Kpop Behind | All the Stories Behind Kpop Stars

Q. You released your first ever solo album. How do you feel? Jennie: You know, all the other BLACKPINK members have been preparing for their solo albums too. I feel as if we're starting all over again. Through my solo album, I want to show my own charm. Q. Don't you feel pressured? Jennie: Of course, I feel pressured because I'm the first one, but I want to enjoy all the things. And I'm thankful that I can rely on the other members. When I was a trainee, I even couldn't imagine making a debut as a solo singer. You know, I've spent so much time in practicing singing and dancing, and I want to prove that the time I spent is not a lost time. Q. So what do you think is the difference between BLACKPINK's album and your solo album? Jennie: Both Jennie of BLACKPINK and solo singer Jennie are myself. I can't say there's a difference between them. However, I sang the entire song as a solo singer. I'm not sure I did it really good, but I did all ...

Do you remember TV audition show "Mix Nine"? The show was broadcast in early 2018, and in the show, Yang Hyun Suk, the CEO of YG Entertainment, visits all the small k-pop agencies and meets their trainees. The initial plan of the show was to choose competitive trainees and help them debut as a team. YG is one of the biggest and the most influential k-pop agencies, while it's really really hard for small k-pop agencies to achieve success in the k-pop industry. At first, Yang Hyun Suk said he wanted to help them, and the k-pop agencies decided to take part in the show because they thought it would be a great opportunity. However, yeah, as you know, the plan went to pieces. The trainees couldn't debut, and Happyface Entertainment, one of the k-pop agencies Yang Hyun Suk visited, lodged a compensation claim against YG. Happyface Entertainment is insisting that the trainees were in a state of total neglect after the show went off the air. What do you think...

Jennie of BLACKPINK is making a debut as a solo singer. The attractive female k-pop idol has already finished filming the music video of her solo debut song, which means her debut is almost ready. When k-pop idols release their new albums, they record their new songs first, and then they practice their choreography. And lastly, they film their music videos. According to YG Entertainment, home to Jennie, her solo debut album will be released soon. Her chances of success are high. As I've written about before, she is very unique. She's sexy and beautiful, but that's not all. She's cute, and you know, she's really lovely. In addition to her stunning appearance, she's a great singer and rapper too. She's a wannabe star among female fans, and at the same time, she's a dream girl among male fans. There are not many female kpop idols who are loved by both male and female fans. In addition, she's receiving the full support of YG, one of th...

Kim Sohee, who has appeared in "Produce 101" made a debut as a solo singer. On November 8, the rookie singer held a showcase for her debut album "The Fillette". At the event, she performed her title song "Sobok Sobok" for the first time, and she did good. It is expected that the pretty female singer will be highly active in the k-pop world as a solo singer, gaining popularity among lots of male fans. Then, who do you think is Kim Sohee's role model? Well, she mentioned IU's name at the showcase. Check out what she said. I discussed with my agency whether I should debut as a solo singer or a member of a girl group. I thought my title song "Sobok Sobok" was perfect for my solo album, and that's why I decided to make a debut as a solo singer. I think the girlish and innocent song is just perfect for me. And my role model is IU. Actually, she's been my role model since I made an appearance in "Produce 101". She...

On July 19, KARD, a new k-pop group produced by DSP media held its debut showcase in Seoul. You know, KARD is a mixed-sex group which is comprised of 4 members, J.Seph, B.M, Somin and Jiwoo, and the group received great attention from global fans even before its official debut. KARD has already released its song such as "Oh NANA", "Don't Recall" and "Rumor", while the group also held its concerts in various countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. So, check out what the KARD members talked about their official debut. Q. Congratulate on your debut. You received great attention from global fans even before your official debut, by the way. How do you feel? A. We're very thankful for our fans' great interest and love. We'll do our best in return for their love, and we'll try to show our own musical characteristics instead of trying to get good results on music charts. Q. What do you think is the reason ...

On July 11, One held a press conference and gave his thoughts on his solo debut. Actually, it is very unusual for a rookie singer to hold a press conference as soon as he debuts, but One could hold his press conference because he's receiving full support from Yang Hyun Suk, the CEO of YG Entertainment, which is one of the biggest k-pop agencies. One is YG's first ever solo male singer in 14 years since SEVEN made a debut in 2003, and Yang Hyun Suk is now expecting him to create a sensation in the k-pop world. So, check out what One talked about his debut at his press conference. Q. You once were a member of hip hop duo 1PUNCH, but you finally made a debut as a solo singer. How do you feel? One: I was dazed before coming here, but now I realized that I made a debut as a solo singer. Many things happened for the past 2-3 years, and I've been trying to learn who I really am. I think I've learned a lot from YG's great musicians such as Teddy and Kush. Q. You ...

Kim Samuel is going to debut as a solo singer. According to the officials, the trainee, who has appeared in Mnet's "PRODUCE 101 Season 2" will release his debut album later this year, while Brave Brothers, a famous k-pop music producer who's running Brave Entertainment, home to Kim Samuel, is currently working on the album. As Brave Brothers has a great affection for Kim Samuel, he is doing his utmost to make the trainee's great debut album. Kim Samuel, who showed outstanding dancing ability on "PRODUCE 101 Season 2" has received great attention from viewers, and it is expected that he will create a sensation in the world of k-pop as a solo singer. <K-pop Secret Vol.4: The Reality of K-pop Idols> K-pop Secret Vol.4 contains stories about the reality of k-pop idols. The author, who has been working as a k-pop journalist since 2010 gives you answers to some questions about the reality of k-pop idols such as “How much do k-pop stars earn?” “...

You know, Jeon Somi is highly active in the Korean entertainment world these days. She has recently received a great deal of attention as a member of Unnies of "Sister's Slam Dunk Season 2", while she will make an appearance in "Idol Drama Operation Team" to be aired from May 29. She's now one of the most sought-after young female idols in the Korean entertainment world, while there are so many fans who love the pretty girl. By the way, isn't it strange that Somi didn't make an official debut yet? It has been more than a year since she became the winner of "PRODUCE 101", and most of the other I.O.I members have already made an official debut. Kim Sejung debuted as a member of Gugudan, while Lim Nayoung and Zhou Jieqiong have been active as members of PRISTIN. So, why do you think Somi didn't make an official debut yet even thought she was the most popular I.O.I member? Actually, JYP is not in a hurry about Somi's debut. Th...

On June 7, I.O.I's Kimg Chungha debuted as a solo singer. She released her solo album and held a debut showcase on the day. Check out what she talked about her first ever album and I.O.I. Q. You finally debuted as a solo singer. How do you feel? Chungha: Actually, I'm very nervous now. I haven't been sleeping well recently. Q. Tell me about your debut album. Chungha: The album is titled "Hands On Me" and it has various meanings such as "Hold my hand" and "Put your hands up". I feel warm when I hear the word "Hand". Q. What do you want to show through your solo album? Chungha: I tried to include a variety of different songs in the album. "Week" which was prereleased a month ago is included in the album, while the album has a ballad track too. And the title track is "Why don't you know". Nucksal is featured as a rapper in the song, and he did a perfect job. Q. Don't you feel pressured because...

B1A4's little bother is going to make a debut soon. According to the officials, WM Entertainment's new boy group is preparing for its debut. The boy group is a 7-member boy group, while the team is WM Entertainment's first boy group since B1A4 debuted in 2011. Nothing is confirmed yet, but it is expected that WM Boys will release its debut album in this summer. WM Boys is comprised of 7 members who have great musical abilities, and the team has totally different musical characteristics from B1A4.

Choi Yoojung and Kim Doyeon of I.O.I will make an official debut soon. According to the officials, the two girls will debut as members of Fantagio Music's new girl group in August. The girl group is a 8-member girl group, and the girl group is called "i-Teen Girls" but the team name is not confirmed yet. And it's notable that Lee Seojung and Jung Haerim, who have appeared in Mnet's "Produce 101" but couldn't become members of I.O.I will join the team too. It is expected that the lovely girls will bring a new sensation to the world of k-pop.

PRISTIN, a rookie girl group of Pledis Entertainment is going to make a debut. The 10-member girl group's first mini album will be released on March 21, while the title track of the album will be "WEE WOO." As PRISTIN is comprised of 10 pretty girls and Lim Nayoung and Zhou Jieqiong, who have gained popularity as members of I.O.I are also members of the girl group, the team is now receiving great attention from k-pop fans. By the way, it is notable that all the PRISTIN members took part in writing songs to be included in their debut album. There are many male idols who take part in writing their songs, but female idols are relatively not active as songwriters and what they usually do is just do something their agencies want. Actually, Pledis is now expecting PRISTIN to become "female SEVENTEEN." Well, the 13-member boy group made a successful debut in 2015 and became one of the hottest k-pop idol groups right away. The group is now very popular not only a...

B1A4 Baro's sister, "I" released her debut album on January 12. Well, the result is not bad. Her debut song "I wish" ranked quite high on various online music charts. By the way, it's notable that the young female singer is receiving attention from people in the k-pop world as the next BoA. As you may know, there has been no successful female solo singer in the k-pop world for the past few years. There are a few reasons for it. First, k-pop agencies didn't want to produce female solo singer's album because they thought it's not profitable. As I mentioned, there has been no successful k-pop female solo singer for the past few years. Second, there are more requirements to become a solo singer than to become a member of a girl group because a solo singer has to do it all by herself on the stage. She should sing well, dance well, and be very attractive and pretty too, which means it's hard for k-pop agencies to find someone who is qualified ...

On November 9, kpop rookie boy group VICTON, comprised of 7 members, Seungwoo, Seungsik, Heo Chan, Sejun, Hanse, Byungchan and Subin held its debut showcase in Seoul. You know, VICTON is receiving attention from people because the team is the first ever boy group of Plan A Entertainment, home to popular kpop girl group Apink. As it has been 6 years since Apink debuted, and it is predicted the girl group will begin to come down from the peak of its career in the near future, Plan A Entertainment is putting much effort into promoting VICTON, stressing the fact that the VICTON members have outstanding musical talents and they can write their own song. Well, do you think VICTON will be able to become one of the most popular kpop idol groups just like Apink was? Check out what the VICTON members talked about their debut and their label mate Apink. BEAST Our role model is BEAST. We respect BEAST because their performance is so gorgeous and we love their music. Especially, Heo Ch...

On April 18, Apink's Jung Eunji released her first ever solo album "Dream." The album has a total of 5 songs including the title track "Hopefully Sky," while Eunji has topped various online music charts with the lyrical music. After releasing the album, she held a press conference for her solo debut and talked about the album. Q. You released your first ever solo album. How do you feel? Eunji: Right before releasing the album, I choked up because many fans said that they missed me so much. And the Apink members cheered for me a lot. At first, it was a little bit embarrassing for me to talk about my solo album with the members, but they celebrated my solo debut first. I was so grateful that the members were rooting for me. Q. Do you think there is any difference between Apink's Jung Eunji and solo singer Jung Eunji? Eunji: I think I sing more lyrical music when I perform as a solo singer. It's interesting for me to sing cheerful songs, but I l...

On October 3, YG Entertainment's new boy group iKON held its debut concert 'SHOWTIME'  at the Gymnastics Stadium in Olympic Park in Seoul. As the concert was aired through Naver V app, some of you might have watched the show. It is very exceptional that a rookie idol group like iKON holds its "debut concert" at the Gymnastics Stadium which is the biggest indoor concert hall in Korea. I went to the concert, and it was good. iKON electrified 13,000 audience by showing high quality performance. The rookie group showed as great performance as top class idol groups such as Big Bang. Of course, it's hard to say iKON can rank with Big Bang, but the iKON members' singing and rapping ability was great. They were better than ordinary kpop idols. After the concert, I could have a conversation with the iKON members and Yang Hyun Suk, who has been giving full support to his new boy group. As it was first time for iKON to hold a concert and talk with journali...

Starship entertainment's rookie hip hop boy group will debut through Mnet's new survival program 'No Mercy'. According to Starship entertainment, the agency's trainees will appear on the program to be aired from December 10 and compete desperately to win a chance to make a debut. The agency's popular artists such as SISTAR, K.will, Boyfriend, Jung Gigo, and Mad Clown will assist the trainees as mentors, while famous Korean hip hop musicians including Rhymer, San E, Giriboy, and Genius Nochang will also appear on the program to offer assistance to the trainees. Yoo Il Han, producer of the program, stated, "Through the brand new survival program, 12 trainees will show collaborative performances with top class artists."

Super Junior-M's Zhoumi will make a debut as a solo singer. According to SM entertainment, Zhoumi's first solo mini album 'Rewind' will be released through various music sites in Korea and China on October 31. He will do his promotional activities for the upcoming album in both countries. The tall and handsome idol star, who is well known for his outstanding singing and dancing ability, has been gaining popularity throughout Asia. He has been chosen as an MC for MBC MUSIC & Chinese video site YOUKU's 'Idol True Colors' and SBS MTV & another Chinese video site TUDOU's 'The Show Season 4'.

AOA made a debut in Japan. On October 1, the girl group released its Japanese debut album 'Mini Skirt'. The single album has a total of 3 songs including the title track 'Mini Skirt', 'Short hair', and 'Get out'. AOA also released a Japanese version of the title track's music video, while the video topped the chart of Japan's video site 'GyaO'. After making big hits with its songs 'Mini skirt' and 'Short hair' in Korea, the girl group has received great attention from Japanese music labels. Check out Japanese version of 'Mini Skirt's music video.