April has been quite the month for K-Pop comebacks and debuts within the music scene. There are heavy hitters at every corner, constantly battling for the top spot on the charts. But if there's one group who remains a consistent force within the music scene, it's WOOAH. They're a group who's not limited by any means, exceling in a number of different styles showcasing their flexibility as artists.

The five member girl group recently made a comeback after about a year and a half with the single release, 'BLUSH'. Compared to the typical, energetic K-Pop dance track of 'Rollercoaster', 'BLUSH' offers more of an easygoing, laidback listen that you can have on loop for hours on end. It's not the first time woo!ah! has decided to switch things up, fully demonstrating their ability to mold to any genre.

They're a girl group that's shown constant improvement since debut, with the potential to trend even higher as their career moves forward.

 

Talented Since Pre-Debut

The members of WOOAH put in the years and hard work to stand where they are today. Even prior to their official debut and group formation, they were actively posting on their official YouTube channel, portraying their lives as trainees. Through these short videos, fans were able to discover that the members were incredibly talented, equipped with the vocals, rap skills, and dance proficiency needed to stand on stage and perform under the title of 'idol'.

When it was time for the girls to finally make their first appearance on music show stages, they showed a completely different image from what we see today. A mixture of girl crush, hip-hop, and bubblegum K-Pop, WOOAH set out to grab hold of the K-Pop world with their self-titled debut track. This would mark their first step into the music industry and with fiery determination and unwavering conviction, they made a statement early fans could never forget. This laid the foundation of what's to come, and with their array of talents, early wow! were certain that WOOAH would soon embark on an upward trajectory.

 

A Girl Group Of Many Talents

When it comes to individual skill, WOOAH has it in spades. They compliment each other perfectly, however, it's their individual talents that make them such a formidable girl group in the K-Pop industry. And the members aren't afraid to showcase their talent either with either original tracks, cover songs, and dance practice videos. All these, and more, can be seen via their official YouTube channel where WOOAH has multiple examples of their never-ending talent.

When you have a group that utilizes NaNa's impeccable dancing prowess, WooYeon's refreshing vocals, Sora's serotonin-like presence, Lucy's addictive rap skills, and MinSeo's cider-like high notes, you can be certain you'll have a recipe for success. They've shown incredible presence outside of group activities that make them a group netizens should definitely be keeping track of. Their ability to come together, combine their strengths, and present various stages that speak to their high level of execution and skill surprise countless individuals in the K-Pop community, making many believe that it's only a matter of time before they eventually rise to the top.

 

WOOAH Among The Trends

Despite the tough competition among girl groups, WOOAH continue to set their own pace and remain a constant presence within the K-Pop industry. Netizens don't let up on showering the girl group with immense praise, retaining interest towards them since their comeback. Fans have been fervent in offering the girls their unlimited support, advocating for even more people to listen to their comeback. But it's not just limited to 'BLUSH', as any song by WOOAH will certainly pull you in, causing you to become a dedicated supporter.

The interest over time towards the girl group shows that they're able to capture the attention of netizens when the time calls for it, being able to slay music show stages and captivate audiences in the process. Now, fans are hoping for more frequent releases in order to showcase the sheer talent the girls have and hopefully keep them trending for a much longer period of time.

The path to success hasn't been an easy one for WOOAH but their vitamin-like nature allows them to act as a bright shining light, towards both fans and non-fans alike.

How long have you been following the girl group? What do you like about them?

The 5th generation of K-Pop is all the rage right now and dominating this generation as one of the top rising groups is none other than RIIZE. With talented members, gorgeous visuals, and addictive music, RIIZE is steadily making their mark on the industry. Their latest comeback with the prologue single 'Impossible' was a house track that featured outstanding choreography, and the member who caught fans' attention the most with his unmatched dancing skills was Shotaro.

Thoroughly impressed by Shotaro's flawless talent, we were left wanting more. So, it got us thinking about a dream variety show where Shotaro could collaborate with fellow K-Pop idols who were also known for their incredible skills.

So, here are the top 5 idol dancers we would love to see collab with RIIZE's Shotaro!

 

1. Shotaro x SHINee's TaeMin

The person who wants this collaboration even more than us is probably Shotaro himself. TaeMin is Shotaro's role model and as we all know, TaeMin is one of the best, if not THE best dancer in K-Pop. A collaboration between the reigning King and a rising Prince would be fantastic, to say the least. Both dancers have their own unique groove and style that, we believe, would complement each other wonderfully.

 

2. Shotaro x SEVENTEEN's Hoshi

Another dancing machine whose talent knows no bounds, Hoshi would be perfect for a dance collaboration with Shotaro. With both Hoshi and Shotaro being sunshine personified, this collab would break the internet for being the coolest and the cutest at the same time. We can already imagine the two idols getting along well together and we would love to see them come up with an original choreography.

 

3. Shotaro x EXO's Lay Zhang

If we're talking about the best of the best when it comes to dance, we cannot possibly forget Lay Zhang. The idol recently made his comeback on Korean music shows with his latest song 'Psychic'. With the man, the myth, and the legend back, we would love to see him dance with SM's rising star, Shotaro. From one dance prodigy to another, this could be a collaboration that's truly one of a kind.

 

4. Shotaro x KISS OF LIFE's Natty

Widely recognized as one of the it-girls of K-Pop right now, Natty is an outstanding dancer, to say the least. A collaboration between the two 5th-generation dance icons - Natty and Shotaro, would make the headlines for days. Both artists have a knack for a variety of dance styles and are known for their high-energy, precise performances. We'd love to see a fusion of different dance styles from them.

 

5. Shotaro x New:ID's Wilson

Currently a trainee under MLD Entertainment, New:ID's Wilson is already gaining attention from all over the world for his dance skills. New:ID's SNS is buzzing with dance cover videos and fans just can't get enough of Wilson's moves. Collaborating with Shotaro would be a great opportunity for Wilson to learn from his sunbaenim and give us even more reasons to fall in love with both of them all over again.

Which K-Pop idol do you want to see Shotaro collaborate with? Tell us on X!

The results for the 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey has been released, naming the most beloved K-Dramas of viewers from across the globe. The top 5 series consists of "Squid Game", "The Glory", "King The Land", "Crash Landing On You", and "Taxi Driver", in that order. For the third time since its release, "Squid Game" continues to dominate, earning mass-attention from audiences worldwide.

Conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Overseas Hallyu Survey aims to compile the data on the impact of the Hallyu wave. With a sample size of 25,000 people from over 26 countries, the survey tries it best to show an accurate representation of what types of K-Content is being consumed in different countries.

While many more amazing series have popped up over the years, "Squid Game" is still named as one of the most enjoyed K-Dramas by 9.0% of survey participants. While they're not all the same genre, they do have some similarities, and some clear cut reasons why "Squid Game" remains at the top.

 

Top Ratings And Streams

Looking at the list across the board, these series cover a variety of different themes. This includes everything from lighthearted romantic comedy to suspenseful thriller and heart-racing action.  As vastly different as they might be, they share a similarity in receiving top ratings and streams.

At their highest ratings, "Crash Landing On You" received 21.7%, "King The Land" ended on 13.8%, and "Taxi Driver" received 16% for season 1 and 21% for season 2 respectively. When it comes to the Netflix-produced shows of "Squid Game" and "The Glory", rather than percentage ratings, there are hours viewed. At its peak and according to FlixPatrol, "The Glory" reached an astonishing 124,460,000 hours viewed. But this seems pale in comparison to the 571,760,000 of "Squid Game".

Earlier, we mentioned that Squid Game was picked by 9.0% of survey respondents. The rest are as follows: "The Glory" (3.4%), "King The Land" (2.6), "Crash Landing On You" (2.2), and "Taxi Driver" (1.6). While the rest of these series are amazing in their own right, the difference between "Squid Game" still remains quite large, even three years after its release.

While these numbers don't tell the whole story, they portray these shows' mass appeal and how they naturally had the entire globe wrapped around their finger, eagerly moving from episode to episode. With a majority of these shows made available through Netflix, and "Taxi Driver" as the lone Amazon Prime Video representative, it was easy for individuals around the globe to become hooked and name them as their top series of 2023.

 

More Than Just A K-Drama

Now, we have a general idea of how well these series have done, according to stats. And while statistics might be a clear representation of these K-Dramas' success, when breaking things down, it becomes more than just the numbers. And in turn, these shows become more than just a regular, old K-Drama. In the case of "Squid Game", "The Glory", and "Taxi Driver", they certainly were not your typical K-Dramas that ended with a couple riding into the sunset towards their happily-ever-after. Instead, they erred more on the intensity of the world, how some actions are simply unforgivable, and the sheer ruthlessness of certain individuals. They introduced global audiences to a grittier, less explored side of K-Dramas that left a lasting impression on millions.

Looking over at "Crash Landing On You" and "King The Land", these two offered a totally different experience for viewers, acting as quintessential examples for your tried and true K-Drama. They had layers of depth and character development, while remaining lighthearted enough for you to witness a swoon-worthy romance, made you smile in unending laughter, and kept audiences coming back every single week.

Millions of individuals raved about these series' incredible success and how they managed to change the landscape of the K-Dramas we see today. And aside from the feel good happy endings and the idea that love is real from "Crash Landing On You" and "King The Land", they approached a myriad of real-life topics that are generally harder to talk about for any one person. "Squid Game" tackled economic disparity, "The Glory" depicted the lasting effects of bullying, and "Taxi Driver" portrayed the idea that the less fortunate can receive their due justice.

It's in these life lessons, combined with the pure entertainment factors, that make these shows so worth it.

 

The Lasting Effect Of "Squid Game"

It's no secret that Netflix's "Squid Game" became a world-renowned hit. According to data collected by Netflix, as of April 14th, 2024, "Squid Game" has received a approximately 265,200,000 total views, earning it the top spot of Netflix's Most Popular TV (Non-English) list. During its initial year of release, it became an international craze, with millions flocking to filming locations of the series, creating a boon in the tourism industry. Even the official VISIT SEOUL website curated a list of "Squid Game" filming locations that travelers could visit in Seoul.

Additionally, a pop-up playground was previously set up at Itaewon station, which ran from September 17th, 2021 until September 26th, 2021.

Many would think that the first year of global success aside, and with the amount of incredible K-Dramas that have graced our screens since, surely there would have been at least one to overtake the no. 1 spot from "Squid Game". However, going from 21.2% to 11.3%, and now 9.0% shows just how much presence the Netflix series continues to retain.

From mentions & reach to netizen sentiment, "Squid Game" remained truly relevant within such a fast-paced and ever-changing entertainment world. And while there are dips here and there, the sentiment around "Squid Game" is ultimately positive, a consensus shared by a large portion of survey respondents and the world. Although the drama's mentions and reach are on a downwards trend, it has yet to fall off completely, showing that audiences still have their tabs open to search more about "Squid Game".

Looking at it even deeper, there's many reasons for that.

 

The 'Wow' Factor

Entertainment-wise, "Squid Game" is truly a special title. As the characters participate in a series of missions in an attempt to earn a life-changing monetary prize, audiences await with bated breathe to see just who will make it out alive. Taking simple Korean games and transforming them to psychologically frightening tasks blows everything out of proportion, but creates such an inescapable  magnetic pull that you can't help but be dragged along by its explosive plot. This 'wow' factor certainly contributed to the overall success of "Squid Game" and how it became such a loved hit for three years in a row.

 

Spinoffs And Reimagined For Real Life

Even with its immense virality and worldwide influence, many probably could not foresee that it would incite others into action to replicate the hit series and create a real-life "Squid Game". One of the most notable attempts was done by popular YouTuber, Mr. Beast. Although the contestants do not carry a sense of desperation to succeed like the original characters nor is blood actually shed, the spirit of "Squid Game" is still present. This 26 minute video by the YouTuber now sits at around 600M views.

Then, just last year in 2023, Netflix tapped into the success of "Squid Game" and created "Squid Game: The Challenge". This was the official real-life rendition of the iconic series. While this was a bit more laidback like Mr. Beast's version, tensions were a little higher as the streaming giant tried its best to stay as true to the K-Drama as possible.

Outside of these, along with many other attempts to bring "Squid Game" to life, the iconic tracksuits, guard outfits, and more reached store shelves everywhere. Then when Halloween came around the corner, millions walked along the street dressed from head to toe in "Squid Game" attire, showing their enjoyment and outright affection for the show.

 

"Squid Game" Moving Forward

Considering the news about "Squid Game 2" and how it's going to drop sometime this year, it seems the craze is far from over. Rather, it will most likely receive a second wind, dominating watchlists and search engines worldwide. And even then, depending on whether or not the response for season 2 is similar or surpasses expectations, there could even be a chance that the "Squid Game" universe is expanded even further. This would pave the way for even more exploration into the "Squid Game" narrative and an expansion of an already complex story. This time next year, "Squid Game 2" could be like its predecessor and be chosen as the top K-Drama from 21.2% of survey respondents, or more.

What do you think of the results for the 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey? Have you gone back to rewatch "Squid Game" in the past year?