BLACKPINK's Rosé has just been crowned Song of the Year at the AAA 2024, and she's sending her thanks to her loyal fans, "Number Ones"!

On December 27, the 9th edition of the Asia Artist Awards (AAA 2024) was held at the IMPACT Challenger Hall 1-2 in Bangkok, Thailand, with hosts Ryu Jun Yeol, Jang Wonyoung, and Sung Hanbin leading the ceremony.

Rosé took home the coveted Song of the Year award for her massive hit, "Apartment," a collaboration with Bruno Mars that took the music world by storm. In a heartfelt video message, Rosé expressed her gratitude, saying, "It is an honor, and I am so thankful to receive such a big award, Song of the Year, at 'AAA.' I want to thank all the staff and people who worked hard on my first full album Rosie, and most of all, thank you and I love our Number Ones."

The AAA 2024 was a grand event, bringing together some of the biggest stars of the year. In addition to Rosé's win, artists like NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, BIBI, SUHO, ZEROBASEONE, and NCT 127 lit up the stage with performances that had fans cheering.

On the actor side, big names like Kim Soo Hyun, Park Min Young, and Byeon Woo Seok also graced the event, making it a night to remember for fans in Bangkok and around the world.

Broadcast live on MTN in Korea and streamed globally on Weverse, AAA 2024 was an unforgettable celebration of the best in music and acting from across Asia.

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Squid Game 2 has sparked intense reactions from viewers all around the world, with opinions swinging from high praise to harsh criticism. In the midst of all the buzz, director Hwang Dong Hyuk is confidently looking ahead to Season 3, even promising that it will be better than the second season.

In an interview with AP News on November 26, ahead of Squid Game 2’s release, Hwang Dong Hyuk shared his thoughts on the series’ future. The director admitted to feeling some pressure about discussing the third season but gave a sneak peek of what’s to come.

"It’s set in the future, 10 to 20 years from now", he revealed. "Season 3 will have a darker atmosphere, very brutal and sad, but also quite bizarre and humorous." Hwang boldly added, "Season 3 will be better than Season 2," fueling even more anticipation from fans.

While the director remains optimistic, Squid Game 2 has received mixed reviews from both domestic and international media. Major foreign outlets have voiced disappointment with the season.

The New York Times published an article titled "Squid Game Turns on the Red Light," criticizing the second season for being too similar to the first, claiming that it repeats the same elements without offering anything new.

Similarly, Hollywood Reporter slammed the season, saying, "The second season of Squid Game was a complete disappointment. It lacked the fun and ingenuity of the first season and didn't provide new details or insights into the essence of the game."

However, not all reviews were negative. Some international outlets gave praise to Squid Game 2. IGN highlighted the script’s exploration of economic and political systems, adding a layer of democracy that increases the tension of the game.

Meanwhile, Independence UK appreciated how the season expanded beyond the first, skillfully twisting key moments of the story and shining a light on humanity's worst traits.

Despite the criticism, Squid Game 2 continues to dominate the global scene. It quickly reached the top of the viewership charts in 92 countries, including the United States, France, and Mexico, just a day after its release. Fans are already buzzing about the upcoming third season, which is expected to drop in the first half of next year.

As for Squid Game 2 itself, the story picks up where the first season left off, with Gihun (played by Lee Jung Jae) returning to the game for revenge. His fierce confrontation with the Front Man (Lee Byung Hun) and the reintroduction of the deadly game itself create intense drama and suspense.

However, some viewers found the season lacking in momentum, particularly in the second half. Criticism has also been aimed at former BIGBANG member T.O.P., who plays the role of Thanos, a drug-dealer rapper. Many fans expressed their disappointment with his acting, with some even saying they stopped watching because of it.

Others criticized the show for its repetitive costume designs and character concepts, claiming that the female characters felt too similar to those from Season 1.

Despite these mixed reactions, Squid Game 2 remains a major cultural phenomenon, setting the stage for an even bigger Season 3. Fans will be eagerly waiting to see if Hwang Dong Hyuk’s promises come to life.

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