Kpop Visage
Today in K-Pop
Direct from Korean news and other sources
May 20, 202610:02 PM
3 likesSource
Shownu X Hyungwon breaks silence with bold declaration, 'LOVE ME'
Thirty-four months is a long time in the K-pop realm. Trends shift, rosters change and the industry moves fast enough to leave even established acts behind. For Shownu and Hyungwon of boy band MONSTA X, however, the wait seems to have only sharpened their focus. The duo returns Thursday with "LOVE ME," their second mini-album as a unit, nearly two years and ten months after their 2023 debut. The album arrives at a real momentum for MONSTA X, who recently sold out the KSPO Dome in Seoul's Songpa District as part of the group's ongoing world tour "THE X : NEXUS." MONSTA X debuted in 2015 under Starship Entertainment — home to major global acts like WJSN, Cravity and IVE — and has since built a dedicated global fanbase known as Monbebe. Shownu X Hyungwon first came together as the group's inaugural subunit in July 2023, releasing their debut mini-album "THE UNSEEN" before Hyungwon's mandatory military service put the project on hold. For Shownu X Hyungwon, "LOVE ME" is less of a comeback and more of a declaration. "I wanted to show my natural self, with whatever maturity time has given m
May 20, 202610:00 PM
3 likesSource
Shownu X Hyungwon return with deeper take on love
Nearly three years after debuting as Monsta X’s first unit, Shownu X Hyungwon are returning with a fuller, more layered take on love. The duo’s second EP, “Love Me,” marks its first release since “The Unseen” in July 2023. Led by “Do You Love Me,” the seven-track album explores different shades of love, from attraction and uncertainty to emptiness and emotional collapse near the end of a relationship. The EP also highlights the duo’s creative involvement, with Hyungwon credited for producing fou
May 20, 20262:06 AM
3 likesSource
Stray Kids tops 100m views with ‘Walkin On Water’ music video
Stray Kids' “Walkin On Water” music video surpassed 100 million YouTube views as of Tuesday, label JYP Entertainment said Wednesday. It is the group’s 20th video to do so. “Walkin On Water” is the lead single from “Hop,” a mixtape released in December 2024 comprising 12 tracks. The album landed at the top of the Billboard 200 and became the group’s sixth consecutive album to debut at No. 1 on the main albums chart. The set sold more than 1.8 million copies in its first week and was certified gol
May 20, 20261:28 AM
3 likesSource
Cortis breaks into top 5 on Billboard’s Artist 100
Cortis ranked No. 5 on Billboard’s Artist 100, label Big Hit Music said Wednesday, citing the latest chart published on Tuesday in the US. The rookie group debuted on the chart in September at No. 24 with its breakout hit debut EP, “Color Outside The Lines.” Its second EP “Greengreen” claimed the No. 3 spot on the Billboard 200 dated May 23, the highest rung for the group so far, making it among the top three on the main singles chart in the fastest time ever for a K-pop group except for subunit
May 20, 20269:23 PM
3 likesSource
AKMU Earns Circle Triple Crown + CORTIS, BTS, And ILLIT Top Weekly Charts
Circle Chart (formerly known as Gaon Chart) has revealed its chart rankings for the week of May 3 to 9! Album Chart CORTIS swept the top two spots on this week’s physical album chart with their new EP “GREENGREEN.” The regular version of the EP debuted at No. 1, while the Weverse version charted separately
May 20, 20261:22 PM
3 likesSource
BTS To Make Special Live Appearance At 2026 American Music Awards
BTS will be appearing at the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs)! On May 20, the American Music Awards officially announced that BTS would be making a special live appearance at this year’s ceremony. The group is nominated for three awards this year: Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer (for their latest hit “SWIM”),
May 20, 202611:37 PM
2 likesSource
BTS to make special appearance at this year's AMAs
K-pop supergroup BTS will make a special appearance at this year's American Music Awards (AMAs), organizers said, marking its first in-person participation at the ceremony in nearly five years. The group is set to attend the 52nd awards show on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, according to an announcement released by the AMAs on Wednesday (U.S. time). BTS has been nominated in three categories, including the top prize of Artist of the Year, as well as Song of the Summer and Best Male K-Pop Artist. The AMAs hold particular significance for the group. In 2017, BTS made its U.S. television debut at the ceremony with a performance of "DNA," becoming the first Korean act to perform on the show since its launch in 1974. BTS has since won a total of 12 AMA trophies both as a group and individually. In 2021, BTS became the first Asian act to win Artist of the Year. This year, the South Korean group will compete in the top category with global stars, including Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. BTS' latest hit "Swim," the lead single from its fifth studio album "A
May 20, 202611:16 PM
2 likesSource
BTS to make special appearance at this year's AMAs
K-pop supergroup BTS will make a special appearance at this year's American Music Awards, organizers said, marking its first in-person participation at the ceremony in nearly five years. The group is set to attend the 52nd awards show on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, according to an announcement released by the AMAs on Wednesday (US time). BTS has been nominated in three categories, including the top prize of Artist of the Year, as well as Song of the Summer and Best Male K
May 20, 202610:27 AM
2 likesSource
JYP Entertainment Shares Update On Legal Proceedings Against Individuals Targeting Its Artists
JYP Entertainment has shared an update on the agency’s ongoing legal efforts to protect its artists from malicious online activity and stalking. On May 20, the agency released a statement revealing that it has filed criminal complaints and reports against individuals who created, generated, or distributed malicious content targeting its artists both in South Korea
May 20, 20264:07 PM
1 likeSource
Ahn Hyo-seop fulfills hidden passion with solo music debut
From an early age, Ahn Hyo-seop always had a burning passion for music. After school, he would always talk about music and would even produce tracks with his friends for fun. This passion led him to train under JYP Entertainment with the hopes of becoming a K-pop idol. However, Ahn decided to follow a different career path as an actor and became a household name with performances in "Dr. Romantic" (2016) and "Business Proposal" (2022). After starring in movies and shows for over ten years, Ahn recently surprised fans as he announced his solo music debut in a collaboration with U.S. R&B star Khalid. The unexpected duo will release "Something Special" on May 22, a cross-cultural track which blends K-pop and U.S. R&B seamlessly with a summer-infused sound. “Music has been a hidden passion for me for a long time. This project came to me very naturally. It was a good opportunity to be part of a fun project with a very creative team. And of course, Khalid, I’ve been listening to his music for a very long time. To be able to make music was a great honor,” said Ahn. Ahn has previously perfo
May 20, 20264:45 AM
1 likeSource
Former AOA member Kwon Min-a says court ruling brings closure in sexual assault case
Former AOA member Kwon Min-a said Monday that a recent court ruling in her sexual assault case had brought her a sense of closure, 18 years after she was assaulted at age 14. In a social media post, Kwon said the appeals court recognized the rape allegation against her perpetrator, describing the outcome as meaningful despite legal limits on punishment due to the expired statute of limitations. According to the singer, the court, while acknowledging the rape charge, did not accept the charge of
May 20, 20262:32 AM
1 likeSource
Mnet reveals real lineup for dance battle show after teaser controversy
Mnet has officially unveiled the 10 star choreographers joining its upcoming dance survival series “Street World Fighter: Directors’ War,” following online buzz and controversy surrounding the program’s earlier teaser videos. The new show is the latest expansion of the massively popular “Street Woman Fighter” franchise, which helped ignite a nationwide dance craze and turned choreographers into celebrities. Unlike previous seasons centered on dance crews battling onstage, the new series shifts the spotlight to performance directors — the creators behind K-pop choreography, stage formations and large-scale concert productions. Among the newly confirmed participants are choreographer Nain, who recently drew attention for helping direct choreography for “Golden,” the soundtrack for Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” Also joining the show is renowned global performance director Renan, known for working with aespa, as well as Bada, the leader of the winning crew from “Street Woman Fighter 2” and the choreographer behind the viral “Smoke Challenge” dance
May 20, 20262:12 AM
1 likeSource
LE SSERAFIM's Chaewon to miss some ‘PUREFLOW’ comeback activities due to neck pain
LE SSERAFIM leader Kim Chaewon will be stepping back from some of the group’s upcoming activities as she focuses on her health. Source Music shared an update on the singer's condition through the group's official channels on Tuesday, explaining that Kim recently received hospital treatment for neck pain. “Kim Chaewon recently received medical treatment for pain in her neck area, and medical staff advised that she take a period of rest while monitoring her recovery,” the agency said. Source Music added that, after reviewing the artist’s condition, it had decided that Kim needed enough time to recover so she could continue activities in a stable condition. As a result, Kim will be unable to attend some scheduled events, including university festivals, Spotify’s PURE FLOWERS LIVE and music broadcasts. “We will actively support Kim Chaewon so that she can fully focus on her recovery,” the agency said, adding that her future schedule will be adjusted depending on her condition. The agency also said it would do its best to help the singer recover and return to fans in good health a
May 20, 20269:12 AM
Everland turns into g.o.d. fan festival for group's 10,000-day milestone
Everland, Korea’s largest theme park, is transforming its expansive grounds into a sprawling festival arena to honor the veteran boy band g.o.d., marking the group’s 10,000th day since its debut. The corporate collaboration underscores a growing trend in the entertainment industry of merging physical infrastructure with pop music franchises to capture fan loyalty. Samsung C&T Resort Group, the amusement park's operator, said Wednesday that it will host a four-day celebration, called “Sky Blue Balloon Week,” running from Wednesday through Saturday. The project effectively reengineers the theme park into a massive, site-specific retrospective built around one of Korea’s most enduring musical acts. Since entering the music scene in 1999, g.o.d. has remained a prominent fixture in the country’s cultural landscape. The five-member group is widely recognized for the emotional ballads and accessible harmonies that helped define the foundational era of contemporary Korean pop music, long before K-pop became a global economic export. The four-day event will feature multimedia exhibiti
May 20, 20266:26 AM
MC Mong's livestream controversy recalls Min Hee-jin — but with key differences
MC Mong, a hip-hop artist and music producer who co-founded One Hundred Label and its subsidiary Big Planet Made, abruptly went live on social media Monday evening to address mounting controversies surrounding him. During the livestream, MC Mong delivered emotional remarks addressing rumors surrounding his alleged affair with One Hundred Label co-founder Cha Ga-won, as well as allegations involving illegal gambling and prostitution. The broadcast quickly drew comparisons to Ador CEO Min Hee-jin'
May 20, 20264:37 AM
Gang Dong-won embraces high comedy, breakdancing in 'Wild Sing'
Actor Gang Dong-won is ready to surprise audiences by showcasing a demanding physical transformation and a completely new side of his acting skills in the upcoming comedy film "Wild Sing.” Directed by Sohn Jae-kon, "Wild Sing" follows Triangle, a faded three-member idol group that attempts a comeback after 20 years out of the spotlight. Gang portrays Hyun-woo, the leader of the group, who transitions from a top idol to a struggling television personality. "When my close friends saw the teaser trailer, one of them jokingly asked me if I was running out of money because my character looked so desperate and funny," Gang said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. Known for his sharp looks and diverse filmography, which includes hits like the fantasy action film "Jeon Woochi: The Taoist Wizard" (2009), the mystery thriller "The Priests" (2015) and the crime comedy "A Violent Prosecutor" (2016), Gang this time takes on a highly unconventional and humorous character. "The teaser generated a lot of buzz online, and the public reaction was incredibly passionate,
May 20, 20262:48 AM
Le Sserafim’s Chaewon to suspend activities from neck pain
Chaewon of Le Sserafim will take time off for health reasons, her agency Source Music said Tuesday. She has been treated for neck pain recently and will focus on recovery for the time being, according to the agency. Chaewon will miss a series of group activities, including a live showcase and television music chart shows to promote the group’s second full album, “Pureflow pt. 1.” Fans had been worried after witnessing the idol seemingly in pain while performing the prerelease track “Celebration,
May 20, 20261:31 AM
BTS shatters record on Billboard global chart
BTS reclaimed the top spot on Billboard’s Global excl. US chart with “Swim,” totalling six weeks at No. 1. The main track from its fifth studio album “Arirang” dethroned Taylor Swift for the most No. 1s in global chart history, said label Big Hit Music on Wednesday, quoting Billboard. The single has spent eight weeks on Hot 100, the main songs chart, ranking No. 34 in the week of May 23, after a chart-topping debut. Meanwhile, Jimin and V each reached a milestone on Spotify with solo music. Jimi
May 20, 20267:41 PM
May Rookie Idol Group Brand Reputation Rankings Announced
The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for rookie idol groups! The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community awareness indexes of various rookie idol groups, using big data collected from April 1 to May 1. KiiiKiii continued their reign at the
