After 22 years in the industry, ex-2NE1 member Sandara Park says she’s finally creating and singing her own songs, beginning with a two-track single titled REPRISM due this fall — featuring rock-tinged "Festival" and original track "Nail" — as part of a multi-year project
Hybe/Geffen girl group Katseye released the prerelease single "Animal," co-written by Ed Sheeran and featuring a cameo by Demi Moore; the Cody Critcheloe-directed video underscores the song's tension between restraint and impulse. "Animal" will be included on their third EP Wild on Aug. 14
ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo (Lee Dong-min), serving in the Army military band, made a rare appearance at the Ministry of National Defense Music Battalion concert, where fans noted his noticeably bulked-up, more muscular physique as he posed for photos and autographs
Rapper E Sens has requested a formal trial after a Seoul court issued a summary fine of 5 million won on forcible molestation charges stemming from an August 2025 nightclub encounter; he denies the allegations and the first hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2
NewJeans member Haerin drew attention after ADOR's fourth-anniversary photos and videos showed her canine teeth appearing less pronounced, prompting fan speculation about orthodontic or cosmetic dental work; the release — the first from ADOR after the group's legal dispute — also featured Hanni, Haerin, Hyein and Minji
Seventeen vocal DK will contribute the song "Stay With Me" to the Netflix series Spooky in Love, with the track due Sunday. DK and fellow Seventeen member Seungkwan departed for Kaohsiung as their SeungDK subunit begins expanded Asia concerts after quick sellouts
aespa released their first Japanese EP, Kiss N Tell, a six-track set led by a dance-pop title track whose video follows the four members at an amusement park. Two pre-release songs are “Attitude” (opening theme for animation Kill Blue) and “In Halo” (from Gimbap and Onigiri); aespa will debut at Lollapalooza Chicago on Aug. 2 and begin their Synk: Complaexit
Ok Taecyeon of 2PM announced an Asia fanmeet tour this fall with confirmed stops in Taipei and Beijing in October and Macao in November; he will also join 2PM for 'The Return' concerts in Incheon next month
Hybe's girl-group collaboration "Iconic By Mistake" — by Le Sserafim, Illit and Katseye — hit 100 million Spotify streams 41 days after release, ranks on global and Billboard charts, and its music video nears 100M; Le Sserafim is on the Japan leg of its tour, while Katseye and Illit have upcoming singles
K-pop group ENHYPEN appeared on a vampire storytelling panel with Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke and cast members at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23, marking a cross‑genre appearance at the major pop‑culture event
![[Graphic News] Foreign spending in S. Korea hits fresh high in May](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/07/23/news-p.v1.20260723.009d352927bd406cba074d6dba7ed453_T1.gif)
Foreign tourist credit-card spending in South Korea reached a record 1.41 trillion won ($913M) in May — the third straight month above 1 trillion won. The article notes earlier spikes were linked to BTS concerts, but May’s high arrived even without BTS shows, suggesting tourism is stabilizing
idntt scored their second Music Bank trophy for “Kids Return,” beating i-dle’s “Gimme Dat Love” with 9,182 points on the July 24 episode. Performers included fromis_9, Hyolyn, Sunmi, TVXQ’s Yunho, Wonho, BBGIRLS, LOONA’s Yeojin and more
A summer-style roundup inspired by K-pop stars — including BTS’ j-hope, aespa’s Karina, IVE’s An Yu-jin, LE SSERAFIM’s Kim Chae Won, ITZY’s Ryujin, and TWICE’s Jihyo — recommends hats, breathable cuts, athletic wear, light fabrics, crochet tops, and messy buns to stay cool
WayV announced their 2026 concert tour "BORN THIS Way," featuring members Kun, Xiaojun, Hendery, and YangYang, kicking off with Seoul shows at KBS Arena on Sept 12–13. They also plan a comeback on Aug 10 with their eighth mini album "Vision Wings." Ticket sales via Ticketlink follow fan-club pre-sales
Taemin has revealed a teaser for his 2026–2027 world tour 'LiMiNaL', a concept inspired by the Latin 'limen' to signal transformation. He will also return with the album 'PHASE 1 : Soft Violence' set for release on August 31 at 6 p.m. KST; tour dates are TBA
ifeye's Bangkok stop of their 1st APAC TOUR 'If I,' scheduled for July 25, was canceled due to organizer-side issues; Hi-Hat Entertainment said the decision was unrelated to the artist and directed fans to the organizer for refunds and compensation details
