<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="1494563" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="K-Pop">K-pop</keyword> boy group <keyword id="9271416" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nct-127">NCT 127</keyword> performed a virtual concert, "Beyond the Origin," as part of SM <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="entertainment">Entertainment</keyword> and Naver's Beyond LIVE concert series.</li><li>The event managed to bring all of the magic of an in-person concert, allowing the performers and fans to connect with each other. </li><li>The event makes a strong case for virtual entertainment and <keyword id="1610727" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Fandom">fandom</keyword>'s willingness to embrace it.</li><li>NCT 127 spoke with Insider about their most recent concert and album.</li></ul><p>On Saturday night, I was getting ready for a K-pop concert. Usually, that involves determining my concert 'fit well in advance, playing purse Tetris to get my essential belongings (phone, portable charger, lipstick) in a bag small enough to get into a stadium, and taking pictures with my friends before we hop into a car to deal with time-consuming event parking. This time, however, I was sitting on my couch alone in sweatpants at 1 a.m., drinking tea, and watching YouTube videos to pass the time until K-pop group NCT 127's virtual "Beyond the Origin" concert began at 2 a.m. ET.</p><p>"Beyond the Origin" was livestreamed virtually on South Korean live streaming platform V Live on May 17 at 3 p.m. KST. The result of a partnership between SM Entertainment and Korean search engine Naver, <a href="http://beyondlive.smtown.com/en/index.html">Beyond LIVE</a> has pulled in artists ranging from K-pop supergroup SuperM to legends like TVXQ and Super Junior. NCT 127's concert drew in 104,000 paid viewers from 129 different countries, and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NCT127_BeyondLIVE">#NCT127_BeyondLIVE</a> trended at number one worldwide on Twitter.</p><p>The immersive experience shows what successful live <keyword id="3997287" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="concerts">concerts</keyword> could look like going forward in the new pandemic age. </p><h2><strong>"Beyond the Origin" was a technology forward virtual concert that helped fans connect with NCT 127</strong></h2><p>"Beyond the Origin" featured performances from NCT 127 group members Taeyong, Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan, accompanied by spectacular AR elements like a giant golden dragon that flew around the screen during the group's recent single "Kick It" or a stunning virtual highway setting during the performance of "Highway to Heaven." At the same time, the concert was "unexpectedly intimate," as <a href="http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200518000875">The Korea Herald's Kwon Yae-rim noted</a>. Video feeds of fans — called NCTzens, or sometimes Tizennies (pronounced "seasonies" in English) — from around the world filled the screens both in front of and behind NCT 127 at points throughout the show. The group occasionally read comments from the live chat, even taking a few fan questions at one point during the show. </p><p><div type="image" title="NCT 127 'Beyond LIVE' Capture 1" height="738" width="984" msid="75901146" hostid="261"></div></p><p>That virtual intimacy was the concert's greatest achievement.  "Beyond the Origin" affected me — a formerly casual NCT 127 listener — in the same way that seeing a group live for the first time typically has in the past: it sent me spiraling deep into a fandom rabbit hole, determined to prolong the concert high and learn as much about the group as possible in the days after. After two hours of watching NCT 127 perform, interact with fans, and have what looked like a total blast on the virtual stage, I've spent the past week consuming as much of NCT 127's discography as humanly possible.</p><h2><strong>For NCT 127, performing virtually allowed the group to connect with fans during a difficult time</strong></h2><p>"Beyond the Origin" was an internationally focused effort from the get-go, with the concert kicking off with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkuHLzMMTZM">"Cherry Bomb"</a> (performed in Korean), <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28XC2KRE-DE">"Chain"</a> (performed in Japanese), and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj-VU9oK2Yo">"Regular"</a> (performed in English). The group then proceeded to introduce themselves in seven different languages — Doyoung in Chinese, Taeil in Thai, Yuta in Japanese, Jungwoo and Taeyong in Korean, Jaehyun and Mark in English, Haechan in Indonesian, and Johnny in Spanish. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—ᴸⁱⁿᵈˢᵃʸ⁷⁷  (@gochild0) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1261942042776616963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2020</a></blockquote><p>"I was really excited that we could connect with our fans all over the world at the exact same time," Jungwoo told Insider. "It was exciting knowing that there were going to be a lot of people tuning in from all over."</p><p>The group debuted its new single, "Punch," during the concert, two days ahead of its official release on May 19 as part of repackaged album "NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round." An energetic single that comes out of the gate with a strong synth hook, "Punch" is about "overcoming loneliness and achieving an impressive victory," said Jaehyun.</p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U08OSl3V4po" frameborder="0"></iframe><p>As much as the Beyond LIVE concert was rooted in the group's performances of familiar songs like "Wake Up" or "Baby Don't Like It," it was also about connecting with fans and having a plain good time. The group read feedback from NCTzens in real time as they reacted to new songs like "Make Your Day," a vocal ballad, and "Punch;" they later took questions from three different fans from South Korea, the United States, and Japan.</p><p>"Before the show, I was honestly a bit worried about us putting on a full, fun, and enjoyable show for our fans," Yuta said. "But seeing all the faces of our fans across the many screens, hearing their cheers and screams was pretty great. I actually felt a huge wave of energy from it all, and I hope everyone who tuned into the show felt the same."</p><p>"The fact that we had the chance to meet and interact with our fans all across the globe at the same time was awesome," Taeil also said.</p><p><div type="image" title="NCT 127 'Beyond LIVE' Capture 2" height="439" width="879" msid="75901148" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The group also noted, however, that performing in a virtual concert presented unique challenges. Paying careful attention to the camera was twice as important given that it was the sole medium between the performers and fans. "We didn't get to see our fans in-person, but we tried our best to work with the cameras and make it seem like our fans were there — as if we were making direct eye contact with them," Haechan said.</p><p>For certain members of the group, this wasn't their first Beyond LIVE concert: Mark and Taeyong are both members of SuperM, SM Entertainment's hybrid supergroup that performed on April 24, and Haechan performed with NCT Dream on May 10. "Because I had done it once before, the second time around I felt much more natural on stage," Taeyong said. </p><p>"Each stage felt very different for me," said Mark, who raps in both NCT 127 and SuperM. "I think that participating in both teams brings out the versatility within me, and makes me want to perform harder for every stage."</p><h2><strong>NCT 127 has already been connecting with fans online, both before and during the pandemic, with livestreams and original content</strong></h2><p>The group's members have been regularly interacting with fans on social media, whether it's on <a href="https://twitter.com/NCTsmtown_127">Twitter</a> or via casual <a href="https://channels.vlive.tv/DEE409/home">livestreams on their V Live channel</a>. Leading up to NCT 127's most recent comeback with "Punch," the group <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFmmASoGKVs&amp;t=41s=41s">put out two episodes</a> of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afOdHykf9UY">"The Late Punch Punch Show</a>" on YouTube, a late night-esque skit that saw members of the group playing children's' instruments while Doyoung and Jungwoo hosted interview subjects (also members of the group). In mid-April, Johnny and Mark released a short body-swap skit titled, "Freaky Handshake."</p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k43K4ImPU-g" frameborder="0"></iframe><p>"The content we put out, a lot of the time starts off as jokes," Johnny said. "When we're together we like to have a lot of fun, but sometimes we think, 'Wow this is actually really funny, we should make this into something…' We pitch the concept to the [content] team, and talk through how we're going to shoot it. I think that is the reason a lot of the things we put out are very natural and we have fun filming them as well."</p><p>That kind of process allows the group's personality to shine through — in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8weE_iHQAQ&amp;t=270s270s">an episode of "Johnny's Communication Center,"</a> Johnny's recurring vlog series, he and Mark go behind-the-scenes of making "Freaky Handshake," revealing an off-the-cuff process filled with plenty of laughs along the way.</p><h2><strong>"Beyond the Origin" proved that virtual concerts can affect fans in similar ways as live events</strong></h2><p>While live events are incredibly compelling, NCT 127's "Beyond the Origin" concert made a strong case for the power of virtual entertainment. A large part of that was due to the technology that allowed for near-constant feedback from the audience, ranging from chat boxes to live cheers. At one point during the concert, fans connected to the system were cheering so loudly that the group asked for the volume to be turned down. During another, Mark <a href="https://twitter.com/marimwong/status/1262006762669920256?s=20">asked a fan from Kansas</a> if she was calling in from her kitchen. It was that kind of organic interaction that made "Beyond the Origin" feel like a two-way street, mimicking the in-person concert atmosphere.</p><p>Watching the concert (and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NCT127_BeyondLIVE&amp;src=typeahead_clicklick">following along with the fandom on Twitter throughout</a>), I still felt like I was part of a collective experience. Other artists have also leveraged that fandom sentiment: aside from the other SM Entertainment artists performing as part of the Beyond LIVE series, Korean group BTS also hosted <a href="https://twitter.com/bts_bighit/status/1248265665623908352?s=20">Bang Bang Con</a>, a two-day event during which fans were able to collectively experience the group's pre-recorded concerts through a free YouTube livestream that <a href="https://www.iq-mag.net/2020/04/bts-bang-bang-con-draws-50m-viewers/#.Xsc7F5NKiu4">drew over 50 million viewers</a>. The group also will <a href="https://twitter.com/marimwong/status/1262006762669920256?s=20">host a livestreamed concert titled "Bang Bang Con: The Live Concert"</a> on June 14.</p><p>On a personal level, "Beyond the Origin" managed to deliver on all of my favorite parts of the concert experience, particularly in the small, in-the-moment interactions between artists and fans. While I went in as someone with an average knowledge of NCT 127's discography, I came out enamored with the group and more than ready to fully stan. </p><p>Ultimately, the power of these events is testament to the connections between artists and fans. "Even though we're sad that we cannot meet in person, I've always been thinking that we're still together, close in our hearts — I had the same mindset during our Beyond LIVE show as well," Doyoung said. </p><p>"Nothing can beat the magic that appears when we are together, right?" Mark said.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/haechan-meets-haechan-k-pop-star-honored-with-zoo-namesake-2019-5">Haechan meets Haechan: K-pop star honored with zoo namesake</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/tiktok-apink-dumhdurum-choreography-dance-challenge-plagiarism-jazlynebaybee-ashlynmarieprice-2020-4">2 TikTokers incited rage from K-pop fans after they posted a dance challenge inspired by 'Dumhdurum' with no credit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/bts-army-concertforbts-map-of-the-soul-tour-postponed-hashtag-2020-4">BTS fans are celebrating what would have been the first day of the group's postponed 'Map of the Soul' tour by posting covers, concert videos, and art</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/kpop-fake-group-6irly-6irlfriend-stan-twitter-exposed-2020-3">A mysterious fake K-pop girl group fooled fans for days, and this isn't the first time it's happened</a></li></ul>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/nct-127-interview-beyond-the-origin-k-pop-live-concert-2020-5">Insider</a>

K-pop groups are providing immersive virtual concerts for fans in quarantine, including AR golden dragons and big-display live cheering sections

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Fansigns have been around since the early days of K-pop.</li><li>During the pandemic, companies started offering video calls as an online alternative.</li></ul><p>It's not every day you get to chat with your favorite celebrity, especially if they live in a different country.</p><p>But for Ashley De La Torre, a 19-year-old geology major who lives in Los Angeles and loves K-pop, the dream has become a reality not once, not even two times — but eight times over the past few years.</p><p>Most recently, she managed to snag a call with Keeho, a singer in the popular K-pop group P1Harmony. They spent their 90-second call discussing the group's recent music release and their upcoming plans.</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@p1hmoni/video/7173167035415809326" data-video-id="7173167035415809326" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@p1hmoni" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@p1hmoni?refer=embed">@p1hmoni</a> “who said that?” IM LOOKING RIGHT AT HIM  <a title="kpop" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/kpop?refer=embed">#kpop</a> <a title="p1harmony" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/p1harmony?refer=embed">#p1harmony</a> <a title="fy" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fy?refer=embed">#fy</a> <a title="keeho" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/keeho?refer=embed">#keeho</a> <a title="p1ece" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/p1ece?refer=embed">#p1ece</a> <a title="kpopfyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/kpopfyp?refer=embed">#kpopfyp</a> <a title="p1h" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/p1h?refer=embed">#p1h</a> <a title="fancall" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fancall?refer=embed">#fancall</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ Back Down (Challenge Ver.) - P1Harmony" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Back-Down-Challenge-Ver-7169023049587492866?refer=embed">♬ Back Down (Challenge Ver.) - P1Harmony</a> </section> </blockquote> <p>She recorded the call and later uploaded it on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@p1hmoni/video/7173167035415809326?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7212518380259182081" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, racking up more than 3.8 million views as of May 18. The friendly banter between De La Torre and Keeho could come across as a call between two close friends.</p><p>But he is a celebrity, she is a student with no A-list connections — and the call, of course, was paid for.</p><p>To participate in these video call events — typically held by music distributors or e-commerce platforms — fans have to buy physical albums for a chance to win a ticket.  </p><p>De La Torre told Insider she has applied for nine video call events, and that she's been lucky enough to win eight of them. </p><p>And she has paid handsomely for the privilege of speaking to a star — each call has averaged $300 per 90-second call, De La Torre estimates. </p><p>De La Torre's not alone. Legions of K-pop fans around the globe are dishing out hundreds of dollars for seconds of interactions with their favorite K-pop artists.</p><p>Welcome to the world of video fansigns.</p><h2><strong>What is a fansign?</strong></h2><h2><div type="image" title="Ha Sung Woon attends the &quot;V HEARTBEAT&quot; Fan Signing Event at Hoa Binh The Theatre" height="2184" width="2912" msid="100381974" hostid="261" sizebytes="137384"></div></h2><p>Fansigns are events where fans can meet their K-pop idols and get their physical albums signed.</p><p>Typically held in South Korea, they generally come on a first-come-first-serve basis or lottery-based, according to K-pop news outlet <a href="https://www.koreaboo.com/stories/go-fansign-meet-idols/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Koreaboo</a>.</p><p>To win a ticket to a fansign, fans would have to buy physical albums. The first-come-first-serve system is pretty self-explanatory — the first few buyers win a spot. </p><p>As for lottery-based events, each album you buy gets you a chance to enter a raffle — the more you buy, the higher your chances of winning.</p><h2><strong>During the pandemic, the fansign's virtual counterpart — the video fansign — took off. </strong></h2><p>Belicia Ngow told Insider she has spent close to an estimated $2,200 to buy albums in bulk and enter raffles for eight video fansigns. She managed to win tickets to two of them.</p><p>In 2021, she won a call with Dino from the K-pop group Seventeen. He's her "ultimate bias" — her favorite K-pop idol in K-pop speak — and she wasn't going to squander the chance to make an impression.</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@girlsbis/video/7034818645641415938" data-video-id="7034818645641415938" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@girlsbis" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@girlsbis?refer=embed">@girlsbis</a> recorded my own version of chanranghae and used it to start our call… HIS LAUGH I’M IN TEARS he said I recorded it well too <a title="dino" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dino?refer=embed">#DINO</a> <a title="dinoseventeen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dinoseventeen?refer=embed">#dinoseventeen</a> <a title="디노" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/%EB%94%94%EB%85%B8?refer=embed">#디노</a> <a title="seventeen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/seventeen?refer=embed">#SEVENTEEN</a>  <a title="fansigncall" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fansigncall?refer=embed">#fansigncall</a> <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed">#fyp</a> <a title="kpop" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/kpop?refer=embed">#kpop</a> <a title="kpopfansigncall" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/kpopfansigncall?refer=embed">#kpopfansigncall</a>  @seventeen17_official <a target="_blank" title="♬ Rock with you - SEVENTEEN" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Rock-with-you-7021539704327636993?refer=embed">♬ Rock with you - SEVENTEEN</a> </section> </blockquote> <p>Ngow showed up to the 90-second video call in a dinosaur onesie and recited the idol's catchphrase — "chanranghae" — to him, even drawing a laugh. She posted a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@girlsbis/video/7034818645641415938" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> of their encounter on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@girlsbis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, drawing a chorus of envy from other K-pop fans.</p><p>"Imagine hearing Dino's iconic laugh and the one u made him laugh was you," read a comment. "Crying that's so cute," read another in all caps. The video has since racked up 1.2 million likes as of May 19.</p><h2><strong>Calls can last from one to 15 minutes, and conversation topics vary</strong></h2><p>Arada Varaputtanon, 21, who goes by <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@antzhooray" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@antzhooray</a> on TikTok, shared a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@antzhooray/video/7195561732503244034?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7229194623985534465" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> of her doing a TikTok trend with her bias Mark from the K-pop group NCT.</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@antzhooray/video/7195561732503244034" data-video-id="7195561732503244034" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@antzhooray" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@antzhooray?refer=embed">@antzhooray</a> well but he did✨ <a title="marklee" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/marklee?refer=embed">#marklee</a> <a title="fansign" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fansign?refer=embed">#fansign</a> <a title="nct127" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/nct127?refer=embed">#nct127</a> <a title="2baddies" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/2baddies?refer=embed">#2baddies</a> <a title="nct" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/nct?refer=embed">#nct</a> <a title="videocallfansign" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/videocallfansign?refer=embed">#videocallfansign</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Queer" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7118436165833444102?refer=embed">♬ original sound - Queer</a> </section> </blockquote> <p>"Boys at school never look at me," the 21-year-old said, lip-syncing a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7118436165833444102" target="_blank" rel="noopener">viral TikTok sound</a>, to which the K-pop idol continues "well, but I did."</p><p>The business major who's studying in Japan told Insider that she has had around 11 video calls with Mark. Before each call, she would spend about half an hour preparing a script or potential conversation topics. </p><p>"In my second call, I think I sang for him," Varaputtanon said. She also noted how Mark's fluency in English has saved them a lot of time on translation.</p><h2><strong>Taking on side gigs just to afford a video call</strong></h2><p>All three fans have had to get strategic about money to make it all work.</p><p>De La Torre took on a part-time job to afford her K-pop expenses. Varaputtanon pays for her calls with her own savings from her previous part-time job at a cookie shop.</p><p>Ngow, who studies arts business at Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore, has set up a side hustle of sorts to help fund her hobby. She organizes group orders to help other K-pop fans in Singapore buy albums. With the bulk purchases, she enters raffles and ups her chances of winning.</p><p>But to stand out among the many other K-pop fans who use a similar strategy, Ngow tries to keep her prices low by absorbing costs.</p><h2><strong>South Korea's music industry reaped a sales revenue of over $7 billion in 2021, a 55% increase since the year before, per </strong><a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1165896/south-korea-sales-revenue-music-industry/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Statista</strong></a><strong>.</strong></h2><div type="image" title="kcon 2019 in US" height="3076" width="4101" msid="100381976" hostid="261" sizebytes="1072122"></div><p>South Korea's K-pop scene is known for its myriad of unique innovations to <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/597wya/k-pop-fans-merch-cost-expensive-lightsticks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promote consumerism,</a></p><p>As K-pop continues to take the world by storm, the industry will ceaselessly invent new ways for fans around the world to spend money.</p><p>Despite being an expensive hobby, the industry model continues to work on fans as they form increasingly strong parasocial relationships with their idols.</p><p>"This never-ending shindig builds an intense cycle of adoration and intimacy as the thrill of the exchange comes with each ability to connect," wrote Sun Meicheng for <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/why-kpop-fans-spend-money-bts-united-nations-2208521" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNA</a>. </p><p>Sun has a doctoral degree in communication studies from Nanyang Technological University, and studies the transnational transmission of K-pop in China, per <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Meicheng-Sun-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research Gate</a>.</p><p>"So, idols don't come across as unattainable celebrities. They feel closer, relatable almost like a significant other to fans," said Sun.</p><p>When asked if she feels that spending so much of her time and money for just a few minutes of facetime with her favorite stars was worth it, Ngow shared that her interactions with Dino have inspired her to practice even harder as a K-pop dance cover artist.</p><p>"It's probably the only platform that I get to talk to someone I look up to, and with how happy they make me feel, I think it'll be worth it," Ngow told Insider.<em> </em></p>

Young K-pop fans around the globe are dishing out hundreds of dollars to fund 90-second video calls with their favorite singers. We talked to 3 of them.

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9865721" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="superm">SuperM</keyword>, a <keyword id="1494563" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="K-Pop">K-pop</keyword> supergroup comprised of members of EXO, Shinee, NCT 127, and WayV, is returning on September 25 with a full-length album, "Super One."</li><li>The group has released two lead singles ahead of the album: "100" and "Tiger Inside."</li><li>Insider caught up with the group to discuss their newest single "Tiger Inside," as well as what fans can look forward to on the upcoming album.</li></ul><p>Less than a year after their explosive, chart-topping debut, SuperM — the SM <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="entertainment">Entertainment</keyword> K-pop supergroup known as the "Avengers of K-pop" — is gearing up to release a full-length album on September 25.</p><p>SuperM is comprised of Baekhyun and Kai of EXO, Taemin of Shinee, Taeyong and Mark of NCT 127, and Ten and Lucas of WayV. They've been staying plenty busy in 2020: SuperM <a href="https://www.vlive.tv/product/ds00u00u00000157">kicked off the "Beyond Live" concert series</a> with a virtual concert on April 26, bringing in viewers from 109 different countries, and has been preparing for the release of its upcoming album with two lead singles: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyzhtvtJWDQ">"100"</a> on August 14, and most recently, "Tiger Inside," which the group released September 1.</p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jUsUzbmSLow" frameborder="0"></iframe><p>The group's members have also been releasing <keyword id="6354530" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="music">music</keyword> solo: Baekhyun <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmgcRWxhmqY">released a mini-album in May</a>, Taemin is <a href="https://twitter.com/SHINee/status/1298998957532516355?s=20">set to release an album on September 7</a>, and Kai is working on a solo album as well. Their groups have also released music: Taeyong and Mark released an <a href="https://youtu.be/2OvyA2__Eas">album</a> and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U08OSl3V4po">repackage album</a> with NCT 127 this spring, and <a href="https://youtu.be/eUCVRF6hjSQ">Ten and Lucas released WayV's first full-length album in June</a>. </p><p>SuperM's debut EP, led by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAnK1y7qjuE">the iconic single "Jopping,"</a> debuted at a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2019/10/17/5-ways-superms-no-1-album-makes-history-on-the-billboard-200/#78eeac4d24e7">historic number one slot on the Billboard 200 albums chart</a> back in 2019. The group's staggering performance acumen belies years of collective experience, but what makes them so special is the synergy between the members themselves.</p><p>Insider caught up with the group to discuss their newest single, "Tiger Inside," as well as how their upcoming album "Super One" brings them together as artists. </p><p><strong>Insider: Over the past several months, all of you seem to have been very busy with group and solo promotions. What has it been like to come back together as SuperM while also promoting solo or with other groups?</strong></p><p>Baekhyun: It's been a while since we've all gotten together but regardless, it felt very easy — like we were reuniting with family. Everyone was very passionate and committed to doing their best so it made the entire process [of preparing for our comeback] very enjoyable. All the members are full of energy and incredibly talented in singing and dancing so I'm very excited for everyone to see that.</p><p><strong>Insider: It's been close to a year since your debut as SuperM. How has your relationship with each other changed during that time?</strong></p><p>Mark: We have all definitely gotten closer and our teamwork has strengthened. It seems like we all know each other well enough now, and so we move more like one and as a whole. It's really fun and it's always a pleasure to be a part of this team and to be with the guys.</p><p><strong>Insider: Can you describe your newest single "Tiger Inside" briefly? What kinds of sentiments do you hope to capture with it?</strong></p><p>Ten: 'Tiger Inside' sends a message of overcoming hardships by bringing out the inner beast (bravery and courage) that's hidden within all of us. Some parts of the choreography are inspired by movements of a tiger which I think is very impressive.</p><div type="image" title="200826_SuperM_Tiger Inside_Group_1r" height="4704" width="6272" msid="77881245" hostid="261"></div><p><strong>Insider: What can fans expect from your upcoming album "Super One," and what are you looking forward to the most about it?</strong></p><p>Mark: Fans can expect a lot of different-styled songs and hear how SuperM interpreted each of them in our own ways. Some songs are of genres that may seem very new to our fans, but I assure them that they won't regret listening to it. I am looking forward to our first full-length album's release!! I personally enjoy listening to our album already, and I can't wait to show it to the world. Most importantly, I hope everyone can gain even just a little positivity through our album and receive some strength and motivation to not give up and instead, overcome. We can do this together.</p><p><strong>Insider: The teasers for the album have been showcasing your individual stories as artists and humans. It feels more vulnerable than the unfalteringly confident messages you've given on singles like "100" and "Jopping." How does that vulnerability play into the upcoming album?</strong></p><p>Taemin: I think this new album gives us an opportunity to dig deeper and showcase SuperM's identity a bit more. Fans can expect growth and a more upgraded version of SuperM.</p><p><strong>Insider: Obviously, things are quite a bit different now when it comes to connecting with fans than before the pandemic. How do you hope to connect with your fans during this time?</strong></p><p>Taeyong: To make sure our fans feel the same level of joy as they would when we see them in person, we are consistently trying to create those opportunities with content like Beyond Live, the world's first online-only concert. Regardless of the situation, we are always trying to stay connected with our fans to maintain our close relationship with them.</p><p><strong>Insider: My favorite thing about SuperM's music is the way that it seems to reference back to the members' other group and solo releases. How do you hope to showcase those influences, and SuperM's unique style, on the upcoming album?</strong></p><p>Ten: The concept of our upcoming album is about becoming 'One' — bringing all of us together, and also shows off each member's music styles and individual colors, which I think makes the album unique, allowing us to showcase a new side of SuperM. You can expect great synergy between the seven members so please look forward to that!</p><p><strong>Insider: Transportation — cars, trains, spaceships, helicopters, tanks, it feels like everything! — <a href="https://www.theringer.com/2020/8/14/21368730/superm-100-music-video-premiere-ranking-transportation">have featured prominently in your music videos</a>. Do any of you have a favorite transportation mode or set that you've filmed on?</strong></p><p>Lucas: My personal favorite is the set where I shot my solo scene — the scene in the '100' video, where I'm tied up inside a spaceship conveying a sense of speed which fits well with the theme of track.</p><p><strong>Insider: Is there anything else that you'd like to add about yourselves or the upcoming album?</strong></p><p>Kai: Please look forward to our first full-length album 'Super One'! We worked really hard on it and can't wait for you guys to hear it. I'm personally working on my solo album, so stay tuned for that as well. See you soon!</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li><strong>Read more:</strong></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/nct-127-interview-beyond-the-origin-k-pop-live-concert-2020-5">K-pop groups are providing immersive virtual concerts for fans in quarantine, including AR golden dragons and big-display live cheering sections</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/air-korea-airbus-a380-economy-business-class-review-2020-1">I flew 14 hours nonstop to Korea on the world's biggest passenger plane, the controversial double-decker Airbus A380 — and I already want to book another ticket</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/kpop-stans-hashtags-fancams-whitelivesmatter-bts-matchamillion-army-donation-2020-6">K-pop stans have been heralded as digital heroes for fighting racists online, but Black fans are still getting left out of the conversation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/dynamite-bts-first-song-in-english-meaning-kpop-2020-8">'Dynamite' is BTS's first song entirely in English, but that doesn't mean the group is giving up their K-pop identity</a></li></ul>

SuperM talks their first full-length album 'Super One' — 'You can expect great synergy between the seven members'

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="17995" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Prince-Harry">Prince Harry</keyword> and <keyword id="2959098" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Meghan-Markle">Meghan Markle</keyword> will appear at VAX LIVE, a star-studded COVID-19 vaccine concert.</li><li>The concert will be hosted by Selena Gomez and attended by world leaders, including President <keyword id="99719" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Joe-Biden">Joe Biden</keyword>.</li><li>VAX LIVE will air on ABC, CBS, FOX, YouTube, and on iHeartMedia platforms on May 8.</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/prince-harry">Prince Harry</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/meghan-markle">Meghan Markle</a> will join "VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World," a May 8 benefit concert for the COVID-19 vaccine, Global Citizen announced Tuesday.</p><p>The royal couple will serve as co-chairs for the event, according to a Tuesday press release from Global Citizen. President Joe Biden will speak at the concert as part of the White House's "We Can Do This" effort, which exists to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. </p><p>"Over the past year, our world has experienced pain, loss, and struggle-together. Now we need to recover and heal-together," Harry and Meghan said in a statement from Global Citizen obtained by Insider. "We can't leave anybody behind. We will all benefit, we will all be safer, when everyone everywhere has equal access to the vaccine. We must pursue equitable vaccine distribution, and in that, restore faith in our common humanity. This mission couldn't be more critical or important."</p><p>Selena Gomez will host the star-studded show, which will include performances from Jennifer Lopez, the Foo Fighters, and H.E.R.</p><p>Vice President Kamala Harris and first lady Jill Biden will also make an appearance at the event. </p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hp-yuf1gouI" frameborder="0"></iframe><p>The performances will be pre-recorded before an audience of frontline healthcare workers and other essential workers, the press release said. It will be recorded at SoFi Stadium in the California city of Inglewood, just outside of Los Angeles.</p><p>The hour-long concert will be broadcast in the US on ABC, CBS, FOX, and iHeartMedia. YouTube will air an extended 90-minute version of the concert, featuring additional performances from NCT 127, Picture This, and YouTubers Daniel El Travieso, Kati Morton, ShootforLove, Thembe Mahlaba, and The Try Guys.</p><h2><div type="image" title="prince harry and joe biden invictus games" height="1327" width="1769" msid="82278039" hostid="261"></div></h2><h2>Harry and the Bidens have met on numerous occasions</h2><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/photos-show-prince-harry-friendship-joe-biden-2020-11">Harry was first pictured with the then-vice president</a> and then-second lady in 2012 at the White House.</p><p>In 2014, Jill Biden attended the inaugural Invictus Games, Harry's charity sporting event for injured and wounded service personnel. The two were pictured together at the event in London.</p><p>The current president told the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3586448/My-wife-spent-damn-time-Prince-Harry-Joe-Biden-jokes-Prince-pays-tribute-dead-soldier-son-Invictus-Games.html">Daily Mail</a>, jokingly, that when Jill Biden attended the Invictus Games in 2014, "she spent too much damn time" with Harry.</p><div type="image" title="prince harry jill biden 2014" height="2037" width="2716" msid="82278042" hostid="261"></div><p>The First Lady has supported Harry's Invictus Games since its inception.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/603242/dr-biden-cheers-on-athletes-at-invictus-games/igphoto/2001537150/"> a press release from the US Department of Defense</a>, Jill spoke about the Colorado sporting event that Harry had attended in 2013 and <a href="https://invictusgamesfoundation.org/foundation/story/">inspired him to create the multi-national Invictus Games</a>.</p><p>She said Harry "saw our Warrior Games in Colorado, and so now he's brought it to a global scale, and we have 14 countries and 400 athletes competing, and it's been great."</p><h2>Markle and Harry have been vocal about US politics </h2><p>After she and Harry moved to California in 2020 after leaving their roles as working members of the British royal family, <a href="https://www.insider.com/meghan-markle-made-history-by-voting-in-the-us-election-2020-11">Markle made history by voting in the US election</a>. Voting is something <keyword id="6418563" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Royals">royals</keyword> don't typically participate in as they are supposed to remain politically neutral.</p><p>In the 2020 presidential election, <a href="https://www.insider.com/meghan-markle-defied-royal-rule-politics-voting-us-elections-2020-8">Markle</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/prince-harry-has-never-voted-royals-politics-us-election-2020-9">Harry also encouraged Americans to vote on numerous occasions</a>, and political activism is something they will continue to prioritize, a spokesperson for the couple told <a href="https://www.insider.com/meghan-markle-prince-harry-unfair-criticism-us-election-2020-11">Insider</a> in November 2020. </p><div type="image" title="Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during TIME 100 special" height="668" width="890" msid="82278044" hostid="261"></div><p>During a <a href="https://www.insider.com/meghan-markle-and-prince-harry-vote-us-election-time-100-2020-9">Time100 special</a>, Markle called it "the most important election of our lifetime," which some people interpreted as a way of targeting then-President Donald Trump.</p><p>An <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/09/meghan-markle-running-for-president">article published in September in Vanity Fair</a> cited a source close to Markle who said they think the duchess would consider running for president if she didn't have a royal title.</p><p>Representatives for Markle and Harry did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment at the time about Markle's rumored political aspirations.</p>

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will join Biden and other world leaders in a star-studded COVID-19 vaccine concert

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6354604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Chicago">Chicago</keyword>'s <keyword id="955228" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Lollapalooza">Lollapalooza</keyword> 2020 will not take place in-person after the city <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-lollapalooza-taste-canceled-20200609-4pd4d4oqyrgineksp24aq4aoki-story.html">announced that it was canceling special events</a> through Labor Day.</li><li>The festival, which had not yet announced its 2020 line-up, will instead take place virtually from July 30 — Aug. 2.</li><li>Other concerts and festivals, including Lollapalooza's Argentina and Chile festival events, have been postponed or canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic.</li></ul><p>Amid continuing concert postponements and cancelations, Chicago's famous Lollapalooza is going virtual in 2020 after the city announced on Tuesday that it was canceling special events through Labor Day, <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-lollapalooza-taste-canceled-20200609-4pd4d4oqyrgineksp24aq4aoki-story.html">per the Chicago Tribune</a>.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Lollapalooza  (@lollapalooza) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1270400046559870979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2020</a></blockquote><p>"We wish we could bring Lollapalooza to Grant Park again this year, but we understand why things can't move forward as planned," an <a href="https://www.lollapalooza.com/">announcement posted on the festival's website</a> reads. "The health and safety of our fans, artists, partners, staff and community is always our highest priority."</p><p>Lollapalooza, which typically takes place in Chicago's Grant Park, had not yet revealed its 2020 line-up, nor had tickets officially gone on sale. The festival will be replaced by a "weekend-long virtual event" running from July 30 — Aug. 2, which will include performances from "the city and beyond" in addition to archival footage from past Lollapalooza festivals and never-before-seen footage from the 1990s, with a full schedule set to come next month.</p><p>Since the advent of the novel coronavirus pandemic, <a href="https://www.insider.com/music-events-festivals-tours-concerts-canceled-postponed-coronavirus-2020-3">music festivals around the world have been canceled</a>, postposted, or modified to suit virtual avenues. That includes events like Lollapalooza Argentina and Lollapalooza Chile, which were both postponed to the fall, or South by Southwest, which was canceled. Some virtual events have moved into fill the void: there have been <a href="https://www.insider.com/minecraft-music-festival-block-by-blockwest-bxbw-courier-club-2020-5">music festivals in Minecraft</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/travis-scott-fortnite-concert-video-photo-visually-stunning-the-scotts-2020-4">Travis Scott concerts in Fortnite</a>, a <a href="https://www.insider.com/live-private-concerts-coronavirus-watch-online-music-streaming-2020-3">slew of artists performing sets from their own homes</a>, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/nct-127-interview-beyond-the-origin-k-pop-live-concert-2020-5">K-pop groups like NCT 127 communing with fans virtually</a> during live concert events.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/music-events-festivals-tours-concerts-canceled-postponed-coronavirus-2020-3">Every tour, concert, and music festival that's been canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/live-private-concerts-coronavirus-watch-online-music-streaming-2020-3">Artists are playing live concerts from their homes amid the coronavirus outbreak — here's how to watch the best ones</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/nct-127-interview-beyond-the-origin-k-pop-live-concert-2020-5">K-pop groups are providing immersive virtual concerts for fans in quarantine, including AR golden dragons and big-display live cheering sections</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/minecraft-music-festival-block-by-blockwest-bxbw-courier-club-2020-5">Inside the immersive Minecraft music festival that could set a precedent for the future of live entertainment</a></li></ul>

The live Lollapalooza music festival is officially canceled. Performances will be streamed online along with archival sets.

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="1494563" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="K-Pop">K-pop</keyword> supergroup <keyword id="9865721" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="superm">SuperM</keyword> released their first full-length album, "Super One," on Friday.</li><li>Title track "One (Monster &amp; Infinity)" leads the album, bringing together separate SuperM songs "Monster" and "Infinity" in a hybrid format. </li><li>The album carries a message of encouragement for fans, and group leader Baekhyun told reporters at a press roundtable that "we have to come together as one in order to overcome these difficult times."</li></ul><p>K-pop supergroup SuperM has finally returned with their first full-length album, led by bombastic single "One (Monster &amp; Infinity)."</p><p>SuperM is a seven-member K-pop supergroup under SM <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="entertainment">Entertainment</keyword>. The group brings together Baekhyun and Kai from EXO, Taemin from Shinee, Mark and Taeyong from NCT 127, and Ten and Lucas from WayV. Called the "Avengers of K-pop," the group's musical style brings together the member's individual musical styles.</p><p>"Super One" is SuperM's first full-length album on the heels of their <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8532879/superm-the-1st-mini-album-billboard-200-no-1">chart-topping self-titled mini-album</a> that came out last full. The album features 15 tracks including pre-release singles "100" and "Tiger Inside," but skews more towards pop. Title track "One (Monster &amp; Infinity)" leads the album and combines album tracks "Monster" and "Infinity" in a way that's reminiscent of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kyG5tTZ1iE">K-pop legends Shinee's 2012 track "Sherlock (Clue + Note)."</a></p><p>Taemin, a member of Shinee who is in the 12th year of his K-pop career at the age of 27, said at a press roundtable on Tuesday that this time around he "had more confidence" working on this mashed-up lead title after seeing it come to fruition with Sherlock. </p><p>The <keyword id="6354530" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="music">music</keyword> video brings the typical SuperM-esque sense of excitement, light peril, and technological focus as the song oscillates between "Infinity's" chorus and verses from "Monster."</p><p>This album carries<a href="https://www.insider.com/superm-interview-tiger-inside-super-one-album-2020-8"> SuperM's message of encouragement </a>for fans during the difficulties that loom worldwide during the pandemic. </p><p>Baekhyun told reporters at the roundtable that "we have to come together as one in order to overcome these difficult times." </p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-MyvZMiRGvE" frameborder="0"></iframe><p>SuperM hopes to bring fans together through this album. Working on their first full-length album also provided the opportunity for the artists themselves to come together as one. </p><p>"All of our members are skilled," Taemin told reporters. SuperM combines generations of K-pop talent, from Shinee, which debuted in the late 2000s to WayV which released its first Digital EP just last year. "But this album shows growth in that we came together as one." </p><p><em>Responses from the artists were translated by the author. </em></p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/superm-interview-tiger-inside-super-one-album-2020-8">SuperM talks their first full-length album 'Super One' — 'You can expect great synergy between the seven members'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/kpop-stans-hashtags-fancams-whitelivesmatter-bts-matchamillion-army-donation-2020-6">K-pop stans have been heralded as digital heroes for fighting racists online, but Black fans are still getting left out of the conversation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/kpop-fake-group-6irly-6irlfriend-stan-twitter-exposed-2020-3">A mysterious fake K-pop girl group fooled fans for days, and this isn't the first time it's happened</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/kpop-fancams-explained-stan-twitter-history-whitelivesmatter-police-app-2020-6">K-pop stans are using short videos called fancams to drown out racists online. This is how the movement started.</a></li></ul>

'K-pop Avengers' group SuperM's new album delivers a message of encouragement for fans

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Lady Gaga and <keyword id="1494563" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="K-Pop">K-pop</keyword> girl group <keyword id="7508277" type="AGENCY" weightage="60" keywordseo="BLACKPINK">Blackpink</keyword> recently released "Sour Candy," a single from Lady Gaga's upcoming album, "Chromatica."</li><li>Fans typically trend hashtags around new releases, but some Blackpink fanbases are organizing to encourage fellow fans to not trend #SourCandy and instead use #BlackLivesMatter.</li><li>The effort comes after the death of George Floyd, who was killed when a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly eight minutes.</li></ul><p>Early on May 28, <a href="https://www.insider.com/sour-candy-lady-gaga-blackpink-chromatica-listen-music-video-2020-5">Lady Gaga and K-pop supergroup Blackpink teamed up to release "Sour Candy,"</a> the latest single off of Lady Gaga's upcoming "Chromatica." Typically, a new music release from either artist would lead to a coordinated effort to stream the song, trend related hashtags, and promote it as much as possible. While #SourCandy trended in the United States on May 28, some Blackpink fans (called Blinks) are encouraging people to not use the hashtag and to instead support the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—BLACKPINK Asia   (@BLACKPINKAsia) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1265867489226797056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2020</a></blockquote><p>People online are showing support for the #BlackLivesMatter movement while speaking out against the death of George Floyd, who <a href="https://www.insider.com/black-man-george-floyd-dies-after-police-officer-kneels-neck-2020-5">died after a now-fired Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly eight minutes</a>. With many, <a href="https://www.insider.com/george-floyd-family-describes-heartbreak-over-his-death-2020-5">including Floyd's family</a>, calling for the four officers involved in the incident to face murder charges, protests have erupted in Minneapolis, with <a href="https://www.insider.com/protest-photos-justice-for-george-floyd-police-killing-2020-5">thousands taking to the streets to demand justice</a>. Those demands have also crossed over to social media as well, with people rallying behind hashtags like <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23minneapolisriots&amp;src=typeahead_clicklick">#minneapolisriots</a> and other phrases like <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%22Minnesota%20Freedom%20Fund%22&amp;src=trend_clicklick">"Minneapolis Freedom Fund"</a> trending on <keyword id="6354616" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword>. </p><h2><strong>Fans typically trend hashtags around new music releases, but some Blackpink fanbases worked to discourage others from using the hashtag</strong></h2><p>While fans typically work to trend hashtags around new releases from their favorite artists, several Blackpink fanbases made the decision to postpone hashtag events, organizing in a Twitter direct message chat involving several different fanbases. "It just so happened that our hashtag event coincided with the recent situation that involved the oppression of Black people," <a href="https://twitter.com/BLACKPINKAsia">Blackpink Asia</a> told Insider, speaking on behalf of a group of Blackpink fanbases including <a href="https://twitter.com/BLACKPINKinUSA">Blackpink USA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BPinAmerica">Blackpink America</a>. "Considering that Blackpink fanbases have very large reach, we have collectively decided to postpone our event, and instead help in the promotion of a fair and just society."</p><p>On May 28, #SourCandy trended in the United States and worldwide, falling out of the top 5 trending topics and hashtags midday. #BlackLivesMatter later began to trend in the United States midday.</p><p>Taking top trending spots is typically a major goal for fandoms in order to drum up attention for a new release, and fanbases usually lead the charge in determining which hashtags to use. However, many fans felt that trending tags in the midst of a massive conversation on Twitter about police brutality and Floyd's death would be disrespectful. <a href="https://twitter.com/shoorene/status/1265931964336369664?s=20">While "Sour Candy" was partially leaked several hours prior to its release</a>, several Blackpink fanbases made the decision to postpone a countdown tag line — "SOUR CANDY IS COMING" – as well as the #SourCandy hashtag after the song's surprise release.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—BLACKPINK AMERICA   (@BPinAmerica) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1265857162082992128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2020</a></blockquote><p>Still, the #SourCandy hashtag did trend after the song's release on the morning of May 28, <a href="https://twitter.com/wannabelisa/status/1265993415612751872?s=20">prompting criticism from other fandoms</a>. However, some Blackpink fans <a href="https://twitter.com/joanofbp/status/1265986016726454272?s=20">said on Twitter</a> that the hashtag was trending as a result of large, verified accounts — <a href="https://twitter.com/ladygaga/status/1265961933003341825?s=20">like Lady Gaga herself</a> — using it. </p><h2>Other K-pop fandoms also worked to stop trending hashtags and promote #BlackLivesMatter</h2><p> While #Punch1stWin trended on Twitter after <a href="https://www.insider.com/nct-127-interview-beyond-the-origin-k-pop-live-concert-2020-5">K-pop group NCT 127</a> received its <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYBZ1sNCxAQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf-ozn5dquw">first Korean music show win for recent single "Punch,"</a> NCT fans (known as NCTzens), <a href="https://twitter.com/izhyuck/status/1265967914630418433?s=20">encouraged each other</a> to help #BlackLivesMatter trend as well. Other fandoms, like BTS' ARMY, also encouraged each other to <a href="https://twitter.com/RKlVEHOYA/status/1265965724389896192?s=20">not actively trend any hashtags or phrases related to new content</a> as <a href="https://twitter.com/Dl0RMARK/status/1266035595031142402?s=20">phrases related to the group like "The Eternal" briefly trended</a> following <a href="https://twitter.com/bts_bighit/status/1266021444137320449?s=20">BTS' announcement of its 2020 anniversary celebration</a>. </p><p>While there are plenty of people still hyping up "Sour Candy," many are doing so sans hashtag and simultaneously promoting the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag alongside <a href="https://twitter.com/BPinAmerica/status/1265814995440472065?s=20">petitions</a>, fundraisers, and <a href="https://twitter.com/BPinAmerica/status/1265818007034564608?s=20">other resources</a>. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—슈   (@intoblackpivk) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1265992691663462400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2020</a></blockquote><p>The decision to postpone promotional hashtag events in lieu of attempting to coordinate to trend the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag demonstrates a keen awareness of both Twitter's trending topics and how they reflect the current moment. Releases from major artists like Lady Gaga or Blackpink are essentially guaranteed to trend in some capacity by virtue of the sizes of their fandoms. In the eyes of fans, working to stop trending a hashtag can serve as a small, but meaningful gesture alongside promoting resources like petitions and fundraisers.</p><p>"Music, in general, brings us happiness, but how do we celebrate such occasion knowing that people are being harassed and killed for the most unjustifiable reasons," Blackpink Asia said, once again speaking on behalf of several Blackpink fanbases. "Our favorite artists' music will forever be out there, but the life of the victims won't."</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/surveillance-video-george-floyd-minneapolis-police-arrest-death-2020-5">Surveillance video of the moments leading up to George Floyd being pinned under a policeman's knee show that he didn't resist arrest</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-george-floyd-police-arrest-minnesota-2020-5">New video appears to show police forcing George Floyd out of his car moments before an officer knelt on his neck for 8 minutes</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/george-floyd-family-describes-heartbreak-over-his-death-2020-5">George Floyd's relatives say he was 'everyone's favorite everything' as they call for police officers fired over his death to face murder charges</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/sour-candy-lady-gaga-blackpink-chromatica-listen-music-video-2020-5">Listen to Lady Gaga's latest 'Chromatica' single 'Sour Candy' featuring K-pop superstars Blackpink</a></li></ul>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/blackpink-fans-blinks-trend-blacklivesmatter-sour-candy-lady-gaga-chromatica-2020-5">Insider</a>

You Searched For "nct 127" and got 7 results

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K-pop fans are organizing to keep Lady Gaga and Blackpink's latest single from trending online out of respect for #BlackLivesMatter

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