– [1ST] MCND EUROPE TOUR 2022’ successfully completed in 7 cities in 6 European countries
– MCND to hold their first K-Pop European concert after the pandemic!
– MCND held the first K-pop concert in Switzerland
MCND successfully completed ‘[1ST] MCND EUROPE TOUR 2022’.
MCND met European audiences by visiting Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on April 9, London, England, Budapest, Hungary, Cologne, Germany, Paris and Toulon, France, and Lausanne, Switzerland. The concerts held in 7 cities in 6 countries were sold out.
#MCND showed their energy at their first offline concert!
MCND, which debuted in February 2020, held their first offline concert through this European tour. Although they performed on the offline stage for the first time, they captivated European audiences with their stable skills.
European audiences who watched MCND’s performance were amazed by their dancing skills and live performances. MCND’s concert consisted of a set list of 20 songs, including the new song ‘JUICE’. European audiences were amazed by the variety of attractions they provided.
Also, a video in which MCND appeared as a surprise at the ‘Random Play Dance’ event held in Paris became popular. The global popularity of MCND was verified when European citizens gathered in front of the Eiffel Tower sang ‘ICE AGE’ together.
MCND’s European tour concert is the first K-pop group’s European concert since the pandemic.
In particular, MCND’s Lausanne concert is the first K-pop concert held in Switzerland. They succeeded in making their way into countries other than those where K-pop was popular from the start!
#MCND’s next target is ‘America’
MCND will hold a concert in the Americas in June. Through the Americas tour, they plan to continue their global popularity by meeting fans in 10 cities in the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Global K-pop fans are looking forward to MCND, which opened the door for the 4th generation K-pop to enter Europe!
#MCND #soldoutconcert #Europeanconcert #April2022 #MCND4thgenkpop #MCNDYoungPower #boyband #Switzerland #kpop #kpopbias #kpopidol #inpersonconcert #concerttour #TOPMedia #London #Germany #France #Korea #Koreanboygroup #Hungary #kpopboyband #kcrushnews #kcrushmedia #MCNDAmericanTourJune2022
The NFT collection is created from within the music video showcasing hidden perks to explore the artist’s creative universe
WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR “HUSH HUSH” HERE
LEARN MORE ABOUT MIYAVI NFT COLLECTION HERE
In collaboration with KLKTN and MIYAVI, the music start-up and multi-faceted Japanese rockstar has released an NFT collection accompanied with the official music video for “Hush Hush” today on MIYAVI’s official YouTube channel. Presented by the NFT platform, KLKTN, which focuses on cultivating unique, artistic experiences between fans and their favorite artists, the music video has fans raving about the powerful production and innovative artistic expression.
The iconic pop-rock song was released in 2021 as a track on MIYAVI’s 13th studio album, Imaginary, featuring the K-Pop megastar, Kang Daniel. Artistically, MIYAVI has always looked to expand the intersection between technology and music for his fans, gaining recognition as a visionary and Web3 NFT experimental creator, so his long standing partnership between him and KLKTN was inevitable for this highly anticipated music video.
The new collection is the final piece from a successful line of drops in the last few months being conceptualized and embedded from within the visually stunning special effects in the music video. The NFT collection is augmenting the music video viewing experience by creating hidden elements within it that allow fans to have another touchpoint in the MIYAVI alternate universe. Fans will have the opportunity to buy three ‘Special Edition’ NFT’s – two being 3D animated artwork while the other is a special alternative ending version for the music video, which fans can find via a QR code hidden in the peripheral view of “Hush Hush”. This assemblage of multimedia art includes special perks exclusively found on KLKTN’s platform, such as virtual meet and greets with MIYAVI, a photocard, as well as unseen video commentary on the process and ideation of the music video.
With the NFT dropping today, the rock icon has previously released multiple drops with this emerging digital collectibles platform that utilizes the energy efficient FLOW blockchain. These digital collectibles were first made available in the “Month of MIYAVI,” in January 2021 to celebrate the singer’s 20th anniversary as a solo artist. Previous projects include: MIYAVI KLKTN Pass, Moments, ArtKards, Kodex, and MIYAVI TELECASTER® Guitar NFT.
“I am excited that the Hush Hush music video is finally coming out. I’m always looking for ways to explore new technologies to showcase my artistic expression. Partnering with KLKTN allowed me to continue to evolve as a visual artist by using new mediums to connect with my audience. To celebrate the release of Hush Hush, we created exclusive content and perks dropping only on KLKTN with more to be released in the future.” – MIYAVI
As “Hush Hush” became an instantaneous hit with fans around the globe, a Korean version was released by Kang Daniel featuring MIYAVI. Achieving similar success as the original version, it also became an original soundtrack for the Korean drama, “Rookie Cops”, which recently aired on Disney+ starring Kang Daniel himself.
The production for the music video and NFT assortment took place during the middle of the pandemic while traveling was largely restricted around the globe. MIYAVI and Kang Daniel filmed the music video separately in Los Angeles and Korea with the recording process and ideation of the artwork culminating from Japan. Yet, the two separate filmmaking locations for the music video blended together seamlessly–thanks to the advancement of technology and the global team working tirelessly to sew the scenes together.
The music video sets the scene with an other-worldly landscape as MIYAVI gives fans a glance into the life of being a public figure. Throughout the video, viewers feel as though he is being watched by Kang Daniel, who embodies the shadow of the men and women across the internet haunting, following, and judging his actions. After multiple attempts of MIYAVI trying to escape a world filled with scrutiny, the eyes and judgment embodied by Daniel catches up to him–leaving the vibrant singer voiceless. Despite the trivialities and challenges that have been thrown at him, the public figure choses to pick up another voice, his guitar, as a means to continue to express himself. Throughout this scene, the video subtly flashes the names of his fans, offering another layer of their support during this pivotal conclusion to the story. This powerful production embodies the pressure society can put on a person and the power of self-expression.
“We wanted to celebrate MIYAVI’s 20th anniversary by creating a close-knit community for the fans to connect and explore MIYAVI’s music through new innovations and technology. After some thinking, we realized the perfect way to do so would be through limited edition NFT’s related to the music video. With KLKTN partnering with MIYAVI, we were able to create an amazing assortment of Easter Eggs that fans can find throughout the music video and by focusing on sustainability with the collectible pieces, we are creating one-of-a-kind experiences for the fans.” – Jeff Miyahara, Chief Creative Officer at KLKTN
Recently, KLKTN collaborated with global pop star Kimbra, a two-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist and Kevin Woo, a Korean-American singer-songwriter as well as other top Korean talents such as R&B Artist Junggigo and A-listers Gang DongWon and Kang HyeWon. New artworks will continue to be released in the coming weeks exclusively in the curated platform as they set to be at the forefront of Asian NFT culture.
About KLKTN
KLKTN is a curated music, manga and art NFT platform connecting creators with fans through special experiences. The platform allows fans to access special edition digital art and behind-the-scenes moments of artists’ creative process. In collaboration with top creators and artists and powered by blockchain technology, KLKTN is taking artist-fan engagement and the best of creative experiential culture into the digital world. Artworks are available as a limited supply of authenticated digital products or NFTs, for purchase via credit card, with a fixed cost per item. KLKTN’s co-founders are Jeff Miyahara, Chief Creative Officer and a renowned record producer and songwriter who has produced over 260 international artists; Fabiano Soriani, Chief Technology Officer and former lead blockchain engineer for Dapper Labs; and Daisuke Iwase, Chief Executive Officer, Harvard Business School graduate, former World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and a digital pioneer known for co-founding Lifenet, a disruptive fintech venture, which he took to IPO. Built on the Flow blockchain to achieve affordable and environmentally-sustainable minting, KLKTN leaves more for artists, fans, and the planet.
Connect With KLKTN: Instagram | Twitter | Discord | Website
ABOUT MIYAVI
MIYAVI is a musician, actor, and philanthropist, bridging cultures across the globe with his music and message. His unique style of guitar playing has taken him on 8 world tours in over 30 countries. Fans refer to MIYAVI as the “Samurai Guitarist.” He has released 15 studio albums. MIYAVI released his solo album with 2019’s NO SLEEP TILL TOKYO, kicked off by a concert at Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium followed by the 2020 release of Holy Nights. On September 15, 2021, MIYAVI released his new album titled Imaginary. MIYAVI made his big screen debut in the Oscar-nominated film Unbroken. He has since appeared in the 2017 blockbuster Kong: Skull Island and the live-action adaptation of the popular manga Bleach. His recent filmography includes the films Stray (2019), Maleficent 2 (2020) and the Netflix film KATE (2021). As a brand ambassador, MIYAVI has appeared as the face of Beats headphones in Japan and on billboards worldwide in Moncler’s Beyond campaign. MIYAVI is the brand ambassador for American Airlines, Rakuten Mobile and BMW. In 2021, MIYAVI released a signature Telecaster with Fender guitars. He is the face of Gucci Japan appearing in Gucci’s Off the Grid campaign alongside rapper Lil Nas X and veteran actress Jane Fonda. MIYAVI has also walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week 2018, modeling designer Yohji Yamamoto’s Y-3 collection.
Connect With MIYAVI: YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Spotify
#KangDaniel #MIYAVI #Japan #NoSleepTillTokyo #GucciOffTheGrid #NFT #HushHush #singlerelease #KLKTN #poprock #kpop #idos #Korea #RookieCops #kangdanielkdrama #kddrama #kcrushnews #Stray #Maleficent #Kate #Beatsheadphones #musicvideo #RookieCopssoundtrack #kcrush #kcrushamerica #kcrushmedia #JeffMiyahara #FabianoSoriani
Staff picks for favorite songs from the past to today! This list is curated by Denise, Triana, Ellie, Jo, P Earlkh, Tina, and Olivia! Also, check out Brae Lynn’s “This is BTS” playlist!
Trigger warning: Article discusses sexual assault/harassment* and suicide
On April 12, 2022, former B.A.P member, Kim Himchan’s sexual assault appeals case was held at the Seoul Central District Court. During the hearing, Kim admitted to the charges against him.
Case Recap
The case, which has been ongoing since September 2018, involves accusations that Kim sexually harassed a female victim while at a vacation home in Namyang-ju July 24, 2018. Both Kim and the victim stated they were drinking, but the victim maintains Kim sexually harassed her while the two were alone. Kim alleges his actions were consensual and that the feelings between the two parties were “mutual.”
During his first trial in July 2019, Kim and his defense team denied the charges against him, pleading “not guilty.” Kim’s defense claimed the victim allegedly tried to blackmail him, and she was sent to prosecution. However, in February 2021, after three years and 10 trials, the Seoul Central District Court convicted Kim and sentenced him to 10 months in prison and several hours** of sexual violence treatment courses. Seoul Central District Court ruled the female accuser’s evidence and witness statements were credible enough for conviction.
Kim was not immediately sent to prison; the judge opted to allow Kim to seek forgiveness from the victim.
“While the defendant is being sentenced to prison today,” Judge Jung Sung-hwan said at the time, “the court is not placing him in detention so that he is given a chance to seek forgiveness from the victim.”
On March 9, 2021, Kim filed an appeal.
While the sexual harassment trials were ongoing, Kim attempted a solo comeback in October 2020. During the comeback attempt, he was booked for drunk driving. This case is still ongoing.
Alleged Suicide Attempt
Following the March 9, 2021 appeal announcement, Kim’s side remained silent until June 13, 2021 when he posted a now-deleted statement on his Instagram account.
Hello this is Kim Himchan. First of all, I apologize for the delay in response. I’m writing a belated apology. I wanted to personally apologize to those who supported me for what I’ve done and waited for me to this day.
There are a lot of reasons why I’m speaking up so belatedly, but I have been staying quiet because there are different stories than the truth. I apologize for causing you to worry after a series of incidents. Further, I’m aware of my mistakes and negligence, and I apologize for every aspect of those. I hope everyone could be happy. Please forgive me for returning your favor of trust in this way.
I apologize. And I am sorry again.
I hope everyone could stay safe and happy.
Goodbye. Thank you.
After the post, an acquaintance alerted Kim’s mother that something may be wrong. His mother managed to stop the suicide attempt.
“I’m sorry that Himchan disappointed his fans with this, after already failing to meet their expectations before,” Kim’s agency said following the attempt.
Since this incident, Kim and his defense were quiet until later in the year when the court cases resumed.
November 2021 and March 2022 Trials
In November 2021, an appeals trial was held. According to NewsDirectory, during this trial, Kim’s 6-month prison sentence was upheld. Another hearing was scheduled for January 2022 but was postponed until March 15, 2022. Details for the March case were not released.
Kim Admits to Charges in Latest Trial
After years of denial, Kim fully admitted to the charges against him. Kim and his defense also shared a reflection statement during the April 12 hearing.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Kim is also trying to pay a settlement (referred to as a “deposit”) to the victim. The deposit system in place is for when a defendant doesn’t agree with the plaintiff on the charges. A settlement amount is paid to the court to attempt to help the victim recover from damages.
Kim’s defense told the court that it will take about two months for the victim to be paid in full. The court agreed to the two-month grace period, after which they will decide to accept Kim’s appeal or not. If his appeal is dismissed, Kim will not be able to avoid arrest.
Kim’s appeals case has been suspended until June 14, 2022, while he attempts to pay the deposit in full. Stay tuned for updates as this saga continues to unfold.
*Different media sources switch between sexual harassment and sexual assault. In 2018, “harassment” was used, but since then, “assault” has been the operative term.
** Conflicting information: Some sources state he received a sentence of 40 hours of sexual violence treatment courses, others say 50.
Photo cr. NewsDirectory
—-Olivia Murray
#KimHimchan #kcrushnews #assultappeals #kcrushofficial #kpop #kpopidol #courtcase #kcrushmedia
BVNDITBUL: You can breathe a sigh of relief!
BVNDIT, who are under MNH Entertainment—home to singer Chungha– debuted in 2019 with the song “Hocus Pocus” off the single album BVNDIT, Be Ambitious! Since debut, BVNDIT released a total of six singles, but haven’t released anything since “Jungle” back in 2020. Fans of the group wanted to know what BVNDIT’s status was and if they were even still a group given their long hiatus. Fans of the group turned to social media to demand answers from MNH Entertainment in order to find out what happened to the loved up-and-coming girl group.
During their hiatus, Sim Seung Eun participated in Girls Planet 999. She was eliminated in episode five and came in 21st in K-Group.
A month after #BVNDITDeservesBetter and #clarify_bvndits_situation trended on social media, fourth generation girl group BVNDIT celebrated their third anniversary April 10, 2022 and announced their May comeback!
On April 10, 2022, BVNDIT released a short video on their YouTube channel acknowledging their anniversary and thanking their fans for their support.
Following the anniversary video, the group announced on V Live they will have their group comeback this May. The announcement makes BVNDIT another anticipated name in an already exciting May comeback lineup that includes Seventeen and TXT as well as the debut of Le Sserafim, HYBE’s new girl group.
We’re looking forward to what’s next for BVNDIT! Stay tuned for teasers!
Sources: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
—-Olivia Murray
#BVNDIT #BVNDITcomeback #May2022comback #MNHEntertainment #BVNDITBUL #kpop #k-pop #hallyu #koreangirlgroup #kpopgirlband #kcrushnews #HocuPocus #Jungle #dancers #kpopidol #kpopbias #kcrushmedia #thirdanniversaryApril2022
Wedding bells will be ringing for John Park this coming June!
On April 8, 2022, Park’s agency, Music Farm, announced he will be marrying his non-celebrity girlfriend this year.
“John Park is marrying a woman he’s been dating for a year on June 12,” Music Farm said in a statement. “As it’s time for everyone to be careful due to COVID-19, a quiet private wedding will be held somewhere in Seoul. Please give a lot of blessings and support to John Park, who’s about to start a new beginning.”
Park also confirmed the news in a handwritten letter on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
Hello. This is singer John Park.
It feels like just yesterday that I made my debut as a naive 23-year-old, but 12 years have already gone by.
If it wasn’t for the love and support of fans, I believe that this would’ve been impossible.
I’m writing this because there is good news that I want to tell fans first, who have cherished and been with me for such a long period of time.
There is a precious person who I met around this time last year who has given me a lot of strength. I’ve promised a future with this person who has shown me what happiness is, and we’re currently preparing for marriage with excited and nervous hearts.
You must be surprised at this sudden news, but I believe that you will bless my new start with the same loving heart that you’ve always supported me with.
To everyone who I’m always thankful for. I will live happily and well!
Park debuted in 2010 with his song “I’m Your Man.” He was previously a contestant on American Idol season 9 and season two of Superstar K2 where he came in second place. Park’s released several singles over the years. His biggest hit is 2012’s “Falling” with 2013’s “Baby” and 2014’s “U” also being among his most memorable. Currently, he is mostly active on OSTs. His latest OST contribution is “The Day You Were Falling” from Forecasting Love and Weather.
Park also has roles on different variety shows including The More You Eat with Don Spike.
Congratulations to John Park and his fiancée as they begin their new journey!
—-Olivia Murray
#JohnPark #JohnParktomarry #TheMoreYouEatWithDonSpike #varietyshow #ImYourMan #kpop #hallyu #TheDayYouWereFallingOST #ForecastingLoveandWeather #MusicFarm #noncelebritygirlfriend #Falling #JohnParkfiancee #AmericanIdolSeason9 #SuperstarK2 #singer #koreanmusic #koreansinger #kcrushmedia #koreanOST
EXO member Lay (Zhang Yixing) has announced he is leaving SM Entertainment. The announcement came on EXO’s 10th anniversary since they debuted.
On April 8, 2022, Lay released a handwritten letter announcing his departure from the company.
View this post on Instagram
His letter reads:
Ten years of growth. Thank you all.
Thank you to my EXO brothers for your company and encouragement.
Thanks to my colleagues at SM for witnessing every step of my growth and achievement.
Thank you to all of my fans for your unconditional love and support.
It’s time to say goodbye as an employee of SM. It’s also my new beginning as a 30-year-old. But I will always be the Lay when my members need me.
I’m your family member in China, Zhang Yixing.
Love you forever!
EXO
Let’s love
Lay also released a separate letter on his Weibo.
10 years is considered a very long time, but now that I have arrived at this day when my 10-year relationship with my company has come to an end, it feels like that time just passed by in a flash,” the letter reads. “In just a blink of an eye, the young boy who entered the company has now become 30-years old.
Even though the 10-year contract has come to an end, my heart still remains with the company, and the years that I spent growing with everyone who helped me along the way, they will always remain.
“Today is a day which marks a new beginning. I will continue to go forward with a new relationship with SM Entertainment.
Despite his departure, SM Entertainment stated they will continue to maintain a relationship with Lay.
“It’s true that Lay’s exclusive contract has expired,” SM Entertainment said in a statement. “However, the agency is currently discussing various ways to maintain a new type of relationship with him.”
Lay has been active as a singer and actor in China in recent years where he set up his own entertainment company, Chromosome Entertainment Group.
On April 7, he released the song “JIU,” which features a short conversation with other EXO members.
Good luck to Lay as he works on his future endeavors!
Sources: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)
—-Olivia Murray
#Lay #ZhangYixing #EXO #SMEntertainment #kpop #k-pop #kpopboygroup #chinese #kcrushnews #ChromosomeEntertainmentGroup #Koreanboyband #SM #EXO10thAnniversary #EXOFandom #kpopbias #kpopidol #chinesesinger #chineseactor #EXOmember #LayleavingSMEntertainment #kcrushmedia
Just ahead of Apink’s 11th anniversary, Naeun announced her official departure from the group. IST Entertainment confirmed the news in a brief statement.
“After discussion with the two companies and Apink members, Naeun has decided to conclude her group activities,” the company said.
Naeun also made an announcement via a handwritten message on her official Instagram page.
View this post on Instagram
Naeun’s message reads:
Hello, this is Son Naeun.
I worried a lot about how I should say this, and even now, as I write these words, I’m very nervous.
I will be leaving Apink, with whom I have been together for the past 11 years.
Because Apink is a place like family, with whom I have spent a long time together, I made this difficult decision after a lot of debate, and though it wasn’t an easy decision, I plan to become a Panda and cheer on Apink starting from now on.
The members… Chorong, Bomi, Eunji, Namjoo, Hayoung… the many people who have worked hard for Apink from the start, including the IST staff, and the fans, who are the most precious of all: As I look back on the times we’ve spent together until now and our memories, there is no way to express all of my feelings through words, but…
I want to sincerely thank from the bottom of my heart everyone who made my teens and twenties the most radiant, who gifted me this happy time.
I will engrave the name “Apink’s Son Naeun” in my heart, and I think showing you better things in the future, so that I don’t bring shame to that name, is one way I can repay you.
Please give lots of love to Apink, and I, too, will be sincerely rooting for them.
Up until now, this has been Apink’s Son Naeun.
The news, while sad, is not shocking. Naeun was the only Apink member to not resign with IST Entertainment. Naeun signed with YG Entertainment to promote as an actress with the expectation that she would be able to do promotions with Apink when scheduling allowed. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts have prevented Naeun from engaging in group activities, including the group’s “Dilemma” comeback promotions this past February.
Apink’s leader, Chorong, also shared a message to fans on Apink’s official Instagram regarding Naeun’s departure news.
Hello Pandas,
While wondering what words could possibly be of a little bit of comfort to our Pandas, I thought a lot while writing and re-writing this. Even though I know that our Pandas don’t like when we apologize, it hurts my heart so much that as of right now, the only thing I have to say is that I’m sorry. To Pandas who must have been really surprised and very hurt, I want to sincerely say sorry.
After our last special album, all of the members thought and talked a lot about Apink’s future moving forward. As these are the members who have been together for the difficult and happy times over the past 10 years, this moment does not yet feel real to us either.
In order to maintain Apink for 10 years, each member has made numerous sacrifices and put in a lot of effort. Since we know that so well about each other, this is a decision we’ve made after really thinking about what is best for each other.
Although our Pandas must be so sad, I hope that you will watch over our new start. While promoting as five members this time, it was also very difficult for us mentally, and we worked really hard in case Pandas noticed an empty space. In the future, I think we will have to work even harder.
While Pandas’ hearts likely won’t feel better in this moment, I promise that we will show you that we are working harder. Please trust this once that our members are always worried about Pandas and have always prioritized Apink. Let’s cherish our past pretty memories and I hope we can make new happy memories together.
Even if it takes a long time, we will work harder. Once again, I sincerely apologize Pandas. We will greet you again soon with good music.
From leader Chorong.
View this post on Instagram
Following the departure news, IST Entertainment confirmed Apink will continue as a five-member group.
“Starting with their upcoming 11th anniversary fan song, which is scheduled to be released on April 19, Apink will be reorganized and continue promotions as a five-member group with Park Chorong, Yoon Bomi, Jung Eun Ji, Kim Namjoo, and Oh Hayoung. Son Naeun has ended her activities with the group, and they will be cheering each other on from their separate paths.”
Good luck to Naeun and Apink on their future activities! In the meantime, look forward to Apink’s anniversary song on April 19!
—-Olivia Murray
#Apink #Naeun #ApinksAnniversarySong #Bomi #JungEunJi #KimNamjoo #OhHayoung #SonNaeun #11thAnniversary #ISTEntertainment #Pandas #ApinkFandom #kpop #kpop #kcrushnews #kpopgirlgroup #koreangirlgroup #kpopidol #kpopbias #kcrushoriginal #kcrushmedia #kpopmusic
Photo Source = TOP Media
MCND will begin its performance fever in the first half of 2022 with the AMERICA TOUR following the Europe tour, drawing attention to K-pop fans.
The K-pop group announced the hosting of its first AMERICA TOUR “1ST” MCND AMERICA TOUR 2022″ (First MCND America Tour 2022) on its official SNS, drawing attention from global fans.
Starting in June, MCND will visit 10 cities in four countries, including the United States, Mexico, Canada and Brazil, to meet the fans in person.
MCND’s AMERICA TOUR will start in San Francisco on June 4th, followed by LA on the 5th, Mexico on the 7th, Toronto on the 9th, Chicago on the 10th, New York on the 12th, Sao Paulo on August 12th and 13th, Rio de Janeiro on the 14th, and Porto Allegri on the 17th.
Global fans around the world are looking forward to the release of the new song for the first time on the Europe tour. Earlier on the 5th, the new song and choreography were released for about 30 seconds through TikTok Live, drawing attention. MCND met the fans on TikTok Live for 10 minutes every day for 9 days from the 30th of last month, revealing live practice of one of the songs on the set list, sharing their excitement about the Europe tour.
The five-member group steadily released short form content called “The Daily Life of Idols Preparing for the Europe Tour,” raising fans’ expectations by releasing unique videos with high expectations ahead of his first Europe tour, such as “Live while dancing ICE AGE at 1.5 times speed” and “Practicing costume quick change.”
Meanwhile, MCND will hold concerts in seven cities in six countries, starting with the Netherlands on the 9th, opening its first K-pop Europe tour since the pandemic.
- The European tour will begin from the Netherlands on April 9th, and the new song will be released for the first time.
- 10 cities in 4 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil from June to August.
-J.Chung.
#MCND, MCND2022Tour, #inpersontour #USmusictours #TheLifeofIdolsPreparingfortheEuropeTour #AmericanTour #EuropeanTour #kpop #k-pop #kcrushnews #kpopidol #ICEAGEDance #koreanboygroup #TopKPopBoyGroup #kcrushpressrelease #kcrushbreakingnews #MCNDFirstAmericanTour2022
(Photo: TOP Media)
Starting with the Netherlands on April 9, 5-member K-pop group MCND will be visiting seven cities in six European countries to start the first k-pop European tour since the pandemic hit after the 5-member band’s debut in 2020.
The debut song of the group MCND’s ICE AGE in Europe is currently on the rise. Hundreds of teams participate in MCND EUROPE DANCE CONTEST 2022 held on a large scale ahead of MCND’s first European Tour [1ST] MCND EUROPE TOUR 2022. In particular, not only in Europe but also in other regions like Asia and the Americas, fans’ participation continues through YouTube and TikTok, adding to the heat.
The competition among participants was fierce as MCND’s own selection of the contest had a special pledge of inviting backstage and other performing stage opportunities. Quality videos reinterpreting the style and music video concept of “ICE AGE” as well as high-quality dance skills attracted attention.
MCND, which has been doubling expectations with the title of the first K-pop idol’s European tour since the pandemic, has been raising interest in the performance in a special way, such as releasing one song from the setlist every day through TikTok Live since the 30th.
From April 9th to the 17th, the K-pop group will be visiting Amsterdam, the Netherlands, London, Hungary, Budapest, Cologne, Germany, Paris and Toulon, France, and Lausanne, Switzerland, to meet the fans in Europe.
—J.Chung.
#MCND #kpop #MCNDICEAGE #EurpeonTour #covercraze #MCNDdancecontest2022 #MCNDTikTok #kpopidol #koreanboyband #kcrushnews #kcrushmedia #kcrushbreakingnews #Apriltour #MCNDAmsterdam #MCNDParis #MCNDNetherlands, #MCNDLondon #MCNDHungary #MCNDToulon #MCNDSwitzerland
This Wednesday only series will provide KCRUSH [Color Code] Red Velvet – Feel The Rhythm. We hope you will enjoy.
Nippon Broadcasting System and PONYCANYON USA are pleased to announce the launch of “Anime Roomy,” a podcast for international anime fans!
Anime Roomy” is an all-English audio content for anime fans around the world hosted by Mikan, Yuzu, Yuri, and Sakura, who are anime fans living in North America and also members of PONYCANYON USA’s “World Otafy Project”. It features a lot of anime, from well-known classics to the latest titles, as well as “Funny Nihongo” and “Oshi-kai” that goes beyond anime, based on the concept of a fun otaku chat between roomies. Cast profiles and character voices are available on World Otafy Project official website.
The podcast is available on various distribution sites and PONYCANYON USA YouTube, and new episodes go up every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. (Japan Time). Moreover, special guests are now being arranged. It will be a super exciting podcast for those who love Japanese anime and pop culture. Follow the official Twitter and subscribe to the channel, and look forward to the updates.
<Distribution URL>
https://lnk.to/Anime_Roomy
(Apple Music/Spotify/Amazon Music/Google Podcasts /YouTube)
https://podcast.1242.com/show/anime-roomy/
(Nippon Broadcasting System PODCAST STATION)
<Cast Profiles >
Mikan (Character Color: Orange):
A wholesome girl whose cute smile is her trademark. An accomplished fan artist who loves to share her work with friends. Loves shonen manga and anime based on them. Working toward her dream of becoming a designer.
Yuzu (Character Color: Yellow)
A cool beauty who’s also the group’s youngest member. Quick-witted and often serves as the MC of the program. Loves cats and anime. A self-proclaimed fujoshi.
Yuri (Character Color: Blue)
Her kindhearted, nurturing personality makes her the oneesan of the Roomies. Possesses a calming aura. Loves SF and hot-blooded anime. When she gets fired up about one of her many interests, she’s unstoppable.
Sakura (Character Color: Pink)
A multifaceted comedienne, by turns sexy and hilarious. Loves magical girl anime more than anything. The chameleon of the group, known for her sudden funny interjections.
<What is “World Otafy Project”?>
A project by PONYCANYON USA that aims to “otaku-fy” the world with the main focus on “translation by otaku for otaku”. The members are native English-speaking anime fans who are fluent in Japanese, and are involved in anime-related translation and research from their otaku perspectives. If you’re interested in being a part of “Otafy”, please check the website for the details and achievements. https://worldotafy.com
<Information>
Anime Roomy official Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnimeRoomy
World Otafy Project official website: https://worldotafy.com
Nippon Broadcasting System PODCAST STATION: https://podcast.1242.com
PONYCANYON USA official website: https://ponycanyon.us/
PONYCANYON official Twitter for overseas: https://twitter.com/PONYCANYON_EN
PONYCANYON official Instagram for overseas: https://www.instagram.com/ponycanyon_en/
PONYCANYON Official Facebook for overseas: https://www.facebook.com/PonycanUSA/
#Anime #podcast #JapaneseAnime #PONYCANYON #English #AnimeRoomy #Englishpodcast #WorldOtafyProject #Otaku #englishtranslation #Sakura #Mikan #Yuzu #Yuri #oneesan #fujoshi #NipponBroadcastingSystem #PonyCanyonUSA
Dreamcatcher Returns to the Live Stage With Their 2022 Album Mini Concert Seoul, South Korea (March 25, 2022) – Dreamcatcher, the dark horse and concept shattering girl group of K-pop has returned with news of a comeback and mini concert. The girl group is set to take the stage with a simultaneous offline and online event. Dreamcatcher 2nd Album [Apocalypse : Save us] Mini Concert is set to take place on April 12th at 7:30PM KST.
This mini concert revolves around their 2nd Album, [Apocalypse : Save us], marking this as another milestone in their growth as the queens of online concerts and live performances. The full-length album is set to have a tracklist of more than eight songs, introducing a new side of themselves and the start of a new era – ‘Apocalypse’ after their previous ‘Nightmare’ and ‘Dystopia’ series storylines.
From their live band concerts to their themed events with Halloween and dystopian aesthetics, the girls have evolved with online concerts in using groundbreaking XR technology for new stages. They’re gearing up for another mind blowing concert with the added joy of having fans present in-person, taking the stage to another level.
With their previous online concert bringing in over 10,000 fans, the girls are expected to break barriers once again with their in-person concert being streamed globally for their fans from all over the world to tune into.
They’ve garnered attention with their Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart hit “Odd Eye” and their previous releases of chart-topping hits like “BOCA”, “Scream”, and “BEcause”. From strong dynamic tracks with powerful vocals to beautiful soft ballads, Dreamcatcher has captured the hearts of music fans both domestically and internationally.
As with the start of a new series, ‘Apocalypse’ is gaining attention from just the release of the mysterious teaser that revealed the full album release set for the same day as the live mini concert, exciting fans who marked off their calendars for the day in preparation for the next beginning of a narrative only Dreamcatcher can create with their music.
The group is preparing to meet their fans face-to-face with their concert on April 12th 7:30PM KST in Seoul, but global fans can also tune into the concert online to meet Dreamcatcher and enjoy the show together in real-time. Dreamcatcher 2nd Album [Apocalypse : Save us] Mini Concert is set to reunite InSomnia (fandom name) with Dreamcatcher once again, as they start off the year of activities alongside their next new series.
For this concert, Dreamcatcher continues their collaboration with MyMusicTaste, a technology forward platform that breaks the barriers set by the pandemic and brings fans and artists together to create a new way of connection.
All offline in–person events follow local jurisdiction protocols to ensure a safe environment for the artist, fans, and staff present at the venue.
Dreamcatcher’s seven members: JI U, SU A, SIYEON, HANDONG, YOOHYEON, DAMI, GAHYEON
Further information regarding online ticketing and the show itself can be found through https://mmt.fans/hEVn or through MyMusicTaste’s other social media channels.
For fanclub offline tickets, information can be found on Melon Tickets: https://mmt.fans/hE3B For general offline tickets, information can be found on Yes24. (Sales for general offline ticketing begin on March 31 at 8PM KST.)
Dreamcatcher 2nd Album [Apocalypse : Save us] Mini Concert April 12, 2022, 7:30PM (KST) – Streaming only on MyMusicTaste
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste is a fan initiated live event making service that brings fans, artists and promoters from all over the world together in one place to create a valuable and meaningful concert experience for everyone involved. MyMusicTaste puts the power in the fans’ hands, allowing fans to request their favorite artist’s concert in their city. With the mission to connect and amplify the voices of fans all over the world, MyMusicTaste successfully promoted concerts of artists such as EXO, GOT7, MONSTA X, The xx, Machine Gun Kelly, and more in over 57 different cities. With the simple idea–empowering fans to bring their favorite artist’s concert in the city of their choice based on fan demand–MyMusicTaste is challenging the $27 billion concert market through cutting-edge technology and sophisticated, user-friendly service. Currently, www.mymusictaste.com supports more than 30 countries and offers 15 different languages.
About DREAMCATCHER COMPANY:
Established in 2008, DREAMCATCHER COMPANY is a South Korean record label and entertainment agency founded by the prominent production duo E-tribe. Since the debut of its first artist Nassun, the company has grown in size over the years, producing artists and idol groups under its own name. V.O.S, Dalshabet, and DREAMCATCHER are the major artists that are currently associated with the label. Recently, the company also launched subsidiary labels HF Music Company, Dreamcatcher Company, and D1CE Entertainment and is garnering much attention and recognition from the public as the rising creator of future K-pop artists.
The Northern Hemisphere’s spring season is just a few days away. Pretty soon, warmer weather will greet us. Why not prepare for the season with our Spotify…
Post contains spoilers
Turning Red, a film about a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl Meilin Lee (Rosalie Chiang), is a groundbreaking film on many levels. It’s the first time a woman solo-directed a film in Pixar’s history woman (Domee Shi, who was also the first woman to direct a Pixar short film with Bao). Turning Red is also the second Pixar film to feature an Asian lead character since 2009’s Up (Russell). The cast, too, also features people of Asian descent voicing the characters, a rarity in the film industry. Turning Red provides the long overdue diversity needed today!
Set in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2002, Turning Red follows Meilin as she navigates middle school, puberty, and becoming her own person while dealing with the expectations of her loving but overbearing mother, Ming (Sandra Oh) and the need to be “perfect” in her family’s eyes. While navigating the start of her teenage life, she also has to learn how to control her red panda spirit inherited from her ancestors.
From the start, Disney/Pixar’s new film is a nostalgia-filled romp for those of us who were teens (especially teen girls) in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The colors, fashion, Tamagotchi, and boy band references are enough to connect to the 30-and-40-somethings who now have kids in the age-range Turning Red targets. They also serve as a reminder of the now-cringe-but-simpler lives we led before being jaded by adulthood.
Along with the nostalgia trip, we’re introduced to Meilin’s diverse-yet-relatable friend group consisting of Priya (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), Abby (Hyein Park), Miriam (Ava Morse), and bully-turned-friend Tyler (Tristan Allerick) who each represent someone we all might have been friends with in school. Meilin’s core friend group of Abby, Miriam, and Priya are the types of friends we all wish we could have had in school as they are a source of love and support Meilin needs in her times of trouble. They provide Meilin the encouragement and acceptance she needs to help her find her voice and identity.
Of course, we need to address the red panda in the room as Turning Red is about Meilin’s journey to quell the panda within. While many kids will look at Meilin’s red panda persona as funny and cute, the red panda provides many metaphors throughout the film. First, the red panda symbolizes puberty and growing up. Many adults will see the panda as a symbol of a first menstruation cycle (as noted by Ming coming in the bathroom with a variety of tampons and pads to help Meilin). Meanwhile, the red panda rage Meilin experiences represents teen hormones and mood changes. Taming the human-to-panda changes represents trying to find oneself as well a deeper, more problematic meaning which will be touched on shortly. Younger audiences may miss the symbolism, but teens and adults could see it and relate.
Beneath the cute façade and symbolism, Turning Red also deals with deeper issues of acceptance and generational trauma, much like Disney’s Encanto did months prior. Like Encanto, Turning Red deals with the expectations parents and grandparents place on their children and the need for perfection while the younger generation wants to have room to breathe, thrive, and find themselves on their own terms. In Turning Red, we see Meilin torn between her duties as a good daughter helping her family run their shrine, maintaining good grades, and engaging in academic clubs and activities while also trying to be a typical 13-year-old who wants to hang out with friends, have crushes, and engage in fandom life. The latter part of her identity needs to be hidden away to avoid disappointing her mother. She’s eventually found out, leading to embarrassing results. Throughout the movie, there’s a strong sense that Ming doesn’t want Meilin to grow up to be her own person; instead, Ming wants Meilin to become someone she sculpted to fulfill the impossible desire for perfection. Here, Ming’s expectations mirror the expectations her own mother had for her, leading to the theme of generational trauma and breaking the cycle.
Unfortunately, Turning Red also sends a message that young people should hide and control their emotions. There is a scene early in the movie where Ming and Jin Lee (Meilin’s father) test Meilin to determine if she can control the red panda changes. Throughout the scene, Meilin must contain her emotions to where she’s practically emotionless. While the scene features calming techniques such as Meilin imagining the love of her friends, the whole message can be interpreted to mean that showing any emotion is bad and should be avoided.
Stepping away from the deeper elements of the film, Turning Red does have fun, irrelevant flair.
While it focuses on a Chinese-Canadian family, the movie does a great job including elements from different Asian pop culture scenes. 4*Town and their fandom reflect today’s K-Pop scene (Domee Shi states the influences behind 4*Town include BIGBANG and 2PM) while somewhat fitting into the early 2000s boyband-box (the name 4*Town may make some viewers recall the 2000s’ group O-Town). Similarly, there is a point in the film where Meilin’s family had to perform a ritual while chanting in Cantonese. The musical elements infuse different cultures in interesting ways, adding to the fun!
If you’re a fan of anime, Turning Red provides some anime-esque moments that will be familiar to fans including sexy food shots, “anime glasses,” and Meilin and company’s exaggerated facial expressions. Of course, there is a moment that may look familiar to fans of Sailor Moon that may garner a giggle. The anime allusions aren’t an accident, as Domee Shi admits she is a fan of Japanese anime, especially Sailor Moon and Hayao Miyazaki films. As you watch the film, challenge yourself to find the different references to different East and South Asian cultures as this is a neat extra layer to the movie.
Despite some feeling like Turning Red isn’t relatable beyond the Toronto Asian community, the film is successful in focusing on the struggles of teenage life and finding oneself. At several points, I found myself laughing and saying “that was so me” as Meilin and her friends navigated the world around them. From hiding boyband-love to random “sexy” sketches in a notebook to even hiding bad grades to not disappoint my family, almost every moment in Turning Red has something I and most teenagers have done. Ideally, these moments should serve as a bonding moment and talking points between parents and kids, especially when it is revealed Ming had similar experiences as a child.
Even the adults have relatable moments. For me, Meilin’s parents had shades of my own family with her dad being a supportive, quiet being while her mom being a force that can either build you up or tear you down depending on the situation. Like Meilin, the moment of sheer terror as her mother flipped threw her notebook to find questionable things and Ming flipping out reminded me of a similar instance I had in high school with my own mom. The anger and embarrassment I felt then came flooding back in this scene. Additionally, Ming’s questioning of 4*Town and why the group’s named 4*Town is something many parents may do. Kudos to Domee Shi and the writers for fleshing out the parents enough to make them feel realistic!
Meilin’s explosive tendencies toward her mother are also relatable although somewhat unrealistic. Meilin grows bold about sharing her feeling and lashing out against her mother as the film unfolds. While many teens may have moments of talking back to a parent, the speeches and clarity between exchanges is a dream for many as back-and-forth conversations can sometimes be volatile and unproductive, which isn’t always the case for Meilin. Of course, in the beginning, Ming dominated the conversations, but the dynamic shifted toward the end. Perhaps the messaging here is parents should not argue and listen to their children’s needs, but the message may be an unrealistic expectation for many children. This also brings up other issues that make Turning Red an imperfect film.
The acceptance Meilin experienced during her red panda change was too positive. Realistically, people might be judgmental with some resorting to bullying and ostracization if a fellow classmate went through an extreme change (naturally, we’re not talking about being a red panda!). Everyone seemingly accepted Meilin’s red panda persona and treated her better than before she was a panda. The only exception is Tyler who bullied her pre-panda but then used Meilin for his own gain until she lashed out against him. Some added nuances regarding some negative experiences would have added more depth to Meilin’s growing pains, especially in contrast to the conflicts she faces at home.
While the story and content are relatable, the movie feels frantic sometimes. The frenzied narrative Meilin starts the story with does create an issue with trying to connect to her, but as she learns to control herself and finds some inner peace, she does become less polarizing. The fast action and communication style can draw children in effectively. For older individuals, the pacing may be a turn-off and impact the overall likeability.
[Spoiler alert] Along with the above, the climax of the movie also made me laugh, but not in a good way. Without giving anything way, Meilin makes a choice that was expected throughout the movie, leading to a cheesy moment where she acts on the decision (here is where you see the Sailor Moon/magical girl references). This decision leads to a battle and destruction that caused an audible “what the f…” to escape with my awkward laughter. The moment here is cringey, but it does fit in with the overall scope of a movie that embraces awkwardness.
Turning Red is not without its flaws, but it’s a cute film sure to delight audiences. For some audiences, they will relate to the theme of growing up. For others, the fun-filled nostalgia trip might trigger some strong emotions of what it was like to grow up in simpler times and what it was like to grow up in a strict family.
Turning Red earns a respectable 3.5/5.
—-Olivia Murray
#TurningRed #Disney #TurningRedReview #ChineseCanadian #nostalgia #kpop #MeilinLee #RosalieChiang #DomeeShi #Pixar #MaitreyiRamakrishnan #kpopdance #HyeinPark #TristanAllerick #panda #kcrushreview #innerpeace #growingup #growingpain #Asiancommunity #EastAsia #SouthAsia #Japanese #Anime #SailorMoon #HayaoMiyazakifilms
K-pop supergroup BTS beat its own record again at the 36th Japan Gold Disc Award by winning 10 awards, following 8 awards at the same awards in 2021.
The Recording Industry Association of Japan announced the winners of this year’s “The Japan Gold Disc Award” on Monday, and these awards are based on sales from January 1, 2021, until December 31, 2021.
K-pop supergroup BTS won Best Asian Artist, Album of the Year, Music Video of the Year, Song of the Year by Download, Song of the Year by Download, Best 5 Songs by Download, Song of the Year by Streaming, two of the Best 5 Songs by Streaming and one of the Best 3 Albums.
Since BTS had the biggest win of the night with 10 trophies from nine categories, the Korean septet is also the first non-Japanese act to take home that many awards in Japan Gold Disc’s history. BTS is also the first act to win Best Asian Artist for four consecutive years.
The global K-pop band released a statement to say,
“We thank ARMY who always give us a lot of love and for these amazing awards. Thank you so much. We will continue working hard in the future so that we can provide you with great music.”
This year’s Best 3 Albums (Asia) awards were awarded to SEVENTEEN’s “Attacca,” TXT’s “Chaotic Wonderland,” and BTS’s “BTS, THE BEST.”
For the new artist category, ENHYPEN, a joint venture between CJ ENM and HYBE, won the New Artist of the Year or Asia category.
This year’s Best 3 New Artists (Asia) awards went to ITZY, ENHYPEN, and TREASURE, who made their Japanese debut last year in 2021.
You can check the full list of the winners via this link: https://www.golddisc.jp/award/36/
Congratulations to all the winners of the 36th Japan Gold Disc Awards.
–J.Chung.
#BTS #BTSGoldDiscAward #JapanGoldDiscAwards #BTS10Awards #ITZY #ENHYPEN #TREASURE #TheRecordingIndustryAssociationofJapan #Kpop #BestAsianArtist #AlbumOfTheYear #kcrushnews #kcrushmedia #AsianAwards #BIGHIT #HYBE #SEVENTEEN #MusicVideoOfTheYear #BTSARMY
We’d like to thank LOUDI and his team for this interview, and we wish them all the best in all his upcoming ventures.
Hello, thank you for sitting down for an interview with us. Please introduce yourself to our readers!
Hi, everyone, I’m Loudi! Nice to meet you!
Many are curious to know the origin of LOUDI and what it means to you.
It actually comes from the Greek word ”louloudi” (λουλούδι), which means blooming flower like a new start, hope, beauty… The name is full of amazing and deep meanings for me.
I was searching and not sleeping for days thinking about my stage name and after a long search I found it and since “Louloudi” was a bit too long I decided to only use Loudi.
Tell us when and how you came to South Korea initially from Indonesia.
I came to Korea a couple of times before, but the year 2014 was when I actually moved here. At first, it was to study and enter university, and I was also working as an intern in the fashion industry, so that’s how I got into the entertainment industry.
How did you get yourself into music and was it your childhood dream to pursue a career in music? Tell us about the concept and direction of your music as well.
Actually, music is always been around since I was a kid.
My sister is a really great piano player, me on the other hand, I played the violin since I was a kid, did some shows at school, and once I directed a musical for my whole year in high school, doing music editing chores, script, etc. Of course, with the help of friends but I find it really challenging and fun!
Growing up, I listen to a lot of genres of music starting from Destiny’s Child, Westlife, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, John Lennon, Sam Smith, BoA, SHINee, etc. Looking back, I think they have given me a lot of influences until now.
Name some of the music are you into these days.
These days, I tried to widen my spectrum so I literally would just play a random song I found and kinda get to know myself more on what do I like and what I didn’t like. When I’m just chilling, I usually listen to RnB or old K-pop songs.
How would you describe your personality in one word?
OMG, this is the hardest question I think, okay, so my MBTI is INFJ but people around me always told me to retake the test because they are quite sure I’m an “E”. (I retook it hundreds of times, but it’s still “I”, lol)
What do you enjoy doing for your leisure or pastime?
I love to do a lot of stuff that has to do with my hands, cooking, drawing, painting, re-forming clothes, etc., or if I’m just too lazy, I usually like to watch movies or read books or play my piano.
What is your fav food/beverage?
I LOVE sweet foods, desserts, meat, and CHEESE. Yes, I do love cheese a lot, lol. And as for drinks, I don’t really have a preference but I do love tea and coffee (without sugar), and when it comes to tea and coffee, I really don’t like it sweet, it’s weird, isn’t it?
When do you feel the most rewarded or happy?
I can’t describe it but every time I got to perform and see all of my fans happy, it really the happiest time for me. However, if I had to choose one, one of the most unforgettable moments was on my birthday at a concert in Japan, which was amazing. I cried a river, lol.
Which artists or musicians do you currently most respect, and who would you like to work with in the future?
As always, SHINee is the top of my list but I think I would pass out a couple of hundred times first to actually be able to work with them. Lol, I am joking.
I really love to work with Jamie, Junny, global artists like Pink Sweats, Doja Cat, Lady Gaga, and that’d be a dream come true tho.
But actually, for now, I’m not limiting myself to only working in music but also in other aspects like fashion, art, etc.
Let’s wrap this interview with you sharing what your goals, plans and hopes are for this year.
My current biggest goal is to finish my album, promote and meet with all of the fans! I hope this year I can also give y’all more content and more music… And for the rest, I would love to go with the flow, well that’s for now, I think.
Oh, and most importantly, I wish the pandemic would be over by this year, so we all can freely see each other and be happy and be healthy. <3
-J.Chung.
#LOUDI #Indonesia #Kpop #ShiNee #art #fashion #violin #piano #kpopidol #kpopartist #Indonesianidol #kcrushinterview #interview #kcrushnews #newalbum #newkpomusic #musician #AIMERS Entertainment #predebutJNboygroup #Bleu #14U.