K-pop group Stray Kids has made another impressive achievement, earning their third Gold certification from the French National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing (SNEP) with their mini-album ATE.

According to SNEP’s official website, ATE, released in July 2024, sold over 50,000 units and earned the Gold certification on November 28th (local time). SNEP, established in 1922, recognizes artists with certifications based on album and single sales, making this milestone even more significant for Stray Kids.

With this latest achievement, Stray Kids now has three Gold certifications from SNEP. They previously received Gold for their full album ★★★★★ (5-STAR) and their mini-album 樂-STAR (Rock Star).

Stray Kids is also continuing to make waves internationally with their Stray Kids World Tour . As part of the second phase of their world tour, they are set to perform massive stadium concerts in Latin America, North America, and Europe. The initial tickets for concerts in 10 cities—Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Lima, Mexico City, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, and Paris—sold out quickly, leading to the addition of new dates in March and July 2024. These include performances on March 27th in Santiago, April 6th in São Paulo, July 19th in London, and July 27th in Paris.

With 48 concerts in 32 regions worldwide, Stray Kids will perform in 25 stadiums as part of their global tour. Fans can also look forward to the release of their new album SKZHOP HIPTAPE (SKZHOP HipTape) 合 (HOP), including its title track "Walkin On Water," on December 13th at 2 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).

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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.

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