[Kang Il-hong's Today Entertainment] Seventeen, Asia Tour Sales No. 1... Total 130 Billion Won

Lim Young Woong, 290 Consecutive Weeks at No. 1, 3.2 Billion Views, 14.7 Billion Streams... "As Expected of a Hero"Tuesday, October 20, Seventeen/ Lim Young Woong/ Jang Hanbyul/ U-KNOW/ Rosé[THE FACT| Reporter Kang Il-hong] Group Seventeen has once again proven its status as a representative powerhouse of K-pop performances by ranking first in Asian tour sales.According to the Asian tour sales rankings released by the American performance industry magazine Pollstar, Seventeen topped the list with approximately $97.39 million, or about 130 billion won, in sales from August of last year to July of this year.Over 661,000 tickets were sold. Seventeen, which ranked second last year after the British band Coldplay, moved up one spot this year, leading the trend in the Asian performance market. At the center of this achievement is the world tour 'New_'.The group performed in major Asian cities including Incheon, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, and Bulacan, Philippines, as well as major dome venues in Japan, holding a total of 22 concerts in Asia alone.Notably, at the Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong's largest venue, they sold out all four performances, a first for a K-pop artist, showcasing their overwhelming ticket power.Following Seventeen, girl group TWICE ranked second with approximately $76.18 million, Tomorrow X Together (TXT) ranked third with approximately $53.04 million, and BTS ranked fourth with approximately $49.07 million. Black Pink ranked eighth, and Enhypen ranked ninth. Of the top 10 teams, a remarkable six were K-pop artists.K-pop's influence has been clearly confirmed not only in music and albums but also in large-scale performances. In particular, Seventeen's first-place finish this time goes beyond a simple sales record. By continuously selling out large venues and attracting hundreds of thousands of fans, it demonstrated that Seventeen is a top-tier artist with unparalleled ticket power and a solid fandom in the Asian performance market.Standing at the top of Asian tour sales, Seventeen is writing a new standard for K-pop performances.Unrivaled Popularity Proven by Numbers... Endless Record-Breaking Streak of 'Lim Young Woong Power'Singer Lim Young Woong has once again made a mark on the Korean popular music scene with an astonishing record.290 consecutive weeks at No. 1, surpassing 3.2 billion cumulative views on YouTube, 14.7 billion cumulative streams on Melon, and winning first place in the 2026 TMA Best Stage award voting – each number encapsulates Lim Young Woong's unrivaled popularity and the passionate support of the fandom, Hero Generation.First, the 290 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Idol Chart's rating ranking. In the second week of October 2026, Lim Young Woong maintained its top position with an impressive 313,274 votes. The number of likes also reached 32,093.The fact that they have held the No. 1 spot for 290 weeks, over five years, signifies more than just popularity. It is a record of long-term reign built on the consistent participation and unwavering love of fans.Second, the remarkable achievement of dominating both YouTube and music platforms simultaneously. Lim Young Woong's official YouTube channel has surpassed 3.2 billion cumulative views and has 1.8 million subscribers. Notably, approximately 33 million views were added within just 24 days after surpassing 3.2 billion views.In addition, cumulative streams on Melon have also surpassed 14.7 billion. The fans' daily routine of watching videos repeatedly and listening to songs over and over is leading to these massive records. The continuous success on both YouTube views and music streams shows that Lim Young Woong's music is not just a one-time trend but is consistently loved.Third, the first place in the 2026 TMA Best Stage award voting. In this vote conducted by FANNSTAR, Lim Young Woong secured the top spot with a total of 4,463,020 votes. This was a significant margin compared to the second-place winner, TREASURE, who received 1,291,300 votes.This result once again confirms the fans' passionate support for the stage and the strong unity of the Hero Generation. 290 consecutive weeks at No. 1, 3.2 billion views, 14.7 billion streams, and the top spot in TMA voting – the common thread among these records is consistency, trust, and the power created together by the singer and fans.Numbers remain as records, but what drives those records is ultimately the hearts of people who love music. We look forward to seeing what new history Lim Young Woong will write in the future.Dressed in a pink suit, she graced the stage of 'Gayo Stage' for the first time... Anticipation for solo concert UPTonight's TV introduces programs or individuals who have garnered special attention through television broadcasts. Singer Jang Hanbyul left a strong impression on viewers by passionately singing the hit song 'Sanae' by Na Hoon A on KBS1's 'Gayo Stage'.On the 1969th episode of 'Gayo Stage' broadcast on the evening of the 19th, Jang Hanbyul appeared on stage in a pink suit, taking the first spot. With her unique flavorful voice and clear singing ability, she performed Na Hoon A's 'Sanae' in her own style, heating up the Monday night living rooms.Her rich expressiveness and stage presence, which highlighted the song's charm, were particularly praised. The fans' reaction after the broadcast was also enthusiastic. Members of Jang Hanbyul's fandom, Eunhasu, expressed their support and affection through online communities with comments such as "As expected of Jang Hanbyul," "Only Jang Hanbyul can sing with such flavor," and "I'm happy to be with Jang Hanbyul."This performance was an opportunity to once again confirm Jang Hanbyul's unique personality and solid vocal talent.Jang Hanbyul gained public attention by ranking third in the final round of MBN's 'Muyeongjeon-Trot Sanae-deul-ui Seoyuljeongjaeng' (The War of the Trot Men). Expanding her scope from pop and rock to trot, she has consistently communicated with fans through various stages and performances even after the competition.Recently, she has been accelerating her musical activities by releasing her new song 'Miya'. The digital single 'Miya', released on the 12th, is her first new song in about five months and showcases Jang Hanbyul's new musical charm.In addition, there is a big event that will make fans' hearts flutter. Jang Hanbyul will hold her first solo concert since her debut on October 31st and November 1st at the Daehan Hall of Sejong University in Seoul. This concert is highly anticipated to feature Jang Hanbyul's diverse music and performances, including her new song 'Miya'.Jang Hanbyul, who showed her presence on 'Gayo Stage'. With the release of her new song and her first solo concert, fans are focusing their attention on her future endeavors as she prepares for a new leap as a singer.Is Fan Affection Power? The Uncomfortable Boundary Between Celebrities and Fans, Examined Through ControversyU-KNOW of group TVXQ! has become the center of controversy after engaging in a heated exchange with a fan on a paid fan communication platform. This controversy is not simply about whether messages are sent frequently. It is an incident that questions the extent of responsibility regarding fans' legitimate expectations, celebrities' communication methods, and paid services.The incident began on the fan communication app 'Bubble'. According to the provided post, a fan expressed disappointment to U-KNOW, who had recently resumed communication after a long hiatus, stating that the last message was in early May. The fan argued that since they were using a paid service, communication should have occurred at least once a month.In response, U-KNOW apologized for not being able to satisfy the fan but stated that this was the best they could do and asked not to be provoked. Following this, exchanges continued regarding communication style and mutual respect.There are three key issues here. First, the gap between expectations for paid services and the actual scope of services provided. Fans can expect consistent communication, but paying a subscription fee does not guarantee that a celebrity will send messages a certain number of times. What matters are the terms of service and the conditions of use.Second, the issue of demanding excessive obligations from an individual under the name of fandom. The fact that one has supported someone for a long time does not grant the right to control all of their actions. Conversely, celebrities should not unconditionally perceive the complaints of fans using paid services as attacks.Third, emotional responses escalate conflicts. Fans can express their opinions through subscription cancellations or criticism, and celebrities can calmly explain their position or resolve misunderstandings through official announcements. These methods are much wiser than public arguments.Ultimately, the relationship between fans and celebrities is based on mutual respect. Fans should exercise their legitimate consumer rights but be wary of one-sided demands, and celebrities need to clarify the limits of communication and the standards of service.Fan affection should be respected, but no one has the right to control another person under the guise of fan affection. Depending on one's perspective, the boundary between legitimate fan demands and excessive interference in this controversy can differ.Rosé, transformed into a blonde goddess, is capturing attention with her recent updates. In photos recently released on social media, Rosé is seen with long blonde hair cascading naturally, perfectly pulling off a black dress. /SNSBlonde Goddess in a Black Dress... A Solo Goddess Capturing Both Innocence and AllureRosé, transformed into a blonde goddess, is capturing attention with her recent updates. She looks like a fairy-tale princess who has stepped into the real world. Her dazzling beauty, combined with her unique elegant and mysterious aura, has drawn admiration from fans.In photos recently released on social media, Rosé is seen with long blonde hair cascading naturally, perfectly pulling off a black dress. In particular, the strapless style with feather accents accentuated her slender shoulders and smooth silhouette, further enhancing her alluring charm.Her gaze, as she sits on the bed and looks at the camera, exudes a calm charisma, and her slightly smiling pose with her chin resting on her hand reveals a lovely, doll-like charm. The subtle pink makeup and sparkling earrings complete the look, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a fashion photoshoot.What's even more intriguing are not just the elaborately styled moments. Even in her natural state, as she receives hair and makeup touch-ups from staff, Rosé's unique aura is palpable. Her ability to freely transition between styled and natural looks, and between innocence and sensuality, is impressive.So, is Rosé's charm solely based on her beautiful visuals? In Black Pink, ROSÉ is a key member who completes the team's musical color with her unique vocal tone and delicate emotional expression. Furthermore, as a solo artist, she is expanding her presence on the global stage by building her own musical world.Being a glamorous star while maintaining her unique sensibility and individuality – this is why Rosé has been loved for so long.eel@tf.co.kr