• Will BLACKPINK, who officially continues their career as a soloist, set a new record as a solo artist?

    BLACKPINK has officially begun their solo journeys.

    "With Rosé's future now secured at The Black Label, all four members' plans are confirmed," an insider revealed.

    Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé are preparing solo albums for the latter half of this year, while Jisoo focuses on acting.

    After achieving so much as a group, fans are eager to see if they can set new records individually.

    "Since the end of last year, I've been in the studio almost every day, working on new music," Rosé shared excitedly on the 19th.

    Lisa, through her label Roud Company, announced her new single 'Rockstar,' set for release on the 28th. This marks her first release since 'Lalisa' in September 2021.

    Jennie, who founded OD Atelier, is engaging with the public through various appearances and collaborations. She's also busy preparing for her solo full-length album, slated for release later this year.

    Jisoo, under B.L.Y. Label, is focusing on acting, currently filming alongside Lee Min Ho in 'The Sound of Magic' and confirmed for the drama 'Influencer' on Coupang Play.

    Since their debut in 2016, BLACKPINK has set numerous records in K-pop, including chart-topping success and headline performances at global music festivals.

    Despite renewing their contract with YG Entertainment for group activities, plans for collective projects remain undisclosed, prompting mixed reactions.

    "As they enter their 8th year, there's disappointment over the lack of group activities," commented an industry insider. However, another insider noted the potential for individual growth and new creative endeavors, predicting greater synergy in BLACKPINK's future.

    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)