Stray Kids' Apple Music radio series has sparked excitement among global fans.

The debut episode of 'All About Stray Kids Radio', exclusively available on Apple Music, swiftly climbed to the number one spot on the Apple Podcasts 'Music' category charts in the US, France, Canada, and Australia.

Premiering on the 9th, it immediately captured the interest of listeners worldwide and by the 10th, it was leading in these four countries. It also ranked third in Korea and Vietnam, and fourth in the UK, Japan, and Taiwan, underscoring Stray Kids' significant global influence in K-pop.

In the first episode, Bang Chan and Felix took on the roles of hosts, delving into their recent activities, hobbies, and personal interests. They shared intimate details of their lifestyles, captivating fans with their candid discussions.

'All About Stray Kids Radio' unfolds over four episodes, with each episode releasing every Tuesday at 11 AM. The upcoming second episode, airing on the 16th, will feature Lee Know and Seungmin discussing their musical influences before their debut, promising diverse and engaging stories.

Hyunjin and I.N will team up for the third episode, offering behind-the-scenes insights into their latest album and its tracks. The final episode will feature Changbin and Han, sharing stories about the songs and festivals that have shaped Stray Kids' journey.

Fans can tune in to 'All About Stray Kids Radio' in real-time on Apple Music Radio, and episodes are available on Apple Podcasts shortly after each weekly broadcast.

Meanwhile, Stray Kids is gearing up for their comeback with the new mini album 'ATE', teasing fans worldwide with teaser videos and images. They are set to return on the 19th with the title track 'Chk Chk boom'.

Source (1)

NewJeans' Minji touched fans' hearts with a handwritten letter on her birthday — even while the group is currently unable to promote due to legal issues.

On May 7, Minji celebrated her birthday by sharing a heartfelt message on the group’s personal SNS account, which the members opened themselves to stay connected with fans.

Minji began her letter with honesty, writing, “I think I’m living a busier life than I expected. When I finally looked up, it was already May, and it was my birthday.”

She admitted that she had a lot she wanted to say, but her thoughts felt “messy.” Still, her message to fans was clear, “I just hope that I, our members, and Bunnies can all be happy. Happiness is the biggest goal in my life.”

Minji then opened up about her personal journey and struggles, saying, “I sometimes think that running toward my happiness by doing what I love might look foolish to others. But isn’t giving up your happiness now for the sake of a future that might not even come… too harsh on yourself?”

Despite everything, she ended on a hopeful note, “I really miss the times when we shared our feelings through the good music we made together. But I always look forward to what’s ahead."

She added, "We didn’t stop here, and we’re not going to stop! It might look like we’re standing still, but I believe we’re growing deeper.”

Her message comes during a difficult time for NewJeans. The group announced last year that they were cutting ties with ADOR, their original agency, after trust was broken. They later began working independently under the new name ‘NJZ’.

However, ADOR responded with legal action — claiming the exclusive contract with NewJeans was still valid and asking the court to stop the group from promoting or signing deals.

The court sided with ADOR and granted an injunction, forcing NewJeans to pause their activities. Their appeal was rejected, and they’ve now filed a second appeal.

Through it all, Minji’s message proves one thing — even when forced to stop, NewJeans' hearts are still moving forward.

Source: [1]