photo credit: Starship Entertainment
Introducing CRAVITY: the nine-member, K-pop boy group who are taking the world by storm. Debuting as a group in 2020 with Starship Entertainment, they have been rapidly growing in popularity and recently wrapped their first ever US tour with performances in cities.
Learn more about the group HERE.
They have a number of North American festival dates coming up this summer—KCON in Los Angeles (August 18), Kamp Fest CDMX in Mexico City (August 19 & 20) and Krazy K-pop Festival in New York City (August 26).
CRAVITY—a combination of the words “creativity” and “gravity”—consists of Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun Taeyoung and Seongmin. Also meaning “center of gravity,” the groups aims to draw you into their unique universe.
Earning the title “Monster Rookie” after being referred to as rookies by several media outlets, CRAVITY have already won a host of highly coveted awards including “Best of Next” at the Mnet Asian Music Awards, “New Artist of the Year” at the Melon Awards and have charted on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100, Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, Oricon Weekly Chart and more.
Together, they have released a host of “mini albums,” and their debut full length album was released in two parts—The Awakening: Written in the Stars, of which NME describes as “adolescent ideals on the journey ahead,” followed by Liberty: In Our Cosmos. Last year, CRAVITY released their landmark English-language single with “Boogie Woogie,” of which Forbes details, “highlighting them at their most fun and feel-good.”
The group’s latest song, “Groovy,” has accumulated over 10 million views on YouTube and continuing to climb. “Groovy (Japanese ver)” ranked #1 on Tower Record’s weekly chart. Further new music from the group is imminent.
#CRAVITY #GroovyCRAVITY #kcrushnews #CRAVITYMonsterRookie #BestofNextCRAVITY #kcrushamerica #kpopidol #kpopmusic #MnetAsianMusicAwardsCRAVITY #StarshipEntertainment #TheAwakening:WrittenintheStars #NME #kcrushmedia #Liverty:InOurCosmosCRAVITY #Serim #Allen #Jungmo #Woobin #Wonjin #Minhee #Hyeongjun #Taeyoung #Seongmin #CRAVITYBoogieWoogie #KCONinLosAngeles #August18 #KampFest #CDMXinMexicoCity #August19and20 #KrazyKpopFestivalinNewYorkCity #August26
Recently debuted K-pop girl group tripleS garnered attention as the world’s first decentralized artist. Their freshly announced unit, LOVElution, consists of 8 members of tripleS and will be heading to the United States for their first world tour.
tripleS, formed by MODHAUS in 2022, garnered fans’ attention as a new form of fan-participatory K-POP. They are an idol group that generates, combines, and promotes various units with genetic elements through fans’ voting content, ‘Gravity’. tripleS LOVElution is a new ‘DIMENSION’ created through ‘Gravity’. The group consists of 8 members: SeoYeon, HyeRin, YuBin, Kaede, DaHyun, Nien, SoHyun and Xinyu.
On July 21, MODHAUS released personal concept images revealing the members one by one daily. Starting from member Nien, the teasers created much buzz at the hint of tripleS LOVElution’s upcoming album <ↀ>, releasing on August 17. Fans are curious about the ‘Love Teen’ concept images that show the members’ refreshing and unique characteristics, drawing WAV (official fandom name) into the group’s charm. tripleS LOVElution content can be found on tripleS’s official SNS channels and the members will continue to communicate with fans through ‘SIGNAL’(tripleS’ variety content).
Debuting with the first tripleS subunit, Acid Angel from Asia, also known as AAA, their “1st Mini Album 〈ACCESS〉” hit the Melon Latest Music charts at number 8 on the first week of release. The music video for the title song ‘Generation’, is their highest-viewed music video with 32 million views on YouTube. In February 2023, their “1st Mini Album <ASSEMBLE>” was released featuring the first 10 members that were revealed to the public. Within the first 24 hours of release, the title track ‘Rising’’s music video accumulated 5.5 million views. ‘Rising’ debuted with 2,810,055 streams on Spotify in its first week of release, becoming the 3rd most streamed first week album in 2023 by a girl group. Their most recent release, “1st Mini Album 〈AESTHETIC〉”, hit their highest personal album sales at over 54,000 albums sold with the sub-unit +(KR)ystal Eyes.
Proving their capabilities as rookie monsters, tripleS LOVElution is ready to take center stage on their first world tour starting from the U.S. They have showcased their presence through special performances combined with beautiful melodies. The unit is expected to showcase lovely pop-genre music. tripleS LOVElution will greet their fans in the U.S. with a total of 10 stops with their first show in Atlanta and their last show in Los Angeles.
Tickets are now available via individual local vendor sites. Check out your city’s venue through
Get Meet & Greet passes to see tripleS LOVElution through https://mmt.fans/bn8E
tripleS 1st World Tour [Authentic] LOVElution in US – Tour Dates
9/24 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
9/26 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center
9/28 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
10/01 – New York, NY – Town Hall
10/03 – Tysons, VA – Capital One Hall
10/05 – Akron, OH – Goodyear Theater
10/07 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
10/09 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
10/11 – Fort Worth, TX – Will Rogers
10/14 – Los Angeles, CA – Pasadena Civic Center
About tripleS LOVElution:
tripleS, formed by MODHAUS in 2022, is a new form of fan-participatory K-POP idol group that generates, combines, and promotes various units with genetic elements through Gravity. During the 11-day Gravity, 140,000 votes from fans resulted in the creation of 2 units; LOVElution and EVOLution. tripleS LOVElution consists of members SeoYeon, HyeRin, YuBin, Kaede, DaHyun, Nien, SoHyun and Xinyu. tripleS LOVElution is expected to showcase lovely pop-genre music. “tripleS” means “The Idol of all Possibilities” and the three S letters stand for “Social, Sonyo, Seoul”. The group’s concept is that the members have the special ability ‘S’ and that they will join forces and demonstrate their abilities through the ‘Dimension’ which will be recreated every season with new concepts.
About MODHAUS:
Modhaus is a Web3 project aiming to promote Korean Pop culture via blockchain technology. The company brings fans closer to creators by putting them at the center of the experience. Modhaus seeks to include fans across major stages of production using NFT-powered governance mechanisms.
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste organizes fan-initiated concerts around the world. We’re driven by our mission to connect and amplify the voices of fans all over the world. We’ve 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 artist’s 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. MyMusicTaste is truly growing as a global service. Our investors include Com2us, SK Networks, Kolon, Samsung Venture Capital, Golden Gate Ventures, KTB network, SL Investment, and numerous global firms that are recognized Worldwide.
#tripleS #tripleSworldtour #kcrush #kcrushnews #tripleSLovelution #SeoYeon #HyeRin #YuBin #Kaede #DaHyun #Nien #SoHyun #Xinyu #kcrushamericamagazine #MODHAUS #tripleStourtickets #kcrushmedia #tripleSalbums #tripleSalbumASSEMBLE #tripleSalbumAESTHETIC #tripleSRising #8membergirlgroup #worldtour #kpop #kpopmusic #koreangirlgroup #TheIdolOfAllPossibilities #newtour #girlgroup #tripleSAcidAngelAAAsubunit #tripleSsubunitKRystalEyes
Vicke Blanka performed as the Music Guest of Honor at the 22nd edition of Japan Expo, held over four days From Thursday, July 13 through Sunday, July 16, 2023, at Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre in France, under the title Japan Expo 22nd Impact.
Drawing some 250,000 attendees, Japan Expo is France’s largest Japanese culture and entertainment festival. Launched by a team of Japanophiles in France, the festival celebrates Japanese culture and its place within the global entertainment sphere. The event presents the latest in manga, anime, videogames, music, fashion, VTubers and other pop culture, along with regional and traditional Japanese culture such as performing arts, crafts, tourism, food and more.
Making his first appearance at Japan Expo, Vicke Blanka performed as the Music Guest of Honor. When he set foot on the stage, he was greeted by roars of excitement from an audience of around 5,000 music fans. His first song was a DJ rendition of ‘Soten No Vampire’, a dance track that fuses EDM with J-pop, quickly turning the venue into a dancefloor. He continued to heat up the venue with the overwhelmingly addictive ‘Death Dance’, the Japanese literature-infused ‘FATE’, and his popular Spotify TV ad theme ‘Ca Va?’.
After driving the audience to a frenzy, he performed ‘Black Rover’, the opening theme song to season three of the hit anime series ‘Black Clover’. This was followed by ‘Black Catcher’, the opening theme song from ‘Black Clover’ season 10, which has been in Spotify’s Top 10 chart of songs by Japanese artists played by overseas users for three consecutive years. With over 150 million streaming plays for ‘Black Rover’ and around 200 million plays for ‘Black Catcher’, both of these songs are wildly popular all around the word.
Vicke Blanka / Black Catcher (from Japan Expo Paris ICHIGO stage 2023.7.16)
Vicke Blanka’s incredible performance sparked a frenzied crowd reaction, showing this talented artist’s ability to transcend borders, and proving his popularity among music fans in France.
This year, Vicke Blanka also performed at Jeddah Events Calendar 2023 – Anime Village at City Walk in Saudi Arabia in May and at Riminicomix in Italy in July; and in December, he will perform at 29 Manga Barcelona in Spain – charting the path for new levels of success around the world.
Japan Expo 22nd Impact
Dates: July 13-16, 2023
Venue: Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre
https://www.japan-expo-paris.com/en/
Music Guest of Honor: Vicke Blanka
Vicke Blanka / Black Catcher (from Japan Expo Paris ICHIGO stage 2023.7.16)
Check out Vicke Blanka’s Japan Expo setlist playlist on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3sc58Ry9lInNz4ERBv3vUi?si=711b616cfcf34839
1 Soten No Vampire
2 Death Dance
3 FATE
4 Ca Va?
5 Black Rover
6 Black Catcher
★ Vicke Blanka 2023 overseas event performances
- Jeddah Events Calendar 2023 – Anime Village at City Walk (Saudi Arabia)
- Riminicomix (Italy)
- Japan Expo (France)
- Manga Barcelona (Spain)
★ Official links
French Link fan club: https://vickeblanka.fc.avex.jp/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickeBlanka
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VickeblankaTV
TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@vicke_blanka
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickeblanka/
Official website: https://vickeblanka.com/
#VickeBlanka2023JapanExpoLive #VickeBlanks #kcrushamericamagazine #kcrushnews #JapanExposetlistplaylist #AnimeVillageatCityWalkSaudiArabia #JapanExpoMusicGuestofHonor #FrancesJapanExpo #ParisNordVillepinteExhibitionCentreinFrance
Artist Photo (Credit: Yuri Park)
LISTEN TO ‘MANIA (WHERE THEM GIRLS AT)’ HERE
WATCH ‘MANIA (WHERE THEM GIRLS AT)’ HERE
Multi-talented singer-songwriter-actress, Emily Mei, announced her single “MANIA (Where Them Girls At)” is out now, available on all DSPs and streaming services. Supported by an accompanying music video, this is her second foray into creating new, original music, and is just the beginning of a deep dive into highlighting her versatile musical talents as 2023 moves forward.
With summer rolling in, Emily Mei packs in the heat with “MANIA”, complete with a full bass, clear vocals, rapid fire rap verses, and an unending supply of big boss energy. In a brilliant nod to her cultural roots, the song also showcases a unique, west-meets-east sound with the inclusion of Chinese instrumentation like the guzheng and erhu, adding a layer of complexity to the entire song. This self-made star reveals to the world once again that not only can she do it all, but she doesn’t need any help, singing, “Thank you, but no thank you, I can do it better.”
Paired with this girl-boss anthem is the equally stunning and incredibly empowered, cinematic music video. The scene opens to find the singer bruised up in an alley, with a pile of bodies at her feet; showcasing a hard-earned victory from simply being the best around. Others can try, but they just can’t beat her. Reminiscent of the grimy, iconic gangster films of old, our singer takes the spotlight as someone going off “like a maniac,” and reminds us all to “watch our backs.” Mess around and you’ll find out just what’s in store, and from the looks of it, things will definitely get a little bloody in the process. Despite it all, our protagonist has no qualms with who she is, and if anything relishes in the carnage she can impart to all those who cross her, a beautiful combination of elegance, control, and power. What makes it that much more extraordinary is that this incredibly intricate video was shot over just two days, another testament to Emily Mei’s talent as not just a singer, but an actress, co-director, and producer as well.
She has a new film she co-stars alongside Hannah Stocking and 50 Cent out Valentine’s Day next year – see trailer here.
ABOUT EMILY MEI
Los Angeles native Emily Mei is a singer-songwriter, actress, model, and entrepreneur, whose success knows no boundaries. Initially launching her career on social media, Mei has amassed over a million followers across her range of platforms. Beginning in early 2022, Mei has become the executive producer and host of the series Global Spin Live for the GRAMMY Museum and the Recording Academy, spotlighting Asian artists and more from around the world. Among the talents that Mei has interviewed for the series includes BamBam, KANGDANIEL, ENHYPEN, ATEEZ, Lay Zhang, Amber Liu, and more. As an artist, Mei released her successful debut My Domain with CLC’s Sorn and f(x)’s Amber Liu, a ‘girl power’ collaboration that has gained over two million streams since its release. From interviewing some of the biggest names in Asian media to co-founding a music and anime based web3 platform, Mei has positioned herself to be one of the most notable figure heads across the Asian entertainment and American music industries. Connect with Emily Mei: Instagram – YouTube – Twitter – TikTok
#EmilyMei #GrammyMuseumandRecordingAcademy #Asianartists #GlobalSpinLive #kcrushnews #ChineseAmerican #newmusic #ManiaWhereThemGirlsAt #EmilyMeinewmusic #kcrushamerica #girlboss #theguzhengiinstrument #erhuinstrument #kcrushmedia #MyDomainCLCSornandAmberLiu
Offerings for the VIP Krazy Fan Packages include artist meet and greets, soundcheck, send-off, and exclusive Krazy K-Pop merchandise
Tickets for event at UBS Arena on sale now at krazysuperconcert.com
Pulse Events, the company known for their renowned events bringing global music to New York, announced their new VIP package offerings for the upcoming ‘Krazy K-Pop Super Concert’. The inaugural K-pop music event is coming to UBS Arena at Belmont Park, located 30 minutes from Penn Station or Grand Central via LIRR, on Saturday, August 26. Previously announced artists are SHOWNU and HYUNGWON, who will officially perform their comeback as a unit of K-pop super group MONSTA X, alongside girl group IVE, boy group AB6IX, soloist Kwon Eun Bi, and boy group CRAVITY.
JRE (Just Random Everyday), the wildly popular content creator best known for his light-hearted take on K-pop culture and music has been added as the evening’s on-stage host. The gaming enthusiast and social media sensation developed a passion for creating his comically relatable videos, launching his YouTube channel JREKML back in 2011; quickly becoming the go-to source for K-pop. Offering a unique blend of humor, creativity and authenticity that quickly gained a loyal following of over a million subscribers that come along on his everyday experiences and adventures. From funny anecdotes to personal challenges to connecting with a wide audience with his genuine personality, JRE has become a beloved figure in the community, also growing into philanthropy. Aside from aspiring other content creators and fans alike, he has interviewed some of today’s biggest acts including ATEEZ, NCT 127, DPR IAN and more.
The VIP Krazy Fan’s newest offerings include a quick meet and greet photo opportunity with an artist, soundcheck viewing (Stagecheck), post-concert send-off and some exclusive Krazy K-Pop merchandise. For the meet and greet photo, fans will get to choose one artist of their choice upon purchase, and will take a photo along with four other fans within their shared artist choice. Meet and greet photos will be available to fans who purchase Packages A and B, and the send-off option is exclusive only to fans who purchase Package A. All the packages will come with stagecheck, early entry to the venue, designated VIP check-in and pre-door merchandise shopping. There will also be a send-off after the concert where fans who are Package A holders have a chance to say their last good-byes to the artists on their way out of the arena.
VIP Package Offerings
VIP Krazy Fan Packages range from Packages A to C, with Package A containing all of the benefits of Package B and C and more. The complete offerings for each VIP package will be listed below along with their respective prices.
VIP offerings:
- Package A (All Inclusive Package) – $210
- Includes everything from VIP Fan Package B and C
- Meet and greet photo of your favorite artist
- Exclusive Fan Privilege: Artist Send-off
- Please note that all Meet and Greet Photos consist of a group of 5 total
- Package B – $150
- Stagecheck
- Meet and greet photo with your favorite artist group
- Pre-door merchandise shopping
- Early entry to the venue
- Designated VIP check-in
- Package C – $100
- Stagecheck
- Exclusive merchandise
- Pre-door merchandise shopping
- Early entry to the venue
- Designated VIP check-in
Meet and Greet Photo Choices
Fans must choose 1 of the 5 artists for their meet and greet photos and they will then take a group photo consisting of 4 other fans (groups of 5 fans total) with their shared artist choice. Options for photos with individual members of any of the artist groups (aside from Kwon Eun Bi) are not available.
Artist Choices:
- SHOWNU and HYUNGWON of MONSTA X
- IVE
- CRAVITY
- AB6IX
- Kwon Eun Bi
To stay up-to-date on announcements surrounding this show-stopping concert, be sure to follow @krazyconcert on Twitter and @krazysuperconcerts on Instagram. For all information on Krazy K-Pop Super Concert, please visit krazysuperconcert.com. All maps of the venue can be found here at ubsarena.com.
About Pulse Events
Based in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York City, Pulse Events is a proficient Event Producer and Promoter. The company specializes in concerts and live performances across North America and around the world. With a mission to be the pioneer of culture and media innovation, Pulse Events produces, manages, and promotes high-quality IP products for global audiences. These include music concerts, live performances, EDM events, night entertainment, and web3 metaverse events. Since its establishment in 2015, Pulse Events has participated in the production and hosting of world tours of many top South Korean artists. Within these artists include EXO, BIGBANG, T-ARA, Running Man, etc. To date, Pulse Events has hosted over 60 EDM performances, including SLANDER, Yellow Claw, Gryffin, KSHMR, Like Mike, DJ Soda, Tokyo Machine, KUURO, among others.
About UBS Arena
UBS Arena at Belmont Park is made for music and built for hockey. New York’s newest premier entertainment and sports venue and home of the New York Islanders is developed in partnership with Oak View Group, the New York Islanders, and Jeff Wilpon. The state of the art arena opened in November 2021 and has welcomed numerous top artists including Harry Styles, Sebastian Maniscalco, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, TWICE, Eagles, John Mayer, Kendrick Lamar and Post Malone. The venue delivers an unmatched live entertainment experience for guests including clear sightlines and premier acoustics.
UBS Arena is at the forefront of sustainability, being awarded LEED Green Building Certification in January 2023. The venue also achieved carbon neutrality for operations in Fall 2022 which made it the first arena to do so on the eastern United States seaboard. For more information on the venue’s sustainability efforts, please visit UBSArena.com/sustainability.
Located on the historic grounds of Belmont Park, UBS Arena is located just 30 minutes by LIRR from Grand Central or Penn Station and is easily accessible from across the region via mass transit or car. To plan your trip, please visit UBSArena.com/plan-your-trip.
For additional information, please visit UBSArena.com or @UBSArena on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
#KrazyKPopSuperConcert #August26 #JRE #JREKML #USBArena #kcrushnews #BelmontParkUBSArena #kcrushamericamagazine #PulseEvents #koreanartists #koreanperformers #MONSTAX #SHOWNUandHYUNGWONofMONSTAX #IVE #CRAVITY #AB6IX #KwonEunBi #kcrushmedia #newevent #inauguralkpopeventinNewYork #kpop #kpopevent #kpopmusic #kpopeventmeetandgreet #KrazyKPopSuperInaugural #kpopdiscussion #kpopgroups #kpopeventtickets #kpoptickets #August26 #NewVIPPackages
ChoCo1&2 is a Korean group under ChoCo Entertainment, consisting of members Jake(Ye-chan), Anpan, TJ(Taejo), who possess performance skills, instrumental play, producing, and DJing abilities. They are entitled as a “project-type group,” capable of forming units freely to cater to the fans’ needs. Currently, the lineup of ChoCo1&2 is not yet finalized, and they plan to complete the boy group ChoCo1(leader Jake) and girl group ChoCo2(leader Anpan) through auditions, seeking the best combination of members for each unit.
[인터뷰 질문 한글]
Please introduce the ChoCo 1&2 team to our readers. Specifically, what’s the difference between each unit of ChoCo 1 and 2, and who are the members of each unit?
Jake: Hey, KCrush readers, what’s up! It’s Jake, the leader of ChoCo1! ChoCo1 is a boy group and ChoCo2 is a girl group, but we’re bound to fixed members and concepts. We’re like Avengers – always ready to switch things up and adapt to different concepts. We showcase each member’s strengths in various ways, making us a super versatile group!
TJ: Hi, everyone! I’m TJ from ChoCo1! Yeah, we may be divided into the boy group, ChoCo1, and the girl group, ChoCo2, but we’ve got some exciting unit activities with a mix of 1 & 2 coming your way, starting with the album of ChoCo 1&2 <ChoCo Takes Hollywood> – our music album of the reality show “ChoCo in Hollywood”, where we showcased ChoCo1&2. Not all the members are set and we’re still on the hunt for new members through auditions!
Anpan: Hey there, KCrush readers! Anpan here, leader of ChoCo2. ChoCo1&2 are a team of members with unique charms and skills.
Please briefly introduce the “ChoCo Takes Hollywood” album released in June.
Jake: This album is like a diary of our first experiences in the USA. We made songs based on those adventures. Since the tracks cover various genres and moods, you can enjoy them anytime without getting bored. My favorite is, ‘85 IN’, and the title song, it’s got that energetic vibe that gets you pumped no matter where or when you listen to it. You should totally give it a go and have a blast!
TJ: It hasn’t been long since the album dropped, but we spent years preparing for it. Yeah, it was a long journey, and we even had some tough times battling COVID during the recording process. But after the album’s release, it felt like all that hard work and practice paid off big time. We poured our stories as its order into this album, so if you listen to all the tracks in order, you’ll get the full experience. Personally, ‘Pink Drive’ is perfect for watching the sunset, and ‘Like Ayye’ is the ultimate sing-along jam to enjoy with your friends. But honestly, all the songs are awesome, so give ‘em a listen!
Anpan: “ChoCo Takes Hollywood” is an album featuring ChoCo1&2 unit. It’s got addictive reggaeton beats in “Fruity Loops”, powerful energy in “Freeze” with that booming rhythm, and “Pink Drive” is perfect for those late-night drives. And there are 10 more tracks with different genres! It’s such a fun and diverse album, you’ll have a blast listening to it, trust me!
What are your next action plans? Can it be revealed which units will be active?
Jake: So, we just came back from Thailand, and the fans there showed us so much love! Now I really wanna visit even more countries and share our music with the world. We’ve been practicing with different formations, so who knows, maybe there’ll be another unit coming up. But one thing’s for sure, we’ll always bring something fresh and different to the table!
TJ: Yeah, besides our regular performances, we’re also exploring band and DJ sets, so we can show you guys even more variety in the future. We’re working hard and preparing a lot, so thanks for your patience. And don’t forget to check out “ChoCo Takes Hollywood” album, we can’t wait for you to hear it!
Anpan: We’re putting in the effort to showcase ChoCo2 in our future activities too! So stay excited and keep cheering for us! You won’t be disappointed!
Along with your pre-debut (or the first public appearance), you approached viewers with the reality show “ChoCo In Hollywood.” How was the filming in general? What was most challenging and what are the things that you couldn’t show us during the show?
Jake: Yeah, there were some embarrassing moments from when I was younger, but seeing the whole timeline from first being in ChoCo and beyond, it feels just odd. This opportunity makes me feel like I can keep growing. I’ll do my best to evolve as an artist. English interviews were a bit challenging, but I’m going to study even harder so I can do all interviews in English!
TJ: The videos we’ve released during our time in ChoCo, just like the album, captured five years of memories. It’s not just the fans, even we had a blast watching our journey together. From when we knew nothing as kids to the growth through hard work, it’s been a fun ride looking back, remembering the fun parts more than the difficult ones.
Anpan: “ChoCo In Hollywood” is a reality show that captures all the members’ efforts and growth. I’ve got to admit, watching the last episode, I found myself unexpectedly shedding tears. The challenging part was expressing everything accurately in Korean during the interviews. So I’m really working hard on improving my Korean language skills.
How did you feel meeting Jamie Foxx and celebrities while filming?
Jake: When he first came, I felt such an incredible energy. It was like Jamie Foxx’s amazing experiences were sprinkled all over me like perfume. Inspired by Jamie Foxx, I made a decision to be someone who doesn’t back down, overcomes fears, and takes on any challenge. No fear!!
TJ: Meeting someone I had only seen in movies was mind-boggling, and I couldn’t tell if it was real or not. His advice to not be afraid and give it my all made me humbled and even more passionate. He said he would be like our uncle, I feel very assured!
Please tell us about the meaning of the team name ChoCo. Does the “Cho” come from ChoPD?
Jake: ChoCo is a simple word that everyone around the world can easily remember. We decided to use our company’s name as our team name as well to make it easier and more active for us to communicate with our global fans!
TJ: ChoCo is actually super sweet and delicious, right? We also want to create music that’s as delicious as ChoCo, something that everyone can enjoy, and share positive energy with our fans through our music. And Cho could be that from ChoPD too(laughs). In any case, Cho means doing good music!
Anpan: ChoCo is such a great name because no matter which country or person, they can call it “ChoCo.” At first, I didn’t know the exact meaning, but since “ChoCo” is one of my favorite foods, I was delighted when I first heard the name “ChoCo.”
Were you nervous at your first stage? Please reveal how you felt then.
Jake: I was really nervous. I knew I would be nervous, but the stage was even more overwhelming and grand than I had imagined. I had thoughts like, “Can I really perform here?” But I believed in myself and enjoyed the stage. Anpan being there with me gave me more strength, and we were able to decorate the stage beautifully.
TJ: It was the second stage for Ye-chan(Jake) hyung and Anpan, and “Freeze” was my first stage. I wondered if Ye-chan hyung and Anpan felt nervous like this too when they performed. But once I got on stage, I actually didn’t feel nervous and had fun, as if I was just doing a fun practice. It still amazes me that I’m on the same stage where great artists performed.
Anpan: Having the opportunity to stand on a stage that I had only seen on TV or YouTube when I was young was unbelievable. I was so nervous and tense to the point where I couldn’t even speak properly. There were so many cameras, and during rehearsals, I didn’t know where to look, so I was quite lost.
You’re currently students while working as artists. What is the best thing about going to school?
Jake: Spending time with friends is the best thing. Being in ChoCo allows us to spend a lot of time with each other. At school, we get to interact with different friends we wouldn’t meet here, and it’s refreshing. There’s always something new to learn.
TJ: I love playing soccer, so I really enjoy the weekly time I get to play with my friends. Also, I recently passed the band audition and now I play the guitar for the band. It’s a new experience playing with people other than ChoCo members.
Anpan: Lunchtime is my favorite. At my school, we have days like “Thai food day” where they serve various foreign cuisines. Among the Thai dishes, Som Tum was the most delicious. My school meals are so tasty that I don’t want to go to middle school. (laughs)
What is the intensity of ChoPD’s training?
Jake: Our lessons are so enjoyable and engaging! We can have fun while still learning during the training. It challenges us to think about things we might not have considered before, which is pretty awesome. It’s like a positive and exciting training session for us.
TJ: When we first joined, ChoPD taught us rap lessons. It was really cool because he guided us on how to express our stories through music and we got to discuss different songs from various eras. Now, we have different teachers for each subject, and they’re all great! We are receiving training in a way that doesn’t put too much strain on our school life!
Anpan: We have classes in singing, dancing, and so much more. There are lessons on various instruments, acting, writing, and monitoring. The best part is that the training schedule and intensity are adjusted to fit each of us, depending on the personality and strengths, so we handle it all comfortably without any pressure.
Can you share your timetable for a normal day? In particular, about the average practice time per day?
Jake: After school, I usually arrive at the training center around 3-4 PM to attend practice and classes. During vacations, I come in around 10 AM for stretching and physical training. We have various music-related lessons like vocals, dance, recording, guitar, drums, and more. Additionally, we learn essential skills for becoming better artists, such as language, personality, and monitoring classes. Typically, everything wraps up around 10 PM.
TJ: When I’m attending school, I finish around 4-5 PM and head straight to the training center. I plan out my day, and then I dive into lessons and practice. There are many different classes, but I particularly enjoy instrument lessons like guitar and DJ training, and I put extra effort into them. I also love the monitoring classes, where we watch our performances and have discussions.
Anpan: Our daily schedule varies, but most days, I arrive at Choco after 3 PM. I start with vocal exercises and stretching to warm up our bodies. Then, we have classes and practice until around 10 PM. Once it hits 10 PM, I head straight home.
What do you all of Choco Entertainment often do when you get together?
Jake: We’re comfortable enough with each other that we don’t even need to say anything. We just do what we want, and sometimes we shoot TikTok videos or have freestyle dance battles.
TJ: We often watch YouTube videos together, like artist performances and concerts. We also sometimes brag about our strengths.
Anpan: Usually, during dinnertime, we eat together and have a lot of conversations.
What is the hottest snack/dessert among the members these days?
Jake: Mint chocolate candy is the hottest one, and it’s the candy that Anpan brought from Thailand. When we were there, I suddenly remembered it, so I bought several of them.
TJ: I’m more of a rice person than snacks, but Ye-chan hyung loves jelly. Anpan likes candies.
Anpan: After trying delicious Thai milk tea during the filming in Thailand, we often have it in Korea too. Besides milk tea, I’m selecting various traditional Thai snacks that the members haven’t tried yet. I hope they will like the snacks that I enjoy.
Have you ever been to noraebang(singing room)? What is each member’s favorite song at noraebang?
Jake: Three months ago, Taejo(TJ) and I went to a noraebang in Hongdae. Taejo sang ‘My Style,’ and I sang Travis Scott’s ‘Goosebumps.’ We enjoyed the noraebang without any worries, feeling like we were on stage.
TJ: Yes, I’ve been to noraebang a few times with Ye-chan hyung. He likes singing NewJeans songs, so we kept singing their songs. I sing a lot of ChoPD’s songs, especially ‘My Style’ and ‘Friend(친구여).’
Anpan: I haven’t been to a Korean noraebang yet. I really want to go to one with the members soon!
What areas does each member want to challenge in the future?
Jake: I want to take on new challenges as an actor and try dance battles. I want to go beyond the typical idol image and express myself in various ways.
TJ: I have a desire to produce bands or performances while playing musical instruments. After gaining more experience, I would love to work as a music director.
Anpan: I want to try my hand at modeling and acting. I had a brief experience in acting when I was younger, and I’m currently taking acting lessons at ChoCo. If I have the chance, I’d like to challenge myself again in the future.
What would you like to say to your fans and to our KCrush readers?
Jake: We’ll continue to bring you more exciting things, so please always look forward to it. With just a headset and earphones, you can meet us anytime and enjoy our music and performances together. Even though we’re far apart, we’re honored to receive so much love and attention. Gracias por todo! This was Jake, the leader of ChoCo1.
TJ: We’ll work even harder as ChoCo1&2, so please continue to support us with your love and cheers. Thank you for showing us so much interest, and we promise to come back with even better music!
Anpan: Thank you to all the fans and KCrush readers for supporting and cheering for us! We’re looking forward to the day we can meet you in person in the USA. Please stay excited!
—-Jiyoung Lee
[References]
* Mnet/M2 초코 리얼리티 “ChoCo in Hollywood [1]
* ChoCo1&2 ‘Fruity Loops’ MV [2]
* ChoCo1&2 ‘Fruity Loops’ 스테이지 [3] @ 엠카운트다운
* ChoCo1&2 ‘Freeze’ 스테이지 [4] @ 엠카운트다운
#ChoCo1n2 #ChoCo1 #ChoCo2 #Jake #Anpan #TJ #Sean #ChoCoEntertainment #ChoCo1n2 #ChoCoEntertainment #JunghunCho #ChoPD #kcrushnews #kpop #ChoCo #kcrushcontent #kcrushmedia #5thgenerationofkpop #FruityLoopsKoreanVersion #FruityLoops515Version #newmusic #ChoComusicvideo #FruityLoopsChoComusicvideo #hallyumusic #globalkpopgroup #newkpopgroup #kcrushamerica #ChoCoJake #ChoCoAnPan #ChoCoTakesHollywoodEpisode #kcrushinterview #kcrushconent #kcrushUSA #kpopnewgroup
In the latest episode of Candid Conversations with KCrush, we are joined with Mike and Sav of the indie pop duo Corner Club. Their music can be summarized as smooth and chill. Corner Club has made Spotify’s Viral 50 in Thailand. Their second single “Manhattanhenge,” has been streamed on Spotify over two million times. Corner Club’s latest release is the 2021 EP “Little Lovely Lullabies.” A beautiful collection of experiences into music Their latest single is “Dreaming,” which gives a glimpse into Sav’s mourning of her grandmother amidst COVID and lockdown. It is also about holding on to generational bonds while miles away. I had a great time chatting with Corner Club and I know you will enjoy the interview.
Interview Conducted by Cwamne Howard
#CornerClub #CornerClubVideos #Dreaming #kcrushinterview #Manhattanhenge #newkcrushinterview #LittleLovelyLullabies #MikeCornerClub #SavCornerClub #indiepop #kcrushamerica #indiemusic #focusmusic #smoothmusic #relaxingmusic #SpotifysViral50inThailand #kcrushreaders #kcrushlisteners #
Chart-topping K-pop girl group DREAMCATCHER is gearing up to meet “InSomnia” (official fandom name), through their 2023 Dreamcatcher World Tour [Apocalypse: From us] in North America.
DREAMCATCHER is a 7-member girl group under the label Dreamcatcher Company consisting of members JI U, SU A, SIYEON, HANDONG, YOOHYEON, DAMI, and GAHYEON.
The group garnered worldwide attention with their Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart hit, “Odd Eye”, and their previous releases of chart-topping hits such as “BOCA,” “Scream,” and “BEcause.” They’ve demonstrated their talent and charm to the world through both their strong, dynamic tracks with powerful vocals and beautifully melodic, soft ballads. DREAMCATCHER has captured the hearts of music fans both domestically and internationally.
DREAMCATCHER recently achieved a career-high by winning two awards on music broadcast programs. Additionally, they proved their extraordinary global popularity by topping the U.S. iTunes Worldwide Album Chart for the sixth time and top album charts in 12 countries worldwide, including Canada.
Through the “Apocalypse: From Us” album, DREAMCATCHER wrapped up the Apocalypse alternate universe concept that inspired the two albums of the series. They played a significant role as “K-pop messengers” and continuously delivered messages concerning environmental issues through their albums “Apocalypse: Save Us” and “Apocalypse: Follow Us.” DREAMCATCHER maintain their color with a unique approach to the topic of environmental pollution and succeed in wrapping up the story with a splendid finish.
The album’s title track, “BONVOYAGE”, is based on the progressive rock genre and has a bright and dreamy atmosphere, giving listeners a glimpse into DREAMCATCHER’s charm. As not only the title song but also each of the album’s tracks show off DREAMCATCHER’s unique color, fans can look forward to a new setlist full of new surprises on this tour. Anticipation is high to see what performance DREAMCATCHER and InSomnia will make together, as the album’s concept highlights that “we” are the only ones who can end the story that started with “us.”
With fascinating tracks and choreography that highlight the group’s unique, bold charm, DREAMCATCHER invites fans into their unique universe through a series of live performances. DREAMCATCHER will head to Canada and new cities in the United States that they have not been able to visit yet this September. The long-anticipated 2023 Dreamcatcher World Tour [Apocalypse: From us] is sure to be a memorable encounter for both DREAMCATCHER and their “InSomnia”. Since the tour announcement on July 27, many InSomnia have been paying even closer, excited attention to DREAMCATCHER. As DREAMCATCHER writes a new history with every show, fans’ expectations are growing further following news of the new tour.
Tickets went on sale July 28th at 10:00 AM (EDT) local time. Information regarding ticketing for the shows can be found on the link below.
2023 Dreamcatcher World Tour [Apocalypse : From us]
September 3 – Montreal, QC – Place des Arts
September 5 – Toronto, ON – Meridian Hall
September 7 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
September 10 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
September 13 – Orlando, FL – DR. Philips Center
About DREAMCATCHER COMPANY:
Established in 2008, DREAMCATCHER COMPANY is a South Korean record label and entertainment
agency founded by the prominent production duo E-tribe. Since the debut of its first artist Nassun, the company has grown in size over the years, producing artists and idol groups under its own name. The company also launched subsidiary labels HF Music Company, Dreamcatcher Company, and D1CE Entertainment is garnering much attention and recognition from the public as the rising creator
of future K-pop artists.
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste organizes fan-initiated concerts around the world. We’re driven by our mission to connect and amplify the voices of fans all over the world. We’ve 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 artist’s 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. MyMusicTaste is truly growing as a global service. Our investors include Com2us, SK Networks, Kolon, Samsung Venture Capital, Golden Gate Ventures, KTB network, SL Investment, and numerous global firms that are recognized worldwide.
#Dreamcatcher #Insomnia #DreamcatcherCanadaTour #DreamcatcherUSTourFlorida #kcrushnews #DreamcatcherTickets #kpop #kpopgirgroup #kpopmusic #kcrushamerica #DreamcatcherWorldTour #DreamcatcherInsomnia #DreamcatcherCompany #MyMusicTaste
When it comes to music I am always after a little bit of innovation, musicians who take creative risks and are in a way doing their own thing. I recently found such a music group in Altoduo. Based in Singapore, the duo combines chillhop, math-rock and new age. They have worked on projects with artists around the world in the US, Germany and Singapore. Altoduo has performed at Singapore Esplanade’s venues. They were also invited to the F1 Grand Prix in 2022. Altoduo first hit the music scene with their debut EP “What Nobody Asked For” in 2020. They just recently released another EP this year called “Jiak Simi (What Shall We Eat?).” Their music very much takes you on such a relaxing path and allows you to drift away. They play so smooth and well executed with a little bit of attitude at times. The duo in their name should be relaxation and vibes, those are the perfect two words to describe their music. I hope you enjoy reading their interview.
You can find all of our links here: https://go.dkesc.co/altoduo-sg
1. What are some movies, shows or songs that you are currently loving?
Answer:
JP: Across the Spider-Verse was amazing, but I was disappointed to hear about the staff undergoing crunch to produce it; they deserve better than that. Music-wise, I’ve been loving the recent King Gizzard and Meshell Ndegeocello albums, local acts like Spider who just dropped their debut album Enemy, and some unreleased stuff I’ve been privy to from Houg and deførmed. New music is always exciting to me, I wish I had more time for it.
Wini: The recent movies that were the most memorable would be GOTG3, The Flash and Oppenheimer. I’m a drama fanatic as well, so recent series can include KDramas e.g. the glory, See You in my 19th Life and Revenant, Castlevania and Oshi No Ko. As for songs, I’m currently into prog music e.g. Leprous, Intervals, Plini, Owane, RUSH; math rock like CHON, Elephant Gym; groovy jazzy-r&b fusion like Anderson .paak, The Free Nationals, Tom Misch, Yussef Dayes, Snarky Puppy, kpop stuff, e.g. NewJeans, Le Serrafim and local acts like forests, and a couple of sweet local jazz quartets
2. Can you introduce the Altoduo lineup? (who’s on drums, bass etc.)
Answer:
We are signed under Dark Escapes Music & Publishing, an Australian-Southeast Asian indie label.
John Paul (JP) on the lead bass and synths, as the main producer. Wini as the drummer & drumpad/synths samples, and co-producer & main marketing relations. We also have Nicole who plays live with us as the second bassist and to cover some of the effects.
3. Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves and backgrounds?
Answer:
Wini: I’ve started playing the Electone at 4, where I was exposed to classical, pop & rock, and improvisation. Later, I fell in love with percussion and drums and I loved itttt. Having been in and around music all of my life, I’ve played quite a wide range of genres (gigs, songwriting) before settling down mainly, with Altoduo. Expanding into that, I have also tried doing basic audio engineering work like recording and editing, while managing a studio-mediahub in Singapore. Something about me that my friends say is that I love to “big brain” at the wrong times, thanks to my main (academic) background in Finance and Sciences.
JP: I’m a refugee from the classical world too, having abandoned the violin at 14, only to pick up guitar and bass a couple years later and play with any band that would have me. About a decade on and I’m still operating by that logic, playing with various cover bands, sessioning for original acts, and writing songs with my two main bands, Altoduo and Cactus Cactus. Been dabbling with short film and game music on the side too, though it seems AI is coming for our jobs there too, eh.
4. What’s the story around the formation of Altoduo?
Answer: Wini was the one with the initial idea of creating a bass and drum centric mathrock music, with our now-sessionist bassist, Nicole. Regrouped with JP as the main producer/face of Altoduo while Nicole still plays with us on the 2nd bass. We are still a mathrock band but with more Chillhop elements, though!
5. What are some of your career goals as a band?
Answer: To create dreamy, easy-going mathrock music for people to chill and relate to. We’re still working on our live show experience, and hope to be able to bring the band overseas to as many countries as we can.
6. Who are some of your influences?
Answer: Covet, L’indécis, CHON, Elephant Gym, DOMi & JD Beck, The Omnific, Leprous
7. What instruments and devices do you use for recording?
Answer: Bass >> Dingwall ABII into an old M-Box 2, though I’ve recently gotten a SSL2 and UA Volt to compare Drums >> mainly a mix of cymbals from TRXCymbals, Collision Drumsticks, Pearl Drumkit, Pantheon Drumkit, FatFreq IEMs, using a range of different mics and pre-amps depending on the sounds we want to achieve.
8. Can you name some qualities that are unique about Altoduo?
Answer: A very experimental drummer flanked by two bassists fighting for their lives..? We attempt to fuse math rock and chillhop, which isn’t too common a combination.
9. What is the story behind your band name?
Answer: We started as a bass and drum-centric duo (and now our live performances feature dual bassists). We also occupy a lower register as a result, so ‘alto’. Added bonus of the search algorithms confusing us with alto-sax duo music.
10. What have been the most challenging aspects of doing music professionally?
Answer: Marketing, business aspects and promotions, getting it out there to the right audiences. More challenging than producing or writing itself. Spaces and opportunities to perform have also been shrinking in recent years here, so getting ourselves in front of audiences in a manner that makes sense monetarily is an ongoing struggle.
11. What cities and countries around the world would you love to perform at?
Answer: Everywhere! Starting regionally, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, then branching out to Australia, Japan, Korea, North America and Europe if we can make it.
12. What elements did you incorporate into your debut album “What Nobody Asked For?”
Answer: We dove headfirst into lush pads and synths with that album, as well as exploring the ways we could approach math rock without one of its defining elements – the electric guitar. Whether that meant having the bass play lead lines reminiscent of math rock guitar lines like on Unwind, or collaborating with a singer like on Longing, it was a fun challenge to grapple with.
13. With your EP “Jiak Simi,” I felt it was more jazz than your debut album, was there a shift musically?
Answer: We learned a lot from our debut album, but also felt a compulsion to pull ourselves in a different direction coming out of it. If there’s an overarching direction for Jiak Simi, it would be nostalgia and exploring space and ‘pocket’ in our music. A lot of our sound here was informed by lo-fi music, and melding that with more math rock sensibilities. Finding a middle ground between both genres from song to song was a fun balancing act, and one that we look to continue exploring.
14. Who is singing vocals on “A Happy Meal” from “Jiak Simi?”
Answer: We’re both on it! But it’s mostly Wini because JP is self-conscious and the main producer. So he got to turn himself down, haha.
15. What is next for Altoduo?
Answer: On 18 Aug, we’ll be releasing music from a collaborative film project titled “Desire Lines”, which was supported by the National Arts Council (NAC) here in Singapore. We’re putting on a live show on 21 Oct at The Jazz Loft as well, which will likely feature music from our next album, which is due next year. Along the way, you can expect to see a few singles released as we work our way up.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with the KCrush readers?
Answer: That’s it for now. Go out and support your communities and creatives, online and off! There’s always space for more care and empathy, especially in these trying times. You can find our music across the usual streaming platforms,Spotify, YouTube, bandcamp; and if you’d like to support what we do, you can always buy us a coffee. Thanks!
Interview Conducted by Cwamne Howard
#Altoduo #kcrushinterviewwithAltoduo #kcrushinterview #AltoduoJP #AltoduoWini #Singapore #chillhop #kcrushamerica #mathrock #newage #AltoduoWhatNobodyAskedFor #AltoduoWhatShallWeEat #JiakSimi #DarkEscapesMusicandPublishing #AltoduoNicole #kcrushamericamagazine #newmusic #DesireLinesNationalArtsCouncilAugust18th #TheJazzLoftOct21st
The Good Bad Mother has been causing a stir online since it hit Netflix. Heartfelt, drama-filled, and…action sequences? Yes, it truly does have it all. But is The Good Bad Mother really the best drama to hit Netflix this year? The hype definitely has some strong footing, but it personally hasn’t knocked any of my top Kdramas out of their rankings.
Plot: The Good Bad Mother is a drama in all sense of the word but I did not expect it to turn into an action-packed mystery midway through! Having the layers of Kong-ho’s life as a prosecutor, his mother’s experience interacting with him as a mentally disabled man, and the ups and downs of pig farming–it made for an easy-to-binge drama and I finished it in the span of five days (the 14 episode length helped, too).
There are some plot holes, such as Kang-ho’s jump from an abused child to a renowned prosecutor out for revenge. Sure, you can fill some of that space yourself, but it would have been helpful to see that progression. The closest we get is watching him break up with his girlfriend to pursue his goals. He seems like such a sweet guy before this moment and it’s a stretch to see him go from that to a near mob boss who is willing to cut off everyone.
The ending made the entire drama worth the watch. The victory against his father’s killers, the way in which his mother passes, the full restoration of their relationship, the funeral scene (sobbing!), and the cute proposal–what a bittersweet but great finale.
Total: 7/10
Setting: I loved the little village. It reminded me of Crash Landing on You and Reply 1988 with the various villagers and small-town scenes. It was nice to contrast that with the city life that Kong-ho was forced to leave. The warm vs cold nature of these landscapes made for an interesting watch. The pig farm was a sweet and calming place, too.
Total: 7/10
Characters: The leads in this show were dynamic and well-portrayed. The mannerisms used by Kang-ho truly made his character realistically seem trapped in a child’s mind. The hard battle of the mother in caring for him and her own illness, as well as the farm, pulled me in as a viewer. Mi-joo was great, too.
The secondary characters in this show really rocked! From the silly washed-up singer to the hilarious scenes with Sam-shik (my favorite character in the entire show!), all the players in this drama brought life to the plot. No character felt like a filler. And can we talk about the adorable twins? So cute! Also, how funny was the masked woman throughout the entire show?!
Total: 9/10
Theme: Revenge, Restoration, and Romance–seriously, what a great pairing! It reminded me a bit of Itaewon Class, in how the odds are just stacked against him getting justice for a lost father. It shows the power of determination, hard work, and skill in accomplishing your goals. It was incredible watching the mother and son duo heal and gain a new connection based on understanding and forgiveness. I love that this drama was based on a familial relationship. I feel like that isn’t as common, and so it made for a refreshing and touching show. And lastly, Kong-ho loving Mi-joo even in his young mind–how sweet!
Total: 8/10
OST: No doubt, “I’m Happy” is the ULTIMATE song from this show! I was singing it every episode! The instrumentals were great, too. However, this OST isn’t a huge standout for me compared to other dramas like Crash Landing on You and Start Up.
Total: 5/10
Final: The Good Bad Mother was definitely a great drama. It was fast-paced, heart-warming, and had plenty of funny moments, too. For some, this drama is definitely going into their top 3. For me, it isn’t stand out enough to knock my favorites out of their spots (think Itaewon Class and True Beauty) but it’s a lovely show nonetheless!
Final: 7/10
—-Ellie Boyd
#TheGoodBadMotherReview #TheGoodBadMotherNetflix #TheGoodBadMotherKdrama #kcrushreview #kcrush #kdramareview #TheGoodBadMotherIST #IsTheGoodBadMotherReallyThatGood #kcrushamerica #Kongho #Mijoo #kdramamystery #kdramaromance #kdramaaction #Samshik
“The Colors Of Bang Yong-guk” Is Bang’s first solo tour since with his group “B.A.P.” Starting his own label “Consent” in 2022, he put his heart into his 2 released albums. Songwriter, rapper, singer and producer Bang has always had a love for sharing his music. Announcing his tour, he was excited to travel and meet the fans that support him.
Dallas’ theme was blue so of course a lot of fans participated and showed out in wearing blue, having B.A.P lightsticks and whistles, and even signs showing support for him. The show started with a DJ who wanted to hype the crowd for Bang’s entrance and didn’t disappoint. The atmosphere in the venue was very fun with different types of music playing. I have only been to K-pop concerts, so this was my first K-Hip hop concert. Even a bit of K-pop did play before the DJ came out.
When bringing Yong-guk out, he instantly went right into performing, like it’s a part of him and it shows. Song after song the crowd never hyped down as he brought the energy every time. But being Dallas, Texas always comes with a bit of surprises as the rain caused the power to go out in the venue. He was worried about the Dallas fans seeing how the storm blew the power and started to pour down hard. Telling the fans “You guys better get home safely”. Making light jokes to cheer us up. Even when the fans were more worried about him.
But even through the short power outage, fans cheered for the tech and crew to get the show back running, some who handed out water to fans. Something that I notice a lot from him on this show, being a fan of him since B.A.P is how much he smiles more when performing. Even when the song there’s a bit darker he would smile after getting the vibe of the song. With his goofy dancing or even jumping on the stage he never shies away. When the show was coming to an end it felt like it just started.
Time passed by so fast between him talking to fans and going straight into the songs. Through his encore songs he got close to the crowd giving hugs high fives and waving making sure he didn’t miss a single fan. Seeing him perform truly made me grow more of a bigger fan of him. He wants to come back and I hope when he does, he can get a bigger arena and have even more people supporting he and his musical journey.
Throughout the Dallas show Bang showed how much he loved and appreciated his fans for being there for him through his journey or hardships and him finding love within himself. He talked about making memories with Dallas and happy that we all had that moment we will never forget in Dallas. Bang loved talking to us and sharing how he felt about this tour starting, his songs and just meeting us after so long since coming to the U.S. with B.A.P in 2017.
This was my first time seeing Bang Yong-guk live. I never got to see B.A.P live unfortunately, but the energy made me feel like it made me feel like being in those music videos I’ve seen over the years. I feel like he has a lot of potential and I want to see him in stadiums next year. He is constantly working on music so I know it won’t be long till we see or hear from him again.
Thank you to MyMusicTaste and YYEntertainment for such a memorable event!
—-AliZNation
#BangYongguk #ColorTourDallas #ColorTourTexasBangYongguk #MyMusicTaste #YYEntertainment #OrangeDrive #kcrush #khiphop #RaceBangYongguk #Ibelieve #BangYonggukfans #Matokilightstick #YonggukMatoki #UpBangYongguk #kpop #BAPfans #BestAbsolutePerfectKpop #kpop #GreenBangYongguk #kcrushamerica #BAPBaby #kcrushconcertcoverage #BangYonggukUSTour #koreanartiststour
The Austin, Texas Concert was really hyped and full of life! He performed a song from the past, “I Remember,” along with songs from his current album. It was really a blast to be there and to see him perform again. The last time I saw him perform was in the B.A.P era. The audience was even happy to see him perform again, old and new fans alike. You could even see it in his performance that he himself was even happy to be back.
I also want to do a quick shout out to the Emo, which held Bang Yongguk’s concert. They had the nicest staff, making sure the audience was hydrated inside and outside while they waited for the concert to begin. They even had an ice cream truck parked outside too. The venue itself looked really neat as well, it had an illusion bunny on one of the walls and was pretty spacious for the most part.
Alright let’s get back to the concert, Yongguk had his DJ open for him to warm up the audience, get them hyped, which he did. The DJ had three songs and the audience were feeling the music, enjoying the remixes and transitions to the next song. I even caught myself jamming out to the songs too as I was taking notes. After done performing, he grabbed his mic and told the audience to scream at the top of their lungs to get Bang to come out. The audience did as they were told and screamed which was enough to bring him out and Bang’s first song was “G.M.T”, which is a great song to start off with just to keep the hypeness up which not going to lie he did keep the hypeness up! It was great to hear the audience chant and sing along with him, it was even cool to see his DJ be his hype man too because he also sang the chorus on some of Bang songs.
(DJ with Bang Yongguk’s Color Tour)
The next song on his list was “UP” and you could tell he was feeling it, plus the crowd was hyping him up more, thus he started feeling himself in this song. It is one of my favorite songs of his as well so it was awesome to hear it live. He was doing a great job on keeping eye contact with his fans, at one point of the concert he told his fans that he wants to make eye contact with everyone in the audience and he did very well on keeping that promise.
The 3rd song on his list was “Race”. The color for this was a great choice. It reminded me of one of his songs he performed, “Green.” There was a moment where the columns flashed green across them. It was a good little detail they did for that song, but back to “Race”. This is one of the songs audiences were hyped to hear as well. The mic was doing great on picking up his voice every time he was singing throughout his performances.
Bang had breaks in between some songs to talk to his fans, he would speak English sometimes and his awesome DJ would be his English translator as well. He talked about how it was his first time in Austin TX, how Texas heat is super hot and that he had BBQ when he got to Austin. He was even talking about himself and his DJ working on an album together and to wait for it, which the audience was excited to hear that big news! But the most important thing he talked about was that his fans brought him back into this world and that he is grateful for their love and support for him. He even mentioned to his fans close to the end of the concert to give the same amount of love they give him to themselves, to always love themselves.
The first highlight of the concert was when he performed one of his classics, which was “I Remember”. It is awesome to hear it live and just to hear it again. The fans were jumping up and down with excitement while singing along with him.
The other highlight was that we got to see him hold Matoki light stick again and how he incorporated it into his song “Green”.
The next one is “Orange Drive”. My personal favorite in his setlist, but it was great to hear that live and seeing the audience vibe with the song swaying and singing the chorus to it and the lighting was great for this song only because it was Orange.
The last and final highlight was the sight of seeing Bang happy and enjoying himself and being himself too. His fans noticed it as well and were just as happy as he was, but probably more.
It’s great to see Bang Yongguk touring again and using the colors to express all phases of himself to his loving fans. He still has more tour stops to go, but hope he gets plenty of rest in between while having fun seeing the sights and seeing his fans too.
A very big Thank You to MyMusicTaste and YYEntertainment for lighting up Bang Youngguk’s fans in Texas.
Article by: Breya
#BangYongguk #ColorTourAustin #MyMusicTaste #YYEntertainment #OrangeDrive #kcrush #khiphop #RaceBangYongguk #Ibelieve #BangYonggukfans #Matokilightstick #YonggukMatoki #UpBangYongguk #kpop #BAPfans #BestAbsolutePerfectKpop #kpop #GreenBangYongguk #kcrushamerica #kcrushconcertcoverage #BangYonggukUSTour #koreanartiststour
The rookie K-Pop girl group Queenz Eye (WONCHAE, HANNAH, NARIN, AHYOON, DAMIN) is ready to take off in the K-pop scene with their upcoming second track, their first in 8 months following their debut single ‘QUEENZ TABLE’.
The girls are ready to hit the stage with another powerful, yet mesmerizing performance with their title track, ‘UN-NORMAL’.
Queenz Eye recently released their concept photos full of charismatic style, drawing curiosity and channeling hype toward their new album ‘UNI-Q’.
The rookie group has been working hard to prepare for their new album, ‘UNI-Q’, for about eight months since the release of their debut album, ‘QUEENZ TABLE’. Expectations and anticipation are already high on what concept and musical spectrum the girls will surprise K-Pop fans around the world with this time.
In particular, all of the members of Queenz Eye participated in choreographing their debut song, ‘Yummy Yummy’, and the group will also aim to garner global fanship with unique and original performances through their ‘UNI-Q’ promotion.
Queenz Eye’s second single album ‘UNI-Q’ drops on July 6th, 6 PM KST.
#QueenzEye #QueenzEyereturn #kcrushnews #UniQ #QueenzEyeUniQ #kcrushamericamagazine #kpop #KoreanKPop #newmusic #QueenzTable #QueenzEyedebutsongYummyYummy #QueenzEyesecondalbum #July62023 #kcrushmedia #QueenzEyerookiegroup #WONCHAE #HANNAH #NARIN #AHYOON #DAMIN #kpopgirlgroup #koreannews #koreanmusic #QueenzEyeglobalfans
Korean hip-hop artist Bryan Chase releases the official music video for “Raindrop,” a track from his debut EP [2U], which is out now via THEBLACKLABEL and Interscope Records.
The futuristic video finds Bryan’s robotic alter ego, navigating a post-apocalyptic world. “‘Raindrop’ carries a powerful message about staying resilient in the face of constant challenges and refusing to be defeated by adversity.” Bryan shared. The track is produced by BIG BANANA, who recently produced “나는 (Reason)” by fellow THEBLACKLABEL artist TAEYANG.
Raindrop M/V: https://youtu.be/8hXZQU3bKjA
2U feat. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie M/V: https://youtu.be/dltVobMoGiE
Restart It M/V: https://youtu.be/SgLaGCudIMc
Nightfall: TAEYANG feat. Bryan Chase SPECIAL LIVE CLIP: https://youtu.be/iT80YVtJe24
The video for “Raindrop” follows Bryan’s momentous comeback and the excitement surrounding the “2U” title-track, which finds Bryan alongside New York rap star A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. The single was named “Song You Need To Know” by Rolling Strong and the video quickly generated 1M plus views. “2U” is written by Bryan with production by 24, the lead beat-maker for BLACKPINK, who is behind the global hits “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” and “Pink Venom.” The cinematic, anime-inspired music video was created by Takayuki Moriya, the executive producer of the award-winning Japanese virtual human company Aww Inc., and YKBX, an acclaimed animator and video director.
Released on June 28th, the 6-song EP follows Bryan’s artistic and personal growth, as he explores new sounds and ideas, pushing himself out of his comfort zone. “This album is an embodiment of my deepest thoughts and emotions, my highs and lows, my heaven and hell,” Bryan shared. “This is 2U.” Bryan partook in all of the songwriting throughout the EP with production from BIG BANANA, 24 and his long-time collaborator JUNIORCHEF. The album is executive produced by TEDDY.
It is being released by THEBLACKLABEL, which is home to artists TAEYANG, JEON SOMI, LØREN, Zion.T and Park Bo-Gum, in conjunction with Interscope Records, who’s championed some of hip-hop’s biggest names, including 2Pac, Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar. Bryan joins the roster as the only Korean rapper currently on the label.
[2U] marks Bryan’s highly-anticipated return, following a remarkable feature on TAEYANG’s 2023 EP, Down to Earth. Bryan’s standout guest verse on “Nightfall” and the accompanying live performance video, left a lasting impression and set the stage for his solo release. Leading up to the EP, Bryan announced his comeback with the pre-release music video for “Restart It.”
Bryan Chase first gained notoriety alongside Korean hip-hop collective, The Cohort, who exploded on the international music scene with people of all backgrounds hailing their tag, “Underwater Squad.” Dominating the blog era with support from the likes of VICE, Complex, The Fader and Hypebeast, The Cohort cultivated the underground rap scene, while demonstrating hip-hop’s cross-cultural powers. Their “No Flex Zone (Remix)” went viral on YouTube and the momentum culminated into a series of releases by The Cohort called The Last Orcas, released through 88rising. It included Bryan’s collaboration with Keith Ape on “Let Us Prey,” and singles like “Walkin (Remix)” and “Underwater Bank,” which combined have more than 14M views on YouTube.
Bryan, who was born in Seoul, but grew up between Texas and Virginia, fell in love with hip-hop at an early age and was inspired by the Southern rap scene. [2U] is a culmination of his journey thus far.
2U EP Tracklist
- Restart It
- 2U (feat. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie)
- Raindrop
- FWTTM
- You Are
- Dying
More of Bryan Chase:
#BryanChase #TheBlackLabel #kcrushnews #BryanChasenewmusic #2UEPTracklist #BryanChaseRaindrop #kcrushamericamagazine #khiphop #Koreansinger #InterscopeRecords #BryanChasenewrelease #music
Japanese rock band tricot have announced a tour of the United Kingdom in November 2023. This is the UK leg of tricot’s Zang-Neng Tour, which commenced in Japan in January and February this year to mark the release of the band’s latest album, ‘Fudeki’. The album title ‘Fudeki’ means “useless” in Japanese, which is the opposite of their previous album title, ‘Jodeki’ (“excellent”). The tour name Zang-Neng is a reading of the Japanese phrase meaning “that’s too bad”, a title chosen by vocalist Ikkyu Nakajima as an extension to the album title ‘Fudeki’.
During tricot’s tour of Europe and the UK last fall, they performed 20 shows in 10 countries, with sold-out shows in London, Manchester, Paris, Belgium and Germany. What kind of performances can we expect when tricot return to the UK for 13 dates, a year after their previous tour? One thing’s for sure: As tricot reach ever higher heights, you won’t want to miss this tour. For tickets, visit each venue’s official website.
Tour information
tricot Zang-Neng Tour in UK
04/11/23 Brighton / To be announced
05/11/23 London / Heaven
07/11/23 Southampton / Joiners
09/11/23 Bristol / Exchange
10/11/23 Cardiff / Clwb Ifor Bach
11/11/23 Birkenhead / Jimmys
13/11/23 Dublin (Ireland) / The Academy 2
14/11/23 Manchester / Band on the Wall
15/11/23 Leeds / Belgrave Music Hall
17/11/23 Newcastle / The Grove
18/11/23 Glasgow / Classic Grand
20/11/23 Nottingham / Bodega
21/11/23 Birmingham / Hare & Hounds
For further information: https://tricot-official.jp/news/detail.php?id=1109047
tricot profile
Japanese rock band tricot formed in the historical and cultural city of Kyoto on September 1, 2010. The band have developed an unusual and distinctive sound that consists of harmonic pop melodies and emotional vocals with complex rhythm. While they are sometimes referred to as a math-rock band, the members themselves are in fact not familiar with the genre; they have arrived at a unique sound of their own imagining.
tricot have toured in many countries around the world and successfully held a total of 129 shows overseas, including three tours of Asia, three tours of Europe, a supporting slot for Pixies in the UK, and further tours in the US and UK. On their tour of Europe and the UK in September 2022, tricot played 20 shows in 10 countries, including several sold-out headline shows. These dedicated musicians regularly perform sold-out concerts and have a devoted fan base throughout the world.
Official website: https://tricot-official.jp/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tricot_band
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tricot_band_jp/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Xp4bKmRn8cmAzi0cc66KQ?sub_confirmation=1
#tricot #Japaneserockband #tricotUKTour #Kyoto #Japan #kcrushnews #ZangNengTour #Fudeki #IkkyuNakajima #kcrushamercia #harmonicpopmelodies #UnitedKingdomTour #
NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO, “RESTART IT” OUT TODAY
Watch the video for “Restart It”: https://youtu.be/SgLaGCudIMc
South Korean hip-hop artist Bryan Chase marks his comeback with “Restart It,” the first single and video from his upcoming debut EP, 2U. Out today via THEBLACKLABEL and Interscope Records, “Restart It” is a fueling anthem, signifying a reset button which expresses the self-standing emotions of a rebirth. Produced by 24, who’s well known as the lead beat-maker for BLACKPINK, “Restart It” pays homage to Bryan’s beginnings with The Cohort, the crew he came up with during Seoul’s burgeoning rap scene, while also capturing the whirlwind of emotions that comes with the start of a new chapter.
Set to release on June 28th at 12pm KST (June 27th at 11pm EST), 2U marks Bryan’s highly-anticipated return, following a remarkable feature on TAEYANG‘s 2023 EP, Down to Earth. Bryan’s standout guest verse on the closing track, “Nightfall“, and the accompanying live performance video, left a lasting impression and set the stage for his solo release.
The 6-song EP includes a mix of trap, pop and alternative hip-hop and its title track features New York rap star, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. Bryan partook in all of the songwriting with production from BIG BANANA, 24 and his long-time collaborator JUNIORCHEF. The album is executive produced by TEDDY.
2U is being released by THEBLACKLABEL, which is home to artists TAEYANG, JEON SOMI, LØREN, Zion.T. and Park Bo-Gum, in conjunction with Interscope Records, who’s championed some of hip-hop’s biggest names, including 2Pac, Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar. Bryan joins the roster as the only Korean rapper currently on the label.
Bryan Chase first gained notoriety alongside Korean hip-hop collective, The Cohort, who exploded on the international music scene with people of all backgrounds hailing their tag, “Underwater Squad.” Dominating the blog era with support from the likes of VICE, Complex, The Fader and Hypebeast, The Cohort cultivated the underground rap scene, while demonstrating hip-hop’s cross-cultural powers. Their “No Flex Zone (Remix)” went viral on YouTube and the momentum culminated into a series of releases by The Cohort called The Last Orcas, released through 88rising. It included Bryan’s collaboration with Keith Ape on “Let Us Prey,” and singles like “Walkin (Remix)” and “Underwater Bank,” which combined have more than 14M views on YouTube.
Bryan, who was born in Seoul, but grew up between Texas and Virginia, fell in love with hip-hop at an early age and was inspired by the Southern rap scene. His upcoming project is a culmination of his journey thus far. “This album is an embodiment of my deepest thoughts and emotions, my highs and lows, my heaven and hell.” Bryan shared. “This is 2U.”
More of Bryan Chase:
#BryanChase #TheBlackLabel #newalbum #kcrushnews #UnderwaterSquad #TheLastOrcas #Thisis2U #khiphop #InterscopeRecords #kcrushamerica #RestartItBryanChasesingle #BryanChasenewsingle #Producedby24 #TEDDY #TheCohort #newbeginnings #ABoogieWitDaHootie #6songEPBryanChase #ReleaseJune28thBryanChase #TheBlackLabelIntroducesBryanChase #Trap #pop #hiphop #rap #BigBanana #JuniorChef
Filming locations determine the overall success and impact of dramas. They serve as backdrops against which a story unfolds thus enhancing the overall aesthetic, authenticity, and believability of dramas. despite advanced visual effects and computer-generated imagery, filming locations are still crucial as they possess the power to transport audiences to different worlds evoking intended emotions. Kdramas also heavily invest in filming locations as the picturesque streets, architecture, landscapes, and charming atmosphere help create authentic backdrops for the dramas’ storylines. The choice of kdrama filming locations also relays artistic vision while enhancing storytelling and audience engagement. Below are some of the kdramas whose filming locations were set beyond South Korea.
Crash Landing On You
Crash Landing On You kdrama is a story of a spoiled South Korean heiress who crash-landed in North Korean territory from a paragliding accident. The ensuing heart-throbbing fight for love between her and a charming North Korean army officer leads down to the eye-catching scenes around Switzerland. Münsterbrücke Bridge, Zurich is one of the locations where characters Jeong Hyeok and Seo Dan meet for the first time. Jungfraujoch is another spot where Jeong Hyeok and Se-ri take a train ride. Other filming locations in Switzerland include Lindenhof Square in Altstad town, Schorren Street in Iseltwald village, Kleine Scheidegg in Mt. Swiss Alps, Lake Brienz, Panoramabrücke Sigriswil panoramic bridge, First Flieger in Grindelwald, and Lake Lungern in Obwalden. Kim Tae-pyung, better known by his stage name Hyun Bin and fellow-actress Son Ye-jin began dating and married after filming this fun loving kdrama.
Goblin: The Lonely and Great God
Goblin: The Lonely and Great God kdrama’s filming locations outside Korea were packed around Canada, and especially Quebec City. The most iconic location was the Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine which was the goblin’s family cemetery. Petit Champlain served as the goblin’s door to Canada through which only immortals and special beings such as the goblin’s bride could transverse through. The fountain in front of Fontaine de Tourny set the mood for a touching moment where the goblin realized his feelings for the high-schooler who claimed to be his bride. Château Frontenac Hotel is another filming site that appears quite often in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God kdrama’s Canada explorations, including when the goblin goes there for an errand leaving the high-schooler at the reception.
Memories of Alhambra
Memories of Alhambra is amongst the kdramas with the most filming locations beyond South Korea. Most of the filming took place in Spain’s Granada city including in Plaza De Nueva, Fountain of Pomegranates, San Juan de los Reyes Street, Cuesta del Chapiz, San Miguel Alto Shrine, and Street Puente Espinosa. Spain’s Girona city was also featured as the kdrama was filmed in Restaurant la Penyora, Pont de les Peixateries Velles, and Pont de Pedra. Barcelona was not left behind as the kdrama locations were set in Estacio de França Train Station and Gavà Railway Station. Memories of Alhambra was also shot at Hungary’s Budapest Train Station, Keleti Railway Station., and Mezőtúr railway station. Park Shin-hye and Hyun Bin are excellent in this production.
The Legend of the Blue Sea
This mermaid kdrama took the world by storm for its captivating storyline and cinematography. The Legend of the Blue Sea had most of its overseas filming locations in Spain including in Girona city’s Girona Cathedral which acted as a backdrop for the kdrama’s historical scenes during the Joseon era. This kdrama was also filmed in Barcelona including at Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and the Gothic Quarter. Barcelona’s Barceloneta Beach provided the perfect filming spot for The Legend of the Blue Sea kdrama’s romantic scenes. Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun made this beautifully written kdrama come to life.
—-Karen Henry
#LeeMnHo #JunJiHyun #TheLegendoftheBlueSea #KdramaFilmingLocationsOutsideSouthKorea #Spain #Joseonera #kcrush #Barceloni #ParkShinHye #MemoriesoftheAlhambra #HyunBin #GranadaCity #virtualvideogameconcept #kdrama #HungaryBudapestTrainStation #GoblinTheLonlyandGreatGod #QuebecCity #CrashLandOnYou #Switzerland #HyunBin #SonYejin #kcrusharticle #officialkcrushmagazine #SouthKorea
Photo Credit: ChoCo Entertainment
The highly anticipated music video for ‘Fruity Loops (515 Version)’ by ChoCo1&2 is officially out and receiving love from fans worldwide!
On June 1, 2023, at noon KST, ChoCo‘s first project unit ChoCo1&2, consisting of ChoCo Entertainment trainees Jake and TJ of ChoCo1 and Anpan of ChoCo2, released their first-ever album named “ChoCo Takes Hollywood (MAX)” along with the music video for the song ‘Fruity Loops (515 Version)’ on their official YouTube channel and SNS.
‘Fruity Loops (515 Version)’, which is the Korean version of their original English song of the same name (you can listen to the English version in the album), is a song by the leader unit Jake and Anpan, showcasing their extraordinary skill in vocals, rap, and dance. With the background of a spaceship, the duo is seen experiencing a whole new world full of cute dolls and apples. The two trainees appear in red and blue outfits reminiscent of the Korean flag, exuding impressive energy.
You can watch the music video below Link!
Watch Choco1&2’s ‘Fruity Loops’ MV
The seamless visual storytelling keeps viewers entertained, while the combination of rap, singing, and dancing is both a visual and aural delight. The lively melody and addictive chorus are effortlessly catchy and will surely hype you up.
‘Fruity Loops (515 Version)’ is an exciting song with witty lyrics and a refreshing tropical sound. It represents the confidence of ChoCo1&2 as well as their musical originality.
You can check out “ChoCo Takes Hollywood (MAX)” on various online music sites!
About ChoCo Entertainment
ChoCo Entertainment is an ultimate IP entertainment company geared towards leading the next Hallyu wave. With a focus on individuality, collaboration, and growth as its core values, ChoCo Entertainment encourages its artists to find their passions and follow their originality to create music that matters. The company’s unique artist incubation system is designed to foster independent and self-sufficient artists who have a thorough grasp of music and can explore their creativity without being constrained by the prevalent culture of competition in K-Pop. With the aim of creating a truly global K-Pop group, ChoCo Entertainment is preparing to debut ChoCo in the 5th generation of K-Pop.
About ChoPD
Junghun Cho, also known as ChoPD, is the founder, executive producer, and CVO (Chief Visionary Officer) of ChoCo Entertainment. Known as the “pioneer of digital music”, ChoPD is a multi-award-winning artist and has attained legendary status in the K-Pop industry with his trailblazing innovation and impactful contributions to the globalization of K-Hip Hop. He is the genius mastermind behind launching artists like PSY, ZICO, Dok2, and more, and now, he is producing his very own K-Pop group – ‘ChoCo’ – preparing to usher in the 5th generation of K-Pop.
CONNECT WITH ChoCo Entertainment
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Twitter
Photo Credit: ChoCo Entertainment
#ChoCo1n2 #ChoCoEntertainment #JunghunCho #ChoPD #kcrushnews #kpop #ChoCo #kcrushcontent #kcrushmedia #5thgenerationofkpop #FruityLoopsKoreanVersion #FruityLoops515Version #newmusic #ChoComusicvideo #FruityLoopsChoComusicvideo #hallyumusic #globalkpopgroup #newkpopgroup #kcrushamerica #ChoCoJake #ChoCoAnPan #ChoCoTakesHollywoodEpisode
There aren’t many films where a mother is cast to play herself and versions of herself in her son’s films. And there’s certainly even less where she gets to play herself twice in roles that are both wish fulfillment, and homage to her, her heritage, and the things she misses and longed for. In his second feature length film From You, which screened at the 2023 Jeonju International Film Festival, winning the Grand Prize in the Korean Competition, Korean filmmaker Shin Dong-min does all of this and so much more for his mother Kim Hye-jeong.
As a follow-up to his 2020 drama Mom’s Song, Shin turns the world from color to black and white in an effort to strip his characters and their reality down to their bare essence. Exposing the discontent of fashion student Min-ju (Kang Min-ju) with her current path and relationship with her mother, to aspiring actress Seung-ju (Lee Kum-ju) whose dreams cause her to question her future in way many women can relate to. In the third chapter, Hye-jeong and Dong-min step into their past, narratively breaking the forth wall to confess their feelings about the loss of Dong-min’s father and it affected the way they think about their past now.
In our interview, I ask Shin about the way his film style allows the characters and their struggles and concerns to be the main focus of the story, and what being able to make films with and for his mother means to him as a son and as a filmmaker.
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
[New York, June 16, 2023] – THEBLACKSEA which is a joint-venture between THEBLACKLABEL and Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), one of the largest conglomerates in Thailand, recently held a successful audition as its first step towards becoming a global artist-led lifestyle brand.
CP Group is Thailand’s largest private company and the world’s largest producer of shrimp as well as other agricultural produce that operates over 13 other businesses including retail and telecom in Southeast Asia. THEBLACKLABEL is home to TAEYANG, JEON SOMI, LØREN, Zion.T and Park Bo-Gum and a creative agency founded by Teddy Park who has been the Creative Director behind global stars such as BIGBANG, 2NE1, and BLACKPINK. With a focus on expanding beyond traditional entertainment endeavors, THEBLACKSEA aims to captivate audiences worldwide with artist-led lifestyle experiences.
As the first step towards this bold vision, THEBLACKSEA together with CP brand hosted the first “THEBLACKLABEL Thailand Audition” which launched on April 18th. From the first online announcement to THEBLACKBOX Pop-Up Studio at Siam Center, the audition received an overwhelming response from across the nation.
Members from THEBLACKLABEL production team also made an appearance including 24, the lead beat-maker behind BLACKPINK‘s biggest hits as well as Danny Chung, the lyricist who has written many of Jennie & Lisa‘s well-known rap verses. Together 24 and Danny Chung have crafted the hits “Pink Venom“, “Shut Down” and “How You Like That” and came out to represent THEBLACKSEA and meet thousands of hopefuls who have aspirations of becoming the next global star from Thailand.
Mr. Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhya, CP Group’s Chief Content Strategy, Investment, and Partnership Officer, said, “We are thrilled to partner with THEBLACKLABEL, a leading global music label and creative agency, to support Thai talents and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Thailand to the world. Together, we aim to create a global platform where Thai and SEA culture can shine and where the world can experience the creativity of Thailand.”
Harnessing this enthusiasm, THEBLACKLABEL was thrilled with the results of the offline audition that took place in Bangkok on June 10th. What set this screening apart was the presence of the esteemed producers from THEBLACKLABEL, who personally conducted the screening of all applicants, flying in from overseas and bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to identify exceptional talent.
“THEBLACKLABEL’s First Thailand Audition serves as a testament to THEBLACKSEA’s commitment to discovering and nurturing exceptional talents in Thailand. By bridging the gap between local talents and global recognition, THEBLACKSEA aims to create a thriving platform for artists to shine on an international stage.” said Danny Chung, Lyricist at THEBLACKLABEL and Head of Talent Business at THEBLACKSEA.
THEBLACKSEA’s journey towards becoming a global artist-led lifestyle brand is just beginning, and it invites artists, partners, and fans to join them on this extraordinary endeavor. The company’s commitment to fostering creativity, embracing cultural diversity, and promoting artistic expression will shape the future of entertainment and lifestyle.
About THEBLACKSEA:
THEBLACKSEA is an entertainment and lifestyle company representing artists from THEBLACKLABEL, one of the most prestigious music labels in the industry. With a vision to become a global artist-led lifestyle brand, THEBLACKSEA is dedicated to discovering exceptional talents, creating immersive experiences, and offering artist-inspired consumer products that resonate with fans worldwide.
For more information on THEBLACKSEA and the exclusive audition in Thailand, visit the official social media channels at OFFICIALTHEBLACKSEA.
| E-MAIL. peter@theblacklabel.com |
On June 11, 2023, 29-year-old actress Park Soo-ryun was declared brain-dead following a fall down a flight of stairs on a property in Jeju Island.
Park was scheduled to perform at an event on Jeju Island.
Park, primarily a musical actress, made her TV acting debut in Snowdrop (2021), which aired on Disney+. She debuted in 2018 in the musical Il Tenore, and appeared in the musicals Finding Kim Jong Wook, Passing Through Love, Siddhartha, and The Day We Loved.
Following her fall, authorities immediately rushed Park to the hospital, where life-saving measures ultimately failed. Park’s family opted to donate her organs to help save lives in need.
“Only her brain is unconscious, and her heart is still beating. There must be someone who desperately needs [organs]. As her mother and father, we can live comforted [by the thought that her heart] has gone to someone and is beating,” Park’s mother said.
Park’s funeral procession was held on June 13 at the funeral home of Suwon Hospital, Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center.
We send our condolences to Park’s family, friends, and colleagues.
—-Olivia Murray
#ParkSooryun #JejuIsland #ParkSooryunpassesaway #Snowdrop #Tenore #musicals #FindingKimJongWook #PassingThroughLove #kcrushnews #kcrushamerica #Siddhartha #TheDayWeLoved #musicalactress #ourcondolences #kcrushofficial #ParkSooryunbraindead