NewJeans' “Bubble Gum” Music Video Surges in Popularity Amid Agency Controversy
Amidst swirling controversies surrounding their agency, NewJeans' latest music video for "Bubble Gum" has become a sensation, dominating various weekly charts as reported by ADOR, their agency.
The upbeat track has not only claimed the top spot in Korean Weekly Popular Music Video and Popular Song categories but has also made waves globally, ranking 2nd and 5th on YouTube's Global Weekly Popular Music Video and Popular Song charts, respectively.
Despite recent agency troubles, NewJeans continues to bask in the adoration of their fans. The success of "Bubble Gum" only cements their standing in the music industry, showcasing their resilience and unwavering popularity.
The song serves as a teaser for their forthcoming double single, 'How Sweet,' slated for release on May 24 KST, promising even more excitement for fans eagerly awaiting new music from the group.
Is Jisoo’s Acting the Main Problem in "Newtopia"? - Here's Why Fans Are Worried About the New Zombie Series
The new OTT series Newtopiahas 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, Newtopiaon 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. Newtopiaalso struggled with its pacing. While other recent hits like Trauma Center or Trigger grab attention right from the start, Newtopiaspent 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 Newtopiawill air every Friday at 8 PM, with one episode released per week. Stay tuned to see if the series can bounce back!