By Joonha Yoo
◇ BTS Jimin becomes first K-pop soloist to top Billboard Hot 100
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| ▲BTS member Jimin is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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.
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| ▲This photo, provided by SBS, shows BTS Jimin. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
"The sales sum for "Like Crazy" is the highest in a single week since Taylor Swift's "Anti-Hero" sold 328,000 (Nov. 19, 2022), sparked by seven remixes released that tracking week," it said.
"Like Crazy" also debuted at No. 1 on the digital single sales chart, where it is Jimin's third song to achieve the feat.
The song was released March 24 on his debut solo album "Face," which grabbed the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
It is a synth-pop song combining intense synth and drum sounds with his mournful timbre.
Jimin has said the song was inspired by a film of the same name that he likes.
It features the emotions of the moment when he wants to turn a blind eye to reality and stay in his dreams forever to forget hurtful memories.
On Saturday, the piece debuted at No. 8 on the British Official Singles Chart Top 100. The British Official Chart is considered one of the world's two largest charts, along with the U.S. Billboard.
Jimin said he feels both "unreal" and "proud and happy" after winning his first Billboard No. 1 as a solo artist, attributing the success to the group.
"It feels so unreal that I don't know what to say," he said on Weverse, a K-pop fan community platform. "It's all thanks to BTS and ARMY (the group's fandom) that this was possible. I'm never unaware of this. I've come to realize more about how much you ARMYs have waited for BTS. I'm grateful and thank you," he said humbly. "I'm so proud to be a part of the team."
His bandmates called him or took to the platform to leave messages of congratulations.
BigHit Music, the band's agency, said on the band's official Twitter page that the feat is "unbelievable" and thanked ARMYs around the world for supporting the song.
BTS Jimin makes history with single “Like Crazy.”
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| ▲This Photo provided by Apple Music Korea show photo of Jimin. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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.”
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| ▲This Photo provided by Apple Music Korea show photo of Jisoo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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.”
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| ▲The cover image of "People Pt.2," a collaboration single between BTS member Suga and diva IU, is seen in this photo provided by BTS' agency BigHit Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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"
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| ▲K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's Jisoo is seen in this photo provided by her agency YG Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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.
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| ▲This photo, provided by YG Entertainment, shows BLACKPINK Jisoo's dance performance video for title track 'FLOWER.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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.
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| ▲This photo, provided by YG Entertainment show photo of the popup store for BLACKPINK. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap) |
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.
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| ▲This photo, provided by YG Entertainment shows celebration poster. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap) |
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
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| ▲This photo shows singer Hyun Mee (Yonhap) |
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.
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| ▲This photo shows mortuary of Hyun Mee. (Yonhap) |
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'."
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| ▲This photo shows flowers stationed in front of the mortuary. (Yonhap) |
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
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| ▲Singer-actor Lee Seung-gi poses for a photo during a press conference for the variety show "Peak Time," in this file photo taken Feb. 15, 2023. (Yonhap) |
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.
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| ▲Actress Lee Da-in (Yonhap) |
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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