#rivalsdispatch

WINNERS of the MAMA Awards night one-- New York

BREAKING: KBS To Debut Second Idol Project 3 Group; This Group To Follow Format Of Previous Seasons

There’s no doubt in mind that the third season of Idol Project has been one of the best seasons yet, with ratings through the roof and more exciting challenges been thrown at the contestants, left and right. While viewership and hype has been up, though, that doesn’t mean this season has come without it’s share of backlash-- fans have been increasingly upset with the fact that only four trainees are set to debut in the final group-- three less than in past seasons. While Syndicate’s debut was hyped up to the extreme, and they are sure to debut with a lot of support, the fans wanted to see more, and it seems like their feedback has been heard.

Early today KBS and MNet announced that a second group would debut, made up of eliminated contestants from Idol Project 3-- three fan favorites who came so close to reaching the end, and just missed it by a hair. Comprised of Spotlight Productions’ Mercedes, DS Media’s Rey, and 360 Studios’ Yena, the three-member girl group will follow much the same format as Creed and Unity-- they will promote for a few comeback cycles (each comeback produced by a different company) before disbanding and returning to train at their respective companies. 

BREAKING: Companies Embarking On Vagabond Tour Announce Trainee Programs

Earlier this morning, 360 updated on Heart2Heart and their role in the big tour coming up, and while questions were answered, more questions were raised regarding trainees that aren’t Angel or Harley, as well as trainees from other companies, and their roles in the Vagabond Festival.

It didn’t take very long at all for those questions to be answered, however. Shortly after 360 staff members addressed the media regarding Heart2Heart, officials from all six companies participating in the tour held a press conference to address concerns about trainees. They started off by explaining that the trainees would be able to use it as a learning experience; watching their sunbaes and the crew so closely would surely teach them much. Trainees proficient in dancing would act as back-up dancers for the performs, and the others would act as interns, helping keep the festival running smoothly.

That wasn’t the end of it, however. One by one, the six companies announced Advanced Trainee Programs that they would be launching for the tour and continuing after their return to South Korea. “We’re using it as an opportunity to give the trainees so performance time, as well as promote them pre-debut,” a representative of Spotlight Productions said. “Idol Project has exposed the public to a lot of hidden talent that all of our companies possess, and while we can’t currently debut all trainees we have that are ready, we feel as though this is a very good alternative until debut plans can be made.”

“All six groups will get stage time on tour,” an Alpha official explained. “We will be opening Vlive channels and Instagram accounts for the programs, so fans can regularly be updated on their favorites, and so that the trainees can interact with their followers. We feel like it will curate a very intimate relationship with their fans, and strengthen future fandoms when they debut.”

“Once we touch back down in Seoul, there will also be opportunity for trainee group releases,” a DS PR manager added. “Just because we don’t have the resources to debut them all doesn’t mean we want them to sit idly by. It wouldn’t be fair to them, their fans, or us as a company-- much revenue can be found in investing in our trainees.”

“The teams are 90% finished being assembled,” a Radioactive staff member explained. “While for the most part, we know which trainees are ready, there are a few open spots left up for grabs. Over the next few days, the remaining trainees will be working hard to earn one of those spots.”

While not all trainees will be included in the programs, all representatives assured media that all trainees would be brought along-- those who aren’t picked for the programs will just not get to be part of the social media aspect, or perform during their special time slots. 360 also added that Heart2Heart will not be taking part in the Advanced Program. “They’re already a group,” Dispatch was told. “While they may not have debuted, they will. They’re already a team and we intend to promote them as such.”

BREAKING: Radioactive Announces The Debut Of Sibling Rookie Groups; To Debut On Tour

It’s no secret that Radioactive Entertainment is sitting on a lot of hot talent-- from Unity member, Ginny, to former Velocity member and soloist, Yoo Jinhee, to recently acquired Idol Project 3 contestant, Shin Hyunjoo. With the increased promotion of all of these trainees individually, fans speculated over whether or not Radioactive was preparing to debut any new groups, however with the announcement of the KBS + MNet World Tour, it seemed like that wouldn’t happen for a very long time.

That seemed to be a false assumption, however-- not long after the Tour was announced, Radioactive made an announcement of their own, revealing that they were planning on debuting two groups very soon-- one boy group and one girl group, who are to be sibling groups. “It’s nothing like Hydra and Juno,” an official insisted when it was brought up. “They debuted close together and interact, but they might as well just be two groups. Our groups will debut together, and we are planning a lot that involves both together, so keep an eye out for it!”

Many were surprised when it was stated that the new groups-- tentatively named Dynasty and Majesty-- were to debut while on tour. “We feel as though it’s a great way to build an international audience,” the same official explained. “Not only that, but it will create a lot of anticipation for their next comeback, as it will be the first time they release music at home.”

BREAKING: KBS And MNet Announce Global Tour Featuring Kpop’s Biggest Stars

It’s no secret that Kpop is an international phenomenon, with fans everywhere from Japan, to Brazil, to the USA and back, though it’s a rare occasion when international fans can see their favorite groups perform-- very few groups are graced with world tours, and those that are don’t get them very often, but KBS and MNet plan on bringing the music to you with their next big project; their most ambitious project yet. Teaming up together, also with Radioactive Entertainment, Spotlight Productions, DS Media, Alpha Records, 360 Studios and Gaia International, the companies are set to embark on a world tour, featuring artists from all six companies. 

Featuring stops in nearly 50 cities, across 27 countries, groups and soloists alike will travel together in a world tour, performing in day-long festivals at each stop. It’s been said that there will even be special performances-- trainee performances, collaborations, debuts and more!

The Vagabond Tour is set to begin on September 28th in Seoul, with all the artists involved releasing new songs just for the tour in the days beforehand. The festival will include meet & greets for lucky VIP fans with all their favorite groups. Models and Actors will act as hosts and entertainers too, and MNet has confirmed that VagabondTV will air on their channel, featuring highlights from the festivals throughout. 

More information will be released as Dispatch finds it, but the tour dates have been revealed-- tickets are now on sale!

BREAKING: Cyrah Terminates Contract With Radioactive Entertainment; Reign to Continue Promoting With Four Members

Fans were worried earlier in the month when Reign’s Leader, Choi Bidam, removed the groups’ name from all of her social media. Besides the first couple of episodes, fans also noticed that the Unpretty Rapstar Volume 3 frontrunner hadn’t mentioned her group or company at all, leaving many to fear the worst. Rumors began to circulate, from anonymous insiders who said to have knowledge of the company, saying that Cyrah was unhappy with her career with the label and was thinking of leaving. And earlier today, that was confirmed.

On Monday morning, Radioactive officials announced that after many rounds of negotiations, Choi Bidam failed to re-sign her exclusive contract witht he company, choosing instead to seek new opportunities and options beyond. “Cyrah leaving does not mean the end of Reign,” the staff member stressed to reporters. “Riko is a very capable rapper, and can take over in Cyrah’s absence.” Radioactive informed the media that Winnie would take over Cyrah’s leadership duties, and that the group was planning on a album release, despite the departure of their leader.

While the news might just be coming to us now, it seems to have been in the works for a while. Shortly after the Radioactive press conference, Left Music Group held one of their own, announcing that the twenty-six year old rapper would be joining the ever-growing roster of producer Poet’s label, which already houses Enzo, and Creed member Tam Kiyoung. LMG assured reporters that Cyrah has no hard feelings with her former label, group or members; she simply feels as though she has outgrown what they have been making her do, and wishes to branch out on her own and create her own style. 

BREAKING: Athena And Andrew Woo Reveal To Have Been Married For Months; Andrew’s Fifth Child On The Way

Fans were very worried in April when Athena had to cut her promotions for Watch Me Move short-- it had been a long time since she had last promoted or released music, and fans could only think the worst when Spotlight pulled her from all of her stages and put her on hiatus, many speculating over what sort of medical emergency could have come up. The reasoning for the hiatus has just come out, and while it is a medical situation, it is far from what anyone expected. 

Earlier today, Spotlight officals spoke to the media, revealing that Lucille Ahn is indeed secretly married to Radioactive Producer and legendary rapper, Andrew Woo, and that they have been married for many months now. Athena was put on hiatus when the couple discovered she was pregnant, and while it took them a while to discuss their best options with their respective companies, they have finally come out to tell the public the happy news.

“Both Athena and Andrew regret the deception,” a Spotlight official was quoted saying. “They decided to keep their union a secret for many reasons, but mostly to keep pressure off of Ginny and Nathan-- one of which had just debuted, and the other was competing on a survival show. Additionally, fans are very protective of their idols, and the pair wanted to gauge how their fanbases would react.”

BREAKING: 360 Updates on Heart2Heart

Anyone who is even a casual fan of 360 Studios is familiar with Heart2Heart-- with Harley competing on a survival show before getting signed, and Angel being featured in many 360 artists’ music videos, they already both have plenty of fans, and earlier this year, 360 revealed that they were planning on debuting the two as a duo, though the specific date as to when they were doign that was unclear.

With the announcement of KBS + MNet’s World Tour, and Radioactive’s announcement that they would be debuting two groups during the tour, many questions were sent 360′s way as to whether or not htey were planning on doing the same thing with Heart2Heart, though 360 quashed those rumors.

“It’s not that we don’t think they’re ready,” an official said in response to the rumors. “We just don’t feel like it’s the right time. Radioactive is already using the tour as an opportunity to debut their groups, and we don’t want to reuse the same gimmick. We also do not have the same kind of pull and influence as a Radioactive group might have-- Heart2Heart’s debut needs as much local support as we can get, and that cannot happen if they aren’t home to promote their debut song.”