• T.O.P Finally Breaks Silence After 11 Years - Will He Address BIGBANG, Drug Controversies, and Acting Criticism in First Interview?

    T.O.P, the iconic member of BIGBANG, is ready to break his silence after 11 long years! The singer and actor, also known as Choi Seung Hyun, will sit down for an exclusive interview on the 15th, where he will finally address the controversies surrounding his career, including his past drug issues, his role in Squid Game Season 2, and more.

    This marks T.O.P’s first interview as actor Choi Seung Hyun since his role in the 2014 film Tazza: The Hidden Card, making it an eagerly anticipated moment for fans. T.O.P has not appeared in front of the press for over a decade, making this a major milestone in his return to the acting world.

    One of the biggest talking points surrounding T.O.P has been his involvement in Squid Game Season 2, where he plays the character Thanos—a former rapper turned drug addict. His casting has stirred up controversy, particularly because of his own real-life drug conviction in 2017, which led to a suspended prison sentence. Before the show’s release, T.O.P notably skipped the production press conference and promotional events, leading to questions about his involvement.

    While T.O.P's acting received criticism in South Korea, his performance has been better received internationally. His portrayal of a drug-addicted rapper became a hot topic, with many viewers making comparisons between his role and his personal past.

    Director Hwang Dong Hyuk weighed in on the controversy, explaining, “I didn’t expect it to become such a controversy. I thought enough time had passed, and since the sentence had been served, he could restart his career.” Hwang continued, “After seeing the reactions, I realized my thoughts were short-sighted, but T.O.P showed strong determination. He auditioned and showed great effort and talent despite the concerns.”

    Now, all eyes are on T.O.P as he sits down for his first interview in over a decade. Fans are eager to hear if he will discuss BIGBANG’s possible retirement, the drug-related allegations from his past, and the criticism he’s faced for his acting.

    The full interview will be released on the 16th, and fans are counting down the days to hear T.O.P’s side of the story.

    Meanwhile, Squid Game Season 2 continues to captivate audiences with the return of Gi Hun, who is out for revenge and back in the deadly game. Get ready for the next thrilling chapter in the series, with Season 3 set to drop later this year.

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  • BTS's Jin Breaks Records Again! Laneige Sees Biggest Sales Ever Thanks to His Star Power

    BTS’s Jin, the global ambassador for Laneige, has once again proven his incredible influence by helping the brand achieve its highest-ever sales record.

    Since expanding into the U.S. market in 2018, Amorepacific’s global beauty brand Laneige has experienced massive growth, largely fueled by the rising popularity of K-pop. However, Laneige hit a new milestone during the Black Friday & Cyber Monday (BFCM) event on Amazon U.S., recording an incredible 127% sales increase compared to last year. Many believe this success is due to Laneige’s decision to select Jin as its first-ever male global ambassador.

    Laneige’s rapid expansion has also had a ripple effect on Amorepacific’s overall sales. For the first time, the company’s sales in the Americas have surpassed those in Greater China, highlighting Jin’s massive brand impact.

    Laneige officially introduced Jin as its global ambassador on September 27, 2023, and his involvement led to an instant surge in product demand. His stunning campaign visuals received an overwhelming response, leading to numerous sold-out products and Laneige topping sales charts worldwide.

    According to WWD Japan, Laneige saw an unexpected sales boom thanks to the "Jin effect." The brand manager of Amorepacific Japan’s Laneige division stated, "With BTS’s Jin joining as an ambassador, sales of 'Cream Skin' lotion have significantly increased. Campaign revenue has doubled from our initial expectations, leading to major brand awareness growth."

    Laneige’s Cream Skin, which was heavily featured in Jin’s global campaign, became an absolute bestseller. It secured the No. 1 sales spot on Japan’s Qoo10 marketplace—not just in beauty, but across all product categories! This cemented Jin’s unstoppable global influence.

    In South Korea, Laneige Cream Skin took over Olive Young’s sales rankings across all gender and age groups. It even sold out in offline stores due to overwhelming demand. The product also dominated the sales charts for seven consecutive days on Laneige’s official U.S. website, earning Jin yet another ‘Sold-Out King’ moment.

    Internationally, the campaign’s success led to immediate sellouts in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore, while in Indonesia, it had to be restocked after being wiped out. A limited-edition mini photobook offered with Jin’s Laneige Cream Skin purchases instantly sold out on China’s top online marketplaces, Taobao and Tmall.

    But Jin’s selling power doesn’t stop at beauty brands! In July 2023, he became the first global ambassador for FRED, a prestigious French high-jewelry house. As expected, luxury pieces, including a $100,000 necklace, sold out immediately after his campaign launched.

    In August 2023, he was introduced as a global ambassador for Gucci, and his endorsement caused rapid sellouts in South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

    Jin’s ambassadorship for Alo Yoga also made waves, with WWD reporting that his announcement alone generated $3.6 million in media impact value within just 24 hours! His influence also extends into technology and tourism, as he’s partnered with Dolby and served as Seoul’s tourism ambassador.

    His advertising power is undeniable even in the food industry. In 2022, Jin was selected as the model for Ottogi’s Jin Ramen, and the brand quickly saw its highest-ever ramen export sales. The food industry noted that Korea’s ramen exports experienced a huge boost following BTS’s Jin’s campaign, a trend similar to the worldwide ramen boom triggered by Parasite’s Oscar win in 2020.

    From beauty to luxury fashion, tech, and even food, Jin continues to dominate industries worldwide, proving once again why he is a top-tier global superstar.

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