Direct from Korean news and other sources
BTS’s latest album is enjoying a strong second week in the United Kingdom! Last week, BTS achieved their highest ranking yet on the Official Singles Chart (widely regarded as the U.K. equivalent to Billboard’s Hot 100) when “SWIM” debuted at No. 2. The group also scored their third No. 1 entry on the Official Albums… The post appeared first on .
BTS has won their tenth music show trophy for “SWIM”! On the April 8 episode of “Show Champion,” the candidates for first place were BTS’s “SWIM,” Red Velvet’s Irene‘s “Biggest Fan,” DAY6’s Wonpil‘s “Highs and Lows,” Jang Haneum’s “WANNA,” and Kep1er’s “KILLA (Face the other me).” The trophy ultimately went to BTS! This is the third time… The post appeared first on .
Heeseung has officially kicked off his solo journey by launching new social media channels under the name Evan. On April 8, he launched a new Instagram account introducing his new stage name Evan, along with a series of photos that highlight a more unfiltered and personal side. His agency BELIFT LAB describes the images as… The post appeared first on .
SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo said Wednesday he has pa...
SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- Rookie K-pop idol band hrtz.wav made its debut Wednes...
Kiss of Life said it aimed to return to its roots with the physical single “Who Is She,” released Monday. The group, which debuted in July 2023 with its first EP “Kiss of Life,” quickly built a fandom with music heavily influenced by R&B, hip-hop and dance-pop, often incorporating a 2000s-inspired sound. Its new title track “Who Is She” is a dance-pop song that reinterprets early 2000s styles with a modern sound, reflecting the group’s commitment to staying true to its original mindset — not by
BTS member Jung Kook has addressed his controversial “explicit livestream” — a day before his group kicks off its highly anticipated world tour. Jung Kook went live on the fan platform Weverse Wednesday, speaking publicly about the incident for the first time in over two months. “I personally don’t really know if I did something seriously wrong. People on YouTube or streaming industry say these things all the time,” he said. “But since I haven’t shown this side of myself before, some fans may have felt uncomfortable. If any ARMY felt that way, I want to say I’m sorry. I’ll try to be more careful.” The controversy stems from a late-night livestream on Feb. 26, when Jung Kook appeared to have been drinking with friends and speaking candidly — at times using profanity and making blunt remarks. Clips from the broadcast quickly spread online, sparking debate among fans over idol image and authenticity. Reflecting on that night, Jung Kook said, “I was just in a really good mood. For people who are quick to criticize everything, I don’t have much to say.” At the sam
Tomorrow X Together announced on Wednesday that a pop-up store will run in Seoul from April 14-26 to mark the release of its eighth EP, “7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns.” Set up at the Hybe headquarters, the temporary space will visualize the concepts of the mini album, which is due out on April 13. A range of merchandise inspired by the upcoming set will be available, including an exclusive offering: a cactus in a neon pink pot. The EP comes about nine months after the group's pre
South Korean boy band BTS will kick off its new world tour "ARIRANG" in Goyang on Thursday, launching what is expected to be the largest concert tour in K-pop history. The three nights of shows at Goyang Stadium in the city just northwest of Seoul will open 85 performances across 34 cities around the world, including Tokyo, Los Angeles, Munich, Paris, Toronto, Lima, Santiago and Bangkok. Staged mainly in stadiums and domes with 360-degree setups, the tour is expected to attract the biggest audience ever for a K-pop act. A total of 46 shows, including the Goyang concerts and the North American and European legs, have already sold out, according to organizer Live Nation. The promoter said BTS sold about 2.4 million tickets for 41 North American and European dates alone. The group is expected to perform new songs from its fifth studio album, "Arirang," which topped the Billboard 200 chart for two straight weeks, along with previous hit tracks during the tour.
With the global success of Peggy Gou, memorable headline shows from DJ Soda and Girls’ Generation member Hyoyeon transitioning into DJing, the electronic and techno scene in Korea has become one of the fastest-growing genres in the country, with female artists leading the way. Another talented DJ emerging in the space is Korean-born Youna, who found a sense of belonging with house and techno music. Despite its ever-growing presence in clubs and bars across Seoul, techno is still considered a niche genre in Korea. When Youna moved to Dubai, she was immersed in a new musical landscape that was unlike anything she had experienced before in her home country. “The sound and atmosphere felt completely different from what I had experienced in Korea, and it fascinated me. One day, I was in a low mood and went to a local lounge, and while listening to a DJ’s set, I suddenly found myself drawn in, almost without realizing it, I was dancing, and it completely lifted my mood,” said Youna. “That moment made me realize music can shift emotions and deliver energy, and I decided I wanted to l
Boy band Ampers&One returned after eight months with a clearer sense of identity, unveiling its fourth EP “Definition” as a statement of both direction and intent. At a press showcase held at Nodeul Live House in central Seoul, the septet — Kamden, Brian, Jiho, Siyun, Kyrell, Mackiah and Seungmo — framed the new release as a turning point, marking not just a comeback but the beginning of a new chapter. The album is the group’s first in eight months, with members Mackiah and Kamden participating
Kim Jae-joong of K-pop duo JYJ launched his first produced boy band, Keyvitup, on Wednesday. According to inkode, the group's agency co-founded by the singer-actor, the five-member group consists of Hyunmin, Taehwan, Sena, Jaein and Rukia. The agency said in a statement that the group's name signifies "opening the door to the world and delivering vitality." Keyvitup will release its first EP at 6 p.m. The album's title track, "Keyvitup," is a song conveying strong confidence to clearly showcase the group's colors and identity, according to the agency.
EXO celebrated its 14th debut anniversary Wednesday, expressing gratitude towards fans via label SM Entertainment. “We cannot believe it has been 14 years,” said the bandmates. Looking back over their career, they highlighted moments spent with their fans as the most meaningful, adding that the atmosphere they felt at every performance and the way the fans looked at them made Exo what it is today. Meanwhile, the group's upcoming concert tour, “Exo Planet #6 - EXhOrizon,” begins Friday in Seoul.
Cha Eun Woo has shared a personal statement addressing the tax-related controversy involving him. Previously, on January 22, it was reported that Cha Eun Woo had been investigated last year by the Investigation Bureau 4 of the Seoul Regional Tax Office on suspicion of tax evasion, and that the National Tax Service had issued an… The post appeared first on .
tvN has released a poster for its upcoming drama “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier”! Based on a popular web novel and webtoon, “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” is a military fantasy-comedy drama that tells the story of army cook Kang Sung Jae (Park Ji Hoon). When a mysterious quest window pops up in front of… The post appeared first on .
Singer-actor Jung Ji-hoon, better known by his stage name Rain, takes on his first villain role as Baek-jeong, the operator of a global illegal boxing league, in Netflix series "Bloodhounds" Season 2. The high-octane action crime thriller, directed by Jason Kim, centers on the two young boxers battling Iron Knuckle Fighting Championship, a dark web-based organization hosting brutal matches fueled by high-stakes gambling and coercion, pulling protagonists Gun-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi) into its violent underworld. He said the project was “physically exhausting but also emotionally draining.” “My character doesn’t have much of a backstory. The director didn’t want him to become a cliché villain. Usually, when you play a bad guy, you act nice and then suddenly turn evil — that roller‑coaster of intensity can make the performance stand out. But the director told me not to do that," he said in an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday. "He wanted the character to start off already furious, with no change in tone, so that was challenging."
SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- Singer-actor Jung Ji-hoon, more widely known by his s...
K-pop star G-Dragon is making headlines again — this time not for music, but for the scale of his earnings, with reports suggesting he received more than 65 billion won (about $48 million) from his agency last year alone. A Money Today Broadcasting report released Monday cited an audit report from Galaxy Corporation which showed that the K-pop star’s settlement from the company is estimated to exceed 65 billion won. The figure is based on the company’s 2025 standalone financial statement, which lists approximately 71.4 billion won in “commission expenses” — a category in the entertainment industry that largely consists of artist payouts, aside from costs such as legal and promotional fees. Industry analysis suggests that after excluding those additional expenses, G-Dragon’s share alone likely reached at least the mid-60 billion won range. “Some outsourcing costs from G-Dragon’s world tour last year were also included in the commission expenses category,” the agency said. However, reports said Galaxy Corporation separately recorded about 94.3 billion won in outsourcing
It’s official: NCT 2026 is coming! On April 9 at midnight KST, NCT surprised fans with a teaser for their upcoming full-group return as “NCT 2026” for the 10th anniversary of their debut. In addition to unveiling their new NCT 2026 logo, NCT announced that their new website (2026NCT.com) will go live at 12 p.m.… The post appeared first on .
“Teaching Practice: Idiot Girls and School Ghost 2” has unveiled a new still of Han Sun Hwa! “Teaching Practice: Idiot Girls and School Ghost 2” is a standalone sequel to the 2024 film “Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary.” It is a high school comedy-horror about Eun Gyeong (Han Sun Hwa), a passionate Gen… The post appeared first on .
T.O.P has unveiled the music video for “Studio54”! On April 8 at 6 p.m. KST, T.O.P released the music video for “Studio54,” one of the double title tracks from his first full-length solo album “ANOTHER DIMENSION.” Starring Nana, “Studio54” reinterprets the stylish sensibility of 1980s house music through T.O.P’s distinct musical color. The music video… The post appeared first on .
ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s Geonwoo will be halting activities for the time being. Previously, Geonwoo was swept up in controversy due to industry representatives’ accounts of improper remarks and poor attitude allegedly displayed behind-the-scenes. On April 8, the group’s agency released the following statement: Hello. This is WAKEONE. First, we sincerely apologize for the delay in… The post appeared first on .
MBC’s upcoming Friday–Saturday drama “Perfect Crown” has shared new behind-the-scenes photos from the set ahead of its premiere! Set in an alternate universe where modern-day Korea is a constitutional monarchy, “Perfect Crown” tells the love story of Seong Hui Ju (IU), a chaebol heiress who has everything but is only a commoner in status, and… The post appeared first on .
In the mercurial world of K-pop, where groups often vanish as quickly as they debut, EXO has remained a singular force. Since its 2012 arrival, the group has navigated the transition from "super rookies" to global veterans, surviving industry shifts and mandatory military service to maintain a vice grip on the charts. This week, the group celebrates its 14th anniversary, a milestone that coincides with a resurgence in its commercial power. Its eighth studio album, Reverxe, released in January, recently secured its eighth "million-seller" title and dominated domestic music programs. Now, the group is preparing to return to the stage for EXO PLANET #6 - EXhOrizon, its first solo concert in over six years. In a rare Q&A, the EXO members reflected on their endurance, their creative evolution and the reunion awaiting them at KSPO Dome. Q: Looking back over 14 years, which moment remains the most vivid? Su-ho: The day we shot the music video for “History.” I remember getting lost in thought about my trainee days, thinking, “I’m finally on the kind of set I used to only see on television
K-pop superstar BTS announced Wednesday that it will add three concerts to the Latin American leg of its "Arirang" world tour in October. The group said on the K-pop fan community platform Weverse that it will stage one additional show each in Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The additions bring its total number of performances in the region to 14 across five countries, which also include Colombia and Brazil. The updated October itinerary features performances in Bogota on Oct. 2-3; Lima on Oct. 7 and Oct. 9-10; Santiago on Oct. 14 and Oct. 16-17; Buenos Aires on Oct. 21 and Oct. 23-24; and Sao Paulo on Oct. 28 and Oct. 30-31. The run marks its first full-group concerts in Colombia, Peru and Argentina. BTS released its fifth studio album, "Arirang," on March 20. The release serves as the band's first full-group project since all its members completed military service. The "Arirang" world tour will launch in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, with shows on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The tour will continue through 2027, staging a total of 85 shows in 34 cities worldwid
K-pop superstar BTS announced Wednesday that it will add three concerts to the Latin American leg of its "Arirang" world tour in October. The group said on the K-pop fan community platform Weverse that it will stage one additional show each in Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The additions bring its total number of performances in the region to 14 across five countries, which also include Colombia and Brazil. The updated October itinerary features performances in Bogota
BTS member Jung Kook is once again going viral — not for music, but for his unexpected “genius cook” side. A video titled “BTS answers the most searched questions on the internet” was uploaded Monday to the YouTube channel, WIRED, where Jung Kook revealed a surprising detail about his culinary skills. Asked where he learned to cook, Jungkook said, “I learned a lot of knife skills in the military.” His bandmates quickly backed up the claim. J-Hope said, “He’s really good with a knife,” while Jimin added, “He cut himself a lot. There was a lot of blood,” highlighting Jung Kook's effort to improve his knife skills. Jungkook said he also taught himself by watching videos, explaining, “I like doing things on my own, so I learned by watching content.” That comment led Suga to share a story that quickly caught fans’ attention: Jung Kook recently made about 200 Dubai-style chewy cookies and personally handed them out to staff. “I’m planning to make them again tonight,” Jung Kook said, showing his continued enthusiasm. Other members said Jung Kook’s cooking is a
Ten songs from BTS’ fifth studio album “Arirang” remained on Billboard’s Hot 100, led by “Swim” at No. 2. On the chart dated April 11, the lead single slid down a rung after a chart-topping debut the previous week, which saw 13 of 14 tracks spread among the Hot 100. The album is also spending a second week atop the Billboard 200, in a first for a K-pop group or artist. The septet is embarking on a world tour named after the LP on Thursday with three nights of shows in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
NCT's Jeno and Jaemin are planning to visit six cities in Asia from mid-June, their label SM Entertainment announced Tuesday. The pair, as subunit JNJM, will kick off the "Duality" fan meeting tour with a two-date meetup in Seoul on June 13-14. It will then fly around Tokyo, Jakarta, Macao, Kaohsiung and Bangkok until early August. JNJM debuted as a unit in February with the EP “Both Sides,” which sold more than half a million copies. The mini album swept music charts at home and abroad, includi
KEYVITUP, the first boy group produced by Kim Jae Joong under his agency iNKODE Entertainment, has officially debuted. On April 8 at 6 p.m. KST, the group released their first mini album “KEYVITUP,” along with the music video for the title track of the same name. The name KEYVITUP reflects the group’s aim to “open… The post appeared first on .
