1. BTS's new single melted everyone's heart like ~butter~!
![On May 21, worldwide superstars BTS released their second all-English single, titled "Butter." Upbeat, bright, and bubbly, the track is pure pop perfection that you'll quickly find yourself wanting to listen to over and over again.
Speaking at a press conference in Seoul on Friday, Jungkook called "Butter" a "very fun song" with a catchy melody. "Itβs a very airy and refreshing dance-pop song," he said. "If you've seen the music video, it's also very addictive, and it will stay with you. I think it's a song that we really like to perform." He's right; although it was released just four hours ago at the time of writing, the song's music video currently sits at a whopping 38 million views and rising.
According to Jimin, instead of writing a song with a "really heavy or profound message," BTS wanted to create a track that was made for easy listening this summer. "This is a little bit embarrassing, but [the song is] sort of smooth like butter. It sort of melts into you and really grabs hold of you," he said. "It's a very cute song; it's sort of like a confession."
The group's leader, RM, also shared his thought process while writing the rap portions of the song. "Me, Suga, and J-Hope, we all sort of have different colors and characters, so I tried to highlight these differences," he said. "It was a really fun process."
When asked by the MC if the group expected another #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Butter" like they received with "Dynamite," the question found its way to Suga. "Number one on the Billboard Hot 100? I think we can do it. I think it'll make it," Suga said. "We will do it!"
BTS will perform "Butter" live for the very first time at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on May 23. The group is also confirmed as a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on May 25, and will perform on Good Morning America on May 28. So get ready to side step right left to BTS's beat in the upcoming weeks! Get it? Let it roll!](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WMweEpGlu_U/mqdefault.jpg)
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On May 21, worldwide superstars BTS released their second all-English single, titled "Butter." Upbeat, bright, and bubbly, the track is pure pop perfection that you'll quickly find yourself wanting to listen to over and over again.
Speaking at a press conference in Seoul on Friday, Jungkook called "Butter" a "very fun song" with a catchy melody. "Itβs a very airy and refreshing dance-pop song," he said. "If you've seen the music video, it's also very addictive, and it will stay with you. I think it's a song that we really like to perform." He's right; although it was released just four hours ago at the time of writing, the song's music video currently sits at a whopping 38 million views and rising.
According to Jimin, instead of writing a song with a "really heavy or profound message," BTS wanted to create a track that was made for easy listening this summer. "This is a little bit embarrassing, but [the song is] sort of smooth like butter. It sort of melts into you and really grabs hold of you," he said. "It's a very cute song; it's sort of like a confession."
The group's leader, RM, also shared his thought process while writing the rap portions of the song. "Me, Suga, and J-Hope, we all sort of have different colors and characters, so I tried to highlight these differences," he said. "It was a really fun process."
When asked by the MC if the group expected another #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Butter" like they received with "Dynamite," the question found its way to Suga. "Number one on the Billboard Hot 100? I think we can do it. I think it'll make it," Suga said. "We will do it!"
BTS will perform "Butter" live for the very first time at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on May 23. The group is also confirmed as a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on May 25, and will perform on Good Morning America on May 28. So get ready to side step right left to BTS's beat in the upcoming weeks! Get it? Let it roll!
2. Source Music revealed that GFriend will disband this month:
[π #μλ¦Ό] #μ¬μμΉκ΅¬ #GFRIEND μ μ κ³μ½ μ’ λ£ μλ΄ μμΈν λ΄μ©μ μλ²μ€ 곡μ§λ₯Ό νμΈν΄ μ£ΌμκΈ° λ°λλλ€. βΆοΈ https://t.co/p7fPZH7QXy
On Monday (May 17), Source Music shocked the world with the announcement that beloved girl group GFriend will be officially disbanding on May 22.
"After careful consideration and extensive discussion, GFriend and Source Music have come to an agreement to follow separate paths to continued growth," Source Music said in a statement per Soompi. "Source Music will always continue to cheer for the members as they take the first step towards new beginnings."
A day later, the group's six members confirmed the news themselves by publishing their own handwritten letters on the fan platform Weverse. Each one described their own personal experience as members of GFriend, their decision to leave Source Music, and their appreciation for the group's fanbase called Buddy.
"Although GFriend has officially ended, this is not the end for us, so donβt have too hard of a time, Buddy," member Sowon wrote per translation by Soompi. "To Buddy, who must have been so shocked by the sudden news, Iβm sorry and I love you. Iβll make up for it with good things." You can read each of the members' statements, as translated by Soompi, here.
GFriend debuted in 2015 with the single "Glass Bead" and is known for their empowering lyrics, unique concepts, and bubbly personalities. Their last single β the shimmery, disco anthem "Mago" β was ranked #4 on BuzzFeed's 35 Songs That Helped Define K-Pop in 2020 list last year. We wish the members of GFriend nothing but the best as they embark upon on their next journey.
3. 88rising announced Asia Rising Together, a benefit concert featuring performances by Eaj of Day6, Yoonmirae, and more:
π¨πππ πΉπππππ π»πππππππ: π©ππππππ πͺππππππ π May 26 @ 7PM PT. See you on @88rising Facebook, YouTube, Twitter #AsiaRisingTogether
88rising revealed this week that they will hold a livestream benefit concert on May 26 in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Titled Asia Rising Together, the event will feature an introduction by legendary artist CL and include group meditation, poetry readings, guest appearances, and more. Eaj of Day6, Yoon Mi-rae, Mxmtoon, and Tiger JK are just a few of the phenomenal artists from around the world who are set to perform at the concert too, so there's a lot to get excited about!
All donations received during the livestream will go to support the Asian Mental Health Collective, which aims to normalize the topic of mental health within the Asian community. Additionally, 88rising will also highlight other Asian American organizations throughout the livestream, including The Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay and Mama Los Angeles.
Make sure to tune into the event on May 26 at 7 p.m. PST (10 p.m. EST)! It will be available to watch or listen to via 88rising's YouTube channel, Facebook page, Twitter, or SiriusXM channel.
4. Aespa took their music to the ~next level~ this week!
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When it comes to storytelling, Aespa are truly on the next level. Their latest, hip-hop infused single might've originally started out as a remake of an Arceehij and Aston Wyld song for the Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw soundtrack back in 2019, but the group has truly made it their own with their world-building lyrics and powerful choreography.
At a press conference on May 17, member Karina described "Next Level" as a "groovy and energetic" song through which Aespa can show off the "power in their voices." Its lyrics tie directly into the recently unveiled SM Culture Universe, the elements of which have been both seen and heard in multiple SM artist's works in the past, including Exo Kai's "Mmmh," SuperM's "One (Monster & Infinity)," and NCT U's "90's Love."
Aespa's concept is part of SM's greater universe and is a rich, complex tale of worlds: present day, the Flat, and Kwangya. It all begins when magical sinkholes form around the globe that transform all of the data that anyone has ever shared online into an avatar version of that person called 'Γ¦'; Γ¦ live in the Flat and can "synk" between worlds to spend time with their human counterparts. When the portal between the worlds is disconnected by the devious Black Mamba, they must delve further into Kwangya β a lawless wasteland of time and space β to find the culprit.
"Our story is about 'meeting the other self (an avatar) and experiencing a new world,'" explained Winter. "This is a concept thatβs never been seen anywhere before, so it gives us our own unique color and style."
According to Ningning, the music video for "Next Level" is a continuation of the journey seen in Aespa's 2020 single "Black Mamba" to uncover clues about what caused Γ¦ to synk out. "'Next Level' is about going on an adventure to 'Kwangya' to fix the problem caused by 'Black Mamba,' who disturbed the synk between us and Γ¦," she revealed.
"Yes, it is an ongoing story that will be told through all our activities from βBlack Mambaβ to βNext Levelβ and onwards," Giselle added. "So please look forward to it!"
This week also saw the release of Enhypen's "Fever," Taemin of Shinee's "Advice," B.I's "Waterfall," Rocket Punch's "Ring Ring," Fromis_9's "We Go," Tri.be's "Rub-A-Dum," E'Last U's "The Beginning of Spring," TO1's "Son of Beast," Heize's "Happen," and Yuqi of (G)i-dle's "Bonnie & Clyde," so be sure to check those out as well! β¨
5. KCON announced the second lineup for KCON:TACT 4 U:
KCON:TACT 4 Uβs 2nd LINEUP! Please look forward to the 3rd LINEUP announcement! #ASTRO #HASUNGWOON #ITZY #JO1 #PENTAGON #StrayKids #VERIVERY #Weeekly #KCONTACT #KCONTACT4U
The second lineup for the online K-Pop festival was released this week and includes eight new artists: Astro, Ha Sung Woon, Itzy, JO1, Pentagon, Stray Kids, Verivery, and Weeekly. They join the event's already announced artists BTOB, Golden Child, Highlight, iKon, Oneus, ONF, SF9, and Weki Meki.
But the fun doesn't stop there β a third and final lineup including even more artists is set to be revealed soon. Let us know who you want to join this already fantastic lineup in the comments below!
KCON:TACT will be held from June 19β27. Tickets aren't currently available for the event yet, but we'll be sure to let you know once they are!
6. And Seventeen, Brave Girls, and Up10tion confirm that new music is on the way!
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* Get ready to slip into the diamond life, because Seventeen is making a comeback! On Tuesday, the group revealed the concept trailer for their upcoming eighth mini-album,Your Choice, which will be released on June 18! The adorable animated video centers around the many different forms of love that we all experience and receive in our lifetimes βΒ from first crushes to friendships to the love we receive from our pets!
* BUT! While we all patiently wait for June 18 to arrive, Seventeen members Wonwoo and Mingyu have prepared an early gift. The duo revealed this week that they'll release a single with soloist Lee Hi titled "Bittersweet" on May 28 and shared a rainy day poster too.
* Brave Girls are ready to keep the good vibes rollin', rollin', rollin'! Per Soompi, the group announced that they'll be making a comeback in late June.
* Up10tion revealed a ~spoiler~ concept image this week that revealed the group will be releasing an album in June.
That's it for this week! Have a lovely weekend, and be sure to catch up on last week's news if you missed it! β¨
