K-Town
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BTS‘ Jung Kook is heading to the 2022 World Cup.
The K-pop superstar has been tapped to perform during the soccer tournament’s opening ceremony in Qatar on Nov. 20. He will also contribute to the World Cup soundtrack, according to a tweet from the seven-piece group.
“Proud to announce that Jung Kook is part of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Soundtrack & will perform at the World Cup opening ceremony. Stay tuned!” BTS wrote on Friday (Nov. 11).
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The 2022 FIFA World Cup launches on Nov. 20 with host nation Qatar’s tournament opener against Ecuador. A total of 32 teams, representing different countries, will participate. The winning team will be crowned as the World Cup champion on Dec. 18.
Jung Kook has released several solo songs in recent years. Following the release of BTS’ anthology album, Proof, in June, the singer gifted ARMY the solo track “My You.” Earlier in the year, he also teamed up with BTS’ Suga for the for the ballad “Stay Alive,” which appeared on the official soundtrack to the original webtoon from HYBE, 7FATES: CHAKHO. Jung Kook shared his first single, “Still With You,” in 2020 as part of BTS’ annual Festa party.
The exciting news arrives on the heels of BTS’ RM announcing that his first solo album, Indigo, will arrive on Dec. 2. RM’s forthcoming release arrives shortly after fellow BTS member Jin dropped his own solo track titled “The Astronaut,” which currently sit at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.
See BTS’ announcement about Jung Kook’s involvement in the 2022 World Cup on Twitter below.
방탄소년단 ‘정국’이 2022 FIFA 카타르 월드컵 공식 사운드트랙과 월드컵 개막식 공연에 참여합니다. 많은 기대 부탁드립니다!Proud to announce that Jung Kook is part of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Soundtrack & will perform at the World Cup opening ceremony. Stay tuned!#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MwJ2kdNRBp— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) November 12, 2022
Jin‘s latest solo single “The Astronaut” has topped this week’s new music poll.
Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Oct. 28) on Billboard, choosing the BTS superstar’s upbeat pop-rock song as their favorite new music release of the past week.
“The Astronaut,” co-written by Jin and Coldplay, beat out new music by Rihanna (“Lift Me Up”), SZA (“Shirt”), Dove Cameron (“Bad Idea”), Polo G (“Bag Talk”), and others.
Jin’s latest offering, which features the K-pop idol singing in both English and Korean, features wistful lyrics about a love that transcends earthly limitations. The track reveals the stadium-sized rock sound that Coldplay is known for as a perfect bed for Jin’s steady, soothing vocals. The singer’s past solo work (“Awake,” “Epiphany”) has proven that he can bring raw emotions to his ballads, but “The Astronaut” captures that same sentimental approach to a more upbeat, dynamic pop-rock song.
Jin gave the debut live performance of “The Astronaut” alongside Coldplay at the British band’s concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Friday (Oct. 28). The sold-out stadium show was broadcast live across 3,5000 movie theaters in more than 80 countries.
BTS previously collaborated with Coldplay on the single “My Universe” for the latter’s 2021 album, Music of the Spheres. The track debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first Hot 100 No. 1 by two groups each sporting lead billing on a song.
See the final results of this week’s new music release poll below.
The South Korean music community is mourning the loss of more than 150 people who died during a crowd surge in Seoul’s Itaewon neighborhood on Saturday (Oct. 30).
ENHYPEN, PSY, Jessi, G-Dragon and many others took to social media over Halloween weekend to offer their condolences to the families and loved ones of those impacted by the tragic event, which left dozens other injured.
“My heart is heavy with the sad news from Korea,” K-pop group ENHYPEN tweeted on Saturday. “We pray for the well-being of the deceased, and we also offer our condolences to the bereaved families and acquaintances who have lost loved ones.”
PSY also shared a thoughtful note on his Instagram Story. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who have been affected by the tragic accident in Itaewon,” the “Gangnam Style” rapper wrote. “We send out deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and wish for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.”
Officials haven’t yet determined what caused the Halloween festivities disaster that left dozens killed and injured, The New York Times reports. South Korean president Yoon Sukyeol has since declared a period of national mourning through Saturday (Nov. 5).
Following the incident, the Korean pop industry also announced cancellations of scheduled events and postponements of upcoming music releases. The list of names includes large record label and management companies like SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment and HYBE, along with popular artists including BTS, Tomorrow X Together and Stray Kids.
Holland was among other South Korean acts to share their thoughts on social media.
“I express my deepest condolences and condolences for the disaster that happened in Itaewon that I love and mean a lot,” the singer wrote against an all-black screen on Instagram. “Condolences to the many who have lost loved ones and friends.”
Meanwhile, G-Dragon and 2AM’s Jo Kwon both asked fans to “Pray for Itaewon” in separate Instagram Story posts, while Dynamic Duo’s Gaeko and Balming Tiger also expressed their condolences.
BTS‘ Jin delivered the debut live performance of his new solo single “The Astronaut” alongside Coldplay at the band’s concert in Argentina on Friday (Oct. 28).
Big Hit Music recently confirmed on BTS’ Weverse page that the K-pop star would appear during Chris Martin and Co.’s Music of the Spheres tour stop at Buenos Aires’ River Plate stadium. Friday’s sold-out show, which arrived just hours after “The Astronaut” dropped on streaming services, was broadcast live across 3,5000 movie theaters in more than 80 countries.
Co-written by Jin and Coldplay, “The Astronaut” reveals the stadium-sized rock sound that the British band is known for as a perfect bed for Jin’s steady, soothing vocals. Prior to the single’s live debut, Coldplay’s Martin shared the story of the track’s origins with the roaring South American crowd.
“About six months ago, one of [BTS’] members called me up and he said, ‘I have to leave the band in December for two years to join the army in Korea, because that’s the rules there,” Martin said from behind his piano. “And he said, ‘I need a song that says goodbye to everybody for a little while, and tells them that I love them. …So I said, ‘Okay, we’ll do a song together.’ Instead of being worried about it, I feel so excited about it, so grateful for this relationship that we have with BTS. Then this song arrived and I was said, ‘This is one of our best songs — let’s give it to this gentleman.’”
BTS previously collaborated with Coldplay on the single “My Universe” for the latter’s 2021 album, Music of the Spheres. The track debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first Hot 100 No. 1 by two groups each sporting lead billing on a song.
Watch Jin’s performance of “The Astronaut” with Coldplay below.
BTS‘ Jin has unveiled concept photos for his new solo single “The Astronaut.”
The K-pop superstar took to Instagram on Sunday (Oct. 23) to share several stunning images to promote his forthcoming song, which he will debut during Coldplay’s concert in Buenos Aires on Oct. 28.
“The photos titled ‘Outlander’ give out the captivating charm of Jin,” reads a statement from HYBE, the media conglomerate behind BTS. “The universe-like set with planet-shaped props and Jin’s outfit provide fans room to imagine the mood and story of the song.”
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In two of the photos, Jin dons a loose-collared white dress shirt with a black tie and matching jacket while posing against a starry blue background. The third image finds Jin standing amid green shrubbery and a pale sky while surrounded by numerous planets and holding a large Jupiter-like sphere.
In the early hours of Friday morning (Oct. 21), Jin also gifted the ARMY with three more solo songs — “Super Tuna,” “Abyss” and “Tonight” — that became available across streaming services via BIGHIT MUSIC. The singles were previously released between 2019-2021, and were only available across BTS’ SoundCloud and YouTube accounts.
The trio of tracks arrived ahead of Jin’s upcoming solo single “The Astronaut,” co-written by Jin and Coldplay. The song is scheduled to drop at midnight on Oct. 28. In addition to the just-released concept photos, BTS noted that a music video and lyric video will released as part of the rollout for the new song.
Check out Jin’s concept photos for “The Astronaut” on Instagram below.
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.
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.
BTS‘ Jin will release a solo single soon, making him the second member of the superstar K-pop group to release a new solo project since they announced their hiatus.
Jin’s news was delivered from the stage Oct. 15 at the massive BTS “Yet to Come” concert in Busan, South Korea, which was livestreamed in partnership with Weverse. The boy band announced in June that its seven members — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — would be taking a temporary break from active group activities to pursue solo work.
“I got the opportunity to work with someone I like, so a single will come out soon,” Jin revealed to screaming ARMY at the show. Fans have previously gotten a taste of solo material from Jin with a handful of one-off tunes, including “Tonight” (2019), “Abyss” (2020) and “Yours” and “Super Tuna” (2021).
Elsewhere from the stage, J-Hope addressed the future of BTS when he said to fans, “I think we’re in a phase where we need your trust.”
In July J-Hope unveiled an official solo project of his own, the album Jack in the Box, following BTS sharing their plans for a break. Released on BTS’ label Big Hit Music, the set was J-Hope’s first real studio album (although he dropped a solo mixtape in 2018 and a song with Becky G in 2019) and featured singles “MORE.” and “Arson.”
“Although it’s so sad that the concert is ending already, it’s not like we only have today. We will continue for 30 years … and even perform when we are 70 years old,” Jimin said at the Busan performance on Saturday.
RM later added, “All seven members have the same thoughts right now. We will continue to make and perform music if you give us your trust, like Jimin said.”
Approximately 55,000 fans packed into Asiad Stadium in the southeastern port city of Busan on Saturday (Oct. 15), creating havoc in South Korea’s second most populated city, to watch BTS‘ massive free “Yet to Come” concert. That number included thousands of the superstar K-pop group’s loyal fans, known as the ARMY, who wouldn’t get their hands on highly coveted free tickets to the 90-minute event.
BTS’ Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook partnered with Weverse to livestream the festival-style show. During packed concert, the boy band delivered 20 songs, including popular tracks “Dynamite,” “Fire,” “Spring Day,” “Save ME” and “Yet to Come.”
At the height of all developments surrounding BTS is Jin, 29, the group’s eldest member who is expected to join the military service by the end of the year if no sudden amendments are made to the country’s compulsory draft legislation. In the midst of the political drama, and an announcement over the summer that the group would be taking a hiatus to pursue solo projects, BTS has taken on the role of being ambassador to the World Expo 2030, which Busan is hoping to host.
BIGHIT MUSIC
“This is three years worth of roaring and cheering for us. It’s been three years since we could scream at the top of our lungs for the boys,” Elle Kwak, who attended the show with two friends, told Billboard. “The concerts in Seoul earlier this year were quite underwhelming as it was tortuous to not be able to clap or make noise for the members on stage. We could see it was hard on the members as well.”
The three Permission to Dance on Stage – Seoul concerts, which took place in March, strictly prohibited any loud noise and clapping from the audience due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time.
Like many other fans who were also sitting on the ground or setting up base near the entrance gates, Kwak and her friends watched the show from their smartphones outside of the stadium, as they weren’t one of the lucky fans to grab a hold of a golden ticket. Instead, they came with blankets, warm coats and mufflers to withstand the chilly weather.
For fan Ash Hackworth, the concert reminded her of the time that BTS headlined London’s Wembley Stadium.
“Just like in 2019, this is a festival of the world coming together,” said the 32-year-old from Los Angeles. “The excitement is what brought me here, and it’s what will keep me dancing even from outside the stadium. It’s also special that this will be the last time to hear some songs being performed for the last time as RM mentioned in a live stream a couple of days ago.”
Regardless of the air of uncertainty surrounding the future of the group, Hackworth remains optimistic.
BIGHIT MUSIC
“I’m looking forward to the second stage of the group,” she said. “J-Hope’s solo rock album was awesome, so I can’t wait to hear all the other members’ solo projects.”
In a surprise announcement near the end of the event, Jin revealed that he would become the second member to release a solo project.
“I got the opportunity to work with someone I like, so a single will come out soon,” the singer said to screaming fans.
But others have expressed that they want more from BTS and, consequently, HYBE.
“What we really want is a world tour,” Kwak and her friends said. “It was the pandemic and then politics that got in the way of BTS touring the world. But we are always ready to follow them around the world if there ever is a plan to do that.”
And while the concert provides a long-awaited reconnection with the group, sentiments towards BTS being “used” remain on the minds of many fans.
“Almost every ARMY knows that even this concert is a way to use the members for a political cause,” Kwak said. “But the fans are staying calm and making sure there aren’t any troubles with the concert as we don’t want the members to face any more criticism, regardless of how bad Busan is managing all its guests and the venue sites.”
When it was originally announced in the summer that the concert would take place at Busan’s Ilgwang special stage, ARMY members were vocal in opposing the move after visiting the site and estimating the safety risks of holding a mega event at such a crowded area of the city. Local officials decided to change the venue to Asiad Stadium after many more complaints entered their office. And on Saturday, there was about a three hour delay in thousands of fans entering the stadium due to a mix-up of tickets.
BIGHIT MUSIC
But at the end of the day, there were more tears of happiness than of sadness. In the series of closing remarks by all seven members, there were several notions made about the will to continue group activities well into the later careers.
“I think we’re in a phase where we need your trust,” said J-Hope, who was first to open up about the future of the group during remarks.
“Although it’s so sad that the concert is ending already, it’s not like we only have today. We will continue for 30 years … and even perform when we are 70 years old”, Jimin said with a laugh.
For Asaka Inoue and her mother, this last part of the concert was what gave their trip from Tokyo a happy ending.
“I was a bit afraid that there would be a sad announcement during the concert, but I was relieved to hear how the members said they were committed to continue staying as a group,” said the 26-year-old, who took days off from work to travel to Busan for four days with her mother.
RM capped the night off with what every ARMY was hoping to hear from their “idols” all night long. “All seven members have the same thoughts right now. We will continue to make and perform music if you give us your trust, like Jimin said.”
Busan is one of four cities in the running to host the World Expo, a world’s fair proposed to take place in 2030. Other cities being considered are Rome; Odesa, Ukraine; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Bureau International des Expositions will vote on the winning host country next year.
In July, BTS were appointed honorary ambassadors for Busan’s World Expo 2030 bid. The band was chosen “because they understand the importance of the World Expo and share the same values,” according to a statement from BTS’ record label Big Hit.
BTS returned to the live stage on Saturday (Oct. 14) in an effort to help South Korea’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo.
The superstar K-pop group — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — partnered with Weverse to livestream the festival-style show at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, South Korea.
BTS’ free event, titled , marked the the boy band’s first live performance since announcing in June that its seven members would take a break from active group duties to pursue solo projects.
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The massive concert, which was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. KST (5 a.m. ET) got off to a slightly late start as a sea of fans headed into the venue. Those who couldn’t score a ticket camped outside and braved the chilly weather with blankets while watching the live coverage from their phones and feeling the energy from within the stadium.
Inside the venue, long lines formed for merchandise booths and raffle events, while stands from Hyundai, Weverse and ARMY Membership grabbed attention outside the stadium gates.
During the approximately two-hour show, which drew about 55,000 concert-goers, BTS delivered a total of 20 songs, including popular tracks “Dynamite,” “Fire,” “Spring Day,” “Save ME” and “Yet to Come.” Toward the end of the concert, fans couldn’t seem to sit down as BTS made their last remarks, particularly when J-Hope dished on the group’s future.
“I think we’re in a phase where we need your trust,” J-Hope told the crowd as they waved their light sticks.
“Although it’s so sad that the concert is ending already, it’s not like we only have today,” Jimin added. “We will continue for 30 years … and even perform when we are 70 years old.”
RM noted, “All seven members have the same thoughts. We will continue to make and perform music if you give us your trust like Jimin said.”
As soon as the show ended, fans who were standing outside the stadium rushed inside the opened gates to take photos of the venue. Some screamed while there was a general mix of excitement to see the concert grounds themselves. Many fans also stayed to take photos with large lighted signs displayed on the grounds.
Busan is one of four cities in the running to host the World Expo, a world’s fair proposed to take place in 2030. Other cities being considered are Rome; Odesa, Ukraine; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Bureau International des Expositions will vote on the winning host country next year.
In July, BTS were appointed honorary ambassadors for Busan’s World Expo 2030 bid. The band was chosen “because they understand the importance of the World Expo and share the same values,” according to a statement from BTS’ record label Big Hit.
Additional reporting by David Da Yeol Lee in South Korea.