• Jang Gyuri Reportedly Will Leave Fromis_9 — Other 8 Members Transferred Contracts To Pledis Entertainment

    Jang Gyuri is leaving the group Fromis_9.

    Pledis Entertainment, which works for Fromis_9, said on July 28, "From August, Fromis_9 will reorganize the team as an eight-member group. After the release of the mini-album vol. 5 "From Our Memento Box", Jang Gyuri will stay active as a member of Fromis_9 until July 31. On that day, she will end her contract with our agency ".

    Except for Jang Gyuri, Lee Sae Rom, Song Ha Young, Park Ji Won, Roh JiSun, Lee Seo Teon, Lee Chae Young, Lee Na Kyung, and Baek Ji Heon moved their agency to Pledis in August 2021 and signed an exclusive contract. Jang Gyuri has kept her original contract with the agency that used to represent her.

    Fromis_9 is a girl group that got its start on Mnet's "Idol School" survival audition show.

    The following is the full text of the agency's official position.

    Hello.

    This is Pledis Entertainment.

    We would like to thank the fans who have always supported Fromis 9 and inform you about the group's upcoming activities.

    From August 9 onward, Fromis 9 will be reorganize as an eight-member team and plan to meet fans in the second half of the year through a variety of activities, including a Japan tour. Member Jang Gyuri concludes promotions for her fifth mini-album "From our Memento Box," and as of July 31, Fromis 9 activities and contracts with us are terminated early, and a new challenge commences.

    In August 2021, eight members of Fromis 9 (Lee Sae Rom, Song Ha Young, Park Ji Won, Roh Jisun, Lee Seo Yeon, Lee Chae Young, Lee Na Kyung, and Baek Ji Heon) transferred their agency to Pledis and signed a new exclusive contract. Jang Gyuri maintained the terms of her original contract with her previous agency, and we have been managing her team and individual activities.

    This decision was made after lengthy consideration of the best direction for each individual. The eight members of Fromis 9, who are about to take a new step forward, and Jang Gyuri, who has given her all as a member of Fromis 9, need your unwavering support and love.

    We will continue to actively support Fromis 9 in a variety of fields so that they can continue to develop as an artist.

    Thank you.

    Source[1]

  • Is Jisoo’s Acting the Main Problem in "Newtopia"? - Here's Why Fans Are Worried About the New Zombie Series

    The new OTT series Newtopia has faced mixed reactions, with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo's acting and a slow storyline making viewers question if the show can survive.

    Released on the 7th, Newtopia on Coupang Play promised to offer something fresh in the K-zombie genre. The drama follows an unlikely couple, Lee Jae-yoon (played by Park Jung Min), a late-blooming soldier, and his girlfriend Kang Young-joo (Jisoo), as they fight to survive in a zombie-infested Seoul.

    The mix of zombies and romantic comedy sounded like an interesting twist, but the show hasn’t exactly hit the mark.

    Jisoo’s second lead role after Snowdrop in 2021 was highly anticipated. But many fans and critics have been concerned about her acting, especially after she received some backlash for her unclear pronunciation and awkward expressions in her previous project.

    Director Yoon Sung-hyun, aware of the concerns, said at the press preview, “Since Jisoo hadn’t acted for a long time after her last project, I was also initially worried, thinking, ‘Will she be okay?’ But Jisoo dedicated herself, doing script readings four days a week. She worked hard, and as a result, I had no doubts or difficulties. By episode 8, you'll feel that only Jisoo could have portrayed Young-joo. She did an amazing job.”

    Despite his words of praise, Jisoo’s performance still left fans worried. While she showed some improvement, her portrayal of Young-joo seemed inconsistent, lacking the calmness expected from the character. However, her "girl crush" image, with her background as a "campus goddess," did add some intrigue to her role.

    The main issue, however, wasn’t just Jisoo's acting. Newtopia also struggled with its pacing. While other recent hits like Trauma Center or Trigger grab attention right from the start, Newtopia spent too much time in the first episode on Jae-yoon’s military life and Young-joo’s personal struggles, making it feel like a waste of time. The show failed to showcase the humor and zombie elements it promised, leaving many viewers unimpressed.

    On top of that, some characters came off as annoying, like Jae-yoon’s colleague, Line Ho (Im Seong Jae), and the "unlikable" senior character Seojin-wook (played by Kang Young Seok). Even Park Jung-min didn’t do much to help the show move along, making the 57-minute episode feel even longer.

    Thankfully, the show picked up pace in episode 2, finally diving into the zombie chaos. But will that be enough to save Newtopia? With the first episode still fresh in fans’ minds, the jury’s still out on whether this K-zombie drama can find its footing and deliver the thrills viewers are hoping for.

    The remaining six episodes of Newtopia will air every Friday at 8 PM, with one episode released per week. Stay tuned to see if the series can bounce back!

    Source (1)