Malaysian idol girl group KLP48 celebrated their first anniversary with a spectacular concert titled “〜BLOOM〜” at Zepp Kuala Lumpur last Saturday (August 16). The venue was electrified as fans waved their light sticks non-stop in rhythm, sharing moments of passion and youthful energy with their beloved idols.

KLP48 is the first overseas sister group of Japan’s national-popularity idol AKB48 to be established in Malaysia. Since their debut in 2024, the group has attracted a diverse fanbase with their youthful charm and approachability. The 13 members include Malaysians Salwa, Yi Shyan, Lucine, Amanda, Ann Drea, Khalies, and Tiffany, Hillary from Hong Kong, Devi from Indonesia, as well as members Yurina, Haruka, and Suzuha from AKB48 and Cocoa from STU48 – showcasing a vibrant cross-cultural lineup.

Organised by 48 Entertainment Sdn Bhd, “〜BLOOM〜” carried the theme of “blossoming,” symbolising KLP48’s growth and maturity after a year of challenges. The concert also featured special guest performers, heightening the excitement throughout the night.

Local girl group COËX kicked off the evening with powerful performances of “Like Jennie” and “Just Another Friend”, followed by talented singer-songwriter Ismail Izzani, who kept the momentum going with his hits “Bidari,” “Tenggelam,” and “Luar Biasa.”

Adding to the surprise, JKT48 from Indonesia appeared with 12 members clad in candy-coloured dresses. They charmed the audience with signature numbers including “#Kusangatsuka,” “Rapsodi,” and “Ponytail to Shu Shu,” once again affirming their immense popularity as the first overseas sister group of AKB48.

The loudest cheers erupted when KLP48 finally took the stage with “Oh My Pumpkin!”, followed by energetic renditions of “Aitakatta” and “Melon Juice.” A sea of glowing light sticks waved in unison across the venue. The night was made even more emotional with the long-awaited return of Lucine, who had been on hiatus due to health reasons. Her comeback marked the full reunion of all 13 members, delighting fans as they performed songs like “Shonichi” and “Namida Surprise.”

Midway through the show, a special anniversary video was screened, chronicling the group’s journey from their debut to various stages they’ve graced. The heartfelt montage of laughter, tears, and growth moved many fans to tears. The members also shared an emotional message on the stage:

“This past year has been filled with ups and downs. It wasn’t always easy, but we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support and companionship of our fans. Along the way, there were tears and sweat, but above all, there was joy and precious memories. We hope to continue bringing you smiles and strength in the future.”

Nearly 2,000 fans passionately responded with chants of “KLP48!”, creating a heartwarming and unforgettable scene.

The concert continued with more fan-favourite hits including “Green Flash,” “Heavy Rotation,” “High Tension,” “Flying Get,” and “Alasanku Maybe.” With their synchronised choreography and radiant smiles, the members perfectly embodied the spirit of youthful energy.

Spotify - the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service - announced R&B singer-songwriter JUNNY as the latest artist to join its RADAR KOREA program.
 
Spotify’s RADAR program launched in 2020, is Spotify’s global program dedicated to supporting rising artists, helping them expand their reach and connect with new fans around the world. With powerful editorial curation, bespoke marketing, and the platform’s global scale, RADAR has supported over 900 artists to date. Past global alumni include The Kid LAROI, Lauv, Tyla, and Lil Baby, while Korean artists such as NMIXX, Huh, LE SSERAFIM, Zior Park, RIIZE, BABYMONSTER, and HANRORO have also been part of the program.
 
Artists featured on RADAR have seen, on average, a 40% increase in monthly listeners and a 30% boost in streams within six months of joining. This year, RADAR KOREA has expanded beyond K-Pop to include diverse genres and hyper-local artists, providing more opportunities for talent from different backgrounds to connect with global audiences.
 
Known for his emotive vocals and distinctive sound, JUNNY has steadily built his presence as a leading R&B singer-songwriter, with over 1.35 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Spotify first showcased JUNNY during “K-Night” at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Sydney, Australia, in 2023 as part of its Spotify House series. With his second full-length album “null” set for release on August 20, JUNNY will leverage RADAR KOREA to introduce his new music to listeners worldwide.
 
“JUNNY is an artist we have long admired for his originality and versatility, crossing genre boundaries while resonating with audiences both in Korea and globally. Through RADAR KOREA, we look forward to amplifying his music to more listeners around the world, and we remain committed to supporting not only K-Pop, but also Korea’s diverse range of R&B, indie, and other genre artists.”
 
“I’m thrilled to reconnect with Spotify following the 2023 ‘Spotify House’ showcase,” said JUNNY. “With the support from RADAR KOREA, I look forward to continuing to deliver positive energy to my listeners by creating music that reflects my own color and messages.”
 
As part of RADAR KOREA, Spotify will amplify JUNNY’s music through global editorial curation, bespoke content, and a range of marketing activations. Listeners can stay tuned to @SpotifyKR on Instagram for the latest updates on JUNNY’s RADAR KOREA program.

The second fan session kept the energy high with a quiz hosted by Dong Woo himself. Fans’ deep knowledge of him was so impressive that there was no single final winner. Instead, Dong Woo generously handed out several autographed posters, even personalizing them by writing fans’ names on the spot, which sent the crowd into squeals of delight.

Musically, Dong Woo surprised everyone by not only performing his unreleased track “Checkmate”, but also showing off his versatility with unexpected covers. His heartfelt renditions of Natty’s “Sugarcoat” and aespa Karina’s “Up!” brought a fresh twist that made the songs uniquely his own.