오늘의 K-POP

SEOUL, April 11 (Yonhap) -- A stadium in South Korea burst into a vibrant wave o...

BTS

Hours before showtime, the area around Goyang Stadium was already heaving with fans Saturday, as K-pop juggernaut BTS prepared to launch its new world tour, transforming the venue's outer grounds into a sea of purple, flashes of red and black tied to the group's latest album, "ARIRANG." Fans crowded around the stadium's exterior, taking photos, filming videos and adjusting outfits in the band's signature colors. Some held banners and light sticks, while others simply stood back to take in the scale of the gathering. Their conversations carried in multiple languages, reflecting the group's unmistakable global pull. BTS launched its "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'" with three shows in Goyang, located about 20 kilometers west of Seoul, beginning Thursday and continuing through the weekend. The tour will span 34 cities with 85 concerts across Japan, North America, Europe, South America and Asia, making it the largest tour ever mounted by a Korean act. Additional shows in Japan and the Middle East are also expected. Even outside the gates Saturday, the sense of occasion was unmistakable. Some fans

BTS

About 500 admission wristbands were stolen at a BTS concert venue in the city of Goyang on Saturday, police said. A report was received at around 3:20 p.m. that a man had fled with the wristbands from a ticket booth at Goyang Stadium in the city just northwest of Seoul, where BTS' new world tour, titled "Arirang," is currently under way, according to police. After receiving the report, police began tracking the suspect. The wristbands are required for entry to the concert venue. BTS kicked off its new world tour in Goyang, with performances held on Thursday, and continuing on Saturday and Sunday. The three-night run marks the start of an 85-show tour across 34 cities worldwide, including Tokyo, Los Angeles, Munich, Paris, Toronto, Lima, Santiago and Bangkok, through 2027.

BTS

SEOUL, April 11 (Yonhap) -- About 500 admission wristbands were stolen at a BTS ...

BTS

The tax controversy surrounding K-pop star and actor Cha Eun-woo has drawn fresh attention after a practicing accountant stepped in to counter claims that his recent payment was a “loophole” or delayed compliance. On April 9, attorney and certified accountant Kim Myung-gyu shared an analysis on social media aimed at “non-experts,” explaining the background behind reports that Cha paid 13 billion won (approximately $9.6 million) after facing tax evasion allegations. Kim said public criticism has focused on “why the payment was made only now,” but argued that, if the reported amount is accurate, the sum should be understood not as unpaid taxes but as an additional levy imposed after review — and that the timing was part of a standard process, not a late payment. “He did not fail to pay — he could not pay earlier,” Kim said, explaining that Cha had been undergoing a pre-assessment review with the National Tax Service, a procedure that allows taxpayers to challenge the validity of a tax claim before a formal notice is issued. According to Kim, no official payment notice i

BTS lit up the second night of its large-scale world tour — one that could signal a new beginning not only for the group but perhaps for K-pop itself — with a performance steeped in Korean aesthetics. The group is currently engaged in its "BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’" with three concerts, starting Thursday and continuing over the following weekend at Goyang Stadium, west of Seoul. The tour marks its return roughly four years after wrapping up "BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE" tour in April 2022. The Saturday show signaled a deep infusion of Korean aesthetics even before the official kickoff. Melodies of gayageum, a traditional 12-stringed zither, filled the venue alongside VCR visuals evoking ink-wash paintings, prompting chants of the group’s name from fans in anticipation. Shortly after 7 p.m., all seven members stormed in from the edge of the stage alongside a black-clad mega crew, launching straight into the hip-hop openers “Hooligans” and “Aliens.” Pyrotechnics and fireworks ripped through the air from the very start, but it was the group’s sheer command of the st

BTS

K-pop star Jang Wonyoung left even Hollywood veterans smiling after casually revealing a personal “secret” — that her long hair is actually extensions — during a lighthearted exchange with actors Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. On April 9, Vogue Korea shared a video showing the three stars meeting ahead of promotions for the upcoming film “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” drawing global attention online. In the clip, the trio harmonized to “Bye Vogue,” laughing together in a rare cross-industry moment that quickly spread across social media. Wonyoung playfully reenacted the iconic line “That’s all,” energizing the atmosphere, while Hathaway admired her manicure, saying, “So beautiful.” The interaction took an unexpected turn when Wonyoung, mid-conversation, showed off her long hair and said: “It’s extensions. Secret.” The candid confession — delivered with humor — sparked curiosity about what else was said during the exchange. What stood out just as much was Wonyoung’s fluency. She led parts of the conversation in English with ease, showcasing a level of co

WonyoungIVE

Nine members of K-pop group The Boyz said they would proceed with the group’s ninth anniversary concert as planned even while seeking to terminate their exclusive contracts with One Hundred Label. Concert preparations and fan commitment The group is scheduled to hold its "INTER-ZECTION" concert at KSPO Dome in Seoul from April 24-26. The members decided to cover some of the concert preparation costs themselves, including rehearsal space rentals and staff pay, to keep their promise to fans. Some media reported some members even used personal vehicles after the agency allegedly halted transportation support. One Hundred Label said the members are funding the preparations but said the artists actively refused the agency's continued offers of vehicles, managers and rehearsal spaces. Core allegations and disputes The conflict has cast uncertainty over the group’s future activities. Nine members, excluding member New, notified One Hundred Label through their legal representative that they are terminating their exclusive contracts. They cited a complete breakdown of trust and severe breaches

THE BOYZ

Singer and musical actress Ock Joo-hyun is drawing attention after purchasing a luxury residence in Seoul’s elite Hannam-dong neighborhood — with the price tag alone sparking online buzz. According to Sports Kyunghyang on April 11, Ock bought a unit in Hannam The Hill for 19 billion won (approximately $14 million), marking the highest recorded transaction in the complex’s history. The property, located in Yongsan District, spans about 332 square meters and features a rare duplex layout across the first and second floors. It was reportedly acquired from Hur Hee-soo, an executive of SPC Group. Ock is said to have signed the contract in May last year and recently completed the final payment. A mortgage was set with a maximum bond amount of 12.3 billion won as part of the transaction. The sale has also drawn attention for its scale of profit. The previous owner purchased the unit in 2015 for 6.9 billion won and realized a gain of about 12.1 billion won after roughly a decade — highlighting the steep rise in luxury real estate prices in Seoul. Hannam The Hill, built in 2011 on the form

K-pop star Chanyeol is revisiting one of his most talked-about “black history” moments — and this time, he’s addressing it head-on. In a recent YouTube video uploaded on April 9 to EXO’s official channel, Chanyeol opened up about the long-running “hand-sync” controversy that once sparked widespread mockery online, turning an awkward onstage moment into a viral talking point among fans. The video, titled “We Are One, let’s EXO,” featured members of EXO — Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun — gathering to celebrate their 14th anniversaryof its debut. During the conversation, Chanyeol brought up the incident that continues to circulate on social media years later. “I dropped the drumstick while doing a hand-sync performance. I was really flustered. In that short moment, I broke into a cold sweat,” he said, before asking if he could finally clarify what happened. The controversy dates back to a concert performance where Chanyeol appeared to be playing drums. When he accidentally dropped a drumstick, the sound continued — revealing that the performance was pre-re

ChanyeolSuhoKai

In K-pop, the album is no longer just something fans collect. It has evolved into something they use, incorporating music into their daily lives through practical items. Long a cornerstone of the industry’s revenue model, physical albums have survived the streaming era not by combining with digital platforms, but by changing form. What began as CDs bundled with photobooks, posters and randomized inclusions evolved into merchandise such as keychain albums. Now, a new phase is taking shape, one that pushes albums beyond mere display value and into everyday utility. Belift Lab’s girl group ILLIT offers a clear example of that shift. Ahead of its April 30 return with the EP “MAMIHLAPINATAPAI,” the group unveiled a dog-shaped gua sha version of the album, including a functional self-care tool with the upcoming release. The object retains its real-world use while carrying the group’s visual identity. According to the agency, the idea was designed to reflect the B-side track “GRWM (Get Ready With Me),” with the gua sha evoking a beauty routine. The dog-shaped design also nods to a

ILLIT