K-Pop News Archive | KpopVisage.com

How BLACKPINK's Jennie uses star power to promote Korean heritage

As her global profile expands, Jennie of K-pop juggernaut BLACKPINK is increasingly weaving Korean language and heritage into her solo work — not as decorative references, but as core elements of her contemporary, signature aesthetic. That artistic vision was fully realized last week at the 2025 Melon Music Awards (MMA), where she won three honors including Record of the Year. But beyond the trophies, it was her solo performance built around Korean imagery and visual motifs that captured the most attention. At the ceremony, Jennie performed rearranged versions of "Seoul City," "ZEN" and "like JENNIE," all from her March album "Ruby," her first full-length studio release. Costume and stage design played a central role in shaping the performance’s thematic arc. The performance opened with "Seoul City," in which she appeared beneath a 15-meter veil inscribed with Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, set against stage visuals drawn from the deep blue of the Korean national flag. To bring this vision to life, Jennie collaborated once again with Korean fashion label LEJE, which previously created

Jennie

BLACKPINK

Closing out K-pop 2025: Stray Kids 'dominATE' as girl groups go 'Golden'

From chart dominators and breakout hits to viral moments and interviews that offered rare insight, this review revisits the artists and stories that shaped K-pop in 2025. Together, they trace a year marked by shifting sounds, global ambition and a changing conversation around K-pop’s place in pop culture. Artist of the year — Stray Kids Stray Kids cemented their status as one of K-pop’s most dominant global acts in 2025, backed by record-breaking performances across major music charts. On Billbo

Stray Kids

Japanese woman booked for attempting to break into BTS member Jung Kook's home

A Japanese woman in her 50s has been booked on suspicion of attempting to break into the home of BTS member Jung Kook, police said Monday. The woman, who is suspected of trying multiple times to open the keypad door lock of Jung Kook's home in Seoul's Yongsan Ward between Nov. 12 and 14, was booked last week on charges of attempted housebreaking and stalking, according to the Yongsan police station. An investigation is under way, though the suspect has not been questioned as she lives overseas, they said. Earlier, a Korean woman in her 40s was referred to the prosecution on charges of housebreaking and stalking after she broke into the parking lot at Jung Kook's home in August. Meanwhile, a Chinese woman in her 30s was also caught trying to break into his home in June, but prosecutors decided not to file charges against her.

BTS

Japanese woman booked for attempting to break into BTS member Jungkook's home

SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Yonhap) -- A Japanese woman in her 50s has been booked on suspic...

BTS

TXT’s Hueningkai Launches Personal Instagram Account

All members of TXT are now on Instagram! On December 22, Hueningkai became the fifth member of TXT to open a personal Instagram account. For his first post, Hueningkai uploaded a set of photos with the caption, “Angel has arrived.” Hueningkai also posted his cover of Justin Bieber’s “Only Thing I Ever Get For Christmas,”… The post appeared first on .

TXT

2025 MBC Music Festival Previews Special Performances

The 2025 MBC Music Festival is set to showcase a series of standout performances! On December 22, the festival announced its special stages. TWS will showcase a mature, sophisticated stage. HANRORO and TXT’s Taehyun will collaborate on a vocal performance, while Hearts2Hearts’ Ian, izna’s Bang Jeemin, and ILLIT’s Wonhee will present a special performance. YB… The post appeared first on .

Donghyeon

Han

Yu

Jin

Hyui

Ian

Lee Jun-ho returns as 'pay-to-power' hero in ‘Cashero’

Netflix’s latest Korean series “Cashero” flips the script on the conventional superhero formula, delivering an everyday hero story about a man whose cash-dependent powers force him to choose between real-world pressures and helping those in need — pressures that weigh heavier than epic villains or cosmic threats. "‘Cashero’ is an everyday supernatural series where an ordinary person uses superpowers to protect their daily life," its director Lee Chang-min said during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. “I wanted to differentiate this from existing hero stories. Rather than a battle between superheroes, I wanted to create a hero where an ordinary person fights using their abilities." Cashero tells the story of Sang-ung (Lee Jun-ho), an ordinary public servant struggling to cover wedding costs and housing expenses, who suddenly acquires a power that grows stronger with the amount of cash he holds in his hands. He grapples with the choice between his living expenses and his superpowers, blending realistic human struggles with the surreal events unfolding in this unrealistic w

Aespa’s Winter posts photos with no 'couple tattoo' amid Jung Kook dating rumors

Winter of aespa has resurfaced on social media, drawing fresh attention amid ongoing dating rumors linking her to BTS’ Jung Kook — this time over what fans say is the disappearance of a supposed “couple tattoo.” On Sunday, Winter uploaded several photos to her personal social media account without any caption. In the images, she wears a black and gold dress that highlights her refined, elegant image. Her doll-like facial features and slender silhouette quickly caught fans’ attention, with many focusing less on the outfit itself and more on what was no longer visible. The post follows aespa’s appearance a day earlier at the Melon Music Awards 2025, held Saturday afternoon at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. During the red carpet event, Winter appeared with her arm tattoo fully covered — the same tattoo that had fueled speculation about a possible matching design with Jung Kook. In the newly uploaded photos, no visible trace of the tattoo could be found, reigniting online debate. Winter and Jung Kook were recently swept up in dating rumors driven largely by fan speculation on soci

Winter

Aespa

BTS

BTS complete recording new album

All members of BTS took to a livestream on Sunday and promised that 2026 will be the year of BTS. They said they had finished all recording work for the upcoming album months ago but have continued to finetune the music, which is expected to be unveiled in March. The bandmates acknowledged that they are impatient to resume activities, but that they cannot discuss in detail why they have not been more engaging with fans despite all members completing their military service as of June. “I wish our

BTS

BTS’ RM says he wishes HYBE showed more care

RM of global K-pop group BTS has continued to speak candidly about his feelings toward the group’s agency, HYBE. On Sunday, BTS — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — held a live broadcast via a fan platform. All seven members appeared together, sharing updates on their daily lives and hinting at future plans, raising anticipation among fans. During the broadcast, Jimin said, “We’re practicing together and spending time as a group,” while RM shared a personal update, saying, “I got my driver’s license. I’m not planning to buy a car, but I wanted to overcome a kind of trauma.” Talk of a comeback also surfaced, fueling expectations for the group’s next chapter. As discussions turned to their return as a full group, RM expressed strong determination for the future, saying, “Let’s make 2026 the year of BTS.” Jin responded by saying, “The company does work hard for us,” but RM offered a more conflicted view. “I’m not sure,” he said. “I wish they would take a little better care of us and be more nurturing.” RM went on to add, “I really wish

RM

Jin

Hwang Minhyun signals return as singer

Hwang Minhyun said hello to fans on a livestream Sunday after he was discharged. He completed his mandatory military duty as social service agent Saturday and thanked his fans for waiting for him. “It still is awkward standing in front of a camera,” he confided adding that he had matured as a person as well as an artist through the experience. He hinted at an event saying that he has been wanting to make time to meet fans in person to chat and sing, and that an announcement would come before the

Minhyun

Billboard singles out NCT Mark’s 'Firstfruit' as K-pop album of the year

“The Firstfruit,” the first solo album from NCT’s Mark nabbed the top spot on Billboard's list of the 25 best K-pop albums of 2025. His album “is a deeply personal album, drawing on the Toronto-born rapper’s experiences from taking flights to home sickness and missing his mother,” the magazine wrote, adding that it “will take you on a journey from start to finish through Mark’s eyes.” The 13-track set was released in April and led by single “1999,” with which he picked up three trophies on telev

Mark

NCT

NewJeans' 'Super Shy' garners 800m Spotify streams

NewJeans exceeded 800 million plays on Spotify with its 2023 hit “Super Shy,” agency Ador said Sunday, citing the platform’s data. It is the group’s third song to achieve the feat, after “OMG” and “Ditto.” “Super Shy” is one of the three focus tracks from its second EP “Get Up.” The upbeat tune claimed No. 48 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and No. 52 on UK’s Official Singles Top 100, scoring the quintet’s career best on both charts. The single logged eight- and nine-week runs on those charts, respective

NewJeans

From photocards and albums to MP3 players, home decor: the evolution of K-pop merch

“Even if you’re not a big merch buyer, you learn fast that if you don’t get it now, you’ll never see it again.” For Jin Yoo-won, a 28-year-old fan of Monsta X, that sense of urgency has become part of everyday fandom. K-pop agencies release new merchandise year-round, often in limited quantities and rarely restocked — pushing fans to act quickly or risk missing out on what feels like a piece of their favorite group’s story. That sense of urgency is not accidental. It sits at the center of a merc

MONSTA X

BTS hints at 'real big thing' as new album nears completion

BTS has shared insights about their preparations for next year's album during a livestream with fans. Vowing to make next year "the year of BTS" the leader RM said, "A real big thing is coming," during the session Sunday. J-hope also echoed the sentiment, describing the coming year as "crucial" for BTS. Album recordings finished "months ago" and they are currently in the "revision" process, according to the group. Regarding the album, RM hinted at some frustration with the album's progress, sayi

RM

j-hope

BTS

BTS hints at 'real big thing' as new album nears completion

BTS has shared insights about their preparations for next year's album during a livestream with fans. Vowing to make next year "the year of BTS" the leader RM said, "A real big thing is coming," during the session Sunday. J-hope also echoed the sentiment, describing the coming year as "crucial" for BTS. Album recordings finished "months ago" and they are currently in the "revision" process, according to the group. Regarding the album, RM hinted at some frustration with the album's progress, saying, "I hope the company show us a bit more care and support." Jin responded by asking, "Don't you think they are still doing a lot for us though?" "I am not sure. I don't usually discuss things like this, but I just wish they would embrace us a bit more." he said, while acknowledging that there are certain details the members can't share with fans. The members indicated there will be opportunities to discuss their plan in the near future. BTS is preparing for a new album expected to be released next spring, followed by a world tour.

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j-hope

Jin

BTS

BTS hints at 'real big thing' as new album nears completion

SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Yonhap) -- BTS has shared insights about their preparations for ...

BTS

Gallup Korea’s Annual Survey Names 2025’s Most Beloved Singers And Songs

Gallup Korea has unveiled its final results for the most beloved singers and songs of 2025! Gallup Korea divided its rankings into two age groups: ages 13–39 and ages 40 and above. The survey was conducted nationwide (excluding Jeju) across three rounds in July, September, and November 2025, polling a total of 5,148 respondents aged… The post appeared first on .

IU

Jin

Sooyoung First Meets Idol Kim Jae Yeong At His Concert Then Reunites With Him As A Murder Suspect In “IDOL I”

The upcoming drama “IDOL I” has unveiled new stills ahead of its premiere today! “IDOL I” is a mystery courtroom romance drama starring Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung as Maeng Se Na, a star lawyer and devoted fan who takes on the case of her favorite idol Do Ra Ik (Kim Jae Yeong) after he is accused… The post appeared first on .

Sooyoung

Jae

Kim Sung Kyu Makes Chilling Villain Transformation In Special Appearance For “Taxi Driver 3”

Get ready to witness Kim Sung Kyu as the next villain of “Taxi Driver 3”! Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, SBS’s “Taxi Driver” is a drama about a mysterious taxi service that delivers vengeance on behalf of victims who are unable to get justice through the law. Spoilers In last week’s… The post appeared first on .