JeonjuIFF 2024 – Interview with Kim Junhyung Writer and Director of ‘A Sucker Punch’

 

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 Soyeon’s 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 Sian’s life meaning one thing, when it’s 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 Schrodinger’s 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 Junhyung’s third film. His previous film, 2022’s Family Toast, won the Best Genre Film at the Sehsüchte 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 Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12

 

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Kwon Eun Bi and TWICE’s Nayeon will be making solo comebacks this June.

 

 

Eunbi is scheduled to make a comeback this June. The “Summer Queen” hit-maker will be returning to the entertainment world after 8 months since the October 2023 “Like Heaven”  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 ‘Open’ EP which skyrocketed her fame. Kwon Eunbi’s agency, Woollim Entertainment confirmed that the start will be making a comeback this June with a new album.

 

 

TWICE’s Nayeon is strengthening her foundation as a solo artist. Nayeon was TWICE girl group’s first member to go solo back in June 2022 with the ‘IM NAYEON’ mini album. Nayeon’s 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 it’s been a while since Nayeon made a release.

 

—-Makena Mwenda

 

#Eunbi #TWICE #Nayeon #makeacomebackinJune #JuneCombacks #kcrush #JYPEntertainment #IMNAYEONminialbum #SummerQueen #LikeHeaven #WoollimEntertainment #KwonEunbi #Iz #kcrushamericamagazine #YeAgirlgroup #kpop #kculture #hallyu #koreankpop #newreleases #newmusic

 

SHINee’s Taemin and ONEW have taken huge milestones after leaving their past agency of 16 years.

 

 

SHINee’s Taemin official fun club is finally out. The fan club which goes by the name “TEAMate” solidifies the stars change of agency move. “TEAMate” is a combination of “Teamin”, the artists himself, and “Mate”, which means a close friend. The fan club name denotes that fans are Taemin’s closest friends. Taemin, who left SM Entertainment agency last month alongside band teammate ONEW, joined Big Planet Made Entertainment agency. The launched “TEAMate” 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.

 

 

SHINee’s 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 ONEW’s solo platforms including Instagram, X, and YouTube.

 

—-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 ‘Another’ on May 1) and Hyuna (released the EP ‘Attitude’ on May 2). Here are some K-pop artists and groups making a comeback this May 2024.

 

1. BTOB’s Sungjae

BTOB’s Yook Sungjae’s is set to make an official comeback this May with the “EXHIBITION: Look Closely” single. With trailers and concept photos already circulating the internet, the MV official release is scheduled for May 9. This will be Sungjae’s first release under his new agency, iWill Media.

 

2. EXO’s Suho

Suho will be making a comeback with his 3rd mini-album this May. With the teaser already up, fans can’t wait to see the star’s collaboration with notable artists including Wendy from Red Velvet. The upcoming album titled ‘1 to 3’, 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 ‘ODD-VENTURE’ mini-album released in November 2023, MCND is ready to shake up the entertainment scene. The band’s agency, TOP Media, announced that MCND will be making a comeback on May 21 with their 6th mini-album titled ‘X10’. The upcoming release’s 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 ‘GOLDEN HOUR: Part 1’ mini-album will be released on March 31. The album’s concept photos are already out for all the members.

 

6. NEW JEANS

The “Super Shy” 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 “How Sweet” and “Bubble Gum” 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 single’s official release.

 

7. AESPA

The “Lucid Dream” and “Black Mamba” hit make will be gracing the entertainment industry with a comeback this May. AESPA is expected to release their first full-length ‘Armageddon’ album. The release is scheduled for May 27.

 

—-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, who’s 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.

 

—-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.

 

—-Makena Mwenda

 

#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 7’s Youngjae, VIXX’s 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 YuJeong’s departure.

 

 

2. SHINee’s Onew & Taemin

After 16 years at SM Entertainment, SHINee’s 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. SHINee’s Onew followed suit two days later. On April 3, Griffin Entertainment announced that it had signed an exclusive contract with Onew. SHINee’s Minho and Key decided to renew their contract with SM Entertainment as members and solo artists as well.

 

 

3. VIXX’s Leo

As of March 5, VIXX’s 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. VIXX’s Ken, who left Jellyfish Entertainment alongside Leo on March 4 is yet to reveal his new agency.

 

 

4. LOONA’s 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 Girls’ 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 Girls’ 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!

 

—-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 1^st May 2024, SM Entertainment officially launched its latest label, KRUCIALIZE, through a short trailer on the group’s already-set social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter). The trailer, which reveals KRUCIALIZE label’s 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 4^th to the 9^th of May 2024.

 

 

SM Entertainment further elevated its fanbase’s excitement with the 도착 (Journey) film in preparation for the new label’s launch. KRUCIALIZE is SM Entertainment’s 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.

 

—-Makena Mwenda

 

 

#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, it’s that I did not bring a whistle.

Since January 2012, albeit I didn’t become a fan of K-pop until October that year, it’s widely known that a whistle… a Matoki support whistle, at that… is forever tied to Bang Yongguk (Korean: 방용국).

On April 17, 2024, charismatic artist Bang Yongguk, brought ‘III’ 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.

“I found him scrolling on YouTube,” said one fan before the show started, wearing a t-shirt from his 2023 meet and greet. “If I could tell him one thing, it would be that I love him!”

 

 

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 one’s 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, don’t forget to bring a whistle.

 

All image credits, unless otherwise noted: Jessica Nicco

 

Author by: Ashley Griffin-Borjon 

 

 

#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 ‘Queen of Tears’ K-drama. May is here and it’s 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. ‘The Midnight Romance in Hagwon’ drama has created a buzz in the K-drama scene with alluring teasers. Expected to premiere on 11^th 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 ‘Connection’ k-drama. Set to premiere on 24^th 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 one’s capability.

 

 

3. Crash

Set to premiere on ENA on 14^th May 2024, ‘Crash’ 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 country’s unending lawlessness.

 

 

 

4. Dare To Love Me

Based on Naver Webtoon of the same name by Sun Woo, ‘Dare To Love Me’ 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 13^th May 2024. ‘Dare To Love Me’ 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 ‘Frankly Speaking’ K-drama. Set to premiere on 1^st 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.

 

—-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 Nu’est.

 

 

D’FESTA 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 “COLOR 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. “BE TOGETHER” 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 D’FESTA 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.

 

■ Release information

Title: ‘New York, New York’

Release date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Download and streaming links: https://idlms.lnk.to/newyork_newyork

 

■ I Don’t Like Mondays.

Official website: https://idlms.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/idontlikemondaysofficial

Music: https://avex.lnk.to/idlms

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idlms.official

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/IDLMs_OFFICIAL

TiKTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@idlms_official

 

 

#IDontLikeMondays #newrelease #newmusic #rockband #Jrock #PaintOnePiece #NewYorkNewYork #JapaneseRockBand #kcrushnews #Aprilnewmusic #kcrushamerica #LoveTrigger #10thAnniversary #IDontLikeMondaysNewYorkNewYork

 

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.

 

▼ ‘I wonder’ performance video

https://youtu.be/RWfi_xJkuJg

 

 

Release information

‘I wonder’

Digital release Wednesday, April 17

https://Da-iCE.lnk.to/Iwonder

 

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 audience’s response to the music and how loud the crowd sang back their songs. “It was a dream come true,” Hongjoon said. They talked about how nervous they were before walking on stage, but “we were fly once we were on stage” 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, “Usually, 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.”

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 “Golden Hour” 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 Yongguk’s 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 Yongguk’s 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. Let’s 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 “I’m from Texas” in the DJ mixes.

The first song, “OFF,” 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 I’s 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 “OFF” 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 “Ride or Die” the fans were singing “I got my eyes on you” 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 “IXLU” 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 “Ride and Numb”, everyone was still bobbing their heads and waving their BAP lightsticks in the air. It’s always great to see the lightsticks in the crowd of fans. Bang Yongguk also had a surprise during “Ride”, it was a little remix version of the song and it was super cool to hear it plus very well executed.  Also, the DJ was being a great hype man for Bang, I like their dynamic duo ship. “Numb” 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 ‘thank you for making them’ 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.  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.  Let’s start off with ‘Journey’, 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 ‘Hikikomori’ 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 ‘Am 4:44’. 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 ‘Yamazaki’ 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 ‘Buss it Down’ 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. ‘Movimento’ 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, ‘Ya’ he did pour water on himself, it made the fans scream. The other song was a remix, I believe for ‘Buss it down’ 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 ‘Bad’ 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 ‘Orange Drive’. He came down from the stage to interact with the fans and you know how he said “I love me” in the lyrics well he changed it and said “I love you” 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 “I love you” 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:  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. “Captain Korea” and “V” trended on social media in a positive response to the video’s release. One ARMY commented, “Kim 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.”

However, soon the applause was disrupted by disgruntled fans. One fan wrote, “‘So proud of him’ and ‘he’s so cool’–it’s just military propoganda and forced conscription. Are y’all insane? What exactly are you proud of?”

Some called the video hypocrisy of BTS’ “love myself” 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+) – https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-calgary-april-26-at-the-rec-room-deerfoot/event?eid=275415614  DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

4.27 Edmonton (18+) – https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-edmonton-april-27-at-temple-ballroom/event?eid=225713511 DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

5.03 Nashville (18+)  https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-nashville-may-3-at-vinyl-lounge/event?eid=225613721 DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

5.04 Phoenix (18+)  https://concerts.livenation.com/kpop-club-night-phoenix-arizona-05-04-2024/event/19006055E3B53E81

5.10 Austin (18+) https://prod-nts-api.seeticketsusa.us/v1.0.0/promote/YWZmOlNUVVMtNTg4NDg4OjQ=/clickthru

5.11 Houston (18+) https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-houston-may-11/event?eid=245712103 DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

5.17 Toronto (19+) https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-toronto-may-17-at-the-rec-room-roundhouse/event?eid=256918163  DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

5.18 Cleveland (21+) https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-cleveland-may-18-at-the-velvet-dog/event?eid=266919203 DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

5.24 Detroit (18+) https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-detroit-may-24-at-el-club/event?eid=234712563 DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

5.31 Kansas City MO (18+) https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-kansas-city-may-31-at-the-truman/event?eid=255119054 DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

6.01 Atlanta (18+) https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E006041F84E59A6

6.07 Dallas (18+) https://www.prekindle.com/event/38251-kpop-club-night-with-dj-yuka-k-dallas

6.08 Salt Lake City (18+) https://www.tixr.com/e/91688

6.14 Los Angeles (18+) https://kpopclubnightla.eventbrite.com/

6.15 Minneapolis (18+) https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0600608BDED47E28

6.21 Orlando (18+) https://www.tixr.com/groups/celineorlando/events/kpop-club-night-in-orlando-with-dj-yuka-95732

6.22 Miami (18+) https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-miami-june-22-at-mad-live/event?eid=236413332 DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

6.28 Washington DC (18+) https://www.ticketweb.com/event/k-pop-club-night-howard-theatre-tickets/13656663?pl=howardtheatre&refid=artist

7.05 Winnipeg (18+)  https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/kpop-club-night-exchange-event-centre-tickets/13401394?pl=ExchangeEventCentre

7.06 Montreal (18+) https://lepointdevente.com/billets/xd0240706001

7.13 Chicago (21+) https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-chicago-july-13-at-distro-music-hall/event?eid=266316294  DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC (valid until MAY 4)

7.19 Louisville KY (18+)  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+) https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/50255972/kpop-club-nightwith-dj-yuka-k-sacramento-harlows

7.27 Honolulu (18+)  – venue TBA –  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+) – https://www.eventbee.com/v/kpop-club-night-in-columbus-sept-6-at-skullys/event?eid=246616111 DISCOUNT CODE: MAGENTIC

9.21 St. Louis MO (18+) – https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0600608AB9863DF9

9.28 Denver (18+) – 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/kpopclubnight 

DJ Yuka K http://instagram.com/djyuka      

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!

 

There’s a new K-beauty trend going around, but it has mostly negative comments surrounding it. Korea’s beauty culture isn’t 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 “Eye-ring surgery.” Individuals who desire to have the effects of large pupil contact lenses, but permanently, are opting into this trend. The larger pupil effect isn’t a stranger to the K-pop world, with many stars seen sporting these contacts.

The surgery itself is promoted as “simple.” A circular silicone ring is inserted around the pupil to enlarge it. It doesn’t 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:

“South Korean plastic surgeons doing this need to be removed for crimes against humanity.”
“I would do it!”
“WonYoung already got dibs booking that first appointment.”
“Heck no, that looks like a tattoo on the white of your eye! Wearing a circle lens would be safer than this.”
“That sounds scary.”

Korea’s 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 fold–this is the skin at the eye’s 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

Coming off the heels of his third EP, the K-pop superstar will kick off the tour in Seoul and visit 18 cities across Europe, North America and Asia

MONSTA X’s dynamic rapper and vocalist, I.M, embarks on his new journey as a solo artist by announcing dates for his ‘Off The Beat’ World Tour. The soloist will ignite the world with his first ever solo headlining tour that will kick off in Seoul before proceeding to showcasing storytelling performances for fans in major European cities, followed by a North American tour leg, before ending in Asia. As the sole member of MONSTA X to embark on a global solo adventure, the K-pop star is poised to captivate the audiences with his charisma, explosive energy, and genre-defying artistry.

Fueling the anticipation, I.M has dropped the latest music video from his third EP, “Off The Beat,” making this his second release of 2024. Earlier in April, he released the body of work with six new tracks, ‘LURE,’ ‘Bust it,’ ‘X0,’ ‘Skyline,’ ‘MMI,’ and ‘nbdy.’ While each song embodies a unique story, this extended playlist is all about being his genuine self and reflects the theme of ‘not following the regular path,’ and practicing ‘unconventionalism.’ The record-breaking artist delves deeper into uncharted territory with this new release, infusing his raw talent as a producer, singer-songwriter, and rapper with the genuine spirit of his avant-garde persona.

Beyond the stage, I.M remains stylish and iconic by straddling the worlds of both music and fashion. From collaborations with Versace and Swarovski, to turning heads at Polo Ralph Lauren and BOSS, I.M is a trendsetter, trailblazer, and fashion icon. This tour presents a new opportunity to witness I.M’s bold style, both musically and on stage.

Get ready to witness I.M embark on his first ever solo tour showcasing his distinctive storytelling live in 18 cities across the world. For more information on tour dates and tickets, please visit I.M’s social media channels on Instagram and Twitter. The general public can buy tickets starting from April 29 at 10 am PDT and 8 am EDT with presale taking place on April 26 at the same time for those with the presale code.

 

2024 Off The Beat World Tour Dates:

All dates and cities below are subject to change.

 

KOREA

May 25-26 Seoul

 

EUROPE

July 26  London, UK

July 28  Paris, FR

Aug. 1  Cologne, GE

Aug. 3  Berlin, GE

 

UNITED STATES

Aug. 8  Boston, MA

Aug. 10  New York, NY

Aug. 15  Toronto, ON

Aug. 17  Chicago, IL

Aug. 23  Houston, TX

Aug. 25  Dallas, TX

Aug. 27 Vancouver, BC

Aug. 29  San Francisco, CA

Aug. 31  Los Angeles, CA

 

ASIA

Sept. 19  Taipei

Sept. 22  Tokyo

Sept. 24  Bangkok

Sept. 29  Macau

 

(Credit: Sony Music Entertainment Korea Inc)

 

ABOUT I.M

I.M (Im Chang-Kyun) is a member and the lead rapper of the Korean boy group, MONSTA X, who debuted in 2015. Even as the youngest member of the group, I.M has shown his talent and potential as a soloist through numerous mixtapes and solo EPs, where he contributed to the composing, arranging, and writing of the lyrics. His solo debut EP “DUALITY”, released in February 2021, has gained massive success with five tracks ranking in Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales Chart, reaching 8.5 million views on YouTube for his lead track, “God Damn”, music video and holds over 15.9 million streams on Spotify. While remaining a part of MONSTA X, I.M is currently focusing more on his solo career. With the second EP “OVERDRIVE” released under Sony Music Entertainment Korea in June 2023, he showed a wider range of skills with a style change in his music compared to his work with MONSTA X. This EP ranked first in 14 countries on the iTunes Global Chart and achieved over 1 million streams within 24 hours of the release, which led to this extended playlist to place on the Melon Hall of Fame. The album carefully sets out the musical worldview pursued by I.M as a soloist through deep, sophisticated sounds and delicate melodies. I.M has been showing great success and growth as he continues to reveal a more unique side of him as well as connects with his fans through his latest albums and singles, such as his debut EP “Duality,” his last album “Overdrive,” and his latest single “Slowly.” All five songs in the “Duality” album charted on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales Chart and has about 45 million all time global streams.

 

Connect with I.M on Instagram |Twitter |Facebook | Spotify | YouTube

 

 

#IM #2024InternationalTour #kcrushannouncement #OffTheBeatIMTour #musictour #kpop #MonstaX #solotour #IMChangKyun #kcrushamerica #worldtourannouncement #kpoptour #leadsingerMonstaX #18citytour #krapper #kmusic #kculture #koreansinger #IMofMonstaX

KCrush ‘In Flames’ Interview with Actresses Ramesha Nawal and Bakhtawar Mazhar

 

Carolyn Hinds

Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12

For his feature directorial debut In Flames, Canadian-Pakistani filmmaker Zarrar Kahn, gives audiences a densely layered psychological horror story of how trauma and the secrets we keep can end up imprisoning us in a life of uncertainty, fear, and insecurity.

Based on his 2018 short film Dia, 2023’s feature adaptation stars Ramesha Nawal who for her first lead and film role, gives an extremely impressive performance as Mariam, a young college student who’s foray into romance and first love turns into a nightmare following a tragic accident. Unable to cope with the trauma which brings to mind memories of past incidents that haunt her, Miram withdraws into herself and away from her mother Fariha, played eloquently by Bakhtawar Mazhar.

As Mariam becomes aware of the danger men pose to her safety and peace of mind, Fariha herself is learning how to stand on her feet for the first time after living under the controlling guidance of her late father and husband.

Though mother and daughter seem to be fighting their own personal battles and demons, they’re ultimately fighting the same dark spectre of patriarchy. This system that though intangible in a sense, has very tangible effects on their lives and relationship with each other. Khan does an extremely impressive job of depicting this system as the horror that it is for women and young girls to live under.

While he may have set the events of In Flames in Karachi, Pakistan, Zarrar understands that the system is the same the world over. It doesn’t matter the city, language, or culture, patriarchy is present everywhere and exists as a looming presence that can take physical form in men who claim to be heroes but turn out to be a woman’s worst nightmare.

Doing an excellent job of building the film’s tense and disconcerting atmosphere were cinematographer Aigul Nrubulatova, editor Craig Scorgie, and composer Kalaisan Kalaichelvan.

In my interview with Zarrar we spoke about the danger men who want to be feminist allies can end up being a hindrance to women, building the sense of trepidation Miram experiences, and the trauma she and Farriha must work their way through. And during my conversation with Ramesha and Bakhtawar, we spoke about the ladies’ own perspectives on their characters, growing up and living in patriarchal societies, and mothers and daughters growing together to be their own personal heroes.

In Flames world premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and showed at various film festivals around the world including the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and Regent Park Film Festival, and on April 12th, 2024 had its North American theatrical release.

 

Carolyn Hinds

Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12

 

 

#InFlames #ZarrarKahn #RameshaNawal #BakhtawarMazhar #kcrushinterview #kcrush #CannesFilmFestival #cinematographerAigulNrubulatova #KarachiPakistan #interview #composerKalaisanKalaichelvan #CanadianPakistanifilmmakerZarrarKahn #actress #producer #kcrushamerica #kcrushmedia #TorontoReelAsianInternationalFilmFestival #kcrushfilminterview