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[Today’s K-pop] Aespa’s new album is 3rd million-seller

By Hwang You-mee

Published : Nov. 17, 2023 - 20:24

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(Credit: SM Entertainment) (Credit: SM Entertainment)
    

The fourth EP from aespa sold more than 1.13 million units in the first week, according to label SM Entertainment on Friday.

EP “Drama” is the group’s third consecutive album to sell over a million, following previous EPs “Girls” and “My World.” The new mini album also earned “double platinum” certification from China’s largest music platform QQ Music.

Meanwhile, the foursome celebrated its third anniversary with fans at a fan meeting in Seoul Friday. The event was broadcast online as well for fans from around the world.

The group debuted in 2020 with digital single “Black Mamba.” Its third EP, “My World,” from May still holds the first-day and first-week sales records for a K-pop girl group. It also placed all three previous EPs among the top 20 on Billboard 200.

 

Twice to drop remix album

(Credit: JYP Entertainment) (Credit: JYP Entertainment)

Twice is putting out a digital album that contains remix versions of its hit songs, said JYP Entertainment Friday.

Album “The Remixes” will consist of reinterpretations and English-language versions of its hit songs and will be rolled out on Nov. 22. On Friday, the group unveiled a reworked version of “Moonlight Sunrise,” a collaboration with DJ Jonas Blue. The electronic dance music producer added his touch to the original song that entered Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 84 in January. It was the nonet’s second entry on the chart. The music video for the English-language single generated 100 million views on YouTube as of September.

The collaboration will front the remix album that is made up of seven tracks.

Meanwhile, the group will continue its international tour in Nagoya, Japan, on Dec. 16.

 

Itzy’s Lia to miss new album, world tour

(Credit: JYP Entertainment) (Credit: JYP Entertainment)

Lia of Itzy will not participate in the group’s new album and international tour, the performer said Friday.

“After much consideration and long thoughts, I would like to have time to focus on recovering health and miss out on putting together an album as well as world tour,” a handwritten letter addressed to her fans on Instagram showed.

She unveiled her solo track “Blossom” along with a lyrics video, adding that it contains her true feelings she wanted to convey to her fans.

She has been on a hiatus since September for anxiety issues.

 

The Boyz’s Ju Haknyeon suspends activities due to back condition

(Credit: IST Entertainment) (Credit: IST Entertainment)

Ju Haknyeon of The Boyz will take some time off due to a medical condition, said IST Entertainment on Friday.

He has been treated for back pains but had a follow-up inspection as the pains became more severe recently. He will need to refrain from big movements, as per doctor’s orders, for the time being, explained the agency. The idol has decided to take time off to focus on treatment and recovery.

He will be absent from promotional activities for the band’s upcoming album “Phantasy Part 2: Sixth Sense” that is due out on Monday, as well as the concert in Seoul scheduled for Dec. 1-3.

The album is the second installment of its three-part second studio album and comes about three months since the first, “Christmas in August.”