BTS fans support group members' decision to fulfill military service A BTS fan holds a sign before the K-pop boy group's “Yet to Come in Busan” concert in the port city, Saturday. The sign reads: “We ARMY (BTS' fan club) are here, so BTS you don't worry.” YonhapBy Kim RahnFans of K-pop juggernaut BTS have expressed positive responses in general to the announcement by its agency, Big Hit Music, that the members of the boy band will fulfill their mandatory military service, starting with the oldest member Jin. Tired of years of debate about whether to exempt them from duty because of their contribution to the country's image, they say it will be better for the group and its agency to settle the issue, so that there will be no more controversy or uncertainty about their future.On Weverse, a K-pop fan community platform, the most posted words after BTS' announcement that the members will fulfill their military duty were, “(I'll be) waiting” and “(I) support (the decision).”“I'll wait until all of the seven members will finish their service and return as a group,” one fan wrote on Weverse.“IOct 18, 2022By Kim Rahn
Why did BTS decide to fulfill military service? K-pop boy band BTS / Courtesy of HybeThe music industry sees K-pop superstar BTS' abrupt decision Monday to fulfill its members' military duty was aimed at keeping the group's promise to society and drawing a big picture to become a long-running group.Regarding the military service issue, the members of BTS have maintained the position that they will voluntarily go to the military when the time comes. During a press conference to mark the release of the group's fourth full-length album in February 2020, Jin said, "I think military service is a duty as a Korean citizen, and I will respond at any time if the country calls."He made a similar response when asked by a U.S. broadcaster about a year earlier, saying he and his bandmates are ready to run and do their best when are called by the state.Another member, Suga, briefly touched on the topic of the band's military service in "What Do You Think?," a track off his unofficial solo mixtape released in May 2020. The lyrics he wrote for the song go: "Woo woo, we'll be sure to go to the military when it's time, so all the bastards who triedOct 17, 2022
Jin of BTS to fulfill mandatory military service from end of this year Jin of K-pop group BTS / Courtesy of HYBEOther members to follow suit, hope to resume group activity in 2025By Kim RahnJin, the oldest member of K-pop juggernaut BTS, will begin his compulsory military duty soon, the group's agency, Big Hit Music, said, Monday. The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions at the National Assembly on revising the Military Service Act to exempt the seven members of the boy band from military service to recognize their contribution to the country's culture industry, or at least to partially allow their group activities during the service.Big Hit Music made a public announcement: “Jin will apply to cancel the delay of his military service at the end of this month and follow the Military Manpower Administration's (MMA) conscription procedure afterward.”The agency said the other members will fulfill their duty one by one according to their individual plans, adding they thought it is the right time to make the announcement after finishing a concert in Busan on Saturday to support the city's bid to host World Expo 2030.“The agency and thOct 17, 2022By Kim Rahn
BTS members to fulfill military service starting with oldest member Jin Jin, a member of K-pop band BTS / AP-YonhapK-pop supergroup BTS on Monday announced that all its members will fulfill their military service starting with the oldest member Jin, the band's agency said Monday."Jin will revoke his request to delay his conscription at the end of this month and will follow conscription procedures required by the Military Manpower Administration," Big Hit Music said in a public notice to the local bourse. "Other members will fulfill their military duty in turn according to their individual plans."Jin, born in 1992, had his conscription delayed till the end of this year under the Military Service Act revised in 2020.BTS member Jin during the band's concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday (local time) / Courtesy of Big Hit MusicIn Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for about two years. But the current law allows global award-winning athletes and classical musicians recommended by the minister of culture, sports and tourism to do alternative services in their respective fields instead of serving in active military duOct 17, 2022
Legendary singer Cho Yong-pil to hold concerts in Seoul Singer Cho Yong-pil / Courtesy of YPC CompanyBy Kim RahnK-pop legend Cho Yong-pil will hold concerts in November and December, his first in four years, a concert planning agency said, Monday.According to Insight Entertainment, Cho ― a living legend in the Korean music industry ― will present the “2022 Cho Yong-pil & the Great Birth Concert” at KSPO Dome in southeastern Seoul's Olympic Park on Nov. 26 and 27 and Dec. 3 and 4.The Great Birth is a band that has backed Cho for his concerts since 1979.It will be the first concerts for Cho, 72, since 2018 when he marked the 50th anniversary of his debut. Since then he has planned more shows but was unable to hold them due to the COVID-19 pandemic.“This concert will satisfy the thirst of fans who have long been waiting for Cho's performance,” the agency said in a press release. “(While he used to hold concerts in various regions of the country) this time the shows will be held only in Seoul, and fans from all parts of the country are expected to gather at KSPO Dome.”Reservations for tickets will startOct 17, 2022By Kim Rahn
Stray Kids scores second No. 1 on Billboard 200 K-pop boy group Stray Kids / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentK-pop boy group Stray Kids has claimed No. 1 on U.S. Billboard's main albums chart for the second time in their career with their new EP "Maxident."The eight-track album debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart for this week with 117,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States, Billboard said in a chart preview Sunday (U.S. time). The latest chart will be released Tuesday.This made the group the second K-pop act to record more than one No. 1 on the chart after BTS. Stray Kids first entered the chart in March with the EP "Oddinary.""Maxident" is the fourth album by a Korean act to lead the chart this year, following "Oddinary," BTS' "Proof" and BLACKPINK's "Born Pink."Stray Kids pose for the camera during an online press conference to promote their seventh EP, "Maxident," Oct. 7. YonhapThe Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S., measured by equivalent album units comprising physical album sales and other digital sales records. Debuting in 2018, the eight-piece group has been known for its intOct 17, 2022
K-pop concert in LA disrupted by lineup changes K-pop star Jeon Somi / Courtesy of the Black LabelA massive K-pop concert slated for this weekend in the United States has been disrupted as multiple artists were unable to perform at the event due to visa issues.According to KAMP Global, the organizers of KAMP LA 2022, on Saturday (U.S. time), six out of the 15 scheduled performers ― Girls' Generation's Taeyeon, EXO's Kai, GOT7's BamBam, Jeon Somi, Zion.T and Lapillus ― will not attend the two-day event on Saturday and Sunday at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles. This image from the Twitter account of KAMP Global shows an announcement for the K-pop concert KAMP LA 2022, Oct. 15. Yonhap"We regret to inform you that we learned today that the following artists are unable to travel as planned due to unforeseen U.S. work visa issues and circumstances outside of the artists' and promoters' control," KAMP Global said in a statement released online.It did not give further details.All foreign artists and entertainers need to obtain a separate visa in advance to perform in the U.S. as commercial activity.Exo's Kai / Courtesy of SM entertaiOct 16, 2022
K-pop sensation BTS takes stage in Busan to dazzle global audience BTS performs during its “Yet to Come in Busan” concert at Asiad Main Stadium in the port city, Saturday. Courtesy of HYBEConcert piques fans' interest in World Expo 2030By Dong Sun-hwaBUSAN ― Busan, Korea's second-biggest city, faced some stumbling blocks as it prepared for K-pop juggernaut BTS' concert, which took place at Asiad Main Stadium on Saturday in front of some 50,000 spectators to support the southern port city's bid to host World Expo 2030.The city government initially intended to hold the “Yet to Come in Busan” concert by setting up a stage in Gijang County, but had to change its plan after numerous people pointed out that the venue was far from being safe and accessible. Then, it came under fire for not restricting local hotels and lodging establishments from overcharging visitors, with some of them raising the price of their rooms by nearly 10 times. When it was revealed that BTS and its management company HYBE needed to spend 7 billion won ($4.9 million) to organize a concert for free, the city was again slammed for “exploiting” theOct 16, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS holds free concert in Busan to promote 2030 World Expo bid This image, provided by Big Hit Music, shows BTS at the concert titled "Yet To Come in Busan" at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Oct. 15. Yonhap Global pop group BTS held a free concert in the southeastern port city of Busan on Saturday night to support the city's bid to host the 2030 World Expo.Around 52,000 fans from around the world attended the concert titled "Yet To Come in Busan" at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Another 12,000 fans who failed to obtain tickets enjoyed the show live on large screens set up at Busan Port and Haeundae Beach.It is the first concert since June when the septet wrapped up the first chapter of its nine-year career with the anthology album "Proof" and announced that its members will be taking a break as a group to pursue solo careers.The show is also the global superstar's first performance in South Korea since March, when the group staged the "Permission to Dance on Stage" shows in Seoul. Only 15,000 spectators were allowed to attend Oct 15, 2022
K-pop fans gather in Seoul to compete in finals of 2022 K-Pop Cover Dance Festival Finalists of the 2022 K-Pop Cover Dance Festival perform in a flash mob at the Cheong Wa Dae compound in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of KCDFBy Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop fans from around the world gathered in Seoul this month to compete in the finals of the annual K-Pop Cover Dance Festival (KCDF). A total of 87 contenders from 12 countries, including the U.S., Australia, Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey, advanced to the final round of the competition that was held on Saturday.The KCDF, which began in 2011, is designed to grow global interest in “hallyu,” or the Korean wave, as well as K-pop. “K-pop cover dancers, mostly in their late teens and early 20s, will be staying in Seoul until Oct. 17 to perform flash mobs, compete in the final competition and experience Korean culture,” the festival’s organizer said.In the days prior to the final round of competition, the participants performed flash mobs at popular tourist attractions around Seoul, such as Gwanghwamun Square, Banpo Hangang Park and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.While participants of the festival in previous yeOct 14, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
