VIVIZ
Debut schedule
: On February 9, the debut date was announced. The album title is Beam Of Prism. It seems like the company is making some effort to ensure the members look “pretty,” but this might be quite different from the aesthetic sense that GFRIEND had towards the end of their career. Apart from VIVIZ, this company also brought in Soyou, Ha Sung-woon, and Huh Gak. The internal directors are Choi Jae-ho and Shin Dong-hyun, with Park Jang-geun as the auditor. It’s practically MC Mong’s company, and it’s likely that the producers here will create the songs for VIVIZ as well.
: Speaking of which, YUJU, who moved to KONNECT Entertainment, has debuted as a solo artist, selling 17,000 albums in five days. There was some media play about her wearing a hanbok in the teaser photos, and the song title is Play, but it awkwardly incorporates an Oriental gimmick that feels outdated and melodramatic. The chorus includes lines like “I gave my whole body and heart to this love like a game” and “After breaking me, you go far away.” It’s unfortunate that this is the result after YUJU’s transition from GFRIEND to the “witch” concept. Even more so, YUJU participated in writing the lyrics herself.
NMIXX
Debut schedule:
: They are set to debut on the 22nd. The title track is called “O.O,” and it’s surprising that they’re already pulling out a self-replication of TT’s concept right from the start. They’re also introducing a new genre called “mix-pop,” which feels very similar to the media play that was done when TWICE’s Like Ooh-Ahh came out. It makes you wonder if this company is constantly focused on finding a replacement for TWICE.
: There seemed to be quite a bit of talk about how pretty the members looked before their debut content started coming out, but now that the teasers have begun, they don’t really look as striking, maybe due to poor photography. The trailer video has a confusing concept, like a mix of LOONA and Street Woman Fighter, and it’s already causing mixed reactions. The opening video, which acts as an introduction, looks almost identical in format to ENHYPEN’s album release intro video, making it seem like they have no pride in originality. Fans seem to have been hoping for pretty, fresh, princess-like members, but the video emphasizes an overly tough image, similar to ITZY, which left some fans feeling disappointed.
: Within the fandom, one piece of content that’s getting a positive response is the surprise live video from Weekly Idol. It was just a clip where fans could see the members’ faces without any flashy production, which felt like the kind of introduction they had been waiting for. However, even here, there’s growing concern that none of the members stand out as a clear center, which is a big deal. The recent rookie teams that have been receiving good reactions all seem to have a reason. STAYC’s average visual level isn’t easy to come by, and IVE’s clear Wonyoung-Yujin center duo is rare. With TWICE, opinions on who’s the prettiest may vary depending on taste, but Nayeon undeniably held the “juicy” charm as the center. NMIXX, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to convey more than the sense that they were simply pieced together.
: Of course, apart from this, the music performance can be quite good. Kepler’s ‘Wadada’ also reached the top 100 daily chart once it continued broadcasting, and Fromis_9, which started with various unfavorable circumstances, achieved a higher ranking than that, indicating a strong public demand for girl groups.
ADOR Girl Group
Instagram
: A red lollipop image was posted on the Instagram account, which fans have interpreted as a hint related to the group’s concept. HYBE’s original story Crimson Heart is set to be released in May, and there’s speculation that this content might be linked to the group’s universe, causing some buzz on Instiz.
: There are still quite a few “Min Heejin kids” in the community, so there’s a certain level of expectation when it comes to design and styling. It feels like if this team does well, LE SSERAFIM could benefit from the synergy as a contrasting counterpart, but it’s a shame that the two groups aren’t tightly aligned in that way.
: Overall, progress on HYBE’s girl group projects has been slow, leading some fans to express frustration about the lack of updates on “Team S.” As odd logic like “Japan is better than China” spreads in the community, there’s even talk that if Sakura wears a hanbok and bows, it could clear up various rumors, but the missed timing is unfortunate. Fans of Kim Chaewon are also starting to feel restless, as Yena’s solo activities are going well, while news about Kim Chaewon remains scarce.
TREASURE
Current whereabouts
: There hasn’t been much attention on whether they’ve wrapped up their promotions or not. Although they launched a dance cover contest for their song “JIKJIN,” the event-related reaction videos have surfaced, but the group hasn’t generated much buzz internally. If Big Bang had released a more upbeat song, TREASURE might have had the chance to ride the wave by putting out a cover, but it’s an awkward position for them to rely on Big Bang’s legacy. TREASURE is the only group that could get away with referencing Big Bang as seniors, and Big Bang’s influence still holds some sway in Japan. However, it’s not being fully utilized.
The Idol Ramyeonators
: Na Young-seok has launched a new show featuring Hyunsuk and Jihoon, who appeared on Fifteen Nights on a Business Trip. The teaser for this new show has been released, and it’s in the familiar Fifteen Nights style, distributed on YouTube. The format shows the two members cooking ramen in their dorm. Fans are saying that Na Young-seok recognized their potential, but this is clearly a repurposing of Ramyun Man, with connections to YG since they’ve already worked with Yoon Eun-hye, Song Minho, and others. It’s clear that this is a company-backed project. Even in the teaser, the members seem to lack both sense and tact.
DKZ
Comeback
: Their new release gives off a strong “small agency vibe,” with both the song, choreography, and music video reflecting this. The title “Cupid” already raised concerns, and the result feels like they were so eager to do something others weren’t doing that they neglected to consider why others weren’t doing it.
: The video is set in a provincial town, with store signs cleverly named after the members. The concept features the members as private investigators, and people come to them with problems. The song sounds so outdated that it could have been released alongside Indigo’s “Please Summer!” and no one would question it. Except for Jaechan, the rest of the group—whether old or new members—looks like they’d be the first to be eliminated in the initial rankings of Produce 101.
: Nevertheless, thanks to the Semantic Error boom, their pre-orders exceeded 60,000, with 25,000 sold on the first day. Their previous album’s best first-week sales were only 1,400. The drama also seems to have had quite a response in China, so a significant portion of the album sales likely came from video call fansigns in China. However, during their comeback, their official account referred to a fansign location as “Taiwan,” sparking protests from Chinese fans. The tweet was deleted, and an apology was issued, but the apology was so groveling that it received negative reactions from Korean online communities. Since there’s a rumor that the company’s CEO is Taiwanese, the situation looked even more pathetic to some. Still, it’s understandable why the agency would want to tap into Chinese capital rather than rely on what might be a fleeting domestic bubble. Especially with a wave of BL dramas likely to flood the market soon.
BTS
Las Vegas
: The recent concert felt very much like a “thanksgiving ceremony” for both the members and fans. RM expressed his emotions with a deep bow, which seemed to help consolidate these feelings. There was a mood of gratitude among international fans who understood that this ceremony was a heartfelt gesture of appreciation and respect, and they were moved by RM showing the best way he could express that. Additionally, the surprise of foreign dancers performing a deep bow on stage at the end of the show naturally completed this flow.
: Jungkook prepared a lot for this tour, making sure to speak English during his remarks and mid-show comments. Initially, when Jungkook spoke English, fans felt proud and grateful, but now the atmosphere has shifted towards admiration for his efforts and ambition as a star. Throughout this leg of the tour, there were many mentions of photos with V and Jin during events, V Live sessions, and paparazzi shots, but Jungkook was undoubtedly the most frequently mentioned in stage photos. Not only as part of the group but also as an individual artist, he reaffirmed his presence by showcasing his best condition on stage.
: Regarding the tour, since there were no major issues, it seems the press-related problems might have lingered longer than expected. Reporter Lim Su-yeon from Cine21 mentioned that there was a larger-scale press tour for the film industry after the Kim Young-ran Act was enacted, but there were no legal issues. If this had been illegal, it would have been reported, but the atmosphere in the media suggests they’re probing without any specific complainants, leading to speculation of them trying to stir controversy.
: Some outlets have published articles with naive interpretations of the legal text, claiming that if an unidentified “mid-tier lawyer” paid for airfare and accommodations, it would be outside the normal range, which is frustrating as it provides anti-fans with quotes to use against them.
Monsta X
Comeback
: It’s an unusual situation for a team to maintain domestic interest after Shownu’s enlistment. It seems like they’ve managed to attract a steady stream of adult women among the older fans who are tired of the trolls and competitive tensions from the larger companies. Rather than an obnoxious concept, they come across as somewhat genuinely streetwise, and now they’re appealing to the so-called “Han-nyeo” (Korean women) who might like the likes of a sweet, young Choi Min-soo when it comes to how they treat their women. Their appeal as a physical group has weakened, and their determination to showcase a hip-hop vibe or performance has also lessened, but their position seems to be solidifying, supported by a fanbase that is growing outside of the stage. As a result, their latest album sold 160,000 copies on the first day. Considering that the initial sales for the “Love Killa” album were also 160,000 copies and the previous album hit 280,000 copies, it seems they still have some momentum left.
iKON
Recent Situation
: It’s a difficult time for them. The YG style of producing has passed its prime, and teams with weaker core appeal are naturally struggling without the company’s support. There’s been an unfair blame placed on B.I, suggesting that his influence is why the team isn’t appearing on major programs. Comments have been made that dismiss their recent activities as merely “schedules only fans watch,” which is insulting to the core fans who have weathered all the ups and downs of the team.
: Additionally, Bobby has been giving off strong vibes that he didn’t want to participate in team activities, implying that he found happiness only through marriage and parenthood. This kind of statement can make fans feel like they are just a means to pay for his child’s formula. Later, Bobby did clarify things in a lengthy post on Weverse, but the fact that the team was sent to these programs without filtering their statements is baffling. It raises questions about why such risky situations were created in the first place.
: After this comeback, they appeared in Killing Balls, but the response was too low for a team with a hit song. It was released in the same week as SEVENTEEN’s Killing Voice, but the number of views was only about 1/5 of SEVENTEEN’s. In addition, the title was initially written as ICON’s Killing Balls, which freaked out overseas fans. It seems like a bad time to do something, and a good time to do a major internal overhaul.
ΤΟ1
Relaunching
: This is a team that has been killed and revived many times, but this time, they removed 3 members and added new members. Moreover, the members who were released were Minsu, Jerome, and Woonggi, but Woonggi was the only one who was mentioned in the community, so there was no way to deal with it. The new members are surprisingly Japanese members and a Korean trainee who appeared on Produce 101 Japan and placed 13th and 16th. I wonder if they’re really thinking of using it as an opening for events such as KCON and other competitions, and then turning it into a Japanese underground idol.
The Boyz
Tour
: They are currently on their European showcase tour, having entered the region in early July for the Universe concert, with an Asia tour still to come. In early August, they have an encore concert at a gymnastics stadium, followed by KCON in LA, which means that if they rush to prepare for a comeback, it will likely be pushed back to the second half of the year. There are concerns about whether they can sell out all three concert dates at the gymnastics stadium. If their comeback hinges on squeezing attendance from the fandom, it could directly impact the initial sales for the comeback, so rushing it could be a risky move.
: Last week, they performed in London during Pride Week, where audience members requested to raise Pride flags. During the encore, it seems a flag was thrown toward the stage, but a member gestured that he couldn’t accept it, implying that his hands were tied.
: On Twitter, some fans interpreted this as “polite support,” but it’s noted that during their 2019 European tour, members had accepted a request to raise a rainbow flag. At that time, they likely responded without much thought, but it appears the company has decided to manage the situation more conservatively this time. Considering that K-pop is a business targeting specific audiences—especially in Europe—this approach might need reevaluation. Furthermore, The Boyz have multiple characters within the group, not just one associated with the concept of inclusivity.
The Boyz
New
: Even during the tour, New was often seen shopping for Chanel. A week before the concert, he mentioned a song that fans wanted to hear during a fan meeting, but he candidly referred to it as his “least favorite song,” which sparked quite a backlash. Typically, when older songs are mentioned during V-Lives or other interactions, other members join in and sing along, but New has consistently shown his dislike for certain tracks. It seems he harbors significant resentment towards the team during their debut phase, which some speculate is rooted in the changes after Road to Kingdom. Fans who have been with the group from the beginning have noted that songs released after Kingdom have shifted away from the youthful charm of their earlier work, leading to further discontent directed at New.
: Amidst this, a photo of New surfaced on the team’s official account where he posed in a full Miu Miu outfit, kneeling and exposing his stomach. This led to a considerable amount of criticism. The Miu Miu styling had already worn thin among fans, and community reactions to the outfit were generally negative. However, with New’s provocative pose, it seemed to unleash a wave of h*m*phobia. Some responses pointed out that this was similar to the methods used to attack female idols, urging people to stop. The fandom desires a queer member who embodies a cute, playful character akin to a protagonist in a light-hearted BL universe, rather than one who has a more complex persona. It highlights the importance of character building and the details that come with it. Additionally, since New has been perceived unfavorably, the lack of shield from fans during early attacks likely contributed to the situation.
Stray Kids
Challenge
: After Felix participated in the Zico challenge, it seems the fandom’s demand prompted this team to show some response to challenges as well. They are collaborating with NiziU for a mutual challenge. While it may have been tricky to create contact points outside of their activity periods, doing this event with NiziU doesn’t seem particularly beneficial for the team. When they are with TWICE, the members might come across as exam repeaters, which diminishes their appeal. I think the concern with ITZY is that Stray Kids members might end up being compared unfavorably due to their dancing skills. So having NiziU might be safer.
: The comparison with ITZY isn’t overly negative. There was a day during a live broadcast when Hyunjin danced to choreography from other groups upon request, including NewJeans’ “Hype Boy.” However, his dancing was quite bad, and it became quite a topic in the community. Hyunjin is recognized as the main dancer of the team, but this is often not well perceived externally, which can be attributed to his lack of dancing skills.
ENHYPEN
KCON
: The schedule wasn’t easy to manage. However, there are still points that need attention, and it feels like various issues are arising with ENHYPEN in those areas.
: There were monitoring reports that the members looked very tired, and this doesn’t necessarily point to just a lack of condition care; it could also reflect their mental state or psychological compensation. Members need to be encouraged and supported to ensure the quality of their performance, but if this doesn’t happen, we might end up with results like those seen at this KCON. They worked hard, yet the evaluations were poor, leading to accumulated dissatisfaction among the members, and that negative energy ultimately affects the team’s momentum.
: It’s been said on DC that Sunghoon looks uglier, and there have been many screenshots critiquing him, so I checked the video, and it does seem like there might be some swelling or issues with his face. Sunghoon has also received frequent feedback regarding his styling. If he has a tendency to swell easily, he should look for solutions, and it seems he needs to put in the effort to avoid risks like weight gain. The team isn’t ugly, but they do have a look that can be polarizing, so Sunghoon needs to fulfill a more stable demand for attractiveness, similar to how Minhyun did for NU’EST.
SVT
SEVENTEEN Nana Tour
: Of course, with Woozi’s efforts combined with the teasing of the Nana Tour, the fandom can enjoy the situation a bit more comfortably. The recording and airing dates of the broadcasts are quite far apart, but 15 Nights is continuously providing issue management, gradually releasing content like sneak previews and secret screenings, which allows the fandom to stay engaged with the promotions. This approach might risk feeling overly calculated or repetitive, but most of the snippets released have received positive reactions for being entertaining, so this strategy seems to be working. When it comes to Nana Tour, rather than just the core fandom, a broader audience appears to be excited, making it difficult for trolls to latch onto it easily.
: However, a recent area of concern is the rampant ego struggles of overseas fandoms, which may lead to unexpected controversies regarding broadcast scenes that Pledis hasn’t reviewed. A few days ago, Youngji revealed a text message from DK, showcasing their relationship as a caring older brother versus a MZ (Millennial-Z) younger sister, which was amusingly embraced as a meme in the community and fandom. However, this led to Youngji posting an apology in English, possibly due to complaints from international fans.
: Moreover, amid the Israel-Palestine situation, some international fans have been excessively vocal about expecting K-pop idols to be “educated” regarding companies like Starbucks and McDonald’s. This has resulted in a surge of complaints on platforms like Weverse and Twitter, with certain fans wanting to nitpick anything from reality shows that involve overseas travel. This makes it a particularly tricky time, and I’m worried that 15 Nights might need to prepare in advance to navigate these issues.
TripleS
Imploration
: TripleS’ unit Crystal Eyes has debuted and is supposed to be active, but after appearing once on M Countdown, they haven’t been seen on music shows. Representative Jeong Byeong-ki also posted directly in their Discord group. As is typical for Discord posts, it’s quite detailed, but the main point is that “the current state of music broadcast activities remains uncertain due to figures and forces trying to undermine TripleS.” There are suspicions from outsiders that, since they have recruited members from LOONA, Blockberry is exerting influence behind the scenes.
: While the actual circumstances are unclear, I understand the feeling that something needs to be done when FIFTY FIFTY’s momentum is halted and they’re not appearing on music shows. However, the way it’s being done feels overly blunt and awkward. Even more striking than the revelations posted on Discord is a blog entry where he names each member of Crystal Eyes and expresses his affection for them in writing.
: He wrote things like, “Which finger wouldn’t hurt, but meeting Yoon Seoyeon has been the greatest fortune of my life” and “I’m grateful to have met these gem-like kids, and I apologize for my shortcomings.” It’s a very emotional tone, reminiscent of a startup CEO who drives a Benz while only providing instant coffee for employees and then apologizes for not buying them Dolce Gusto machines. It’s cringe-worthy, especially since he centered the text on the page. In the comments, you see the typical responses like “Byong-ki hyungnim~” and other clichéd male-centered comments. He even confessed in that blog that the 10 billion won investment in LOONA was a bluff he created himself, which makes me think he must be going through a tough time lately.
BLACKPINK
Jisoo
: Jisoo has a stronger fanbase in East Asia and the Great China regions than in Korea or North America. Like Lisa, members with a strong Asian fanbase often find themselves involved in unnecessary emotional turmoil due to certain incidents. Recently, there was an issue when Dior’s official Instagram account uploaded photos of their ambassadors, consolidating the posts into one for Korea. The first photo featured Kim Yuna, which caused some problems.
: Although Jisoo’s photo was included in the post, the thumbnail that appeared when browsing the feed was Kim Yuna, which upset fans. Jisoo’s fandom argued that there are more Jisoo fans who contribute to the brand, so they expressed their dissatisfaction with Dior, leading to widespread discussion. Ultimately, Dior addressed the situation by separately uploading photos and videos of Jisoo, bringing the incident to a close.
: This tendency for unnecessary conflicts arising from the value of individual members is a notable characteristic of specific regional fanbases. When the title of luxury brand ambassador is involved, these conflicts tend to escalate and repeat more intensely, leading to considerable fatigue for those outside the fandom regarding the related information.
: Additionally, as information about Jisoo surfaces, various issues concerning her personal fanbase are also mentioned in communities. Rumors regarding Rose’s dating scandal and drug allegations are being linked to the Tiffany ambassador situation, suggesting that it was orchestrated by Jisoo’s fandom. If this escalates, there might be a possibility for some decisive actions to be taken, but since these stories are circulating as hearsay within the community, they are likely to be brought up as needed throughout her solo activities.
SVT
Issues
: Hoshi and Joshua’s Bro & Marble held a production presentation and is approaching its premiere. Of course, if the program succeeds, it could create opportunities for various promotions leading up to a comeback in the second half of the year. However, with Lee Seung-gi as the main host, there will still be lingering negative perceptions associated with him. Given the current popularity of free-form travel programs like Born to be Global, it’s hard to expect a travel show centered around sponsorship in Dubai to do particularly well.
: That said, Ji Seokjin being part of Yoo Jaesuk’s Running Man lineup means it won’t be entirely without significance in terms of expanding connections in the variety show realm. Additionally, they reportedly collaborated on the OST with Prism, which could set a precedent for future cases where SEVENTEEN members are recruited alongside music releases.
Baekho
Solo preparation
: Baekho has opened a personal YouTube channel. There’s a difference in timing, as Minhyun has over 90,000 subscribers, while Baekho has yet to reach 10,000. It would be nice if he had more opportunities to promote the channel.
: There have been sightings of filming for Beat Coin, but it’s disappointing that the show isn’t gaining traction. The production feels quite shallow compared to the member lineup. Honestly, I wish Baekho could appear on Gym Jong Kook’s show. However, given that this channel has no shortcomings, it might not be easy to make that contact.
BLACKPINK
Lisa
The appearance in Crazy Horse Show in Paris has led to a significant decline in public image. It seems that the member views the n*dity itself as a challenge or an act of empowerment, but the way it’s presented lacks a coherent context. Instead of incorporating it into a meaningful performance, it feels like they’ve jumped straight into a burlesque show, which comes off as quite naive. This has further connected to the members attending in support, resulting in considerable damage to the team’s overall image. Fortunately, since this group has never themed their work around girl power or gender issues, they might be able to recover from this to some extent. After all, they have always focused on heteros*x*al relationships.
EXO
D.O
Here’s the translation:
:”tvN’s <Kong Kong Pat Pat> has aired its first episode, achieving a 3.4% viewership rating. Na Youngseok PD’s previous work, <Earth Arcade> Season 2, premiered with a 3.5% rating, while his earlier program <My Brother Maya> had a first episode rating of 3.8% and a finale rating of 1.5%. Given that this is Gwang-soo’s return to variety shows with Na Youngseok, I expected some level of response. However, it seems that the program was almost pushed in as a ‘savior’ by tvN, raising the question of whether it could hold its own in that timeslot. With the media landscape changing quarterly, it’s a challenging period.
: In terms of content, it doesn’t feel like the new production team has reflected or contemplated anything fresh like they did with <Earth Arcade>. Still, I think Na Young-seok can keep the show afloat without major failures, and he’s probably the only figure in the variety world who can generate that kind of expectation. Therefore, he is a key player, but at the same time, I imagine he’s quite anxious about running out of resources. How well SEVENTEEN can create synergy with Na Young-seok at this time will be crucial.
: As for <Flower Youth>, unless there’s an unexpected turn of events, I think it will receive a good response. However, with the members’ military enlistments and various issues coming up, it’s important for SEVENTEEN and Pledis to consider how they can leverage Na Young-seok as an ally. Those from broadcasting backgrounds still have a sense of give-and-take. With SEVENTEEN cooperating at critical moments for <Egg is Coming>, they could strategically include Baekho and other Pledis/Hybe artists in the long run. Oh, in this program, D.O is just playing the role of reacting to Kwangsoo. It really is a Kwangsoo one-man show.”
IVE
Struggling
:They couldn’t achieve 1st place on Music Bank. Their performance was so poor that they struggled to even be nominated. It seems like the fandom was hoping that once the AKMU boom faded, they would be able to rise, but the mood turned into despair as SEVENTEEN performed better than expected.
: There hasn’t been much reaction on overseas charts; the Billboard 200 chart didn’t even see them enter, and they barely made it to 181 on the Global 200 chart. In comparison, NMIXX is around #122 on the Billboard Global 200. Everyone is aware of these chart entry cuts, which has led to rumors that IVE’s North American sales are under 3,000 copies. With such a small direct supply in Japan, there are growing questions about how they managed to sell 1.6 million copies. To defend against this, they would have had to show a strong domestic fandom core, but even that is proving difficult now, which is truly a crisis.
: The song itself has also seen a noticeable drop in response, and since they aren’t a team known for their dance skills, there hasn’t been much reaction to challenges either. An Yujin’s participation in the Smoke Challenge before their comeback even received negative feedback. This highlights a weakness where they have relied too heavily on the ‘popularity’ factor, which is strong yet the most ambiguous foundation.
: It seems like the company was really pressed for time, scheduling a comeback live at 10 PM on a weekday. With An Yujin and Na Young-seok having a ‘daughter-father’ chemistry, it might have been better to keep things light and focus on building buzz instead of having all the members attend to talk about the new album, which felt really awkward. It’s like the situation on the Calm Man channel where idols were just coming out—Na Young-seok doesn’t seem to know much about idols, and his questions were so poor that it became uncomfortable to listen. The members were trying hard to ease the atmosphere with an awkward uncle, but any small misstep could make it seem foolish, which was nerve-wracking.
: It looks like they quickly pushed this forward after seeing the reaction to SEVENTEEN, but the company didn’t seem to grasp how different it is for all the members to perform live with Na Young-seok, especially since An Yujin couldn’t hide her pressure in the middle. Looking back, it doesn’t seem like An Yujin wanted to do the Smoke Challenge on her own, and I’m a bit worried about the flow where the artist is becoming overly exhausted and heading toward burnout.
(G)I-DLE
First week sales
: Pre-orders reached 700,000, with first-week sales at 670,000. Even though ‘Tomboy’ is a hit song, after ‘Queendom’, the first-week sales barely broke 170,000 after gradually rising by more than 100,000. This time, the support from China has been explosive. Reports say that ‘Nude’ even topped the charts on Chinese music sites, suggesting that the Chinese fandom is vicariously supporting through the Korean charts. For now, they’ve achieved first place in both first-week sales and digital charts.
: However, the Chinese market faces increased uncertainty with Xi Jinping’s third term. Even though album sales are currently high, it’s unclear what will happen moving forward.
Lee Sooman
The King
: A documentary titled <Lee Soo-man: The King of K-Pop> is set to be released on Amazon Prime. Most reactions suggest that it feels like a Johnnys CEO type of approach, and there are even comments asking if they will include things like Interpol and Like’s project work if they’re going to film a documentary. Given that it’s for Amazon Prime, it doesn’t seem like content made for Korean fans, which makes the intentions clearer. If this kind of approach continues, there will undoubtedly be points of internal conflict for the management and producers in the post-Lee Soo-man era, and it could be interesting if there’s a way to stir that up.
: However, the studio producing this documentary is called <This Machine>, which has also made documentaries about Billie Eilish and Elton John, and continues to contact big names in the music industry. The article came out exclusively in the media outlet Deadline, which mentions this production in the headline. Elton John was sold to Disney+, and Billie Eilish was sold to Apple, while Lee Soo-man is with Amazon Prime. This suggests that there’s someone behind this project who is eager for such content to come to light. If a foreign studio talks about Lee Soo-man, they will inevitably have to revisit the origins and development of K-pop, which is the foundation of the legacy fantasy that currently supports Lee Soo-man. But I feel like I’ve already seen similar videos on YouTube Prime.
LE SSERAFIM
Eunchae
: It seems there’s some backlash regarding the maknae concept behind the scenes. This might indicate that the concept is resonating strongly, as the jealousy and dissatisfaction stem from the question of why this team’s maknae is receiving such special treatment when every team has a maknae. Since they don’t have a particularly strong vocal or rap position, the antis refer to the ‘Lucky Kim Sook’ phenomenon, where the person gained attention due to the benefits of someone else’s departure, which the antis have latched onto. Additionally, with the recent start of <Eunchae’s Star Diary>, interactions with boy groups have increased, leading to heightened jealousy or animosity toward Eunchae, which seems to have become a shared agenda. Overall, the dissatisfaction can be summarized as: the ‘loved character’ is being overly emphasized, turning the other members into figures like an aunt or a mother, and questioning why the pretty maknae should care for other boy groups instead of just her own.
BTS
Suga
: Touring data has been released. Ticket sales are going smoothly, and it was announced that the New York concert will generate around 8 billion won in revenue from two performances. In the past, the fandom would have cited this as part of promotional efforts, but since the announcement regarding dynamic pricing, there’s been a subtle sense of discontent among fans regarding profits. Recent episodes, like the free light stick giveaway at a Cho Yong-pil concert, have contributed to a steadily negative sentiment toward HYBE’s profit-seeking attitude. They are a company leading price increases across the industry, and the core argument is that while pursuing profits, they overlook consumer rights. It has become common to see critical columns or articles related to HYBE quoting this sentiment without verification.
: A photo with Shihyuk was also released. His gestures of directly caring for the BTS members are always meaningful actions.
BTS
Jungkook
: With news of the July solo album coming out, there has been a shift in public opinion both within and outside the fandom.
: Outside, there’s a significant interest in how NewJeans, who are set to make a comeback in July, and the big cards from HYBE will ‘affect’ each other. Internally, there’s already a flow of caution emerging.
: The provocative content suggests that among the members, Jungkook’s overseas streaming performance is the weakest—any success he has is seen as being achieved by riding on the coattails of other artists’ songs, leading to doubts that he won’t meet expectations if he goes solo. Additionally, there’s a notion that Jungkook’s fandom is primarily older, which may hinder proper support for his solo activities. Given that Shihyuk has been relatively direct in raising expectations for Jungkook’s solo work on social media, it seems this reflects some underlying jealousy and anxiety.
EXO
CBX
: Back to square one. It seems like he recklessly threw out some kind of betrayal without any preparation, and used a rather unimpressive lawyer, which really tarnished Baekhyun’s image. Chen and Xiumin are members who don’t have much left to lose. Essentially, the core of the team’s factional divide was between Baekhyun and D.O., but it seems Baekhyun’s confidence has been shaken. In the midst of it all, Baekhyun hurriedly wrote on Bubble, ‘Thank you for believing in me… I’m sorry for making things dizzy and difficult. I’m still Baekhyun.’ He’s smart, but this incident really highlights the limits of his shallow depth, making it quite embarrassing to watch.
EXO
Promotion
: There has been some discontent among fans about the short duration of their music show promotions, but the worry that ‘EXO will sweep the music show 1st places, but won’t have the chance for an encore or to show any promises’ hasn’t really materialized, which has somewhat diluted the reasons for dissatisfaction. It’s understandable that fans feel a bit disappointed since it’s been a long time since the team’s comeback, but there are also movements within the fandom trying to identify blame, citing reasons like the delays caused by the Chen Baek-ssi issue before the comeback or D.O.’s movie promotion schedule right after, which prevents them from extending their activities.
: BTS has become an untouchable entity, and it seems there’s a growing interest in targeting NCT Dream as a way to reassess their status within SM. Recently, EXO appeared as guests on <Eunchae’s Star Diary>, and fans have been consciously posting compliments about Eunchae everywhere. The unnatural reactions indicate that they were indeed aware of the reputation surrounding NCT Dream.
Baekhyun
: It seems he’s feeling a bit anxious, as the team hasn’t revived as much as hoped, and he’s certainly aware of his shaky position. He even turned on an Instagram live stream at 7 AM to show fans his morning stretching routine with a foam roller. While he’s always been good at communicating with fans, showing such a natural side feels like a move influenced by Jungkook, making it hard to deny.
: It seems fans wanted to make a big issue out of this, digging into the reasons why it wasn’t reflected in the trends. The truth of the matter is uncertain, but they’ve been spreading the word that they received a response from the company stating that ‘the trend was blocked due to a massive increase in hateful actions, including slander and insults towards members, as well as cruel and harmful images in posts’ regarding Baekhyun’s name.
: When they just made their comeback, there were often cases where Baekhyun and D.O. expressed ambition to rejuvenate the team as a unit, but it seems that the fandom has once again split along the Baekhyun and D.O. lines, reinforcing the original struggles for recognition.
EXO
EXODUS
: While Baekhyun is causing a scene, it’s ultimately D.O. who steps back first. Considering how much D.O. fans were mocking Baekhyun during that chaos, it’s clear who the bear is and who the fox is in this relationship.
: When the movie flopped, D.O. stayed quiet, but when the mood lightened with <Eunchae’s Star Guide>, he calmly wrapped things up with a straightforward announcement about ‘independence from the manager.’ This contrast with Baekhyun, who was busy meeting MC Mong and making a fuss, is quite striking. Meanwhile, Suho posted on Bubble, insisting he would guarantee EXO’s group activities. It’s been a long time since EXO has been able to function as a complete group, and it’s uncertain if fans truly want that anymore.
: Chen has just had his wedding after having two kids. Apparently, he spent a huge amount on flowers. While it’s understandable that he wanted a lavish ceremony to show off, fans are really unhappy with the reality of his choices as a husband, making reconciliation impossible.
: Photos from the wedding surfaced first, and fans were happy about seeing the members, but when it was revealed who the main guests were, it soured the mood. There’s also a lot of anger about ‘Butterfly Girl’ being played as the background music at the wedding. Ultimately, this all boils down to differing views on ownership of an idol’s ‘self’ and the duration of that ownership, which suggests that just stepping back from the idea of a complete EXO might be the best solution.
SHINee
Taemin
: Next Monday, a solo album will be released. The music video teaser has been released, and it’s definitely over the top
: Before that, even when the sampler or photos came out, the objectification was intense and a bit unsettling, but the video teaser is just terrifying. There are kidnapped boys being forced into violence, and while it initially seems like it could unfold like a Kazuo Ishiguro novel, it ultimately veers into a rather shotacon-like direction. And, crucially, it’s creepy that Taemin, who served in the military, is making this ‘boy’ who is so innocent and pure that he even looks ‘guilty’. In previous conversations among the members, others joked self-deprecatingly, saying things like, “Let’s stop and come back as men” and “We haven’t been boys for a long time,” but Taemin has seriously expressed a desire to continue being a boy. There’s a sense that the artist’s anxiety about only being able to sell only as a “boy” and the unfiltered way it’s being presented is creating a negative synergy.
: Amidst this, the album specifications were revealed, and there were some murmurs among fans that the packaging, resembling a shoebox, and the boyish photos might be plagiarizing V’s solo album design. It seemed like there was some backlash from overseas fans, who tend to go wild at any hint of “SM stealing,” but ultimately, both V and Taemin fall under the same “boy” template, which is a bittersweet happening for those in the know. Of course, SM fans in the community took a serious stance, insisting that nothing is the same and chastising the discussion by asking if there’s even a hint of originality in V’s album.
: Meanwhile, the most interesting promotion related to Taemin is probably his appearance on <Suchwita>. The fact that an active SM idol accepted this approach with HYBE content is definitely a topic of interest.
HYBE
MBC
: The issue of resolving the relationship with MBC has garnered significant attention in communities.
: In particular, the clear expression of an “apology” from MBC has created a considerable amount of confusion among anti-HYBE factions. Most fans and community users are primarily curious about when HYBE artists will start appearing on <Music Core>, while the anti-HYBE side has been actively looking for minor points to criticize within the articles, trying to create ongoing defamation issues.
: Since it’s hard to discern the external signs of a reconciliation mood with MBC, the general understanding seems to be that they faced limitations in producing broadcasts without teams like BTS, SEVENTEEN, and NewJeans. On the other hand, anti-HYBE supporters are interpreting the cooperation with the broadcasting company as a sign that HYBE is preparing to get involved in producing variety shows and dramas. There’s a gradual shift in narrative suggesting that they’re expanding their influence, starting from gaming to broader areas.
: For now, it’s clear that “HYBE doing something” can be disadvantageous in public opinion without a solid output. There’s a need to organize schedules around win-win events that arise from HYBE artists appearing on MBC. ENHYPEN, who are set to make a comeback soon, could especially benefit from this. Programs like <The Infinite Challenge> and <The Manager> require relatively simple planning, so it might be worthwhile to actively pursue appearances for HYBE artists on these shows.
: The most accessible broadcast could be <Midnight Horror Stories>, where it seems like a good time to reach out for artists with strong narration skills, regardless of their activity periods, as a way to break the ice. It might also be worth trying to include members of fromis_9 in this context.
SEVENTEEN
Nana Tour
: Separately, <Pingyego> is gaining more popularity as the year comes to a close, and the recent awards ceremony episode reached a peak. I’ve also noticed something regarding VTubers: it’s crucial for successful YouTubers to manage their “line” politics effectively, and figures like Na Young-seok and Yoo Jae-suk are maximizing their assets in this regard.
: In the awards ceremony episode, there was a mention of Hoshi. Although he didn’t win the Rookie of the Year award, he was still mentioned, so it would be nice to bring him back for an appearance when time allows, addressing the absence issue. This could be an opportunity to position him as an idol who works well with both Na Young-seok and Yoo Jae-suk, effectively claiming a neutral ground in content.
: Also, it was Ji Seok-jin who actively supported Hoshi, but it seems he has been dealing with health issues recently. Ji Seok-jin has a good image as a harmless older figure among the idol target demographic, so it would be nice for Hoshi to check in on him or visit him in the hospital to strengthen their relationship. It feels more like a matter of taking care of someone rather than trying to gain something.
LE SSERAFIM
End of year
: This year, the reactions to the red carpet have been consistently positive. The outfits for the red carpet are on point, and they even change into new clothes and style their hair upon entering, which shows their commitment. It’s fortunate that their efforts have been well-received. Other girl groups often play it safe with black outfits for the red carpet or, like NewJeans, express dissatisfaction over spoiling their stage outfits, making LE SSERAFIM’s red carpet appearances get even more attention in the community. This adds a layer of enjoyment for those watching and subtly enhances the team’s image as transformation girls.
: As for the stage, conditions at MAMA have improved, allowing for better visibility of the performance structure and increasing positive reactions. However, there are still disadvantages related to lip-syncing. At the AAA awards, there was some criticism regarding lip-syncing, but it was somewhat diluted when Im Young-woong obviously lip-synced during his dance song. There are definitely people looking to exploit this team’s weaknesses, and the fact that they’re starting to target live performance skills is a warning sign. They need to continuously find ways to strengthen their performance. Considering future performances, it’s clear they need to find a way to overcome any controversies related to live singing.
: The KBS stage had a somewhat predictable structure, but it was executed well, resulting in positive reactions. There is a feeling of repetition with elements like narration, forward marching, and descent, and since LE SSERAFIM is currently the only team that can appeal in this way, it might seem like their unique trademark. However, for the next album, a new stage configuration will be necessary.
: One particularly positive aspect of the year-end events is that each member is managing to showcase their own moments. If the MAMA red carpet highlighted Sakura, the collaboration stage focused on Yoonjin, and the AAA event brought attention to Chaewon, then KBS was definitely centered around Kazuha. There were many compliments about how well her outfit suited her, and it’s not just about the color red; the issues of saturation and fit also play a role. It would be beneficial to pay careful attention to Kazuha’s styling in this regard.
BOYNEXTDOOR
: At first, there were many scenes of the members actively experiencing the cold weather while filming content, but unfortunately, issues arose at Panda World regarding stamp abuse and drink restrictions. Panda World is already a place with many restrictions for general visitors, so these problems were especially sensitive. Comments like “This is the first team that’s had issues despite so many celebrities visiting” and “An idol less famous than Fu Bao is causing a fuss” were particularly damaging to the fandom, leading to considerable stress within the community.
: As the year-end awards season passed and the team didn’t secure any rookie awards, their standing became clearer, highlighting a complex of issues that touch on multiple sensitivities. This situation really calls for more attention to internal risks within the fandom.
: From the outside, since Fu Bao wasn’t actually hurt and many general visitors also bring drinks and cause disturbances, the incident will likely fade over time. However, fans might feel more wounded by this experience. Therefore, it could be important for the company to demonstrate a clear commitment to actively reducing risks in the future while appealing to a long-term vision.
ENHYPEN
Jake
” Recently, people mentioend the political interference struggles of overseas fandoms, particularly around brands like Starbucks and McDonald’s, have intensified due to the Israel issue. Since South Korea is not a participating country, it’s essentially the wisest choice to wait for the issue to pass. However, with the hosting of <Golden Disc>, Indonesian fans have taken the lead in excessively appealing to fans about related issues through platforms like Weverse. There was a problematic situation when Jake agreed with a post from an overseas fan urging people not to consume at Starbucks and left a response expressing regret.
: The fact that overseas fans use the term “education on the issue” has also caused considerable discomfort among Korean fans, creating a risk. This issue transcends personal judgment and falls into a much more complex political realm, so there’s a possibility that Jake’s response could suddenly become a problem later on, necessitating continuous monitoring of the situation. Moreover, even if this situation is resolved as simply Jake being kind in his response, it could serve as a tipping point that accelerates the unique identity struggles within the ENHYPEN fandom. If the fandom begins to unite in a more localized way to elicit reactions from the members, the situation could become complicated.
: As for Jake, it seems he still finds it difficult to discern when it’s appropriate to respond to certain issues. Reflecting on the Itaewon incident, it was Jake’s reactions rather than the situation itself that complicated matters, giving a sense that the understanding of the situation hasn’t been fully resolved. There might be a need to revisit case studies to better detect risks fundamentally. Additionally, issues related to Jay’s historical remarks and Jake’s promises regarding cover songs require resolution, but it’s important to consider that the weight the members feel about these incidents could differ, which affects how they process them.
: Additionally, after the related issue arose, Weverse has reportedly taken a passive approach by imposing restrictions on the terms used by overseas fandoms in their collective efforts. A strange situation developed due to an ENHYPEN manager. To summarize roughly, it’s about the “Starbucks boycott promise” incident, where the manager posted a photo of a local coffee brand on their Instagram while in Jakarta. This led overseas fans to react by saying, “Even the manager agrees with our opinion!” It didn’t stop there; the sentiment turned into, “This shows the effectiveness of education. Let’s work even harder!” This has increased stress and anxiety among Korean fans.
SHINee
Guilty
: The response to Yeonjun’s cover stage of “Guilty” was positive, but it seems to have triggered some Taemin fans. With a significant number of followers, Taemin fans reportedly reported the fan account that posted important photos of Yeonjun, leading to the account being deleted. While they attempt to explain their displeasure with Yeonjun’s involvement, they fail to gain any sympathy from the outside. The more they react, the more they reveal the petty and hysterical nature of a stagnant fandom, putting SHINee’s fandom in a crisis.
: It’s not the first time that “Guilty” or a SHINee song has been covered, and Yeonjun covering a sunbae’s song from 2023 isn’t new either, so there seems to be no explanation other than that they’re “losing it.” Furthermore, it became known that Taemin mentioned on Bubble, “I really wanted to perform solo at year-end stages or award shows, and yesterday Yoonjun fulfilled that wish for me,” which sparked a debate about whether the artist is using fans as pawns, leading to unnecessary back-and-forth arguments.
: Ultimately, SHINee’s fandom tends to be strongly immersed in pride over being “talented,” “unique,” and “distinctive.” This makes it difficult for them to endure losing the spotlight, and fans are deeply entrenched in blind faith in the team’s abilities. However, as visible achievements are not materializing, there’s an analysis that their obsession is only deepening. Taemin not participating in <Golden Disc> was primarily due to his music and album performance not being up to par. Moreover, the issue lies with SM not sending out the artists. It seems unjust to vent frustrations on innocent juniors.
: Additionally, while “Guilty” had its share of conceptual and interpretive issues, it was largely overlooked due to the strength of the SM fandom dominating the community. The song itself gained some attention from juniors’ challenges, and reportedly, after Yeonjun’s cover stage, the song’s performance indicators increased overseas. At this point, it seems more like ingratitude than hysteria. Honestly, considering how IU was mistreated over “Zeze,” it feels like Taemin’s “Guilty” album was just dismissed without thought. Following this incident, Yeonjun’s “Guilty” is being reexamined.
“I’m finally mustering the courage to post this. I’ve also tipped off several media outlets, but they say it’s difficult to publish an article.
Contrary to claims that no reverse-viral activities took place, I want to highlight that many parts mentioned in this report have actually been carried out as planned
. The report includes a lot of disparaging remarks not just about artists, but also about industry professionals. I’ve heard that executives from the relevant label are organizing their responses by claiming they haven’t seen it either.
The purpose of this report is clear: someone gave instructions with a specific goal in mind, and others faithfully followed those instructions.
There are recipients who have condoned and overlooked this for over two years after seeing the report.
If you find it hard to believe, just ask HYBE. They won’t deny it.
I hope the impact of this document doesn’t remain merely as gossip, as the files are the same.”
original post: here
1. Wow they mentioned SHINee…
2. Wow they seriously lost their minds
3. Why are they acting like that towards DKZ? Ah I’m pissed off
4. I’m gonna barf
5. No but they really mentioned VIVIZ…? Gfriend should be the ones swearing at you
6. Gfriend…ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
7. I seriously want to k*ll them
8. Wow and the first 20 pages leaked were supposed to have been carefully selected
9. They’re even swearing at fandoms, what the? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
10. Wow they’re calling Jungkook fans ‘hags’ ㅋㅋ
11. They wrote hate comments on everyone but LE SSERAFIM ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
12. What differs from them and Sojang?
13. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is why they didn’t apologize, they need to just close their business. Ah my blood pressure is rising from this
14. Wow… Even I got hurt reading those
15. Their wording is honestly appalling
New post
