Male solo artists to return to K-pop scene Teaser images for singer Key's new full-length album, “Gasoline,” left, and for Kim Jae-hwan's upcoming mini-album, “Empty Dream” / Courtesy of SM Entertainment, Swing EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeA string of male K-pop artists, like Key of the boy group SHINee and singer Kim Jae-hwan, are slated to hit the music scene with their new releases in the coming weeks. Singer Key is rolling out his second full-length solo album, after releasing his first solo mini-album, “BAD LOVE,” last year.The new album, “Gasoline,” set to hit streaming sites at 6 p.m. on Aug. 30, will be the artist's second solo full-length album following “FACE” in 2018. It will consist of 11 tracks, including the title track, for which the artist himself wrote the lyrics.Singer-songwriter Kim Jae-hwan, who is also known as Jaehwan of disbanded project group Wanna One, will be releasing a new album, following the success of his previous self-produced album, “THE LETTER,” last December. The singer's agency, Swing Entertainment, announced Monday that Aug 23, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
BLACKPINK's 'As If It's Your Last' video tops 1.2 bil. YouTube views This image provided by YG Entertainment on Aug. 22, shows K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's "As If It's Your Last" has surpassed 1.2 billion views on YouTube. YonhapThe music video for K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's 2017 hit song "As If It's Your Last" has surpassed 1.2 billion views on YouTube.YG Entertainment said Monday the video passed the threshold at about 7 p.m. the previous day, five years and a month after it was uploaded on the global video sharing service.This increased to five the total number of BLACKPINK videos that have garnered more than 1.2 billion views, including "Ddu-du Ddu-du," "Kill This Love" and "Boombayah."With an addictive rhythm and romantic lyrics, "As If It's Your Last" was included on YouTube's Global Top 25 Songs of the Summer for 2017. The video for the group's new single "Pink Venom" broke 100 million views in just 29 hours after it was unveiled Friday. (Yonhap)Aug 22, 2022
BLACKPINK's 'Pink Venom' tops iTunes top songs charts in 69 countries A photo of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentK-pop girl group BLACKPINK's new single "Pink Venom" debuted atop iTunes charts in 69 countries around the world, the group's agency said Saturday.YG Entertainment said the song, released the previous day, ranked No. 1 on iTunes Top Songs charts in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania as of Saturday.The song also started on top of domestic music streaming services such as Melon, Bugs, Vibe and Genie.Its music video surpassed 70 million views in just 15 hours after being uploaded on YouTube timed for the song's release.The single will be included in "Born Pink," the group's second studio album set to come out on Sept. 16. It marks the band's first full-group release in a year and 10 months since its first studio album titled "The Album" in October 2020.The album is sure to become the quartet's second million seller as it has already secured over 1.5 million copies in preorders less than a week after advance purchases began. (Yonhap)Aug 21, 2022
BTS, BLACKPINK nominated for 2022 MTV VMAs' group of year BTS/ Courtesy of Big Hit EntertainmentK-pop supergroups BTS and BLACKPINK have been nominated for group of the year in the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, the U.S. music channel has announced.The two K-pop bands will compete for Best Group Of The Year with City Girls, Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons, Maneskin, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Silk Sonic, MTV said Friday (U.S. time) on its homepage and social media.BlACKPINK /Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBTS has won group of the year, one of the three socially voted categories along with Song Of Summer and Album Of The Year, in the last three years.Jungkook of BTS was nominated for Song Of Summer for "Left and Right," his collaborative single with U.S. singer-songwriter Charlie Puth. The additions increased to six the total number of categories where BTS got a nod in this year's event.The group has earlier been announced as a nominee for Best K-pop, Best Choreography, Best Visual Effects and Best Metaverse Performance.BLACKPINK will also perform at the awards show slated for Aug. 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Yonhap)Aug 20, 2022
BLACKPINK returns as lovely yet fatal 'Pink Venom' Members of K-pop act BLACKPINK pose during an online press conference, Friday. Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBLACKPINK seeks to show its identity through 'Pink Venom'By Dong Sun-hwaAfter taking a break for nearly two years, K-pop bigwig BLACKPINK has returned with a new song, “Pink Venom,” which plays up the group's two contrasting images: loveliness and fatality. During an online press conference held Friday, member Jennie revealed that “Pink Venom” encapsulates BLACKPINK's identity as a multifaceted group. The tune ― which is part of the quartet's second full-length album, “Born Pink,” which will drop on Sept. 16 ― hit multiple streaming platforms at 1 p.m., Friday (KST). “Since our debut in 2016, we have frequently said our contrasting images are our charm,” Jennie told reporters. “And we think 'Pink Venom' clearly shows them.”According to Jisoo, “Pink Venom” is a powerful hip-hop track sprinkled with sounds of the geomungo, a traditional Korean plucked zither. “There are many good tunes in our upcoming stAug 19, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
NCT Jaehyun drops first solo single 'Forever Only' K-pop singer Jaehyun of NCT / Courtesy of SM Entertainment By Lee Gyu-leeSinger Jaehyun, a member of K-pop group NCT, has released a single, “Forever Only,” as his first solo work in his six-year music career. The singer's agency, SM Entertainment, announced Thursday that the singer dropped his first solo single at 6 p.m. that day.The new single is an R&B track and is written by the singer. It is the fourth release of the group's project, SM STATION : NCT LAB, which intends to expand into different musical acts of the NCT members, including their solo and unit act.One of the group's members, Mark, made the first release of the project, unveiling his first self-written, self-composed single “Child.” Jaehyun debuted as a member of NCT's unit group, NCT U, in 2016 with the song “The 7th Sense.” NCT was created by the agency's founder Lee Soo-man, with the aim to produce endless sub-unit groups under the NCT umbrella in major cities around the world. The singer has beenAug 18, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
2PM's Lee Jun-ho proves versatility at 'Before Midnight' concert Singer-actor Lee Jun-ho performs during his concert on Aug. 14 at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium at Seoul's Olympic Park. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment2PM's Lee Jun-ho shows off his performing skills at 'Before Midnight' concertBy Dong Sun-hwaLee Jun-ho had a brilliant time in 2021 as an actor, thanks to the stellar success of his drama, “The Red Sleeve.” The 32-year-old assumed the role of King Jeongjo of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty in the 17-episode historical romance series, which depicted a love story of the king and court lady Sung Deok-im ― played by actress Lee Se-young. The series wrapped up with a 14.3-percent rating nationwide and was followed by Lee winning the Best Actor award at the prestigious Baeksang Awards this year. This is the first time that a K-pop-idol-actor has received this prize in the 58-year history of the Baeksang. Singer-actor Lee Jun-ho during his concert on Aug. 14 at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium at Seoul's Olympic Park / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBut Lee, a member of K-pop boy group 2PM, is not just a talented actor ― he is alsoAug 16, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
BLACKPINK to perform at 2022 MTV Video Music Awards K-pop girl group BLACKPINK / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentK-pop girl group BLACKPINK will perform at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, according to the group's agency Tuesday.YG Entertainment said the quartet is preparing a special performance at the annual event slated for Aug. 28 (local time) in the U.S.BLACKPINK will be the first K-pop girl group to hit the stage at the American music awards show, it added.The group will release a new song, "Pink Venom," this Friday, before dropping its second studio album titled "Born Pink" on Sept. 16.After the new release, BLACKPINK will depart on a massive world tour in October, starting with Seoul and continuing in North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania until June next year. (Yonhap)Aug 16, 2022
NewJeans sets record with debut album K-pop group NewJeans made approximately 311,000 sales of its first mini album “New Jeans" in the first week since its Aug. 8 release. Courtesy of ADOR By Lee Gyu-leeThe rookie K-pop act NewJeans, housed by HYBE's label, All Doors One Room (ADOR), has achieved the highest first-week album sales for a newly-debuted girl group with its first mini album “New Jeans,” which hit the shelves on Aug. 8. According to album tracker Hanteo Chart, Monday, the group recorded over 311,000 album sales in the first week of its release, setting the highest number of opening week sales for a girl group's debut album. It surpassed the previous record ― about 307,000 albums ― set by another HYBE label Source Music's group Le Sserafim with its debut album “Fearless” in May.The “New Jeans” album, which was released on a streaming site on Aug. 1 before the hard copy version, comprises four tracks including three title tracks "Attention,” “Hype Boy” and “Cookie.” The lead track “Attention” Aug 15, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design The 15th anniversary emblem of Tokyo DisneySea, left, and the one shown in Girls' Generation's new music video / Captured from TwitterBy Kim RahnThe director of the music video for K-pop girl group Girls' Generation's new song, “Forever 1,” has acknowledged and apologized for plagiarizing a set design.Allegations emerged after the Aug. 5 release of the music video of the group's new song from its seventh full-length namesake album, which was released in line with the group's 15th anniversary.Some Japanese online users raised the suspicion of the illegal design use, saying an emblem showing the group's 15th anniversary in the music video is very similar to the one used by Tokyo DisneySea when the theme park celebrated its 15th year.As the allegation grew, the director, Shin Hee-won, admitted to copying the DisneySea design and apologized.“I am ashamed of using the design without permission. I apologize for it,” Shin wrote on her Instagram, Sunday.Shin, who was in charge of the entire music video production process from planning and directing to deciding on minoAug 15, 2022By Kim Rahn
