• YG's BABYMONSTER charms fans at sold-out Japanese fan meeting, showcases global popularity

    YG Entertainment's new group, BABYMONSTER, is rocking their debut fan meeting tour.

    On June 15, BABYMONSTER posted behind-the-scenes footage from their first fan meeting in Tokyo, Japan, on their official account.

    For their first trip abroad, the airport was packed with fans eager to see BABYMONSTER. Boosted by the cheers, the members arrived in Japan, showing off their professional side during rehearsals and impressing everyone with their readiness.

    The concert venue was filled with local fans excited to meet BABYMONSTER. Fans took photos at the photo zone and struck BABYMONSTER's signature poses, creating a fun atmosphere.

    The members of BABYMONSTER were thrilled too. Each one relaxed in their own way before hitting the stage with determination.

    They kicked off the show with "SHEESH" to standing ovations and loud cheers, performing various songs including tracks from their debut reality show, which made fans even more excited.

    The energy stayed high throughout the show thanks to BABYMONSTER's live performances and stage presence. During talk time, they wowed the audience by speaking fluent Japanese, showing they can do it all.

    The second performance kept the excitement going. Performing for 26,000 fans over two days, the members expressed their gratitude, saying, "We were so moved by how you enjoyed our songs and dances. Thank you for making it a happy experience until the end."

    BABYMONSTER proved their ticket-selling power with their debut fan meeting tour 'BABYMONSTER PRESENTS: SEE YOU THERE.'

    Their shows on July 30 and 31 in Kobe, Japan, sold out quickly, even on weekdays. An extra show was added on the afternoon of July 31, making it three shows total.

    With this tour, BABYMONSTER will connect with more fans through 10 performances across six cities in Asia.

    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)