Author: Samar Khouri

This year, BTS has succeeded to a historic degree, far beyond anyone’s imagination. They not only dominated 2020 but they also were among trending searches on Google, as per the tech giant’s annual year in search review. Here’s how the K-Pop kings of social media took over Google this year: Online Concert BTS’ online concert, ‘BANG BANG CON’ was among the top “Concert” searches this year. Played for approximately 24 hours across two days, it amassed a staggering total of 50.5 million views, with 2.24 million concurrent viewers at one time in April. The past two days saw 500,000 of…

As many new K-pop idol groups have debuted this year, there are other new rookie groups to look out for and possibly stan! On Thursday, Rain introduced his entertainment agency’s multinational new boy band named Ciipher on his personal Instagram account. “Excited to introduce Rain Company’s first K-Pop band CIIPHER on today’s episode of SeasonBSeason! Don’t miss out!!,” he wrote alongside an image of the boy group. Ciipher is the first K-Pop group to form under the singer and actor’s entertainment company, Rain Company, consisting of seven members: Choi Seok Won, Moon Hyun Bin, Park Sung Won, Lee Choong Hyun,…

BTS are no strangers to dominating the social media space. In October, the K-Pop septet became the first act in the nearly decade-long history of Billboard’s Social 50 chart to lead for 200 weeks, the US-based firm said, stretching back to July 2017. Launched in December 2010, the Social 50 chart measures an artist’s popularity and engagement on social media. There social media presence has also gotten the K-pop boy band their fourth Top Social Artist award at this year’s Billboard Music Awards (BBMA), among other accolades. For this year, Twitter released data of the most shared events on its…

Singer-songwriter duo Martin Smith will be holding a live concert on December 9, marking their first ever performance in the UAE. The news of their performance comes just as the Korean Cultural Center in the UAE (KCC) wrapped up their Korea Festival 2020, showcasing various programs including online lectures and seminars, Korean food tasting and K-Pop concert. This was in line with the UAE-Korea Cultural Dialogue to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between the UAE and South Korea. It In 2015, Martin Smith participated on Mnet’s ‘Superstar K7’, landing them in the top five on the Korean audition TV program.…

The English track features her boldest and seductive lyrics yet while delivering her signature vocals over bass-heavy, house-pop beats. K-Pop soloist Chung Ha has joined forces with Dutch-Moroccan DJ and producer R3HAB on new single ‘Dream of You’. The music video predominately focuses on Chung Ha as she showcases her impeccable, Michale Jackson-esque moves with the help of her backup dancers. Her new single release comes on the heels of her signing with 88rising, becoming the first K-Pop act to become part of a pioneering media company dedicated to elevating Asian talent and home to acts Joji, Rich Brian, NIKI,…

ARMYs rejoice! BTS has earned their first major Grammy nomination on Tuesday in the best performance by a pop duo or group category for chart-sweeping single ‘Dynamite’. BTS have long been deserving of their nomination, that’s for sure, and it’s been their – especially Suga – goal in the US market for years! Their nomination at the 63rd annual Grammy awards show makes them the first South Korean pop artist to be nominated at “music’s biggest night”. The members shared their livestreamed reactions to hearing the news on their Twitter account. Members Jungkook, RM and Jimin spring up from a sofa, clap and cheer in joy…

K Pop stars are major global fashion influencers and BTS are no strangers to this. They continue not only create art with their music but also leave quite an impact on the fashion scene! With this year’s public appearances at an all-time low, K-Pop sensation BTS and member RM have secured spots in the Lyst’s annual Year In Fashion report, a data-heavy list of the most popular brands, products, people, trends and movements calculated over the past 12 months. Power Dresser Kim Namjoon, or better known as RM, is considered the most influential member of the K-Pop group, and is…

The coronavirus pandemic has proven to be a longer-than-expected obstacle as social distancing regulations and other restrictions continue to be implemented in several countries. On the bright side, geographic barriers and the limitations of in-person live events have been leveled largely due to digital technologies, pushing for virtual K-Pop concerts as an alternative to bring more fans and musicians together during this challenging time. The virtual K-Pop concert, titled ‘KITE: K-Pop in the Emirates’, well, did just that. It undoubtedly reenergized fandoms over the weekend – or at least for this entire year – given the postponement of the much-anticipated shows ‘Music Bank…