December kicked off with more K-pop debuts and comebacks of numerous artists plus a few interesting events. If you missed the happenings in the K-pop industry in the first week of the month, keep on reading to know the hottest news about BTS, TWICE, BIGBANG Taeyang and more!
Here are the Latest Happenings in K-pop Including Debuts and Comebacks this 1st Week of December 2021:
IVE Debuts with "ELEVEN"
On Dec. 1, Starship Entertainment's new girl group, IVE, made their highly-anticipated debut with their first single album "ELEVEN." The band consists of six members namely Liz, Rei, Gaeul, Leeseo and the two former IZ*ONE members Wonyoung and Yujin.
In the first 24 hours after its release, the music video for IVE's "ELEVEN" surpassed 10 million views on YouTube, becoming the fastest MV by a K-pop group that debuted this year to score the mark.
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In terms of their first-week sales on the Hanteo Chart, IVE's "ELEVEN" sold over 152,000 copies, the seventh-highest sales amount of a girl group album released this year.
H1-KEY Sitala Demanded to Be Removed from the Group ahead of Debut
Grandline Entertainment is set to debut their first girl group, H1-KEY, which will include a Thai member named Sitala. Fans were initially happy about her debut, however, they later demanded her to be removed from the group after discovering unpleasant family history.
It was found out that Sitala's father is the late Sarunyu Wongkrachang, a popular former actor in Thailand, who is also infamous to have actively supported the military coup dictatorship in the country.
Despite fans' demands, Grandline Entertainment announced that Sitala will debut as planned.
TWICE Makes a Japanese Comeback with "Doughnut"
TWICE also has a new music release this December particularly their ninth Japanese single "Doughnut," which contains the title track of the same name. It is the first time that the JYP girl group's title song is a ballad.
Released on Dec. 3, TWICE's "Doughnut" comes after the release of the band's third Japanese album, "Perfect World," which dropped this past July. Although the title seeming to have a happy story, considering that doughnuts are one of the sources of people's happiness, the song is actually about being heartbroken. The doughnut represents a "hole in the heart."
READ MORE: IN THE LOOP: EXO Kai's 'Peaches,' BIGBANG Protest Truck, BTS' 'PTD ON STAGE - LA' and More of K-Pop's Hottest News This Week
Xdinary Heroes Debut with "Happy Death Day"
On Dec. 6, another K-pop debut this week was made by JYP Entertainment's new boy band, called Xdinary Heroes, which is like DAY6. It is made up of six members: Gunil, Jungsoo, Gaon, O.de, Jun Han and Jooyeon.
Xdinary Heroes was officially launched with their first digital single "Happy Death Day," which members Jungsoo and Gaon co-composed and co-written. The track expresses the cold reality of a birthday celebration and the two-faced natures of the people who attended the event.
BTS Members Launch Personal Instagram Accounts
Also, on Dec. 6, BTS members surprised many when they officially launched their personal Instagram accounts eight years since their debut.
On the same day, each member posted their first Instagram photo and millions of fans started following Jungkook, V, RM, Jin, Suga, Jimin, V and Jin. As of writing, all BTS members have more than 19 million followers.
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BIGBANG Taeyang and Min Hyorin Welcome First Baby
Actress Min Hyorin was reported to have given birth to her first baby with BIGBANG Taeyang on Dec. 6. The news was confirmed later that day by YG Entertainment and it was mentioned that the couple welcomed a baby boy.
WINNER Mino Returns with "TO INFINITY"
Another K-pop comeback this week was made by WINNER Song Mino, who released his third full album, "TO INFINITY." A total of 10 songs are included in the album, one of which is the title track "TANG!" which contains the lyrics written by Mino.
Dropped on Dec. 7, WINNER Mino's "TO INFINITY" topped the iTunes Albums charts in at least 14 countries while "TANG!" debuted within the top 10 of Korean music charts like Bugs, Genie and VIBE.
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Written by Mhaliya Scott
