State Champ Radio K-Pop
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While everyone knows SEVENTEEN divide its 13 members into three sub-groups of the Hip-Hop Unit, Vocal Unit and Performance Unit (ask Wednesday‘s Emma Myers for a crash course), “BSS” is another unit that any fan of the chart-topping group should know after releasing their first single “Just Do It” nearly five years ago.
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Consisting of members Seungkwan, DK and Hoshi, SEVENTEEN’s BSS dropped their first EP, Second Wind, today (Feb. 6), consisting of three new tracks and two unexpected featured guests. Led by the new single “Fighting,” the boys teamed up with breakout Korean hip-hop star Lee Youngji, marking the first time SEVENTEEN or any of its sub-units featured a rapper in a song. A high-energy anthem, “Fighting” is a perfect fit for three of SEVENTEEN’s most animated and energetic members as the stars empathize with the struggles and stresses of daily life but pledge to encourage and cheer for the listener.
Like the sporty highlight medley video, BSS embrace an athletic theme for the accompanying “Fighting” music video, rocking stylish and sporty looks, including a soccer jersey and pieces from an Adidas and Gucci collaboration. Youngji makes an appearance for her verse, spitting fire during the bridge while Seungkwan, DK and Hoshi offer comic relief with cameos in the background.
Alongside “Fighting,” Second Wind also features the retro, synthesizer-focused track “Lunch,” plus Norwegian singer-songwriter Peder Elias features on the solemn-but-hopeful pop cut “7PM.” Like nearly all of SEVENTEEN’s music, all the tracks have the group’s primary producing member Woozi and go-to producer BUMZU on the credits. SEVENTEEN’s leader S.Coups also co-wrote “Fighting,” showing how, even if only three members perform new music, the K-pop group is always tightly and creatively knit.
Watch BSS’ “Fighting” with Lee Youngji below:
TOMORROW X TOGETHER lands its first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 albums chart, as The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION debuts atop the tally (dated Feb. 11). The five-song set earned 161,500 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 2, according to Luminate, largely driven by CD album sales.
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The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION is the third top 10-charting effort for the South Korean vocal group, which reached the top 10 previously in 2022 with Minisode 2: Thursday’s Child (No. 4) and in 2021 with The Chaos Chapter: Freeze (No. 5).
The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION halts the chart-topping run for SZA’s SOS, which falls to No. 2 (100,000 equivalent album units; down 10%) after spending its first seven weeks at No. 1.
Also in the top 10 of the new Billboard 200, Sam Smith achieves their fourth top 10-charting effort as Gloria debuts at No. 7, while Lil Yachty notches his third top 10 set with the No. 9 arrival of Let’s Start Here.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new Feb. 11, 2023-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on Feb. 7. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.
Of The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION’s 161,500 equivalent album units earned, album sales comprise 152,000, SEA units comprise 9,000 (equaling 13.24 on-demand official streams of the set’s five songs) and TEA units comprise 500.
The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION scores the largest sales week for any album since Taylor Swift’s Midnights debuted at No. 1 with 1.14 million copies sold on the Nov. 5, 2022-dated chart. Of The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION’s 152,000 sold, 98% were CD sales (148,500), while 2% were digital album sales (3,500). The set was not available to purchase in any other configuration (such as vinyl or cassette).
The CD configuration of The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION was issued in collectible packages (14 total, including exclusive editions for Barnes & Noble, Target and the Weverse webstore), each with a standard set of internal paper items and branded randomized mystery elements (photo cards, photo books, post cards). CD sales were also enhanced by autographed editions sold via the act’s webstore.
The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION is TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s seventh charting album on the all-genre Billboard 200, though the act has yet to reach the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. TOMORROW X TOGETHER is the second act to top the Billboard 200 in the last year without also having previously logged a hit on the Hot 100, following fellow K-pop group Stray Kids, which notched two No. 1 albums in 2022 (ODDINARY and MAXIDENT).
The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION is recorded mostly in the Korean language, with some English lyrics. It is the 17th mostly non-English language album to hit No. 1. In 2022, there were four non-English No. 1s from BTS’ mostly-Korean Proof, Bad Bunny’s all-Spanish Un Verano Sin Ti and Stray Kids’ mostly-Korean ODDINARY and MAXIDENT. Of the 17 mostly non-English No. 1 albums, 10 have been Korean-language projects (six from BTS, two from Stray Kids, one from SuperM and one from TOMORROW X TOGETHER).
Four former No. 1s are Nos. 3-6 on the new Billboard 200, as Swift’s Midnights falls 2-3 with 68,000 equivalent album units earned (though up 1%), Metro Boomin’s Heroes & Villains rises 5-4 with 47,000 (down 12%), Drake and 21 Savage’s Her Loss climbs 6-5 with 44,000 (down 4%) and Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album bumps 8-6 with 42,000 (up 5%).
Sam Smith collects their fourth top 10-charting effort on the Billboard 200 as Gloria debuts at No. 7 with 39,000 equivalent album units earned. Of that sum, SEA units comprise 23,000 (equaling 30.75 million on-demand official streams of the set’s songs), album sales comprise 14,000 and TEA units comprise 2,000. Gloria was preceded by its hit single “Unholy,” a co-billed collaboration with Kim Petras, which became both artists’ first No. 1 on the Hot 100 in October.
Bad Bunny’s former leader Un Verano Sin Ti falls 7-8 on the Billboard 200 with 39,000 equivalent album units earned (down 5%).
Lil Yachty’s Let’s Start Here begins at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 with 36,000 equivalent album units earned. Of that sum, SEA units comprise 31,500 (equaling 41.34 million on-demand official streams of the set’s tracks), album sales comprise 4,500 and TEA units comprise a negligible sum. It’s the third top 10-charting effort for Lil Yachty on the Billboard 200.
Let’s Start Here is a sonic left turn for the artist, who previously charted six entries on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The new project has been described by the artist as “non-rap” and as “a psychedelic alternative project.”
Rounding out the new Billboard 200’s top 10 is Zach Bryan’s American Heartbreak, falling 9-10 with 31,000 equivalent album units earned (down 4%).
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.
After Paris Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter 2023 menswear shows brought members from BTS, SEVENTEEN, NCT and more representing South Korea, the following week of haute couture shows did not disappoint with its K-pop star power.
Things began strong on Jan. 23 as BLACKPINK‘s Jisoo made her return to Paris Fashion Week to attend the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show. An ambassador for the fashion house since 2019, Jisoo channeled Hollywood icon Aubrey Hepburn with an elegant updo and bangs to accompany her sophisticated white dress. The starlet sat next to Christian Dior CEO Delphine Arnault at the show that included guests like Anna Wintour, Anya Taylor-Joy and Korean actor Lee Suhyeok.
That same Monday saw BTS’ Suga make his Fashion Week debut at the Valentino Couture Spring 2023 show, marking his first appearance supporting the Italian luxury fashion house since being named a brand ambassador this year. The star-studded show saw Suga stylishly draped in a flowy tan and peach suit, seated front row alongside the likes of Kylie Minogue, Sam Smith, Doja Cat and BTS’ “Dream Glow” collaborator Charli XCX.
PFW regular G-Dragon got a fun surprise at the Chanel Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show, where he reunited with Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton, whom he first met in 2015 for couture week in Paris. All eyes were on the BIGBANG leader with his chic layered suit at the Chanel show that also had Anna Wintour, Baz Luhrmann and Roger Federer in the front row.
Elsewhere, KARD‘s BM and K-R&B star GEMINI continued their tour of fashion week with stops at the Jean Paul Gaultier and Zadig & Voltaire shows, respectively, after being spotted at menswear shows.
See all the K-pop looks from Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023 here and then vote for best dressed of couture week below.
From declarative album titles like Epik High Is Here and We’ve Done Something Wonderful to the more conceptual Shoebox and [e], Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz of Epik High have always been intentional in a multifaceted way with their record titles.
The hip-hop trio’s latest project leans toward the latter for the group to deliver a new sound that speaks to a fresh mindset and return to their roots as musicians after releasing their debut album 20 years ago.
“We like strawberry representing the album because it’s sweet and fresh, which is what we wanted to do at the beginning of our 20th anniversary,” explains group leader Tablo. “We thought that people would expect some music that is reminiscing and weighed down by the years, and we wanted to go against that expectation and just create something that sounds like three guys that just decided to create a group together. But strawberries are interesting because they’re so fragile; you can smash them up with your thumb but, somehow, they’ll stain on your table perfectly fine. And it reminds me of blood when it’s squished. So, there’s a little bit of pain in that sweetness. I think that that’s what Epik High is.”
Despite opening and closing the new Strawberry EP with, as they describe, “Epik High-ish” lo-fi tracks, the EP boasts some of the group’s most mass-appealing tracks in years inside: the knocking, melancholy hip-hop cut “On My Way” with Chinese K-pop star Jackson Wang, the disco-tinged “Catch” is smoothed out by a perfect feature from Hwa Sa of girl group MAMAMOO, plus an explicit, relatable freestyle from Tablo examines the online and real-life chaos of 2023. While Epik High has toured their brand of Korean hip-hop tour across the globe and scored multiples across Billboard‘s World Albums and World Digital Songs chart, Strawberry is intentionally described as a “global album” by the band to share their current mindset.
“Technically speaking, all our albums have been global, but not by choice, right?” muses Tablo. “K-pop and Korean music became a global thing even though it wasn’t ever a global release. But as a result, the audience for our albums has grown wider. And here’s how I approach progressing as a musician: I don’t think of myself as leading the way and my audience has to follow where I go—I will make music in the way that I want—but I believe that as my audience grows geographically and I’m flying there to perform for them, I want them in the center of my mind and my heart when I’m creating music. Before, I would create the music and the music’s audience grew. Now, that audience is affecting the way I create music as well, like, they’re in my mind when I make music…I think more because of COVID; I think how the entire globe is sharing the same fears and inspirations and hopes and dreams. We were just made more aware of it and, as a result, I think with this album, it’s just a mindset thing—calling it a ‘global album’ because there’s no real difference to how we’re releasing it; we’re just saying that because we want to remind ourselves that we are now speaking to people all over the world and we want them to know that we care about them.”
Despite Epik High intending for last February’s release of Epik High Is Here to be their final album, the trio naturally found themselves creating music again after career highlights like returning for their second Coachella performance and surrounding themselves with other musicians.
“So we actually did decide internally that Epik High Is Here would sort of be the last album,” Tablo explains. “Epik High Is Here Part 2 ends with ‘Champagne,’ which is sort of going back to the very first song on our first album [‘Go’ on Map of the Human Soul]. It’s like the curtain call. We were like, ‘We’ve made so many albums and I don’t think there’s anything we can really say. So, let’s continue to be Epik High and perform, but I’m not sure if we should ever make an album again. It was like a collective decision. What happened was…damn it, Coachella kind of inspired us again. We were like, ‘Oh my God…’”
Tablo says California continued to inspire the band despite their professional promises: “We just assumed that maybe we’ll release one single in October 2023 when it actually becomes 20 years, but nothing else. And then we were in LA for some festival, we just had like a week in L.A. but only one show so we had all this time. Being who we are, we ended up with a lot of musicians just making music and ended up with a ton of songs. We were like, ‘What do we do with these songs? We promised each other that we wouldn’t release an album,’ and then Tukutz was like, ‘This isn’t actually an album if we’re releasing three to five songs. Technically, it’s just a project.’ And I’m like, ‘You’re right. We did say we will never release another studio-length album so we’re not breaking that promise…yet.’ And we justified it to ourselves, hence, this situation.”
Let Epik High break down their new album/project/situation Strawberry below, track by track:
When TOMORROW X TOGETHER unveiled the first visuals for their Billboard 200 No. 1–contending album The Name Chapter: Temptation, the K-pop boy band quickly set the Internet ablaze with the dreamy, skin-baring set of photos and videos. Even if the group’s millions of fans and followers aren’t similarly preparing for fantastical photo shoots and TV performances on the regular, the quintet is honest about the relatable mindset to push towards their goals and showcase why TXT is increasingly earning its title as “K-pop’s voice of Gen Z.”
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When discussing The Name Chapter: Temptation, TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and HueningKai don’t differentiate when speaking about the ways diet, idleness and exercise affect their lives as both musicians and everyday people. At just 20 years old, youngest member HueningKai describing resisting certain meals as “a war against food” may be an essential part of his K-pop experience but also a battle that everyone fights from time to time. Taehyun mentioning “the temptation of laziness” may be more top of mind for a schedule-packed starlet, but who hasn’t had a morning of hitting the snooze button an extraordinary amount of times?
TOMORROW X TOGETHER don’t preach to rise above vices, nor do they try to appear as if they don’t fall to temptations themselves, but instead bring these shared experiences to life through more outstanding creative contributions (like “Happy Fools” with Coi Leray) and the most impressive choreography of their careers (watch “Devil by the Window” and new single “Sugar Rush Ride”). The guys emphasize that not only are their lived experiences inside The Name Chapter: Temptation, but the front-to-back listening experience previews the next page in their story, which is sure to continue this deeper look into these five engaging, empathetic superstars.
Read on for Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and HueningKai’s reflections on their latest EP, new goals, favorite songs and more.
Congratulations on the new music, TOMORROW X TOGETHER! What are you most looking forward to starting this new chapter?
TAEHYUN: What I look forward to the most is the reaction of our fans when the music first releases. When we are preparing for the album release right now and that’s the time when we can most feel that “Oh, we are finally releasing the album” feeling.
Your album titles The Dream Chapter and Chaos Chapter give obvious hints about where the music will go, but The Name Chapter is a little more open-ended. Can you explain it?
TAEHYUN: We always talk about growth. We’ve talked about friendship for The Dream Chapter, and some love being broken in our Chaos Chapter. And, finally, we arrived at The Name Chapter and you know you have to grow up but sometimes you don’t want to yet. That’s what this EP is about: You’re tempted to stay in “Neverland” because it’s sweet and you’re young and free. But at the end of this album, you say “Farewell, Neverland” because you know you have to go, so you have to go.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER always put your stories into your albums. How do you relate and fit with what you just described?
TAEHYUN: The overarching theme of this album is “temptation.” And I think that we come across many temptations from different places as we grow. The track that I’ve felt like it’s really our story is the third track “Happy Fools.” We all contributed in making this track and it talks about a story of how we fall into the temptation of laziness. YEONJUN did a beautiful job top lining the song, and all five of us contributed to the lyrics writing so it truly became our song.
What does the new single “Sugar Rush Ride” represent in your story?
HUENINGKAI: I think this song really incorporates our overarching theme of this album, which is temptation, really well. So it talks about a temptation of a sugar rush, which is irresistible and very, very sweet. So, I think it represents our refreshing, dreamlike and even sexy charms.
SOOBIN: It’s not only about an experience that we have, but I think it’s an experience that everyone has. So, I think everyone can resonate with the song too.
“Sugar Rush Ride” has the lyric, “The devil said, ‘Gimme, gimme more’” and you have the “Devil by the Window” song. With the album’s theme, what temptations do you battle in your lives?
HUENINGKAI: I think the temptation that you come across in everyday life is diet. So, when you go on a diet, you can’t really resist the temptation of food. It’s basically a war against food. So, I think that’s the strongest and scariest temptation we can ever come across.
YEONJUN: I agree.
You guys always look great and the Internet went wild with your concept photos. Did you do anything specific to prepare for those, either mentally or physically?
YEONJUN: Yeah, I worked out almost every day.
Tell us more about the visuals for this album: You have “Daydream,” “Nightmare,” “Farewell,” and “Lullaby” concept photos.
TAEHYUN: I can basically explain our concept photo that it has different concepts and, I think, they’re basically in a chronological order. In “Daydream,” we depict how we fall into the temptation and how happy and pleased we are falling into the temptation. For “Nightmare,” we express how we recognize that we have fallen into the temptation and try to fight off the temptation. In “Farewell,” we finally overcome the temptation and take one step further away from the temptation.
You always emphasize wanting to grow with every album release. In what ways do you feel like you grew with this new album?
HUENINGKAI: Every time we release a new album, we give a try to new and various genres. And of course, for this album as well, we gave a try to many new genres. So it was our first time trying Afropop genre, which is a pretty difficult genre but I think everyone did a very good job in recording “Tinnitus (Wanna Be a Rock)” and we wrapped that up pretty nicely. And other than the songs, I think the concept photo–wise, it was our first time trying that concept of a “dreamlike” concept, but every member did a good job pulling off that concept.
What’s everyone’s favorite track on the album?
TAEHYUN: That’s my favorite today, “Tinnitus (Wanna Be a Rock).”
HUENINGKAI: I would choose “Farewell, Neverland,” the last track.
YEONJUN: I’ll choose “Happy Fools.”
SOOBIN: I’m the same with HUENINGKAI, the last track, “Farewell, Neverland.”
BEOMGYU: I will choose “Happy Fools” too.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER has hit No. 4 on the Billboard 200. I have a really good feeling about this album, but do you have any new goals, hopes or dreams this time?
HUENINGKAI: Of course, to perform at the bigger stages and perform at the AMAs.
YEONJUN: Attending [American Music Awards] was a really good experience, but next time we want to perform.
TAEHYUN: We also want to build and strengthen our color. We want people to listen to our music and think, “Hey, that’s TXT and that was awesome.”
What else do you want to emphasize to fans with this release?
TAEHYUN: Fans want spoilers and hints every time we release a new album. And I want to tell our fans that if you listen to the tracks from Number One to Number Five, in order, then you can get a hint for our next album.
TWICE are gearing up to release a brand-new mini album, and they shared the details about its release on Thursday (Feb. 2). The K-pop girl group shared the news via their social media accounts, which revealed the forthcoming album is titled Ready to Be and will arrive Friday, March 10, at midnight ET/2 p.m. KT.
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Along with the album’s release date, the girl group shared a preview of what the album preorder will look like. There will be three covers for Ready to Be, three photo books and three CD types in black, pink and white, or tan and brown colorways. Each version of the record will come with a folded poster, a postcard, message card and photocard. Fans will also receive a second poster and a photocard set that correlates with the version of the album that they order. Pre-orders for Ready to Be will become available starting on Friday, Feb. 3.
Ready to Be marks the 12th mini album TWICE has released; the announcement of the project follows the release of the girl group’s second English single, “Moonlight Sunrise.” TWICE’s last mini-album, Between 1&2, was released in August; the set, which featured lead single “Talk That Talk,” spent a total of eight weeks on the Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 3 on the all-genre chart.
Before TWICE releases Ready to Be, the K-pop stars will be honored at Billboard‘s Women in Music event on March 1 with this year’s Breakthrough Award.
See TWICE’s album announcements below.
SEVENTEEN‘s subunit BSS — which consists of members Seungkwan, DK and Hoshi — unveiled the tracklist for its forthcoming album, Second Wind, on Wednesday (Feb. 1) through a sporty highlight medley that details the track themes and provided snippets of the songs to come.
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The medley video was designed like a fitness app with goal trackers, measurement of energy and a community that consisted of the SEVENTEEN singers, who also serve as voice and fitness coaches for CARATs.
DK launched into his guiding messages, and explained in detail what fans may gain from the project’s lead single. “‘Fighting’ is the first and title track of BSS’ first single album, Second Wind,” he says in the video, as snaps of him running on a track and wearing sportswear appear onscreen.
“The song is like a positive energy. Your own cheerleaders BSS offer you to help you start a refreshing day thinking, ‘I can do this!’ You can start your day with brimming energy if you start with this song,” DK adds before an upbeat preview of the track starts to play.
Seungkwan was up next for the second track from Second Wind. “‘LUNCH’ is a song that will wash away the drowsiness of the afternoon and fill you with subtle but invigorating energy. ‘LUNCH’ is a song with a distinctive and cheerful melody that makes you want to keep listening! Should we have lunch together with this song?” he says, leading into a synth-heavy preview of the song.
Hoshi closes out the voice coaching with details about the final tune on the album. “The third track, ‘7PM’ is a good song to wrap up your tough and tiring day. I hope you can get pleasant comfort from this song on a day that feels especially longer than the others. Everyone, great job today as always. BSS is always by your side to support your day,” he says as he signs off, before a preview of the mellow song closes out the video.
Second Wind serves as the first single album for BSS since the release of the group’s debut single, “Just Do It,” in 2018. The album will arrive on Monday, Feb. 6.
Watch the Second Wind highlight medley in the video above.
Mexico and Australia, BLACKPINK is coming to your area! On Wednesday (Feb. 1), the K-pop group announced an extension of its Born Pink World Tour that now includes extra dates on different sides of the hemisphere.
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The quartet shared the news with tour posters that featured Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé’s silhouettes, with the new dates for each country in pink text below. The Born Pink World Tour will hit Mexico City’s Foro Sol on April 26. Australia will get four dates: June 10-11 at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena and June 16-17 at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.
In addition to announcing the dates, BLACKPINK also shared details about how fans can register for the official Blink fanclub presale. BLINKs will need to join the Blink Membership on Weverse, register for the fanclub presale on Weverse within the registration period, and check for details on Weverse of YG’s official website for updates.
BLINK membership presale registration is available now through Sunday, Feb. 5, at 10 p.m. CT for the Mexico City dates, with the presale commencing on Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. CT. The Australian presale registration is available now through Sunday, Feb. 5, at 10 p.m. AEDT. Presale tickets for the Australian shows will also go on sale on Feb. 7: Syndey BLINKs can purchase starting at 11 a.m. AEDT, while Melbourne BLINKs can purchase at 1 p.m. AEDT. General onsale for all shows starts on Feb. 9.
See BLACKPINK’s Mexico and Australia tour announcements below.
K-pop fans will hit the jackpot when a new music festival comes to Las Vegas later this year.
Billboard can reveal exclusive first details for the inaugural We Bridge Music Festival and Expo, a new two-day music fest and three-day exposition celebrating Asian entertainment and culture hitting the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Billboard chart-toppers ENHYPEN are headlining the fest, marking the K-pop boy band’s latest U.S. arena performance. K-pop solo superstar Kang Daniel will join ENHYPEN, as will girl groups fromis_9, Dreamcatcher and VIVIZ, boy bands CIX and ONEUS, R&B-pop star BE’O, and more at the Vegas arena that hosted events like 2022’s Latin American Music Awards and Latin Grammy Awards.
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Alongside the concerts, the GRAMMY Museum will host a stage throughout three days on the expo floor, promising special performances and Q&A panels with the festival performers open to all attendees. Each artist panel will include “hi-touch” meet-and-greets with the artists for qualifying ticket holders.
The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles has hosted conversations and live performances from a range of Asian and Asian American talent in its years of public events, featuring BTS, Steve Aoki, Tiger JK, Yoonmirae, Lang Lang, Amber Liu, Lay Zhang, ATEEZ, Woosung, ENHYPEN and more.
In a press release, We Bridge also promises to bring attendees “what is now, new, and next in Asian music, media, art, and fashion.”
The destination event comes via Infinite Prospects Entertainment, the production and management company focused on bridging Asian media with western culture in the States, with the support of MGM Resorts International.
Previously, the two companies joined forces for a coordinated, city-wide celebration for BTS’ record-setting string of sold-out shows at Allegiant Stadium last April that included pop-up shops, Bellagio Fountains performances, and Vegas’ top attractions all glowing in the band’s signature color purple.
“I’m honored to be bringing a celebration of Asian culture to Las Vegas, one of the most culturally blended cities and entertainment capitals in the world,” says Alex Kang, CEO of Infinite Prospects Entertainment. “With the rise in Asian entertainment into mainstream prominence, we wanted to bring more awareness and access to artists, talent, and brands within our community. We are excited to have K-pop at the forefront of We Bridge’s music showcase this year as the industry’s impact and popularity continue to grow. We see this as our humble beginning and have a vision of building an even bigger stage that is widely representative of all Asian talent.”
Adds Chris Baldizan, MGM Resorts’ executive vice president of entertainment: “K-pop has quickly become a global phenomenon which Las Vegas experienced first-hand last year with BTS’ incredible sold-out concerts. The We Bridge event gives us another opportunity to partner with Alex Kang and his team to deliver multicultural experiences of music, media, art and fashion to the destination.”
Meanwhile, the Grammy Museum says its involvement honors its goal to connect music genres and diverse backgrounds just like millions will see at this weekend’s upcoming Grammy Awards on Feb. 5.
“Our mission includes paying tribute to our collective musical heritage while also celebrating the dynamic connection in people’s diverse backgrounds and music’s many genres,” says Michael Sticka, president/CEO of the Grammy Museum. “We look forward to celebrating Asian entertainment and culture by bringing our renowned public programming to the We Bridge stage.”
We Bridge Music Festival and Expo comes to Las Vegas from April 21-23 with tickets and packages on sale now. More information will be announced soon, including additional talent, ticket sales and programming details. For up-to-date news, fans can follow @webridgeexpo on Twitter and Instagram, and check out webridgeexpo.com.
Day 1 – Friday, April 21ONEUSDreamcatcherCIXKang Daniel
Day 2 – Saturday, April 22BE’OONEUSVIVIZfromis_9ENHYPEN
*Full lineup to be announced
Last fall, NCT 127 teased the possibility of a deluxe repackaging of their 2 Baddies album by telling Billboard to “look forward to being surprised by something unexpected.” Four months after the LP earned the K-pop boy band their second top 3 entry on the Billboard 200, the group unveils their Ay-Yo – The 4th Album Repackage album with three new songs, including the sleek title track single.
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While NCT 127’s previous title track “2 Baddies” seized listeners’ attention with its unrelenting chant chorus, the group’s latest takes a much more subtle approach with looping beats, delicate piano accents, and a surging, synthesizer-led chorus. Like they teased last year, the guys themselves also bring out unexpected musical moments in “Ay-Yo,” like when the silky-voiced vocalist Jaehyun kicks off the second verse with a rap section.
The accompanying music video is a mash of surprise delights too. Members like Doyoung and Jaehyun serve their best James Bonds with slick black outfits among a backdrop reminiscent of inside a pistol barrel as made famous in the 007 movies.
Meanwhile, leader Taeyong pulls off what will be one of 2023’s most shocking hairstyles with punky, pointy spikes that fans have found reminiscent of NCT label mates and K-pop pioneers TVXQ! and Super Junior.
In between the release of 2 Baddies and Ay-Yo, NCT 127 released a music video for their b-side “1, 2, 7 (Time Stops)” and held concerts in North America, Asia and Latin America as part of their Neo City – The Link world tour. The guys only wrapped their last show on Jan. 28 at Mexico City’s Palacio de los Deportes arena before dropping this new LP that includes its title track, the previously teased “DJ” plus hip-hop/pop hybrid “Skyscraper.”
Watch Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Taeil, Mark, Yuta, Johnny, Jungwoo and Haechan in “Ay-Yo” below.
