Ranking of K-pop streaming on Spotify

 (Long time no see, I took a long COVID break for myself!)

Pann: Ranking of K-pop streaming worldwide on Spotify

1. [+107, -4] Look at the gap between... BTS really is a wall

2. [+88, -2] BTS' Spotify streaming is #19 in history. #1 is Drake and and other artists in top 20 are really popular ones like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, and Eminem. Seeing how BTS is on the ranking as a non-English artist, they're just another level.

3. [+65, -2] BTS is another level.

4. [+30, -0] It's pathetic how some people claim BTS doesn't have a mega hit song.

5. [+20, -1] BTS' Spotify streaming is 623M and the rest of K-pop streaming is 684.18M. BTS and K-pop are separated.

Idol concerts that were planned for this year

Super M - Tokyo Dome

Around 50,000 audience

NCT 127 - North American tour

New York, Atlanta, Chicago, San Hose, LA, Seattle

Around 60,000

Twice - Tour final + Tokyo Dome

Seoul KSPO Dome, Tokyo Dome

Around 120,000

GOT7 - First Stadium concert

Bangkok

Around 110,000

Seventeen - First Japanese Dome tour

Tokyo Dome, Fukuoka, Saitama, Osaka

Around 350,000

BTS - Stadium tour

Seoul, Santa Clara, LA, Dallas, Orlando, Atlanta, New Jersey, Washington, Toronto, Chicago, London, Rotterdam, Berlin, Barcelona

Around 1,300,000

-

Pann: Idol concerts that were planned for this year

1. [+174, -9] I was so happy to get a ticket to a BTS concert. I was anxious when covid-19 broke out and then it got cancelled. What the...

2. [+159, -11] F*ck, I thought everything about BTS' concert including the equipment was legendary. That godd*mn corona...

3. [+110, -8] Seventeen's Europe tour, too...

4. [+51, -3] BTS 1.3M? Wow, stadium tour is a different class...

5. [+36, -6] BTS' 4th Jamshil concert was cancelled and the Armies donated the refunded ticket price for covid-19. It was so funny how some Armies donated it to the research of christian cults to fight against Shincheonji ㅋㅋ

6. [+36, -3] BTS though ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

New fanclub logos that SM registered

BoA - Jumping BoA

TVXQ - Cassiopeia

Super Junior - ELF

Girls' Generation - Sone

SHINee - SHINee World

EXO - EXO-L

Red Velvet - ReVeLuv

NCT - NCTzen

NCT - NCTzen 127

NCT - NCTzen Dream

WayV - WayZenNi

=

Pann: New fanclub logos that SM registered

1. [+369, -1] Am I the only one who's sad that F(x) isn't there? ㅠㅠ

2. [+194, -0] They look like soccer leagues...

3. [+158, -0] They look like they'd be on school uniforms.

4. [+52, -2] Where's the effort for EXO-L's logo... SM, ugh...

5. [+51, -0] What about F(x), you f*cking SM ㅜㅜ

6. [+46, -4] Red Velvet's one is so pretty. SM, please stop with the gray...

7. [+41, -1] Can NCT Dream just recruit their fanclub instead? They never do anything right.

8. [+36, -0] SM needs to get rid of Graysons. They gave us the sh*ttiest one.

Blind item of a girl group member who had to take her boyfriend with her

Article: Girl group fool F, staying up all night by making love with her boyfriend she likes so much...

Source: Newsen via Naver

These days, a girl group member F is staying up all night by making love. After many attempts, she succeeded in taking her boyfriend to an international event in the beginning of the year. But on the day of departure, her dumb boyfriend forgot to bring his passport. F kept insisting that she was getting on the plane only if she was going with her boyfriend, causing trouble to her agency. They had to change her flight 13 times, which costed 10 times more than the original cost of $500. Besides, she was late and missed the rehearsal. While the other members were rehearsing, F posted a bunch of exotic pictures on her social media and acted like a 'fool', upsetting the hosts of the event. Because of F, her group was deemed to have 'violated the terms' and did not get full payment of the event.

-

Pann: Blind item of a female idol and her boyfriend

1. [+344, -5] What's with the tone of the article, I thought I was on Twitter ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

2. [+309, -1] If she's able to take her boyfriend and change her flight 13 times, she must be from a very influential group. She might not be a 1st tier but still very popular.

3. [+265, -4] 13 times ㅋㅋㅋㅋ It's so dumb when someone can't separate professional work and private life.

4. [+211, -0] Usually, these idols don't turn out to be the 1st tiers we know ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

5. [+172, -1] I don't care who it is but it's so funny how they call her a girl group fool ㅋㅋㅋㅋ I imagine the journalist wrote the article with this -_- face.

6. [+155, -0] The tone of the article is so funny ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

7. [+122, -0] If this is true, it's hilarious. That boyfriend was stupid enough to forget his passport and the girl group member is called a "fool" in an article ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

8. [+108, -12] Red Velvet hasn't had promotions since Wendy's injury. Twice doesn't have their own social media. Blackpink seems to be the best guess. But it said they didn't get the full payment of the event, so I don't think this is a world tour. Blackpink didn't participate in idol events like K-cons. I don't think it's any of the three groups.

9. [+80, -1] Wow ㅋㅋㅋㅋ At this rate, she'll be revealed soon.

10. [+72, -3] The article isn't saying that it's a 1st tier group but people seem to think it is ㅋㅋ I don't think it's a 1st tier group. We'll find who it is as long as we dig female idols' Instagram and find who posted a bunch of travel pictures in the beginning of the year.

EXO's composer vents frustration over requests to make EXO-like songs

Some songs written by the composer MZMC:

-

Pann: EXO's composer targets other companies

1. [+486, -53] It's true that there's been more universe concepts and storytelling since EXO ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Other companies are really defensive against EXO, avoiding to overlap comebacks with EXO and all.

2. [+410, -30] A lot of groups debuted to compete against EXO... A company's CEO even said he was debuting his group to face EXO in his interview.

3. [+374, -19] I also saw him mentioning this on live. Since Tempo, other companies asked him to compose a song like Tempo.

4. [+195, -5] What's the project that was planned since 2006? EXO! Who's the singer that paid a huge amount of money to NASA and got a photo for their fandom site? EXO! Who's the group that makes you obsessed with the space because they have comebacks on eclipse days? EXO! Who's the idol that the space is helping? EXO!

5. [+166, -1] If he's saying bluntly like that, it means so many companies must've asked him already ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

6. [+156, -4] EXO was the first idol to have a fanmeet at Gocheok. Other companies called to complain why EXO was holding a fanmeet there. It's true that other companies and fandoms can't stan without EXO and EXO-L.

7. [+146, -4] So many people were keeping EXO in check... After a year of debut, whenever the members passed a hallway with a lot of people, Joonmyun always kept a scary face... Because others were keeping them in check, the leader was making the face on purpose to protect the group. The sunbaes also know this, so they tease him when he makes a serious face to do something on broadcast ㅠㅠ

8. [+99, -2] They're trying to copy EXO ㅋㅋ "But your group can't be like EXO", so cool.

9. [+93, -1] Why would I be interested in an EXO-like group when there's EXO?

10. [+85, -1] They're even fighting over a song like this. Imagine how the companies must've tried to copy the universe concept, tsk tsk.

Many of 2nd generation idols discharged from military this year

Discharged this year:
BTOB - Eunkwang, Changsub, Minhyuk
Infinite - Sungyeol, Dongwoo
Highlight - Doojoon, Dongwoon
SHINee - Onew, Key, and Minho
EXO - Xiumin
2PM, Bigbang, CNBLUE

-

Article: BTOB -> SHINee -> EXO rush of discharge, oppars are coming back

Source: Ilgan Sports via Nate

1. [+145, -20] Congrats on your discharge Eunkwang <3

2. [+130, -13] Excited for Doojoon ㅠㅠㅠ

3. [+95, -4] Let's take out CNBLUE.

4. [+23, -4] I hope to see Doojoon in dramas and variety shows. He seems all-rounded ㅋㅋ

5. [+18, -11] So who's the idol who was on the news for special treatment, using his phone, smoking, and speaking rudely to his seniors? Seems like everybody knows who it is but his agency is deleting the articles.

6. [+17, -4] Doojoon-ssi, my kid was waiting for you. Please promote a lot ^^

7. [+16, -2] I miss you SHINee.

8. [+15, -7] March 26, happy birthday Xiumin~

SF9 Rowoon becomes Gongcha model

Pann: Gongcha reveals its new model

(Rowoon will be the model for 6 months from April 14)

1. [+183, -5] Lee Seunggi and then Rowoon. I can see what type of model Gongcha is going for ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

2. [+116, -2] I can see Gongcha's type. It's totally my type, too.

3. [+61, -2] Oh, he suits it.

4. [+37, -1] Oh my, Rowoon-ah, you did it. SF9 will get popular, we're finally a 3rd tier now. Rowoon-ah, we made it. You're the light, my Sukwoo~ You finally did it ㅠㅠ What is this, model for Chic Choc and Gongcha? Aigo Rowoon-ah, you did it.

5. [+26, -1] This is your Gongcha model Kim Sukwoo!

6. [+24, -1] So happy to see that SF9 is starting to get recognized.

7. [+19, -0] Lee Jong Suk, Park Seo Joon, Lee Seunggi, Rowoon... Gongcha must like tall, fresh-looking guys.

8. [+17, -1] My Sukwoo... He looks like black milk tea but the way he act is Oreo smoothy milk foam, so much aegyo.

Twice members pressuring fans to stream their music?

Jungyeon: "Did you guys stream or not?!"

"They said there are 55K viewers so there should be 55K streams..."

(Twice members instructing how to stream silently)

(Also instructing timing, downloading, and playlists for streaming)

-

Pann: What do you think about pressuring fans to stream like Twice is doing?

1. [+422, -33] I think I'll stop liking them.

2. [+313, -23] Do they not trust fans with streaming? I wish they'd just leave it to the fans.

3. [+298, -27] So unlikeable.

4. [+150, -3] I can understand if they do it a few times but I don't like how intentional they are with it.

5. [+139, -1] I don't like how they say it's OK to mute it. The point of music is to listen to it but they just seem like they want to chart higher.

6. [+97, -6] If they were my bias, I'd leave the fandom.

7. [+81, -0] If their songs are good in the first place, they would chart high even without fans streaming.

8. [+73, -1] Instead of pressuring fans to do it, why don't they do it themselves with their managers?

9. [+68, -1] I'd leave the fandom because I feel like I'm being treated like an ATM.

10. [+45, -6] But there are other idols who also ask fans to stream. Their tone is indeed different though ㅋㅋㅋ Some idols also ask to vote, though.

BTS is the only active group from 2013?

Pann: BTS is the only active idol group debuted in 2013

1. [+98, -1] I think "surviving" is an accurate word for the entertainment industry. When BTS debuted, their article titles had "survive" in them and the comments were all teasing them. But they did survive. Not just survive, they killed it...

2. [+97, -0] It's interesting that so many idol groups debuted in 2013 and only one group survived and managed to become the top group. I expected there to be a lot of active groups from 2013 but BTS really is the only one.

3. [+96, -2] Boys' Republic and BTS debuted together but only BTS did well ㅠㅠ I used to confuse both so much... I wonder how the other group is doing.

4. [+44, -0] It's scary and sad. Imagine finding that all the fellow singers have disappeared. Experiencing the industry getting filled with new faces must be such a lonely, tough job ㅠㅠ

5. [+31, -0] BTS survived so stubbornly. They're amazing. The people who reached the top in their fields are really something. The entertainment industry is really tough and they're from a small agency and turned it into a major agency. I respect them as a person.

6. [+26, -3] I think BTS is also lucky. They debuted in 2013 but they won a rookie award, got good responses with Boy in Luv, and became popular with I Need U in 2015. They hit big with Fire and Blood Sweat Tears in 2016 and have been doing well since. They struggled in 2013 and have been popular since. Honestly, EXO is from a major agency but their debut song got no response.

7. [+20, -3] It's cruel how people define BTS' success as pure luck.

8. [+20, -1] I remember a hateful comment saying "These guys will also disappear quietly" and RM replied and said they'll survive.

Did 'Produce 101' ruin the idol scene?

Pann: Negative influence Produce 101 has put on the music industry

1. [+150, -1] The atmosphere of the fans changed ㅋㅋㅋㅋ It became messy.

2. [+102, -0] Since Produce 101, the fandoms became systemized. There are so many things to do now. It used to be just streaming digitals but now we have to watch Youtube music videos, Naver TV videos, and stream/download songs like a war. The voting, too... It's because the akgaes are so much worse now so the competition is worse.

3. [+92, -10] Agreed. I don't even know why they did the show.

4. [+54, -0] Since the boy version of Produce 101, it was a slow season for boy groups so the boy groups that debuted in the second half of 2016 all flopped. SF9, Victon, Pentagon... But Pentagon climbed back on the chart with Shine and SF9 is rising with Extraordinary You. Victon was a recognized rookie group but they were forgotten by Produce 101 and then ironically got recognized by Produce 101. I hope the 2016 groups do well.

5. [+53, -0] It's true that the idol scene has gotten weird since Produce 101.

6. [+48, -0] Produce 101 was the most issued so the rookie groups that debuted around the same time got all buried.

7. [+41, -0] The idol scene was already dying and Produce 101 was just a nail on the coffin. Honestly, you can tell that there's a lack of talents now. I don't see any idol that has potentials to be huge. The market is dead, I don't think it's fair to blame Produce 101 only.

8. [+34, -0] I think it's this. People got to pick the idols and make them debut, so they thought they had power to abuse and started insults. As a result, the scene became messy.

9. [+34, -0] Maybe it's just an overlap but since 2016 with Produce 101, the idol scene has changed completely. Up until 2015, it used to be f(x), Apink, and Girl's Day.

10. [+30, -1] It was all good until season 2. They should've stopped there. It's good that things are revealed now, at least. Or else they would've done a new season every year. It's good that Produce 101 isn't continuing anymore.

What's your ideal number of members for idol groups?

Pann: What's your ideal number of members for idol groups?

1. [+236, -6] If there's more than 10 members, it stops me from entering the fandom.

2. [+202, -7] For all-fans, 5 is nice. It's not too little or too much.

3. [+186, -10] 7 for me. The formation is pretty and there's good chemistry between the members.

4. [+62, -2] 5 for me. The part division is nice and the stage formation is pretty, too.

5. [+57, -1] I stan a 5-member group and it's perfect. But if there's a member missing, the choreography looks really empty. I think that's the con.

6. [+51, -1] 6 for me. I like even numbers and I like how they can divide into pairs of 2 for games and reality shows.

7. [+27, -1] 5. I used to wonder how people could stan huge groups but now I'm an all-fan of one ㅋㅋ Let me cry as a NCTzen.

8. [+24, -0] I'm an Ujung and I really like 13 members. My bias takes a big part in the group but the stage formation is so pretty and the choreography looks amazing. Their visuals are diverse and there's a lot of personalities, so it's nicely loud all the time ㅎㅎ Of course, the 10-member promotions aren't too bad, either.

9. [+22, -0] My fandom experienced 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, and 7...

10. [+19, -3] I've stanned only big groups so I lost the standard for "too much" ㅋㅋ I'm a Carat and it's not like I have to give up some things because there's too many members. I like seeing the members playing together.

11. [+18, -0] Even if we decide this, the group looks lacking once there's a few members missing. I'd watch V app and be like, "wait, that's it?" I'm a NCTzen.

12. [+17, -5] A lot of talented groups are 4 or 5. Bigbang, Sistar, pre-TVXQ, SHINee, Mamamoo, etc.

13. [+16, -1] I like 4 the most because I have trouble memorizing all the members' names ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Blackpink, Brown Eyed Girls, Mamamoo, etc.

116 idols (24 groups) surveyed on best visuals & best bodies

Article: [Idol Survey] Cha Eunwoo & Yoona, #1 visuals chosen by idols... Kai & Seolhyun are #1 hot bodies

Source: Ilgan Sports via Nate

Best visual male
1) Astro Cha Eunwoo +28
2) BTS V +18
3) Seventeen Seungkwan +11
4) GOT7 Jinyoung, NCT Jaehyun +5
5) Golden Child Bomin, TXT Sobin +3

Best visual female
1) SNSD Yoona +7
2) Twice Tzuyu, Red Velvet Irene +6
3) G-IDLE Miyeon +5
4) Suzy, "Twice", Itzy Yeji +4
5) SNSD Taeyeon, IZONE Minjoo, etc. +2

Hot body male
1) EXO Kai +35
2) Monsta X Shownu +19
3) Seventeen Woozi +11
4) Astro Moonbin +9
5) BTS Jungkook +7
6) NU'EST Baekho +6

Hot body female
1) AOA Seolhyun +14
2) G-IDLE Soojin +12
3) Hyuna +8
4) Sunmi, Weki Meki Doyeon +5
5) Itzy Yuna +4
6) Red Velvet Seulgi, "Twice", Twice Momo +3

-

1. [+872, -125] #3 is Seungkwan? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Who are the 11 trolls?

2. [+259, -80] Agree that Kai has a hot body. Not anybody can pull of a crop shirt... Kai can.

3. [+245, -32] Look at these comments acting jealous because their favorite idol isn't there ㅋㅋ Those #1 idols can get approved anywhere.

4. [+206, -201] It's meaningless.

5. [+167, -102] Wow, Kai's number of votes are outstanding. 35 out of 116 idols picked Kai. His body is amazing indeed.

6. [+156, -120] Yoona is never excluded in these surveys for 13 years. She's amazing.

7. [+141, -187] Seungkwan being #3 shows how meaningless this survey is.

8. [+133, -114] Yoona was also #1 visual picked by plastic surgeons.

9. [+129, -84] Kai's body is outstanding and so is the number of his votes... He's tall, slim, and has muscles. He has long legs.

10. [+38, -39] Seventeen and G-IDLE voted for their own members ㅋㅋㅋ

SF9 Rowoon before getting plastic surgery?

Pann: Hul, is this really SF9 Rowoon?

1. [+211, -33] Rowoon's plastic surgery turned out really well. I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I'm just envious. He turned his life around by getting his eyes and nose done... His before face is fine but he wasn't that handsome.

2. [+158, -11] If the aftermath is like this, plastic surgery is so worth it.

3. [+155, -25] It's a little turn-off. I thought he was originally handsome but I can't even recognize him. I don't like it when someone gets plastic surgery to the point of being unrecognizable.

4. [+96, -34] Who the heck is Rowoon?

5. [+83, -7] Do you really think he only got his eyes done? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

6. [+75, -90] He only got his eyes done. I think his braces did wonders. After wearing braces, his jaw got into a better shape and his short chin grew a bit, so he became more manly-looking. Besides, the second photo is a terrible screenshot ㅋㅋㅋㅋ He's blinking in the photo. He was a teenager in the photos so he still had baby fat. That's why he looks more different.

7. [+65, -15] Wow, it's almost a rebirth.

8. [+57 -15] Who is this nugu?

9. [+56, -5] Men should learn from him.

10. [+55, -19] Power of Korean plastic surgery.

11. [+50, -5] Honestly, his nose still looks fake.

Fans on Pann comment on EXO Chen's pregnancy & marriage news

Pann: EXO Chen is getting married because of premarital pregnancy

1. [+954, -36] Premarital pregnancy when he didn't even enlist yet ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Even if he wasn't an idol, it's such an irresponsible action.

2. [+881, -9] So funny ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

"He debuted with Mama and is retiring as Papa"

3. [+737, -80] What about EXO's image? Chen, you should leave the group if you have any shame. Are you going to turn EXO into a married group like SuJu?

4. [+727, -4] Honestly, this is 1000 times more shocking than Momo & Heechul.

5. [+602, -5]

EXO Chen on 'Return of the Superman'

Caption: From a national singer 'EXO' to a father of a child! (Growl plays)

Narration: Today, EXO uncles will be visiting Jjongjjong! Chen daddy is busy preparing since the morning!

Chen: Jjongjjong-ah, the uncles will be coming today~ You know the uncles?

Jjongjjong: Yes! Let's buy snacks for the uncles!

Chen: Jjongjjong will buy snacks for the uncles?

Chanyeol: Jjongjjong!!

Jjongjjong: Yeolmae uncle!!!

(They have a happy chat and then a sad bgm starts playing)

Caption: True words that can be spoken finally...

Chen: When I first announced to get married, I was sorry... to the fans and the members...

Suho: But Jongdae-ya, we all cheered for you and...

Caption: Chen papa gets teary

Chen: It reminds me of our Growl days...

Jjongjjong: Dad, are you crying?

Chanyeol: No, Jjongjjong! Why would a cool person like your dad cry? Should we dance to Growl together?

(The show ends with them dancing to Growl)

6. [+599, -4] He'll stay quiet for a while and then appear on the Return of the Superman in 2~3 years.

7. [+552, -4] So pathetic how people say he's cool for being responsible. It's something you must be responsible for, how does it make him cool? Way to stab the fans in the back.

8. [+478, -26] Even Hyuna and Dawn didn't announce their marriage, how could he do that?

-

Pann: Chen is selfish, does he not think about other EXO members?

1. [+660, -19] It's disgusting how EXO is going to get a shotgun marriage image... Please leave the group.

2. [+601, -13] If it was an ordinary marriage, I could congratulate him but the fact that he's marrying because of premarital pregnancy makes me more mad. There are a lot of plans that the members and the agency discussed together. I'm so pissed that he's marrying like this over a stupid mistake, makes me upset.

3. [+508, -35] People mention that a 29-year-old can do anything but if he was earning money off of us, he should've been more careful. Does he live alone in the world? What about the other members? He should've been careful considering how his income was from our fandom.

4. [+222, -6] After leeching everything off of the year-end concerts, he's announcing his marriage at 8 months of pregnancy ㅋㅋ

5. [+216, -8] I'm not an EXO-L but I don't understand why he didn't use a condom when he's a 1st tier idol. It was thoughtless of him. But think about how concerned Chen must've been when he was writing that letter, ugh...

-

Pann: Can you stan a father?

1. [+397, -2] If they're aged like Shinhwa and become fathers, I'd go to their concerts, watch their variety shows, and listen to their music. But being in his 20's, not enlisted yet, and promoting actively ㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is a no.

2. [+342, -2] It would be funny how we would be saying "our Jongdae" to a father.

3. [+292, -3] Are you crazy? I wouldn't spend money on someone's man.

4. [+155, -0] What would you even say at a fansign? "How is your kid growing up? Does he/she have front teeth yet?" I can't do that ㅠㅠ

5. [+92, -0] I'm an EXO-L and I have no intent to pay for someone's child's food ㅋㅋ I bet he'll leave the group.

-

Pann: EXO Chen's ex-girlfriend

(There were accounts of him going to LA with his then-girlfriend (Mihee) for 10 days in 2017. Also, the girlfriend and Chen interacted frequently on social media.)

1. [+495, -4] I still remember this ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ "We told Chen to do anything he wants and he decided to become a father?" ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

2. [+315, -17] I don't think the woman he's marrying is Mihee. They did date but broke up after. Besides, Mihee herself has a husband now. They dated for a long time but are marrying different people. Mihee would've been better because we know that it was true love. But since it's a different woman, it's a little...

3. [+249, -5] People are looking for this photo.

4. [+217, -3] Fans were silencing this rumor. There's even a recording of it.

5. [+215, -7] Interesting how he maintained as a 1st tier idol after all that... I guess his core fandom is big.

-

Pann: Idols whose core fandoms are the biggest in their groups

EXO - Baekhyun, Kai

BTS - Jungkook, V, Jimin

Twice - Nayeon, Sana

NCT - Jaehyun, Taeyong, Mark

Seventeen - Mingyu

1. [+171, -8] Short-term relationship news are ok but not marriage...

2. [+132, -37] Taeyong has the strongest core fandom. I don't think his fans will leave the fandom even if he gets into dating news.

3. [+128, -3] Really true about Twice Sanayeon...

4. [+118, -5] If Jaehyun gets into dating news, NCT 127 will be on the verge of disbanding. Jaehyun is indeed the top member. And Jaemin for Dream.

5. [+79, -1] At this rate, dating news from Dispatch won't surprise us... I can cheer for them only except for marriage ㅋㅋㅋㅋ