NewJeans Delivers Heartfelt Mini Concert on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show'

On December 25, 2024, the popular K-pop group NewJeans made a special appearance on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' (뉴스쇼), marking their return to radio with a mini concert. The members introduced themselves using their individual names rather than the group's name, creating a personal touch for the audience.

To kick off the Christmas celebration, NewJeans performed 'Silent Night, Holy Night,' sharing their intention behind the song choice. They expressed, "As we reflect on the various sad and challenging moments of the year, we wanted to offer comfort through our music to those who might be feeling the same way during this time."

NewJeans has been actively involved in charitable efforts, donating proceeds from their album sales and festival earnings to support earthquake victims and children in need. They explained their motivation for giving back, stating, "We always hoped to share not just through music but in other ways as well."

In a recent act of kindness, NewJeans pre-ordered meals for participants at a rally for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, providing 110 servings of kimbap, 250 drinks, 100 bowls of samgyetang, 50 servings of onban, and 50 bowls of mandu soup. Daniel commented on the initiative, saying, "With the cold weather, warm food can bring comfort and foster conversations among people. We really wanted to do this."

Haerin, who helped prepare around 520 servings, shared her joy in seeing the fans appreciate the gesture, stating, "I felt good knowing that not only our fans, but others could enjoy the warm meals together."

Minji reflected on the energy of the women at the rally, mentioning how fans sent in photos of their light sticks and shared moments with other fans, which made her feel proud to contribute in any way.

During the broadcast, Hani performed two original songs live on guitar. The first, titled 'Darling Darling,' came about organically as fans began to refer to it by that name. Hani explained, "I had no title for it initially, but it naturally became 'Darling Darling' as fans mentioned it in the lyrics."

She also shared the emotional journey behind the song, revealing, "I struggled with how to share it because it was written during a tough time for all of us. I was hesitant to send the video to the members, feeling like it was too raw. That's why I decided to perform it today, and it brought me to tears."

Hani's tears resonated with her fellow members, Hyein and Daniel, who also became emotional. Her second song, 'Weightless (무중력),' was inspired by a difficult day where she felt her actions were not up to par. She mentioned, "I picked up my guitar and wrote it after reflecting on a book I was reading that resonated with my feelings."

As they celebrated their fourth Christmas together, NewJeans shared their tradition of drawing names for a secret gift exchange, with Hani noting, "We always do a secret Santa. We picked names this year and are excited to prepare our gifts."

When asked about memorable Christmas stories, Hani recounted a humorous encounter with a taxi driver in Australia, where she mistakenly mentioned Chosun University as her school, leading to a funny exchange. Hyein shared a story about a Christmas meal with her brother, where they ended up enjoying a spicy dish instead of the traditional fare, which turned out to be a delightful surprise.

Daniel, whose sister Olivia Marsh is also a singer, reflected on their sibling dynamic, saying, "We fight a lot, but we’re like twins. Even though there’s a five-year age gap, people say we look alike, which I don’t see."

Looking back on the year, Daniel expressed gratitude for the deepening bonds among the members, stating, "Despite our busy schedules, we’ve been able to gather for dinners and share fun stories, making our moments together even more special."

Minji highlighted the energy she feels on stage with fans, particularly noting the resurgence of their song 'ETA,' which had gained popularity again. Hani added, "It wasn’t heavily promoted in the U.S., but seeing it blow up overseas was a pleasant surprise."

As they looked ahead to the new year, Hani shared her hopes for a grand stage where they could pour their hearts into a performance, similar to their experience at Tokyo Dome, expressing a desire to make it happen in Korea as well, even without any concrete plans yet.