Stray Kids return boldly, confident in 'Do It'

Stray Kids are known for their genre-spanning sound, from electronic dance music and hip-hop to traditional Korean instruments. Now the K-pop juggernaut is extending its musical vision through a new music series, titled "SKZ It Tape." The new series comes in an album format that falls outside the traditional mini or full-length dichotomy, allowing Stray Kids to explore music more freely outside the conventional album structure. Marking the first album is "SKZ It Tape 'Do It'," which hits music p

Nov. 21, 2025

Close Your Eyes uploads performance video for 'Sob'

Boy band Close Your Eyes unveiled a dance video for “Sob” on Wednesday, via agency Uncore. The seven bandmates, along with a crew of 42 dancers wearing masks, demonstrated choreography for the song, which is one of two focus tracks from the group's third EP, “Blackout.” The group brought out the mini album earlier this month and sold more than half a million copies in a week, hitting a career-high. It also scored first place three times on TV music chart shows with “X,” also from the six-track s

Nov. 21, 2025

Illit recognized by Japan Record Awards again

Illit won the Excellent Work Award from Japan Record Awards for its first Japanese-language single “Almond Chocolate,” the group's agency Belift Lab announced Friday. The award is given for the 10 best songs each year, which become candidates for the grand prize to be announced on Dec. 30. The group’s song is the only entry from a group outside Japan. Although Illit has yet to officially debut in Japan, it picked up the rookie artist award last year after its huge success with debut single “Magn

Nov. 21, 2025

Twice’s Chaeyoung to miss tour due to health reasons

Chaeyoung of Twice will suspend activities for the time being, JYP Entertainment said Thursday. The artist was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, or fainting, recently and was told to focus on her treatment and recovery. Her agency conveyed that she is deeply sorry to miss the group’s live shows for the remainder of this year, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Bangkok. She also apologized again for having to miss fan events and concerts in Australia. The shows are part of the nine-member group’

Nov. 21, 2025

BTS’ Jin to take solo concert to the big screen

Jin of BTS will invite fans to revel in his solo show again through a concert film coming to cinemas on Dec. 31, Big Hit Music announced Thursday. “#RunSeokjin_Ep.Tour the Movie” will give cinemagoers a close look at a concert held in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, in June, with Jin singing and dancing and enjoying a series of missions on stage. It will also give a peek at the artist backstage before and after the gig. The film will be released in approximately 1,800 theaters in 70 countries. Separa

Nov. 21, 2025

More than 70,000 sign petition to cancel Aespa performance in Japan over Chinese member

More than 70,000 people have signed a petition calling for the cancellation of K-pop girl group Aespa's performance at Japan’s most prominent year-end music show over the inclusion of its Chinese member, Ningning. The petition, posted Monday, specifically targeted the NHK Red and White Singing Contest, one of Japan’s most-watched year-end programs. It argued that Aespa’s appearance could damage Japan’s image and offend those affected by historical tragedies. “We demand the suspension of Aespa’s

Nov. 20, 2025

Kyuhyun's 'Classic' to warm colder months

When the cold sets in, music steps up as a quiet refuge. At times, a soft melody can make a chilly morning feel warmer and the quietest night feel snug. Just in time for the frosty season, Super Junior's main vocalist Kyuhyun drops his sixth mini album, "The Classic," on Thursday at 6 p.m. The EP marks a new musical project for the balladeer, nearly a year after his last full-length album, "Colors," in November 2024. The five-track package is packed with ballads that feel timeless, blended with

Nov. 20, 2025

NCT’s Doyoung teams up with Kiss of Life’s Bell: report

Doyoung and Jungwoo of NCT are expected to drop solo singles before they enlist. Both are enlisting on Dec. 8: Doyoung as an active duty soldier in the army and Jungwoo as a member of its marching band. Jungwoo will unveil his first-ever solo release later this month, and Doyoung will release his second solo single in December, according to local media reports Wednesday and Thursday. The latter will feature Kiss of Life member Bell, raising expectations for both the single and the collaboration

Nov. 20, 2025

Chuu to bring out 1st LP in January

Chuu is preparing to release her first solo full-length album in January, her agency ATRP said Thursday. She will expand her musical spectrum, reflecting her deepening understanding of music beyond her bright and lovely image, the management company added. Chuu has been building up her solo career starting with her first EP “Howl” from 2021. In April, she put out her third EP, “Only Cry in the Rain.” The singer has also branched out into acting, play a supporting role in drama series “My Girlfri

Nov. 20, 2025

Twice’s Chaeyoung sings with rapper Sokomodo

Chaeyoung of Twice has reunited with rapper Sokomodo on the single “Wake Up,” which is set to drop Thursday, according to her label JYP Entertainment and his agency Standard Friends. The joint effort is the main track for his new album “Scorpio000-·.” The two collaborated for first studio album “Lil Fantasy Vol. 1,” writing lyrics together for focus track “Shoot (Firecracker)” and side track “BF.” Meanwhile, Chaeyoung is to perform in Kaohsiung, Taiwan over the coming weekend on Twice’s tour “Th

Nov. 20, 2025

BTS’ Jungkook passes 200m Spotify streams with ‘Please Don’t Go’

Jungkook of BTS amassed 200 million plays on Spotify with his solo single “Please Don’t Change,” Big Hit Music said Thursday. It is his 12th solo effort to accomplish the feat and the fifth from his first solo set, “Golden,” to do so. “Please Don’t Change” is a side track from the album that rolled out in November 2023. The album added another week on Spotify’s Weekly Top Albums Global Chart at No. 76, extending its record stay on the chart to 105 weeks, the longest run for a K-pop solo album. E

Nov. 20, 2025

Will Alpha Drive One follow success of Zerobaseone?

Hype is building up among K-pop fans that a new idol juggernaut may be emerging, as Alpha Drive One readies its first single set for release next month, ahead of an official debut early next year. The K-pop project group was formed through the second season of Mnet's male audition program "Boys Planet" in late September. The top eight contestants were chosen by popular vote during the final live broadcast. A total of 160 K-pop idol wannabes had participated in the show, which started on July 17.

Nov. 19, 2025

Police summon Hybe chair 5 times in ongoing probe over alleged pre-IPO stock fraud

Amid the ongoing investigation into alleged pre-IPO stock fraud by Bang Si-hyuk, the founder and chair of K-pop powerhouse Hybe, police have summoned him for questioning five times, according to reports Tuesday. The Seoul Metropolitan Policy Agency's financial crime investigation unit questioned Bang on Nov. 5 and has since summoned him two more times for additional questioning. Officials stated that the second round of questioning, which took place on Nov. 5, was not completed, which is why he

Nov. 18, 2025

[Exclusive] G-Dragon’s agency Galaxy Corp. prepares to open Indian branch

Galaxy Corp., the entertainment tech company driven by artificial intelligence that is known for managing K-pop star G-Dragon and producing Netflix series “Physical: 100,” is planning to open a branch in India, though the exact date has not been announced. According to an industry source, the company is studying the Indian market as it prepares to open its fourth overseas branch, following those in Japan, the US and Hong Kong. The company also operates a Singapore office, but it is not a legal e

Nov. 18, 2025

Can K-pop triumph in India’s vast, diverse market?

India, home to some 1.46 billion people, has recently emerged as a potential new frontier for K-pop, with a looming opportunity to replace China as the region’s growth market. Yet questions remain about how K-pop can navigate the country’s vast geography, linguistic diversity, varied religions and strong cultural pride. In September, South Korea’s largest entertainment company Hybe announced its entry into India, marking its fifth overseas branch, following Japan, North America, Latin America an

Nov. 18, 2025