K-Pop Journalist. Online Editor.
South Korean conglomerate HYBE Co Ltd behind Grammy-nominated K-Pop phenomenon BTS has entered a $1.05 billion to purchase American music executive Scooter Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings. Acquisition details Through its US unit HYBE America, billionaire Bang Si-Hyuk’s behemoth—formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment—will take full …
Top-billed K-pop stars will perform at a virtual concert for UAE fans on April 2. A part of the ‘Korea-UAE Festival’, the ‘Korea-UAE K-Pop Festival’ will feature a stellar line-up of artists that includes groups Mamamoo, B.I.G, Astro, NCT Dream, The Boyz, and aespa. Jointly …
V, a member of record-breaking K-Pop boy group BTS, is reportedly getting his own LED show on the facade of Burj Khalifa on December 29 in celebration of his birthday (December 30).
A China-based fan club for V — whose real name is Kim Taehyung — have confirmed the massive gift in a Twitter post. “After a long period of application, finalisation, review and modification, thanks to Taehyung’s global top reputation, influence and positive personal image, we are very honoured to obtain the opportunity making the world’s first K-Pop individual artist to print on the Burj Khalifa with a stunning three-minute sound and light show,” China Baidu Vbar wrote on Twitter.
The special light and sound show will be accompanied with a water show at the Dubai Fountain, swaying to the artist’s stirring pop-rock ballad Winter Bear, performed entirely in English.
“At the same time as the Burj Khalifa’s sound and lights show accompanied by V’s self-composed ‘Winter Bear’, the dancing light show is completely choreographed and customised to Winter Bear,” the fan base explained in a statement on social media.
China Baidu Vbar has revealed that the three-minute birthday show is scheduled to commence at 6.50pm on December 29.
Emaar has also confirmed with Gulf News that a tribute to V will be the call of the hour.
The Dubai-based initiative is one of many global birthday projects organised by China Baidu Vbar, including the Waterloo Station in London and Urban Deca Towers EDSA in the Philippines, among others.
From donating to charities to securing customised ads in prime locations globally, K-Pop fans are known for investing in some of the world’s most expensive ad space in appreciation for their favourite group or member.
In 2018, EXO was also featured on the Burj Khalifa thanks to their fan club from China, who go by China Baidu Exo Bar.
In October, BTS member Jimin’s Chinese fan base also secured advertising screen space in The Dubai Mall for his birthday.
Photo Credit: Big Hit Entertainment
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
A K-Pop concert with a star-studded line-up is coming our way this month. In line with the UAE-Korea Cultural Dialogue to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between the UAE and South Korea, the Korea Festival 2020 is returning with ‘KITE: K-Pop in the Emirates’, …
With the debut of its unit XUM just around the corner, K-Pop group NeonPunch has decided to disband three years after their launch. The all-female act’s agency A100 Entertainment announced the news on the group’s social media channels on August 11. “In fact, our A100 …
Astro’s Moonbin and Sanha are gearing up to for their unit debut.
On Friday, Fantagio Entertainment announced that its artists have already completed recording music and plan to formally launch in mid-September. No other details have officially been revealed yet as of this writing.
Other K-Pop groups have successfully launched into subunits with their respective members, however it’s Astro’s first ever unit since its debut in 2016.
As they prepare for their debut, Moonbin and Sanha are currently busy working as MCs for MBC Music’s music television programme ‘Show Champion’.
Before releasing summer single ‘No I Don’t …’ on June 28, the act’s vocalists joined the rest of the members — JinJin, MJ, Eunwoo and Rocky — with EP ‘Getaway’ fronted by single ‘Knock’, which sealed the group’s second music show win since their launch.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
YG Entertainment has revealed comeback details for its artists Akdong Musician (AKMU) and Winner’s Mino and Yoon. On August 11, the K-Pop behemoth disclosed that brother-sister duo AKMU will be dropping three new singles starting from September. The pair have already completed recording the songs …
South Korean artist Tiger JK and several local K-Pop fanbases have showed their support and condolences with Lebanon in the aftermath of the catastrophic twin blasts that ripped through Beirut’s port last week. The hip-hop pioneer and member of Drunken Tiger tweeted “Prayers #prayforBEIRUT” on …
VIXX’s Hongbin has decided to part ways from the group following his live stream controversy.
His agency Jellyfish Entertainment made the announcement on August 7, revealing that the K-Pop star shared his intentions to withdraw from the group after discussing it with the VIXX members as well.
Though not disclosing the reason behind his departure, the cause may particularly be in regards to his controversial comments made about K-Pop artists — such as SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, and INFINITE’s — during a reportedly intoxicated Twitch stream in February.
After reportedly apologising for his remarks via his live broadcast a few hours after that time, Hongbin posted a written apology on Instagram and temporarily halted his activities in the entertainment industry.
VIXX will now continue to promote as five members — N, Leo, Ravi, Hyuk and Ken — moving forward.
Following his announcement from VIXX and no former agency’s statement, Hongbin confirmed his departure to fans while streaming on Twitch and shared plans to continue doing personal broadcasts.
Hongbin has been an active member of K-Pop boy group VIXX since 2012. Much like other K-Pop groups, he tried his hand in acting, securing roles in fantasy action-romance ‘Moorim School: Saga of the Brave’ and ‘Witch’s Love’.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
Hyolyn has announced a comeback with her second mini-album, ‘Say My Name’. On August 7, the singer excited fans by dropping a first teaser image of her upcoming musical offering, which is slated for release on August 19. At time of writing, no further details …