Yena's new single ‘Nemo Nemo' presents clever metaphor for love

Yena is back with her third single album, “Nemo Nemo,” eight months after releasing “Good Morning” in January. The title Nemo Nemo, derived from the Korean word for "square," serves as a metaphor for love’s complex emotions. “Everyone defines or expresses love differently, and this album represents that feeling using a square as a metaphor,” Yena said during a press conference held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Monday. The title track, also called &

K-popOct. 1, 2024

Blackpink's Jennie to release new single ‘Mantra’

Jennie, a member of the renowned K-pop girl group Blackpink who is also a successful solo artist, is making her highly anticipated return with a new single, “Mantra,” on Oct. 11. This comeback comes for the first time in a year since her last solo digital single, “You & Me,” which was released in October 2023, according to her agency, OA Entertainment. Jennie shared the news on Tuesday on her official website and provided links for fans to presave the upcoming track o

K-popOct. 1, 2024

Big Hit Music to launch hip-hop training program ‘Hit It Base 2024’

Big Hit Music, the music label home to K-pop phenomenon BTS, will launch the specialized hip-hop training program for teenage boys, “Hit It Base 2024,” the company said Monday. The training program, which will run from Nov. 9 to Dec. 15, offers aspiring male hip-hop artists in their teens an opportunity to receive free professional training from songwriting, stage preparation and styling experts. The program culminates in a live performance at the “Final Show” on Dec. 15,

K-popSept. 30, 2024

NewJeans fans corner Hybe amid PR backlash, looming National Assembly audit

Hybe, the parent company of NewJeans’ agency Ador, is facing increasing pressure in its ongoing conflict with the subsidiary's former CEO Min Hee-jin. On Monday, the girl group’s dedicated fan base, known as Bunnies, announced plans to file a complaint against Hybe’s top executives for breach of trust. The complaint stems from concerns over the company’s handling of NewJeans’ promotions and achievements. One of the group's members, Hanni, may also attend n

K-popSept. 30, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa to drop new single next week

Lisa of Blackpink surprised fans by unveiling her upcoming solo single onstage at the Global Citizen Festival in New York on Sunday. She hit the stage at Central Park to headline the charity event with Post Malone and Doja Cat, performing her solo repertoire from "Lalisa" and "Money" to "Rockstar" and "New Woman." Also included in the list was “Moonlit Floor,” which will be rolled out Oct. 4, sampling Sixpence None the Richer’s 1997 hit

K-popSept. 30, 2024

Psy's touch or new trend in music? P Nation’s solo stars lose their shine

Many K-pop chart-toppers who joined Psy’s P Nation in recent years are struggling to replicate the success they once enjoyed. Music critics point to Psy’s involvement in his artists’ music production and the current trend in music which shows a decline in the popularity of solo dance singers. P Nation, a small entertainment agency founded by Psy after he left YG Entertainment in 2018, quickly gained attention largely due to the "Gangnam Style" singer's global f

K-popSept. 30, 2024

Zerobaseone to perform 'Pokemon' theme song

Boy band Zerobaseone will sing the opening theme song for the popular Japanese TV anime "Pokemon." On Oct. 11, Zerobaseone will release its Japanese digital single “Only One Story." This song has been selected as the opening theme for the latest series of the popular Japanese TV anime "Pokemon." The series airs Fridays at 6:55 p.m. on TV Tokyo. "Pokemon," one of the most successful Japanese anime series, enjoys immense global popularity. Zerobaseone'

K-popSept. 30, 2024

P1Harmony opens pop-up store worldwide

Boy band P1Harmony will delight global fans with additional pop-up stores at home and abroad, celebrating the release of its latest album. P1Harmony opened a pop-up store from Sept. 20 to 26 to celebrate the release of its seventh mini album, "Sad Song," at the Hyundai Department Store Sinchon U-Plex in Seoul. Following the successful completion of pop-up stores in five US cities -- including Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas, as well as Berlin -- pop-up stores will also be held in Japan

K-popSept. 30, 2024

BTS’ Suga fined W15m for e-scooter DUI

Suga of K-pop boy band BTS was fined 15 million won ($11,468) for driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol. Judge Lee Yoo-seop of the Seoul Western District Court has imposed the fine on Friday in a summary judgement –- a legal decision made by a judge without a full trial, usually applied to cases deemed relatively minor allowing for a quicker resolution. The amount is identical to the penalty previously requested by prosecutors. Suga has the right to request a formal tr

K-popSept. 30, 2024

[Herald Interview] Vanner sings about ordeal of being young in 3rd EP ‘Burn’

K-pop boy group Vanner returns to the music scene with its third EP, “Burn,” on Monday, in which it sings about the hardships that youth face on their journeys to realize their dreams. Such difficulties are familiar to the group that debuted in 2019, shortly before COVID-19 pandemic brought things to a standstill. "We did not get a chance to perform. But winning on JTBC’s idol survival program ‘Peak Time’ last year, we began to garner a lot of love from the pub

K-popSept. 30, 2024

Ateez 1st K-pop artist to perform at Paris' La Defense Arena

Popular K-pop boy group Ateez is set to continue its world tour, “Towards the Light: Will to Power,” in Europe. According to KQ Entertainment, Ateez will be visiting nine countries in Europe for a total of 12 shows from January to February 2025, kicking off the European leg of its world tour in France. It will be the first time for Ateez to perform standalone concerts in Lyon, Zurich, Manchester, Barcelona and Cologne. Ateez will make history as the first K-pop artist to hold a stand

K-popSept. 29, 2024

Who's lying? Hybe vs. Min conflict continues to intensify

The conflict between Hybe and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin continues to intensify, with both parties clashing over another round of allegations. A day after Ador rejected NewJeans' request to reinstate Min as CEO on Wednesday, a local media outlet released an exclusive interview with Min. In the interview, Min revealed that Hybe had offered her money in May on the condition that she leave the company. “After winning the injunction against the extraordinary shareholders' meeting in

K-popSept. 27, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Rose cinches deal with Atlantic Records

Rose of Blackpink signed with Atlantic Records for her upcoming solo music, her agency The Black Label said Friday. The Warner Music affiliate is home to several artists including Bruno Mars, Cold Play and Ed Sheeran. To celebrate her deal, the American label sent her a huge bouquet of red roses with a note saying: “Welcome to the family!” She rolled out the solo single “R” in March 2021 as the second member of the group to have a solo album. The album sold over 280,000

K-popSept. 27, 2024

Stray Kids to perform at American Music Awards

The American Music Awards announced Friday that Stray Kids will perform at this year's ceremony on Oct. 6. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the AMA is considered one of the top four major music awards of the US, alongside the Grammy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards. Stray Kids will be the second K-pop group to perform on the American Music Awards stage, following BTS, who first appeared on the show in 2017. Last year, Stray Kids won the Top K-pop Albu

K-popSept. 27, 2024

Dragon Pony drops debut album, portraying incomplete yet passionate youth

On Thursday Indie music powerhouse Antenna’s new band Dragon Pony dropped its first album “Pop Up," full of ambition to lead the future Korean band scene. The new quintet consists of vocalist An Tae-gyu, guitarist Kwon Se-hyuk, Bassist Pyun Sung-hyun and drummer Ko Gang-hun. "Our slogan is ‘The hot music of imperfect boys,’ and we think this phrase best represents us. We will continue to show intense energy through songs that capture our honest emotions," e

K-popSept. 27, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] NCT’s Jaehyun to enlist in November: report

Jaehyun of NCT will enlist on Nov. 4 and serve his mandatory military duty, according to a local media report Thursday. He will do so as a member of the Army band until his discharge in May 2026. Label SM Entertainment confirmed the news adding that he applied for the military band and was accepted. The idol debuted as a member of NCT and will be the second to enlist after Taeyong who has been enlisted as part of the naval band since April. He released his first solo album “J” last

K-popSept. 26, 2024

Power of nostalgia brings K-pop legends back together

Several iconic K-pop groups, once chart-toppers both in Korea and abroad, are making long-awaited comebacks after years of hiatus. Music insiders attribute this trend to the resurgence of retro pop, which has reignited fans' desire to see their favorite K-pop idols reunite. Many former top K-pop bands have either paused their activities or disbanded for reasons such as legal disputes, contract expirations, or simply by choice, and some of the members pursue their solo career. However, even

K-popSept. 26, 2024

NewJeans has few options after Ador rejects group's request to reinstate Min Hee-jin as CEO

Ador, the K-pop agency behind NewJeans and a subsidiary of Hybe, confirmed on Wednesday that it will not honor the girl group’s request to reinstate former CEO Min Hee-jin. The agency cited its adherence to Hybe's principle of separating management and production. However, Ador said Min could continue as both an internal director and NewJeans’ producer. "The board has resolved to convene an extraordinary shareholders' meeting to reappoint Min Hee-jin as an internal dir

K-popSept. 25, 2024

Rising rookies Kiss of Life to release 3rd EP next month

K-pop girl group Kiss of Life is gearing up for a new release next month, following its impressive summer hit “Sticky,” a digital single with an infectious Afrobeat rhythm. S2 Entertainment announced Wednesday that the group will drop “Lose Yourself,” its third EP, on Oct. 15. Leading up to the album's release, a prerelease track is set to launch Oct. 4. The announcement came with a teaser image shared on the group’s official social media channels, featuring th

K-popSept. 25, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa to tour Asia in November: report

Lisa of Blackpink will visit fans in Asia for the first time on her own in November, according to a local media report Wednesday. She will be hosting fan meetups in the region with plans to visit Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kaohsiung and Hong Kong in mid-November, the report said. The artist, as a solo act, won the Best K-Pop Award from the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards with “Rockstar” earlier this month and is set to headline the Global Citizen Festival in New York this weekend. &l

K-popSept. 25, 2024