Author: Denise Coley
JYP Entertainment has rolled out a fan recruitment drive for Stray Kinds boy band. JYP Entertainment released the Stray Kids Official Fanclub STAY 5th Gen Recruitment Main Poster in a bid to gather more fanbase to the already overwhelming family of supporters. The recruitment, which kicked on January 9 is expected to run until January 19. All Korean fans (link) and Global fans (link) are welcome so as enjoy a variety of special membership benefits. —-Karen Mwenda #STRAYKIDS #STRAYKIDSRecruitment #StrayKidsFanclub5thGeneration #Koreanfans #Globalfans #kcrush #kpop #kpopidol #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #OverStayTheRain #JYPEntertainment #FanClubStrayKids
Despite its rising global popularity, “Squid Game 2” is facing criticism in Vietnam over a controversial Vietnam War dialogue. “Squid Game 2” is facing criticism for alleged history distortion after a dialogue referencing the Vietnam War. In the dialogue, Actor Kang Ha Neul, (Dae Ho, participant No. 388), says “My father wanted me to become a real man, so he sent me to the Marines. My father was a Vietnam War veteran.” Other participants respond to him saying, “Your father must be an honorable man.” This dialogue angered Vietnamese viewers who claimed that the section glorified South Korean soldiers who…
BLACKPINK’s Jennie has taken control over the cover of Billboard’s January issue. Jennie is the cover for Billboard magazine’s January issue. Accompanied by additional captivating pictorials, Jennie discusses her career under BLACKPINK and as a solo artist. The global icon also touches on her struggles within the industry and how she has managed to stay on top of them all. The in-depth interview showcases Jennie’s growth as an artist and individual throughout the years, including in fashion, music, and film. —-Karen Mwenda #Jennie #BLACKPINK #BlackpinkJennie #JennieonBillboardJanuaryCover #kcrush #kpop #kculture #kpopidol #koreanfashion #kmusic #kpopfilm #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreanculture #kcelebrity #hallyu
Here are the latest music videos to brighten your day. 1. MAMAMOO’s Whee In Whee In released the “Aftertaste” music video on January 9 showcasing her growth as a solo artist. 2. SEVENTEEN’s BSS BSS released the “Jeans” official music video on January 8 giving CARAT fanbase a new way to start the year. 3. CREZL CREZL released the “HAKUNA MATATA” music video on January 7. 4. Kwon Eun Bi Kwon Eun Bi released the “Snowfall” music video featuring Coogie on January 7. 5. NEXZ NEXZ dropped the “’Eye to Eye’ B-Side” music video edited by Tomoya on January 7.…
Actor Jung Woo Sung was recently excluded from his agency’s New Year greetings. Artist Company agency excluded its client, Jung Woo Sung, from this year’s New Year greetings. The agency released handwritten holiday greetings from its actors except Jung Woo Sung. Woo Sung was however mentioned in the hashtags. Surprisingly, Jung Woo Sung is not only an actor under the agency but also its co-founder. Jung Woo Sung was recently involved in a scandal after it was revealed he was the father of Model Moon Ga Bi’s son. —-Karen Mwenda #ActorJungWooSung 3JungWooSung #MoonGaBi #model #ArtistCompanyAgency #kcrush #koreanactor #koreandrama…
EXO band member Lay has indeed given fans a happy new year with an intriguing release. On January 1, the Chinese rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor released the “Kai Tian” music video. The single boasts of traditional Chinese roots and translates to ‘open the sky’. Lay made his last public appearance alongside EXO members in 2016 during EXO Planet 3 – The Exo’rdium world tour in Hong Kong. Fans hope that Lay will be part of EXO’s 2025 reunion after Sehun completes military duty in September. —-Karen Mwenda #EXOLay #LayEXO #Chineseartist #kcrush #EXOPlanet3TheExordiumWorldTour #EXO2025Reunion #kpopidol #kpop #KaiTain #newmusic…
Former LOONA member, Yves, has revealed her light stick as she gears up for the upcoming North America tour. Yves has revealed her official light stick solidifying her soloist career. Titled ‘orchard piece’, the light stick is shaped like an apple signifying her character as Eve (from the Garden of Eden) during her tenure with Loona. Yves is also scheduled to tour North America through the ‘Apple Cinnamon Crunch’ from January 2025. This will be Yves’ first tour as a soloist. Yves signed with Paix Per Mil agency in March 2024 after the court allowed her and other members to…
After the tragic December 29 Jeju air crash, individuals across the globe have been sending their support and condolences to the affected families. K-pop artists and acts have also joined the cause and are showing support through various avenues and means. On 29 December, a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 passengers crashed at Muan International Airport which has so far claimed the lives of 179 people. On December 29, the south Korean government declared a 7-day mourning in honor of the fallen victims. As the news of the tragedy spread, messages of support and condolences started pouring in. Jay…
9Ato confirmed that Han So Hee and G-Dragon are not in a relationship. On December 20, Han So He’s agency confirmed that she and G-Dragon are not dating. The official announcement comes after rumors of the two allegedly giving dating vibes. According to the rumors, the two artists oozed ‘lovestagram’ vibes through identical photo backgrounds. In one instance, the rumors claimed that both artists showed a connection as they posed on identical black chairs on their individual social media platforms. In another instance, the two were revealed to have a photo with the ‘Love for Life’ phrase. —-Karen Mwenda…
GOT7 surprised their fans with an all-member concept photo and album teasers of their major comeback scheduled for 2025. All GOT7 members slayed in black outfits oozing power and confidence. The bad is scheduled to make a comeback next year with all members present. GOT7 last appeared as a full-member group three years ago. Its big comeback is set for January 20, 2025. GOT7 is also expected to celebrate their comeback with the ‘Winter Heptagon’ album. The album is ready for preorder. —-Karen Mwenda #GOT7 #JYP #GOT7return #GOT7allmemberJanuary2025 #2025kpopreturninggroup #kcrush #kpop #kpopidol #WinterHeptagonalbum #welcomebackGOT7 #kcrushmagazine #kcrushinterviewwithGOT7 #koreanpop #knews
Taeyang will be interacting with fans during the 2025 encore. On December 20, The Black label agency announced that Taeyang will be holding the 2025 encore in February 2025. The encore, titled ‘Taeyang 2025 Tour [THE LIGHT YEAR] Encoure is scheduled to happen at Inspire Arena. Tickets will be open for sale on 7 and 8 January 2025. —-Karen Mwenda #BIGBANGTaeyang #Taeyang2025TheLightYearencore #TheLightYearencore #Taeyang #kcrush #InspireArena #kpop #koreanpop #kpopidol #kpopcelebrity #FebruaryEncoreforTaeyang #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine
TXT boy band has announced the dates of their upcoming ‘ACT: PROMISE EP.2′ 2025 World Tour. TXT band has announced that it will be going on a world tour next year. TXT will be embarking on the ‘ACT: PROMISE EP.2’ World Tour starting March 2025. The tour is an extension of ‘ACT: PROMISE’ World Tour which took off in March 2024 and ended on December 1, 2024. ‘ACT: PROMISE EP.2’ World Tour will kick off in March 2025 at Inspire Arena, Incheon, South Korea. The tour will also have a European leg with performances in cities including Barcelona, London, and…
ADOR has issued a statement regarding NewJeans opening a new social media account. On December 18, ADOR released a statement regarding NewJeans band’s ‘Jeanz for Free’ Instagram account without their consent. Through the statement, the agency hoped that NewJeans would rather continue using the already existing official platforms to communicate with their fans as they have been doing. The agency clarified that platforms other than NewJeans’ official platforms were opened without their consent which has legal repercussions. NewJeans members opened the ‘Jeanz for Free’ account after declaring their contract termination with ADOR. ADOR later filed a lawsuit to confirm the…
Actor Na In Woo has been exempted from military service after 3 years of not being summoned by MMA. On December 17, Hanada Company confirmed that their client Na In Woo had been exempted from military service. They explained that Na In Woo had received Grade 4 supplementary service classification and had been waiting for further guidance from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA). Nonetheless, since it’s been 3 years of not receiving MMA’s summons, In Woo automatically becomes eligible for military exemption. Korea’s military service act outlines that individuals classified under Grade 4 supplementary service are granted military exemption if…
While updating his fans on his status, Rapper Woodie revealed the grisly accident he encountered. On December 17, Rapper Woodie shared on his social media platforms about the unfortunate ordeal he faced as he bid his 20s goodbye. The rapper revealed that he fell from a 3-story building to the ground. Rapper Woodie confirmed that he did not sustain any life-threatening injuries and only requires a simple rehabilitation. Woodie assured his fans that he is doing better, especially after regaining his ability to move his body. The rapper added that the encounter made him reflect on his life even as…
YG Entertainment commented on WINNER’s allegations of neglecting military service duties. After the unsettling issue of WINNER’s Mino military service neglect allegations, YG Entertainment had no option but to make an official announcement. On December 17, the agency stated that Song Min Ho had not neglected his military duties but couldn’t attend due to valid reasons. The agency said that Mino was on sick leave because of ongoing treatment even before his military enlistment. The agency clarified that other leaves had been granted under official regulations. On December 16, it had been reported that Mino had failed to consistently show…
NewJeans’ Danielle has become an ambassador for the OMEGA watch brand. On December 17, OMEGA brand announced its new partnership with Danielle through its social media platforms. The announcement was accompanied by a photo of Danielle Marsh in one of OMEGA’s luxury brand watches. —-Karen Mwenda #DanielleMarsh #NewJeansDanielle #OMEGA #OMEGAluxurybrandwatches #kcrush #OMEGApartnershipDanielle #kpop #koreanpopgirlgroup #koreancelebrity #OMEGAwatches #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreanculture
Former Exhibition member Seo Dong Wook has passed away. On December 18, Seo Dong Wook was reported to have passed away from a chronic illness at the age of 50. Seo Dong Wook, a former member of the Exhibition duo band, was serving as Morgan Stanley Korea Equity’s vice president. The funeral was held at Severance Hall, Sinchon on December 20. Exhibition duo band, alongside member Kim Dong Ryul, debuted in 1993 and was known for their lyrical pieces including “Drunken Truth”. —-Karen Mwenda #SeoDongWook #SeoDongWookPassesAwayat50 #KimDongRyul #Exhibitionduoband #kcrush #DrunkenTruth #MorganStanleyKoreaEquitysvicepresident #legendpassesaway #koreanculture #koreanmusician #vpmorganstanleykoreaequity #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreannews
FNC Entertainment agency has rolled out its plans of launching a male group since 2015. On December 20, FNC Entertainment announced that they will be launching the AxMxP (AMP) boy band in 2025. The band will mark 10 years since the agency last launched a male group. The agency also launched AxMxP band’s official Instagram page solidifying its plans. AxMxP members were revealed to the public in February this year as they opened the stage for F.T Island’s ‘Hey Day’ 2024 Asia Tour. AxMxP is also scheduled to participate in FNC agency’s 2024 LOVE FNC COUNTDOWN year-end party on December…
Former Rainbow member Jaekyung has been confirmed to have walked down the aisle months ago. According to December 16 reports, it was revealed that Jaekyung had exchanged vows with her partner months ago. It was reported that Jaekyung had a wedding last summer. Jaekyung, a former Rainbow member and currently an actor, got married to her non-celebrity boyfriend in a private ceremony in Seoul. On December 16, Jaekyung’s agency, Namoo Actors, also confirmed that their client is now married and had a small wedding ceremony to protect her non-celebrity partner’s privacy. The agency confirmed that Jaekyung will continue working hard…