Niel announced on his live show that the last project under TopMedia that he will release is a single. Due to the non-renewal of his contract with the label there will be no promotion.
Star Empire has issued a statement that the contracts of IMFACT members have ended as of 03/01/2022 and have not been renewed. All members have decided to leave the label.
“Hello, this is JYP Entertainment. First, we sincerely apologize for causing an upset with the sudden news for My Day, which shows a lot of support for DAY6. Jae, who has been a member of DAY6 until now, has left the team as of December 31, 2021, and his contract has been terminated. We had serious discussions with Jae for a long time, and after an in-depth discussion, we decided to respect the artist’s opinion and end our exclusive contract. Although our relationship with Jae has come to an end, JYP Entertainment will also be rooting for Jae’s future activities with his new start. We promise to continue our full support and efforts for DAY6 activities and ask for continued love and support from My Day. Thank you.”
The year 2021 ends with a bang! This year there was no shortage of scandals revolving around our beloved idols.
To start the year off, we heard about Momoland singer Nancy, whose inappropriate photos were all over the internet. Of course, the whole thing was taken up by the girls’ record label. The K-pop group’s management says its lawyers are pursuing those responsible for uploading the photos of the 20-year-old Korean-American singer. In the middle of the month, messages sent from idols about violations of their space intensified. Naeyon from Twice has again been attacked by her anti fans, as well as YangYang and Ten returning from January ended with very sad news for us. On the morning of January 25, at around 10:25 a.m., rapper Iron was found all bloody in front of his house.
In February, we were greeted by the Gfrend team and more specifically by Sowon, who posted a very controversial photo on her instagram where she poses and does very seductive poses in relation to a mannequin dressed in a Nazi uniform. This photo went all over the internet and made quite a buzz among fans. February is not a long month, but it will go down in our hearts as a very dark moment for the kpop industry. On February 23, information came to light about idols bullying their classmates during their school days. The first wave of criticism fell on HyunA, and a day later the same accusations were made against one member of Stray Kids, Hyunjin, who had to go on hiatus because of it. The whole bullying issue also dragged on throughout March.
With the start of the new month, Seventeen’s singer Mingyu was also involved in alleged bullying white at school. In the month of March, his management company steadily reached out to his former classmates about the allegations. The popular K-pop idol also put his work-related activities with his group on hold as the investigation after the claims took place. Also (G)I-DLE’s Soojin and MONSTA X’s Kihyun, were only some of the idols caught in the mix. In March 2021, TVXQ’s Yunho was accused of violating COVID-19 health protocols in an illegal escort bar. SM Entertainment, Yunho’s entertainment agency, denied the claims of him visiting an escort bar but apologized for “causing concern in the time of COVID-19.” Also in March, the Daegu District Court sentenced singer Wheesung to one year in prison suspended for two years for abusing the psychotropic drug propofol, an injectable anesthetic.
In April, Chinese media reported to Internet users that cameras captured WinWin with his classmates. They are said to be his classmates. However, this is not what upset fans the most, but the fact that WinWin was smoking a cigarette in one of the shots. On April 14, a video surfaced online in which a photographer allegedly took an inappropriate photo of one of the AESPA members. SM released an official statement on the matter, denying all rumors. But that’s not the only controversy that has arisen with AESPA. There have been many accusations of plagiarizing songs. SM had a lot on its plate this year.
Something more positive also took place in 2021! Rosé of Blackpink and K-pop legend CL herself graced the 2021 MET Gala, becoming the first ever K-pop artists to achieve such a milestone. While Rosé performed as a Global Ambassador for YSL with its Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello, CL wore a gorgeous Alexander Wang creation for the occasion and stunned with her signature charm.
In June, the Seoul Central District Court convicted former K-pop boy band BTOB member Jung Ilhoon of using marijuana and sentenced him to two years in prison and imposed a fine of 133 million (about $117,400). He was released from prison last Dec. 16 after the Seoul High Court gave him a two-year prison sentence suspended for three years.
In July, Kris Wu, once a member of K-pop supergroup EXO, is now notorious for rape allegations made by an alleged victim. He was first detained and later arrested in China. His shocking case has brought the culture of celebrity worship in China into sharp focus and strict measures have been put in place to curb it. It has been more than a year since the controversy that engulfed AOA when MinaA’s he left the group, he pointed to the leader, Jimin, for having it psychologically harassed for years. This bullying caused the singer depression, which led to self-harm and attempt to kill yourself on various occasions. In late July, it was reported that Mina was hospitalized after she was found unconscious in a pool of blood in what was believed to be a suicide attempt.
In July, 10x Entertainment, Woojin’s new agency, released a 5-part mini-documentary known as “Finger Killer” in which they address all parts of the sexual assault allegation that went viral on Twitter in September 2020. The first two episodes of Finger Killer were an introduction to the famous Stray Kids, the allegations, Blue Bear and how they found the origin of Person’s infamous “TV” tweet, followed by a picture. Fans were sickened by the idol’s behavior and the preying on his own controversy.
Last July, it was reported that the Suwon District Court earlier found K-pop girl group Brown Eyed Girls member Son Ga-in guilty of illegally using propofol and fined her 1 million won ($855).
For this in August, K-pop star Seungri (already a former member of the great and famous band BIGBANG) has been sentenced to three years in prison. In early August, WayV’s Lucas went on hiatus since news broke that he had been gaslighting and dating several women. The accusations included infidelity, extortion and instigation by his alleged “ex-girlfriends” who are now “exposing his transgressions.” It is likely that the singer was overwhelmed by the whole situation and decided to leave for his native China. On a positive note, Bobby (iKON) has announced that he is getting married soon, and becoming a father. And Taeyang (BigBang) and his wife - Min Hyo Rin are becoming parents.
In September, the Hanbin case was officially closed. While the case is not directly related to the idols themselves, the mention of it is noteworthy. James Corden was a trending topic on Twitter in September after he said members of k-pop group BTS were “unusual guests” at the United Nations General Assembly and characterized the group’s fans as “15-year-old girls.” Corden’s comments caused a rift in his relationship with the group’s mass fandom, which has previously supported the late-night talk show host and even referred to him with his own BTS-related nickname.
In October, an affair erupted concerning one of AESPA’s members, Giselle, who lipsyncs a song from the n-world. This behavior greatly outraged fans.
In November, it was confirmed that K-pop boy band EXO member Chen’s wife was pregnant with their second baby. Their first baby was born in April 2020. Last Nov. 8, Choi Jong-hoon, 31, former leader of K-pop band FT Island, was released from prison after serving two and a half years in prison for gang rape.
We received a very nice gift at the end of the year. In December according to TC Calender’s voting in the “THE 100 MOST BEAUTIFUL FACES” category, it was Lisa the rapper of the band Blackpink who came in 1st place.
The future is here: Ncuti Gatwa has been announced as the next Doctor to take control of the TARDIS
Star of stage and screen, Ncuti Gatwa is best known for his critically acclaimed performance in SEX EDUCATION as the iconic Eric Effiong, for which he was awarded Best Actor Award at the Scottish BAFTA’s in 2020 as well as numerous nominations including Best Male Performance in a comedy programme at this year’s BAFTA’s.
Speaking of his new role, Ncuti said: “There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same. Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor’s metaphorical playground. The entire team have been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. And so as much as it’s daunting, I’m aware I’m joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show.”
El actor Ray Liotta falleció a sus 67 años. Liotta, conocido por Goodfellas, estaba en un gran resurgimiento gracias a películas como The Many Saints of Newark, Marriage Story y No Sudden Move. Recientemente, terminó Cocaine Bear y la serie Black Bird. Descansa en paz.
Coach Kerr said it all. The list of mass shootings is too long; 1,000s murdered.
Moment of silence. Thoughts & prayers. Rinse. Repeat. Nothing changes.
We’re not safe at school, work, houses of worship, malls, grocery stores & movie theaters. 27 school shootings have taken place so far this year. The U.S. has surpassed 200 mass shootings this year
On March 23, Seven Seas Entertainment announced via its Twitter page that it has licensed Shouichi Taguchi’s Yuri manga 'Futari Escape.’ The first volume will be released in English in North America in November 2022.
The manga follows two girlfriends trying to relieve the stress of adulthood by joy in the little everyday things in life and in each other! The publisher describes the manga:
Two young women–one an overworked manga artist, the other a complete slacker–try to escape the realities of adult responsibilities. Whether it’s running off on a day trip instead of being productive or going into debt for an epic meal, the two always have fun when they’re together! Enjoy this delightful (and relatable) slice-of-life tale about the little pleasures in ducking away from the hard stuff.
Futari Escape began serialization in Comic Yuri Hime in 2020. Ichijinsha publishes three volumes in Japanese. Shouichi Taguchi is a Japanese mangaka known for his manga Jumyou wo Kaitotte Moratta. Ichinen ni Tsuki, Ichimanen de anadaptation of Miaki Sugaru’s tragedy light novel Mikkakan no Koufuku. Taguchi also contributed to Ichijinsha’s Shuumatsu Sekai Yuri Anthology in 2020.
One-shot Lesbian Story Collection by Yukiko Licensed in English
On Friday, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that it has licensed Yukiko’s Yuri manga anthology Cats and Sugar Bowls (Neko to Sugar Bowls). The volume, which contains nine one-shot stories by the author, will be available in English in September.
The publisher describes the manga:
Want a little spice with your sugar? Cats and Sugar Bowls serves up nine bite-sized tales about love between women. Rena and Sanae are like a pair of naughty kitties who act far more innocent than they really are. Touka, while looking for a lover willing to indulge her more extreme BDSM fantasies, runs into her boss at a bondage club. All these delights and more await!
Originally published by Gentosha, Cats and Sugar Bowls features a collection of Yukiko’s one-shots, many of which were previously published in other Japanese manga anthologies. Among the nine stories in this volume is “One AM at the Laundromat,” which was previously released in English in Yuri Anthology Syrupvolume 1. Other stories in the anthology are:
Neko ni Hanare Hito
Neko to Saezuri
Neko ni Denwa
Sugar Pot wa Kowarenai
Tsurutsuru
Watashi no Osanajimi Wa
Choucho no Himatsubushi
Oni x Yamagami
Yukiko is a Japanese artist primarily known for her long-running 4-koma series Futaribeya A Room For Two, which is published in English by TokyoPop. She has contributed art and stories to multiple Yuri anthologies including Syurp, Whenver Our Eyes Meet, Yuri Drill, andShuujuu.
The disparity of attention and casualties among major global conflicts.
Most people are aware that there isn’t a strong correlation between media attention and level of casualties in a conflict. Still, the extent of the disparity is depressing.
If you’re wondering where African states like C.A.R. and South Sudan would rank: total conflict related deaths are upwards of 5,000 and Google searches for the African countries are basically non-existent.
