Pick of K-Culture

Girl Group LE SSERAFIM Tops Oricon's Mid-Year Artist Sales Chart in the Newcomer Ranking

K-pop

LE SSERAFIM Takes the No. 1 Spot in Oricon's Newcomer Ranking with Impressive Sales

K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM has claimed the top spot in the "Newcomer Ranking" of Oricon's mid-year artist sales chart in Japan.

According to the Oricon Mid-Year Ranking 2023 announced on the 6th (covering the period from December 12, 2022, to June 11, 2023), LE SSERAFIM secured the No. 1 position in the "Newcomer Ranking" with sales of approximately 11 billion Korean won (approximately 110 million USD) in Japan alone. The ranking, established in 2018, determines the rankings based on the total sales of singles, albums, streaming, and music DVDs.

Oricon stated on its official website, "LE SSERAFIM recorded sales of 1.18 billion yen (approximately 110 million USD) during the counting period. They are the first female artist to exceed 1 billion yen in total sales in the 'Newcomer Ranking.'"

The breakthrough work that contributed significantly to this achievement is their Japanese debut single, "FEARLESS," released in January of this year. The album made its debut at No. 1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Ranking and the Weekly Combined Singles Ranking (as of February 6th), breaking the record for the highest first-week sales by a K-pop girl group in Japan. It also achieved "Double Platinum" certification by shipping over 500,000 copies, marking the first debut single by a foreign female artist to receive this certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

Their second mini-album's title track, "ANTIFRAGILE," released in October last year, surpassed 100 million cumulative streams on the Oricon Weekly Streaming Ranking (as of April 10th). Additionally, their first full-length album, "UNFORGIVEN," released in May this year, achieved a triple crown on the Weekly Album Ranking, Weekly Digital Album Ranking, and Weekly Combined Album Ranking (as of May 15th), demonstrating consecutive success.

LE SSERAFIM gained significant attention even before their official debut as they include former IZ*ONE members Kim Chaewon and Sakura. Sakura, a Japanese member, had previous activities as part of the local idol groups HKT48 and AKB48. Another Japanese member, Kazuha, also contributes to their popularity. LE SSERAFIM appeared on NHK's "73rd Kohaku Uta Gassen," the largest year-end music broadcast in Japan, at the end of last year. They also ranked second in the Musician category of Yahoo Japan's "2022 Search Awards." As a group launched by HYBE (formerly Big Hit Music), the label behind the global supergroup BTS, and Source Music, LE SSERAFIM received significant attention.

Regarding the achievement, Kazuha expressed gratitude, saying, "First, I want to thank everyone who listened to our songs and our fandom, FEARNOT." Hong Eunchae expressed joy, stating, "I'm really happy that many people support us." Heo Yoonjin pledged, "We will continue to deliver music that you can love." Kim Chaewon emphasized, "I will continue to work hard to show you a more mature side of us."

Sakura added, "On August 23rd, our second Japanese single, 'UNFORGIVEN,' will be released. We are preparing diligently to show you a fantastic stage, so please look forward to it."

LE SSERAFIM will solidify their popularity by participating in the "37th My Navi Tokyo Girls Collection 2023 Autumn/Winter" held at the Saitama Super Arena on September 2nd.

Meanwhile, the second place in the artist sales category of the "Newcomer Ranking" went to the group NCT DREAM, and the third place was secured by the 7-member boy group Travis Japan.

New Jeans' Pre-release Tracks Hint at Exciting Changes

K-pop

New Jeans, a girl group under the label Hive, unveiled their pre-release tracks "News Jeans" and "Super Shy" on July 7th, building anticipation for their upcoming second mini album, "Get Up," set to release on the 21st. With their debut mini album "News Jeans" in 2022 and single album "OMG" in 2023, New Jeans captivated the public with their concise retro vibes and the sound of Jersey Club, an electronic dance music sub-genre that originated in late 1990s Newark, New Jersey. Their sophisticated track "Hype Boy" created viral memes on social media, while the nostalgic and dreamy "Ditto" produced numerous remix tracks and became one of the most popular songs in the first half of this year. Moreover, their promotional single "ZERO" in collaboration with Coca-Cola also achieved high chart rankings, solidifying New Jeans' position as a rising K-pop group in just one year.

In the preview tracks "News Jeans" and "Super Shy," some unique aspects can be observed. Alongside a 1 minute 40-second group intro song, the album also features short tracks, around 2 minutes and 30 seconds, that captivate listeners. Additionally, the collaboration with the popular American animation series "Powerpuff Girls" hints at upcoming changes.

"Super Shy" Showcases Continuation of New Jeans' Unique Sound

The pre-release track "Super Shy" topped the music charts, and its foundation lies in the sound that New Jeans has consistently presented. Departing from the flashy and impactful style of mainstream K-pop, New Jeans incorporates an airy beauty into their sound, combining unique vocals with finely chopped beats. The distinctive flavors showcased in "Hype Boy" and "Ditto," which intertwine a dreamy and refreshing atmosphere, still remain. While maintaining the energetic rhythm of their previous songs, New Jeans introduces a slightly different approach by infusing addictive repetition into the melody. The English-centered lyrics show an attempt to target international markets, including the United States. Rather than a drastic transformation, the focus seems to be on maintaining the image that fans have come to expect from New Jeans through a safe and gradual evolution. The music video for "Super Shy" features a large group of dancers, targeting the summer season. It showcases various dance styles such as flash mobs, aerobics, and walking, as the members move between different locations such as a park, city buses, squares, and fish markets. People in the video dance along with New Jeans, temporarily unified by the music, before returning to their daily lives.

Collaboration with "Powerpuff Girls" and Preview of "New Jeans"

The collaboration with the "Powerpuff Girls," as seen on the cover of the pre-release track, is a popular TV animation series celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The show features adorable yet powerful superpowered girls who defeat villains in a straightforward storyline, making it an optimal collaboration target for New Jeans. Transformed into Powerpuff Girls characters, the members of New Jeans embark on an adventure in an unknown world. The music video showcases various spaces, including a dress-up game and arcade game missions, along with the members of New Jeans, culminating in the appearance of the fandom "Bunnies."

Anticipation for Other Tracks in the Album

After satisfying fans with the pre-release tracks, expectations are high for New Jeans' upcoming album, "Get Up." The track "ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)," which was performed along with their energetic performances at the first fan meeting, "Bunnies Camp," on the 1st and 2nd of this month, was introduced early through fan-cams on YouTube and other platforms. Although the producer 250's name is not visible in the pre-release tracks, it is expected to be featured in other songs. Over the past year, New Jeans has firmly established their musical style, expanding their roots and branches. This allows them to deliver their unique sound confidently, even when collaborating with other artists.

Proven Appeal of New Jeans and High Expectations for "Get Up"

The pre-release tracks "Super Shy" and "News Jeans," with their refreshing summer vibes, showcase New Jeans' preparation for their upcoming popularity. With their solid capital and planning capabilities, New Jeans has demonstrated the value of all their tracks, from pre-release to title and other songs. This assures that "Get Up" will undoubtedly match the quality of their previous works.

(G)I-DLE Achieves 1st Place on Music Shows and YouTube Milestone

K-pop

(G)I-DLE's "Queencard" Takes 1st Place on Music Core

(G)I-DLE's title track "Queencard" from their mini 6th album 'I feel' secured the 1st place on MBC's "Show! Music Core," which aired on the 1st. With this achievement, (G)I-DLE added another 1st place trophy to their collection, surpassing the record of their previous title track "Nxde" from their mini 5th album 'I love' in October last year, which held 11 wins. They now reach a total of 12 wins. Notably, (G)I-DLE became the first girl group to achieve 5 wins with a single song since the chart revamp on "Show! Music Core."

(G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [I am FREE-TY]" Commences Successfully

On June 17th and 18th, (G)I-DLE successfully concluded the opening concert of their "(G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [I am FREE-TY]" at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in Seoul. Starting from Taipei on the 1st, (G)I-DLE embarked on their second world tour, meeting fans from around the globe. The tour includes 16 locations, namely Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Hong Kong, San Francisco, LA, Dallas, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and Tokyo.

(G)I-DLE's Dingo "Killing Voice" Video Surpasses 10 Million Views

(G)I-DLE's Dingo Music video for "Killing Voice" achieved over 10 million views on YouTube, further proving their global impact. The video, released on Dinggo Music's official YouTube channel on May 16th, surpassed 10 million views as of the 7th. The "Killing Voice" video gained significant attention after the release of (G)I-DLE's new song "Queencard." On the day of its release, the video effortlessly surpassed 2 million views, demonstrating the explosive popularity of the "Global Trendsetter" girl group.

(G)I-DLE and the Synergy of "Killing Voice"

The 10 million views of (G)I-DLE's "Killing Voice" video marks the 28th content on Dingo Music to achieve this milestone, and the 17th for the "Killing Voice" video. The overwhelming response in the YouTube comments section includes over 13,000 comments expressing fascination with (G)I-DLE's fantastic live performances. Comments highlight the distinctive voices of the members, the group's perfect visuals, rap, vocals, and dance, and express how the captivating live stages make time fly by.

Dingo's "Killing Voice" Content and Its Synergy with (G)I-DLE

"Killing Voice" is a content series where artists personally curate a setlist of songs that showcase their captivating voices in live performances. Artists from various genres, including IU, MAMAMOO, Sung Si Kyung, Taeyeon, KARA, Seventeen, and BTOB, have participated, receiving fervent support from music fans. IU achieved the record of Dingo's first content to surpass 57 million views, while Taeyeon surpassed 35 million views, ranking 2nd in the "2022 YouTube Most Popular Video in Korea" rankings. Seventeen also reached 35 million views, expanding their powerful content influence.

IVE Wraps Up Their First Fan Concert Asia Tour with Spectacular Finale

K-pop

The Prom Queens Concert in Bangkok Receives Rousing Response

IVE (Ahn Yujin, Ga Eul, Ray, Jang Won Young, Lee Soo, and Liz) successfully concluded their first-ever fan concert, The Prom Queens, with a dazzling finale at the Thunder Dome in Bangkok, Thailand, on the 8th and 9th (local time).

Prior to the main performances, IVE held a press conference, garnering enthusiastic coverage from the local Thai media. Over 100 reporters from major media outlets, including Workpoint TV and ThaiRath Daily News, attended the event, confirming the high interest in IVE within the local community.

As the first Asia tour since their debut, The Prom Queens generated an immense response in the local Thai audience, showcasing IVE's diverse charms through captivating stages that received an overwhelming reception from fans. After opening with "After LIKE," IVE performed tracks from their album, including "Take It," "My Satisfaction," and "Royal." They also presented hit songs like "Eleven" and "Love Dive," both in their original versions and newly arranged band versions, heightening the excitement of the concert.

Additionally, IVE captivated the audience with performances of songs from their first full-length album released in April, including the double title tracks "Kitsch" and "I AM," as well as "Blue Blood" and "NOT YOUR GIRL." They also engaged closely with local fans through special unit cover stages and various interactive game corners, creating unforgettable memories.

The Prom Queens tour, which kicked off in Korea in February and extended to Japan, the Philippines, Taipei, Singapore, and Thailand, was a resounding success, attracting fervent attention from local fans. Through the Asia tour, IVE drew a total audience of over 97,000, showcasing their global influence. Notably, the Japan concerts, despite being their first solo performances in the country, sold out quickly, with four shows each in Tokyo and Kobe, totaling eight successful performances. The Taipei and Bangkok fan concerts also added additional shows due to overwhelming support, demonstrating IVE's strong ticket power.

IVE expressed their gratitude, stating, "With the conclusion of the Bangkok fan concert, we have wrapped up our first Asia tour since debut. We believe that we were able to successfully finish thanks to the love and support from our Dive (fandom). Although The Prom Queens Asia tour has come to an end, we will strive to meet Dives from around the world more frequently in the future. We ask for your continued support and anticipation."

Blackpink's Hanoi Concert Generates Excitement but Raises Ticket Scam Concerns

K-pop

Beware of Ticket Scams as Blackpink's Hanoi Concert Approaches

The local response to the upcoming Blackpink concert in Hanoi is fervent, with some voices urging caution against ticket scams. On July 9th, Vietnamese media outlets such as Vietnam net reported that the popular South Korean girl group Blackpink will be coming to Hanoi at the end of July, igniting immense enthusiasm among Vietnamese fans. It will be Blackpink's first-ever performance in Vietnam, with their concert titled "Born Pink" scheduled for July 29th and 30th at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.

[Blackpink Concert Tickets]

During the online ticket sales period, approximately 300,000 people attempted to purchase Blackpink concert tickets through the official ticketing website. However, many fans faced difficulty in acquiring the tickets they desired, despite enduring long waiting times. According to reports, tickets were sold out within just two hours of the ticketing opening on July 7th.

The My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, with a capacity of 40,000 seats, including standing areas, struggles to meet the demands of fans. Consequently, ticket scams targeting disappointed fans have been on the rise, contributing to the increasing prevalence of fraudulent activities related to Blackpink concert tickets.

One victim of online ticket purchase scams, named Nguyen Thuy Trang, shared her experience in a ticket-hunting community. Trang revealed that when she expressed interest in purchasing CAT 5 grade tickets (priced at 1.2 million VND), the seller demanded an upfront payment of 900,000 VND. To reassure the buyer, the seller even sent photos of their ID card and household registration booklet. However, Trang lamented, "After I transferred the money, their attitude completely changed," expressing her unfortunate encounter with a ticket scam.

Furthermore, numerous fans who failed to secure tickets through official channels have been exposed to various fraudulent activities while seeking tickets through alternative channels, as reported by media outlets.

According to the nonprofit organization Anti-Phishing Project, which focuses on IT security in Vietnam, a significant number of ticket fraud incidents have recently occurred online. Some influencers, seeking likes, views, or fraudulent sales, have been seen printing tickets, taking pictures with their faces, and posting them online.

The representative of the Anti-Phishing Project emphasized that young individuals should exercise caution when purchasing tickets from the "black market." The best course of action is to avoid utilizing websites, social pages, groups, or individuals of unknown origins. It was stressed that in most cases, requesting advance payments from buyers indicates fraudulent intent.

Additionally, it was advised that individuals and organizations alike should be wary of cybercrimes involving such types of ticket scams, as some scammers might pose as benevolent entities, offering significant benefits or requiring sponsorship funds during online ticket purchases.

BTS' Suga continued his dazzling record with August D's 'Daechwita'.

The music video for 'Daechwita', the title song of the mixtape 'D-2', which was released for the second time as August D on May 22 last year, surpassed 325 million views on YouTube on December 20 (Korean time). .

It is the first and most record among the music videos for songs released by Suga under the name of August D, which is the record for the most views among BTS member music videos.

August D previously recorded 306 million views and joined the ranks of K-pop solo artists who recorded 306 million views on YouTube along with EXO's Chanyeol, Psy, and J-Hope.

The music video for 'Daechwita' previously showed global popularity by achieving 11 million likes on June 25 and writing a new world record as a solo artist. As of the 12th and 20th, it is recording 12.71 million likes.

'Daechwita' created a different atmosphere by sampling Daechwita, a traditional marching music. In the music video, Suga's storytelling as the king attracts attention and is loved.

A webtoon and web novel featuring BangTan [BTS]

BTS

A webtoon and web novel featuring BangTan (BTS) as the main character are coming soon.

Hive announced on the 20th that it has released a story film that shows the central theme of the future story on the official social networking service (SNS) of '7FATES: CHAKHO'.

The story film was released prior to the launch of a webtoon and web novel based on Hive's original story, and depicts seven boys wandering in search of something brightly shining in the dark.

The video illuminates the BTS members in turn, suggesting the story of boys bound by fate.

In the video, RM raised expectations by saying, “The thing that is closest to you, the thing you have to find by yourself, is destiny.” “A new destiny opens, a new story begins.”

Hive announced that 'Seven Fates: Chaco', in which BTS members transform into killer hunters, would be introduced through Naver Webtoon (Korea Search Platform) at the '2021 Company Briefing with the Community' held in November.

Hive has announced plans to expand the content area through original stories based on the power of stories. Hive said, “In the past, artists have met with fans through music, but in the future, we plan to add stories to experience content in various areas such as webtoons, web novels, and animations.”