NewJeans dominated Lollapalooza. They might soon take over the world
Just a year since their debut, the quintet performed in front of 70,000 fans for the first time in the U.S.
(Photo credit: Roger Ho for Lollapalooza)
While I was running low on sleep, my adrenaline was high. On August 3rd, I hitched a ride with my cousins in the wee hours of the morning as they drove nearly nine hours to Chicago from Toronto for Lollapalooza.
Time was ticking, and NewJeans’ s ‘ETA’ kept ringing in my head. While we left at 4:30 am, NewJeans was set to perform at 5 pm. Thankfully, Chicago is one hour behind, so we ended up gaining an hour back. However, my friend Michael (who runs the awesome blog Bias Wrecker) kept checking in to see whether I was going to make it.
All I wanted to say was “ASAP BABY!” (Get it???)
NewJeans puns aside, we eventually made it to Chicago and thankfully even caught the girls perform. There was no way I could miss the group make its debut in the United States.
NewJeans are a rookie girl group that people haven’t stopped talking about since they came onto the K-pop scene last July. Comprised of members Hanni, Danielle, Minji, Haerin and Hyein, the group’s name NewJeans is a double entendre. It alludes to the idea that jeans are a timeless fashion item and the group's intention to carve a timeless image for themselves. The name is also a word play on the phrase "new genes", referring to the group ushering a new generation of pop music.
In the span of a year, NewJeans has reached levels many groups could only dream of.
This past January, NewJeans’s single album OMG gained widespread popularity, becoming the longest-running #1 song on the Circle Digital Chart and the group’s first entry on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. And the weekend of Lollapalooza, NewJeans’s latest EP Get Up claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200.
Needless to say, being in a crowd of 70,000 in Chicago’s Grant Park felt like witnessing a historic moment.
Anticipation built up inside of me as I followed tweets (or Xes) inside the car hours before NewJeans were even expected to make it on stage.
For hours, fans lined up in the heat in order to get a good view of the stage NewJeans were to perform on.
Over at the merch stand, Bunnies (as NewJeans fans are called), stood in line for coveted limited edition merch. As of writing, hoodies are now going for $500 and up on eBay. A T-shirt I managed to snag two days later (after scoring a tip from a fellow fan), is now auctioning for $189 USD or more online.
Spotify also put up a Bunnyland installation to mark NewJeans’s first U.S. performance on that Thursday. While the stand was a bit underwhelming itself, Bunnies still lined up for over an hour. While here, fans could download a NewJeans playlist, make friendship bracelets, take pictures and try to win a fanny pack from a claw machine.
NewJeans weren’t even headliners and this was the type of enthusiasm and energy that was being felt all around Lollapalooza on Day One of the festival. They are stars!
By the time NewJeans finally made it on stage, the hype around their performance was justified. They performed with the confidence and charisma of idols who had been doing it for years.
As someone who has watched various NewJeans performances during music show appearances, the beauty of their songs and aesthetic is simply how easy, laidback and relaxed they make everything look. There was no exception to this at Lollapalooza. Although this time, the girls were supported by a wicked live band who elevated their performance.
“We’ve been told that we’re the first K-pop girl group to be invited to Lollapalooza. Which can I say, is an absolute honour for us,” said Hanni. “We are so happy that we are even on this stage at this moment. It’s very surreal. Thank you so much for coming!”
“We worked really, really hard on each one of our performances. So I hope you enjoy!” added Danielle.
(Photo credit: Roger Ho for Lollapalooza)
While a common critique of NewJeans’s songs are their short run-time, I wondered how they would be able to fill space in a 45-minute set. The girls sang every single song they’ve released from hits like ‘Hype Boy’, ‘Attention’ and ‘Ditto’.
However, the big surprise was actually ‘Cookie’, my least favourite song of NewJeans’s discography partly because of its questionable lyrics. Here, the live band rearranged the song into something that felt very pop-punk. The edgy take on the track felt refreshing, and the girls’ excited chants were enough to make me bob my head furiously along.
The first half of the set concludes with ‘OMG’, which also marks the end of the live band segment of NewJeans’s performance. It’s a hell of a good time, as members jump and dance around the stage, concluding the performance with each girl taking their turn to blow kisses and make hearts towards the audience before leaving the stage for a set change.
(Photo credit: Roger Ho for Lollapalooza)
Moments later, NewJeans reappear and have replaced their microphones with headsets. They launch into pop star mode performing hits from their latest EP Get Up. A group of dancers join the girls for a performance of ‘Super Shy’, making the stage look like a very organized flash mob or drop-in dance session. The energy continues with ‘ETA’ (my theme song!), and then mellows out with ‘Cool With You’ and the 30-second interlude ‘Get Up.’
Throughout the entirety of NewJeans’ Lollapalooza performance, the girls appear as poised as can be. It’s only when they prompt the crowd to sing an acapella version of ‘OMG’ back at them, when Minji puts her hands over her mouth in awe and shock.
“I’m so happy to see so many of you like our music. So I don’t think I’ll ever forget today!” said Haerin of the moment.
Before the girls leave, they vowed to keep making music that their Bunnies would enjoy for years to come.
“It has been an absolute honour being on the stage in front of you all,” Hanni said as the set concludes.
“We were really nervous before we came on stage, but now that we are in front of you I think we’re really happy to perform music in front of you like this.”
The song ‘ASAP’ brings NewJeans’s performance to a conclusion, and they confidently and giddily leave the stage amidst thousands of screaming fans.
As I rewatch this performance online, I notice the live feed catches a glimpse of the girls and their reactions backstage. Danielle is overcome with emotion, and tearfully embraces her members. These teen girls have all just achieved something massive together.
Boy, if this is what a rookie girl group is able to do within a year, they’re gonna dominate in the years to come.
I think I might be a Bunny for life.
FIFTY FIFTY open up about their lawsuit against label ATTRAKT for the first time
FIFTY FIFTY were supposed to make an appearance at KCON LA this weekend. However, an ongoing lawsuit against their label ATTRAKT put a stop to those plans.
Now after weeks of their legal battle over their contracts, FIFTY FIFTY have broken their silence. Back in June, the group filed a lawsuit to suspend their exclusive contracts with ATTRAKT, claiming the label had violated the terms of their contracts.
Earlier this week, in a brand new Instagram account, the members wrote handwritten statements in both English and Korean. A representative for the K-pop group confirmed to Herald Pop that the letters were indeed by FIFTY FIFTY.
“Misunderstandings and accusations have been snowballing. We were deeply shocked by this and have been going through a tough time,” the quartet wrote. “We believe there is a truth that needs to be uncovered despite these difficulties,” wrote FIFTY FIFTY.
“We first wanted to take this opportunity to right the wrongs that have been forced in our relationship with the agency,” they added.
The members then allege that “many untrue stories” have been reported in the media, but didn’t specify which reports specifically.
“We believed that taking this issue to court based on facts was the right way to solve the situation. We had hoped that the truth would be uncovered during the trial process and our right would be guaranteed,” they wrote.
Seventeen’s S.Coups goes on break after tearing ACL, Seungkwan to make a return to promotional activities
Seventeen has experienced a setback in the midst of preparing for their upcoming Follow tour in Japan. Leader S.Coups has torn his ACL, which will mean he will be unable to participate in the majority of official activities for the foreseeable future.
“On Aug. 10, S.COUPS sustained an injury to the left knee as he was landing while playing a ball game for a content shoot. He was immediately taken to the hospital where he underwent a comprehensive medical examination including an MRI scan. During the examination, a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was identified in the left knee,” wrote PLEDIS in a statement posted on Weverse.
“The artist is receiving necessary medical treatment prior to the surgery as recommended by the medical staff, and will undergo surgery as soon as possible. We will provide another update on the progression of treatments and his rehabilitation schedule at a later time.”
(Photo credit: Getty)
Meanwhile, Seungkwan will be resuming activities this fall after taking a hiatus since July due to health concerns.
“Seungkwan is planning to join the rest of SEVENTEEN for their October comeback and new album,” said PLEDIS.
“Seungkwan is currently focusing entirely on his recovery,” they continued. “We are in the process of discussing the time of his return with the artist himself. We predict that he will return by September at the latest and be able to meet his fans again.”
RIP to K-pop’s beloved hedgehog, Odi
I am devastated to reveal that Odi, the beloved hedgehog owned by Tomorrow X Together’s Soobin, has died.
In a Weverse livestream, Soobin announced the sad news.
I do regret it a bit now. We should have taken more photos together when he was still healthy. I didn't take many pictures with Odi because I knew he didn't like it, and I didn't want to bother him. But now I wish we had taken more photos together,” he said.
My heart hurts :(
Odi was an iconic pet. I hope he finds continued peace in pet heaven. We’ll miss you.
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