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Welcome back #SoundLovers! We are excited to introduce you to the rookie boy group POW (파우) ! We had the pleasure of speaking with the members of POW as they discussed their latest release, " Valentine ," [POW HOUSE in Bangkok], and future goals. You can check out our interview below. About POW Five-member rookie group POW can proudly claim the title of GRID Entertainment (그리드 엔터테인먼트)'s first every boy group. GRID Entertainment announced its establishment as a company on July 10, 2024, and the group's name -- POW -- on July 31, 2023. Consisting of members Yorch, Hyunbin, Jungbin, Dongyeon, and Hong, POW released a pre-debut single, " Favorite ," on September 13, 2023, -- which features a prominent electric guitar sound alongside a cheerful, nostalgic vibe -- and made their official debut on October 11, 2023, with the EP, "1st EP [Favorite]," with " Dazzling " serving as the title track.  On January 25, 2024, the group made their first comeback with their second digital single, " Valentine. " While described as a UK garage-style song, this charm-filled track also embraces some compelling elements of the 70s while showcasing POW's youthful energy. POW's highlighted 5-color vocals, the song's catchy melody, and lovely lyrics are sure to stick with listeners. K FUSE: Hello, POW! Thank you for taking the time to talk with us, and share your story with our readers. Some readers may be meeting you for the first time. Could you take a moment and introduce yourselves and your role in POW ? [Jungbin] Hi there, this is POW’s leader, Jungbin. [Yorch] Hello, this is POW’s eldest, Yorch. [Hong] Hi, I’m Hong, the cute and chic one of the group. [Dongyeon] Hey, this is Dongyeon from POW. I’m the choreography lead, known for my charisma. [Hyunbin] Hi everyone, I’m Hyunbin, the vitamin spirit of the group. K FUSE: What is the meaning behind your group name? [All] Our group name POW  comes from the sound of something explosive, like “POW!” It’s about bringing freshness and excitement to the music scene. K FUSE: What was your first impression of each other? [Jungbin] Hyunbin, Dongyeon, Hong, and I spent a lot of time practicing together. Yorch joined the group last, and it felt like fate. I found Hyunbin intriguing and funny because of his dialectic accent. I found Dongyeon to be reserved, Hong as adorable, and Yorch as a natural-born superstar. [Yorch] I joined the group last but immediately felt a strong connection. Our bond even surprised our staff members from the very beginning. [Hong] I thought Jungbin has always shown solid leadership from the start. Yorch has always exuded a celebrity aura, given his experience in the industry and background as an actor in Thailand. I found Hyunbin a total goofball and Dongyeon a fantastic choreography guide. [Dongyeon] I'm usually shy at first, but Hyunbin and Jungbin helped me feel comfortable from the start. I saw Hong as a flawless, cute baby. Yorch and I are both introverted, so it took some time for us to open up to each other. [Hyunbin] Everyone says I was the first to be friendly, but I was also shy. I made an effort to overcome any awkwardness among us. K FUSE: Jungbin has given the other members nicknames. JUNGBIN, can you tell us a little more about how you came up with nicknames for the members? [Jungbin] Hyunbin may surprise you, but he's actually a big sleepyhead who loves lounging around. That's why I nicknamed him "koo'chana" by replacing the 'kwi' in 'kwichana' (which means 'I'm lazy') with 'Ku,' his last name. Dongyeon is incredibly composed, grounded, and easygoing without rough edges. I refer to him as "dongeul-ee," which translates to "a circular one." Hong, our youngest member, adores each of us in the group. He's incredibly affectionate and always eager to observe everything we do. I've nicknamed him "hyunga-baragi," meaning "hyunga sunflower." Yorch, our eldest member, possesses an adorable character of his own. While he may not express affection as Hong does, he exudes his own charm. I call him "yomi," derived from the term "gwiyomi," meaning 'cutie.' K FUSE: Yorch,Hyunbin, Dongyeon, and Hong, if you could each pick a nickname for Jungbin, what would it be? [Yorch] Im Jin Beom. In Thailand, we have this tradition where we remix a friend's name. According to this tradition, his nickname would be Im Jin Beom, but in the Korean way, I simply call him Jin Beom. [Hong] Gomdol-bin (teddy bear bin)! He looks just like a teddy bear. [Dongyeon] Jungbin's hairstyle often features large curls, and he rocks them perfectly. It reminds me of a chocolate-colored poodle, so I want to call him a choco poodle. [Hyunbin] Bigfoot Jungbin. Jungbin has large hands and feet. Very masculine, I must say. K FUSE: Let's talk about your latest single, “Valentine.” [All] Valentine is a track that captures the exciting and bubbly confessions of young boys who have fallen in love. We hope to grow an abundant of emotions within the listeners, so they can experience the flutter of butterflies. Plus, you can distinctly sense the unique charms of each of the five members in the song, which adds another enjoyable layer to the experience. K FUSE: What message are you trying to convey to listeners who hear this song? [Hyunbin] Valentine marks POW’s first-ever comeback track, making it an incredibly significant release for us. It's our way of demonstrating the evolution we've undergone as a group. While we initially started with a youthful and boyish image, we've now transitioned to embrace a more mature and masculine vibe. K FUSE: What was your favorite part of “Valentine?” [Jungbin] “I'll gather all my vulnerable emotions to place inside your warm hands.” That’s as transparent as you can get with your feelings in a love confession. [Yorch] “I only have fluttering words to tell you. Oh, my baby, baby, all I want is you” [Hong] “Darling, be my Valentine. I want to be clear why it has to be you.” Something about this line has a fate-like quality. [Dongyeon] “I'll bring you flowers. Cheeks blush like cotton candy. You're my eternal spring breeze. Leave your ring finger for me.” I have a ton of fun doing these rap lines and I love the lyrics as well. It’s also very fun to act out. [Hyunbin] “Any second I get. I fall for you.” It’s a direct way to express your feelings, and I like how romantic it is. K FUSE: Were there any memorable moments during the filming of “Valentine?” [Jungbin] I remember we all had a blast running around everywhere working with the drone. Its noise was pretty loud, so we laughed while running away from it. But we still had to be careful from crashing it. [Yorch] I very much enjoyed shooting with the drone. We felt the sound was a bit too loud and intimidating, and that showed through the screens. We were suppressing our anxieties. It’s funny how we shared that little secret, even if others on-site didn’t notice. K FUSE: How would you say “Valentine” compared to your pre-debut song “Favorite? [Jungbin] I would say “Favorite” best represents our identity. It embodies a shy, indirect confession of love, while “Valentine” takes a more mature and direct approach. [Yorch] “Favorite” captures youthful love, while “Valentine” embraces the more mature side. There’s quite a difference in maturity. The choreography includes impactful elements and showcases a range of fun through varied formations. [Dongyeon] We were still boys during “Favorite,” while “Valentine” reflects a more mature stage. We find ourselves in the midst of transitioning from boys to men. We’re investing a lot more time in considering how to depict that transition visually. Plus, we’ve been hitting the gym frequently and making slight changes to our hairstyles and makeup. K FUSE: You are scheduled to meet Thai POWER on April 6, during your 2024 POW Live Stage [ POW HOUSE in Bangkok ]. Is there a theme for this live stage? [Jungbin] For this live stage, our focus was on showcasing our growth as artists compared to our first visit to Thailand. We hope you can experience a refreshing charm from our performance. K FUSE: As you greet your Thai fans, what messages or emotions do you hope your music conveys to listeners? [Hyunbin] Our foremost hope is that you find joy and happiness in our performance. Some of life's most radiant moments are composed of those you've savored to the fullest. I truly hope that POW's stages become cherished memories deeply ingrained in POWERs. K FUSE: Are there any special stages that you have prepared for your fans ? [Yorch] Hong and I have prepared a cover stage. While it was a solo performance back in Korea, I have high hopes that it’ll be a lot less solitary and more spectacular this time. [Dongyeon] Hyunbin, Jungbin, and I are also gearing up for a joint performance. We’re exploring a different music genre, aiming to showcase an elevated version of ourselves at the Thailand concert. K FUSE: Are there any places in Thailand that you would like to visit? [Jungbin] I want to visit Icon Siam. Considering all of our members don’t do well in the heat, I think it’d be amazing to have them enjoy the food and culture of Thailand indoors, though I still adore the night market. [Yorch] Real Thai Street in Jatujak is a must-visit. The array of stylish clothes is great, with so many Thai dishes yet to be tried by the members, so I’m very eager to show them the taste and charm of Thailand. [Hong] Phi Phi Island is calling my name. With my love for the sea and its breathtaking scenery and vibrant colors, experiencing it firsthand would be a dream. Plus, the fruits in Thailand are incredible. Imagine having them against the ocean backdrop! [Dongyeon] Amphawa Floating Market is on my radar. I’ve never seen fireflies before, but apparently, the place is filled with them. If any opportunity arises, I’d love to go and make some enticing memories there. [Hyunbin] I’d love to go to Phuket. I want to capture the beauty of the sea with my own eyes. When I first heard our song “Dazzling,” I envisioned us dancing on the sands of the beach. That’s where I want to turn that vision into reality. K FUSE: Are there plans to take [POW HOUSE] to other countries? [Hong] Upon POWER’s call, I’d go anywhere. I want to perform in the countries and cities they live in. K FUSE: What do you want fans to think of when they hear your songs? [Yorch] I hope they can reignite feelings they’ve become numb to, particularly excitement. I think our music has the power to evoke nostalgia. K FUSE: Are there any upcoming projects or releases you can share with your fans ? [All] We are currently preparing for our next single and planning our next ventures to connect with more POWERs in various countries. While we may not be able to visit all the places we desire at the moment, we are striving to reach as many as possible. We can’t wait to meet everyone on stage. K FUSE: Are there any countries you would like to visit? [Jungbin] I’d love to film a POW house episode in Yorch’s homeland, Thailand, to show everyone how well we are doing! [Yorch] Since I enjoy being in nature, performing in a scenic location sounds perfect. I’d love to do a POW house in Switzerland. [Hong] I’ve wanted to go to the States. I’ve only been there once with Yorch before, so I’d love to go with everyone next time. I’m curious to experience what it’s like to perform there. [Dongyeon] I want to visit my mother’s home country, the Philippines. I’ve been there once for promotions, but we weren’t able to meet fans at the time. I’d love to greet them through a stage performance. [Hyunbin] Brazil is on my bucket list. As a big fan of soccer, visiting Brazil would be a dream come true. Of course, I’d love to feel the heat and energy of South American passion. K FUSE: Have you always wanted to pursue a career in music? [Jungbin] I've had a passion for music and singing since I was young. I participated in the school band and chorus. If I hadn't become an idol, I would have pursued another career in singing. [Yorch] Dancing has been a love of mine since childhood, which naturally led me to develop a deep affection for music and the dream of becoming a singer. [Hong] Singing and dancing have always been integral parts of my life. I've always had a strong desire to perform music in front of others. [Dongyeon] Although I didn't always dream of pursuing music, I began to envision myself as a singer during high school. Witnessing BTS on stage gave me chills and ignited my passion. [Hyunbin] I didn't have a specific dream at first, but it gradually developed over time. As I explored various music genres, my dream of becoming a musician became more real. K FUSE: If you weren't an idol, what career would you pursue instead? [Jungbin] I would have pursued a major in contemporary music in college. By now, I’d be on campus, dreaming of becoming a vocalist. [Yorch] I probably would’ve continued my acting career in Thailand. But I do think I would’ve ventured into music later on. Music has always held a special place in my heart. [Hong] I would have immersed myself in the music scene. I did taekwondo when I was little, but since then, I’ve only studied music-related subjects like piano, MIDI, and more. [Dongyeon] I would’ve pursued a career in drawing, like an animator or an illustrator. I still draw to this day. [Hyunbin] If not for music, I would have explored the world by now. Without a specific dream before music, I imagine I would have collected diverse experiences around the globe in search of my true calling. K FUSE: What is the best advice you have heard? [Jungbin] Live this life as if you'd live it exactly the same if given the chance to start over. [Yorch] Don't fret over tomorrow; instead, focus on giving your best today. [Hong] Nothing worth having comes without effort. [Dongyeon] It's alright to loosen up a little more. I struggled to embrace all aspects of myself, hindering my ability to act and feel authentically. This advice helped me feel more at ease in my interactions with others. [Hyunbin] Do everything you want to do on stage. These words resonate with me. It feels like the key to experiencing joy both for myself and for those who witness my performances. K FUSE: What are POW’s wishes and plans for 2024 as a group and also individually? [Jungbin] I eagerly anticipate more opportunities to meet POWERs in person. It would be wonderful to connect with all the POWERS who passionately support us from across the globe. [Yorch] I aspire to reach a point where it feels natural to say, "It's time for POW to receive the Best Song of the Year award." Achieving this goal requires further refining our vocals and performance skills. [Hong] Getting good grades, meaning getting #1 on music shows or entering the music charts. I want to make all of our dedicated staff members and our supportive fans proud. [Dongyeon] My goal for 2024 is to win an award together with our fellow members. [Hyunbin] I aim to meet as many POWERs as possible. By the end of 2024, I hope to look back on numerous enjoyable performances with POW. K FUSE: What is a message that you want to give to your fans POWER? [Jungbin] We're incredibly grateful for your unwavering support and love. POWERs always inspire us, and we strive to reciprocate that energy through our music. Please continue to stand by us; we love you and appreciate you immensely. [Yorch] Your continuous support means the world to us. We'll keep pushing ourselves to be the best we can be, so please stay with us and expect great things from us. [Hong] We, POW, pour our hearts into our work, so please keep supporting us. Your love means everything to us. [Dongyeon] Thank you for acknowledging and loving us, whether up close or from afar. We'll always give our all for you. [Hyunbin] POWER! Your support is invaluable to us, and we're deeply grateful. We promise to always give our absolute best for you. Thank you, and we’ll always love you BE SURE TO FOLLOW POW ON SNS TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON FUTURE ACTIVITES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS! Twitter (X) | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | b.stage K Fuse would like to thank the team at GRID Entertainment and the members of POW for taking the time to share your story with us and our readers! We are looking forward to watching these rising stars continue to shine brightly during their career.

Lim Jimin, Bain, Geonu, JM, DY, and Sangwoo collectively form the immensely talented group known as Just B. Emerging from the survival shows "Under Nineteen" and "I-LAND," the group made their debut in 2021 with the dynamic track "Damage" and have since released albums such as "Just Begun," "=(Neun)," and " ÷ (Nanugi)." Throughout their first North & South American Tour, "Just Be With You," Just B graciously took the time to sit down with us in Denver, reflecting on their career and sharing memorable moments from the tour. Responses have been revised for clarity. Q1: You all have experimented with different genres and styles for past releases, how does that influence your creative process? Geonu: It helps us think more accurately, surely, and wisely when making choices about the music’s style and genre. Q2. What has been a moment that you all are most proud of through the duration of your career so far? Lim Jimin: The most proud moment of our career so far was being invited to the Tokyo MAMA award show. With the love and support from our fans, we were able to attend and perform at the show. Q3. Which song do you all enjoy performing the most? DY: The new song that we have been working on, “Daddy’s Girl” and the title track from our most recent album, “Medusa” are the two songs I enjoy performing the most. Lim Jimin: I prefer “Domino” because the song gives everyone energy and they can feel the vibe from our singing. When I sing I can see all the fans enjoying the song. JM: These days, it’s “Daddy’s Girl”, that’s my favorite song. Bain: I think “Make it New”, it is so good. Geonu: For me it’s “Daddy’s girl” because it is really fresh and it has really cute lyrics and I like the vibe. Sangwoo: “Medusa”, that’s my favorite song. Q4. Apart from JUST B's activities, is there a genre or something each member wants to try or learn? Lim Jimin: I can’t decide on a specific one but I am very open minded. So if there are any chances to try new things I will take them. Everything JM: Geonu and I are set to appear in a drama this April and we would truly love to get into acting and learn more about that field. Geonu: There are many genres I would like to try, for now I want to go hard with the pop-punk & punk-rock genre. When I get to my 30s, I can try more lyrical songs with a deep mood and vibe like neo-r&b. DY: Since my profession is an artist, I want to dive into learning more about instruments and producing. I want to focus on music, aside from my time with Just B, I want to try pursuing a solo career as well Sangwoo: When it comes to learning, there are a lot of ways to learn. For me, I would like to not only learn 1-1 but find an environment that allows me to experience the different things people can offer me. That’s something I am looking forward to. Bain: My goal is to not have any set categories or boundaries. For myself I would like to go beyond just being a single category artist. Q5. You've already visited four places in the United States and Latin America, and Dallas is the fifth. This is Denver, which food left the most impression on you. Geonu: Right before in Dallas, we tried Wattaburger and it was absolutely amazing. Actually I felt like the burgers were pretty good but the fries were really crazy. I would eat the fries all day. Bain: We also tried baked bananas, they were not bad Geonu: They had an interesting taste Lim Jimin: I think pizza was my favorite JM: Me too, pizza is so good DY: Chicken wings. American chicken wings are a little different from Korean. My type is American style. Sangwoo: For my personal taste, nothing can beat American French fries. The Korean French fries can’t even compete. You Can Check Out Our Full Gallery Below We would like to thank The Kstage, BLUEDOT Entertainment, and the members of Just B for giving us this opportunity to attend this press conference. Written and Photographed by Dyani R .

The breathtaking rooftop view from ㅎㄷcafe (Hongdae Cafe) and the beautifully painted skyline set the atmosphere for the members of M.O.N.T to host their busking event on Sunday, March 24. M.O.N.T -- an acronym for the group's name, Members Of the National Team -- is a 3-member boy group under FM (Fly Music) Entertainment consisting of Narahcan, Bitsaseon , and Roda , who made their official debut on January 4, 2019, with their first mini-album, 'Going Up,' featuring their lead single being " Will You Be My Girlfriend? "  Throughout the years, M.O.N.T has released various types of songs that catch the listener's attention from the first beat to the final note. Their latest title song is " 마음대로 해 (IDGAF) ," from their fourth mini album -- released February 27. The four tracks that make up this album show the members delving into new concepts, exploring different sounds, incorporating instruments, and continuing to mature their talents -- such as Roda taking part in writing lyrics, composition, and arrangements. On Sunday, M.O.N.T took busking to another level as the beautiful Seoul skyline, warm spring air, and sunset set the atmosphere for what became an intimate event between the members and MINT -- the group's fandom name. The members spent the evening with MINT performing songs from their latest album, including Narahcan's solo song, "LUCKY," and covering songs like Adele's "Someone Like You."  MINT, who is known for being a respectful and friendly fandom, made the busking event memorable for the members as they showcased their love and support with enthusiastic cheers and posters. M.O.N.T was sure to make every second of their short return to MINT count as members Roda and Bitsaeon decided to be amongst the fans during their solo performances. When it was time for the performance of ‘Honestly,’ you could feel unique and surreal energy from both M.O.N.T and MINT -- as if finding each other for the first time all over again. Fans took the lyrics to heart and rekindled their love for the group with affirmations that they will, "get into M.O.N.T more than ever before!" The busking event concluded perfectly with a magical twilight sky. Attendees used their phone flashlights to take a memorable group photo with the members. Reflecting on the photo, MINT looked like the stars that shine brightly for M.O.N.T. We will continue to watch M.O.N.T shine brightly -- creating even more memories and sharing more special moments with their fans this year. You can find our full gallery of M.O.N.T's Busking event here Follow M.O.N.T on social media to stay up-to-date on their future projects! Twitter (X) | Instagram | YouTube | Fan Cafe | TikTok | Facebook Written and Photographed by Michelle H.

Welcome back, #SoundLovers! We want to introduce you to a group whose goal is to be a safe space for their listeners. "M1-KEY! "Deeper" feels somewhat new, right? We made a comeback so soon because we always miss you :) We hope you have a great time with H1-KEY~" -- RIINA, member of H1-KEY We had the pleasure of speaking with Grandline Group (GLG) Entertainment's four-member girl group, H1-KEY (하이키). The group -- consisting of Seoi, Riina, Hwiseo, and Yel -- made their debut on January 5, 2022, with their single album Athletic Girl . Since their debut, H1-KEY have been striking all the notes and making their way into the hearts of listeners as they ranked 3rd after NewJeans and BLACKPINK for Girl Group Band Reputation. The girls continued to release songs that showcase their various talents with their 2023 album Rose Blossom , and the digital singles of their H1-KEYnote Project -- " Thinkin' About You," and " Deeper ." H1-KEY introduced their H1-KEYnote project as the project that aims to share H1-KEY's various untold stories and messages with their fans, M1-KEY, as the group hopes to send comfort and sentiment to everyone through the power of their music with no restrictions to their expressions. The first song of the project, " Thinkin' About You , " is a pop track with a warm tone. It expresses the mature and realistic longing for a lover after breaking up by portraying a strong and independent person who is sad about it yet never gives in to shedding a tear. the track was written and composed by many well-known singers-songwriters and producers including Ryan Jhun , Martin Stilling (known for writing and producing songs for artists such as Leon, Charli XCX, and Zedd), Moa Pettersson Hammar , and KIDDO . The second song, "Deeper," is a pop track mixed with modern rock sounds. With this song, the group aims to describe a self-healing journey of never losing hope during difficult time. Young K of DAY6 and Hong Ji Sang have once again joined forces to work with H1-KEY again in the song's overall production. Find out what these rising stars had to say about their H1-KEYnote project below! SEOI : Le us introduce our group first. 2, 3! H1-KEY : Go Run! Hi, this is H1-KEY! K Fuse : What inspired the H1-KEYnote project? SEOI : Rather than it being inspired by something, we started this project to showcase more of our own musicality and our voices. So far, two songs have been released as a part of this project, and though the details have not been planned yet, we will be releasing more songs in the future when we come across songs with the potentials to show our different charms. K Fuse : You're stated, in a previous interview, that you desire to be "artists whom you can trust while listening." How will you know when you have reached this goal? RIINA : I believe we'll know we've reached our goal when people begin to take notice of our song releases and five our music a listen. This marks our success as trusted singers, known for the quality of our songs. Be sure to check out " Deeper " and " Thinkin' About You ," as H1-KEY continues to show you that you can trust them to be your comfort and safe space. STAY CONNECTED WITH H1-KEY X (Twitter) | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube K Fuse would like to thank the team at Helix Publicity, GLG, and the members of H1-KEY for allowing us the opportunity to provide coverage of H1-KEY's latest releases.

Following an outstanding performance Krazy K-Pop Super Concert, AB6IX will soon be making their way back to the U.S. during their 2023 AB6IX WORLD TOUR [THE FUTURE].   Ticket Details Studio PAV is once again bringing us an unforgettable tour! The scheduled six-city tour will start off at the Patio Theater in Chicago, IL on November 3 and make its way to Jersey City, Atlanta, Dallas and San Francisco before ending in LA! While Studio PAV is most known for their Snapshot Sessions with the artists, Studio PAV presented a new benefit at ALL stops for ABNEW. ABNEW across all stops will have the opportunity to have a fan chat with the members of AB6IX if they are top tier Ticket holders. Concert Tickets and Snapshot Tickets can be purchased here .   Tour Schedule 2023.11.03 | Chicago, IL - Patio Theater 2023.11.05 | Jersey City, NJ - White Eagle Hall 2023.11.07 | Atlanta, GA - Heaven @ The Masqerade 2023.11.09 | Dallas, TX - South Side Music Hall 2023.11.11 | San Francisco, CA - Blue Shield Theater 2023.11.12 | Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom

Last weekend – July 22 and July 23 – Los Angeles County experienced its second annual Rising Japan MusicFest! Rising Japan MusicFest gives attendees the opportunity to “experience Japan like never before – through music, food and culture.” The festival featured Japanese-American, Japanese and American stars like Def Tech, Shanice, Minami, Kawago Hina & Yonaka Band and more! The 9.4 acres area that makes up Marina Green Park was set up to host two artists’ stages, several food and sake vendors – including Asahi Beer, Daikokuya and Shin-Sen-Gumi, – as well as pop up experience shops. This was K Fuse’s first year at the festival, and it did not disappoint. Here’s what you missed at Rising Japan MusicFest 2023: Returning Artist: A Page Unturned LA pop-punk band, A Page Unturned , made their return to Rising Japan MusicFest for their second year. A Page Unturned was formed in 2017, and now consists of Damon Porras, Yoshihiro Imae and Matt Arsenault. The band released their first EP, A Page Unturned, on March 23, 2018, and has since released four singles. After several shows across Southern California, the band played their first international show in Tokyo in 2019. Best Vibe Shift: ARKTA Nu Metal duo, ARKTA , took festival-goers through a series of stories that express the “high and low points of life”. ARKTA is a hybrid rock band formed in 2020 consisting of members Tak who is from Los Angeles and kenken who is from Tokyo. The duo combines the two worlds of aggression and emotion to create a sound that was unlike any other heard at Rising Japan MusicFest. Around the Festival: ARCANE MAID CAFE, Food and Sake Tasting What better way to get attendees immersed in experiencing Japanese culture than with authentic food, sake tasting and a maid cafe?! One of the most popular aspects of Japanese culture is the customer experience at a maid cafe. For those who are unfamiliar with what Maid Cafes are, here’s a brief history. Maid Cafes are a type of “cosplay restaurant where the waitress – also known as “maids,”-- dress up in French Maid costumes.” Maid cafes started appearing in the 1990s, after Japan experienced an economic crash in the 1980s. This crash allowed more freedom for people to choose their own relationship, and left others isolated. The most alone during this time were otaku – anime and game enthusiasts. Maid cafes were established to create a safe space where people could enjoy the company of others. The atmosphere was designed to be accepting and relaxing for the customers while they enjoy a variety of food and drinks. The final aspect of a maid cafe is the live performance, which attendees were able to experience at the Bubble Stage! Arcane Maid Cafe was founded in 2016, and hosted its first standalone event in 2017. Since then, ARCANE MAID CAFE hosted the 2018 AniFest, began entering cultural festivals and creating their very own Maid Cafe Idol Group! We caught ARCANE MAID CAFE performing anime and vocaloid songs at the Bubble Stage. As our team traveled throughout the festival grounds, little did we know that we would also find the maids passing out Nezuko stickers. The Newbies: EPYTHIMiA “Hi, HOPE! We are EPYTHIMiA!” EPYTHMiA is a six-piece pre-debut Japanese vocal and dance group under Beau.T. Entertainment. While many HOPE – EPYTHIMiA’s fandom – know them as a five piece group consisting of Maito , K , R.D , Sirius and Reiya (Rei), new member AQUA was announced during their fansign at Rising Japan MusicFest. As EPITHYMiA is still developing their own unique sound, they covered songs from their seniors, KISHIN and AMAZO NIGHT– including fan favorite New Wave. Attendees then experienced a short meet and greet fansign after the show, where the members of EPITHYMiA would sign shirts for and take photos with fans. Check out our full gallery from Rising Japan MusicFest below: Rising Japan MusicFest | A PAGE UNTURNED | ARI PRADO | ARKTA | ARCANE MAID CAFE | DEF TECH | EPITHYMiA | IAKOPO | JULES LIESL | KAORU MIYAZAKI | KAWAGO HINA | KOZ | MINAMI | PEPPER OSAKA | RIHWA | SARA NANJO | SHANICE | WST Story by: K Fuse Photos by: Don M. , Natasha A. , and Emma V.

Nashville, TN is best known to the world as, “Music City,” for its rich history of birthing some of the biggest musical acts in the world and being a hub for music lovers and performers alike. Housing many musical genres in its years Nashville is starting to become a fan-favorite location for K-Pop concerts. On September 10th, "Music City" added to their ongoing K-Pop roster with the addition of Dreamcatcher’s latest world tour -- Apocalypse: From Us . Fans lined up at The Grand Ole Opry, in the Nashville heat, nice and early to wait for the show! Some went in for the group’s VIP Soundcheck experience, while others stayed outside passing out freebies and even participating in a random dance play hosted by local K-pop dance cover teams. Around 6 pm the excitement swelled as the doors to the venue finally opened and fans were able to see the stage, get merch, and find their seats. Fans quickly were seated and got to work with the local banner project to make sure every Insomnia had a banner ready to go! The show starts with Dreamcatche r’s iconic track Scream that was the perfect opener to get fans on their feet! Following then fans were treated to Odd Eye , and then we finally heard from the members themselves. Members JiU, SuA, Siyeon, Handong, Yoohyeon, Dami, and Gahyeon all expressed their gratitude to Nashville Insomnia for welcoming them to the city and for attending the show! After their individual introductions, the girls taught the audience the Korean word for, “cool,” as well as the word, “cute,” prompting the audience to repeat after them. Dreamcatcher was thoroughly impressed with Nashville’s Korean skills, so much so that SuA acknowledged a fan by patting their head overcome with Insomnia’s cuteness! After more jaw dropping performances, the members of Dreamcatcher had a fun game in store for their Nashville audience! The girls participated in a dance challenge, show of their individual charms and talents. Members JiU and Dami did a sexy cover of 2PM’s ‘ My House ,’ while Siyeon performed a fan favorite, ‘ Paradise Lost .’ SuA, Yoohyeon, and JiU did a fun cover of, ‘ Taki Taki ,’ and finally Gahyeon did a cover f StayC’s, ‘ Poppy ,’ that, coupled with her cute pigtail look for the night, had fans double checking if their hearts had burst yet! All good things but eventually come to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go out and have some fun! After giving their closing statements to Nashville Insomnia, the group performed, ‘ Can’t Get You Out of My Mind ,’ surprising fans when some members walked into the audience giving fans a chance at a more intimate experience with their favorite girls! Following that was a fan favorite for this tour, performing their track, ‘ Silent Night ,’ Dreamcatcher treated fans to seven beat drops for this stop! That’s right SEVEN beat drops, fans and the girls were having such a fun time they never wanted it to end! SuA even asked an audience member if they should go one more time, handing over her mic the fan screamed, “ONE MORE TIME,” as the beat dropped yet again. Closing out their night with Insomnia, Dreamcatcher did a beautiful performance of, ‘ Reason ,’ and had a wonderful time hearing the whole theater sing along, a wonderful way to end a wonderful concert! Dreamcatcher for sure added their name to the list of phenomenal concerts held at the historic Grand Ole Opry and made a mark performing in the music capital. Stay up to date with DREAMCATCHER on: TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE Special Thanks: to Team Members McCayla and Robert for providing coverage for this show! to MyMusicTaste team, hf entertainment, and the members of DREAMCATCHER for allowing us an opportunity to provide coverage for the Nashville stop of DREAMCATCHER's Tour! Written by: McCayla M Edited by: K Fuse Team

Last night there was an explosion of many shades of yellow here in Charlotte where Bang Yong Guk greeted his US fans for the first time in 6 years.  On June 6, 2023, The Fillmore Charlotte welcomed the South-Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and K-Pop legend for his first solo tour – THE COLORS OF BANG YONG GUK THE US TOUR 2023.  For most attendees, this show was one of familiarity and growth - - The venue’s energy was already set from the time Yong Guk took the stage where BABY - - the name of Yong Guk’s long-time fans - - welcomed him with roars that filled the 25,000 square-foot venue.  Yong Guk started the night with “G.M.T (Give Me That),” “UP,” and “Race” where his solid rap, husky growl, smooth vocals, and powerful stage presence had fans singing along to EVERY word.  The opening stages shouted mantras of “this is my return,” “I am back,” “be unapologetically you,” and “I will continue to push towards my dreams,” which he performed with a level of confidence that captivated not only BABY but new listeners and venue staff alike. The night continued with high-energy performances of “Rain on Me,” and “UFO” before changing the pace and slowing things down with “Hikikomori”. Fans were then hit with nostalgia as Yong Guk performed his 2011 solo debut single track “I Remember.”  The track was originally released as a duet with Yang Yo-seob of B2ST; However, it was later recorded featuring Yong-Guk’s former B.A.P bandmate, Daehyun, for their 2012 repackaged mini album, CRASH.  While Yong Guk allowed the track to play Daehyun’s vocals, he took this time to interact with BABY and take in their reactions to the stage - - which ranged from some fans screaming the lyrics to other fans tearing up and bursting into tears. As the night progressed, the energy never stopped.  Not only did Yong Guk continue to deliver powerful and confident performances with a setlist that made both long-time fans and new fans excited, but he also took the time to encourage and interact with fans. During his ment stages, Yong Guk continued to express his gratitude towards local fans and fans who traveled to come and watch his show.  He took the moment to express the importance of fans having fun by asking them if they were “ready to jump?” and by telling fans “We’re going to do this night right” where you saw fans switch from recording the high-energy performances to jumping along with Yong Guk to them. He then ended the night with words that highlight his personality that has been seen throughout his career by telling fans that he wants them to love themselves just as much as they love him. Check out images of the Charlotte show here

Welcome back, #SoundLovers! We are excited to introduce you to this next group that we had the opportunity to talk with, BXB (비엑스비)! Before we get to the mini interview, let's take a moment to get to know this talented group. BXB -- short for Boys By Brush means the drawing of youth as they express many chapters of youth with the music of lots of genres -- was one of the first K-Pop boy groups to debut in 2023. The original five-member ensemble, consisting of Jihun, Hyunwoo, Siwoo, Hamin, and June, made their official debut as BXB under Wolfburn on January 30, 2023 with their 1st EP "Intro: Flight and a new beginning," featuring title track Fly Away (도약 / 跳躍). However, this was not the first debut for some of the members. Shortly after their debut, BXB participated in JTBC's reality competition show, Peak Time (피크타임), as Team 4:00 performing the song Replay by SHINee. Viewers would continue to see BXB on the show until they were eliminated on Episode 7 of the show. For viewers who were not familiar with the members of BXB, they were moved to tears by the heartfelt story of their past. Members Jihun, Hyunwoo, Siwoo, and Hamin made their first debut as members of group TRCNG -- with many more members on October 10, 2017. They went on to say, "When we re-debuted, we were dismayed and felt that the best members had left and that the ones remaining were the less capable ones. As we prepared for 'Peak Time,' we never felt confident that we were up to the task . ... We were so happy when the judges told us we were really good when we performed SHINee's 'Replay .' " After their appearance on the show, it was announced that maknae, June would be taking a hiatus due to poor health conditions. Even with this news fans of BXB and viewers of Peak Time took to social media to wish June a fast recovery, and encouraging messages to the rest of the members. In August of 2023, BXB would make their first comeback as a four member-group with the release of their 1st single album "Chapter 1. Our Youth" featuring title track Planet . Fans of the four-piece ensemble received the best Christmas gift imaginable when BXB released their 2024 comeback schedule! The schedule revealed that the group would begin releasing concept photos just one month ahead of their one year anniversary, followed by a January 4 pre-release track, Black Cat Nero , and would then make an official comeback on January 11 . On January 11, BXB released their 2nd EP "Chapter 2. Wings: Preparing for a vacation trip" along with the release of the music video for their latest title track, Airplane. Now, let's check out BXB's press conference, as they talk about their new album, memorable moments, and their goals for 2024: NACE: Let's give a warm welcome to BXB BXB: Hello, nice to meet you! NACE: So, if each of you could please introduce yourselves individually so that our journalists can get to know you a little bit more. Hyunwoo : Shall we start with the group greeting? BXB: Boys By Brush! Hello, we are BXB Jihun: Hello everyone, my name is Jihun. I'm in charge of vocals in BXB. Thank you. Hyunwoo: Hello everyone, my name is Hyunwoo. I'm in charge of rap and dance in BXB. Nice to meet you. Hamin: Hi everyone, my name is Hamin. I'm in charge of vocals in BXB. Nice to meet you! Siwoo: Hello everyone, my name is Siwoo. I'm in charge of BXB's rap. K Fuse: Can you tell us a little bit more about the meaning behind your upcoming single "Airplane"? Hamin: The title song "Airplane" is a pop genre song mixed with gospel genre. It's a gospel scene, a bit like a church or something like that. Also, the sound is, first of all, the sound of actual instruments, not digital, which can be seen as a special point. And in the story itself, it is a song that contains the message of escaping the boring daily life like a carousel, spreading both wings wide and flying like an airplane. K Fuse: Were there any memorable in the making of this upcoming album that you would like to share with us? Hyunwoo: As for memorable moments, the most memorable moment for me is when we filmed the music video, we filmed on a public bus and at the airport in a public place. It was really amazing because I felt like I had an experience that I wouldn't normally experience. I think that's what I remember the most because it was a special experience. Asked by Atlas Artist Group: What are you hoping fans will take away from this new album? Siwoo: I hope that through this album you will be able to shake off the heavy burdens you feel and rest comfortably when you listen to out songs. It's like sleeping on an airplane. Asked by Total Access Pass: How do you feel each of you have grown individually and together as a group this past year? BXB: We are very thankful that we grew a lot together during our first year together through a lot of stage experiences, shows and album promotions. If I were to say something about the team, because of the many team activities over the past year, the bond and teamwork between the members has improved greatly. Also because I have had a lot of stage experience, my appearance on camera and on stage has become more natural and cool. I think I can keep growing. Asked by WHOSE Melody Kpopwise: What goals does BXB want to accomplish together in the future? Siwoo : We have fans from all over the world and I want to find and meet all fans from all over the world through a world tour. Hyunwoo : And one more thing, if there is an opportunity to promote an album in North America, I would definitely like to do an album promotion in North America. Asked by Sworn by Sound: How does it feel to know that you have international fans who love you music despite the language barrier? Jihun: Each country, each language will have different meanings and moods. Sometimes I wonder if what we intended was conveyed well. I've always been curious. BXB only has the lovers of K-Pop genre to thank for that, including those of our music, despite that. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to our overseas fans. ___________________________________ BE SURE TO FOLLOW ON SNS TO STAY UP TO DATE ON NEW RELEASES AND UPCOMING EVENTS~! Twitter | Twitter (Members) | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Fan Cafe Thank you to NACE , Wolfburn, and the members of BXB for this exciting opportunity. Shoutout to all attending media outlets for their insightful questions for the members.

On February 17, Georgia K-Pop fans were greeted by a surprise announcement where they would have an opportunity to partake in a meet & greet event with their favorite barista -- Beomhan -- during his six-city " FROM ME TO YOU " USA Private Tour. The tour would start in Maryland on March 2, continue to Atlanta, Seattle , Virginia Beach , North Carolina , and a sold out event in Chicago! The Chinese-American singer, rapper, and dancer is no stranger to Atlanta or the K-Pop scene. On January 31, 2020, Beomhan was revealed as a member of the pre-debut group  M.O.N.T. Arena   under Fly Music (FM) Entertainment. With M.O.N.T. member Roda by his side, Beomhan released his first pre-debut project single, " Sun's Up ," shortly followed by " Ashes " on August 20. He and Jay began appearing in several different K-Pop events and festivals across the U.S., serving fans as boba baristas before participating in FM Entertainment's 2022 New Year Kick-Off with Roda -- including more barista events, concerts, and a gallery showcase. In late 2023, the artist and company split ways from each other. During Beomhan's time with FM Entertainment, he was able to meet fans and build a loyal fanbase that continues to show love and support for him as he made his official debut on January 31, 2024, as a K-Indie artist -- with the release of his single, " Me, Myself, and I . " This track highlights Beomhan's directness, and raw vocals. It serves as an anthem of personal discovery as it takes you through Beomhan's personal journey, exploring roots and passions that get temporarily forgotten during a toxic relationship. " Me, Myself, and I " is like an inner echo for listeners as it encourages them to embrace their independence and to take time to recognize that they do not need others to determine their self-worth. This track also serves as an introduction to Beomhan's Monday SNS lives, " Mental Health Mondays, " -- where he takes time to talk about his personal experiences, gives suggestions based on his coping techniques, and provides his fans with a safe space without judgment. As K-Pop Mini Con opened the doors for their first convention in Atlanta, VIP-tiered fans were eager to jump in line for a chance to interact with Beomhan. Whether strolling through the aisles of vendors or patiently waiting in line, fans began to share stories of when they first met Beomhan -- along with their favorite memories of the artist. Soon after, Beomhan announced that the Meet & Greet would begin in just a few minutes. As the artist took his place at the table, fans began to make their way up one at a time to share their words of encouragement to the artist, favorite memories of past events, and SNS lives. Fans' hearts were warmed as they began to see the artist become more relaxed as time passed, watched him smile from ear to ear, heard his joyous laugh, and even share his own memories of his interaction with fans. Beomhan would joke around with fans he had interacted with from previous events and lives. There was even a brief moment when the artist would get emotional from all the encouraging words he received. As the meet & greet was coming to an end, it was time for one final moment for fans to present Beomhan with words of encouragement before posing for a photo -- where Beomhan would pose by picking up fans (wedding style), giving or receiving a piggyback ride, or just your typical peace signs and smiles. Once the photo opportunities wrapped up, it was time to send the artist off to his next event -- a short meet & greet over dinner at Paik's Noodles . Fans continued to cheer on Beomhan as he took his leave and graciously thanked everyone for their love and support and for coming to see him. Because the artist chose to take time to listen and talk to each fan, the barista event that was originally scheduled to be held during K-Pop Mini Con was rescheduled for Thursday, March 7, at Café Blue in Duluth from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Fans were eager to interact with the new debuted artist as they lined the streets to Café Blue before Beomhan's departure to his next tour stop. You can find our full gallery from Beomhan's Meet & Greet, here BE SURE TO FOLLOW BEOMHAN ON SNS TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON HIS JOURNEY AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | TWITCH | YOUTUBE

Black Roses were excited when Korean indie pop-rock band The Rose, consisting of Woosung , Dojoon , Hajoon , and Jaehyeong , announced their 2023 ‘Dawn To Dusk’ US/Canada Tour. Yet, Atlantans were disappointed to see that Atlanta, GA, was excluded from the stops this year. Although The Rose was performing at 2023 Music Midtown in ATL, Black Roses hoped to see them during their tour as well. But as they say, good things come to those who wait. While The Rose was in ALT for Music Midtown, they added an Atlanta date, much to Black Roses’ excitement! In just over a month, The Rose returned to Atlanta on October 28 for their much-anticipated show at the Coca-Cola Roxy, across from Truist Park. This marks exactly one year since The Rose’s last concert in Atlanta as they performed at the Buckhead Theatre on October 29 for their 2022 ‘HEAL TOGETHER’ World Tour. So, Black Roses in Atlanta hope this will become a yearly tradition now! The Rose upgraded in the venue as Coca-Cola Roxy is exactly double the capacity of Buckhead Theatre as the fandom continues to grow. It was a wise choice, too, because hours before the concert began, concert-goers were lined up outside the venue, going so far as to wrap around even Truist Park. The crowd proved that music truly breaks barriers as it included people of all ages, genders, nationalities, and ethnicities. Some Black Roses even confessed to traveling from outside the country to attend the concert. Since it’s Halloween weekend, there was a mix of attire, ranging from Halloween costumes, including animated characters and spooky fits (even staff was all dressed up!), to fan-made merch and previous tours’ tees. Dedicated fans also prepared freebies, including a physical ticket to commemorate the event since concert tickets are mainly digital now and a banner project for The Rose’s song “Lifeline” from their latest album, DUAL. Although the long line outside could have been a concern that one wouldn’t get inside in time to secure their post before the concert began, Coca-Cola Roxy handled the crowd efficiently. The Rose also began a few minutes late, so no one was missing them! On the other hand, for those who had been inside waiting for a while, Woosung briefly went live on Instagram. When the concert finally began, beginning with “ Eclipse ,” the crowd erupted with screams, happy to be reunited with The Rose again. They kept high energy, continuing into “Dawn” and “You’re Beautiful,” all from DUAL. The set list was a perfect mix of The Rose’s new hits, including “Back To Me,” “Alive,” and “Wonder,” and classic fan favorites, such as “RED,” “ Beauty and the Beast ,” “Definition of ugly is,” “Yes (feat. James Reid),” “Sour,” and, of course, “ She’s In The Rain .” There was never a dull moment, and the crowd knew all the words to even the newest songs! The Rose’s members interacted with Black Roses during the concert, reminding them of their promise to return. Dojoon also remembered asking their fans to bring friends or family next time, and they clearly did just that! As always, Woosung teased Black Roses by bringing out “two special guest singers.” It was Jaehyeong and Hajoon who showed off their vocal skills during “I.L.Y.” They might be the bass guitarist and drummer, respectively, but they are surely multi-talented, as are all the members! The Rose expressed their sincere gratitude to Black Roses for helping them chart on Billboard and always supporting them by listening to the music. Woosung said it’s “all for you guys, and it’s all for you guys.” He reflected on the reason for The Rose’s creation: to create music to help people get through all stages of life, both sad and happy. During the group’s final song, “Wonder,” the members thanked everyone again by bringing out roses and free tour T-shirts and throwing them into the crowd, including the balcony. While there was no encore performance this year, everyone left happy, having heard their favorite songs live. Some continued the exciting evening by waiting for a glimpse of the members by the tour busses, while others had VIP packages to meet the band. The Rose’s 2023 ‘Dawn To Dusk’ Tour will continue into November with shows in more states, including Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. More countries to come! You can find our full gallery of The Rose's performance in Atlanta, here Written and Photographed by Tiffany S.

The perimeter of Fort Worth's Ridglea Theater was lined with fans in anticipation of OMEGA X's performance Friday evening. With 8 stops across the United States and Mexico, OMEGA X returns to Texas with their "Keep Going" North American tour where FOR X can look forward to seeing igniting performances of OMEGA X's top hits such as "Love Me Like" and brand-new performances of their songs from their latest mini album, iykyk. OMEGA X released iykyk on November 7th, 2023, featuring the powerful and energetic title track “Junk Food.” This is their first release since they signed with their new agency, IPQ. “Junk Food” was a popular title release earning its spot in remarkable global playlists, such as K-pop Rising on Spotify. The title track has a compelling beat with sing-along English lyrics that make it the perfect song for fans to sing along and chant on this tour. The lights dimmed low and fans began to scream with excitement as OMEGA X took the stage to perform “Louder,” the first track on their new mini album. This song was the perfect way to open up the show as it quite literally caused the crowd to get louder than ever! OMEGA X maintained an electrifying vibe throughout the night as they performed dance-along hits, such as “Baila Con X,” “Vamos,” and “What’s Going On,” making the ground of Ridglea Theater shake at every chorus. While OMEGA X is known for their strong and powerful sound, the members brought out their soft side as they put on a special performance of their track “12.24.” The members wore a combination of reindeer ears and red noses on stage to share the Christmas spirit with their fans. One of the most special stages of the night wAas OMEGA X’a live performance of “Touch” which showcased a choreography created by members Hangyeom, Junghoon, and Yechan. The group continued to showcase the various colors of OMEGA X while continuously interacting with their fans from the stage. However, the interactions between OMEGA X and FOR X did not end at the barricade. Before the incredible show, FOR X had the opportunity to purchase fan engagement packages for the ultimate opportunity to meet and greet OMEGA X. Many FOR X reunited with OMEGA X from their last tour, CONNECT, and others got to meet the group for the very first time. FOR X also had the opportunity to purchase 1-on-1 polaroids with each OMEGA X member to commemorate this fan and artist encounter after the concert. What could have been an ordinary Friday night was definitely an unforgettable one for both OMEGA X and their supporting fandom, FOR X. Find our full gallery from Fort Worth, here ! Written by Deborah R. Photographed by Deborah R. And Shaneice Make sure to check out OMEGA X’s most recent release iykyk now streaming on all platforms! X (Twitter) | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube