• BLACKPINK Jennie’s ‘Mantra’ Debuts at No. 98 on Billboard Hot 100

    BLACKPINK's Jennie is making waves again with her new comeback track, "Mantra."

    According to Billboard's latest chart released on October 21, "Mantra" has made its debut at No. 98 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also secured the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Global (excluding the U.S.) chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, showing its strong global reach.

    This is Jennie's second time entering the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist. Her previous collaboration with The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp, "One Of The Girls," debuted at No. 100 in 2023 and stayed on the chart for 20 weeks.

    With "Mantra," Jennie set a personal record by becoming the first K-pop female solo artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 with her own song. She also reached No. 37 on the UK Official Singles Chart, the highest ranking for a K-pop female solo artist there.

    On the day it was released, "Mantra" hit No. 5 on the Spotify Daily Top Songs Global chart, marking Jennie's best record as a solo artist.

    The song topped the real-time charts on Bugs and reached No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in 57 countries, including the U.S., Brazil, Singapore, the Philippines, and Mexico.

    Jennie made history as the first K-pop female solo artist to reach No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Top Songs chart this year with "Mantra."

    "Mantra" is a powerful and energetic song that encourages everyone to shine in their own way and confidently embrace their unique charm. It promotes self-love and support for one another while showcasing Jennie's distinct style and presence.

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  • Lim Ji Yeon Addresses Backlash Over Cheering for Jung Woo Sung Amid His Scandal, "I Didn’t Expect the Public’s Reaction"

    Actress Lim Ji Yeon is finally opening up about the unexpected backlash she received after showing support for actor Jung Woo Sung during his controversial return to the public eye.

    In an interview on January 23rd, following the end of her drama The Tale of Lady Ok, Lim Ji Yeon spoke candidly about the situation that caused a stir at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards in November last year.

    At the event, Jung Woo Sung made his public return after facing controversy surrounding an “illegitimate child” with model Moon Ga Bi. While Jung Woo Sung took the stage to apologize, Lim Ji Yeon was seen clapping and cheering for him.

    Reflecting on that moment, Lim Ji Yeon shared, "It was a brief moment, so it’s hard to say whether it was right or wrong." She added, "I didn’t expect the public’s reaction. On the other hand, I was cautious since The Tale of Lady Ok was airing at the time."

    For those who missed it, Jung Woo Sung and Moon Ga Bi, who had been in a relationship since 2022, revealed last year that they were expecting a child.

    The actor took full responsibility for the situation and issued an apology during the awards ceremony, saying, "I’m sorry for causing concern and disappointment to everyone who has shown me love and support. I will bear all the criticism, and I promise to take full responsibility as a father to my son".

    However, while Jung Woo Sung addressed the controversy, it was Lim Ji Yeon’s show of support that sparked controversy.

    She cheered enthusiastically for Jung Woo Sung, while actress Hye Ri, who was seated next to her, kept a neutral, expressionless face. This led to a wave of criticism from some netizens who questioned Lim Ji Yeon’s reaction.

    It’s worth noting that Lim Ji Yeon’s agency, Artist Company, was co-founded by Jung Woo Sung and actor Lee Jung Jae, both of whom currently serve as directors.

    Could this connection have influenced Lim Ji Yeon’s public display of support? She’s still processing the response, and fans are curious to know how she’ll handle the fallout moving forward.

    Source: [1]