K-Pop
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K-pop label JYP Entertainment is launching a Latin music division that will focused on developing artists for the Spanish language market, the company tells Billboard. The subsidiary’s first project is an audition show called L2K that will “discover, train and launch” the next global Latin girl group — essentially a Latin sequel to JYP’s audition […]
07/16/2024
The K-pop crusaders latest full-length includes contributions from “Hitman” Bang Si-Hyuk, Cirkut, Slow Rabbit, JVKE, Mike Daley and more.
07/16/2024
Less than nine months after Nikki Semin Han organized what the former SM Entertainment CEO called “the Avengers of the K-pop community joining forces to redefine the industry” in TITAN CONTENT, the newly-launched venture is officially beginning to roll out its first-ever artist.
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Billboard can exclusively reveal the first details on TITAN CONTENT’s forthcoming girl group AtHeart, which is set to officially debut in the first half of 2025.
Beginning with the reveal of AtHeart’s first two members Sorin and Michi, the upcoming act will share all its members in the coming months as the future stars develop individual online presences and connect with fans while preparing for their K-pop debut via individual Instagram and TikTok accounts. TITAN CEO Katie Kang says, “The members will be sharing their daily lives and unique personalities through their social accounts, showcasing their journey to becoming AtHeart together. TITAN will reveal all members of AtHeart sequentially with special content this year.”
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Both 17 years old, Sorin and Michi hail from South Korea and Hawaii, respectively, and begin the structure of what TITAN describes as a girl group that “will appeal to audiences around the world.”
Simultaneously revealing a new K-pop group’s members and launching their individual social media accounts is unconventional in the Korean-entertainment industry. Most new-artist startups are kept secret — even if pre-debut social media accounts are launched for a group, individual member accounts tend to launch years after establishing themselves on the scene. (For example, BLACKPINK’s four members launched their individual accounts less than two years after debuting, but it took more than eight years for the BTS guys.)
However, as CEO Kang adds, the strategy is a part of the group’s overall vision toward more connected K-pop idols.
“The name ‘AtHeart’ speaks to this group’s genuine nature and the connection and love they will build with their fans by empowering them to be their authentic selves,” Kang tells Billboard. “TITAN has been scouting and holding global auditions since the beginning of 2024 and we were captivated by the incredible talent we discovered. These members are so uniquely charming and they embody the next generation of K-pop. I know fans around the world will resonate with their genuine personalities and I am so excited for all the global fans to listen to their songs and watch their performance.”
“As the first K-pop company established in the U.S., TITAN will take an innovative and disruptive approach to creating, marketing, and promoting the content and artists we produce,” adds Han, Chairman at TITAN. “Working with powerhouse executives, creators, and producers from both East and West, we will break the mold by targeting global markets simultaneously from the start.”
Chief Business Officer Dom Rodriguez describes the Los Angeles–based company as “an artist-first and fan-first company,” touting its prodigious goals can be met with TITAN’s deeper involvement in the musical and personal processes of developing K-pop stars.
“We are relentless in our pursuit of innovation and creativity,” the CBO adds. “We prioritize the needs of our artists, the exceptional songwriters and producers who are integral to our success, and the dedicated fans who drive the K-pop phenomenon. Our hands-on A&R process is meticulously designed to elevate the next generation of K-pop artists, maintaining the highest standards of musical greatness. Collaborating with accomplished writers and top music producers worldwide, we’re committed to upholding excellence and shaping the future of music.”
“AtHeart marks the beginning of an exciting journey built upon the connection between K-pop idols, their dedicated fans, and music, with a commitment to upholding everything that makes K-pop unique and special,” says TITAN Chief Visual Officer Guiom Lee. “Backed by a team of industry experts who share a profound love and understanding of the genre, we will display innovation across all facets of AtHeart, pushing the limits in today’s ever-changing digital landscape. From top-tier visuals and fashion to captivating musical performances, we are excited to unveil AtHeart to a global audience.”
As previously reported, the team making up TITAN has experiences with K-pop artists across generations, including chart-topping names like BoA, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, EXO, TWICE, Monsta X, ITZY, The Boyz, and more. Beyond artist development and management, TITAN plans to produce music festivals and revealed plans to combine “traditional K-pop training and artist development with Web3 and metaverse innovation.” The company also announced today that it will soon open an upcoming platform where “AtHeart will communicate with global fans with new and diverse content through a K-pop fandom platform that combines various innovative technologies such as Web3 and AI.”
Get to know Sorin and Michi in these first-look images below and by following the future AtHeart members on social media. Look out for more from the group via its official website
Sorin
Courtesy of Titan Content
Michi
Courtesy of Titan Content
More than a month after Min Hee-jin, CEO of HYBE subsidiary label ADOR, successfully avoided HYBE’s attempt to dismiss her from the job, another HYBE imprint has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the embattled executive and NewJeans executive producer.
On Monday (July 15), Korea JoongAng Daily reported that Source Music, the Korean label under the HYBE Labels umbrella that’s home to K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM, has sued Min for 500 million Korean won (about $361,000), accusing her of defamation and disruption of business stemming from comments she made during two emotional press conferences she held in April — thereby damaging the LE SSERAFIM project.
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During those press conferences, Min claimed that her girl group project under Source, where she previously worked, was pushed aside by HYBE after the company decided to focus its efforts on LE SSERAFIM, which notably included two members of the hugely popular girl group IZ*ONE. According to Min, that change in focus led her to move away from Source and establish ADOR — a label operating under the HYBE Labels umbrella that Min previously told Billboard “started with guaranteed autonomy” — to house her project, which eventually became NewJeans.
During the press conferences, the ADOR CEO also shared what some considered disparaging remarks about several HYBE artists and Source Music’s talent casting — telling reporters that future NewJeans member Minji was the only Source trainee she wanted to recruit and that she cast the rest of the group members herself.
Source Music has not shared a statement on the reported lawsuit. Billboard has reached out to HYBE to verify the lawsuit and offer further details.
While LE SSERAFIM’s Coachella debut in April turned the girl group into a hot topic in Korean media over the pressure put on K-pop artists, Min’s subsequent remarks turned up the heat even more. The backlash to her critiques was so harsh that it led NewJeans and its five members to disable comments on their Instagram pages in late June.
The new lawsuit marks the second time a HYBE subsidiary has filed suit against Min. In May, BELIFT LAB sued Min for defamation and obstruction of business over her comments that BELIFT’s breakout girl group ILLIT had plagiarized NewJeans, stating that the label “copied all the formulas that we had with” the group.
The new lawsuit reportedly filed by Source is just the latest development in a continually unfolding drama. On July 9, Min reportedly arrived at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul for questioning after HYBE reported her to authorities for breach of trust. Continuing her proclivity to engage in direct media interactions (instead of putting out press releases and statements like HYBE), a smiling Min left the station after eight hours and, to the press gathered outside, called HYBE’s accusations “comedy.”
Amid the commotion, NewJeans has continued rolling out new music. In late June, the group released its first two singles aimed at the Japanese market: “Supernatural” (which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100) and the B-side “Right Now” (which peaked at No. 47 on the same chart) before holding a fan meeting at the famous Tokyo Dome. Meanwhile, Source Music confirmed that LE SSERAFIM is set to drop new music at the end of August following the February release of its EP Easy, which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200.
SEVENTEEN singer/producer WOOZI has responded to a British news feature claiming that the K-pop group is using artificial intelligence when recording its music. WOOZI, who also co-writes the group’s songs, reportedly had thoughts after a BBC News story posted last week claimed that SEVENTEEN’s most recent single, “Maestro,” was an example of the group’s dive […]
BTS‘ Jin has seen and done some amazing things during his band’s rocket ride to global fame over the past decade. But when he was tapped to be South Korea’s official representative in the Paris 2024 Olympic torch relay the 31-year-old K-pop star was beside himself with excitement. Explore See latest videos, charts and news […]
ENHYPEN‘s Romance: Untold has topped this week’s new music poll that features artists in various genres of music.
Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (July 12) on Billboard, choosing the K-pop seven-piece’s new album as their favorite new music release of the past week.
Romance: Untold brought nearly 76% of the vote on the poll, securing a notable edge ahead of new releases from Katy Perry (“Woman’s World”), Eminem (The Death of Slim Shady), Ice Spice and Central Cee (“Did It First”), Clairo (Charm), and others.
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ENHYPEN unveiled their long-awaited sophomore album, Romance: Untold, on Friday (July 12). The set is a follow-up to the boy band’s 2021 debut, DIMENSION : DILEMMA, which debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart.
“Since our debut, we have been expressing our experiences as artists and honest emotions through our music. ENHYPEN’s authentic story of growth is the biggest inspiration for our music,” member Jungwon previously told Billboard.
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Romance: Untold “marks the beginning of a new chapter for ENHYPEN. The pioneering storytellers have previously captivated audiences with their series of narratives BORDER, DIMENSION, MANIFESTO, and BLOOD where they ventured across boundaries, confronted themselves in a complex world, took the first step forward to connect with their peers, and made sacrifices for the blood-bound ‘you,’” per a press release that announced details of the project last month.
It’s been an exciting year for ENHYPEN. In May, the group — featuring members Sunghoon, Heeseung, Sunoo, Jay, Jake, Jungwon and Ni-ki — announced that a feature documentary film focused on its dedicated fan group, ENGENE, is in the works from Hello Sunshine, the multimedia company founded by actress Reese Witherspoon. FANMADE : ENHYPEN will reportedly focus on the relationship between the group and the fan community by celebrating “ENHYPEN’s fans (ENGENEs) and putting them at the heart of the concert creation process.”
Trailing behind Romance: Untold on this week’s poll is Perry’s “Woman’s World,” with 13% of the vote. The song serves as the lead track to the pop star’s upcoming dance-pop album, 143, which arrives on Sept. 20.
See the final results of this week’s poll below. Check out Billboard‘s Friday Music Guide to catch up with more must-hear releases from this week.
ENGENEs, it’s finally here. ENHYPEN unveiled their long-awaited sophomore album, ROMANCE : UNTOLD, on Friday (July 12). The album is a follow-up to the seven-member boy band’s 2021 debut, DIMENSION : DILEMMA, which debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart. “Since our debut, we have been expressing our experiences as artists and honest emotions through our music. ENHYPEN’s authentic […]
You’ve heard him over your speakers, and soon you’ll be able to see him on big screens near you. On Thursday (July 11), BTS‘ Jung Kook announced that he has a project titled I Am Still coming to theaters, leaving ARMY speechless as they try to figure out what it might be.
The band’s label BigHit kept the announcement simple, sharing a minimalistic graphic of the movie’s title on social media and writing: “Coming Soon to Cinemas!”
The post didn’t specify what is captured in I Am Still, causing confusion among some fans. “WHAT IS THIS,” one person commented on X, while another person replied with disbelief, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN JUNGKOOK ON CINEMAS!?!?!?!?!?!?”
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Others, however, are certain that the project is a documentary, citing a November episode of Suchwita, the YouTube talk show hosted by Jung Kook’s bandmate SUGA. While appearing as a guest on the web series, the former confirmed that he was in the middle of shooting a film that would capture his growth as a soloist, starting with his Billboard Hot 100-topping single “Seven” featuring Latto, and ending with his 2023 LP Golden, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
“It follows the process from ‘Seven’ to my album,” he told SUGA at the time, according to the show’s English translation. “When you film with other members, the cameras aren’t all focused on you. But I always feel kind of pressured talking in front of a camera alone.”
“OMGGG IS THIS JUNGKOOK’S DOCUMENTARY ????????” one fan tweeted of Jung Kook’s announcement.
“so is jungkook’s documentary titled ‘i am still’ ??? and we’re gonna watch it on big screens ??? OH MY GOD,” added another ARMY member, while a third person wrote, “I CANNOT BELIEVE ITS FINALLY HAPPENING !!!”
Billboard has reached out to Jung Kook’s reps for comment.
The news comes on the heels of an announcement that the 26-year-old singer will star in another docuseries, Are You Sure?!, alongside fellow BTS star Jimin. The eight-part Disney+ show, which was filmed in 2023 before the duo enlisted in the South Korean military, will follow the two K-pop icons as they travel to three iconic global destinations: New York; Jeju Island, South Korea; and Sapporo, Japan.
See Jung Kook’s announcement — plus ARMY’s reactions to the news — below.
OMGGG IS THIS JUNGKOOK’S DOCUMENTARY ????????— Daily jk praise (@dailyjkpraise) July 11, 2024
Coming Soon to Cinemas!WE’RE GETTING THAT DOCUMENTARY IN CINEMAS Y’ALL pic.twitter.com/HQrQeDe0Vu— StarryTae⁷ ʳᵖʷᵖ | ᴴᵒᵗˢ🌟(ꪜ)🥢🪐🪞🦋💙🧑🚀 (@StarrywithBTS) July 11, 2024
K-pop fans who are in the Los Angeles area between Aug. 2 and Sept. 15 will want to make their way to the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live. The interactive exhibit HYBE: We Believe in Music, A Grammy Museum Exhibit chronicles the history of HYBE, which is home to the likes of BTS, SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN and LE SSERAFIM. The exhibit will kick off on Aug. 1 with “Global Spin Live: TWS,” a program featuring a conversation with K-pop group TWS, followed by a performance. Exhibit tickets are available on the Grammy Museum’s website.
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The exhibit traces HYBE’s evolution and influence by showcasing artifacts from its roster of artists. The displays feature original outfits worn in music videos such as “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” by BTS, “MAESTRO” by SEVENTEEN, “Sugar Rush Ride” by TOMORROW X TOGETHER, “Sweet Venom” by ENHYPEN and “EASY” by LE SSERAFIM. HYBE: We Believe in Music also boasts accessories and performance gear worn by ZICO, fromis_9, BOYNEXTDOOR, TWS, &TEAM and ILLIT. The exhibit is said to mark the first time these artifacts will be on display together in one location.
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Other highlights include interactive sing-along and dance rooms, a dedicated Fan Section that celebrates the support between HYBE artists and their fandoms, a Mono to Immersive room featuring BTS’ 2022 Grammy telecast performance of “Butter,” a Photoism Booth that allows visitors to pose alongside their favorite K-pop artists, in addition to exclusive video content with producers, artists, music videos and more.
“HYBE and their artists represent the present and future of the global music landscape, and our goal with this exhibit is to deepen the appreciation and respect for its creators and performers,” said Michael Sticka, president/CEO of the Grammy Museum, in a statement. “HYBE has contributed to creating a playground of innovation that inspires fandoms that transcend age, gender, geography and beyond. The Grammy Museum is thrilled to provide a space where fans can express their love for K-pop and feel closer to their favorite idols.”
HYBE COO Taeho Kim added, “Putting out an exhibition that captures HYBE’s journey is a new experience for us. We’re very excited about this partnership with Grammy Museum, and we look forward to welcoming music fans who visit the museum to enjoy and connect with our historical pieces.”
Nearly a decade after K-pop became a global pop phenomenon, the Recording Academy has yet to add a separate Grammy category for K-pop recordings. (And there won’t be one next year, either. No categories will be added for the 2025 awards.) BTS has received five nominations in existing categories, including three for best pop duo/group performance, for “Dynamite,” “Butter” and “My Universe,” the latter a collab with Coldplay.
For more information on the exhibit, visit the Grammy Museum’s website.