Latest news with #Minju
Pink Villa
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
ILLIT's deepfake creators arrested, BELIFT LAB probes legal action against other malicious defamers
ILLIT's agency, BELIFT LAB, shared an update regarding the concerning case of deepfake content targeting the girl group members. On June 30, they released an official statement regarding the arrest and sentencing of individuals behind the illicit activities. Their swift actions demonstrated their commitment to protecting their artists. Furthermore, they also mentioned working to put more such individuals behind bars. BELIFT LAB reveals no leniency towards ILLIT's deepfake content cretors ILLIT's agency, BELIFT LAB revealed that several perpetrators had been apprehended and sentenced to prison for creating and distributing deepfake content featuring ILLIT members. Since the girl group features some minors, it makes their proper protection even more necessary. The agency emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards online ab*se, stating that they will continue to pursue all legal avenues. They made it clear that there will be no settlements or leniency for those who spread false information, commit defamation, or engage in "s*xual insults" towards Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee and Iroha. BELIFT LAB's next steps regarding protecting their artists The entertainment label mentioned their stance of continuously monitoring online platforms like Naver, YouTube, theqoo, Nate, X (formerly Twitter) and more, to locate more such offenders. They revealed filing regular complaints against defamation, and waiting for favourable response. "The identities and charges of these individuals have already been confirmed, and the cases have been forwarded to the prosecution," they stated. They added, "We will continue to make every effort to ensure severe punishment for those currently under investigation and legal proceedings." Fans were also encouraged to report violations through the HYBE Artist Rights Protection Reporting Center. These steps would aid BELIFT LAB in protecting its artists from malicious content. "Your support and active reporting are of great help in this process," they stated. Other K-pop artists who faced similar deepfake content trouble K-pop stars being the target of malicious content seemed to have grown lately. Besides ILLIT, several other HYBE subsidiaries like ENHYPEN, BTS and LE SSERAFIM have faced similar unfavorable situations since April. In response, HYBE has taken swift and decisive legal action to safeguard its artists, earning appreciation from fans for their bold and effective measures against the perpetrators.
Vogue Singapore
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
ILLIT navigates the ups and downs of a blossoming relationship in new EP, ‘Bomb'
Debuting in early 2024, ILLIT, the quintet from South Korea, rose to immediate success with their debut single 'Magnetic.' Sporting a catchy tune and bubbly vocals, the track became an instant viral hit, showcasing the group's unique sound and solidifying their position in a highly competitive industry. 'Our music continues to convey our spirited feelings in a playful but sincere way,' says main vocalist Minju, as she reflects on how far the group has come. A little over a year since their debut, the girl group has just released their third mini album, Bomb, continuing to build upon a narrative of self-discovery. Venturing into the realm of a blossoming relationship, they tap into new feelings and experiences, all while staying true to their core selves. With playful lyrics, snappy melodies and ILLIT's signature youthful energy, the diverse tracks of their new EP explore the ups and downs of young love. Here, the five members—Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha—share with Vogue Singapore the concept and inspiration behind new mini album Bomb, their love for performing live and how they have grown over the past year since their debut. Courtesy of Belift Lab Tell us about what inspired your new EP Bomb. What is the concept behind this project? Yunah: Our third mini album draws inspiration from the idea of 'magical girls.' It tells the story of girls stepping out into the world and navigating newfound relationships while holding on to their inner magic, always believing in their own possibilities. Wonhee: This album shows us facing our feelings head-on. We also tap into new emotions such as the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding a blossoming relationship. Tell us a bit more about your lead single 'Billyeoon Goyangi (Do the Dance)'. What inspired this track? Yunah: The title comes from a proverb depicting the feeling of being lost or out of place—like a borrowed cat who doesn't quite belong. It perfectly captures the dazed, awkward state after making a mistake in front of someone you like. Personally, my favourite parts are the intro and the interlude, with a grand, parade-like vibe reminiscent of an amusement park. Moka: The performance of the track has a really sweet vibe. Notably, it features a set of intricate hand movements—dubbed the 'cat's stretch dance' and 'meow dance'—that have sort of become our signature moves. Could you share some interesting behind-the-scenes moments of recording this project? Wonhee: I have a verse that includes some French lyrics, which I took the time to learn while recording. They were a bit tricky to pronounce at first, but I managed to pull them off after some practice and I think it adds a special surprise to the song. Minju: Although it's not my part, I really loved the playful lyrics like 'wiggle meow, dance dance meow.' Those lines add a cute, lighthearted energy to the song. They have been stuck in my head ever since the recording, making the track super addictive. I think it will have a similar effect on those who listen to it. Which song(s) are you most excited for fans to hear and why? Iroha: I'm most excited for fans to listen to 'little monster.' I hope they watch the music video alongside the track and pay close attention to the lyrics. Moka: The lyrics of 'little monster' are super unique, and the song itself is very chic. It talks about facing and overcoming inner monsters—symbolising stressors like anxiety, depression, and sadness—and I believe many listeners will be able to relate to it. As you are set to release your third EP, how have you evolved—as a group and as individuals—compared to when you first debuted? Yunah: I believe our improvisations and performances on stage have become much more natural and confident compared to when we first debuted. In the beginning, we were more focused on getting everything exactly right, but now we've grown more comfortable in expressing ourselves and better connecting with the audience. Iroha: As a group, our synergy has improved and our teamwork has gotten stronger. We also have more conversations now on how to translate this synergy into our music and performances. Personally, I think I've gotten better at delivering emotions through my vocals and movements compared to when we first debuted. Courtesy of Belift Lab What does performing in front of your fans mean to you? Do you have plans to travel overseas to perform—where would that be? Wonhee: We recently held our first fan concert in Seoul, and it was one of the most surreal moments since our debut—hearing the crowd sing along to our songs brought us so much joy. I hope to meet GLLITs in many more cities and countries around the world. Minju: We feel very proud and happy to be able to bring joy to our fans. We have another concert planned in Japan later this year, and I'm thrilled to meet our fans in person and bring our performances to them up close. What other sounds or concepts are you looking to explore in the future? Moka: I'd love to explore the genre of hip-hop in the future. I believe experimenting with various genres helps broaden our musical range and skills, and it would be exciting to show a different, bolder side of us. Yunah: I want to challenge myself with band-style songs and concepts. I love the raw, energetic sound that instrumentation brings to band music. I think exploring in that direction would bring a fresh and dynamic vibe to our music. Listen to Bomb here .
Korea Herald
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
ILLIT confident in its growth with new album, 'bomb'
Rising K-pop girl group ILLIT showcased its artistic evolution with confidence on Monday as it unveiled its third EP, "bomb." The release follows the group's earlier albums, "Super Real Me" and "I'll Like You," and continues ILLIT's coming-of-age narrative. This time, the group broadens its perspective, shifting from introspective themes to exploring relationships and interaction with "you," according to the band. "I'm already excited just thinking about showing our new side to many people," member Wonhee said during a media showcase in Seoul. "This third EP is one where you can really see ILLIT's bold charm and our growth as a team." Minju echoed the sentiment, saying, "You'll be able to see an upgraded version of us while we maintain our original color." A notable shift in "bomb" is the group's expanded thematic focus. "Up until our previous albums, the story was centered on 'me.' But starting with this album, we've expanded the narrative through our genuine interaction with 'you,'" Yunah said, adding the album also explores a broader range of musical genres. For ILLIT, musical growth is more than thematic -- it's physical. "I wanted to show that we've grown in skill compared with our activities for the previous album, so I practiced so hard to the point where I could taste blood in my throat," Minju shared candidly. "I worked really hard because I wanted to improve my vocal abilities, and I remember feeling proud when the producer recognized that." Debuting in March 2024 with the viral hit "Magnetic," the K-pop quintet gained swift recognition -- and with it, the pressure to meet high expectations. "We've received so much love since our debut, so I felt a sense of responsibility to do just as well," Minju said. Moka added: "There was pressure, but thanks to the people who like our performances, I think our gratitude was even greater. We will work hard to deliver our positive energy to even more people in the future." Leading the five-track album is the song "Do the Dance," a French house-infused single that evokes the thrill of a first date with romantic and dreamy string arrangements. The song sampled the soundtrack of the renowned animated Japanese film "The Five Star Stories." The members showed their strong affection for the lead single. "I was refreshingly shocked when I heard 'Magnetic,' and this time I was also pleasantly shocked when I first heard 'Do the Dance,'" Yunah said. Moka highlighted the emotional impact of the song's climax. "The part where the beat gets stronger was so good it gave me goosebumps. I also liked the meaning of the English title. It describes someone who feels nervous, like a 'borrowed cat,' but doesn't want to hide that feeling -- instead, she expresses her interest by asking the other person to dance. I think that part really captures our bold charm." Now in their sophomore year, the group sees "honesty" as its defining trait. "I think our music always has an element of honesty," Wonhee said. "On this song as well, you'll be able to feel our confident and honest charm through our straightforward approach of not hiding our feelings for you." Yunah emphasized the group's relatability. "I think many people relate to our stories, and see us as friendly and approachable. While it's a story about people our age, it's also one that anyone might have experienced at least once."
Pink Villa
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
ENHYPEN's Niki is 'scary senior'?, ILLIT‘s Minju reveals HYBE director warning her against offending him
HYBE is under scrutiny for allegedly spreading negative rumors about ENHYPEN members. A recent speculation about Niki's supposedly unfavorable attitude was highlighted by ILLIT's Minju's revelation of being cautioned about it. Niki appeared taken aback by the rumor and questioned its origin. Fans also voiced their discontent, feeling that HYBE was unfairly portraying its artists in a negative light despite being responsible for protecting them. Niki was portrayed as a scary senior by HYBE officials On June 6, ENHYPEN members Niki and Sunoo appeared as guests on ILLIT member Minju's YouTube show, Minju's Pink Cabinet. Before they arrived, she mentioned feeling "intimidating and scary" to her since she hadn't had a chance to interact with them before. During one segment, Niki tried some drinks to identify which one contained Samdasoo. After being successful in his mission, he offered Minju to taste it as well. To that the ILLIT junior replied, 'One of the directors said that if you drink that Niki would get angry.' Niki seemed shocked at the unexpected reputation he held and promptly asked, "Who said that? A strange rumor started going around." He even inquisitioned, "Are they trying to make me seem like a scary senior at the company?" Minju further shared how sacred she was to host them after being warned against offending Niki. Check out fan reactions to the rumor about Niki's scary behaviour Engenes (ENHYPEN's fandom) didn't like the way HYBE portrayed Niki. They called it "annoying" and accused them of spreading "groundless rumors" against the artists. One comment read, "we are here defending enha for every rumors spreading yet the staffs are some of the ones starting it?!" They also felt that these were the reason that made the newer or relatively younger K-pop idols refrain from interacting with other groups. They also recalled how it wasn't the first time an ENHYPEN member was portrayed in a negative light. Previously, when Sunghoon appeared on Minju's show, she mentioned hearing from the company staff that Sunghoon "hated" them decorating a dog plushie of his, which was revealed by him to be untrue.
New York Times
17-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
Spring Fling
It's the time of year when we become reacquainted with what's been hiding out in the back of the closet. The weather's turning, necessitating an unearthing, a rediscovery of clothes that have been hanging there silently, awaiting their turn. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, at the back end of May, there are gradually — almost begrudgingly — more warm days than cool ones. One day soon you'll hang up your coat for the last time and won't think about it again until fall. I've been taking bags of clothes to the thrift store, stuff that I've hung onto for too long, that's been occupying hangers and drawer space and head space. It feels good to part with things, to get that real estate back in both my apartment and my brain. No longer must I have a conversation with that green jacket every time I open the hall closet, no longer is it part of the consideration set. Get rid of enough old things and you can almost see your life a little more clearly. You think those old polo shirts are just sitting there, not harming anyone, but once they're gone, there's just less to contemplate. My friend Minju told me she was cleaning out her closet recently and happened upon that big box of loose snapshots anyone who came of age before digital cameras has hiding in the recesses of their storage nook. She pulled the box down from the shelf and began going through them, photos of her as a child, in high school and college, old pictures of her family. She'd always planned to 'do something' with the pictures, as we all do, but what? Put them in an album? Digitize them so they'll be captured on our devices with the rest of our cloud-contained archives? Deciding she wanted to keep the photos close at hand so she'd actually look at them, Minju selected a bunch to put in a basket in her living room. Now, when she's sitting on the couch, instead of scrolling on her phone, she might pick up the stack of photos. When visitors come over, they might flip through them. Spring cleaning airs things out, replaces stacks of rarely worn sweaters with room to maneuver. It feels good to get rid of things, but it also feels good to purposefully decide what to fill the space with. What else are we storing in closets and crawl spaces, out of sight and mind, that we'd like to have present in our everyday lives? The old pictures, the love letters, the postcards and birthday cards and childhood artwork and binders full of mix CDs, maybe shoeboxes full of mix tapes. All those things we saved to do something with someday. What might we do with them now? Linda McMahon, the education secretary, says she wants to end the Trump administration's standoff with Harvard. The government accidentally sent the university an ultimatum last month: It had to make a raft of changes — enforcing political neutrality in its classrooms and syllabuses, for instance — or forfeit government support. Harvard sued, and the government has canceled billions in research grants. I sat down with McMahon in her office yesterday and asked how she could patch things up and what else she wants to achieve. Read about the interview here. Below is one exchange, condensed and edited for clarity. — Michael C. Bender Are we witnessing a divorce between Harvard and the federal government? No, that's definitely not the goal. The goal is to … make sure [students] have the right skills that they need. The government has a half-dozen investigations of Harvard. Is there anything it could do to reopen negotiations? The first step would be: Let's sit down and have a conversation. Let's talk. Has the administration asked for that? It's a little bit hard to have open negotiations when we've got a lawsuit pending. When you're sitting and talking, do you have to have all your lawyers present? Has the push against Harvard been a success? Is the administration winning here? We did see the head of Middle Eastern Studies changed. … And I think that [Harvard President Alan Garber] is saying, We are moving in the directions that you want us to move in. He has made some changes around student discipline and managing protests. Yeah, and all that is good. And I think we have forced their hand to do that, because they weren't doing it before. And so I think we have forced other universities to see that the president was serious with what he said. 📺 Eurovision: Tonight, in living rooms and bars all over Europe, people will be settling down to witness one of the weirdest and campiest nights in music: the Eurovision Song Contest final. The contest can be chaotic, so to make things a little clearer, I asked Alex Marshall, The Times's European culture reporter, for a primer: Is there a favorite to win? This year's Eurovision feels wide open even if the bookmakers say Sweden's act — a comedy trio singing about saunas, who perform the song while sitting in a fake sauna — is easily going to win. There just isn't one juggernaut track that's already topping Europe's pop charts. Are there any acts readers should look out for? My favorite entry is Finland's Erika Vikman with 'Ich Komme,' a lascivious disco-rock song that I've listened to about 500 times since it appeared. Vikman's performance involves her standing atop a huge flying microphone that shoots fireworks out of one end. It's exactly what Eurovision's about. For more: Alex, along with Miriam Quick, analyzed the music and performances of every Eurovision winner since 2000 to figure out the secrets to the perfect Eurovision entry. (One secret: liberal use of pyrotechnics.) Chicken Alfredo Perfect to accompany all the spinach, asparagus and other May vegetables reaching their peak, Naz Deravian's chicken Alfredo is a hearty take on the creamy classic. Seared boneless, skinless chicken breasts round out the Parmesan-laced pasta and add protein and heft. One thing to note: Be sure to use freshly grated cheese here; the pre-grated stuff often has additives that make it hard to emulsify smoothly into the sauce. Serve this with something green and fresh for an elegant springtime meal. Click here to read this weekend's edition of T, The Times Style Magazine. After months of political and economic confusion around the Trump administration's 'America First' agenda, both international and domestic tourists are reconsidering their U.S. travel plans. This has led airlines, hotels and analysts to revise their forecasts downward for the summer season, as my colleague Christine Chung and I explain in a new story. Here are a few numbers that stood out in our reporting: The Hunt: A young couple with a $500,000 budget sought a starter home on Florida's Gulf Coast. Which did they choose? Play our game. What you get for $400,000: A condo in Washington, D.C.; a 19th-century house in Saint Charles, Mo.; or a midcentury ranch-style house in Clemson, S.C. Making it work: As cremation rates rise, funeral homes are being forced to innovate. (One home put a man's ashes in shotgun shells and planned a hunt in his honor.) Still not a hotel: Your next Airbnb may include room service. Ask Vanessa: 'Can I wear a sheath dress without looking like a MAGA woman?' Give a graduation gift they'll actually like There are graduation gifts that instantly delight and thrill the recipient. Then there are the ones that might not be as flashy, but prove themselves over time. My graduation gift fell squarely into the latter category: a vintage Montblanc pen that failed to dazzle me as a teenager, but which eight years later I cherish (and actually use). Beyond pens, consider other buy-it-for-life pieces that grads might appreciate in their next phase, like good luggage or a solid set of tools. Wirecutter's experts have ideas for both high school and college grads. And if all else fails: You can't go wrong with cash. — Brittney Ho Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, N.B.A. playoffs: It's Game 7 of this fierce, back-and-forth series, which features the two leading M.V.P. candidates: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets. The Thunder had a historically good season, beating opponents by an average of 12.9 points per game, the widest margin in league history. But they're also inexperienced; the core of this Thunder team has never been to the finals, while the Nuggets won the title two years ago. Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC Here is today's Spelling Bee. Yesterday's pangram was blowpipe. Take the news quiz to see how well you followed this week's headlines. And here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle, Sudoku, Connections and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your weekend with The Times. — Melissa Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@
