Wars, Trump and Climate Malaise: Brazil Braces for a Tough COP30
It aptly summed up the mood of even the most veteran negotiators, who know that, with less than five months to go before United Nations climate talks in Brazil, keeping the world's focus on the battle against global warming will be a herculean task.
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Forbes
14 hours ago
- Forbes
15 Boy Band Songs If You Love KPop Demon Hunters Saja Boys ‘Soda Pop'
Netflix K-Content, "Saja Boys - Soda Pop (Official Lyric Video) | K-Pop Demon Hunters | Netflix" KPop Demon Hunters has not only taken over Netflix as a Number One movie but has sent its soundtrack soaring up the charts around the world. HitsDailyDouble reports the OST earning about 75,000 units from July 4-10, up 23 percent from last week's total of neraly 61,000, for the soundtrack's biggest week in America yet. Beyond the U.S., the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack hit Number One on the official album charts in Australia, New Zealand and Germany, while reaching the Top 5 in Canada, Austria, Portugal, Lithuania, Switzerland, Norway and more. While the soundtrack songs 'Golden' and 'Your Idol' made initial dents on the charts, even more songs from the film are surging like 'Soda Pop,' the debut single by the demons-in-disguise boy band Saja Boys. Its effervescent bubblegum-pop melody mixed with the group's charming good looks quickly turns everyone into a fan — including the movie's starring girl group, HUNTR/X. The vocals on 'Soda Pop" are handled by Andrew Choi, Danny Chung, samUIL Lee and Neckwav. Remarkably, Woo is a former K-pop boy band member (performing in U-KISS from 2008 until 2017), while Choi, Chung, Lee and Neckwav have written songs for major K-pop acts including, respectively, TWICE, BLACKPINK, RIIZE, miss A's MIN, plus many more. 'Soda Pop' taps into the bright and bubbly side of K-pop boy bands — a concept many acts use in their musical journey, usually at the start of their careers when the group is at its youngest but sometimes to change up or refresh their sound. As new fans continue to explore the movie and its soundtrack, now is the perfect time to dive deeper into the world of K‑pop if you are still to make the leap. Maybe you'll love some bright K-pop boy bands? So, if you love Saja Boys' here are TKTKTKTKTKTKT similar tracks from chart-topping K-pop groups like SHINee, NCT DREAM and ZEROBASEONE, as well as groups from elsewhere around the world like BGYO from the Philippines, to expand your musical world and playlists. 1. NCT DREAM, 'Chewing Gum' Originally conceived as a group for teenage K-pop stars before 'graduating' into other NCT units like 127, WayV or WISH, NCT DREAM's overwhelming popularity cemented them into fans' hearts that the first seven members were turned into a fixed group. No doubt their delicious debut single 'Chewing Gum' began the fan support early with such a catchy track and was likely a major inspiration as to why the Saja Boys are first introduced with their equally effervescent 'Soda Pop.' 2. ZEROBASEONE, 'Feel the POP' Created through millions of fan votes through a singing competition series, ZEROBASEONE is meant to represent the ideal, modern-day boy band. The ninesome's refreshing 'Feel the POP' has the same swoon-y, bubbly vibeTK that made millions in the movie — and, increasingly, in real life — fall for the Saja Boys and this song. 3. AB6IX, 'Cherry' Since AB6IX's 2019 debut, the outfit has tried out a range of different sounds and styles from slinky R&B to military-like marches, but 2021's 'Cherry' was the guys' sweetest release, written by members Park Woo Jin and Lee Dae Hwi, the latter of whom also co-composed the track. Mix this AB6IX hit with Saja Boys' first single and you get 'Cherry Soda Pop.' Yum! 4. SHINee, 'Dream Girl' With more than 15 years in K-pop, SHINee's 'Dream Girl' ranks as one of their biggest, hitting Number One on South Korea's singles chart and selling nearly one million downloads to date. The song also reached No. 3 on Billboard's U.S. World Digital Songs chart marking one of the group's highest-charting singles ever. And after one listen of this bright, soulful-pop gem will make it obvious why this song remains a sparkling gem in SHINee's pristine discography. 5. Kim Woo Seok, 'Sugar' Throughout his music career, Kim Woo Seok has proven his versatility as a soloist able to embrace darker concepts akin to Saja Boys' 'Your Idol' as well as 'Soda Pop.' The February 2021 release of 'Sugar' came right in time for Valentine's Day with Woo Seok showcasing a sweet and soft side of himself with candy-colored hair colors, whimsical face stickers and bright lip glosses as he sang on top of a giant frosted bundt cake. 6. RIIZE, 'Get a Guitar' Ushering in the latest generation of K-pop boy bands, RIIZE made immediate impact on the scene with their sweetly smooth debut single 'Get a Guitar.' Earning comparisons to One Direction's early work, RIIZE brought round a sweeter side of boy bands at a time when most were embracing intense and hard-hitting concepts. 7. Golden Child, 'Pump It Up' Golden Child debuted in 2017 with 11 members when successful groups like SEVENTEEN, WJSN, LOONA and I.O.I exascerbated the trend of groups with a large amount of members. The group began with a more fresh and innocent image with singles like 'Pump It Up' from 2020 letting their boyish charms breakthrough entirely. 8. CRAVITY, 'Groovy' Nine-member boy band CRAVITY entered the K-pop industry with their rebellious debut single 'Break All the Rules,' but 2023's 'Groovy' is a bubblegum-pop gem of a track that became one of their first chart hits in Korea. 9. THE BOYZ, 'Bloom Bloom' Originally a 12-member group, THE BOYZ have experimented with several different styles and sounds through since their late-2017 debut with their first breakout hit coming via 'Bloom Bloom' in 2019. The track embodies a bursting feeling of youthful, boyish charms with its lyrics partially written by members Sunwoo and Eric. 10. BGYO, 'Tumitigil Ang Mundo' As the Philippines is growing its music influence globally, its artists are showcasing a range of styles and colors. Five-member boy band BGYO embraced an energetic, feel-good vibe on 'Tumitigil Ang Mundo' (which translates to 'The World Stops') as the first single off their sophomore album Be Us from 2022. Peep the official music video below and look out for the BGYO guys performing on a neighborhood streets that's reminiscent to when we first meet Saja Boys performing 'Soda Pop.' 11. DRIPPIN, 'Free Pass' A younger brother group to Golden Child under the same label of Woollim Entertainment, DRIPPIN released 'Free Pass' in June 2021 to deliver a refreshing blast of feel-good pop for the summer. 12. TOO, 'Count 1, 2' Created similarly to ZEROBASEONE on a singing-competition series, TOO was the extremely promising boy band that left K-pop too early, disbanding three years after and going through several member changes and even a name change. Toward the start of their career, the guys dropped this gem of a summer single with 'Count 1, 2' embodying the bubbly feelings of a summer romance told with a classic, feel-good pop chorus. Even after the group's disbandment, several of the members continue their careers in entertainment: leader Jaeyun is a soloist that goes as Jayn Lee, Woonggi landed in the group AHOF, Yeojeong re-debuted in NEWBEAT and Donggeon is acting. 13. In Real Life, 'Tattoo (How 'Bout You)' While western boy bands don't typically embrace the saccharine, ABC's reality competition series Boy Band saw celebrity judges Nick Carter, Emma Bunton and Timbaland create In Real Life whose debut single 'Tattoo (How 'Bout You)' was a true bubblegum-pop treat and reached the top half of the U.S. Top 40 radio charts. 14. NCT DREAM, 'Yogurt Shake' With NCT DREAM's concept aligning perfectly with Saja Boys' 'Soda Pop' style, we'd be remiss to not include one of their sweetest and best snack songs in 'Yogurt Shake.' The track's addictive 'yogurt shake, yogurt shake, yogurt shake for me' hook gets instantly stuck in your head and the guys always look like they are having the best time when performing it. 15. THE BOYZ, 'Lip Gloss' Another sweet summer single from the versatile act, THE BOYZ's 'Lip Gloss' feels like it could have actually been a Saja Boys single with handfuls of easily accessible hooks. Bonus: Wonho, 'BLUE' While we know Wonho isn't a boy band, he is a former member of Monsta X and crafted the irresistible summer tune 'BLUE' that sounds like it could fit perfectly into any group's discography but instead sees the superstar handling it all on his own. While you're enocuraged to get into 'BLUE' below, make sure you also check out Wonho covering 'Soda Pop' as well as Saja Boys' other hit 'Your Idol' in this special video on his YouTube that already has over a million views.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
UFC Signs Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida in Latest Heavyweight Move
UFC Signs Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida in Latest Heavyweight Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UFC is wasting no time reshaping its heavyweight division in the wake of Jon Jones' retirement and Tom Aspinall's official crowning as undisputed champion. With star power shifting and contenders jockeying for relevance, the promotion appears focused on bolstering depth—and a new name has just joined the ranks. A decorated heavyweight grappler has signed with the UFC, bringing a different kind of danger to the Octagon. Advertisement Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida, a 35-year-old Brazilian and former BJJ world champion, confirmed his UFC signing in an emotional Instagram post: 'After many years of a career and a life devoted to sports, I was able to achieve more of this dream in my life, which was to one day fight for the largest organization in the world, the UFC.' 'Of course, it was a long journey so far and that didn't happen overnight. I had many obstacles along the way on this journey and "What's in the way, turns the way." It was with this thought that I was able to overcome all the difficulties and get here today.' 'I'm tied up and ready for more of this challenge. I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for their support and cheering as always, thank everyone who has always vibrated and vibrated with my achievements and you can be sure that I will be carrying the Jiu Jitsu flag with me inside the cage again! Let's go let's go the time has come!' UFC CEO Dana WhiteGetty Images For those unfamiliar with his resume, Buchecha isn't just a submission artist—he's a grappling icon. The man has stacked up 13 IBJJF world titles and two ADCC gold medals like they were arcade tokens. Marcus 'Buchecha' AlmeidaImagn He's been grappling competitively since his late teens, racking up nearly two decades of high-level experience across international mats. His 5–1 MMA record was carved out in ONE Championship, where he introduced seasoned heavyweights to what it feels like to drown on the mat. He's not flashy on the feet, but on the ground? It's a chess match—and Buchecha's already five moves ahead. Advertisement According to Robert Tellez, the UFC is already working on Buchecha's promotional debut. A bout against 14th-ranked heavyweight Martin Buday is currently targeted for July 26 in Abu Dhabi. While the fight is not yet officially signed, both sides have accepted the matchup and are awaiting final contract confirmation. If finalized, the bout would serve as Buchecha's first step into the UFC's talent-rich heavyweight pool. Some fans are skeptical. Others are hyped. As one fan put it: 'He's a monster on the ground, but what happens when someone like Gane or Volkov keeps him standing?' Can his ground game really carry him against knockout artists? Will his lack of stand-up catch up with him in the deep end of the UFC? Either way, there's no denying that Buchecha adds serious flavor to a division that's always teetered between chaos and brilliance. Whether he sinks or swims, one thing's certain: Buchecha won't be easy to keep off his game once the cage door shuts. The UFC heavyweight division may have just added its most dangerous submission artist in years. Advertisement Related: Ricky Hatton's Comeback Fight Is Set – Here's What We Know About His Opponent Related: 'Make Us a Promise' – UFC's Quiet Request to Ilia Topuria Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Spotify faces global boycott over CEO's military investments
For many, going a day without music feels unthinkable because it has become a vital part of their lives. Imagine having to power through an intense workout session without your favorite playlist, or commuting to work without the voice of your favorite podcast host to keep you company. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Spotify is a Swedish audio streaming service for digital music, podcasts, and video that allows users to access a wide range of content worldwide. Since launching in 2008, it has become the most popular music streaming service, with over 678 million users and 268 million paying subscribers. Related: Walmart, Sam's Club makes major donation for Texas flood relief Over the last few months, major ongoing global conflicts have taken over the news, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Palestinian crisis, the civil war in Sudan, and the Israel-Iran tensions, to name a few. With so much chaos worldwide, music has been the only thing keeping people sane, allowing an outlet for those struggling with their emotions during these challenging times. However, a shocking revelation has completely shattered people, putting Spotify at the center of a major controversy. Recently, it was discovered that Spotify's CEO, Daniel Ek, is leading an investment of around $700 million into the European defense tech startup Helsing through his venture capital firm Prima Materia. Founded in 2021, Helsing is a German military tech firm that develops AI-based warfare systems, such as battlefield drone surveillance, cybersecurity tools, aircraft, submarines, and more. Related: Spotify makes huge strategy change that will impact its business This significant investment has prompted a global boycott of Spotify (SPOT) by many users and artists, who view this move as a conflicting action promoting war rather than world peace and unity. "As Europe rapidly strengthens its defence capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical challenges, there is an urgent need for investments in advanced technologies that ensure its strategic autonomy and security readiness," said Ek in a statement. Thanks to its latest investment rounds, Helsing is valued at around $12 billion, which places it among one of Europe's most valuable tech startups. In response, many outraged independent musicians, including Deerhoof, Skee Mask, and Poolroom, have willingly removed their music from the platform to speak out against Ek's support for European military technology. More Business News: T-Mobile makes harsh decision to lock in crucial deal approvalsStarbucks executives to get huge bonus as baristas demand better payCheesecake Factory faces truly disturbing charges Those who oppose the CEO's recent investment, including music critic Anthony Fantano, are asking Spotify to donate to more peaceful causes, such as those that support struggling artists and the music economy. "If you care about music as a cultural necessity…put some of that cash back into the artists, not battle tech," Fantano posted on social media. This move prompted users, especially in the U.S., to use their personal social media platforms to raise awareness of this topic and call for a boycott of Spotify Premium, asking users to cancel their subscriptions. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
