Tag: K-pop

It is amazing how popular K-Pop has become over the past two decades:

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during a press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, on Jan. 19. EPA-Yonhap

Huge demand to see K-pop boy band BTS, among the world’s most popular artists, has led Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to formally request of her counterpart, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, that he help arrange more concerts in Mexico.

“Everyone wants to go,” Sheinbaum said at her daily morning press conference on Monday, adding that she had sent a diplomatic letter to South Korea’s Lee seeking more concerts.

Korea Times

You can read more at the link.

It is kind of surprising considering how famous their music is that this group has never performed live before:

Audrey Nuna didn’t realize how far “KPop Demon Hunters” had traveled until she visited Korea. “I went to Korea a few weeks after the film started taking off,” she told Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show” that aired Tuesday evening. “I got off at Dongdaemun Station and this cute little grandpa was doing a street performance of ‘Golden’ on this Korean traditional instrument. He was so swagged out. I had to do a double take.”

The 26-year-old Korean American singer, who voices one of the leads in the hit animated film, said the moment stayed with her. (…..)

On Tuesday evening, the singers behind the characters — EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — brought “Golden” to life for the first time on “The Tonight Show.” The performance zoomed close to 4 million views within 12 hours, adding another milestone to the film’s rapid crossover from animation to real-world pop culture.

Korea Times

You can read more at the link.

This accolade comes after leading the U.S. box office last week after a two day limited theater release:

The animated sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” has officially become Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time.

The film has amassed 236 million views since its release on June 20, surpassing the previous record holder, the action-comedy “Red Notice,” which had 230.9 million views, according to Netflix.

Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the Netflix original film centers on Huntr/x, who live a double life, balancing their music careers with their duties as warriors who protect the world from demonic spirits, like the overlord Gwi-Ma and the soul-stealing Saja Boys.

The film’s soundtrack has also achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first ever to have four songs — “Golden,” “Your Idol,” “Soda Pop” and “How It’s Done” — simultaneously in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

K-pop Demon Hunters has been a global phenomenon and it’s great soundtrack is what is driving its popularity:

“Golden” from the soundtrack of Netflix’s global hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” has soared to No. 1 on the British Official Singles Chart Top 100.

According to the chart unveiled Friday (local time), “Golden” jumped four places to claim the top position in its sixth week on the chart.

The Official Charts Company highlighted that Huntr/x, the fictional girl group featured in the film, became the first K-pop act to reach No. 1 in 13 years since Psy topped the chart with “Gangnam Style” in 2012.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

Some people look for racism any chance they can get:

As a K-pop fan, I was delighted that Stray Kids were attending the Met Gala on May 6, 2024. K-pop fans generally and Stays (the name of Stray Kids’ fandom) specifically celebrated the increasing inclusion of K-pop. Perhaps the US media now took K-pop seriously and would treat its artists respectfully.

We were wrong.

A few members of the paparazzi’s treatment of Stray Kids was shameful and racist, and embarrassed me as a fellow American. However, none of it was surprising and all of it was reminiscent of America’s history of racist treatment of Asian Americans.

I watched the behind-the-scenes footage shot by someone standing behind the photographers first posted on X and later to YouTube. Many K-pop fans have commented on this viral video. Below, I’ve transcribed what I could hear. It is loud in the room, and everyone is shouting. These lines are spoken by the photographers, but it was difficult to hear all of them. They are mostly shouting at the group members, but some commentary takes place amongst the photographers. My comments are in parentheses.

“How many are there? Guys, can you step back?”

“Guys, you need to be on the same level.”

“You all look crooked.”

“Get close. Move back, move back.”

“Can everybody face us? They’re diagonal.”

“Annyeonghaseyo” (mockingly).

“That guy is like 20,000 feet back.”

“We need them straight.”

Korea Herald

You can read the rest at the link or watch the video and judge for yourself, but in my opinion this all just the paparazzi being their normal rude selves. The paparazzi are well known for how rude they are and you can watch whole Youtube videos of this. Being rude doesn’t make you a racist unless your a sociology and professor of ethnicity, race and migration professor at Yale University where everything is viewed through a racist lens.

Here is one of these only in Korea stories where a K-pop star had to apologize for (gasp!) dating somebody:

Karina, a member of K-pop girl group aespa, issued a handwritten apology on Instagram, Tuesday, saying she was sorry for failing her fans. Although she did not specify what she was sorry for, people could easily determine that the SM Entertainment star was apologizing over recent news about her love life. But this has sparked a debate among internet users: Did she really have anything to apologize for?

Karina’s letter came about a week after she admitted to having a romantic relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook, confirming a report by Dispatch, a local media outlet, that broke on Feb. 27. The news that a popular K-pop star and a prominent actor who starred in a series of Korean dramas including, the “Alchemy of Souls” series (2022-23) were dating immediately generated a buzz online, triggering mixed reactions among fans.

“I am sorry to have surprised you,” reads Karina’s apology. “I know many of our fans must be disappointed and upset … I want to heal the wounds that I have inflicted. I will become more mature in the days ahead, so please keep an eye out for that.”

In the wake of her “scandal,” some fans criticized the 23-year-old for being an “irresponsible” leader of her group, insisting that the “scandal” will deal a critical blow to aespa’s future career prospects.

Many K-pop fans are very sensitive about their singers’ love lives as they believe romantic relationships can hamper their stars from focusing on their jobs and elevating their careers. Interestingly, some passionate followers also perceive them as their potential love interests, so they easily feel betrayed when dating news about their favorite singers arises.

Korea Times

You can read more at the link, but Karina has had protesters criticizing her for dating. You have to be quite the loser if a K-pop star you like dating someone causes this type of reaction.