On February 11, 2023, former BIGBANG member Seungri will be released from prison after completing his year and a half sentence for nine charges including habitual gambling, solicitation of illegal prostitution, the spread of illegally filmed sexual content, embezzlement, threatening, and assault.
He was initially sentenced to a three-year prison term, but an appeal dropped his stint to a year and six months.
Seungri was serving his military term when he was initially sentenced. He was transferred from a military prison to a civilian prison once his sentence was reduced.
Since 2019, Seungri’s name has been tied to two controversies in South Korea: Burning Sun and the Jung Joon-young chatroom case. Seungri ultimately retired from the entertainment industry due to mounting allegations.
It’s unclear what the future holds for Seungri once he leaves prison. Industry insiders suspect he will stay on the down low for awhile before deciding his future.
Related
Seungri Resigns Amid Club Burning Sun Controversy
[UPDATE] Seungri Responds to Burning Sun Controversy; Victim, Family Comes to His Defense
[UPDATE] Burning Sun Investigation Continues; Seungri Questioned
[UPDATE] Police Name Seungri Suspect; Reportedly Cannot Leave Country
—-Olivia Murray
#Seungri #Seungrireleased #SeungriBurningSunControversy #SeungriformerBigBangmember #kpop #kpopidol #kcrushnews #Seungrireleasedfromprison #Seungrininecharges #kcrushamerica #Seungriprisontermending
Another former idol’s getting married!
Former Nine Muses member Minha announced on February 5, 2023 that she and her non-celebrity fiancé will be getting married in May. On her Instagram, she shared a letter announcing the happy news.
Hello, I’m Minha.
I have a story that I want to convey with my heart to many people who always support me, so I am writing a handwritten letter after a long letter. I’m getting married in May, spring, which is the season I love.
Meeting him at the end of my 20s, when I was going through a lot of changes, and having been together for the past three years, he helped me discover a side of me I didn’t know, made me smile brightly, and gave me the courage to stand up and move on.
I had written in my diary about who I should do it with if I get married someday.
When I happened to read the diary, I found each and every one of them in this person. I’m going to take a new step in Act 2 of my life with someone who came to me like a gift.
As soon as I turned 20, I debuted as Minha, a member of Nine Muses, and received a lot of love and support while sharing my daily life on the Sososaso channel that I started at 29.
It was a very happy and thankful time to share a lot of affection with each other in shining times. Thanks to your warm support, I always want to be a better person.
I will continue to deliver good energy as a friend who shares a piece of your youth and small stories in your daily life.
I think it’ll be a happier start if you send me your warm support for my new start. You’re going to congratulate me a lot, right?
It’s still very cold. Be careful not to catch a cold and have a happy day!
Thank you.
View this post on Instagram
Minha was a member of Nine Muses from 2010-2016. In 2009, she was one of the original members selected through the Mnet reality series Children of the Empire with Rana, Sera, Eunji, Lee Sem, Euaerin, Jaekyung, Bini, and Hyemi. Minha left the group in June 2010 when she and Euaerin did not renew their contracts with Star Empire. Upon leaving, Minha became an actress. She also posts content on YouTube.
Congratulations to Minha and her fiancé on the upcoming nuptials!
—-Olivia Murray
#MinhaNineMuseMayWedding #MinhagetsmarriedinMay #May2023MinhaNineMuseWillMarry #kcrushnews #kpop #koreanactress #Sososasochannel #Minha #kcrushamerica #nonkpopmarriage #noncelebrityfiance #congradulationsMinha #kdrama #upcomingnuptialsMinha #ChildrenoftheEmpireMinha #kpopmedia #kdramanews #koreamarriages #NineMuses
Japanese idol group Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu, who became a worldwide sensation with over 2 billion plays of their song ‘Suki! ~Cho ver~’, have released a digital EP titled ‘Zettai dayo’, their first new music release in three months. The title track of the EP was first unveiled at a special live performance at Tokyo’s famous Nakano Sun Plaza venue on December 24 and 25, 2022, a pair of shows titled Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu no Doki Doki Christmas Party 2022.
‘Zettai dayo’ is Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu’s first winter ballad, a love song set to a glittering melody that playfully laments the coldness of winter when that special someone isn’t around to keep you warm.
The EP also includes the English and Korean versions of ‘Suki! ~Cho ver~’, which has already racked up over 2 billion plays on social media and streaming services. The original version of the song hit No.1 on TikTok’s chart in South Korea, and went from there to Indonesia, where it was No.1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 Indonesia ranking. Outside of its massive success across Asia, the track even charted in countries such as South Africa. Meanwhile, in 2022, artists in Japan and from around the world including ITZY and LE SSERAFIM took to TikTok to share their own dance videos.
A ‘Performance Video’ for ‘Zettai dayo’ has been published on the group’s official YouTube channel, to be followed on February 6 by the ‘Self cam & Dance’ video for ‘SUKI! English ver.’ The runaway success of 2021 hit ‘Suki!’ shows no signs of slowing down in 2023!
Watch out as Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu and ‘Suki!’ continue to take over the world.
About Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu
Locking on to your heart! Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu is a six-member idol unit starring Stardust Promotion members Kanami Tsujino, Julia Ann, Hitoka Sakai, Haruka Koizumi, Aki Suda and Hiyori Yoshikawa, who take the concept of “burning love and fresh youth” to the world. Their song ‘Suki! ~Cho ver~’ has topped the charts on TikTok and streaming platforms not only in Japan but around the world ♡
Further information
WEBSITE | YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | TIKTOK
#ChoTokimekiSendenbuZettai #Japanesegirlgroup #Japan #kcrushnews #sixmemberidolunit #StardustPromotion #KanamiTsujino #JuliaAnn #HitokaSakai, HarukaKoizumi #AkiSuda #HiyoriYoshikawa #SukiChover #Jpop #Jpopidol #Zettaidayo #newmusic #newdigitalrelease #kcrushamerica #kcrusharticle #musicstreamingplatforms
The remaining two LOONA members that didn’t file for contract nullification have finally filed their injunctions.
ViVi and Hyunjin filed their injunctions February 3, 2023. The injunction asks for the validity of their contracts to be suspended. Unlike with the previous members, Blockberry Creative (BBC) acknowledged ViVi and Hyunjin filed their cases.
“The reports regarding LOONA’s ViVi and HyunJin are true,” BBC said.
ViVi and Hyunjin’s contracts are similar to Kim Lip, Heejin, Jinsoul, and Choerry’s contracts, so there is an expectation they will win their cases.
HaSeul, YeoJin, Yves, Go Won, Olivia Hye lost their cases since they agreed to changes made to their contracts at the end of 2021. It is unclear if they will try to file another case to have their contracts nullified.
Meanwhile, BBC has an ongoing petition to halt Chuu, Kim Lip, Heejin, Jinsoul, and Coerry’s activities in Korea.
—-Olivia Murray
#LOONA #LOONAViVifilesinjunction #LOONAHyunjinfilesinjunction #BBC #BlockberryCreative #ongoingpetition #kcrush #Chuu #KimLip #Heejin #Jinsoul #Coerry #HaSeul #Yeolin #Yes #oWon #OliviaHye #nullifiedcontract #kcrushnews #kcrushamerica #LOONAfiledcases
Congratulations to solo singer Ben and her husband Lee Wook! The pair welcomed their first child, a daughter, on February 1, 2023.
Ben shared a post on Instagram that read:
An angel is born. She’s such a small, cute, and precious existence. A lot of people asked if I was giving birth to twins, but as you can see, the baby was really big compared to my body. After giving birth and recovering a bit alone, I wanted to see my mom, and I wondered if I had really given birth. I cried because I was overwhelmed with all the emotions I experienced for the first time. More than anything, the baby was born in good health, so I was grateful and couldn’t have hoped for anything more. I’m also recovering well. I’ll stay healthy and update you again. Thank you to the many people who took the effort and prayed for me to have a safe delivery.
View this post on Instagram
Ben, welcomed her daughter via C-section according to a second Instagram post due to the pregnancy being high-risk. Thankfully, her child was born healthy and Ben’s doing well!
Ben, whose birth name is Lee Eun-young, has been active in the entertainment industry since 2010 when she was a member of the band Bebe Mignon. When the group disbanded, she became an R&B and ballad soloist in 2012 and has been active since. The multi-award nominated, award-winning soloist is also active on the OST circuit. She married W Foundation chairman Lee Wook in 2020.
Congratulations once again on the new addition!
—-Olivia Murray
#Ben #Benwelcomesfirstchild #BenandhusbandLeeWookwelcomesfirstchild #kpop #kcrushnews #kpopidol #leeEunyoung #BebeMignon #BenR&B #balladsoloist #leeWookWFoundationChairman #congratulations #highriskpregnancy #kcrushamerica
Following Chuu’s expulsion and fellow now ex-LOONA members Kim Lip, Heejin, Jinsoul, and Choerry winning their contract termination lawsuits, Blockberry Creative (BBC) has opted to escalate issues further by petitioning the courts to have Chuu, Kim Lip, Heejin, Jinsoul, and Choerry barred from the entertainment industry.
The Korea Entertainment Management Association (CEMA) revealed BBC filed a petition in December to have Chuu’s entertainment activities suspended. In their petition, BBC stated Chuu violated her contract by agreeing to a pre-contract with BY4M STUDIO in 2021.
CEMA also revealed BBC submitted a petition to force Kim Lip, Heejin, Jinsoul, and Choerry to also suspend their activities after the company lost the contract termination case the LOONA members filed.
In regards to the injunction against Chuu, the Reward and Punishment Committee of the Korea Entertainment Management Association requested Chuu’s attendance at the hearing, to which Chuu’s legal representation agreed. Chuu’s attendance is needed to “confirm the facts regarding BBC’s claims and that they will investigate the case fairly.”
On her Instagram stories, Chuu posted in response to BBC’s petition.
Hello this is Chuu.
It’s really tiring and really sad that I have to keep releasing statements over these situations.
Recently, it seems that slanderous articles based on false reports have gone too far. In December 2021, I didn’t even know the company called BY4M that well. It is unbearable that they try to entangle not only me but also the [LOONA] members in lies, so I will sort out my position and respond soon.
Meanwhile, ORBIT (LOONA’s fandom) and the LOONA Union, a fan-led coalition, submitted a petition to provide LOONA with assistance during their ongoing legal struggles.
LOONA Union shared on Twitter their plan to submit a formal petition to assist LOONA members Haseul, Yeojin, Yves, Gowon, and Olivia Hye with ending their exclusive contracts in any future trials. LOONA Union sought legal advice in their mission to file a petition.
Update from LOONA Union
대응팀에서 공유드립니다Update: English / 한국어 pic.twitter.com/XoOOtuIFpI
— 이달의소녀 연합 대응팀(LOONA Union) (@unionloona) January 19, 2023
Until February 9, fans who wish to assist in filing petitions can follow the instructions provided by LOONA Union.
🚨진행 중인 법적 절차에 따라, 탄원서를 수집하여 법무법인에 제출할 예정입니다. 많은 참여 부탁드립니다.
🚨Follow the instructions to submit the petition. These will be delivered to LOONA’s lawyers.
🔗https://t.co/WGCXHMtYMU
(1/3) pic.twitter.com/M2xICuPAHt— 이달의소녀 연합 대응팀(LOONA Union) (@unionloona) January 26, 2023
Stay tuned for updates regarding the LOONA situation as this case continues to get messy. In the meantime, the only two members to not file a case against BBC, Vivi and Hyunjin, did an Instagram live with Chuu, which can be heard here.
—-Olivia Murray
#LOONA #LOONAUnion #LOONA #BlackberryCreative #kcrushnews #LOONAmembers #KimLip #Heejin #Jinsoul #Choerry #contractdermination #kpop #koreangirlgroupLOONA #kpopidol #kcrushamerica #BBC #Chuu #BY4M #petitionsubmittedtosuspendactivities #LOONAOrbits #OrbitsLOONAFandom #fanleadcoalition #RewardandPunishmentCommittee #LOONAcontracttermination
The K-Pop boy band sphere is quite diverse, especially with the numerous entertainment agencies that have sprung up to battle giant agencies in a battle for a market share in the entertainment industry. Apart from famous boy bands such as BTS, EXO, MONSTA X, and Stray Kids among others, there are other boy groups that are just as worthy, if not more, of the attention and praise that these reputable fellow boy bands have. Below are some of the most underrated K-Pop boy bands.
1. VICTION (빅톤)
The 6-member boy band debuted in November, 2019 with the Voice to New World EP under Planet A Entertainment, currently known as Planet M Entertainment. The members include Seungwoo, Seungsik, Sejun, Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin. Heo Chan left the band on October 11, 2022. Prior to debuting, the members were quite involved in the entertainment industry including being trainees under A Cube Entertainment, backup dancers for APink concerts, and backup vocalist for Huh Gak. Some of their most viewed music videos include “Mayday” and “Howling” as well as their latest piece, “Virus”. VICTION has won various awards including 2021’s Brand Customer Loyalty Awards for Hot Trend Male Idol Group Award and 2017’s MAXIM K-Model Awards for Model-trainer Award.
2. CRAVITY (크래비티)
Formed by Starship Entertainment, CRAVITY debuted in April, 2020 with the “Break all the Rules” track. The group consists of 9 members including Serim, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, Seongmin, and Allen. The name CRAVITY stands for “Center of Gravity” and the group’s fandom name is LUVITY which means “People who love CRAVITY. Some of their most viewed music videos include “My Turn” and “Adrenaline” tracks whose beats and visuals are to die for. The group’s latest hit, “Party Rock”, is already breaking view records on YouTube. CRAVITY has won some awards including the Asia Artist Awards for Male Potential Artist Award in 2020 and for Best Emotive Award in 2022.
3. ATBO (에이티비오)
ATBO (At The Beginning of Originality) debuted in July, 2022 with The Beginning EP under IST Entertainment. The 7-member group is composed of Oh Jun-seok, Kim Yeon-kyu, Ryu Jun-min, Seok Rak-won, Bae Hyun-jun, Jeong Seung-hwan, and Won Bin. Won Bin replaced Yang Donghwa who also competed in the Dongwon Origin – A, B, Or What? survival show but was eliminated after his past misconduct as a student went viral a month before ATBO’s debut. ATBO denotes “start of a dream” and their fandom name is BOAT which signifies unification of the group with regards to their upcoming journey. ATBO’s most viewed music videos include “ATTITUDE” and “MONOCHROME”, whose beats and choreography are off the charts. ATBO has won some awards including 2022’s Asia Artist Awards for Focus Award and 2022’s Asia Model Awards for the Rookie of the Year-Singer award.
4. P1Harmony(피원하모니)
Formed and managed by FNC Entertainment, P1Harmony debuted in October, 2020 with the Disharmony: Stand Out EP and the lead track, “Siren”. Also known as P1H, the 6-member group consists of Keeho, Intak, Theo, Jiung, Jongseob, and Soul. P1Harmony’s fandom name is P1ECE which denotes the “last piece” and signifies that just as small pieces come together to create a full piece, the fans are P1Harmony’s essential piece to perfection and are hence indispensable. Their most viewed music videos include “Doom Du Doom”, “Siren”, and their latest track, “Back Down”. P1Harmony has previously been nominated for various awards including 2021’s Seoul Music Awards for Rookie of the Year Award and 2021’s Asia Artist Awards for the Male Idol Group Popularity Award.
5. TREASURE (트레저)
A product of YG Entertainment’s YG Treasure Box survival show, TREASURE debuted in August, 2020 with The First Step: Chapter One single album. The group is made up of 10 members including Choi Hyunsuk, So Junghwan, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, and Park Jeongwoo. Two mates, Bang Yedam and Mashiho, left the group in November, 2022. TREASURE’s fandom name is Treasure Makers (Teume) and its fandom color is sky blue. The group’s most viewed music videos include “Jinjin” and “Boy”. TREASURE has received some awards including Seoul Music Awards for Best New Artist Award in 2021 and Golden Disc Award for Best Group Award in 2023 among others.
—-Karen Mwenda
#underratedkpopgroups #VICTION #빅톤 #CRAVITY #크래비티 #kcrush #ATBO #에이티비오 #5underratedkpopboygroups #kcrushamerica #P1Harmony #피원하모니 #kcrusharticle #kpop #kpopnews #TREASURE #트레저 #kcrusharticles #kpop #kpopidol #TREASURESeoulMusicAwards #PlanetAEntertainment #YGEntertainment #FNCEntertainment #1STEntertainment #StarshipEntertainment #Koreangroups
South Korean actor Park Bo Gum has signed with ‘THEBLACKLABEL‘.
“We are thrilled to welcome Park Bo Gum who has strong influences not only in South Korea but also overseas” said THEBLACKLABEL, calling Park Bo Gum a well-respected and loved public figure. THEBLACKLABEL also commented, “We will leverage our capabilities and knowledge to the fullest extent to further expand his career as an actor.”
Park Bo Gum first debuted with the movie “Blind” in 2011 and built on his filmography with a diverse range of TV series (‘Wonderful Mama‘, ‘Wonderful Days‘, ‘Hello Monster‘, ‘Encounter‘, ‘Record of Youth‘) and movies (‘The Admiral: Roaring Currents‘, ‘Coinlocker Girl‘, ‘Seobok‘, ‘Wonderland‘) showcasing a stand-out performance for each character he took on.
In the well-known South Korean TV series ‘Reply 1988‘, Park Bo Gum expressed great emotional depth as the genius ‘Go (badok)‘ player ‘Choi Taek‘ that became one of the most beloved characters of the series. From there, he gained explosive success and popularity playing the main role of ‘Prince Lee Yeong‘ in the historical TV series “Love in the Moonlight“, rising through the ranks and solidifying his position as an actor to be watched.
Fans look forward to the synergy between Park Bo Gum, an actor with a wide spectrum of talent, and ‘THEBLACKLABEL’, a successful global music label that looks to launch their actor management business.
‘THEBLACKLABEL’ is a South Korean music label established by Executive Creative Director Teddy Park and is home to artists TAEYANG, JEON SOMI, Zion.T, R.Tee, LOREN, VINCE, Bryan Chase, and Ella Gross.
#ParkBoGum #TheBlackLabel #ParkBoGumBlind #ParkBoGumsignswithTheBlackLabel #WonderfulMama #kcrush #kcrushnews #kdrama #koreatv #kcrushamerica #TheAdmiralRoaringCurrents #Wonderland #RecordofYouth #Encounter #Taeyand #JeonSomi #ZionT #RTee #Loren #Vince #BryanChase #EllaGross #wellrespectedd #koreanactor #TeddyParkTheBlackLabel
Gaining popularity thanks to her unique mic skills and her tracks based on hip-hop and R&B, rising young Japanese artist LANA released her single ‘PULL UP’ on November 30, 2022 – and now it is going viral on TikTok.
The track is based upon the Jersey Club genre, which is setting TikTok alight with a rush of dance videos from all around the world. Over the distinct rhythm style associated with that genre, the track’s melancholy melody is given a fresh finish with LANA’s iconic singing voice.
In December, right after the song was released, a wave of young Japanese “gyaru” (fashion-conscious young women) began posting videos of themselves dancing to the song on TikTok. By January, many popular female Japanese influencers had posted their own dance videos, igniting an unprecedented “gyaru x Jersey Club” dance trend, embraced by young Japanese women in their teens and twenties.
Now, on February 1, LANA has released her latest track, ‘TURN IT UP (feat. Candee & ZOT on the WAVE)’, featuring popular male Japanese rapper Candee and hit producer ZOT on the WAVE.
About LANA
LANA was born in Shonan, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. In 2020, she began uploading music to SoundCloud, which quickly picked up strong word of mouth. She was soon flooded with offers from both within Japan and overseas, and began producing music as a trackmaker and rapper, while also featuring on tracks by other artists. While her music is based on hip-hop and R&B, she has a sense for melody that transcends boundaries and genres, as well as an unforgettable husky voice, making her one of the scene’s most promising newcomers.
Further information
LINKTREE| TIKTOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
‘PULL UP’ Download & streaming links / Music video
‘TURN IT UP (feat. Candee & ZOT on the WAVE)’
Download & streaming links / Music video
#LANA #ShonanKanagawaPrefectureJapan #Japanesesinger #kcrushnews #hiphop #R&B #JersyClubTrack #PULLUP #TURNITUP #Candee #SoundCloud #TikToksensation #kcrusharticle #newmusic #Jpop #Jhiphop #ZOTontheWAVE #rushofdancevideoonTikTok #aroundtheworlddancevideos
K-Pop sensation ENHYPEN to headline music festival with major supporting acts including KANG DANIEL, and others making their U.S. arena debut
GRAMMY Museum® to host a stage at three-day expo featuring Q&A panel discussions and showcase exclusive performances from artists
Tickets for events at Mandalay Bay Convention Center and Michelob ULTRA Arena
on sale now at webridgeexpo.com
We Bridge, the inaugural three-day cultural expo and two-day music festival event celebrating Asian entertainment and culture, is coming to Las Vegas April 21-23 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. K-Pop superstar boy group ENHYPEN is headlining one night at the 12,000-seat arena. The chart-topping boy group will be joined by music veterans such as KANG DANIEL and VIVIZ, as well as artists newer to the scene such as Dreamcatcher, CIX, ONEUS, fromis_9, BE’O, and more, of whom will be making their American arena debut.
We Bridge is presented by premier global entertainment company Infinite Prospects Entertainment (IPE) with the support of MGM Resorts International, the same group who helped turn the Las Vegas Strip purple in April 2022 when megastar group BTS performed four sold-out nights of their ‘Permission To Dance On Stage’ tour at Allegiant Stadium. With the explosion of Asian influence on mainstream pop culture around the world and its tremendous impacts across music, film, art, and fashion, We Bridge’s mission is to connect these various creative expressions within one experience and celebrate the various Asian artists and cultures that are fueling them. The result is a multi-sensory, live event that immerses attendees into a curated world that bridges what is now, new, and next in Asian music, media, art, and fashion.
The GRAMMY Museum® will have its own stage over the three days on the expo floor consisting of special performances and Q&A panels with the music festival acts and is open to all attendees. Hi-touch events with the artists will follow each panel, accessible to all ticket holders of qualifying tiers. We Bridge is partnering with culture curators and creators who will showcase some of Asia and Asian America’s finest visual artists and their work.
“I’m honored to be bringing a celebration of Asian culture to Las Vegas, one of the most culturally blended cities and entertainment capitals in the world,” said Alex Kang, CEO of Infinite Prospects Entertainment. “With the rise in Asian entertainment into mainstream prominence, we wanted to bring more awareness and access to artists, talent, and brands within our community. We are excited to have K-pop at the forefront of We Bridge’s music showcase this year, as the industry’s impact and popularity continue to grow. We see this as our humble beginning and have a vision of building an even bigger stage that is widely representative of all Asian talent.”
Chris Baldizan, MGM Resorts’ Executive Vice President of Entertainment, said, “K-Pop has quickly become a global phenomenon which Las Vegas experienced first-hand last year with BTS’ incredible sold-out concerts. The We Bridge event gives us another opportunity to partner with Alex Kang and his team to deliver multi-cultural experiences of music, media, art and fashion to the destination.”
“The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to partner with We Bridge on its inaugural festival,” said Michael Sticka, President/CEO of the GRAMMY Museum. “Our Mission includes paying tribute to our collective musical heritage, while also celebrating the dynamic connection in people’s diverse backgrounds and music’s many genres. We look forward to celebrating Asian entertainment and culture by bringing our renowned public programming to the We Bridge stage.”
Projected to be one of the largest West x East Asian-centric events of the year, more information including additional talent lineups, ticket sales, and program details will be announced soon. For up-to-date news follow @webridgeexpo on Twitter and Instagram and join the conversation using #webridgelv and #nownewnext. For more information on We Bridge Expo, please visit webridgeexpo.com.
ABOUT INFINITE PROSPECTS ENTERTAINMENT
Infinite Prospects Entertainment (IPE) is a Las Vegas based, world class multi-service production & management company in the entertainment industry, devoted to bridging Asian media and entertainment with western culture in the United States. IPE’s strategic global partnerships are demonstrated in their capacity to identify prospective opportunities to expand in new markets. IPE with the support of MGM Resorts, the same group who famously turned the Vegas Strip purple in April 2022, brought the megastar K-pop group BTS to Allegiant Stadium for four sold-out nights of their ‘Permission To Dance On Stage’ tour.
ABOUT MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 32 unique hotel and gaming destinations globally, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. The Company’s 50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers U.S. sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker, and the Company’s subsidiary LeoVegas AB offers sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands in several jurisdictions throughout Europe. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet” philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information, please visit us at www.mgmresorts.com. Please also connect with us @MGMResortsIntl on Twitter as well as Facebook and Instagram.
About the Grammy Museum
The GRAMMY Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and exploring music from yesterday and today to inspire the music of tomorrow through exhibits, education, grants, preservation initiatives, and public programming. Paying tribute to our collective musical heritage, the Museum values and celebrates the dynamic connection in people’s diverse backgrounds and music’s many genres, telling stories that inspire us, and creative expression that leads change in our industry.
#WeBridgeMusicFestivalandExpo #Kpop #kcrush #kcrushnews #musicfestival #AlexKang #KangDaniel #ONEUS #kcrushamerica #Dreamcatcher #CIX #VIVIZ #fromis9 #BeO #ENHYPHEN #musicperformances #koreanculture #Asianculture #AsianAmericanevent #bringtogether #bridgethegap #kpopidol #kpoppanel #kpopgirlgroup #GRAMMYMuseum #LasVegas #MandalayBay #MandalayBayevent #MandalayBaynews #ChrisBaldizanMGM #MichaelStickaCEOPresidentGRAMMYMuseum #WeBridge #InfiniteProspectsEntertainment ##MandalayBayConventionCenterandMichelobULTRAArenaatMandalayBayResortandCasino
tvN presents ‘Seojin’s’, a spin-off of the variety show ‘Youn’s Kitchen’, which runs a Korean restaurant overseas.
Actor Lee Seo-jin runs a snack bar with ‘Youn’s Kitchen’ members Jung Yu-mi and Park Seo-joon. Instead of Yoon Yeo-jung, who was in charge of the kitchen at ‘Youn’s Kitchen’, ‘World Star’ V joined and is receiving great attention. In addition, Choi Woo-sik, who is well-known abroad for director Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’, is active as a new member.
In the teaser video, ‘Seojin’s’ sells gimbap, ramen, tteokbokki, and hot dogs. It plans to captivate the taste buds of locals with lighter menus than ‘Youn’s Kitchen’, which sold traditional Korean food such as bulgogi and bibimbap.
The producers of ‘Seojin’s’ said, “The idea is to introduce Korean culture rather than Korean food.” I express my impressions and thoughts about Korean food,” he said. “‘Seojin’s’ has a management philosophy that prioritizes profits. It would be fun to find out what has changed from ‘Youn’s Kitchen’,” he said. You can feel the charm,” he hinted.
There were often entertainment shows that showcased Korean food abroad in the past, but it was disappointing when the pulse was cut off for a while due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘Youn’s Kitchen 1, 2’ (2017, 2018), ‘Pocha Without Borders’ (2018-2019), ‘Will it be eaten locally? – China/US Edition’ (2018, 2019), etc were praised for raising the liking for it.
‘Seojin’ will open on February 24th at 8:50 pm.
According to the broadcasters on the 1st, JTBC will show ‘Korean food plate’ in March, where chef Lee Yeon-bok makes Korean food, and tvN will show ‘Seojin’s’ on the 24th of this month, where V, a member of the group BTS, works as an employee at a snack bar.
‘Korean Food Plate’ is a program that provides meals made of Korean food to places in the world that need meals, such as prestigious overseas schools, global companies, and professional sports clubs.
Chef Lee Yeon-bok, broadcaster Hong Jin-kyung who runs the kimchi business, nutritionist Kim Min-ji, comedians Heo Kyung-hwan and Nam Chang-hee, and group Monsta X’s Jooheon appear as the meal service corps.
—-Jiyoung Kim
#KoreanFoodPlate #ChefLeeYeonbok #HongJinkyung #kimchibusiness #KimMinji #comedians #kcrusharticle #kcrushnews #HeoKyunghwan #NamChanghee #MonstaXJooheon #Jooheon #Seojin #BTSV #BTSVonSeojin #Klunch #kpop #JTBC #employeeatasnackbar #Koreanculture #ChoiWooSik #tteokbokki #ramen #YounsKitchen #tvN #kcrushamerica #Korean #Koreanentertainment #showcaseKoreanfoodabroad #Koreannews #Asianfoodshow
Your favorite Korean-Canadian rapper Tablo is coming back to Toronto on March 23rd along with Tukutz and Mithra to take you to the moon!
*********************
Embrace Presents
EPIK HIGH: All Time High Tour
March 23, 2023 @ History
Doors: 7pm | all ages event
***********
CLICK THE POP! GOES THE WORLD TICKET OFFER AND USE THIS CODE TO UNLOCK THE DISCOUNT: RAINSONG
(GA-FLOOR – 4 TICKET LIMIT) https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/10005D7D23074616
THE DISCOUNT IS GOOD ONLY ON THE NEXT 100 TICKETS AND THEY WILL SELL FAST.
YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE:
Check out DJ Yuka K’s latest release recorded a few nights ago in Chicago featuring Got The Beat, BTS, Stray Kids, Itzy, NCT, Monsta X, Red Velvet and lots more!
LISTEN HERE: DJ YUKA K – LIVE IN CHICAGO JAN 28 2023 – https://www.mixcloud.com/KpopClubNight/dj-yuka-k-live-in-chicago-jan-28-2023/
KPOP CLUB NIGHT
UPCOMING EVENTS WITH DJ YUKA K: (and sometimes Host MC triple-threat Poison Aivy)
PHILADALPHIA 02/02/ Concourse
STATE COLLEGE PA 02/04 Stage West
COLUMBUS OH 02/10 Skullys
MISSISSAUGA 02/11 The Rec Room
WINNIPEG 02/17 The Rec Room
VANCOUVER 02/18 The Rec Room
NASHVILLE 02/24 Hard Rock Cafe
ORLANDO 02/25 Level 13
LOS ANGELES 03/10 Catch One
CHARLOTTE NC 03/11 TBA
SALT LAKE CITY 03/17 TBA
TORONTO 03/18 The Rec Room
CALGARY 03/24 The Rec Room
EDMONTON 03/25 The Rec Room
SEATTLE 03/31 The Hard Rock Cafe
MONTREAL 04/07 Ausgang Plaza * DATE CHANGE FROM 03/04
HALIFAX 04/06 Marquee
LONDON ON 04/08 The Rec Room
LAS VEGAS 04/17 Hard Rock
OTTAWA 4/27 Hyde & Seek
WASHINGTON 4/29 Union Stage
HONOLULU 5/19 Hawaiian Brians
DETROIT 6/24 El Club
Most tickets on sale now (or soon) from http://kpopclubnight.com
Stay warm everyone and see you on the dance-floor!
#Tablo #EpikHigh #CanadianTour #DiscountGeneralAdmissionTickets #kcrushnews #EpikHighTour #kpopclubnight #AllTimeHighTourEpikHigh #PopGoesTheWorldCanada #TheRecRoomCanada #kcrushamerica #hiphop #Tukutz #Mithra #koreantoprappers #partywithEpikHigh #officialkcrush
Actor Song Joong-ki announced his marriage to British actress Katy Louise Saunders!
Song, who is known for his roles in A Werewolf Boy (2012), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Vincenzo (2021), and Reborn Rich (2022), announced his marriage and Saunders’ pregnancy through a message shared on his fan café.
Hello. This is Joong Ki.
Today, I am greeting you because I want to share a promise that is more happy and valuable to me than anything.
I have promised to continue life together with Katy Louise Saunders, who has been by my side supporting me and who I have spent valuable time with while cherishing each other.
She has a kind heart, and she has lived her life passionately. She is a sensible and amazing person to the point that I revere her.
Thanks to her, I am becoming a better person.
We naturally dreamed of creating a happy family together. We have put in much effort to keep each other’s promises, and we are sincerely thankful as a new life has come to us.
And today, based on our deep trust and love for each other, we are on our way back from registering our marriage to begin life as a married couple.
As we are now, the two of us will walk our days ahead beautifully while facing the same direction.
I sincerely thank all the fans who always cherish me no matter what.
Especially following the wishes and support of Ki Aile who provide the greatest strength to me throughout my acting career, I will work to fly higher as an actor and individual with the wings of greater responsibility and passion.
I hope everyone will be happy and healthy until the day I can greet you in person.
On December 26 2022, Song’s agency, HighZium Studio, confirmed he was in a relationship. News began buzzing he was with someone after he thanked “Katy” during the 2022 APAN StarAwards. At the time, the media reported Song’s girlfriend was a “non-celebrity.”
Saunders reportedly retired from acting after the 2018 movie Welcome Home. Saunders is rumored to have a daughter from a previous relationship.
This is the second marriage for Song. From 2017-2019, he was married to his Descendants of the Sun co-star Song Hye-kyo.
Congratulations to the couple on their marriage on upcoming child!
—-Olivia Murray
#SongJoong #SongJoongMarriage #SongJoongmarriedKatyLouiseSaunders #SongJoongwifeispregnant #congratulations #kcrush #SaundersmovieWelcomeHome #SongJoongDesendantsoftheSun #Koreanactor #koreandramaactor #HighZiumStudio #Korea #kcrushnews #kcrushamerica #SongJoongki #RebornRich #Vincenzo #SongJoongkifirstchild
Over the weekend, three K-Pop artists and an actor made agency moves.
Following a week of rumors, it has finally been confirmed that Dawn has signed with the Groovyroom-created company AT AREA.
Dawn, who was previously signed to P Nation and Cube Entertainment, hinted that he signed with a new company on January 26 when he posted “New place, new music coming soon” on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
On January 30, Dawn said, “I’m looking forward to working with AT AREA and GroovyRoom. I feel reassured knowing that they share a view on music with me. Please look forward to the new music I’ll be releasing.”
AT AREA stated, “We are delighted to be able to introduce Dawn as our first new member of the family in 2023. Dawn is an artist who we have always admired. We will actively support him so that he can fully demonstrate his potential as an artist and quench his thirst for music.”
Kim Chungha is rumored to be departing MNH Entertainment when her contract expires in March. According to AllKPop, the departure will be a mutually exclusive decision.
Chungha has been critical of MNH in the past and has joked about wanting to leave. She’s commented about issues regarding the delays surrounding Bare and Rare Pt. 2 among other problems. MNH has also struggled to promote her and their other artists properly, with BVNDIT disbanding in late 2022.
The company, who is also home to Vvon and Lim Sang Hyun, debuted their male idol group 8TURN January 30.
Meanwhile, Chungha is one of the artists slated to perform at the MIK (Made in Korea) Festival February 18-19, 2023 at Accor Arena in Paris, France. Other performers include CL, BtoB, KARD, Cherry Bullet, Pentagon, Kid Milli, and Giriboy among others.
After parting ways with Blossom Entertainment in December, actor Park Bo Gum finally found a new home!
On January 30, The Black Label announced Park joined the agency.
“We have signed a management contract with Park Bo Gum, who is one of South Korea’s leading actors and who has been receiving the love and trust of the general public while switching back and forth between the small and silver screens,” The Black Label said.
The label added, “We are extremely delighted to be able to work together with actor Park Bo Gum, whose global influence extends beyond Korea. As actor Park Bo Gum has a wide variety of charms and talents, we will maximize our use of THEBLACKLABEL’s strengths and know-how so that he can deepen his charms in many different fields, including as an actor. We will go all out in our support [of Park Bo Gum] all over the world.”
Park was signed to Blossom Entertainment for 10 years. During his time with the agency, Park had roles in Runway Cop (2012), Reply 1988 (2015-16), Love in the Moonlight (2016), and Record of Youth (2020) among others. The multi-award-winning actor is set to have roles in 2023’s You Have Done Well and Wonderland.
The Black Label is home to Taeyang (BIGBANG), Zion.T, and Jeon So Mi.
Yezi, who has made her name as a solid singer and rapper since Fiestar’s disbandment, left JG Star, a company she’s been with for three years. Yezi’s contract with the company expired, and she’s currently shopping around for a new agency.
While signed with JG Star, Yezi released a string of underrated bops including “Home,” “My Gravity,” “Raining All Night,” and “Acacio.”
While looking for a new agency, Yezi plans on working as a rap teacher for idol trainees.
—-Olivia Murray
#Yezi #YeziFiestar #JGStarCompany #contractexpired #YezileavesJGStar #ParkBoGum #ParkBoGumwithTheBlackLabel #KimChungha #kpop #kcrushnews #kopagencies #MadeInKoreaFestival #Dawn #DawnwithGrovyRoom #DawnAtArea #kcrushamerica #BlossomEntertainment #newcontracts
Blackpink, Red Velvet, Mamamoo, and Aespa are some of the most renown K-Pop girl groups. Nonetheless, there exists an endless list of girl groups who are as talented, if only they received the deserved support and spotlight. Below are some of the underrated K-Pop girl groups that are worth receiving accreditation for their lyrical pieces.
1. Billie (빌리)
Originally known as Mystic Rookies, Billie debuted in November, 2021 with The Billage of Perception: Chapter One EP under Mystic Story Entertainment agency. The group started with 6 members before another was added making it a septet band consisting of Moon Sua, Tsuki, Suhyeon, Haruna, Siyoon, Haram, and Sheon. Some of their most viewed music videos include “Ring X Ring”, and ‘GingaMingaYo (The strange World)”. Billie’s fandom name is Billie’ve and their fandom colors are mystic blue and mystic violet. Billie has won some awards including the Asia Artist Awards for Potential Awards-Music in 2022 and the Korea First Brands Awards for Female Idol (Rising Star) Award in 2023.
2. BE (트라이브)
Formed by Universal Music Group and TR Entertainment, TRI.BE debuted in February, 2021 with the Tribe Da Loca single album. The 7-member group comprises of Songsun. Junha, Kelly, Mire, Hyuna, Jia, and Soeun. TRI.BE’s most viewed music videos include “Rub-A-Dum”, “Kiss” and “Would You Run”. TRI.BE’s official fandom name is TRUE which is an acronym for “TRI.BE! with us forever” and signifies that the group longs to be with their fans forever.TRI.BE has been nominated for various awards and won the Asia Model Awards for Rookie Award-Female Group in 2021.
3. Cherry Bullet (체리블렛)
Formed by FNC Entertainment and managed by FNC W sub-label, Cherry Bullet debuted in January, 2019 with the Let’s Play Cherry Bullet single album. Originally a 10-member group, Cherry Bullet consists of 7 members including May, Chaerin, Remi, Jiwon, Bora, Yuju, and Haeyoon. The group’s most viewed music videos include “Love in Space” and “Love So Sweet”. Cherry Bullet’s fandom name is Lullet which is a n acronym for “Love Cherry Bullet”. Lullet stands for “Love, Unique, Light, Laugh, Everlasting, and Treasure”. Lullet denotes that the fans of Cherry Bullet are unique treasures who love Cherry Bullet and make them shine and laugh. Cherry Bullet has been nominated for various awards including the 2019’s Mnet Asia Awards for the Artist of the Year Award, Best New Female Artist Award and Worldwide Fan’s Choice Top 10 Award.
4. VIVIZ (비비지)
VIVIZ K-Pop girl band debuted in February, 2022 with the Beam of Prism EP under BPM Entertainment agency. VIVIZ, which is an acronym for “Vivid dayz” signifies that the group will be artists who will confidently express their colors to the world. The 3-memebr group are SinB, Eunha, and Umji. VIVIZ’s most viewed music videos include “Bop Pop!” and “Love Ade”. VIVIZ’s official fandom name is Na.V, whose pronunciation resembles the Korean word for butterfly. Na.V denotes that the fans will fly together with VIVIZ. The group has won some awards including the 2022 Brand of the Year Awards for Female Rookie of the Year award and the 2022 K-Global Heart Dream Awards for K-Global Hot Star Award.
5. PIXY (픽시)
Formed in 2021 by Happy Tribe Entertainment and Allart Entertainment, PIXY debuted in February, 2021 with the “Wings” track. The group is made up of 5 members after Satbyeol and Ella left in August. 2022. The members include Lola, Dia, Rinji, Dajeong, and Sua. PIXY’s most viewed music videos include “Villain”, Addicted”, and “Bewitched”. PIXY’s fandom name is WINXY, which is a combination of “wings” and “pixy”. PIXY was nominated for 2021’s Asia Artist Awards for the Female Idol Group Popularity Award, but didn’t win.
—-Karen Mwenda
#5underratedkpopgirlgroups #underratedkpopgroups #kcrush #PIXY #픽시 #WINXY #VIVIZ #비비지 #kcrushamerica #kpop #CherryBullet #체리블렛 #TRIBE #트라이브 #TRUETRIBEFandom #BILLIE #빌리 #kcrusharticle #kpopgirlgroupfandom
XG have today released the music video for their long-awaited third single, ‘SHOOTING STAR’ (Wednesday 25th January). The track is available digitally as well as a limited edition box set.
XG’s new track, ‘SHOOTING STAR’, is a space-walk through a dream-filled soundscape – A harmony between thumping bass and the signature sound of bells. It combines powerful rap and exceptional vocals in a diverse arrangement. The lyrics express XG’s single-minded goal to develop into world-class artists.
The release also includes an extra track, ‘LEFT RIGHT’, an addictive song with repeating synth loops, powerful trap beats, strong bass, sharp hi-hats sound and enticing rap and vocals. The lyric “The only direction I know” embodies XG’s positive, energetic philosophy, never being swayed by others but believing in yourself and always pushing forward.
The two Hip-Hop/R&B-inspired tracks are quintessential XG, encapsulating their energy with the motto “Trust URSELF & Be what U want to be”.
A live performance entitled ‘SHOOTING STAR LIVE STAGE’ was broadcast just before the release of the music video. This featured both tracks, ‘SHOOTING STAR’ and ‘LEFT RIGHT’. The livestream brought together viewers from all over the world, who showed their enthusiastic appreciation in the comments.
In the music video, XG feature as cool kids from a world beyond our own, bringing with them their own unique musical expression. High-production, dreamy vibes and boundless creativity fuse together in this innovative video, which is a perfect showcase for XG’s powerful, borderless vision – the next generation who are taking it intergalactic.
With their first two singles ‘Tippy Toes’ and ‘MASCARA’, XG posted a whole host of additional content such as choreography and dance practice videos. The world is looking forward to what kind of innovation XG will deliver with this new single. They are a group ready to take on the world with their seemingly limitless potential.
XG
A 7-member girl group inspired by Hip-Hop/R&B, made up of JURIN, CHISA, HINATA, HARVEY, JURIA, MAYA and COCONA.
With their first single ‘Tippy Toes’, they were the first artists to debut from XGALX, a global entertainment production company with a mission to produce artists with a defined world view, creating a culture of bold creativity.
In June of 2022, they released their second single, ‘MASCARA’. A third single, ‘SHOOTING STAR’, was released on January 25th 2023.
The group are ‘XG’, which stands for ‘Xtraordinary Girls’.
With their fresh, inventive music and performance, XG aims to empower young people from all over the world – from all walks of life.
XGALX
XGALX is a global entertainment production company with a mission to produce artists with a defined world view, creating a culture of “bold” creativity. Through the dynamic energy of their music and performance, XGALX will spread a message to young people all over the world:
“Focus on your dreams and don’t stop until you make them a reality”
CREATE BOLD CULTURE
Through the work of the XGALX project we will empower young people all over the world, from all walks of life to:
“Listen to your heart, focus on your dreams and have the strength to make them come true – without being limited by the opinions or judgements of others.”
XG Official Website http://xgalx.com/xg/
XG Instagram: https://instagram.com/xgofficial
XG YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@xg_official
XG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xg.official
XG Weverse: https://weverseapp.page.link/p3i5
XG Twitter: https://twitter.com/XGOfficial_
XG Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XGOfficial
XGALX Official Website http://xgalx.com/
#newproductiongroupXGALX #XGALX #XG #kcrushnews #XGSHOOTINGSTAR #SHOOTINGSTAR #Jpop #Japanesegirlgroup #kcrushamerica #LEFTRIGHT #TIPPYTOES #intergalactic #newmusic #girlgroup #SGALXProject #TrustUrself #TopJapaneseGirlGroup #MASCARA
Japanese singer-songwriter Vicke Blanka releases his first ever concert Blu-ray and DVD, January 25, titled ‘Vicke Blanka presents RAINBOW ROAD -Ki-’.
The release features footage from Vicke Blanka’s ‘RAINBOW ROAD -Ki-’ concert, which was held at Tokyo Garden Theater on October 30, 2022 – his first ever arena performance, in which he expressed his deep gratitude to the fans who have supported his music career. This special one-off set features 19 songs, including an encore.
Along with Vicke Blanka fan favorite songs such as ‘Masshiro’, ‘Ca Va?’ and ‘ULALA’, the varied set also includes the first ever band-version performance of ‘Black Catcher’, and an encore performance of ‘Changes’, which was Vicke Blanka’s ending song for the notorious French film ‘The Revenge of The Shiny Shrimps’. ‘Black Catcher’ is the opening theme tune for the 10th season of smash-hit anime series ‘Black Clover’. For three years running, the song has ranked in the Top 10 of Spotify’s chart of Japanese tracks played by listeners overseas. ‘Black Catcher’ has been streamed over 160 million times to date, with its music video racking up some 50 million plays on YouTube.
This release offers an unmissable opportunity to see this mega-hit song performed live for the very first time. In addition, the Blu-ray and DVD versions each include a 2-disc CD featuring the audio version of the concert, making this an irresistible release for Vicke Blanka fans.
About Vicke Blanka
Vicke Blanka is a singer-songwriter from Aichi Prefecture, Japan. He made his major-label debut in October 2016 with ‘Slave of Love’. In 2018 his track ‘Masshiro’ made waves when it was used on a TV drama series, and in 2019 his song ‘Ca Va?’ was featured in a TV commercial for Spotify, with the song going on to ignite audiences at Vicke Blanka’s concerts and festival performances.
Vicke Blanka now has over 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and his songs have totaled over 400 million plays on streaming services. On October 30, 2022, he held his first ever arena concert at Tokyo Garden Theater, titled ‘RAINBOW ROAD -Ki-’, as he continues his lively music career. In addition to his presence in the music industry, he is expanding his scope, gaining experience as a songwriter for other artists, a radio DJ, an advertising model and even a game streamer.
Further information
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
#VICKEBLANKA #AichiPrefectureJapan #Japanesesinger #Masshiro #CaVaSpotifycommercial #TokyoGardenTheater #kcrushnews #kcrush #newmusicVickeBlanka #BlackClover #BlackCatcher #Anime #VickeBlankaBluRayDVD #ULALA #Japanesesingersongwriter #VickeBlankaNewSong #kcrush2014 #officialkcrush #Top10onSpotify
TOMORROW X TOGETHER is making good achievements both at home and abroad with the new album ‘Chapter of the Name: TEMPTATION’.
TXT (Subin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, Hueningkai) held a comeback showcase to commemorate the release of their 5th mini album ‘The Name Chapter: Temptation’ at KINTEX, Ilsan, Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province on the 28th. The showcase, which lasted for about two hours, was held in offline performances as well as online live streaming through Weverse Live, Hive Labels’ official YouTube channel, Naver NOW., and Line Music.
The five members performed ‘Sugar Rush Ride’, the title track of ‘The Name Chapter: Temptation’, ‘Devil by the Window’ and ‘Happy Fools’, which was first introduced at this showcase. (feat. Coi Leray) The stage was presented with lively live and high-quality performances. They also performed a variety of stages, including title songs from major albums from ‘CROWN’ to ‘Good Boy Gone Bad’ and fan song ‘Exchange Diary (Dubaddu Wariwari)’.
‘Name Chapter: TEMPTATION’ recorded sales of 1,868,919 copies on the day of release (27th), and TXT is the only K-pop group to record sales of more than 1.8 million copies on the first day of the release of the new album, except for BTS.
According to the latest chart released by Spotify on the 28th (as of January 27), ‘Sugar Rush Ride’ was streamed 2,216,222 times on the first day of release, ranking 38th on the ‘Daily Top Song Global’ chart. In addition, all tracks on the album entered the chart with ‘Tinnitus (I want to be a stone)’ ranked 70th, ‘Devil by the Window’ ranked 73rd, ‘Leaving Neverland’ ranked 91st, and ‘Happy Fools (feat. Coi Leray)’ ranked 112th. Successfully entered the charts. In particular, ‘Sugar Rush Ride’ landed on the ‘Daily Top Song’ charts in various countries/regions, including No. 38 in the US.
Also, according to the latest chart released by Japan’s Oricon on the 28th (as of January 27th), the 5th mini album sold 184,971 copies, entering the ‘Daily Album Ranking’ and immediately ranked No.1.
The cumulative sales in Japan of the previous 4th mini album ‘minisode 2: Thursday’s Child’ in 2022 were 179,421 copies (based on Oricon’s ‘Annual Ranking 2022’), and TOMORROW X TOGETHER surpassed it at once on the first day of the release of the new album, proving themselves as the potential leader of ‘4th Generation’.
‘Chapter of Name: TEMPTATION’ also topped the Japanese iTunes ‘Top Album’ chart, and the music video of the title song ‘Sugar Rush Ride’ is showing popularity in Japan, being ranked #1 on YouTube’s most popular video.
—-Jiyoung Lee
#TXT #HYBE #BIGHITENTERTAINMENT #kcrushnews #TOMORROWXTOGETJER #TXTChapteroftheNameTEMPTATION #kpop #Subin #Yeonjun #Beomgyu #Taehyun #Hueningkai #TXTNewAlbum #JapaneseiTunes #newTXTmusic #kcrushamerica #SugarRushTXT #topTXTstreams #kcrush #kcrusharticle #SpotifyDailyTopSongGlobal #WeverseLive #HiveLabelsofficialYouTubechannel #NaverNOW #LineMusic #KINTEX #IlsanGoyangCity #GyeonggiProvince
People come from different worlds in terms of culture and race as well as political and financial status among others. Consequentially. Some people are born with a silver spoon while others have to work to earn their living. Before rise to fame, some of the K-Pop idols had to engage in part-time jobs to earn a living while fueling their idol dreams. Here are some of the K-Pop idols who had part-time jobs before they debuted.
1. Suga (BTS)
Before Min Young become a member of the global boy band BTS as Suga, he worked as a delivery man to pay for his tuition whilst in college. While working there, Suga had a car accident that resulted in severe shoulder injuries. Although Suga is still a great dancer, he would have been the best if it were not for the shoulder injuries that have sabotaged his dancing perfection.
2. Sejun (VICTON)
Prior to debuting with VICTION, Sejun worked as a bank security guard. Sejun revealed this fact in an interview when as he cheered a fan about being confident in pursuing dreams. Despite being laughed at by some of his friends, family, and co-workers, Sejun overcame it all and used the criticism as a bridge to his achieving his dreams.
3. Insoo (Former MYNAME)
Former MYNAME’s Insoo had quite an interesting part-time before rising to fame. Unlike other common part-time jobs, Insoo had the privilege of teaching ballet classes. It was during this part-time period that he taught other notables including Son Yeon Jae, the Olympic rhythmic gymnast, for 2 years.
4. Ong Seong Woo (Former WANNA ONE)
Prior to becoming a brand in the entertainment industry, Ong Seong Woo engaged in various part-time jobs including working at shopping malls. His major part-time jobs were mainly modelling with the his most memorable one being a hair model while in high school. Though he was not paid for this part-time gig, he did get free hair styles while modelling for them and when going for other gigs.
5. Ken (VIXX)
Ken from VIXX worked in a fast-food joint, Loteria, He worked at the hamburger chain for about 9 months. His passion for this particular part-time job surfaced when hamburgers were brought on set during his appearance The Capable Ones show.
6. Soyou (Former SISTAR)
Before rising to fame, Soyou had undertaken various part-time jobs from the young age of 16 because she wanted to help her family. Apart from working at the gas station, Soyou also worked as a hair dresser. She also possesses a certificate in hair dressing which showcases her commitment to perfection once she puts her mind to achieving something.
7. E-TION (ONF)
The ONF group member worked a couple of times in the food industry before debuting under WM Entertainment agency. In addition to working in a donut shop, E-TION worked in various restaurants including Japanese, Thai and Samgyetang restaurants.
8. Jeongyeon (TWICE)
Jeongyeon of the famous girl group TWICE once had her hands all floured up before debuting under JYP entertainment. Jeongyeon worked as a part-time baker even during her trainee period. She once confessed to thoughts of quitting her trainee life and pursue baking owing to the hardships she was facing then.
9. Kim Jin Woo (WINNER)
Kim Jin Woo worked as a delivery man during his high school days before debuting as a member of WINNER. The idol used to make extra cash by delivering chicken and pizza.
10. Im Siwan (ZE:A)
Prior to debuting with ZE:A, Im Siwan used to offer private tutoring services. The idol forewent a Mechanical Engineering course at Pusan National University to pursue his idol career. The genius used his smartness to tutor and help students in Mathematics and physics.
11. Sung Gyu (INFINITE)
Sung Gyu’s rise to fame is a story to behold. Apparently, it was while Sung Gyu was working at a café that he met a customer who would be a bridge to his success. The customer, who was then unknown to Sung Gyu, was no other than Nell’s manager. After the customer-café attendant interaction of a few minutes, the rest became history.
12. Eunbi (former IZ*ONE)
The former member of Ye-A and IZ*ONE girl groups was no different from some of the other K-Pop idols as she had to undertake some part-time jobs. She once worked as an attendant serving at a bakery chain, Paris Baguette.
13. Choa (Former AOA)
Before joining AOA girl group, Choa as a sales woman at IPTV. It is during this part-time job period that she auditioned to become an idol, only to get a break with FNC Entertainment agency after failing 15 times with SM Entertainment agency.
14. Geummi (Former Crayon Pop)
Former Crayon Pop’s Geummi worked one of the most unique part-time jobs amongst other K-Pop idols. She worked in the hair follicle transplant industry as a hair follicle separator. Despite the hustle, this job was quite rewarding in terms of good payment.
15. Lee Hong-Gi (F.T. Island)
Prior to debuting with F.T. Island, Lee Hong-Gi worked as delivery man for a Chinese restaurant. Other part-time jobs that Lee Hong-Gi engaged in included serving at restaurants and working in hair salons. Have you seen his LeeHongGi Nail Book?
—-Karen Mwenda
From November 16-December 16, 2022, we asked you, our readers, to vote for your favorite K-Pop acts via our Kcrush America K-Pop Music Awards.
For our sixth year holding our readers’ choice awards, several races were too close to call throughout the voting window. The rookie categories were the closest, with the rookie female and male group categories in a deadlock between three groups each until the last week-and-a-half of the voting period when K-Pop fans from Costa Rica, Brazil, and Germany pushed the winners to the winner’s circle. For Best Crossover song, two votes separated first from second and one vote separating second from third!
Meanwhile, the OST, best song (both male and female group), Best New Male Artist, and Song of the Year categories had runaway winners with those categories decided early.
With over 700 votes, we thank you for your time and choosing your favorites. Check out below to see the winners!
—-Olivia Murray
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Momoland appears to have disbanded as all six of the remaining members opted to not renew their contracts with MLD Entertainment.
MLD Entertainment released a statement confirming the news.
Hello, this is MLD Entertainment.
First of all, we sincerely thank the fans who cherish and support MOMOLAND.
After a lengthy discussion with MOMOLAND (Hyebin, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy), we respected each other’s opinions and agreed to terminate the exclusive contract upon expiration of the contract period.
We express our deep gratitude to MOMOLAND who has been with us for a long time, and we will sincerely wish the best for the members’ future endeavors.
We would like to ask fans to show unchanging love and support to the six members who are about to start anew.
Thank you.
Momoland debuted in 2016 through the reality series Finding Momoland. When they debuted, Momoland was a seven-member group consisting of Hyebin, Yeonwoo, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy. Daisy and Taeha joined the group in 2017, making Momoland nine members. In 2019, Taeha and Yeonwoo departed the group and the agency with Daisy following in 2020 (in 2022, Daisy claimed she was “fired” from the group).
Daisy’s departure included a legal battle for unpaid wages as well as claims that Finding Momoland was rigged. Daisy ultimately won her lawsuit against the company.
Momoland had a lot of potential but lacked clear direction thanks to MLD Entertainment not knowing what to do with them. In 2018 and 2019, Momoland had two of K-Pop’s biggest songs with “Bboom Bboom” and “Baam,” but after that, album sales and music releases declined. Momoland’s last EP was Starry Night in June 2020, and their last single album was Ready or Not in November 2020. In 2022, the group released “Yummy Yummy Love” with Natti Natasha, but it was an English single.
It is not clear if Momoland will resign as a group with another agency or if they will go their separate ways and focus on their individual activities. In the meantime, Momoland is considered disbanded. Good luck to the members on their futures!
—-Olivia Murray
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