K-Pop Journalist. Online Editor.
Zico is set to heat up this summer with new music. Last week, his agency KOZ Entertainment made the surprising announcement, revealing that the chart-topping hip-hop hitmaker’s upcoming EP ‘Random Box’ is slated for July 1 release. This comes just six months after conquering the …
CIX has postponed their upcoming EP release after member Bae Jin-young reinjured his ankle, agency CP Entertainment said last Wednesday. “Since we put highest priorities on the artist’s health and condition, we decide to postpone the upcoming new album [CIX 3rd EP Album ‘Hello ‘Chapter …
Nine months after releasing ‘An Ode’, K-Pop group Seventeen made an anthemic, youthful return with seventh mini-album ‘Heng:garae’ accompanied by music video for lead track ‘Left & Right’ last Monday.
While the band focused on the concept of fear in their previous album, the newest EP is a refreshing, brighter take, incorporating a supportive and comforting message to youth celebrating dreams and life’s challenges.
The optimistic lead track itself is a message directed towards youth going left and right during uncertain and pivotal moments in their life. It encourages listeners to release their anxieties and reach for their dreams with their strength.
Featuring mostly bright and encouraging tracks, ‘Heng:garae’, which loosely translates to the act of tossing someone up in the air in celebration in Korean, was poised to be a commercial success prior to its availability in South Korea.
It reportedly broke the band’s previous record by surpassing 1.06 million domestic presales. Additionally, it has sold more than 1 million copies within just five days of its release, according to music sales tracker Hanteo Chart. As of Friday, it added that they became the third music artist in Hanteo history to sell more than 1 million album sales during its first week.
‘Heng:garae’ undoubtedly resonated with their local Carat fandom. Not only did the lead track reportedly top various Korean music charts such as Melon, Bugs and Genie, but also the EP soon climbed to the top of the UAE iTunes all-genre, Pop and K-Pop albums chart.
The multifaceted ‘self-producing idols’ band — consisting of Dino, Jun, Jeonghan, S.coups, Mingyu, DK, Woozi, Joshua, Seungkwan, Wonwoo, Vernon, The 8, and Hoshi — continue to push themselves creatively, from their flawless performances to their songwriting and production. ‘Heng:garae’ is no different.
Their newest EP is their latest since last September’s ‘An Ode’, which also charted high on the UAE iTunes albums chart. It also marks their first return since their agency Pledis Entertainment was acquired by powerhouse Big Hit Entertainment — home to K-Pop groups BTS and TXT.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
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 …
Lim Young-min has officially left AB6IX following DUI offence. On June 8, Brand New Music reportedly released a statement, confirming the news of his decision to depart the group after thorough discussions with the singer. “After careful talks with Lim Young-min, we have decided to …
TVXQ’s Changmin will tie the knot on September 15, SM Entertainment confirmed on Friday.
The veteran K-Pop singer announced the news of his upcoming marriage with his non-celebrity girlfriend in a handwritten letter to fans via his agency’s fan community Lysn.
He expressed his gratitude towards bandmate Yunho and his agency’s staff and thanked his devoted fans for their support.
Last year, Changmin — whose real name is Choi Chang-min — publicly announced that he was in a relationship for the first time throughout his 17-year career.
In respect to his fiancee and both families, details of their autumn wedding will not be disclosed publicly.
Following his wedding, SM Entertainment assured fans that Changmin will still continue his musical activities as an artist and member of TVXQ.
Changmin, also known as Max Changmin, rose to fame across Asia following his debut in 2003 as the youngest member of TVXQ, which was originally a quintet act but was regrouped into a duo in 2010. The other three members — Junsu, Yuchun and Jaejoong — left due to a contract dispute with the K-Pop conglomerate.
The multifaceted artist dropped his first solo EP, ‘Chocolate’ On April 6. Following its release, he performed on stage alongside Yunho in SM Entertainment’s latest ‘Beyond Live’ virtual online concert.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
Seventeen is ready to drop their seventh mini-album ‘Heng:garae’ on June 22. Last week, Pledis Entertainment announced the news on social media with a promotional image of the album followed by teaser trailers and individual concept photos of the members. The 13-member K-Pop group also …
Super Junior — K.R.Y. and WayV’s albums topped the UAE iTunes chart last week. Last Monday, the veteran K-Pop group’s subunit — composed of members Kyuhyun, Ryeowook and Yesung — dropped their first mini-album ‘When We Were Us’ and title track of the same name. …
Powerhouse girl group Twice continue their winning streak with new EP ‘More & More’.
Following the release of Korean EP ‘Feel Special’, JYP Entertainment’s popular act returned with a confident and mature look without losing their trademark bright demeanour in their newest seasonal seven-track EP last Monday.
Featuring moombahton rhythm and tropical sounds, the title track ‘More & More’ boasts a roster of big foreign songwriters such as MNEK, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, Zara Larsson, and BIBI as well as legendary JYP chief producer Park Jin-young.
The band continues to expand their sonic scape — heard in their Latin track ‘Firework’ — and took part in the album’s composition process. Member Nayeon wrote the lyrics for ‘Make Me Go’ while Jungyeon and Chaeyoung penned the lyrics for track ‘Sweet Summer Day’. The new albums marks Mina’s return from her mental health-related hiatus.
As expected from the K-Pop starlets, the album topped charts in Korea and globally, JYP Entertainment reportedly said last Tuesday. Much like their other discographies, the title track and namesake album also climbed to the top of the UAE iTunes charts.
The vibrant and tropical music video for ‘More & More’ was also a popular choice on YouTube in the UAE. However, it was hit with a plagiarism scandal after artist Davis McCarty accused the group of using his strikingly similar installation tilted ‘Pulse Portal’ without his consent or credit.
Twice’s agency responded to copyright infringement claims, stating that they have requested the music video production company contact McCarty to resolve the issue and vowed to implement tighter plagiarism checks.
Twice — consisting of members Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu — propelled to stardom with hits like ‘Signal’, ‘Cheer Up’, and ‘TT’, becoming one of Korea’s most prominent act.
Following the promotions eighth EP, Twice released a YouTube original documentary series ‘Twice: Seize the Light’ in April, a first for a K-Pop girl group.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
Taemin is all set to make a summer comeback next month. On June 5, SM Entertainment reportedly confirmed this to various media outlets that were reporting on his pending return to the music scene, disclosing that the youngest member of SHINee will release a new …