Direct from Korean news and other sources
Updated May 26 KST: A “Silent Walker” trailer and photos of Eunseok have been revealed for RIIZE’s upcoming mini album “II”! Updated May 25 KST: RIIZE has released a “No Fear” trailer and photos of Wonbin for their upcoming mini album “II”! Original Article: Details have been revealed for RIIZE’s upcoming album! On May 22,
Hyojung of Oh My Girl is releasing her first solo single album “Purple Note” on Thursday, her agency WM Entertainment announced. The digital single will contain three songs: the main single “Dear My Little Youth” and its instrumental version, as well as “Look Around.” As hinted in the teaser video, Hyojung conveys hope and courage with her clear and upbeat voice in the pop-rock tune. The single album is her first solo endeavor in almost 1 1/2 years, after the special single “Christmas Night Trai
BoyNextDoor will demonstrate the musical capabilities of its members through its first studio album “Home,” according to its agency KOZ Entertainment on Thursday. All six bandmates participated in writing the songs for the upcoming album, the list of which was revealed on Thursday. The album will consist of nine tracks, including the main track “Viral.” Singer-songwriter and executive producer Zico co-wrote the single's lyrics and melody along with Myung Jaehyun and Woonhak. The two members part
Ive surprised fans dropping the title track from its fourth EP in Japan, “Lucid Dream,” on Wednesday via its agency Starship Entertainment. The dreamy tune was released one week ahead of the full album release. As the title suggests, the single is about a dream in which the members face their inner selves and express their feelings rather than running away from reality, conveying hope and positive energy. The upcoming mini album also includes Japanese-language versions of “Rebel Heart” and “Atti
BTS’ upcoming Busan concert will be broadcast live in movie theaters around the world through a global live viewing event on June 13, Big Hit Music announced Thursday. According to the group’s agency, the second day of BTS’ “Arirang” performances in Busan will be livestreamed, allowing fans around the world to experience the performance in real time through large cinema screens and immersive sound systems. The live viewing event will take place in some 3,800 theaters across more than 80 countrie
Chris Appelhans, co-director of Netflix's hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," is revealing the creative process behind the movie's characters. He will appear MBC every1's travel reality show "Welcome, First Time in Korea?" which will air Thursday evening, marking his first appearance on a Korean entertainment program. Appelhans made his directorial debut with the 2021 animated film "Wish Dragon." The box office success raised his profile, earning him the backing of Sony Pictures to produce any project he desired. To build the narrative and emotional depth of "KPop Demon Hunters," Appelhans analyzed hit Korean dramas including "Boys Over Flowers," "Vincenzo" and "Crash Landing on You." He said he specifically referenced actor Song Joong-ki's facial expressions in "Vincenzo" to design Jinu, a member of the demon boy band Saja Boys. "KPop Demon Hunters" follows Rumi, Mira and Zoey, members of the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X, who perform as artists during the day and fight world-ending evil spirits at night. The movie won the two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Or
K-pop sensation BTS will broadcast a Busan concert from its ongoing "Arirang" world tour live in movie theaters worldwide next month, its agency said Thursday. BigHit Music said the second of the two-night concerts, scheduled for June 12 and 13, will be streamed live from Busan Asiad Main Stadium in the city located about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The live viewing event will take place in more than 3,800 theaters across over 80 countries and regions, offering fans a shared concert experience beyond geographical limits. Due to time zone differences, audiences in North America, South America and Europe will have access to delayed screenings within one to two days after the concert. In South Korea, the event will be available at major multiplex chains, including CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox. BTS previously held a large-scale performance at the same venue in Busan in October 2022 in support of the city's bid to host the 2030 World Expo. The group, which marks the 12th anniversary of its debut on June 13, launched the "Arirang" world tour last month in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul.
ATEEZ is making a quick return with new music! On May 22, a teaser video was released announcing the group’s upcoming album “GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5.” The album is set to be released on June 26 at 1 p.m. KST. Check out the teaser below: Also watch ATEEZ members in “Imitation”:
NMIXX has won their first music show trophy for “Heavy Serenade”! On the May 21 episode of Mnet’s music show “M Countdown,” the candidates for first place were ILLIT’s “It’s Me” and NMIXX’s “Heavy Serenade.” NMIXX ultimately took the prize with a total of 8,167 points. Congratulations to NMIXX! Watch the winner announcement and full
Three years after its first full-length record, K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM is ready to tell a different story about fear. The five-member group is set to drop "PUREFLOW pt.1," its second studio album on Friday, built around a premise that inverts the group's debut message. While the group's first record declared strength through fearlessness, this one argues the opposite — that fear, faced directly, is what makes you stronger. "When we first debuted, the message was that we were strong because we had no fear," said Huh Yun-jin, the group's primary songwriter, said during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Monday. "Now it's that we're strong because we faced our fears." The group's leader Kim Chae-won was not able to join the interview due to a neck injury. Eleven new songs in the "PUREFLOW" album follow that premise, across genres ranging from Latin house to punk to funk. Formed by Source Music, a HYBE subsidiary, LE SSERAFIM debuted in May 2022 with its EP "Fearless." The group's name is an anagram of "I'm Fearless," and from the start built its identity around a unique kind
SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- Four years after arriving on the K-pop scene with a me
Le Sserafim is returning with its second LP, this time revisiting the very idea that defined its debut. The girl group releases its second LP “Pureflow Pt. 1” on Friday. Led by the lead track “Boompala,” the 11-track album captures the group’s shift from declaring itself “fearless” to acknowledging fear as part of growth. Ahead of the album's release, four members held a round interview on Monday at a cafe in Seongdong-gu, eastern Seoul. Leader Chaewon was unable to attend, as she is recovering
Beyond the release of their unit's second EP “Love Me,” Monsta X members Shownu and Hyungwon are reflecting on what it means to continue performing together 11 years into their career. The release arrives as Monsta X marks its 11th anniversary this year, with the group preparing to continue its world tour, “The X: Nexus." Looking back, both members said their approach to music and performance has naturally changed over time. “Sometimes I feel more relaxed than before when it comes to performing
A 16-year-old girl from a small town in Toyama, Japan, is preparing to step onto the global stage after beating odds of 14,000-to-1 through Hybe and Geffen Records’ audition program “World Scout: The Final Piece.” Sakura Tobi, who was selected as the final member of the upcoming four-member girl group Saint Satine, is set to debut later this year alongside Emily, Lexie and Samara — trainees previously introduced through “The Debut: Dream Academy,” the audition program that produced global girl g
BTS is set to return to the American Music Awards (AMA) for the first time in four years, as the group competes once again for the ceremony's top honor. According to the AMAs on Wednesday, BTS will attend the awards ceremony scheduled for May 25 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The boy group has been nominated for artist of the year, competing against global pop stars including Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. BTS became the first Korean act to win the category i
The second mini album from Cortis generated 100 million plays on Spotify in 15 days, its label Big Hit Music said Thursday. EP “Greengreen” accomplished the feat Tuesday, less than half the time it took the previous EP “Color Outside The Lines,” which marked its debut in September last year. The boy group currently has over 11 million monthly listeners on the platform. The rookie quartet’s latest effort landed on Billboard 200 at No. 3, a leap from the debut EP which peaked at No. 15 on the main
ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s agency WAKEONE has shared an update on its ongoing legal action against malicious online activity targeting the group. On May 21, WAKEONE revealed that it had filed formal complaints against individuals responsible for spreading malicious posts—which include the spread of false information, personal attacks, the production and distribution of obscene content, defamation,
Park Ji Hoon has struck the right chords of success in his acting career, especially with the recent hit “The King’s Warden,” which surpassed 16 million moviegoers. The singer-turned-actor has showcased immense range as he seamlessly shifts between genres. From playing an astute student navigating the notorious world of teen politics, to a Crown Prince
Actress Lee Da Hae and singer SE7EN are going to be parents! On May 20, Lee Da Hae shared the news of her pregnancy on social media, writing, “From two to three. Our little miracle is on the way.” In the video she posted alongside the announcement, Lee Da Hae and SE7EN revealed ultrasound photos
PLLI—LASSGO! Following their successful comeback with “Caligo Pt.2,” PLAVE joined Soompi for a hilarious 50 Questions interview. For the interview, Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho, and Hamin take turns dishing on their favorites, charms, members’ personalities, and more, also sharing a special message to fans abroad. Watch the interview below! Also read more about PLAVE’s comeback
Park Ji Hoon has ended discussions to star in a new drama about boxers. On May 21, a media outlet reported that Park Ji Hoon turned downed the casting offer for the new tvN drama “Promoter” and that the production team is now looking for a new lead actor. In response to the report, Park
The theater kids of K-pop have done something only theater kids could do. On May 11, PLEDIS Entertainment announced that SEVENTEEN’s youngest member, Dino, will be debuting as his alter ego, Picheolin. Picheolin’s first mini album, “吉BOARD” (Gilboard), is set to release on global music platforms on August 3. The title is described as a
