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Two thousand two hundred and fifty-five… That’s how many days have passed since his last live performance in Atlanta, as Bang Yongguk finally made his long awaited return to BABY in Atlanta at the midpoint of his first solo U.S. tour - - COLORS OF BANG YONGGUK TOUR IN USA 2023. At 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 8, 2023, the Buckhead Theatre opened its doors to fans who found their way as close to the stage as possible. As fans began to fill the two-tiered venue, they were greeted by a stage bathed in mellow purple lighting illuminating a DJ setup…. As showtime approached, the venue went dark and fans were greeted by the sound of DJ Samuel Ku’s mixes. Samuel Ku is a member of PAPERMAKER Publishing, and has written and arranged for artists such as EXID, Kep1er, Park Jihoon, Ghost9 and GOT7. He also co-wrote “UFO” and “Ride or Die” with Bang Yongguk. Once Samuel Ku had helped set the venue’s energy, he then invited Yongguk to the stage, who immediately launched into the opening lines of “G.M.T. (Give Me That)” letting Atlanta know HE IS BACK as the enthusiastic screams from his fans filled the venue. Fans held signs written in Korean and light sticks including their Matokis, B.A.P’s official lightstick. After that warm-up (more like heat-up!!!), Yongguk took a moment to speak to the audience and conveyed his affection for Atlanta in particular as the birthplace of Martin Luther King which led to a rather unexpected surprise for long-time BABY where Yongguk began to rap his famous line from B.A.P’s "One Shot": “기회는 한 번뿐 어두운 길을 걸어 빛을 밝혀 Martin Luther King 처럼” He then took time to thank fans for staying with him and coming out to see him after a 7 year absence before continuing the night with performances of “RACE,” which is a very passionate song that speaks of his ambition to keep running towards his dreams and desires in moments during the song such as: "Even out of breath I won't stop Even if my road is blocked I'll run”... And rest assured that his BABY will be there for the ride as far as he will go. Following “RACE” was “Rain on Me” and “UFO,” where Samuel Ku joined in the performance before changing things up with “Hikikomori.” Next was the most anticipated and talked about song on the setlist - - “I Remember.” Released in 2011, the original duet track featured vocals from Yang Yoseob of B2ST, but was later released in 2012 as part of B.A.P’s repackaged mini-album, CRASH. The 2012 version of “I Remember” features Yongguk with former B.A.P. bandmate, Daehyun singing. As the track played and Daehyun’s backup vocals filled the venue, BABY were singing right along while being hit with nostalgia. Finally, “Screwed UP” was performed before Yongguk’s next ment stage. For this ment stage, Yongguk took a moment to find a fan willing to allow him to borrow their lightstick. BYG: What is this? BABY: Matoki BYG: Matoki light stick and it is what color? BABY: GREEN! BYG: Green okay, let’s do GREEN. This song once again shows his love for his and his group’s fans which can be heard in the opening line that filled the venue from Yonguk and fans alike - - “BABY you are my green.” Next were hype songs “Ride or Die,” “Ya,” and “Off,” where Yongguk displayed his confidence, powerful stage presence and his ability to flawlessly keep BABYz screaming throughout the venue as he poured water on himself. Then we arrived to BABYz second most anticipated stage, Yongguk made a call for the audience to quiet down. As the venue fell to silence, Yongguk proceeded to shout --without his mic - - “YAMAZAKI! YAMA” where BABY joined in with “ZAKI.” Towards the end of this stage he stopped singing and watched in awe as BABY continued to sing the lyrics for his third mixtape track, “YAMAZAKI” before ending the theme of colors with “Orange Drive.” As Yongguk made his way back to the stage for the encore, he performed his first encore stage with “Xie Xie,” a bilingual song sung in Korean and Chinese. The Chinese meaning of “Xie Xie,” is “thank you,” while this song gives a message of self assurance and power, and BABY were right there singing with him. Yongguk, again, thanked BABY for coming out to see him, and ended by asking BABY, “I want you to love yourself as much as you love me, alright?” It was then time for Yonguk’s final song, “See You Later;” As he said farewell to his fans, he thrilled them as he jumped off the stage and stepped up on the barricade structure to say up-close-and-personal goodbyes to fans in several sections of the barricade crowd. A big thank you goes out to YY Entertainment, My Music Taste, Bang Yongguk and Samuel Ku for allowing us the opportunity to provide coverage for this show! Find our full gallery here.

Welcome back #SoundLovers! While we patiently await the return of Daeyeol and Sungyoon from their mandatory military service, we had the opportunity to talk with the other members of Golden Child about their upcoming anniversary, and what these last six years have meant for them and their time with GOLDENNESS! For our readers who are just now discovering and learning about Golden Child-- Golden Child, is a 10-member boy group formed under Woollim Entertainment, who made their debut on August 28, 2017 with their EP Gol-Cha!. The group consists of Daeyeol, Y (Sungyoon), Jangjun, TAG (Youngtaek), Seungmin, Jaehyun, Jibeom, Donghyun, Joochan and Bomin. In January of 2017 Woollim Entertainment launched a pre-debut project for trainees called, W Project. On May 15, Woollim Entertainment launched their first new boy group since Infinite, Golden Child. From May 22 - August 27, Woollim Entertainment began marketing and promotions for Golden Child's upcoming debut with concept photos, pre-debut reality show Woollim Pick and a cameo appearance on 20th Century Boy and Girl. On August 28, 2017, Golden Child made their official debut with their first EP, Gol-Cha!, which hosts one of the group's most popular songs, and debut title track, DamDaDi. In 2018, we are introduced to more of Golden Child's popular songs such as 'LADY," "LET ME," and "Genie." Golden Child continued to release new music and making a name for themselves with the release of their second EP, Miracle, holding their first fan meetings in Seoul and Japan, making appearances and performing at KCON NY, LA and Thailand, announcing the name of their fandom-- GOLDENNESS -- which they titled their first single album after, and ending the year with a more mature image with the release of their 3rd EP, WISH. In 2019 and 2020, we have the release of "The Trilogy" tracks "Wannabe," Without You," and "One (Lucid Dream)" and ending the year 2020 with fan-favorite "Pump It Up" during a worldwide pandemic that would restrict activities and traveling. In 2021, Golden child released their fifth EP, Yes, with title track "Burn It"-- which charted on iTunes' Top Albums Chart reaching a spot in the Top 10 in 11 regions. Golden Child would then perform at the 2021 Dream concert before releasing their second studio album, Game Changer-- which would prove true to its name. Game Changer's title track "Ra Pam Pam" reached 20 million view within three days of its release, the album sold more than 126,000 copies in the first week, "Ra Pam Pam" debuted at #2 on Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart and #37 on Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart, "Ra Pam Pam" topped Mongolian iTunes top song after its release, and Game Changer ranked within TOP5 in 11 countries and regions. Golden child would then end the year with the release of a repackaged version of their second studio album, Ddara, and its title track of the same name. From 2022 to now, we would see Golden Child make their Japanese debut, perform at festivals within Dubai, the U.S., and Europe, release their sixth EP, Aura, with title track "Replay," and several fan-favorites including "3! 6! 5!" and "Knockin' On My Door." We watched not only one member, but two members, Daeyeol and Y, announce and enlist in their mandatory military service, and watched Golden Child embark on not only one, but two solo tours here in the U.S. with stops across Latin America, as well. Let's see what the members had to say about these past six years! K Fuse: We first want to thank you for taking the time to sit down and talk with us here at K Fuse. Next, we want to congratulate you on your 6th anniversary as Golden Child! K Fuse: Since your debut in 2017, you've achieved some really incredible things, and it seems like 2022 was the year that showed exponential growth for GOLDEN CHILD. Describe what the past six years have been for you. JANG JUNG: I cannot define it, but everything is precious and I have continued to grow. TAG: It was a dream-like time, and it will be the most brilliant time when I think about this time after time has passed. SEUNGMIN & JAEHYUN: It was a good memory and a time to learn a lot. JIBEOM: Personally and as a team, I have learned a lot from my childhood abroad and in Korea. DONGHYUN: It was an unforgettable memory and a time for me to grow into a better person. JOOCHAN: The thing that comes to my mind the most is that as the person, JONG JOOCHAN, I exchanged emotions with countless people and wrote my time together. I want to think of it as a short time, but I’d like to thank GOLDENESS for letting me know the warmth in such a short time. BOMIN: These days, I seem to think more often, but I think I will remember the happiest and brightest times K Fuse: From debut to the latest album/era, which album/era would you want to do again? SEUNGMIN: Because DEAYEOL could not participate in AURA Album, I want to do it again in 9-version, just as a complete group. JAEHYUN: DAMDADI DONGHYUN: I want to do our second single album. I personally like the song very much and I think I can do it better now. K Fuse: Although it has been six years, there are still newGOLDENNESS showing up to the scene and asking to know more about GOLDEN CHILD. How would you describe your group's sound to someone who is just now discovering you? TAG: It’s a team that maintains its unique color but always makes music that never stops trying new challenges. K Fuse: Which b-side track/s would you recommend that you would want more recognition? JIBEOM: I would recommend FANFARE, which is an energetic song. DONGHYUN: I want to recommend 3!6!5! BOMIN: Because it is summer, I will recommend OASIS. K Fuse: What is the secret behind unbroken bond of GOLDEN CHILD? SEUNGMIN: It’s because we are a group of people who know how to be considerate of each other when we are gathered together. JIBEOM: A lot of conversation and time has made a bond. K Fuse: Describe GOLDEN CHILD in three words. JANGJUN: Youth, Family, Friend JOOCHAN: We can always be happy. K Fuse: Which concept has been your favorite so far? TAG: Burn It, which was a zombie concept SEUNGMIN: WANNABE. It was a good concept where we could show a complete opposite side of GOLDEN CHILD-- which we have done lots of bright concepts. DONGHYUN: I like the Volleyball concept of DamDaDi the most. K Fuse: Of the tracks you have released, which one has been your favorite? Why? TAG: Our debut song, DAMDADI JAEHYUN: H.E.R JOOCHAN: ALL DAY’s lyrics and melody are the most memorable song. K Fuse: What is your favorite choreography that they have done throughout their 6 years?  What about which choreography has been the most difficult? SEUNGMIN: My favorite choreography is PUMP-IT UP; we all enjoyed it and were able to perform on stage together. In fact, each choreography is difficult, but BURN IT was the choreography that gave my body the most strength, so I think it was the most difficult. DONGHYUN: My favorite choreography is ONE, and the most difficult choreography is also ONE. K Fuse: How did you feel during and after the Latin America tour? Were there any memorable moments? JAEHYUN: Renting a car in Toronto and visiting to Niagara Falls was the most exciting and memorable. JOOCHAN: The most memorable was that I couldfinish well without any accidents until the end of the tour in Mexico despite the high altitude and not good physical condition. K Fuse: If you were given a chance to travel around the world for a whole month, where would it be and what activities would you do? TAG: I want to go to England and watch SONG HEUNG-Min play. JOOCHAN: I would take a bag and walk around looking at the beautiful scenery all over the world. BOMIN: First, I will go around Europe by country. K Fuse: If GOLDEN CHILD could make a reality show, what kind would it be? JANGJUN: I want to go on a trip without any frame and have fun. JIBEOM: Like a high-school students vibe reality, staying in a room, playing games, and having fun. JOOCHAN: The 2nd Woollim Pick contest between Rookie GOLDEN CHILD and GOLDEN CHILD in their 6th year. How much did they grow~? K Fuse: Goal for 2024? JANGJUN: Since DEAYEOL’s hiatus is over, I want to burn his passion together. K Fuse: The place (country) they want to visit in the future? JAEHYUN: I want to visit France. JIBEOM: I want to travel to Australia since I have yet to have a chance to go. BOMIN: England. I want to go back because I had great memories with the members. K Fuse: Finally, please leave a message for everyone reading this as well as your GOLDENNESS! JANGJUN: I will show you the unfulfilled dream of 2023! TAG: I love you. I will make you happy. SEUNGMIN: Readers and GOLDENESS, thanks so much for supporting us, and we are here because of you. I Love you! JAEHYUN: Thank you so much for staying with us, and I will do my best. JIBEOM: I will always do my best to show better performances with gratitude to all the GOLDENESS who support me. Always have a nice day! DONGHYUN: Thank you very much to GOLDENESS, who has always supported GOLDEN CHILD until now. We will continue to work hard to become a better GOLDEN CHILD! JOOCHAN: All the readers and GOLDENESS that made to know what happiness is, I will always do my best to show great music and activities. If you can support me, I will always definitely be with you and make happy and better days. I hope you will always have happy days. BOMIN: Readers and our GOLDENNESS, please continue to support us. Thank you always, and thank you once again. I’ll show you how hard I work and my best. Thank you. #SoundLovers🎶, thank you for tuning in to celebrate Golden Child's 6th anniversary with us here at K Fuse, as we hosted our first hybrid event with random dance plays, PC trading, and fun virtual games! We know how excited everyone is about Daeyeol coming back and what that means for Golden Child's future activities! Be sure to stay up-to-date with Golden Child by following their social media channels: INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEVERSE | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

There’s a first time for everything! Halfway through Phum Viphurit’s North American Tour 2023 at the 12th stop is Denver, CO. On September 9th, the artist performed for the first time in the Mile High City. He was greeted with arms wide open at Summit, a popular venue in the heart of downtown Denver. Phum is a singer songwriter based in Thailand. Phum’s music has a unique indie feel with Thai influences. The night started with Riverside, CA indie artist, BRANDON. Setting the mood for the night Brandon and his bandmates performed expressive songs such as “HER”. The audience was quickly swept up by the relaxing, dreamy melodies as they swayed amongst each other. Brandon kept the crowd entranced by performing his new single “Hey Love”, his guitar complimenting his smooth, soothing voice. Brandon’s good energy and dreamy music stunned and set the tone for the rest of the night. New Zealand’s very own dream pop, indie rock artists, Mild Orange, were up next. Playing many of the guitar driven songs such as “Some Feeling”, which also happens to be their most streamed song on Spotify. Filling the venue with a psychedelic, soft rock melody. The band transported the crowd into a euphoric state with hits like “Freak In Me”. Mild Orange bathed in purple and blue lights adding to the whimsical atmosphere. The band shared that it was there first time in Denver as well, expressing gratitude and excitement to the be there. As Phum’s bandmates took the stage and began to set up the crowd buzzed with excitement. At last Phum cut through the crowd and took the stage. Ear plugs were in order because the crowd screamed and cheered with anticipation. Phum thanked the audience and prefaced the performance sharing his excitement to be there. He performed songs from his new album “The Greng Jai Piece”, like “Greng Jai Please”. He shared that he created this album based off of its name which he shared means, to him, to treat others with kindness and love. Spreading the message that you never know what someone else is going through. The crowd celebrated this with clapping and cheering. Phum performs with a group of talented individuals whose chemistry is unmatched. Including an extremely impressive beatboxer who stole the show with an amazing solo performance of popular hip hop songs. Hyping up the crowd that cheered and danced and sang lyrics along with him. Phum blew the crowd away and ended the night with a performance of his hit song “Lover Boy”. Filling the audience's ears with his groovy, intoxicating melodies. If you didn’t already know this was a crowd favorite you’d soon find out as the audience sang along and danced amongst each other. You could feel the energy humming throughout the room as opener Bandon and his bandmates joined the crowd and danced. Phum and fellow bandmates left the stage followed by the roar of the crowd. Soon a chant began, “One more song!”, the crowd cheered over and over again. Even as the lights came on the crowd kept cheering until Phum reemerged with the band members, smiles wide. Phum got on stage, the lights dimmed and he laughed as he told the audience, “Okay, this is the last song, I meant it.” As he broke into “Welcome Change”, the last song on his new album. The final song also included a solo flute performance. This performance was a highlight of the night, given you don’t see many flutists on stage. After the song ended Phum bowed, handed off the set list, and began to shake and hold the hands of his fans as he exited the stage. Making many people’s night. The performances from each artist displayed the passion and talent of each performer. Culminating to a magical night for Denver residents. Hopefully, lightning will strike twice and Mile High City will see Phum Viphurit again before too long. If you haven’t caught Phum Viphurit on tour yet make sure you get your ticket! Catch Phum at any of these upcoming dates: September 19, 2023 - Santa Ana, CA September 20, 2023 - San Diego, CA September 21, 2023 - Phoenix, AZ September 24, 2023 - Los Angeles, CA You don’t want to miss out on this magical experience of euphoric dreamy music! STAY UP TO DATE ON PHUM VIPHURIT FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE SIGNED UP FOR EARLY ACCESS? CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR THE ACCESS CODE! FIND OUR FULL GALLERY HERE Photographed and Written by: Catherine Garcia Thank you to the Live Nation team, BRANDON, MILD ORANGE, PHUM VIPHURIT and Phum's management team for this amazing opportunity!

Upon entering the Park West venue in Chicago on September 13th, fans were immediately greeted with a regal sight. Fans dressed up in their finest attire, performing official choreography while filming TikToks and enthusiastically yelling a fan chant. The Korean boy group Kingdom is on their first tour in America -- Kingdom Grand America Tour. The eager crowd only got louder as the lights dimmed and the seven Kingdom members - Dann, Arthur, Mujin, Louis, Ivan, Hwon, and youngest member Jahan appeared onstage. After an explosive opening performance of Excalibur, Dystopia, and Song of the Wind the members took a break to welcome Kingme, the name of their fanbase, to the show and talk about their time visiting Chicago. The boys talked about what they had eaten while visiting, with member Mujin quipping that he ‘has abs but they’re now hiding behind Chicago pizza’. Group leader Dann shouted out “Oh! The beans!”, in reference to them visiting the Chicago landmark ‘The Bean’ and causing a lot of laughter from the crowd. Kingdom next performed international fan favorites Period and Love is Pain before returning to playing around with the crowd. They shared that they have an upcoming album and managed to record both the music video and choreography video within only 3 days. Hwon relayed a story from the shoot where they were tired after filming for three days straight and Mujin tripped over his foot and fell. Mujin mentioned how after falling it felt like he had four butts. This sparked a hilarious debate between the members and the crowd on if humans have 1 butt or 2 and if the sea can be considered a soup. Dann quickly moved things along back to the prepared show where the members took turns covering popular songs such as ‘Case 143’ by Stray Kids, ‘Baggy Jeans’ by NCT U, and the viral challenge ‘Smoke’ by Dynamicduo and Lee Young Ji. After a quick break where fans watched an interactive video featuring Kingdom, the group returned to the stage to perform their most intense songs Black Crown, Karma, and Long Live The King back to back. The members each took turns thanking their fans for traveling to come to the show and saying what being able to perform in Chicago meant to them. They all hoped to return soon in an even bigger venue. They closed out the show with their hit songs Ascension, ON AIR, and Blinder, leaving the crowd cheering even louder than at the beginning. Stay up to date on future activities by following KINGDOM on social media. Thank you to the team at Studio PAV, GF Entertainment and the members of KINGDOM for the opportunity to provide coverage.

The MAMA Awards is an Award night that has been happening for 24 long years in various countries across Asia. Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan are the household locations where the MAMA Awards are being celebrated annually and the changes in location don't come close to affecting the quality of ceremonies and shows being held every year. Each year some of the biggest acts in K-pop come to deliver a show no one will forget like BTS, TWICE, GOT7, and TXT just to name a few. CJ ENM -- the makers of MAMA Awards, KCON, and Parasite -- have a star filled background so everyone can have a sound sleep no matter when they release the lineup it's going to be so mesmerizing no one's gonna want to miss it! Regardless of the time zone differences, global fans everywhere tune in to see their favorites perform and hopefully win a few trophies to take home with them. Stay up to date on our site to see the lineup when announced as well as the winners of all the categories for this years MAMA Awards at Japan's Tokyo Dome! Written by Sean Sara

Welcome back, #SoundLovers🎶! Our team had an amazing opportunity to host an exclusive interview with K-Indie Artist, Juju B. Goode -- who took time to also talk about his latest single release, "Mr. Lee." We love both your stage name and remix of Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" which was featured in XO, Kitty, as a fan of classic entertainment, especially 80s cinema and music. Did you grow up consuming this kind of content? Yes, you're absolutely right! I have a deep appreciation for 80s entertainment, especially classics like Back to the Future, which I watched religiously after school for a period. Sci-fi and analog gears were also major influences during my upbringing. We read that you used to work full-time in marketing. Do you have any advice for someone who would like to transition careers? Yes, I used to work in marketing, but it wasn't really about transitioning my career. Marketing was fun, but deep down, I always knew I wanted to pursue music. I initially thought I could balance my day job with producing music on the side, but eventually, my passion for music and my desire for adventure took over, and I had to follow my heart. Congratulations on your new single release, "Mr. Lee!" Can you tell readers about its concept and the creative process behind it? Thank you! In essence, Mr. Lee represents all of us going through this journey. Musically, it's a groovy disco-pop track with a surprise twist towards the end. My main intention was to create music that gets people dancing and singing along and produce something that feels like an adventure. You announced on Instagram that you're dropping your debut album Smile! You're On Camera on October 13. Can you give us any spoilers as to what to expect? Perhaps how is it like or different from your previously released EPs? There are 10 tracks on the album, and each one has its own style and moment. Much of my previous work was loop-driven with a lo-fi vibe, whereas this album is more dynamic and follows a linear storytelling and production approach. It takes listeners on a journey-it starts in one place and ends somewhere else. What is your current biggest influence as an artist? I'm currently in LA, and the experience of being in this new city has been exciting and super inspiring for me. Actually, yesterday I visited the Broad Museum, they have Keith Haring exhibition going on right now. KH is an artist I admire and delved into extensively during the pandemic. I love the vibrant use of color and youthful energy, but when you dive deeper, you find a rich tapestry of commentary and a quirky take on modern and pop art, which is something I want to have more in my music. Your songs are written and sung in both Korean and English. Do you write all in one language and translate later or is it mixed to begin with? I mostly write them together from the beginning. I believe that certain melodies are better suited to specific languages. So I take cues from the melody and write in Korean or English lyrics to match it. On your TikTok, you posted a clip, saying you animated the music video for your song "Ending Fairy." Do you have any more talents we might not know about? I made a character with a close friend, Han Na Kim. We were working in a small cafe in Seoul, messing around with Photoshop, experimenting with various shapes and colors. We honestly didn't expect to come up with something as cute and attractive, so we take a lot of pride in it. Later on, Han Na introduced me to her friend, Mincheol Kim, a highly talented 3D artist, who brought the character to life through animation and 3D design for the music video. Is there a message you want to send / leave for your fans? I'm planning to host a listening party and organize more live shows this year. I'm really looking forward to finally meeting all of you. Thank you for your incredible support and love. I hope you'll enjoy the next one as much as my previous work! :-) Keep up with Juju B. Goode on social media for updates on his listening parties and live show schedule. Interviewed by Tiffany S. Written by K Fuse

South Korea's vibrant music scene has given birth to yet another rising star - Black On. This talented singer, dancer, and idol, signed under X Universe Agency, has been captivating audiences with his infectious energy, powerful vocals, and mesmerizing dance moves. With a massive following on TikTok and Instagram, as well as a highly anticipated album release and upcoming tour, Black On is on the brink of superstardom. With a verified account on TikTok boasting 1.1 million followers, Black On has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the social media realm. His captivating dance covers and engaging content have garnered him a loyal fanbase that eagerly awaits his every move. Not only does Black On shine on digital platforms, but he also has a large following on Instagram. With his stylish visuals and personal insights, he has become a relatable figure to his fans, known as the "Angels." On June 2nd, Black On released his highly anticipated second full album, titled "LOV=". This album showcases his artistic growth, highlighting his versatile vocal range and captivating songwriting skills. The album's release was complemented by a visually stunning music video that dropped simultaneously, further amplifying the anticipation and excitement among fans. To celebrate the release of "LOV=", Black On is gearing up for an electrifying return tour in September. The tour will take him to various cities across the United States, including Georgia, Minneapolis, MN and Florida. Fans can expect nothing short of a memorable and enchanting performance, complete with mind-blowing choreography, powerful vocals, and a stage presence that will leave them in awe. Black On's rise to stardom is a testament to his undeniable talent, hard work, and unwavering dedication. As he continues to captivate the hearts of fans worldwide, the future looks incredibly promising for this ambitious K-Pop artist. Be sure to follow Black On on TikTok and Instagram l to stay updated on his latest releases, tour dates, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into his exciting journey. #BlackOn: Redefining K-Pop Excellence, One Stage at a Time.

“Hi, HOPE! We are EPYTHIMiA!” Our team had was granted an opportunity to talk to the members of EPITHYMiA about their time in LA. EPYTHMiA is a six-piece Japanese vocal and dance group -- consisting of Maito, K, R.D, Sirius and Reiya (Rei), new member AQUA -- under Beau.T. Entertainment, who recently made their first appearance in the US at Rising Japan MusicFest on July 23, 2023. EPITHYMiA covered songs from their seniors, KISHIN and AMAZO NIGHT– including fan favorite New Wave. EPITHYMiA has since released their very own single, "FLY" on August 29, 2023. You can check out the full interview below. 1. Could you take a moment and introduce yourselves to the fans and tell us who is EPITHYMiA? Maito: We are Japanese group EPITHYMiA. We’re on social media like TikTok and YouTube. We post everyday to our livestream and we’re dancing and singing. I’m Maito. I’m main dancer. K: I’m EPITHYMiA’s main vocal. Hello, I’m K. Rei: I’m Rei, EPITHYMiA’s main vocal. Sirius: I’m Sirius. I’m EPITHYMiA’s vocalist. RD: Hello…sorry, my voice is so noisy (RD had a sore throat.) Hi, I’m RD. I’m EPITHYMiA’s rapper and sound creator. 2. Why was your first impression when meeting each other? Was there another member you clicked with (got along with) instantly? RD: Sirius. He’s clumsy and has a lot of accidents. At the stage… one minute… BAM RD impersonates Sirius falling down 3. Who are some of your role model artists / groups? K: BTS. I respect that they can dance well and perform well as a team. Maito: I respect BTS as well. Especially RM. He can speak English, dance, and perform. He’s a rapper and I’m also a rapper. I respect RM a lot and, of course, BTS as a whole. Other artists are SHINee, BIGBANG, and NCT. I really love K-Pop. 4. What is your favorite thing about America so far? Maito: It’s the first time we come to USA. Maito: I’m so surprised that everything is big. Like hamburgers or drinks. I went to coffee shops and each has a small size, medium size, large size. In that shop, there was only medium size, large size, and extra large size. USA’s medium size is larger than Japanese large size. Everything is very big and I was so surprised! 5. To K: do you have plans to cut your hair? K: Not for right now! Sorry~ 6. We see you all on TikTok Live and YouTube Live talking with HOPE almost every day. What have been some of your favorite moments during those lives? RD: When we got 100,000 followers or 500,000 followers, we do a real time livestream to share that moment with HOPE together. 7. During your lives, you also perform short cover dances. Is there a member who learns choreography the quickest and helps the other members learn it? All members point to Maito Maito: Yeah, it’s me. Me and K teach the dance. 8. What does a typical day look like for you? Maito: We wake up and maybe some members go running or do muscle training. Maybe they do training to wake up. We also do livestreaming on TikTok or YouTube. After that, we do training with singing or dancing. I’m so interested in studying English, so I watch English lesson videos on YouTube. Some members watch performance and lives. RD: I do sound making. Maito: RD is creative and makes the music. 9. What genres of music are you looking forward to trying in the future? Maito: Maybe Hip hop. We recently released our first original song. I think that song fits as a first song. We hope HOPE love our new music. 10. Is there anything you can tell us about your debut? (Date, Track List, Genre, Title Track, etc) Maito: We’re predebut, but we will release our first song next month. (Fly was released August 29th) 11. Did you guys plan to have a WORLD TOUR after your DEBUT? Maito: Last year, in June 2022, at that time, we didn’t think about any world tour. We saw we have so many overseas fans that support us, so of course now we want to possibly do a world tour. 12. Is there a message that you would like to leave for HOPE? Maito: Hi HOPE! Thank you for always supporting us. Every comment and every message from you guys makes me happy and makes me smile. Thank you for that always and we will keep doing our best, so please support us forever! We love you! K: Hello HOPE! Thank you for always supporting Thank you so much! Rei: Hello HOPE! Thank you always supporting! Sirius: Hi HOPE! RD: Hi, my energy is so BIG! Thank you so much! Thank you for the big support, HOPE. Let’s enjoy EPITHYMiA’s world, EPITHYMiA’s music, and EPITHYMiA’s entertainment. Let’s enjoy it! Thank you so much. Subscribe for full access to EPITHYMiA's Full Gallery from Rising Japan MusicFest Our video interview with EPITHYMiA is now available on our YouTube channel! Stay up to date with the members of EPITHYMiA on social media: INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIK TOK | TWITTER | Website Written by: Emma V. Edited by: K Fuse Video by: Natasha A.

Seoul-born singer, songwriter, and producer currently based in New York City, Juju B. Goode, has released "Mr. Lee," today. A single fully in Korean off his highly anticipated debut album, "Smile! You're On Camera," which presents a fresh take on K-Pop, drawing inspiration from an eclectic mix of genres like disco, rock, electronic, hip-hop, and more. After being featured on various noteworthy artists' tracks and singing the official soundtrack for Netflix Original series “XO, Kitty”, Juju B. Goode is now venturing beyond his established sound. Emerging as a promising new artist, Juju B. Goode started his musical journey as a bedroom artist, captivating listeners with his debut EP, Future Boy (2020). This lo-fi K-R&B nostalgic exploration has resonated with audiences worldwide, earning millions of streams and gaining recognition through various Spotify editorials. Building on this success, Juju B. Goode continued to release a second EP, Garden (2021), and collaborate with notable artists, incorporating his eclectic range of influences into a captivating tapestry of melodies, rhythms, and introspective lyrics. After being featured on various noteworthy artists' tracks and singing the official soundtrack for Netflix Original series “XO, Kitty”, Juju B. Goode is now venturing beyond his established sound. The highly anticipated debut studio album, set to be released later this summer, artfully infuses his work with diverse musical genres, drawing inspiration from rock, disco, electronic, and hip-hop, all while allowing his Korean roots to shine through. With his boundless creativity and dedication to his craft, Juju B. Goode is poised to leave an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring and cultivating his fandom around the globe. The name "Mr. Lee" serves as a homophone, symbolizing the enigmatic nature of understanding oneself or others, blurring the lines between an individual and a collective reflection. The song's journey began with a demo crafted during a trip to Korea, later refined in Brooklyn, and finally, it received a touch of pop brilliance in California, where Juju worked alongside Pablo and producer Sake by the Water. The result was a more polished and infectious sound, a departure from Juju B. Goode's previous lo-fi bedroom pop style. "Mr. Lee" takes listeners on a musical-like adventure, commencing with a captivating, orchestral, grand synth intro, and concluding with an infectious UKG breakdown and sing-together outro, encapsulating the rush and mystery of life in a bustling city. As the song began resonating with his friends, Juju B. Goode discovered that "Mr. Lee" was, in a sense, a letter to himself, a reflection of his life before taking the leap to pursue music full-time. Having left his marketing job and followed his lifelong dream of becoming a musician right before the pandemic struck, Juju B. Goode's personal journey intertwined beautifully with the song's profound lyrics. Stay up to date with Juju B. Good on Social Media at: SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE

A Recap of the KRAZY K-Pop Super Concert at UBS Arena On Saturday evening, August 26, Fans gathered at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York for a night full of music, dance, and excitement. Featuring a roster compromised of CRAVITY, AB6IX, Kwon Eunbi, IVE, and Shownu X Hyungwon, setting an enthusiastic tone for the night. Anticipation was high in the crowd when CRAVITY's set the stage for their opening song of the night “My Turn”. The cheering was loud, and energy was starting off on a high point. While doing intros, the synergy between the members and hosts was infectious. CRAVITY effortlessly connected with fans, even ensuring to acknowledge their seated fans in the back rows as well. Their smooth intros in both English and Korean were impressive and resonated with their fans, demonstrating their appreciation and acknowledgment of their international fanbase. The dance break for the song “Boogie Woogie” was a crowd favorite, loud cheers and the echoes of fans singing along. Alongside the vibrant stage lights and seamless song transitions, CRAVITY's performance was a great start to the show. The call from the members to sing along resonated, with fans happily waving their light sticks. As their set reached its climax, the final song "Groovy" left a lasting impression on the audience. As the show went on, the crowd's excitement escalated when AB6IX took the stage, the energy was high for their opening song “Loser”, complemented by their impressive vocals and stage presence. The energy soared during the bridge section of “the Answer," with passionate responses from the crowd. Which later paved the way for their final song "Breathe”, with impressive choreography and a performance that left a lasting impression. Kwon Eunbi soon hit the stage, surrounded by backup dancers, which drew extra anticipation for her first song “Underwater”. During her Mnet Intro, she demonstrated genuine gratitude for her fans in New York and went on to introduce the final song of her set, her latest title track, "The Flash," an upbeat dance-pop song that resonated throughout the arena. As the night went on, IVE's arrival was met with substantial anticipation, solidifying their presence as one of the most anticipated acts of the night. The crowd demonstrated endless enthusiasm as they headed into their first song "90s Kitsch." The performance and momentum of the crowd surged as they followed up with "Eleven" and "After like." During the Mnet Intro’s, the members talked about their insights on being in New York and revealed and favorite spots in the city. The excitement peaked during their last song, "Love Dive,". With IVE taking notice of the fans extra enthusiasm for their last performance of the night. The cheering of the fans resonated, while waving Lightsticks and banners in the air, showing support. As the night came to an end, the final acts took the stage – Monsta X's subunit duo, featuring members Hyungwon and Shownu. Their entrance garnered the loudest cheers of the night. With many seated fans, standing up in unison for their opening performance of title track of their mini album “Love me a little” as the set went on, the duo demonstrated exceptional fan engagement and interactions, traveling around the stage, interacting, and connecting with fans in every corner while performing. The crowd was most energetic for their cover of Monsta X English single “Who do you love”. Throughout their intros with the hosts, the members made sure to express their gratitude and repeatedly acknowledged and connected with their dedicated fanbase “MONBEBE”, cultivating a memorable performance that left a lasting impression on everyone who attended. The #KRAZY K-Pop Super Concert at UBS Arena served as vivid testament to the passion and commitment of K-Pop fans, demonstrating the global influence of the genre. Be sure to not miss the chance to catch AB6IX on the rest of their “The Future” World Tour Nov 03, 2023 – Chicago, Illinois - Patio Theater Nov 05, 2023 – Jersey City, New Jersey - White Eagle Hall Nov 07, 2023 – Atlanta, Georgia - Masquerade Heaven Nov 09, 2023 – Dallas, Texas - South Side Music Hall Nov 11, 2023 - San Francisco, California - Blue Shield Theater Nov 12, 2023 - Los Angeles, California - Teragram Ballroom For the latest updates, Make sure to follow AB6IX, CRAVITY, Kwon Eunbi, IVE, Monsta X, and Krazy K-pop Super concert on social media platforms. SoundLovers, what was your favorite stage? Thank you AK and KRAZY for the amazing opportunity to review this show! Written by Fatima A. Photo Credits: USB Arena / Dennis DaSilva

Aespa is a K-POP girl group under SM Entertainment, consisting of four members, Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning. Known for their “metaverse” concept and futuristic visuals, the group debuted on November 17, 2020 with their single, “Black Mamba.” Aespa’s latest mini album “MY WORLD,” consists of 6 songs with their title track, “Spicy.” After just three years of debuting, Aespa is taking on a world tour in 14 cities with one of them being at the Fox Theatre, in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia on August 25th. Aespa’s Atlanta Concert Review This will be based on my personal experience at their Atlanta concert. Fortunately, I’ve been able to attend and experience multiple concerts which a majority of them being K-POP groups. I will giving my person review of the show from the visuals, the music, the performance, the production, the atmosphere, the crowd, and the overall experience. Parking One of the more difficult things about concerts in Atlanta is the parking, but luckily, I was able to find parking at the Fox’s Orange Parking Lot for $25. There were other parking lots that I did pass by that costed $30, but I would recommended to use the MARTA, rideshare, or carpool for those coming from out of states. Pre-Show The doors opened around 7pm and show was stated to start at 8pm. I arrived around 7:30pm, so I was able to go through security and ticket quite smoothly. The staff at the venue were friendly and helpful with helping people find their seats. There were merchandise booths with items including tour shirts, pin set, key chain, hair clip set, baseball cap, and their lightstick. Recently, a lot of the tour merchandise I’ve been seeing at K-pop concerts have been lackluster with not much pertaining to the concept and themes of the tours. Personally, I feel like companies know fans would be willing to purchase the items regardless if the design is worth it. The one design I do enjoy is the t-shirt that had a sticker-like collage on the back and small outline design in the front. Visuals The show was originally suppose to start at 8pm, but it started around 8:10pm. There was VCR visuals that started playing that displayed their metaverse concept. However, the 3D models of their avatars as well as the green-screen of alternate universe wasn’t the highest of quality. I noticed the highlight of green on the members for the green screen, and the animation of the dancing of the avatar was very stiff. Honestly, I was expecting a more polished visuals because I SM made a web series about the SM Culture Universe. There are concerts where the VCR concept videos being displayed during intermissions usually develops a story that keeps the audience engaged. However, I was slightly confused when the the plotlines were switching between their metaverse concept to girl crush then back to metaverse. On the other hand, the stage outfits were amazing on all the members. Their starting outfits were a matching and bright sparkling outfits captivated the audience. Aespa would change during the intermission for their different stages which developed into individualized outfits for their solo stages leading up to their more group-based ones. On a side note, all the girls of Aespa were beautiful and stunning on the stage. Performance and Productions The girls put on their best performance and amazing choreography for their show. One thing I did notice was the instrumental music would overpower the vocals of the members. Their vocals were as if they ate CDs, but I wouldn’t be surprised since SM Entertainment is known for their vocals. The one feature that stuck with for me from the show was when Winter whipped out an electric guitar for their “Girls” performance. It was really cool to see the concert setting being used to display the range of talents that each member has to offer. It would be interesting to see their songs being played with a rock band or a live band as I’ve seen been used at other concerts. Another cool feature was having Aespa’s avatar versions doing the dance with them on the large screens. The Music Aespa’s setlist was a great balance between their title tracks as well as B-side tracks from their discography. As mention before, each member was able to display their solo stages between their sets ranging from dancing to vocals. It was cool to see them perform “Hold on Tight,” the song with the Tetris backtrack. There were moments where the momentum slowed down with their slower tracks, but picked backed up when it ended with “Next Level” and “Black Mamba.” The Atmosphere and Crowd The crowd and energy throughout the concert was very energetic especially when Aespa’s more upbeat songs were being performed. The fans were constantly screaming and cheering the moment the girls came on stage. The fans were singing their hearts out and waving the lightsticks in the air will always be a magical moment whenever I go to Kpop concerts. As much as it was difficult at times to see the stage performance of the girls due fans also recording moments, the energy was consistent throughout the concert. In addition, it’s not a Kpop concert in the United States, if the fans don’t start barking. I also enjoy all the fans getting dressed up for the show which just adds more to the concert experience. Overall Experience The concert ended around 10:30pm the concluded with the encore stage with all the members in their tour merch. I loved seeing how much they interacted with their fans during the encore stage as they accepted gifts and recorded on their phones. We were able to see all the sides to each of the members throughout their performance. Given that it was their first world tour, they handled it like professionals and put on a show for the audience to enjoy and watch. I applaud that more and more idols try to break the language barrier even though not all the members are fluent in English. Hopefully, in the future, the members become more comfortable to speak to their fans in English without needing to read off a script. Personally, I find it okay for the idols to speak in their most comfortable language and it be translated. It feels more genuine and relaxed when the members get to express their feelings naturally. I enjoy their performance and spectacular vocals on stage, and their stage presence is captivating for each member. I am excited to see where Aespa goes in terms of music and their performances, and I would highly recommend seeing them if they are in your city. Written By: Leala H

Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this legendary story! Studio PAV Latam and GF Entertainment are excited to announce that rising idol group, KINDOM, will be bringing their unique concepts, fascinating music, admirable attire and captivating performances to the United States, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Mexico on their upcoming KINGDOM Grand America Tour! Since their debut in 2021, the six-member boy-group -- consisting of members Dann, Arthur, Mujin, Louis, Ivan, Jahan and Hwonn -- has charmed fans around the world with thier unique worldview and concepts. Each of the KINGDOM members represents a different king with their own fantasy Kingdoms, and with each new release, the group takes you through stories of adversity until each king finds their place rightfully upon their specified throne. We also see each store begin to grow grander and more epic that the last. In their latest comeback, KINDOM tells the sore of MUJIN, who is in charge of the Kingdom of Cherry Blossom, alluding to their connection with Japan. The concept of this sixth mini album is based on attire, music and backgrounds and landscapes fo oriental culture. The release fo this comeback also coincides with the famous cherry blossom season in Japan, which are most visible in March. Kingdom has had success as "fourth generation idols" on various Amazon Music charts in the United States with thier fifth mini album, "Long Live the King." The group has also proven its presence as a force in the K-Pop genre by entering the Billboard US "World Digital Song Sales" chart three consecutive times. The group received their first award on September 15, 2021 at the 2021 Newsies K-Expo. Now, in 2023, they will perform in U.S., Canada and some Latin American countries on their journey to conquer the hearts of thier #KINGMAKER fans. Their tour will offer an exciting show that will reflect this epic story! Concerts The concerts, besides providing fans with an unforgettable show, also has exclusive benefits that only a few can take advantage of. the benefits are sold through Studio PAV's official tour website (kpoptickets.com). The benefits include: VVIP Benefit Package: Fansign, Fansign poster, Group photo, Hi-touch session, VVIP badge & lanyard, First entry to the venue VIP Benefit Package: Group photo, Hi-touch session, VIP badge & lanyard, 2nd entry into the venue Benefits are included with tickets for stops int he USA and Canada, and are sold separately for LATAM stops. Tickets to the concert in Latin America are sold through official local box offices. Concert seats are devised into "Tiers," which are VVIP, VIP and T3 (USA/Canada) and T1, T2, T3, and T4 (LATAM). Secure your tickets at the link below! Concert Schedule & Ticket Links 2023.09.08 | Vancouver - Centennial Theatre 2023.09.10 | San Fran - Fort Mason Cowell Theater 2023.09.13 | Chicago - Park West 2023.09.15 | Toronto - TD Music Hall 2023.09.17 | Jersey City - White Eagle Hall 203.09.19 | Atlanta - Center Stage Theater 2023.09.20 | Fort Worth - Ridglea Theater 2023.09.22 | Santiago, Chile - Blondie Club 2023.09.24 | Bogota, Colombia - Teatro Libre Chapinero 2023.09.27 | Sao Paulo, Brasil - Carioca Club 2023.09.29 | Cuidad de Mexico, Mexico 2023.10.01 | Los Angeles - Avalon Hollywood