Kpop Visage

Vandaag in K-pop

Rechtstreeks uit Koreaanse nieuwsbronnen en andere bronnen

Seoul 'melting pot' for global music talent, says producer behind BTS hits

A Swedish music producer who has worked with the biggest names in K-pop — BTS, SuperM, Tomorrow X Together, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM and ATEEZ — said Seoul has become a "global melting pot" for music talent, surpassing creative hubs like Stockholm and Los Angeles, as top songwriters worldwide increasingly look to Korea for the best opportunities. "I saw an opportunity that seemed more impactful by coming to Seoul rather than going to the States, and not by a small margin," Alex Karlsson said at a music industry conference hosted by the French Embassy in Seoul, June 8. Karlsson was speaking at "From K-pop to Global Pop: Rethinking Music Without Borders," the opening panel of "Fête de la Musique+ 2026," a Korea-France cultural exchange event held in Seoul. For Karlsson, Korea's appeal as a creative base comes down to access and structure. He said the country draws top-tier global talent at a scale unmatched by European music hubs, while its systemized approach to music production offers a creative framework he finds valuable rather than limiting. "Koreans love their systems, and I think t

BTS

BIGBANG to launch 20th anniversary world tour in Goyang

BIGBANG will launch its 20th anniversary world tour with a concert in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul. Presales for the "BIGBANG 2026 WORLD TOUR IN GOYANG" begin at 7 p.m. on June 24, with a general sale to follow at 7 p.m. on June 25, YG Entertainment said Monday. Domestic tickets will be available through the Coupang Play mobile app, while international tickets will be sold via NOL WORLD. The group will perform three concerts at Goyang Stadium from Aug. 21-23. The shows are expected to draw significant interest, marking the K-pop group's first world tour in nearly a decade. The Goyang performances kick off a tour featuring 31 shows across 18 cities. The concerts promise stadium-scale production, highlighting the act's extensive 20-year discography. The stadium tour announcement follows BIGBANG's recent performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, in April. "We are sparing no effort on the tour's scale and production quality to meet the expectations of fans who have waited so long," YG Entertainment said. The tour spans North America, Europe, Oceania an

Big Bang

RIIZE doubles down on performance for highly anticipated return

K-pop group RIIZE returned Monday with its second mini album, "II," presenting a sharper, more self-assured sound that the members say reflects months of rehearsal and rising confidence on stage. In a distributed interview ahead of the release, the SM Entertainment group described the title track, "Do Your Dance," as a statement meant to be felt rather than interpreted. Below is an edited Q&A with the six-member group. Q. How does it feel to make a comeback? Wonbin: The album is filled with strong songs, and we feel confident returning to the stage. We want to show our music through performance rather than words. Sohee: It has been seven months since our last comeback, and we’re really thankful to fans for waiting. We’re confident in this album and hope many people enjoy it. Q. How would you describe “II”? Sohee: It’s a fun album from start to finish. I hope that feeling of enjoyment reaches fans as well. Anton: It represents a shift into a more active phase for RIIZE, moving from thinking to doing. Eunseok: It feels like a box of many colors, with each track showing a different sty

As virtual idol groups multiply, can any match PLAVE's success?

The virtual idol market is expanding fast, and the field is getting crowded. A string of new groups have debuted in recent months, staking a claim in a space that one act has come to define — and none of them are close to catching it yet. OWIS, a five-member girl group under All My Anecdotes, the label founded by Kiss of Life creative director Lee Hae-in, debuted on March 23 with EP "Museum." While the real identities behind the virtual avatar members — Serene, Haru, Soi, Summer and Yuni — have not been officially confirmed, it is widely reported to include former NMIXX member Jini, former Lovelyz member Ryu Su-jeong, BigHit Music producer Adora, "Produce 101" contestant Lee Ruri and Lee Hae-in herself. B:DAWN under Duri Entertainment followed on May 6 with debut single "Beom." The group's five members — Dojin, Ion, Kangho, Woorim and Hansol — are built around the concept of former competitive athletes. The latest entry is MiiWAN, a five-member boy group under Abyss Company, whose debut album "Middle.i" drops Tuesday. A pre-release track, "Pluma," is already out. Emulating PLAVE

Soi

Boy group Riize to drop 2nd EP 'II'

K-pop boy group Riize will return Monday with its second EP, "II," its agency, SM Entertainment, said. The six-track release is led by the lead single "Do Your Dance," alongside "Soar," "D-d-done," "Overdrive," "Like a Bomb" and "In a Loop." "As this is our first album to be released in Korea this year, it feels like our activities for the year have just begun in earnest," member Anton said in a release from the agency. He added that while the group's previous work focused on growth and concerns it experienced during the process of pursuing its dreams, the new album shifts toward action. "You'll be able to see Riize moving forward through action rather than worrying," he said. "Our journey to go higher and farther has begun." "Do Your Dance" is an uptempo dance track combining hip-hop beats with electronic pop elements, featuring a heavy distorted 808 bass and a contrasting, repetitive chorus. The group said the song highlights their free-spirited energy and confidence. Eunseok described the track as "perfect for when you want a boost of confidence or to forget your worries and just have

RIIZE

Netflix schedules live world tour for 'KPop Demon Hunters' to leverage global fandom

Netflix announced a live world tour for its blockbuster animated musical film "KPop Demon Hunters," a move expected to expand the entertainment giant's global monetization structure. Rather than concluding with the streaming success of a single title, the strategy establishes a multilayered business model extending to live musical performances, commercial merchandise, interactive fan events and brand collaborations. Netflix confirmed in May the global tour for the 2025 animated feature. The streaming company said the live performance "will bring elements of the two-time Oscar-winning film to life in spectacular ways," adding that host cities, dates and ticket information will be released in the second half of 2026. Released in 2025, the film broke streaming records and achieved global prominence, winning Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, the 83rd Golden Globes and the 31st Critics Choice Awards. Netflix partnered with AEG Presents, a global live entertainment promoter whose portfolio includes the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and int

Boy group Riize to drop 2nd EP 'II'

SEOUL, June 15 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy group Riize will return Monday with its sec

RIIZE

Actor-singer Lee Jun-young to begin military service, leaving behind packed roster of projects

Korean actor and singer Lee Jun-young will enlist in the military on July 21, temporarily sidelining a surging television career that has made him one of the country's most popular young stars. Lee, 29, shared the news Sunday in a handwritten letter posted to his social media accounts, writing that he wanted his fans to hear about the enlistment directly from him. Conscription is mandatory for nearly all able-bodied Korean men, who must serve roughly 18 to 21 months, depending on the branch of the armed forces. The announcement comes at a creative high point for Lee. He is currently starring in the hit JTBC weekend drama, "The New Employee, Chairman Kang," which began with a modest 3.7 percent viewership rating but has steadily broken its own audience records each week. In the series, Lee plays a young man navigating a body-swapping mishap, a performance that local critics have praised for its grounded nuance despite the outlandish premise. While military service typically stalls a rising actor's momentum — a phenomenon known locally as the "military hiatus" — Lee has meticulously st

Jun

BoyNextDoor sells 1m copies of 1st LP

BoyNextDoor’s first studio album, “Home,” sold over 1 million copies in the first week, its agency KOZ Entertainment announced on Monday. The LP is the group's fourth back-to-back million-selling set, after its third, fourth and fifth EPs “19.99,” “No Genre” and “The Action.” All six members participated in writing the songs, a first for the group, adding layers of personal experiences and feelings to four of the songs on the album. The LP debuted atop Oricon’s Daily Album Ranking upon its relea

BOYNEXTDOOR

Riize shares excitement about second EP

Riize members shared their thoughts on the group's second EP “II,” released Monday, via a statement released through their label SM Entertainment. The six-track EP led by “Do Your Dance” arrives seven months after the group's last release in November 2025. “We think this new set is a great album since all the songs are good,” Wonbin said. “And we just want to showcase them all right away.” Sohee said the group thoroughly enjoyed putting the album together from the moment they heard the songs. “I

Wonbin

RIIZE

Seventeen’s Hoshi drops single on birthday

Hoshi of Seventeen released the single “Snapback” on Monday to celebrate his birthday, his agency Pledis Entertainment said. He participated in writing the lyrics and melody for the song, mixing old-school guitar sounds and rhythms to express the feeling of an irresistible attraction. The singer is in the midst of serving his mandatory military service as a full-time active member of the Army. He will be discharged in March next year. Meanwhile, Seventeen will host its 10th fan meetup in Incheon

Hoshi

Seventeen

Actor-singer Lee Jun-young to begin military service next month

Actor-singer Lee Jun-young, who appeared in the hit Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines," will begin his mandatory military service in July, his agency said Monday. Lee will enlist in the Army on July 21, without any special events to mark the transition, Billions said. In a handwritten letter uploaded on his social media account, Lee said he had a lot on his mind after the date was set, promising fans to stay healthy and return as himself. Lee, who made his debut as a member of K-pop boy band U-KISS in 2014, began acting in 2017, and has appeared in series that include the military action drama "D.P." and the crime thriller "Weak Hero Class 2." He released his first solo album, "Last Dance," last year and is currently appearing in the JTBC comedy series "Reborn Rookie."

Treasure logs 100m views with ‘If I’ music video

Treasure garnered 100 million views on YouTube with the music video for “If I” as of Saturday, its label YG Entertainment said the following day. The views reached the milestone in less than 12 days, the fastest time for the group. “If I” is the main track from the group's fourth EP “New Wav,” which came out on June 1. The four-track mini album sold more than 1 million copies in the first week, and topped the iTunes Top Albums Chart in 13 regions, as well as Oricon’s Weekly Album Ranking in Japa

Actor-singer Lee Jun-young to begin military service next month

SEOUL, June 15 (Yonhap) -- Actor-singer Lee Jun-young, who appeared in the hit N

Seventeen's Hoshi to drop new digital single during military service

Hoshi of K-pop boy group Seventeen, currently serving his mandatory military duty, will release a new digital single titled "Snapback" on Monday, his agency Pledis Entertainment said. The track, unveiled to coincide with the singer's birthday, blends old-school guitar sounds with a polished rhythm to create an upbeat mood. It playfully captures an irresistible attraction toward his love interest. Hoshi participated in both the lyrics and composition of the song set for release at 6 p.m., the agency added. The K-pop star enlisted in September last year and is serving as an active-duty soldier in the South Korean Army

Hoshi

Seventeen

Seventeen's Hoshi to drop new digital single during military service

SEOUL, June 15 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy group Seventeen's Hoshi, currently serving

Hoshi

Seventeen

TXT’s Yeonjun Announces Release Date For Solo Comeback Album “NO LABELS: PART 02”

Yeonjun’s solo comeback date has been revealed! On June 16, TXT’s agency share the following statement: Hello.This is BIGHIT MUSIC. Yeonjun’s 2nd Mini Album, “NO LABELS: PART 02,” will be released on Friday, July 10. “NO LABELS: PART 02” is an album that completes Yeonjun’s debut as a solo artist. It vividly showcases his distinctive

Yeonjun

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Kim Myung Soo Dishes On His “Love In Sync” Character, Cast Chemistry, And More

Kim Myung Soo has shared more insights into his character Cha Eun Hwan in the upcoming drama “Love in Sync.” “Love in Sync” is a romantic comedy that follows a woman who refuses empathy and a man who carries too much of it. When they begin to share one another’s emotions through a surreal phenomenon,

Choi Yoojung Announces Comeback With Solo Single Album “Perfect Target”

Choi Yoojung is gearing up for her comeback! On June 15, Choi Yoojung teased her upcoming second single album “Perfect Target” with a title poster on her official social media channels. Check out the poster below: “Perfect Target” is scheduled to be released on June 30 at 6 p.m. KST. Stay tuned for more updates!

Doh Kyung Soo Confirmed To Make Solo Comeback In August

Doh Kyung Soo is gearing up for his return as a solo artist! On June 15, Xportsnews reported that Doh Kyung Soo is currently preparing a new solo album slated for release in August. In response to the report, his agency Blitzway Entertainment confirmed, “Doh Kyung Soo is scheduled to release a new solo album

Exo

Stray Kids’ Han Announced As Tod’s New Brand Ambassador

Stray Kids’ Han is the new face of Tod’s! On June 15, the Italian luxury fashion house announced Stray Kids’ Han as its newest brand ambassador. Tod’s shared, “With his creativity, positive energy, and global influence, Han embodies the spirit of a new generation while reflecting the timeless values that have defined Tod’s for generations,

Stray Kids

NCT DREAM Announces 10th Anniversary Fan Meeting “THE SWEET DREAM HOTEL”

NCT DREAM will celebrate their 10th debut anniversary with a fan meeting! On June 15, the group announced that “NCT DREAM 10TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY ‘THE SWEET DREAM HOTEL’” will take place at Inspire Arena in Incheon on August 22 and 23. With NCT DREAM marking the 10th anniversary of their debut on August 25, the

NCT Dream

Red Velvet Announces 2026 Fan-Con “A Day In Red & Velvet” Following August Comeback News

Following the announcement of their long-awaited August comeback, Red Velvet has unveiled plans for a fan-con to celebrate with fans! On June 15, the group revealed a poster announcing the schedule for “2026 Red Velvet FAN-CON ‘A Day in Red & Velvet.’” The fan-con will take place at Korea University’s Hwajeong Tiger Dome on August

Red Velvet

SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi Funds New Classrooms For Children With Heartfelt Donation

SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi has extended support for children’s education! On June 15, The Community Chest of Korea announced that a public school classroom construction project in Zambia funded by Hoshi’s donation has been completed, creating a new learning environment for about 250 local children. The project was carried out using 100 million won (approximately $66,102) donated

Seventeen

Hoshi

THE BOYZ’s Q And Hwang Ji Ah Showcase Youthful Charms In School Uniforms In New Drama “My Idol, My Debut”

MBC Plus’s upcoming drama “My Idol, My Debut” has released new stills featuring THE BOYZ’s Q and Hwang Ji Ah! “My Idol, My Debut” is a time-slip coming-of-age story about a passionate fan who travels eight years into the past to prevent a tragic accident. She becomes an idol trainee in an effort to change

THE BOYZ