BTS' new album 'Proof' sold over 2 mil. on 1st day of release A fan of the South Korean boy band BTS poses for a picture inside a newly opened pop-up shop selling BTS merchandise in Manhattan in New York City, June 10, after the release of their new album "Proof". Reuters-Yonhap K-pop supergroup BTS' new album "Proof" sold over 2 million copies on the first day of its release, its agency said Saturday. A total of 2.15 million copies of the anthology album had been sold as of 11 p.m. Friday, just 10 hours after it became available on the market, according to Hanteo Chart, a South Korean music chart. Captured images from the BTS music video for "Yet to come." Yonhap It was the second time that the boy band's album sales surpassed 2 million on the first day, after its fourth album, "Map of the Soul: 7," in 2020.Its lead off song, "Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)," instantly topped real-time charts of majoJun 11, 2022
'Proof' is album of BTS' history K-pop boy group BTS released its new anthology album, “Proof,” Friday. Courtesy of Big Hit MusicK-pop giant releases anthology album with 3 new songsBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop titan BTS is back. The seven-piece act dropped its new anthology album, “Proof,” Friday, in celebration of the ninth anniversary of its debut. The music video of its lead track, “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment),” has already exceeded 10 million views on YouTube as of 3 p.m. (KST) ― only two hours after its release. “'Proof' is an album of our history,” member Jin said through his management company, Big Hit Music, a few hours ahead of the album's release. “I think I will listen a lot to the songs in this album, as they remind me of the precious memories of the past nine years.” The 48-track album marks the end of the first chapter of BTS' career, according to its frontman, RM. “We poured a lot of effort into writing lyrics, so that we can convey our sincere messages to our fans,” he explained. “I am nervous as usual to showcase our Jun 10, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
Preorders for aespa's upcoming EP surpass 1 million copies K-pop girl group aespa / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentRising K-pop girl group aespa's second EP "Girls" has scored over 1 million preorders since they started a week ago, SM Entertainment, the group's agency, said Thursday.Debuting in November 2020 with a unique metaverse-based concept, the quartet shot to fame with its debut single "Black Mamba" and follow-up songs "Next Level" and "Savage."The large preorders herald the forthcoming release will also be a huge success.The quartet will release an English single, "Life's Too Short," June 24, and "Girls," July 8. (Yonhap)Jun 9, 2022
J-hope of BTS to perform at Lollapalooza J-hope of BTS / Courtesy of Bighit Music By Kim RahnJ-hope, a member of K-pop giant BTS, will perform at Lollapalooza, a famous music festival that will be held in Chicago next month. The poster announcing the headliners of this year's Lollapalooza / Captured from Lollapalooza website The organizer of the festival put j-hope as one of the headliners in an announcement on its website and social media, June 8 (KST). The four-day festival lasts from July 28 to 31, and the K-pop superstar will appear on the last day.Other musicians performing on the last day include Green Day, Jane's Addiction and The Kid Laroi, while Metallica and Dua Lipa will perform on other days.“We're thrilled to announce j-hope of BTS will headline Lolla 2022 on Sun, July 31st! His performance will make history, cementing him as the first South Korean artist to headline a main staJun 8, 2022By Kim Rahn
BTS to drop anthology album 'Proof' on Friday K-pop boy group BTS / Courtesy of BigHit MusicK-pop supergroup BTS will make a highly anticipated return to the music scene Friday with an anthology album titled "Proof."The group will drop the album compiling the group's nine-year-long activities since its debut at 1 p.m. on Friday in Korea, which is midnight U.S. EST, apparently with the U.S. market in mind, according to the local music scene.It will be the band's first physical album since it released the single CD with "Butter" and "Permission to Dance" last year.The forthcoming album depicts the past, present and future of BTS as a top K-pop group that is about to begin its 10th year this month.Last month, BTS unveiled the track list for the anthology album via its social media accounts.The album, which consists of three CDs, will have a total of 48 tracks, including three new songs ― "Yet To Come," "Run BTS" and "For Youth."Team leader RM, Suga and J-hope took part in the creation of the main track "Yet To Come" with the subtitle "The Most Beautiful Moment." "As BTS celebrates the ninth anniversary of its debut and is about to Jun 7, 2022
BTS agency launches global auditions for new boy band The poster of Bighit Music's global audition to select next-generation boy band members / Courtesy of Bighit MusicBy Kim RahnBighit Music, the label beyond K-pop megastar BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT), will hold auditions around the world to find members of a next-generation boy band. The company said, Monday, it will hold “2022 Bighit Music Global Audition” both online and offline through September. Males born in 2002 or later can apply regardless of their nationality and location of residence, for categories such as vocal, rap, dance and producing to show their artistic potential, according to the agency.Offline auditions will take place in Los Angeles on June 25, Toronto on July 2, Sydney on July 16, Bangkok on July 30, Taipei on Aug. 13, Tokyo on Sept. 3, and Seoul on Sept. 18. Prior registration for participation in the auditions is not required, so those wanting to take part can just come to the venues on those dates. They will receive comments on their singing and dancing skills from casting directors at Bighit Music. Details of the auditions are available on tJun 6, 2022By Kim Rahn
KARD to release 5th mini album June 22 Scenes from trailer of K-pop group KARD's mini album “RE:” that will be released on June 22 / Courtesy of DSP MediaBy Kim RahnKARD, one of the few mixed-gender K-pop groups, will release its fifth mini album “RE:” on June 22, its agency DSP Media said, Sunday. The new EP of the four-piece act ― male members BM and J.seph, and female members Somin and Jiwoo ― comes more than two years after its previous one released in February 2020. KARD is resuming its full-member activities after J.seph finished his mandatory military service recently.The group's 15-second teaser film about the EP clocked over 8 million views on YouTube and TikTok since its release on May 28.DSP Media also disclosed a trailer on the act's YouTube channel, Friday. The trailer shows photos and videos of the group since its debut in December 2016 with the single “Oh NaNa,” and displays each member stating “RE:Turn to the basics,” “RE:Born,” “RE:Trigger,” and “RE:Debut” to give a hint about the new mini album “RE:.”The band Jun 6, 2022By Kim Rahn
Korean fusion folk-pop band ADG7 to perform in New York Korean fusion folk-pop band ADG7 / Courtesy of Lee Jong Sam By Park Han-solKorean fusion folk-pop ensemble Ak Dan Gwang Chil, also referred to as ADG7, will perform at the Lincoln Center in New York in the coming weeks.The nine-piece act, which draws inspiration from Korea's shamanic ritual of “gut” and “minyo” (folk songs), also brings in elements of modern K-pop to create its signature danceable melodies that suit the musical taste of contemporary audiences.“ADG7: Korean Shamanic Folk-Pop” will be presented as a part of the Lincoln Center's upcoming Summer for the City festival on June 15 at 7:30 p.m. (local time), where the band will perform 11 tracks including “Young Jeong Geo Ri,” “Eulssa” and “Hee Hee.”The band has received attention on an international level, with the New York Times describing its music as “bouncy, upbeat, often swinging songs that link the concision of folk tunes to the catchy repetition of pop.”In January, ADG7 was also featured in an influJun 4, 2022By Park Han-sol
Seventeen's new album sets first-week sales record for this year K-pop boy group Seventeen / Courtesy of Pledis EntertainmentK-pop boy group Seventeen's fourth full-length album has sold more than 2 million copies in the first week of its release, a record for all albums released this year, the group's agency said Friday."Face the Sun" has sold 2,067,769 copies since it hit music stores a week ago, Pledis Entertainment said, citing data from Hanteo Chart, a local album sales tracker.This was the most first-week sales of all albums released this year to date, Pledis added.The album had widely been expected to become a big hit, as it sold 1.75 million copies on the day of its release, well over the group's personal first-week sales record set with its ninth EP, "Attacca.""Face the Sun" has become the band's sixth release to have sold more than 1 million copies with its third full-length album, "An Ode," being the first one upon its release in September 2019."BTS and Seventeen are the only artists in K-pop history that have scored more than 1 million copies on the first day of releasing an album and more than 2 million copies in a week," Pledis said Jun 3, 2022
Girl group ITZY to drop new EP next month K-pop girl group ITZY / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment K-pop girl group ITZY will roll out a new EP next month, to be followed by the its first-ever U.S. tour, the group's agency said Thursday. The five-member group will release the EP titled "Checkmate" at 1 p.m., July 15, JYP Entertainment said.It marks the band's first release in about 10 months since its first full-length album "Crazy in Love" last September.ITZY will later hold its first-ever U.S. tour promoting the new EP, according to the agency.After kicking off the tour in Seoul with Aug. 6 and 7 concerts, the band will fly to the United States for shows in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston and New York until Nov. 13.Debuting in 2019, the girl group has worked actively traveling between Korea and Japan. It is known for hit songs such as "Dalla Dalla," "ICY," "Wannabe," "Not Shy" and "In the Morning."It has also enjoyed popularity in the U.S., with its first LP reaching No. 11 onJun 2, 2022
