K-Pop
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As SEVENTEEN prepares to bring its Follow Tour to Japan in September, the chart-topping K-pop group experienced a setback. On Thursday (Aug. 17), PLEDIS Entertainment revealed that SEVENTEEN member S.COUPS “will be unable to participate in the majority of official activities for the foreseeable future” due to a torn ACL in his left knee.
“On Aug. 10, S.COUPS sustained an injury to the left knee as he was landing while playing a ball game for a content shoot. He was immediately taken to the hospital where he underwent a comprehensive medical examination including an MRI scan. During the examination, a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was identified in the left knee,” wrote PLEDIS in a statement posted on Weverse. “The artist is receiving necessary medical treatment prior to the surgery as recommended by the medical staff, and will undergo surgery as soon as possible. We will provide another update on the progression of treatments and his rehabilitation schedule at a later time.”
SEVENTEEN was in the midst of a very packed year. In April, the group released FML, its tenth EP, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. By July, the group launched its Follow Tour in Seoul, South Korea, with a pair of shows at Gocheok Sky Dome on July 21-22. In addition to prepping for the Japanese leg of the Follow Tour this month, SEVENTEEN is also slated to release Always Yours, their second compilation album, on Aug. 23 in celebration of the five-year anniversary of their Japanese debut.
While SEVENTEEN’s busy year is far from over and S.COUPS “is highly determined to attend all of the group’s prearranged engagements,” according to PLEDIS, he will be moving at much slower pace compared to his bandmates, and “his participation will be adjusted depending on the circumstances.” “S.COUPS will be unable to participate in the majority of official activities for the foreseeable future, and will focus on his recovery through surgery and rehabilitation.”
Even in the midst of sharing the bad news, PLEDIS still sought to empathize with fans, writing, “We would like to extend our deepest apology to his fans for any distress or worry this may have caused.”
SEVENTEEN has earned three top 10 titles on the Billboard 200 from five overall entries: 2022’s SEVENTEEN 4th Album: Face The Sun (No. 7) and SEVENTEEN 4th Album Repackage: ‘Sector 17’ (No. 4) and 2023’s SEVENTEEN 10th Mini Album: FML (No. 2). The group has also scored 22 top 10 hits on World Digital Song Sales, including “Nice Very Nice” (No. 2), “Don’t Wanna Cry” (No. 3) and “Clap” (No. 4).
Boosted by K-pop’s growing popularity and artists’ return to concert stages, the four publicly traded South Korean music companies — HYBE, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment — posted average revenue growth of 71% in the second quarter of 2023, according to Billboard’s analysis of their recent earnings reports.
Sky-high growth rates in recent quarters have helped make the K-pop companies a wise investment in 2023: Through Wednesday (Aug. 16), the four share prices increased an average of 63.6% year to date, adding more than $4.7 billion in market capitalization cumulatively to the companies’ stocks. In contrast, stocks of the two largest standalone music companies, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, have gained 3.6% and lost 6%, respectively, year-to-date through Tuesday (Aug. 15).
In terms of revenue growth, the leader in the second quarter was JYP Entertainment, home to the groups Stray Kids and Twice. JYP’s revenue grew 124% to 151.7 billion won ($115.2 million), with new albums by Stray Kids, Twice and NMixx driving a 298% increase in physical sales to 74.1 billion won ($56.3 million). Republic Records, JYP’s partner in the United States, accounted for 14.5 billion won ($11 million) of physical sales, or about 20% of the total amount. Elsewhere, JYP’s concert revenue grew 44% year-over-year to a record 14.4 billion won ($10.9 million) while merchandise sales climbed 151% to 21.7 billion won ($16.5 million). Domestic streaming revenue grew 18% to 2.2 billion won ($1.7 million) while overseas streaming revenue jumped 82% to 10.3 billion won ($7.8 million).
YG Entertainment boasts the greatest share price gain among the group at 75.6% year to date. The company behind breakthrough girl group BLACKPINK, YG posted revenue of 158.3 billion won ($120.2 million) in the second quarter, up 108% from the prior-year period.
JYP Entertainment’s operating income grew 88% to 45.6 billion won ($34.6 million) but missed its 51-billion won estimate, causing the company’s share price to fall 8.2% the following day. Although its revenue grew 124% in the quarter, JYP was hurt by what it called a “temporary increase in content product costs.” As a result, its cost of goods sold rose 162% while gross margin percentage — gross profit as a percent of sales — declined 1.6 percentage points to 47.7%.
Expenses also grew faster than revenue at HYBE, where cost of sales grew 25% while sales, general and administrative expenses climbed 32%. HYBE’s operating profit declined 8% as a result, while net income improved 19% despite a 21% growth in revenue. HYBE’s share price declined just 0.9% the day after the results were released; with a 38.9% gain year-to-date, its stock boasts the lowest appreciation of the four K-pop companies.
Two new solo songs from BTS’ V top Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, powered by X, dated Aug. 19.
Billboard’s Hot Trending charts, powered by X, track global music-related trends and conversations in real-time across X, viewable over either the last 24 hours or past seven days. A weekly, 20-position version of the chart, covering activity from Friday through Thursday of each week, posts alongside Billboard’s other weekly charts on Billboard.com each Tuesday, with the latest tracking period running Aug. 4-10.
V’s “Love Me Again” crowns the list. Officially released to most streaming providers on Aug. 11, the song’s music video preceded the debut by premiering on YouTube on Aug. 9.
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It’s V’s first No. 1 on the ranking, which began in 2021; he previously rose as high as No. 4 with “Christmas Tree” in 2022.
V’s “Rainy Days” bows at No. 2; it was released Aug. 11 but was teased during the Aug. 4-10 tracking period, boosting its position on Hot Trending Songs.
A third song from V, “Slow Dancing,” debuts at No. 7 thanks to buzz from the tracklist of Layover, V’s upcoming six-song release, which was announced Aug. 7. Two versions of “Slow Dancing” will be featured on Layover, a standard edition and a piano version. Layover is scheduled for release Sept. 8.
“Siren,” newcomer K-pop group RIIZE’s introduction song, debuts at No. 3 after being released Aug. 6. The seven-piece’s debut album, Get a Guitar, is out Sept. 4.
“Mi Ex Tenia Razon,” from Karol G’s newly released deluxe edition of her album Manana Sera Bonito, debuts at No. 4, while Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond” premieres at No. 5 after going viral upon its upload on the YouTube channel radiowv on Aug. 8, followed by a full release for downloads and streaming Aug. 11.
Keep visiting Billboard.com for the constantly evolving Hot Trending Songs rankings, and check in each Tuesday for the latest weekly chart.
How can you miss them if they don’t go away? That’s essentially what BTS‘ RM said during a Weverse livestream over the weekend, during which the singer promised ARMY that the K-pop supergroup is on target to regroup right on schedule.
After reading a heartfelt letter from an ARMY member expressing how much the group has meant to their fans over the past decade, RM offered some assurance, and hope, that things will be back to normal soon.
“I hope our songs and solo projects could be another reminder to you guys of how important ARMY was, has been and will be in our lives at the same time,” he read, speaking in English after listening to the ARMY-created tribute song “Love Letters” during the chat. “I hope that it is a reminder that spring will come again. Please continue to keep BTS alive in your hearts, in this moment and perhaps throughout your entire life.”
After sharing the ARMY thoughts, RM got personal, noting that band mate Suga talked “a lot” about the feelings he had during his 28-show solo run this year and how much love he felt from ARMY, who are patiently “waiting for the reunion in 2025”; BTS’ seven members announced last year that they were taking a group break to focus on solo projects while the men prepare to take part in South Korean’s mandatory military service requirement.
“Even though we’re doing our solo activities on our own… what I’m thinking these days when I’m doing my solo projects is… this is just like a vacation,” RM said of his solo efforts, which include his recent hot trending songs No. 1 collab with Colde on “Don’t Ever Say Love Me.”
“To get back to where I was, which was BTS and ARMY. All the solo [activities] is just a journey,” he said. “But it is a very important journey for Chapter 2. But it’s a journey to get back home safe.”
And then RM uttered the words all of ARMY have been waiting to hear.
“Eventually, when we get back and reunite together in 2025… [we will] be back for sure. We’ll be joining together again. And that will be in 2025.”
During the 40-minute video chat, RM also commented on his buzz cut (“no reason” he said when someone asked why he’d shorn his locks) and busted out some dance moves, admitting that he’s “scared” he’s going to forget the group’s choreo if he doesn’t keep practicing. He also munched on a candy bar and fessed up that he doesn’t really watch soccer unless it’s the World Cup.
So far, Jin and J-Hope have entered the military and Suga is expected to go next.
Watch RM’s live chat below.
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V may be about to embark on his solo career, but that doesn’t mean he can’t bring a buddy with him. In a couple dozen new concept photos previewing his upcoming debut album Layover, the BTS band member costars alongside his pet dog, Yeontan. In some of the snaps, V — real name Kim Tae-hyung […]
Jung Kook is showing off his sensual side with Calvin Klein. The BTS star appears in the brand’s Fall 2023 campaign focused on confidence, playfulness and, of course, feeling sexy. In the 30-second clip shot by fashion-photographer duo Inez & Vinoodh and soundtracked by Gary Numan‘s 1980 Hot 100 top 10 hit “Cars,” the 25-year-old […]
V‘s solo song “Love Me Again” has topped this week’s new music poll. Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Aug. 11) on Billboard, choosing the BTS member’s soothing R&B track as their favorite new music release of the past week. “Love Me Again” brought in 97% of the vote, beating out new music […]
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Dior has found its latest brand ambassadors in the boys of TOMORROW X TOGETHER. The luxury fashion house announced its partnership with the K-pop group on Thursday (Aug. 10), with each member slated to work with the brand. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Dior is pleased […]
Another BTS solo single is in the books! V, who previously announced that he will release his debut solo album at the end of the summer, released the project’s first track “Love Me Again” in tandem with a music video on Wednesday (Aug. 9). The intimate visual for the song never strays too far away […]