Ooooo...k-poppers, we have been bombarded with so many comeback announcements and we are not even a month into the new year! I have such high hopes for k-pop this year! Anyways, one of k-pop's hottest idols, in my opinion, Kim Jaejoong, is coming back with a new album. It just has been announced that he will be releasing his 2nd solo album on February 12th. The album includes 12 songs with a variety of genres: pop, ballad, jazz, rock, etc. Kim wrote 9 of the songs himself and it took 6 months for him to create the album before his military enlistment. He announced several of the songs during his last concert before his enlistment.
But that's not all! Jaejoong will be releasing one song from his new album on his birthday, January 26th. That is also the same day when fans can pre-order his new album. The song to be released on 1/26 is called "Do You Understand It?" and it's about an emotional roller coaster a man goes through while in love. Stay tuned for more Jaejoong updates!
So, it looks like 4Minute will be making a comeback this month and guess who they will be collaborating with? The one and only Skrillex! After last year's "Crazy" badass-sounding track, it's no wonder that the girl group and the DJ will be collaborating to make some music. Skrillex has worked with CL and G-Dragon before, so this won't be his first time delving into the K-pop world.
I'm already a fan of Skrillex (hehe, yes I listen to other music besides K-pop) and I already love more than two 4minute tracks, so I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for this collab to release! What do you think of 4Minute and Skrillex joining forces?
Hyeri has reached over 1 million followers! The recent milestone was achieved on January 7th. Ever since the premiere of Reply 1988 and the show reaching over 18% in ratings a couple of weekends ago, her followers have increased from 990k to 1m over the past couple of weeks.
On her Instagram, she takes pictures with the cast of Reply 1988 and several selcas. I thought she would have more considering the fact she's also part of a popular girl group, but then again she first opened an account on Instagram on November 2014. And it's never too late to have more followers!
Boy, what a way to start the new year. I swear, this is one of the saddest days in K-pop. Welp, boys and girls, it's official: KARA is splitting up...AGAIN! And really, I can't say I didn't see this coming since I have written a post about this earlier...where there's smoke, there's fire.
I feel bad for Young-ji. The girl JUST became part of the group. After Nicole and Ji-young's departure and now THIS, I don't know what KARA's future holds. Best wishes to Hara, Seung Yeon, and Gyuri in their future endeavors.
My favorite track from them was "Damaged Lady." Tell me what your favorite KARA song is in the comments below!
When I first saw the video, I thought "ooo, very colorful...typical K-pop music video." But then I listened the music and I noticed it had an 80s vibe to it, which made me think of Wonder Girls' "I Feel You." Wouldn't it be cool if K-pop started to take sounds and beats from the 80s? Not too much, though, I wouldn't want them to overdue it. Dalshabet managed to throw "cute" and "sexy" into one with this music video. The ending to it was quite funny with the rifles. Check out Dalshabet's new MV below!
It looks like 2016 will be having its first boy band debut on January 27th.
Star Empire released a teaser image for their new group, IMFACT, on January 4th 12am KST on Twitter. The image shows the five members of the group wearing penny loafers and grey socks suggesting the group is going for a more classier approach.
In their tweet, they ask their fans for their patience as they are practicing choreography for their debut. Judging from the teaser image, this looks like another group I'm going to obsess over like I did when I started obsessing over Seventeen. The classy, preppy look well be something refreshing since it's not a common concept among K-pop boy bands.
What do you think of their teaser image? Comment below and click "Join This Site" for the latest updates on THG!
After the departure of Nicole and Ji-young, everyone is wondering if this is really the end of KARA. Poor Young-ji, is this how her 2016 starts?
This is really sad news to me because Gyuri was my bias. She always seemed so elegant. Welp, best wishes to everyone and good luck in future endeavors!
What do you think of this sad news? Let me know in the comments below and click "Join This Site" for the latest updates of HF!
Is Taylor Swift really taking creative ideas from the K-pop world? Yesterday on Twitter, screenshots of Taylor Swift's "Out of The Woods" music video compared to Taeyeon's "I" and (f)x's "4 Walls" music videos have surfaced. Take a look for yourself:
Personally, I don't think this was on purpose, or rather, I would not like to think this was done on purpose. It could be a coincidence, or not. What do you think: was this an honest mistake or is TS being a copy cat? Tell me what you think in the comments below and don't forget to click "Join This Site" for latest updates from HF! :D
Yep, you read it right! SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment are collaborating on "Dream" with two of their most popular celebs, Baekhyun and Suzy. And I can tell this collab will be one of the biggest to go down in K-Pop history!
"Dream" is a pop-R&B track combined with jazz and neo-soul sounds. Producer Park Geuntae recommended the collab. The track was composed by Choi Jinseok and lyrics are by Kim Eana.
"Dream" by Baekhyun and Suzy will be released on January 7th at 12am KST. Also, expect a live club version, so keep a look out!
How do you think the track is going to turn out? Let me know in the comment section or on Twitter ;)
One of 2016's newest, official couple has been confirmed, Hani and Junsu!
After reportedly dating for six months, their relationship has been confirmed in a press release earlier today by Junsu's agency, C-JeS Entertainment. The following was stated:"The two individuals developed good feelings for each other as friends, supporting each other′s activities as senior and junior, and it′s true they recently began dating. We ask for your warm consideration, and as dating is a private matter, we ask for your understanding in that we can′t reveal any more information."
Finally, the agency finished by saying, "We will greet you with diverse music and good projects. Thank you always."
I'm so happy that my bias, Hani, of EXID has found happiness! Daebak, to the new couple and best wishes!
Tell me what you think of the new couple and comment below :D
Jessica Jung just released a cover of Gravity by Sara Bareilles. In my opinion, it sounds better than the original. Her voice brings back memories when Girls' Generation had 9 members instead of 8. She just sounds so angelic and, yet, sad at the same time. Jung is currently working on a solo album that is said to be released in 2016.
Take a listen for yourself, the song starts at 4:20
I...I...I MISSED HER ㅠㅠㅠ !!!
What do you think of this cover? Don't forget to comment below :)
As we all remember, about a week ago, it has been publicized that the newly crowned Miss Universe has expressed her attraction to Super Junior's Siwon through Twitter in the past. All us K-pop fans/ELFs have been wondering: "how would Siwon respond?" Welp, our anticipation is over! Mr. Choi has responded:
Her response back:
Hopefully, they will meet in the future. By the way, Siwon looks so gorgeous! *nose bleeds*
It has been confirmed today by CJ Entertainment that ex-(fx) member, Sulli, will be starring along side Kim Soo Hyun on the big screen.
She will be starring as Song Yu Hwa, a physical therapist at the VVIP rehabilitation hospital that Jae Tae Young (Kim Soo Hyun) visits. "Real" is an action noir film about a trouble shooter of the underground, criminal world who dreams of one day building his own far-reaching casino.
Song Dong Il will play a gangster leader, Jo Won Geun, who is on the outs with Jae Tae Young over the casino. Lee Geung Young is to play No Yeom, a reporter and former detective.
Afterschool's and Orange Caramel's Nana (Im Jin Ah) won first place in TC Candler's "The 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2015."
Other K-pop stars on the list:
99. Song Jieun (Secret) 71. Kang Seulgi (Red Velvet) 67. Song Hye Kyo 57. Jessica Jung 48. Jei (Fiestar) 45. Bae Suzy (Miss A) 40. Lee Hyeri (Girl’s Day) 36. Go Ara 24. Kim Taeyeon (Girls' Generation) 17. Kim Yura (Girl’s Day) 13. Chou Tzuyu (Twice)
Yesterday, SBS hosted "Gayo Daejun," which is their largest annual musical ceremony. Top K-pop powerhouses performed such as T-ara, EXO, 4minute, and so much more!
In case you missed it, below is a plethora of clips from the event. Enjoy!
Now you may be wondering "where's the audio?" If you click the "YouTube" link of the video, it is stated below the audio track is muted due to a copyright claim...apparently, this is not the case. Allegedly, an SBS staff member backstage accidentally muttered into a mic "Why are these kids putting on a musical now." So rude.
INFINITE
4Minute
GOT7
B1A4
Girls' Generation
UP10TION
VIXX
EXO
EXO+SHINee
Last but not least: PSY
Since PSY is such a global icon/powerhouse, he was given his own separate stage to perform on. I must admit though, I wish I was there D:
Do you think K-pop is all about aegyo and innocence? Well, here is a list of 10 banned K-pop music videos to make you think otherwise:
1. "Nice Body"- Hyomin
T-ara's Hyomin, without a doubt, looks gorgeous in this music video, however, KBS station could not care less. The hip swirl towards the end is what this MV banned.
2. "Full Moon"- Sunmi
Sunmi's "Full Moon" was banned for its sexual choreography. She was even forced to change it in order to perform this single at KBS, SBS, and MBC live.
3. "Up&Down"- EXID
One of my favorite K-pop groups, EXID! Unfortunately, they were banned for the hip thrust and booty shaking choreography.
4. "Joker"- Dalshabet
Besides the sexual choreography, Dalshabet's "Joker" was mainly banned for lyrical reasons. The word “좆” (pronounced“jot”) sounds similar to “조”(pronounced “joh”), which is a vulgar slur that refers to a particular part of the male anatomy.
5. "Vibrato"- Stellar
Banned for sexual choreography (nothing new) and vaginal symbolism.
6. "Mommae"- Jay Park
"Mommae" was banned for se-ah, forget it! The video speaks for itself.
7. "Sorry I Was Busy"- Infinite H
This short single by INFINITE was banned from airing on KBS station for its profanity and incorporation of Japanese lyrics, which is a big no-no.
8. "One More"- Fiestar
Fiestar's "One More" was banned mainly due to its lyrics, which hint at a sexual threesome. Uh-oh.
9. "Bae Bae"- Big Bang
"Bae Bae" by K-Pop boy band powerhouse, Big Bang was banned for its "not-so-subtle" symbolism...I mean, do you see that syringe seen???
10. "Tough Cookie"- Zico
"Tough Cookie" by Block B's Zico received international criticism for its homophobic and racial slurs. At 3:18, the Confederate flag can be seen on his jacket.
