[Today’s K-pop] BTS sets new record with “Butter”

BTS bounced back up to No. 1 on Billboard’s Artist 100, returning to the top after dropping to No. 2 last week, the publication revealed on Thursday in the US.

This is the 20th time the septet hit No. 1 on the chart that was launched in 2014. BTS is the first group to top the list for 20 weeks. Only three artists have stayed longer than the band, and all are solo musicians: Taylor Swift (48 weeks), Drake (32) and The Weeknd (22). 

The Artist 100 combines a performer’s performance across media, and this week’s return was boosted by the continued success of the group’s singles “Butter” and “Permission to Dance,” said Billboard, adding that the former spent nine weeks at No. 1 on Hot 100 and the latter one in July.

BTS currently has two albums on the Billboard 200, “BTS, The Best,” a compilation album that came out in Japan earlier this year, and “Map of the Soul: 7,” a chart-topper from last year. 

GOT7’s JayB releases his 1st solo EP 

JayB of GOT7 dropped “Somo:Fume,” his first EP as a solo musician, on Thursday. 

Members of GOT7 decided not to renew their contracts with JYP Entertainment in January, and the leader soon signed with H1gher Music led by Jay Park, formerly of JYP boy band 2PM.

JayB released the single “Switch It Up” in May, kicking off his career as a solo musician. The song is included in the seven-track EP, which expresses his desire to spread his sound to everyone subtly and naturally like a good scent. The title also plays on a Korean word that means expendable, hinting that he does not want to be used or disregarded.

Park is the featured artist on the lead track “B.T.W” produced by the hip-hop label’s hitmaker Cha Cha Malone. Park also uploaded a short snippet of JayB and himself dancing together on his Instagram that garnered over 330,000 views in three hours.

Blackpink’s pop-up exhibit sells out 

A pop-up exhibition celebrating Blackpink’s fifth anniversary has been sold out and label YG Entertainment has decided to offer more spots for fans to view it.

The show is held at a building near the company headquarters in Seoul and is free to those who made reservations.

Visitors can take a look at photographs that chronicle the band’s career as well as costumes from past performances. Fans can write messages to the bandmates and listen to audio recordings from the quartet as well. A media experience zone detects movement and shows the sets of the group’s music videos and their lyrics.

“For fans who cannot make it [to the show], a video of the inside of the pop-up [exhibition] will be uploaded online later,” said the company.

The exhibit runs until Aug. 30.

Shinee’s Key collaborates with Taeyeon 

Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation will join Key of Shinee on the title track of his upcoming solo album.

The news was unveiled through a teaser poster for the R&B tune about how one actually does not want their ex to forget about everything and live well.

Taeyeon adds her evocative vocal to Key’s delicate voice, seamlessly blending with sentimental guitar sounds.

The track will be released on Aug. 30 in advance of the release of the singer’s album slated for late September.

Taeyeon and Key are currently appearing as regulars on a weekly music variety show together, and also in a TV commercial for a beauty and drugstore chain.

By Hwang You-mee (glamazon@heraldcorp.com)