Latest news with #Koyote
Korea Herald
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Shinji's agency denies rumors about singer's fiance
Company threatens legal action over false rumors about couple In light of the rumors surrounding the fiance of Shinji, a member of 90s K-pop group Koyote, the singer's agency said Tuesday that it has found the rumors not to be true. JG Star released a statement Tuesday saying that it has checked the rumors, which claimed that Shinji's fiance — who is also a singer — Moon Won had worked in real estate without a valid license, that he was a bully in school and during his mandatary military service, and that he had an affair during his first marriage. The agency said it has seen the documents for Moon's divorce with his first wife, which showed that the two had reached an amicable agreement to part ways. "We found that there were no scandalous reasons (for divorce) and that he did not date another woman," the company said. The agency also said it contacted multiple students who went to same school as Moon, along with those who served with him in the military, and that all of them said the bullying allegations were not true. While Moon had denied bullying and having an affair, the allegation of him working as a real estate agent without the state-certified license was actually confirmed by Moon himself. In a public statement on July 3, he denied other rumors but said he did work in the past without the official broker license. But JG Star said that Moon was officially registered as an assistant broker and had completed the necessary training under the Korea Association of Realtors. "Moon Won was taken aback by the comments that he worked without a license, and said (in the previous statement) that he would take responsibility if there are wrongdoings. He told us that he did not admit to illegal actions," agency said. Following her company's statement, Shinji wrote on her Instagram page that she too had found the rumors to be not true. She issued an apology for taking a long time to verify the allegations. The agency stressed that it is considering legal actions against those spreading false rumors or defaming the couple. Controversy about Moon's 'attitude' preceded rumors Moon, 36, had been not well known to most members of the public before his 43-year-old fiance publicly announced their engagement recently. But his conversation with the other Koyote members revealed in a July 2 YouTube video had touched off disputes about him being supposedly rude, toward the two male members of the co-ed group and also to his wife-to-be. Moon also said that he only told Shinji about his previous marriage and his wife after their "relationship was deep enough," and that he did not know Koyote at all before they were in a relationship. Some members of the public took issue with this comment, as the group was one of the most popular bands in Korea in the late 1900s and early 2000s, right when Moon was growing up.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
K-pop star Shinji's wedding announcement sparks controversy among fans - Here's what we know
The K-pop Wedding That's Got Everyone Losing Their Minds If you thought only Bollywood weddings could get this dramatic, think again! K-pop legend Shinji from the iconic group Koyote just dropped the bomb: she's tying the knot with Moon One, a singer seven years her junior. But instead of the usual "congrats, unnie!" flood, the internet basically exploded with a tsunami of "NOOOO!" from fans. We're talking full-on wedding opposition, wild rumors, and netizens going full Sherlock Holmes on Moon One's past. The drama is so spicy, even your favorite reality shows can't compete. From Fairy Tale to Full-On Fandom Meltdown Here's how it all went down: Shinji, who's been open about wanting to get married, finally announced her big day with Moon One, and they even did a cute wedding photoshoot. It should've been a double celebration - her bandmate Kim Jong Min just got married too! But then, Shinji posted a video on her YouTube channel, introducing Moon One to her Koyote fam (Kim Jong Min and Baekga), and that's when the internet lost its collective chill. The video, meant to be a sweet meet-the-family moment, turned into a viral sensation. In just one day, Shinji's channel doubled its subscribers, and the video racked up over 1.6 million views. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Public Speaking Course for Children Planet Spark Book Now Undo But instead of heart emojis, the comments section turned into a battleground. Fans started digging up Moon One's past, and what they found had everyone gasping. Moon One's Past: Divorce, Daughter, and a Whole Lotta Drama So, what's the tea? Moon One confessed on camera that he's divorced and has a daughter living with his ex-wife. He even showed official divorce papers to Shinji's agency, confirming that the split was due to "personality differences." He says he pays child support and stays in touch with his daughter. But the internet wasn't satisfied. Rumors started flying: some claimed Moon One was involved in shady real estate deals without a license, others accused him of dating multiple people at once, and a few even brought up alleged bullying during his school and army days. Moon One admitted to working in real estate without the proper license (he says he didn't realize it was wrong and just needed to make a living), but he denied all the other accusations. Still, the fans weren't buying it. Comments like "Baekga, please stop this wedding!" flooded social media. Even Baekga, Koyote's rapper, couldn't escape the heat-fans begged him to talk Shinji out of marrying Moon One. Baekga responded with a cryptic Instagram post showing the Koyote members together and a blue heart emoji, hinting at his loyalty to Shinji no matter what.
Korea Herald
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
New coed K-pop group Allday Project blazes different route to success
Challenging industry norms, group bets on streaming, global tours over romantic fan appeal For more than a decade, mixed-gender groups have struggled to find success in the K-pop industry. The last major breakthrough was Koyote, which rose to fame in the early 2000s and remains active today. While DSP Media's KARD has kept the concept alive in recent years, the group has not seen major commercial success, largely due to one key reason: It has not been able to offer fans the kind of pseudo-romantic fantasy that tends to fuel K-pop fandoms. As Hybe Chair Bang Si-hyuk — the mastermind behind BTS — once said, K-pop's explosive global growth over the past decade has been driven by "superfans" who are intensely loyal and emotionally engaged. It is widely understood in the industry that women make up the majority of paying K-pop fans. This demographic trend gives boy bands an edge in sales, as they tend to outperform girl groups in physical album sales and concert ticket revenues. Simulating a romantic bond with fans has become a core marketing tactic: Idols livestream frequently and send personal messages through fandom platforms like Weverse to maintain that connection. 'In K-pop, it's incredibly important to stir emotions like pseudo-romance or girl crush,' said music critic Lim Hee-yun. 'With coed groups, fans may speculate about members dating each other, which is considered taboo in the K-pop scene. That's why Allday Project appears to be targeting the global market more than the domestic one — perhaps sensing an opportunity for coed acts abroad.' A former executive at a major K-pop agency echoed this sentiment, adding that Allday Project is likely focused on international touring rather than physical album sales. 'Coed groups won't sell as many albums. Their music needs to stand out on streaming platforms,' the official said. 'Even if album sales are weak, strong musical identity and recognition overseas can lead to solid concert ticket sales.' The source also noted the group's age makeup: 'Why do you think all the members are adults, with the oldest debuting at 23? It's intentional — they're aiming for a mature, global audience.' Breaking away from easy listening In line with this global-first strategy, Allday Project has also broken away from the "easy listening" trend that has dominated K-pop over the last two to three years. Their latest single, 'Famous,' released last month, features heavy synthesizer basslines and guitar riffs layered over danceable beats, while the rap flows and melodic lines bring a sense of urgency and edge. 'Famous' stormed onto domestic streaming charts within hours of its release. Premiering as a music video first, the track entered Melon's Top 100 at No. 9 within six hours, eventually climbing to No. 1. The group's follow-up, 'Wicked,' debuted at No. 63 on the same chart and reached No. 2 on Vibe's real-time trending chart, signaling impressive digital power for a rookie group. The group's international momentum is also picking up. 'Wicked' was released in two versions, and its 'Movie Set' edition ranked No. 6 on YouTube's trending chart in the US. On Spotify, 'Famous' has racked up over 900,000 streams, while 'Wicked' has surpassed 400,000. Lim says the group could appeal to audiences who are more drawn to music and performance than mere idol-fan dynamics. 'There's potential here to spark a buzz among listeners who aren't already part of boy or girl group fandoms,' he said. 'Allday Project could offer something fresh as a coed group in today's oversaturated K-pop landscape.'
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kim Jong Min marries longtime girlfriend in a private ceremony, shares feelings of joy and nervousness
Popular South Korean singer and entertainer Kim Jong Min has officially tied the knot with his non-celebrity fiancée. The wedding took place on April 20, 2025, in a private ceremony held at the luxurious The Shilla Hotel in Seoul. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event was attended by close family members, friends, and several well-known faces from the entertainment industry . Although the wedding was private, Kim Jong Min decided to meet with the media just before the ceremony. In a short press conference, he shared his thoughts and emotions about entering married life . He admitted feeling both excited and nervous, saying that it felt strange but also like a new beginning. According to Soompi, Kim expressed, 'I'm so excited and nervous—it feels strange. It feels like a new life will unfold. I'm looking forward to starting the second chapter of my life.' Knowing that many fans support him but also wanting to protect his bride's privacy, Kim kept most details about his fiancée away from the public eye. Despite that, he warmly spoke about their relationship and offered a sweet message for her. He promised they would face challenges together and asked for her understanding, saying he might not always be perfect but hoped she would stay by his side. He also shared his hope of having a son and daughter in the future. With a smile, he added that he wished their children would grab a pencil during their 'doljanchi' (a Korean first birthday ceremony), symbolizing intelligence and learning. During the press event, Kim joked about how his friends reacted to his marriage news. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He mentioned that married friends were genuinely happy, but he teased that the unmarried ones didn't seem as sincere in their congratulations. He also mentioned his fellow Koyote bandmates Shinji and Bbaek Ga, hoping that they too would find love and settle down soon. Kim Jong Min is well-known for his successful music career, having first gained fame in 2000 with the co-ed group Koyote, which became loved for its catchy and upbeat songs. He later became a familiar face on Korean television, especially as a cast member of KBS2's variety show "2 Days & 1 Night Season 4". It was during an episode earlier in January 2025 that he first shared his marriage plans with fans. The wedding ceremony was a mix of love, laughter, and music. Renowned TV host Yoo Jae Suk, a longtime friend of Kim's, officiated the ceremony, bringing both warmth and humor to the event. The reception that followed was hosted by comedians Moon Se Yoon and Cho Sae Ho, who added fun and light-hearted moments. Singers Lee Juk and Lyn also performed heartfelt songs to congratulate the couple, making the day even more special. This wedding marks a joyful chapter in Kim Jong Min's life, and fans across the country have shared their congratulations and well wishes for his future.
