Illit's Japan fan concerts sell out
The quintet is hosting fan concerts under the banner of 'Glitter Day' in Yokohama and Osaka on Aug. 10-11 and Sept. 3-4, respectively, and tickets for all four events sold out. The band and agency have decided to accommodate more fans by selling additional seats from Wednesday.
Tickets for two Seoul fan concerts held last month also sold out.
The group has yet to officially debut in Japan, but its first Japanese-language single, 'Almond Chocolate' released in February, was the most-streamed song from an international female act in the first half of this year on Oricon, surpassing 50 million streams. The group's third EP, 'Bomb,' ranked second on Oricon's daily, weekly and weekly combined album rankings.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
![[Exclusive] Big Bang's T.O.P talks with CJ ENM for solo comeback](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F07%2F23%2Fnews-p.v1.20250723.e4eb240a0f8b44399674abf91a7bcfb7_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[Exclusive] Big Bang's T.O.P talks with CJ ENM for solo comeback](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fkoreaherald.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Korea Herald
4 hours ago
- Korea Herald
[Exclusive] Big Bang's T.O.P talks with CJ ENM for solo comeback
Industry source says rapper is considering several partners for solo album slated for late 2025 T.O.P, a former member of K-pop boy band Big Bang, is said to be in discussions with CJ ENM over a potential exclusive contract to support his solo career, according to an industry source Wednesday. The rapper spoke last month about his plans to return as a solo artist this year during a promotional interview with an international media outlet. He is currently not signed to any agency. 'T.O.P is in talks with CJ ENM for a solo contract, including plans for a new solo album scheduled for release in the second half of this year,' the source told The Korea Herald on condition of anonymity. 'But among global music distributors, CJ ENM is just one of several options he is considering.' CJ ENM is a major Korean entertainment company with music subsidiaries under its wing such as WakeOne Entertainment and Stone Music Entertainment. It also operates Lapone Entertainment, a joint venture with the Japanese conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo, known for producing K-pop groups with Japanese members. It remains unclear which specific label under CJ ENM is involved in the talks. When asked for comment, CJ ENM denied any such discussions. 'There have been no talks regarding an exclusive contract or comeback with T.O.P,' a CJ ENM official said. T.O.P parted ways with YG Entertainment in February 2022 after his exclusive contract ended, and in May 2023, he officially withdrew from Big Bang, stating he was entering a new chapter in his life. Since then, he has been pursuing solo activities independently — mostly acting. The rapper-turned-actor made his return to the screen last December in Netflix's 'Squid Game' Season 2, playing a former rapper named 'Thanos.' It marked his first major public appearance since receiving a suspended prison sentence in 2017 for marijuana use — a case that led to a hiatus from the entertainment industry and his eventual departure from Big Bang. In a local interview earlier this year, T.O.P publicly apologized for the controversy, signaling a desire to resume his career. 'For the past 10 years, I've only been going back and forth between my home and my music studio,' he said in January. 'I made a lot of songs. There's no exact release plan yet, but I do have something in mind for the near future." While he has yet to release any new music, fans have been anticipating a musical comeback. His most recent solo release was the single 'Doom Dada,' which dropped in November 2013. Meanwhile, Big Bang is set to mark its 20th anniversary next year. The iconic group first burst onto the K-pop scene in August 2006 and went on to become one of its most influential acts.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Korea Herald
Enhypen's Bangkok fan events draw praise from former Thai culture minister
Hybe's immersive promotions win fans and official recognition during stadium tour stop Bangkok transformed into a vibrant celebration of Enhypen, as the K-pop group brought its world tour to Thailand last month and earned official praise from the country's leading cultural office. Enhypen is managed by Belift Lab, a subsidiary of Hybe, which has rolled out a series of fan-focused events across Bangkok tied to the 'Walk the Line' tour. These initiatives infused Enhypen's branding into local cultural promotions, offering fans more than just a concert — they created an immersive citywide experience. Enhypen's fan engagement programs in Bangkok will continue through the end of July. The events received high praise from Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, who served as Thailand's Minister of Culture until last month. In an official commendation, she lauded Hybe and Enhypen for raising global awareness of Thai culture. 'The promotional designs creatively combined traditional Thai architecture with modern urban identity to express 'Thainess' in a fresh and engaging way,' she said. 'This event holds significant cultural, entertainment and economic value, and deserves recognition.' She also emphasized the broader impact of hosting internationally renowned Korean artists. 'Hosting such stars offers unforgettable experiences for both fans and the Thai public. I deeply appreciate this visionary effort to enhance the country's image and build lasting international goodwill,' she added. The campaign offered several standout highlights. Limited-edition transit cards bearing the members' portraits sold out instantly, and photo booths in city centers drew constant attention. Oversized outdoor ads — including banners near Suvarnabhumi International Airport — reinforced Enhypen's presence throughout the capital. A specially themed hotel room package sold out just three minutes after launch. Meanwhile, six Thai food and beverage brands across 116 outlets introduced Enhypen-branded menu items, selling approximately 40,000 units. One of the most popular collaborations featured Butterbear, a beloved local character dressed in Enhypen's tour outfits. The illustrations appeared on packaging, stickers and postcards, creatively weaving K-pop imagery into daily life. Meanwhile, Enhypen drew around 30,000 fans to the Rajamangala National Stadium, June 21, Thailand's largest concert venue. After performing at Tokyo Dome in July, the group heads to Osaka next month. 'Walk the Line' world tour will then visit 10 cities across the United States and Europe in August and September, before concluding with a stop in Singapore in October.
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Korea Herald
Choi Yena to hold concerts in Japan
Choi Yena will be performing in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, this fall, her agency Yue Hua Entertainment announced on Friday. She will host 'I Am Star!' in the two cities on Sept. 15 and 17, respectively, returning to her Japanese fans about seven months after her previous sold-out show. The singer will also be dropping her fourth EP, 'Blooming Wings,' on July 29 — approximately ten months since 'Nemonemo.' The upcoming mini album will consist of five tracks, including the main track whose title translates as 'I hate the most to hear that I am good.' She participated in writing the lyrics for both the focus track and 'Hello, Goodbye.' In May, she was featured in 'Loser' on 'Echo,' the second EP of BTS' Jin. She sang the duet with Jin at his first solo fan concert in Korea last month.
