K-Pop News Archive | KpopVisage.com

Kpop Visage

Today in K-Pop

Direct from Korean news and other sources

In Germany, European authors take on manga with K-pop romance novels

Fresh off an MBA in the United States, Min Seo-hee begins a new chapter in Seoul as a manager at a Korean entertainment agency. It is there that she meets Lim Tae-jun of the K-pop boy group Millions, setting in motion a tumultuous romance that surges and crashes like waves. This story, which some might find a bit corny, lies at the heart of "The Millions," a romance novel series displayed at the K-pop Romance booth of the Leipzig Book Fair in Germany last month. The first impression is that K-pop has carved out a place at one of Germany’s largest book fairs, widely regarded as a counterpart to the Frankfurt Book Fair. The sight stood out even more amid the overwhelming presence of Japanese manga across the exhibition hall. But assuming the author is Korean simply because the story revolves around K-pop would be a mistake. The writer behind the series is 39-year-old German author Sabrina T. Rudolph, a devoted fan of Super Junior who spent a year and a half living in Seoul in 2011. Her experience in Korea later became a driving force for the novel series. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pan

Super Junior

LNGSHOT Announces Official Fan Club Name

LNGSHOT has given their fandom an official name! On April 22 KST, the rookie boy group from Jay Park’s label MORE VISION announced that the name of their official fan club would be “SHOTTIES.” The formal English announcement explained, “The colleagues and companions who walk alongside LNGSHOT on this journey are you, our fans, SHOTTIES.… The post appeared first on .

LNGSHOT

Cortis gets bolder with 'RedRed'

Cortis returned Monday with prerelease track “RedRed,” showcasing a bolder, more self-defined musical identity ahead of its upcoming second EP. Dubbed a “young creator crew,” the BigHit Music act has distinguished itself by taking part in all aspects of production — from songwriting and choreography to video direction — setting it apart from typical rookie groups. The boy group debuted last year as a junior act following BTS and Tomorrow X Together. It quickly drew attention with its debut album

CORTIS

BTS

TXT

(LEAD) Police seek arrest warrant for Hybe chairman over alleged unfair stock trading

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- Police said Tuesday they have filed for an arrest wa...

BTS’ J-Hope shares tearful selfie after grandmother’s death

BTS member J-Hope has drawn attention after posting an emotional selfie, revealing a deeply personal moment that unfolded in the middle of the group’s ongoing world tour. J-Hope shared several photos on social media on Monday with the caption “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ TOKYO.” The images captured a mix of behind-the-scenes moments to high-energy performances on stage. Among them, one photo stood out: A close-up of the artist with tears in his eyes, his face visibly swollen and flushed. The raw image quickly spread across fan communities and social media, with many interpreting it as reflecting the emotional toll of a recent family loss. According to the singer, he learned of his grandmother’s death shortly after arriving in Japan for the Tokyo leg of the tour. During a concert, he told fans, “After coming to Japan, I heard that my grandmother, who raised me since I was young, had passed away,” sharing his grief and drawing an emotional response from the audience. Despite the loss, J-Hope continued to perform, documenting both his off-stage moments and his time in the spotl

j-hope

BTS

BTS stays among top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100

BTS is spending its fourth week on Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 10 with “Swim,” according to the chart preview published Tuesday. The main track from the group's fifth studio album “Arirang” fell five rungs from the previous week, after having made a chart-topping debut on the rankings. It was the band’s seventh song overall to occupy the top spot on the main songs chart and sixth to debut at the top. The single has charted four weeks at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global

BTS

Police Issues Arrest Warrant For HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk

The police have requested an arrest warrant for HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk. On April 21, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Financial Crime Investigation Division announced that they requested an arrest warrant for Chairman Bang Si Hyuk, who is accused of violating the Capital Markets Act (fraudulent unfair trading). Chairman Bang Si Hyuk is suspected… The post appeared first on .

Hyuk

From survival show to world tour: CLOSE YOUR EYES is just getting warmed up

About a year into its career and currently mid-tour, seven-piece K-pop boy band CLOSE YOUR EYES (CYE) is already releasing music that has something to say. The group, formed in 2025 through JTBC's survival program "PROJECT 7," dropped its first digital single, "OVEREXPOSED," Tuesday. It's a two-track release built around the concept of overexposure in photography — the point at which too much light wipes an image out entirely. The idea, as the group describes it, is about still wanting to leave a record of yourself when everything feels uncertain. "It's an appetizer," said Jeon Min-wook, the group's eldest, during an interview at The Korea Times headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday. "Before a new side of us is revealed in the upcoming album, 'OVEREXPOSED' is a preview of what's coming." The single follows the group's third mini-album "blackout," and Jeon is clear that the narrative is intentional and ongoing. "We put a lot of meaning into 'Eternity,' our debut project. Then we woke up from 'blackout,' and we've spent a year," he said. "This single is an extension of that. It's a statement of

CLOSE YOUR EYES

Unchild debuts with bold, rule-breaking identity in ‘We Are Unchild’

Rookie girl group Unchild stepped into the K-pop scene with a confident message of individuality, unveiling its debut digital single “We Are Unchild” at a media showcase Tuesday in central Seoul. The showcase marked the official debut of the six-member act — Heekie, Tina, Haeun, Yeeun, Ako and Evon — who introduced themselves as a team determined to break away from conventions. The group’s name reflects that ambition. By adopting the prefix “un-,” Unchild positions itself as a collective that re

Taeyang to return with 4th LP ‘Quintessence’ on May 18

Taeyang of Big Bang will make his solo return on May 18 with his fourth LP, “Quintessence,” The Black Label said Tuesday. The album will release at 6 p.m., marking Taeyang’s first solo effort in about three years, since 2023 EP “Down to Earth,” and his first LP in nearly nine years, following “White Night” in 2017. The newly unveiled cover image of the album features two angelic figures forming the letter “Q,” referencing the album’s title. “Quintessence” hints at a project centered on the artis

Taeyang

Big Bang

KATSEYE Achieves Their Highest Debuts Yet On Billboard Hot 100 And Global 200 With “PINKY UP”

KATSEYE has set personal records on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Global 200 with their latest single! This week, KATSEYE’s new single “PINKY UP” entered the Hot 100—Billboard’s weekly ranking of the most popular songs in the United States—at No. 28, marking their highest debut yet on the U.S. chart. “PINKY UP” also achieved KATSEYE’s highest… The post appeared first on .

Katseye

KATSEYE To Perform At 2026 American Music Awards

KATSEYE will be taking the stage at the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs)! On April 21 local time, the American Music Awards officially announced that KATSEYE would be performing at this year’s ceremony. The group is nominated for three awards: New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video (for “Gnarly”), and Breakthrough Pop Artist. The… The post appeared first on .

Katseye

Court Rules In Favor Of FANTASY BOYS Members And BAE173’s Doha For Contract Suspension + Agency Responds

The court has ruled in favor of the six FANTASY BOYS members and BAE173’s Doha who filed injunctions to suspend contracts with their agency PocketDol Studio. Back in November 2025, BAE173’s Doha along with FANTASY BOYS’ Kang Minseo, Lee Hanbin, Hikaru, Hong Sungmin, Kim Gyurae, and Kaedan filed lawsuits against PocketDol Studio seeking confirmation of… The post appeared first on .

Tiffany Young Unveils Stunning New Profile Photos

Singer and actress Tiffany Young has signaled a full-scale acting career with the release of her new profile photos! On April 21, Pacific Music Group Korea released Tiffany’s new profile photos through their official channels. In the images, Tiffany is wearing a black turtleneck and jeans with a natural hairstyle, revealing a more mature charm… The post appeared first on .

Tiffany

NewJeans breaks 6-month silence with Hyein’s post after Copenhagen sightings

K-pop group NewJeans is fueling speculation over a comeback after resurfacing on social media for the first time in six months — and fans are reading the timing as anything but coincidental. On April 21, the group’s official channel uploaded multiple photos of member Hyein with the caption “HAPPY HYEIN DAY,” marking her birthday. In the images, Hyein appears with long, straight hair and a refined look, drawing attention for her evolving visuals. The post is the account’s first update since late last October, when it celebrated the third anniversary of the group’s fandom. The sudden return has sparked a wave of reactions across fan communities and social media, with many interpreting it as a signal that the group may be resuming activities. Speculation has been further fueled by recent sightings of members in Europe. On April 12, Hyein and Haerin were reportedly spotted in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their agency ADOR later said that Hanni had also traveled there with them. The developments come after months of uncertainty surrounding the group. Several members had been involved in a

(2nd LD) Police seek arrest warrant for Hybe chairman over alleged unfair stock trading

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- Police said Tuesday they have filed for an arrest wa...

Sumi Jo joins SM to launch 40th anniversary album

In a move that signals a blurring of the lines between classical music and global pop culture, world-renowned soprano Sumi Jo signed an exclusive recording contract with SM Entertainment. The partnership, announced through the company’s classical imprint, SM Classics, positions Jo as the label’s first exclusive artist and serves as a strategic cornerstone for the firm’s expansion into the international classical market. The deal arrives as Jo prepares to mark her 40th anniversary with the release of a new album, "Continuum," slated for May. The 11-track project is framed not merely as a retrospective, but as a bridge between the rigorous traditions of the operatic stage and the slick, contemporary sensibilities of the Seoul music industry. In a statement, Jo characterized the work as a "culmination and a new beginning," featuring a repertoire that ranges from previously unrecorded coloratura arias to modern compositions that defy easy categorization. The album also leans into the collaborative spirit of the K-pop era. It features a duet with Suho, the leader of K-pop boy band EXO,

Suho

Exo

Prosecutors seek 18-month prison sentence for Winner’s Song Min-ho over military service violations

South Korean prosecutors on Tuesday sought an 18-month prison sentence for Winner member Song Min-ho, who has been indicted for violating the Military Service Act during his mandatory social service duty. At the first hearing held at the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul, the 33-year-old rapper, songwriter and producer admitted to all charges and said that, if given another opportunity, he would complete his service faithfully until the end. According to prosecutors, Song took more than 100

Police seek arrest warrant for Hybe chairman over alleged unfair stock trading

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- Police said Tuesday they have filed for an arrest wa...

Big Ocean’s Europe Tour Canceled At Last Minute

Big Ocean’s tour of Europe has been canceled. On April 20, Parastar Entertainment announced that the European leg of Big Ocean’s tour would no longer be taking place“due to the organizer’s failure to fulfill key contractual obligations required to safely and properly execute the tour.” Big Ocean’s Europe tour was originally scheduled to kick off… The post appeared first on .

Big Ocean

TWS Surpasses 1 Million Stock Pre-Orders For 1st Time With “NO TRAGEDY”

TWS’s upcoming mini album appears on track to become their first “million-seller”! According to TWS’s album distributors YG PLUS and Universal Records, TWS’s upcoming mini album “NO TRAGEDY” had recorded a total of 1,022,807 stock pre-orders as of April 17. The figure marks TWS’s highest number of stock pre-orders to date by far, with an… The post appeared first on .

TWS

PLAVE Breaks Their 1st-Week Sales Record As “Caligo Pt.2” Becomes Their 3rd Million-Seller

PLAVE’s latest album is their biggest seller yet! Last week, the virtual boy group made their comeback with their fourth mini album “Caligo Pt.2” and its title track “Born Savage.” According to Hanteo Chart, PLAVE achieved their highest first-week sales yet with the new mini album. In the first week of its release (April 14… The post appeared first on .

Plave

&TEAM’s Agency Shares Update On Nicholas’ Health After He Sits Out Part Of Comeback Showcase

&TEAM’s agency has released a statement on Nicholas’ health. On April 21, &TEAM held a comeback showcase for their new EP “We on Fire.” After a delay in the start of the showcase, it was announced that due to a “worsening of Nicholas’ health,” he would not be able to participate in the group’s performances… The post appeared first on .

&Team

Nicholas

Watch: ITZY Announces May Comeback Schedule With Trailer And Track List For “Motto”

Mark your calendars for ITZY’s return! On April 22 at midnight KST, ITZY officially announced the date and details for their upcoming comeback next month. ITZY will be returning with their new album “Motto” and the music video for its title track on May 18 at 6 p.m. KST. On May 22, the physical version… The post appeared first on .

ITZY

Prosecution Demands 1.5-Year Prison Sentence For Song Mino

The prosecution has requested a sentence of one year and six months in prison for WINNER’s Song Mino. On April 21, at the first trial hearing for Song Mino and an individual identified as Mr. Lee, who was responsible for managing his service and both of whom are accused of violating the Military Service Act… The post appeared first on .

Mino

aespa Announces 25 Stops For 2026-2027 Live Tour

aespa is gearing up to greet fans over the world! On April 21, aespa announced their 2026-2027 Live Tour, using the text “SYNK : ____æ____” to hint at the title of their new tour. After starting the tour in Seoul on August 7 and 8, aespa will visit Taipei on August 11. Afterwards, the group… The post appeared first on .

Aespa

Seoul to transform Chang-dong into K-pop hub with Seoul Arena

Seoul unveiled on Tuesday a 2.7 trillion won ($1.9 billion) plan to transform Chang-dong, a neighborhood in the city's northeastern Dobong District, into a 24/7 K-pop-themed cultural hub, anchored by a new concert venue as well as a cluster of entertainment and commercial facilities intended to draw more visitors north of the Han River. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the “K-entertainment town” project is meant to serve as a new economic engine for the area and beyond as the city aims to draw 30 million foreign tourists a year. “Chang-dong and the surrounding Sanggye area will no longer be the outskirts of Seoul, but will become the cultural and artistic hub of the city and a solid economic core that will shoulder its future as a key area in opening the era of 30 million foreign tourists,” Mayor Oh Se-hoon said during a press conference. The central part of the scheme is the Seoul Arena, a K-pop concert hall slated for a May 2027 opening. The place will be able to accommodate up to 28,000 fans per performance and is expected to host some 100 large-scale shows a y

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo warns of legal action over false claims tied to family controversy

Legal counsel for BLACKPINK's Jisoo issued a statement over recent allegations involving a family member, after reports emerged that a man identified as the brother of a member of a well-known K-pop girl group had been arrested on charges of sexually harassing an online streamer. "Some media reports, online communities and social media platforms have been recklessly linking the artist and Blissoo to the family-related issue spreading online, while defaming them based on false claims," said Eun Hyun-ho, an attorney at Kim & Chang, legal representative for Jisoo’s agency Blissoo. "The issue currently being raised is entirely unrelated to the artist and Blissoo, and many of the claims circulating online are either unverified speculation or plainly false," the law firm said. It added that Jisoo, who began her career at a young age and has long lived independently from her family, had no knowledge whatsoever of her brother’s private life. The statement also rejected claims that the controversial figure had ties to Jisoo or her agency. "Although the artist received limited advice from a fa

BLACKPINK

18-month sentence sought for WINNER's Song Min-ho for alleged negligence in mandatory service

Prosecutors on Tuesday demanded an 18-month prison term for Song Min-ho, a member of K-pop boy band WINNER, over allegations of negligence related to his alternative mandatory service. Song is accused of failing to properly fulfill his duty as a social service agent at a facility in western Seoul from March 2023 to December 2024, such as not showing up to work for more than 100 days, inconsecutively. Prosecutors requested the sentence during the case's first hearing at the Seoul Western District Court, arguing that Song appeared to have been absent for long periods of time and effectively did not carry out his service. Song, who appeared for the trial, admitted to all charges and voiced hope to carry out his service again if given the chance. "As a person who is loved by many, (I) feel sorry for showing an embarrassing side of myself instead of setting an example," he said, adding that his struggles with bipolar disorder and panic disorder cannot be excuses. "If given an opportunity to serve again, (I) wish to faithfully fulfill it until the end." All able-bodied South Korean men are requi

NCT Wish’s 1st album instant million-seller

NCT Wish’s first full-length album sold over a million copies — 1.28 million — on its release day, label SM Entertainment announced Tuesday. “Ode to Love” is the third million-selling set from the NCT subunit, following its second EP “poppop” and third EP “Color,” both from last year. The new album's title track climbed to No. 3 on Melon’s Top 100 after debuting atop its Hot 100. All ten tracks from the set made major Korean music charts. The album comes on the heels of the six-piece act’s inter

NCT WISH

NCT

TXT renews record streak on Oricon chart

Tomorrow X Together’s eighth EP, “7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns,” headed straight to the top of Oricon’s Weekly Album Ranking. It is the group’s 14th consecutive album to top the Japanese chart, extending its own record for placing the most records in the No. 1 spot for an international artist, label Big Hit Music said Tuesday. The six-track mini album topped Oricon’s Daily Album Ranking twice, while lead single “Stick With You” spent four days at No. 1 on LINE Music’s daily song

TXT

18-month sentence sought for WINNER's Song Min-ho for alleged negligence in mandatory service

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors on Tuesday demanded an 18-month prison t...

Aespa announces 25-city world tour

Aespa will launch an international tour with 25 stops, the group's label SM Entertainment announced Tuesday. Under the title “Synk: _ae-_,” the tour will kick off Aug. 7. with two shows in Seoul. After a visit to Taipei, the group will fly around Latin and North America for the remainder of 2026. In January next year, aespa will tour Europe showcasing new material from its second album, “Lemonade,” which will be released on May 29. Meanwhile, the four members will perform at Tokyo Dome this week

Aespa

BIGBANG's Taeyang to drop new solo album in May

Taeyang of veteran K-pop group BIGBANG will release his new individual album on May 18, his agency, The Black Label, said Tuesday. The new release titled "Quintessence" is the singer's fourth full-length solo album. It marks his first release in about three years since his individual EP "Down to Earth" in 2023 and his first studio album in nearly nine years following "White Night" in 2017. Details of the upcoming album have not been unveiled. "Through 'Quintessence,' Taeyang will showcase his capabilities as an all-round solo artist and present a new musical world of his own," the agency said. Taeyang, who debuted with BIGBANG in 2006, celebrates his 20th anniversary this year. The group recently performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, on April 12 and 19, where they also unveiled plans for a new album and a world tour.

Taeyang

Big Bang

Illit’s Moka to suspend activities for health reasons

Moka of Illit will be absent from group activities for the time being, said agency Belift Lab Monday, citing health reasons. She will focus on recovery and treatment as her doctor has advised, but expressed strong wishes to participate, the agency added. Belift Lab did not provide details regarding her condition. The five-member group is slated to return April 30 with its fourth EP, “Mamihlapinatapai.” Illit has been releasing a series of teaser content for the upcoming set, including a “Free Ri

ILLIT

[Breaking] Police seek arrest warrant for Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk

Police have sought an arrest warrant for Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, officials said Tuesday. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's financial crimes investigation unit said it has booked Bang on charges of fraudulent and unfair trading and is moving to secure his custody. The move comes just a day after Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jung-bo said during a press briefing that the investigation into Bang was "essentially complete” and could be concluded in the near future. Bang

BIGBANG's Taeyang to drop new solo album in May

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- Taeyang of veteran K-pop group BIGBANG will release ...

Taeyang

Big Bang

I.O.I to return next month after 9-year hiatus

K-pop project girl group I.O.I will return to the music scene next month, marking the 10th anniversary of its debut and ending a nine-year hiatus, the group's agency said Tuesday. Swing Entertainment said the group will release its third EP "I.O.I: Loop" on May 19, followed by promotional activities. A promotional schedule released via the agency's official social media accounts showed that a pre-release track is set to be unveiled May 4. The group will also stage a three-day concert at Jamsil indoor stadium in Seoul starting May 29 to mark the comeback. However, promotional activities for the upcoming album will involve only nine of the group's 11 members with two — Kang Mi-na and Zhou Jieqiong — sitting out due to individual schedules. Formed through local cable TV channel Mnet's 2016 audition program "Produce 101," the group debuted in May that year. It quickly rose to prominence with hits such as "Very Very Very" and "Downpour" before disbanding in January 2017 after a final standalone concert.

Mina

I.O.I

I.O.I to return next month after 9-year hiatus

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- K-pop project girl group I.O.I will return to the mu...

I.O.I

NCT WISH Soars Past 1 Million 1st-Day Sales For 1st Time + Hits Career High On Melon Top 100 With “Ode To Love”

Just one day into their comeback, NCT WISH has already achieved multiple career highs with their new album! On April 20 at 6 p.m. KST, NCT’s youngest unit made their highly-anticipated comeback with their first full-length album “Ode to Love” and its title track of the same name. According to Hanteo Chart, “Ode to Love”… The post appeared first on .

NCT WISH

NCT

THE BOYZ Members File Criminal Complaint Against ONE HUNDRED CEO Cha Ga Won For Embezzlement

Following their demand for contract termination from their agency, nine THE BOYZ members filed a criminal complaint against CEO Cha Ga Won for embezzlement. On April 21, a media outlet reported that Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, Q, Sunwoo, and Eric—nine members of THE BOYZ—filed a complaint against ONE HUNDRED CEO Cha Ga Won… The post appeared first on .

“Perfect Crown” Reveals Behind-The-Scenes Photos Of IU, Byeon Woo Seok, Gong Seung Yeon, And More On Set

MBC’s “Perfect Crown” has shared a glimpse of its stars behind the scenes of filming! 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 Grand Prince Ian… The post appeared first on .

Seok

Hyun