NewJeans wins grand prize at AAA four months after debut The members of K-pop girl group NewJeans pose after winning a grand prize at the 2022 Asia Artist Awards (AAA) in Nagoya, Japan, Tuesday. Courtesy of ADORBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop girl group NewJeans has won big at the 2022 Asia Artist Awards (AAA), only four months after making its official debut. The five-piece act, consisting of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein, received one of the six grand prizes ― Performance of the Year ― and the Rookie of the Year award during the awards ceremony that took place at Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya, Japan, Tuesday. Five other grand prizes went to K-pop boy bands Seventeen and Stray Kids, girl group IVE, trot singer Lim Young-woong and singer-actor Lee Jun-ho. “We were happy and honored just to be able to perform at the 2022 AAA, but now we are so thankful to notch a grand prize in addition to the Rookie of the Year award,” NewJeans said in an acceptance speech. “We will showcase more fresh performances in the days ahead, so please give us support.”This is the third time that NewJeans has won a Rookie of the Year award, fDec 14, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS' Suga to fulfill military service as social service agent BTS member Suga arrives at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, to board a flight to Las Vegas where the group will attend the 64th Grammy Awards and hold four live concerts, March 28. NewsisSuga of K-pop sensation BTS will carry out his military service as a social service agent, military and music industry sources said Tuesday.They said the 29-year-old rapper was assigned to be a social service agent instead of an active-duty soldier. But details, including when his enlistment will be, remain unknown.Suga, born in 1993, had his service deferred until the end of next year under a revised law that allows "those who excel in popular culture and art" to postpone their service until the age of 30.In Korea, all able-bodied men are obliged to serve between 18 and 21 months in the military.Big Hit Music, the band's agency, refused to confirm the news. Suga of K-pop sensation BTS receives a plaque of appointment from Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Seoul, July 19. Newsis"(Members) will be enlisting in the military in order according to their individual plansDec 13, 2022
Ex-April member Lee Jin-sol goes solo after ostracism scandal Lee Jin-sol, former member of now-disbanded K-pop girl group April / Courtesy of STORY & PLUS By Dong Sun-hwaLee Jin-sol, former member of now-defunct K-pop girl group April, is going solo with her new song, “Let me out.” This is the 21-year-old's first solo track since she debuted as part of April in 2015. Lee has mostly been out of the public eye since March, after April's members were accused of ostracizing Lee Hyun-joo ― who left the group in 2016 ― when they were bandmates. The ostracism allegations were first raised by Hyun-joo's younger brother, who posted accusations online, insisting that April's members forced his sister to quit the group. The other members and their management company, DSP Media, denied the allegations. However, only a few months after the scandal erupted, dealing a critical blow to April's image and reputation, DSP announced the group is disbanding.Lee Jin-sol also terminated her contract with DSP and joined a new agency, STORY & PLUS, iDec 12, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
Loona to return next month as 11-member group without Chuu K-pop girl group Loona will return with a new release on Jan. 3, 2023 without Chuu. Courtesy of Block Berry CreativeK-pop girl group Loona will drop a new album next month for the first time as an 11-member group following the expulsion of Chuu, its agency said Monday.The album set to hit music services on Jan. 3 will mark the first release from the group since "Flip That" in June.Last month, Block Berry Creative announced that Chuu, whose real Korean name is Kim Ji-woo, will be expelled from the 12-piece band for alleged verbal abuse against staff.But the expulsion triggered a controversy as a spate of staff members and industry insiders who worked with her took to online communities to defend her.Chuu has also practically denied the allegation, saying she has done nothing to feel ashamed of. (Yonhap)Dec 12, 2022
NMIXX member Jinni leaves her group Jinni of K-pop girl group NMIXX / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaJinni, a member of the rookie K-pop girl group NMIXX, has left her group due to “personal circumstances.”NMIXX's record label JYP Entertainment announced the news on Friday morning, adding that the 18-year-old terminated her exclusive contract with the company. But it did not elaborate on the reason behind her departure. “Jinni has quit NMIXX,” JYP said in a statement. “Please support Jinni, who will now walk a new path. NMIXX will continue its musical activities as a sextet (consisting of Kyujin, Sullyoon, Jiwoo, Bae, Haewon and Lily), so please support the group as well, as it keeps pursuing its dream. We apologize for fueling worries.” Jinni, whose real name is Choi Yun-jin, debuted as an NMIXX member last February with the album, “Ad Mare” ― which means “to the sea” in Latin. Being a rookie act formed by JYP ― the K-pop powerhouse behind the success of numerous stars like TWICE and Stray Kids ― the group was at the center of attention even befoDec 9, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS leader RM's solo album puts spotlight on late artist Yun Hyong-keun “Blue,” a painting by late artist Yun Hyong-keun, is seen in the background of a photo for BTS member RM's solo album, “Indigo.” Courtesy of Big Hit MusicRM shows respect to Korean monochrome painting master through 'Indigo' By Dong Sun-hwaIn his first official solo album, "Indigo," RM of K-pop juggernaut BTS brings not only his musical talents to the fore, but also his love of Korean art. “Indigo" has been turning heads, selling more than 550,000 copies on the first day of its release, Dec. 2, according to album tracker Hanteo Chart. Its lead single, “Wild Flower,” also conquered the iTunes top songs chart in 88 countries and retained the No. 13 spot on Spotify's Daily Top Song Global chart. The album carries 10 songs written by the BTS leader, who spent three years to gear up for his solo project. The 28-year-old emphasized that “Indigo” is a diary-like album capturing his emotions and anxieties, which can also be thought of as an exhibition that he curated by himself. Delve slightly deeper, the album is like a love letter to YuDec 8, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS' V turns into 19th-century European gentleman in photo book V, a member of K-pop boy group BTS, is seen in a concept photo for his upcoming photo book, "Veautiful Days." Courtesy of Big Hit MusicK-pop megastars BTS will unveil a photo book this month featuring images of member V, the group's management agency said Thursday.The photo book, titled "Veautiful Days," will come out Dec. 23 as part of the group's "Special 8 Photo-Folio" project launched in September to show off the group members' individual characters and new sides, Big Hit Music said.V, a member of K-pop boy group BTS, is seen in a concept photo for his upcoming photo book, "Veautiful Days." Courtesy of Big Hit MusicFour other members ― Jungkook, RM and Jimin and Jin ― have published their individual photo books under the project.V became a 19th-century European gentleman who gets a horseback riding lesson or enjoys teatime for "Veautiful Days," according to the book's teaser images and videos unveiled Thursday."V's tastes in jazz and classic costumes were reflected in 'Veautiful Days'," the agency said, adding he participated in the whole process of making the book to show his owDec 8, 2022
BTS wins three 2022 People's Choice Awards Korean boy group BTS / Courtesy of Big Hit EntertainmentKorean boy group BTS has received three prizes at this year's People's Choice Awards, a U.S. awards show for recognizing people in the entertainment.The K-pop giant nabbed The Group of 2022 and The Concert Tour of 2022 (for "BTS Permission To Dance on Stage") during the awards ceremony in Santa Monica, California, on Tuesday (U.S. time). Jungkook, a BTS member, won The Collaboration Song of 2022 for "Left and Right," his collaborative single with U.S. singer-songwriter Charlie Puth.BTS beat seven other nominees, including Korean girl group BLACKPINK, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Maneskin and OneRepublic, to be named the best group for the third year in a row.Jungkook, a member of Korean boy group BTS, performs "Dreamers," from the official World Cup soundtrack, during the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Nov. 20. YonhapIn the best concert tour category, BTS competed against big-name stars, such as Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles and Lady Gaga.BTS, Jungkook and BLACKDec 7, 2022
HYBE's first Japanese boy group &TEAM makes much-awaited debut HYBE's first Japanese boy group, &TEAM / Courtesy of HYBE&TEAM debuts with album 'First Howling : ME'By Dong Sun-hwaA growing number of K-pop powerhouses are launching groups mostly consisting of Japanese members to target Japan, the world's second-biggest recorded music market. HYBE, home to K-pop titan BTS, has also jumped on the bandwagon.Its first predominantly Japanese boy group, &TEAM, made its much-anticipated debut with the album, “First Howling : ME,” Wednesday. According to HYBE, the rookie act will be based in Japan but will be active in different countries.HYBE's chairman Bang Si-hyuk has teamed up with the creative minds behind BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT) ― another HYBE boy band that debuted in 2019 ― to produce a debut album for &TEAM. It is made up of seven Japanese members (K, Fuma, Yuma, Jo, Harua, Taki and Maki), one Korean member (EJ) and one Taiwanese member (Nicholas).“'First Howling : ME' is about a journey of the nine boys who have just realized that they crave challenges and growth,'” HYBE said in a statement, WednDec 7, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
Minho both excited, pressured to become last SHINee member to go solo Minho of K-pop boy group SHINee poses for the camera during an online press conference to promote his first solo album, "Chase," on Dec. 6, in this photo provided by SM Entertainment. YonhapLong-running boy group SHINee's Minho said Tuesday he feels both excited and pressured to become the group's last member to debut as a solo artist."As it marks my first album as a soloist, I had high expectations for it," the rapper-vocalist said during an online press conference to promote the album, "Chase." "All of my bandmates have released their solo albums, so, I was excited to be the last piece of a puzzle and to contain my story in it.""Chase" marks Minho's first solo project since his debut as a SHINee member in June 2011.When asked whether he felt any pressure about the quality of the upcoming EP, Minho said "I would be lying if I said no," but thanked his bandmates for creating a unique universe of solo musicians from the band so he could simply fit himself in."Taemin opened the door of the world as a SHINee soloist, Jonghyun succeeded it, and then Key and Onew expanded it well. I thinkDec 6, 2022
