[Today’s K-pop] Lee Hyori to be MAMA’s first female host

Lee Hyori will become the first female host of the Mnet Asian Music Awards, Mnet announced Wednesday.

She will be the messenger that links artists and music fans across the world at the 2021 MAMA, slated for Dec. 11, it said. Titled “Make Some Noise, this year’s annual music award ceremony aims to deliver the power of music through respect for differences and to challenge prejudice, it added, describing her as the “singular person” who is aligned with the ideas.

MAMA, organized by CJ ENM since 2010, has been held at different cities in Asia, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be held in Korea as it was last year.

In May, Lee shared pictures and a short video taken in front of a billboard in southern Seoul, which featured her and three fellow members of FiNKL celebrating the 23rd anniversary of their debut. She struck out on her own in 2003 with the mega hit song, “Ten Minute,” which was rearranged by Wonstein last month.

Enhypen tops iTunes chart in 26 regions with 1st LP

Enhypen’s first studio album “Dimension: Dilemma” landed atop iTunes’ top albums chart in 26 regions, agency Belift Lab announced Wednesday.

The title track, “Tamed-Dashed,” ranked No. 1 on iTunes’ top songs chart in six regions as well.

The LP sold over 500,000 copies on the first day of release, a record high for the boy band. According to distribution statistics, it sold 926,000 copies in preorders.

The band debuted through the audition program “I-Land” last year and its debut album, “Border: Day One,” was the most-sold album by a rookie group in 2020. Its second EP, “Border: Carnival,” entered Billboard 200 at No. 18 and was a chart-topper on Oricon’s weekly chart for two weeks.

Super Junior’s Donghae releases solo digital single 

Donghae of Super Junior on Wednesday put out his solo digital single, “California Love.”

The veteran idol participated in writing the melodies and lyrics of both tracks -- “California Love” and “Blue Moon.” The title track features Jeno of NCT and the latter, Miyeon of (G)I-dle.

The main track is a hip-hop/R&B tune that croons about spending time with one’s lover against the beautiful landscape of California. In the accompanying music video that was also unveiled Wednesday, he turns into a sleek singer performing at a bar.

Donghae went live on the band’s YouTube channel an hour before the release of the single on Wednesday evening and to communicate with his fans.

He will also put out an album, named “Countdown,” with Eunhyuk later this month, the first full album as part of the duo Super Junior D&E.

Lightsum drops 2nd single 

Girl group Lightsum held an online showcase to release its second single, “Light A Wish,” on Wednesday.

The eight members were happy to have a chance to roll out a new song, four months after their debut.

“We’ve been preparing for our return, awaiting to meet our fans,” said Juhyeon, adding that their official fandom now has a name, “Sumit.”

The ambience of the new song is quite different from their debut song, “Vanilla,” and they put a lot of effort in perfecting their choreography, said Jian.

Title track “Vivace” is a dreamy dance tune based on the future bass and house genre. Dance moves that were inspired by a clock pendulum and moves sending heart signs are highlights in the choreography, explained Sangah.

They visualized themselves as Genies, fictional characters that grant wishes, hoping that the wishes of those watching their performances would come true, added Huiyeon.

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