Hey chinggus!

Welcome to this week's edition, where we'll be sharing the latest updates on:

• K-Pop star Moonbin of Astro tragically passes away at the young age of 25.

• “The Glory" empowers a victim to speak out.

• FIFTY FIFTY's "Cupid" continues to climb up the Billboard charts for the fifth week in a row.

Like always, grab a cup of tea or coffee and let's get started!

K-Pop Star Moonbin of Astro Passes Away at 25

K-pop star Moonbin, a member of the popular boy band Astro, has passed away at the young age of 25, as confirmed by his label Fantagio on Thursday.

According to local reports, he was found unconscious on Wednesday evening at his residence located in the upscale Gangnam district of Seoul. Moonbin was a multi-talented performer and part of the Astro group, as well as its sub-unit Moonbin & Sanha.

Fans from all over the world have flooded social media with messages of grief and condolences. Moonbin's untimely death is the latest in a string of tragedies that have struck the K-pop industry in recent years.

The Korean government is currently taking measures to combat cyberbullying, which has been identified as a factor in several of these cases. This tragedy serves as a reminder of the intense pressure and scrutiny that K-pop stars face, as well as the importance of mental health support and awareness.

“The Glory” Inspires Victim of School Bullying to Speak Out

The Korean drama The Glory, written by Kim Eun Sook, has brought attention to the pervasive issue of school bullying in South Korea.

One victim, Pyo Ye Rim, has been inspired by the show to share her own harrowing experience of bullying. According to a report by KoreaTimes, she was bullied by four female friends for 12 years and was even forced to put her head in a toilet bowl while the perpetrators hurled abusive language at her. Despite seeking help from a teacher, she was blamed for the bullying and her parents were unaware of the situation.

Thanks to The Glory, Pyo Ye Rim's story has gained more exposure through various media platforms, with MBC even stepping in to help unfold everything. Pyo Ye Rim continues to fight against school bullying by sharing her story with others.

Although her case has passed the statute of limitations, someone recently came forward to reveal the identities of the perpetrators. Pyo Ye Rim's story highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to prevent and address school bullying in South Korea, and The Glory has played a role in raising awareness and inspiring victims to speak out.

FIFTY FIFTY's "Cupid" Climbs to No. 50 on Billboard's 'Hot 100' for 5th Consecutive Week

FIFTY FIFTY's "Cupid" continues to soar high on the Billboard charts, climbing up 10 spots to No. 50 on the 'Hot 100' this week.

The song's impressive ascent of 50 spots from its debut at No. 100 just five weeks ago is a testament to its viral popularity.

Moreover, with this achievement, FIFTY FIFTY has set a new record as the fastest K-Pop group to attain the highest-charting rank position on the 'Hot 100' for a 4th generation idol group, within just five months since their official debut.

Notably, they join the exclusive club of K-Pop superstars BTS and BLACKPINK as the only third group to score a top 50 entry on the chart.

"Cupid" has also made waves on Billboard's 'Global 200' and 'Global Excl. US' charts, breaking into the top 10 and reaching a new peak at No. 3 on the 'World Digital Song Sales' chart.

Congratulations, FIFTY FIFTY, on this incredible accomplishment!

Thanks for tuning in to this week's edition of K-Culture Connect! We hope you found our round-up informative and engaging. Please don't hesitate to share it with your friends, and we would love to hear your feedback.

Stay tuned for next week's edition, where we will continue to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and updates on Korean culture.

K-Culture Connect