Broadcast date: Mar. 3-4
Starring: Seventeen, Stray Kids, BTS, NCT 127

(Naver's V Live)

SCoups of Seventeen took to V Live after being out of touch with fans for five months due to health reasons.

“It has been too long,” he said, waving at viewers.

Sipping some corn silk tea, the leader of the band told them he’d given up on losing weight, saying it was “hopeless.”

He has been keeping busy, exercising and working on music as well as following the band’s reality program, he told fans. He let out small laughs when the live chat feed was flooded with teary emoticons.

“It is awkward for some reason,” he muttered. “It’s strange how the chat used to flow and now it doesn’t.”

Although he has been off stage since November, he has watched every performance given by his bandmates.

“They looked very cold onstage on the last day of 2019, but at the same time looked so cool. And they were so good,” he said proudly. From now, on he will join them up there, the idol said, reassuring fans he was much better now.

Watch the full video at https://www.vlive.tv/video/178075.

Stray Kids makes small talks

(Naver's V Live)

Seungmin and I.N of Stray Kids did a joint livestream sporting matching hoodies.

“Seungmin suggested that we wear these so I took it out (of the closet) although I usually don’t wear pink,” explained I.N, reminding his bandmate that it was his idea.

The youngest member acknowledged fans’ comments and responded that he wasn’t going to school since schools are closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Oh, you are still in school,” said Seungmin. “You’re still young.”

I.N said he couldn’t believe he would soon be graduating, and Seungmin asked if he should come to his graduation.

“Of course you should,” replied I.N. Seungmin reminded him that I.N hadn’t made it to his graduation.

“For a reason,” said I.N. “There was a reason I couldn’t.”

The pair recalled shooting the music video for “Miroh” until dawn and how Seungmin had had to rush to his graduation ceremony and come right back.

Watch the full clip at https://www.vlive.tv/video/178118.

BTS sets record despite hurdles: Kpop Herald



Two Kpop Herald reporters unboxed BTS’ “Map of the Soul: 7” after hearing the big news that “On,” the album’s lead track, had landed at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

It wasn’t just the band’s highest-ranking single but the highest in the K-pop group category as well. The band also has “Fake Love” and “Boy With Luv” in the top 10, noted Yim Hyun-su, adding that BTS had achieved the “amazing” feat with little or no airplay on US radio stations.

There are some who say this new single is not radio-friendly, Yim said, but fans in the BTS Army aren’t buying that considering that “Map of the Soul: 7” is one of the fastest-selling albums of the year so far.

As for the band’s collaboration with Sia, Yim said he personally liked it despite mixed reviews. Hong agreed, saying Sia’s powerful voice added an extra layer to and blended nicely into the otherwise “rough” song.

Watch the full video at https://www.vlive.tv/video/177942.

NCT 127's heroic rebirth

(SM Entertainment)

NCT 127 floated a sliver of a teaser trailer from its music video for “Kick It” prior to the release of the band’s second album, “NCT #127 Neo Zone.”

In the music video, the nine band members fight and overcome their traumas. Then they are reborn as heroes in the “Neo Zone,” a fictional setting with a reinterpreted Asian look.

In the teaser clip, Taeyong shows off powerful dance moves under a grand entrance that reads “Door for New Heroes” and is brightly lit with rows of glowing lanterns. Jaehyun flexes his muscles calmly but menacingly while Mark shows off his high kicks.

The full music video will be unveiled March 5, and the band’s second full-length album will be released March 6.

Watch the full clip at https://www.vlive.tv/video/178089.

Naver’s real-time broadcasting app V allows fans to interact with their favorite K-pop stars through live broadcasts. The app is available for Android and iOS. For more information, visit http://www.vlive.tv.

By The Korea Herald (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

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