Broadcast date: May 20-21
Starring: GOT7, Katie, Stray Kids, NU’EST

GOT7 went on Naver’s V Live to promote its new EP “Spinning Top: Between Security and Insecurity.”

(Naver's V Live)

Hosted by actor Kim Sang-joong, the seven-piece act began with greetings not only in Korean but also in English, Thai, Chinese and Japanese.

“We still have a long way to go, especially in front of you (Kim), but as we enter the sixth year as an idol group, we have felt somewhat insecure. We imbued that feeling into this album, with the story we wanted to tell. And we wanted to send the message over sincerely, truthfully,” said Jinyoung.

“We have been talking about overcoming this insecurity, and when I looked at my diary, I realized that we have been going through the same agony time and again for the past five years. It felt like I have been going in circles, or like a top spinning,” said JB. “Looking back at myself in the past, comparing my old self to me in the present. That was the biggest inspiration.”

“The contrast between the dark and the bright has been a main idea. It also reminds me of the moment when we ready ourselves in the dark backstage before the LED screen opens to a sea of green neon sticks. It never fails to give me flutters,” said Yugyeom.

Watch the video at https://www.vlive.tv/video/129150.

Katie to release debut EP

Kpop Herald sat down with Katie to talk about her first EP two days before the release.

(Naver's V Live)

“I am very excited that it is finally coming out, for people to hear my music, and I will be able to connect,” she said of her debut EP, “Log.”

“It’s more about me as an artist introducing myself fresh and new. But most of the songs in the EP are love songs. I think love is such a common and easy (concept) that everybody feels and everybody goes through it. It’s very relatable,” said the winner of a singing competition program in 2015.

Kpop Herald’s Yim Hyun-soo asked her about “Remember,” a single released in advance last year featuring Ty Dollar $ign. The music video has drawn over 10 million views on YouTube, and Yim said “it was one of the most expensive music videos that I’ve seen.”

“I was new to filming a music video so I had no idea what and how much was going to be put in. It was very nerve-racking and intimidating at first. Later on, though, it was fun,” the singer recalled.

Katie picked the lead track “Thinking Bout You” as her favorite. “I am super delighted that it is the lead track,” she said.

Watch the full clip at https://www.vlive.tv/video/128613.

Stray Kids thank fans for big welcome in US

Stray Kids talked with fans after their showcase in Houston, Texas, upon wrapping up a leg of their tour in the US.

(Naver's V Live)

The nine-piece band took turns saying hi to the camera. Han, never missing a chance to poke fun, began by posing as Hyunjin, sending the rest of the members into disarray.

“This was our last performance in the US,” bemoaned Bang Chan. “It was so hot,” said the bandmates, making tiny hearts with their fingers.

“I have worked on my English for this tour and was very grateful that the fans have shown such enthusiastic reactions,” said Changbin, who could not hold back a huge smile. “And how they continued singing even after the songs ended. It was so moving.”

“We probably had more fun than the fans watching them sing and dance so passionately,” said Hyunjin.

“Every performance was special but when the fans sang ‘Grow Up’ with us and added their chants, it sent a chill down my spine,” said I.N.

Watch the full video at https://www.vlive.tv/video/129919.

NU’EST offers commentary on MV

NU’EST talked about the music video of its recent hit “Bet Bet” in the first two episodes of the show “Star Road” on Naver’s V Live.

(Naver's V Live)

“We have put a lot of effort into the music video trying to show the best of us. And today, we will go through it with you and share whatever comments we might have,” said JR.

“This scene gave me shivers, showing us all together for the first time in three years,” said Aron stopping the video at the beginning where the five turn to gaze at the camera in front of a lady sitting on a throne.

The bandmates marveled at Baekho’s jump during a group dance, skipping back a few times to replay the scene. “I was aiming to touch the light on the ceiling,” said the main dancer smugly.

Baekho highlighted the set for JR’s individual shots as his personal favorite. The leader is seen lying down in a pool of water on which pink blossoms are reflected. “I can’t tell what are flowers and what is not,” said Minhyun praising JR.

Watch the clip at https://www.vlive.tv/video/129879.

Naver’s real-time broadcasting app V allows fans to interact with their favorite K-pop stars through live broadcasts. The app is available for Android and iOS. For more information, visit http://www.vlive.tv.

By The Korea Herald (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

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