State Champ Radio K-Pop
Page: 69
Who says new music needs to arrive on a Friday? Stray Kids defied the traditional release formula and dropped its third compilation album, SKZ-REPLAY, on Wednesday (Dec. 21) much to the delight of fans.
The new project contains a whopping 25 songs across two discs. Side A features 10 tracks consisting of eight solo songs from members Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N., as well as the Korean version of “Fam” (which received an official music video following the album’s release) and “#LoveStay.” Side B includes original songs from the group’s two video series, SKZ-Player and SKZ-Record.
SKZ-REPLAY is the third installment in the group’s compilation album series. Last year, the K-pop stars dropped SKZ2021 on Dec. 23 via JYP Entertainment. The album had a total of 14 tracks that the group had previously recorded, but were re-recorded to highlight its current eight member lineup.
SKZ-REPLAY follows the success of Stray Kids’ Maxident EP. Released in early October, the set hit the No. 1 spot on the all-genre Billboard 200 after earning 117,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Oct. 13, according to Luminate. The mini album, which marked the K-pop group’s second No. 1 release after Oddinary, arrived with single “Case 143,” which additionally hit the top spot on the Hot Trending Songs chart with help from the group’s devoted STAY.
Listen to the SKZ-REPLAY, the newest compilation album by Stray Kids, below.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The Bangtan Boys dropped a new collaboration for beauty-loving members of the BTS Army!
BTS and the South Korean beauty giant Laneige teamed up for a special edition of the brand’s lip sleeping mask set. The Laneige BTS x Amorepacific Lip Sleeping Mask Lip & Pop Edition Set features three delicious scents inspired by the BTS singles “Butter,” “Permission to Dance” and “Dynamite.”
Available at Sephora.com and Laneige.com, the $35 set includes an exclusive “Butter” flavor (that smells like buttered popcorn) along with a couple of fan-favorite scents: Peach Iced Tea and Sweet Candy.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Fans will also find other nods to BTS in the packaging, which features a mini turntable and colorful mini-jars inspired by the group’s album art.
BigHit Music & Hybe x Amorepacific
Laneige BTS x Amorepacific Lip Sleeping Mask Lip & Pop Edition Set
$35
Laneige lip masks are rich in antioxidants and hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, murumuru butter and vitamin C. Some of the brand’s top sellers and newly released products include the Lip Glowy Balm ($17), the Water Sleeping Mask ($24) and the Besties Kit ($35).
This latest partnership between BTS and Amorepacific, the South Korean beauty and cosmetics company behind more than 30 brands including Laneige, Mamonde, Etude and Innisfree, follows a successful limited-edition release last year.
BTS is currently on hiatus to fulfill their military duties, but the BTS Army will get to see the group take the big screen in BTS Yet to Come in Cinema. The concert film will hit more than 110 theaters worldwide on Feb. 1, 2023.
Shopping for more BTS gear? Click here for the best gifts for BTS fans.
The holiday spirit is in the air on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, powered by Twitter and sponsored by Xfinity Mobile, as Red Velvet and aespa’s “Beautiful Christmas” tops the Dec. 24-dated list.
Billboard’s Hot Trending charts, powered by Twitter and sponsored by Xfinity Mobile, track global music-related trends and conversations in real-time across Twitter, 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 Dec. 9-15.
“Beautiful Christmas,” the first collaboration – holiday or otherwise – between South Korean labelmates Red Velvet and aespa, premiered Dec. 14, with a teaser going up on Dec. 12.
It’s the first No. 1 on the weekly Hot Trending Songs chart for both groups; aespa previously peaked at No. 6 with both “Savage” (2021) and “Girls” (2022), while Red Velvet reached No. 16 with “Feel My Rhythm” earlier this year.
Further chart appearances for the song are possible upon its first full week of tracking, running Dec. 16-22 and for the Billboard charts dated Dec. 31.
“Beautiful Christmas” is followed by NewJeans’ “Ditto,” which was teased during the latest tracking period and released in full Dec. 19. An additional to-be-released song from the South Korean quintet, “OMG,” bows at No. 5.
Keep visiting Billboard.com for the constantly evolving Hot Trending Songs rankings, and check in each Tuesday for the latest weekly chart.
With the release of TOMORROW X TOGETHER‘s forthcoming EP, The Name Chapter: Temptation, drawing closer, the K-pop boy group unleashed one of the many concept teasers to come from the project on Tuesday (Dec. 20) — and it’s an ominous one.
The short, 15-second clip features an animated drawing of a window decorated with a sheer curtain. From behind it, a shadowy figure appears and walks across to the other side as the window floats in space. By the end of the short, Korean text comes into view and reads, “The devil’s voice I met at the window at midnight was sweet.”
The new teaser comes after TXT confirmed the release date and official title of The Name Chapter: Temptation. The EP will be released on Jan. 27, but leading up to the mini album’s arrival, several concept teasers will be rolled out in early January. The mini album’s tracklist and official poster will be dropped on Jan. 19, while the album preview will arrive on Jan. 22. Two teasers for the project’s lead single will be shared on Jan. 24 and 25. Following the EP’s release, the K-pop group will perform a special showcase on Jan. 28.
The Name Chapter: Temptation will be the group’s first music release since the arrival of its fourth mini EP, minisode 2: Thursday’s Child. That project was a hit for the K-pop stars. It spent a total of 14 weeks on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, where it peaked at No. 4. Thursday’s Child achieved even more success on the Top Current Album Sales chart, where it spent 20 weeks on the tally and hit No. 1.
See TXT’s new concept teaser in the video above.
After a decade of counting down the year’s best K-pop songs at Billboard, 2022 brought refreshing and remarkable shifts in how these lists usually shape up.
Undeniably, this was the year of the girl group. More than half of 2022’s entries are from female troupes who now lead the scene in taste and trends. From established queens like Girls’ Generation and KARA celebrating milestone anniversaries to rising rookies including IVE, NewJeans, and LE SSERAFIM kicking in the industry door, the spectrum for excellence ran the gamut.
That’s not to say the boys weren’t bringing their best. In fact, cuts from BIGBANG, Zico, BTS, plus Ha Sung Woon and Jimin blew up big time without traditional music videos or typical promotional tactics. Even for those tracks riding on a viral trend, these were expressions of the artists that audiences won’t look back on as novelty tracks or cringey viral sensations best left as clips on TikTok.
Not to mention, K-pop has more eyes on it than ever worldwide, and it seemed like the artists delivered knowing the world was watching. Stray Kids and (G)I-DLE shared personal and powerful messages in their biggest singles yet, while BLACKPINK spotlighted how traditional Korean instruments fit inside their latest pop anthem.
2022 was the time for K-pop artists to express themselves vocally, thematically and artistically in ways previously seen, and it undoubtedly paid off in full. Read on to see who we think did it the best with Billboard‘s list of the 25 best K-pop songs of the year.
As 2022’s most successful K-pop debut with the triple-punch release of surprise singles “Attention,” “Hype Boy” and “Cookie,” NewJeans have followed up with the new track “Ditto” that shows off a cooler and more subtle pop approach suitable for the winter months.
While their NWJNS EP was more focused on effervescent pop hooks suited for the sunshine, “Ditto” is more subtle while remaining true to the sweet style NewJeans established at the start. Over a soft, chopped-staccato beat somewhat reminiscent of the Baltimore club style, members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein mix eerie, dulcet harmonies with fun and fast melodies to match the breakbeat. The quintet spill about the rush of hoping to take the next step in a relationship and having their feelings reciprocated: “I don’t want to stay in the middle, like you a little/ Don’t want no riddle…/ Say it back, oh say it ‘ditto’/ I want you so I want you/ So, say it ‘ditto.’”
While Danielle wrote on “Attention” and Hanni wrote on “Hype Boy,” this time eldest member Minji helped write “Ditto,” giving three of the five members songwriting credits just five songs into their career. As the group told Billboard in an earlier interview, NewJeans label CEO Min Hee Jin gives the group “plenty of opportunities to participate” in different ways in their music despite being so new in the industry.
Just like how “Hype Boy” and “Attention” were released in multiple music video versions to help tell the group’s stories, “Ditto” comes with two different visuals. The video’s “Side A” and “Side B” versions both focus on a look back to the five NewJeans members playing and dancing in younger school days alongside a sixth, faceless friend in an arm cast who tends to record their dance rehearsals. While the viewer never gets to see the sixth friend’s face fully, we follow her journey which includes a crush on a schoolmate and reminiscing on her time with the girls by looking through old VHS tapes as an adult.
Visually, the “Ditto” video does a fantastic job in capturing not just the technology middle ground of the ’90s/’00s, where memories lived on fuzzy video cameras and grainy VHS tapes, but in the loneliness and awkwardness one can feel in adolescence, even when surrounded by friends. Lyrically, “Ditto” might be initially thought to be about a romantic crush, but the visual offers the possibility of hoping a new friend reciprocates your feelings to take a friendship to the next level too.
As previously reported, “Ditto” is NewJeans’ pre-release buzz track ahead of the new single “OMG” dropping on Jan. 2. Check out both the “Side A” and “Side B” versions of “Ditto” below:
After a significant 2022 that included NCT DREAM‘s first Billboard 200 entry, first KCON appearance and first international movie release, the boy band closes the year with a holiday album for worldwide fans that also pays homage to a formative song for the Korean-pop industry.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
For NCT DREAM’s special winter album Candy, the septet reinterpreted the classic K-pop song of the same name for its title track single. “Candy” was originally released in 1996 by the five-member boy band H.O.T., credited as the first “idol” group in Korea’s music industry and setting the formula still used today. From their debut track “Warrior’s Descendant” tackling school bullying, H.O.T. released music that acted as social critique, but it was their saccharine single “Candy” that became the band’s breakout hit. The group disbanded in 2001, but “Candy” is considered a quintessential track in any K-pop primer.
Now, more than 25 years after H.O.T. released “Candy” under SM Entertainment, the K-pop super label brings back the bubblegum classic with its youngest group, NCT DREAM. The ’90 track is a perfect fit for the bouncy, youthful energy DREAM brings into their music with the track reinterpreted with a slightly updated arrangement. The accompanying music video has a glossy look that K-pop is known for today but pays tribute to H.O.T.’s original visual for “Candy” with the fashion (like Jeno’s very fuzzy, very ’90s yellow hat) and the sets (including filming in an amusement park just like the original).
Candy delivers more treats for listeners as well, including the standout R&B cut “Graduation” and the synth-pop throbber “Tangerine Love (Favorite),” with member Mark co-writing the winter-themed, mid-tempo track “Take My Breath.” The new release follows Glitch Mode, which debuted at No. 50 on the Billboard 200 in April. The LP bore a deluxe repackage titled Beatbox, which included the new single of the same name.
Check out NCT DREAM’s “Candy” and the original “Candy” music video by H.O.T. in its newly remastered version shared by SM Entertainment just two weeks ago.
With 18 years in the industry, Super Junior have much to celebrate this holiday season and they’re showing their appreciation with a seasonal new song to say thank you.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“Celebrate” is the feel-good, synth-pop single from the veteran boy band that expresses gratitude for memories made together, hopes to continually return to this feeling every winter season, and their wish to dance and party in celebration.
In the wintry music video, members Leeteuk, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Ryeowook, Siwon, Heechul, Yesung, Donghae and Kyuhyun intertwine themselves in cute Christmas scenes from pairs ranging from young kids to senior citizens. By the end of the video, we see everyone take part in the same Christmas dinner and family photo to connect to the song’s message of happily reuniting every holiday season.
Notably, it’s particularly admirable to see the range of ages represented in the music video when most visuals in K-pop focus only on spotlighting young people in their primes. No doubt the decision came in large part of recognizing Super Junior’s impact across generations as they near two decades on the scene.
As the final chapter in Super Junior’s three-part EP rollout for their 11th album, The Road : Celebration comes with five tracks that include several sonic gifts for fans. There’s an “anti-carol” in the harmony-heavy “Hate Christmas,” a dive into country music with “Snowman,” plus SuJu’s take on the ’90s K-pop hit “White Love,” originally released by Korean dance outfit Turbo.
“Celebrate” with Super Junior below:
Even before BTS‘ official debut, the group was recording and sharing personal and intimate moments with their fans so, naturally, ARMY got a glimpse into Jin‘s big day of enlisting in South Korea’s military service.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
All six of Jin’s band mates came to send him off to the Yeoncheon army base, located north of Seoul and just a few miles 10 miles from the Demilitarized Zone separating South and North Korea. BTS managed to avoid the crowds gathered at the base (which reportedly included dozens of journalists and security staff, plus a handful of fans) and enjoyed some quiet time with Jin.
Soundtracked to BTS’ new Proof song “For Youth,” the three-minute clip shows the stars cracking jokes, posing for photos and selfies, and the guys getting a kick out of rubbing their hands through Jin’s newly buzzed hair.
Of course, Jin shared a message for fans before heading off: “Health is a top priority so I won’t get sick, and I hope you stay healthy too, ARMY.”
Viewers then saw RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook proudly watch Jin join his fellow recruits and give the first salute of his military service.
RM shared some additional thoughts at the end of the video that spoke to his nurturing side as the group leader. “Jin hates the cold so I’m a bit worried,” the “Wild Flower” star said. “But we’ll follow him soon. I don’t feel great sending him off, but he always does well wherever he is, so I’m sure he’ll do well. It’s sad, but this is everyone’s duty.”
Per South Korean law, all able-bodied men must serve in the armed forces for at least 18 months with varying lengths of service time. The BTS members shared earlier this year that they will all serve in the coming months with plans to reunite in 2025.
Watch the heartfelt Jin’s Entrance Ceremony video as part of BTS’ BANGTAN BOMB YouTube series below:
SEVENTEEN performed at Penske Media’s LA3C festival last weekend, and while they were there, Joshua, Dino and Mingyu chatted exclusively with Billboard News about their love for the holidays and what fans can expect from the group in 2023.
Speaking to Billboard‘s Tetris Kelly, the trio dished on their recent world tour, winning best dance performance male at the 2022 MAMAs, and releasing their new calendar for fans just in time for the holiday season.
“Favorite part of the holidays for me, personally, like, Christmas, I just love the energy, the music that plays and just, like, the overall vibe of Christmas,” Joshua said, while Dino added, “There are lots of festivals and year-end shows like LA3C that happen during the holiday season, and performing as a part of those events is one of my favorite things during the holidays.”
And while Christmas is still more than a week away, the K-pop idols are already looking forward to a bright and busy new year. “I just want all of us to be healthy, I think that’s the most important,” Joshua said after he and several of his bandmates each missed different tour stops due to COVID. “And we want to meet as much CARATs as possible.”
“Just like we did this year, we will come back with fresh music and, how should I put it? Music and performances that are more truthful to who we are,” Dino jumped in, while Mingyu was quick to add, “Please let everyone know they can look forward to everything we’re doing next year!”
LA3C is Penske Media Corporation’s new music, art and food festival celebrating Los Angeles’ culture and diversity, which took place Dec. 10-11 at Los Angeles State Historic Park. PMC is the parent company of Billboard.
Watch Joshua, Mingyu and Dino’s chat with Billboard at LA3C above.
