KMCA Is Considering Banning NewJeans From Circle Charts, Award Shows, & Music Broadcasting Shows

The Korean Music Content Association (KMCA), established in 2008 by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, has sided with HYBE and decided to ban artists involved in tempering such as NewJeans and Ablume (a trio consisting of three former FiftyFifty members: Saena, Sio, and Aran) from the Circle Chart, whose data is used for major award shows.

The association is also encouraging major award shows, such as MAMA and the Golden Disc Awards, as well as music broadcast programs (M Countdown, Music Bank, Music Core, Inkigayo, The Show, Show Champion, The Trot Show, ENA K-pop Chart Show, etc.), to ban these artists as well.

“Tampering“ refers to an outside producer coaxing young and promising artists and their parents into terminating their contracts with their original agencies.

[Original article]

LOONA’s Hyeju Joins The Protest Against South Korea’s President

Following the recent martial law in South Korea, citizens are protesting in the street and demanding the President Yoon’s impeachment. Several idols have shown their support for the protesters through kind words, including IU, LOONA's Yves, ATEEZ's Wooyoung, and more. However, LOONA's Hyeju decided to take matters into her own hands and joined the protest herself.

The artist shared a photo of herself at the protest with a caption saying:

"Some people might feel uncomfortable that I am voicing my opinion about this. But I am a citizen of this country before I am an idol, so I think this is the right thing to do. Let's be strong!!!!!!!!"

Billboard Music Awards 2024 K-Pop Artist Winner List

• BTS's Jungkook: Top Global K-Pop Song for “Standing Next to You“

• BTS's Jungkook: Top K-Pop Album for “Golden“

• SEVENTEEN: Top K-Pop Touring Artist

• Stray Kids: Global K-Pop Artist

Upcoming Tours, Events, & Performances

• G-Dragon is set to perform at the 2024 SBS Gayo Daejeon festival, scheduled for Wednesday, December 25, at INSPIRE Arena.

• The second lineup for the 39th Golden Disk Awards has been announced. Performing artists include: aespa, DAY6, ENHYPEN, IVE, izna, NOWDAYS, SEVENTEEN, ILLIT, GFRIEND, and (G)I-DLE's Yuqi.

• NCT WISH has announced the dates and stops for their 2025 NCT WISH Asia Tour, “Log In.“

• GOT7's Bambam is confirmed to perform at the Amazing Chiang Mai Countdown 2025 on December 31, 2024, in Thailand.

ICYMI:

• BIGBANG's G-Dragon is reportedly launching his own variety show, titled “GD and Friends.“ Although the premiere date for the first episode has not yet been announced, the reported guests include: BSS, aespa, and more.

• “Newtopia,“ the K-drama starring BLACKPINK's Jisoo and Park Jeong Min, is set to release on February 7, 2025, on Prime Video and Coupang Play.

• BigHit recently announced that Tomorrow X Together will take a well-deserved short break following the 39th Golden Disk Awards, scheduled to premiere on January 5, 2025.

Our Favorite Music From This Week

8TURN's "Like a Friend" was a fresh & fun, upbeat track that brightened our Monday with its infectious guitar riffs and sweet vocals.
Despite being a collaboration song with a supplement company, Rolling Quartz's "Re:Bold" stayed true to the goup’s sound, delivering a bold, powerful track that was, simply put, a certified banger.
Haseul's "Fragile Eyes" seamlessly blended R&B with nostalgic echoes of classic K-drama music, making it an undeniable no-skip track.
LS5T's "Freefall" captured the youthful spirit perfectly with its vibrant and energetic vibe.
Finally, Min Jiwoon's "Someone" was an R&B masterpiece, flawless in every detail, from heartfelt lyrics to stunning vocals and polished production, leaving absolutely nothing to be desired.

Next Week’s Comeback Schedule

Sunday, December 15, 2024

N/A

Monday, December 16, 2024

• BABYMONSTER: Track “Love In My Heart“

• HyunJin: 1st Digital Single “Thank You“

• Mark (NCT): Track “Fraktsiya (feat. Lee Youngji)”

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

• KARD: 4th Digital Single “Detox“

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

• FAVE1: Track “Christmas Kiss“

• BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON: Christmas Special Album “Christmas With You“

• AIMERS: Winter Special Single “또 한번의 겨울“

• &Team: Japan “Yukiakari“

• SF9: Japan Mini Album “D.W.B.H“

• LUN8: Japan 2nd Single “Together Forever“

Thursday, December 19, 2024

N/A

Friday, December 20, 2024

• Dreamcatcher: Album “My Christmas Sweet Love“

Saturday, December 21, 2024

N/A

— Javeria Yousuf

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