K-Pop Journalist. Online Editor.
TikTok is holding an online K-Pop concert live from Seoul this week. ‘TikTok Stage Live From Seoul’ concert features a star-studded line-up that includes Apink, Monsta X, iKON, Kard, AKMU, Kang Daniel, Oh My Girl, CIX and Cravity. Not only will it be the first …
K-Pop bands continue to drop new high-quality music to keep fans entertained during this time when it’s needed the most. Yet, only a couple of albums and songs charted high on the UAE iTunes charts from last week’s comebacks. Here are some top releases in …
The global pandemic continues to take a financial blow on the K-Pop industry and put a temporary end to live performances.
Artists have taken alternative routes, from holding their own virtual live concerts to releasing new music for global fans stuck at home.
Much to the delight of their fandom worldwide, a number of artists have been dropping exciting comeback announcements and new music. From last week’s star-studded line-up, here are the top picks recommended to add to your K-Pop playlist.
Last Monday, NU’EST took over the K-Pop music scene with EP ‘The Nocturne’ and title track ‘I’m in Trouble’, seven months after dropping ‘The Table’. The quintet showcased a more mature style change from their previous uplifting sound, offering a new perspective on love.
“The album focuses on “nightfall,” a moment that everyone encounters daily, when more honest emotions arise. The album unravels various aspects of the night, by realistically expressing emotions that many can relate to,” read a YouTube post under the group’s ‘I’m in Trouble’ music video. “Instead of portraying ‘nocturne’ through the usual sentimental and gloomy mood, NU’EST uses various colours to express their emotions, illustrating “nocturne” as a song of the night”.”
Containing six tracks, their eighth EP was a success in Korea and seemed to be a local fan favourite as it climbed to the top of the iTunes albums chart in the UAE and in 12 other countries.
The rock band continued their ‘The Book of Us’ album series with their latest musical offering. Fronted by title track ‘Zombie’, the eight-track EP ‘The Book of Us: The Demon’ was slightly darker than its predecessors, exploring the story of sentimental imbalance a demon can cause in one’s life.
Before its release last Monday, Day6 decided to temporarily halt all team activities and album promotions to focus on their mental well-being after some members were showing symptoms of psychological anxiety, JYP Entertainment confirmed.
The group — consisting of leader and guitarist Sungjin, guitarist Jae, keyboardist Wonpil. bassist Young K and drummer Dowoon — are focusing on getting sufficient rest after medical examination.
Last Wednesday, Chanyeol from boy group sensation EXO and rising DJ/producer Raiden collaborated on genre-crossing single ‘Yours’ with the help of soloist Lee Hi and rapper Changmo.
Featuring funky guitar and retro synth-pop sounds, the disco-style R’n’B collaborative number captivated fans with the synergy of the quartet coming from various sonic styles, leading to becoming a hit in Korea and globally.
The feel-good song about the lingering feeling after a break-up topped the iTunes songs chart in countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, the Philippines, Oman and Malaysia and was a success in Korea.
It’s Raiden’s third collaboration with K-Pop artists, having previously collaborated with Red Velvet’s Irene and Girls’ Generation’s Yuri.
BVNDIT, an acronym for ‘Be Ambitious and Do It’, returned confident as ever with their EP ‘Carnival’ fronted by title track ‘Jungle’, declaring they are the queens in the jungle.
Their tropical-themed comeback was also a fan favourite, seen from some of their tracks’ ranking on the UAE songs iTunes chart. On Wednesday, the rookie girl group’s powerful tracks ‘Come and Get It’, ‘Jungle’ and ‘Carnival’ ranked in the top 10 on the UAE iTunes all-genre songs chart, proving to be the next K-Pop group to look out for.
Just in time for springtime, BOL4’s Ahn Ji Young dropped her five-track EP and title track ‘Hug’ co-composed and written by the singer-songstress herself. Just ahead of its release, she dropped a pre-release single ‘Leo’ featuring EXO’s Baekhyun.
Part of BOL4’s ‘Puberty Book’ that delves into the various emotions of the youth especially that of love, the newest instalment is the first release as a soloist following the departure of her former bandmate and guitarist Woo Ji Yoon last month.
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Big Bang member Taeyang is all set to release a documentary on YouTube on Monday. Taeyang’s eight-episode docu-series titled ‘White Night’ will be available on Big Bang’s and his agency’s official YouTube account starting this Monday, in the lead up to the group’s new music …
Winner’s Mino has been criticised for breaking the country’s social distancing rules after reportedly performing at a club in Yangyang County, Gangwon, on May 3. Korean media outlet ‘Dispatch’ reported that the K-Pop artist surprised clubgoers, whom have allegedly lowered their masks after entering the …
K-Pop stars Taeyeon and IU both showed their local popularity last week by topping the UAE iTunes Top Songs chart with new music, proving their star power and existing loyal fan base.
On May 4, the Girls’ Generation member continued her winning streak on the chart when she released digital single ‘Happy’ that was accompanied by a music video.
Apart from taking over the spot on the UAE iTunes songs chart, the old-school R’n’B song reportedly topped globally in 14 other countries, including Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
While in her homeland, Taeyeon’s cheerful, heart-warming single soared to the top of the major real time music streaming charts such as Melon, Soribada, Genie, and Bugs within two hours of its release. The songs also managed to take over the QQ Music’s Korean music video charts in China.
Taeyeon’s new single comes two months after its postponement following the unfortunate passing of her father as well as the release of her second repackaged album ‘Purpose’ in January.
Yet, another K-Pop queen who reigned over the local songs chart is none other than chart-topping soloist IU.
Last Wednesday, the singer garnered massive support when she released her much-anticipated collaboration track, ‘eight’ featuring BTS’s Suga, who is also credited as the producer. As expected, it was a certified hit — and a trending topic on Twitter.
Showcasing IU’s soaring vocals as she sings of being 28 alongside Suga’s distinct rapping skills, the pop rock number conquered the iTunes Top Songs chart in the UAE and in 58 other countries as of early Thursday, IU’s agency Edam Entertainment reportedly confirmed.
In South Korea, the success of the nostalgic, self-reflective single has so far resulted in it achieving a certified all-kill on the domestic daily and real time charts. It also hit a whole new record on the country’s largest music site Melon for recording the most unique listeners — a reported 199,327 users — in the first hour of being available.
Considered one of the most sought-after K-Pop soloists, IU was involved in the overall production of ‘eight’, her first release since 2019’s EP ‘Love Poem’. It is part of her coming-of-age-themed songs: ‘Twenty-Three’ (2015) and ‘Palette’ (2017).
The high-profile collaboration track by the powerhouse duo was bound to be a chart sensation, given that they are among the industry’s most-acclaimed artists.
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EXO’s Suho, BTOB’s Hyunsik and Sungjae, Block B’s U-Kwon and Pentagon’s Jinho will bid a temporary farewell to fans as they will all be carrying out their mandatory military service this month. Last week, the K-Pop idols — and their labels — shared the news, …
Yubin may be facing a stiff competition with a star-studded comeback line-up this month. The former Wonder Girls rapper is confirmed to be preparing new music since establishing her own label, rrr Entertainment. Although there are no details on the release date, the concept and …
K-Pop groups Astro, B.I.G, IMFACT, April, Dongkiz, and D-Crunch sent messages of support and wished local fans a Ramadan Kareem.
On April 28, the Korean Cultural Center in the UAE (KCC) began releasing personal videos of each K-Pop group relaying positivity and warm wishes during the holy month of Ramadan amid the global pandemic.
“After long consideration, we have planned to share a positive message with K-Pop groups to overcome this difficult time together with the spirit of solidarity and tolerance,” Nam Chan-woo, Director at KCC told Gulf News.
Some of the bands like B.I.G, IMFACT and D-Crunch are no strangers to the UAE as they’ve previously greeted fans and held performances in the country on separate occasions last year.
“The artists cherished and remembered the stage they had in the UAE, and they were willing to share the meaning of Ramadan and send messages of support to overcome Corona.”
IN2IT’s member Isaac and South Korean rapper Tiger JK have also tweeted to their global fans a Ramadan Kareem.
The Coronavirus outbreak has certainly taken a tumultuous hit on the K-Pop music industry at large, with most events now taking place online. K-Pop concerts like ‘Music Bank in Dubai’ and ‘K-Pop Super Concert’ were also forced into postponement.
“Korea’s pop culture and arts community are also suffering from the cancellation of all performances and events due to COVID-19, and we are also grateful that the groups were pleased to join our Ramadan message initiatives,” he said.
However, Nam shared that the KCC and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Arab Emirates are planning to hold in the second half of 2020 a variety of events, of which includes a K-Pop festival that is expected to take place between November 4 and 7 at Etihad Arena and Yas Mall. However, there are no confirmed dates as of yet due to the current situation of the global pandemic.
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EXO’s Chen welcomed his first child with his wife at a hospital in Seoul’s Gangnam district on April 29. His label SM Entertainment confirmed media reports, stating that the 27-year-old is now a father to a healthy daughter. Chen — whose real name is Kim …