BlingOne China aims to bridge K-pop and C-pop
The six-member group -- Ranee, Katrina, Sandy, Cassie, Junny and Chloe -- held a press showcase in Seoul on Wednesday to introduce their debut digital single, 'Bubble Gum.' The event took place a day before their official Korean debut on Thursday.
"Bubble Gum" is a hybrid K-pop track that merges an energetic hip-hop dance beat with bright, lively synth sounds. The song also incorporates a melodic theme from an 1829 classical overture, making it easy for people of all ages to sing along. It is released in both Korean and Mandarin versions.
BlingOne China's members arrived in Korea in September 2023 after passing a highly competitive audition process in China. Out of 1,000 hopefuls, only 17 candidates were initially selected. After three months of intensive training and evaluations, six finalists made it to debut.
Unlike many K-pop groups that aim for global fame, BlingOne China's focus is on promoting both Korean and Chinese cultures through music. The group emphasizes that while they were trained under a K-pop system, they do not strictly identify as either a K-pop or a C-pop group.
"Since we were formed through 'Click the Star' in China, we represent China among the 32 participating countries. It would be great if we could establish ourselves as Chinese K-pop ambassadors,' said member Chloee.
Another member, Cassie, highlighted China's long artistic traditions as a strength that could enrich their performances.
'China has a rich history and deep artistic traditions. With this background, we can blend diverse influences and showcase them on the global stage,' she said.
'As Chinese members, we see K-pop -- an internationally popular medium -- as a great opportunity to share our unique charm with the world,' Cassie added.
BlingOne China will begin its musical promotions this week with performances on Korean music programs including "Music Bank," "Show! Music Core," and "M! Countdown." The group will then travel to China next week to officially debut in their home country.
Meanwhile, Seoul's World K-Pop Center aims to launch 32 girl groups worldwide through 'Click the Star' over the next five years. Each group, composed entirely of nationals from their respective auditioning countries, will debut under the BlingOne brand with their country name attached.
The project began with BlingOne Peru, which debuted in June 2023. The second season, originally planned for Mongolia, was postponed due to contractual issues.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
9 hours ago
- Korea Herald
From boo to boohoo: Korean ghosts tug at heartstrings worldwide
From K-pop demons to grim reapers, Korean ghost lore captivates audiences with emotionally rich tales of sorrow, justice and healing Korea's traditional grim reapers, known as jeoseung saja, are gaining global recognition following their portrayal as key antagonists in the Netflix hit "Kpop Demon Hunters." The film follows shaman heroines who battle demons while performing as K-pop idols. Within two months of its release, it soared to become the fourth most-streamed movie on the platform, propelled by sustained global buzz. 'There's a growing sense that traditional Korean imagery feels more approachable and enjoyable, largely because Korean culture is now viewed so favorably and familiarly worldwide,' said culture critic Jung Duk-hyun. 'This positive perception plays a major role in making Korean folklore feel trendy and hip to global audiences.' Clad in dark robes and high-brimmed hats, these grim reapers exude a unique presence and emotional complexity, earning popularity rivaling the protagonists. Far from being purely malevolent, they are portrayed as tormented figures — a reflection of han, a uniquely Korean concept of unresolved sorrow that permeates much of the country's ghost lore. Han is the emotional pain that lingers after a traumatic experience, preventing one from moving on. In Korean supernatural tales, this sentiment explains why spirits remain earthbound — not to terrorize, but to seek closure for injustices or deep regrets. This emotional nuance distinguishes Korean folklore from some of the more dualistic ghost narratives in the West. Rather than evil for evil's sake, Korean spirits are often driven by sorrow, guilt, or betrayal. In "Kpop Demon Hunters," Jinu — the leader of the K-pop boy band Saja Boys — embodies this layered grief. Though transformed into a demon after abandoning his family, his actions stem from guilt and pain, not malice. 'The reapers, especially Jinu, show characteristics of Korean ghosts,' said Jung. 'Korean spirits are often defined not by violence, but by han — a sorrow that compels them to seek understanding from the living rather than inflict harm without reason.' This storytelling tradition casts the supernatural not as monstrous, but as deeply human. In the 'Legend of Arang' from Miryang, for example, a young woman's ghost haunts magistrates not to frighten them, but to seek justice for her death during an attempted assault. Adaptations of such folklore in modern dramas and films often preserve this emotional complexity, blending traditional themes with contemporary storytelling. TvN's 2016 hit series "Dokkaebi (Goblin)" reimagines Korean mythology in a modern setting, exploring han through two central figures: the Goblin, cursed with immortality, and the Reaper, who guides souls to the afterlife. Both characters are burdened by past sins. The Goblin is haunted by those he failed to save, while the Reaper is tormented by having ordered the Goblin's execution in a past life. Their inability to move on mirrors the unresolved sorrow central to Korean ghost stories. This emotional depth continues to shape contemporary content. The SBS series "The Haunted Palace" received praise for portraying diverse spirits shaped by the circumstances of their deaths. The show achieved an 11 percent viewership rating by focusing on the living engaging with spirits' emotional wounds, not just confronting the supernatural. At the heart of Korean ghost narratives is the idea that spirits find peace through communication, not confrontation. In "Kpop Demon Hunters," even in his demon form, Jinu seeks to share his pain, not inflict it. 'Unlike Western fantasy, which often resolves conflict through exorcism, Korean stories are about listening to the dead and helping them release unresolved sorrow,' Jung noted. This storytelling approach invites audiences to empathize with the supernatural and participate in a journey toward healing. Culture critic Kim Heon-sik attributed the growing global fascination with Korea's supernatural traditions to their unique visual and emotional elements. 'Their distinct Korean identity makes them more intriguing,' he said. 'And by integrating ghostly elements into pop culture, especially K-pop, they've become even more appealing.' Kim also emphasized that the success stems in part from subtlety. 'When nationalism or symbolic depth is overemphasized, it can alienate audiences. What made these stories resonate is that they left room for interpretation — letting viewers explore and connect on their own terms.'
![[What to see] Summer getaways for art, architecture lovers](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F08%2F07%2Fnews-p.v1.20250807.042e59fb441d404c996cd5220186f081_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
10 hours ago
- Korea Herald
[What to see] Summer getaways for art, architecture lovers
Looking for a cool, relaxing retreat? If you find yourself interested in art and architecture, there are some destinations outside Seoul where you can immerse yourself in art along with beautiful spaces and just forget about the heat while basking in the pleasant environment. Mimesis Art Museum in Paju Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza Vieira is renowned for poetic minimalism and architectural design that sensitively responds to its surroundings. Mimesis Art Museum in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, about a 30-minute drive northwest of Seoul, is one of his notable works here. The museum with a total area 3,663 square meters was commissioned by Open Books and completed in 2009. The interior is lit by indirect, natural light, illuminating the building's beauty and purity. The museum is now showing solo exhibitions of painters Suh Yoon-hee and Lee Hye-in, titled 'Where am I' and 'Eternal Sunset in My Mind,' respectively. Visitors can rest and grab a coffee at the cafe with a view of greenery outside the window. 253 Mulbal-ro, Paju, Gyeonggi Province Koo House Museum in Yangpyeong There is a unique museum in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, that gives a glimpse into the house of a collector. Koo House Museum, designed by Korea's leading architect Cho Min-suk, was built by Korean first-generation graphic designer Koo Jung-soon. The museum shows Koo's collection of contemporary art and design works, which are on display across the space that gives a feeling of having been invited to a collector's house. Koo, who has amassed some 500 works of art, opened the museum, where she also lives, in 2016. The museum also allows pets inside, as long as they are kept in a carrier or stroller. Along with the permanent exhibition of Koo's collection, special exhibitions of invited artists are held regularly. 49-12 Munaemi-gil, Seojong-myeon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province Johyun Gallery in Busan If you find yourself in Busan looking for some art, Johyun Gallery on the city's 8-kilometer Dalmaji coastal road is recommended. The gallery is currently showing a solo exhibition of Korean art master Kim Chong-hak that traces the evolution of his painterly practice with a focus on his drawings. Immersed in the rhythms of the mountain, Kim -- also known as a painter of Seoraksan where he made his home -- has spent decades painting wildflowers, forests and snowscapes that reveal both visible and invisible structures of the landscape. On the ground floor is the artist's monumental painting filled with forms from nature in vibrant colors as a key work in his oeuvre, revealing both the scale he pursued in his painting and his attitude toward nature. 'Two-thirds of my paintings are about wildflowers, yet I try to paint those flowers rougher, reclusive and bold. I often exaggerate and at times overemphasize certain parts to bring out vitality. If artwork does not bring out the vitality of nature, it is a failed endeavor,' the artist says in a video at the exhibition.
Korea Herald
10 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Lawyer-turned-CEO aims to rewrite rules of entertainment industry
After decades working at the crossroads of law and entertainment — from serving as a prosecutor and entertainment lawyer to leading CJ ENM as its chief executive officer — Kang Ho-sung is taking on a new challenge: Building an agency that redefines what it means to professionally represent South Korean celebrities. His latest venture, KHS Agency, goes beyond traditional management, he said. 'Korea's management system still hasn't properly developed a specialized agency system,' Kang told The Korea Herald. 'Now that the Korean market is one of the leading markets in the global entertainment industry, I believe it's time for the level of care and support for artists and creators — the core of the entertainment business — to be significantly upgraded.' While most Korean management agencies focus on scouting and training new talent, KHS Agency aims to offer what Kang calls 'one-stop strategic care,' a full-service model inspired by the "total talent management" model in the US — popularized by major agencies such as Creative Artists Agency and William Morris Endeavor. A total talent management agency not only focuses on discovering and developing talent and booking opportunities for their clients, but also offers end-to-end strategic support, such as contract negotiation, image branding, legal advice, global expansion and crisis management. 'Once an artist becomes famous, they're often left to figure things out on their own,' said Kang, who launched his venture more than three decades after he started his legal professional career as a prosecutor in 1993. KHS Agency, founded in July, consists of lawyers and other legal experts Kang got to know as he built his career as an entertainment lawyer 'We fill that gap ... so our artists can focus entirely on their creative work,' he explained. For Kang, the shift to this model is a 'necessary evolution.' 'In Korea, a professional agency system still hasn't properly taken shape,' he said, bringing up Hollywood's agency landscape, where agent qualifications are strictly regulated and legally protected. 'Our industry here in Korea has grown a lot in terms of quantity,' Kang said. 'But we haven't quite set up the right systems or rules.' The reality of being a celebrity in Korea is often fraught with risk — especially in an environment where rumors or privacy breaches can go viral in minutes. 'In the Korean market, digital content spreads so quickly that scandals, privacy leaks and fake news can go viral in an instant,' Kang said. 'Celebrities often find themselves completely alone in those moments, scrambling to respond without professional support.' To counter this, KHS built an in-house risk management team consisting of lawyers and PR experts as well as a risk detection system powered by AI, to monitor online activity, flag early warning signs, and respond swiftly in a crisis. "Crisis response is a highly specialized field, but in Korea, it's still not treated that way," he said, adding his expertise as a career attorney dealing with countless similar cases in the field could help him handle the matters of celebrities from a third-person point of view. "The celebrity isn't left to handle it alone,' he said. Kang also boasts years of experience in watching domestic agencies negotiate with foreign platforms. "It's not just about signing the contract — it's about what happens after," he said. "Up until now, after contracts are signed, there's often no proper oversight over how the project is managed, how profits are distributed, or how it wraps up. It tends to follow the foreign partner's terms.' That, he says, is where many Korean agencies fall short. They "step away too early," he said, adding it leaves artists vulnerable to being sidelined in post-deal processes. Kang says his agency will make sure they're not treated as just 'foreign talent' in unfamiliar territory. 'We'll stay involved as a strategic overseer, someone who understands both sides of the industry and ensures fair, long-term outcomes,' Kang said.
