Latest news with #K‑pop
News18
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Zakir Khan Met BTS In Korea But Didn't Recognise Them: 'Who Are You?'
Last Updated: Zakir Khan once met band members of BTS in Korea — but didn't know who they were. Imagine being in a room with one of the biggest music groups in the world — and not recognising them. That's exactly what happened to Indian comedian Zakir Khan, who unknowingly spent time with the members of BTS during a visit to South Korea. Sharing the hilarious story in a recent chat with The Lallantop, Zakir said he had travelled to Korea for an event where a top celebrity was scheduled to appear. Coincidentally, the global K‑pop group BTS was also there to meet the same celebrity. But Zakir, who admits he tends to overthink things, didn't quite put the pieces together. 'I happened to go to Korea once, and there is a very famous band there by the name of BTS. I knew there is a band called BTS and I also know that they are famous. And by chance I went there for an event to interview a very big celebrity and the band was also there to meet the same person," he said. Because he arrived late, Zakir was grouped with the BTS members in the final entry batch. 'So I asked one of the members, 'Who are you and where are you from', and he told me they are from BTS. I thought that the Korean organising team has called for a behind-the-scenes team," he added. He remained blissfully unaware until later. 'I was totally unaware of the fact that they are famous people. Later, when I told people that for 35 minutes I was in the same room as them, they fainted." BTS is a seven-member South Korean boy band made up of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their chart-topping hits, high-energy performances, and massive global fanbase (called ARMY), they became one of the most influential music acts in the world. After taking a break for mandatory military service, all seven members have now completed their enlistment and returned to the spotlight with solo music, live shows, and fan interactions. The band — Jin, Suga, J‑Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — has since returned from military service and resumed solo activities, with fans eagerly following every move. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Express Tribune
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Katseye's Lara says FLO inspired their harmonies and hopes for future collab
During an interview with Pop Base at Lollapalooza, Lara from global girl group KATSEYE praised UK's R&B trio FLO as a major influence on their music style and vocal approach. Lara described FLO's harmonies, vocal runs, and overall singing as 'so, so, so beautiful,' emphasizing how their precision and blend have inspired KATSEYE's own creative process. Lara expressed her admiration: 'How many harmonies they do, their runs, their singing… I hope we get to do something like that with them one day.' Her remarks underscore KATSEYE's respect for FLO's artistry and their aspiration to potentially collaborate in the future. KATSEYE's Lara tells Pop Base that FLO has been an inspiration to them: 'How many harmonies they do, their runs, their singing. It's just so, so, so beautiful. I hope we get to do something like that with them one day.' — Pop Base (@PopBase) August 4, 2025 KATSEYE continues to build its identity as a global girl group formed via HYBE and Geffen Records' The Debut: Dream Academy competition in 2023, blending K‑pop training with Western pop sensibilities. The group, consisting of Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae, has released hits like 'Debut' and 'Touch,' and are set to continue growing in both sonic ambition and global presence. Lara's comments reinforce a cultural thread in which rising pop acts look to established vocal groups for inspiration. FLO, known for their signature smooth harmonies and dynamic R&B hooks, represent a sound ideal that KATSEYE admires and aims to emulate. The connection suggests a mutual appreciation that could spark future industry crossover. As KATSEYE tours and promotes upcoming releases including their EP Beautiful Chaos, fans will likely note the evolution in vocal layering and melodic complexity—elements clearly influenced by Lara's admiration for FLO.
Express Tribune
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
KCON 2025 draws thousands of K‑pop fans to downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles is packed with energy this weekend as KCON 2025, the world's largest K‑pop culture festival, takes place from August 1 to 3. Hosted at the LA Convention Center and Arena, the three-day event marks KCON's 13th year in Los Angeles, its original home since 2012. The event features a full convention experience including panels, workshops, brand activations, fan meet-and-greets, and five performance stages, one of which, the newly added 'X stage,' spotlights rising K‑pop talent. KCON's global reach continues to expand, with last year's audience surpassing 5.9 million fans across more than 170 countries. In recognition of KCON's cultural and economic significance, Los Angeles city officials have officially designated August 1 as 'KCON Day.' The announcement was made in partnership with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, emphasizing the growing influence of Korean pop culture in the U.S. KCON LA 2025 showcases a mix of global superstars and emerging artists, delivering immersive fan experiences and performances that blend music, dance, and multimedia production. Highlights include the Dream Stage, where fans perform live with artists, and professional panels offering behind-the-scenes insight into the Korean entertainment industry. The event will be livestreamed for fans worldwide, allowing those unable to attend in person to participate in real time.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Watch: Rosé's 'silent concert' drama explodes on TikTok as influencer Haylee Baylee seemingly shades BLACKPINK star
BLACKPINK is currently on their highly anticipated DEADLINE World Tour, lighting up arenas across the world with explosive group stages and stunning solo sets. Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé have each been captivating fans with their performances, proving once again that BLACKPINK's popularity goes beyond their group, with four powerhouses having fanbases of their own. So when Rosé's solo stage in Toronto took an unexpectedly awkward turn, the internet was sure to explode. During her heartfelt performance of her track 3 am off her solo album Rosie, Rosé invited the crowd to sing along, but instead of an emotional chorus of voices, the stadium fell eerily quiet. Given her global popularity, especially outside of group activities, fans were shocked, and it didn't take long for clips of the moment to go viral across X, TikTok, and Threads. However, it turned into a full-blown trend after a popular US influencer seemingly shaded the BLACKPINK star. The story behind Rosé's silent crowd At BLACKPINK's DEADLINE World Tour concert in Toronto (Rogers Stadium, July 22–23, 2025), fans witnessed an awkward moment during Rosé's solo performance of '3 am.' When she turned her mic toward the crowd, expecting a fan sing‑along, several viral clips captured a quiet audience, not the enthusiastic response usually seen at K‑pop stadium shows. The internet quickly dubbed the moment 'embarrassing,' with critics questioning the crowd's lack of energy, particularly during a softer ballad like 3 am. Some even questioned Rosé's solo popularity beyond her mega-hit 'APT.' But fans rushed to defend the singer. Other user‑recorded clips showed audience members singing loudly and enthusiastically. The discrepancy was attributed to varied fan energy levels across seating areas and the presence of casual listeners not familiar with slower solo tracks. Some also alleged that the video of the silent crowd was edited and then spread across social media platforms by fans of rival groups. her reaction made this moment funnier😭 Haley Kalil joins the conversation Popular U.S. influencer and former model Haley Kalil—better known online as Haylee Baylee—didn't miss her chance to join the viral moment. Famous for her hilarious skits and chaotic humour (yes, including that fake obituary video that fooled half the internet), Haylee added fuel to the 3 am discourse in classic TikTok fashion. While she didn't directly name Rosé or the concert, she posted a video captioned 'Pop stars when they realise the audience doesn't know the lyrics to their song'—dramatically pretending to hold out a mic to a silent crowd, then reacting in mock horror. The post quickly racked up views, and fans were quick to connect the dots. It was a subtle shade, but the internet caught it instantly. Haley's subtle shade invites divided reactions While some users found the TikTok hilarious and spot-on, others weren't as amused. A wave of comments accused Haylee of low-key trolling Rosé, with a few pointing out the irony that she'd probably still jump at the chance to interview her on a red carpet. Why does she always shade celebrities on social media but act all friendly when she's around so fake she'll do anything for engagements More about BLACKPINK's DEADLINE concert BLACKPINK's DEADLINE World Tour, which kicked off earlier this month in Seoul, has been nothing short of a spectacle, packed with jaw-dropping visuals, powerhouse vocals, and sleek choreography. Each member—Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé—has been shining both as a group and in their solo stages, giving fans a mix of energy, emotion, and star power. From solo remixes to dramatic stage reveals, the tour blends stadium-scale production with deeply personal moments. It's a full-blown celebration of BLACKPINK's evolution and individual artistry. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Übermensch' Malaysia concert: G‑Dragon faces backlash, local fans upset over scalping and poor crowd engagement
K-pop star G‑Dragon recently performed in Kuala Lumpur on July 19 and 20, and fans were very excited for his comeback. But instead of a joyful experience, many Malaysian fans felt disappointed. G‑Dragon's concert left fans disappointed G‑Dragon's much awaited Übermensch concert in Kuala Lumpur took place on July 19 and 20, and while it was supposed to be a special comeback for Malaysian fans, the experience turned out to be frustrating for many, despite the high expectations, fans were left upset due to issues with ticket scalping, empty VIP seats, a quiet crowd, and the feeling that local fans were ignored. Even before the concert started, problems began with the ticket sales. Many fans complained that it was nearly impossible to buy tickets and accused scalpers of buying them in bulk. Organisers, Star Planet, did try to address this by re-releasing a small number of tickets. Though the event was officially sold out, many seats were visibly empty when the show began. This led people to believe that scalpers failed to resell the tickets, leaving gaps in the audience. Adding to the suspicion, fans saw lots of VIP lanyards left behind at the registration counter, still unclaimed even after the concert had started and though some of those seats were eventually filled, fans believed they were mostly taken by international visitors rather than Malaysians and upset the local crowd, who felt left out of their own country's event. Lack of excitement and energy during the show And another thing that disappointed fans was the lack of excitement and energy during the whole show. Usually, K‑pop concerts in Malaysia are full of loud cheers and a lively atmosphere but this time it's not the same even when G‑Dragon spoke a few lines in Malay to connect with the audience, the reaction was quite dull. Some believe this was because many of the people in the crowd were foreigners who didn't understand the language, which might explain the lack of response. Things got emotional As with most sold-out concerts, many fans who couldn't get tickets gathered outside the venue, just hoping to hear or see a bit of the performance. But this time, things got emotional. Videos on TikTok showed fans chanting and even booing, asking the organisers to let them at least peek inside. The mood turned emotional when members of G‑Dragon's team came out to meet the fans. They collected letters and messages for G‑Dragon from the people waiting outside. Some fans were even seen crying as they shared how much they loved him and how sad they were to miss the show. These emotional clips quickly went viral online, and many fans called out the organisers for not doing more to support local fans who had been waiting for years for G‑Dragon's comeback. Organisers have not responded to the criticism So far, the organisers, Star Planet Malaysia, have not responded to the criticism or released any official statement. Although G‑Dragon's performance and stage setup were praised, the overall experience left many Malaysian fans heartbroken. Now, fans hope that if G‑Dragon or BIGBANG ever return to Malaysia again, the organisers will ensure better planning and fairer treatment for local supporters.
