BLACKPINK

As BTS prepares for its full-group comeback in March and Netflix animation hit "KPop Demon Hunters" continues to draw global attention, hallyu, or the Korean wave, is showing no signs of slowing down. Looking back at the last decade, 2016 was a landmark year that set the stage for today’s global hallyu wave — K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, debuted in 2016 and that same year, the Korean drama "Descendants of the Sun" made a splash as stars Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo gained global fame. Hit dramas, breakthrough idols and blockbuster films did not only entertain — they shaped fandoms, created trends and exported Korean culture across the world. Here's a rundown of 10 iconic moments, songs, films and dramas from 2016 that set the foundation for hallyu's worldwide growth. January: “Reply 1988” Airing from late 2015 to January 2016, "Reply 1988" captured the hearts of viewers with its nostalgic portrayal of Korea in the 1980s, family bonds and first love. The final episode recorded a peak rating of 21.7 percent, the highest ever for a cable TV drama at the time. February: “Descendan

K-pop stars G-Dragon and Stray Kids are set to return to the stage for a charity concert organized by French first lady Brigitte Macron's hospital foundation in Paris, music industry sources said Thursday. According to the sources, G-Dragon and Stray Kids are among the performers scheduled for the 2026 Le Gala des Pieces Jaunes (Yellow Coins Gala) at Paris La Defense Arena on Jan. 22. The star-studded lineup for the event, organized by the Fondation des Hopitaux, also includes global pop stars Christina Maria Aguilera and A$AP Rocky. Both K-pop acts have previously performed in the event, with Stray Kids taking part in 2024. G-Dragon performed in 2025, alongside fellow BIGBANG member Taeyang, as well as BLACKPINK's Rose and BTS' J-Hope. The foundation has held the Yellow Coins fundraising campaign nearly every year since 1989 to support children and adolescents hospitalized in medical facilities. Since 2023, it has organized concerts featuring musicians from around the world to raise funds through ticket sales.

During BTS’ extended hiatus, K-pop retained its global visibility but struggled to sustain the momentum it once commanded at the center of the international music conversation. While major acts such as Stray Kids, Blackpink, Twice and Seventeen filled the commercial vacuum left by BTS, none emerged as a singular symbolic force capable of defining the genre on a global scale. Newer-generation acts have been praised for polished performances and striking visuals, but critics and industry observers

BLACKPINK member Jennie has unveiled a dramatic new look, revealing a bold new hairstyle in a recent U.S. magazine photoshoot — a style shift that fans say highlights a more confident and mature side of the global K-pop star. On Wednesday (local time), U.S. fashion magazine “V Magazine” released Jennie’s photos and an accompanying interview. In the shoot, she appears with her long straight hair cut into a strikingly short style, creating a stronger and more sophisticated aura. In one of the featured images, Jennie pairs a black-and-white halter-neck top with oversized hoop earrings, presenting a hip and trend-forward visual that contrasts with her previous image. Speaking to the magazine, Jennie said she remains focused on her core work as an artist, noting that she will be performing in Tokyo around her birthday week. “I can’t believe I’m still saying this. Because it’s something I said a year ago before my first album 'Ruby,' but I feel like a baby stepping into the world,” she said, sharing candid thoughts about her current mindset. When asked about approaching her 3