It has been another big year for K-pop.
In addition to big names such as Psy, Blackpink, BTS members RM and Jin and soloist B.I releasing songs, the genre's rookies, including groups such as NewJeans and Billlie, have also taken centre stage.
Here, The National looks at the best songs from a year filled with international collaborations and catchy tunes.
That That by Psy and Suga
This was Psy's big comeback track. After five years, the Gangnam Style star returned with a full album, Psy 9th.
In lead single That That, Psy reminded the world why he is considered Korean music royalty, taking centre stage with BTS member Suga. The title track soared to the top of the charts in South Korea and the US.
It currently has more than 384 million views on YouTube.
Attention by NewJeans
After making their debut in July, it was clear the five-member girl group demanded "attention" (which also happened to be the name of their debut single). NewJeans introduced a new style of tunes and choreography to the K-pop scene.
The catchy song has more than 37 million views on YouTube and showcases the multicultural five-member girl group’s unique identities.
Wild Flower by RM featuring Youjeen
BTS leader and rapper RM once again became the connecting bridge between South Korea and the rest of the world, this time through his first full solo album. features artists such asErykah Badu, Mahalia, and Anderson .Paak. After releasing Wild Flower, the song reached number one on YouTube’s global top music videos chart and currently has more than 30 million views.
The Astronaut by Jin
Before his military enlistment, BTS’s oldest member Jin dedicated The Astronaut to his fans, Army.
In his first single as a solo artist, Jin teamed up with British rock band Coldplay and Norwegian DJ Kygo.
The synth-pop track explores themes of connection and love, reflecting his affection for his fans, and currently has more than 55 million views on YouTube.
Maniac by Stray Kids
The second track and lead single from their sixth extended play Ordinary, Maniac offer an empowering message to younger generations of fans. The track, a combination of trap and electro-pop, encourages people to break free of societal norms. In addition to topping the South Korean charts, and with more than 150 million views on YouTube, it was nominated for the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards Best K-pop Video.
Pink Venom by Blackpink
The four-member group released their highly anticipated second album, Born Pink, with Pink Venom as the lead track.
The song is a mix of pop, rap and dance with traditional South Korean instruments also incorporated. The track peaked at number one on the Billboard Global 200, becoming the first to do so by a girl group. It also topped Billboard's South Korea charts. The music video currently has more than 488 million views on YouTube.
Pop! by Nayeon
Girl group Twice's lead vocalist Nayeon stepped out into the spotlight on her own for the first time in June, releasing EP Im Nayeon and lead single Pop!. With its fun, bubblegum beat, the track is full of joy and excitement. It currently has more than 161 million views on YouTube.
It was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Dance Performance — Solo at South Korea's Mnet Asian Music Awards.
BTBT by B.I featuring Soulja Boy and DeVita
B.I, also known as Kim Han-Bin, released album Love or Loved Part 1in a bid to restart his solo career after his departure from boy band iKon in 2019.
The catchy tune BTBT, a collaboration with Soulja Boy and DeVita, found success on the charts thanks to B.I's raspy and soulful voice. The RnB-style track, which is sung in English and Korean, expresses the excitement of a new relationship and a push-and-pull romance.
New Thing by Zico featuring Homies
The hit rap song with deep beats sparked most of the TikTok challenges on the platform in the last few months of the year. The track was originally created for the Korean TV competition show Street Man Fighter, but went viral after a dance challenge from the group We Dem Boyz, which featured popular bands Seventeen and Itzy.
GingaMingaYo (the strange world) by Billlie
Rising girl group Billlie’s lead single, from their second EP GingaMingaYo (the strange world) has been their breakout song. The experimental track has a vibrant beat with a catchy chorus.
Although it didn't make it onto South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart, it reached at number six on Billboard Japan Heatseekers Songs Chart.
Hype Boy by NewJeans
The list's second entry by NewJeans firmly belongs here.
Although the song came out a day after Attention, it builds upon the group's new sound of smooth vocals, an upbeat background synth and a catchy chorus. The song peaked at number one on Billboard's South Korea charts and its music video has been watched more than 47 million times.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
RESULTS
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees
Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme
Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks
Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Abu%20Dhabi%E2%80%99s%20Racecard
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Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
