Yunhee Cho

 

 

◇ IVE releases first full-length album 'I've IVE' 

▲ K-pop girl group Ive poses for the camera during a press conference at a Seoul hotel on April 10, 2023, to promote its first full-length album, "I've Ive." (Yonhap)

IVE, a leading K-pop girl group whose previous songs have all become huge sensations, cited "unpredictability" as its charm during a press conference Monday to mark the release of its first studio album.

Debuting in December 2021 with the single "Eleven," the sextet instantly skyrocketed to stardom as the song swept domestic music charts. The group then rose to the top position among fourth-generation K-pop girl groups with its three follow-up singles, "Love Dive," "After Like" and "Kitsch," became megahits.

 

With their first full-length album "I've IVE," IVE has notched up a fourth straight hit. 

 

The album's prereleased song "Kitsch" and lead track "I Am" have shot to the top of South Korea's largest music streaming platform Melon's Top 100 chart, occupying the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively, as of 9 a.m. Wednesday.

 

▲ This file photo shows IVE's Rei during the group's first full album showcase event held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Seoul. (Yonhap)

 

Meanwhile, IVE's Rei will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities due to health reasons, according to the group's agency Starship Entertainment. 

 

The agency brought this urgent news to this six-piece group’s official fan cafe, writing, “Rei has not been feeling very well recently by having frequent heart palpitations and physical stifling. She made a visit to the hospital for professional consultation and examination, and she was told by the medical staff that she needs to get a sufficient amount of medical treatment and rest in bed.”

 

 

◇ K-pop artists comeback hand-in-hand with new albums... Kep1er, Park Ji-hoon, Lee Chae-yeon 

Many K-pop artist have made comeback with their new albums this week including rookie girl group IVE. 

 

▲ This photo, provided by Wake One Entertainment and Swing Entertainment, shows Kep1er. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) 

 

Kep1er has made a comeback with their 4th mini album "LOVESTRUCK!" on Monday. The new album in six months since their last comeback "TROUBLESHOOTER," contains five songs, including the title track "Giddy," which expresses the confused feeling you feel when you fall in love. 

 

Kep1er is a multinational girl group consisting of the top 9 members of Mnet's audition program "GIRLs PLANET 999: THE GIRLS SAGA," and challenged the music industry by releasing its first mini-album "FIRST IMPACT" in January last year.

 

Solo artist Park Ji-hoon and Lee Chae -yeon have also made a comeback on Wednesday. 

 

Park Ji-hoon's seventh mini album “Blank or Black” captures his ambition to show his many-sided and multi-faceted charms, which he compares to a complicated maze.

 

▲ This photo, provided by Maroo Corp., shows Park Ji-hoon. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Led by the title track “Blank Effect,” his album consists of a total of six tracks, including “Gemini” which combines pop, hip-hop, and electronica sounds, and “Black Hour” which highlights his attractive low-tone voice.▲ This photo, provided by WM Entertainment show photo of Lee Chae-yeon performing during the media showcase of 'Over The Moon.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

The latest release “Over The Moon” is a Lee Chae-yeon’s first musical release since her debut solo album “Hush Rush” released 6 months ago in October of 2022.

Within the artist’s latest mini album, total of 5 various flavorful tracks were included, starting with the title track “Kncok” which depicts a message making the first move to a person who artist feels romantic feelings to, followed by “Like A Star” where Lee Chae-yeon participated in the lyric making, “I Don’t Wanna Know” which has impressive dance routines, and more.

 

◇ SEVENTEEN's 10th mini album 'FML' successfully exceeds 4 million pre-sales

 

▲ This photo, provided by PLEDIS Entertainment show cover photo of SEVENTEEN's 10th mini album 'FML.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) 

 

K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN’s 10th mini album “FML” has successfully exceeded pre-sale of over 4 million copies addressed group’s entertainment agency PLEDIS, on Friday.

The presale record set by SEVENTEEN’s 10th mini album “FML” has successfully exceeded the previous record held by group’s 4th full length album “Face The Sun” which surpassed over 2.2 million copies.

The title of the album “FML” is a shortened version of American slang “F*ck My Life.” The group tweaks around the original meaning behind the slang and hopes to deliver cheerful message of never giving up and staying positive despite of the current situation through its listeners.

In total of 6 various tracks will be included within SEVENTEEN’s 10th mini album “FML” which will be released on April 24.

 

 

◇ John Wick: Chapter 4 after Suzume... K-movie Is losing power in theater

 

While Korean films rarely attract the attention of the audience, foreign films are dominating Korean box office for a long time.

 

▲ This photo provided by Red Eyes Entertainment show scene from 'John Wick 4.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Hollywood blockbuster action movie “John Wick: Chapter 4” shortened as “John Wick 4” featuring actor Keanu Reeves has successfully topped the South Korean box office on the first day of its premiere.

According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated network of tickets sold on Thursday, “John Wick 4” has successfully attracted over 113 thousand audiences within the first day of its premiere taking over the lead of “Suzume” and landed safely on top of S.Korean box office.

Japanese Animation movie “Suzume” which premiered on March 8 has stepped down from the throne after 36 days of successful run on top of the box office.

 

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