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The best acts in K-pop — and their respective fan armies — are gearing up to battle it out at the 2022 MAMA Awards. The MAMAs announced its list of nominees for the 2022 ceremony on Monday (Oct. 24), which includes BTS, BLACKPINK and other popular K-pop acts vying for awards this year.
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BTS racked up five nominations for the group, but also saw separate nominations for some of its individual members. The septet earned nods in the best male group, best vocal performance group and song of the year for “Yet to Come,” as well as artist of the year and worldwide fans’ choice top 10.
J-Hope earned six solo nominations in the artist of the year, best male artist, best hip-hop and urban music and song of the year for “MORE” from Jack in the Box, as well as best collaboration for “Rush Hour” with Crush, which also earned a song of the year nomination. V and Jimin also netted solo noms in the best OST (original sound tracks) and song of the year categories — V for “Christmas Tree” (Our Beloved Summer) and Jimin alongside Ha Sung-woon for “With You” (Our Blues).
BLACKPINK, still fresh off the release of its second studio album Born Pink, netted a total of five nominations in the best female group, best dance performance female group and song of the year “Pink Venom,” as well as artist of the year and worldwide fans’ choice top 10.
Other artists who secured recognition for this year’s MAMAs include NCT Dream (five), SEVENTEEN (five), Stray Kids (five), IVE (five), NCT 127 (three), TWICE (three), and ITZY (three).
The 2022 MAMA Awards are set to take place in Japan at the Osaka Kyocera Dome Nov. 29-30. Fans can vote for who they want to win the worldwide fans’ choice top 10 on the MAMA website. Voting ends Nov. 4 at 10:59 a.m. ET (11:59 p.m. KT).
See the full list of nominees for the 2022 MAMA Awards below.
Best New Female Artist
IVEKep1erLE SSERAFIMNewJeansNMIXXYena (Choi Ye Na)Best New Male Artist
ATBOTEMPESTTNXXdinary HeroesYOUNITEBest Female Artist
IUMiyeonNayeonSeulgiTaeyeonBest Male Artist
J-HopeKang DanielLim Young WoongPSYZico
Best Female Group
(G)I-DLEaespaBLACKPINKITZYRed VelvetTWICEBest Male Group
BTSENHYPENNCT DREAMSEVENTEENStray KidsTXTBest Vocal Performance Solo
IU – “Drama”Kim Min Seok – “Drunken Confession”Lee Mujin – “When it snows” (feat. Heize)Lim Young Woong – “Our Blues Our Life”Taeyeon – “INVU”Best Vocal Performance Group
BIGBANG – “Still Life”BTS – “Yet To Come”Davichi – “Fanfare”ENHYPEN – “Polaroid Love”WINNER – “I LOVE U”
Best Band Performance
JANNABI – “GRIPPIN’THEGREEN”Jaurim – “STAY WITH ME”LUCY – “PLAY”The Black Skirts – “My Little Lambs”Xdinary Heroes – “Happy Death Day”
Best Dance Performance Solo
Jessi – “ZOOM”Nayeon – “POP!”PSY – “That That” (prod. & feat. Suga)Sunmi – “Heart Burn”Yena – “SMILEY” (feat. BIBI)
Best Dance Performance Male Group
NCT 127 – “2 Baddies”NCT DREAM – “Glitch Mode”SEVENTEEN – “HOT”Stray Kids – “MANIAC”TXT – “Good Boy Gone Bad”TREASURE – “JIKJIN”
Best Dance Performance Female Group
(G)I-DLE – “TOMBOY”BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom”IVE – “LOVE DIVE”LE SSERAFIM – “FEARLESS”NewJeans – “Attention”Red Velvet – “Feel My Rhythm”
Best OST
10CM – “Drawer” (“Our Beloved Summer” OST)Jimin, Ha Sung Woon – “With You” (“Our Blues” OST)MeloMance – “Love, Maybe” (“A Business Proposal” OST)V – “Christmas Tree” (“Our Beloved Summer” OST)Wonstein – “Your Existence” (“Twenty Five, Twenty One” OST)
Best Collaboration
10CM, BIG Naughty – “Just 10 centimeters”Crush – “Rush Hour” (feat. J-Hope)Loco, Hwasa – “Somebody!”PSY – “That That” (prod. & feat. Suga)Woo Won Jae, meenoi – “Ghosting” (prod. CODE KUNST)Best Hip Hop & Urban Music
BE’O – “Counting Stars” (feat. Beenzino)BIG Naughty – “Beyond Love” (feat. 10CM)J-Hope – “MORE”Jay Park – “GANADARA” (feat. IU)Zico – “Freak”
Song of the Year
10CM – “Drawer”10CM, BIG Naughty – “Just 10 centimeters”BE’O – “Counting Stars” (feat. Beenzino)BIGBANG – “Still Life”BIG Naughty – “Beyond Love” (feat. 10CM)BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom”BTS – “Yet To Come”Crush – “Rush Hour” (feat. J-Hope)Davichi – “Fanfare”ENHYPEN – “Polaroid Love”(G)I-DLE – “TOMBOY”IU – “Drama”IVE – “LOVE DIVE”JANNABI – “GRIPPIN’THEGREEN”Jaurim – “STAY WITH ME”Jay Park – “GANADARA” (feat. IU)Jessi – “ZOOM”J-Hope – “MORE”Jimin, Ha Sung Woon – “With You”Kim Min Seok – “Drunken Confession”LE SSERAFIM – “FEARLESS”Lee Mujin – “When it snows” (feat. Heize)Lim Young Woong – “Our Blues Our Life”Loco, Hwasa – “Somebody!”LUCY – “PLAY”MeloMance – “Love, Maybe”Nayeon – “POP!”NCT 127 – “2 Baddies”NCT DREAM – “Glitch Mode”NewJeans – “Attention”PSY – “That That” (prod. & feat. Suga)Red Velvet – “Feel My Rhythm”SEVENTEEN – “HOT”Stray Kids – “MANIAC”Sunmi – “Heart Burn”Taeyeon – “INVU”The Black Skirts – “My Little Lambs”TREASURE – “JIKJIN”TXT – “Good Boy Gone Bad”V – “Christmas Tree”WINNER – “I LOVE U”Wonstein – “Your Existence”Woo Won Jae, meenoi – “Ghosting” (prod. CODE KUNST)Xdinary Heroes – “Happy Death Day”Yena – “SMILEY” (feat. BIBI)Zico – “Freak”
Artist of the Year
aespaATBOBLACKPINKBTSENHYPEN(G)I-DLEITZYIUIVEJ-HopeKang DanielKep1erLE SSERAFIMLim Young WoongMiyeonNayeonNCT DREAMNewJeansNMIXXPSYRed VelvetSeulgiSEVENTEENStray KidsTaeyeonTEMPESTTNXTWICETXTXdinary HeroesYenaYOUNITEZicoWorldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10
aespaASTROATEEZBIGBANGBilllieBLACKPINKBrave GirlsBTOBBTSChunghaCrushDreamcatcherENHYPENEVERGLOWfromis_9(G)I-DLEGirls’ GenerationGOT7ITZYIUIVEJay ParkJessiJo Yu RiKaiKang DanielKARDKep1erLE SSERAFIMLOONAMAMAMOOMONSTA XNCT 127NCT DREAMNewJeansNMIXXONEUSPENTAGONPSYRed VelvetSEVENTEENSTAYCStray KidsSunmiTHE BOYZTREASURETWICETXTWINNERYena
With nearly 2 dozen entries on World Digital Song Sales, ATEEZ are no strangers to the Billboard chart, but their latest feat shows how fans are taking their support to the charts.
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On the World Digital Song Sales chart dated Oct. 22, 2022, ATEEZ’s “Say My Name” re-enters the ranking at No. 11 for its fifth week on the chart overall. The track sold an additional 500 downloads in the week ending Oct. 13 in the U.S., up from a negligible amount in the previous week, making a total of 1,000 downloads in the U.S. this year alone.
Initially released in January 2019 as a single from the boy band’s Treasure EP.2: Zero to One album, “Say My Name” originally peaked at No. 8 on the chart and has sold 8,500 downloads in the U.S., making it ATEEZ’s second-biggest selling digital song in the States. Only “Wonderland,” the single off their first full-length Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action, released in October 2019, has sold slightly more than 8,500.
The surge in support comes after a growing controversy where ATEZ fans—and, possibly, ATEEZ themselves—claim that a famous choreographer swiped a signature move from the “Say My Name” dance on television.
The debate started when South Korean–based dance crew We Dem Boyz (who have helped helm choreography with K-pop acts like CL, SEVENTEEN and SuperM) performed the song “New Thing” on Korea’s popular dance-battle show Street Man Fighter. Sung by chart-topping solo star Zico and hip-hop trio Homies, “New Thing” has been rising up Korea’s local charts mainly due to the viral #NewThingChallenge dance. Soon, fans noticed one part felt similar to a key move from “Say My Name.”
As part of a Street Man Fighter episode, the “New Thing” choreography was created and sequenced by We Dem Boyz leader Vata. He taught his crew moves that imitate mounting and starting a motorcycle before stylishly walking and bobbing their head to the beat with one hand held outward and another on the hip. Vata shared a clip of the “New Thing” choreography on his Instagram.
The moves were claimed to be allegedly similar to a signature part of ATEEZ’s choreography to 2019’s “Say My Name” where the guys perform a walk and bob over the track’s hook—the part earned a nickname as the “driving dance.”
Since the episode airing, Vata began facing online plagiarism accusations over the sequence for “New Thing” that made its way to the original “Say My Name” choreographer, Anze Skrube.
Slovenia-born Skrube, credited in ATEEZ’s Treasure EP.2: Zero to One album as the “Say My Name” choreographer, spoke up about the claims on his Instagram.
“I want to be very quick regarding the allegations of somebody copying our moves,” he said in a video posted on Oct. 11. “Please stop harassing each other and fighting about it. To clarify, from my experience, there is a difference between ‘biting’ a move or being inspired by a move, or biting a whole sequence of moves—this is what happened here in this case. This particular sequence was choreographed by Josh Smith at the end of 2018 and it came out at the beginning of 2019. I’m only saying this because stuff like this happens a lot in the dance industry and that’s not OK. Let’s not do that, people. If you get inspired by something, the least you could do is credit the creators. I’m just going to leave it at that.”
ATEEZ fans also wondered if the group members themselves noticed the similarities.
Fans noted the eight-member boy band incorporating the driving dance into some of their latest performances and using what looks like the “biting” dance sign (mentioned by Skrube) where a dancer smacks one’s forearms together horizontally to physically indicate someone has stolen or copied a move.
On Oct. 14, Vata responded to the claims on his Instagram “in order to prevent further misunderstandings” (according to translations via Soompi).
“When I first heard the music, I was reminded of a plain in the wilderness, and I created the intro choreography to depict arriving on a motorcycle or horseback,” Vata wrote. “That’s why I used the motion of starting an engine at the beginning, followed by a big kick and a dismount after driving, and there is a story with a beginning, middle, and end. I think that it is completely different from the intent and connection between the movements of the choreography to which it is currently being compared.”
Vata added, “As a person who loves the culture of dance, I think it’s admirable when artists and choreographers respect one another. However, it seems like that isn’t the case [right now], which I find very unfortunate. Regardless of the reason, I feel apologetic to the viewers of Street Man Fighter and everyone who has been cheering for We Dem Boyz about the fact that I caused a controversy.”
So far, ATEEZ has not formally responded to the debate but see additional chart activity beyond their 2019 single. The boy band’s latest EP, The World EP.1 : Movement, re-entered World Albums (at No. 8 this week), Top Current Album Sales (at No. 19), and Top Album Sales (No. 22)
After a year of global growth that included their first top 10 album on the Billboard 200, ITZY take their next step to larger pop prominence with the release of their first original English single “Boys Like You.”
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Like many of ITZY’s K-pop singles, the new pop track is an empowerment anthem. This time, the girls realize their worth and refuse to take back a two-timing boyfriend with a mix of sassy, catchy rap rhymes (“Boy, gonna diss me? Boy, I’m so pissed/ Boy, gonna miss me/ Boy, you are dismissed”) and a smooth, kiss-off hook sung by Chaeryeong (who croons, “I don’t fall for boys like you” in the most addictive part of the track). True to ITZY’s sound in singles like “Sneakers” or “Wannabe,” the new track boasts an overall playful listening experience while still packing a punch with the group’s spunky personality and clever ad-libs.
Released right in time for the upcoming Halloween holiday, the accompanying music video sees Chaeryeong, Yeji, Lia, Ryujin and Yuna together at a costume party and soon learning the same guy has scammed all five members. After cartoonish attempts to take one another down in the name of love, ITZY realize they’re better together and throw their own party without their cheating ex.
While not explicitly stated by the artist or label, “Boys Like You” seems to mark the latest release by a K-pop act directly targeting the U.S. market with an original English single. ITZY’s latest move feels similar to TWICE (label mates with ITZY on both the Korean side at JYP Entertainment and U.S. side with Republic Records), who released their crossover track “The Feels” and scored their first entry on the Hot 100 and performed across American morning and late-night talk shows. Even with the language switch-up, “The Feels” stood out for how closely it connected to TWICE’s K-pop singles, with “Boys Like You” mostly in line with ITZY’s past collection of punchy, pop anthems that appeal to both young audiences and more mature listeners.
“Boys Like You” is the pre-release single ahead of a new project slated for later this year. But the new music will come after the U.S. leg of ITZY’s ‘Checkmate 1st World Tour’ which kicks off in Los Angeles on Oct. 26.
Until then, watch the new “Boys Like You” music video:
BTS‘ music is the gift that keeps on giving. Though the K-pop group is currently in between albums and its members are focusing on solo projects and preparing for mandatory military service, the group’s catalogue has inspired new interpretations of several of its hits songs. Such is the case for Vitamin String Quartet, whose new album Vitamin String Quartet Performs BTS — released on Friday (Oct. 21) — sees the group tapping into BTS tracks such as “Idol,” “On,” “Black Swan” and more.
“It’s been thrilling to put together VSQ Performs BTS. BTS’ music is built for performance; it’s something that serenades as much as it moves. That sensational combination of song and dance is at the heart of what we’ve accomplished with the album and all its content,” James Curtiss, director of A&R and creative director of CMH Label Group, said in a statement.
Along with the arrival of the classical group’s album was the debut for its “Black Swan” video, which features a male dancer performing ballet to the tune.
“Against a clean, stark palette and backdrop of black, white, and industrial grays, we are telling the story of a ballerina who pushes himself to the breaking point of performance, transforming from a delicate, gentle danseur into a vivacious, rapturous soloist,” Curtiss noted of the inspirations behind the “Black Swan” visual. “That is contrasted with the performance of the quartet on camera, the music he hears in his head, pushing him to the next level. It’s a visual revelry that encapsulates all that both VSQ and BTS bring into listeners’ lives.”
Vitamin String Quartet Performs BTS arrives just before BTS member Jin is set to debut his solo single “The Astronaut” alongside Coldplay in Buenos Aires on Oct. 28. The BTS member will be the first of the septet to perform military service in South Korea.
“Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October. He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government,” BTS’ label BigHit Music said in a statement. “Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.”
Listen to Vitamin String Quartet Performs BTS, and watch the video for “Black Swan” below.
Hours after Jin surprised fans with news that he’d debut his new solo single “The Astronaut” live at Coldplay‘s upcoming Buenos Aires show, the BTS singer delivered yet another gift for ARMY.
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At midnight on Friday, Oct. 20, Jin’s three solo songs “Super Tuna,” “Abyss” and “Tonight” became available across all streaming services via BIGHIT MUSIC.
Previously, the singles released between 2019-2021 were only available across the group’s SoundCloud and YouTube accounts.
Let’s break down the three songs for those needing a refresher.
Released in June 2019 as part of BTS’ sixth-anniversary celebrations, “Tonight” was Jin’s first entirely original solo song uploaded to the group’s SoundCloud. Jin and BTS leader RM wrote the acoustic R&B-pop track alongside longtime collaborators Slow Rabbit and Hiss Noise, highlighting Jin’s airy falsetto over production that shifts from sparse guitar to an emotional mix of piano and synthesizers. “Tonight” has garnered more than 53 million streams on BTS’ SoundCloud.
To celebrate his birthday in December 2020, Jin released the moving, personal ballad “Abyss,” which shared an honest look at his grappling with performance anxiety, his insecurities, and burnout. The track was also written by Jin and RM, alongside longtime BTS producer Pdogg, and BUMZU who produced the song and is known for his heavy involvement with artists like SEVENTEEN and NU’EST. “Abyss” has more than 29 million streams on SoundCloud and 31.5 million streams on YouTube.
As another birthday present for ARMY in 2021, Jin switched things up entirely with his super-fun, super-synth track “Super Tuna,” which became an unexpected viral hit even without global distribution. The one-minute song was written and produced by Jin and BUMZU with “Super Tuna” with its accompanying choreography video taking a life of its own and garnering tons of covers across TikTok that even had the Teletubbies joining.
So far, “Super Tuna” has peaked at No. 4 on the weekly Hot Trending Songs Chart and currently sits at No. 11 after 45 weeks. Its choreography video has more than 76 million views on YouTube, plus more than 8.1 million streams on SoundCloud.
The new releases come ahead of Jin’s forthcoming solo single “The Astronaut,” co-written by Jin and Coldplay. The song drops one week from now at midnight on Oct. 28. BTS shared that concept photos, a music video and a lyric video all promised as part of the rollout for the track.
Listen to the new Jin songs here.
After NCT DREAM hit a career milestone with two nights in South Korea’s largest concert venue, the K-pop boy band is sharing the experience with fans worldwide through their first-ever movie.
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NCT DREAM THE MOVIE : In a DREAM will be released worldwide this November. The feature film will spotlight the group on stage and backstage at their Olympic Stadium show in Seoul from September earlier this year. Fans will also get to see the preparations that went into the concert and interviews with all seven members of NCT DREAM. According to a press release, NCT DREAM members Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung will “share candid stories and their thoughts and feelings” and “a look at the future the members envision away from the stage.”
The new flick celebrates NCT DREAM’s THE DREAM SHOW2 : In a DREAM concert that played in Seoul, as well as multiple cities in Japan, after the release Glitch Mode album, which hit No. 50 on the Billboard 200 in April to become the group’s first entry on the chart.
In A DREAM will be released in CGV theater chains with ScreenX as well as 4DX and 4DX Screen formats, which offer multi-sensory effects for viewers. Distribution for the movie comes from Trafalgar Releasing (who have pushed fan-focused movie experiences for artists like BTS, Coldplay and Twenty One Pilots) and CJ 4DPLEX Inc. (the tech company behind 4DX, ScreenX and 4DX Screen theaters). ScreenX offers a 270-degree field of view perspective in movie theaters by expanding screens to the side walls, while 4DX provides moviegoers with special effects like vibrations, wind, scents and more to enhance on-screen visuals. Trafalgar reports over 344 ScreenX auditoriums including 4DX Screen around the world in 38 countries.
“We are pleased to continue our relationship with CJ 4DPLEX Inc. and to partner for the first time with SM Entertainment to bring NCT DREAM’s first movie to cinemas worldwide,” said Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing. “NCTzens all around the globe will be thrilled with the epic live concert performances and exciting behind-the-scenes footage that is meant to be experienced larger-than-life on the big screen.”
NCT DREAM’s debut on the silver screen makes them the latest K-pop act to deliver fans a concert-documentary hybrid film, last seen from the likes of SEVENTEEN, who brought their Power of Love : The Movie film to cinemas in April.
Forthcoming premiere dates and ticketing information for the November screenings will be available here.
BTS‘ Jin is picking a massive stage for the live debut of his just-announced solo single, “The Astronaut.” In fact, the entire world can tune in when the K-pop icon performs the song during his friends Coldplay‘s upcoming Oct. 28 concert at Buenos Aires, Argentina’s River Plate stadium, which will be beamed out to more than 3,500 movie theaters in more than 70 countries.
Big Hit Music confirmed the news on BTS’ Weverse page, noting that the concert will not be livestreamed, but that video of “The Astronaut” live debut featuring Coldplay will be uploaded after the show “to make sure ARMY all around the world can watch Jin and Coldplay’s performance.” The concert will take place just hours after “The Astronaut” — written by Jin and Coldplay — is released; Coldplay and BTS previously collaborated on the 2021 global smash “My Universe.”
For fans who haven’t gotten a chance to see Coldplay’s eye-popping, luminous Music of the Spheres show — which has sold more than 5.4 million tickets to date while racking up more than $60 million in concert grosses in July — the Oct. 28-29 two-night-only cinema special will capture the explosive event in all its glory thanks to BAFTA-winning director Paul Dugdale. Coldplay recently postponed 8 Brazilian shows due to singer Chris Martin’s “serious lung infection.”
The official poster for “The Astronaut” was unveiled on Wednesday and three different concept photos will arrive next, on Oct. 23, 24 and 25, before Jin drops the official music video teaser on Oct. 26. News about “The Astronaut” came just one day after it was confirmed that all seven members of the K-pop boy band will face the mandate to serve in South Korea’s military for at least 18 months.
See the announcement of the “Astronaut” live debut — complete with a text exchange between Jin and Coldplay’s Martin — below.
Months after breaking into Stateside consciousness as the first-ever champion of American Song Contest, AleXa has connected with new team members as well as new music.
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Billboard can exclusively reveal that the U.S.-raised K-pop star has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for representation in all aspects, including areas beyond music like TV, film and licensing. Billboard had previously broken the news that the starlet had previously teamed with ICM Partners in 2020, just months after her debut onto the K-pop scene.
AleXa will continue under ZB Label, the subsidiary recording company under long-running Korean video and film production company Zanybros. “I’m looking forward to a new history of K-pop as AleXa works with one of the world’s best agencies,” says Kim Junhong, CEO of ZB Label. “I’m confident that this relationship between UTA and AleXa will grow into a new Hallyu axis in the global music market.”
Janet Kim, music agent at UTA, and David Zenek, partner and co-head of worldwide music at UTA, add to the excitement, saying: “AleXa is a multi-talented artist whose ability to engage her audience is unparalleled. We are excited to collaborate with her and the team at Zanybros to create innovative ideas across multiple platforms to help take AleXa to the next level.”
Meanwhile, Max Michael, head of Asian business development at UTA, sees the deal as a way for more Korean content to reach larger audiences.
“We are thrilled to grow our relationship with Korea’s leading music and entertainment company, Zanybros, and begin working with the wildly talented AleXa in expanding her global reach,” he says. “K-content is setting the pace for global content the world over, and both AleXa and the Zanybros are at the forefront of pioneering that impact.”
The signing comes ahead of AleXa’s first new music after winning NBC’s latest singing competition in American Singing Contest and landing herself a radio hit in the U.S.
As part of a new EP slated for November, AleXa will release new single “Back in Vogue” with some of the same creative team that crafted the winning formula behind “Wonderland,” which won her ASC and scored AleXa her first entry on Billboard‘s Pop Songs airplay chart. Credits on “Back in Vogue” include Sunshine of EKKO Music co-writing and producing on the track, while Paul and Jeri of the Los Angeles–based House of Sam helmed the choreography.
“I hope to showcase a new, fierce image through this concept,” AleXa says of her upcoming release. “With its musical-like elements, I feel right at home and in my comfort zone. ‘Back in Vogue’ is an exciting step forward and I can’t wait for my fans to enjoy the show.”
AleXa gave fans the first preview of her upcoming EP by performing unreleased tracks from the project during the opening stop of her First Meet & Live Tour in the U.S. that kicked off in Jersey City, NJ on Oct. 18. The seven-stop trek hits San Juan next, on Oct. 20, before wrapping in Los Angeles on Oct. 30.
Fans can look out for AleXa’s new EP on Nov. 10 with more details, including a comeback trailer previewing the record, coming very soon.
While K-pop stars have risen to newfound worldwide fame in the last decade, major players in the esports world are not too far behind in larger recognition, as made clear by a new collaboration.
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“Last Man Standing” is a new theme song crafted by K-pop super-producer Raiden, boy band The Boyz and T1, the South Korean esports organization with multiple world-champion titles for the massively popular, online multiplayer battle game League of Legends. The track follows up T1’s first foray into K-pop music with Raiden last year via “Runner,” which featured EXO member Baekhyun and Korean rapper Changmo. The collaboration will boost support as T1 competes in the League of Legends World Championship (also known as Worlds) that kicked off in September in Mexico City, which will hold its quarterfinals on Oct. 20 in New York City, ahead of the finals in November in San Francisco.
“Coming back as an executive producer for T1’s 2022 theme song ‘Last Man Standing,’ I feel more confident than ever,” Raiden tells Billboard. “I imagined this song to be ringing in everyone’s ears as we march for the Worlds trophy. In our music video, we worked with ILLUMIN, a very talented creative director, on a message ‘speaking through light.’ We captured The Boyz, T1 players and myself as the last men standing in saving the world. It is very cinematic and I’m happy that The Boyz were just as passionate as I was in delivering this song both vocally and on set.”
Produced by Raiden and co-written by The Boyz member Sunwoo, “Last Man Standing” is described as a culmination of creative admiration among the different artists. “We shared a lot of ideas together, so this is truly a collaborative project,” Raiden adds. “Sunwoo is such an amazing songwriter and a rapper—it was a pleasure being able to work with him creatively as well.” Billboard can also share exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and reflections from those involved.
Courtesy Photo
“I’m a big fan of T1 so it’s a dream to be able to deliver their 2022 Worlds theme song,” Sunwoo says of the track he helped co-write. “I think this song fits T1 and players very well. It has a majestic twist to it. What an experience—I’d love to play and learn the game from them more. Looking forward to reuniting!”
Meanwhile, T1 leader Faker adds that “It was great working with Raiden again after ‘Runner’ and I hope that the fans enjoy the music video for our theme song ‘Last Man Standing’ and cheer us on during Worlds 2022.”
Raiden, T1 players and members of The Boyz were all on hand to shoot the music video shoot for “Last Man Standing” where The Boyz gifted the gamers a signed copy of their latest album Be Aware featuring their summer hit “Whisper.”
“It was a very astonishing and cool experience to be at the shoot and a part of the same project with Raiden and T1 players,” The Boyz’s Jacob shares of the collaboration. “Personally, I am a big fan of League of Legends and T1 of course. ‘Last Man Standing’ is an amazing song!” Juyeon echoes the sentiment: “It was such a fun experience to shoot with Faker, Oner and Gumayusi, and sing their anthem. I will always cheer for T1 and their result for Worlds championship 2022.”
Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo
Even in the recording process, The Boyz leader Sangyeon says they envisioned the song helping the League of Leagues champs. “I recorded this song, hoping that our voice could help empower T1 and their endeavor for Worlds championship. I could not be happier with the final product. I hope for their best results at Worlds. This project united The Boyz, T1 and Raiden into one and I want to spread a joyful message to everyone through this amazing song.”
Plus, many of The Boyz members also follow T1.
“As a T1 fan, I hope for T1’s great results in their journey at T1 and onwards,” Younghoon says. “It’s an honor to be a part of this project.” And Hyunjae says, “this song fits T1 like no other—it sounds heroic and powerful. I will always be T1’s fan.”
The Boyz’s Kevin calls the collaboration “an honor,” member New called it “amazing,” while Q describes it as a “cool tune with a majestic edge to it.”
But Ju Haknyeon may sum up things best by saying, “This is a project with the world’s best team T1, and global DJ artist Raiden, it’s an honor to have all of us together for one song,” before adding a cheering message of his own: “Let’s go, T1! Let’s take on Worlds!”
Watch the music video for “Last Man Standing” below:
It’s a good news/bad news scenario for ARMY. On the one hand, the members of BTS will definitely have to complete their mandatory military service. However, according to the Korea Times, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook will be free to participate in “national” events for the “public good” the South Korean defense ministry reportedly said on Tuesday (Oct. 17).
“Our position is that we will provide an opportunity if they wish to participate when there is a national-level event for the public good or an event designed in light of the national interest,” Col. Moon Hong-sik, the ministry’s acting spokesperson said during a press briefing after BTS’ label Big Hit Music announced that all seven members plan to complete their full service obligations. At press time the the defense ministry had not specified what kind of national event would be covered under the exemption, though the Times reported earlier this month that defense minister Lee Jong-sup said that BTS members could potentially join overseas performances during their hitch; a spokesperson for BTS had not returned a request for additional comment.
First up is eldest member, Jin, 29, who on Tuesday announced an Oct. 28 release date for his new solo single, “The Astronaut.”
“Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October,” the label said in a statement. “He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government. Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.” (As such, BTS won’t be expected to reconvene with all seven members until around 2025.)
All able-bodied male South Korean citizens must serve in the armed forces for at least 18 months, though the length of service may vary. Draft begins in the year they turn 18 but the men may postpone it until age 28. In December 2020, the South Korean National Assembly passed the so-called “BTS law” to allow K-pop entertainers to postpone the service until the age of 30, with a recommendation from the culture minister.
Jin is turning 30 in December and is the oldest member. Jungkook, the youngest, is 25 years old.
The mandatory military service for the band as well as Korean male pop stars in general has divided the country in recent years, as K-pop’s popularity has grown worldwide. While many, including some lawmakers, say the musicians’ contribution to the country’s global recognition should qualify them for an exemption, others, including some in the defense ministry, have opposed the move.