K-Pop Journalist. Online Editor.
K-Pop’s Avengers are gearing up for their return to the global stage with first official album, ‘Super One’ on September 25. SM Entertainment confirmed that its supergroup SuperM will drop two empowering, anthemic pre-release singles ‘100’ and ‘Tiger Inside’ on August 14 and September 1, …
Koo Jun-hoe and Kim Jin-hwan of iKON have been involved in a drunk driving accident last Monday. According to the Namhae Police Station, the incident happened when their van rode by a drunk driver, who is reportedly their manager, skidded on wet roads and slammed …
K-Pop sensation BlackPink returned from their impending comeback, this time raising the bar even higher with their highly-awaited pre-release track ‘How You Like That’ and dramatic, aesthetically-pleasing music video unleashed on Friday.
According to the band’s label and management agency YG Entertainment on its official website the message behind the hip-hop infused single is “to move forward and rise up in any bad circumstances”.
Written by TEDDY and Danny Chung, the track starts off with orchestral sounds and blends EDM with their signature sound as the song progresses. It also includes Arabic instrumentals during member Lisa’s second verse rap and a traditional souk in the music video.
And without a doubt, their momentous comeback created global buzz online and maintained a winning streak in their homeland and, of course, in the UAE.
Adding to their record-breaking list in their already remarkable career, the single shot to the top of the UAE iTunes songs chart and in 59 other countries, setting an all-time record for a K-Pop girl group, according to YG Entertainment.
The same day of its release, their music video, which reportedly scored the biggest premiere in YouTube history, was top trending in the UAE.
The fashionable foursome’s comeback has been long-awaited, considering their last comeback as a full group was with 2019 EP ‘Kill This Love’ — approximately a year and two months. Last month, the quartet collaborated with Lady Gaga on her track ‘Sour Candy’, which also topped the UAE iTunes songs chart.
As part of their three-tier scheme, another single will drop sometime between July and August before dropping first full-length album in September. Solo projects from Rosé, Lisa and Jisoo are also set to drop later this year.
BlackPink are a respected force within K-Pop — both domestically and internationally. Since debuting in 2016, Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa have been breaking records and have released hits such as ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ and ‘Kill This Love’. Along the way, they also built a legion of dedicated fans, collectively known as Blinks.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
Wonho, formerly of Monsta X, officially launched his solo career with English track ‘Losing You’. The singer-songwriter opened up a new chapter with the piano-driven ballad after parting ways with the K-Pop group amid a series of allegations that emerged online last year involving unpaid …
SHINEE’s leader returned to public life on July 20 after serving almost one year and seven months of his mandatory service in South Korea’s military. Due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, Onew reportedly went on final leave on July 8 prior to his official discharge without …
Lee Hi signed with label AOMG after leaving YG Entertainment, home to high-profile acts like BlackPink and BigBang, last December.
Founded in 2013, the hip-hop label run by rapper Jay Park officially announced its newest member on its social media.
“We are proud to announce that the incredibly talented artist, Lee Hi has been officially signed with AOMG. Please look forward to her next chapter with AOMG,” the Korean-based label tweeted.
Other artists signed under AOMG include Simon Dominic, LOCO, Gray, and Punchnello.
The next day, the South Korean songstress released new soulful R&B single ‘Holo’, her first musical offering since May 2019’s EP ‘24℃’.
Accompanied by a heart-warming, reflective music video featuring someone who seems to be a mirror of her younger self, the song covers the theme of loneliness and consolation with an important message of loving yourself.
The singer has been a singer for eight years now since becoming a runner-up for music survival show ‘K-Pop Star’ in 2011, leading her to join YG Entertainment as a soloist. This year, she was featured on EXO’s Chanyeol and Raiden’s single ‘Yours’ along with Changmo.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
K-Pop singer Somi made her musical comeback with ebullient single ‘What You Waiting For’ on July 22. The R&B genre dance-pop track is about a girl falling in love and is produced by Teddy Park, who is the founder of her label, and co-written by …
YG Entertainment’s newest boy group Treasure is nearing its launch date to the K-Pop stage. The all-male group will make an expected grand debut on August 7, the Korean label announced on social media last Monday. In the lead up to their formal launch, YG …
SF9’s Ro Woon will temporarily take a break from the group’s comeback promotions due to back and knee pain.
FNC Entertainment released a statement on their website, revealing its artist felt pain during a group schedule on July 15.
“After visiting the hospital on the morning of July 16th, we received a detailed examination that he should avoid intense movements, including the current choreography, and that if he uses his body too much, the physical condition will get worse,” the South Korean label said.
“In addition, it was inevitably decided that Ro Woon’s activities should be adjusted according to the doctor’s recommendation that the rest period is needed along with treatment for the time being.”
FNC Entertainment further revealed that the group’s upcoming concert, ‘NOOB CON’, which is scheduled for August 8, will be pushed to a later date.
“The artist’s health recovery is our top priority, and we will do our best to ensure Ro Woon’s quick recovery and that his injury does not deteriorate,” the label said. “In order not to cause any concerns to the fans, we will inform you of Ro Woon’s progress in recovery and what will be decided regarding his future activities.”
It concluded that it is considering taking strong legal actions against “spreading malicious rumours and groundless slander” aimed at SF9.
Following the label’s announcement, Ro Woon wrote a letter to fans via the group’s official fan cafe, explaining about the pain and apologising to fans.
The announcement comes amid SF9 dropping it’s eighth mini album ‘9loryUS’, which charted high on the UAE iTunes albums chart, accompanied by title track ‘Summer Breez’ on July 6.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
EXO-SC reigned the UAE iTunes albums chart with ‘1 Billion Views’, fronted by a retro disco hip hop track of the same name. EXO’s sub-unit, featuring Chanyeol and Sehun, hyped up fans by dropping tracks and music videos for solos ‘Nothin’ and ‘On Me’, as …