Celebrities wrestle with online trolls GettyImagesBankBy Pyo Kyung-minNCT's member Mark / Courtesy of skyDramaK-pop idols and celebrities, including NCT's Mark and singer IU, are battling online trolls posting malicious comments, while presenting ways to foster a more positive connection between celebrities and their fans.SM Entertainment, which manages NCT, announced on Aug. 21 that it identified the suspect who distributed malicious posts targeting member Mark, but granted leniency. The agency disclosed that Mark himself expressed his willingness to show mercy, considering the suspect's status as a minor."We upheld our zero-tolerance stance to protect our artists. However, we weighed the circumstances that the individual in question was a minor, showed genuine remorse, and sought forgiveness during the investigation. In line with Mark's willingness to grant clemency, we have chosen not to pursue criminal charges. The individual has issued a formal apology and promised to prevent a recurrence, which we have acknowledged," the agency explained.In contrast, an online troll who directed malicious comments for eight years atAug 26, 2023By Pyo Kyung-min
BLACKPINK to drop song for band's video game Promotional image for "The Girls" from the original soundtrack for the mobile game "BLACKPINK The Game" is shown in this photo provided by YG Entertainment. YonhapK-pop girl group BLACKPINK will drop a song for the soundtrack of its new mobile video game on Friday, the group's agency said."The Girls" is on the original soundtrack for the mobile game, "BLACKPINK The Game," released in May. Members Rose and Jennie participated in composing and writing the song, which is about the importance of being independent and courageous.According to YG Entertainment, the tune is addictive, with a rhythmic and intense sound that blends with the members' powerful rap and vocals.The song's music video was released Wednesday. Despite only featuring the members' 3D avatar characters, the video has drawn wide attention from fans online upon its release. (Yonhap)Aug 25, 2023
CNBLUE announces concert comeback after 6-year hiatus The band CNBLUE / Courtesy of FNC EntertainmentBy Pyo Kyung-minBand CNBLUE is gearing up to headline the “CNBLUENTITY” concert in Seoul. Scheduled for Oct. 7 and 8, this performance will mark the end of the band's six-year concert hiatus. The band's previous major performance was "Between Us" back in 2017.The concert's name is a fusion of the band's name and the word "identity," which embodies their will to express each of the members' unique identities through performance.With it being their first solo concert in Korea in quite some time, the band will captivate the audience with their signature songs, vibrant stage setup and the beloved sounds they're renowned for.Fans keen on attending can book tickets for the "CNBLUENTITY" concert on the Interpark ticketing platform starting 8 p.m., Sept. 1. An exclusive early purchase option will be available to Weverse membership subscribers from 8 p.m., Aug. 30.Comprising vocalist Jung Yong-hwa, drummer Kang Min-hyuk and bassist Lee Jung-shin, CNBLUE debuted in the Korean music scene in 2010. Their debut track, "I'm a Loner," markeAug 25, 2023By Pyo Kyung-min
BLACKPINK's 'Pink Venom' choreography video tops 200 mil. views on YouTube This image, provided by YG Entertainment, celebrates the dance practice video for K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's 2022 hit "Pink Venom" surpassing 200 million views on YouTube. YonhapThe dance practice video for "Pink Venom," a 2022 hit single by K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, has surpassed 200 million views on YouTube, the group's agency said Friday.The video hit the milestone on Thursday night, becoming the group's 11th choreography video with more than 200 million views, YG Entertainment said.A prerelease track off the quartet's second full-length album "Born Pink" that came out in September, "Pink Venom" is a hip-hop genre number combining intense beats and sound from a traditional Korean instrument. The song has reached No. 22 both on the Hot 100 main songs chart of the U.S. Billboard and the British Official Singles Chart Top 100. BLACKPINK will hold two concerts at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome from Sept. 16-17 to finish off its ongoing "Born Pink" world tour. (Yonhap)Aug 25, 2023
From RIIZE to BTS' V, high-profile K-pop stars gear up for September releases Rookie group RIIZE to debut on Sept. 4By Dong Sun-hwaFrom rookie boy group RIIZE to V of K-pop juggernaut BTS, a plethora of singers are gearing up for new releases next month.RIIZE (Sept. 4)K-pop boy group RIIZE / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentRIIZE is set to burst onto the K-pop scene with the album, “Get a Guitar,” Sept. 4. The septet is the first boy band debuting for K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment in seven years, following the launch of NCT in 2016. RIIZE is made up of Shotaro and Sungchan ― the former NCT members ― Eunseok, Seunghan, Sohee, Wonbin and Anton, the former swimmer and the oldest son of acclaimed singer-songwriter Yoon Sang. It plans to play 'emotional pop,' a music genre highlighting various emotions they feel. RIIZE unveiled “Memories” ― one of the two tracks to be included in its upcoming album ― on Aug. 21, two weeks before the release of “Get a Guitar.” The song, which signals the beginning of RIIZE's musical journey, dominated iTunes top song chart in eight countries including Thailand, Vietnam and Peru upon its release. SMAug 25, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
BLACKPINK to hold world tour's finale concerts at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome K-pop girl group BLACKPINK / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentGocheok Sky Dome will be the venue of two surprise Seoul concerts by BLACKPINK next month, which makes it the first K-pop girl group ever to perform there, the group's agency said Thursday.Earlier this month, YG Entertainment said the group will hold two "encore concerts" in the Korean capital from Sept. 16-17 to finish off its ongoing "Born Pink" world tour, without mentioning the exact venue.Gocheok Sky Dome is the country's largest indoor performance venue with a capacity of 20,000 spectators. No K-pop girl group has held an individual concert there yet.The quartet has held 64 concerts in 24 countries around the world since it began the tour at Seoul's KSPO Dome in October.Before returning to its home country, the group is scheduled to perform in Los Angeles, the last stop of the tour's North American leg, on Saturday (U.S. local time)."We enlarged the size of the concerts to (enable the group to) communicate with as many fans as possible," YG said. "BLACKPINK will present the best performances ever since it will perform forAug 24, 2023
Singer Bang Ye-dam signs with new agency Former Treasure member Bang Ye-dam / Courtesy of GF EntertainmentBy Hong Hye-minK-pop singer Bang Ye-dam has signed on with a new agency as he looks to jump-start his solo career. GF Entertainment released a statement on Thursday that read, “We recently signed an exclusive contract with Bang Ye-dam and we are delighted to have such a talented artist onboard. We will provide our full support to Bang Ye-dam so that he can become a multi-talented artist who can not only sing but produce music as well.”Bang Ye-dam rose to fame in 2013 when he finished runner-up on SBS's “K-Pop Star: Season 2,” earning the nickname “Little Michael Jackson” for his charming voice and breathtaking performance on stage. He went on to become a trainee at YG Entertainment and joined the boy band Treasure.However, Bang cut ties with YG Entertainment last year after terminating his contract and is looking to reinvent himself as a solo artist and a producer through his latest deal with GF Entertainment. GF Entertainment is home to the idol group Kingdom, and the agency's CEO NaAug 24, 2023
EVNNE unveils first group photo ahead of September debut K-pop boy group EVNNE / Courtesy of Jellyfish EntertainmentBy Hong Hye-minSeven-member K-pop boy band EVNNE is gearing up for their highly-anticipated debut, unveiling their first group photos and promotional schedule for their upcoming mini-album. The images were released by EVNNE's agency Jellyfish Entertainment through official social media accounts on Thursday, kicking off the countdown to the launch of EVNNE's debut mini-album “Target: ME” on September 19.According to the promotional schedule, EVNNE is set to release a string of teaser content over the coming days, including additional photos, a debut trailer, track list, music video teasers, a highlight medley and finally the music video itself. The diverse range of content is aimed at generating further buzz and keeping fans occupied in the run-up to EVNNE's official debut next month. The title of their debut mini-album “Target: ME” was also unveiled for the first time on Thursday along with their promotional schedule, which caught the eyes of many fans with its stylish, vintage feel and black color schAug 24, 2023
INTERVIEW EL7Z U+P from 'Queendom Puzzle' demonstrates power of trust in one's self The members of new project girl group EL7Z U+P / Courtesy of Queendom PuzzleEL7Z U+P to drop 1st album in SeptemberBy Dong Sun-hwaBeing a contender on a K-pop survival show is a daunting task. All contestants have to vie against one another ― even if they are good friends in reality ― and perform at their best every time to win voters' hearts. They have to sleep less and practice more but never get frustrated in the face of harsh criticism from the judges or viewers. Their efforts do not always equal their rewards, but they have to accept this and prepare for the next performance. Simply put, every day is about pushing their envelope. This was no exception for the members of EL7Z U+P, a project girl group formed on cable channel Mnet's survival program, “Queendom Puzzle” that wrapped up on Aug. 15. The septet ― Hwiseo, Nana, Yuki, Kei, Yeoreum, Yeonhee and Yeeun ― had to walk a bumpy road to join EL7Z U+P, but they say it was a challenge worth taking on. EL7Z U+P is an anagram of the term, Puzzle.The participants of “Queendom Puzzle” / Courtesy of Queendom PuzAug 24, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
SM vows legal action against obsessive fan for trespassing into NCT member's hotel room NCT member Jaehyun / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Pyo Kyung-minA "sasaeng," or overzealous fan, has recently trespassed into NCT member Jaehyun's hotel room, prompting a legal response from SM Entertainment, the idol's agency. They are currently working with law enforcement to investigate the matter.On Aug. 21, an NCT sasaeng uploaded a series of videos that disclosed the interior of Jaehyun's hotel room. These videos were filmed by illegally entering the idol's accommodation, the same place where NCT's members stayed during their U.S. tour in October 2022. The footage also showed onstage costumes used by Jaehyun.Through a post on social media, the fan said, "Due to the circumstances, I had to hurry, but used a hotel key card to enter."NCT member Haechan / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentAfter receiving alerts from concerned fans, SM Entertainment issued a statement expressing their concern. The statement read, "The production and dissemination of such videos is a serious breach of the idol's privacy. We are actively gathering information to identify the initial uploader as well as thoAug 23, 2023By Pyo Kyung-min
