[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa earns 3 Guinness World Records

Lisa of Blackpink set three new world records last year, the Guinness World Records said Tuesday. “Guinness World Records can confirm that in 2022, Lisa achieved three more record titles to add to her collection,” it said. She already has two records for the music video for her first solo song “Lalisa” from 2021. She is the first K-pop solo act to win at the MTV Video Music Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards for the Best K-pop prize. The third record is for her dominance

K-popJan. 26, 2023

Epik High to return with new album 'Strawberry'

South Korean hip-hop trio Epik High is making a return with its new album “Strawberry” on Feb. 1. "Strawberry" comes one year after the release of Epik High’s 10th full-length album “Epik High Is Here Part 2” last February. The album comprises five tracks including the titular track “Strawberry” and side tracks “On My Way,” “Catch,” “Down Bad Freestyle,” and “God’s Latte.” This is the trio&#

K-popJan. 26, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Taeyang, Jimin collab hits Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 76

Taeyang of Big Bang debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 as a solo musician with “Vibe,” ranking No. 76 on the chart. The collaboration with Jimin of BTS is Taeyang’s first entry on the chart on his own. It was No. 9 on Billboard’s Global Excl. the US chart. “Vibe” hit the UK’s Official Singles Chart Top 100 at No. 96 and Billboard Japan’s Hot 100 at No. 35. The digital single came out on Jan. 13 and topped iTunes top songs charts in 100 regions a

K-popJan. 25, 2023

SHINee’s Key to return with 2nd repackaged album 'Killer'

Key of SHINee is making a comeback with his second repackaged album “Killer” on Feb. 13, according to SM Entertainment. The comeback comes six months after the release of Key’s second solo studio album “Gasoline” last August. The album is comprised of three new tracks including the titular track “Killer” and side tracks “Heartless” and “Easy.” It also includes 11 tracks from Key’s second full-length album including “Ga

K-popJan. 25, 2023

K-pop industry aims for a bigger piece of pie through 'glocalization'

The K-pop industry is strategically expanding its wings beyond the Asian continent to unexplored markets such as the Middle East and the American continent. Following the success of globalization that dates back to the early 2000s, when singer BoA and boy group TVXQ successfully broke into the Japanese market, K-pop entertainment agencies have now moved on to full-fledged “glocalization” strategies by accentuating the originality of Korean culture and localizing their idol groups. Gl

K-popJan. 25, 2023

'Fandom romanization': K-pop sets new rules for Hangeul globalization

Do you know what "ah-shot-chu" means? Recently, Hoshi of the K-pop group Seventeen used the phrase in a Weverse message, and Zee, who provides English translations of the group's messages via Twitter, said she had a hard time deciphering the meaning. "I never heard of it until then, but could get the gist that it was a drink due to the word 'shot.' After researching, I found out it's 'shot added to iced tea,'" Zee, who runs the biggest translatio

K-popJan. 25, 2023

Top K-pop idols to return from military this year

All able-bodied South Korean men are obligated to serve in the military, with even the biggest K-pop superstars no exception. Unlike in the past, when conscription essentially meant a career death sentence for K-pop idols, many singers now return back to their group after serving approximately 18 to 22 months of duty to embark on a fresh new journey. This year greets a string of K-pop musicians from big groups returning to civilian society. Victon's Han Seung-woo, also the brother of singer

K-popJan. 23, 2023

[Herald Review] Enhypen makes dome debut with 'Manifesto' in Japan

K-pop boy band Enhypen made a magnificent dome debut in Japan's Osaka, leaving an unforgettable mark in their journey. The seven-piece group held concerts at Kyocera Dome in Osaka over the weekend. The gigs were conducted as part of the act's first world tour "Manifesto" that has been running since September. The act's dome debut comes two years since its debut in November 2020 and a year and a half since its Japan debut in July 2021. And it was a successful dome debut

K-popJan. 23, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] aespa to host 1st concert in February

Super rookie group aespa will hold its first standalone concerts on Feb. 25 and 26, SM Entertainment announced Friday. Under the title “Synk: Hyper Line,” the two-day gig will be held in Seoul and be a showcase of both its hit songs and never-before-seen performances. The second day’s live show will be broadcast online as well for fans across the world. Separately, the foursome is set to become the first K-pop group to perform at the Governors Ball Music Festival 2023 in New Y

K-popJan. 20, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS reenters Billboard 200 with 2017 EP

BTS reclaimed a spot on Billboard 200 with its fifth EP from 2017, according to the chart dated Jan. 21. EP “LOVE YOURSELF ‘Her’” ranked No. 13 on the albums chart, reentering the chart for the first time in over four years. The EP debuted on the chart at No. 7, the highest spot for an Asian musician at the time, and stayed on the chart for 29 weeks. Main track “DNA” peaked at No. 67 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and “MIC Drop Remix” came in at No.

K-popJan. 19, 2023

What will BTS' Jin do as a drill instructor?

Last December, Jin of BTS officially enlisted for duty, the first of the seven members. Jin has completed five weeks of training at a front-line infantry division boot camp in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, and has been assigned as an assistant drill instructor as his permanent military position. The assistant instructor's main responsibility is to discipline recruits and demonstrate training exercises. Only a handful are selected at each division, and the position requires strict qualificat

K-popJan. 19, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] NewJeans makes 1st entry on Billboard’s Hot 100

NewJeans hit Billboard’s Hot 100 for the first time with “Ditto,” a pre-release track from the single album “OMG.” “Ditto” debuted on the chart at No. 96, about six months since the rookie girl group’s debut. It is a record time for a K-pop artist to hit the main singles chart. Last week, “Ditto” hit UK’s Official Singles Chart Top 100 at No. 95 and ranked No. 11 on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs Global chart. “Ditto&rdqu

K-popJan. 18, 2023

NCT 127 to hold virtual concert in Roblox

NCT 127 is launching a virtual concert in collaboration with Roblox. SM Entertainment on Wednesday announced NCT 127 will hold a global virtual concert, "The NCT 127 Concert Experience," in the metaverse space of Roblox. Along with the platform's developer Roblox Corp., the nine-piece K-pop band will launch the first-ever K-pop concert inside the metaverse space. From Jan. 28-30, the concert will take place every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Korean time, allowing fans from around

K-popJan. 18, 2023

NewJeans’ ‘Ditto’ lands on Billboard Hot 100 at No. 96

NewJeans, the fresh K-pop sensation, has placed its track “Ditto” on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time among the fourth generation K-pop groups. “Ditto,” the side track from its latest single album “OMG,” hit the chart dated Jan. 21 at No. 96. Such an accomplishment comes only within a year since its debut on last August. The success of the track “Ditto” comes as its streaming gradually accumulated ever since its release on Dec. 19. Previous

K-popJan. 18, 2023

Aespa to perform in New York in June

Aespa will be taking the stage at New York's Governors Ball Music Festival this summer. SM Entertainment on Wednesday announced that the girl group has been invited to the annual festival, becoming the first female K-pop act to perform at event. This year's Governors Ball is set to take place on June 9-11 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, with Lizzo, Odesza and Kendrick Lamar among the headlining artists. According to the performers lineup unveiled by the festival on Tuesday,

K-popJan. 18, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] SHINee’s Key to return as solo next month: report

Key of SHINee will bring out a reissue of his second solo studio album in February, according to a local media report on Tuesday. Label SM Entertainment confirmed the news following the report. It has been about six months since he released LP “Gasoline” that topped iTunes top albums chart in 24 regions. The veteran idol held solo concerts in Seoul in October and in Yokohama the following month. It was his first solo concert in Japan in about four years. In March, he will host conce

K-popJan. 17, 2023

Late-night KBS music talk show legacy returns in 'The Seasons-Jay Park's Drive'

Cheeky and fresh is how public broadcaster KBS wants to make over its 30-year legacy of late-night music talk shows, with the first new version of “The Seasons,” starting next month. The program will be a one-year project divided into four different seasons, each hosted by different stars. The first season, “The Seasons-Jay Park’s Drive,” will be led by the Korean singer and rapper Jay Park. It is the first time for Jay Park to host a music program for a local broad

K-popJan. 17, 2023

Cignature paints a colorful palette with 'My Little Aurora'

Ending a hiatus that had stretched over a year, Cignature marked a long-awaited return Tuesday. The K-pop girl group on Tuesday dropped its third EP, "My Little Aurora." Ahead of the album's release at 6 p.m. that day, the act conducted an online press conference. Cignature consists of Chaesol, Jeewon, Seline, Chloe, Belle, Semi and Dohee. "I'm nervous but it feels good. We've waited a long time -- and our fans also -- and we worked hard so that we could live up to

K-popJan. 17, 2023

'We fight because we love': Choi Yena taps into her raw, honest emotions in love

Love is not always pink, and oftentimes it brings out a raw side of us that even we had not been aware ourselves. With her first single "Love War," solo musician Choi Yena looks into such an unrefined side of herself that comes out during a heated romance. On Monday, just a day before her first anniversary, Yena dropped her first single "Love War." Ahead of the record's release at 6 p.m. that day, Yena conducted a press conference in Seoul on Monday afternoon. "Love

K-popJan. 17, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jimin to release solo album: report

Jimin of BTS is set to drop his first solo album in February, according to a local media report Monday. Big Hit Music said that it would announce the specific date as soon as it is confirmed, following the report. Jimin will become the fourth member of the septet to put out solo work, following J-Hope, Jin and RM. The artist collaborated with Ha Sungwoon for the drama theme song “With You,” putting it atop iTunes top songs chart in 100 regions in record time. Along with Jin, V and J

K-popJan. 16, 2023