[Today’s K-pop] Monsta X’s I.M sweeps Billboard’s global chart with solo EP

I.M of Monsta X saw all of the tracks from his first solo digital EP rank on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales Chart, according to the music media outlet’s tally for next week.

Title track “God Damn” ranked No. 9, and “Howlin,” “Happy to Die,” “Flower-ed” and “Burn” settled at No. 17, 18, 20 and 21, respectively. The EP, called “Duality,” rose to the top of iTunes worldwide albums chart upon its release in February beating out albums from Ariana Grande, Coldplay and Adele, to name a few.

“God Damn” is a hip hop number that mixes his vocals with emo rap and is about how he cannot help saying that he is happy even though he is not.

The rapper participated in writing and arranging all five tracks on the album, his first EP since his debut six years ago. He has been writing all of the raps for the band thus far and has put out a string of mixtapes.

EXO’s Xiumin to meet fans online

Xiumin of EXO will reunite with fans through an online meet event scheduled for March 27.

He will not only perform but also entertain fans with games and chats. This is the singer’s first fan meet event since he held a solo fan meet “Xiuweet Time” two years ago. The event, called “ON: Xiuweet Time,” will be broadcast live on Naver’s V Live. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase beginning March 12.

The veteran idol completed his military duty in December becoming the first member of the band to do so. He participated in the original soundtrack for television drama “Mr. Queen,” which ended recently. It was the first music he put out since returning as a civilian. He has been appearing in a series of entertainment programs as well, pushing ratings of the episodes to the top of the charts.

GOT7’s Bambam signs with Abyss Company 

Bambam of GOT7 has found new home at Abyss Company, the agency said on Friday.

“We’re delighted to establish connections with Bambam, an artist with explosive potential,” the company said in a statement announcing the deal. He will start as a solo artist and the agency will help him grow further as a global K-pop star, supporting him in every way possible so that he can demonstrate his talent not just in music but in the entire entertainment industry, it said.

The Thai native debuted as a member of the seven-piece act in 2014 and is loved for his dazzling performances and charming personality.

With the contract, he will join other musicians at Abyss, including Sunmi, Urban Zakapa and Park Won. 

The members of GOT7 did not renew their contract with JYP Entertainment when it expired early this year. Jinyoung has joined BH Entertainment, Youngjae went to Sublime Artist Agency and Yugyeom recently signed with AOMG.

NU’EST marks 9th debut anniversary

The bandmates of NU’EST will celebrate the ninth anniversary of their debut with a series of events for their fans, they announced Thursday, saying “2021 Ha99y 9th anniversary to NU’EST” in a post online.

They uploaded a timetable, sprinkled with loving messages for Love, their official fandom community, for upcoming events ahead of the March 15 anniversary, named “9ood café,” via official SNS channels.

The band held an online fan meet event in November and released a digital single “A Song For You” dedicated to its fans for the seventh anniversary.

The five-piece act debuted with “Face” in 2012 and has released eight EPs and two Japanese LPS so far. The last EP “The Nocturne” came out last May and the second Japanese LP “Drive” in October.

Aron, the group’s oldest member, has been taking a break since January due to anxiety issues.

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