K-Town
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MTS is joining forces with BTS once again — yes, for real. After teasing on social media that she was teaming up with another artist to release a new collaboration, Megan Thee Stallion has confirmed that she’s working with the world’s biggest K-pop stars: Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook.
The “Hiss” rapper first started hinting at a new duet on X Thursday (Aug. 29), when she simply tweeted a pointed string of emojis: “🐎X💜 👀”
The cryptic post got lots of fans fired up, with some immediately guessing that the purple heart signified BTS’ involvement. “HELLO?? PURPLE HEART?? BTS???” one person commented at the time, while another excited user wrote, “BTS COLLAB ?? NO ONE MOVE.”
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The following day, BTS’ account confirmed the news: “🐎X🦔(🐨),” the band wrote, retweeting Meg’s original post. “Coming Soon! 💜👀”
The news comes about two months after the “WAP” artist released her third studio album, Megan, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. BTS’ full-band activities have been on pause as the members fulfill their mandatory military obligations in South Korea, with some of the boys dropping solo projects in the meantime.
The new collab won’t be the first time MTS and BTS have worked together. In 2021, Meg jumped on the remix to the boy band’s Billboard Hot 100-topping single “Butter,” which they all performed together at BTS’ concert in Los Angeles that November.
“I love BTS, and I was telling my manager, ‘I really want to do a song with BTS, I don’t know what I can do or what we’re going to do,’” she recalled to Entertainment Tonight the following February. “Around that the same time, they wound up reaching out to me and asking me to do the ‘Butter’ remix. So, I was like, ‘Oh my God.’”
See Megan and BTS’ tweets below.
Billboard celebrated the launch of Billboard Korea with style Tuesday (Aug. 27), honoring numerous K-pop trailblazers and bringing together countless other business executives, entertainment leaders and global artists under one roof at the Billboard K POWER 100 event in Seoul.Set at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan, the event recognized innovators in the Asian music industry. More than 30 acts were in the house to celebrate, including The Boyz, Jay Park, EXO-CBX, CHUNG HA, FIFTY FIFTY, BamBam, STAYC, Be’O, Kang Daniel, The Rose, Wave to Earth, ONE OR EIGHT and Louiza Sonja, while a handful of key people received honors for their contributions to the expansion of Asian music. Jeong Tae-young, for instance, won the Culture Impact Award for shaping music trends through his marketing work as the vice chairman of Hyundai Card, and CMO Todd Pendleton accepted the Exceptional Experience Award on behalf of Dolby Atmos for the company’s innovations in sound technology.
Plus, Lee Young-hee, head of global marketing at Samsung Electronics, took home the Innovative Brand Award, CEO Joseph Chang of Kakao Entertainment received the Power Players Award and Filipino groups SB19 and BINI won the Voices of Asia Award. Billboard also took time to honor the many K-pop stars who have achieved historic milestones on the Billboard Hot 100, presenting custom art panel music frames to acts such as Wonder Girls, PSY, 2NE1, BTS, BLACKPINK and more.
“We’re thrilled to officially launch Billboard Korea,” said Billboard CEO Mike Van in a statement. “Our mission is to champion the growth of K-culture and foster global recognition of its incredible talent.”
Acquired by PMC Group in 2020, Billboard Korea is the Korean branch of Billboard Media. On Aug. 27, the brand released a special edition of the 2024 Billboard K-Pop Artist Biographical Dictionary ahead of its inaugural issue in October.
“Our goal is to expand K-pop and K-culture worldwide and leverage our role as cultural ambassadors to make a positive impact,” publisher Kim Yuna, who will lead Billboard Korea, said of the venture.
“We’re eagerly anticipating the K-content we’ll create together with Billboard Korea,” added Billboard‘s Editorial Director Hannah Karp.
Below, see photos of some of the best moments, A-list guests, prestigious awards and more at the 2024 Billboard K POWER 100 event.
The Boyz
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
The Boyz attend Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
Hannah Karp, Yuna Kim & Mike Van
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
Hannah Karp, Yuna Kim and Mike Van attend Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
FIFTY FIFTY
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
FIFTY FIFTY attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
Agnez Mo
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
Agnez Mo attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
Luísa Sonza
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
Luísa Sonza attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
BamBam
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
BamBam attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
The Rose
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
The Rose attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
BINI
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
BINI attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
SB19
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
SB19 attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
Kang Daniel
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
Kang Daniel attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
Jay Park
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
Jay Park attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
The Boyz
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
The Boyz attend Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
Viviz
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
Viviz attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
EXO-CBX
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
EXO-CBX attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
Baek Hyun
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
Baek Hyun attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
BamBam
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
BamBam attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
Mike Van, Yuna Kim & Hannah Karp
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
Mike Van, Yuna Kim and Hannah Karp attend Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
The Boyz
Image Credit: Billboard Korea
Viviz attends Billboard Korea’s ‘Billboard K POWER 100’ event held on Aug. 27, 2024 at THE SHILLA Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan.
Details of Jung Kook‘s highly anticipated solo documentary I Am Still are finally here, including the project’s release date in theaters worldwide.
According to a release, the film will capture the BTS star’s development as a solo artist, starting with the historic ascent of his single “Seven (feat. Latto)” to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 2023. Three months later, he dropped his debut album Golden, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
“Delving into his creative process, unwavering work ethic and the unique challenges faced by a global superstar, the film presents exclusive, never-before-seen footage and interviews alongside electrifying concert performances,” reads the release. “This poignant portrait showcases Jung Kook’s unwavering dedication and artistic evolution.”
Directed by Junsoo Park and produced by Jiwon Yoon, Jung Kook: I Am Still is set to premiere Sept. 18, with limited screenings worldwide in over 120 countries and regions. Tickets go on sale August 21.
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The announcement comes a month after the 26-year-old singer’s label, BigHit, cryptically teased that I Am Still was “coming soon” to theaters, withholding any further details and sending ARMY spiralling. “WHAT IS THIS,” one person tweeted at the time, while another person wrote with disbelief, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN JUNGKOOK ON CINEMAS!?!?!?!?!?!?”
Jung Kook previously hinted that he was working on a documentary about his solo efforts in a November episode of Suchwita, the YouTube talk show hosted by his bandmate SUGA. “It follows the process from ‘Seven’ to my album,” he said at the time, according to the show’s English translation. “When you film with other members, the cameras aren’t all focused on you. But I always feel kind of pressured talking in front of a camera alone.”
The “3D” musician is also currently starring in a travel docu-series alongside bandmate Jimin on Disney+. Chronicling the friends’ trips through destinations in the U.S., South Korea and Japan, Are You Sure?! premiered Aug. 8 and will continue dropping episodes through Sept. 19.
See the Jung Kook: I Am Still announcement and movie poster below.
The members of NCT 127 aren’t letting a few challenges walk all over them. In spite of being unable to perform as a full unit over the past year, the K-pop band was able to push through and deliver its sixth studio album, WALK, last month — something seven of the guys opened up about […]
BLACKPINK’s LISA is used to being on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans, but when it came to her casting in the upcoming third season of the HBO drama The White Lotus, the veteran performer got those familiar butterflies in her stomach.
“Oh my God, Mike White? I think he’s a genius,” Lisa told Elle magazine about the show’s creator tapping her for her acting debut. “I think I cried. I was with my friends, my mom’s friends, and my mom as well, but I didn’t tell them that I auditioned for it. I’m super excited and nervous, because it’s my first acting project. So I was happy for a second, and then I was like, ‘Oh, wait, wait, how am I going to deliver this?’”
Luckily for LISA, while acting is not on her resumé, she does have some relevant experience. “It’s pretty new to me, but I think it’s similar to shooting music videos. I’m excited for my fans to see it,” she said. As for what the third go-round of the murder mystery dramedy has in store, LISA was, of course, mum to avoid any spoilers. “I feel like people are going to fall in love with Thailand even more,” she said diplomatically.
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Production on the as-yet-unscheduled third season was initially delayed because of the 2023 writers/actors strikes, with HBO/Max now saying that it is slated to premiere in 2025. The upcoming season of the show that chronicles the lives of the rich and famous is being filmed at luxury resorts across Thailand, which happens to be LISA’s home country.
She told the magazine that filming in Bangkok and the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui was a great chance for the K-pop icon to “be back home, to have Thai food every day” and have her mother be close to the set.
LISA is slated to release a new single on Thursday (August 15), “New Woman,” featuring Rosalía as the follow up to her previous solo single, “Rockstar.”
LISA wasn’t finished when she released “Rockstar” in June. On Friday (Aug. 2), the BLACKPINK star proved that she has a lot more in store for her new solo era, teasing an unreleased song by sharing a snippet on social media.
In a video posted to TikTok, a pink-haired LISA — whose face isn’t visible — shows off a star-shaped pendant around her neck. “Bangin’ it, bangin’ it, wanna crack these walls/ Bangin’ it, bangin’ it, wanna echo through the halls,” she sings over a mid-tempo, Y2K-inspired beat. “Pullin’ up, fresh face, brand new día.”
Then on Monday (Aug. 5), her own LLOUD company posted a new teaser on X with the same snippet of music. But this time, the visual — which features an angled silver star against the backdrop of a pink and purple cloudy sky — had the words “coming soon” scrolling across it, a silvery rose rotating, before ending with “LALISA ______.” That blank space had fans speculating that not only would the new track be a collab, but that her potential partner in music may be Rosalía thanks to the image of the rose.
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“LISA AND ROSALIA!!!!” one excited fan tweeted, while another added, “JUST ANNOUNCE IT BABE WE KNOW IT’S ROSALÍA 👀👀👀 AND WE READY”
The teasers come a little over a month after the K-pop icon stepped into a new phase of her solo career with “Rockstar,” a flashy ode to self-confidence that she paired with a cyberpunk music video. The song debuted at No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on the Billboard Global 200, as well as became LISA’s first-ever No. 1 hit on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S.
LISA first released music independently from BLACKPINK in 2021 with two singles: “Lalisa” and “Money.” She began teasing her new solo chapter in June, when she launched her TikTok account and started posting seconds-long clips of what would later turn out to be “Rockstar”; according to a release from her team, she set a Guinness World Record by gaining a million followers in just two hours and 18 minutes after her first post.
“Rockstar” also marked LISA’s first release since signing with RCA Records to support her solo endeavors, inking a deal in partnership with her own LLOUD company that will allow her to retain ownership of her master recordings. “I’m super excited to be joining the RCA family, and I am confident they are the best team to create a bigger movement in my solo career,” she said in a statement in April. “Looking forward to showing the world everything we have been preparing.”
See LISA’s new teasers below.
BTS‘ Jimin dropped a live video for a pair of songs from his MUSE solo album on Sunday (August 4), including a version of “Slow Dance” featuring a guest appearance from that track’s feature singer, Sofia Carson. In the first half of the six-plus minute clip, Jimin rides his falsetto to the top of a […]
In the midst of the ongoing dispute between ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and her company’s owners at HYBE, NewJeans member Danielle has written a note of support to Min expressing her support and love for the boss she referred to as a “mother and warrior.”
According to a translation of the note posted on Instagram from Korea’s JoongAng Daily, Danielle wrote: “My beloved CEO, it’s Dani. It’s been two years already. Our CEO who really did the most, thank you so, so much. So much has happened during the short and long two years that it almost feels like we went through everything we should have in seven years. Maybe it was a sacrifice for the future.”
The letter thanked Min for “always being dedicated to the work,” while offering some kind words about the “hardships” Min has endured, travails that were not specified in the note. Back in May, a Seoul court barred HYBE from firing Min from her role as CEO of the ADOR subsidiary after an internal audit by HYBE and subsequent police report against the exec. Min was sued by BELIFT Lab in May for defamation and obstruction of business over her comments that BELIFT’s girl group ILLIT had plagiarized NewJeans.
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On July 9, Min reportedly visited the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul for questioning after HYBE reported her to authorities citing breach of trust. Then, on July 15, the HYBE Labels subsidiary Source Music — home of K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM — sued Min for $361,000, accusing her of defamation and disruption of business in connection with comments Min made at two emotional press conferences held in April, claiming that her statements at the events damaged Le SSERAFIM. In response, Min has accused five HYBE executives of defamation and leaking private messages to the press.
In her letter to Min, Danielle continued, “You know that we’re always on your side, right? You’re my family. Whatever you choose, I want to be together with you. I want to stay by your side, even if I’m not much help. I always pray for you, support you and love you.”
NewJeans have continued to support their executive producer during the turbulent past few months, with member Minji thanking the ADOR CEO for her contributions to the group during an appearance on South Korean chart show Music Bank. “Once again, we would like to thank our CEO, whom we love and adore a lot. We love you, CEO!” Minji said at the time.
See the note from Danielle posted on Min’s Instagram below.
SEVENTEEN are hitting the road for a global tour this year. On Wednesday (July 24) the 13-member K-pop group announced that they are planning to hit the road in the fall for their Right Here world tour, which will feature gigs in the U.S., South Korea, Asia and Japan. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts […]
Look no further for your next source of inspiration — Jimin‘s MUSE has arrived, bringing with it seven new solo tracks from the BTS star. Released Friday (July 19), the project features collaborations with Loco and Sofia Carson, with the South Korean superstar experimenting with bold new sounds and styles throughout. It follows 2023’s FACE, […]