demand–MyMusicTaste is challenging the $27 billion concert market through cutting-edge technology and sophisticated, user-friendly service. Our service currently supports more than 30 countries and offers 15 languages.
#ACE #ACEWorldTour #kcrush #ACEAnnouncement #MyMusicTaste #kcrushamericamagazine #kpop #BeatInteractive #worldtour #ACEUSTour #Save #Facetime #theACE2024USTourREWIND_US #korea #koreanculture #hallyu #kfashion #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #koreanmagazine #Asiangroup #ACETour #kpopgroup #kpopidol #kcrushannouncement #breakingnews
Japanese pop artist SANTA, who has a huge fan base across Asia, will release his first solo album ‘Prologue’ on May 20. But you don’t have to wait until then â seven tracks including lead song ‘Let em Out’ have been made available on streaming services as an early taste of what’s to come.
This will be SANTA’s first full-length album since beginning his solo career last year.
The album includes songs based on the four most important milestone ages in SANTA’s life: ages 14, 17, 21 and 25. On the album, SANTA expresses his life through music, inviting listeners to experience his unique mindscape in all its glory.
Lead song ‘Let em Out’ will also get a music video, due May 15, so be sure to look out for it!
[SANTA profile]
SANTA is a top-level dancer from Japan, a prodigy who began making a name for himself as a kid. He has won numerous dance contests, becoming the youngest ever champion of the prestigious global dance battle SDK.
Since 2023, he has built a successful solo career based in China, where he has also become an ambassador for various brands and appeared on popular TV shows including ‘Street dance of China’ and ‘Great Dance Crew’.
X (Twitter):Â https://twitter.com/santa_zanduo
Instagram:Â https://www.instagram.com/santazanduo311/?hl=en
YouTube:Â https://www.youtube.com/@SANTADANCE
Weibo:Â https://weibo.com/u/7155113315
#SANTA #SANTAJapanesesinger #SANTAAsiandancer #StreetDanceOfChina #GreatDanceCrewâ #kcrushnews #kcrushamericamagazine #SANTAfirstalbum #1stalbumSANTA #LetEmOut #newmusic #JPop #ProloguesoloalbumfromSANTA #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #Japanese #Asianmusic
Written by student filmmaker Kim Junhyung, A Sucker Punch is a short which film premiered in the Korean Competition for Shorts program at the 25th Jeonju International Film Festival, in Jeonju, South Korea.
Despite its 15 minute run time, A Sucker Punch is a very effective demonstration of how the simplest games can work as observational studies in human behaviour and motivations. Led by Doyeon (Im Harry), a weekly game session of Mahjong becomes filled with tension when a new invitee, Hyunwoo (Jang Taehyun), to her regular group is added at the invitation of Soyeonâs romantic interest Sian (Song Eunchan), and Hani (Lee Hyemin), their score keeper for more than just the Mahjong.
Beginning with a creepy story of a girl murdered by her family, and Doyeon believing the presence of a cat in Sianâs life meaning one thing, when itâs actually something else are great introductions to a scenario where misdirection and subtext play important roles in figuring out who the players are to each other. Is the flirting we see between certain characters genuine or perhaps being misconstrued by the others and the audience? Is what one person says to be completely believed or are the doubts created simply misplaced suspicions? Is the best player the one who seems to be controlling the board or the player who silently watches, keeping score?
In my interview with Junhyung, in Jeonju, we discuss all of these interesting themes in his film, as well as discuss the portrayal of queer identity and relationships, and Schrodingerâs Cat. Yes, really. We had a very fun and insightful conversation about interesting philosophical ways his film could be interpreted.
A Sucker Punch is Kim Junhyungâs third film. His previous film, 2022âs Family Toast, won the Best Genre Film at the SehsĂźchte International Student Film Festival, in Berlin.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Hereâs What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
#JeonjuInternationalFilmFestival2024 #kcrushinterview #ASuckerPunch #KimJunhyungFilmmaker #AsianFilm #FamilyToast #BestGenreFilmatSehsuchteInternationalStudentFilmFestivalBerlin #kcrushamericamagazine #filmfestivalinterview #ImHarry #Mahjong #JangTaehyun #SongEunchan #LeeHyemin #SouthKorea
Kwon Eun Bi and TWICEâs Nayeon will be making solo comebacks this June.
Eunbi is scheduled to make a comeback this June. The âSummer Queenâ hit-maker will be returning to the entertainment world after 8 months since the October 2023 âLike Heavenâ release. Eunbi debuted under Ye-A girl group back in 2021. She then moved to Iz*One girl group in 2018 before venturing into the solo artist realm in 2021 with the âOpenâ EP which skyrocketed her fame. Kwon Eunbiâs agency, Woollim Entertainment confirmed that the start will be making a comeback this June with a new album.
TWICEâs Nayeon is strengthening her foundation as a solo artist. Nayeon was TWICE girl groupâs first member to go solo back in June 2022 with the âIM NAYEONâ mini album. Nayeonâs agency, JYP Entertainment confirmed that indeed the star is gearing up for a comeback this June. With the exact dates still unknown, fans excitement is going through the roof especially since itâs been a while since Nayeon made a release.
â-Makena Mwenda
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#Eunbi #TWICE #Nayeon #makeacomebackinJune #JuneCombacks #kcrush #JYPEntertainment #IMNAYEONminialbum #SummerQueen #LikeHeaven #WoollimEntertainment #KwonEunbi #Iz #kcrushamericamagazine #YeAgirlgroup #kpop #kculture #hallyu #koreankpop #newreleases #newmusic
SHINeeâs Taemin and ONEW have taken huge milestones after leaving their past agency of 16 years.
SHINeeâs Taemin official fun club is finally out. The fan club which goes by the name âTEAMateâ solidifies the stars change of agency move. âTEAMateâ is a combination of âTeaminâ, the artists himself, and âMateâ, which means a close friend. The fan club name denotes that fans are Taeminâs closest friends. Taemin, who left SM Entertainment agency last month alongside band teammate ONEW, joined Big Planet Made Entertainment agency. The launched âTEAMateâ fun club will help Taemin strengthen his brand while undertaking solo activities under Big Planet Made Entertainment. However, Taemin will also be undertaking SHINee group activities under SM Entertainment.
SHINeeâs ONEW, who also left SM Entertainment agency last month, has launched his solo social media accounts. ONEW, who decided to pursue solo activities under GRIFFIN Entertainment agency, is taking things to the next level through official solo social media platforms. Just like Taemin, ONEW will also be undertaking SHINee group activities under SM Entertainment. Having a space to pursue a solo career will give the star room for uniqueness and room to test diverse skills. On May 10, GRIFFIN Entertainment launched ONEWâs solo platforms including Instagram, X, and YouTube.
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â-Makena Mwenda
#SHINee #ONEW #ONEWsocialmediaaccount #Taemin #TaeminSoloFanClub #GRIFFINEntertainment #kcrush #koreanKpop #SMEntertainment #ONEWInstagram #TAEMINTEAMate #TEAMate #fanclub #BigPlanetMadeEntertainment #kcrushnews #kcrushamericamagazine #solocareers #kpopidol #hallyu #koreanmusic #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kculture #ONEWannouncement #Taeminannouncement
May 2024 is a busy month with several K-pop acts expected to make a comeback. Others have already made a comeback including YOUNITE (released the 6th EP âAnotherâ on May 1) and Hyuna (released the EP âAttitudeâ on May 2). Here are some K-pop artists and groups making a comeback this May 2024.
1. BTOBâs Sungjae
BTOBâs Yook Sungjaeâs is set to make an official comeback this May with the âEXHIBITION: Look Closelyâ single. With trailers and concept photos already circulating the internet, the MV official release is scheduled for May 9. This will be Sungjaeâs first release under his new agency, iWill Media.
2. EXOâs Suho
Suho will be making a comeback with his 3rd mini-album this May. With the teaser already up, fans canât wait to see the starâs collaboration with notable artists including Wendy from Red Velvet. The upcoming album titled â1 to 3â, with seven tracks, is scheduled for release on May 31.
3. Soojin
The former G-IDLE member will be making a comeback since the EP EGASSI release in November 2023. The album was her first album as a solo artist. Soojin is set to release her second EP titled RIZZ on May 22. A teaser for the upcoming release has already been released is creating ripples on the internet.
4. MCND
About 6 months since their last release, the âODD-VENTUREâ mini-album released in November 2023, MCND is ready to shake up the entertainment scene. The bandâs agency, TOP Media, announced that MCND will be making a comeback on May 21 with their 6th mini-album titled âX10â. The upcoming releaseâs teasers have started pouring out including its tracklist snippet.
5. ATEEZ
ATEEZ will be making their Korean comeback this May. ATEEZ group, which has been busy taking the world by storm, especially with their performance at the Coachella music festival in the US, will be making a comeback with their 10th mini-album. The âGOLDEN HOUR: Part 1â mini-album will be released on March 31. The albumâs concept photos are already out for all the members.
6. NEW JEANS
The âSuper Shyâ hitmaker will be making a comeback this May with releases in Korea and Japan. NEW JEANS will be returning to the entertainment scene with double singles titled âHow Sweetâ and âBubble Gumâ on May 24. A preview of the upcoming double single album, released late last month, has created an internet frenzy with fans eagerly awaiting the double singleâs official release.
7. AESPA
The âLucid Dreamâ and âBlack Mambaâ hit make will be gracing the entertainment industry with a comeback this May. AESPA is expected to release their first full-length âArmageddonâ album. The release is scheduled for May 27.
â-Makena Mwenda
#AESPA #NEWJEANS #ATEEZ #BTOBSungJae #kpopcomebacksinMay2024 #May2024Comebacks #MCNB #SuhoEXO #kcrush #kcrushnews #SooJin #kmusic #kpop #newmusic #kcrushamerica #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #koreanmusic #kculture #kfashion #kmusicvideo #newmusicinmay2024fromkpop #americakcrush #kcrushannouncement #kpopidol #google
Sunmi, whoâs been away since her October 2023 “Stranger” track, is also gearing up for a comeback. Abyss Company, Sunmi’s agency, confirmed that the star just finished shooting her upcoming MV in Croatia. This was a day after the star announced the exciting news on her socials during her birthday celebrations broadcast. Sunmi also revealed the upcoming song’s title, “Balloon with Love”.
The fact that the upcoming MV is a self-composed piece creates more anticipation among fans across the globe. The talented dancer and singer became a global sensation with her “Gashina” track followed by “Tail” single among others. Sunmi was a member of JYP agency’s Wonder Girls girl group, which debuted in 2007 before going solo.
â-Makena Mwenda
#Sunmi #SunmisJuneComeback #WonderGirls #GashinaSunmi #kcrushnews #AbyssCompany #BalloonWithLove #kpopidol #kpopdancer #kpopsinger #kpop #kcrushamerica #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kfashion #koreanculture #hallyu #Sunmimusicvideo #Sunmicomeback #Tail #Croatia #SunmifilmedinCroatia #kmusic #kcrushmedia #MV #Sunmiglobalsensation #Sunmiwinnerkcrushmusicawards
Pledis Entertainment agency’s boy group TWS is gearing up for a comeback scheduled for June. On May 3, Pledis revealed that TWS will be making a comeback this coming June. The agency added that the rookie group is currently in Hong Kong wrapping up the comeback MV.
The rookie group recently dominated domestic charts with the “Plot Twist” track. TWS boy group released its last piece in January with their first-ever mini album titled “Sparkling Blue”. The album was also the group’s debut release. TWs will drop a pre-release single in early June in preparation for the official MV release.
â-Makena Mwenda
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#TWSRookieGroup #TWSJuneComeback #PlotTwisttrack #SparklingBlue #PledisEntertainment #kcrush #kpop #koreanpop #comebackinjune #TWSwillmakeacomebackinjune #kcrushamerica #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kculture #hallyu #kfashion #minialbumsparklingblue #JunecomebackforTWS
The 7-year curse of K-pop groups disbanding after 7 years seems to have gone with the wind. the increasing autonomy in the entertainment industry has given K-pop artists the freedom to continue their passion despite contract terminations. This new breeze also enables the artists to explore and test their skills and abilities in different environments. Over the last quarter, several K-pop stars have switched agencies. Some like Jessi, GOT 7âs Youngjae, VIXXâs Ken, Davichi, and VAV band have also left their agencies but are yet to officially announce their latest agencies. Here are some K-pop stars who have confirmed their switched agencies.
1. BBGIRLS (Brave Girls)
Famously known as Brave Girls, this girl group has decided to rebrand to BBGIRLS amidst a change of agencies and member reorganization. The band debuted in 2011 under Brave Entertainment agency, managed by Warner Music Korea, as Brave Girls. On April 27, the girl band officially did not renew their contract with Warner Music Korea and announced their new journey under BB GIRLS company. The band also stated that the band will be operating as a 3-member group after YuJeongâs departure.
2. SHINeeâs Onew & Taemin
After 16 years at SM Entertainment, SHINeeâs Taemin has finally changed agencies. On April 1, Big Entertainment agency took to its social media to announce that Taemin has finally joined their family. SHINeeâs Onew followed suit two days later. On April 3, Griffin Entertainment announced that it had signed an exclusive contract with Onew. SHINeeâs Minho and Key decided to renew their contract with SM Entertainment as members and solo artists as well.
3. VIXXâs Leo
As of March 5, VIXXâs Leo officially left Jellyfish Entertainment after 12 years. Leo switched agencies and signed with Big Boss Entertainment which manages stars like Lee Jong Hyuk and Go Kyu Pil. VIXXâs Ken, who left Jellyfish Entertainment alongside Leo on March 4 is yet to reveal his new agency.
4. LOONAâs Yves
After parting ways with BlockBerry Creative in 2023, alongside other band members, LOONA’s YVES signed a contract with PAIX PER MIL on March 14. PAIX PER MIL label is run by producer MILLIC. Yves debuted as a member of LOONA girl band in 2017.
5. Sam Kim
After a decade of working with Antenna agency, Sam Kim left the agency in March 2024. Apparently, the singer had already signed a contract with Big Planet Made agency back in January 2024. Big Planet Made agency houses legends like Soyu and Heo Gak.
6. Kim Woo Seok
After a decade at TOP Media, singer and actor Kim Woo Seok has finally found a new agency. On March 5, the UP10TION boy band member signed an exclusive contract with Blitzway agency which manages several A-list actors including Ji Hoon and Jung Ryeo Won.
7. Former Wonder Girlsâ Hyerim
After over 3 years with rrr Entertainment agency, having switched from JYP Entertainment which represented the former Wonder Girls band, Hyerim has finally found an agency to call home. On January 2, 2024, the former Wonder Girlsâ member confirmed she had joined Wave Entertainment which houses several foreigners including Eva Popiel and Christina Confalonieri.
We would like to wish each one continued success with their new agencies!
â-Makena Mwenda
#AgencySwitchesbyKPopStars #kpop #kpopidol #kpopstarchangesagency #WonderGirlsHyerim #Hyerim #WaveEntertainment #kcrushnews #kcrush #KimWooSeok #UP10TION #TopMedia #BlitzwayAgency #SamKim #BigPlanetMade #AntennaAgency #kcrushamerica #YVES #LOONA #BlockberryCreative #PAIXPERMIL #MILLIC #VIXXLeo #BigBossEntertainment #kmusic #JellyfishEntertainment #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #Taemin #SHINeeTaemin #SMEntertainment #BigEntertainment #Onew #GriffinEntertainment #BraveGirls #BBGirls #WarnerMusicKorea #BraveEntertainment #BBGirlsCompany #kpopnews
Known for managing notable bans including NCT and RIIZE, SM Entertainment is out to validate its dominance in the K-Pop entertainment industry.
On 1st May 2024, SM Entertainment officially launched its latest label, KRUCIALIZE, through a short trailer on the groupâs already-set social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter). The trailer, which reveals KRUCIALIZE labelâs logo, is also an invitation to learn more about the group. The interaction is scheduled to take place at Seoul Forest Understand Ave from the 4th to the 9th of May 2024.
SM Entertainment further elevated its fanbaseâs excitement with the ëě°Š (Journey) film in preparation for the new labelâs launch. KRUCIALIZE is SM Entertainmentâs subsidiary music label that breathes new life into the essence of K-pop. SM Entertainment seeks to forge a pathway toward sustainable artistry through this label.
â-Makena Mwenda
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#SMEntertainment #SMEntertainmentNewLabel #KRUCIALIZE #kcrush #Journey #SeoulForestUnderstandAve #SeoulKorea #kpop #koreanpop #newlabel #kcrushamerica #kcrushcontent #kcrushmedia #breakingnews #essenceofKpop #knews #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kcrushgoogleindexed #SMEntertainmentfanbase #koreanmusic #kculture #hallyu #hallyucraze
If there is one regret that will follow me after this experience, itâs that I did not bring a whistle.
Since January 2012, albeit I didnât become a fan of K-pop until October that year, itâs widely known that a whistle⌠a Matoki support whistle, at that⌠is forever tied to Bang Yongguk (Korean: ë°ŠěŠęľ).
On April 17, 2024, charismatic artist Bang Yongguk, brought âIIIâ THE US TOUR 2024 to House of Blues Houston, Texas. The leader and unmistakable voice of former group B.A.P. rocked the stage with nothing but a deejay, microphone, and charisma that ranged from relentless rizz to knee-weakening aegyo at any given moment, keeping fans captivated and excited.
Credit: MyMusicTaste
The crowd of fans was a diverse and welcoming mix. From longtime fans of B.A.P. with lightsticks in tow, to those who came on board when he first went solo in 2018, everyone was eager to see him.
âI found him scrolling on YouTube,â said one fan before the show started, wearing a t-shirt from his 2023 meet and greet. âIf I could tell him one thing, it would be that I love him!â
The enthusiasm felt different than that of idol group tours. And for good reason: the venue was perfectly selected for intimacy, giving Yongguk the perfect opportunity to engage with everyone present. There was no pushing alongside the stage rails, nor was there difficulty in finding a space to regroup if jumping along to the music set oneâs adrenaline too high. After experiencing some poor venue choices with other acts, I can confidently say that MyMusicTaste knew exactly what to do to make for a great experience.
After an organized entry into the venue and an energizing set from his deejay, Bang Yongguk launched into jam after jam. At one point, he even popped on a cowboy hat, hyping everyone up even more! His command of the stage is undeniable and the remaining stops on the tour are in for a real treat. The musicality is there and he deserves the interest.
Oh, yeah, donât forget to bring a whistle.
All image credits, unless otherwise noted: Jessica Nicco
Author by: Ashley Griffin-BorjonÂ
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#BangYongguksHoustonShow #BangYonggukinHouston #Matoki #MatokiWhistle #HouseOfBluesHouston #kcrush #IIITheUSTour2024 #BAP #BABY #BAPFandom #cowboyhat #LeaderBAP #koreansoloist #kpop #khiphop #kidol #kcrushconcertcoverage #MyMusicTaste #YYEntertainment #bringtheMatokiback #bringawhistle #kcrushamerica #deejay #DJ #excitement #fun #soloperformance #solotour #thirdtour
April has been a roller coaster of emotions with heart-wrenching twists and turns from notable k-dramas, especially the highly rated âQueen of Tearsâ K-drama. May is here and itâs time to start bingeing on the most anticipated K-dramas this month. Here are some must-watch K-dramas this May.
1. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon
May is about to get hot and spicy with this highly anticipated rom-com drama starring Jung Ryeo Won and Wi Ha Joon. âThe Midnight Romance in Hagwonâ drama has created a buzz in the K-drama scene with alluring teasers. Expected to premiere on 11th May 2024, this rom-com highlights the highs and lows of a secret love between a former student and a teacher.
2. Connection
The legendary Ji Sung will hit tvN screens again this May with the âConnectionâ k-drama. Set to premiere on 24th May 2024, is a crime investigation thriller depicting the deep roots and catastrophic damages of drugs amidst desperate survival measures that are neutralized by forces beyond oneâs capability.
3. Crash
Set to premiere on ENA on 14th May 2024, âCrashâ is another crime investigation drama to watch out for. Starring Lee Min Ki, Kwak Sun Young, and Heo Sung Tae, this comedy crime drama seeks to reveal the root behind a series of neglected traffic crimes that contribute to the countryâs unending lawlessness.
4. Dare To Love Me
Based on Naver Webtoon of the same name by Sun Woo, âDare To Love Meâ k-drama is an upcoming romance comedy series. Starring Kim Myung Soo and Lee Yoo Young, this drama is set to hit the screens on 13th May 2024. âDare To Love Meâ k-drama tells the story of the unmatchable; a philosophical arrogant chaebol and a determined yet underprivileged designer-in-the-making.
5. Frankly Speaking
South Korean cable network jTBC has kept the global K-drama fans in chaotic anticipation with emotion-wrecking teasers of the upcoming âFrankly Speakingâ K-drama. Set to premiere on 1st May, including on NETFLIX, this romance comedy series is a must-watch. Loaded with legendary stars including Go Kyung Pyo, Kang Han Na, and Joo Jong Hyul, this series centers on the struggles to maintain a broadcasting career amidst an unexpected disorder that robs him of the ability to control what comes out of his lips.
â-Makena Mwenda
#KDramasToWatchThisMay #2024MayKDramasToWatch #Connection #Crash #FranklySpeaking #kcrushkdramasuggestions #kcrush #DareToLoveMe #TheMidnightRomanceinHagwon #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kfashion #kpop #webtoon #kcrushamerica #kdramaactors #kdramaactresses #SouthKorea #JTBC #Netflix #GoKyungPyo #KangHanNa #JooJongHyul #KimMyungSoo #LeeYooYoung #LeeMinKi KwakSunYoung, #HeoSungTae #tvN #JiSung #JungRyeoWon #WiHaJoon #romcom #comedy #melodrama #chaebol #crimeinvestigationdrama
D’FESTA LA Brings the Best of K-Pop to the US LOS ANGELES, CA – D’FESTA LA, an immersive and interactive K-pop exhibition originally held in Korea and Japan, is now coming to the US. The exhibition will be held at The Source OC in Buena Park, CA, from June 21st to August 18th and is set to feature official and exclusive content featuring nine K-pop groups including BTS, Twice, Enhypen, Tomorrow x Together, Stray Kids, NCT Dream, NCT 127, Seventeen, and Nuâest.
DâFESTA LA will feature three parts: THE EXHIBITION, THE MOVIE, and THE EXPERIENCE. THE EXHIBITION is an immersive and interactive photo exhibition featuring never-before-seen photos from the nine groups. Some stand-out segments include the âCOLOR PORTRAITS” which will showcase individual color photos from each group, along with autographed messages from the artists. The “MEMORY ROOM” showcases photos dating back to 10 years ago, and the “DIARY ROOM & PHOTO ZONE,” will display diary pages designed and written by the artists themselves.
THE MOVIE is an original story and performances packed into a 45-minute feature film featuring all nine groups. Partnering with CGV Cinemas, fans will enjoy cutting-edge sound and immersive viewing experience. THE MOVIE will also include behind-the-scenes content and interviews.
THE EXPERIENCE will allow fans to step on the same virtual stage that the artists performed on during THE MOVIE. âBE TOGETHERâ is a photo-taking zone featuring life-size concept photos of each artist. Fans can also leave heartfelt messages to their favorite artist in the “THE MESSAGE TO ARTIST” space, take pictures with their favorite artist in the “THE ARTIST PIC” zone, and purchase exclusive D’FESTA merch. A special cafe with drinks and cup sleeves will allow fans to wind down and experience “THE GACHA,” a unique K-POP Gacha experience.
Tickets for the exhibition are available now here. Fans are encouraged to book early before it sells out. For more information on DâFESTA visit the official website here.
D’FESTA is a K-pop exhibition that originated in South Korea in 2019. The exhibition was created to provide an immersive and interactive experience for K-pop fans, featuring exclusive content from some of the biggest names in the industry. After a successful run in Korea and Japan, D’FESTA is now expanding to the US, with the upcoming D’FESTA LA exhibition.
#DFESTA #KPOP #KPOPExhibitioninLA #LosAngelesKPOPExhibition #kcrush #SouthKorea #Japan #TheGACHA #TheArtistPIC #kcrushamerica #kculture #korean #kfashion #kmusic #USExpo #kpop #kcrushnews #CGVCinemas #phototakingarea #officialcontent #exclusivekpopcontent #kpopidols #TheSourceOCinBuenaParkCA #June21sttoAugust18th #kcrushtopasianentertainmentmagazine #BuenaParkCalifornia #DFESTALAExhibition
Japanese four-piece rock band I Don’t Like Mondays. have released new song ‘New York, New York’, their first new release of 2024.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of I Don’t Like Mondays.’s major-label debut. 2024 is already off to a great start: The band’s first tour of China sold out the day it went on sale, and they wrote ‘LOVE TRIGGER’, the 10th single by Snow Man, which sold a million copies within its first two days on sale.
‘New York, New York’ is the first song marking the 10th anniversary of I Don’t Like Mondays., and is based on the UK sound that is central to the band members’ roots, depicting the feelings of a heartbroken, melancholic man. From the demo production stage, the band members and their team all agreed that this should be their first release for this landmark anniversary.
Also, vocalist YU spent his high school years in New York and still makes regular visits, holding the city close to his heart. As a result, the lyrics are filled with yearning, and the jacket artwork is a photo that YU himself took in New York.
In addition to their tour of China earlier this year, in 2023 I Don’t Like Mondays. performed at festivals and solo concerts in five countries around Europe, South America and Asia.
The new single embodies the world-class J-pop music the band have created since their debut, and is the perfect song to start off their 10th anniversary year.
To further commemorate their first decade in music, the band will perform in 13 cities across Japan on the Island Tour from April 30, followed by a tour of Asia titled ‘FOCUS’ ASIA TOUR in fall. This will be the band’s first full-scale tour of Asia, with 10 performances in eight cities.
Global interest in I Don’t Like Mondays. intensified in 2022 with the release of ‘PAINT’, their theme song for the anime series ‘ONE PIECE’, which became the second-longest running theme song in the history of the series.
â Â Release information
Title: ‘New York, New York’
Release date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Download and streaming links:Â https://idlms.lnk.to/newyork_newyork
â Â I Don’t Like Mondays.
Official website:Â https://idlms.com
YouTube:Â https://www.youtube.com/idontlikemondaysofficial
Music:Â https://avex.lnk.to/idlms
Instagram:Â https://www.instagram.com/idlms.official
X (Twitter):Â https://twitter.com/IDLMs_OFFICIAL
TiKTok:Â https://www.tiktok.com/@idlms_official
#IDontLikeMondays #newrelease #newmusic #rockband #Jrock #PaintOnePiece #NewYorkNewYork #JapaneseRockBand #kcrushnews #Aprilnewmusic #kcrushamerica #LoveTrigger #10thAnniversary #IDontLikeMondaysNewYorkNewYork
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Japanese boyband Da-iCE released their latest song ‘I wonder’ on Wednesday, April 17.
The lyrics to this new song were written by members Taiki Kudo and Sota Hanamura, with Hanamura also composing. The song incorporates the vibe of a drama series, focusing on the dual themes of “love” and “finding yourself” and comparing them to colors, from vivid ones to black and white, and all the layered combinations in between.
At 21:00 Japan Standard Time on the same date, a performance video for ‘I wonder’ was also released as a YouTube Premiere. The choreography was devised by Hanamura in collaboration with Sungo (avex ROYALBRATS). The video’s simple and stylish composition shows the members of Da-iCE dancing gracefully in a space with no decoration except for the lighting, allowing you to truly focus on the group’s incredible dance performance.
âźÂ ‘I wonder’ performance video
Release information
‘I wonder’
Digital release Wednesday, April 17
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About Da-iCE
Da-iCE are a five-piece boyband with twin vocalists who boast an impressive four-octave singing range.
The members are vocalists Yudai Ohno and Sota Hanamura, and performers Taiki Kudo, Toru Iwaoka and Hayate Wada. Released in November 2020, their song ‘CITRUS’ became the first song by a Japanese male dance and vocal group to surpass 100 million streams, and won an award at the prestigious 63rd Japan Record Awards in 2021. Their song ‘Star Mine’, which was also featured on the album ‘SCENE’ released last year, has become a long-running hit, with over 600 million plays on TikTok.
Further information
Website | Instagram | X | YouTube | TikTok
#DaiCE #Japaneseboygroup #JPop #kcrush #fivepieceboyband #YudaiOhno #SotaHanamura #TaikiKudo #ToruIwaoka #HayateWade #CITRUS #100millionstreams #kcrushamerica #StarMine #SCENE #Awards #JPopgroup #IWonder #newrelease #newmusic #newsingle #Hanamurain Sungo #avexROYALBRATS
ATEEZ was the first K-pop boy group to perform at Coachella, making amazing strides for K-pop in the States. When interviewed by Entertainment Tonight, ATEEZ commented that the performance felt like walking on clouds. They were so blown away by the audienceâs response to the music and how loud the crowd sang back their songs. âIt was a dream come true,â Hongjoon said. They talked about how nervous they were before walking on stage, but âwe were fly once we were on stageâ San said. People at Coachella commented that they could hear Atiny singing along from quite a distance! So the fans truly did show up and show out.
Yeosang noted of the performance, âUsually, before I go on stage, I drink a little bit of water, but Coachella is like a sandstorm, and my throat would get hot, so I drank half a bottle of water before coming onstage. This was something that surprised me.â
The setlist itself would not only impress Atiny, but those who had never heard ATEEZ before. When planning the songs, they noticed that most music festivals focus on rock or EDM. The strength of ATEEZ is that their songs are a mix of both! Because of this, they brought a live band with them, whilst maintaining some EDM vibes. The remix of some songs made the performances fresh and tailored to that specific audience.
Something fans might be tickled to know is that Mingi was spotted in the crowd at Coachella watching other performances! He was interacting with people and seemed like a regular concertgoer. You can find footage of him on TikTok, just casually hanging out with other attendees.
During their final performance at Coachella, Hongjoon held up a fan with âGolden Hourâ written on it. This was an announcement for their upcoming EP, Golden Hour: Part 1, set to drop May 31st! Be on the lookout for more sneak peeks for this release!
—-Ellie Boyd
#ATEEZ #Coachella #Hongjoon #GoldenHour #ATEEZMay312024 #kcrushnews #kpop #ATEEZupdate #Atiny #ATEEZfandomAtiny #Yeosang #ATEEZmembers #koreanboygroupatCoachella #Hongjoon #EntertainmentTonight #EDM #dreamcometrue #kfashion #Asiangroup #newmusicbyATEEZ #kcrushamerica #ATEEZnews #KoreanPop #kcrushrecap #ATEEZupcomingtour #GoldenHourPart1 #ATEEZperformsatCoachella2024
The Dallas stop had so much energy, that it felt like we were in a club instead of a concert for Bang Yongguk. The set list that he picked were very good choices and I was happy to hear some never before songs live. But like I said, the energy was more energized than the last time he performed last year and he did bring the energy again. You could see that he put a lot of passion into his performance.
So, you know I have to shout out Echo Lounge for hosting Bang Yonggukâs Concert again. Everyone of the staff members were very nice and helpful to the fans and media crews as well. They made sure again everyone was hydrated. The Crew in Bang Yonggukâs Tour staff were also very nice and helpful before, during and after the concert, they made sure that everyone got their Meet and Greet wristband before and after the concert. I also enjoyed the translator as well, she seemed to also be having fun as well.
Okay! Now to the concert experience and artist performance. Letâs just say Bang Yongguk did bring the house down with the tracklist and the DJ also did a great job warming up the crowd before Bang Yongguk came on stage. The remixes the DJ was playing were awesome and made the crowd dance from the dance floor to the balcony and were bobbing their heads. It was pretty cool to hear a remixed song that said âIâm from Texasâ in the DJ mixes.
The first song, âOFF,â was a very good choice because he came out on stage with so much energy that the fans were jumping up and down. The fans were singing along and matching his energy in his performance. This was the first time hearing this song live and it is one of my friend and Iâs favorite songs on his EP.2 album. The bass for the song was very bombing like it could shake the whole building down.
Xie Xie, the second song and the fans were screaming out at the top of their lungs when the chorus came on. He did an awesome job hyping up his fans and the dance moves were cool too; it got the fans to dance along with him. It was very nice to hear that one live as well from his very first solo album of the same name as the artist, Bang Yongguk. Like I talked about the bass in âOFFâ this one had a lot more powerful bass. The first and second songs were great choices to hype up the fans. To get them jumping up and down, singing their heart out and just matching the energy that he was giving from the start.
Ride or Die and IXLU are the next songs on the setlist. They both were great songs to keep the energy up in the Echo Lounge. In âRide or Dieâ the fans were singing âI got my eyes on youâ while pointing at the person they are with or at Bang Yongguk himself. Everyone was swaying side to side to this song while bobbing their heads side to side. The fans were really feeling this song especially âIXLUâ Everyone was singing this song word for word, while jumping up and down like they were really dancing hard on this song. While for Bang he did great on performing those two songs and doing his own dances for them, you can tell that his fans were also giving him energy through his performance as well. When the song ended the fans were screaming and wooing afterwards to show their excitement and enjoyment for that song.
The next songs were âRide and Numbâ, everyone was still bobbing their heads and waving their BAP lightsticks in the air. Itâs always great to see the lightsticks in the crowd of fans. Bang Yongguk also had a surprise during âRideâ, it was a little remix version of the song and it was super cool to hear it plus very well executed. Â Also, the DJ was being a great hype man for Bang, I like their dynamic duo ship. âNumbâ seemed to be a fan favorite because when the fans were getting a cool remix reveal that was teasing the song before the DJ revealed it to the fans. They were all jumping up and down for joy, really excited to hear this one. Which not going lie, also one of my favorites from the new album.
The two intermissions were really funny and nice, because he was telling his fans that he was happy to be back in Dallas and see his fans again. Which caused his fans to scream out how much they love him so much and how cute he is as well. Then he goes into telling them that he loves the energy in the house better than last year. He spoke about how he found the meaning of life and it’s because of his fans’ support and love for him and his music. He also interacted with his fans about what their favorite songs are from his latest album and there were a lot of responses for a lot of different songs. There was a fan that shouted out saying âthank you for making themâ which was thanking him for making the music and expressing his thoughts and feelings into his music. It really shows how much he loves making music and expressing himself through it. He gave his fans a challenge to find happiness somewhere, that brings them joy and comfort. Â It was very exciting to see him speak Spanish, showing off his bilingual abilities.
Okay there are songs that I was really hype to hear live for the first time, they were Hikikomori, Am 4:44, and Journey. Letâs start off with âJourneyâ, this is one of the best songs to listen to on a long road trip or writing a story, but like I said it was awesome to hear it for the first time in person and everyone else was swaying to the music enjoying the smooth acoustic guitar in the music. Bang Yongguk looked like he was also enjoying the vibe. Now âHikikomoriâ he sang his heart out on this one, which is understandable because it was sort of about his experience in the K-Pop industry. The fans were enjoying the performance, even singing along and matching his energy. I also like how he transitioned to his next song after that one which was âAm 4:44â. This one is great to hear live as well, he also sang his heart out in this one too, which makes sense because this is the first song he produced while being under his old company back in the day. His fans clapped for him because they felt the passion and remembered what this song meant to them as well as Bang Yongguk. They were feeling those two songs, but all three song performances were amazing and it was great to hear them.
These four songs, Buss it Down, Movimento, UFO and Yamazaki made the last bit of the concert like a club and him splashing water on his fans again like last year during âYamazakiâ chorus, plus his energy was hyping up the fans making his fans dancing around, bobbing their heads and swaying their hands in the air. The remix on some parts of the song was really fun. He did great on playing these songs after the other because each song was keeping everyone moving even when they heard âBuss it Downâ everyone was screaming with joy and started jumping up and down on this song, which this song made the crowd grow closer to the stage, but somehow everyone had space to dance around and he was also throwing some moves down on stage too that got his fans to cheer for him louder. His DJ was the best hype train for him as well during this song, but this is where it felt like a club instead of a concert. âMovimentoâ was also a great song to hear live and kept you moving. Everyone moved along with him as he showed off some dance moves.
He started wearing a cowboy hat during the last two songs, which the fans were sad to hear were coming to the end of his concert. He did come back for the encore though to perform three more songs, one song, âYaâ he did pour water on himself, it made the fans scream. The other song was a remix, I believe for âBuss it downâ because he performed it again, but this time it sounded like the DJ was mixing multiple of his songs at once. It did mix well, the only reason I could tell it was a mix of his songs is because I heard I believe âBadâ playing in the background. This made his fans moving and enjoying the vibe he was giving out to them with his remixes and performance. He even seemed to be enjoying these remixes of his song as well. But Bang Yongguk ended with âOrange Driveâ. He came down from the stage to interact with the fans and you know how he said âI love meâ in the lyrics well he changed it and said âI love youâ to his fans it was really adorable to see and also cool on how they did it because they did a transition on muffling out that part for him to shout âI love youâ to his fans, it was a great way of interacting with his fans. And again one of the top songs I like to listen to on repeat so I was super happy to hear this song live again.
This concert was super hype, bumping and a lot of love. You can tell that Bang Yongguk was super enjoying himself and that the fans were also having fun watching him perform and just vibing with him as well. I had a blast myself and cannot wait for many more to come of his future concerts and to hear any new songs to come out. Thank you again MyMusicTaste, YYEntertainment and Echo Lounge for having us there and experiencing this wonderful performance.
All image credits: Beau Seigfreid
Authored by:Â Breya
#BangYongguk #BangYonggukBAP #BAPBABY #kcrushcoverage #kcrushconcertpress #BAP #kpop #koreanBangYongguk #Dallaslegoftour2024 #koreanpop #kcrushamerica #kpopmusic #kpoptour #BangofBAP #DallaswelcomesBangYongguk #BangYonggukUSTour #koreansinger #kpopidol #leaderofBAP #YYEntertainment #OrangeDrive #Movimento #Yamazaki #AM444 #Numb #Hikikomori #BAPLightstick #kpoplightsticks #Yongguk #USTour #kfashion #kmusic #kcrushpress #Ride
ARMY are divided over a recent video from the South Korean military. The video specifically featured the 2nd Army Corps in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province where V is clearly seen in tactical gear and with weapons. Many would label this as pro-military propoganda.
Some ARMY commented how proud they were of V. âCaptain Koreaâ and âVâ trended on social media in a positive response to the videoâs release. One ARMY commented, âKim Taehyung is in the hardest unit in the military, having the highest IQ and athleticism needed for the job while wearing the coolest uniform. PROUD OF YOU CAPTAIN TAEHYUNG.â
However, soon the applause was disrupted by disgruntled fans. One fan wrote, ââSo proud of himâ and âheâs so coolâ–itâs just military propoganda and forced conscription. Are yâall insane? What exactly are you proud of?â
Some called the video hypocrisy of BTSâ âlove myselfâ campaign for UNICEF and their anti-violence speeches at the UN. However, others spoke up on behalf of the members, sharing some of the history of South Korea. Fans defended it as Korea is a nation that has been war-prone and the conscription is a way to keep their freedom. Additionally, BTS chose to enter the military though they were given exceptions due to their global stardom. They chose to go into the military service anyway.
What do you think? Should BTS be involved in pro-military videos or let their involvement speak for itself? Obviously, this is something each member chose to do and is related to their personal belief, but do they have a duty to stay away from controversy due to their worldwide fandom?
Should fans accept BTS for who they are at every level, or is protest like this a sign of genuine care and concern?
—-Ellie Boyd
#V #VofBTS #military #Korea #promilitary #militaryvideo #kcrush #2ndArmyCorpsinChuncheonGangwonProvince #kpop #koreanmilitary #BTSARMY #ARMYforBTS #BTSFandom #KimTaeyung #kcrushamerica #militaryfashion #kpopnews #koreansinger #newsstory #BTSindividualmemberV #kcrushnews
KPOP Club Night is attracting so many new friends and music lovers to their events across North America. To them it has been such a wild ride meeting everyone! There are 28 shows for sale right now at kpopclubnight.com including an accidental afterparty in Atlanta! Lock in your tickets now, the prices generally go up before show day!
DJ YUKA K & KPOP CLUB NIGHT 2024 SCHEDULE SPRING SUMMER AND BEYOND
4.26 Calgary (18+) –Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-calgary-april-26-at-the-rec-room-deerfoot/event?eid=275415614Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
4.27 Edmonton (18+)Â –Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-edmonton-april-27-at-temple-ballroom/event?eid=225713511Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
5.03 Nashville (18+)Â Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-nashville-may-3-at-vinyl-lounge/event?eid=225613721Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
5.04 Phoenix (18+)Â Â https://concerts.livenation.com/kpop-club-night-phoenix-arizona-05-04-2024/event/19006055E3B53E81
5.10 Austin (18+)Â https://prod-nts-api.seeticketsusa.us/v1.0.0/promote/YWZmOlNUVVMtNTg4NDg4OjQ=/clickthru
5.11 Houston (18+)Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-houston-may-11/event?eid=245712103Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
5.17 Toronto (19+)Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-toronto-may-17-at-the-rec-room-roundhouse/event?eid=256918163Â Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
5.18 Cleveland (21+)Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-cleveland-may-18-at-the-velvet-dog/event?eid=266919203Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
5.24 Detroit (18+)Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-detroit-may-24-at-el-club/event?eid=234712563Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
5.31 Kansas City MO (18+)Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-kansas-city-may-31-at-the-truman/event?eid=255119054Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
6.01 Atlanta (18+)Â https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E006041F84E59A6
6.07 Dallas (18+)Â https://www.prekindle.com/event/38251-kpop-club-night-with-dj-yuka-k-dallas
6.08 Salt Lake City (18+)Â https://www.tixr.com/e/91688
6.14 Los Angeles (18+)Â https://kpopclubnightla.eventbrite.com/
6.15 Minneapolis (18+)Â https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0600608BDED47E28
6.21 Orlando (18+)Â https://www.tixr.com/groups/celineorlando/events/kpop-club-night-in-orlando-with-dj-yuka-95732
6.22 Miami (18+)Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-miami-june-22-at-mad-live/event?eid=236413332Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
6.28 Washington DC (18+)Â https://www.ticketweb.com/event/k-pop-club-night-howard-theatre-tickets/13656663?pl=howardtheatre&refid=artist
7.05 Winnipeg (18+)Â Â https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/kpop-club-night-exchange-event-centre-tickets/13401394?pl=ExchangeEventCentre
7.06 Montreal (18+)Â https://lepointdevente.com/billets/xd0240706001
7.13 Chicago (21+)Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-chicago-july-13-at-distro-music-hall/event?eid=266316294Â Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC (valid until MAY 4)
7.19 Louisville KY (18+)Â Â https://www.ticketmaster.com/kpop-club-night-louisville-kentucky-07-19-2024/event/1600606FADB34BFD
7.20 New York (18+) https://www.axs.com/events/544876/kpop-club-night-tickets?skin=websterhall Cheap early bird tickets on sale now for the next few days only!
7.26 Sacramento (21+)Â https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/50255972/kpop-club-nightwith-dj-yuka-k-sacramento-harlows
7.27 Honolulu (18+)Â – venue TBA –Â tickets on sale soon
8.03 San Francisco (21+) – The Grand – Tickets on sale soon
8.10 Philadelphia (21+) – WOW – Tickets on sale soon
9.06 Columbus (18+) –Â https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-columbus-sept-6-at-skullys/event?eid=246616111Â DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC
9.21 St. Louis MO (18+) –Â https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0600608AB9863DF9
9.28 Denver (18+) –Â https://app.showslinger.com/e/kpop-hermans
12.7 Albuquerque (18+) – Electric Playhouse – Tickets on sale June 1
FOLLOW AND TAG
Make sure to follow and tag them in your posts and stories!
Kpop Club Night http://instagram.com/kpopclubnightÂ
DJ Yuka K http://instagram.com/djyuka   Â
Make requests a week before the show at http://tiktok.com/@kpopclubnight
Listen to past mixes at http://mixcloud.com/kpopclubnight
All tickets on sale now at http://kpopclubnight.com
See you on the dance-floor!
 
Thereâs a new K-beauty trend going around, but it has mostly negative comments surrounding it. Koreaâs beauty culture isnât shy about plastic surgery and face-altering measures in order to achieve the desired aesthetic. People travel all over the world to get beauty procedures done here. But has K-beauty gone too far this time?
Pupil enlarging surgeries have officially come into the spotlight, also known as âEye-ring surgery.â Individuals who desire to have the effects of large pupil contact lenses, but permanently, are opting into this trend. The larger pupil effect isnât a stranger to the K-pop world, with many stars seen sporting these contacts.
The surgery itself is promoted as âsimple.â A circular silicone ring is inserted around the pupil to enlarge it. It doesnât actually involve the pupil itself, but the surrounding area. One clinic claimed it was developed after seven years of research.
An X user posted about the procedure and it accumulated many comments. Here are some of the popular ones:
âSouth Korean plastic surgeons doing this need to be removed for crimes against humanity.â
âI would do it!â
âWonYoung already got dibs booking that first appointment.â
âHeck no, that looks like a tattoo on the white of your eye! Wearing a circle lens would be safer than this.â
âThat sounds scary.â
Koreaâs no newbie when it comes to surgery on the eyes. Epicanthoplasty is popular because it makes the eyes appear more open. It involves removing the epicanthal foldâthis is the skin at the eyeâs inner corner. Double eyelid surgery is also well-known, as it seems to be the most popular eye procedure.
Does this new pupil surgery fit right in or do you believe that this goes too far? Would you consider having this done?
—-Ellie Boyd
#KBeautyTrend #KbeautyTrendGoesViral #Kbeauty #Epicanthoplasty #epicanthalfold #kcrush #doubleeyelid #kpop #koreanbeautytrend #newbeautytrend #viraltrends #wearingacirclelens #circularsiliconering #pupil #ktrend #kfashion #koreanplasticsurgeons #beautywithplasticsurgery #pupilenlargementsurgery #eyeringsurgery #kcrushamerica