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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, […]
KCON is once again coming to Los Angeles, but fans won’t necessarily have to be anywhere near the City of Angels to experience performances from ZICO, NCT 127 and more K-pop stars. On Thursday (July 11), the music festival announced that its main stage showcases will air live on The CW Network July 18, starting […]
You’ve heard him over your speakers, and soon you’ll be able to see him on big screens near you. On Thursday (July 11), BTS‘ Jung Kook announced that he has a project titled I Am Still coming to theaters, leaving ARMY speechless as they try to figure out what it might be.
The band’s label BigHit kept the announcement simple, sharing a minimalistic graphic of the movie’s title on social media and writing: “Coming Soon to Cinemas!”
The post didn’t specify what is captured in I Am Still, causing confusion among some fans. “WHAT IS THIS,” one person commented on X, while another person replied with disbelief, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN JUNGKOOK ON CINEMAS!?!?!?!?!?!?”
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Others, however, are certain that the project is a documentary, citing a November episode of Suchwita, the YouTube talk show hosted by Jung Kook’s bandmate SUGA. While appearing as a guest on the web series, the former confirmed that he was in the middle of shooting a film that would capture his growth as a soloist, starting with his Billboard Hot 100-topping single “Seven” featuring Latto, and ending with his 2023 LP Golden, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
“It follows the process from ‘Seven’ to my album,” he told SUGA 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.”
“OMGGG IS THIS JUNGKOOK’S DOCUMENTARY ????????” one fan tweeted of Jung Kook’s announcement.
“so is jungkook’s documentary titled ‘i am still’ ??? and we’re gonna watch it on big screens ??? OH MY GOD,” added another ARMY member, while a third person wrote, “I CANNOT BELIEVE ITS FINALLY HAPPENING !!!”
Billboard has reached out to Jung Kook’s reps for comment.
The news comes on the heels of an announcement that the 26-year-old singer will star in another docuseries, Are You Sure?!, alongside fellow BTS star Jimin. The eight-part Disney+ show, which was filmed in 2023 before the duo enlisted in the South Korean military, will follow the two K-pop icons as they travel to three iconic global destinations: New York; Jeju Island, South Korea; and Sapporo, Japan.
See Jung Kook’s announcement — plus ARMY’s reactions to the news — below.
OMGGG IS THIS JUNGKOOK’S DOCUMENTARY ????????— Daily jk praise (@dailyjkpraise) July 11, 2024
Coming Soon to Cinemas!WE’RE GETTING THAT DOCUMENTARY IN CINEMAS Y’ALL pic.twitter.com/HQrQeDe0Vu— StarryTae⁷ ʳᵖʷᵖ | ᴴᵒᵗˢ🌟(ꪜ)🥢🪐🪞🦋💙🧑🚀 (@StarrywithBTS) July 11, 2024
K-pop fans who are in the Los Angeles area between Aug. 2 and Sept. 15 will want to make their way to the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live. The interactive exhibit HYBE: We Believe in Music, A Grammy Museum Exhibit chronicles the history of HYBE, which is home to the likes of BTS, SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN and LE SSERAFIM. The exhibit will kick off on Aug. 1 with “Global Spin Live: TWS,” a program featuring a conversation with K-pop group TWS, followed by a performance. Exhibit tickets are available on the Grammy Museum’s website.
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The exhibit traces HYBE’s evolution and influence by showcasing artifacts from its roster of artists. The displays feature original outfits worn in music videos such as “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” by BTS, “MAESTRO” by SEVENTEEN, “Sugar Rush Ride” by TOMORROW X TOGETHER, “Sweet Venom” by ENHYPEN and “EASY” by LE SSERAFIM. HYBE: We Believe in Music also boasts accessories and performance gear worn by ZICO, fromis_9, BOYNEXTDOOR, TWS, &TEAM and ILLIT. The exhibit is said to mark the first time these artifacts will be on display together in one location.
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Other highlights include interactive sing-along and dance rooms, a dedicated Fan Section that celebrates the support between HYBE artists and their fandoms, a Mono to Immersive room featuring BTS’ 2022 Grammy telecast performance of “Butter,” a Photoism Booth that allows visitors to pose alongside their favorite K-pop artists, in addition to exclusive video content with producers, artists, music videos and more.
“HYBE and their artists represent the present and future of the global music landscape, and our goal with this exhibit is to deepen the appreciation and respect for its creators and performers,” said Michael Sticka, president/CEO of the Grammy Museum, in a statement. “HYBE has contributed to creating a playground of innovation that inspires fandoms that transcend age, gender, geography and beyond. The Grammy Museum is thrilled to provide a space where fans can express their love for K-pop and feel closer to their favorite idols.”
HYBE COO Taeho Kim added, “Putting out an exhibition that captures HYBE’s journey is a new experience for us. We’re very excited about this partnership with Grammy Museum, and we look forward to welcoming music fans who visit the museum to enjoy and connect with our historical pieces.”
Nearly a decade after K-pop became a global pop phenomenon, the Recording Academy has yet to add a separate Grammy category for K-pop recordings. (And there won’t be one next year, either. No categories will be added for the 2025 awards.) BTS has received five nominations in existing categories, including three for best pop duo/group performance, for “Dynamite,” “Butter” and “My Universe,” the latter a collab with Coldplay.
For more information on the exhibit, visit the Grammy Museum’s website.
Even though BTS is currently on break as most of its members complete their military obligations, the group is now teasing that a mysterious new project is on the way. And needless to say, ARMY couldn’t be more excited.
Chaos first broke out when BTS tweeted a cryptic video Tuesday (July 2) featuring a slideshow of photos showing two band members exploring the outdoors together. In one snap, they ride on a shared motorcycle; in others, the pair goes snorkeling.
At the end, the symbols “?!” flash onscreen. “2024. 08. 08,” the band’s official account wrote in its caption. “Coming Soon.”
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The tweet has already inspired much excitement and confusion among fans, with one person commenting, “WHAT. DOES. THIS. MEAN?” Others, however, are confident they know exactly what the teaser video is in reference to. Based on the theme of the photos featured in the clip, many ARMY members are staking their bets on a travel documentary centered around Jung Kook and Jimin, which they previously hinted at last year.
“FINALLYYYYYY A JIKOOK TRAVEL SHOW !?!?!?!?!??!?” one person wrote, referencing the pair’s friendship by conjoining their names, a practice affectionately used throughout K-pop fandoms.
“This is going to be my everything, my comfort show,” added another fan. “My entire home.”
The travel series theories may be supported by a November episode of Suchwita, the YouTube talk show hosted by BTS’ Suga. At one point, Jung Kook appeared as a guest and revealed that he and Jimin had once discussed filming their joint adventures across the globe.
“On a shoot with Jimin ages ago, he said it might be fun to do a travel variety show with me, and I agreed,” Jung Kook told Suga in the video, according to YouTube’s English translation. “But it didn’t end up going anywhere after that. Then suddenly, they set up a shoot.”
Billboard has reached out to BTS’ reps for clarification.
In the meantime, BTS is currently enlisted in the South Korean military — minus Jin, who finished his mandated 18-month service in June. Several members have unveiled solo projects in recent months to keep giving to fans during the band’s time away, with Jimin announcing his new album, Muse, in June.
See BTS’ new teaser video, plus ARMY reactions, below.
Jikook travel show and its full of them camping, drinking, on a boat, bickering, being cute together, riding atvs, swimming in the ocean… this is what healing feels like pic.twitter.com/Lhy5lxZHAj— ravi (@kkyukirby) July 2, 2024
This is going to be my everything, my comfort show. My entire home— ⁀✮ ̖́ (@homeisjungkook) July 2, 2024
UmmmmmWAITTTTTTTTTTWHATTTTTTTTT!?@?! WHAT. DOES. THIS. MEAN? What it means is @BTS_twt members adore us, love us, miss us and have taken amazing care of us 💜— ᴮᴱ 💜 📸 Jakki 📸💜 ⁷ We Are Made of Each Other (@JakkiBTSArmy) July 2, 2024
As a group, BLACKPINK is a force to be reckoned with. But individually, bandmates ROSÉ, JENNIE, JISOO and LISA are powerful singers, songwriters and performers in their own right, something they’ve each proven at different points by nurturing their solo careers in addition to fulfilling their girl group duties. It may come as a surprise […]
Move over Prince, Bowie and Jagger — there’s a new rock star in town. LISA has shared her most in-depth teaser yet for her upcoming solo single “Rockstar,” featuring the BLACKPINK star looking like a cyberpunk queen as she dances, models edgy outfits and lurks fiercely in dark city streets. Posted Tuesday night (June 25), […]