NewJeans “ETA” Gains Momentum Thanks to Jason’s Stream

NewJeans “ETA” experienced a surge in popularity after Jason’s stream featured the song during a live broadcast. The stream went viral, increasing streaming numbers and pushing “ETA” to second place on Apple Music’s U.S. chart. However, some ARMY members criticized Jason, leading to a clash with fans and the rise of an anti-fan group against NewJeans.

NewJeans “ETA” Gains Popularity Through Jason’s Stream

NewJeans’ hit song “ETA” is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. This sudden rise began with an unexpected source—a famous American streamer named Jason. Known both as a pro gamer and streamer, Jason started a live broadcast on September 30 to celebrate surpassing 100,000 subscribers on Twitch. During the stream, ranked 15th globally and 10th in the U.S., Jason and his friends performed a group dance using NewJeans’ “ETA” as the background music.

Jason’s Stream Boosts NewJeans “ETA” to Viral Status

Jason’s stream, featuring NewJeans “ETA,” quickly went viral, with viewers flooding the broadcast with celebratory comments. Many were captivated by the music, and Jason himself shared an edited version of the video with the phrase “I♥NEW JEANS.” This post gained over 1.5 million views. The exposure caused a dramatic increase in streaming numbers for “ETA,” boosting it by 130,000 additional plays, and reaching over 560,000 plays as of October 1. The song also climbed to second place on Apple Music’s U.S. chart on October 4, signaling its resurgence in popularity.

Backlash from ARMY Members

However, not all reactions to Jason’s stream were positive. Some individuals, who believed that ARMY members criticized Jason and NewJeans in comments, took action. In response, FaZe Clan, Jason’s team, directly supported “ETA” by sharing articles about its rising success. Many fans of the streamers claimed that the streamers had directed them to comment on the NewJeans music video.

Domestic Fans and ARMY Conflict

The resurgence of “ETA” also sparked discussion in Korean online communities. Fans of NewJeans’ CEO Min Heejin welcomed the news, while criticizing ARMY members for their negative comments. Some felt it was hypocritical, pointing out that even BTS, a group supported by ARMY, had been friendly toward NewJeans. On the other hand, some overseas viewers of the stream suggested that the impact of streamers and their fans would be short-lived, and worried that the backlash might create a lasting anti-fan group for NewJeans.

NewJeans Fans Urge National Assembly to Take Action in Audit

NewJeans fans are pressuring the National Assembly to summon HYBE executives, including Bang Sihyuk, for the upcoming audit. They have sent numerous faxes and texts, demanding that HYBE’s internal disputes be addressed at the National Assembly.

Super Shy of NewJeans Featured on Pitchfork List

NewJeans, with their song Super Shy, was the only K-pop act featured on Pitchfork’s list of the best songs of the 2020s, securing 13th place. Pitchfork highlighted Super Shy as a standout song, surpassing global stars like Beyoncé and Billie Eilish.

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