Fans of the female quintet SPICA have a reason to celebrate as Bohyung and Boa will return to the music scene as a new duo!
On February 11, 2020, Bohyung and Boa announced that they will reunite as the duo KEEMBO. The caption excitedly says “Guys you can cry! Scream as loud as you want!”
Since SPICA disbanded in 2017, Bohyung and Boa have been busy with their own activites. Boa has performed backup vocals for several singles including Momolandâs âBboom Bboom,â while Bohyung has released solo music.
Are you excited for KEEMBO? We wish them the best as they begin their new path as a duo!
—-Olivia Murray
After several requests on social media, BTS will finally appear on James Cordenâs âCarpool Karaokeâ segment of The Late Late Show with James Corden.
On February 25, 2020, BTS will appear on the popular segment that features Corden singing songs with popular artists while on the road.
#BTSCarpoolFEB25 pic.twitter.com/2zgTzmWxHy
â The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) February 17, 2020
Fans have asked for BTS to appear on âCarpool Karaokeâ since they performed âBlack Swanâ on The Late Late Show in January.
Given how their new album, Map the Soul: 7, comes out February 21, perhaps weâll hear them perform their new tracks during the segment?
Check out their âBlack Swanâ performance on The Late Late Show with James Corden below.
Photo cr. Forbes
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—-Olivia Murray
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Entertainment following the expiration of their exclusive contracts. Polaris acknowledged the trioâs leave in a brief statement.
Hello. This is Polaris Entertainment.
We inform you that Polaris Entertainmentâs exclusive contract with group Ladiesâ Code has ended as of February 17.
Before we announce the unfortunate news, we would like to express our sadness for having to say goodbye to the members who carried out their activities passionately until the end. Moreover, we express our gratitude that canât be expressed in words to the Ladiesâ Code members who went through joys and sorrows as artists under our agency for seven years.
We send our unsparing support for Ladiesâ Codeâs future activities, and we will look forward to and wait for the members to promote again as Ladiesâ Code.
Following the news, Ashley, Zuni, and Sojung posted messages to their fans.
In a heart-wrenching Instagram post that featured images of the Ladiesâ Code members including the late EunBi and RiSe, Ashley wrote:
To my beloved Lavely.
Hello, this is Ladiesâ Codeâs Ashley. Itâs very cold these days. Have you been dressing warmly? Seven years have already passed since we and Lavely met.
Many happy and sad things happened during those years. When we were happy, we were even happier because we had Lavely, and because Lavely were next to us when we were going through hard times, we didnât give up and were able to keep going.
To be honest, I feel sad and apologetic about not having spent more time with Lavely, but we will halt our activities as Ladiesâ Code for a while and show ourselves doing our best in our own respective positions. While I feel afraid because itâs my first time starting out alone, I will make a good impression as Choi Bit Na and Ashley instead of an idol, so please cheer me on a lot.
More than anything, I was so thankful and happy to have been able to promote with RiSe, EunB, Sojung, and Zuny as the group Ladiesâ Code.
Thank you for the precious memories, our members and Lavely. Thank you for giving me so much undeserved love despite my many shortcomings. I will be thankful if you could cheer for the new paths taken by each of the three members Lee So Jung, Kim Joo Mi, and Ashley.
Also, thank you to the Polaris Entertainment family for being with us all this time! I will never forget the love we received until now. Be healthy and happy. I love you.
From Ladiesâ Codeâs Ashley.
View this post on Instagram
On her Instagram, Sojung said,
Hello. This is Ladiesâ Codeâs Sojung.
So much time has passed already⌠I feel like time is heartless for passing by so quickly, and I also feel sad and upset for not having been able to return the great amount of love youâve sent me despite my shortcomingsâŚ
Meeting my beloved members [Ashley] unni, RiSe unni, EunB unni, and Zuny was the biggest gift of my life. Iâm sincerely thankful to our Polaris family who sent me this gift and stayed with us during this long time.
Though we will each be taking on new challenges in our own places, we will be waiting for the day we can reunite as Ladiesâ Code.
Many things have happened, but I was able to hang on because of our fans who always cheered us on, cared for us, and loved us. Thank you so much.
I was so happy during every moment we spent together. I wonât forget.
Though I feel sad, Iâm going to do my best to show my other sides as âLee So Jungâ! Please support my new beginning!
Thank you to all the fans overseas who have supported and watched me from afar (written in English).
I will become a good artist who brings good music as well as a good person. I love you a lot and thank you so much. From Sojung.
Finally, Zuny wrote:
Hello. This is Ladiesâ Codeâs chic cool guy Zuny.
Itâs my first time writing a letter like this so Iâm not sure what I should say to start it off.
Itâs already been seven years with Ladiesâ Code and Lavely. Now that I think about it, time really feels fast.
Weâve gone through many things together, crying and laughing, and itâs time for us to stay apart for a while, so Iâm handwriting a letter to express my heart to the members and Lavely. It breaks my heart to think about the Lavely who will be sad to hear this news, but we are not partingâwe are only staying apart temporarily to go our own ways. So please donât be too sad, and I would like it if you could support the paths we take!!
I was the maknae who didnât express herself much and had many shortcomings, but Iâd like to express my gratitude to the members and Lavely who gave me many great memories, love, and happiness that canât be expressed in words. My current self exists because there were the members and Lavely, and I will always work hard in life, engraving those thankful people in my heart who always believed in me and waited for me by my side. The people who were by my side even during hard timesâŚ
I will always work hard with a thankful heart. Thank you for helping me realize many things during the seven years, for providing nice relationships, for always taking care of me, waiting for me, and giving me strength by my side, and for giving me bountiful love.
Now, I will work even harder to give a good impression as Kim Joo Mi, not Zuny. Our house owner grandma~ Soju Sojung~ Lavely, I love you, and I really care about you a lot. Thank you for being someone precious to me. Thank you for everything so far.
From Zuny.
All three girls acknowledge that Ladiesâ Code will be on hiatus while each of them pursue new solo activities. Going forward, Zuny will be going by her real name, Kim Joo-Mi, while Sojung will go proceed as Lee So-Jung, and Ashley will use both Ashley and her Korean name, Choi Bit-Na.
When Ladiesâ Code debuted in 2013, they were one of the up-and-coming girl groups to watch. Sadly, in 2014, a car accident took the lives of EunB and RiSe and since, promotions were seldom as the group reformed as a trio and Polaris failed to promote them properly. Ladiesâ Code last release, âSet Me Free,â on October 10, 2019.
We wish Ashley, So-Jung, and Joo-Mi the best in their futures!
Photo cr. AsianStar
—-Olivia Murray
ONCEs can rejoice as TWICE may soon be whole again!
Mina, who has been absent from group activities since July 2019 due to anxiety, recently joined TWICE on stage to perform âFeel Specialâ during the groupâs TWICELIGHTS in Japan Tour stop in Fukuoka to the delight of fans worldwide. Soon after her appearance on stage, #ProudofYouMina trended on Twitter.
JYP Entertainment recently shared that Mina has been feeling increasingly better, but she is still undergoing constant treatment to help her with her anxiety disorder. Starting in January, Mina has made a few appearances with TWICE during fan meets and a few other activities.
On February 12, 2020, JYP Entertainment said, âThe condition of Minaâs health has stabilized a lot. Future activities will continue to be carried out with careful consideration of Minaâs health.â
JYP Entertainment will take Minaâs feelings into account, but there seems to be hope that TWICE will be a nine-member team soon!
Check out Minaâs triumphant return below.
Photo Cr. Kpopmap
—-Olivia Murray
A trainee from the multi-national group and talent agency Yuehua Entertainment (Everglow, UNIQ, Cosmic Girls) has been arrested for fraud and dropped from the company.
On February 5, 2020, Huang Zhibo, who appeared on the Chinese survival show All for One, was arrested for fraud after scamming Chinese citizens by selling masks that were supposed to protect against the spread of the Coronavirus. However, the masks he allegedly had did not exist.
A week prior to his arrest, Huang posted on his Weibo account offering to help people during the Coronavirus crisis.
While running his alleged scam, Huang supposedly made close $40,000 USD.
Upon his arrest, Huangâs contract with Yuehua was terminated.
“It’s true that Huang Zhibo was arrested on charges of online scamming,â Yuehua Entertainment said in a statement. âWe will participate as necessary in the police investigation. We have terminated Hwang’s trainee contract, and we would like to apologize for the bad influences this incident may have.”
Police were alerted to the purported scam when Huang didnât show up to the meeting locations where he promised to hand out masks.
Shanghai police arrested Huang and seized his property when they arrested him. While searching the property, the police did not find the medical masks Huang claimed he had.
According to XportsNews, Huang did not have anything to say regarding his arrest beyond the statement that his head hurt.
Currently, Huang is being held in police detention and questioned.
—-Olivia Murray
Following the release of their new single âBOUNCY,â Woollim Entertainment announced that Rocket Punchâs Yunkyoung will sit out the groupâs music show appearances due to a knee injury. Woollim made the announcement through a statement on February 17, 2020.
Hello, this is Woollim Entertainment.
First, we wish to thank the fans who always care for Rocket Punch. We would like to give a notice regarding the activities of Rocket Punch member Yunkyoung.
In the process of preparing for the new album, Yunkyoung felt pain in her knee and was diagnosed with traumatic synovitis.
The doctor stated that this would not impede on her carrying out promotional activities, and though we minimized Yunkyoungâs activities and made efforts in various ways to work towards a successful comeback while maintaining her health, we have observed throughout the start of âBOUNCYâ activities that it will be difficult for Yunkyoung to partake in scheduled activities such as music shows that require her to perform choreography.
However, Yunkyoung has a strong desire to not worry fans who have been waiting for this comeback for six months, and as she is not suffering from any health problems other than her knee, she will be greeting fans at all scheduled activities other than music shows.
Following this decision, Rocket Punch will be promoting âBOUNCYâ with five members on music shows from this week, and Yunkyoung will rejoin her members to greet fans once she has recovered.
Once again, we wish to sincerely thank fans for supporting Rocket Punchâs second mini album âred Punch,â and we will continue to do our best to support our artists while putting their health first.
We also ask for your unending support for the five members who will continue with promotional activities for âBOUNCY.â
Thank you.
While she will sit out music show performances, Yunkyoung is expected to still participate in fan meets. Hopefully Yunkyoung will heal well.
Photo Cr. Korean CELEB
—-Olivia Murray
On Monday January 10 and Tuesday January 11, 2020, the 144th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show took place in New Yorkâs Madison Square Garden. The event hosted hundreds of dogs vying for the coveted Best in Show, with the standard poodle, Siba, taking home the prize.
While itâs fun to watch the annual event, thereâs nothing better and more loyal than the pooch right beside you if youâre a dog owner.
Dogs are known for their loving hearts and loyalty, and for years, stories of their love and devotion earn viral attention whenever someone needs to hear something positive and uplifting.
Naturally, we want to celebrate âmanâs best friendâ here at Kcrush in honor of one the United Statesâ most popular February events by celebrating some dog stories that captivated people across the world and stem from Asia.
One of the worldâs most famous stories of love and loyalty comes from Japan where an Akita named HachikĹ waited for nine years, nine months, and 15 days at the Shibuya Station for his master, HidesaburĹ Ueno, to return home from work.
Born in 1923, HachikĹ was the loyal canine of Ueno and would follow Ueno to the Shibuya Station when he would leave for work at the Tokyo Imperial University. In turn, HachikĹ would go to the station to meet Ueno after work when they would travel home together.
On May 21, 1925, Ueno suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while teaching a class at the Tokyo Imperial University. Unfortunately, the hemorrhage caused Uenoâs untimely death at the age of 53. HachikĹâs master was never to return home.
However, HachikĹ continued to go to the Shibuya Station every day at the time Ueno was supposed to come home. The dog waited for his human in hopes that he would return until his death March 8, 1935 when he was 11-years old. HachikĹâs official cause of death was terminal cancer and a filaria infection.
At first, HachikĹâs daily visits were reportedly an annoyance to those working at Shibuya Station, but those who knew Ueno and HachikĹ felt for the dog. However, an article written by one of Uenoâs former students for Asahi Shimbun brought attention to HachikĹ, making him a national celebrity. Visitors to the Shibuya Station would feed him and give him water during his visits to wait for Ueno.
Following HachikĹâs death, his cremains were buried next to Uero at Aoyama Cemetery, Minato, Tokyo. At the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo, HachikĹâs fur is on display.
In 1934, a bronze statue of HachikĹ was displayed at the Shibuya Station, but during WWII, the country took down the statue to use the materials during the war efforts. However, in 1948, a new statue was erected and remains today. Four other HachikĹ statues exist in Japan and in the United States: Ĺdate Station and the Akita Dog Museum in Ĺdate, Akita Prefecture, Japan; the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Tokyo (the stature features HachikĹ and Ueno); and in Woonsocket, Rhode Island at the Woonsocket Depot Square where the film, Hachi: A Dogâs Tale was filmed. Hachi was based on HachikĹâs story.
Today, HachikĹ is still a symbol of love and loyalty in Japan. Each year on March 8, a remembrance celebration is held for HachikĹ at the Shibuya Station. In 2003, Shibuya even created a four-route mini-bus called the âHachikĹ-Busâ that travels in Shibuya. In schools, HachikĹâs example used to be used to teach students about familial loyalty. In popular culture, films, books, and even advertising feature HachikĹ and his story.
For many dogs, loyalty is commonplace, but for HachikĹ, loyalty was a way of life and example to all of us about the power of love and undying hope.
Photo cr. Wikimedia Commons, The Vintage News, Matcha
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—-Olivia Murray
Itâs double the baby news for former LABOUM member Yulhee and her husband, FTISLANDâs Minhwan as their twins entered the world on February 11, 2020! Minhwan confirmed the news on Instagram in a post.
Hello, this is Minhwan.
Today, February 11, was the due date of our Ddo twins! Ddoya was born at 9:18 a.m. and Ddoddoya at 9:19 a.m. in good health!
My wife is also recovering strongly!
I still cannot believe that I am the father of three children, but I will work even harder to live a more beautiful life with our children!
Thank you so much to everyone who has shown support!!
Minhwan and Yulhee, who star in the reality show Mr. House Husband, learned they would be having twin girls while filming the show.
Ddoya and Ddoddoya are the girlsâ nicknames. During a fanmeet featured on Mr. House Husband, Minhwan revealed the girlsâ names are Ah-Yoon and Ah-Rin.
âThe first daughter is Ah Yoon and the second is Ah Rin. I came up with one name and Yulhee came up with the other,â he said.
The girls will soon join big brother Jaeyul at home. Congratulations to the family!
Photo cr. Allkpop
—-Olivia Murray
Go Soo-Jung, 25, who is known for her roles in BTSâ âWith Seoulâ MV (2017) and as one of Ji Eun Takâs (Kim go-Eun) ghost friends in the drama Goblin (2016) and had a role in Solomonâs Perjury has passed away following a battle with chronic illness.
Her agency, Story J Entertainment, confirmed the news via a brief statement.
“A few days ago, actress Go Soo Jung bid farewell to this world and became one of the bright stars in the sky,â the agency said. “We will always remember actress Go Soo Jung and her glowing smile which brightened the world. Please wish her a safe passage.”
Details surrounding her illness were not released.
The actressâ private funeral was held February 9, 2020. Friends and family were in attendance.
We send Go Soo-Jungâs family and friends our condolences.
—-Olivia Murray
On Monday January 10 and Tuesday January 11, 2020, the 144th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will take place in New Yorkâs Madison Square Garden. The event plays host to hundreds of dogs vying for the coveted Best in Show. While itâs fun to watch the annual event, thereâs nothing better and more loyal than the pooch right beside you if youâre a dog owner.
Dogs are known for their loving hearts and loyalty, and for years, stories of their love and devotion earn viral attention whenever someone needs to hear something positive and uplifting.
Naturally, we want to celebrate âmanâs best friendâ here at Kcrush in honor of one the United Statesâ most popular February events by celebrating some dog stories that captivated people across the world and stem from Asia.
On Jindo Island in South Korea, one of Koreaâs national treasures resides. Here, the Jindo Dog thrives, and the residents raise up to 30,000 to 50,000 puppies a year, and no dog can leave the island without a government permit. The Jindo Dog is a source of income for those who live on the island, and now they are a tourist attraction thanks to Donji-riâs Jindo Dog theme park and research center.
At Jindo Land, the dogs are trained and socialized daily while handlers at the park promote the skills and intelligence of the breed. Here, dogs learn tricks, do agility, and even perform daily shows for tourists where they even paint pictures and dance. During an NBC Sports segment during the 2019 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the dogsâ handlers even state the Jindo has an ear for music, particularly rap.
At the Jindo Museum, guests can learn more about the dogâs history, in particular the story about Baekgu, the dog that brought attention to the island and global attention toward the breed due to her 180-mile journey home from Daegu to Jindo Island. The Jindo Museum has information about breed traits, and you can see how they are trained for agility and obedience. Guests can even leave notes for the dogs.
The research center also is a place to learn more about the breed. Here, researchers can trace the dogsâ ancestry, especially when it comes to finding descendants of the islandâs beloved Baekgu, and owners who have descendants of Baekgu receive certificates. The center also works and making sure the breed remains pure and true to breed standards. The research center also has a vet for the islandâs dogs and also provides housing for the dogs.
Naturally, many do have issues with Jindo Land as rescue groups and animal rights advocates feel that those who run the theme park and museum do not do enough to educate people about the dog meat trade in South Korea, but with growing interest in the breed and with the theme park becoming a tourist attraction, there may be hope for change and education regarding this matter.
If you want to visit Jindo Island and the Jindo Dog Theme Park, it is located at 7 Dongoe-ri, Jindo-eup, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. More information can be found here. Tourists can also take guided tours around the island to learn more about the culture, landscape, people, and the dogs that call it home.
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Photo Cr. Jindo.go.kr
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—-Olivia Murray
Hereâs an interview of Madi Davies – whom I met waiting outside the Seoul Fashion Week shows. I briefly talked to her and thought she could provide an interesting interview for our readers. We would like to thank Madi for offering her precious time and wish her all the best in the future.
Please introduce yourself and what you do to our readers please.
Hello, my name is Madison. I am 22 years old and from America. I am a Korean language student here in Korea, aspiring to be a model.
Share with us your story on how you initially came to live in Korea and how you got interested in the culture.
When I was in college back in 2016, I met a friend that asked me to attend a B.A.P concert with her in Nashville. This peaked my interest in KPOP. I became really interested in the way KPOP was portrayed, as it is the kind of production Iâve always wanted to do myself but never saw in America. I decided I would do what I could to make sure I was able to live out my dreams and attempt to do this kind of music in Korea, too. I moved to South Korea in November of 2017 and immediately started training at a KPOP school in Dance, Vocal ability, Acting, and the Korean language. While I enjoyed my experience and was always encouraged well by my teachers and mentors I quickly found that I had no passion in studying this way.
How did you learn Korean so quickly? Any advice on how to learn the language sufficiently?
I initially started studying inside my KPOP school with a mentor with 5 other students. I didnât feel I was learning at the speed I could be learning so I decided to enroll at a college Language institute. In March of 2018 I went to Sogang University for 3 months to learn Korean. I learned a lot and very quickly but I found it was hard for me to get along with my peers due to the career path I had chosen and decided it was too toxic of an environment for me to stay in. I left Sogang and started spending more time making Korean friends and studying at home. This way I learn not as fast but still affectively and happily. Iâve made a lot of Korean friends and speak with them often. Iâd say a key point in learning Korean fast and well is constantly putting yourself in a position where speaking Korean is your only option as well as making as many Korean only speaking friends as you can.
What kind of songs do you listen to the most these days? Do you still practice singing?
I LOVE Korean RnB music and its what I listen to the most. I love all different kinds of music and I am always listening to something different. Recently Iâve lost my connection with practicing my singing and Iâve fallen quite shy because of it when singing. I sing songs to myself here and there when Iâm in my home or walking down empty streets at night.
What do you like to do in your free time?
These days in my free time I like going to cafes with my friend and Bullet Journaling. We order a cup of coffee and just write and talk about our days together. We also often take night walks, though these days its very cold.
Do you have a favorite place/location in Korea that youâd recommend people to visit?
I really love the Sinsa area recently! I often go to the cafes there! Wonderful service and a great atmosphere. Mangwon-dong is lovely too. Me and my friends love to explore and always find new spots in Seoul to hangout in.
What do you most miss about the U.S.?
Iâd say what I miss the most about the U.S. is the daily human interaction. Often where Iâm from in the states. We will stop and say hi or politely smile to the people we pass by even if they are strangers. In Korea it is very strange to do these things with each other and it often doesnât happen.
What would you advise to someone who wants to come to Korea to pursue a career in the Korean show business?
In Korea its all about connections. Be social and utilize the small world of foreigners to help you make those connections in Korea. Try not to submit or conform completely to Korean standards but also donât be too stubborn in your foreign ways that you donât make any changes to fit in to the Korean standard. Learn Korean well! This is a MAJOR part of your business.
Name some memorable things that youâve done in year 2019.
I got to enter into the world of fashion in Korea and became an intern with a fashion news photographer in Seoul. I got to go to fashion shows and meet lots of people. I got the opportunity to do this interview and introduce myself to you all!
What are your plans and hopes for 2020?
In 2020 I hope to sign with a Korean entertainment company for acting and modeling and perfect my Korean as best I can! Iâve loved watching myself grow into the person I am today over the years in Korea. Korea is my home and I canât wait to see what the next few years have in store for me! ^^
–J. Chung.
Bong Joon-Ho had a big night at the 2020 Academy Awards!
Bongâs global hit movie, Parasite, took home four of the six awards it was nominated for during the February 9, 2020 ceremony.
Parasite is a dark comedy about a poor household that hatches a scheme to become employees of a wealthier family by pretending to be highly qualified for the tasks.
The film was highly rated by film critics and audiences alike, and it became a runaway favorite to win several awards during the 2019-2020 film award season internationally. However, foreign language films have a difficult time breaking into Hollywood let alone winning any awards, but Parasite has done what many have deemed impossible to some extent.
Parasite scored nominations in the Best Picture, Best Director, Film Editing, Production Design, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film; the film won for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film.
For Best Original Screenplay, which was announced first for Parasiteâs four wins, Bong and Jin Won-Han became the first South Koreans to win an award at the Oscars and the sixth foreign language film to win the award.
ââŚwriting a script is always such a lonely process,â Bong said. âWe never write to represent our country. But this is very personal. I thank all the actors who are here with me today for bringing this film to life.â
The win for Best International Feature Film wasnât a surprise to many as the filmâs announcement brought a strong ovation.
âI am ready to drink tonight,â Bong said after the win. Then, Bong won the award for Best Director, which seemingly came as a surprise. He provided shout-outs to the other nominees before concluding with âNow, Iâm ready to drink until tomorrow.â
With his Best Director win, Bong is only the second director to snag the award with a foreign language film. In 2019, Alfonso CaurĂłn won the award with Roma. After Ang Lee with Life of Pi (2013) and Brokeback Mountain (2006), Bong is the second director of Asian descent to earn the award, but he is the first from South Korea to do so.
With its Best Picture win, Parasite became the first foreign language film to take home the Academyâs biggest award. Over the Academy Awardsâ history, ten international feature films have been nominated for Best Picture but failed to snag a win. Like 2009âs Slumdog Millionaire, Parasite won Best Picture despite no one in the cast being nominated for any of the best acting categories. Parasite also became the first film to win both the Best International Feature Film award and Best Picture.
For an awards show that often doesnât celebrate diversity, Parasiteâs nominations and wins made it one of the few films starring and directed by minorities to be honored at the event. This year also marked the first time someone of Maori-descent won an Oscar with Taika Waititiâs win for Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit. Waititi is the first indigenous person to be nominated for the category.
Congratulations to Parasite and Bong Joon-Ho for their historic wins! Hopefully more doors will open for minority actors, films, and directors in the future.
—-Olivia Murray
On Monday January 10 and Tuesday January 11, 2020, the 144th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will take place in New Yorkâs Madison Square Garden. The event plays host to hundreds of dogs vying for the coveted Best in Show. While itâs fun to watch the annual event, thereâs nothing better and more loyal than the pooch right beside you if youâre a dog owner.
Dogs are known for their loving hearts and loyalty, and for years, stories of their love and devotion earn viral attention whenever someone needs to hear something positive and uplifting.
Naturally, we want to celebrate âmanâs best friendâ here at Kcrush in honor of one the United Statesâ most popular February events by celebrating some dog stories that captivated people across the world and stem from Asia, starting in South Korea with the stories of two dogs named Baekgu (White Dog).
A Long Journey Home
In 1993, a female Jindo dog named Baekgu captivated the nation with her story of devotion toward her owner, Park Bok-Dan, an elderly woman on Jindo Island.
Park, who was 83 at the time, sold her five-year-old female Jindo to someone who, in turn, sold the dog to someone in Daejoon, located 180 miles away from Jindo Island. According to The New York Times, Park considered the dog âa hassleâ due to her giving birth to several litters of puppies, which prompted her getting rid of the dog. However, it appears Baekgu didnât consider Park a hassle as she desired to return home to her.
According to the story, Baekgu escaped her new home and journeyed for seven months to go back to Jindo Island to be with Park. While the dog lost weight and appeared ragged, she survived the journey and lived for seven more years with her original owner who decided to keep her as a reward for her loyalty.
Lee Ki-seo, Parkâs son, said, âBaekgu was there, grown thin after a long trip. Mother never parted from it again until it died.â
In 2004, Jindo Country erected a statue in the dogâs honor.
Baekguâs story became a South Korean phenomenon as she was honored in different ways since her tale unfolded. A musical called White Heart Baekgu was created in honor of the brave dog, while documentaries, books, games, and cartoons were created recounting her story or inspired by story.
Loyal to the End
In 2000, a male Jindo named Baekgu lived with his owner, Park Wan-Suh, on Jindo Island. Park passed away from liver disease, and Baekgu, who was four-years old at the time, appeared to have mourned his ownerâs passing. The dog did not eat for a week. Baekgu stayed with Park for three days until someone found his body. Parkâs funeral was held and Baekgu was in attendance before returning to his home where it was reported the dog refused to eat.
The Korean Jindo Dog Research Institute rescued Baekgu from the home soon after, and that is where he lived out the rest of his life. Sadly, Baekgu did not welcome any interactions with anyone besides his caretaker.
The maleâs Baekguâs story is a testament of love and devotion even when death occurs. While Baekguâs story was a newsmaker at the time, his actions didnât spread as wide as the female Baekguâs story, but those on Jindo Island are aware of his loyalty.
Dogs continue to amaze people with their love and loyalty. Please check out the rest of the stories as we celebrate dogs all week!
Photo cr. AKC, National Purebred Dog Day
—-Olivia Murray
Another Crayon Pop member will be walking down the aisle and having a baby soon!
Gummi (Baek Boram), 31, announced on her fan cafĂŠ that she will be marrying her non-celebrity fiancĂŠ, a businessman. In her message, she also stated that they have a child on the way.
Hello, my beloved fans. This is Crayon Popâs Gummi. Itâs been a while. Have you all been well? Iâm doing well, too. Make sure you take care of your health! I havenât been active lately, so I felt terrible for not being able to communicate with you guys often.
However, thanks to my fans who always ask how Iâm doing and send me messages of support even when Iâm not good at expressing myself, I received a lot of strength and comfort.
I debuted as a part of Crayon Pop in 2012, and the time can seem long and short. The moments I spent with you guys pass through my mind like a kaleidoscope.
When I look back, there are many good and happy memories. Sometimes it was tough, but there were many more amazing moments. Iâm really grateful, and Iâd like to sincerely thank all of you. I was so immersed in the memories that it took me some time to get to the point.
SoâŚthe reason why I wrote a letter today is that I wanted my fans to be the first ones to know the news. Itâs a bit awkward to sayâŚI will become one manâs wife on February 23.
And Iâm getting ready to be the mother of a child soon. He is my longtime friend and lover, and weâve been dating for a while. He is a reliable person who has always been by my side.
I promised to spend the rest of my life with this man who truly knows what happiness is.
You must have been very surprised to hear the sudden news of my marriage, but Iâd be more than happy if you welcomed it with a warm blessing.
I will treasure the love you sent and make sure to live all moments wisely with a grateful heart.
Rosa Sposa, where Gummiâsâwho now promotes as an actress by the name of Song Boramâdress came from, confirmed the marriage news also.
âGummi will be getting married to same-age businessman in Seoul on February 23,â the bridal store said.
With her marriage and pregnancy announcements, Gummi becomes the second Crayon Pop to wed and have a child. Soyul married H.O.Tâs Moon Jee-Hun in 2017. In May of that year, the pair welcomed daughter, Jam-Jam. The trio now appear on Superman is Back 2.
We wish Gummi the best with her upcoming marriage, and we hope she and her soon-to-be husband have a happy, healthy baby.
—-Olivia Murray
Sandara Park will be appearing in her first musical soon!
Known mononymously as Dara, the actress and former 2NE1 singer will star as the female lead in the musical production of Another Oh Hae-Young (also known as Another Miss Oh). Dara will play Park Do-Kyungâs ex-fiancĂŠe, Oh Hae-Young. She will share the role with former Stellar member Hyoeun.
The musical is based on the 2016 TvN drama of the same name. The drama is about two women named Oh Hae-Young who have different personalities but share a connection to Park Do-Kyung. In the drama, Park can see into the future.
The writerâs group Never-Ending Play adapted to drama into the musical. It will be directed by Choo Jung-Hwa and musical director Heo Soo-Hyun. It will also feature songs from the drama including Benâs âLike a Dreamâ and Jung Seung-Hwanâs âIf Itâs You.â
In addition to Dara and Hyoeun, the musical will also star Moon Jin-Ah, Shin Eui-Jung, and Yoo Joo-Hye as Oh Hae-Young (the one who isnât Do-Kyungâs fiancĂŠe). g.o.dâs Son Ho-Young, MBLAQâs Seungho, and Kim Ji-On will play Park Do-Kyung. Jeon Hye-Sun and Go Eun-Young will play Park Soo-Kyung. Jo Poong-Rae and Heo Gyu-Ga will play Lee Jin-Sang. Jo Eun-Sol and Goo Joon-Mo will play Han Tae-Jin.
The musical is slated to premier at Seokyeong Universityâs Performing Arts Center in March 2020.
Whoâs excited to see Daraâs next chapter in her career?
Photo cr. Kprofiles
—-Olivia Murray
With Weki-Mekiâs coming up later this month, fans of the girl group wondered if Choi Yoojung would also be coming back following her hiatus. Fans didnât have to wait long for news as Fantagio confirmed Choi will be participating in the groupâs comeback!
âChoi Yoojung will be joining for the comeback, and they have completed the album jacket photo shoot,â the agency said.
On October 16, 2019, Fantagio announced that Choi would be taking a break from activities to focus on her health. While her specific health concerns werenât revealed, fans and the K-Pop community applauded Fantagio for allowing the singer time to rest.
During her hiatus, Choi created her own Instagram account, which prompted Netizens to leave malicious comments on her DM.
With Choiâs return, Weki-Meki is, again, an eight-member group. They had their last comeback in August 2019 with âTiki-Taka (99%).â
Are you excited to see Choi Yoojung and Weki-Meki return?
—-Olivia Murray
Following the Produce X 101, Idol School, and Produce 48 voting scandals and X1âs disbandment, IZ*One, who were lucky to survive the scandals, will be making their comeback.
The group was slated to originally come back November 11, 2019, but the vote-rigging controversy put their future in doubt. However, it seems they survived the controversy, and itâs time to find out how fans will react.
The female project group will hold their comeback February 17, 2020 with the title track âFIESTAâ from their new BLOOM*IZ album. The album will be released at 6PM KST while the comeback show will air on MNET, YouTube, M2 (Facebook), and Stone Music Entertainment at 8PM KST.
Are you excited for IZ*Oneâs return?
—-Olivia Murray
A third member of the early 2000s K-Pop group Click-B will be getting married soon!
Oh Jong-Hyuk will join fellow members Kim Sang-Hyuk and Evan on the marriage journey when he marries his non-celebrity fiancĂŠe this coming May in Gangnam.
In November 2019 on the talk show Video Star, Oh revealed he was in relationship.
In addition to being a Click-B member, Oh performed under the stage name OJ. Heâs performed in musical over the years and made appearances in the films Cheese in the Trap and Musudan as well as the drama Healer.
Click-B debuted in 1999 and have released albums sporadically over the years. The seven-member group last made a comeback in 2015 with âReborn.â Theyâve been inactive since, but individual members have had activities.
We wish Oh and his soon-to-be wife the best in their future!
Photo cr. Viki
—-Olivia Murray
With the last decade now behind us, itâs time to look back at the K-Pop songs that helped shape it. With so many great songs released between 2010-2019, itâs hard to narrow down which ones made the most impact. Here are the Kcrush staffâs choices for iconic songs that shaped the decade.
â24 Hoursâ â Sunmi (2013)
â24 Hoursâ was Sunmiâs solo debut, and it was such a solid debut that it cemented her as one the decadeâs top solo artists. Her strong vocals were backed by a solid track that combined a strong dance track with tango, and if you listen closely, thereâs 8-bit beats mixed in. Even in 2020, â24 Hoursâ is a track that many K-Pop fans recommend to others being introduced to the genre.
âA Guysâ â N.O.M (Nature of Man) (2013)
Outside the hardcore K-Pop fandom, N.O.Mâs âA Guysâ is one of K-Popâs best-kept secrets. âA Guysâ embraced gender fluidity, but it also gives us an MV that had a lot of people WTFing for a while. The meme-heavy song, MV, and group even made it onto the once-popular K-Pop channel Eat Your Kimchi for special appearances. The song definitely isnât the best on this list, but itâs iconic for making people feel uncomfortable. Itâs also iconic for acknowledging the âthird sex.â
 âA.D.T.O.Yâ â 2PM (2013)
The early 2000s were 2PMâs best years, and âA.D.T.O.Yâ was no exception to the rule. The song showcased 2PMâs sexier side and even gave us the gloriously misheard âbooty, yaâ lyric that became a popular joke with K-Pop fans and K-Pop bloggers alike.
 âAloneâ â Sistar (2012)
Sistar, who were mostly known for their perennial summer hits, gained most of their popularity from âAloneâ when it came out in April 2012. The track stayed on the Gaon Charts for six consecutive weeks and began a trend where each single since âAloneâsâ release appeared within the top 20 on US music charts.
âBad Girl, Good Girlâ â miss A (2010)
miss Aâs debut track proved to be golden when it was released. âBad Girl, Good Girlâ peaked at number one on Koreaâs music charts and picked up a bonsang and âSong of the Yearâ awards at the Seoul Music Awards and Mnet Asian Music Awards, respectively. This song and the groupâs subsequent tracks were the reason miss A were one of the top girl groups in the early decade.
âBad Girlâ â Ladiesâ Code (2013)
When Ladiesâ Code debuted, many pegged them as one of the power girl groups of the future. Unfortunately, unfathomable tragedy and being from a smaller company did not work in their favor. However, âBad Girlâ is a constant reminder that power vocals will catch enough peopleâs attention to create a stir and that being from a smaller company should never matter when talent should.
âBadmanâ â B.A.P (2013)
âBadmanâ helped land B.A.P a spot in Social Justice Song Walk of Fame⌠if, of course, such an honor existed. âBadmanâ touched on several social issues regarding race relations, governmental control, loss of innocence, and issues of a police state within the MV. Back in 2013, the MV seemed edgy, but now itâs more relevant that ever given the state of several affairs, especially in the United States. Itâs safe to say that âBadmanâ grew more relevant over time.
âBang Bang Bangâ â BIGBANG (2015)
BIGBANG earned the crown as being one of the biggest influences of decade, and songs like âBang Bang Bangâ showed their staying power and immense global popularity. âBang Bang Bangâ was a popular track globally, earning the win for âSong of the Yearâ during the Mnet Music Awards. It, along with a few others on this list, even earned US radio play in some markets. In Japan, âBang Bang Bangâ also won âAsian Song of the Yearâ at the Japan Gold Disc Awards in 2016 and 2017. The song sold over 5 million copies making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
âBang!â â After School (2010)
After Schoolâs third release is one of the groupâs most memorable. The percussion and shouted chorus are iconic in their own rights, but many remember the MV and the band-inspired costumes. Unfortunately, the dance for âBang!â didnât come without controversy as German dancer and choreographer Camillo Lauricella claimed portions of the dance were hers and that Pledis didnât credit her. Despite the controversy, âBang!â stayed on the Korean music charts for several weeks.
âBar Bar Barâ â Crayon Pop (2013)
Crayon Popâs âBar Bar Barâ was one of the decadeâs most well-known songs thanks to its bubbly, repetitive chorus, infamous helmets, and âpiston danceâ that gained viral popularity and international fame. For two months, it was in the running for music show wins before taking home its first win in August (it often competed against EXOâs âGrowlâ). The song peaked at number one on several music charts, and it helped the group win awards at the year-end award shows. The MV sparked several dance covers and parodies that added to the fun of one of the yearâs surprise hits. It, along with âGangnam Styleâ and âI Got a Boyâ are considered responsible for 2013âs Hallyu Wave power.
âBboom Bboomâ â Momoland (2018)
The track is considered a âsleeper hitâ as it didnât peak at number two on the music charts until two months after its initial release. For twelve weeks straight, it was nominated for the number one spot on Inkigayo, and it was the first girl group track to be certified platinum from the Gaon Music Chart.
âBboom Bboomâ proved to be a divisive song as K-Pop fans either loved it or hated it. Regardless, it was one of the biggest singles of 2018 and helped Momoland become one of the most talked about groups of the year.
âBe My Babyâ â Wonder Girls (2011)
âBe My Babyâ peaked at number one on the Korean music charts and even earned US airplay thanks to the English version featured on Wonder Girlsâ American TV movie, The Wonder Girls, that aired on Nickelodeon. âBe My Babyâsâ MV featured choreography by Jonteâ Moaning, the choreographer behind Beyonceâs âSingle Ladies.â The MV is reminiscent of Beyonceâs video thanks to the dance and black and white cinematography, but Wonder Girls managed to make the concepts their own.
 âBlack Swanâ â Rainbow (2015)
âBlack Songâ was considered a flop in Korea, but itâs unclear as to why it flopped. The strong, memorable chorus made the song a standout, and the MV was a masterpiece all its own. The MV played on concepts from the film Black Swan all while touching on concepts of mental illness. âBlack Swanâ will always be an underappreciated art piece.
âBloomâ â Gain (2012)
Gain is a queen at pushing boundaries, and âBloomâ Â is one of the many instances where she crossed a line with the conservative crowd. Gain decided to go with an R-rated theme for the MV after being slammed with R-ratings with previous MVs.
âI felt that some of our previous MVs had received R-ratings for no apparently good reason. So for my recent MV, I decided to give them one,â Gain said in 2012.  She added that her own mother suggested adding more explicit content to the MV, but we bet her mom wasnât expecting scenes depicting sex and female masturbation, a first for a K-Pop MV! The track itself alludes to female sexuality and the female orgasm, so blessed be âBloomâ for going places others didnât want to explore just yet in the K-Pop world and embracing female sexuality.
âBonamanaâ â Super Junior (2010)
âBonamanaâ marked Super Juniorâs fastest rise to the top of the Music Bank charts when it was released, and it quickly became a top track in 2010. The funk-electronica/hip-hop track provided a different style for Super Junior, and the repetitive Afro-tom inspired beat caught many ears. Paired with highly stylized MV that featured strong lighting shifts and a dance inspired by moves made by speedskaters, âBonamanaâ is one of Super Juniorâs most recognizable tracks.
âBoombayahâ â BLACKPINK (2016)
BLACKPINKâs debut song was a strong performer domestically and abroad. âBoombayahâ performed well on the Korean charts, but it made an impact on the US music charts more as it peaked at number one on Billboardâs World Digital Chart. The highly anticipated debut single continues to earn views on YouTube and recognition for being one of the strongest girl group debuts in the debut.
âBoy with Luvâ â BTS ft. Halsey (2019)
2019 was the year of BTS, and K-Pop fans and non-fans couldnât escape âBoy with Luvâ as it was literally everywhere. US radio stations had the song in heavy rotation, and sporting arenas blasted it as well. When youâre waiting in the pharmacy and the song comes on, itâs clear that BTS cemented themselves in music history, not just K-Pop history.
âBreathâ â SM the Ballad (2014)
âBreathâ is a unique song as it was released in three languages within a three-day period (February 10-12). The Korean version is performed by SNSDâs Taeyeon and the late Jonghyun (SHINee), while Chen (EXO) and Zhang Liyin perform the Chinese version, and Max Changmin (TVXQ) and Krystal (f(x)) perform the Japanese version. The Korean version charted in the top ten on the Korean music charts in February 2014.
 âBreatheâ â Lee Hi (2016)
When it was released in 2016, âBreatheâ performed well on the Korean music charts, but it wasnât until 2017 when Lee Hiâs hit song gained meaning following the passing of SHINeeâs Jonghyun, the songâs writer. âBreatheâ became synonymous with tributes that poured in for Jonghyun, making the track Lee Hiâs most meaningful one.
âBubble Popâ â HyunA (2011)
Rich in innuendo, âBubble Popâ was banned for being âsexually suggestive.â The fun, summery track is unassuming in its sexual tones, but when paired with the dance and MV, the innuendo slaps listeners in the face. It was one of the tracks that earned HyunA the title of queen of the sexy concept while still remaining a fun, lighthearted free spirit.
âCatch Meâ â TVXQ (2012)
The chorus for âCatch Meâ remains one of the most remember choruses in TVXQâs discography. For some fans, the way the songâs chorusâ arranged, they have a hard time believing itâs just the remaining two members of the group performing it! The dance breaks and overall arrangement of the song keeps it exciting from beginning to end while maintaining that distinct SM Entertainment sound.
âCheer Upâ â Hong Jin Young (2014)
In 2014, âCheer Upâ became one of the most well-known Trot songs of the year and quite possibly the decade. The songâs hopeful message helped it become a well-known track  for international audiences.
âCheer Upâ â TWICE (2016)
TWICE quickly became one of the âitâ groups of the latter half of the decade, and songs like âCheer Upâ are the reason why. âCheer Up,â which captures the flustered feelings of love, topped K-Pop charts and snagged music show wins. The MV also brought a lot of meme-worthy moments, especially with Sanaâs âshy, shy, shy.â
âCherry Blossom Endingâ â Busker Busker (2012)
âCherry Blossom Endingâ was a surprise hit for Busker Busker. The trackâs bouncy beat and folksy appeal resonated with many as the ideal song to usher in spring. Since 2012, the now-disbanded groupâs song consistently appears on the Korean music charts as a perennial springtime hit that appeals to the masses.
 âCrayonâ â G-Dragon (2012)
The song, which is a play on âcray onâ (crazy on) was another hit that crossed over into the international markets. The song included a lot of pop cultural references including Heath Ledgerâs âwhy so serious?â line from The Dark Knight. Spin named âCrayonâ the best K-Pop song of 2012, and it remained in the top ten on the Gaon Chart for two months. Â
âCrazyâ â 4Minute (2015)
âCrazyâ made quite the splash when it was released! The single reached number one on the Billboard World Album chart, and it peaked in the top five on Korean music charts. In 2017, âCrazyâ reached 100 million YouTube views making 4Minute only the sixth Korean girl group to reach this milestone and the first girl group from a non-Big Three company to do so.
âDangerâ â BTS (2014)
Back before their global group status, BTS were a bunch of fresh-faced kids serving up bops that didnât have the pop cultural status they have now. âDangerâ is one of those tracks that performed moderately well on the Korean charts, but it was one of three BTS tracks to appear on the US music charts. Looking back, âDangerâ is just one of the few tracks that helped get BTS Fever started.
âDonât Cryâ â Park Bom (2011)
During her 2NE1 years, Park Bom was also on top of the world. She was a featured artist on many singles, but her second solo single, âDonât Cry,â was a track that struck the right chord with many. âDonât Cryâ achieved a perfect-all kill in Korea. Domestically, it sold over 2.5 million copies. It was also her first track to sell in the US with over 10,000 copies sold.
âDonât Hate Meâ â EPIKHIGH (2012)
âDonât Hate Meâ was EPIKHIGHâs first release after joining YG Entertainment, and their first release following a three-year hiatus while Mithra and DJ Tukutz completed their required military service. âDonât Hate Meâ was the second release from the groupâs 99 album following âItâs Cold,â which featured Lee Hi. However, âDonât Hate Meâ was the standout track as it polarized EPIKHIGH fans due to many liking the new sound and others hating the turn the group took toward what many felt was a more pop direction. Tablo stated the songs on the album were reflective of the music the group listened to growing up in the 1990s, so it was supposed to have an old-school feel. With that old-school feel, âDonât Hate Meâ had a solid chorus, but the MV is what enhanced the songâs iconic nature. Rich in pop culture references, the MV features adorable children creating havoc while dressing like Lady Gaga, G-Dragon, and Jigsaw among others.
âDopeâ â BTS (2015)
While it didnât perform as well as âI Need Uâ and âRunâ in Korea, âDopeâ experienced success in the US market. Even today, the instrumentals for âDopeâ appear in television show promos and commercials in the United States, showing that a good beat will sell anything.
âDr. Feel Goodâ â RaNia (2013)
Prior to the group being the hot-mess it is now thanks to DR Musicâs horrible mismanagement, RaNia made waves as Koreaâs âsexyâ girl group thanks to the banned track âDr. Feel Good.â Baby V.O.Xâs third generation pushed the envelope with their leather-clad ensemble and provocative lyrics that struck a chord with some audiences suggesting that it was okay to be sexy. Unfortunately, it didnât fit into a conservative society.
 âEyes, Nose, Lipsâ â Taeyang (2014)
Taeyangâs song was a viral hit in 2014. The song was covered by several Korean artists with perhaps Tablo putting the best spin on his cover release. Taeyangâs song was the second-best performing song of 2014 and was critically acclaimed not only domestically but abroad as well. The song sold 2.5 million copies and won several awards and music shows in 2014, and it remains as Taeyangâs top-selling track to date.
âFaceâ â Nuâest (2012)
âFaceâ was a strong debut for Nuâest, and it was named as one of 2012âs top songs. The lyrics resonated with many fans as it dealt with the topic of bullying and societal pressures, making it a rare topical song. The track remains as one of Nuâestâs most popular singles and a powerful song thanks to its timeless theme.
âFake Loveâ â BTS (2018)
âFake Loveâ was BTSâ first top-ten track on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Itâs also the second-highest charting song by a Korean group in the US. âFake Loveâ made its world television debut during 2018 Billboard Music Awards, making them the first Korean group to debut a new single performance on a US-based awards show. âFake Loveâ was also the first introduction to BTS to many music fans who were unaware of BTS and K-Pop, so itâs marked as one of defining moments in BTSâ storied career.
âFantastic Babyâ â BIGBANG (2012)
If âFantastic Babyâ isnât the first thing to come to mind after someone says âwow,â then youâre either lying or not a K-Pop fan. 2012 was, by far, BIGBANGâs biggest and most iconic year. Between âBlue,â âMonster,â and âBad Boyâ all being massive hits for the group, âFantastic Babyâ is the hit that defined their year. âFantastic Babyâ caused Rolling Stone to call BIGBANG one of the best groups of all time, and the song became one of the best-selling tracks all time in Asia, not just South Korea. The song spent over 100 weeks on Billboardâs World Digital Singles chart, and it was certified platinum in 2013. The trackâs universal appeal remains today.
âFemale Presidentâ â Girlâs Day (2013)
When it was released, âFemale Presidentâ became a polarizing song for Girlâs Day. While it was praised for being âempoweringâ and even snagging the group their first music show wins, others felt the track didnât live up to the âempowermentâ hype and instead helped solidify that Korea is still a misogynist society due to the MVâs stylization that seemed to entice the male gaze. The lyrics call for women to go get what they want, but the MV does tend to confuse the meaning. To this day, âFemale Presidentâ remains one of Girlâs Dayâs most popularâand most talked aboutâsongs.
âFictionâ â Beast (2011)
In 2011, âFictionâ was one of the biggest tracks of the year. The song is one of the reasons Beast snagged âArtist of the Yearâ at the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards and âSong of the Yearâ at the KBS Music Festival and âBest Male Dance Performanceâ at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. The dance for âFictionâ is considered one of K-Popâs most known and popular dances.
 âGangnam Styleâ â PSY (2013)
âGangnam Styleâ is undeniably the top recognized track of the decade. With well over a billion views on YouTube, PSYâs hit song is the dictionary image of âKorean Waveâ as itâs the song the crashed upon the worldâs shores. What was meant as a fun summer song was the viral hit of the decade, and it was heard everywhere from baseball stadiums to the radio to several parodies online and on TV. The MVâs âhorse danceâ also became a viral act within itself. Thanks to PSY and âGangnam Style,â the Korean Wave that began with 2NE1, BIGBANG, SNSD, and the Wonder Girls picked up steam to help it become the global phenomena it is today!
 âGood Dayâ â IU (2010)
If you know IU, chances are you are familiar with âGood Day,â which is one of her biggest tracks to date. From 2010 to 2012, âGood Dayâ took home several awards for âSong of the Year,â âRecord of the Year,â and âBest Female Solo.â To win awards two years after its release says a lot about the track that features IUâs strong vocals and an orchestra to separate it from other pop songs released that year.
âHands Upâ â 2PM (2011)
2PMâs âHands Upâ is a track that can be considered a party anthem for many. The upbeat music and memorable, simple chorus defined 2011 for 2PM. The song peaked at number one on the Gaon Charts.
âHigh Highâ GD & T.O.P (2010)
Peaking at number three on the Korean music charts, âHigh Highâ earned more praise from US fans and critics than it did in Korea. Rich in innuendo, âHigh Highâ is a Pop-Rap/Electropop song that samples from Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rickâs âLa Di Da Di.â In the US, Spin, Stereogum, and Billboard consider the track one of the greatest K-Pop songs of all time.
 âI Am the Bestâ â 2NE1 (2011)
âI Am the Bestâ is one of those rare songs that got more popular as it got older. At the time of its release, the song peaked at number one on both the Gaon Chart and the Billboard US World Digital Songs chart. However, in the late 2010s, its appearance in mainstream US media enhanced the songâs cultural impact as Microsoft used it for their Surface Pro 3 ads and featured in So You Think You Can Dance when it was performed by Jenna Johnson and Mark Kanemura, and in the âBoard Gamesâ episode of South Park. CL also helped close out the PyeongChang Olympics by performing the song in front of a global audience.
âI Got a Boyâ â Girlsâ Generation (2013)
âI Got a Boyâ is as iconic as it is infamous given itâs tempo and sound changes throughout the song and the lyrics that have also been mocked for the many misheard moments (âI got a boy on my chin, I got a boy chickenâ). The songâs composition was considered a game-changer at the time and even drew comparisons to Queenâs âBohemian Rhapsodyâ for its various structural changes. In the US, it was the fourth best-selling song of 2013 behind PSYâs âGangnam Styleâ and âGentlemanâ and BIGBANGâs âFantastic Baby.â
âKill This Loveâ â BLACKPINK (2019)
âKill This Loveâ appeared on 27 music charts globally showing that âKill This Loveâ had immense popularity when it was release. The song broke YouTubeâs record for the most views in a 24-period when it was released, and it became the best-charting song by a South Korean girl group in the United States at the time. The track was identified as one of the yearâs best breakup anthems as well.
âPsychoâ â Red Velvet (2019)
Red Velvet wrapped up the decade with a bang with âPsycho.â With its release, Red Velvet became the only girl group in history to peak at number one three times on US album charts, surpassing Destinyâs Child and The Pussycat Dolls in doing so. The song also marked the first time in 2019 that a girl group received a Perfect All-Kill on Korean music charts, and it became SM Entertainmentâs fastest track to 50 million views on YouTube, doing so in 19 days, 15 hours, and 32 minutes. In January 2020, rumors also began circulating that the song will also be featured in the film Birds of Prey. âPsychoâ earns praise for reigning in two decades.
âLast Romeoâ â Infinite (2014)
This retro Synth-Rock track marked a strong comeback for Infinite back in 2014. âLast Romeoâ presented the group in a more mature light and gave them a more mature sound while remaining uniquely Infinite. Infinite songs are always recognizable thanks to the use of synth, and âLast Romeoâ is one of their essential tracks.
âLike Ooh Ahhâ â TWICE (2015)
TWICE came roaring into the K-Pop scene when âLike Ooh Ahhâ dropped October 2015. The track not only shot up the charts and peaked at number ten on the Korean side, it peaked at number six on Billboardâs World Digital Songs chart in the US. The MV provided insights into the groupâs personality and quirkiness in a fun, humorous, and colorful way. Itâs one of three TWICE songs to earn well over 100 million views on YouTube, and itâs the song that kicked off TWICEâs already successful career.
 âLoserâ â BIGBANG (2015)
âLoserâ was the Gaon Chartâs second-best performing song of the year in 2015. The song showcased a more mature sound for BIGBANG and covered themes of fear, self-doubt, and unhappiness. The track is one that resonates with many fans due to its theming, which is why it was named one of the best songs of the year by Fuse. Thanks to âLoser,â BIGBANG became the group with the most triple crown wins on Inkigayo, a record previously held by g.o.d. It also won âSong of the Yearâ at the Golden Disk Awards.
âLove is Energyâ â Chi Chi (2012)
Unfortunately, Chi Chi was one of those girl groups that have a few bops (*cough* âLongerâ *cough*) in their discography, but they disbanded quietly without getting much of a chance. However, âLove is Energyâ was one of their gifts to the K-Pop world as it is the song and MV that gave birth to the iconic âhand blenderâ dance that appears in K-Pop dances still to this day. Tzuyu does it in TWICEâs âHeart Shakerâ MV!
âLove Scenarioâ â iKON (2018)
B.I said âLove Scenarioâ was inspired by the last ten minutes of the film La La Landâ in an interview. The song became one of 2018âs biggest hits, scoring several awards during awards season. The catchy, simplistic tune was also popular with young children, so much so that some Korean elementary schools banned the song due to inappropriate lyrics and childrenâs addiction to it. In 2018, it was also one of the top karaoke songs in Korea.
âLove Songâ â RAIN (2010)
For âLove Song,â itâs difficult to tell which is more iconic: The song or the intense use of body rolls throughout the MV. The song itself oozed sexuality, but the MV quenched a lot of peopleâs thirsts. But then thereâs that weird moment of trying to catch some sleep while someone sings over you and dry-humping the air that makes things a little awkwardâŚ
âLoveyaâ â SS501 (2010)
âLoveyaâ was SS501âs last song before their contracts expired with DSP Entertainment. The song was promoted a short period due to the contract expirations, but it performed well and took home a Music Bank win. The memorable chorus, use of violins, and overall arrangement makes âLoveyaâ one of K-Popâs timeless classics. Even today, the song stands strong as a track that should be essential on any K-Pop loverâs music list because it hasnât aged. âLoveyaâ Â is a throwback to one of K-Popâs best eras.
âLovey Doveyâ T-ara (2012)
T-ara were the retro queens in the early 2010s. Inspired by the US and European club scenes, âLovey Doveyâ provides a late-era disco sound. âLovey Doveyâ was T-araâs third consecutive number one track and became one of the yearâs best-selling songs with over 3.7 million copies sold. The song also had a popular dance that became a viral sensation that inspired several YouTube covers. SPEED also their own version of the song called âLovey-Dovey Plus.â
âLuciferâ â SHINee (2010)
The Lucifer mini album was the sixth best-selling album of 2010. The song itself was also a chart-topper and spent 57 weeks on the US Billboardâs World Digital Song Sales chart. The song, which was written by Bebe Rexha and Yoo Young-Jin, took home four music show wins during its run. âLuciferâ is one of SHINeeâs essential classics, and even in the late 2010s, it remained a pop cultural icon. In 2018, the song was even featured in the American TV show Lucifer in 2018!
âMadlyâ â FTIsland (2013)
âMadlyâ became a radio hit when it was released. The songâs haunting melodies and chorus helped the song become one that was popular with international FTIsland fans. For months after its release, it played in heavy rotation on Arirang Radio.
 âMamaâ â EXO (2012)
âMamaâ was hailed as one of the most memorable debuts for a group. The opening set the tone well, even though it is often mocked for some of the awkward English moments, but it helped to build excitement for EXOâs concept. The MVâs powerful dance sequences and the songâs overall arrangement set the tone for EXOâs eventual success.
âMamma Miaâ â KARA (2014)
Promoted simultaneously in Korea and Japan, âMamma Miaâ was KARAâs eleventh single. The single marked the first time Youngji performed with the group following Nicole and Jiyoungâs departure. âMamma Miaâ showcased KARAâs unique vibe while showing how they grew as a group.
âMarionetteâ â Stellar (2014)
âMarionetteâ was a controversial release for Stellar, but it helped them garner attention. The MV featured heavy sexual innuendo, and as it turns out, the girls didnât expect to be present. Gayoung said the group was pressured into their sexy concept starting with this trackâs MV, and it marked one of the many times in recent years that artists spoke out against the dark side of the K-Pop industry. While controversial, âMarrionetteâ was Stellarâs best-selling single and shed light on manipulation and emotional abuse.
 âMr. Mr.â â Girlsâ Generation (2014)
Billboard named âMr. Mr.â one of the best tracks of 2014, and even Time Magazine recognized it as one of the best songs of the year. âMr. Mr.â features a retro electropop sound that was praised by critics and K-Pop fans alike. The song also caused controversy with male K-Pop group Mr. Mr. as they blamed it for why they werenât showing on search engines. The group also released a âMr. Mr.â diss track, and it was confirmed by the agency that the song was a diss song, but it was an intended diss toward SM Entertainment. Â When you release a song that receives hate from another group, you definitely reached icon status.
âMr. Simpleâ â Super Junior (2011)
In Japan, âMr. Simpleâ was the 85th best selling single of 2011 and was certified gold by RIAJ, thus showing off the trackâs international popularity. âMr. Simpleâ was one of top tracks of 2011 when it took home several music show wins and swept the award shows for which it was nominated.
 âNu Aboâ â f(x) (2010)
f(x) released the catchy âNu Aboâ May 4, 2010. The song showed off f(x)âs unique style, sound, and color and quickly shot up the charts to peak at number one on the Gaon chart. The song sold over 2.2 million copies and kicked off f(x)âs best selling era that occurred between 2010 to 2012.
âOne of a Kindâ â G-Dragon (2012)
Considered one of the most influential Hop-Hop tracks of 2012, G-Dragonâs âOne of a Kindâ earned a strong amount of praise. Billboard named it one of the best K-Pop songs of 2012, while Daum named it one of the top five singles of the year. âOne of a Kindâ earned G-Dragon plenty of international buzz and was hailed as one of the top songs and MVs by Fuse. However, the MV did come with some controversy as some suggested that it had racist tones by featuring children of color in t-shirts that looked like chains.
 âOne Shotâ â B.A.P (2013)
âOne Shotâ was one of B.A.Pâs most popular tracks along with its B-side âRain Sound.â The track peak at number one on the Billboard World Music Chart and peaked at number one on Hip-Hop charts in New Zealand, the US, and Canada. âOne Shotâ sold nearly 30 million copies when it was released. Itâs one of B.A.Pâs essential tracks.
âPandoraâ â KARA (2012)
Upon its release, âPandoraâ peaked at number two on the Gaon charts, and this was despite KBS leaking the song prior to its release. âPandoraâ showed a more mature side to KARA due to enhanced vocals and a stronger sound. The song didnât come without controversy as KBS deemed the choreography as âsuggestive,â so changes needed to be made in order to make it âpublic-friendly.â
âParty (XXO) â GLAM (2013)
While âParty (XXO)â is not a well-known track in the K-Pop World as a whole, the LGBTQA+ community adopted it as an iconic song due to the girls singing to a girl (âCan I kiss you, baby girl?â) and the videoâs theme of universal love. The track was hailed as being âgay-friendly,â and Fuse named it as one of the âTop 20 Proud Moments of 2013.â
âRed Flavorâ â Red Velvet (2017)
Billboard named âRed Flavorâ as the number two K-Pop song of the 2010s, and its easy to hear why. âRed Flavorâ is an effervescent summer track that embodies everything pop music is about served up in a colorful, quirky package. The song is Red Velvetâs fifth multi-million seller, and it was their first song to chart on multiple global music charts indicating its massive appeal and popularity.
 âRoly Polyâ â T-ara (2011)
In 2011, âRoly Polyâ was the top-grossing track ($2 million USD) of the year, and it was also the most-downloaded song (over 4 million downloads) of the year despite failing to reach number one on the music charts! The disco sound was made fresh by T-araâs unique vocals and personalities, and itâs marked as one of the songs that started the trend of K-Pop music borrowing sounds from other decades to create fresh music.
âSeverelyâ FTIsland (2012)
The Triple-Crown winning âSeverelyâ earned plenty of praise from critics and fans alike. With 2.2 million downloads, it was the 24th most downloaded song in Korea in 2012. The most memorable part of the song is the MV that features Hongki receiving a chance to save his dead girlfriend. The MV played out like a K-drama which helped it become a much-loved video in 2012.
âShadowâ â Beast (2013)
âShadowâ is an art piece when the song and MV are combined. The track is well put-together, but the MV is the icing on the cake and an example of a dark concept done right. It didnât need gore to sell itself, but the artistic nuances, cinematography, and dystopian feel enhances every part of the song beautifully. âShadowâ is one of the many indicators that 2013 was the âfine wineâ of the K-Pop decade.
âSixth Senseâ â Brown Eyed Girls (2011)
In 2011, Brown Eyed Girls proved they were still the queens of the sexy concept while maintaining their empowering voices. The song was a rallying cry for freedom of expression, and it became a controversial track as it was felt the group was promoting anarchy!
 âSomethingâ â Girlâs Day (2014)
Next to âExpect,â âSomethingâ is arguably one of Girlâs Dayâs biggest hits. Not only did it rank ninth at the year-end charts, it snagged awards for best dance at the year-end awards and brought home five music show wins. The song marked a turning point for the group as they had a string of hits following its release. The dance also spawned several dance covers by idols and fans alike, and it still remains a popular track to this day.
 âStepâ â KARA (2011)
âStepâ is one of the reasons many fell in love with KARA, and it remains one of their essential tracks. Listening to the song triggers a lot of good memories of the early decade as it was one of the defining songs. Spin identifies âStepâ as the 14th greatest K-Pop song of all-time.
 âThe Boysâ â Girlsâ Generation (2011)
In 2011, âThe Boysâ charmed audiences globally. With âThe Boys,â SNSD made their American television debut on The David Letterman Show and Live with Kelly and Michael. The song is one of the tracks that is noted as being one that helped start the Hallyu Wave prior to âGangnam Styleâ Fever, and itâs still considered one of the best K-Pop releases of all-time by music critics. âThe Boysâ also scored SNSD their first M! Countdown win since 2008, which is surprising considering SNSDâs popularity.
âThe Chaserâ â Infinite (2012)
âThe Chaserâ is one Infiniteâs 1980s throwback tracks that attracted a diverse audience and really cemented their position amongst some of K-Popâs top groups of the early decade. The song featured their signature dance precision, and it was one that helped set Infinite apart from other male groups at the time due to its retro styling. Billboard named âThe Chaserâ the number one K-Pop song of 2012.
 âTouch My Bodyâ â Sistar (2014)
The Queens of Summer had another summer hit with âTouch My Body.â The song and corresponding EP, Touch N Move, performed well on the charts, but the viral âbutt danceâ (not to be confused with KARAâs butt dance from âMisterâ) is what garnered the most attention. The song was also featured on Family Guy in season 14.
 âTrouble Makerâ â Trouble Maker (2011)
Troublemaker, which was a duo consisting of HyunA and Hyunseong, made quite the splash in 2011! Censors in Korea had a field day with this song as the dance and lyrics were considered too controversial, and several modifications had to be made in order to make the song mildly passable for broadcast. During the Mnet Music Awards in 2011 and 2012, the performance was heavily criticized for its sexual dance moves that involved Hyunseong grabbing HyunAâs backside and HyunA rubbing and grinding Hyunseongâs crotch in 2012, which didnât seem to go over well according to the faces of unamused fellow idols, and in 2011, the kiss was a whole other world of controversy (Cube Entertainment stated it was a kiss on the cheek, not the lips). Itâs safe to say âTrouble Makerâ lives in infamy.
 âUp & Downâ â EXID (2014)
âUp & Downâ was EXIDâs sleeper hit thanks to Haniâs viral fancam video. The song initially wasnât a hit, but then it gained traction in January 2015âthree months after its releaseâ when it hit number one on the Korean music charts. The songâs proof that success can happen even if its later than expected.
âVenusâ â Shinhwa (2012)
âVenusâ marked Shinhwaâs return to the music industry after a four-year hiatus. The electro-pop song debuted at number one when it was released on several real-time music charts. The MV for âVenusâ cost over $170 thousand USD to produce and featured six sets. The track is iconic because it proved that first generation idols can still hang with the new generation. âVenusâ took home a music show win on M! Countdown.
 âVoodoo Dollâ â VIXX (2013)
VIXX have been dubbed the kings of the dark concept, and âVoodoo Dollâ is one of their darkest tracks and MVs. The gory MV had to be tweaked a little in order to air, but even with the changes, itâs still a gruesome horror MV that still may push the boundaries of decency for some fans. However, âVoodoo Dollâ is one of the tracks that set VIXX apart from the crowd.
âWake Me Upâ â B.A.P (2018)
B.A.P were never afraid to address social issues, and âWake Me Upâ took on mental illness and race and cultural stereotypes head-on with a beautifully shot MV and timely lyrics that many connected with when the track was released. While it didnât have the commercial success it should have had, âWake Me Upâ is the cult hit that came out during a time when issues with societal and cultural relations and mental health awareness were coming to head.
âWarriorâ â B.A.P (2012)
âWarriorâ has often been identified as one of the best K-Pop debuts of all time, and it was a debut that caught the ears and eyes of many as the then-blonde sextuplet shook the world with their power. B.A.P debuted at the same time as EXO, and they were worthy competitors on the K-Pop scene despite being from a smaller company. âWarriorâ and B.A.P quickly gained fans and popularity, and each of B.A.Pâs subsequent releases helped the group gain more traction. Then the 2014 lawsuit occurred and B.A.Pâs popularity waned in part of the long hiatus and the allure of new groups in a similar style. While fans are left wondering about what could have been, âWarriorâ will always remain a song that resonates with many.
âWithout Youâ â Lee Michelle (2014)
Lee Michelleâs debut single is iconic due to its coverage of bullying and being from a mixed-race background. Itâs the first MV of its kind to show the hurt someone experiences from being âdifferentâ in a homogenous society. Today, however, where race relations are fractured at best, âWithout Youâ serves as the âlook at meâ anthem that hopes to welcome love and acceptance toward those who are marginalized.
âWolfâ â EXO (2013)
As another track that fans either loved or hated, âWolfâ is a symbol of how a groupâs popularity and appeal can turn a track with odd lyrics into a hit. The MV features the now iconic âtree of lifeâ pose and powerful dancing, but to this day, the lyrics are questionable. The song was a hit, though, but itâs one of those thatâs still talked about for its weirdness and is lowkey a song most people like but wonât dare admit it.
âYou are My Springâ â Sung Sikyung (2010)
From the K-drama Secret Garden, âYou are My Springâ is a warm ballad that captures the emotions of the show. The soundtrack from the show captured a lot of fansâ hearts, and âYou are My Springâ is one that still brings listeners in years later.
What songs would you identify as the most important or iconic? Let us know in the comments and on Facebook!
—-Olivia Murray
Hooray! The winners list is ready! Thank you to everyone who voted. This year, our voters hailed from the U.S, Thailand, South Korea, Canada, and Malaysia, so your efforts are definitely appreciated. THANK YOU! Breakdown of the the video: The top-three vote getters in each category are featured. In the upper right corner are the vote percentages each of the top-three received. There were a lot of surprises this year! Some races were really close, while one category had a clear runaway winner. Some categories were so close that some of the artists played leap-frog until last-minute votes pushed some of them over the finish line into victory lane. It was a fun year this year! We hope you enjoy the finished product based on your votes. Note: December’s top 30 video will be replaced with the Top 100 of 2019 Roundup. Stay tuned! Kcrush does not profit off our videos. All video clips are under 30 seconds and used to promote the artists. Fair Use is applicable.
#BTS #BangYongguk #Dreamcatcher #GIdle #MonstaX #NCT127 #Got7 #KNK #3ye #BVNDT #EXO #Lay #Chen #Yoonmirae #Heize #Kpopawards #Kpop #Chungha #Taemin #SuperM #Zelo #Daehyun #SoRi #AKMU #LadiesCode #BewhY #YG #SM #JYP #ParkBom #ZGirls #Wengie #Alexa #KangDaniel #Zico #Shaun #ATEEZ #Oneus #ITZY #Somi #TWICE #CLC
Rookie idol group 1Team will be heading to America for their first-ever tour!
On January 14, 2020, Liveworks Company announced that the male group will bring their Hello! Just One tour to five cities in the United States this March.
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March 6, 2020 |
Chicago, Illinois |
Avondale Music Hall |
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March 8, 2020 |
New York, New York |
Music Hall of Williamsburg |
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March 10, 2020 |
Atlanta, Georgia |
Masquerade Hell |
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March 13, 2020 |
Dallas, Texas |
South Side Music Hall |
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March 15, 2020 |
Los Angeles, California |
Teragram Ballroom |
The tour is possible thanks to Studio Pav and My Music Taste. Fans of the group voted to have 1Team tour the U.S via My Music Taste, so Team One, you better show up to support your group!
—-Olivia Murray