NAQT VANE, a new music project from Japan featuring vocalist Harukaze and producer Hiroyuki SAWANO, breathes a wind of change. Debut digital single ‘Break Free’ out now!

NAQT VANE, a new team music project from Japan that officially formed on September 1, released debut digital single ‘Break Free’ on September 16, marking the start of the group’s activities.

This is a project for everyone living in the era of the wind, a flexible world of freedom and diversity with a lifestyle unbound by material things. NAQT VANE began activities with the intention of “breathing a new wind into each story and finding a place of our own”. The team consists of vocalist Harukaze, who has built a following on TikTok and YouTube, along with overall production by Hiroyuki SAWANO and artwork by Classic 6.

Harukaze spent her school days in Canada and the United States, and after returning to Japan, began her career as an A&R rep for a major record company. During this time, she also performed as a singer-songwriter, but upon meeting SAWANO, she decided to refocus on her original dream of becoming a successful singer, shifting course to pursue her music career more seriously.

SAWANO has built a varied career as a globally celebrated music producer and songwriter, providing compositions for music artists, TV shows, anime and movies. As part of NAQT VANE, SAWANO will create music not for a medium like TV, anime or film, but simply express himself as an artist, while also taking on the role of overall producer for the first time. In many ways, this is just the starting line for SAWANO, too.

Art group Classic 6 work with graphic design, video and venue production, crossing genres such as fashion, art and music. NAQT VANE will be Classic 6’s first time to participate from the very foundation of a group, a chance to explore new creative opportunities.

As a fresh new project breathing a wind of change, NAQT VANE are sure to find many supporters.

Their debut single ‘Break Free’ is based on the themes of “a new self” and “liberation”, a song for all those who have broken out of their shell to challenge themselves. Harukaze’s powerful singing technique and heart-grabbing voice combine with SAWANO’s unmistakable sound to create a world that will captivate all those who hear it. The unmissable music video by Classic 6 expands on this unique world to truly stir the imagination.

NAQT VANE – ‘Break Free’ music video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvW3c7Ot9sk

Overall producer SAWANO recently composed the song ‘Tot Musica’ performed by Ado for the movie ‘ONE PIECE FILM RED’. He has numerous fans across North America, Europe and Asia thanks to his work on many celebrated anime productions, and in 2019 he delivered a successful solo performance at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, indicating his commitment to the global stage. Vocalist Harukaze is also fluent in English, so it seems likely that the group will set their sights on touring in various regions around the world.

An English-language version of ‘Break Free’ will be released on September 30. For further updates, keep an eye on the group’s social media accounts, which can be found listed on their official profile page at https://bio.to/NAQTVANE.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAQTVANE

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naqtvane/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NAQTVANE

Release information

September 16, 2022

Debut digital single

NAQT VANE – ‘Break Free’

https://avex.lnk.to/NAQTVANE_BreakFree

September 30, 2022

Digital single

NAQT VANE – ‘Break Free (English Ver.)’

NAQT VANE

“A team project breathing a wind of change”

NAQT VANE is a team music project featuring vocalist Harukaze, who has returned to Japan from the United States, along with overall production from Hiroyuki SAWANO and artwork by Classic 6.

https://bio.to/NAQTVANE

Harukaze | Vocals

Born in Hokkaido in 1998, Harukaze left Japan at age 15 to attend high school and college abroad. While studying Music Business in Los Angeles, she got a taste of a music culture that was different from what she’d experienced in Japan, and began to make music with people she met in the local scene.

In 2018, she released her first single ‘Summer Time (Feat. Roz)’, followed by her second single ‘Mr. Secret’ and in winter 2020 the EP ‘Best Regards’, before returning to Japan to begin the next phase of her music career. She became involved in NAQT VANE after meeting Hiroyuki SAWANO in 2021.

Social media links: https://linktr.ee/harukaze

Hiroyuki SAWANO | Overall Producer

Born in Tokyo in 1980, Hiroyuki Sawano is a highly celebrated composer and producer, providing compositions for music artists, TV shows, anime and movies.

In 2009, he released his first original album, ‘musica’.

In 2014, he began the project SawanoHiroyuki[nZk], undertaking star collaborations with renowned artists such as Akihito Okano (Porn Graffiti), Takanori Nishikawa, SUGIZO (LUNA SEA, X JAPAN), Sukima Switch, Sayuri, Aimer, Jean-Ken Johnny (MAN WITH A MISSION), Anly, ReoNa, Aina the End (BiSH), Yuuri, Taiiku Okazaki and more.

In 2019, he held a solo performance at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China, with an audience of more than 10,000 fans, marking his advance to the global stage.

After meeting vocalist Harukaze, he launched the team project NAQT VANE in September 2022, participating as overall producer. The group plan to release original music in Japan and around the world.

Official website: https://www.sawanohiroyuki.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sawano_nZk

Classic 6

Classic 6 are a creative collective active in Japan and overseas. They undertake art direction and overall production for fashion, art, graphic design for music artists, video and venue production. With a focus on visual branding that emphasizes stories and concepts, they are constantly exploring new creative outlets as a collective across a wide range of genres.

#NAQTVANE #Japan #Harukaze #musica #produceHiroyukiSAWANO #SawanoHiroyuki #SummerTime #MrSecret #Aimer #Yuuri #newmusic #newsingle #kcrush #kcrushnews #Classic6 #Jpop #JIndie #Japanesesinger #BreakFree EHarukazeBreakFree #kcrushamerica #HarukazeTikTok

After concluding their first world tour, LOONA, the queens of K-pop lore are ready to mesmerize their fans with enchanting performances once again. LOONA’s [LOONATHEWORLD] in SEOUL concert will take place on October 15th at 6PM (KST) and October 16^th at 6PM (KST). Global viewers will be able to enjoy performances from both dates through live streaming with MyMusicTaste.

The concert follows their first world tour [LOONATHEWORLD], where the group met Orbits from all over the US and Europe. Carrying this momentum, LOONA is ready to invite viewers both online and in-person to an epic collection of unique music and eye-opening performances through this hybrid event.

LOONA’s 1st World Tour: [LOONATHEWORLD] in SEOUL will take place at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium for both dates, which is one of the largest venues the group has ever performed in South Korea.

Tickets for [LOONATHEWORLD] in SEOUL’s online streaming will be available through MyMusicTaste. Please check MyMusicTaste’s social media channels for more information on ticket sales.2022 이달의 소녀 1st World Tour [LOONATHEWORLD] in SEOUL
October 15, 2022, 6:00PM (KST) & October 16, 2022, 6:00PM (KST) – MyMusicTaste

ARTIST) About LOONA:

From their unique debut with staggered member reveals over the span of two years starting in 2016 to their official musical release of the song “Hi High” in August of 2018, LOONA has embraced the mysterious and lore driven concept of their group to become a name that represents the core of K-pop: performance, production, and addictive melodies. LOONA’s twelve members: HeeJin, HyunJin, HaSeul, ViVi, YeoJin, Kim Lip, JinSoul, Choerry, Yves, Chuu, Go Won, and Olivia Hye create the blended mix of charms, talents, and personalities that brought catchy pop tunes like “Butterfly” to the top of the Billboard charts. Their 2020 releases of “So What” and “Why Not” continued their ranking on international music charts, making them a staple recommended K-pop group on multiple social media networks. They’ve stacked up achievements like their 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards win for Best Korean Act and their 2021 placement as having one of the most requested songs on radio shows. Their latest music video, “Flip That” has already garnered over 35 million views to date. The title track over their mini album of the same name also dominated the iTunes Top Albums charts with No.1s in 31 regions. Following the American leg of their first world tour [LOONATHEWORLD], LOONA has just finished their European tour after meeting their fans from six different cities.

MANAGEMENT AGENCY) About Blockberry Creative:

Blockberry Creative is a South Korean record label formed in 2016. The label is home to the girl group LOONA. Blockberry Creative has lived up to its own name through the unique approaches of artists development and promotions.

PROMOTER) About MyMusicTaste:

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 57 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 sophisticated, user-friendly service. Currently, www.mymusictaste.com supports more than 30 countries and offers 15 different languages.

For more about LOONA, visit:

Website: http://www.loonatheworld.com/
Facebook: loonatheworld
Instagram: @loonatheworld
Spotify: LOONA
TikTok: @loonatheworld
Twitter: @loonatheworld
YouTube: loonatheworld

#LOONA #LoonaTheWorld #MyMusicTaste #BlockberryCreative #HeeJin #HyunJin #HaSeul #ViVi #YeoJin #KimLip #JinSoul #Choerry #Yves #Chuu #GoWonan #kpop #kcrushnews #OliviaHye #Seoulconcert

An animation project called, “Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms” begins! Today, “Comicalize” starts Mecha-Udes previewing manga series on LINE Manga and ebookjapan!

And the documentary movie about TriF Studio, the studio which originally created and produced “Mecha-Ude”, will be released! There are comments from the director and producer in the movie as well.

September 15th, an animation project called, “Mecha-Ude” was announced. The previewing version of the original animation, which was self-produced, gained great attention when it was released.

“Mecha-Ude” is an original animation which was created and directed by the animation creator Okamoto. Okamoto belongs to the animation studio called TriF Studio. TriF Studio is an up and coming animation production company in Japan which is based in the Fukuoka prefecture.

The story of the anime revolves around two youths. Hikaru has been enjoying his normal school days in middle school and Alma is a Mecha-Ude Wielder who can be activated when he is attached to human beings. There are exciting adventures and battles following the two of them in the story.

In the beginning the project, “Mecha-Ude” was established mainly by animator/ illustrator Okamoto and the creator group called TriF. TriF consists of students and volunteers in Fukuoka. Later, the project was funded successfully by the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter and CAMPFIRE. In 2018, about 25-minute episodes were made as a preview version and released for the anime’s supporters only. Finally, the official anime series of, “Mecha-Ude” was announced to be produced and it started all kinds of exciting projects around the anime.

There are comments from the director Okamoto, TriF Studio animation producer Shuichi Aso and producer Tetsuya Kinoshita from PONY CANYON.

As one of the anime projects which is planned, a Comicalize work about the story of “Mecha-Ude ” was released as a preceding manga series on LINE Manga and ebookjapan. The series will be published every other week and TriF will create the story and supervise, and the illustration will be done by Yoshino Koyoka who has created the manga series “Aria the secret Ammo”. The illustration is detailed and also powerful and it will portray the world of “Mecha-Ude ” amazingly.

The Manga Series “Mecha-Ude” will be released for free from the very first release, which is today. The first 3 stories are all free and the 4th story can be purchased to watch, but it will also be free if you wait longer. We hope that many people will discover the world of “Mecha-Ude” and the adventures of Hikaru and Alma.

The promotion movie of the animation studio, called, “TriF Studio” in Fukuoka prefecture which has been creating “Mecha-Ude ‘, was released on the TriF Studio Official YouTube Channel. In the movie, there are many comments from the creator and every comment will allow people to find out the charm of the TriF Studio.

The comments are from an artist, “Eve’ who has created the theme song of the pilot version of the anime, and an artist Masayoshi Oishi who co-worked for creating the Music Video. Furthermore, there is a comment from Hiroshi Matsuyama from the company CyberConnect2 which is located in the Fukuoka prefecture. CyberConnect2 has been creating many legendary games and this firm was responsible for the supervision of “Mecha-Ude” over all. Terumi Nishii who is the key staff for the designing of the character, “Mecha-Ude,” and she was the main director for the anime illustration of “Jujutsu Kaisen,” which she also commented on.

Who is the director Okamoto who creates animation with the TriF Studio? The average age of the employees at TriF Studio is 25 years old and it is amazingly young for the animation firms in Japan. What is TriF Studio planning for the future? It is the first attempt to release the official animation series. Why have they been challenged from Fukuoka?

The whole picture of TriF Studio, which is creating a totally new era of the anime, will be revealed.

We hope that people will find out the secret and message from the firm and also know more about the anime project “Mecha-Ude”.

“Mecha-Ude” Original creator and director, Studio

With so many people who have supported us through crowdfunding and who have been encouraging us tremendously to allow us to create the beginning, middle and ending of the stories of the characters from the pilot version. There are new characters including other Mecha-Ude and Mecha-Ude users. I am so happy that the world of “Mecha-Ude” is growing rapidly and is something I personally want to see more! I am eager to share this anime with everyone as fast as I can. Please enjoy it!

Animation producer, Shuichi Aso from TriF Studio

The illustrator and animator Okamoto is one of very few rare and real talents. I will never forget the illustration on a sheet of paper one day when we were eating Udon noodles at lunch break. Everything started from that day and the independent animation, “Mecha-Ude” was announced to be created as a series anime. Finally! Finally! This is all owed to the people who have believed in the possibility of “Mecha-Ude” from our first pilot production. Now we, all members of TriF Studio, have been working hard to create this anime by director Okamoto. So, we can now share Okamoto’s amazing world and story with you! Please enjoy it!

Producer, Tetsuya Kinoshita from PONY CANYON

I was invited to join the project “Mecha-Ude”. After I watched the pilot version, I really wished to see more of it. Every time I heard the story of “Mecha-Ude” from Okamoto, I wanted to see and know more about the world of “Mecha-Ude”. The story of this anime is literally about mechanical arms. Let’s enjoy watching it together! I hope you will love it!

[ Information ]

Official site of “Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms”

https://mecha-ude.com/

TriF Official site

http://www.trifstudio.com/

Official Japanese Twitter of the original Anime “Mecha-Ude”

https://twitter.com/mechaude_jp

LINE Manga “Mecha-Ude” page

https://lin.ee/3MTMMUf/qtpo

ebookjapan “Mecha-Ude” page

https://approach.yahoo.co.jp/r/eK1FAS

Official YouTube Channel of TriF Studio

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBndkJPAwHQkzxPoDdLlKhw

Full-scale animation of “Mecha-Ude” is coming! TriF Studio Introduction Movie “The Challenge of Original Animation”

https://youtu.be/gFLoxTx-LKc

(C)TriF/ “Mecha-Ude” Production Committee

#MechaUdeMechanicalArms #originalAnime #TheChallengeOfOriginalAnimation #TriFStudio #ebookjapan #LineManga #Comicalize #kcrushnews #kcrushamerica #Hikaru #TetsuyaKinoshita #ponycanyon #Shuichi #Okatomo #Manga #Mangaseries #Japanesemanga

Go back and re-listen to this one! The mini-album with the title song, “Blind Love” along with the fashion and dance talent within their music video are worth seeing over and over again. GreatGuys (멋진녀석들) is a South Korean idol group signed to DNA Entertainment. They debuted on August 25, 2017, with the single “Last Men”. Since then, they have been actively promoting new songs and touring abroad. Eventually, they became the first K-pop group to hold a concert in the Dominican Republic. The group aims at showing different sides to their fans and always innovate musically speaking; from synth-pop, to R&B or even disco-based sounds, they are comfortable with every genre.

Fashion to talk about:

Back in July, GreatGuys released their fourth mini-album We’re Not Alone Final: Only You, with the lead single “Blind Love,” a dance/electronic song.

A great concept offered in the music video where the members hide their identities as vampires and live as bodyguards to protect the girls they love. Through the song, the members want to express that it is never a waste to give up everything to support the one you love unconditionally, and it contains the message that GreatGuys will be with Grace for the rest of their lives.

They deserve a second and third look and listen!

Links: Instagram | Twitter | Tik Tok

Song : Music Video

#GreatGuys #GreatGuysBlindLove #GreatGuysNewAlbum #kcrush #DNAEntertainment #newmusic #kpop #krnb #kcrushamerica #greatguysbodyguardsconcept #GreatGuysminialbum #Koreangroup #GreatGuysDNAEntertainment #WereNotAloneOnlyYou #BlindLove #kpopidols #dancesong #electronicsong #GreatGuysDominicanRepublic #kcrushmedia #kcrushnews #GreatGuysGrace

From warehouses to computerized realms, K-Pop MVs have an ability to transport us to different worlds. Meanwhile, some of those same settings can instill feelings of longing, romance, and joy when featured in some of our favorite K-Dramas. But, what if you could visit some of the filming locations?

K-Pop tourism is a booming business, and one South Korea hopes to capitalize on in the coming years. However, K-Pop videos aren’t just filmed in South Korea as many have been shot in many scenic locales globally. If you’re a jetsetter and can afford to travel, experience some of these MV and drama filming locations if you’re a budding K-Pop tourist!

Yongma Land | 118 Mangu-ro 70-gil, Jungnang-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Over the years, amusement parks have been a popular choice to film MVs. Yongma Land in Seoul has been a prime location for several K-Pop acts over the years.

Yongma Land is an abandoned amusement park. Opened in 1980, the park was once a popular, family-friendly location until Lotte World opened in 1989. The park stopped operating in 1995; in 2011, Yongma Land officially closed to the general public, but photographers, cosplayers, wedding parties, and other special interest groups still can have access to the park for 10,000 won ($7.34 USD) per day. For 25,000 won ($18.35 USD), the owner will turn on the merry-go-round.

Yongma Land serves as the backdrop for the following:

“1004” – B.A.P (MV)
“A Glass of Soju” – Xiumin (MV)
“Bar Bar Bar” – Crayon Pop (MV)
“BEcause” – Dreamcatcher (MV)
“Hair Cut” – Baby V.O.X (MV)
“Hate” – Baek Ji Young (MV)
“I’ll Be Yours” – Girl’s Day (MV)
“In Your Voice” – VOISPER (MV)
Last Fantasy – IU (Album photobook shoot)
“Like Ooh-Ahh” – TWICE (MV)
“Love Falls” – Juniel & Jonghyun (MV)
“Love Me Right” – EXO (Teasers, album photobook shoot)
“Paradise” – N.White (MV)
“Ribbon” – Highlight (MV)
“Spring Love” – Eric Nam & Wendy (MV)
“Super Yuppers” – WJSN Chocome (MV)
“To-day” – Secret (MV)
Alice (K-Drama, 2020)
More Than Friends (K-Drama, 2020)
Perfume (K-Drama, 2019)
Room No. 9 (K-Drama, 2018)
Sisyphus: The Myth (K-Drama, 2021)
Tell Me What You Saw (K-Drama, 2020)
The Sound of Magic (K-Drama, 2022)

Laundry Pizza | 810-13 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Laundry Pizza, which is now permanently closed, was once a Western-cuisine locale that was designed to look like a pub while having laundromat décor. The interior of the restaurant featured warm, funky, retro colors that look straight out of the 1980s and 90s.

The pizza shop, which served Neapolitan-style pizza, provided the visuals for the following MVs and photoshoots:

APINK (“Five” photoshoot)
BTS (“HER” photoshoot)
GOT7 (The Star photoshoot)
“I’m Good” – Henry (MV)
O.I (“Very Very Very” photoshoot)
“L.I.E” – EXID (Dance Performance MV)
“White Night” – Up10tion (MV)

Four Aces Movie Ranch | 14499 E Ave Q, Palmdale, CA 93591

While New York is a popular MV spot, other locations across the United States have provided some interesting backdrops. Four Aces Movie Ranch in Palmdale, California provides an old-time, rustic feel to MVs thanks to the 1940s diner, neon motel sign, and throwback gas station. The location also provides a “middle of nowhere” appearance, and old-time cars can be used on the sets.

B1A4’s “Solo Day” and Red Velvet’s “Ice Cream Cake” MVs filmed at Four Aces Movie Ranch.

To visit this location, you will need to contact the owners:

323.821.4466

jp@4-aces.com

Forest of Wisdom Library | 145 Hoedong-gil, Gyoha-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

The Forest of Wisdom Library is a location that’s served as a setting for several MVs and Korean dramas.

Located in Gyeonggi-do, the Forest of Wisdom Library features floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that house over 500,000 books with about 200,000 on display! The library features a contemporary modern design with clean lines and plenty of lighting. Though it’s modern in appearance, it doesn’t lack warmth, especially in the eyes of any bibliophile who wishes to visit this dreamy location that even Belle (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) would fall in love with instantly.

The books displayed in the library have all been donated by local publishing companies, universities, museums, professors, and Korean studies institutes. The library hopes to collect over a million books to display. The library aims to be open 24/7 or “as long as there are readers,” making it a safe and cozy place to visit.

While Girls’ Generation’s “Into the New World” and BIGBANG’s “Beautiful Hangover” were filmed here, the Forest of Wisdom is more of a popular K-Drama shooting location. Some of the dramas that shot scenes in the Forest of Wisdom include:

A Korean Odyssey (2017)
Chicago Typewriter (2017)
Hotel del Luna (2019)
I Am Not a Robot (2017-18)
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay (2020)
Record of Youth (2020)
She was Pretty (2015)
The King Eternal Monarch (2020)
The World of the Married (2020)
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)
Yumi’s Cells 2 (2022)

Switzerland

Yes, we’ve included the whole country of Switzerland! We’ve had a love affair with Switzerland since Crash Landing on You (2019-20), Are You Human (2018), Smile Again (2006), and Kyuhyun’s MV for “A Million Pieces.”

Switzerland’s sweeping landscapes, beautiful architecture, refreshing water, and clear skies look inviting and charming. Zurich, Bürglen, and Sigriswil played important roles in Crash Landing on You’s storytelling, while Stará plynárna, Hřensko played a key role in Are You Human.

Many of the locations featured in Are You Human, Crash Landing on You, Smile Again, and “A Million Pieces” can be visited and are must-sees for any traveler, not just Korean media fans. Whether it’s by train, ferry, or group tour, it’s easy to get swept away by Switzerland’s beauty and unique backdrop that will open your heart to joy and romance.

What K-Drama and MV locations do you wish to know about? Let us know in the comments!

—-Olivia Murray

#wanderlustwednesday #kcrushoriginal #travel #musicvideolocations #kdramalocations #kpop #kdrama #Switzerland #Zurich #Burglen #CrashLandingOnYou #TheForestOfWisdomLibrary #kcrusharticle #FourAcesMovieRanch #PalmdaleCalifornia #Gyeonggido #SouthKorea #LaundryPizza #Gangnamgu #YongmaLand #Seoul #kcrushamerica

Covid stopped the flow of K-pop artists from going on tour for nearly 2 years. But 2022 was flooded with tours from artists waiting to perform once again. Back-to-back from January to some being announced to the end of this year. So, hearing Seventeen being one of my ultimate groups going on tour, I was heavily excited to see them. Releasing 4 albums since 2020, I anticipated the setlist and what to wear since their most recent album, “Be The Sun” was released earlier in the summer.

Seventeen, a group under Pledis Entertainment is a well-rounded talented group of 13 boys that debuted in 2015 and grew widely in popularity over the few years. Seventeen’s “Be The Sun” tour was heavily anticipated by fans. From announcement, countdown to ticket prices and merch. The last tour for Seventeen was in 2020, so since then more albums were released and Carats (Seventeen’s fanbase name) wondered what songs would be on the setlist. Releasing great albums since then (Your Choice, Attacca, Face the Sun and Sector 17).

Seventeen is truly a group that doesn’t disappoint. Carats everywhere were planning outfits before even getting tickets including me. Some friends coordinated outfits from their show “Going Seventeen,” album covers to memes (EX: Vernon tie dye sweater, inflatable carrots or tigers for Hoshi).

It almost felt too good to be true, liking Seventeen for years and seeing them in concert is something on my bucket list I deeply wanted to accomplish. Seeing a few Carats post clips from earlier shows of the performances and funny moments just made me more excited to see for myself. The setlist was amazing and I am very, VERY glad that “Snap Shoot” was able to make it onto the setlist, being one of my favorite songs. The set list follows without VCR’S and Ments.

Hot
March
Hit
Rock with you
2 Minus 1
Moonwalker (Performance Unit)
Wave (Performance Unit)
Come to me (Vocal Unit)
Imperfect Love (Vocal Unit0
Gam3 bo1 (Hip Hop Unit)
Back it up (Hip Hop Unit)
Mansae (Remix)
Left and Right (Remix)
Very Nice
Shadow
Crush
World (NEW)
Darl + Ing
Our dawn is hotter than day
Snap Shot
Very Nice (Never-Ending)

A few fans were surprised by the sudden removal of Ready to Love, 24H, Boom Boom, and Heavens Cloud. I was a bit sad because I was excited to hear “Heaven’s Cloud,” but the show was still amazing. Even with knowing the setlist, it’s still a surprise factor by how amazing Seventeen are as performers. Mingyu was unfortunately unable to come to the Fort Worth show due to covid (which, now as I am writing this, Joshua and Hoshi have covid so wish them well).

Dino making a surprise appearance Carats were very happy and with the joke of the night “Dino is back, the night was filled with endless smiles and fun. I think I can speak for everyone when I say, the boys announcing their last set for the night, it was hard to believe, even with the joke of “Endless Aju Nice,” it was bittersweet. They worked so hard to make this concert happen and gave Carats smiles.

It was the talk of the night for my friends and me. Sharing videos or things one of us missed or pictures. Even thinking of it now as I am writing, I am tearing up from the way Seventeen has touched my heart and millions of others. It’s obvious to see they have come a long way and are not close to being done.

—-AliZNation

#Seventeen #Kpop #Korea #Kpopconcert #SeventeenBeTheSunTour #SeventeenInDallas #SeventeenUSTour #kcrushoriginal #kcrushamerica #SeventeenCarats #Pledis #BIGHIT #SeventeenKoreanKpopGroup

For this week’s #TBT playlist, enjoy SM Entertainment artists’ songs from the 1990s, 2000s, and early 2010s. What was your favorite SM Entertainment era? Share below!

A playlist celebrating SM Entertainment’s music from the 1990s, 2000s, and early 2010s.

Back in 2018, 2019, and earlier in 2022, Kcrush published two articles about biracial celebrities with Asian backgrounds. We’re revisiting those articles and including more celebrities that have Asian backgrounds. Of course, we encourage our readers to share others we may have missed!

Nicole Scherzinger

Former Pussycat Dolls member Nicole Scherzinger is of Filipina, Native Hawaiian, Ukrainian, and Polish descent.

The singer, songwriter, actress, TV host, and dancer has a solid, varied career. In addition to being a Pussycat Dolls member, she is also a Masked Singer panelist, a former contestant on Dancing with the Stars, and a judge on several X Factor renditions. She also appeared on the 2017 Dirty Dancing reboot and 2021’s Annie Live!

Scherzinger’s been praised for having natural talent, though her solo career hasn’t flourished in the United States. However, her successful stints as a TV personality have made Scherzinger a well-known figure.

Norah Jones

American singer/songwriter Norah Jones is part Indian Bengali. Active in the music scene since 2000, Jones is best known for her runaway hit album Come Away with Me and the songs “Come Away with Me” and “Don’t Know Why.” In exception of her 2020 and 2021 albums titled Pick Me Up Off the Floor and I Dream of Christmas, respectively, each of Jones’ albums have debuted in the top three on US music charts. Jones is a multi-Grammy, Billboard, and Gold Disk award winner.

Jones is also the daughter of composer and sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar. Her half-siblings include Anoushka Shankar (sitar player, composer, activist, and producer) and Shubhendra Shankar (musician, composer, and Indian graphic artist who passed away in 1992 at 50-years old).

Olivia Munn

Actress and TV host Oliver Munn is of German, Irish, English, and Sino-Vietnamese ancestry.

Munn is a former college football and women’s basketball sideline reporter. In 2004, her acting career kicked off when she appeared in films via bit roles before landing the role of Mily Acuna on The N’s Beyond the Break. In 2006, her career kicked off when she was selected as a co-host for Attack of the Show! On the G4 network. From here, Munn appeared in Iron Man 2, Date Night, Greek, The Daily Show, New Girl, and Newsroom among several other shows and films.

Munn holds a taekwondo black belt and surfs. She shares a son with comedian John Mulaney.

Olivia Rodrigo

Breakout star Olivia Rodrigo sports a Filipina/Irish-German lineage.

The “Driver’s License” singer’s career started when she starred as Grace Thomas in the American Girl film Grace Stirs Up Success. She later became a popular Disney channel star thanks to her roles on Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Considered a “flag-bearer” for a new generation of power-ballad singers, Rodrigo, who is 19 at the time of the writing (2022), already has a string of hits to her name including the aforementioned “Driver’s License,” “Déjà Vu” and “Good 4 U.” She’s already snagged 78 awards including seven Billboard, three iHeart Music, and three Grammy awards. It’s safe to say Rodrigo has a bright future ahead!

Ross Butler

13 Reasons Why and Riverdale star Ross Butler comes from a Chinese-Malaysian and English-Dutch background.

Prior to acting, Butler was once a chemical and biomolecular engineering major at Ohio State University. He dropped out to move back to Virginia where he took community college courses prior to moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Prior to 13 Reasons Why as Zach Dempsey and Riverdale as Reggie Mantle, Butler earned his breakthrough credits in Disney’s K.C. Undercover, Teen Beach 2, and Perfect High. He also appeared in Shazam!, To All the Boys I Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You, To All the Boys I Loved Before: Always and Forever, and Swimming with Sharks. He will also appear in Perfect Addiction and Loveboat Taipei.

Shay Mitchell

Shay Mitchell is Scottish-Irish and Filipina.

The Canadian actress, model, and writer is best known for her role as Emily Fields in the Freeform drama series Pretty Little Liars. She’s also held roles as Peach Salinger in You, Stella Cole in Dollface, and Alexandra Trese in Trese. Prior to becoming an actress, Mitchell was a model for different companies in Asia and Europe.

In 2015, Mitchell made her writing debut as the co-author of Bliss alongside Michaela Blaney.

Through her role as Emily Fields, Mitchell has earned several award nominations from the People’s Choice, MTV Fandom, and Teen Choice awards. In 2014, Esquire magazine named Mitchell its “Sexiest Woman Alive.”

Mitchell has two daughters with Matte Babel.

Sir Ben Kingsley

Born Krishna Pandit Bhanji, Sir Ben Kingsley has English and Khoja Gujarati lineage.

Kingsley has a background in theatre and screen acting during his five-decade career. Early in his career, music producer and manager Dick James approached Kingsley to work with him on becoming a pop star, a role Kingsley turned down to focus on theatre work. While working in theatre, Kingsley changed his name from Krishna Pandit Bhanji to Ben Kingsley to enhance his job prospects.

“As soon as I changed my name, I got the jobs. I had one audition as Krishna Bhanji and they said, ‘Beautiful audition but we don’t quite know how to place you in our forthcoming season.’ I changed my name, crossed the road, and they said when can you start,” Kingsley stated in an interview with Radio Times.

In the 1970s, Kingsley made the transition from theatre to film and television work. In 1982, he starred as Gandhi in Richard Attenborough’s film Gandhi, marking a turning point in Kinglsey’s career as he won several awards for his role including an Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe award. In 1993, Kingsley’s role as Itzhak Stern in Schindler’s List which further landed him as a household name in both Europe and North America.

Throughout his career, Kingsley has been nominated for 66 awards with 30 wins during appearances in 103 films and 38 television series including Sexy Beast (2000), House of Sand and Fog (2003), Hugo (2011), Iron Man 3 (2013), and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021).

In 2002, Queen Elizabeth knighted Kingsley for his contributions to theatre, film, and television.

Vanessa Hudgens

American actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens has French, Native American, and Filipina roots.

The High School Musical alumna was previously a musical theatre performer who appeared in Carousel, Cinderella, and The Music Man among others. She also appeared in commercials before her first acting role on CBS’ Still Standing in 2002. In 2003, she had a supporting role in the critically acclaimed drama Thirteen before holding the role as Tin-tin 2004’s Thunderbirds.

Hudgens’ breakout moment was when she starred as Gabriella Montez throughout the High School Musical trilogy. Between the High School Musical films, Hudgens released music including her debut album V in 2006 and Identified in 2008.

Following High School Musical, Hudgens has had steady work as an actress with roles in Sucker Punch (2011), Spring Breakers (2012), Machete Kills (2013), The Princess Switch (2018), The Princess Switch: Switched Again (2020), Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021), and the Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (2021). Hudgens has also worked as a producer in addition to acting.

Yumi Nu

In 2021, Yumi Nu became the first model of Asian descent to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Then, in 2022, Nu became the first plus-size model of Asian descent to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Besides Sports Illustrated, Nu has been the cover model for Vogue Japan and in the United States.

Nu, who is the niece of Devon and Steve Aoki, has a Japanese and Dutch background. In addition to being a model, Nu is also a singer and songwriter. Her first EP was released in 2019. She followed up with her 2021 single “Bouquets” and the 2022 EP Hajime.

If there’s anyone we missed, let us know! Of course, continue the discussion in the comments below!

Photo credits: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9)

—-Olivia Murray

#biracial #Asian #YumiNu #Asianmodel #SportsIllustratedSwimsuitIssue #VanessaHudgens #highschoolmusical #SirBenKingsley #ShayMitchell #RossButler #KCUndercover #Riverdale #OliviaRodrigo #OliviaMunn #NorahJones #NicoleScherzinger #pussycatdolls #mixedracecelebrities

K-Pop power couple HyunA and Dawn have decided to leave P NATION following their contract expirations. They are the second and third artists to leave PSY’s label following Jessi’s departure July 6, 2022.

P NATION shared the departure news via a statement:

We would like to express our deep gratitude to everyone who has given HyunA and Dawn their love and interest

We are informing you that our exclusive contracts with HyunA and Dawn have recently expired.

HyunA, Dawn, and HyunA&Dawn embroidered the colors of P NATION brilliantly with bold music that only they can digest, as well as unique visuals and performances. And their passion as artists and their care and devotion toward the staff has made them role models to everyone.

All members of P NATION will cherish the pleasant memories of working with HyunA and Dawn for a long time, and we will continue to support their activities in the future.

Thank you to the many fans who care for HyunA and Dawn, and we ask for your continued warm encouragement and support.

After P NATION confirmed the pair’s departure, HyunA and Dawn shared messages on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hyun Ah (@hyunah_aa)

HyunA simply said “thank you” in a post shared featuring P NATION’s statement, while Dawn said “Moving forward as well, let’s freely and awesomely make music, perform, and love. I love you.” In his Instagram story, Dawn added, “Thank you. I’ll show you an even better side of me in the future.”

During their time at P NATION, HyunA released two mini-albums: I’m Not Cool and Nabillera. Dawn released several singles including “Stupid Cool.” As a unit, the couple released the mini album 1+1=1.

HyunA and Dawn were previously signed to Cube Entertainment, but both departed the label in 2018 after revealing they were in a relationship. The pair signed with P NATION in 2019.

Following the departures of HyunA, Dawn, and Jessi, P NATION still manages Heize, Penomeco, Swings, Crush, and the new male idol group TNX.

Best of luck to HyunA and Dawn on their new journey!

Photo cr. (1)

—-Olivia Murray

#HyunaandDawn #Dawn #PNation #HyunaandDawnleavePNation #PSYPNation #contractends #kpop #kpoppowercouple #kpopidol #kcrush #officialkcrush #kcrushnews #Hyuna

Trigger warning: Article discusses suicide

South Korean actress, Yoo Ju Eun, passed away August 29, 2022. The 27-year-old actress who appeared on Big Forest (2018) and Joseon Survival (2019) died via suicide according to Yoo’s brother.

Yoo’s brother shared his sister’s final message on social media to grant the actress’ last wish.

I am sorry for leaving first. I am especially sorry to Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Oppa [brother]. My heart screams that I don’t want to live. Life without me may be empty, but please live on bravely. I will keep watch of everything. Don’t cry. You’ll be hurt.

I’m not sad at all in the slightest right now. I feel resolute and calm. I think it’s because I have thought of this for a long time.

I’ve lived such a happy life that was more than I deserved. That’s why, it is enough for me. This is enough. So please live without placing blame on anymore.

I’m not dead, so everyone, please live well. I hope many people are called to my funeral, and I want to see everyone for the first time in a while and check in on anyone who is having a hard time.

I wanted to act so badly. Perhaps it was my all, and it was a part of me. However, living that life wasn’t easy. I don’t want to do anything else. That was so hopeless. Having something you want to do is a blessing, but I realized that only wanting to do that thing is a curse.

God loves me, so he won’t send me to hell. He will understand my feelings and care for me going forward. That’s why, everyone, don’t worry.

And to all my loving family and friends and my loves. Thank you so much for treasuring me and loving me. That was my strength and my smile. I lived with unforgettable memories until the end, so I think I’ve lived a successful life. Thank you for understanding and embracing me who was lacking and impatient. I’m sorry I can’t express it well. But you’ll still understand how I feel, right?

And to all those precious relationships I’ve made, especially the teachers, I was so grateful, and I respected you all. Thank you so much for teaching me the many things in life.

Mom, Dad, I love you. Don’t cry. Please.

Yoo’s service will be held August 31, 2022 at Ajou University Hospital. We send our condolences to Yoo’s family, friends, and loved ones.

If you or someone you love needs help, please contact the suicide and mental health hotlines available in your country. In the United States, dial 988. There is hope.

—-Olivia Murray

#YooJuEun #BigForrest #JoseonSurvival #Asianactresspassesaway #YooJuEunpassesaway #Koreanactress #suicide #suicideprevention #crisishotline #kcrushnews #officialkcrush #needhelp

Fresh off her recent chart-topping hit “Pity Party”, the K-Pop star will be visiting seven cities with a new EP on the way

South Korean singer and songwriter JAMIE has announced today her first-ever headlining tour in North America visiting seven cities in October just days after unveiling that her new EP is set to release in October, her first EP in four years since jiminxjamie. The globally recognized artist has been releasing a handful of hit songs over the last few years, and she’s grown into one of the most featured artists hailing from Korea.

The pre-sale tickets will start on Wednesday, August 24 at 5pm (PT) / 6pm MT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET / Thursday, August 25 at 9am (KST) while the general on-sale tickets start on Monday, August 29, 5pm (PT) / 6pm MT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET / Tuesday, August 30 at 9am (KST). For complete pre-sale and ticket details, please visit https://www.unboundentertainmentgroup.com/jamie or https://www.modo-live.com

“I’m so excited to see my North American fans face to face for the first time! I hope that Baby J’s are ready!” – JAMIE

JAMIE North American Tour 2022:

All dates, cities and venues below are subject to change.

Oct 10 – Los Angeles – 1720

Oct 11 – Vancouver – Harbour Event Centre

Oct 15 – Toronto – The OperaHouse

Oct 17 – Brooklyn – The Brooklyn Monarch

Oct 19 – Dallas – DEAC

Oct 21 – Seattle – The Crocodile

Oct 23 – San Francisco – The Midway

In early 2021, JAMIE was included in the remix of American hip-hop artists Saweetie and Doja Cat’s Best Friend alongside South Korean-Japanese rapper CHANMINA, garnering over 13 million plays on Spotify. Other notable global collaborations such as Family by David Guetta, Ty Dolla $ign and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, and Numbers with CHANGMO have all dominated the charts on its release. JAMIE has built an unparalleled repertoire, showcasing her chameleonic musical abilities and maturity in EPs like the coming-of-age 19 to 20, the genre-hopping jiminxjamie and the soon-to-be-released new body of work is destined to be a stand out once again. With buoyant, charismatic, mischievous charms, and inimitable vocal talent. The critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter continues to enchant her growing international fanbase (under Warner Music Korea), as she currently boasts 1.6 million followers on Instagram and millions of streams on multiple platforms.

For more information about the tour and EP, please visit JAMIE’s social media and https://www.unboundentertainmentgroup.com/jamie for tickets.

ABOUT JAMIE

JAMIE, also known as Park Jimin, is a multi-faceted South Korean singer and songwriter. She rose to fame at a young age of 14 through winning the first season of the South Korean talent survival show “K-Pop Star” in 2011, and became a member of the K-Pop duo 15&. In addition to her activities in the vocal duo, JAMIE also released two well-received solo extended plays, 19 to 20 and jiminxjamie in 2016 and 2018, respectively. With her vibrant and playful personalities, JAMIE has further found success in the hosting world as she has won a place in the heart of K-Pop fans all around the world through her role as the MC on the long-running idol variety show, After School Club. In August 2019, JAMIE signed to Warner Music Korea as the first Korean artist to join the roster, where she continues to share more of her music and stories through her stunningly powerful vocal performances. She’s since then released a plethora of global music hit collaborations which only cements her reign in the K-Pop genre.

Connect with JAMIE:

Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok | Spotify

SUPER JUNIOR, the legendary K-Pop idol group are returning to Singapore Indoor Stadium September 3, 2022, with their 9th concert tour, SUPER JUNIOR WORLD TOUR – SUPER SHOW 9 : ROAD.

SUPER JUNIOR, because of their international recognition and prominent contributions in the Korean wave are known as the “King of Hallyu Wave.”. One of the longest running groups in K-Pop, SUPER JUNIOR has shown different facets in their career to stay active in the industry, and their musical style has varied from album to album. SUPER JUNIOR is well known for their successes and popularity as all-rounded entertainers, with their members branching out into hosting, presenting, and acting over the years.

Tickets for SUPER JUNIOR WORLD TOUR – SUPER SHOW 9 : ROAD IN SINGAPORE start from $198 went on sale, August 13, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. onwards via Ticketmaster’s ticketing channels. Visit ONE Production Facebook page for more information about the concert.

Concert Details

SUPER JUNIOR WORLD TOUR – SUPER SHOW 9 : ROAD IN SINGAPORE
Date: 3 September 2022
Time: 15:00
Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Address: 2 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397691

Ticketing Information

Price: CAT 1 SEATED: $328 | CAT 2 STANDING: $308 | CAT 3: $308 | CAT 4: $278 | CAT 5: $248 | CAT 6: $198 | CAT 7: $308 (Restricted View) | CAT 8: $198 (Restricted View)
Ticketing Channels:
Online: www.ticketmaster.sg
Hotline: +65 3158 8588
Available at all SingPost outlets

A night of fun and music at Hong Kong Coliseum ended tragically as a giant video screen fell and struck performers performing alongside Cantopop male idol group MIRROR’s concert Thursday. The incident was captured on video.*

While MIRROR and their backup dancers performed, the massive moving screen broke free from the ceiling and plunged onto the stage as frightened onlookers watched. While the screen didn’t hit any MIRROR members, it did fall on a dancer and another performer. Others rushed to their aid following the screen collapse.

Patrons described the venue as chaotic with fans fainting, crying, and screaming. Some concertgoers were treated for shock at the venue.

“[Concertgoers] were happy to watch the performance, but everyone left with an angry, heavy, sad and worried mood. Now we just hope the victims are safe,” said customer service representative Kevin Tang.

Concert organizers stopped the show and asked fans to leave the venue.

John Lee, Hong Kong’s chief executive, said, “I am shocked. I express sympathy to those who were injured and hope that they would recover soon.”

Reports indicate that only two performers were injured, while others initially stated five performers were injured. It is confirmed two performers, Chang Tsz-fung and Mo Lee Kai-yin, were hospitalized, with Lee having severe injuries since the screen crashed into his neck. While he is speaking to authorities, Lee may be paralyzed from the neck down depending on his recovery. Lee remains hospitalized while Chang was discharged Friday afternoon.

Future events have been canceled at the venue while a comprehensive investigation into why the screen cables failed. Human error is one of the causes being investigated. The remaining screens are also expected to be removed once it’s determined how they could be removed “safely.”

“The involvement of high-level [officials], to ensure matters will be given attention and dealt with appropriately, is also important,” John Lee said.

“We will embark on a very detailed investigation with support of relevant departments and some professionals to make sure we delve deep into the cause of the incident,” Culture Secretary Kevin Yeung Yun-Hung said. “It is our responsibility and determination to ensure a similar incident will not happen again.”

“I have contacted the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, and instructed the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, together with relevant departments, to comprehensively investigate the incident and review the safety requirements of similar performance activities in order to protect the safety of performers, working staff and members of the public,” John Lee said.
Makerville, the concert organizer, apologized to fans and canceled the rest of the eight shows MIRROR was set to perform at Hong Kong Coliseum.

This isn’t the first accident to occur during MIRROR’s run at the Hong Kong Coliseum. On Monday July 25, 2022, member Frankie Chan stepped off the stage and fell three feet. He was not severely injured.

Following Thursday’s incident, the Hong Kong Red Cross set up a counseling hotline to help those who witnessed the accident. Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority also urged the public to also reach out to its mental health hotline if needed.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid watching relevant video clips and should also be cautious about their exposure to the information related to the incident,” Karen Tam, the Hospital Authority’s senior clinical psychologist, said in a statement. “They should always be aware of their emotions and maintain regular life. When necessary, they should talk to people they trust.”

MIRROR rose to prominence in Hong Kong during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Group members were selected via ViuTV’s talent show King Maker in 2018. MIRROR is one of the biggest groups and most recognizable groups in Hong Kong and in the Cantopop sphere, often appearing in different advertisements and as ambassadors for different brands. MIRROR is often credited with revitalizing Cantopop in Hong Kong. The released their new song, “We Are,” on July 22, 2022.

*Given the sensitive nature of the accident, Kcrush has selected to not share the video directly. However, it can be viewed by clicking on the highlighted text. Viewer discretion’s advised.

—-Olivia Murray

Visiting theme parks is a fun hobby for many thrill seekers. Asia has plenty of theme parks beyond Disney parks to offer globetrotters. If you’ve been bitten by the travel bug, take the time to check out these parks on your adventures!

LEGOLAND Malaysia

Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia | 7, Persiaran Medini Utara 3, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia

Opened on September 12, 2012, LEGOLAND Malaysia is Malaysia’s first international theme park. It’s Asia’s first LEGOLAND park (sixth globally), and it features over 40 attractions.

LEGOLAND Malaysia has eight themed areas.

Technic

Technic features LEGOLAND Malaysia’s fastest attractions. Here, you will find:

Aquazone Wave Racers: A twin-circle track ride that has four water cannons that splash water on riders.
The Great LEGO Race: A rollercoaster that uses virtual reality (VR) to enhance the thrills of the ride. As you ride the coaster, you wear a VR headset that will show you images of a LEGO environment to ride through.
LEGO Academy: Home to educational workshops and building zones where you can let your imagination run wild.
LEGO Mindstorms: Learn about LEGO robotics through the available workshops.
Planet LEGO: Via 30-minute sessions, families can “build, unbuild, and rebuild” whatever they imagine to share with the world.
Technic Twister: Guests sit in a spinning pod and turn a wheel to control spin speeds.

LEGO City

At LEGO City, guests can wander around a city made from LEGOs. Kids can take part in driving, boating, and airplane “schools,” ride the DUPLO Express, and check out the Frontliners Mural, which is a tribute to the frontline workers that helped during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

LEGO Kingdoms

Travel to a land of dragons and Medieval-themed fun! At LEGO Kingdoms, young guests can “joust” and ride dragons. Here, you will find:

Royal Joust: Young guests ride a jousting horse around a track through a Medieval forest.
Dragon’s Apprentice: A mini-coaster for young ones and their parents, Dragon’s Apprentice has twists, spirals, and turns that provide views of the king’s castle.
Merlin’s Challenge: Merlin controls a carousal that goes up and down.
The Dragon: Built more for older kids, this coaster travels about the king’s castle and through the treetops. This is a faster coaster than the Dragon’s Apprentice.
The Forestmen’s Hideout: Visit this playground to climb, slide, and play with other guests!

Miniland

Miniland features miniature models of different landmarks showcasing different Asian countries. Check out miniature LEGO sculptures featuring the Taj Mahal, Myanmar’s Karaweik Palace, Beijing’s Forbidden City, and Kuala Lumpur among other notable sculptures.

Imagination

A great place for young guests, Imagination features DUPLO play zones while also experiencing some 4D movies at LEGO Studios. If you scale the Observation Tower, you and your family can enjoy views of the park. Finally, at the Kids Power Tower, lift yourself up to new heights using pulleys to view the park before falling down to the ground.

Land of Adventure

The Land of Adventure features dinosaurs, pharaohs, and beetles wrapped up in an exciting time for young children! Land of Adventure’s attractions include:

Dino Island: Glide along a river and through a volcano and temple before splashing into the waters below.
Lost Kingdom Adventure: This dark ride has guests riding in a car searching for lost treasure. Use a laser gun to collect coins along the way.
Beetle Bounce: Ride on a scarab mobile 15 feet into the air before coming back down.
Pharaoh’s Revenge: Enjoy shooting foam balls at targets and experience challenges in this indoor playground.

LEGO NINJAGO World

NINJAGO is an indoor theme park that invites kids to put their skills to the test to become the Master of Spinjitzu. Kids can practice their climbing skills on Cole’s Rock Climb, or they can practice their ninja moves at Nya’s Practice, a digital green screen. At Kai’s Spinner, young ones can practice spinning and balance. Wrap up the day by visiting Zane’s Temple Build where you can help build the NINJAGO monastery.

If you’re hot from visiting the main theme park, take a trip over to the LEGOLAND water park. Here, build boats and rafts or ride the Brick Blaster, Splash and Swirl, Tidal Tube, or Red Rush innertube slides. You can also get soaked by sliding down the Wave Rider, Twin Chasers, and LEGO Slide Racers.

If indoor fun is more your style, check out SEA LIFE Malaysia, which is also part of the LEGOLAND Malaysia umbrella. Visit the underwater world where you have access to 13,000 sea friends of 120 different species. Watch jellyfish, seahorses, reef sharks, stingrays, and zebra sharks swim around, or interact with starfish and other rockpool creatures.

After 6pm, experience Malaysia’s first underwater dining experience at SEA LIFE Malaysia. Diners get to sit surrounded by the aquarium fish as they dine on a four-course meal. Experiencing dinner at the aquarium is by reservation only.

While visiting LEGOLAND Malaysia, you can stay at the LEGOLAND Hotel, which features rooms that are pirate, ninja, adventure, or kingdom themed. Dining and shopping can be found at the resort and throughout LEGOLAND, so there are plenty of things to do!

As of July 22, 2022, LEGOLAND Malaysia requires all adults 18 or older to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Snow Kingdom

Mumbai, India| R City Mall, Lal Bahadur Shastri Rd, Amrut Nagar, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400086, India

Located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Mumbai, Maharashtra, Snow Kingdom is India’s largest snow theme park. While it’s small by United States’ standards (14,000 sq ft), it’s the perfect theme park for anyone who wants to experience snow when they normally wouldn’t get to do so.

The theme park is located inside R City Mall and boasts that it is “the perfect respite from the city’s humidity, high temperatures, and pollution.” Through reverse-osmosis, water’s made into snow to create a perfect winter wonderland that features seals, penguins, and snow deer, a discotheque, and rides. The park provides sterilized winter clothing so guests can have fun in the 18-degree Fahrenheit (-8 degrees Celsius) temperatures.

At the discotheque, have a ball and dance away on the snow-themed stage area. If dancing isn’t your thing, throw snowballs, ride on toboggans, or climb a 23-foot-tall cliff. You can also slide down hills using inner tubes or check out the inside of igloos. Snow Kingdom is also the perfect place to host unique birthdays and anniversaries.

Snow Kingdom’s open from 11am-9pm daily, with the last entry allowed at 8pm. Play sessions at the park are an hour long. The busiest times are between 6pm-9pm.

Phuket Fantasea

Phuket, Thailand | 99, Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Phuket Fantasea is a fun, lively place to experience some of Thailand’s nightlife*. The theme park features Thailand’s incredible architecture and provides a fun experience to anyone wishing to experience Thailand’s hospitality and vibrancy.

Venturing the park brings you up close and personal with Thailand’s famed architecture, especially the statuary and ornate decorations that make Thailand a beautiful and opulent place to visit. Even the restrooms are rich in Thai art and structure!

Shopping is one of the highlights at Phuket Fantasea. At Iyara Grande, shop for fine jewelry or pick up some traditional handicrafts at Tribal Craft Bazaar. Young visitors will enjoy the colors and theming of the Festival Village shops as they look for plushies featuring Thailand’s famed tigers and elephants. At Legende de Bangkok, visitors can dress up as Thai princes and princesses for photo souvenirs.

At the Similan Entertainment Center, guests get to experience an “undersea” arcade and shopping. Arcade and carnival games provide entertainment for guests of all ages as the center celebrates Thailand’s Similan Islands.

The most exciting elements of Phuket Fantasea are the shows that occur nightly at the Viva Bangkok Stage Theater. Here, you can see traditional dances, hear lively music, and enjoy some of the best entertainment Thailand has to offer.

Wrap up your visit at one of the two restaurants located on property: Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant or Suriyamas Seafood Buffet Restaurant. Both will provide dining experiences that cannot be missed!

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom

Hengqin, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China| 3GWP+VHX, Xiangzhou, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China

Opened in 2014, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is part of the Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort, a tourist attraction that wants to be known as “the Orlando of China.” Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is the winner of the 2015 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement, the 2018 Thea Award winner for Outstanding Achievement for the Journey of Lights parade, and holds the Guinness world record for being the world’s largest aquarium.

The theme park has eight themed areas: Ocean Avenue, Dolphin Cove, Amazing Amazon, Ocean Beauty, Polar Horizon, Hero Island, Mount Walrus, and Hengqin Ocean.

Ocean Avenue

At Ocean Avenue, the park’s entrance, guests get to experience an LED digital canopy that shows off ocean life.

Dolphin Cove

From Ocean Avenue, enter Dolphin Cove where guests can experience several attractions with a dolphin theme.

Battle of the Pirates: A spinning teacup ride that has water jets for added excitement.
Dolphin Round Ride: This ride is similar to the Dumbo ride at the Disney parks. Kids will enjoy riding in a circle as the dolphins go up and down during the ride.
5D Castle Theatre: The castle theatre is home to the world’s largest curved screen at 1,500m². The theatre shows a 13-minute video called Kaka’s Great Adventure.
Dolphin Island, Dolphin Theatre, and Dolphin Conservation Center: Dolphin Island is home of the spotted white dolphin habitat. The Conservation Center houses the Chinese spotted dolphin habitat with viewing areas available for guests.

Ocean Beauty

The Ocean Beauty hub has a giant whale shark statue that serves as the hub’s centerpiece. The Amazing Amazon section of the park houses several aquariums including the Whale Shark Exhibit that is the largest aquarium in the world. Here, guests can view whale sharks and manta rays. After visiting the Whale Shark Exhibit, check out Deep Sea Odyssey, a submarine ride that goes inside the whale shark aquarium.

Amazing Amazon

The Amazing Amazon section is home to the Parrot Coaster, which is Asia’s first wing coaster and the first to feature a splashdown. It’s the third largest wing coaster in the world while being the world’s longest wing coaster. The Parrot Coaster features several turns and a diving loop, and it has a zero-gravity loop for added thrills.

Journey to the Amazon has a freshwater aquarium that is sure to thrill guests with its colorful array of fish.

Polar Horizon

Polar Horizon features cold-weather animal and sea friends. Here, guests can view the belugas, polar bears, and penguins in their designated habitats. The Polar Explorer is the hub’s rollercoaster that’s the park’s answer to Disney’s Splash Mountain. Sadly, this attraction features live bears as part of the coaster’s visuals.

Hero Island

Hero Island has three animal exhibits: The Otter’s Den (an Asian small-clawed otter habitat), Stingray Encounter (a stingray touch pool), and Tide Pools (touch tanks for small fish and sea animals).

This hub has five attractions.

Bumper Smash: A bumper car attraction where guests bump and ride around a track.
Games Arcade: The games arcade feature game stalls that resemble carnival games.
Penguin Coaster: A small, child-friendly coaster that races around a track twice.
Jungle Coaster: This coaster is more advanced than the penguin coaster, so it is more suitable for children 8-years-old and up. It circles a track twice.
Tower of Sea Monsters: A lift-and-rotate ride that is not meant for younger children, the ride is synchronized and provides visuals of monstrous sea creatures.

Mount Walrus

Mount Walrus features Walrus Island, Sea Lion Bay, and Sea Bird Paradise. Each are exhibits where guests can see walruses, sea lions, pelicans, capybaras, and sea turtles among other creatures. Here, guests can ride the pirate ship ride, Spirit of Adventure, or the giant flume ride, Walrus Splash. Guests will enjoy the walrus-shaped mountains built as this hub’s landmark.

Hengqin Ocean

Hengqin Ocean is the main hub for Chimelong’s shows, parades, and fireworks. Here, guests have prime viewing for the nighttime parade, Journey of Lights. Journey of Lights is similar to Disney’s Spectromagic, Electrical Light Parade, and Paint the Night parades where performers, characters, and floats decorated in lights travel down the theme park’s trail to delight guests of all ages.

Of course, this is just a small sampling of the theme parks Asia has to offer. Stay tuned for more park features in one of our upcoming Wanderlust Wednesday posts!

*Note: One of the downfalls of Phuket Fantasea is the use of live animals as entertainment. Guests can interact with elephants as they are ridden within the park. Inside, there is also a location where white tigers reside (Tiger Jungle Adventure), and you can take photos with baby tigers and elephants. Animals are used in the live shows. For anyone who objects the use of wild animals for entertainment, Phuket Fantasea should be skipped.

**Note: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom faced severe criticism over the years due to polar bears being kept in captivity and penguins developing skin disorders due to being kept in a sub-tropical climate. They’ve also been criticized for the orca (killer whale) trade between China and Russia. The park also hosts shows featuring dolphins, sea lions, and beluga whales. Live bears, seals, and sea lions are also incorporated into displays around the amusement rides. For anyone who objects the use of wild animals for entertainment, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom should be skipped.

—-Olivia Murray

#AsianThemeParks #ChimelongOceanKingdom #polarbears #LEGOLANDMalaysia #PhuketFantasea #HengginOcean #SnowKingdom #RCityMall #MumbaiIndia #Thailand #AsianWaterParks #Malaysia #China #WorldsLargestAquarium #LEGONinjagoWorld #indoorthemeparkfun #AsianAmusementParks #waterparks #LEGOKingdom #kcrush #kcrushamerica #officialkcrush #GoldenKinnareeBuffetRestaurant #SuriyamasSeafoodBuffetRestaurant

GreatGuys (멋진녀석들) is a South Korean idol group signed to DNA Entertainment. They debuted on August 25, 2017, with the single “Last Men”. Since then, they have been actively promoting new songs and touring abroad. Eventually, they became the first K-pop group to hold a concert in the Dominican Republic. The group aims at showing different sides to their fans and always innovate musically speaking; from synth-pop, to R&B or even disco-based sounds, they are comfortable with every genre.

On July 20, 2022, GreatGuys released their fourth mini-album We’re Not Alone Final: Only You, with the lead single “Blind Love”, a dance/electronic song.

In the music video, the members hide their identities as vampires and live as bodyguards to protect the girls they love. Through the song, the members want to express that it is never a waste to give up everything to support the one you love unconditionally, and it contains the message that Greatguys will be with Grace for the rest of their lives.

Links: Instagram | Twitter | Tik Tok

Song : Music Video

#GREATGUYS #Vampireconcept #DNAEntertainment #GREATGUYSBLINDLOVE #GREATGUYSNEWSINGLE #GreatGuysLastMen #WereNotAloneFinalOnlyYouAlbum #kpop #krnb #DominicanRepublicConcert #kcrushnews #newmusic #Asianmusic #Korean #newalbum #GREATGUYSFANS #Jae I #Horyeong, #Haneul #Daun #Donghwi #Dongin #Hwalchan #Uiyeon #Baekgyeol #GREATGUYSGRACE

Acclaimed artist and producer benny blanco has teamed up with Jin, Jimin, V and Jung Kook of BTS and Snoop Dogg for a new song, “Bad Decisions,” out August 5. “Bad Decisions” is the first single to be released from benny’s forthcoming third LP, set for release later this year.

“I’m still pinching myself,” says benny. “I can’t believe I have a song coming out with Jin, Jimin, V and Jung Kook of BTS and Snoop Dogg. It doesn’t even feel real!”

Furthermore, Xbox will present benny, BTS and Snoop fans all around the world with several unique and unprecedented ways to celebrate the release. More details are forthcoming.

benny blanco is a multi-Platinum, award-winning artist, record producer, songwriter and musician. His two albums to date—FRIENDS KEEP SECRETS and FRIENDS KEEP SECRETS 2—have been streamed more than 8 billion times to date and seen him collaborate with Justin Bieber (their Platinum hit “Lonely” reached #1 on Top 40 radio and has been streamed more than 1 billion times), Halsey and Khalid (on the five times Platinum “Eastside,” a worldwide smash hit and Top 40 #1), Juice WRLD; Selena Gomez, J Balvin, Tainy, Calvin Harris and a host of others.

As a producer and songwriter, blanco is responsible for hundreds of millions of album sales worldwide due to his work with artists including Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Halsey, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kesha, Sia, The Weeknd, Selena Gomez, Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West and many more. He is the founder of two labels in collaboration with Interscope Records: Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets.

BTS are a GRAMMY-nominated South Korean boyband that has been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since their debut in June 2013. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic and self-produced music, top-notch performances, and the way they interact with their fans, the band has established themselves as 21st century pop icons breaking countless world records, including six #1 Billboard Hot 100 singles in a span of a year and just over a month, and multiple sold-out stadium shows across the world. BTS were nominated two years in a row for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 63rd and 64th GRAMMY Awards and have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards like the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards (Artist of the Year 2021) and MTV Video Music Awards. Jin, Jimin, V and Jung Kook are vocalists in the group.

An entertainment industry mogul, Snoop Dogg has reigned for nearly three decades as an unparalleled force who has raised the bar as a globally recognized innovator. Snoop Dogg is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, DJ, media personality, businessman and icon. In addition to his extensive work in music, Snoop Dogg is a serial entrepreneur with endeavors in Web 3.0 tech, entertainment, lifestyle, global consumer brands, food/beverage and cannabis industries.

#BennyBlanco #BTS #SnoopDogg #BadDecisions #August52022 #BennyBlancoBTSCollaboration #hiphop #kpop #pop #BIGHIT #HYBE #Xbox #BennyBlanco3rdLPRelease #newrelease #BTSCollaboration #kcrushnews #BTSSouthKorea #hiphopmusic #bennyblancoproducer #Jin #V #Jimin #JungKook #SacksandCo

GLOBAL CHART DOMINATING K-POP ACT TO FINALLY MAKE THEIR LANDING IN EUROPE

SOLD OUT STOPS IN NORTH AMERICA WITH ADDED SHOWS, SET TO TAKE OVER FIVE CITIES IN EUROPE

K-pop’s queens of musical lore, LOONA, announced the European leg of their 2022 LOONA 1st World Tour : [LOONATHEWORLD]. After taking on a full 14 shows in the Americas with sold out nights, the supergroup is ready to take on five cities in Europe, with stops in Warsaw, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, and London. Their European leg of the tour kicks off in Warsaw on September 6 and continues on through three more cities before reaching the last stop in London on September 16.

2022 LOONA 1st World Tour : [LOONATHEWORLD] sees the group make their first landing in Europe, a long awaited moment for fans of the group. It comes as no surprise that the tour itself was organized from the requests of many fans for the group to come to their city, concrete proof of their growing popularity.

The group stands as the epitome of mystery and allure in their concept storyline, seasoned with the charms of the different members that come together for the perfect combination of what makes K-pop unique. Even within the realm of K-pop, the girls stand tall in their distinctive personalities and charms – a dozen main characters, one for each month of the year.

The tour follows a successful first half of the year for LOONA who made their return to the big stage in front of an audience with 2022 이달의 소녀 CONCERT [LOONAVERSE : FROM] in Seoul back in February. From breaking their own first week sales with their recently released Summer Special Mini Album [Flip That] as well as dominating with No.1 on the iTunes Top Albums charts in at least 31 regions, the girls are set to bring their enchanting performances to Europe.

Information regarding presale and general ticketing for the shows can be found on https://mmt.fans/bFQS or through MyMusicTaste’s social media channels.

2022 LOONA 1st World Tour : [LOONATHEWORLD] in EUROPE Dates:

September 6, 2022 – Warsaw / Poland / Arena COS Torwar

September 8, 2022 – Amsterdam / Netherlands / AFAS Live

September 11, 2022 – Frankfurt / Germany / Jahrhunderthalle

September 13, 2022 – Paris / France / Le Zenith

September 16, 2022 – London / United Kingdom / O2 Academy Brixton

ARTIST) About LOONA:

MANAGEMENT AGENCY) About Blockberry Creative:

PROMOTER) 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 57 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 sophisticated, user-friendly service. Currently, www.mymusictaste.com supports more than 30 countries and offers 15 different languages.

For more about LOONA, visit:

Website: http://www.loonatheworld.com/

Facebook: loonatheworld

Instagram: @loonatheworld

Spotify: LOONA

TikTok: @loonatheworld

Twitter: @loonatheworld

YouTube: loonatheworld

#LOONA #MYMUSICTASTE #BlockberryCreative #LOONA1stWORLDTOUR #LOONATHEWORLD #kcrushnews ##HEEJIN #HYUNJIN #HASEUL #VIVI #YEOJIN #KIMLIP #JINSOUL #CHOERRY #YVES #CHUU #GOWON #OLIVEHYE #LOONAButterfly #LOONAFlipThat #LOONAWhyNot #inpersontour #LOONAConcert #LOONAfans #kpop #kpopmusic #kpopidols #kpopEuropeConcerts #kpopUSconcerts

Having taken the No.1 spot on the US Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart, the soaring Japanese boy band BE:FIRST are preparing to release their long-awaited debut album ‘BE:1’ on August 31, 2022. But fans won’t have to wait to hear new music from BE:FIRST – they have now released ‘Scream’, the lead single from the album, along with a music video.

‘Scream’ is an intense exhilarating dance track that shows a challenging new side of BE:FIRST. The song is produced by the power duo of SUNNY BOY, known for songs for artists including BTS, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, 2NE1, Namie Amuro, Daichi Miura, and SKY-HI; and Maxx Song, the leading K-pop producer behind BoA, Red Velvet, TWICE and more. The track features lyrics by SKY-HI that proclaim the dawn of a new era – perfectly fitting for the lead single from the debut album ‘BE:1’.

BE:FIRST ‘Scream’ download and streaming links:

https://BEFIRST.lnk.to/_BE1

The track is accompanied by an energetic music video based on the idea of “returning to the new normal” in a world where self-restraint and other limitations still continue; it interprets the title ‘Scream’ as a thirst for liberation, with visuals that show the catharsis of loudly screaming one’s desires. The video tells the story of the members of BE:FIRST overcoming the oppressive world of “walls”, “rules” and “fear”, to face the future and advance to the highest stage.

The dance elements were choreographed by Kazuki (s**t kingz), who took first place in the leading United States dance contest BODY ROCK in 2010 and 2011 as a member of s**t kingz. Look out for dance performances that showcase the energy of the group and the cool series of individual shots that highlight the skills of each member.

BE:FIRST ‘Scream’ music video:

https://youtu.be/KRsgokUKeiE

BE:FIRST’s official YouTube account has already surpassed an astonishing 200 million views despite its opening seven short months ago. In addition to music videos, dance practice videos, and livestreams, the channel also features the ‘You’re My “BESTY”’ series, which shows a glimpse of each member’s unique character and natural vibes. Videos in the series are subtitled in multiple languages so that fans around the world can appreciate the charms of BE:FIRST first-hand, as well as listen to their music.

‘You’re My “BESTY”’ playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrvWONK6FcnT_u87ljOQ-n419GILIo3

BE:FIRST is a seven-member dance and vocal group featuring SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, RYOKI, and LEO. They signed with BMSG, the management company and label led by SKY-HI. Their debut single ‘Gifted.’ was released in November 2021 and hit No.1 on the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100, as well as reached No.1 on the US Billboard Hot Trending Songs 24-hour chart. Their second single ‘Bye-Good-Bye’ also topped the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100, and its music video has received over 25 million views on YouTube.

———————————–

BE:FIRST release information

New single ‘Scream’ out now

‘Scream’ download and streaming links:

https://BEFIRST.lnk.to/_BE1

‘Scream’ music video:

https://youtu.be/KRsgokUKeiE

1st album ‘BE:1’

Released Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Product details/store:

https://shop.md-sass.jp/en/collections/befirst

————————————-

BE:FIRST profile

A seven-member dance and vocal group featuring SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, RYOKI, and LEO, signed to SKY-HI’s management company and label BMSG. Each member has a high level of ability and potential for singing, dancing, and rap, along with a musical sensitivity reflected in their songwriting and choreography. Each owns an attractive individuality that marks each of them as unique. Under the name BE:FIRST, this seven-piece group has swept the No.1 spots on various charts in Japan since before their debut. Now they are taking their bold first steps toward Asia and the world.

BE:FIRST links

Official website: https://befirst.tokyo/

Japanese Twitter: https://twitter.com/BEFIRSTofficial

Global Twitter: https://twitter.com/BEFIRST_global

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/befirst__official/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BEFIRSTofficial

TikTok: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSJnapbvM/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BEFIRSTOfficial/

BMSG links

Official website: https://bmsg.tokyo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BMSG_official

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmsg_official/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BMSG_official

#BEFIRST #BEFIRSTScream #BMSG #JPOP #SOTA @SHUNTO #MANATO #RYUHEI #JUNON #RYOKI #LEO #SKYHI #Asianmusic #Japaneseboygroup #Kazuki #YOUREMYBESTYSERIES #Debutalbum #ScreamMusicVideo #BEFIRSTSCREAMMUSICVIDEO #B1album

Former figure skater and Olympic medalist Kim Yuna will be a newlywed soon!

Korean media source The Fact discovered Kim has been dating Forestella’s Ko Woo Rim after essentially stalking the star for two months to uncover if dating rumors surrounding her were true. The Fact later published images of the two together on a date July 23, 2022. Along with the images, The Fact shared “proof” the female with Ko was Kim based on the design of woman’s phone case.

Kim, who leads a private life, has reportedly been dating Ko for three years. Beat Interactive, Ko’s agency, said Kim and Ko met in 2018 following the All That Skate Ice Show.

Following The Fact’s sharing of photos and Newsen’s report of the dating news, Beat Interactive released a statement that also confirmed Kim and Ko will get married this fall.

Hello. This is BEAT INTERACTIVE.

We have happy news to share regarding our agency’s artist Ko Woo Rim. Ko Wo Rim will be getting married to figure skating queen Kim Yuna in October.

The wedding ceremony will be carried out privately with close relatives and acquaintances, so we ask for generous understanding from the many fans and media for not revealing the specific details of the wedding date and wedding hall location.

Ko Woo Rim first met the bride-to-be in 2018 at the congratulatory performance for the All That Skate ice show, and after three years of dating, their love has come to bear fruit in the form of marriage.

Ko Woo Rim is a graduate of Seoul National University’s department of vocal music, and he is a member of the crossover male quartet group FORESTELLA that ultimately won JTBC’s “Phantom Singer 2.” With his weighty yet gentle and charming voice, solid singing skills, and romantic sensibility, he has been greeting the general public with numerous albums, concerts, and broadcast performances.

After marriage, Ko Woo Rim will continue to work actively as a member of FORESTELLA, a vocalist, and a crossover singer. Please send lots of support for Ko Woo Rim’s activities as he shows a more mature side to himself within a stable family.

Thank you.

Kim’s agency, All That Sports, also confirmed the marriage news.

“Kim and Ko first met when Forestella appeared as a guest singer at the All That Skate Ice Show in 2018, and dated for three years,” said All That Sports. “Both Kim and Ko want to have a normal wedding only with close relatives and acquaintances. We plan to proceed privately without revealing the specific wedding date and venue to the media.”

Kim is considered a national treasure in South Korea. She is the 2010 ladies’ singles figure skating Olympic champion and 2014 Olympic silver medalist. She is the 2009 and 2013 ladies’ figure skating world champion, 2009’s Four Continents champion, three-time Grand Prix Final champion, 2006’s World Juniors champion, and the 2005 Junior Grand Prix Final champion. She is also the six-time South Korean figure skating national champion. Kim is also the first female skater to win every major international figure skating competition. She is also the first figure skater ever to complete a Career Super Grand Slam by also winning the Junior Grand Prix Final and the Junior World Championships. During her career, Kim’s held 11 world record scores and broken 13 world records. Kim’s also the first and only figure skater to have never finished off the podium in her entire career under the current ISU Judging System.

Ko is the maknae of Forestella, a crossover vocal quartet. Ko graduated from Seoul National University as a voice major in 2019. He competed on Phantom Singer 2 where he was initially eliminated but ultimately saved. Prior to the show’s conclusion, Forestella was formed with Ko as a member of the group and won the competition. Ko is currently attending graduate school to earn a Master’s degree.

Congratulations to Yuna Kim and Ko Woo Rim on their relationship and upcoming marriage!

—-Olivia Murray

#Forestella #YunaKim #KoWooRim #YunaKimQueenOfFigureSkating #figureskater #PhantonSinger2 #SeoulNationalUniversity #kcrush #kcrushnews #AllThatSkateIceShow #weddingannouncement #engagement #BeatInteractiveAgency #SeoulKorea #Olympicmedalist

2012 was one of K-Pop’s stand out years thanks to hits from BIGBANG (“Fantastic Baby”), 2NE1 (“I Love You”), FTIsland (“Severely”), EPIK HIGH (“Don’t Hate Me”), Lee Seung-gi (“Return”), T-ara (“Lovey-Dovey”), Sistar (“Alone,” “Loving U”), and Block B (“Nillili Mambo”) among others. The year brought plenty of mainstream hits and helped the Hallyu Wave crash into more shores, especially in the United States. However, no song released at that time made the splash quite like PSY’s “Gangnam Style.”

“Industry executives, government officials, pundits, critics, fans… just assumed that the breakout star from Korea would likely be either a boy band or a girl band,” said president of the Seoul-based DFSB Kollective artist and label services agency, Bernie Cho. PSY “proved to everybody that instead of a Korean version of a Western pop star or an international pop star, what the world wanted was something very authentic, original, unique.”

Released on July 15, 2012, the smash hit was not only popular in South Korea, but it quickly climbed international charts, causing the song’s popularity to grow. Soon, “Gangnam Style” not only became a song that was both loved and loathed because of its airplay on the radio, TV shows, sports stadiums, and talk shows, but it also became an international dance craze and an award-winning track that placed K-Pop on the map as a culturally significant music genre in the West.

“It was really influential in perhaps making Korea or Korean music or Korean media more of a common element of general knowledge in lots of places… certainly in the US, but also globally,” said scholar Michelle Cho.

“These kinds of going-viral-on-the-internet media platforms, (such as) YouTube, made K-pop and hallyu really popular and big overseas,” Gyu Tag Lee, a Cultural Studies Professor specializing in K-Pop at Icheon’s George Mason University, said. “Without the big hit that was ‘Gangnam Style’, there may not have been BTS, there may not have been BLACKPINK.”

“I feel very proud that I had a role in being that trigger. BTS have thanked me for that part several times, so I’m proud of it,” PSY said during a press conference for his latest album, PSY 9^th.

“He was always someone I was grateful for,” BTS’ Suga said in an interview in May 2022. “With ‘Gangnam Style,’ he paved the way for K-pop in the United States that we were able to follow his footsteps with ease.”

“To have played a role in paving the way for music of all kinds to transcend borders is a true honor,” said PSY.

When it was released, not even PSY could have predicted how much of a viral hit and pop culture icon “Gangnam Style” would become.

According to PSY, “Gangnam Style” was created to poke fun at the Gangnam district lifestyle.

“People who are actually from Gangnam never proclaim that they are—it’s only the posers and wannabes that put on these airs and say that they are ‘Gangnam Style’—so this song is actually poking fun at those kinds of people who are trying very hard to be something that they’re not,” PSY told CNN in 2012.

The satirical song and video are about claiming to be from Gangnam in order to impress a girl, while the video’s dance and themes are intentionally uncouth as part of the fun. Initially, “Gangnam Style” was intended for the local South Korean audience as the humor within the themes, celebrity appearances, and lyrics would be familiar to the local audience.

However, the catchy song and music video appealed to international audiences, causing PSY to become a household name.

“The YouTube video never targeted foreign countries,” PSY told Reuters in 2012. “It was for local fans. My goal in this music video was to look uncool until the end. I achieved it.”

“Gangnam Style” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart while carving a path in music history. In the United States, it was certified platinum five times, while Australia saw the song certified 10 times platinum.

PSY’s hit track became the first YouTube video to hit 1 billion views, a feat it achieved December 21, 2012. Ten years later, it’s still one of the top five most-viewed YouTube videos, coming in fifth with 4.4 billion views as of July 15, 2022. The top four consists of “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and featuring Bruno Mars (4.6 billion views), Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” featuring Charlie Puth (5.5 billion views), “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran (5.7 billion views), and “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee (7.8 billion views). The YouTube “Billion Views Club” now has over 300 members, and this is thanks to “Gangnam Style” breaking the floodgates.

“[PSY] broke the rules of the game. The traditional marketing and promotional playbooks were essentially thrown out the window,” said DFSB Kollective’s Bernie Cho. “[‘Gangnam Style’ showed] the importance, the impact, the influence of YouTube on pop music and pop culture worldwide.”

Since the release of “Gangnam Style,” streaming has become the music industry’s main source of revenue. In addition to changing the industry’s revenue stream, music charts have also adapted to include YouTube and other streaming services into their metrics.

Ten years later, PSY is still going strong. Since 2012, PSY has gone on to create other well-known hits including “Gentleman” (2013) and “Daddy” with CL (2015). He’s also collaborated with Snoop Dogg (“Hangover”) (2014) and “That That” with Suga (2022). He’s also created his own company, P Nation, which is home to HyunA, Dawn, Heize, Crush, and Jessi (formerly). PSY also developed his own idol group, TNX, which debuted in 2022.

“Gangnam Style” is one of those once in a generation pop culture events that will be looked upon in the years to come. Congratulations to PSY for his impact on music history!

—-Olivia Murray

#PSY #GangnamStyle #Gentleman #YouTube #kpop #koreanmusic #Asianmusic #PSYInternationalCharts #PNation #PSY10Years #kcrush #kcrushamerica #PSY10TimesPlatinum #DFSBKollective #BernieCho #PSYDaddy #PSY2012 #PSYBrokeRecords #kpopidol #GangnamStyleBroughtStreaming #PSYInternationalMusicCharts #TNX #HyunA #Dawn #Heize #Crush #Jessi #YouTubeBillionViewersClub

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was gunned down Friday July 8, 2022 while campaigning in the city of Nara. The longest running Japanese prime minister (2006-2007; 2012-2020) was 67-years old.

Abe, who was campaigning for political candidate Kei Sato, was giving a speech at the time of the shooting. Video taken during the event shows Abe speaking to constituents prior to collapsing from gunshot wounds in the chest and possibly the neck*. Another video also shows a man wearing grey holding what appears to be a large, crudely made gun prior to being tackled by security and arrested.

Reports suggest the weapon the alleged gunman— identified as 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, a former Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force member— used is a homemade gun known as a “zip gun,” but Japanese authorities have yet to confirm this information, although they have said the gun appears to be homemade.

Following the shooting, reports indicate that Abe was briefly responsive before “showing no vital signs.” He was transported to the hospital “in a state of cardio-respiratory arrest**” where initial reports indicate he was in “critical to very grave condition.” He was pronounced dead at 5:03pm local time.

Nara Medical University emergency department chief Hidetada Fukushima said Abe suffered major damage to his heart in addition to two neck wounds that damaged an artery, causing extensive bleeding.

Abe’s assassination is the first murder of a Japanese prime minister since Tsuyoshi Inukai in 1932. He is the third prime minister in Japan assassinated. Takashi Hara was the first in 1921.

Japan has some of the world’s strictest gun laws, so the shooting adds another layer of shock to a country already dealing with Abe’s death.

The World Reacts

Many current and former world leaders expressed their shock following the news of Abe’s death.

“He was working for peace and stability in Japan and the world,” current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said during a press conference. “He was a dear friend who loved this country… To lose such a figure in this manner is absolutely devastating.”

“I am stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened by the news that my friend Abe Shinzo, former Prime Minister of Japan, was shot and killed while campaigning,” Joe Biden, President of the United States said. “This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him.”

President Biden also added, “He was a champion of the Alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people. The longest serving Japanese Prime Minister, his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure. Above all, he cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service. Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy.”

“I am shocked and saddened by the assassination of my friend and longtime partner Shinzo Abe in Japan. Former Prime Minister Abe was devoted to both the country he served and the extraordinary alliance between the United States and Japan,” former United States President Barack Obama said in a statement shared on Twitter.

While attending the G20 summit in Indonesia, United States Secretary of State Tony Blinken told reporters, “This is shocking. It’s profoundly disturbing … It’s also such a strong personal loss for so many people. In the United States, Prime Minister Abe was an extraordinary partner. And someone who clearly was a great leader for Japan.”

“Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe,” United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. “His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and the Japanese people. The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.”

“On behalf of the French people, I send my condolences to the Japanese authorities and people after the assassination of Shinzo Abe. Japan is losing a great Prime Minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to bring balance to the world,” French president Emmanuel Macron tweeted.

“Horrible news of a brutal assassination of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. I am extending my deepest condolences to his family and the people of Japan at this difficult time. This heinous act of violence has no excuse,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a tweet.

Shinzo Abe’s Prime Minister Tenure

Abe was the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at the time of his death.

In 2006, Abe held Japan’s Prime Minister position, making him the youngest post-war prime minister in Japan’s history.

His first stint as prime minister was rocked with scandal, including the government’s loss of pension records that affected 50 million claims according to the BBC. The LDP party suffered during 2007’s upper house elections, which didn’t help Abe’s role at the time.

In 2007, he stepped down due to ulcerative colitis, but with the help of medication, he got the disease under control. He was once again voted in as prime minister in 2012. He was re-elected again in 2014 and 2017, helping him become Japan’s longest serving prime minister. He retired in 2020 due to his inability to carry on his duties due to a return of his ulcerative colitis.

During his tenure, Abe was known for his nationalist views. While his tenure as prime minister had many successes, there were failures and controversies in-between.

One of Abe’s economic policies, “Abenomics,” was viewed as helping Japan return to an economic growth period. The policy involved negative short term interest rates “that made it cheaper for consumers and companies to borrow money and spend, increasing government spending on infrastructure and more financial incentives such as tax breaks, and reforms that sought to add more women into the workforce, and allow more migrants in to ease labor pressures and kickstart growth,” according to the BBC. While Japan’s economy did experience growth, the Covid-19 outbreak forced the country into a recession, which led to criticisms of Abe’s economic policies.

Other criticisms surrounding Abenomics involved the shortcomings of tackling nepotism, having more women in the workforce, and changing unhealthy, negative working environments. Critics cite these promised changes remained unfulfilled during Abe’s tenure.

In 2015, Abe was successful in passing legislation that allows Japan’s military to expand its operations overseas in support of allies.

During the pandemic, Abe faced criticism regarding his handling of the outbreak as he campaigned to boost domestic tourism, which many viewed as assisting the virus’ spread.

Abe was unable to secure the return of the Northern Territories/Kuril Islands off the coast of Hokkaido. The disputed islands are claimed by both Russia and Japan.

One of his goals during his prime minister stint was to change Japan’s pacifist constitution which was drafted by the United States following WWII. Japanese conservatives view the constitution as a humiliating defeat following WWII, while others view it as “a brake on entanglement in foreign conflicts.”

Amending the constitution did not happen.

Abe was also critical of China, often angering the country, especially regarding his stance on Taiwan.

“A Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency,” Abe said while adding it would be impossible for Japan not to get involved in a conflict with China over Taiwan’s self-governing status.

China and Japan also have disputes over islands in the East China Sea.

Controversies

Abe wasn’t a stranger to controversy during his prime minister run.

In 2012, Abe proposed the Restoration of Sovereignty Day, which was first celebrated April 23, 2013. The holiday was designated to mark the end of end of the US occupation of Japan. Many Okinawans viewed the celebration as an act of betrayal. Okinawa was invaded by the United States in 1945; it wasn’t returned to Japan until 1972. Nearly three-quarters of US troops stationed in Japan under a bilateral treaty are based in Okinawa.

China and South Korea, collectively, took issue with Abe’s handling of post-Japanese occupation and comfort women controversies accountability.

With China, seven decades of bitterness exist over the atrocities the country suffered at the hands of the Japanese during Japan’s occupation in Manchuria and Nanjing among other locations. Japan was responsible for millions of deaths in China during their occupation.

In South Korea, the wounds left by Japan stem from nearly a century of forced labor, occupation, and kidnapping and sending women to work as comfort women in Japanese-run brothels. South Korea has demanded apologies and reparations for the atrocities they endured thanks to Japanese rule.

Japan’s issues with both South Korea and China are more detailed and nuanced.

While both countries have asked for formal apologies, Japanese officials have provided them over the years, but Abe’s actions have been viewed as insincere. Instances where Abe visited Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine have been viewed as unfavorable as the shrine is a site linked to Japan’s militarism before and during WWII.

Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan’s war dead and convicted war criminals.

“The Yasukuni Shrine issue is about whether Japan correctly acknowledges its history of invasion and of Japanese militarism, and about the feelings of the people in the victims’ countries, including China,” China’s former Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in 2012.

Visitations to the shrine are viewed as leadership lacking remorse for the war crimes Japan committed in China and South Korea, and his visits in 2013 and 2020 were met with protests from the Chinese and South Koreans.

In 2015, Japan–South Korea Comfort Women Agreement was declared to resolve the comfort women issue between the two countries. In the agreement, Japan was set to apologize for Japan’s treatment of comfort women with South Korea set to accept the apology.

During the summit phone call December 28, 2015, Abe sent his “sincere apologies” to South Korea’s then-president, Park Geun-hye. The phone call addressed that a final agreement was in place between the two countries.

Afterwards, a foundation was set up in South Korea under the Japan–South Korea Comfort Women Agreement where Japan provided 1 billion yen to the foundation. According to The Japan Times, of the 47 women who were alive when the agreement was reached, 36 wanted to receive cash payments and 34 of them went on to receive about 10 million yen each.

However, South Korea did not support the agreement, so the deal was scrapped in 2017. In South Korea, President Moon Jae-in’s administration dissolved the foundation, effectively annulling the agreement that was in place between the countries, once again heightening tensions.

Prior to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korean president Moon Jae-in once again called for renewed talks with Japan and a sincere apology from Prime Minister Abe, to which Abe told reporters, “We can by no means accept South Korea’s unilateral request for additional measures,” adding that additional apologies are “unacceptable.”

While many in Japan praised Abe’s stance to not give in to South Korea’s demands, others internationally view Abe’s comments and actions as detrimental and a roadblock to creating a working relationship between the two countries.

Despite his politics and controversies, many view the assassination of Shinzo Abe a horrific wrong bestowed upon Japan and the legacy he worked to build.

Abe leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Akie Abe (née Matsuzaki). The couple did not have children.

*Initial reports stated Abe was shot in the neck and chest. Later reports state Abe was only shot in the chest. However, the medical team that tried to save Abe said he had wounds to the neck and chest.

**In Japan, a “state of cardio-respiratory arrest” is used before a death is confirmed by a doctor.

—-Olivia Murray

#ShinzoAbe #JapanesePrimeMinister #JapansFormerPrimeMinister #Japan #ShinzoAbedeath #kcrushnews

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