[ASKKPOP] Weekly Recap: Bae finds a bae, the best revenge is living well, and brewing legal battles
Gird your loins readers, as this week was pretty hectic. News of dating, scandals, and hot music releases ran rampant for the past six days, which probably left you dazed and confused and asking, "Wait, what, he's dating her!? She did what? Ermahgerd EXO!! Ermahgerd Big Bang!!" It's okay. I'll hold your hand through it.
EXO and Big Bang dominate charts and playlists
It's a known fact that wheneverEXOorBig Bang(or anyYGorSMartist for that matter) make a comeback, the K-Pop world is never the same again. Okay, maybe I'm being overdramatic but from what I've seen in the past, comebacks from these two labels are not to be taken lightly. Anything SM or YG does will be the talk of the century into the indefinite future. The power of SM & YG is real, I tell you.
Big Bang'sbombastic new song "Bang Bang Bang,"which dropped on June 1,garnered over 2 million viewsin 12 hours andslayed music chartsby placing number one on pretty much every music chart ever created. "We Like 2 Party" placed at number 2, right behind "Bang Bang Bang" (my guess is if it weren't for "Bang Bang Bang," "We Like 2 Party" would have placed first). Big Bang built additional hype for their own releases by uploading a hilarious live countdown video in which theyput their best aegyo forwardandreact to "Bang Bang Bang."
Kris, Luhan, and Tao have left SM in the dirt
It seems the past EXO members are doing quite well for themselves, now that they aren't under the aegis of SM. In fact,KrisandTaowere discovered to be busily furthering their careers over in China, what withKris's recent Vogue China photo shoot with Kendall Jenner, andTao promoting a new mobile gameas not an EXO member, but simply a "popular Asian idol."
The legal battle between SM and Kris and Luhan is progressing as well, with the courts forcing both sides to reach an agreement through compulsory arbitration. The two parties couldn't reconcile within the two weeks time courts allowed them, and SM even raised an objection to the arbitration, meaningattempts to reach an agreement has failed. Now both sides are preparing to move on with their respective suits.
Taeyang and Min Hyo Rin are 'bae'
It's official. OurYoung Baeiswith his very own bae,Min Hyo Rin, an actress with delicate, feminine beauty. Both YG Entertainment andJYP Entertainmenthave confirmed that the two are seeing each other. Everyone is a little late with this particular dating news, as the two stars have been dating ever since Min Hyo Rin feature in Taeyang's MV for "1AM." Their chemistry was instant or so says one acquaintance,who revealed that their on-screen chemistry continued off-screen, as they really hit it off and commented that their relationship progressed "fast." Let's wish the couple all the happiness in their newfound love!
Kim Hyun Joong fights back
Kim Hyun Joong, who is still swept up in physical assault rumors to her ex-girlfriendMs. Choi, has had enough of her accusations. Things are appearing a bit fishy on Ms. Choi's end, whowasn't able to submit the requested pictures of her alleged pregnancy and miscarriage. Instead, her side insists that they have all the documents and evidence necessary, and even an witness to "fully prove Ms. Choi's pregnancy" and that "[Kim Hyun Joong's side] can't hide the truth."
Now the singer iscountersuing Ms. Choi, who filed suit against him for psychological and emotional suffering. In turn, Kim Hyun Joong's side stated that they are planning to bring suit against Ms.Choi on grounds of defamation. Taking into consideration the settlement of 600 million KRW ($540,000 USD) that Ms. Choi received last year and another 600 million KRW fine for breaching the terms of settlement, the total compensation Kim Hyun Joong plans to seek is 1.2 billion KRD ($1 million USD).
Couples continue to come and go on WGM
DespiteWe Got Marriedproducers initially denying rumors ofHenryandYewon's departure,their leave has been officially confirmed. The couple will no longer appear on the show after they shoot their last episode, which planned to be filmed in the middle of this month. Many are speculating that the couple's run on the show was cut short due to Yewon's 'informal speech' scandal involving actressLee Tae Im, even though it wasn't specifically mentioned as the reason for her abrupt leave. The fact that Yewonuploaded a verbose apology letterto the producers of WGM, Lee Tae Im, and Henry give some indication as to why the singer ultimately decided to leave the show.
If you're said about Yewon and Henry leaving WGM, then don't be! Another young and fresh-faced couple will be joining the show to fill the air with love, and that new couple wasannounced to be BTOB's Sungjae and the adorable Joy of Red Velvet. The two seem like they would make quite the well-matched couple, as they are both young and have bubbly, outgoing personalities.
Secret's Sunhwa and Hana get into a petty tiff
Secret'sSunhwarecently spilled her discontented feelings on Twitter, expressing her discomfort at the words fellow memberHanasaid about her onMnet's 'Yaman TV.' Apparently Hana was describing Sunhwa's drinking habits, revealing that when Sunhwa is drunk, she "has a lot of dissatisfaction with the world," and that she "grumbles and grumbles." Sunhwa took Hana's comments a little too personally and posted some words of her own on her personal Twitter account and fan cafe.
This little misunderstanding between the two memberscaused their agency,TS Entertainmentto step forward and attempt to mediate the situation. A rep stated that there is absolutely no hard feeling between Sunhwa and Hana and that Sunhwa was simply concerned that Hana's words may shed some negative light on her image.