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K-pop’s growing dialogue with gugak: Is Korea’s pop juggernaut seeking its roots?
With the breakout Netflix hit “KPop Demon Hunters” — whose soundtrack “Golden” became the first K-pop song by a female singer to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — global viewers found themselves captivated not only by the storyline but also by the film’s rich infusion of Korean traditional culture. Among the highlights was the soundtrack’s use of gugak elements, particularly in “Hunter Mantra,” a track built on traditional timbres and chanting techniques. Ejae, one of the three songwriters
Nov. 14, 2025 -
TXT’s Yeonjun sells 600,000 copies of 1st solo set
The first solo album from Tomorrow X Together’s Yeonjun sold more than 600,000 copies in its first week, label Big Hit Music said Friday, citing a local tally. The EP titled “No Labels: Part 01” claimed the No. 25 spot in first-week sales for K-pop solo albums listed by Hanteo Chart. The mini album logged approximately 540,000 in sales on its day of release and topped the iTunes Top Albums Chart in 15 regions, while the lead single “Talk to You” ranked atop its Top Songs Chart in six regions. Th
Nov. 14, 2025 -
Despite restrictions, K-pop idols steadily make their mark in China
K-pop idols have been notably active in mainland China, even as South Korea's Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange appears to downplay the possibility of Beijing lifting its unofficial Hallyu ban following South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping's summit meeting early this month. Newbeat, a K-pop rookie group under Beat Interactive, recently signed a management deal with Modern Sky, a leading music label in China with some 160 artists and operations sp
Nov. 14, 2025 -
Yim Siwan to release 1st solo album
Singer and actor Yim Siwan will bring out his first solo album on Dec. 5, announced agency SMArt on Friday. He joined forces with Kang Ta, who heads the SM Entertainment affiliate as producer, on the EP “The Reason,” which will be the first production from the new label. The mini album will consist of five tracks reflecting his musical taste and sensibilities. Yim debuted as a member of Ze:A in 2010, a team of nine that disbanded in 2017. He ventured into acting in 2021 in the historical drama “
Nov. 14, 2025 -
Illit tops 700m Spotify streams in record time with debut track
Illit surpassed 700 million streams on Spotify with its debut song “Magnetic,” said agency Belift Lab, citing the platform’s tally. The single hit the milestone in the shortest time for a debut song from a K-pop singer, adding to the quintet’s list of achievements. “Magnetic” is the main track from its first EP, “Super Real Me,” which was released last year. The breakout hit reached both Billboard’s Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Top 100, making K-pop history, at No. 91 and at No. 80, respe
Nov. 14, 2025 -
Cha Eunwoo to unveil music video for B-side track
Cha Eunwoo of Astro will soon release a music video for a B-side track from his upcoming second solo EP, his agency Fantagio announced on Thursday. He is set to release the EP “Else” on Nov. 21 along with a music video for the lead single “Saturday Preacher.” A week after the album drop, the music video for B-side track “Sweet Papaya” will be unveiled. As the poster for the additional music video suggests, “Sweet Papaya” will be tinged with tropical vibes, a sharp contrast to the focus track, a
Nov. 14, 2025 -
'Spotify House Seoul' brings playlists to life with live shows and interactive zones
Spotify is hosting “Spotify House Seoul” from Thursday to Saturday at Anderson C in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul, offering music fans a mix of live performances and interactive experiences. Returning for its second year, the event transforms the venue into an immersive space where music, creativity and innovation converge. Daytime programs will feature interactive zones inspired by Spotify’s platform features, while evening concerts will require prior registration. Visitors can explore zones show
Nov. 13, 2025 -
Is NewJeans a girl group divided?
Despite public announcements from all five bandmates in NewJeans on Wednesday that they intend to resume activities with Ador, the dispute between the group and its agency remains unresolved — and increasingly complex. The process of their “return” has exposed fault lines not only between the band and the agency, but also among the members themselves. Haerin and Hyein, the two youngest, announced their return through an official statement with Ador, while Minji, Hanni and Danielle made their ann
Nov. 13, 2025 -
Kiss of Life to sing Japan debut single in Korean
Kiss of Life announced Thursday that it will unveil the Korean-language version of its Japan debut song, “Lucky,” on Nov. 18, via agency S2 Entertainment. In a teaser image shared via social media, the four members gaze confidently at the camera in front of a classic automobile, reflecting the self-assured ambience of the single. “Lucky” fronted Kiss of Life's debut EP in Japan, “Tokyo Mission Start,” which was released Nov. 5 and entered Oricon’s Daily Album Ranking at No. 9. The group will go
Nov. 13, 2025 -
Enhypen covers Justin Bieber carol
Enhypen rearranged Justin Bieber’s 2011 hit carol, “Mistletoe,” agency Belift Lab and Apple Music announced on Thursday. The group added sweet harmony to Bieber’s original song, which ranked No. 11 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and was the lead single from his first and only holiday set, “Under the Mistletoe.” “The lyrics, so sweet and giving you butterflies, felt close to how our fans look at us,” said the bandmates. Its fresh take is available exclusively on Apple Music as part of the music platform
Nov. 13, 2025 -
Riize amasses 1b views on YouTube channel
Riize has racked up more than 1 billion views on its official YouTube channel, according to label SM Entertainment on Thursday. The band reached the milestone within two years of launch. The view count does not include the group's music videos uploaded separately to the SMTown YouTube channel. The most recent addition to Riize's YouTube library is “Pre-alize,” a series of videos that give fans a sneak peek at its upcoming single “Fame,” such as moments from recording sessions and dance practices
Nov. 13, 2025 -
TXT’s Yeonjun lands atop Oricon chart with 1st solo EP
The first solo EP from Yeonjun of Tomorrow X Together headed straight to the No. 1 spot on Oricon’s Daily Album Ranking. The main track “Talk to you” ranked No. 7 on its Daily Digital Single Ranking while the EP “No Labels: Part 01” sold over half a million on the day of release. Rolling Stone UK praised the EP as “an accomplished and well-crafted debut album,” adding that the idol has “got the star-power gravitas to make all his hard-work … look effortless.” On Thursday in the US, Yeonjun is se
Nov. 13, 2025 -
Minji, Hanni, Danielle reportedly to continue with Ador, agency says 'still verifying'
Minji, Hanni and Danielle of NewJeans have reportedly expressed their intention to continue with Ador, following Haerin and Hyein’s earlier announcement that they would resume activities under the label. According to multiple local media reports Wednesday, the three bandmates have announced via the law firm Hanil Law Corporation, “After careful discussions, we have decided to return to Ador.” They added, “One of our members is currently in Antarctica, which delayed communication, and since Ador
Nov. 12, 2025 -
NewJeans' Haerin, Hyein to continue with Ador
Two members of NewJeans — Haerin and Hyein — plan to return to Ador, a music label under Hybe, the agency said Wednesday. In a post on its official X account, Ador stated: “NewJeans members Haerin and Hyein have expressed their intention to continue their activities with Ador. After careful discussions with their families and the company, they have decided to respect the court’s ruling and abide by their exclusive contracts.” The agency added, “Ador will do its utmost to ensure that Haerin and H
Nov. 12, 2025 -
Gayageum artist Kim Do-yeon on K-pop and gugak: 'True fusion comes from deep understanding, not decoration'
When K-pop artists sprinkle bits of traditional Korean instrumentation or melodies into their music, audiences often call it “fusion.” But for Kim Do-yeon, a 34-year-old gayageum player and vocalist leading a jazz quintet in New York, the term feels outdated. “Fusion and crossover were meaningful once, but we’ve gone beyond that,” Kim said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Oct. 21. “Today, music is fluid. Genres interact all the time — but real harmony only happens when artists truly unde
Nov. 12, 2025