연합뉴스
| yna@yna.co.kr 2023-04-09 08:00:47
By Joonha Yoo
◇ BTS Jimin becomes first K-pop soloist to top Billboard Hot 100
Jimin, a member of the K-pop superstar BTS, has made history with his single "Like Crazy" reaching the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, becoming the first South Korean solo artist to top the list.
"Jimin's 'Like Crazy' blasts in at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, marking his first leader -- and the first for a member of superstar South Korean pop group BTS. He is also the first South Korean solo artist to lead the list," Billboard said Monday (U.S. local time) on social media.
Previously, BTS was the only K-pop act to top the chart.
The group has six top-charting songs, from "Dynamite" (2020) to "My Universe" (2021), a collaboration single with British rock band Coldplay.
He also became the first K-pop artist to have sat atop the chart both as a soloist and with a group.
Among K-pop soloists, Psy was the highest-charting artist before Jimin, with his global hit "Gangnam Style" staying at No. 2 for seven consecutive weeks in 2012.
"Like Crazy" sold 254,000 song downloads and CD singles combined, and drew 10 million streams and 64,000 radio airplay audience impressions in the first week of its release, according to Billboard.
The Hot 100 ranks the most popular songs of the week in the United States, measured by all-genre streaming, radio airplay and sales data.
Moreover, K-pop legend, BTS’ Jimin and girl group BLACKPINK’s Jisoo’s playlist “Springtime Sounds” has been released through music streaming service Apple Music on Friday.
Both artists Jimin and Jisoo have selected various songs and tracks including their individual solo tracks for the playlist “Springtime Sounds” so that listeners will be able to fully enjoy the spring.
Within the Jimin’s playlist, total of 25 various tracks such as “Like Crazy,” “Set Me Free Pt.2,” “Die For You” by The Weeknd and Ariana Grande, remix version of “Paris in the Rain” and more has been included.
BTS’ Jimin addressed “I have selected couple of the tracks which one will be able to enjoy the warmth of the sun during the spring time,” adding “ I hope the playlist will be a nice small gift to everyone who listens to it.”
Within the Jisoo of BLACKPINK’s playlist, artists latest drop “Flowers,” “All Eyes on Me” and more tracks such as “As It Was,” by Harry Styles, “Don’t Look Back In Anger” by Oasis and more has been included.
Jisoo addressed “Throughout the process of coming up with the latest album, I have gone through a lot of thoughts, however by receiving a lot of love by fans and those around me I have successfully managed to release the album,” adding “By listening to my playlist I hope a lot of listeners will be comforted by the tracks.”
Continuing on with various outputs showcased by BTS members, Suga and diva IU are set to drop their collaboration single, titled "People Pt.2," on Friday, BTS' agency BigHit Music said.
"People Pt.2" is a prerelease track from Suga's debut solo album "D-Day," which is due on April 21.
It is their first collaboration since IU's hit song "Eight" was released in May 2020.
Suga will be the fifth member of the septet to debut as a soloist when he drops the upcoming album under the stage name Agust D, which he has used for his previous individual songs.
It will mark the final installment of the "Agust D" trilogy, which began with his mixtapes "Agust D" (2016) and "D-2" (2020).
◇ BLACKPINK's Jisoo sets 1st-week sales record for K-pop female soloist with "ME"
BLACKPINK member Jisoo's debut solo album "ME" has set a new record for the largest number of first week sales by a K-pop female soloist, her agency said Friday.
"ME" has sold 1.17 million copies in the first week since its release last Friday, YG Entertainment said, citing data from local music market tracker Hanteo Chart.
The main track of the album, "Flower," debuted atop the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart and the service's top songs charts in over 60 countries, and landed at No. 6 on Global Spotify upon its release.
Jisoo who is the fourth and final member of the quartet to debut as a soloist. The three other members made successful debuts as soloists -- Jennie with "Solo" in 2018, and both Rose and Lisa in 2021 with "R" and "Lalisa," respectively.
Jisoo of girl group BLACKPINK has released a dance performance video of her first solo album title track "FLOWER," her agency YG Entertainment said on Thursday.
The entire choreography of "FLOWER," which was not seen in the music video, is to be revealed. In the video, Jisoo has drawn attention by wearing a white dress and performing a disciplined yet elegant dance.
The video increased immersion by changing the screen using flowers, the main object of the album.
The "FLOWER" performance was created by famous choreographers Kiel Tutin and Kyle Hanagami who participated in BLACKPINK's hit songs.
Continuing on with the successful outcome of various activities done by K-pop giant BLACKPINK, YG Entertainment addressed on Friday that the tickets for BLACKPINK’s World tour “BORN PINK” which is expected to take place in Tokyo Dome, Japan has been sold out immediately.
“Since it is the first concert of BLACKPINK’s in Japan since 2020 due to wide spread of Covid-19 a lot of fans are thrilled to see the group perform,” adding “Due to the continuous request to open up additional spaces for the concert, YG Ent, have decided to open up more spots for the concerts, however, the additional spaces will have limited views.” addressed YG Entertainment.
BLACKPINK is currently continuing on with their pop up store stationed in Shibuya, Tokyo which kicked off on April 1 and continue until April 10. The popup store offers visitors with gigantic portraits of each individual members, music videos and various photo spots.
“Popup store was packed with fans from the morning,” adding “For safety issues, we have decided to implement the reservation for all the visitors will be able to enjoy the experience with guaranteed safety. The latest MDs of BLACKPINK were quickly sold out.” addressed YG Entertainment.
Continuing on, the preorder amount of BLACKPINK’s mobile game “BLACKPINK The Game” has exceeded over 1 million users.
Moreover, music video of Lisa of BLACKPINK’s solo track “Lalisa” has exceeded total of 6 billion views, where as videos such as “Money, Exclusive performance video” has exceed over 8 billion views.
◇ Visits to mortuary of S.Korean Singer Hyun Mee continues
The mortuary of singer Hyun Mee, real name Kim Myung-sun, who passed away on the April 4, has been set up at 10 a.m. on the April 7 at the funeral hall of Chung-Ang University Hospital in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. A memorial visit to the mortuary continued from the morning to honor the "forever diva."
At the entrance of the funeral hall, flowers for the mortuary arrived one after another. On the indicator stationed in front of the mortuary addressed, names of the family members Lee Young-gon, the eldest son who also made name for himself as a singer, and Won Joon-hee, who is a second daughter-in-law also known for her track released in 1980s "Love is like glass."
The mortuary was strictly prohibited from outsiders from entering, the memorial service was held by family members and close friends of South Korean singer Hyun Mee.
At 10:30 a.m., singer Ha Chun-hwa visited the mortuary to pay her respects. Ha Chun-hwa, who arrived at the mortuary wearing black padded jacket, was in tears for a while, not being able to speak due to overwhelming emotions of sadness when reporters rushed to ask questions.
Singer Ha Chun-hwa addressed "Hyun Mee was the only person who called me 'Chun-hwa'."
Artist continued on by stating, "I feel so empty because one of the few people who have worked hard to protect our music industry is gone. I cannot think of anyone suitable to fill the void left by her, I hope and wish Hyun Mee is in a better place where is comfortable and healthy."
The funeral will be held for five days as set by the Korea Singers Association, from April 7 until 11. Singer Seo Soo-nam will be in charge of the funeral committee.
◇ Singer-actor Lee Seung-gi, actress Lee Da-in getting married
South Korean actor and singer Lee Seung-gi got married to actress Lee Da-in at a hotel located within Seoul, South Korea on Friday.
According to the music industry, South Korean media personal Yoo Jae-suk led the wedding ceremony and singer Lee Juck sang throughout the wedding.
Lee Seung-gi and Lee Da-in will not be able to leave for honeymoon after their wedding due to complication regarding their schedule.
Both actor and actress continued on with their romantic relationship after they went public about it on May 2021.
Through his official social media account, actor Lee Seung-gi addressed on Feburary of 2023, “With loving Lee Da-in we have agreed to continue on with our lives as married couple,” adding “Actress Lee Da-in is a very kind, loving person, who I would like to spend rest of my life with.”
Lee Da-in, a daughter of veteran actress Gyeon Mi-ri, has appeared in such TV dramas as "Come and Hug Me," "Dr. Prisoner" and "Alice."
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