Kim Woojin, formerly of Stray Kids, recently made headlines with his debut album under Kustomade, a new sub-label of SM Entertainment.

Since departing from Stray Kids in late 2019 amidst allegations of sexual assault, Kim Woojin has faced challenges.

Despite denying the accusations and receiving support from his company at the time, the handling of the issue in a documentary drew criticism for its insensitivity.

Nevertheless, Kim Woojin continued his career, releasing music, embarking on a world tour, and even securing a role in HBO Max's series "My Magic Closet," making history as the first Korean actor cast in the global project.

Expectations were high for his debut under the new label, with many hoping for a fresh start.

On April 22, Kim Woojin released his album featuring the title track "I Like The Way." Initial sales data from Hanteo revealed that he sold 853 copies on the first day, with a total of 2,646 by the fourth day, surpassing his previous release.

However, despite this improvement, some netizens expressed disappointment with the sales figures, indicating that lingering effects from the earlier controversy may still be influencing perceptions.

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BTS’s Jimin is once again proving his global power!

On April 26, it was confirmed that Jimin’s solo song “Lie” has officially surpassed 260 million streams on Spotify, the world’s biggest music platform.
This amazing milestone shows how the song continues to be loved all over the world, even years after its release.

“Lie” was first released in 2016 as part of BTS’s second full album Wings. Jimin personally helped write and compose the track, making it even more special for fans.
The song talks about facing painful truths, and Jimin’s emotional voice mixes perfectly with the dramatic melody, touching listeners deeply.

In fact, “Lie” made history in January 2023 by becoming the first song from Wings (aside from the title track “Blood Sweat & Tears”) to pass 200 million streams on Spotify.
It also became the 53rd BTS song to enter Spotify’s “200 million club,” proving Jimin’s incredible solo power.

The song stands out for its unique sound. It samples “Spanish Dance No.1” from the opera La Vida Breve by Spanish composer Manuel de Falla, giving it a mix of classical and modern feelings.
Thanks to Jimin’s deep and powerful vocals, “Lie” has been praised by critics and fans as “a true masterpiece of K-pop.”

“Lie” is also getting a lot of love outside of music platforms.
It was recently featured in the ballet-themed TV show Étoile, directed by famous American producer Amy Sherman Palladino.
It was even introduced on KBS Classic FM’s Live Classic as “a K-pop masterpiece loved by fans around the world,” showing how much respect the song continues to earn.

The way “Lie” combines opera, ballet, and Jimin’s personal emotions creates a song that feels timeless.
Even now, it keeps popping up in new shows, radio programs, and fans’ playlists, touching hearts again and again.

Passing 260 million streams isn’t just a number—it’s proof that Jimin’s “Lie” still comforts people, brings new emotions, and stays unforgettable.
The beautiful mix of K-pop and classical music continues to echo in the hearts of listeners everywhere, just like Jimin’s pure emotions that he shared with the world.

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