When you think of a boy-next-door, what springs to mind? Probably someone approachable, friendly, cute, and charming. And all of these things are true of BOYNEXTDOOR, too! However, whilst all of these might be BOYNEXTDOOR attributes, if you’re not ONEDOOR, you might not know how lowkey anarchic their performances can be, too. Honestly? They’re kinda the cheeky chaps of 5th Gen.
As well as their iconic energy, we think BOYNEXTDOOR are criminally underrated. They’re great vocalists, dancers, rappers, and are predominantly self-produced! We’re here, along with ONEDOOR, to give them the appreciation they deserve with these nine BOYNEXTDOOR performances that need to be celebrated!
‘Pretty U’ (SEVENTEEN Cover) On Music Bank
We’re starting off with one of our favorite K-Pop covers! BOYNEXTDOOR are known for their approachable, cutesy energy, so it makes sense that they would absolutely kill this performance of SEVENTEEN’s ‘Pretty U.’ Each member tackled their parts so well, and the live vocals were out of this world.
‘But Sometimes’ On Studio Choom
It would be basically impossible to have any list of K-Pop performances without including Studio Choom, right? We always love the staging and camera work, and ‘But Sometimes’ is no exception! BOYNEXTDOOR are underrated dancers TBH, but watching this video would fix that. Plus, we love how it shows the ties between the lyrics and the choreo (see wide shoulders and standing in the metro), especially in the first verse!
‘Serenade’ On It’s Live
Another performance we always look forward to? Any time that our faves appear on It’s Live! BOYNEXTDOOR are particularly well-suited to this style of performance, and we absolutely adore how ‘Serenade’ showcases the rapline’s vocals.
‘Smart’ (LE SSERAFIM Cover) On BOYNEXTDOOR TONI3HT
We could hardly leave this out, could we? From their ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ era comeback show, this LE SSERAFIM cover is on a whole other level. BND’s leader, Myung Jaehyun, wrote his own rap verse for this version, and honestly? We’ve never been the same since. He’s the greatest and the Gatsby!
‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ On INKIGAYO
Yes, we’re still upset over the end of Yeonjun, Jihu, and Woonhak’s time hosting INKIGAYO, thanks for asking. At least to ease the pain, a week after their final time hosting, we got Woonhak returning as a special MC for BOYNEXTDOOR’s comeback, and performances of ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ and ‘OUR.’ It might not have healed our hearts, but it did distract us whilst we tried to learn the ‘EW&F’ post-chorus.
‘Standing Next To You’ (Jungkook Cover) On MCountdown
Ok, so this technically isn’t a BOYNEXTDOOR performance, but if we talked about INKIGAYO Woonhak, then it’s only fair that we mention MCountdown Myung Jaehyun too, right? This collab stage to introduce two new MCA MCs – Jaehyun and RIIZE’s Sohee – really showcased their individual styles. Plus, knowing that Jaehyun is genuinely a huge fan of Jungkook only makes ONEDOOR love this performance even more.
‘So let’s go see the stars’ On It’s Live
We tried so hard to not put another It’s Live performance on here. Actually, no, we didn’t, and we’re not sorry about it. ‘So let’s go see the stars’ is one of BND’s most overtly romantic songs, and we love how gorgeous that electric guitar sounds here. This performance really, really showcases BOYNEXTDOOR’s vocals, too – we told you they were underrated! Are you hearing Leehan and Riwoo’s high notes?!
‘DOPE’ (BTS Cover) At KCON Hong Kong
From SEVENTEEN to BTS! With their emphasis on artistry and self-produced music, it’s no wonder that BOYNEXTDOOR would gravitate towards these two groups. It’s a more aggressive performance than most people probably expect from BND, but that’s exactly what makes it so impressive. From cute to cool, they can do it all!
‘One and Only’ On Studio Choom
Anyone who thinks ‘One and Only’ is cheesy just doesn’t understand it like we do. It was a perfect debut for this team and their concept! It’s relatable and hopeful, (who hasn’t been nervous seeing their crush before?) just like a boy-next-door should be. And yes, whilst it is cute, the declarations of “Representing KOZ” and “Hello world, this is BOYNEXTDOOR” are actually total power moves.
So there you have it! Which of these BOYNEXTDOOR performances is your favorite? Did we miss something critical off our list? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @thehoneypop! You can also chat all things K-pop with us over on Facebook and Instagram.
In the mood for more K-pop? We’ve got you covered!
For the last few years, AleXa has ascended through the world of K-Pop. Adopting a cyberpunk aesthetic with hypnotic choreography, she’s racked up more than 160 million views on her YouTube channel.
Now, she’s aiming to carry that momentum into her home country of the United States. Raised in Oklahoma, she grew up loving musical theater and practicing ballet. American audiences got to know AleXa two years ago when she won the first and only season of American Song Contest. She formed a bond with cohost Kelly Clarkson, appearing as a guest on her show this January.
AleXa’s latest single “sick” leans away from dance pop in favor of a more pop-rock sound that recalls P!nk and Avril Lavigne. She looks forward to trying out new styles as she aims to grow her brand in the U.S.
Watch her talk to Jordan Edwards and Demi Ramos about her early days in Tulsa, rise in South Korea, and her favorite metal bands.
Plus, stick around for the new segment Demi’s Rising Stars featuring Ayleen Valentine.
AleXa on Life As An American K-Pop Star | It’s Real with Jordan and Demi
Orlando, we did Bang Yongguk dirty. How was this show (Friday, April 12, Plaza Live) not a packed-to-the-rafters sellout?
That being said, I can’t complain when I remember those familiar butterflies that came back like I was 14 again, ready to see my bias (note: That’s K-pop slang to signify your absolute favorite) in my city after all this time.
For you see, Bang Yongguk, from 2012 to 2016, was the leader of South Korean K-pop maestros BAP (as in, they are “Best Absolute Perfect”). BAP were well-known for having sensitive tough-guy concepts: choreography often including punching the air and doing push-ups, members were clad in spiky leather jackets and Misfits T-shirts, all of it was belied by heart-wrenching vocal solos. Punk attitude with dramatic execution.
Yongguk appeared ascetic and quiet during these years.
Seeing Yongguk on stage in 2024, I felt proud to be a longtime fan; his stoicism never went away, but his shoulders seemed more relaxed, and he smiled between each song to remind us he was happy to be there. (Is this his David Sylvian post-Japan era?)
“This is my first time in Orlando, and I love you guys,” he said.
Everything he uttered was met with uproarious barks from the crowd, woofs abounded — meant likely to remind Yongguk that the fans would uplift him no matter what.
He is one of those stars with an intriguingly wholesome connection with his fans, saying he wants to do everything he can to encourage them to follow their dreams.
He performed songs from all three of his solo albums released after BAP’s breakup. (Though he has assured fans BAP will be together forever and always.)
He even worked in a deep-cut song from 2011 he recorded with fellow idol Yang Yoseob from the band B2ST: a power ballad with emotive rapping called “I Remember.”
The acclaimed cult track had the crowd beyond hyped, and the somewhat less-than-full hall was redeemed as a spacious dance floor we had to jam and break.
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K-Pop singer AleXa looks to break the mold of what a K-pop star is as she kicked off her US tour at the Music Hall of Williamsburg Friday, telling amNewYork Metro it hasn’t been an easy journey.
Twenty-seven-year-old Alexaudra Schneiderman—stage name AleXa—has been through a whirlwind journey over the past several years, overcoming racial and gender barriers in both the American and Korean music industry and has become, what fans cite as, an inspiration to women around the globe.
“It’s been a wild journey full of ups and downs. Being a K-Pop artist is a demanding job, but I could not be more grateful for the position I am in and for the experiences I have had the last couple of years,” AleXa told amNew York Metro.
“As time has gone by, I’ve been able to start writing and creating my own music. I’m grateful that some of my songs have made it out of the vault and been shared with my fans. I can only work harder and hope for more of my personal songs to come into the light,” AleXa added.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to a South Korean mother and Russian American father, AleXa has been participating in singing competitions since 2016, winning Rising Legends—a Korean audition program to earn a spot at Soompi, JYP Entertainment and Cube Entertainment—and even signing with ZB Label in 2018. In 2022, she won NBC’s American Song Contest. With all of her training and experience, AleXa has continuously fought hard to break stereotypical tropes proving that a 4’11 Asian woman can be strong, independent, and a rockstar on the American and Korean stage.
AleXa on stage.Photo by Amanda Moses
“I’m definitely not the first of my kind, but I’m definitely the first to have accomplished all that I have, with such a loving and kind-hearted fan base by my side. Straight from debut, I wanted to empower women with my music and concept; women can be strong, badass, and tough. Even someone as small as me (4’11” lol). I want to constantly remain a strong female figure within the KPOP & now western pop industry,” AleXa said.
After six years since signing with ZB Label before her debut in October 2019, the K-Pop soloist says she is not holding back as she rocks the United States with her tour “Sick of You,” hosted by Studio Pav.
AleXa is pulling out all the stops, going through her musical repertoire from her debut track “Bomb,” two unreleased songs “Okay” and “Distraction” as well as her latest single, “Sick,” which focuses on taking off rose-tinted glasses to see the truth behind relationships. The concert maintained a theme of unraveling the mystery of love and brought forward the importance of loving oneself.
“I believe its lyrics [for “Sick”] cover a universal story that’s been felt and experienced by many; someone makes you “sick” because of how perfect they seem in your mind. Through the music video, however, I interpreted the lyrics differently; in the MV we see AleXa fighting with, and eventually killing, her boyfriend/lover (whatever he was, I’m not even sure myself, haha-) and I, personally, see this as AleXa killing off the idolized rose-tinted image she had of this man. It’s a visual metaphor, rather than just a graphic music video,” AleXa said.
Starting in Williamsburg, AleXa’s concert was an intimate setting between herself and fans where they were able to participate in a Meet and Greet, one-on-one Polaroid photos, and even offered love advice.
The K-Pop solists fans, affectionately known as A.I Troopers, describe AleXa as being an inspiration to them because of her perfect imperfections. With a quirky demeanor and ability to get an entire audience throwing their heads backs with laughter, AleXa made sure her audience felt seen and heard. Her relatability and strength are just a few quat that made Christina Pollio, 28, travel from Philadelphia for an opportunity to see AleXa live.
AleXaPhoto by Amanda Moses
“She doesn’t necessarily stick to one genre. Yes, she does K-Pop but it’s not standard K-Pop, a lot of girl groups when they do come out it’s very bubble gum cute, and when AleXa came out she said ‘I’m not doing that. I am strong and I am going to show you what I am. I appreciate that. She’s really honest,” Pollio said.
New Jersey native, Jorelle Rea, 25, calls AleXa a role model and believes she is the prime example of someone who should be spotlighted for Women’s History Month.
“AleXa is a super inspiring. She has always been constantly working and doing something and it’s really motivating,” Rea said. “I’m really excited to see from where she started to where is going forward.”
“AleXa is an inspiration and empowering. With how she has developed her image, it makes me reflect who am I and think about her as a person and who am I as a person. So, she is a good role model,” Rea added.
While fans say they see AleXa as a role model, for her there is only one woman that fits that esteemed title: her mother.
“My mother, first and foremost. She has faced hardships and adversity her whole life; she is someone I respect and love wholeheartedly,” AleXa said.
The next stop on AleXa’s tour is Atlanta on April 2.
Seventeen, written as 세븐틴 in Korean and with the acronym SVT, is an internationally recognized South Korean K-pop boy band. The name Seventeen represents the number, which is the result of the addition of 13 members + 3 units + 1 group (13+3+ 1 = 17). Seventeen was formed by Pledis Entertainment (a music label company) with its 13 official members named S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino.
They debuted on May 26, 2015, with the EP (Extended Play) “17 Carat.” According to Billboard, 17 Carat became the longest-charting K-pop album and ranked in the list of “10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2015” at 9th position. Now, let’s talk about how old the seventeen members are, their debut ages, dates of birth, birthdays, and their Korean ages.
Current Seventeen Members Age: From Oldest to Youngest
Seventeen Member
Current Age
Date of Birth
S.Coups
28 years old
August 8, 1995
Jeonghan
28 years old
October 4, 1995
Joshua
28 years old
December 30, 1995
Jun
27 years old
June 10, 1996
Hoshi
27 years old
June 15, 1996
Wonwoo
27 years old
July 17, 1996
Woozi
27 years old
November 22, 1996
DK
26 years old
February 18, 1997
Mingyu
26 years old
April 6, 1997
The8
26 years old
November 7, 1997
Seungkwan
26 years old
January 16, 1998
Vernon
26 years old
February 18, 1998
Dino
25 years old
February 11, 1999
Table showing the current ages of Seventeen members in order from oldest to youngest, from top to bottom.
Seventeen Members’ Birthdays are given from left to right, in order of their ages from oldest to youngest.
S.Coups (28 years old) is the oldest, while Dino (25 years old) is the “Maknae” youngest member of the group. Seventeen members debuted in May 2015, during which S.Coups was 19, Jeonghan was 19, Joshua was 19, Jun was 18, Hoshi was 18, Wonwoo was 18, Woozi was 18, DK was 18, Mingyu was 18, The8 was 17, Seungkwan was 17, Vernon was 17, and Dino was 16.
Seventeen Members Korean Age
Jeonghan is 30 years old.
Seungkwan is 27 years old.
Now let’s discuss how old each Seventeen member is, their description, photo, current age, birthplace, and training period.
Seventeen Member S.Coups Age with Photo
Choi Seung Cheol (Korean: 최승철) is the eldest member of Seventeen and is popularly known by his stage name S.Coups. He was born on August 8, 1995, in Daegu, South Korea. Currently, he is 28 years old internationally and 30 years old in Korea.
S.Coups is 28 years old.
S.Coups is in the hip-hop unit and is the main rapper and leader of Seventeen. As per Koreaboo, S.Coups joined Pledis Entertainment in 2010 as a trainee and practised for 6 years before his final debut with the Seventeen.
Seventeen Member Jeonghan Age with Photo
Yoon Jeong Han (Korean: 윤한정) is a South Korean K-pop idol, the second oldest member of Seventeen, popularly known as Jeonghan. He was born on October 4, 1995, in Seoul, South Korea, and is 28 years old as per international age and 30 years old as per Korean age.
Jeonghan is 28 years old.
He acts as the lead vocalist in the group and lies in the vocal unit. Also, he called it visual, meaning “to grab the audience’s attention on the stage.” As per Koreaboo, Jeonghan joined Pledis Entertainment in 2013 as a trainee and practised for 2 years and 2 months before their debut.
Seventeen Member Joshua Age with Photo
Hong Jisoo (Korean: 홍지수) is an American-Korean K-pop artist commonly known by his stage name Joshua. He was born on December 30, 1995, in California, United States. Currently, he is 28 years old internationally and 30 years old in Korea.
Joshua is 28 years old.
He lies in the vocal unit of the group and acts as a vocalist. Joshua joined Pledis Entertainment in 2013 and also trained for 2 years and 2 months.
Seventeen Member Jun Age with Photo
Wen Junhui (Korean: 문준휘) is the male Korean-Chinese K-pop idol of the SVT band, popularly known by his stage name Jun. He was born on June 10, 1996, in Guangdong, China. Currently, he is 27 years old internationally and 29 years old in Korea.
Jun is 27 years old.
He is in the performance unit and has the position of lead dancer and sub-vocalist. He joined Pledis Entertainment and worked as a trainee for 2 years and 7 months, as per Koreaboo.
Seventeen Member Hoshi Age with Photo
Kwon Soon-young (Korean: 권순영) is a South Korean K-pop artist popularly known as Hoshi. He was born on June 15, 1996, in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, and is currently 27 years old as per international age and 29 years old as per Korean age.
Hoshi is 27 years old.
He lies in the performance team unit and is also the leader of it. He acts as a dancer, vocalist, and sub-rapper in the band. Hoshi joined Pledis Entertainment in 2011 and worked as a trainee for almost 4 years before his final debut as one of the official members of Seventeen.
Seventeen Member Wonwoo Age with Photo
Jeon Won Woo (Korean: 전원우) is a South Korean K-pop artist, a member of the male band Seventeen (SVT), commonly known as Wonwoo. He was born on July 17, 1996, in Changwon-si, South Korea, and is currently 27 years old as per international age and 29 years old as per Korean age.
Wonwoo is 27 years old.
He lies in the hip-hop unit of the group, where he acts as a rapper and sub-vocalist. Wonwoo joined Pledis Entertainment in 2011 after passing the audition, where he was a trainee for 4 years before his final debut in 2015, as per Koreaboo.
Seventeen Member Woozi Age with Photo
Lee Ji-hoon (Korean: 이지훈) is the South Korean K-pop idol of Seventeen, commonly known as Woozi. He was born on November 22, 1996, in Busan, South Korea, and is currently 27 years old as per international age and 29 years old as per Korean age.
Woozi is 27 years old.
He lives in the vocal unit, where he works as a vocalist, lyricist, producer, composer, and leader of the vocal team. According to Koreaboo, Woozi joined Pledis Entertainment in 2010 and worked as a trainee for 5 years before his final debut.
Seventeen Member DK Age with Photo
Lee Seokmin (Korean: 이석민) is a South Korean K-pop idol known as DK, which is a short name for Dokyeom. He was born on February 18, 1997, in Seoul, South Korea, and is 26 years old as per international age and 28 years old as per Korean age.
DK is 26 years old.
He is on the vocal team and acts as a vocalist. As per Koreaboo, DK joined Pledis Entertainment and worked for 2 years and 7 months as a trainee.
Seventeen Member Mingyu Age with Photo
Kim Min Gyu (Korean: 김민규) is a South Korean K-pop artist popularly known as Mingyu. He was born on April 6, 1997, in Seoul, South Korea, and is 26 years old as per international age and 28 years old as per Korean age.
Mingyu is 26 years old.
He is a part of the hip-hop team unit, where he acts as the vocalist, rapper, and face of the group. He was a trainee for 4 years under Pledis Entertainment.
Seventeen Member The8 Age with Photo
Xu Minghao (Korean: 서명호) is a Chinese-Korean K-pop idol, commonly known by his stage name The8. He was born on November 7, 1997, in Liaoning, China, and is 23 years old as per international age and 28 years old as per Korean age.
The8 is 26 years old.
He is part of the performance team and acts as a dancer and sub-vocalist. As per Koreaboo, The8 was trained for 1 year and 5 months under Pledis Entertainment, which makes him the shortest trainee in the Seventeen band.
Seventeen Member Seungkwan Age with Photo
Boo Seung-Kwan (Korean: 부승관) is one of the official members of the boy group Seventeen, popularly known as Seungkwan. He was born on January 16, 1998, in Busan, South Korea, and is 26 years old as per international age and 27 years old as per Korean age.
Seungkwan is 26 years old.
He is a part of the vocal team and acts as a vocalist. He was also trained under Pledis Entertainment for 3 years and 2 months until his final debut as a Seventeen member.
Seventeen Member Vernon Age with Photo
Hansol Vernon Chwe (Korean: 최한솔) is an American-Korean K-pop singer, the second youngest Seventeen member, and commonly known as Vernon. He was born on February 18, 1998, in New York, United States, and is 26 years old as per international age and 27 years old as per Korean age.
Vernon is 26 years old.
He is a part of the hip-hop unit and acts as a rapper, visual, and sub-vocalist for Seventeen. He joined Pledis Entertainment as a trainee and practiced for 3 years and 3 months.
Seventeen Member Dino Age with Photo
Lee Chan (Korean: 이찬) is a South Korean K-pop idol, the youngest Seventeen member, and popularly known as Dino. He was born on February 11, 1999, in Iksan-si, South Korea, and is 25 years old as per international age and 26 years old as per Korean age.
Dino is 25 years old.
Dino is a part of the performance team and acts as a dancer. He is also referred to as “Maknae,” meaning the youngest in the group. He also trained under Pledis Entertainment for 3 years as a trainee.
So this is all about the current ages and dates of birth for the Seventeen members: S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Seventeen Band
Q1. Who is the most popular Seventeen Member?
Ans. Jeonghan is the most popular member of the Seventeen, ranking above all the other members, as per the Korean Business Research Institute report of October 2023.
Q2. Who is the oldest member of Seventeen?
Ans. S. Coups, born on August 8, 1995, is the oldest member of Seventeen, at 28 years old as per international age and 29 years old as per Korean age.
Q3. Who is the youngest member of Seventeen?
Ans. Lee Chan, aka Dino, born on February 11, 1999, is the “Maknae” youngest member of the group, 24 years of international age and 25 years of Korean age.
Le Sserafim, written as 르세라핌 in Korean, is a fourth-generation South Korean band of girls like Everglow and NMIXX. Le Sserafim is derived from the phrase I’m Fearless by rearranging the letters of it. The word Sserafim also reflects the heavenly being Seraphim. Under Source Music, a music label company acquired by HYBE Corporation, Le Sserafim was initially formed with six girls named Sakura, Chaewon, Yunjin, Kazuha, Eunchae, and Kim Ga-ram.
On May 2, 2022, Le Sserafim members debuted with the release of the Extended Play (EP) “Fearless.” Kim Ga-ram was disbanded by the company, which canceled her contract. Currently, Le Sserafim consists of five girls, except Kim Ga-ram. Now let’s talk about how old Le Sserafim members are, their debut age, and the Korean age
Current Le Sserafim Members Age: From Eldest to Youngest
Le Sserafim Member
Current Age
Date of Birth
Sakura
25 years old
March 19, 1998
Chaewon
23 years old
August 1, 2000
Yunjin
22 years old
October 8, 2001
Kazuha
20 years old
August 9, 2003
Eunchae
17 years old
November 10, 2006
Table showing current ages of Le Sserafim members along with their date of birth in order of oldest to youngest from top to bottom.
Le Sserafim Members’ Birthdays are given from left to right, in order of their ages from oldest to youngest.
Former member Kim Ga-Ram was born on November 16, 2005. Back in May 2022, Le Sserafim members’ debut ages were as follows: Sakura was 24, Chaewon was 21, Yunjin was 20, Kazuha was 18, Eunchae was 15, and Garam was 16. Currently, Sakura (25 years old) is the oldest, while Eunchae (17 years old) is the youngest in Le Sserafim.
Le Sserafim Members Korean Age
Now let’s discuss how old each Le Sserafim member is, their description, photo, current age, birthplace, and training company.
Le Sserafim Member Sakura Age with Photo
Sakura Miyawaki is a Japanese-Korean K-pop artist, the oldest member of Le Sserafim, and popularly known by her stage name Sakura (Korean: 사쿠라). She was born on March 19, 1998, in Kagoshima, Japan, and is 25 years old as per international age and 27 years old as per Korean age.
Sakura is 25 years old.
Sakura acts as the group’s vocalist. According to Kpopping, Sakura is the longest Le Sserafim girl band trainee, with a 6-year and 11-month training period. She was also a member of IZ*ONE from 2018 to 2021 and had to leave the group after its disbandment.
Le Sserafim Member Chaewon Age with Photo
Kim Chae-Won (Korean: 김채원) is a South Korean K-pop idol, the second oldest member of Le Sserafim, and popularly known as Chaewon. She was born on August 1, 2000, in Seoul, South Korea, and is 23 years old as per international age and 25 years old as per Korean age.
Chaewon is 23 years old.
Chaewon acts as a vocalist, dancer, and leader of Le Sserafim. Under Woollim Entertainment, Chaewon trained for 11 months and participated in Produce 45, a reality competition show, where she got 10th place.
Le Sserafim Member Yunjin Age with Photo
Huh Yun-jin (Korean: 허윤진) is a Korean-Amercian K-pop idol, a member of Le Sserafim, and commonly known as Yunjin. She was born on October 8, 2001, in Seoul, South Korea, and is 22 years old as per international age and 24 years old as per Korean age.
Yunjin is 22 years old.
She acts as the main vocalist for the group. Initially, she was a trainee under Pledis Entertainment and participated in Produce 48’s third season, but she was eliminated from the show after 11 episodes. Later, she signed her contract with Source Music and became a member of Le Sserafim.
Le Sserafim Member Kazuha Age with Photo
Nakamura Kazuha is another Japanese-Korean K-pop idol, the second youngest Le Sserafim member, popularly known as Kazuha (Korean: 카즈하). She was born on August 9, 2003, in Osaka, Japan, and is 20 years old as per international age and 22 years old as per Korean age.
Kazuha is 20 years old.
Kazuha acts as a dancer, vocalist, and rapper for the band. Kazuha is the shortest trainee among other Le Sserafim members and has trained for only 3 months.
Le Sserafim Member Eunchae Age with Photo
Hong Eun-chae (Korean: 홍은채) is a South Korean K-pop girl, the youngest member of Le Sserafim, and known by her stage name Eunchae. She was born on November 10, 2006, in Miryang-si, South Korea, and is 17 years old as per international age and 19 years old as per Korean age.
Eunchae is 17 years old.
Eunchae acts as a vocalist and dancer for the group. She is also the “Maknae” of Le Sserafim. According to Le Sserafim Fandom, Eunchae joined Source Music in January 2021 as a trainee and trained for 1 year and 3 months before her final debut as a Le Sserafim member.
So this is all about how old Le Sseerafim members Sakura, Chaewon, Yunjin, Kazuha, and Eunchae are. Our visual will help you recognize your biased Le Sseerafim member.
FAQ Related To Le Sserafim
Q1. Who is the most popular Le Sserafim member?
Ans. Nakamura Kazuha, aka Kazuha, is the most popular Lee Sserafim member in the United States and South Korea. She also ranks above all members of Le Sserafim in the list of Top 100 Kpop Girl Group Member Brand Reputation Rankings, released in October 2023 by the Korean Business Research Institute.
Q2. Who is the most beautiful member of Le Sserafim?
Ans. Sakura Miyawaki, aka Sakura, is the most beautiful member of Le Sserafim as per Korean Beauty Standard and the group’s visual, meaning “the most attractive member in the group physically.”
ENHYPEN, formed through the reality show I-LAND and managed by Belift Lab—a collaboration between CJ ENM and HYBE Corporation—has quickly gained international fame. T
The group debuted on November 30, 2020, with their EP “BORDER: DAY ONE.”
Comprising members Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki, their ages at debut ranged from 14 to 19, highlighting a blend of youth and talent.
This age diversity contributes to ENHYPEN’s broad appeal, resonating with fans worldwide and mirroring their journey of growth and achievement.
Key Takeaways
ENHYPEN consists of seven members with a debut age range between 14 and 19 years.
Heeseung (이희승): 22 (Oct 15, 2001) – Center, vocalist, dancer.
Ni-ki (니키): 18 (Dec 9, 2005) – Vocalist, main dancer.
Formation and Debut
ENHYPEN is a South Korean boy band formed through the survival show “I-LAND,” a collaborative project between CJ ENM and Big Hit Entertainment, now known as HYBE Corporation according to Grammy.com. The journey of this seven-member group began with I-LAND which aired from June to September 2020, where contestants competed for a chance to debut in a new boy group. Interestingly, BTS band also has seven members.
By the end of the intense competition, the final line-up was determined based on a combination of viewers’ votes and the producers’ choice. ENHYPEN consists of members Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki. Their ages at the time of debut ranged between 14 and 19 years.
ENHYPEN officially made its debut on November 30, 2020, with the mini-album “BORDER: DAY ONE.” Their debut was highly anticipated following their formation on I-LAND and they were able to leverage the show’s extensive viewership to quickly establish a significant fanbase. The promise of showcasing diverse musical styles and concepts, coupled with their global audience engagement, contributed to a successful launch of their career as idols.
Their debut not only marked the start of their journey in the music industry but also the beginning of their growth as a team connecting different cultures through their music, consistent with the group’s name.
Member Profiles
Enhypen Member
Current Age
Date of Birth
Heeseung
22 years old
October 15, 2001
Jay
21 years old
April 20, 2002
Jake
21 years old
November 15, 2002
Sunghoon
21 years old
December 8, 2002
Sunoo
20 years old
June 24, 2003
Jungwon
20 years old
February 9, 2004
Ni-ki
18 years old
December 9, 2005
Heeseung
Lee Hee-Seung (이희승): Heeseung, the oldest Enhypen member, born October 15, 2001, in Namyangju-si, South Korea, is 22 internationally and 24 by Korean age. He serves as the center, vocalist, and dancer, finishing fifth in I-Land.
Jay
Park Jongsung (박종성): Jay, born April 20, 2002, in Seattle, USA, is 21 internationally and 23 in Korean age. As the second oldest, he’s a vocalist and dancer, placing second in I-Land.
Jake
Jake Sim (제이크 심): Known as Jack, born November 15, 2002, in Seoul, South Korea, is 21 internationally and 23 by Korean age. He’s a dancer and vocalist, securing third place in I-Land.
Sunghoon
Park Sung-hoon (박성훈): Sunghoon, born December 8, 2002, in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, South Korea, is 21 internationally and 23 in Korean age. He’s a vocalist, dancer, and visual, finishing sixth in I-Land.
Sunoo
Kim Sun-woo (김선우): Sunoo, born June 24, 2003, in Suwon, Gyeonggi, South Korea, is 20 internationally and 22 by Korean age. He’s a vocalist and dancer, placing eighth in I-Land.
Jungwon
Yang Jung-won (양정원): Jungwon, born February 9, 2004, in South Korea, is 20 internationally and 21 by Korean age. He’s the vocalist, dancer, and leader, finishing first in I-Land.
Ni-ki
Nishimura Riki (니키): Ni-ki, the youngest, born December 9, 2005, in Okayama, Japan, is 18 internationally and 20 in Korean age. He’s a vocalist and dancer, taking fourth place in I-Land.
Career Milestones
ENHYPEN debuted on November 30, 2020, characterized by an immediate strong impact on the K-pop scene. Their journey began with the mini album BORDER: DAY ONE, introducing them as seasoned performers. This debut album quickly cemented their position as emerging artists to watch.
By July 6, 2021, ENHYPEN expanded their reach beyond South Korea, making their Japanese debut, presenting a global mindset early in their career. Their ascent has been marked not only by their music releases but also by member-specific milestones such as Heeseung being the oldest member and Ni-Ki, the youngest, often referred to as the maknae of the group.
Despite their recent inception, ENHYPEN has gathered a significant following known as “ENGINE,” a testament to their resonant artistry and production quality. They continue to build their discography, while also being active in other domains like television appearances and international events, illustrating their broad entertainment appeal.
Their accolades include noteworthy nominations and awards, reflecting their broad industry acceptance. Among these, securing a position on prestigious music charts highlights their musical success, a strong indicator of their growing influence in the K-pop industry.
ENHYPEN’s achievements to date underscore their potential for continued success, with fans eagerly anticipating their next artistic endeavors.
ENHYPEN’s Global Impact
Since its debut in November 2020, ENHYPEN has swiftly risen through the ranks of K-pop to become a global phenomenon. The group’s influence extends beyond music, touching on cultural exchanges and leading fashion trends.
ENHYPEN first captured international attention with the unique concept and masterful execution in their music videos, like the one for “Drunk-Dazed”. Their global fan base, known as “ENGINE,” quickly proliferated worldwide, exemplifying the group’s broad appeal.
Their music, often characterized by its relatability and innovative sound, has led them to top various music charts and receive nominations and awards from prestigious ceremonies. This includes, but is not limited to, music shows in South Korea, Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart, and Japan’s Oricon Chart.
Social Media Reach:
Key Achievements:
Multiple Music Show Wins
High Album Sales
Strong Performance on Global Charts
ENHYPEN’s impact is also seen through its participation in cultural events, further showcasing K-pop’s soft power and contribution to the global cultural landscape. They have become ambassadors of a new generation of K-pop, reflecting the genre’s evolving nature and its ability to bridge cultural gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous Enhypen member?
Ans. As per KpopJuice, Nishimura Riki, aka Ni-Ki, is the most popular Enhypen member with 1,815,446 votes.
Who is the richest member of Enhypen?
As per Koreaboo, Jay, originally named Park Jongsung, is the wealthiest member of Enhypen based on a declaration made by Heeseung in the interview.
Who has the role of the leader in ENHYPEN?
The leader of ENHYPEN is Jungwon, guiding the group with his leadership skills.
Final Words
ENHYPEN’s rapid ascent from the reality show I-LAND to global K-pop stardom is a testament to their talent, diversity, and appeal. With their debut EP “BORDER: DAY ONE” and a fanbase spanning the globe, ENHYPEN has firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
NewJeans, a South Korean girl group formed by ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE Labels, has quickly become a favorite among fans globally since their debut. With a young and energetic sound, the group consists of five members whose ages span the teenage years, adding a fresh and approachable charm to their music.
Their youthfulness is a key factor in their artistic expression, shaping their dance routines, musical themes, and engagement with their audience. By focusing on the ages of the NewJeans members, fans and observers can gain a deeper appreciation of the group’s special role in the music world.
Key Takeaways
NewJeans debuted in 2022 with youthful energy, under ADOR and HYBE Labels.
Their ages (15-19) and fresh sound make them stand out in K-pop.
Minji (May 7, 2004): Eldest, singer-songwriter, $1.5M net worth.
Danielle (Apr 11, 2005): Korean-Australian, top popularity, vocalist-dancer.
Haerin (May 15, 2006): Second youngest, South Korean, vocalist-dancer.
Hyein (Apr 21, 2008): Youngest, South Korean, vocalist-dancer.
Overview
NewJeans is a South Korean girl group formed under ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE Labels according to Variety. They made a noticeable entry into the K-pop scene with their debut single, “Attention,” released on July 22, 2022, followed by their self-titled EP, “NewJeans,” which was unveiled to the public on August 1, 2022.
NewJeans is composed of five members: Hanni, Minji, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. Each member brings a distinct flavor to the group, contributing to a diverse range of music and performance styles. The group quickly garnered attention for their fresh take on K-pop, channeling a unique and youthful vibe.
The name “NewJeans” symbolizes their ambition to set fresh trends in the music industry, akin to the timeless fashion staple of jeans. Their debut has been widely recognized for its originality and appeal across a broad audience, setting the tone for their subsequent artistic endeavors.
Member Roster
Hanni: Lead Vocalist
Minji: Main Dancer, Vocalist
Danielle: Lead Dancer, Vocalist
Haerin: Main Vocalist
Hyein: Maknae, Vocalist
The group has established a multi-faceted image, marked by their multinational lineup and multilingual capabilities, which have allowed them to connect with a global fanbase. With their early career marked by a series of successful releases, NewJeans continues to establish a footprint in the K-pop industry.
Individual Member Ages
NewJeans Member
Current Age
Date of Birth
Minji
19 years old
May 7, 2004
Hanni
19 years old
October 6, 2004
Danielle
18 years old
April 11, 2005
Haerin
17 years old
May 15, 2006
Hyein
15 years old
April 21, 2008
Min-ji’s Age
Kim Min-ji (Korean: 김민지) known by her stage name Minji, is the oldest member of the South Korean K-pop group NewJeans. Born on May 7, 2004, in Chuncheon, South Korea, she is currently 19 years old by international age and 21 by Korean age calculations. Before joining NewJeans, Minji trained at JYP Entertainment and now contributes to the band as both a singer and a songwriter.
Hanni’s Age
Pham Ngoc Han (Korean: 팜응옥한) – who performs under the stage name Hanni, is the Vietnamese-Australian K-pop idol and the second oldest member of NewJeans. Her birthday is October 6, 2004, and she was born in Melbourne, Australia. According to international age, she is 19 years old, but in Korea, she is considered 21 years old. Hanni plays a key role in NewJeans as the main dancer and vocalist.
Danielle’s Age
Mo Ji Hye(Korean: 모지혜) known as Danielle, is a Korean-Australian K-pop artist in NewJeans. Born on April 11, 2005, in Newcastle, Australia, she is 18 internationally and 20 in Korean age. Danielle serves as a vocalist and dancer for the group.
Haerin’s Age
Kang Haerin (Korean: 강해린) also known as Haerin, is the second youngest member of the South Korean K-pop group NewJeans. She was born on May 15, 2006, in Gimcheon-si, South Korea. According to international age, she is 17 years old, but in Korea, she is considered 19 years old. Haerin contributes to the band as both a vocalist and a dancer.
Hyein’s Age
Lee Hye-in (Korean: 이혜인) known as Hyein, is the youngest NewJeans member, born on April 21, 2008, in Incheon, South Korea. Internationally, she is 15 years old and 17 in Korean age. Hyein serves as a vocalist and dancer for the group.
How Koreans Calculate Age?
Let’s break it down with a straightforward example. Consider someone born in 1993 and the current year is 2019. In Korean age, the formula is as follows: Korean age = (2019 – 1993) + 1, which equals 27 years. In contrast, the Western system might show them as 26 years old until their birthday in 2019, after which they’d also be 27 years old.
For fans of Korean culture, let’s apply this to a well-known figure, Jungkook from BTS, born on September 1, 1997. By Western calculation, he turns 22 in 2019. However, in Korean age, he’s considered 23: he’s 22 + 1 after his birthday, but effectively 23 throughout the year.
Another example emphasizes the difference: a child born on December 31 is only a day old in the Western system but considered two years old in Korean age because they’re born as a 1-year-old and gain another year on January 1.
Age Distribution in NewJeans
The members of the K-pop girl group NewJeans exhibit a narrow age range, demonstrating the youthful spirit they bring to the music industry. The group comprises five members, each with a noteworthy talent that complements the team. The age ranking within NewJeans spans from the oldest, Minji, to the youngest, Hyein, all of whom were teenagers at the time of their debut.
Oldest Members:
Minji was born on May 07, 2004, making her 19 years old.
Hanni, sharing the same birth year, was born on October 06 and also stands at 19 years old.
Middle Range:
Danielle, slightly younger than her peers above, was born on July 11, 2004, and is therefore 19 years old as well.
Younger Members:
Haerin, whose birthday is on February 15, 2006, is 18 years old.
Hyein represents the youngest of the group, being born on April 21, 2008, and is 15 years old.
This close-knit age distribution is common in K-pop, and it often facilitates a cohesive group dynamic, with members sharing similar stages of personal growth and development. Each member of NewJeans brings their unique energy to the group, resonating with fans across various age demographics.
The group made a poignant entrance into the music scene with their debut single “Attention” on July 22, 2022, followed by their debut extended play, “New Jeans,” which was unveiled to the public on August 1, 2022.
Comparison with Peer Groups
Group
Debut Year
Approximate Average Age at Debut
NewJeans
2022
16.8 years
BLACKPINK
2016
19.75 years
Red Velvet
2014
20.4 years
TWICE
2015
18.9 years
Given the industry’s competitive nature, younger groups like NewJeans often get a head start in building a long-term fanbase, providing a wider window for group activities and evolution. To illustrate, members of NewJeans are between the ages of 16 and 18, which is a strong point highlighting their appeal to the increasingly younger demographic of K-pop fans.
Their positioning also showcases the strategic planning of ADOR and HYBE Labels, considering the longevity and developmental potential of NewJeans within the fiercely competitive K-pop sphere. Comparatively, the group’s age not only offers a fresh perspective within the industry but also hints at their sustained growth potential over the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NewJeans member has the highest net worth?
Minji tops the wealth chart among the NewJeans members, boasting an estimated net worth of $1.5 million as of 2023, according to a report by IBTimes.
Who ranks as the most favored NewJeans member?
Danielle leads in popularity within NewJeans, securing a brand value of 3,530,278 points, as highlighted in the Korean Business Research Institute’s June 2023 analysis.
Which NewJeans member is considered the least popular?
Hyein holds the position of the least popular member, with a brand value of 1,247,037 points, based on findings from the Korean Business Research Institute’s June 2023 report.
Final Words
NewJeans, emerging under ADOR and HYBE Labels, has made a significant impact since their 2022 debut with their youthful energy and innovative approach to K-pop.
With members aged between 15 and 19, their diverse talents and multinational backgrounds have quickly garnered a global fanbase, distinguishing them in a competitive industry.
Their fresh sound and dynamic performances promise a bright future, making NewJeans a group to watch.
NCT Dream‘s 2024 comeback is just right around the corner. A new Korean media report also reveals the K-pop group’s plan to go on tour in the second half of this year.
NCT’s super unit NCT Dream made their last comeback on July 17, 2023, with the studio album ISTJ. The K-pop septet’s third studio album peaked at Korea’s Circle Album chart at number 1. The group’s global presence was also evident as ISTJ ranked number 3 in Billboard’s US World Chart and stood at number 28 in Billboard 200.
After a year, the group is reportedly making a comeback with a mini album, and the fandom is ready for the new era to begin.
NCT Dream reportedly making a comeback with a mini album in March 2024
With a mini album, NCT Dream’s 2024 comeback is reportedly happening in March. The exclusive Korean media report also reveals that the group is at the final preparation stage before officially announcing the news.
Known as one of the most popular K-pop acts of the current time, NCT Dream’s last album made a personal record for the group. ISTJ’s pre-orders exceeded over 4.2 million copies and sold over 3.65 million copies within the first week of its release.
Along with the comeback news, rumors regarding the group’s next world tour are swirling on the internet. As per an alleged schedule sheet of SM Entertainment shared on X, fans can look forward to the group’s next world tour, which will likely begin in the year’s second half.
NCT Dream’s last concert tour concluded in July 2023 in Mexico City after touring over 26 cities worldwide. Followed by the conclusion, the K-pop hitmakers released NCT Dream The Movie: In A Dream concert movie.
The concert movie made $4.5 million worldwide at the box office in its opening week, showing the group’s international impact.
There were 4.1 trillion music streams worldwide in 2023, according to a report released Wednesday, the first time streaming has ever crossed the four-trillion mark in a single year.
The milestone number of global audio streams marked a 22.3% increase from 2022, according to data provider Luminate.
The U.S. accounted for just over a quarter of that total, or 1.2 trillion streams, also a bump up from the previous year.
To no one’s surprise, pop star Taylor Swift’s music drove a large chunk of that, making up 1.79% of total streams in the U.S. — meaning about one in every 78 audio streams was a Swift song, the Luminate report said.
One of the report’s biggest takeaways was that U.S. listeners are streaming more non-English music. It found that the fastest-growing audio streaming genres were world and Latin, which saw increases of 26% and 24% respectively compared to 2022.
Luminate also found that the share of English-language content in the top-10,000 audio and video streaming tracks in the U.S. has dropped 3.8% since 2021, while the Spanish-language share has increased by the same percentage over that period.
Overall, Spanish audio content was the second most popular to English content in the U.S., making up 8% of total audio streams, per the report.
Last year, Bad Bunny roped in 3.6 billion on-demand audio streams in the U.S., while Peso Pluma brought in about 1.9 billion, the report found. They were among six Spanish-language artists who crossed the one billion mark.
Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny pose during the 65th annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The Regional Mexican music genre also saw a massive boom, growing 60% compared to last year in on-demand audio streams.
U.S. millennials and Gen Zers are driving the interest in foreign language music, the report found, with over 63% of both age groups saying they “listen to new music to experience new cultures and perspectives.”
But many within those generations are also powering the fast growth of country music in the U.S., with younger fans supporting artists like Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen. Wallen’s “Last Night” was the most streamed song in the U.S., according to the report, with over one billion streams.
Although foreign-language and country music saw big streaming gains, listeners in the U.S. still tuned into R&B and hip-hop more than any other genre, the report found, with almost a third of the total streams in the U.S. It was fitting, as 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
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While K-pop has been around for decades, it’s become especially popular in recent years. Groups like BTS and Blackpink are always at the top of the music charts. Seeing as K-pop is on everyone’s mind right now, it’s no surprise that a lot of authors have drawn inspiration from the K-pop industry and fan culture to pen their latest stories. So many books about K-pop focus on aspiring idols chasing their dreams and learning what it really takes to survive in the K-pop world. There are also stories about forbidden love between K-pop idols, as well as K-pop stars unexpectedly falling for non-famous people.
For those who prefer nonfiction, there are also plenty of books about K-pop dedicated to real-life groups. They often document stars’ journey to fame — from their humble beginnings as trainees to their experiences as full-fledged K-pop idols. So if you’re eager to learn more about the industry, here are 16 books about K-pop that you’re sure to love.
The U.S.-based company styles itself as “the world’s first premier multinational K-pop powerhouse music company.” With studio facilities in Seoul and Los Angeles, the company aims to break K-pop artists in the U.S. market
Titan has pulled off an initial seed finance round that was led and closed by RW3 Ventures and Raptor Group, with Dreamus Company serving as a co-lead investor. Other multinational investors and strategic partners include Animoca Ventures, Sfermion, Bell Partners AB, Heros Entertainment, Infinity Ventures Crypto, Scrum Ventures, Planetarium, and Avalanche.
Korean industry sources suggest that Titan aims to launch two K-pop girl groups, two boy groups, one male soloist, and one female soloist by 2028. It will begin global auditions to scout talent through 2024 and unveil the first new acts in 2025.
Once operational, it aims to combine traditional K-pop business models and content with Web3, metaverse, and AI innovation.
Han (aka Han Se-min) was previously CEO of SM Entertainment, the K-pop talent agency founded by father of K-pop Lee Soo-man, and which represented acts including BoA, Girls’ Generation, EXO and Super Junior. Han departed the company and became president of Astory, producer of “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” and CEO of Astory’s subsidiary AIMC.
Other key executives in the new company include: CEO Katie Kang (aka Kang Jung-ah); chief performance officer Lia Kim; chief visual officer Guiom Lee; and chief business officer Dom Rodriguez.
Kang has created casting, training and producing systems that have become the cornerstone of K-pop artist development and worked with TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, F(x) and SHINee. Kim was previously behind Korea’s iconic 1Million Dance Studio and has trained female acts including Twice, Itzy, Girls’ Generation and CL of 2NE1.
Lee, previously sales head for Prada in Korea and founder of Dazed Korea, has previously worked with The Boyz, Seventeen and GOT7.
Rodriguez is a multi-platinum producer and was recognized on Billboard’s 2023 “40 Under 40” list and as a 2023 “Indie Power Player.”
“Think of Titan like the ‘Avengers’ of the K-pop community joining forces to redefine the industry. With a proven record of elevating global superstars, TITAN’s founders and executives have played key roles in helping shape K-pop and making it a global lifestyle with passionate fans across the world,” said Han. “Together, we’re creating a company where artists thrive, fans come first, music takes center stage, and industry disruption reigns supreme.”
“By connecting the East and the West, Titan plans to lead the K-pop revolution on a global scale,” said CEO Katie Kang. “Not only will we utilize our vast experience and expertise to develop and create beloved K-pop artists and brands, we will also push the industry forward through savvy Web3 disruption.”
K-pop star Moon Bin, member of the popular boy band group Astro, was found dead at his home in Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday evening, his management label announced. He was 25.
Moon Bin, known professionally as Moonbin, was reportedly found unresponsive by his manager in the Gangnam neighbourhood of Seoul.
Police are currently investigating the death, though local authorities have said there is no evidence of foul play. A police officer in Seoul told the Korean outlet Yonhap News that Moon Bin’s death appears to be a suicide.
“On April 19, Astro member Moon Bin unexpectedly left our world and became a star in the sky,” reads a statement in Korean from the music agency Fantagio.
The music agency did not provide any additional information about Moon Bin’s death but said the label’s other artists are in a state of “very deep sadness and shock.”
Fantagio asked fans to “refrain from speculative and malicious reports” in favour of respecting the Moon family’s privacy.
Moon Bin’s funeral will be as private as possible with family, friends and colleagues in attendance, the statement reads.
Astro debuted in 2016 after they appeared on a popular reality TV show. The group quickly found success in South Korea and Japan and was listed on Billboard’s top 10 list of new K-pop groups that year, with the magazine praising them for their “bright, synthpop sound that won over K-pop lovers from around the world.”
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Astro originally had six members, but one left the group in February 2023. The group has released three full-length albums and 10 EPs since their debut.
Before joining Astro, Moon Bin was a child actor and model. He held a minor role in the K-drama Boys Over Flowers, which was hugely popular in Asia.
Moon Bin’s sister, Moon Sua, is a K-pop artist as well and is a member of the girl band Billlie. Moon Bin was also a member of the subgroup Moonbin & Sanha, alongside Astro member Yoon San-ha.
Several South Korean singers and actors have died by suicide in recent years, which has touched off soul-searching about harsh competition in the fast-growing entertainment industry, an abusive online culture and failure by management to address the mental health problems of their stars.
Most K-pop stars join entertainment agencies at a very young age — many in their early teens — and train intensively for several years before making a public debut. K-pop stars are often held to very high standards in the public eye and are frequently scrutinized online for their appearance, dress and behaviour.
In 2019, popular K-pop star Goo Hara of the group Kara died by a suspected suicide at 28 years old. The year prior, she sued her ex-boyfriend for physical assault and threatening to blackmail the star with a sexually explicit video. He was given a suspended jail term, but Goo Hara’s career and reputation remained tarnished until her death.
Just over a month before Goo Hara died, a member of the F(x) girl group, Sulli, also died by a suspected suicide amid a longtime struggle with online harassment and bullying. Sulli was 25.
K-pop star and TV celebrity Goo Hara found dead at home, police say
Sulli was good friends with Kim Jonghyun, member of SHINee, one of Korea’s most successful boybands, who died of a suspected suicide in 2017. During his career, Kim Jonghyun was a rare voice in the K-pop industry who openly discussed his struggles with depression and mental illness. He was 27.
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According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, South Korea has the highest suicide rate of any country, at about 26 per every 100,000 people. Mental health and therapy remain stigmatized in South Korean society.
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If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In case of an emergency, please call 911 for immediate help.
“First of all, I apologize for the sad and heartbreaking news,” the group’s label said in a statement posted in Korean, according to ET. “On April 19, ASTRO member Moon Bin suddenly left us and became a star in the sky. It is incomparable to the sorrow of the bereaved families who left their beloved sons and brothers, but all ASTRO members, Fantagio colleagues, and executives and employees are deeply mourning the deceased in such great sadness and shock.”
The label asked fans to restrain from speculation as the 25-year-old’s family processes the loss.
“It is all the more heartbreaking to tell you the sudden news to the fans who supported Moon Bin and gave him generous love. It is more heartbreaking because I know the heart of the deceased who always loved and thought of the fans more than anyone else. I sincerely ask you to refrain from speculative and malicious reports so that the bereaved families, who are deeply saddened by the sudden sad news, can reverently commemorate and grieve the deceased.”
Moon Bin was a member of the popular K-pop boy band Astro, which made its debut in 2016, Entertainment Tonight reported. The 25-year-old was the older brother of Moon Sua, a member of the K-pop girl group Billie, according to Entertainment Tonight.
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Tiffany & Co. has named BTS member Jimin as its newest brand “ambassador,” marking the company’s latest foray into the burgeoning Asian luxury goods market.
Under the partnership, the K-pop star will appear in ad campaigns for Tiffany and attend high-profile branding events. A still shot from the luxury jeweler’s upcoming advertising campaign, out this spring, features Jimin sporting several of the brand’s “Lock” bracelets.
“It is a great honor to partner with Tiffany and embody the values of a brand that has a passion for design, innovation and artistry,” Jimin said in a statement.
BTS member Jimin, which Tiffany & Co. on March 2, 2023, announced as its newest brand “ambassador,” is pictured wearing some of the jewelry maker’s lock bracelets.
Hyeawon Kang
Jimin, whose full name is Park Ji-min, is no stranger to endorsement deals with luxury fashion brands. Earlier this year, the 27-year-old singer signed a global ambassadorship deal with Dior after years of promoting the brand alongside his BTS bandmates.
Jimin is the second Korean recording artist to star in a Tiffany advertising campaign. Rosé, a member of the popular K-pop girl band Black Pink, teamed with the brand in 2021.
Luxury brands have forged several strategic partnerships with prominent K-pop stars over the past few years in an effort to make inroads in Asia’s rapidly growing luxury goods markets.
Tiffany stepped up its focus on the Asia-Pacific market after its 2019 acquisition by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. Tiffany’s store locator lists 39 stores in China and 23 shops in South Korea.
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There’s truly no stopping the K-Pop takeover this fashion month. The latest idol to send stan Twitter into a tailspin is none other than Blackpink‘s Jisoo (née Kim Jisoo), who attended the Christian Dior Spring 2023 Haute Couture show in Paris on Jan. 23.
The singer and Dior ambassador arrived at the venue in a dress from last season’s haute couture collection — a sleeveless gown layered atop a tulle button-up blouse with an opaque collar and cuffs. A floral embossing upon the bodice is met by a billowing pleated skirt, which evoked the romantic nature of a Audrey Hepburn‘s classic style.
She leaned into the Hepburn aesthetic with an updo, paired with a jewelry-free approach, allowing the crisp, white look to speak entirely for itself.
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To top it all off, Jisoo carried a white Micro Lady D-Joy bag painted with lavender flowers, and wore lace J’Adior slingback pumps (which she masterfully walked across grates in).
This was Jisoo’s sixth time attending a Dior show. She’s been its global ambassador since March 2021 and has been described by the luxury house to capture the spirit of “liberated femininity channeled and portrayed by Maria Grazia Chiuri.” The idol has also been featured in Dior beauty campaigns, and there are no signs of an end to this high-fashion relationship.
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These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday.
Levi’s and Barbie Ferreira collaborate on new style of 501s jeans Barbie Ferreira has come together with Levi’s to design her “dream” pair of the brand’s iconic 501 style jeans. “I’ve always wanted to design clothing, and Levi’s is a perfect stepping stone,” said Ferreira. “My relationship with Levi’s jeans goes back to when I was a kid. It’s my dream casual wear and this is my dream collaboration.” The collection is available to shop now at Levis.com. {Fashionista inbox}
10 Magazine to launch U.S. edition London-based indie fashion title 10 Magazine‘s U.S. edition will launch in September with Dora Fung as editor-in-chief. Fung’s previous gigs include fashion director at New York Magazine and market and beauty director at CR Fashion Book. 10 Magazine‘s founder, Sophia Neophitou, said, “I am totally inspired by [Fung’s] energy, work ethic, creativity and commitment to the 10 ethos.” {WWD}
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Why K-Pop rules fashion week For Business of Fashion, Robert Williams breaks down the rise of K-Pop within the fashion industry, and therefore fashion week. Several major fashion labels and houses have inked deals with some of the most high-profile K-Pop stars (such as Blackpink’s Jisoo with Dior and BTS’s J-Hope with Louis Vuitton). This K-Pop-fashion takeover coincided with Korean cultural breakouts in other media, such as the success of shows like “Squid Game” and films like “Parasite.” “We’re at this tipping point where Korean influence is at the epicenter of the cultural zeitgeist,” said Alison Bringé, chief marketing officer at fashion consultancy Launchmetrics. “Brands are looking for ways to activate on a global level, and Korean talents deliver that.” {Business of Fashion}
Homepage Photo: Courtesy of Levi’s
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Decked out in head-to-toe Louis Vuitton menswear, J-Hope (née Jung Hoseok) sat front row for the brand’s Fall 2023 debut at Paris Fashion Week Men’s.
His three-piece look felt true to the vivid, three-dimensional dreamscape of an aesthetic that guest designer Colm Dillane (otherwise known as KidSuper) is known for. It featured a variety of wine-colored hues mixed with subtle pops of ultraviolet shades, all coming together to form collaged faces throughout.
Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Louis VuittonPhoto: Francois Durand/Getty Images
The suit ensemble was crafted out of what appears to be denim and suede embossed with the Louis Vuitton monogram. It also seemed to be a custom colorway, plus a zipper version of a button-up that was featured on the runway.
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Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton
The rapper topped the unique outfit off with platform leather shoes to match the burgundy color scheme, as well as with a gemstone necklace draped above his matching crepe button-up.
Southern California’s Coachella music festival announced its 2023 lineup on Tuesday, and it will feature entirely nonwhite headliners for the first time in the festival’s history.
The largest music festival in North America confirmed that Puerto Rican hit rapper Bad Bunny, R&B superstar Frank Ocean, and K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will headline the festival, which is scheduled to take place over two weekends in April.
This year’s lineup will mark the 22nd iteration of the festival, which started in 1999. The festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, and experienced unexpected shakeups in 2022, after then-headliner Kanye West pulled out of the lineup.
Ugh was stuck in drafts 🫠
Register now for access to passes at https://t.co/qujCsdlTip. Presale begins Friday, 1/13 at 11am PT. Very limited Weekend 1 passes remain. For your best chance at passes, look to Weekend 2. pic.twitter.com/5zMQ4dJZHq
BLACKPINK and Bad Bunny previously headlined the festival in 2019, while Ocean, who has not released an album since 2016’s “Blonde,” has not performed at Coachella since 2012. Ocean was originally slated to headline Coachella in 2020 before it was canceled.
Additionally, BLACKPINK are the first K-pop group to headline Coachella, and Bad Bunny is the first Latin American artist, and first Spanish-language musician to headline, according to Pitchfork.
Coachella 2023 Headliners: From left to right, Frank Ocean, BLACKPINK and Bad Bunny.
Getty Images
The festival will take place in Coachella Valley in Indio, California, over the course of two weekends: April 14-16 and April 21-23.
Coachella’s Twitter announcement noted that “very limited Weekend 1 passes remain” for the festival, and “for your best chance at passes, look to Weekend 2.” The presale begins on Friday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. Pacific time.
Jin of K-Pop band BTS shows off his freshly shaved head on the K-pop social media platform Weverse, Dec. 11, 2022, ahead of his upcoming military conscription.
Weverse via AP
Seoul — Jin, a member of South Korea’s K-Pop superstar band BTS, has shaved his head and joined the army. At 30 Jin is the eldest member of the band, making him first in line to put his pop career on hold to fulfil his mandatory national military service.
A big purple banner was hung near the entrance to the Yeoncheon County military training center Tuesday, welcoming “Jin and every enlisted man” as they signed up for service.
BTS announced in June that it would pause its touring schedule, leading to a sudden drop in the stock price of the group’s parent entertainment company, Hybe, of almost 25% in a single day.
A photo posted on the group’s Twitter account showed Jin, with his new regulation military buzz cut, laughing with his BTS bandmates. The accompanying message read: “My brother! Come back safe! I love you.”
Questions over whether the young men of BTS would be required to enlist under South Korean law bubbled for years, stoking heated debates over everything from the requirement being for men only, to whether the band’s huge cultural contribution and earning power — both domestically and as representatives of South Korea on a global stage — should exempt them.
After machinations by the government to grant the band a pass drew a sharp rebuke — especially from former members of the military — the Ministry of Defense ruled in 2019 that the boys of BTS would, in fact, have to serve.
Most healthy Korean men are required to serve in the military for 18 months.
Pop star Psy, of “Gangnam Style” fame, has even been enlisted twice: As he managed to squeeze in so many musical performances during his first stint in the army, officials deemed his national service inadequate and required him to enlist again. He has now completed his second enlistment period and taken his singing career back on the road.
But there is no guarantee for boy band members that careers shelved for military service will be waiting for them when they return. In the world of pop and popular culture, 18 months is a long time. Being out of the public eye for so long — especially for a band like BTS, which has members of a range of ages, meaning its hiatus will be staggered and drag on for years — can see even the most fervent of fanbases fade away.
From left to right, V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS attend the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
And BTS may have the most fervent group of fans in the world – or at least on the internet. “The Army,” as they somewhat ironically call themselves, replied to the band’s tweet on Tuesday with remorse, lament, and vows to remain loyal to their K-Pop heroes.
“We will wait for u jin, we love u,” declared one fan under the user handle mia. Another simply posted a short clip of a woman crying on her knees with the word “ARMY” emblazoned over her, in front of a superimposed image of the car driving Jin into the recruitment center.
— 🐱🍊ʟɪʟ ᴍᴇᴏᴡ ᴍᴇᴏᴡ 🍓🐯#คราวหน้าไว้ไปแดกูด้วยกันนะ (@oilSGTH) December 13, 2022
It is widely assumed at this stage that BTS will at least attempt to reunite in 2025, once all the members have fulfilled their military service requirement.
At a daily news briefing, a Defense Ministry official sought to reassure nervous fans about Jin’s safety as he enlisted, noting that some 300 security personnel were dispatched to help control crowds gathered at the site.
The force, consisting of members of the South Korean Army (the actual army, not the BTS fans), local police and fire departments were “jointly doing their best to prevent safety accidents.”
Fans wait to see BTS’s Jin join the military in front of the 5th Infantry Division recruit training center, December 13, 2022 in Yeoncheon-gun, South Korea.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty
From Tuesday, Jin will go through five weeks of bootcamp training. It has been reported, though not confirmed by the military, that he will then be assigned to a front-line unit near the tense border with North Korea.
CBS News’ Tucker Reals contributed to this report.
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