Latest news with #K-Pop
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did BLACKPINK's Jennie inspire HUNTR/X's Rumi? 'K-pop Demon Hunters' creators set the record straight
Netflix's animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters has made a strong impression of fans across the globe since its release on June 20. It has captivated audiences with its bold mix of K-pop glamour, supernatural action, and high-energy songs. With its stunning visuals and thrilling storyline, the film has left fans entertained - and already craving more. While excitement continues to build, with many asking for a sequel, at the same time, fans have been busy drawing comparisons between the film's characters and real-life K-pop idols. While directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have explained that the characters were inspired by a blend of various idol groups and artists, some viewers remain convinced they've spotted specific resemblances. some boards i worked on for plane fight #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS BLACKPINK's Jennie inspired Huntrix's Rumi? The story follows HUNTR/X, a rising K-pop girl group composed of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey - idols by day, secret demon hunters by night. Beneath the spotlight and infectious pop hooks, the trio is charged with defending the human world from dangerous spirits that slip between realms. Their greatest challenge comes in the form of the Saja Boys, a mysterious group with deep connections to the spirit world. The story unfolds as a high-stakes battle that pushes far beyond choreography and press conferences, blending action, pop culture, and heartfelt emotion into a vibrant fusion of fantasy and fame. Among the buzz, fans of BLACKPINK have pointed out strong similarities between Rumi and Jennie, sparking a wave of comparisons on social media. Even major music charts joined in, amplifying the chatter with retweets on X (formerly Twitter). HUNTR/X's Rumi isn't just Jennie Clearing the air, Maggie Kang posted on X: "Rumi was inspired by many leading ladies, some not even K-Pop. Names are going around (individual idols + groups) bc we only said "yes" as they were mentioned by interviewer to us but list of inspo for both Huntr/x & Saja Boys is endless. This has been clarified by us to press." Rumi was inspired by many leading ladies, some not even K-Pop. Names are going around (individual idols + groups) bc we only said 'yes' as they were mentioned by interviewer to us but list of inspo for both Huntr/x & Saja Boys is endless. This has been clarified by us to press. Origin of 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Chris Appelhans had shared that the idea for the film was born during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Maggie and I began planning this film during the pandemic - a time when people all over the world were struggling to feel connected. Then BTS held an online concert, and suddenly millions of people, including us, were singing and dancing to 'Dynamite' from our homes. For a moment, the world felt a little brighter." Appelhans closed with a heartfelt wish: "Through the characters' journeys and the songs they sing, I hope viewers can feel even a fraction of the joy and light BTS gave us during that time." For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
ITV News
20 hours ago
- Climate
- ITV News
What does a 'heat dome' have to do with dogs wearing crocs?
Both the US and Europe have been hit by a naturally occurring weather phenomenon known as a heat dome, bringing record breaking temperatures as a result. A heat dome occurs when an area of high pressure forms over a large region. This can then act like a lid, preventing hot air from rising and gradually heating up the ground below it. The trapped hot air can also stop cloud formation, preventing rain and creating a drier environment than usual that exponentially increases the heat radiating from the ground. These occurrences can sometimes last for weeks with meteorologists describing the hot air as "self-perpetuating." Across Europe this has led to sweltering temperatures, with the UK experiencing its second official heatwave of the month. As temperatures climb past 30C this weekend, they're set to peak at 33C this coming Monday just as the Wimbledon tennis championship gets going. Throughout this heatwave the UK Health Security Agency has amber health alerts in place for much of the south and parts of the east. In mainland Europe health alerts are also in place as the effects of the European heat dome create potentially deadly consequences. In Greece a large wildfire broke out south of Athens on Thursday, triggering authorities to issue evacuation orders and shut down parts of the coastal road linking the Greek capital to Sounion, the location of the ancient Temple of Poseidon - a major tourist attraction. The fire came as temperatures approached 40C in Greece's first heatwave of the summer. On Friday, 12 water-dropping planes and 12 helicopters were providing air support to 130 firefighters, backed up by volunteer firefighters in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area south of Athens, according to fire department official Vassilis Vathrakogiannis. An orange warning level has been activated in Cordoba, Seville and Jaen, with temperatures in southern Spain expected to reach up to 43C in the following days. Authorities are calling for precautions such as hydration, avoiding exposure to the sun and not exercising during the hottest hours of the day. Parts of France have also been forecast to experience temperatures of 40C and over as the French meteorological organisation, météo France, extends the orange warning level for large parts of the country. Croatia also saw peak temperatures of 44C, with a red weather alert in place for parts of the country and popular destinations largely deserted as people shelter inside. In America dozens of people have been hospitalised after the East Coast was hit by its first heatwave of the Summer - caused by its own separate heat dome phenomenon. Temperatures reached close to 39C in Philadelphia and 37C in New York. In Washington DC a K-Pop concert ended early due to a range of heat-related incidents. In New York and Chicago several hospitals reported difficulty in maintaining power and air conditioning systems, with one utility company urging customers to conserve power to help prevent further outages. In Charlotte, North Carolina, temperatures were so hot during the FIFA Club World Cup, athletes had to watch their teams play from the locker room while on the substitute bench according to Bayern Munich who posted the update on X. Humans weren't the only ones coping with the extreme heat however. At the same Club World Cup, but this time in Philadelphia, drastic measures had to be taken to protect the feet of the four legged staff patrolling the stadium. The sniffer dogs at Lincoln Financial Field were kitted out with protective shoes to shield them from the scorching asphalt. Besides having their feet covered, the dogs are kept hydrated and limited to 20-minute patrols at a time. They also enjoy cooling baths in paddling pools filled with ice. 'Every dog team is different and there are different requirements; their precursors are different," said Cody Schwartz, manager of 3DK9 Detection Services, the private company providing the K9 teams at the stadium. "However, we go by the seven-second rule. If us humans can't put our human backside or our hand on the concrete for longer than seven seconds, without pulling it off, then we require dog booties to go on.' Otters at Oregon zoo keep cool in a bucket of ice. It's not just dogs either. In Oregon zoo the river otters were kept cool with a large bucket of ice. Four legs or two legs, the advice from health officials is to limit time spent in the direct sun where possible. Plan trips for cooler parts of the day and ensure you have enough water with you at all times. Whilst compared to its European neighbours the UK temperatures appear far lower, for those not prepared for the heat temperatures above 30C can pose a real risk especially for those already considered vulnerable like the sick or elderly.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lorde Performs Surprise Glastonbury Set on Day of Album Release: 'I'm Back and Completely Free'
New Zealand musician Lorde had Glastonbury-goers racing to the Woodsies area on Friday as the singer made a surprise appearance at the U.K. music festival. The two-time Grammy winner had initially said she was 'pretty keen' to return to the fest, with some interpreting that to mean that she might pop up at some point over the weekend. More from The Hollywood Reporter K-Pop Girl Group Aespa Is Exactly Where They Want to Be Raindance Film Festival: 'Nawi' Wins Best Int'l Feature and Debut Performance Awards Polish Indie Kino Swiat Names New CEO She thrilled attendees at Worthy Farm in Somerset when word spread that she was about to kick off a performance on Friday morning, the same day of the release of her album Virgin. 'This is fucking sick,' she said, playing most songs from her new album. 'This is the release, I'm releasing it right now! After the show, then the album's out, you know?' She also added: 'This record took me a lot, I didn't know if I would make another record to be honest — but I'm back here and completely free. I'm so grateful to you for waiting.' Lorde performed 'What Was That,' 'Man of the Year,' as well as 2017 hit 'Green Light' to the delight of thousands waiting at the Woodsies tent. Glastonbury organizers were forced to close the area off ahead of her set as the area was getting too crowded. 'What Was That' marks her first single since her last album Solar Power came out in August 2021. However, she's still been around — most notably on Charli XCX's 'Girl, so confusing' remix on Brat. The English singer is also set to perform at the festival Saturday evening. Lorde had announced the title of her fourth studio album at the end of April via Instagram, alongside an image of the record's cover art: a blue x-ray image showing a zipper going down a pelvis, a belt buckle and an IUD. The Glastonbury Festival runs through Sunday, with The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo set to of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trixie Mattel Just Dropped a 'Gay HBO Max Song'
Warner Bros. Discovery has teamed up with DJ/drag superstar Trixie Mattel on a new song intended to celebrate Pride. And oh yeah, it also honors HBO Max. 'Gay HBO Max Song' was released on Friday, June 27 — the penultimate weekday of Pride Month 2025. The music video, which ironically was released before Max officially rebranded de-branded back to 'HBO Max,' is meant to 'amplify queer joy,' a third-party PR rep for the collaboration told The Hollywood Reporter. More from The Hollywood Reporter K-Pop Girl Group Aespa Is Exactly Where They Want to Be Lorde Performs Surprise Glastonbury Set on Day of Album Release: "I'm Back and Completely Free" Lorde Summer Officially Arrives With New Album 'Virgin' The single lays a few very meme-able quotes from HBO/Max shows atop the beat, including Sydney Sweeney's 'I've never been happier!' line from Euphoria, Jennifer Coolidge's 'These gays are trying to kill me!' from The White Lotus, 'Whatever happened to fun?' from Sex & the City — and others. The selections mark 'HBO Max's most iconic quotes' as 'uplifted and made relevant by the queer community,' the pitch to press reads. 'With fans at the core of its success, HBO Max continues to inspire engagement and creative expression,' it continues. 'This initiative is a tribute to the creativity, passion and unwavering connection fans have shown to HBO Max content. The launch of the 'Gay HBO Max Song' celebrates the communities and fandoms that have helped establish HBO Max as a cultural phenomenon.' In 2022, Mattel had a Discovery+ show titled Trixie Motel. A sequel, Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home, premiered on Discovery+ (and Max) in 2024. Also, it's just catchy. Watch the 'Gay HBO Max Song' music video here: Max will revert to 'HBO Max' (but thankfully not the original HBO Max platform) sometime this summer. The service went from 'HBO Max' to just 'Max' in 2023 in an ill-conceived attempt to express the broadness of available content following the combination of WarnerMedia (at the time owned by AT&T) and Discovery, Inc. 'This evolution has been influenced by changing consumer needs, and the fact that no consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers are saying they want better content,' WBD said in a statement reversing course in May. 'With other services filling the more basic needs with volume, WBD has clearly distinguished itself through its quality and distinct stories, and no brand has done that better and more consistently over 50-plus years than HBO.' 'Returning the HBO brand into HBO Max will further drive the service forward and amplify the uniqueness that subscribers can expect from the offering,' the statement continued. 'It is also a testament to WBD's willingness to keep boldly iterating its strategy and approach — leaning heavily on consumer data and insights — to best position itself for success.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise
Eater
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
How an Eater Editor Spends a Dreamy Weekend on South Korea's Jeju Island
'The one thing you'll notice is that it's really windy,' my mother said as we took off from Seoul's Gimpo Airport this past spring. We were on our way to Jeju, the island destination off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, accompanied by my wife and 2-year-old son. It was my first time visiting the island, but my mom had been half a dozen times with my dad before he passed away in 2021; they went whenever they wanted a break from bustling Seoul, where they were both born, or from Southern California, where they moved in the 1970s. It was the ultimate getaway. Though I'd traveled throughout South Korea, Jeju always felt like a fabled land, sunny and warm at times, rainy and blustery at others, but endlessly romantic. It's easily the most popular vacation spot for South Koreans. The flight route between Seoul and Jeju carries the most passengers in the world; on any given day, a plane takes off every seven to eight minutes. Jeju's fame outside of South Korea has grown recently with shows like Hyori's Bed and Breakfast (a super-chill reality show about people staying at the K-Pop star's actual vacation home) and Netflix's When Life Gives You Tangerines , a sappy coming-of-age drama starring yet another pop star, IU. The culinary nods in those series titles give a hint to the island's famed food. Surrounded by a bountiful ocean, Jeju depends heavily on seafood. Haenyeo, legendary free-diving women, hunt for abalone, urchins, and sea snails; they've developed an international reputation thanks to Japanese Breakfast singer Michelle Zauner, who wrote a song about them, and Eater's own James Beard-nominated coverage, but they also embody the resilience of Jeju culture against the mainland (even my mom has difficulty understanding their dialect). A distinct, moderate climate and eons of activity by the island's towering volcano, Mount Halla, have also made Jeju a fruitful place for raising all manner of agriculture and livestock, namely pigs. One long weekend isn't enough time to fully experience the island, which is about the size of Maui and requires up to an hour to drive across in any direction. Because we stayed at the towering Grand Hyatt in Jeju City instead of the more popular southern city of Seogwipo, most of our adventures were inland and scattered across the Western side. No matter where you stay or visit, the island provides opportunities to eat well in virtually every corner. There are cute cafes for matcha- or coffee-tinted drinks, homestyle restaurants offering bubbling stews and banchan, sleek barbecue spots serving Jeju black pig sliced over tabletop grills, seafood establishments turning out all manner of raw, grilled, and braised shellfish and fish, and rustic markets selling pristine produce and fried street food. The island abounds with incredible food, so trips long or short will include plenty of highlights. Note: The easiest way to get around is by rental car, which requires an international driver's license. Addresses for each venue below are presented in Korean so they can be plopped into a Korean-language navigation app like Naver. After a day of travel from LA (and a day lost to the time difference), we were in desperate need of a comforting, traditional Korean meal as soon as we landed on Jeju. We walked half a block behind the Grand Hyatt for a quiet mid-afternoon meal at Modajeong Haejangguk, a mom-and-pop restaurant filled with weathered tables, mismatched fans, and air conditioners. After reviewing the compact menu posted on the wall, we nibbled on nine types of banchan (including kimchi, lightly dressed soft tofu, candied anchovies, potato salad, and bean sprouts) until our meals arrived. After a long trip, nothing hits better than seolleongtang (profoundly sustaining beef bone soup) or haejangguk (a thrilling hangover cure with wilted cabbage leaves and chunks of coagulated pork blood). We also ordered godeungeo gui: pan-fried, extra-long mackerel (also called Korean seerfish) that boasted a luxurious texture, oily but not the least bit fishy. We scarfed down the fish, which were roasted a golden brown and served on an iron plate, until we'd picked the last bit of flesh from the bones. South Korea is more known for its dismal birthrate than its amenities for children, but when the country does have something for kids, it's world-class. The Arte Kids Park, a 20-minute drive from Jeju City, offers an immersive and extremely clean play experience for little ones. Upstairs, there's an adorable elementary school-style cafeteria with snacks, where we ordered a simple bowl of udon in odeng (fish cake) broth for our 2-year-old. Other dishes include jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles), tonkatsu, corn dogs, and fried rice. My favorite part was the well-organized array of utensils, metal cups, and other eating materials tucked into heated cases to protect against germs. A lot of play spaces I've experienced in America are kind of gross, so seeing this pristine haven in Jeju was itself a marvel (and the udon noodles were pretty tasty too). Address: 929 Wolgak-ro, Aewol-eup, 특별자치도, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea After leaving Arte Kids Park, our son fell asleep, which meant I needed to find myself a grown-up meal. Jeju's famous black pigs provide the island with ingredients for some of the best pork dishes in South Korea. I found this tiny roadside spot popular with golfers, and while my wife stayed with our son in the car, I bopped into the restaurant for a quick bowl of dwaeji guksu. The milky broth was sweet from the pork bones, making a great medium for simple wheat noodles and bite-sized pork belly slices. A tangle of sliced Korean scallions brought in a heady allium aroma, while seasoned radish shoots and short-fermented kimchi acted as the only sides. It reminded me a bit of Hakata-style ramen, with slightly chewy thin noodles and bites of meaty pork, and the simple broth was my favorite part. I spied a bottle of Jeju tangerine-flavored makgeoli in the fridge and wished I didn't have to drive, but otherwise it was a satisfying lunch just off the main highway. Address: 방문자 리뷰 86블로그 리뷰 15 I made it a point to try the popular galchi (belt fish, aka largehead hairtail), a silvery swordlike creature with elegant, flaky flesh. This popular seafood restaurant near the coast serves a twofer of spicy braised belt fish and whole-grilled belt fish. The braised version, also called jorim, comes in a big steel stainless box containing whole abalones, chopped octopus, rounds of radish, rice cakes, shrimp, and onions; a camping stove placed underneath the box keeps the fiery red chile broth simmering, reducing the liquid to a thick, sweet, salty, spicy sauce. Admittedly, eating belt fish requires picking out dozens of tiny bones, but it's worth the effort. The grilled version, which tastes of Dover sole, is a little easier to handle. Banchan of well-fermented kimchi, tiny anchovies, and even ganjang gaejang (raw soy-marinated crab) provide punches of umami between the spicy braised fish and the pan-grilled variant. Address: 제주 제주시 도리로 50 2층 The Five Day Folk Market in Jeju City opens on days ending in 2 or 7 (so each month on the second, seventh, 12th, and so on). We happened to catch it on a Sunday, when we had to fight for a free parking spot before entering. Walk through the sprawling semi-covered emporium for all manner of food, produce, clothing, and electronics. We picked up multiple varieties of Jeju gamgyul (tangerines), which lived up to their reputation as the finest citrus in the world, even out of peak season. The main hallabong variety is excellent — fragrant, sweet, tangy, and balanced — while the cheonhyehyang variety has thinner skin but a juicy flavor that's so sweet it hurts your teeth. We also snacked on piping hot hotteok: molten sugar-filled pancakes fried in butter. Just before heading out, we picked up a ketchup-laced corn dog fresh out of the fryer: a smoky, meaty wiener in a panko crust that was far better than anything at an American theme park. Osulloc is a big touristy tea farm and museum with a slick retail cafe serving matcha drinks and desserts. The day we went, the place seemed almost overrun. The classic steeped tea — brewed for exactly two minutes according to a tiny hourglass timer — was my favorite, a mellow, toasty sip whose aromas were amplified by the gourd-sized cup. On the more saccharine side, a cream-topped wedge of moist green tea cake was cut into a shape meant to recall Jeju's Mount Halla, while swirled soft serve ice cream blended yet more matcha with a simple sweet cream. The white-and-brown boricaeyeok spanner (green tea matcha floated over sweet barley tea) was probably the one to skip. After overloading on sugar, we headed to the tea fields for photo ops. My son found it hilarious to run through lanes of tea bushes that were too narrow for adults to chase him. Address: 15 Sinhwayeoksa-ro, Andeok-myeon, 특별자치도, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea Of all our meals on Jeju, I was most excited to try the island's famed black pigs, designated a heritage breed in 2015. Chef Hoon Song of Crown Pig carefully butchers the best-quality pigs and ages them to amplify their distinct, tender flavor, before lightly smoking the pork in applewood and oak. His somewhat isolated restaurant looks like a traditional Korean barbecue spot, with tables centered around steel pan grills, where servers handle most of the cooking. We opted for the Combination C, which comes with a pork tomahawk, arm shoulder, pork belly, and Boston butt for 99,000 won (about $70). Servers snip the rich, glistening pork with scissors as it cooks on the pan, allowing some fat to run off but keeping plenty of fatty chunks on the meat. Taking a bite, there's a gentle whiff of smoke followed by the most ethereal, tender pork that almost crumbles on the palate. The sensation isn't that different from a well-seared piece of wagyu beef, but with a juicy porcine sweetness that's distinct from almost all American pork. (There simply is no equal, and I'll fight someone on that.) The experience is heightened with chopstick dabs of ssamjang (fermented bean paste), grated wasabi, fine sea salt, and gochujang that add bursts of savory flavor. We wrapped our bites in fresh green lettuce or mounds of shredded scallions dressed in a red chile sauce. Korean barbecue might be known more globally for its tabletop grilled beef, but Jeju pork might better represent the spiritual zenith of the genre. Address: 특별자치도, 애월읍 애월읍 상가목장길 84 After a few days eating through South Korea's favored vacation destination, there's nothing better than strolling through a well-organized Korean supermarket for snacks to take home. Anyone who's enjoyed visiting a Korean grocery store in the U.S. should check out a Lotte Emart in South Korea. The location in Jeju City has some handy and affordable souvenirs to take home, including tangerine-flavored confections that are unique to Jeju. While you can find soju bottles from the more industrial brands like Jinro or Chamisul for around a dollar, there are also more expensive beverages, like the Asia-only crystal bottle of Suntory Kakubin blended whisky, which reminds me of Bill Murray in Lost in Translation ('For relaxing times…'). The hot foods section had handmade dumplings, pan-fried and boiled, while all manner of kimchi (napa cabbage, garlic chives, etc.) were displayed in the refrigerated areas. Those wouldn't necessarily travel well (though my mom likes to bring huge bundles of fresh banchan back to LA), but the rows of Korean candies (Koreans are particularly good at making coffee-flavored hard candies), chocolates, crispy snacks, and other sweets certainly would. Address: 제주특별자치도 제주시 탑동로 38 See More:
