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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), […]
On Thursday (June 20) BTS‘ Jimin revealed the full track list for his upcoming second solo album, MUSE. The seven-song LP due out on July 19 will feature the intro song “Rebirth,” as well as “Interlude : Showtime,” the pre-release song “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” (featuring Loco), “Slow Dance” (featuring Sofia Carson), as well as “Be Mine,” “Who” and “Closer Than This” (which dropped in December.)
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Jimin, 28, helped write six of the song according to a release, which also noted that the announcement from BIGHIT Music featured a vintage feel via images of old-school cassette tapes representing each song, with an overarching theme of “love” connecting all the tracks.
The hip-hop/R&B-leaning focus song, “Who,” was produced by Grammy-nominated singer/producer Jon Bellion, along with Pete Nappi, Tenroc, Pdgogg and GHSTLOOP, with a vibe described as “intense bounce and guitar sound.” In addition, the pre-release song “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” draws inspiration from marching bands, “blending hip-hop elements with the big band sound characterized by a large-scale orchestra, creating an upbeat, lively rhythm and dynamic atmosphere thanks to an assist from South Korean rapper Loco.”
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Other contributors to the album include Tommy Brown (Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber), as well as producers Pdogg, GHSTLOOP and EVAN, who also worked on Jimin’s first solo album, 2023’s FACE, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Jimin’s official solo debut came with the 2018 single “Promise.” Five years later, he became the first South Korean soloist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Like Crazy,” followed by FACE‘s “Set Me Free, Pt. 2” reaching No. 30 on the chart.
Jimin is still in the midst of his 18-month mandatory South Korean military service, which he began in December; bandmate Jin recently became the first member of BTS to finish his service.
Check out the announcement below.
After two weeks of teasing new solo music, LISA has finally announced that her next solo single, “Rockstar,” is on its way. The BLACKPINK star broke the news with a simple post on her Instagram Story Tuesday (June 18), sharing a sleek graphic boasting the title of the track and confirming that it’ll drop at […]
Jimin‘s art and muse are one and the same on his sophomore solo album, which the BTS star announced on Weverse Monday (June 17) is arriving later this summer. Titled MUSE, the project will feature seven tracks, including the previously released single “Closer Than This,” which he dropped in December. The album will arrive July […]
ATEEZ scores its third No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart (dated June 15) as Golden Hour: Part.1 opens atop the tally with 127,000 copies sold in the U.S. in the week ending June 6, according to Luminate. That sum marks both the largest sales week for any K-pop album in 2024, and the year’s fifth-largest sales week among all albums.
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Also in the top 10 of the latest Top Album Sales chart: The Marias log its first top 10 with the No. 4 debut of Submarine, Crowder’s The Exile enters at No. 7, Shaboozey nets his first chart entry with the No. 8 start of Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going and Black Sabbath’s boxed set Anno Domini: 1989 – 1995 bows at No. 10.
Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album units and streaming equivalent album units. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.
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Golden Hour: Part.1’s first week sales were largely powered by CD sales, as the set was available in 25 CD variants, along with six vinyl variants, all containing branded paper merch and other collectibles. It was also issued as standard digital download album.
Taylor Swift’s chart-topping The Tortured Poets Department rises 3-2 on Top Album Sales with 27,000 copies sold (down 35%), while Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft climbs 4-3 with 25,000 (down 39%).
The Marias score its first top 10 and largest sales week yet as Submarine starts at No. 4 with 17,000 copies sold. Its sales were supported by eight vinyl variants (which totaled 15,000 of its overall sales), a standard CD, a CD with an alternative cover, and a boxed set containing a T-shirt and a CD.
Twenty One Pilots’ Clancy falls 1-5 in its second week on Top Album Sales with 12,000 sold (down 90%) while TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s chart-topping minisode 3: TOMORROW is a non-mover at No. 6 with 8,000 sold (down 11%).
Crowder collects his fourth top 10-charting set on Top Album Sales as The Exile bows at No. 7 with 8,000 sold. In its first week, the album was issued as a standard CD, a signed CD and a standard digital download album.
Shaboozey scores his first entry on Top Album Sales, with his third album, as Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going debuts at No. 8 with nearly 8,000 sold (all from digital downloads). RM’s Right Place, Wrong Person falls 2-9 with just over 7,000 sold (down 83%).
Rounding out the top 10 is Black Sabbath’s boxed set Anno Domini: 1989 – 1995, which bows at No. 10 with 7,000 sold.