OCJ NEWBIES Renamed as XODIAC and Wins Two Weibo Account Festival Awards Ahead of Debut
December 25, 2022 | 3514 Visits
The fresh boy group begins to make history in K-pop before official debut
Coming off the heels of announcing a new name last week, the group now known as XODIAC, previously known as NEWBIES, is continuing to stake their claim in K-Pop as the newest musical force in the industry. Recently, the group made waves in the music and fashion worlds as the first K-Pop band to land four major magazine shoots before their official debut. Now, the group has made their presence known in a different way by winning big at the global Weibo Account Festival held in Japan on December 20.
Earlier this year, the company One Cool Jacso Entertainment opened official SNS accounts for their new trainee boy group, OCJ NEWBIES, announcing the thirteen members already confirmed for the line-up. With members hailing from Korea, Hong Kong, as well as the first ever male idol from Indonesia, the group itself is already poised and ready to reach global stardom. As one of the first rookie groups to officially receive not one, but two awards, there’s certainly some bite to their bark. The group as a collective received an award for “Potential New Boys Group”, and XODIAC leader Lex is one of the first solo pre-debut artists to receive the “Fashion Rookie” award.
The WEIBO Account Festival 2022 is an award ceremony that recognizes global actors, artists, cultural figures, characters, and companies who are active in China’s largest social media “WEIBO,” and have a great influence in China, with many of the recipients honored being Japanese. In addition to the award ceremony, the red carpet was held while XODIAC members Lex and Beomsoo were on hand to accept awards and show off their outfits from Dolce & Gabbana.
Having already been featured in major fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan, ELLE MEN, Harper’s Bazaar, and Men’s Uno – all from Hong Kong – several members were sporting ensembles from Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Saint Laurent, and Fendi, so there’s no doubt that this multifaceted group will strive to make their mark.
Talent is served in abundance with these boys. Group and dance leader Lex has been learning modern dance since he was a child and has won several national dancing awards in Korea. Members Dongbin and Hyunsik are well-known to the public for both being contestants on the hit survival TV program Produce X 101. Other members have also been past contestants on music competition shows such as Loud, World Klass, We Are Young, and Stars Awakening.
XODIAC is one of the most highly-anticipated boy groups set to debut in early 2023. Follow the social media accounts below to stay up to date on upcoming projects.
Queenz Eye is the newest band in town rocking the K-pop entertainment arena. The 6-member girl group debuted with their electric “Queenz Table” mini-album on 24th October, 2022. It’s barely been 2 months since these queens entered the entertainment industry, and they are skyrocketing with their lyrical pieces crediting them audience on a global scale. KCrush America magazine had a one-on-one talk with Queenz Eye to understand the secret behind this group’s success as well as their aspirations.
Of all names, why Queenz Eye?
‘퀸즈아이’는 여왕의 눈처럼 빛나는 다채로운 매력이 있는 아이들이라는 뜻을 담고있습니다. 저희 음악을 듣는 모든 분들이 여왕의 눈처럼 함께 빛났으면 좋겠다는 마음을 담아 ‘퀸즈아이’ 라는 이름을 사용하게 되었습니다.
“Queenz Eye” means that they have vibrant charms like the eyes of a queen. We chose “Queenz Eye” hoping that everyone who listens to our music will shine like the eyes of a queen.
How would you describe your group image and music style?
저희 퀸즈아이의 이미지는 멋짐, 대담함, 당당함, 자신감, 다채로움 인것같습니다. 또, 음악스타일은 퍼포먼스가 강하다보니 조금은 비트가 센 스타일의 곡들을 많이 하는것 같습니다. 저희의 음악적 색깔, 스타일은 앞으로 무궁무진하게 변신할것이니 많은 기대 부탁드립니다.
Our image as Queenz Eye is cool, bold, confident, and colorful. Additionally, since our music style involves strong performances, I think most of our songs have strong beats. Our musical colors and styles will involve endless changes, so we hope you’ll look forward to it.
How long have you trained as a group and how do you sustain the bond amongst yourselves?
멤버들끼리 더욱 잘 지내기 위해 서로 많은 대화를 나누고, 배려하고 이해하려는 노력을 많이 하는것같습니다.
In order to get along with each other better, we try to talk a lot, be considerate, and understand each other.
The “Queenz Table” debut single album is such a hit. Why the “Queenz table” title?
‘좋아하는 사람에게 맛있는 음식을 정성들여 대접하는 것처럼, 저희의 공들인 음악을 대접하겠다.’ 라는 의미에서 앨범명을 ‘퀸즈테이블’로 짓게 되었습니다.
We titled the album “Queenz Table” to denote that “Just as we serve delicious food to the people we like with caution, we will also serve our fans with meticulously done lyrical pieces.”
It has barely been 2 months since you debuted and you already have a massive following, both in Korea and on a global scale. What’s your secret?
강렬하고 열정적인 저희의 무대와 한 명, 한 명의 다양한 매력들이 모여 나오는 시너지가 저희의 비결이라고 생각합니다. 데뷔한지 두달이 채 되지 않았는데, 이렇게 사랑을 주셔서 감사드립니다.
I think our secret lies in our powerful and passionate performances as well as our synergy which brings out each member’s diverse charms. We are thankful that although it’s been barely two months since we debuted, we’ve received so much love.
What sets you apart from other groups in the entertainment industry?
강렬한 퍼포먼스와 어떤 색이든 잘 소화해낼 수 있다는 점이 저희 그룹의 차별성 인 것 같습니다.
I think what differentiates our group from the rest is our ability to pull off strong performances and colors perfectly.
Your dancing skills are quite top notch, especially in the “Yummy Yummy” single. How do you feel about being recognized for such skills other than singing?
인정받기에는 아직 많이 부족하지만 좋게 봐주셔서 정말 감사드리고 기쁩니다. 앞으로 한결같이 오래오래 무궁무진한 모습들을 보여드릴테니 계속 지켜봐주셨으면 좋겠습니다.
We are so thrilled and thankful that although we still have a long way to go before being worthy of recognition, we have been well received. Since we intend to offer an infinite variety of endless appearances, we hope you will look forward to it.
Outside of music, what do you like doing to rejuvenate your creativity?
소설이나 시집 등 독서를 하며 창의력을 키우고는 합니다.
We rejuvenate our creativity mostly by reading novels and poetry books.
Who are some the artists or groups that inspire you the most?
소녀시대 선배님과 방탄소년단 선배님들을 보면서 영감을 받습니다. 언젠가 퀸즈아이도 대한민국을 대표 할 수 있는 자랑스러운 아티스트가 되고싶습니다.
Our biggest inspiration is Girls’ Generation and BTS. We purpose to be proud artists who can represent the Republic of Korea
What’s should fans be anticipating next from Queenz Eye?
더욱 다양하고 강력해진 퍼포먼스와 이전보다 완성도 있는 모습들을 기대해주셨으면 좋겠습니다.
Our fans should expect more diverse, powerful, and complete performances than never before
Do you have anything you would like to say to your fans?
팬 여러분! 너무 보고싶습니다. 정말 열심히 다음 활동을 준비중이니까 조금만 기다려주세요! 늘 한결같이 좋은 에너지를 드릴 수 있는 자랑스러운 아티스트가 되겠습니다. 저희 퀸즈아이 사랑해주셔서 정말 감사드리고 저희도 많이 사랑합니다!
Our dear fans! We miss you so much. We’re working really hard on our next promotions, so we kindly ask for your patience! We’ll become proud artists who can always bring you good energy. Thank you for showing Queenz Eye much love and we love you too so much!
We at KCrush America Magazine would like to thank you for your time. We wish you all the best as you soar in the entertainment industry.
South Korean iconic comedian SONG EUN I is hitting the roads in the United States with the “SONG EUN I IN AMERICA” tour.
SONG EUN I started her appearance as a comedian as a KBS comedian in 1993, and now an iconic and talented comic and MC loved by all generations in South Korea.
Not only talented in the comedy field, SONG EUN I also has shown her musical wit and talent through a female-comedian group “Celeb Five”, showing her cheerful stage manners and addictive dance moves, going viral with hit songs such as “Celeb Five (I Wanna Be a Celeb)” and “I Wish I Could Unsee That”. SONG EUN I is also the CEO of the content-creator production “Contents Lab VIVO”, proving her presence as a businessman.
With enjoyable and various stages, the audience can laugh and hang out with SONG EUN I.
As it’s the special type of concert celebrating SONG EUN I’s 30th anniversary since her debut, a meaningful time with her fans would be amazing.
She also made a statement on social media, writing on her Instagram that she’s working hard to get the show ready for her fans.
Tickets are now on sale and further information on the tour and ticket purchase can be found through http://bit.ly/3heEbi3 .
Song Eun I IN AMERICA – Tour Dates
1/26 6PM & 8:30PM EST – New York – Town Hall
1/28 5PM & 7:30PM EST – Los Angeles – Orpheum Theatre
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste is a fan initiated live event making service that brings fans, artists and promoters from all over the world together in one place to create a valuable and meaningful concert experience for everyone involved. MyMusicTaste puts the power in the fans’ hands, allowing fans to request their favorite artist’s concert in their city. With the mission to connect and amplify the voices of fans all over the world, MyMusicTaste successfully promoted concerts of artists such as EXO, GOT7, MONSTA X, The xx, Machine Gun Kelly, and more in over 52 different cities. With the simple idea–empowering fans to bring their favorite artist’s concert in the city of their choice based on fan demand–MyMusicTaste is challenging the $27 billion concert market through cutting-edge technology and a sophisticated, user-friendly service. Currently www.mymusictaste.com supports more than 30 countries and offers 15 different languages.
Popular Kpop boy group CIX is heading to Europe and U.S. in January and March 2023. CIX kicking off the start of the year with a bang, they’re ready to greet their fans live in CIX 2nd WORLD TOUR <Save me, Kill me> IN EUROPE with six cities beginning January 2023.
CIX is a five-member K-Pop boy group under C9 Entertainment, consisting of members BX, SEUNGHUN, BAEJINYOUNG, YONGHEE and HYUNSUK. The group name stands for “Complete in X”, which means the quintet will gather to complete the unknown. In 2019, CIX has actively promoted the title song ‘Movie
Star’ from the album ‘HELLO Chapter 1. Hello Stranger’ as the song has captivated its audience worldwide, opening its first chapter of the extraordinary universe as its debut.
In April 2022, CIX’s 1st Concert <REBEL> was held, and this is the first time since the Seoul concert that CIX has successfully completed performances in six U.S. cities and Japan, showing their global presence and is now heading to Europe to see European FIX(official fandom name). The quintet group, CIX is set to have their second world tour and plans to make more special memories with global fans through their first European tour as well as more visits to the U.S.
This upcoming tour, the group partnered with MyMusicTaste to meet with their avid fans from all around the world. After their first U.S. tour in 2022, CIX is ready to take a bigger stage in Europe and U.S. in 2023! CIX is ready to greet fans with a completely new setlist, including songs from ‘OK’ Episode 1 : OK No, which was released last year in August. In addition, CIX will also hold a fansign event with fans in Berlin.
Tickets are now on sale and further information on the tour and ticket purchase can be found through https://mmt.fans/bnT4 or other social media channels of MyMusicTaste.
CIX 2nd WORLD TOUR <Save me, Kill me> IN EUROPE – Tour Dates
1/15 – Warsaw – Progresja
1/18 – Tilburg – 013
1/20 – London – O2 Forum Kentish Town
1/22 – Paris – Bataclan
1/26 – Cologne – Carlswerk Victoria
1/29 – Berlin – Huxley’s Neue Welt
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste is a fan initiated live event making service that brings fans, artists and promoters from all over the world together in one place to create a valuable and meaningful concert experience for everyone involved. MyMusicTaste puts the power in the fans’ hands, allowing fans to request their favorite artist’s concert in their city. With the mission to connect and amplify the voices of fans all over the world,
MyMusicTaste successfully promoted concerts of artists such as EXO, GOT7, MONSTA X, The xx, Machine Gun Kelly, and more in over 52 different cities. With the simple idea–empowering fans to bring their favorite artist’s concert in the city of their choice based on fan demand–MyMusicTaste is challenging the $27 billion concert market through cutting-edge technology and a sophisticated, user-friendly service. Currently www.mymusictaste.com supports more than 30 countries and offers 15 different languages.
About C9 Entertainment:
C9 Entertainment is a South Korean record label formed in 2014. Artists under C9 Entertainment are LEESEOKHOON, YOUNHA, CIX, cignature and EPEX. C9 Entertainment features a wide spectrum of genre-agnostic music, including hip-hop, R&B, ballads, and rock, as well as outstanding performers, loved in various fields such as movies, dramas, plays, and musicals.
Shrouded by fog, there lies a phantom, remote island in the ocean inhabited only by horses…
The island, which might seem as though it has emerged from a fairy tale, actually exists in modern day Japan.
The name of this island is Yururi. This tiny desert island is situated off the coast of Nemuro in Hokkaido, which is the easternmost point of mainland Japan.
Japan is well known to be a far east country – Yururi island is even further on, the furthest east end mainland Japan. The island is a breeding ground for northern seabirds so people have been strictly restricted from getting on the island.
On top of the fact that the island is so remote, the restrictions to get into the island also kept media forces away. So, the island’s real image has been a mystery for a long time. The horses on Yururi island originate from western countries, including the Percheron horse from France. Not many people know about this very interesting fact.
Photographer Atsushi Okada is a winner of the Kimura Ihei Award for Photography, which is one of the most prestigious awards for photography. He got special permission from Nemuro city, which Yururi island belongs to, and has been taking photos of Yururi island for more than 10 years. Photographing the scenery of Yururi island is a lifework for him.
He set up the website for Yururi island in December 2021. He has now released the photographs he has been taking of the island. In addition to the photographs, he has put interesting information about the island on this website. As a result, the website has gained great interest from people all over Japan.
The website is going to be turned into a book which will be published in 2023. There will also be an exhibition at the public art museum which will be held in 2023 as well.
The great reaction from people has led to Mr. Okada and the association called, “Consider the Nemuro-Ochiishi Area and the Lost Island of Yururi,” to create an English website. This English version of the Yururi island website was released in cooperation with Nemuro city.
“A desert island where only horses live.” Yururi island has a very unique ecosystem from a global perspective.
The nature and history of the region will not just be recorded as data but are going to spread to the world as artwork. This might be a new model case to show the great cooperation of one artist and a small self-governing body in a remote area. They are trying to pass on this art to future generations.
Yururi island, a small desert island on the easternmost point of mainland Japan. We hope the miracle of this island and the amazing existence of the horses on the island will be recognized widely.
[ Yururi Island Website ]
–The island is full of natural miracles and magic–
–The island is full of natural miracles and magic–
Chapter 1 / A Hazy Island of Horses in the Fog of Deep Memory
Chapter 2 / The Reason Why Yururi is a “Lost Island”
Chapter 3 / The History of Nemuro and Yururi Island
Chapter 4 / Films by Atsushi Okada
“The Island of Lost World” / “The Legend in the Fog”
“The Legend in the Wind” / “The Legend in the Snow”
Chapter 5 / Photographs by Atsushi Okada
“The Lost Island”
Chapter 6 / Life on Yururi Island
Horses – The History Behind the Horse-only Island
Horses – Noble Bloodline Inherited by Horses in Eastern Hokkaido
Horses – Memory of a Famous Ranch that Supported an Ideal World
Flowers – The Garden Effect and the Wonder of White Petals
Flowers – High-rise Marsh Hidden in the Sea Fog
Seabirds – Precious Seabirds Protected and Nurtured by Cliffs
Marine Animals – Marine Animals Tell Us About the Wealth of the Nemuro Sea
Chapter 7 / To a Place You Can Feel the Time of Yururi
Chapter 8 / Archives
Yururi Flowers – 126 photos
Yururi Birds – 67 photos
Atsushi Okada / Photographer
Born 1979 in Hokkaido, Japan. Graduated from the Department of Photography, Faculty of Art, Osaka University of Arts in 2003, and received his doctorate (Art) from the Graduate School of Arts, Tokyo Polytechnic University in 2008.
In the same year, he won the Kimura Ihei Award, also known as the “Akutagawa Prize of the photography world.” He has also won the Hokkaido Cultural Encouragement Award, the Higashikawa Awards Special Photographer Award, and the Fuji Photo Salon New Face Award.
His published works include “I am” (AKAAKA Art Publishing, 2007), “ataraxia” (Seigensha Art Publishing, 2010), “THE WORLD” (AKAAKA Art Publishing, 2012), “MOTHER” (Hakurosha, 2014) and “Shota Yasuda Photo Collection: LIFE IS” (Magazine House, 2020). His works are in the public collections of the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, the Kawasaki City Museum and the Higashikawa Bunka Gallery. He has been photographing Yururi island since 2011.
Following Chuu being expelled from the group and the alleged news that nine out of the remaining LOONA members filed an injunction against the agency, Blockberry Creative (BBC) announced LOONA will be making a comeback January 3, 2023. The company unveiled the teaser poster December 10, but OSEN announced the comeback plans December 7.
The teaser image features LOONA’s colors, a hand holding a large marble, and the text “What’s NEXT” along with brackets indicating there’s more to come. BBC states the teaser indicates a “new beginning” while signifying the return of the “girl of the month” concept.
The comeback will be the first since Chuu’s removal with what BBC calls a “full group comeback,” but as ORBIT (LOONA’s fandom) points out, there isn’t a full group comeback without Chuu.
On social media, ORBIT and other K-Pop fandoms have called for a boycott of BBC and LOONA’s comeback, with many stating supporting BBC means supporting the company’s poor treatment of the girls and giving the company money LOONA won’t see. The boycott is also to support Chuu.
– Teen Top CHUNJI reveals mood photo that expresses emptiness after breaking up with lover
– CHUNJI ‘s first solo album is on the 16th. Off-line simultaneous release… A pre-released present to the fans through the listening session on the 15th
Teen Top CHUNJI unveiled a mood photo of “CHUNJI (TEEN TOP) 1st Single [Too late]”.
On the 8th, CHUNJI released a photo showing the mood of the album on the official channel of Teen Top, raising expectations for his first solo album.
In the released mood photo, CHUNJI showed off his unwavering beauty. The mood photo, which expresses the emptiness felt in daily life after the breakup in the space of home, gives an overall atmosphere of the songs that CHUNJI will perform in this album.
Meanwhile, CHUNJI will have a place to release the song to fans first through a hearing on the 15th, a day before the release of the song, and the 1st single [too late] is on the 16th. It will be released simultaneously offline.
JYP Entertainment’s rookie girl group NMIXX will now continue as a six-member group after the company announced Jinni’s departure. In addition to leaving NMIXX, Jinni also departed the agency.
On December 9, JYP Entertainment released a statement reading:
Hello, this is JYP Entertainment.
Jinni, who has been a member of NMIXX up until now, will be leaving the group due to personal circumstances, and her exclusive contract has been terminated.
We apologize for giving many fans cause for concern with this sudden news.
As a result, we are letting you know that NMIXX will be carrying out their future scheduled activities as a six-member group.
We ask that you give lots of encouragement to Jinni, who will be walking a new path, and we also ask that NSWER give their warm support to the six members who will continue to grow and race towards their dreams.
Once again, we apologize to the fans who have given [NMIXX] so much support.
Thank you.
Jinni’s departure is especially shocking since JYP Entertainment released teasers less than a month ago for NMIXX’s “New Frontier: MIXX, you imagine” featuring all seven members seemingly introducing NMIXX lore. NMIXX also performed during the 2022 MAMA Awards will all members present.
Hopefully, Jinni’s departure isn’t due to serious issues and that she’s healthy and doing well despite the sudden news.
NMIXX debuted February 22, 2022. The group now consists of Lily, Haewon, Sullyoon, Bae, Jiwoo, and Kyujin.
Life imitates “Still Life” as BIGBANG’s T.O.P has been identified as one of eight members set to join Japanese art collector, entrepreneur, and billionaire Yusaku Maezawa on a space trip in 2023 as part of the #dearMoon project.
T.O.P will join American DJ Steven Aoki (United States), choreographer Yemi A.D. (Czech Republic), photographer Rhiannon Adam (Ireland), YouTuber Tim Dodd (United States), photographer Karim Iliya (Great Britain), filmmaker Brendan Hall (United States), and actor Dev D. Joshi (India) on the journey. The backup crew is made up of Japanese dancer Miyu and American snowboarder Kaitlyn Farrington.
The #dearMoon project is the first-ever civilian mission to the Moon that has been in the works since 2018. In 2021, Maezawa announced his intentions to bring eight people on board with him. Each of the participants were selected based on two criteria:
The possibility of helping mankind and society by growing significantly through space travel
The ability to support a passenger.
Maezawa also selected passengers based on “talented and influential people across the globe that could positively contribute to the human race.”
As evidenced by plans shared on the #dearMoon website, the #dearMoon crew will not actually land on the Moon. Instead, the rocket will fly around the Moon.
#dearMoon is an art project led by Maezawa and Elon Musk’s SpaceX and fully funded by Maezawa. The trip is expected to last six days, though the exact launch date has yet to be revealed, though training is expected to start at the beginning of 2023.
Make Way for the New Kids On the Block: OCJ NEWBIES
The K-Pop boy group makes history as one of the only groups to ever appear in four global mainstream magazines pre-debut
ELLE MEN HK, Cosmopolitan HK, Harper’s Bazaar HK, and Men’s Uno HK features the group in high fashion ensembles from Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Versace, Moschino and more
New K-Pop boy group, OCJ NEWBIES, is making waves even before their official debut, claiming their ground in the fashion space with four major magazine shoots already under their belt.
Earlier this year, the company One Cool Jacso Entertainment opened official SNS accounts for their new trainee boy group, announcing that thirteen members have already been confirmed for the line-up. The agency recently shared that the number of members will increase to sixteen or more. The group will be active in Korea as well as worldwide, representing East Asia at large with its diverse members hailing from Korea, China, Hong Kong, as well as the first ever male idol from Indonesia.
Talent is served in abundance with these boys. Group and dance leader Lex has been learning modern dance since he was a child and has won several national dancing awards in Korea. Members Dongbin and Hyunsik are well-known to the public for both being contestants on the hit survival TV program Produce X 101. Other members have also been past contestants on music competition shows such as Loud, World Klass, We Are Young, and Stars Awakening.
Even pre-debut, the group has already made quite the stir in the fashion world, featuring in major Asian fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan, ELLE MEN, Harper’s Bazaar, and Men’s Uno – all from Hong Kong.
Men’s Uno Hong Kong shows off the boys in a comfortable yet professional style in Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, and Fendi. There’s something timeless in the simplicity of these clean silhouettes, straight-cut suits, and cozy knitwear. It’s important to note, “simplicity” doesn’t necessarily mean plain, and these modest looks go a long way in showing off the group’s classic style. Members such as Lex show us immaculate vibes sporting his Saint Laurent outfit, and we are here for it.
Cosmopolitan Hong Kong takes the traditional menswear concept of suits and slacks and elevates it with pops of color. Lex in his royal dark blue ensemble pushes the message that one can have fun while still looking dapper, and who better to spread this truth with than a brand like Louis Vuitton. There is a theme with dark bold colors that leave captivating visuals.
ELLE MEN Hong Kong explodes with color and texture, layering a chic and bright look on the OCJ group. From Beomsoo’s white and purple fur jacket to Lex’s rich magenta trousers, to Hyunsik’s 60’s inspired, retro LV print, the contrasting colors in Louis Vuitton’s one-of-a-kind ensembles make each member shine.
Harper’s Bazaar Hong Kong takes the group in a completely different direction, choosing to showcase pastel and floral-print looks that edge into the fine art category, fully showcasing their stunning visuals in Louis Vuitton and classic Moschino outfits. Their glistening hair colors enhance the already rich tones in their outfits. While a playful bear emblem on Sing keeps the outfits youthful, Lex’s Louis Vuitton floral trench coat and Sing’s Moschino web of chain and strap designs add an air of lavishness and luxury.
Rolling Stone recently published their “100 Best Songs of 2022” list with several K-Pop artists making the cut!
Rolling Stone’s annual list ranks the 100 best songs each year. This year, Jin, Le Sserafim, PSY, (G)I-dle, Nayeon, BIGBANG, NCT-127, aespa, Stray Kids, IVE, Seventeen, BLACKPINK, and NewJeans join Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Bad Bunny, and Harry Styles among others on the list. Here’s where your K-Pop artists ranked on this year’s list!
“That That,” PSY ft. Suga
PSY’s 2022 comeback song “That That” was the lowest-ranked K-Pop track on the list appearing at number 93. The track’s praised for its use of Mexican horns overlaid on the dance beat. Suga’s production and rap also earned praised, as did the choreography and MV stylization.
“Nxde,” (G)I-dle
Coming in at 88, “Nxde” received rave reviews for its empowering message against objectifying women. The use of the melody from the opera Carmen, Soyeon’s writing, and the Marilyn Monroe references in the song and MV were among the highlighted strengths.
“Pop!” Nayeon
When TWICE’s Nayeon released her debut album Im Nayeon earlier this year, her lead single “Pop!” was a hit. Ranked 86th on Rolling Stone’s list, writers loved Nayeon’s “bubblegum sound” and felt she exceeded expectations with her vocals. Rolling Stone loved how she channeled TWICE’s sound while standing out as her own person.
“Antifragile,” Le Sserafim
Le Sserafim is one of four debut/rookie artists on the list, joining Nayeon, NewJeans, and Jin, the latter two appearing later.
“Antifragile,” Le Sserafim’s comeback track released October 16, 2022, ranked 75th. While Rolling Stone loved their debut track “Fearless,” “Antifragile” earned a spot on the list due to the song’s catchy chorus and instant likeability. We tend to agree with Rolling Stone here.
“Still Life,” BIGBANG
Entering the list at 73, “Still Life” was appreciated for its soft rock turn and departure from BIGBANG’s usual sound. Rolling Stone loved Taeyang and Daesung’s distinct voices, T.O.P’s rap, and G-Dragon’s soft vocals. The lyrics and subject-matter also earned accolades.
“2 Baddies,” NCT-127
At 71, NCT-127’s hit received love for the experimental sound and strong sense of futurism and masculinity. Rolling Stone praised the rap, percussion, and bass as well as the group’s determination shared in the lyrics.
“The Astronaut,” Jin
Coming in at 68, Jin’s solo debut made the list thanks to strong vocals and tender message. Rolling Stone liked that Jin teamed up with Chris Martin (Coldplay) for the song and how it is a message to Jin’s fans.
“Girls,” aespa
The blending of synth, Hip-Hop, and EDM in aespa’s “Girls” caught Rolling Stone’s attention. Checking in at 65, “Girls” “snake-charmed” it’s way into the magazine’s list based on its sound, visuals, and storyline presented in the MV.
“Maniac,” Stray Kids
At almost the halfway point, Stray Kids’ catchy hit “Maniac” ranked 56th. “Maniac” was recognized for “pushing the envelope” and breaking social norms. The song’s “electronic production” also caught Rolling Stone’s ears to earn recognition.
“After Like,” IVE
While it is a surprise “After Like” was selected instead of mega-hit “Love Dive,” Rolling Stone points out that it was difficult to choose between the two songs. “After Like” was praised for its disco sound and Gloria Gaynor samples and how it gets “better and better with each listen.” “After Like” lands on the list at 53.
“Hot,” Seventeen
Landing at 38, “Hot” earns credit for enhancing Seventeen’s popularity. “Hot” impressed Rolling Stone due to Seventeen’s self-producing, songwriting, and choreography.
“Pink Venom,” BLACKPINK
At number 35, “Pink Venom” is considered an anthem and a tribute to 1980s “hair-metal glam.” Rolling Stone points out that the song is a solid summer anthem that is “incredibly fun.”
“Hype Boy,” NewJeans
Rolling in at 24, a rookie group ruled the K-Pop artists on the list. NewJeans was the highest ranked K-Pop act on Rolling Stone’s list. “Hype Boy” enthralled writers thanks to its theme of young love and cute lyrics. Rolling Stone also loved how the track caught the eyes and ears of more established K-Pop acts, making NewJeans a standout artist in this year’s rookie class.
Congratulations to all the artists who earned recognition this year!
Now, let’s hear from you. Were you surprised at this year’s selections? What were your favorite tracks this year? Let us know in the comments!
Jin (Kim Seok-jin) will become the first BTS member to enlist in the army. While Jin’s enlistment date has been speculated for several weeks, Big Hit Entertainment confirmed his enlistment will be soon via a statement.
We want to thank you for your continued support of BTS and would like to update you on Jin’s upcoming enlistment into the military.
Jin will fulfill his required time with the military by enlisting in the army. Please note that we will not be holding any kind of official event on the day of his recruitment.
The entrance ceremony is a time to be observed by military personnel and their families only. In order to prevent any issues that might occur from crowding, we ask fans to please refrain from visiting the site. Instead, we ask you to keep your heartwarming words of support and farewell in your hearts.
We also advise you not to get adversely affected by purchasing unauthorized tours or product packages illegally using artist IP. Our company will take necessary action against any attempts at commercial activity making unauthorized use of such IP.
We ask for your continued love and support for Jin until he finishes his military service and comes back. Our company will also strive to provide every support he needs during this time.
Thank you.
An unspecified source stated several weeks ago that Jin will begin his enlistment December 13, 2022. While Big Hit did not confirm the date, it appears the source may be correct. At the time of the report, Jin shared his displeasure of the enlistment date leak by stating:
News did I did not intend to go public has been published, but my ARMYs, you shouldn’t come to the training center TT.
There will be many others coming to enlist or accompany their loved ones as they enlist, so it will be hectic and could lead to potentially dangerous situations.
Meanwhile, Jin celebrated his 30th birthday December 4 by sharing a live session on Weverse with fans. His solo debut song, “The Astronaut,” also ranked #68 on Rolling Stone’s “100 Best Songs of 2022” list.
Travis Yee Haw is breaking barriers with his country music vibe. The reputable “Asian country singer” Tiktoker and “The Cowboy” from Fox TV’s “I Can See Your Voice – Season 1” is making quite a statement in the entertainment industry. Hailing from Los Angeles, Travis Yee has already made an impactful statement in the industry with his first musical pieces already creating a buzz for their originality and creativity.
KCrush America Magazine had an interview with Travis Yee Haw to know more about him as well as his debut, music, and aspirations. Here are some excerpts from the interview.
1. Beyond the “Asian Country Singer” on TikTok and “The Cowboy” from FOX TV’s I Can See Your Voice, who really is Travis Yee Haw?
I don’t even know! LOL jk. I’m a city boy originally from San Francisco, now living in Las Vegas. I got into music unexpectedly. Some artists say, “music found me”, and that has been so true for me. I didn’t grow up on music. I had no aspirations to be a singer. Events and experiences over time made me fall in love with the process of recording and a realization that I had a decent voice.
2. “Everything but country music” was your 1st debut single. Why country music and why “Everything but country music” exactly?
I fell in love with country music over 10 years ago. Honestly, I don’t even remember what year because time goes by so fast. But, I was driving to San Diego one year, and the only thing available was a Highway Country music station. I started enjoying country music immediately, the stories it told, the energy it gave, and how it made me feel.
“Everything, but Country” was an idea I came up with when people would explain the type of music they listen to, basically everything, but country. It stuck with me. I thought it would work perfectly as a song because it seemed to be a common theme among music listeners that listen to a wide variety of music.
3. Your 2nd single “Eyes like mine” is a masterpiece that touches on contentious issues such as racism. What was the inspiration behind this song and its intended purpose?
Just that. The goal was to tell my story and perspective through a song. Not everyone may understand. There are people who will always judge. Some people are brought up in a box and are unaware of diversity. It is what it is, but it’s really inspiring, even for me, to help spread a little awareness. And it’s coming from the heart. I think there are so many people afraid to be themselves because they are different or feel they will be judged. If I can help make it easier for some to be okay with taking that next step, then I feel like I did something good.
4. Your very 1st TikTok video of you singing Garth Brooks’ song went viral and also got a thrilling response from Garth himself. How did that make you feel and how did it impact your then blossoming career?
That felt incredible. He’s a superstar. An inspiration to the world. He took a minute to watch my video and say those kind words. If anything, I should be doing more to prove to him that what he said really motivated me and made me believe, even more, that I can do this. Also, that TikTok was super random and was going to be the only TikTok I post. Someone told me to give it a shot and so I did. Did not even expect that TikTok to go viral, but I guess most people don’t plan on a viral video.
5. There is a perception that country music artists ought to embrace a cowboyish look. What is your take on this?
It’s definitely been like that for awhile, but I do feel the expectations of what a country artist should look or sound like is evolving. We already see a change in the industry which is amazing. People are being more accepting. I believe labels and managers are more open. I think people are realizing that people are starting to appreciate country music for the music and not the look. Let’s hope it keeps evolving.
6. Cardi B’s “WAP” cover was beautifully blended in Garth Brooks’ style. How did you fathom fusing this daring cover?
Haha this was the best. I had so much fun doing this as well. WAP was the #1 song and it is not thing something I would ever listen to. Then I decided, you know what, TikTok is more for fun and entertainment. Let’s not be so serious and turn WAP into a country song. I knew Garth Brook’s “The Dance” was the perfect song for it. All country music lovers know the song immediately when it starts playing. It’s an emotional song and would totally ruin WAP and The Dance. I feel like I did my job lol.
7. You have covered songs done by artists from numerous genres. Who is your biggest inspiration and whom would you wish to collaborate with in the future?
I am really inspired by legends like Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Randy Travis. I’ve also always been a huge fan of Chris young. I would love to collaborate with him or any of the other artists listed. I respect and admire all of them and many more. I’m inspired by all music artists, not only because of their music, but because of their passion, hustle, and commitment to country music.
8. In addition to contributing towards writing your 3rd single, “She’s Changing”, you personally created its video. Is this a previously or recently learned skill and how do you balance all these responsibilities?
I have always enjoyed video editing and being creative. This was something I’ve just done for fun in the past, but thought…wait, I could save money and try something myself. I actually did the “Eyes Like Mine” video myself too. It’s such a fun process. Definitely takes a lot of time, but it’s 100% enjoyable and fun. Plus, I love doing anything on a computer haha. Video editing is fun because you get instant gratification after making any edits. From starting with a raw video to turning it into a movie.
9. The “She’s Changing” single is quite emotional. Was it by any chance birthed from your own personal experience?
In a way, but maybe not the way in which you may think. The idea of this song came about when I started thinking about friends who kind of drift off. The friends that you were close with in high school, but haven’t talked since. Nothing other than people just moving on with their lives. It also happens in relationships with no closure…which definitely hurts, but it happens. Sometimes people change and they move on. Sometimes it hurts and sometimes people get over it. Sometimes it’s for the better of both parties, neither, or one party.
10. Content creation requires an endless flow of creativity. In addition, you are quite unique in your choice of music genre. What are the challenges you face?
I definitely don’t have challenges in being creative. I love being creative. It’s fun. It’s my energy. It’s my personality. It’s my experience. The challenges I do face though is making sure creativity doesn’t feel like work. I want to make sure it remains fun. I believe that creativity is
11. Power comes with responsibilities. Do you ever feel burdened of being a voice of change, especially with your career and passion at stake? And if so, what motivates you?
I definitely don’t feel like I have any power. I don’t feel burdened at all because I started all this because of passion and had no expectations. The responses and lives I’ve impacted have made me want to grow even more in this area. That definitely motivates me. People say, if I can at least inspire or help 1 person through this, then it’s all worth it. That’s absolutely true and there are definitely proud moments when you know you have positively impacted someone.
12. Your enormous success must have created greater expectations from fans. How do you remain grounded and relaxed amidst the pressure of delivering musical pieces that are as impactful if nor more?
So far, I’ve never felt the pressure from anyone that supports me and my music. The hardest part in all this honestly is trying to get out of my head. The support and encouragement has been so great, but I still find myself overthinking or doubting what I release or what I post. I don’t know why, but it’s something I’m definitely trying to work on. It’s hard for me to accept that my work is good enough.
13. Your music is now available on major platforms including Spotify and Apple iTunes. Your apparel merchandise store is also thriving. So, what’s next for Travis Yee and his dream project?
It sounds so cool when you say that because I would’ve never thought I’d be a music artist before 10 years ago. The next part of my journey is to get back into consistent song writing as I’ve been out of it for a little. I want to steer my focus away from TikTok a little because I will be taken more serious with original music. Original music showcases the true talent of an artist and I want to look back and be proud of music that represents me. I can’t say that so much about parodies or covers.
Once again, thank you and all the best in your endeavors.
– TEEN TOP CHUNJI’s first solo debut… start one’s activities in earnest
TEEN TOP CHUNJI’s first solo album, CHUNJI 1st Single [Too late] Scheduler! He’ll be back as a solo artist!
– TEEN TOP CHUNJI’s first solo debut… start one’s activities in earnest
Teen Top CHUNJI surprisingly unveiled the scheduler of “CHUNJI (TEEN TOP) 1st Single [toolate]”.
At 0:00 on the 6th, CHUNJI released her first solo album [too late] scheduler on Teen Top’s official SNS channel and started her singing career in earnest after being discharged from the military.
Immediately after being discharged from the military, CHUNJI quickly began his activities through his solo fan meeting “2022 CHUNJI’s PLAYLIST” and the musical “Klimt.” In particular, this album [too late] is CHUNJI ‘s first solo album and at the same time, it is an album released after a military hiatus, raising fans’ expectations.
According to the released scheduler, CHUNJI will sequentially release various promotional contents such as mood photos, text mail, track lists, and voice mail starting on the 6th. In addition, a listening session will be held on the 15th prior to the album release on the 16th, and the first place to release the song will be presented to fans who have been waiting.
Meanwhile, CHUNJI ‘s 1st Single [toolate] is on the 16th.It will be released simultaneously offline.
Following his soaring popularity on the mega-hit Chinese show ‘CHUANG2021’, where he formed the boyband INTO1, Japanese artist INTO1 SANTA has released new single ‘I’m from…’ on November 25.
INTO1 SANTA / ‘I’m from…’ download and streaming links:
INTO1 SANTA personally selected the concept for the song, which features autobiographical lyrics that tell his story. Set to a beautiful flowing melody and based on INTO1 SANTA’s own life experiences so far, the lyrics express the importance he places on chasing his dream, while showing gratitude to the family, friends and fans who have supported him along the way.
Comment from INTO1 SANTA
“This song tells my story. As the title ‘I’m from…’ suggests, it is based on my past experiences. These experiences could only have been achieved with the support of my family, friends and all of you, and they have allowed me to become who I am today – and to love myself.
“I hope you too can continue to do what you love. If you work hard on achieving your dream, your efforts will be rewarded in countless unexpected ways. And while you’re chasing your dream, never forget to care for and appreciate the family and friends around you.
“I really hope you enjoy this song.”
The jacket photo was shot specially for this single release, and it carries a connection to the lyrics, capturing INTO1 SANTA in front of a wall covered in graffiti messages and photos that express his “past, future and present”.
Keep an eye out for INTO1 SANTA, the Japanese artist who is taking China by storm.
INTO1 SANTA began making a name for himself as an incredible dancer when he was still a child. He has won numerous dance contests, and was the youngest ever competitor to win the prestigious SDK global dance battle. In 2020 he made his music debut as a member of the boyband WARPs UP, and in 2021 he appeared on the mega-hit Chinese show ‘CHUANG2021’. Impressively taking second place, he became a member of the limited-time unit INTO1. In addition to his activities as a member of the group, INTO1 SANTA has also become ambassador for multiple brands in China and appeared on popular TV shows including ‘Street Dance of China’ and ‘Great Dance Crew’.
The 11-member group debuted June 30, 2021. Since their debut, Omega X has built a solid fandom that has looked out for the members, and thanks to a fans’ keen eyes, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse against the members have come to light, allegations that Spire Entertainment denies. The group is now suing their company for contract termination.
The Los Angeles Incident
The abuse against Omega X were first noticed by a fan October 22, 2022 following the group’s Los Angeles concert. In a Twitter post dated October 23, user hwi_418 shared audio of a Spire Entertainment executive, Kang Seong-hee, allegedly shouting and assaulting Omega X members.
얘들아 우리 밖에서 음식 시킨 거 우버 기다리고 있는데
애들 회사 대표님이 애들 때리는 거 봤어
진짜로 손이 너무 떨려서 어떻게 해야 될지 모르겠어 애들이 눈앞에서 맞고 있는데 아무것도 못해 pic.twitter.com/vJEqNPzx5n
Hwi_418 wrote, “Everyone, We were just waiting outside for the Uber rider with the food we ordered to come, but we witnessed [OMEGA X’s] agency’s CEO hitting them. My hand was shaking so hard I didn’t know what to do. They were hit just in front of me, but I couldn’t do anything.”
Spire Entertainment, at the time, said they would “fact check” the incident.
Kang later said the accusations stemming from the alleged incident were “a one-sided allegation started by an ‘anti-fan’ against the management.”
“I was exhausted because I’ve been up for several nights in a row,” Kang said. “I even had a bloody nose because I was so tired. But the members didn’t think to make me feel better. They didn’t care about me. So, I felt upset and acted out of disappointment. Usually, I’m extremely polite toward the members. I even use honorifics when I talk to them.”
Following the incident, SBS published a report complete with a video allegedly showing Kang physically and verbally assaulting the members. One member, Jaehan, received the brunt of the attacks whilst in the middle of a panic attack, while Taedong was repeatedly scolding for coming to Jaehan’s aid.
“Why on earth do you think you losers should be loved by people? You’re just losers who don’t even know how to be loved,” Kang can be heard saying.
“Stand up. If you’re always sick like this, stop being a K-pop singer,” Kang is later heard yelling at Jaehan while he struggled with a panic attack.
In response to SBS’ report, Kang said, “I have never shouted at the members or assaulted them. I was really sad, so I just said, ‘For once did you protect me like this when I was in a hard time?'”
Following the alleged assaults, Omega X’s flight back to Korea was canceled, with fans and SBS pointing out that Omega X had to use their own funds to return home. Kang, however, stated the flight was canceled three days prior to prevent the members from “sitting with fans.”
“We realized that the seats we originally booked could lead to the members sitting mixed with fans,” Spire Entertainment said. “So, we talked about potentially canceling the tickets three days ago. It is not true that we left the members behind on purpose.”
In response to the Los Angeles incident, others on social media came forward with stories of alleged abuses. One user came forward with a purported incident in Chile when the group visited as part of their world tour.
[Hi], so [I’m] not a fan of omega x and [I] don’t know them well, but [I] would like to talk about something my mom told me about what happened yesterday at the airport. idk if [I] can talk about this here, but [I] think it’s important to do so.
[My] mom was in [Chile] for holidays (we’re from Argentina) and she was coming back on Monday, but the flight got cancelled so she had to stay at the hotel there (where omega x was staying as well).
[When] she was having breakfast, she saw two boys (members of omega x) that were being yelled at by a woman (who she believes [is their] manager or something like that). she thought that maybe they were celebrities because they had their faces all covered with caps and masks.
[So] then she found out they were from a kpop group called omega x. after that she saw them again in the airport, while waiting for the flight, and the same woman was yelling at them in front of everyone. my mom and her friends couldn’t believe it and she told the woman to stop yelling at them. then the woman left and nothing else happened, but she told me the members bowed at her as a thank you.
[When I’ve] heard about it, [I] was really stunned and my mom told me she felt really bad for them, they looked also very respectful and kind.
[I] really can’t believe how the company doesn’t do anything about this, and [I’ve] also read about the situation with their tour.
[Actually,] my mom told me to make a complaint to the company because they cannot be treated like this. [I’m] not familiar with the group, so [I] don’t know what to do exactly, but [I] wanted to let the fans know about this.
[Please] help spread this so we can stop these situations [from happening] ever again.
hi, so i’m not a fan of omega x and i don’t know them well but i would like to talk about something my mom told me about what happened yesterday at the airport. idk if i can talk about this here but i think it’s important to do so#omegax@OmegaX_members@OmegaX_official
Spire Entertainment Releases Statements, More Allegations Revealed
As the alleged abuse against Omega X went viral, Spire Entertainment attempted to do damage control. On October 24, the company released a statement.
Hello, this is OMEGA X’s management Spire Entertainment.
First, we would like to sincerely apologize for causing you concern with the recent news. As of October 22 (local time), OMEGA X completed their first world tour, ‘CONNECT: Don’t Give Up,’ in Los Angeles. Following the month-long tour, which began in Guadalajara, Mexico, on September 16 and ended in LA, USA, on October 22, we had a celebratory team-wide dinner. The conversation, which has circulated online via social media, was recorded at that dinner.
At the time, having completed all legs of the tour, the OMEGA X members and Spire Entertainment team were discussing the hard work that went into the concerts, as well as the future that is to come. During this discussion, we also talked about certain moments that caused disappointments in one another. And in doing so, the conversation got heated, and voices were raised.
Please note that we kept communicating after dinner. And Spire Entertainment and the members have since resolved all hard feelings. We have concluded to continue moving forward together, all the while being more considerate toward one another.
This past month on tour, getting to meet the fans from all around the world who love and support the members, has been an inarguably meaningful time for both OMEGA X and the managing team at Spire Entertainment. And while we have tried everything in our powers to keep our promises with the fans, we apologize for having caused such concern in the end.
Spire Entertainment would like to thank the fans again for wholeheartedly supporting OMEGA X. As the name ‘OMEGA X’ suggests, the group will continue to share and create valuable moments from the beginning to the end; and we, as the management, promise to protect both OMEGA X and the fans through these moments.
Again, we extend our sincerest apologies for the situation.
On November 7, Spire Entertainment released another statement further apologizing for the incident and announcing Kang resigned from her position (JTBC discovered that she was just reassigned a new position).
Hello, this is SPIRE Entertainment.
First of all, we deeply apologize to all OMEGA X members, families, fans, and everyone whose feelings were hurt by an unfortunate event that has happened recently.
SPIRE Entertainment takes the full responsibility and announce that the CEO who’s responsible for this matter has resigned. We’d also like to apologize for not responding well and disappointing many fans with inadequate response to the situation.
We will take in all your advices and comments to do our best to prevent this kind of things from happening again and focus on providing a better environment for the members so that they can focus only on the artists’ activities. Please continue supporting OMEGA X, and we promise to try our best to be back with better news.
In new video and chat logs revealed by the news agency, SBS states the Los Angeles incident started because Omega X did “not properly thank the CEO” during the Los Angeles concert. Kang stated Omega X did not sincerely read the words of thanks provided on the teleprompter. Kang was upset the group didn’t express gratitude toward the company during the concert.
SBS also released information stating Kang made Omega X stop performing in the middle of a concert to call her because she was angry the members did not contact her earlier to express condolences over her father’s passing.
Spire Entertainment’s co-CEO, Hwang Seong Woo, who is also Kang’s husband, has also been accused of abusing Omega X. SBS revealed messages showing Hwang forced members to perform shows despite testing positive for COVID-19. Kang allegedly yelled that the members had “no will to perform,” while text messages from Hwang stated, “Pull yourself together,” and, “Arm yourself with mental spirit.”
When asked about the latest allegations, a Spire Entertainment spokesperson said, “The company officially apologized, and the CEO in question took responsibility and resigned.”
Other incidents between Spire Entertainment and Omega X include instances where the CEO would call members outside of working hours and getting angry if members ignored texts and calls. It was also revealed the company demanded six-figure payments from the group members for contract termination as well as additional claims that came out once Omega X got their turn to speak.
Omega X Speaks Up
Since the abuse allegations came out, Omega X members have finally been speaking out about their experiences under Spire Entertainment.
On November 6, Omega X opened their own personal Instagram account to communicate with fans since they are presently blocked from using their official accounts. For their first post, the group shared a statement that reads:
Hello. We created this small communication space to convey the current situation regarding the issues that have happened to us and to thank the fans who love and support us. According to Spire Entertainment, we have all signed a memorandum stating that we will take civil and criminal responsibility if uploading to SNS without consulting the company. We ask for your understanding that although we wanted to communicate with the fans as soon as possible, we had to be very cautious.
We have had happy times since our group activities but also had to endure some painful times. When our situation became known to the public, we were worried that what we had achieved so far would be in vain. But now we have put our fears behind us and decided to be brave.
The eleven members have decided to get back up and not give up on our dreams and take this as our second opportunity. The driving force that allowed us to challenge ourselves and stick to our plans was the fans who waited, believed, and supported us. It was because of our fans that we were able to survive two years.
Although there were days when we wanted to cry because the agency was mistreating us, remembering our fans’ shouts and reading your messages before going to sleep was the only strength that kept us going.
From now on, we will continue moving forward toward our dreams as we always have. We will stand in front of our fans again with good music and performances. The eleven members have the same goal, and the fans have the same dreams as us, and it is something that is the most precious to us that we don’t want to lose again.
We apologize for the delay, and we know that many people have been worrying and waiting for us. Thank you for reading the truth that we took the courage to post. Thank you. From OX. #오메가엑스 #OMEGAX #PROTECTOMEGAX
Omega X and their attorneys held a press conference November 16 discussing the allegations and abuse evidence. During the press conference, the group discussed the assertions against the company that were previously identified in the media, and they addressed purported sexual harassment they’ve endured since they debuted the previous year.
“Something unimaginable in 2022 happened. We have told the agency that we will be terminating [the members’] exclusive contract, which will lose its legal effect starting today. We will press charges and demand compensation,” attorney Noh Jong-eon said. “We have plenty of evidence including photos, videos, and voice recordings.”
Attorney Noh added they have plans to fight for compensation from Hwang and hold him criminally liable for assisting Kang in the abuses.
During the press conference, each of the members shared their experiences with the company, including being forced to drink, sexual harassment, and the CEO threatening suicide.
“After practice was over,” Jaehan said, “CEO Kang called me and forced me to drink. Sexual harassment was also involved. She touched my face and hand. After drinking, she called me through KakaoTalk. She lashed out by saying that if we are going to continue to be idols, we have to crawl. She also said she would commit suicide, so the members received therapy. We only wanted to be respected as people who love music.”
Jaehan continued, “…We thought we had to endure for the fans who waited for us. As the oldest member and leader, I was so scared that our dreams would collapse while looking at our exhausted members. We held back and endured, but we have reached the point that we cannot endure any longer. We took courage for someone, for all those dreaming the same dream as us.”
In another statement, Jaehan added, “She would threaten us that we should ‘grovel’ if we wanted to remain as Omega X and that she would either kill us or kill herself if we didn’t.”
Hangyeom, Yechan, and Sebin highlighted that the members were forced to drink alcohol during drinking sessions and company dinners.
“They said there would be no next album if we refused to attend drinking gatherings,” Sebin said.
“We felt like fools when we realized that we were being gaslighted,” Yechan said. “When the older members were called for drinks, I wanted to tag along and help. We got in the habit of just laughing it over with jokes or trying to forget it.”
Attorney Noh added the sexual harassment the members experienced came from unauthorized touching of thighs and faces.
“Kang would swing between being kind to the members and then abusing them,” attorney Seo Ju-yeon said. “The members became unable to trust themselves. The sexual harassment by Kang shows how power imbalances crushes young people’s dreams. Our legal firm will do our best so that the members can continue being active, and so that this kind of abuse does not happen again.”
Four of the Omega X members are also currently being treated for mental distress, anxiety, and panic disorders following their ideal.
“I really tried to endure it,” Hangyeom said. “Since this was my second debut, I didn’t want to make fans hear the word ‘disband.’ So, I just picked up the phone whenever Kang, drunk, would call me all the time, during our schedules and even late at night after work. Whenever I got home, I became anxious that Kang would call any minute. I eventually couldn’t take it anymore and started going to a psychiatric clinic. In fact, even now, when I hear a phone ring or vibrate, or anything remotely like an alarm, I panic.
“Even before starting psychiatric treatment, I had many occasions when I couldn’t breathe because of her endless calling and verbal abuse,” Hangyeom continued. “Once, when another panic attack happened, I told Kang that I couldn’t breathe. She mocked me saying, ‘Oh, are we going to see articles that say, ‘Omega X becomes a 10-member band’ because ‘Hangyeom has panic disorder?’ I was shocked by that.”
The members also pointed out the abuse didn’t just stem from Hwang and Kang, but from others within the company as well.
“Another high-up at our agency told us ‘Die’ in the group chat, while we were touring South America,” Yechan said.
Continuing Fallout from the Controversy
After Omega X and their attorneys held their press conference, Japanese media company SKIYAKI announced they will no longer work with Spire Entertainment.
On Omega X’s Japanese website, SKIYAKI wrote that have “determined that SPIRE… has committed a serious compliance violation. We have decided to terminate our exclusive contract with SPIRE.”
On November 30, SKIYAKI closed Omega X’s Japanese website, with their social media accounts and fan club service also closing December 1. SKIYAKI relayed the news via a statement on Omega X’s website.
Due to the closure of the site, the fan club service will also be terminated.
Please note that customers who are currently registered will be automatically unsubscribed on November 30, 2022 (Wednesday).
The monthly membership fee for November 2022 will be refunded to all members, so please read the ‘Refund Procedure Information’ below before proceeding. We would like to ask all of our members for their understanding.
In addition, regarding the official Japanese SNS account, we will delete the account on Thursday, December 1, 2022.
Please note.
・YouTube Japan official channel
・Japanese official Twitter account
・Japanese official TikTok account
・ LINE official account
In addition, we are currently selling at the official Japanese SHOP.
Regarding various CDs and goods, at 23:59 on Wednesday, November 30, 2022,
We will end the sale, so thank you for your understanding.
Although the exclusive contract with SPIRE has been terminated, we will continue to watch over the future of OMEGA X together with our fans.
Thank you very much for supporting OMEGA X on this site, even though it was only for a short time.
Prior to their November 16 news conference, Omega X also filed to trademark their group name in both English and Korean and the fandom name (For X). The group filed for trademark without Spire Entertainment’s knowledge according to reports. If Omega X wins their contract termination suit, they will have the rights to the group and fandom names.
Due to a change in the staff member in charge of fan marketing, we are in the midst of changing the passwords for the official fan cafe.
After the transition is complete, [the OMEGA X members’] access will be restored, and we will immediately make it possible for them to resume communicating [with their fans].
We did not intentionally cut off communication between [the members] and their fans; it was a measure we took to prevent the leak of their personal information during the process of changing the staff member in charge of fan marketing. At present, each member has been issued a new password, and they are now able to access the fan cafe.
Members Previously Abused at Former Companies
Omega X is a group made of members from inactive or disbanded groups, so each of the members are from different K-Pop companies.
During the press conference, the Omega X members highlighted the abuse they experienced at Spire Entertainment isn’t surprising because it is an industry-wide issue.
“There was abuse in my old agency, too,” said Hangyeom. “I wasn’t beaten but other members were, at the office or even during tours.”
“I know not every agency is like that, but I think a lot of K-pop trainees and even current idols are being treated unfairly,” Omega X member Taedong said. “In my previous agency, I practiced 15 to 17 hours a day without a single day off. They confiscated my phone and forced me to share my passwords.”
Taedong added, “Verbal and physical abuse were frequent in my previous agency as well.”
Taedong was formerly signed under 2Y Entertainment. Following the press conference, his older sister posted on her Instagram story backing Taedong’s claims. She wrote,
Another thing that Taedong couldn’t say because he cried is that when he was under 2Y, his cellphone was forcefully taken away and he couldn’t even keep in contact with his family members. In addition to changing his phone number, they would figure out his password and check his phone. Without a day of rest, the kids would be forced to practice for 15 to 17 hours a day. Even when our grandfather passed away, we couldn’t reach [Taedong], so I direct messaged him through Instagram to let him know of our grandfather’s death. Taedong belatedly found out [of his death] and he couldn’t even stay by his side and could only send his condolences. I am extremely angry that the CEO of 2Y Entertainment, who slapped and verbally abused [Taedong], is so quiet right now, acting as if this is not about him.
“Being an artist means you’re signed exclusively to one company, which leads to a closed-off environment for us, more so than other jobs,” said Yechan. “Without a conference like this, there’s no opportunity for us to open our hearts like today. I hope that these things can be reflected for necessary changes to contracts. I hope there are committees or related government bodies that can protect people like us, who suffer from this kind of unfair treatment.”
When addressing Spire Entertainment’s initial press release about the Los Angeles incident, Avila said, “This ‘statement’ is the biggest piece of dookie I’ve ever seen, lol. [Like it’s] fooling no one. It addresses literally nothing.”
In his stories, he also shared two additional statements highlighting issues with the company’s statement.
“These company statements are always 98% ‘we bow our heads in apology/ we thank the fans for the love’ and 0.0002% actually mentioning what people are bringing up/ the actual situation, lol.” He continued with, “Like, the CEO literally screamed at them like ‘where are you’ and when someone fell over was like ‘get up.’ Like, there’s literally audio evidence.”
Another Omega X supporter, Dongkyu, who was formerly in the idol group SPECTRUM with Jaehan, said, “I won’t curse you (Kang) out here since I’ve already done it a lot vocally. How dare you to my dongsaeng. How dare someone like you.”
SNUPER’s Taewoong simply posted #PROTECTOMEGAX on his Instagram story. SNUPER is currently on hiatus, but Taewoong and Sebin are still considered members.
Former 14U member LOUDI posted #PROTECTOMEGAX on his Instagram. LOUDI, who is currently a soloist, is close with the Omega X members.
Singer and social media personality Grazy Grace shared a quote from CEO Kang berating Omega X. She overlayed the quote with a statement saying “Y’all don’t know how many crazy people there are behind the scenes… Oh and I thought I was going insane in Korea.”
Other fandoms have also shown their support for Omega X, wishing them well on their fight against Spire Entertainment.
What’s Next
On Wednesday December 7, 2022, Omega X and their attorneys are expected in court for their first hearing. During this hearing, a judge will decide if all 11 members should be let go of their exclusive contracts with Spire Entertainment. Omega X and Spire Entertainment are expected to share their arguments at this time.
As for Spire Entertainment, JTBC and Koreaboo both report the company is currently scouting trainees to debut in an upcoming male idol group. Kang, who was said to have resigned from the company, was spotted at a dinner meeting with trainees. It’s unclear if the upcoming court proceedings will affect any of Spire Entertainment’s future plans with debuting a new group.
The Omega X situation is still unfolding. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.
Travis Yee Haw is breaking barriers with his country music vibe. The reputable “Asian country singer” Tiktoker and “The Cowboy” from Fox TV’s “I Can See Your Voice – Season 1” is making quite a statement in the entertainment industry. Hailing from Los Angeles, Travis Yee has already made an impactful statement in the industry with his first musical pieces already creating a buzz for their originality and creativity.
KCrush America Magazine had an interview with Travis Yee Haw to know more about him as well as his debut, music, and aspirations. Here are some excerpts from the interview.
I cannot fully describe the level of excitement I had for this album. I am a huge fan of RM’s Mono, a mixtape that has stood the test of time and four years later is still one of my favorites. How does Indigo fair? Here’s my review.
Yun (with Erykah Badu): 6.5/10
The album opens with RM’s classic smooth rap over a coffee shop-esc lo-fi instrumental, with soft piano, bass, and jazzy notes. Erykah Badu comes in with some soulful vocals which match the R&B vibe perfectly. The lyrics of this song are strong and set a precedent for the album:
I wanna be a human
‘Fore I do some art
It’s a cruel world
But there’s gon’ be my part
‘Cause true beauty is a true sadness
Now you could feel my madness?
Still Life (with Anderson .Paak): 8/10
“Still Life” is a feel-good song with upbeat grooves and great ad-libs. This song is sure to get you dancing. RM continues his lyrical genius with this track, comparing his life to still life art. Lyrics like “I want to escape the frame of this canvas” and “Shall my flower bloom again” help listeners think through complex ideas whilst bopping along to the beat–classic Kim Namjoon.
All Day (with Tablo): 7/10
RM comes out with strong rap in “All Day.” And it’s no surprise because of who he chose to feature, Epik High’s Tablo. Together, they make this bright track unique and a cheerful listen. Trading off between Korean and English, this song is a bop for a wide audience.
Forg_tful (with Kim Sawol): 8/10
This is the moment I had been waiting for–RM vocals. I’ve always loved his soft singing voice, but rarely got to hear it on BTS or solo tracks. “Forg_tful” is sweet, calming, and introspective. The soft guitar in the back allows for all the focus to be on the vocals. Additionally, the use of whistle makes the song feel homey. The duet between artists was delightful. RM’s lyrics are reflective as he sings:
I keep forgetting the me of yesterday.
I’m only twenty-six, yeah, yeah.
Why can’t I remember?
Closer (with Paul Blanco, Mahalia): 6.5/10
“Closer” felt very RM, identifiable in lyrical nature and sound. The collab here works so well to propel the message of missing someone and wanting to be close to them. The last third “Closer” is the best part, as the instrumental feels more concentrated, leading into a crescendo of sound.
Change pt.2: 8/10
This track is honest and gritty. The production stands out on the album, as it utilizes electronic to give off a hectic feeling that reflects the lyrics. RM expresses regrets and change in a relationship, which is perfectly represented in “Change pt.2.”
Lonely: 7/10
Opening with an upbeat guitar riff, this song’s melody is midleadingly upbeat compared to the lyrics. Check out a glimpse below:
I tried a million times to let you go
So many memories are on the floor
And now I hate the cities I don’t belong
Just wanna go back home
There’s something cathartic about this song, and I can see someone putting it on repeat when feeling lonely.
Hectic (with Colde): 8.5/10
This track has a retro, disco feel, yet is still chill in nature with RM’s vocals and Colde’s soft rap. Lyrics like “Still love and hate this city” remind me of his track from Mono, “Seoul”. RM is honest in “Hectic” with the repeated line, “Today was a hard day.” I can easily see myself listening to this song on loop.
Wild Flower (with youjeen): 10/10
There’s a reason this track was released as the music video. It’s explosive, strong, and memorable. If you only listen to one track on Indigo, it needs to be “Wild Flower.” As if RM’s vocals and rap weren’t enough, youjeen makes this track boom to life in the chorus. Her vocals are powerful and the perfect choice for this song. “Wild Flower” isn’t just a great track, the lyrics are brutally candid.
Even before the start, I imagined
An end where I could applaud and smile
That’s what I wishеd for
When everything I bеlieved in grew distant
When all this fame turned into shackles
Please take my desire away from me
Society’s all for the loudest voice
And here I am, still speaking silence
When your own heart underestimates you
When your dreams devour you
When you feel you’re not yourself
All those times
No.2 (with parkjiyoon): 9/10
A lovely outro to the album, parkjiyoon’s vocals are rich and perfect for this ballad. After such a big song, “No.2” is a great landing place. It’s upbeat enough to not feel like a let down after “Wild Flower” but not as explosive to feel in competition with the previous track. There’s something nostalgic about the melody, too. The song’s message is not to look back, keep going forward. It ends with RM’s vocals and a soft exit. It’s the perfect close to Indigo.
Total: 7.5/10
“Wild Flower” is the standout on this album and the song I have been listening to most. There are some good tracks on this album for sure, but ultimately Indigo does not beat out Mono in my book. Additionally, some listeners might find they’re skipping tracks due to expletives. However, overall, it’s a solid debut full-length album. I appreciate the intentionality of RM in selecting the collaborators and how honest he is in his lyrics, making him one of my favorite Korean artists.
November provided A LOT of great music, so it was hard to narrow down our choices. We hope you enjoy our selections! As a reminder, our list is in alphabetical order.
K-Pop Power Couple HyunA and Dawn have ended their relationship after six years.
“We broke up,” HyunA wrote in an Instagram post. “We decided to remain as good friends and colleagues from now on. Thank you always for your support and for looking over us fondly.”
Dawn, formerly known as E’Dawn, also confirmed the split in an Instagram post.
“Hello, this is Dawn. I won’t talk at length. Even after we broke up, [HyunA] is equally precious to me, she is more sincere and cool than anyone I have ever seen, and she is the artist I will continue to love the most. Please don’t live like this and spend your precious time in good places.”
The pair started dating in 2016 but didn’t confirm the news until 2018. When the news broke, the now-former couple stated fans had the right to know.
“While we knew that [dating publicly] would cause us to be linked in some way, both of us felt that it would be hard to meet our fans’ eyes [while performing] on stage. We wanted to honestly tell our fans and show ourselves confidently while having fun performing.”
In February 2022, the pair announced they were engaged but did not have plans to marry immediately.
“We both are thinking we should get married to each other,” Dawn said back in July on the MBC talk show Radio Star. “We haven’t decided on the date, but we could get married next week if we wanted to.”
When she appeared Radio Star in July, HyunA stated, “Dawn proposed to me a few months back, but I feel like I don’t want to get married. There seems to be a lot of things to take care of.”
When they made their relationship public in 2018, the pair were under Cube Entertainment. Following the relationship news, Dawn was ousted from the idol group Pentagon. Then, HyunA and Dawn’s contracts with the company were terminated.
“We decided the trust is broken and cannot be saved so we are kicking the two out of the company,” Cube said in a statement released in August 2018.
Cube Entertainment denied the relationship news prior to HyunA and Dawn’s confirmation, leading to the breakdown in trust.
HyunA and Dawn’s ousting from Cube Entertainment also ended the sub-unit Triple H, a trio made up of HyunA, Dawn, and Hui (Pentagon) right in the middle of their “Retro Futurism” promotions.
Former EXO member Kris Wu (Wu Yifan) has been sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison after the Beijing court sentence found him guilty of raping three women in his Beijing home. He was also found guilty of the “crime of assembling a crowd to engage in sexual promiscuity,” a charge from 2018. In addition to the sexual crime charges, Wu was also found guilty of hiding personal income and evading taxes and was ordered to pay fines upward of 600 million yuan ($83.77 million) to be paid toward the Beijing Municipal Tax Service.
“According to the facts … the nature, circumstances and harmful consequences of the crime, the court made the above judgment,” the court said in an online statement.
The Chinese-Canadian former idol and singer who made his career in both South Korea and China was arrested on rape charges in 2021 following accusations stemming from alleged rape crimes between November and December 2020. Court documents show that Wu was accused of raping three women while they were intoxicated.
According to Variety, Wu’s main accuser is a beauty influencer in China. She made accusations against Wu in social media posts and stated Wu date-raped her while she was 17-years old. The accuser alleges Wu paid her “hush money,” which she returned prior to going through legal proceedings.
Two other women came forward to state Wu did the same to them while they were minors (in China, the legal age of consent is 14-years old).
For the 2018 accusations, Wu and other unnamed defendants were found guilty of “assembling a crowd” before assaulting two women Wu allegedly got drunk.
When the accusations came to light in 2021, there were initially 24 different women accusing Wu of sex crimes. However, police investigations seem to have found several of those allegations false. Yet, questions were raised about police bias toward Wu during the investigations and raised questions about China’s patriarchal society, causing a second-wave #MeToo movement and a #GirlsHelpGirls movement that were eventually censored, much like other high profile #MeToo instances.
Canadian Embassy officials were present during Wu’s sentencing as a supportive measure for Wu and his family.
“Canadian officials monitor the cases of Canadian citizens detained abroad, and advocate for cases to be treated fairly and equally as per international and local laws,” an embassy representative wrote to CNN. “Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be provided.”
Following Wu’s prison sentence, he is expected to be deported to Canada as he is a Canadian national.
Despite the charges, Wu’s fans trended #JusticeforKrisWu following the sentencing, stating Wu is innocent and that charges are false even without seeing any evidence against Wu or hearing the court case.
Wu’s trials were all closed-door trials to protect the victims’ privacy.
Due to the accusations, Wu’s endorsement deals have all been dropped including Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Porsche, and L’Oréal.
Wu, who was born in China but has called Vancouver, British Columbia home, debuted in 2012 with SM Entertainment’s Korean-Chinese idol group EXO. Wu left EXO in 2014 when he filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment to have his contract nullified. In 2015, SM Entertainment filed a lawsuit against Wu and the Chinese companies he was working with at the time for “infringing on the rights of EXO members” and causing financial harm to SM Entertainment and the company’s partners. Wu fired back stating SM Entertainment made him leave EXO and didn’t take care of his health. Wu and SM Entertainment settled their cases soon after.
Wu, who is currently 32-years old, will serve his jail sentence in China. Currently, it’s unclear if Wu and his legal team will file appeals.
