The cursed black rose of Los Angeles is a haunting tale that has intrigued locals for generations. Legend has it that a beautiful but vengeful witch placed a curse on a black rose many years ago. This rose, which was said to possess dark and mysterious powers, was rumored to bring misfortune and tragedy to whoever possessed it. According to the story, the cursed black rose was hidden in an abandoned mansion in the heart of Los Angeles. People claimed to have seen a ghostly figure guarding the rose, warning them to stay away. Those who dared to enter the mansion in search of the rose were said to have suffered terrible fates, ranging from accidents and financial ruin to even death.
Praise for Garden of the Cursed
A Cosmopolitan Best YA Book of 2023!
Cursebreaker Marlow Briggs must deal with the aftermath of her fake romance with one of the most powerful nobles in the illustrious--and deadly--Evergarden society , all while uncovering the mystery behind her mother s disappearance. Since fleeing the gilded halls of Evergarden for the muck-filled canals of the Marshes, Marlow Briggs has made a name for herself as the best cursebreaker in Caraza City.
Those who dared to enter the mansion in search of the rose were said to have suffered terrible fates, ranging from accidents and financial ruin to even death. The curse of the black rose became a local urban legend, and many believed that it was responsible for the series of unfortunate events that plagued the city in the following years. Some claimed that the rise of crime, natural disasters, and social upheaval in Los Angeles was a direct result of the curse.
Cursed black rose Los Angeles
The seven-year curse may not be well-known among those who are new to the world of K-pop.
In the past, it was not uncommon for aspiring idols to enter into contractual agreements that bound them to their respective agencies for extended periods, surpassing a decade in some cases.
Labelled as “slave contracts” by the media, these agreements imposed excessively stringent conditions, overwhelmingly favouring the management agencies and leaving K-pop idols with meagre financial gains.
Popular South Korean boy band JYJ. Photo: HandoutSome K-pop groups took a stand against this, exposing the darker sides of the music industry.
In 2009, three members of the boy group TVXQ sued their agency SM Entertainment over a 13-year contract, per Kbizoom. The legal dispute is still one of the most famous cases in the industry, given TVXQ’s popularity and SM’s reputation as an industry titan.
Following the lawsuit, South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission issued a new regulation that curtailed entertainment contracts to seven years, states the same source.
As idols reach the end of their contracts, it is not unusual for certain members to opt for a solo career – or a different path entirely. This often results in the dissolution of groups or the departure of a member after seven years of activity – hence the seven-year curse.
‘Go for it’: Thailand’s Princess Siri competes at the Asian Games in equestrianWhich groups survived the seven-year curse?
From left, V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS attend the 2021 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in November 2021, in Los Angeles. Photo: Getty Images
K-pop’s biggest boy group BTS triumphed over the curse – albeit not without some close calls.At the 2018 Mama Awards, one of its members Jin shared that the group had gone through a particularly rough patch that year. He even said that the seven members of BTS were considering disbanding. Luckily for fans, that didn’t happen and the boy group is going stronger than ever, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Girls’ Generation. Photo: @girlsgeneration/InstagramAnother popular group, Girls’ Generation , has also withstood the test of time, celebrating its 16th anniversary this year. Other groups who beat the seven-year curse, – though not without some casualties along the way – include Exo, Shinee, Twice and BigBang.
What’s happening with Blackpink’s contract renewal?
Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé and Jennie of Blackpink perform onstage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 22, in Indio, California. Photo: Getty Images
According to Evening Standard, the quartet initially signed its seven-year contract with YG Entertainment in August 2016. As the agreement reached its culmination this summer, the impending contract negotiations – often regarded with apprehension by fans – is now reaching a crucial turning point.
Given that all four girls have a large fan base and successful solo activities, several articles regarding Blackpink’s contract renewal have been circulating over the past few months.
Is Lily Chee the next ‘It’ girl to watch in the fashion world?Blackpink’s Rosé attends the photocall for Mulberry at KMCA Seoul (K Museum of Contemporary Art) in June 2018, in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Getty Images
As reported by Evening Standard, Rosé is rumoured to be the only member who has chosen to extend her contract with YG Entertainment so far.
Meanwhile, Korean media out News1 states that members Jisoo and Jennie have made the decision to part ways with YG, opting instead to each establish their own entertainment companies.
YG Entertainment, founded in Hapjeong-dong in Mapo District, western Seoul in 1998, has never left the area since its establishment and appears to have no relocation plans. Photo: Wiki Commons
South Korean media has also reported that Lisa is likely to join another agency.
While neither the girls nor YG have commented on the rumours, YG did make a statement announcing, “Nothing has been decided on Blackpink’s contract renewal and future activities. We are in discussion with the members.” Watch this space …
"Mystery, fantasy, romance--this book has it all, and every page is more compulsively readable than the last. Gasp-inducing, heart-rending, and beautifully crafted, Garden of the Cursed is nothing short of genius." --Jennifer Lynn Barnes, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Inheritance Games series
Rumors circulated about the whereabouts of the cursed black rose, with some saying it had been destroyed or hidden away by brave individuals hoping to break the curse. Others believed that it was still out there somewhere, waiting for its next victim. The legend of the cursed black rose continues to captivate the imaginations of both residents and visitors to Los Angeles. It serves as a reminder of the power of curses and the importance of respecting supernatural forces. While some dismiss it as mere fantasy, others remain cautious and wary of the haunted legacy that surrounds the city. Whether one believes in curses or not, the story of the cursed black rose of Los Angeles serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us to tread carefully and be aware of the consequences of our actions. It is a chilling reminder that sometimes, the things we desire most may come with a heavy price. Живи и помни!.
Reviews for "The Haunting Beauty: The Legend of the Cursed Black Rose in Los Angeles"
- John - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Cursed Black Rose Los Angeles". The story was poorly written and lacked depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The plot was also confusing and it seemed like the writer was trying to cram too many ideas into a short book. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a satisfying and engaging read.
- Sarah - 2 stars
"Cursed Black Rose Los Angeles" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow and it took forever for anything substantial to happen. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to become invested in the story. Additionally, I found the ending to be unsatisfying and it left many loose ends. I was really hoping for a more compelling and exciting read, but unfortunately, this book just didn't cut it for me.
- Emily - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Cursed Black Rose Los Angeles", but it fell short. The writing style was overly descriptive and it seemed like every scene dragged on for too long. The author focused too much on irrelevant details and failed to build a captivating atmosphere. The characters were forgettable and the dialogue felt flat. Overall, I was let down by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a thrilling and engaging read.
- David - 1 star
I couldn't finish "Cursed Black Rose Los Angeles". The writing was incredibly amateurish and full of grammatical errors. The story lacked originality and felt like a poor imitation of other popular supernatural thrillers. The characters were predictable and their actions made no sense. I was bored and frustrated throughout the few chapters I managed to read, and ultimately, I had to put the book down. Definitely not worth the time or money.