J-Pop | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Anna Aya is ready to break out on a global level!

The 18-year-old multi-lingual model (Japanese, Armenian, and English!), singer and actor just released her debut single “Someone Else,” out now, co-crafted with Louis Bell and Michael Africk.

The song includes both Japanese and English verses, and comes with a music video boasting brands like Fendi and Christian Louboutin.

Prior to launching her career as a singer, the formally trained dancer has also modeled since she was a young girl, appearing in campaigns and commercials for fashion houses like Dior, Chanel and Gucci, as well as brands like American Girl Doll, Ford and Target.

Her skill for speaking three languages fluently also landed her an appearance on Steve Harvey’s Little Big Shots, after which the show producers welcomed her as a season regular and host.

Ellen DeGeneres also enlisted her as a translator for Japanese guests on her show!

“I’m heavily influenced by my culture and experiences as a mixed person. The Japanese side is more reserved and diligent. Then, I have my loud, extroverted, and outgoing Armenian side. Of course, Los Angeles is super social and that influences me too. I’m a balance of the peaceful, calm, and collected self and louder self,” she says.

Listen to “Someone Else” and check out 10 Fun Facts about Anna Aya…

NiziU is heading to South Korea!

The popular Japanese girl group, a joint venture between JYP Entertainment (home of TWICE) and Sony Music Entertainment Japan, is set to make their offical debut in South Korea this month.

The group first made their debut in Japan in 2020 after being formed on the survival show Nizi Project. They’ve since released two No. 1 albums in Japan, as well as several No. 1 singles, including “Step and a Step” and “Take a Picture.”

Three years later, they are now preparing to make their Korean music scene debut on October 30.

On Monday (October 9), NiziU released official introduction videos in Korean for their first three members.

Check them all out…

Shinjiro Atae is coming out.

The 34-year-old J-Pop superstar and AAA member revealed he is gay during a fan meet event at Line Cube Shibuya in Tokyo.

The idol made a moving speech to loud applause from the over 2,000 attendees, in which he revealed why he made the decision to tell his fans directly that he is gay and provided insight into his journey to self-acceptance, as well as resources for those that may be going through something similar.

Keep reading to find out more…More Here! »

SG5 is coming soon.

The highly exciting girl group is a collaboration with one of Japan’s most beloved franchises, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, and original Sailor Moon author Naoko Takeuchi – who rarely grants official affiliations with the brand – is fully endorsing the project.

The group has a ton of talent behind them, too: they’re co-managed by one of Japan’s largest entertainment companies LDH Japan Inc. and global management company Three Six Zero (Calvin Harris, Willow Smith). Lady Gaga collaborator BloodPop is serving as their executive producer and co-creative director.

SG5 is made up of five members: SAYAKA, RURI, RUI, MIYUU, and KAEDE. They all hail from girl groups already: RUI comes from iScream, while the other four members all come from Happiness, which debuted back in 2011.

Here’s the official description: “Spawning from the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon World, SG5 is an intergalactic pop supergroup that protects the universe from evil, injustice and negativity. Blending Japanese talent with Western edge and an I.P. that has inspired billions of smiles, their goal is to destroy the forces of darkness with the most powerful weapon of all: music. Grounded in lore that is 30 years in the making, SG5 is a modern interpolation of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon for the new generation of the in-the-know stans, with the blessing of Miss Takeuchi herself.”

Following their debut U.S. performance at Anime Expo in Los Angeles earlier this month, the group will soon be kicking off their official launch with new music later this year.

Get to know each of the SG5 members individually with these 10 Fun Facts…

MIYAVI is a Japanese rock legend and a superstar actor, and we’re honored to exclusively allow our readers to get to know him even better.

The 40-year-old multi-talented “Samurai Guitarist,” just one of his many well-known nicknames, has not only been a staple in the Japanese music scene since the early ’00s, but a star in many beloved films, including Unbroken, Kong: Skull Island and Maleficent 2, as well as his Netflix project called Kate, which arrived last year.

He’s also a fashion icon, and currently the face of Gucci in Japan.

This month, he released his song “Hush Hush” with Kang Daniel, the South Korean singer-songwriter who went from Produce 101 to being a member of Wanna One, to becoming a solo star in his own right. The song is featured on MIYAVI‘s 2021 studio album, Imaginary.

Watch the music video for MIYAVI‘s “Hush Hush” with Kang Daniel and check out 12 Fun Facts inside…
Click inside to read more…More Here! »

BTS is back!

The massively popular South Korean boy band premiered “Stay Gold,” their new Japanese-language single, on Friday (June 19).

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of BTS

The song will be featured on the group’s forthcoming Japanese album, Map of the Soul: 7 ~The Journey~, which is due out on July 15. The album is their fourth Japanese record overall, and will also feature Japanese version of their popular Korean hits including “Fake Love” and “Boy With Luv.”

They recently provided 2020 graduates with a heartwarming virtual message as part of t in YouTube’s Dear Class of 2020 special.. Watch it right here!

Listen to “Stay Gold” and read the lyrics and English translation inside…More Here! »