Strange prehistoric bug with claws found trapped in amber in Myanmar named after K-pop group
Insect represents first fossil bug with forceps-like leg
A prehistoric species of bug with claws has been discovered in Myanmar based on an intact fossil trapped in amber.
The insect was found trapped in amber from a site in Myanmar’s northernmost state of Kachin, and represents the first fossil bug with a forceps-like leg. The discovery sheds light on the 100-million-year-old forest ecosystem in which it lived.
Its features, including large claws – or chelae – on its front legs, are similar to the grasping appendages of crabs, and are extremely rare in insects, researchers say.
"Previously, such chelae were known from only three insect groups. This fossil, therefore, represents the fourth known case of these structures evolving independently in insects," said zoologist Carolin Haug, an author of the study published in the journal Insects.
Due to its distinct features, scientists have placed the fossil insect in a new genus of its own and gave it the scientific name Carcinonepa libererrantes.
The genus name combines the Latinized Greek word for "crab" (carcino-) with nepa, a reference to the group of true water bugs known as Nepomorpha.
Meanwhile, the species name libererrantes is a Latinisation of the highly successful K-pop group Stray Kids, researchers say.
“The name seemed fitting because the posture of the fossil's chelae strongly resembles the group's trademark pose,” Dr Haug said.
In the study, scientists used CT X-ray scans to examine the fossil and visualise all structures of its anatomy.
Comparing the scans with those of other insects, they found that the chelae of the new species differ markedly from the corresponding structures in other species.
It seemed similarly structured to more distantly related arthropods like crabs, lobsters, and shrimps.
“We compared the shapes of over 2000 grasping structures. We found out that in the forceps-like leg of the new fossil, the part closer to the body has a shape unknown from any other fossil or modern representative,” researchers wrote in the study.
The chelae on its front legs were likely used for catching small insects near the coast, scientists suspect.
Its body structure also shows similarities to living representatives of the group Gelastocoridae, commonly known as toad bugs, which are adapted to life as terrestrial predators.
"The morphology of C. libererrantes suggests that this species had a similar lifestyle," Dr Haug said.
KanStarpress Interview with Loossemble: "We'll charm with various concepts" [ENG TRANS]
Consisting of members of LOONA! Cool and cute K-POP female idol group Loossemble! Exuding coquettish charm with their 3rd mini album "TTYL"! "We'll charm with various concepts"
[English translation by gointosubbit]:
First coming together under the slogan of "meeting a new girl every month", with emotional songs that sing of a sensitive girl's feelings and loved globally for their high-grade visuals and performance, members Hyunjin, Yeojin, Vivi, Go Won and Hyeju (Olivia Hye) of the Korean girl group LOONA formed the Korean girl group Loossemble, having a comeback with their 3rd mini album "TTYL" on September 2nd, and have finished their promotions for the album.
They had their Japanese debut as LOONA, and also had huge success with their Japanese concert "LOONA 1st Live 'LOONA THE WORLD in TOKYO'". In their "TTYL" promotions this time, they have appeared in many Korean music shows, such as the Korean live broadcast show "Music Bank" on the Korean equivalent to Japan's NHK, Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), and exuded coquettish charm with their performance that seems to lure in the person they are interested in. And so, here’s an email interview with Loossemble! Among the members, Hyunjin, Vivi, Go Won and Hyeju participated (in this interview).
-- The members of Loossemble have appeared in an interview with KanStar! before as LOONA members, but this is the first as Loossemble. Please first introduce yourselves to the KanStar! readers.
Hyujin: Hi! I'm the commander of Loossemble, Hyunjin! I'm happy to be able to meet you again! I look forward to today.
Vivi: Hi, I'm the Bambi of Loossemble, Vivi. I'm happy to be able to meet again. Please enjoy the interview!
Go Won: Hi! I'm in charge of cuteness in Loossemble, the cheese kitty Go Won! I'm happy to be able to meet again~!
Hyeju: Hi, I'm Hyeju, in charge of dancing in Loossemble! Please stay with us until the end of our interview!
-- There may be people in Japan who don't know about Loossemble, so please introduce what kind of group Loossemble is. Also, what sort of charms are specific to Loossemble?
Hyunjin: Firstly, with the group's name Loossemble, it's a compound word made by abbreviating LOONA ASSEMBLE, meaning it's a group that 5 members of LOONA came together to form. We've released 3 albums as Loossemble, with various genres and showing different concepts each time, so I think that sort of thing is what’s unique to Loosemble.
-- Then, what kind of album is your new mini album "TTYL"?
Go Won: Everyone that we meet is filled with different feelings and thoughts; "TTYL" is an album that contains the feelings of growing up by accepting how these people are different from yourself. Intro track "FANATICISM", title track "TTYL", twin sub-unit tracks "Cotton Candy" and "Confessions", "Hocus Pocus" with its light-hearted melody, and intense and captivating "Secret Diary", there's a total of 6 tracks included. It's an album with really good songs, so please listen to it a lot.
-- Then, what kind of song is the title track "TTYL"?
Go Won: "TTYL" is a pop dance song that leaves an impression with plug sound synthesizers, rhythmic up-tempo drums, and rich harmonies between Loossemble members. The addictive chorus and bouncy and lively melody has a bright and cheerful charm unique to us, and the lyrics express the cute and cold parts of the push-and-pull with the person you like.
-- I thought the vocals were refreshing for the summer, easy to listen to in the autumn; vocals you could trust in. How was the recording process?
Hyeju: It's a fun song with a fast beat, so we recorded being mindful of the rhythm. Just like you mentioned, I think it also fits with how the feeling of autumn is becoming stronger lately, so I hope you listen (to "TTYL") a lot.
-- What is the key point of the choreography?
Hyeju: Waving both hands in the "Talk to you later~" part of the chorus, or biting our fingers and twerking. I'd be happy if people in Japan were to do a dance challenge of these on SNS, etc.
-- I thought the music video was like a short-form movie. Please tell us about the key points of the music video.
Vivi: I also thought it was very interesting when watching the final music video! I think you can see the cold push-and-pull with someone you're interested in, as well as enjoy the members' unique charms in the music video. There's a scene on a rooftop in the music video, but it was really hot during filming. But I remember it being odd not feeling that when monitoring, and thinking it was good that it ended up beautifully shot lol.
-- I think there are many Japanese fans wishing for Loossemble to quickly come to Japan for activities. Is there anything you want to do in Japan?
Hyunjin: On top of wanting to hold a concert in Japan, I also want to travel around and film content. There are many good restaurants in Japan, so I think fans would be happy if Loossemble were to film something in those restaurants.
Vivi: It would be fun if we could also tour in Japan, and personally, I just want to go around the cities and travel lol.
Go Won: I want to try holding a concert and fansigning in Japan! Personally, I like Japanese food, so I want to go on a gourmet tour.
Hyeju: I want to hold a concert as Loossemble. Personally, I want to try going to Ghibli Studio lol.
-- Please share your TMI.
Vivi: I'm a sweet potato killer lol - I really like eating it. Grilled, boiled, even dried; it's so tasty that I can't stop lol. Everyone, please teach me about Japan's delicious sweet potatoes~!
Hyunjin: I break out in itchy, cracked skin (atopic dermatitis) if I eat too much of eggs, milk, flour or cheese (cry).
Go Won: I like the manga series "Atashin’chi", so I've read the entire series. And so, since I know the entire story, I'm reading the Japanese version. Hopefully it becomes a good way to study Japanese.
Hyeju: It's very random, but I am currently answering this interview's questions while lying sideways on the sofa. It's 8 am.
-- Lastly, a message to the fans in Japan
Hyunjin: Japanese C.Loos! I'm happy to meet you through this interview! Thank you for always supporting and loving us from so far away😍 We'll also work harder with that power! I love you🤎
Vivi: Japanese C.Loos~! Thank you for always supporting and loving us from far away. I want to go meet you soon! I miss you~
Go Won: Thank you for sending us so much support and love! I always receive a lot of energy because of it. I hope next time we can meet on stage in Japan!
Hyeju: Thank you for your continuous support. Please wait just a little more until the day we can meet~! Thanks for reading the interview until the end~
The Scarlet Witch will return in January in a brand new ongoing solo series!
A groundbreaking new chapter for one of Marvel Comics’ most beloved characters, SCARLET WITCH will be written by Steve Orlando, known for his thrilling current run of MARAUDERS (2022) and last year’s DARKHOLD (2021) saga, and drawn by artist Sara Pichelli, the superstar talent known for her acclaimed work on titles such as ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN (2009). Together these two comic powerhouses will open the door to a new era of adventures, mysteries, and quests that only a hero with Wanda Maximoff’s breathtaking and unmatched mystical abilities are fit for!
Following her redemption in the pages of X-MEN: TRIAL OF MAGNETO (2021), Wanda is reborn as the hero the Marvel Universe needs her to be! Making the most of her fresh start, Wanda uses her powers in a glorious new way and embraces a new calling to help those who need it the most. Experience one the most powerful magic-wielders on the planet at her very best in the series Scarlet Witch fans have been asking for!
[ARTICLE] Korean singer-producer Zion. T starts company for creators, Standard Friends
Singer and producer Zion. T announced Monday that he established a company for creators called Standard Friends.
The singer posted on his Instagram account that founding a new company came “naturally” to him as he’s always trying to “find something fun to do.”
“Standard Friends is a company that was established to present interesting works of art together with musicians and artists of diverse fields,” the singer wrote.
“I started to be loved and recognized by many people as I expressed myself through music. I want to give that to other musicians and artists as well. I hope to support a variety of artistic activities based on music and present great works to the public through different collaborations with talented artists in various fields,” he said.
“As the name of the company suggests, I look forward to working with talented artists, my dear friends around me. The quality is important, but, above all, I hope the company becomes a place where artists can work and enjoy working long term.”
Zion. T is currently represented under The Black Label, a subsidiary of YG Entertainment led by Teddy. He said he’ll still be represented by the label as a singer.
Zion. T, whose real name is Kim Hae-sol, debuted in 2011 with his single “Click Me” featuring Dok2. The singer rose to fame when he was featured on two songs off of producer Primary’s album, “Primary and the Messengers LP,” in 2012. Since then, he’s been churning out hit after hit, including “Two Melodies” (2018) and his most successful single to date, “Yanghwa Brdg” (2014).
Update: DAY6’s Young K Confirmed To Be Preparing For Solo Debut
Updated August 16 KST:
Young K is confirmed to make a solo debut!
In response to the previous report, JYP Entertainment commented on August 16, “It is true that Young K is preparing a solo album.”
Regarding the timing of the release, the agency explained, “The detailed schedule has not been determined yet. The schedule will be announced once it is confirmed.
Source (1)
Original Article:
Young K is reportedly gearing up for his solo debut!
On August 16, an industry representative reported that the DAY6 member is preparing to release his first solo album in September.
JYP Entertainment has yet to comment regarding the report.
Young K debuted as a member of DAY6 in September 2015 and with the sub-unit DAY6 (Even of Day) in August 2020. Having participated in writing almost all of the group’s songs, he currently has over 130 songs registered with KOMCA (Korea Music Copyright Association). Young K has also been a DJ of “DAY6’s Kiss the Radio” since November 2020!
