IN THE LOOP: Kep1er's Debut, T-ara Hyomin's Dating Rumors, DAY6 Jae's Departure from Group, and More of This Week's Hottest News and Music Releases
The year 2022 has finally come and the K-pop industry was already full of new music releases, concerts, and shocking news in the first week of January. Below are some of the notable events that you might have missed.
Here are Some of the Latest K-pop Songs and News in the First Week of January 2022:
MBC Holds 2021 MBC Gayo Daejejeon
On the evening of Dec. 31, MBC held their annual year-end song festival, MBC Gayo Daejejeon, which treated global fans to splendid performances of both soloists and idol groups. The event also featured special and collaboration stages of band members from different groups.
The performers on that night included Red Velvet, MAMAMOO, aespa, IVE, ITZY, Stray Kids, The Boyz, SWJA, Song Gain, Kim Yeonja and more.
HYBE Holds 2022 Weverse Con [New Era]
On Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. KST, HYBE held another year-end concert, titled "2022 Weverse Con [New Era]" at KINTEX Hall. The lineup of performing artists included HYBE Labels artists BUMZU, Dvwn, SEVENTEEN, TXT, ENHYPEN, fromis_9, Lee Hyun, and Justin Bieber.
Justin Bieber was not present at the actual venue but gave a virtual performance. Meanwhile, BTS was unable to participate in the concert as they are on an extended break.
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Jay Park Resigns as CEO of AOMG and H1GHR MUSIC
Before the year 2021 ended, Jay Park made a shocking announcement about him stepping down from his position as the CEO of both AOMG and H1GHR MUSIC, the two labels he founded.
In a letter he posted on Dec. 31, Jay Park said that although he will no longer be the CEO of both agencies, he will remain as an advisor. However, he didn't mention the specific reason for his decision.
DAY6 Jae's Departure from Group and JYP Entertainment
On Jan. 1, K-pop fans particularly My Days received shocking news about DAY6 Jae leaving the group and JYP Entertainment. The agency announced that Jae's exclusive contract with them has terminated on Dec. 31.
DAY6 Jae's contract termination came after his revelation during an Instagram live broadcast, which disappointed many fans about JYP Entertainment's mistreatment towards him.
SM Entertainment Holds SMTOWN LIVE 2022
On Jan. 1, 2022, SM Entertainment held an online concert called "SMTOWN 2022: SMCU EXPRESS @KWANGYA." It consisted of performances and collaborations by many of the company's artists, including SHINee members Key, Onew, and Minho, Girls' Generation Taeyeon and Hyoyeon, BoA, EXO Kai, H.O.T. Kangta, TVXQ, Super Junior and Red Velvet.
Some of SM Entertainment's junior artists were also present at the event, such as aespa, NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV members Xiaojun and Kun.
SMTOWN LIVE 2022 has become the most-streamed Korean online concert, accumulating 51 million streams from 161 different countries.
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GOT the beat (Girls On Top) Releases "Step Back"
During SMTOWN LIVE 2022, SM Entertainment's new project girl group GOT the beat made their stage debut with their first song "Step Back." The group is made up of BoA, Girls' Generation Taeyeon and Hyoyeon, Red Velvet Wendy and Seulgi, and aespa Karina and Winter.
GOT the beat's "Step Back" was digitally released on Jan. 3. It debuted on several Korean daily music charts like Bugs, Genie, MelOn and VIBE after it arrived.
Kep1er Debuts with First Mini-Album "FIRST IMPACT"
On Jan. 3, "Girls Planet 999" group Kep1er made their highly-anticipated debut with their first mini-album "FIRST IMPACT." The album has six songs including the nonet's version of the "Girls Planet 999" theme song "O.O.O (Over&Over&Over)" and the title track "WA DA DA."
Kep1er's "WA DA DA" is a dance track that expresses the girl group's ambitions to attain their dreams and repay the love of their fans.
T-ara Hyomin Reportedly Dating Soccer Player Hwang Ui Jo
On Jan. 3, a new celebrity couple was revealed, not by Dispatch, but Sports Chosun. The media outlet reported that T-ara Hyomin and Hwang Ui Jo (a popular soccer player) are currently dating. It is said that the two just began dating this past November from being friends.
As of writing, both sides have not responded to the dating news. But, Dispatch released a few photos of Hyomin and Hwang Ui Jo together and said that the couple has confirmed their relationship.
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SEVENTEEN Woozi Releases First Solo Mixtape "Ruby"
Another new K-pop release in 2022 is SEVENTEEN Woozi's first solo mixtape titled "Ruby." Released on Jan. 3, this rock-based song containing diverse genres and emotions was co-written and co-composed by Woozi.
SEVENTEEN Woozi's "Ruby" has ranked first on iTunes Song charts in 18 different countries. It also debuted at No. 3 on the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart.
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Written by Mhaliya Scott
