Direct from Korean news and other sources
Another Stray Kids music video has surpassed the 200 million mark on YouTube! The group’s music video for “Chk Chk Boom” reached 200 million views on March 31 at 5:15 a.m. KST. This is approximately one year, eight months, and 12 days since its release on July 19, 2024 at 1 p.m. KST. “Chk Chk… The post appeared first on .
The global expansion of Korean entertainment is shifting from selling shows abroad to sending creators into global productions. As the film industry grows more globally connected, collaborations merging Korean directors and actors backed by foreign capital and international crews are reshaping Hollywood filmmaking. Director Yoon Je-kyun, known for the Korean box office hits "Ode to My Father" and "Haeundae," is entering Hollywood with the Taekwondo-themed action film "Belladonna." The project is bringing together Korean and American producers. Ahn Chang-beom, CEO of K-Tigers, and Red Packet Media led by "Rush Hour 3" producer Mike Leeder, serve as co-producers. The film features music producers who previously worked on the Netflix animated hit, "KPop Demon Hunters," as well as with K-pop icons BLACKPINK and BTS. "KPop Demon Hunters" demonstrated how merging Korean cultural symbols and K-pop with a global production system captures worldwide attention. This structural shift traces its roots to director Bong Joon-ho, who pushed the boundaries of international co-production with "Snowpierc
BLACKPINK member Lisa is once again making headlines globally — this time as the first K-pop artist to secure a Las Vegas residency, a milestone typically reserved for top-tier Western pop acts. According to U.S. entertainment outlet Deadline on March 30 (local time), Lisa will hold a residency show titled “Viva La Lisa” at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Nevada. The performances are scheduled for Nov. 13 to 14 and Nov. 27 to 28. Ticket sales will be handled through Ticketmaster, with artist presales opening April 22 for fans who register between April 1 and 19. General sales begin April 23. Residency shows — where artists perform multiple concerts in a single city over a set period — are considered a benchmark of global ticket power, with stars like Bruno Mars and Jennifer Lopez having headlined similar runs in Las Vegas. Lisa’s entry into that lineup underscores her growing influence beyond K-pop. The announcement comes as Lisa, who recently turned 29, continues to expand her career across multiple fields. She debuted in 2016 as a member of BLACKPINK and renewed her cont
Mark your calendars for the debut of YH Entertainment’s new boy group AND2BLE! On April 1 at midnight KST, AND2BLE—an upcoming boy group that will include former ZEROBASEONE members Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu Vin, and Han Yu Jin—launched their official Instagram account. In addition to unveiling their first teaser image, AND2BLE confirmed that they… The post appeared first on .
ENHYPEN has changed the fan chant for many of their songs ahead of their upcoming world tour. On March 31, shortly after ENHYPEN revealed their plans for their new 2026-2027 world tour “BLOOD SAGA,” BELIFT LAB announced changes to the fan chant for 18 of the group’s songs—perhaps offering a sneak peek of their set… The post appeared first on .
Hybe is set to debut its first Indian girl group, as its local branch in India ramps up efforts to discover and develop talent in the country. According to an announcement released Tuesday via its official social media, Hybe India plans to recruit young female talents with potential in vocals, rap, dance, acting and modeling, aiming to launch a global girl group that will expand from India to the international stage. Applicants born between 2005 and 2011 are eligible to apply, with submissions o
Mark your calendars for KATSEYE’s return! On March 31 local time, KATSEYE officially announced the release date for their upcoming single “PINKY UP.” The group has also unveiled several fun teasers for the single, which is due out on April at 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET. Check out all of KATSEYE’s new teasers for “PINKY… The post appeared first on .
April has been dubbed a packed month for K-pop, as a wave of high-profile releases is expected to follow BTS’ powerful return. With artists from major agencies, rising rookie stars and solo performers all announcing returns within a short span, the industry is bracing for an especially competitive season. Notably, multiple acts under Hybe are set to return, creating a rare dynamic of intralevel competition at the center of the April comeback rush. Boy group Tomorrow X Together will kick things o
IVE member Jang Won-young shared photos from Los Angeles on social media Monday, following the group's recent U.S. promotional television appearance. In the photos, she appeared in a black slim-fit top and denim pants while posing in front of a pink car. The photos were posted days after the girl group's live television appearance on FOX11's "Good Day LA" morning show on Wednesday. The appearances come ahead of the group's extensive North American tour, which kicks off at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on July 21. Following the group's opening concert in Canada, the tour will visit Montreal, Newark, Austin, Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle and Vancouver. This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
Mark your calendars for MAMAMOO’s Hwasa’s return! On April 1 KST, P NATION officially announced that Hwasa would be releasing a new digital single, “So Cute,” on April 9 at 6 p.m. KST. “So Cute” will mark Hwasa’s first comeback since dropping the chart-topping hit “Good Goodbye” approximately six months ago. Check out Hwasa’s intriguing… The post appeared first on .
The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for rookie idol groups! The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community awareness indexes of various rookie idol groups, using big data collected from March 1 to April 1. KiiiKiii held onto their spot at… The post appeared first on .
P1Harmony’s “UNIQUE” is the steadiest seller of their career in the United States! Last week, P1Harmony’s new mini album “UNIQUE” became their highest-ranking album yet on the Billboard 200, where it debuted at No. 4. On March 31 local time, Billboard revealed that “UNIQUE” was now spending its second week on the Billboard 200 at… The post appeared first on .
Netflix’s “XO, Kitty” has revealed the track list for its Season 3 soundtrack! On March 31 local time, Rolling Stone magazine published a sneak peek of the track list for the upcoming third season of “XO, Kitty”—the spin-off of the popular “To All the Boys” series based on the bestselling novels by Jenny Han. Season… The post appeared first on .
Mark your calendars for the debut of High Up Entertainment’s new girl group! On April 1 at midnight KST, High Up Entertainment officially kicked off the countdown to the debut of their upcoming girl group UNCHILD, which will mark their first new group since debuting STAYC six years ago. Notably, UNCHILD will include Na Ha… The post appeared first on .
Get ready: BIGBANG’s Taeyang is coming back! On April 1 at midnight KST, Taeyang officially announced his plans to return with a new solo album called “QUINTESSENCE.” In a newly released teaser for his long-awaited comeback, Taeyang explains the meaning behind “QUINTESSENCE” and his experience creating the upcoming album. Check out Taeyang’s teaser for “QUINTESSENCE”… The post appeared first on .
BTS is returning with a new music video! On April 1 at midnight KST, BTS released a music video teaser for “2.0,” one of the B-sides from their record-breaking new album “ARIRANG.” Produced by Mike WiLL Made-It and Pluss, “2.0” includes lyrics penned by RM, j-hope, V, Jungkook, and Suga. The BTS members have described… The post appeared first on .
The Korean Business Research Institute has published its brand reputation rankings for all stars during the month of March! The rankings were determined through an analysis of various stars’ media coverage, consumer participation, interaction, and community awareness indexes, using big data collected from February 28 to March 28. BTS held onto their spot at the… The post appeared first on .
SBS Plus’s upcoming variety show “Manly Men’s Way of Traveling” (literal title) has unveiled two new posters highlighting the chemistry between Choo Sung Hoon, Kim Jong Kook, and Daesung. “Manly Men’s Way of Traveling” is a raw, instinct-driven travel reality show that follows three extreme MBTI type P men on an unfiltered adventure. Starring Choo… The post appeared first on .
Kwon Eunbi has parted ways with Woollim Entertainment. On March 31, Woollim Entertainment released the following statement: Hello, this is Woollim Entertainment. We would like to inform you that our exclusive contract with our artist KWON EUNBI has come to an end. Following discussions with the artist, we have decided to conclude our exclusive contract… The post appeared first on .
BTS has sweeped several Billboard charts with their long-awaited comeback! In addition to “ARIRANG” topping the Billboard 200, the title track “SWIM” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, making it their seventh song to top the chart, with 15.3 million official streams, 25.8 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 154,000 sales (digital and… The post appeared first on .
Weekly downloads of the Netflix application in South Korea rose sharply last month, driven by a livestreamed concert by K-pop superstars BTS in Seoul, industry data showed Wednesday. According to the data from IGA Works, Netflix recorded 136,400 downloads in the March 16-22 period, compared with 70,300 downloads during the previous week. Netflix live broadcast BTS' highly anticipated concert held at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 to mark the release of the band's fifth studio album, "ARIRANG." It marked the first time weekly downloads of the Netflix app exceeded the 130,000 level. During the same period, Coupang Play recorded 77,400 new downloads, while Tving posted 56,400. On a daily basis, Netflix app downloads peaked at 66,800 on March 21, up from 14,700 the previous day.
BTS has topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US with "Swim," the main track from its fifth full-length album "Arirang," marking the group’s seventh No. 1 on the chart. The latest achievement comes after the album also landed atop the Billboard 200, reinforcing BTS’ dominance across both major US charts. BTS remains the only Korean act to have repeatedly reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, alongside the band's Jimin and Jungkook, who have also topped the chart as solo artists. Music critic Lim Hee-yun s
BTS member V is drawing attention online after sharing his renewed effort to improve his English — something fans are linking to a recent comment by bandmate RM. On March 30, V posted on social media, writing, “I’m locking in for real this time no excuses,” alongside photos and a short video. The clip shows him listening to an online English conversation lesson and repeating sentences aloud, appearing focused and determined. Fans quickly reacted, praising what many described as a rare glimpse of V’s study routine and applauding his commitment. The moment has been widely shared across social media platforms, with supporters expressing encouragement and curiosity about his progress. The timing has added to the buzz. During a live broadcast on March 20 — the day BTS returned as a full group with their new album “ARIRANG” — RM referenced a lyric from track three, “Aliens,” which reads, “I’m the only one who can do English.” He said, “I also want to go back and forth in conversation. I’m the only one talking and translating.” That remark resonated with fans,
K-pop supergroup BTS has secured its seventh No. 1 hit on the U.S. Billboard's main singles chart, debuting atop the chart with its latest single, "Swim." The upbeat alternative pop track, which leads the band's fifth studio album, "Arirang," topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of April 4. It outpaced Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" to claim the highest ranking, according to a Billboard preview released Monday (U.S. time). The milestone adds "Swim" to the act's impressive roster of Billboard triumphs, following "Dynamite," "Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)" (BTS Remix), "Life Goes On," "Butter," "Permission to Dance" and "My Universe." The song's success mirrors the commercial dominance of "Arirang." Billboard announced Sunday that the release debuted atop the Billboard 200 albums chart, also granting the group its seventh No. 1 album. The momentum extended to Britain on Friday, with "Arirang" debuting at No. 1 on the Official Albums Chart Top 100 and "Swim" entering the Official Singles Chart Top 100 at No. 2. Later on Monday, Billboard announced that 13 of the new album's 14 trac
BTS wrote itself into music chart history on Billboard’s Global 200 and Global Excl. US, following the release of its fifth LP, “Arirang.” BTS occupied the top nine spots on the Global 200, tying a record Taylor Swift set in 2024. On the Global Excl. US chart, the septet held all top 13 spots — dethroning Swift's nine last year — with all the tracks of the new album except the sixth track, which features the tolling of the Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok. Main track “Swim” topped both charts
Kim Junsu is set to release his fifth solo studio album, “Gravity,” in June, agency Palmtree Island announced Tuesday. The upcoming album comes 10 years after his previous album, “Xignature,” and over four years after his third EP, “Dimension.” The veteran performer said in an interview last month that this new album might be his last. “Even if there is another, it could take quite some time,” he said, confiding that he has become cautious, caught between what is trending and what he can do best
K-pop supergroup BTS said Tuesday it was deeply honored to top the U.S. Billboard charts with its new album, "Arirang," adding it hoped the album and its lead track, "Swim," provided listeners around the world with "courage and comfort." Billboard said in a preview of this week's Hot 100 main singles chart that "Swim" became the band's seventh No. 1 song on the chart, following the album's debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The dual triumph marks BTS' first simultaneous No. 1s on both charts in six years since "Be" in 2020. In a statement released through its agency, BigHit Music, the septet said the success of its fifth studio album, unveiled after a hiatus of three years and nine months, was "a great honor" that it owed to its fans. "We deeply thank ARMY, who have always shown us unwavering love and support, as well as everyone who listened to our music and shared their hearts with us," the group said, referring to the name of its global fandom. The group added it had worked hard to capture "universal emotions" that many could relate to while preparing the new album. Describing
BTS has once again topped the US Billboard charts, with its latest track “Swim” debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, according to Billboard on Monday. According to a Billboard’s chart preview, the lead track from BTS’ fifth LP “Arirang” entered the Hot 100 dated April 4 at No. 1, marking the group’s seventh chart-topping hit. It outpaced Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” by claiming its highest ranking. BTS’ latest triumph adds “Swim” to its other list o
K-pop supergroup BTS said Tuesday it was deeply honored to top the U.S. Billboard charts with its new album, "Arirang," adding it hoped the album and its lead track, "Swim," provided listeners around the world with "courage and comfort." Billboard said in a preview of this week's Hot 100 main singles chart that "Swim" became the band's seventh No. 1 song on the chart, following the album's debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The dual triumph marks BTS' first simultaneous No. 1s on both ch
Namkoong Min and NCT’s Jaemin’s continue to share their support for each other! Previously, the two stars appeared together on the YouTube show “SELF-ON KODE” after years of fans noting the uncanny resemblance between Jaemin and Namkoong Min. Following the show, Namkoong Min sent a coffee truck to the venue of NCT DREAM’s encore concert… The post appeared first on .
JTBC’s drama “Still Shining” has apologized following controversy over scenes perceived to depict drunk and hangover driving. Starring GOT7’s Park Jinyoung and Kim Min Ju, “Still Shining” tells the story of young people who once shared a world of their own and gradually become the light in one another’s lives. Previously, the drama’s Episode 7… The post appeared first on .
Get ready to celebrate another year of K-pop with MAMA AWARDS! On March 31, CJ ENM announced that the 2026 MAMA AWARDS will take place on November 20 and 21 at the Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, Japan. The 2026 MAMA AWARDS will be streamed live worldwide via Mnet Plus, and with the foundation of… The post appeared first on .
Kwon Eunbi is joining Galaxy Corporation as her exclusive contract with Woollim Entertainment ends Tuesday, according to a local media report. Woollim Entertainment, however, said that the two parties will have a final discussion on renewal, leaving the door open for continuing the relationship that began in 2015. Kwon was the leader of the project girl group Iz*One, which debuted in 2018 and disbanded in April 2021. Eunbi began her solo career four months later with the release of "Door." She h
BTS did not need long to prove it still commands attention. Within hours of release, "ARIRANG," the group’s first full‑length album since all members completed Korea’s mandatory military service, topped major Korean charts. The speed of the response made one thing clear. The more interesting question was what the group chose to do with that certainty. Released March 20 after a nearly four‑year hiatus, "ARIRANG" arrives at a moment when the K‑pop supergroup could have leaned into scale alone. Instead, the album signals a shift in approach. Its title, drawn from a traditional Korean folk song, shifts attention to the question the comeback keeps raising — how BTS balances its identity with its global position. The numbers are immediate and decisive. The title track, "SWIM," reached No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 and Hot 100 charts and on Bugs within two hours. Other tracks followed, filling out the charts in quick succession. The music video passed 10 million views in about three hours. Any lingering doubts about post‑hiatus relevance faded quickly. Restraint over spectacle But "A
In the K-pop scene, a seven-member group suddenly becoming a six-member group is no longer uncommon. In fact, repeated cases of a member leaving groups that debuted with seven members have led to the coining of an industry term: the “curse of the seven-member team.” NMIXX, Weeekly and ONF all debuted with seven members but later saw one member depart. Going further back, Apink, 2PM, BTOB, Infinite and MONSTA X are also examples of teams that were reorganized into six-member groups. Earlier this month, Seo Young-eun exited Kep1er, marking another recent lineup change among seven-member K-pop groups. But perhaps the most high-profile case, at least recently, is ENHYPEN. On March 10, the group’s agency announced that Heeseung would leave the group and ENHYPEN would continue its activities as a six-member act. His sudden departure came as a major shock to fans. ENHYPEN has enjoyed strong popularity both in South Korea and overseas, and some fans staged protests near HYBE’s headquarters and the members’ dormitory, calling for the decision to be reversed. Others took to social media,
Seventeen will host two fan meetups this summer in Incheon, agency Pledis Entertainment announced Monday. The promotional poster for the group's 10th fan meeting features the bandmates in a fantasy-like station, ready to take fans to “Carat Land” by steam engine. Carat is the name of their fandom community and Carat Land, their fan meetups. The event will be held at the same venue where the group will perform the final concerts for “New_” on April 4 and 5. The world tour began in September last
The MAMA Awards, one of Asia's biggest K-pop awards shows, will be held at Osaka's Kyocera Dome in November, organizer CJ ENM said Tuesday. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Nov. 20 and 21, marking the third time the awards will take place at the venue after 2022 and 2024. Launched in 1999 as Mnet Video Music Awards, the annual event has grown into a major showcase for Korea's music industry and global K-pop fandom. This year's edition will feature a range of events combining both online and offline experiences to engage fans around the world, CJ ENM said in a release. "We are accelerating preparations to create another turning point for the awards," the company said, adding it would "offer an unprecedented experience through the expertise built over the past 27 years."
SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- The MAMA Awards, one of Asia's biggest K-pop awards ...
