FOREIGN

Kim Jong Un’s sister arrives in South Korea for historic visit

Published

6 years ago

February 9, 2018

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister landed in the South Friday, the first member of Pyongyang’s ruling dynasty to set foot in its rival since the Korean War.

Kim Yo Jong was part of a high-level diplomatic delegation led by the North’s ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam — its highest-level official ever to go to the South — as the Winter Olympics trigger a diplomatic rapprochement between the rivals.

Their white Ilyushin-62 jet, marked in Korean script “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, the North’s official name, and its tailfin emblazoned with a Northern emblem, touched down at Incheon airport near Seoul.

The last member of the Kim family to set foot in Seoul was Yo Jong’s grandfather Kim Il Sung, the North’s founder, after his forces invaded in 1950 and the capital fell.

Three years later the conflict ended with a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty, leaving the peninsula divided by the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone, and the two sides technically in a state of war.

Now the North is subject to multiple rounds of UN Security Council sanctions over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, while the democratic South has risen to become the world’s 11th-largest economy.

Kim Yong Nam and Kim Yo Jong, both of them in dark coats with fur collars, were met by the South’s unification minister and other officials, exchanging pleasantries about the cold weather.

The leader’s sister looked relaxed, smiling calmly as she talked with them, before making her way through the terminal, with four bodyguards surrounding her closely, to take a high-speed train to the Winter Olympics host Pyeongchang.

The delegation’s trip is the diplomatic high point of a Games-driven rapprochement between the two Koreas, with dovish South Korean President Moon Jae-in pushing a “peace Olympics” that will open a door for dialogue to alleviate tensions and seek to persuade Pyongyang to give up its atomic ambitions.

Kim Yong Nam was due to attend a leaders’ reception on Friday ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony along with US Vice President Mike Pence and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, both of whose countries the North regularly threatens.

And Moon is scheduled to have lunch with the Pyongyang delegation on Saturday.

But all eyes are on Yo Jong — a key member of the Kim dynasty that has ruled the impoverished, isolated nation with an iron fist and pervasive personality cult over three generations.

The family are revered in the North as the “Paektu bloodline”, named after the country’s highest mountain and supposed birthplace of the late leader Kim Jong Il.

Many analysts suggest Yo Jong may be carrying a personal message to Moon from her brother.

– ‘Charm offensive’ –
Tensions have been high on the peninsula since last year when the North staged its sixth and most powerful nuclear blast and test-fired intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMS) capable of reaching the US mainland.

Leader Kim and US President Donald Trump exchanged threats of war and personal insults, sparking global alarm and fears of a new conflict on the peninsula.

But Kim abruptly announced a plan to send athletes and high-level delegates to the Pyeongchang Winter Games in his new year speech, setting in motion a flurry of cross-border talks and trips.

The announcement — following months of cajoling by Seoul — is seen as a bid to defuse tensions and seek a loosening of the sanctions against it.

The North has sent a total of 22 athletes plus hundreds of cheerleaders and artistes for the Olympics and a state orchestra gave one of two planned concerts in the South on Thursday to a packed audience.

But Pyongyang also held a military parade the same day, displaying its hulking ICBMs in Kim Il Sung Square in a show of strength, and the diplomatic manoeuvres have met a backlash in the South, with many accusing Seoul of making too many concessions to its wayward neighbour.

Conservative activists also accused Pyongyang of “hijacking” the Games and have held angry protests, burning images of Kim Jong Un or the North’s national flag.

US Vice President Pence — who has not ruled out a meeting with the North’s delegates — on Friday called Pyongyang “the most tyrannical regime on the planet” as he met defectors at a memorial to the Cheonan, a South Korean corvette that sank in 2010, killing 46 sailors.

An international investigation concluded it had been torpedoed by a North Korean submarine, a charge Pyongyang denies.

Pence intended to counter “what Prime Minister Abe rightly called a ‘charm offensive’ around the Olympics” by the North, he said.

His objective was “to stand up for the truth”, he said, “and to recognise that whatever images may emerge against the powerful backdrop and idealism of the Olympics, North Korea has to accept change.”

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4 weeks ago

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While the group is focused on their national duty, this particular member’s solo work resonates with American audiences.

BTS’s influence remains strong, even with all seven members enlisted. This latest achievement proves that their music transcends borders and continues to captivate listeners around the world.

V, a member of the global phenomenon BTS, is making waves as a solo artist. His brand new single, “Fri(end)s,” hit the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart at a very impressive No. 65 in its first week.

This marks V’s fourth time landing a song on the Hot 100, and this time, it’s all him. BTS, as a group, has already achieved an incredible record with 27 hits on the chart. But V’s solo success ties him with three of his bandmates for another impressive feat.

With “Fri(end)s,” V joins J-Hope, Jimin, and Suga in the exclusive club of BTS members with four Hot 100 hits to their names.

However, the top soloist title goes to another BTS member. Jung Kook has a whopping six Hot 100 entries under his name. That’s just one slot ahead of K-pop legend Psy, who boasts five hits on the chart.

V’s solo journey on the Hot 100 began in 2022 with the release of “Christmas Tree.” The song gained significant traction during the holiday season, but its official chart debut came in the new year.

This strong debut for “Fri(end)s” is a great sign for V’s solo career. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how high the song can climb on the chart in the coming weeks.

ENTERTAINMENT

Ariana Grande Surpasses Tie With Travis Scott, Reaches Justin Bieber’s Chart Record

Published

4 weeks ago

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Ariana Grande is dominating the Billboard charts this week. Her brand new album, “Eternal Sunshine,” has skyrocketed to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the biggest album debut of 2024 so far. Ariana Grande’s new single, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love),” also rocketed to the top of the Streaming Songs chart in the US. This chart tracks the most-played songs each week, considering both audio and video streams across major platforms.

This chart success isn’t just a one-off win for her. This feat marks Ariana Grande’s sixth time leading on the Streaming Songs chart, officially breaking her tie with rapper Travis Scott. Previously, both artists were locked in a four-way tie for third place with five chart-topping hits each. Now, Grande takes the solo bronze medal position, pushing Scott down to fifth.

Ariana Grande Reaches Justin Bieber’s Chart Record | Fab.ng

Ariana Grande now shares the number-two spot with pop superstar Justin Bieber. Both singers have snagged six No. 1 hits on the Streaming Songs chart. But Ariana Grande achieved her latest win much more recently than Justin Bieber.

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Drake continues to dominate the streaming song chart. He has 20 No. 1 hits, a record no other artist has even come close to matching.

Following Drake is Taylor Swift, who has secured an impressive eight No. 1 hits on the Streaming Songs chart. She’s poised to add to her tally soon with the upcoming release of her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department.”

Ariana Grande has been on a roll this year, scoring two new No. 1 hits already. Her latest track, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love),” debuted at the top spot, following the success of her previous chart-topper, “Yes, And?” These two new hits join her previous four leaders: “Thank U, Next,” “7 Rings,” “Positions,” and the collaboration with The Weeknd, “Die For You.”

FOREIGN

House Of The Dragon’ Season 2 Drops Premiere Date

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Get ready for fire and blood! HBO released two thrilling trailers for the highly anticipated second season of “House of the Dragon” on Thursday.

These action-packed “duelling trailers” offer a glimpse into the brewing Targaryen civil war, packed with conflict and drama.

The trailers confirm that Season 2 premieres on Sunday, June 16th.

The prequel series to the smash-hit “Game of Thrones” takes viewers back 200 years to explore the history of Daenerys Targaryen’s ancestors. The Targaryen family, known for their mastery of dragons, is on the brink of war, and these trailers showcase the intensity of the coming conflict.

The first season of “House of the Dragon” premiered in August 2022 and was a massive success, capturing the attention of a reported 29 million viewers each week.

The movie is based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.” It dives into a brutal civil war within the Targaryen dynasty.

The story centers on Rhaenyra Targaryen, who defies tradition by being named heir to the Iron Throne, a position typically held by men. Rhaenyra faces opposition from the very beginning. Her initial close friend, Alicent Hightower, becomes her stepmother after marrying King Viserys, Rhaenyra’s father. This marriage strains their friendship and sows the seeds of future conflict.

The Targaryens, known for keeping their bloodline pure, are also infamous for marriage within the family. In this case, Rhaenyra is married to her uncle, Daemon Targaryen, a powerful and unpredictable warrior.

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King Viserys dies in the course of the movie. This tragedy leads to trouble. Aegon, Rhaenyra’s half-brother, steps forward with the claim that he, not Rhaenyra, should be king. Alicent, now firmly on Aegon’s side, fuels the flames of war.

Supporters have formed behind each heir, creating clear factions. Those who back Rhaenyra are known as the “Blacks,” while Aegon’s supporters are called the “Greens.”

Adding to the chaos is Aegon’s violent brother, Aemond. Aemond’s actions escalate the conflict to a horrifying new level, leaving one of Rhaenyra’s sons dead by the end of season one.

This brutal act ignites a fire of vengeance in Rhaenyra, setting the stage for a bloody war known as the Dance of the Dragons.

The intense rivalry between these two sides promises a thrilling and ruthless battle for ultimate power. The show has even released separate trailers for each faction, further amplifying the excitement for fans

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