BLACKPINK visits Buckingham Palace for state banquet
Korean girl group BLACKPINK was among the esteemed guests at a state banquet inside Buckingham Palace, honoring 140 years of relations between South Korea and the United Kingdom......»»
Blackpink s Jisoo, Ahn Bo Hyun split
After going public last August, Blackpink's Jisoo and actor Ahn Bo-hyun have reportedly parted ways, media reports yesterday said......»»
Blackpink’s Jisoo, actor Ahn Bo-hyun have called it quits
That seemed quick. It was only in August that Blackpink's Jisoo and "Itaewon Class" antagonist Ahn Bo-hyun officially confirmed they were together through YB, Jisoo's agency. "They are at a stage of getting to know each other with good feelings. Please watch over them warmly." Now just two months after that confirmation, comes the announcement that according to an insider, "Due to their busy schedules, Jisoo and Ahn Bo Hyun naturally drifted apart and recently decided to end their romantic relationship.".....»»
BTS, SEVENTEEN, TXT lead stellar MAMA 2023 nominations
It’s that time of year again! On 19 October, the MAMA Awards announced its stellar list of nominees for 2023. [caption id="attachment_200923" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Seventeen | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/SAYTHENAME_SEVENTEEN[/caption] This year’s edition of the highly coveted awards sees BTS’ Jungkook and Jimin, SEVENTEEN, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, Big Bang’s Taeyang, IVE, TXT and (G)I-DLE leading the nominations across various categories. The criteria for the final winners (Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Artist Category Awards, Genre Category Awards) will be determined through a combination of judge panel evaluations, song downloads and streams and physical album sales. Pre-voting for the Worldwide Fans’ Choice nominees will occur on 30 October. [caption id="attachment_200925" align="aligncenter" width="525"] BTS’ Jimin | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESYOF IG/BTS OFFICIAL[/caption] The 2023 MAMA Awards will take place at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, on 28-29 November. The complete list of nominees of the 2023 MAMA Awards: Artist of the Year: ADYA, aespa, BOYNEXTDOOR, Choi Ye Na, EL7Z UP, EVNNE, EXO, (G)I-DLE, Hwasa, IVE, Jeon Somi, Jihyo, Jimin, Jisoo, Jungkook, KISS OF LIFE, LE SSERAFIM, Lee Chae Yeon, Lim Young Woong, LIMELIGHT, NCT DREAM, NewJeans, Parc Jae Jung, RIIZE, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, Taeyang, TREASURE, tripleS, TWICE, TXT, V, xikers, ZEROBASEONE. Song of the Year: aespa “Spicy,” AKMU “Love Lee,” Anne-Marie, Minnie “Expectations,” ASH ISLAND “Goodbye (Feat. Paul Blanco),” BIG Naughty “Hopeless Romantic (Feat. Lee Suhyun),” BIG Naughty “With me” (The Interest of Love’s OST), BSS “Fighting (Feat. Lee Young-ji),” BTOB “Wind And Wish,” BTS “Take Two,” BTS “The Planet,” (BASTIONS’ OST) DAWN “Dear My Light,” (G)I-DLE “Queencard,” Hwasa “I Love My Body,” IVE “I AM,” J-Hope “on the street (with J.Cole),” Jay Park “Candy (Feat. Zion.T),” Jeon Somi “Fast Forward,” Jihyo “Killin’ Me Good,” Jimin “Like Crazy,” Jisoo “FLOWER,” Jungkook “Seven (Feat. Latto),” Kai “Rover,” LE SSERAFIM “UNFORGIVEN (Feat. Nile Rodgers),” Lee Chae-yeon “KNOCK,” Lee Mujin “Ordinary Confession,” Lim Jae-hyun “Heaven (2023)” (It Was Spring’s OST), Lim Young Woong “London Boy,” M.C the MAX “Eternity,” MeloMance “A Shining Day,” NCT 127 “Ay-Yo,” NCT DREAM “Candy,” NewJeans “Ditto,” Park Jae-jung “Let’s Say Goodbye,” Paul Kim “You Remember” (The Glory’s OST), SEVENTEEN “Super,” STAYC “Teddy Bear,” Stray Kids “S-Class,” Suga “People Pt.2 (Feat. IU),” Taeyang “VIBE (Feat. Jimin),” Taeyong “SHALALA,” TXT “Goodbye Now” (Love Revolution’s OST), TXT “Sugar Rush Ride,” V “Love Me Again,” ZEROBASEONE “In Bloom,” and Zior Park “CHRISTIAN.” Best New Male Artist: BOYNEXTDOOR, EVNNE, RIIZE, xikers, ZEROBASEONE. Best New Female Artist: ADYA, EL7Z UP, KISS OF LIFE, LIMELIGHT, tripleS. Best Male Group: EXO, NCT DREAM, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, TREASURE, TXT. Best Female Group: aespa, (G)I-DLE, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, TWICE. Best Male Artist: Jimin, Jungkook, Lim Young Woong, Parc Jae Jung, Taeyang, V. Best Female Artist: Choi Ye-na, Hwasa, Jeon Somi, Jihyo, Jisoo, Lee Chae-yeon. Best Dance Performance (Male Solo): Jimin “Like Crazy,” Jungkook “Seven (Feat. Latto),” Kai “Rover,” Taeyang “VIBE (Feat. Jimin),” Taeyong “SHALALA.” Best Dance Performance (Female Solo): Hwasa “I Love My Body,” Jeon Somi “Fast Forward,” Jihyo “Killin’ Me Good,” Jisoo “FLOWER,” Lee Chae Yeon “KNOCK.” Best Dance Performance (Male Group): NCT 127 “Ay-Yo,” NCT DREAM “Candy,” SEVENTEEN “Super,” Stray Kids “S-Class,” TXT “Sugar Rush Ride,” ZEROBASEONE “In Bloom.” Best Dance Performance (Female Group): aespa “Spicy,” (G)I-DLE “Queencard,” IVE “I AM,” LE SSERAFIM “UNFORGIVEN (Feat. Nile Rodgers),” NewJeans “Ditto,” STAYC “Teddy Bear.” Best Vocal Performance Solo: DAWN “Dear My Light,” Lee Mujin “Ordinary Confession,” Lim Young Woong “London Boy,” Parc Jae Jung “Let’s Say Goodbye,” V “Love Me Again.” Best Vocal Performance Group: AKMU “Love Lee,” BTOB “Wish And Wish,” BTS “Take Two,” M.C the MAX “Eternity,” MeloMance “A Shining Day.” Best Rap & Hip Hop Performance: ASH ISLAND — “Goodbye (Feat. Paul Blanco),” J-Hope “on the street (with J.Cole),” Jay Park “Candy (Feat. Zion.T), Suga “People Pt.2 (Feat. IU),” Zior Park “CHRISTIAN.” Best Music Video: (G)I-DLE “Queencard,” IVE “I AM,” Jisoo “FLOWER,” Jungkook “Seven (Feat. Latto),” SEVENTEEN “Super,” Stray Kids “S-Class” Best Collaboration: Anne-Marie, Minnie “Expectations,” BIG Naughty “Hopeless Romantic (Feat. Lee Suhyun),” BSS “Fighting (Feat. Lee Young Ji),” Jungkook “Seven (Feat. Latto),” Taeyang “VIBE (Feat. Jimin).” Best OST: BIG Naughty “With me” (The Interest of Love’s OST), BTS “The Planet” (BASTIONS’ OST), Lim Jae Hyun “Heaven (2023)” (It Was Spring’s OST), Paul Kim “You Remember” (The Glory’s OST), TXT “Goodbye Now” (Love Revolution’s OST). Worldwide Fans’ Choice: aespa, AKMU, ATEEZ, BOYNEXTDOOR, BTOB, BTS, CIX, CRAVITY, ENHYPEN, EVNNE, EXO, fromis_9, (G)I-DLE, H1-KEY, Highlight, ITZY, IVE, Jisoo, Jeon Somi, Kep1er, LE SSERAFIM, Lee Chae Yeon, Lee Mujin, Lim Young Woong, MONSTA X, n.SSign, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, NewJeans, NMIXX, ONEUS, P1Harmony, Parc Jae Jung, Red Velvet, RIIZE, SEVENTEEN, Shinee, STAYC, Stray Kids, Super Junior, Taeyang, TEMPEST, THE BOYZ, TXT, TREASURE, TWICE, Xdinary Heroes, xikers, ZEROBASEONE, Zior Park. The post BTS, SEVENTEEN, TXT lead stellar MAMA 2023 nominations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BLACKPINK s Lisa sets another record as Money reaches 1 billion Spotify streams
BLACKPINK rapper Lisa has set a new Guinness World Record as her hit track "Money" surpassed a billion streams on Spotify, a first for any K-pop track by a solo artist......»»
K-pop fans accuse luxury brands of K-washing, demand fulfilling sustainability promises
The digital climate initiative Kpop4Planet launched the "Unboxed: High Fashion, High Carbon" campaign, which accuses French luxury brands Chanel, Celine, Saint Laurent and Dior of "K-washing" their items by tapping members of BLACKPINK as ambassadors......»»
Famed French newspaper calls Blackpink concert worst of the summer
The long-running acclaimed French newspaper Le Parisien has called K-pop girl group Blackpink's recent concert in France as its worst international concert this summer......»»
Rosé Curse?: BLACKPINK’s Rosé reacts to Andrea Brillantes- Ricci Rivero split
Andrea Brillantes remains a lucky fan girl when it comes to the South Korean girl group BLACKPINK. On 8 August, coinciding with the mega group’s seventh anniversary, BLACKPINK member Rosé went on Instagram live to talk and celebrate with her fans (commonly known as BLINKs). Among the many BLINKs who tuned in to watch Rosé’s Instagram live was Andrea Brillantes, who also went to the girl group’s sold-out concert at the Philippine Arena last March 2023 with her then-boyfriend Ricci Rivero and was singled out by BLACKPINK from among the crowd. The Kadenang Ginto actress had held up a “promposal” sign,” which Rosé and Lisa noticed in the middle of the show. During the livestream, the singer asked BLINKs their most memorable moments as fans of the group. Brillantes immediately whipped up an answer: “My fave memory was when you noticed me for my promposal.” Rosé caught Brillantes’ comment and reacted to it: “When I noticed you for your proposal. Oh, was that you? I think it was somewhere in Southeast Asia, where was it? I don’t know (where it was), but I do remember (the proposal). I do. We have never done that before,” Rosé said. Brillantes responded by updating the K-pop star on her relationship status: “We broke up now.” Rosé looked shocked upon reading the reply. She covered her mouth and said, “Oh no, I’ll pretend I didn’t see that.” Brillantes quickly assured the BLACKPINK star that she was happy and doing well now, to which Rosé replied: “I’m happy that you’re happy.” In April last year, Brillantes and Rivero officially became a couple. However, the relationship was short-lived following cheating allegations against the basketball player. This is not the first time Brillantes has proven her “lucky girl syndrome” when it comes to interacting with foreign artists. Last July, she got to talk to Sabrina Carpenter during the latter’s Manila concert. There is also a running joke on social media about the “Rosé Curse” — that celebrities who take a photo with Rosé allegedly invariably end up splitting with their respective partners. The “Rosé Curse” began in September 2021 when model Gigi Hadid had a photo with Rosé — only to announce her break-up with singer Zayn Malik a few weeks later. Since then, other celebrity couples have supposedly also fallen victim to the curse, such as Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn, Florence Pugh and Zach Braff, Bella Poarch and her non-showbiz husband, and Kendall Jenner and basketball player Devin Booker. The post Rosé Curse?: BLACKPINK’s Rosé reacts to Andrea Brillantes- Ricci Rivero split appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taylor Swift, BLACKPINK among 2023 MTV Video Music Awards top nominees
MTV has revealed the nominations for the 2023 Video Music Awards, which celebrates artists whose cultural impact and work during the last 12 months have transformed the music industry and cultivated global conversations. Taylor Swift leads this year’s nominations with eight, looking for a repeat “Video of the Year” victory after breaking records last year to become the only artist to win thrice in the highly coveted category. [caption id="attachment_169247" align="aligncenter" width="581"] Taylor Swift | Photograph Courtesy Of Ig/ Taylor Swift[/caption] She is closely followed by SZA (6), Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Smith (5 each), and BLACKPINK, Diddy and Shakira (4 each). This year boasts a record number of first-ever VMA nominees (35 total), with multiple nominations for first-timers Kim Petras (5), Metro Boomin and Rema (3 each), and Ayra Starr, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Peso Pluma, Reneé Rapp and Yung Miami (2 each). Other artists receiving first-time nods include Aespa, boygenius, Burna Boy, Davido, Eslabon Armado, FLETCHER, FIFTY FIFTY, JVKE, Lauren Spencer Smith, Musa Keys, PinkPantheress, Saucy Santana, Stephen Sanchez and Toosii, among others. Fans can vote for their favorites across 15 gender-neutral categories, including the all-new “Best Afrobeats” category, plus the highly-coveted “Video of the Year” and “Artist of the Year” categories, by visiting vote.mtv.com until 1 September. Voting for “Best New Artist” will remain active until 12 September. Nominations for social categories including “Group of the Year” and “Song of Summer” will be announced at a later date. The 2023 VMAs will return to celebrate the biggest names in music on 12 September at New Jersey’s famed Prudential Center, with headline-generating surprises, one-time-only performances and a fan-filled audience. Fans in Southeast Asia can stay tuned and follow @MTVAsia on socials for more updates on the show. The post Taylor Swift, BLACKPINK among 2023 MTV Video Music Awards top nominees appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rosé Curse?: BLACKPINK’s Rosé reacts to Andrea Brillantes-Ricci Rivero split
Andrea Brillantes remains a lucky fan girl when it comes to the South Korean girl group BLACKPINK. On 8 August, coinciding with the mega group's seventh anniversary, BLACKPINK member Rosé went on Instagram live to talk and celebrate with her fans (commonly known as BLINKs). Among the many BLINKs who tuned in to watch Rosé's Instagram live was Andrea Brillantes, who also went to the girl group's sold-out concert at the Philippine Arena last March 2023 with her then-boyfriend Ricci Rivero and was singled out by BLACKPINK from among the crowd. The Kadenang Ginto actress had held up a "promposal" sign", which Rosé and Lisa noticed in the middle of the show. During the livestream, the singer asked BLINKs their most memorable moments as fans of the group. Brillantes immediately whipped up an answer: "My fave memory was when you noticed me for my promposal." Rosé caught Brillantes' comment and reacted to it: "When I noticed you for your proposal. Oh, was that you? I think it was somewhere in Southeast Asia, where was it? I don't know [where it was], but I do remember [the proposal]. I do. We have never done that before," Rosé said. Brillantes responded quickly to the K-pop star, updating her on her relationship status: "We broke up now." Rosé looked shocked upon reading the reply. She covered her mouth and said, "Oh no, I'll pretend I didn't see that." Brillantes quickly assured the BLACKPINK star that she was doing well now and happy, to which Rosé replied: "I'm happy that you're happy." In April last year, Brillantes and Rivero officially became a couple. However, the relationship was short-lived following cheating allegations about the basketball player. This is not the first time Brillantes has proven her "lucky girl syndrome" when it comes to interacting with foreign artists. Last July, Sabrina Carpenter talked to Brillantes mid-stage during her Manila concert. But there is also a running joke on social media about the "Rosé curse" — that celebrities who take a photo with Rosé allegedly invariably end up splitting with their respective partners. The "Rosé curse" began in September 2021 when model Gigi Hadid had a photo with Rosé – only to announce her break-up with singer Zayn Malik a few weeks later. Since then, other celebrity couples have supposedly also fallen victim to the "Rosé curse," such as Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn, Florence Pugh and Zach Braff, Bella Poarch and her non-showbiz husband, and Kendall Jenner and basketball player Devin Booker. The post Rosé Curse?: BLACKPINK’s Rosé reacts to Andrea Brillantes-Ricci Rivero split appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
WATCH: BLACKPINK s Rosé reacts to Andrea Brillantes, Ricci Rivero breakup
Korean singer Rosé of the girl group BLACKPINK had a brief humorous reaction to actress Andrea Brillantes sharing she had called it quits with basketball player Ricci Rivero......»»
Andrea muling nagetsing ang atensiyon ni BLACKPINK Rosé, ipinaalala ang promposal kay Ricci sabay hirit ng, ‘WE BROKE UP NOW!’
FEELING naka-jackpot na naman ang Kapamilya actress na si Andrea Brillantes dahil muli siyang napansin ng BLACKPINK member na si Rosé. Special mention uli si Andrea sa pa-livestream ng South Korean idol kahapon, August 8, kaya abot-langit na naman ang kilig at kaligayahan ng dalaga. Nag-comment kasi si Andrea sa nasabing livestream, na ang pinaka-favorite […] The post Andrea muling nagetsing ang atensiyon ni BLACKPINK Rosé, ipinaalala ang promposal kay Ricci sabay hirit ng, ‘WE BROKE UP NOW!’ appeared first on Bandera......»»
‘BLINK x BLACKPINK forever’: 7 years of the K-pop megagroup
BLACKPINK turned seven this year, and the girl group’s members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa commemorated the event with heartfelt messages to their fans and personal photos through the years on their Instagram accounts. Jisoo shared an adorable photo booth snap of the quartet with the caption: “Blink Blackpink forever.” The 28-year-old superstar also went live on Weverse to celebrate the anniversary and talk to fellow BLINKs. Jennie, meanwhile, said in a post accompanying a mini-album of the group: “7 years with @blackpinkofficial. I love us, I love Blackpink, I love Blinks.” Lisa also shared personal photos of her bandmates, noting how the number seven is one of her favorite numbers and now they’ve reached seven years in the industry: “Happy 7th anniversary to me and my 3 amazing girls @blackpinkofficial… I hope this year will be a lucky one for us! Love you girls and blinks so so much.” Not to be left out, Rosé penned a long and emotional tribute to the girls and all their fans along with childhood photos. [caption id="attachment_168666" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF IG/LALISA MANOBAN[/caption] “Thank you, Blackpink for being such a blessing in my life. I have really been able to experience everything and more than what I have ever dreamed of growing up as an aspiring artist. Thank you, thank you and thank you a thousand times. Blackpink, Blinks, Teddy, YG entertainment and everyone else who believed in @blackpinkofficial for the past seven years,” she wrote. “My heart is so full. I cannot express my gratitude for every single person who has been a part of this seven year journey with us four. 7…..!!! @blackpinkofficial is officially seven years old today.! And I am immensely proud of every single one of us. For making history. For always having so much fun and pride with what we do. Thank you to our blinks for trusting each and every one of us, all along,” she added. BLACKPINK was the first girl group from YG Entertainment in seven years, debuting in 2016 with their hit songs “Boombayah” and “Whistle.” The K-pop megagroup rose to global stardom and became one of the most successful girl groups in the world. The BLACKPINK girls are also shining brightly in their solo endeavors. Aside from the successful solo music they released, they also became global ambassadors of several luxury brands like Dior Beauty, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Bulgari and more. Jisoo and Jennie have also ventured into acting. Jisoo bagged her first lead role in the successful 2022 drama Snowdrop while Jennie made her Hollywood debut alongside Lily-Rose Depp in the recently concluded television series The Idol. BLACKPINK has been headlining its second worldwide concert tour “Born Pink World Tour” since 2022, which will conclude on 26 August in Los Angeles, California. The post ‘BLINK x BLACKPINK forever’: 7 years of the K-pop megagroup appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jung Hae-in’s swoon-worthy love advice at Manila fan meet: ‘Love with all your might’
K-drama star Jung Hae-in met Filipino fans for the third time with his solo fan meeting tour The 10th Season at the New Frontier Theater on 13 August. The D.P. actor showed his youthful charm and enthusiasm as he sang songs, played interactive games and talked about his experiences and personal plans. The actor sent his audience into a swoon when, asked for love advice, he said: “I guess I could say to you that if you’re going to love somebody, please love. Love them with your all might to the point that you will have no regret.” However, the 35-year-old actor said he has no marriage plans at the moment and is focused more on his acting career. The fan meeting concluded with the actor singing a cover of Hyolyn’s “I Choose to Love You.” The 10th Season fan meeting tour celebrates Jung Hae-in’s 10th anniversary in the entertainment industry. It also marks his biggest fan meeting since his debut. Manila served as his tour’s second stop, with the fan meeting tour starting in Seoul on 22 July. He will meet more fans in Macau (13 August), Hong Kong (12 September), Jakarta (16 September), Japan (30 September), Bangkok (21 October) and Singapore (29 October), with more stops to be revealed in the future. This is Jung Hae-in’s third fan meeting held in Manila. He met Filipino fans for the first time in June 2018 with Smile and the second time in September 2019 for One Summer Night. Jung Hae-in rose to fame with his lead role in While You Were Sleeping (2017) alongside Suzy and Lee Jong-suk, and his supporting role in Prison Playbook (2017). He was also acclaimed for Something in the Rain (2018), One Spring Night (2019) and Snowdrop (2021-2022), where he teamed up with Blackpink superstar Jisoo. Jung gained even more international fame when he led the multi-award-winning web series D.P. in 2021. The highly-anticipated second season premiered on Netflix on 28 July. The post Jung Hae-in’s swoon-worthy love advice at Manila fan meet: ‘Love with all your might’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jung Hae In sa relasyon nina Jisoo at Ahn Bo Hyun: ‘I didn’t know they were dating’
AGAD na nag-trending ang South Korean actor na si Jung Hae In sa X (dating Twitter) matapos ang pag-aanunsyo nina Jisoo ng BlackPink at Korean star Ahn Bo Hyun ng kanilang relasyon. Matatandaang nitong mga Huwebes, August 3, nabigla ang mga faney ni Jisoo matapos kumpirmahin ng kanyang talent agency na nasa “dating” stage na […] The post Jung Hae In sa relasyon nina Jisoo at Ahn Bo Hyun: ‘I didn’t know they were dating’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Jung Hae In sa relasyon nina Jisoo at Ahn Bo Hyun: ‘I didn’t know they were dating’
AGAD na nag-trending ang South Korean actor na si Jung Hae In sa X (dating Twitter) matapos ang pag-aanunsyo nina Jisoo ng BlackPink at Korean star Ahn Bo Hyun ng kanilang relasyon. Matatandaang nitong mga Huwebes, August 3, nabigla ang mga faney ni Jisoo matapos kumpirmahin ng kanyang talent agency na nasa “dating” stage na […] The post Jung Hae In sa relasyon nina Jisoo at Ahn Bo Hyun: ‘I didn’t know they were dating’ appeared first on Bandera......»»
Agencies confirm Ahn Bo Hyun, Jisoo now dating
Korean actor Ahn Bo Hyun and Blackpink member Jisoo are now in a relationship. .....»»
Cool down with Blackpink summer coolers, merchandise
Blinks can add reusable glass, straw and cup to their growing Blackpink collection as the girl group partnered with Starbucks for a limited-edition Blackpink merchandise and frappucino. .....»»
Jennie ng Blackpink nagsalita na matapos sabihan ng ‘matamlay’, ‘tamad’ magsayaw
BAGO kayo maging judgemental, alam niyo na ba ang dahilan kung bakit si Jennie, ang isa sa mga miyembro ng K-Pop girl group na Blackpink, ay hindi ganun ka-all out sa kanyang performances? Aba, ipinaliwanag na ‘yan mismo ni Jennie matapos makachikahan ang international singer na si Dua Lipa sa kanyang podcast. Magugunitang ilang beses […] The post Jennie ng Blackpink nagsalita na matapos sabihan ng ‘matamlay’, ‘tamad’ magsayaw appeared first on Bandera......»»
Blackpink Vietnam concert organiser apologises over S. China Sea map
The organizer of a Blackpink concert in Hanoi has apologized after its website featured a map showing China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, prompting a backlash on social media. K-pop megastar girl group Blackpink is due to host two concerts in the Vietnamese capital in late July. News of the performance has generated a huge amount of excitement in the city, which rarely hosts big-name international artists. But early this week, reports surfaced on social media saying iME, an event and entertainment company headquartered in Beijing, used a map on the front page of its website featuring the "nine-dash line". China has long used the line to illustrate its expansive claims over most of the resource-rich South China Sea, often to the displeasure of Hanoi, which also claims parts of the waterway. Some Facebook and TikTok users demanded a boycott of the concerts. On the Blackpink Vietnam FC (fan club) Facebook page, one comment read: "In support of Vietnam, we'd better... not attend entertainment shows organized by iME." Another read: "This concerns the territorial claim of a country. Although I like Blackpink, we should raise our voice." On Thursday, a day before tickets were due to go on sale, Brian Chow, CEO of iME, said in a statement that the incident was an "unfortunate misunderstanding". "The image of the map on the website does not represent the territory of any country and we are aware of respecting the sovereignty and culture of all the countries" where iME has a presence. "IME quickly reviewed and committed to replace the images that are not suitable for Vietnamese," the statement added. It also said it had sent a written explanation of the incident to the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and other relevant authorities. The apology came after Vietnam's Ministry of culture and Information said Wednesday it was starting "procedures to look into the incident". During a regular press briefing on Thursday, ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang admitted Blackpink's Vietnam show had become a "hot-button issue". Earlier this week, Vietnam authorities said they had banned the upcoming "Barbie" movie from cinemas over scenes showing the same map. "The promotion and usage of products or publications featuring the 'nine-dash line' in Vietnam is a violation of Vietnam's laws and is unacceptable," Hang said. The South China Sea is home to valuable oil and gas deposits and shipping lanes, and several of China's neighbours have voiced concern that Beijing is seeking to expand its reach. The post Blackpink Vietnam concert organiser apologises over S. China Sea map appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»