Controversy is growing in China over comments made by Jang Won-young of the K-pop group IVE after she referred to Hong Kong as one of the “countries” she likes during a recent behind-the-scenes video. The remark appeared in a video on IVE’s official YouTube channel. While the members were shown visiting Hong Kong to attend an awards ceremony, Jang said, “We should eat a delicious dinner,” adding, “I like Hong Kong. There is a lot of good food. Hong Kong is one of the countries I like.” After the video was released, some Chinese social media users protested the fact that she referred to Hong Kong as a “country.” China maintains the One China principle, under which Hong Kong is defined as a special administrative region of China. Jang’s phrasing, interpreted as contradicting that stance, quickly fueled online criticism. On Chinese social media platforms, related hashtags such as “#JangWonyoungHongKongCountry,” “#IVEGetOutofChina” and “#KoreanIdolsHistoryEducation” are spreading, with some users even calling for a boycott of IVE-related content. Local media a

Ahead of their much-anticipated group comeback this March, BTS are already making waves globally, driven not by new material, but by a renewed surge of fan interest in an older track. The song "Run BTS," first released on the group’s 2022 anthology album "Proof," returned to No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in 61 countries, including Brazil, Finland, Mexico and Greece, as of the morning of Jan. 2 local time. Fans around the world, collectively known as ARMY, launched a coordinated streaming drive to celebrate the start of 2026 and the group’s upcoming return, turning a nostalgic fandom gesture into a fresh chart milestone. Fans say the song’s message — a vow to keep running forward together — resonates especially strongly as all seven members prepare to resume full-group activities. The track is widely regarded among ARMY as one of the clearest expressions of BTS’ teamwork and identity, and its renewed success reflects a shared anticipation for the group’s new album, scheduled for release on March 20. International media outlets are also paying close attention. The New

OneUs decided not to renew its exclusive contract with agency RBW Entertainment which expires next month, the group's management company announced Friday. Although the five bandmates are parting ways with the agency, they will carry on as a team and will keep the name of the band. The fivesome brought to a close its international tour “H_Our, Us” in Warsaw last month, having performed in seven cities in Europe and 10 in the US, as well Yokohama, Japan, and Seoul. OneUs is planning to bring out a

K-pop project boy group Wanna One will reunite with fans for the first time in a while through a new reality TV program set to air in the first half of this year. "The Wanna One members have been considering ways to meet Wannables, and agreed to produce a new reality show, a format most beloved by their fans," an official with the cable music channel Mnet said Friday. Wannable is the name of the group's fandom. The official added that the channel is preparing the show with the aim of releasing it within the first half of the year and details of the show will be announced once fixed. Formed through Mnet's 2017 audition program "Produce 101" Season 2, Wanna One debuted as an 11-member project group and gained huge popularity with hit songs, like "Energetic" and "Beautiful." The group stood at the forefront of K-pop's third generation alongside two other boy groups, EXO and BTS. With EXO's new album due out this month and BTS' album release planned for March, fans will be able to greet all three of these top-tier acts of the third-generation K-pop in various ways during the first half of th

SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- K-pop project boy group Wanna One will reunite with fa...

SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- T.O.P, a former member of popular K-pop group BIGBANG,...

After a year in which expansion and slowdown coexisted across Korean pop culture, 2026 is shaping up to be a potential rebound period for K-culture. While the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” helped push K-pop further into everyday life beyond fan communities, album sales declined for a second consecutive year, fueling a sense of crisis. In broadcasting, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “Squid Game" Season 3 drew major attention, but the growing dominance of Netflix further weakened terrestrial networks. Korean cinema endured one of its toughest years, with only one film — “My Daughter Is a Zombie” — surpassing 5 million moviegoers. As the Year of the Red Horse begins, anticipation is rising that blockbuster projects across K-pop, television, and film may breathe fresh energy into the industry. From the long-awaited comeback of BTS and BLACKPINK to large-scale film productions such as “Hope,” which has a total budget of 100 billion won ($77 million), key figures seen as drivers of a K-culture resurgence are preparing to step forward. The biggest storyline in

K-pop juggernaut BTS has announced its long-awaited comeback with a new album slated for March 20, BigHit Music announced Thursday. The release marks the group’s first album as a complete seven-member lineup after three years and nine months, following its anthology album “Proof” in June 2022. BTS has been on hiatus while its members fulfilled Korea’s mandatory military service. All seven members have completed their service, with Suga the last to be discharged on June 21, 2025. In celebration of the new year, the group has mailed prints of handwritten letters to its fan base, ARMY. The letters included the date “March 20, 2026,” effectively confirming the timing of the comeback, alongside messages of gratitude. The label is expected to unveil additional details about the album and promotional activities in the coming weeks.

K-pop juggernaut BTS has announced its long-awaited comeback with a new album slated for March 20, according to BigHit Music, Thursday. The release marks the group’s first album as a complete seven-member lineup after three years and nine months, following its anthology album “Proof” in June 2022. BTS has been on hiatus while its members fulfilled Korea’s mandatory military service. All seven have completed their service, with Suga the last to be discharged on June 21, 2025. In celebration of the New Year, the group has mailed prints of handwritten letters to its fan base, ARMY. The letters included the date “March 20, 2026,” effectively confirming the timing of the comeback, alongside messages of gratitude. The label is expected to unveil additional details about the album and promotional activities in the coming weeks.

BTS is officially returning on March 20, marking their first full-member comeback since all seven members completed their mandatory military service and their first group album release in nearly four years. The comeback announcement has already generated major buzz worldwide, fueled by the group’s handwritten New Year letters sent directly to fans’ homes. BigHit Music confirmed the March 20 comeback, marking BTS’ first full-team album since the anthology Proof, released in June 2022. The return holds special significance for fans, coming after the group’s extended “military hiatus,” during which all members completed their mandatory service. The comeback date was first hinted at in handwritten letters members sent to ARMY, the group’s global fanbase, for the New Year. Fans received the letters by mail, which contained messages of gratitude — and the date “2026.03.20,” interpreted by many as a quiet but emotional hint of the upcoming comeback. Members expressed their excitement and anticipation through personal notes. RM wrote, “I waited more desperately than anyone

As the clock resets on New Year’s Day, many K-pop listeners follow a small but familiar ritual: choosing the first song they will play in the New Year. It is a habit rooted in the idea that music can help shape the emotional tone of what comes next. Every year, K-pop fans usually treat their opening track as a kind of soft launch for the year ahead. Some reach for comfort, others for confidence or motivation, but the impulse is the same: Start the year on the right note. Over time, this has turned certain K-pop tracks into annual fixtures. While most of these were not written to become New Year’s anthems, they do share something more lasting — themes of renewal, self-belief and forward motion. With 2026 arriving at a moment that feels both uncertain and full of possibility, that first choice matters more than usual. Below are some of the songs fans return to as they step into a new year, spanning different eras, genres and moods. 'As You Wish,' WJSN Released in 2019, WJSN’s “As You Wish” has become a familiar presence on New Year’s Day playlists among K-pop fans. Built on a

SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Yonhap) -- K-pop label ADOR said Monday that NewJeans member Han...

Danielle Marsh, who on Monday became the first member to formally exit NewJeans, is a Korean Australian singer who debuted in 2022 as part of the five-member girl group under Hybe subsidiary Ador. The agency announced the termination of her exclusive contract Monday, alleging that her family member delayed the resolution process between NewJeans and Ador. That same day, Ador announced plans to file a lawsuit against Danielle, seeking contractual penalties and damages. While specific figures were

2026 will be a big year for K-pop, as some of the biggest names of the industry from different generations are planning long-awaited group comebacks after members spent the past few years focusing on solo projects. Headlined by long-awaited returns of superstar groups like BTS, Blackpink, Big Bang and Exo, powerful rookie groups that debuted late 2025 and those officially looking to step into the K-pop scene are expected to create more buzz in 2026, driving renewed fan interest and commercial ac

Danielle, a member of the girl group NewJeans, has been removed from both the group and her agency Ador, marking a major turning point in the months-long contract dispute that has divided the team. In a statement released Monday, Ador said it officially terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract, citing irreparable damage to trust and ongoing conflict stemming from the group’s legal dispute with the agency. “We have determined that it is no longer possible for Danielle to remain a member of NewJea

NewJeans’ prospects for a full-member return hit a major setback as Ador announced the termination of its exclusive contract with member Danielle. On Monday, Ador released a statement outlining the status of ongoing discussions with members Minji, Hanni and Danielle, who had previously expressed a willingness to return to the company following a court ruling that upheld the validity of their exclusive contracts with Ador. "Following the confirmation of the court's ruling, we’ve held numerous conversations with Minji, Hanni, Danielle and their families,” the label said in the statement. “Hanni, along with her family, visited Korea and engaged in discussions with us. Through sincere dialogue, she made the decision to remain with Ador, respecting the court’s decision.” Ador said Minji also continued discussions with the agency, but it did not indicate whether she had made a final decision. However, Danielle’s case took a different turn. “Regarding Danielle, we determined it would be difficult to continue together as a NewJeans member and as an Ador artist and the company noti