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Direct from Korean news and other sources

Why BTS Gwanghwamun show shocked Japanese social media users

Korean culture has become part of everyday life around the world. Former U.S. President Barack Obama nodded along as children at a care home sang “Soda Pop,” a song from the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” Director Steven Spielberg waved a K-pop light stick at the Academy Awards. Such scenes, in which people across generations share an enthusiasm for Korean culture, would once have been difficult to imagine. They reflect the global rise of Korean content and K-pop fandom. Korean content exports reached a record 22.26 trillion won ($14.9 billion) in 2025, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The global spectacle highlights how overseas audiences interpret the Korean wave and its impact on local cultures. Audiences see different stages at BTS show One of the biggest events in Korean popular culture during the first half of 2026 came March 21, when K-pop supergroup BTS staged its comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The official event title was "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG." Netflix streamed the show live to more than 190 countries, tur

BTS

Can CORTIS break the K-pop mold with first world tour 'Put Your Phone Down?'

"Put your phone down." That is the title of boy group CORTIS' (Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon and Keonho) first world tour, which kicks off with two concerts at Inspire Arena in Incheon this weekend. At first glance, the phrase appears to discourage fans from recording cherished moments on their smartphones during the show. But the tour poster, which features the members headbanging so intensely that their faces are barely visible, conveys a different message: Stop filming and join the fun. Approaching the first anniversary of its Aug. 18 debut last year, CORTIS has consistently resisted being confined to the traditional image of a K-pop idol group. Both of the group's EPs — "Color Outside the Lines" and "GREENGREEN" — are rooted in rage hip-hop while incorporating elements of alternative R&B and other contemporary global music trends. Rather than pursuing safe mainstream appeal, the group has embraced experimentation. Its lyrics, including playful lines such as "Protect your knees / Cover your butt" from "REDRED," also stand apart from conventional K-pop songwriting with their qu

Fans worry as Shinji, Joy and Kim Min-ha's dramatic weight loss sparks health concerns

Dramatic weight loss among several Korean female celebrities is drawing increasing concern from fans, with many questioning whether the stars have become too thin despite sharing updates about their fitness and diet journeys. Singer Shinji of veteran co-ed group Koyote recently appeared in a video on her YouTube channel documenting her efforts to improve her health through exercise. Earlier, Shinji revealed that her weight had dropped to 42 kilograms while preparing for her wedding. She also underwent a traditional Korean constitutional health assessment and was told that her physical condition resembled that of someone in their 50s. Because of her extremely low muscle mass, she was even unable to receive a body composition score during one examination. To improve her health, Shinji has begun personal training sessions and has been working out alongside her husband, Moon Won. Despite those efforts, viewers said she appeared even thinner in the latest video. After the video was released, concerned comments flooded social media. "Why have you gotten so thin?" one viewer wrote. "I hope you ke

Red Velvet

ZEROBASEONE teases nostalgic Japan comeback with new concept photos

K-pop boy group ZEROBASEONE is building anticipation for its upcoming Japanese comeback by unveiling a second set of concept photos that embraces nostalgic summer vibes and youthful memories. The group — Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae and Park Gun-wook — released individual concept images for its second Japanese EP, "Kaiki LOVE (回帰LOVE)," through its official social media accounts on Wednesday and Thursday. The new photos feature the members at a quiet countryside train station and aboard a vintage train, with each member portraying a different facet of youth. Dressed in classic outfits such as shirts, ties and denim, the members showcase relaxed, natural charms while warm film-inspired tones and scenic summer backdrops create a nostalgic atmosphere. The train station and railway imagery have also fueled fan speculation about the album's storyline, offering a distinctly different mood from the first concept photos released earlier and highlighting the group's versatility. "Kaiki LOVE" marks ZEROBASEONE's first Japanese release in about 10 months since the s

Seok Matthew

ZEROBASEONE

IU stuns in new soju ad days after confirming Lee Jong-suk breakup

Singer and actor IU has drawn attention with a fresh advertising campaign that showcases her youthful visuals just days after confirming the end of her longtime relationship with actor Lee Jong-suk. On Wednesday, IU's official social media account shared photos from a commercial shoot for a soju brand. In the released images, IU wears a white sleeveless dress with her long hair braided as she smiles while holding a bottle of soju. Set against the backdrop of a Korean street food tent, complete with seafood stew and green onion pancakes on the table, the photos create a warm and charming atmosphere. Fans were particularly drawn to IU's clear complexion and youthful appearance. Despite her simple styling, she displayed her signature elegant charm. The campaign comes shortly after IU and Lee Jong-suk confirmed that they had ended their relationship. On July 10, both actors' agencies said the couple had broken up, bringing an end to their four-year public romance. This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times

IVE invited to MLB game, Jang Won-young to throw 1st pitch

K-pop girl group IVE has been invited to attend a Major League Baseball game on July 26 at New York’s Citi Field, where member Jang Won-young will throw the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the matchup between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to the group’s agency, Starship Entertainment, the group accepted an official invitation from the Mets. While all six members are expected to attend the event, Jang will represent the group on the mount before the game. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to throw the first pitch at a game watched by baseball fans around the world,” Jang said. “I’ll do my best to share positive energy with both the players and everyone in the stands.” The girl group will also film special content with former Korean major leaguer Kim Byung-hyun and former professional pitcher Dustin Nippert during its MLB visit. The appearance comes as IVE prepares to kick off the North American leg of its second world, “SHOW WHAT I AM." The group is scheduled to perform in Toronto, Oakland and several other cities between Tuesday and Aug. 9. T

IVE

&Team to perform at Grammy Museum’s ‘Global Spin Live’

Hybe and YX Labels’ boy group &Team is set to perform at the Grammy Museum, a Los Angeles museum dedicated to the Grammy Awards and music history, next month. According to YX Labels on Friday, the nine-member group — comprising K, Fuma, Nicholas, EJ, Yuma, Jo, Harua, Taki, Maki — will appear on the Grammy Museum’s “Global Spin Live” on Aug. 12. “Global Spin Live,” one of the museum’s signature programs, spotlights emerging artists from around the world through live performances and in-depth conv

Cortis promises unforgettable moments on first tour ‘Put Your Phone Down’

Boy group Cortis kicks off its “Put Your Phone Down” tour this weekend with two shows at Inspire Arena in Incheon. The sold-out concerts on Saturday and Sunday mark the opening of the group's first tour, a 14-show run across nine cities. After the two Incheon dates, the group heads to North America in August for shows in Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Irving, Los Angeles and San Francisco, before returning to Seoul for two more shows (Aug. 22–23). The tour closes with three concerts in Kanagawa, Ja

Why Spanish is becoming more common in K-pop

As K-pop strengthens its foothold in Latin America — from Spanish-speaking countries to Portuguese-speaking Brazil — artists are increasingly weaving Spanish lyrics into their songs. Recent releases have showcased the trend across a wide range of artists. Le Sserafim’s “Boompala” features the lyrics “saving the shame for manana (tomorrow),” while Aespa’s “Lemonade” includes the Spanish phrase “muchas gracias mi amor (thank you very much, my love).” ATEEZ's "Bad," from its latest EP "Golden Hour:

S. Korea's exports of K-pop albums hit record high of US$257.48 mln in H1

SEOUL, July 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports of K-pop albums hit a record hi

Sooyoung

BTS

BLACKPINK

When heritage meets pop culture: K-pop

Korea's cultural heritage is finding new life beyond museums and historic sites. As history, folklore and tradition become a key creative engine behind Korean pop culture's global expansion, K-pop, films, dramas and games are bringing the nation's past to audiences around the world. The following stories examine how each industry is making heritage part of its global success. With the K-pop genre now a global phenomenon, artists are increasingly drawing on Korea's history, music and visual tradi

BTS

Watch: TXT’s Yeonjun Takes 1st Win For “Ice Cream” On “Music Bank”; Performances By i-dle, GIRLSET, And More

TXT’s Yeonjun has won his first music show trophy for “Ice Cream”! On the July 17 episode of “Music Bank,” the candidates for first place were Yeonjun’s “Ice Cream” and i-dle’s “Gimme Dat Love.” Yeonjun ultimately took the prize with a total of 6,920 points. Congratulations to Yeonjun! Watch the winner announcement and encore (with Beomgyu’s

Watch: SEVENTEEN’s Wonwoo Marks His Birthday With Heartfelt New Song “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter”

SEVENTEEN’s Wonwoo has celebrated his birthday with a special gift for fans! On July 17 at 6 p.m. KST, Wonwoo released his new song “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter” in celebration of his 30th birthday. “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter” is a heartfelt track that reflects on every season shared with a loved one while expressing the

Wonwoo

Seventeen

Hani’s Family Brings Equal Parts Heartache And Comfort In “Love On The Menu”

“Love on the Menu” has offered a glimpse of the complicated dynamics of Hani’s family. “Love on the Menu” is a family romance drama that follows Kim Moo Jin (Ha Seok Jin) and Han Gyu Rim (Hani), two former lovers who reunite eight years after a painful breakup. As they reconnect, they piece together the

Yoon

Kim Myung Soo Becomes Kang Min Ah’s Manager On “Love In Sync”

INFINITE’s Kim Myung Soo will officially become Kang Min Ah’s manager on the next episode of “Love in Sync”! “Love in Sync” is a new romantic comedy about a woman who rejects empathy and a man burdened with too much of it. When they begin to share one another’s emotions through a supernatural phenomenon, they