Latest news with #Latto
Pink Villa
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
BTS' Jungkook's Seven becomes fastest song by Asian act to surpass 2.4 billion streams on Spotify Global chart
Jungkook of BTS recorded another impressive achievement with Seven becoming the fastest song by an Asian act to cross 2.4 billion streams on Spotify, as of July 8. Even while serving in the military from December 2023 to June 2025, his music remained highly popular on global charts, reinforcing his influence in the industry. Despite the release of just one solo album in his career, he is still making and breaking records with its tracks. BTS' Jungkook sets record as only Asian soloist to record 2.4 billion Spotify streams Jungkook's smash hit Seven (feat. Latto) fetched him yet another milestone. It became the first as well as the fastest song by not just a K-pop idol, but among all Asian artists, to exceed 2.427 billion streams on Spotify Global chart. in history. As of July 8, the track was listed as the 80th most-streamed song of all time on Spotify, setting a new benchmark as the highest-ranking song by any Asian act (solo or group), in the history of the music streaming platform. After the news was shared on July 9, BTS ARMY flocked to social media to offer heartfelt congratulations on reaching the milestone. Jungkook's Seven is nearing its two-year anniversary Seven was released on July 14, 2023, as a part of the BTS member's debut solo album Golden. Even though the song is set to mark its second anniversary soon, it continues to chart on global lists, attracting approximately 1.8 million streams daily on Spotify. This solidifies Jungkook's dominating presence in the global music scene. Besides becoming the first Asian song to reach 2.4 billion Spotify streams, Seven also broke some other records. Jungkook's Seven becomes longest-charting song by an Asian act on Billboard's Global 200 and Excl. US charts As of July 9, Jungkook's Seven remains the longest charting song by K-pop soloist on the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. US charts. The groovy track spent 102 weeks on the former chart and 103 weeks in the latter. Jungkook is now the first Asian soloist with the prestigious achievements in his rack.
Korea Herald
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
BTS' Jungkook exceeds 200m Spotify plays with solo fan song
Jungkook of BTS garnered 200 million streams on Spotify with a solo single dedicated to fans. The digital single 'Never Let Go' is his ninth solo endeavor to reach the milestone following 'Seven (feat. Latto),' 'Standing Next to You,' '3D (feat. Jack Harlow),' 'Dreamers,' 'Stay Alive,' 'Still With You,' 'Yes or No,' and Charlie Puth collaboration 'Left and Right.' Two songs he sang for BTS' albums — 'Euphoria' from the repackage 'Love Yourself: Answer' and 'My Time' for the fourth LP 'Map of the Soul: 7' — also achieved the feat. He dropped the self-written song last year in celebration of the band's 11th debut anniversary. It debuted on Billboard's Hot 100 at No. 97 and on the UK's Official Singles Top 100 at No. 60. It topped the iTunes Top Songs Chart in 103 regions. glamazon@
Korea Herald
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
BTS' Jungkook exceeds 200m Spotify plays with solo fan song
Jungkook of BTS garnered 200 million streams on Spotify with a solo single dedicated to fans. The digital single 'Never Let Go' is his ninth solo endeavor to reach the milestone following 'Seven (feat. Latto),' 'Standing Next to You,' '3D (feat. Jack Harlow),' 'Dreamers,' 'Stay Alive,' 'Still With You,' 'Yes or No,' and Charlie Puth collaboration 'Left and Right.' Two songs he sang for BTS' albums — 'Euphoria' from the repackage 'Love Yourself: Answer' and 'My Time' for the fourth LP 'Map of the Soul: 7' — also achieved the feat. He dropped the self-written song last year in celebration of the band's 11th debut anniversary. It debuted on Billboard's Hot 100 at No. 97 and on the UK's Official Singles Top 100 at No. 60. It topped the iTunes Top Songs Chart in 103 regions.
Pink Villa
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
BTS' Jungkook dubbed ‘Main Pop Boy' after becoming first Asian soloist to chart 100 weeks on Billboard Global 200 with Seven
Two years after its release, Jungkook's solo hit Seven featuring Latto continues to dominate global music charts. On June 25, 2025, Billboard confirmed that the song has charted for 100 consecutive weeks on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts. This makes it the first track by an Asian solo artist to achieve this historic feat. Released in July 2023, the track marked Jungkook 's official solo debut and quickly became a global phenomenon. It is featured on his debut solo album, GOLDEN. Blending sensual vocals with sleek pop production, Seven raced up international charts and has never looked back since. Its consistent presence on Billboard's top global charts for nearly two years has stunned even long-time fans. Still going strong What's even more remarkable is that Seven hasn't lost its momentum. The track has now crossed a staggering 2.4 billion streams on Spotify, making it the first-ever song by an Asian soloist to reach that number. It also ranks as the sixth most-streamed song globally on the platform. Despite being released two summers ago, Seven continues to pull in over two million daily streams. This is a rare achievement for any pop single, let alone one from a non-Western artist. Also, the track has remained on Spotify's Weekly Top Songs Global chart for 101 consecutive weeks. From fastest streams to longest reign Jungkook 's solo journey has been filled with record-shattering milestones and Seven set the tone right from the start. Upon release, the track became the fastest song ever to hit several key streaming benchmarks, including: 100 million streams, 900 million streams, 1 billion and 1.1 billion streams on Spotify It also held the No.1 position on Spotify's Daily Global Top Songs chart across Asia for 71 straight days. This proves its dominance not only in South Korea but across the broader Asian market. Jungkook's other tracks are smashing records too The massive success of Seven is just one part of Jungkook's thriving solo career. His other releases have also put up impressive numbers: Standing Next to You has surpassed 1.2 billion streams on Spotify His collaboration with Charlie Puth, Left and Right, recently hit the 1 billion mark Fan-favorite 3D has already crossed 900 million streams Collectively, Jungkook's Spotify solo page has now amassed over 9 billion total streams. It makes him the fastest Asian solo artist to hit that milestone. Fans celebrate with awe and pride News of Jungkook's latest Billboard and Spotify milestones spread quickly across social media, where fans couldn't hide their shock and excitement. Many expressed amazement that Seven was still charting two years after its release. Others celebrated the record as a proud moment for Asian artists globally. They are crediting Jungkook for helping reshape the landscape for K-pop and non-Western acts in global pop. As streaming numbers rise and chart runs stretch on, one thing is clear: Jungkook is no longer just breaking records; he's setting new standards.
Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Fearing war with Russia, Finland hardens NATO's northern frontier
Oksana Serebriakova and her son Vitalik talk during an interview with Reuters in their flat in Lappeenranta, Finland, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger A view of an old Russian checkpoint behind the new barrier fence on the Finnish-Russian border in Nuijamaa, Finland, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger A view of a sign near the Finnish-Russian border also pointing to Svetogorsk, Russia, near Imatra, Finland, May 22, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger Finnish reservists fire their weapons during a training at a shooting range near Lappeenranta, Finland, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger LAPPEENRANTA, Finland - At a shooting range 10 miles from the Russian border, Finnish army reservist Janne Latto opened the trunk of his car and unpacked a small surveillance drone and controller, equipment he sees as vital for any future conflict with Finland's neighbour. Since the invasion of Ukraine prompted Helsinki to join NATO two years ago, tensions reminiscent of the Cold War have resurfaced along the forested 1,340-km (833-mile) frontier, Europe's longest with Russia. The Nordic nation is beefing up an already-sizeable reservist force and will host a new command for NATO, whose members meet in the Hague on June 24 for an annual summit. Still under construction, an imposing barbed-wire-topped fence now dominates a once-bustling section of the border, closed by Finland after it accused Russia of weaponising migration. Shopping malls and restaurants that buzzed with Russian visitors have fallen quiet. On the other side, Russia has slowly begun dusting off Soviet-era military bases, satellite images show. Kyiv's June 1 attack on Russia's strategic bomber fleet, including at the Olenya airfield near northern Finland, brought the war in Ukraine closer to home. For this story, Reuters spoke to a dozen people in Finland's border region, where the emerging divisions have left some unable to visit relatives and caused economic losses. Others supported the measures, citing a need to prepare for and deter future conflict. At the shooting range - near the lakeside town of Lappeenranta, some 100 miles from Russia's second city, St Petersburg - Latto said the Lauritsala Reservists were training with three drones including the Parrot Anafi surveillance vehicle, used by the professional armies of several NATO members, including Finland. A grant from Finland's association of reservist groups meant ten more were on order, he said. The 2022 assault on Ukraine hardened 47-year-old Latto's perception of Russia. "What if they decide to come and change the border, just like they went to Ukraine," said Latto, who runs a small business assembling neon signs and billboards. He recalled Soviet attempts to invade during World War Two, and how Finland was forced to cede approximately 10% of its territory to Russia, including Ayrapaa, a nearby municipality that his grandfather died defending in 1944. The countries each insist they pose no threat to the other. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has said some level of Russian buildup is a normal response to Helsinki's accession to NATO, which more than doubled the length of Russia's border with the alliance. However, a Finnish government defence report late last year described "a heightened risk of an armed conflict," citing the development of Russia's military capabilities since the start for the war in Ukraine, and saying Moscow had ambitions to create a "buffer zone" from the Arctic to Southern Europe. Finland has since announced plans to stockpile landmines. It banned Finnish-Russian dual nationals from flying drones and Russians from buying property, and last week warned that mobile signals were disrupted in regions near Russia. "Finland is responsible for over half of the entire land border between NATO countries and Russia," Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen posted on X on Thursday, saying the country's defence posture was to ensure the border "remains inviolable." Finland's presidency declined to comment for this story. Russia's foreign ministry did not respond to a comment request. President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday denied any plans to attack NATO. He said he did not see NATO rearmament as a threat. After Finland joined the alliance, Moscow announced plans to strengthen military capacity in Russia's west and northwest. The activities of the Finnish reservists, who also use firearms in target practice, are voluntary, although most have completed Finland's long-standing mandatory male conscription. More than 50,000 Finns take part in such clubs, up by about a third since before the Ukraine war, according to the Finnish Reservists' Association, with a similar increase in the number of reservists called up by the military for refresher training. Even older members of Latto's band of volunteers could see service in a crisis, as Finland raises the reserve's upper age limit to 65 to add 125,000 troops to a wartime army, and to take the number of reservists to one million by 2031. He welcomed the extended military service, saying older reservists could be drone or radar operators. "You don't have to run with the infantry to be a part of the modern battlefield," said Latto, a skilled hobbyist who has made his own first-person-view goggles to control a homemade drone. SPLIT FAMILIES Some businesses are unhappy with the changes. Shopping malls and restaurants once buzzing with Russian visitors are noticeably emptier. Up to 13 million annual cross-border trips have ended, affecting dual citizens with family in Russia. The vanishing Russian tourists and dearth of trade has taken at least 300 million euros annually from a 5.5 billion euro local economy, the region's council said. Unemployment soared to close to 15% at the end of last year, higher than the national average. Antique shopkeeper Janne Tarvainen said that previously, some locals complained the Russian visitors had made it hard to get reservations in restaurants or find parking spots. "I saw it differently – money was coming into the town," said Tarvainen, who is now looking for online shoppers to replace Russian footfall. Oksana Serebriakova, 50, whose grandfather was Finnish, moved to Lappeenranta from Moscow after the COVID-19 pandemic looking for better opportunities for her 17-year-old son Vitalik. Her older son and the boys' father stayed in the Russian capital, with plans for frequent visits. The border closure has split the family, creating "a very sad situation," said Serebriakova, who is studying for a business administration diploma at a local vocational college. The migration problem "could have been solved" with measures such as strict checks at entry points similar to airports, she suggested. Finland has around 38,000 dual citizens, official data shows, considerably less than other countries bordering Russia. About 420,000 Finns who lived in territory ceded to Russia after World War Two settled in Finland. Ivan Deviatkin, a local politician who has a son in Finland and an ageing mother in Russia, unsuccessfully challenged the border closure in Finland's courts. Nine plaintiffs now have a complaint pending hearing at the European Court of Human Rights, which has asked Finland to justify the shutdown. 'RE-BORDERING' For decades after World War Two, Finland gradually opened trade and travel connections with Russia. Now though, the E18 motorway that links Helsinki and St. Petersburg ends abruptly at metal barricades at the border, as do other previously busy roads. Finland closed the frontier over the arrivals of undocumented migrants in 2023, which Helsinki viewed as a Russian policy response to its accession to NATO. Moscow said it was abiding by rules and that Finland had adopted an anti-Russia stance. At the time, the borderline was hardly visible, mostly marked only by poles or a low barrier to keep domestic animals from wandering off, with a small trail for occasional canine patrols to follow. In place of that, Finland is raising 200 km (124 miles) of 4.5-metre (15 ft)-high fence dotted with cameras and motion sensors in the most passable areas of the forest-covered 1,340-km (833 mile) border. A new dirt road runs parallel for quicker access by border guards. The changes had made "a big, big impact," said Finnish Border Guard Head of Operations Samuel Siljanen. "We've moved kind of from an era of de-bordering to one of re-bordering," he said. NATO COMMAND Hopes for a quick detente run low. Helsinki believes Russia will reinforce the neighbouring Leningrad military region once the war in Ukraine ends, president Stubb has said, although he downplays any threat from Russia so far. Behind the border, satellite images show Russia beginning some work on garrisons, including building new warehouses. A senior government official aware of Finland's military planning described such work as minor and not a threat. Finland has long had a strong military. It has ordered 64 U.S.-made F-35s to modernise its fighter jet fleet. It has the largest artillery arsenal in Western Europe, another official said. The sources requested anonymity to speak about sensitive matters. It is important "to signal credibly to Russia that it's not worth it," said Chatham House associate fellow Minna Alander, whose research includes work on Finnish and Northern European security. She said Finland was not a threat to Russia. "NATO will never attack Russia, and I believe they know this," Alander said. The new NATO northern headquarters will host around 50 officers from countries including the U.S. and UK together with the Finnish Army Command, in the eastern Finnish town of Mikkeli, a two-hour drive from the border. "In the event that we ever moved into a conflict, this headquarters would be working alongside NATO forces in a command and control role," Brigadier Chris Gent of the Allied Land Command told Reuters on a visit in Finland. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
