Latest news with #Attention
News18
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Minji Writes Emotional Note On Her Birthday Amid NewJeans' Legal Dispute
Last Updated: The group is currently in the middle of a legal dispute with ADOR and its parent company, HYBE, due to contract issues. NewJeans' member Minji recently turned 21. The singer took to social media to share an emotional and heartfelt note with her fans on May 7. In the letter, Minji talked about her current state of mind, expressed her emotions, and thanked fans for their support. Minji's candid letter comes at a time when the group, NewJeans, is facing some challenges. Minji took to the group's social media account to share the letter. The K-pop idol started the letter by addressing her loyal fans, the Bunnies. She then explained to her fans why she had been inactive in recent times. 'I think I've been living a busier life than I realized," she wrote, highlighting that she almost forgot her own birthday. The singer went on to explain that although she had so much to talk about, she was not able to organise her thoughts because her mind was 'cluttered." She then began to highlight the importance of being happy, stating that all she wanted from life was to be happy and to see everyone else happy. 'Chasing only my own happiness by doing what I love may seem naïve to some, but I want today and tomorrow to be happy. I wish the same for your days too, Bunnies," Minji wrote. Minji recalled old times when she could connect with her fans through good music and shared thoughts. She promised that despite the current situation, she had no plans of putting an end to her career, and she'd be back with NewJeans soon. NewJeans is currently in the middle of a legal dispute with ADOR and its parent company, HYBE, as the group attempted to break free from their contract. The court initially ruled against the group and has forbidden the members from pursuing any independent careers. The K-pop group NewJeans consists of five members, including Minji, Danielle, Hanni, Hyein, and Haerin. The group made its debut in 2022 with their single Attention. First Published: May 09, 2025, 11:24 IST
7NEWS
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
From Shepparton to superstardom: Sophie Giuliani on touring with Charlie Puth and BLACKPINK's Jennie
Before she was on stage with Charlie Puth, or sending reverb-soaked riffs into sold-out arenas with BLACKPINK's Jennie, Sophie Giuliani was behind the counter at Bakers Delight in Shepparton, dusting flour off her jeans and saving for studio gear. Now based in Los Angeles, the 25-year-old is entirely self-managed — no label, no agent — yet she's playing guitar for two of the biggest names in global pop. 'No matter the size of the show, I focus on the details and give it everything I've got,' she told 'Being a great player is important, but being a good person is what really keeps you around.' Playing with Charlie Puth: A masterclass in musicality Few artists today blend technical brilliance with commercial impact like Charlie Puth. With over 23 billion global streams, four Grammy nominations, and hits like Attention, We Don't Talk Anymore, and See You Again (which has racked up more than 6 billion YouTube views), he's not just a pop star — he's a sonic architect. 'He's one of the most musical and naturally creative individuals I've had the privilege to work with,' Giuliani said. 'Whether it's a rhythm in a conversation or a random noise in the background, he hears music where most people wouldn't even think to listen.' One show that stopped her in her tracks was Rock in Rio — one of the world's largest music festivals, with crowds of up to 100,000. 'It was a bucket-list festival and my first performance with Charlie,' she said. 'We finished the set with See You Again. I played the melody while he sang the final chorus… It was really beyond anything I could have dreamed. My family joined the livestream. It made everything feel worth it.' She also remembers moments of quiet magic on stage. 'Charlie would sit at the grand piano and play two or three songs solo. Even in the biggest stadiums, he made it feel intimate. We'd look at each other in awe. It reminded you, 'Yeah, this is special'.' With BLACKPINK's Jennie: Sound design meets stagecraft Jennie is no ordinary pop act. As one quarter of BLACKPINK — the most-followed girl group on Spotify and the first K-pop girl group to headline Coachella — she's a force of nature. Her debut solo single SOLO has earned over 900 million YouTube views, while 2023's You & Me debuted at #1 on the Billboard Global 200. She also starred in HBO's The Idol alongside The Weeknd. 'Jennie's shows are a true work of art,' Giuliani said. 'From the music and choreography to visuals and styling, every element is carefully crafted.' Giuliani's role in Jennie's world was less about taking centre stage and more about shaping its edges. 'For Jennie's set, a lot of my role felt centred around sound design,' she said. 'I was given reference samples that weren't originally played on my instrument… it was about supporting the sonic narrative. 'It wasn't about showing what I could do. It was about serving the overall sound and story.' From home recordings to headlining tours Growing up in regional Victoria with no live music scene in sight, Giuliani turned to the internet and her own instincts. 'I built a little home studio and taught myself the basics,' she said. 'I was working part-time at Bakers Delight, saving every dollar to buy gear; mics, interfaces, whatever I could afford.' She moved to Melbourne in Year 12 to study music full-time, then earned a place at LA's Musicians Institute. The pandemic delayed her move, but she landed in LA in 2021 — and her career kicked off fast. 'I was already getting offered work while studying, but I couldn't legally take it until I had my visa. Once I graduated, everything snowballed.' Her first major gig was a tour with Alexander 23, co-producer of Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo. It gave her a crash course in the realities of the industry. 'I'm fully independent — self-represented and hands-on with everything,' she said. 'No middlemen, no managers — just me.' 'One of the biggest lessons I've learned is how important it is to retain a lot of music quickly. Being a great player is only half the job. Contributing positive energy and being someone people enjoy working with is just as important.' While she can't reveal the name just yet, Giuliani is already gearing up for another major international tour — this time with an artist she's worked with before.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Man in his 20s sent to trial after being found guilty of breaking into New Jeans' old dorm building and stealing items
Recently, a man in his 20s broke into NewJeans ' old dormitory building. The man has been charged with burglary , according to recent updates. The man was apprehended and sent to the police after it was found that he had stolen things like clothes hangers and cheer banners from the dorm building. Man charged with burglary by the court Earlier last week, a man who has not been publicly identified was sentenced by the Seoul Western District Court on the count of burglary after he broke into NewJeans' dormitory building, as reported by Allkpop. As police investigated the case, it was revealed that the man had first broken into the dormitory earlier in December last year when he had found the dorm unlocked. A few days later, he broke into the building again in order to steal different kinds of items, which include but are not limited to clothes hangers and cheer banners. New Jeans had moved away from the dorm Thankfully, at the time of the crime, the members of K-pop girl group NewJeans were not present in the building, as they had vacated the dorms. The dormitories were provided to them by their agency, ADOR . They decided to leave the dorm amid the ongoing legal battle between the company and the members regarding their contract termination. A similar issue had arisen in the past when a stranger had shared photographs of the dorm and the members online, which had quickly gone viral. The stranger had claimed to be an employee of ADOR, though no proof has been found to justify the occurrence. About NewJeans NewJeans, also known as NJZ, is one of the most popular 4th-generation K-pop idols on the market. The group debuted in July 2022 with the song 'Attention'. Even though no prior promotion had occurred for the group beyond the teaser footages and photos, the group still managed to become a global success.
Korea Herald
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Big Ocean returns as seductive mermen
Deaf trio drops its 2nd EP "Underwater" Deaf idol group Big Ocean is making a comeback to mark both the first anniversary of its debut and Korea's Day of Persons with Disabilities on Sunday. Big Ocean released its second mini album 'Underwater,' with four tracks: the main track 'Attention,' PJ's solo song 'Sinking,' and two B-sides that Lee Chan-yeon helped write, 'Fade Out' and 'End of Time.' 'Underwater' tells the story a group who realize they are mermen and embark on a journey to awaken their instincts. According to the group's agency, Parastar Entertainment, the subtitle of the new album, "Embracing the Black Ocean," conveys the message that everyone harbors deep and powerful instincts beneath the surface. The main track 'Attention' portrays the story of a narrator gaining confidence after realizing they are a 'mermaid.' The song tempts listeners to surrender to their emotions and follow the pull of their hearts. Member Kim Ji-seok contributed to the choreography. Big Ocean kicked off its first European tour in Lausanne, Switzerland on Saturday and Sunday, and will proceed to stops in Milan, London, Paris and Montpellier. Meanwhile, member Park Hyun-jin has changed his stage name to PJ in conjunction with the album's release.
Korea Herald
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Creative directors rise as driving force in K-pop. Who's leading the pack?
The challenge lies in assembling raw materials into a great structure — a task where creative directors play a crucial role, says critic As K-pop evolves into a multilayered global industry, the role of a creative director is gaining more attention than ever before. No longer just behind-the-scenes facilitators, creative directors are now seen as key architects of a group's identity — combining music, fashion, visual storytelling and branding into one cohesive narrative. The shift began in the 2010s with the growing importance of so-called 'universe' building, where visual storytelling and music intertwine to create a deeper, almost cinematic experience. It was also a time when global audiences, exposed to K-pop via social media, began demanding more immersive and visually sophisticated content. 'In the past, a few hit producers like Teddy dominated. But now, it's common for seven to eight international producers to collaborate on a single track, and someone needs to bring it all together,' music critic Lim Hee-yun said. 'It's no longer about sourcing good raw material — that's become easier. The challenge is how to assemble them into a great structure. That's where creative directors step in.' Among those leading the charge are Min Hee-jin, Seo Hyun-joo and Lee Hae-in — each redefining what it means to steer a K-pop group in the modern era. Arguably the most well-known creative director in K-pop, Min Hee-jin made her name at SM Entertainment before moving to Hybe in 2018. She is best recognized for creating NewJeans under Hybe's sub-label Ador. Her innovative approach to debuting the group in 2022 — releasing the track 'Attention' with without a teaser campaign — broke from industry norms and created an immediate buzz. Min's production veered away from the heavy EDM trend of the time, instead embracing early 2000s R&B, Jersey club and minimalist pop. The Y2K visual aesthetic extended to music videos, fashion and social media, making NewJeans a cultural phenomenon. Min also played a central role in building strategic global partnerships, leading to collaborations with Apple and Coca-Cola, and positioning the group as youth icons rather than conventional idols. NewJeans was the first K-pop girl group to perform at Lollapalooza Chicago and appeared on year-end best-of lists by Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and Billboard — solidifying their global presence. However, in early 2024, Min became embroiled in a legal dispute with Hybe over allegations that she contacted outside investors to break Ador away from its parent company. The conflict intensified over the year, ultimately leading to Min's dismissal from her role as CEO of Ador in August. While Min Hee-jin operates with high visibility, Seo Hyun-joo, founder and vice president of Starship Entertainment, works with less public recognition but equally strong influence. Seo, a former artist & repertoire producer at SM Entertainment and director at Big Hit Music, founded Starship in 2008. Under her leadership, the company produced successful groups including Sistar, Monsta X and Ive. She recently launched rookie girl group KiiKii, one of the most anticipated debuts of the year. Billboard named Seo one of the 'Most Influential Women in Music' this March, acknowledging her role in turning Ive into a trendsetting act. As executive producer, Seo is involved in casting, team formation, concept development, A&R and promotions — crafting Ive's identity around the concept of self-confidence while pushing for musical variety in every release. 'Her strength lies in her communication with staff to ensure that each girl group under Starship has a distinct color,' an industry official said. Lee Hae-in, a former contestant on 'Produce 101' and a member of project group I.B.I, has taken a different path — transitioning from idol to creative director. She stepped into the spotlight in 2023 by directing the debut of girl group Kiss of Life under S2 Entertainment. Drawing from her own experience as a performer, Lee crafted a concept that emphasizes authenticity and strong vocal performance. Her work helped the group stand out with its confident identity and messaging, resonating with Gen Z audiences and 2nd generation K-pop fans alike. Kiss of Life earned the Rookie of the Year award at the 2024 Korean Music Awards in February and achieved their first music show win on SBS MTV's 'The Show' with 'Sticky' in July. While Lee is currently focused solely on Kiss of Life, her influence is growing. After leaving S2 Entertainment, she signed with DOD (Dayonedream) in December and will oversee the debut of boy group Close Your Eyes, set to launch on April 2.
