Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi ends longtime contract with Hook Entertainment

Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi has left his longtime agency Hook Entertainment after a payment dispute for digital streams of his songs. Lee Seung-gi notified Hook Entertainment that their exclusive contract has been nullified, according to industry sources on Thursday. This comes after the star released an official statement through his legal representation, the law firm Bae, Kim & Lee, on Nov. 24 denouncing the agency for not having once made a payment for his song’s digital streams o

K-popDec. 2, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Big Bang’s Taeyang to return as a solo artist after 5 years: report

    Taeyang of Big Bang will make a comeback as a solo musician with an album in January, according to a local media report on Friday. “Nothing has been confirmed yet,” said the singer's label YG Entertainment following the report. His last solo release was his third studio album “White Night” which dropped in August 2017. He released “Louder,” a track for the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Games, in January 2018, as honorary ambassador for the event.

K-popDec. 2, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] HyunA, Dawn split after 6 years

HyunA and Dawn have decided to go their separate ways after dating for six years. HyunA broke the news to her fans via Instagram. “We decided to remain as good friends and colleagues from now on,” she said, thanking fans for supporting them. Dawn “liked” the post. The two started dating in 2016 and went public with their relationship in 2018. HyunA debuted as a member of Wonder Girls in 2007 and after a brief stint as part of 4Minute, went solo. Dawn was a member of Pent

K-popDec. 1, 2022

Maroon 5 makes grand return to S. Korea after 4 years

American pop-rock band Maroon 5 made a grand return to South Korea on Wednesday night, almost four years after their last concert in the country. As soon as the lights went off at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, signaling the beginning of the long-awaited concert, the audience's whistles, claps and cries of joy filled the air. Maroon 5 kicked it off with the hit “Moves Like Jagger” — a dance-pop piece that pumped up the atmosphere. The 22,000 attendees danced and sang along to

K-popDec. 1, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] New BTS documentary will come to Disney+

A new documentary film on BTS will be released via Disney+, the bandmates told media via a video clip at the APAC Disney Content Showcase held in Singapore on Wednesday. The documentary, “BTS The Monument: Beyond The Star,” will chronicle the growth of the band and take a close look at its music, said Suga. It will contain their blood, sweat and tears, RM added. The streaming service is also planning to produce a documentary on J-Hope surrounding the birth of his solo album. Separat

K-popNov. 30, 2022

[Herald Interview] P1Harmony on music that speaks beyond language, spreads energy

With their feet stable on the ground in their third year, P1Harmony hoped they could further expand and make themselves known in the coming days. Marking the start of that journey is fifth EP "Harmony: Set In," released Wednesday. Before the album dropeed, the six-piece -- consisting of Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul and Jongseob -- invited local media for an interview Wednesday at the FNC Entertainment building in Seoul. "One of my personal goals was to drop three new albums, an

K-popNov. 30, 2022

Kara makes stunning full comeback at 2022 Mama Awards after seven years

K-pop girl group Kara made a stunning comeback Tuesday at the 2022 Mama Awards, performing “When I Move” from the group's new special album “Move Again.” The second-generation K-pop girl group kicked off the performance with a medley of past hits "Lupin," "Step" and "Mr.," bringing back old memories of their glory days. Despite a seven-year hiatus performing as full unit, the members of Kara synchronized perfectively when dancing to thei

K-popNov. 30, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Red Velvet’s EP tops iTunes chart in 44 regions

  Red Velvet’s new EP landed atop the iTunes top albums chart in 44 regions. EP “The ReVe Festival 2022 – Birthday” came out on Monday and swept up charts at home as well. All five songs from the EP hogged top spots on some of the domestic music charts. The album is the second installment from “The ReVe Festival 2022” series and sold more than 710,000 copies in preorders, a record for the group. The previous EP, “The ReVe Festival 2022 – Feel

K-popNov. 29, 2022

Chuu breaks silence after removal from Loona, denies any 'shameful acts'

Three days after she was ousted from Loona, Chuu has opened up for the first time about her ongoing dispute with BlockBerry Creative and denied committing "any shameful acts." Chuu on Monday evening posted a short statement in an Instagram story and addressed the controversy surrounding her and the management company for the first time since the issue broke out Friday. Stating she was still getting a grasp of the situation, Chuu said, "I wasn't contacted or have been aware of

K-popNov. 29, 2022

BTS’ Suga to launch his own talk show “Suchwita”

Suga, a member of K-Pop sensation BTS, will be launching his own talk show, “Suchwita,” via YouTube and Weverse next Monday, according to Big Hit Music. Suchwita, short for “time to get drunk with Suga” in Korean, is a talk show in which Suga invites celebrities over for a drink and conversations about all things music and more. “Suga, who is witty with his words, is expected to carry out in-depth talks with his guests and bring out the best in them,” Big Hit

K-popNov. 29, 2022

Back with 'Birthday,' Red Velvet sets career high in ninth year

Nine years into its career, K-pop act Red Velvet continues to set new records with every music release, this time, with their new album "The ReVe Festival 2022 - Birthday." On Monday, the quintet returned to the music scene with the new EP "Birthday." The release is the latest from the act's musical series "The ReVe Festival 2022," which kicked off in March with album "Feel My Rhythm." Ahead of dropping "Birthday," Red Velvet members -- Iren

K-popNov. 28, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Loona’s Chuu fired, band mired in controversy

Chuu of Loona became the focus of a battle over the truth, as her agency Blockberry Creative announced Friday that she had been fired for abusing staff. Chuu has stayed mum as of late Monday, but her manager told media they are assessing the situation and will release an official statement soon. There have already been voices from some staff members that have contradicted the company’s allegations. Chuu's bandmate Hyunjin took her side as well, telling fans to offer their support and love

K-popNov. 28, 2022

70,000 K-pop fans to flock to Osaka for 2022 Mama Awards

Once the biggest K-pop awards show in Asia, the Mama Awards are embarking on a journey to become a global music festival. Rebranded from the original Mnet Asian Music Awards, the 2022 Mama Awards will take place over two days, starting Tuesday at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan. CJ ENM, the local entertainment conglomerate organizing the awards, expects to see the awards' largest audience this year, with around 70,000 people anticipated to attend the show over the two days, and more global

K-popNov. 28, 2022

[EXCLUSIVE] 32nd Seoul Music Awards to be held on Jan. 19 in Seoul

The 32nd Seoul Music Awards will be held on Jan. 19, 2023, at the Olympic Park’s Olympic Gymnastics Arena located in Seoul, according to an industry insider. The Seoul Music Awards is one of the biggest annual music awards in the K-pop industry and has been hosted by the local newspaper Sports Seoul since 1990. The annual ceremony honors artists of diverse genres including ballad, hip-hop, R&B and bands that have been loved the public during the past year by evaluating their profession

K-popNov. 28, 2022

Lim Young-woong, Ive win big at MMA 2022

Singer Lim Young-woong and girl group Ive headlined this year's Melon Music Awards, each taking home multiple trophies including the awards' most-coveted grand prizes. The 2022 MMA took place at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Saturday night. This year's awards show marked the event's return to its home venue three years since it last held an offline ceremony there in December 2019 before the outbreak of the pandemic. Over the 4 1/2-hour ceremony, celebratory performances by

K-popNov. 27, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s ‘Kill This Love’ video tops 1.7b views

The music video for Blackpink’s “Kill This Love” surpassed 1.7 billion views on YouTube, label YG Entertainment said Friday. It is the group’s second video to reach the milestone on the platform, following that of its mega hit “Ddu-du Ddu-du,” and the quartet became the first K-pop artist to have two to do so. “Kill This Love” is the titular track from its EP that came out in April 2019. The main track debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 4

K-popNov. 25, 2022

Positive mindset brings positive things: Itzy on ‘Cheshire’

After enjoying immense success with its first-ever world tour, K-pop girl group Itzy made its way back to the music charts with its new EP, “Cheshire,” which will be released on Wednesday evening. The EP comes after it dropped “Sneakers” in July. Itzy’s press conference was held five days ahead of the release as they will be attending the 2022 Mama Awards on Wednesday at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan. During Friday’s event, Lia said the latest release means some

K-popNov. 25, 2022

2022 Mama Awards announce presenter lineup

Ahead of the 2022 Mama Awards set to take place at the end of the month in Japan, the awards organizers on Friday announced the star-studded lineup of presenters from both Korea and Japan. Veteran actors Hwang Jung-min and Jung Woo-sung, singer-turned-actors Ahn so-hee, Han Sun-hwa, Im Si-wan and Hwang Min-hyun, and actors Kim Dong-wook, Seo Ji-hye, Yeo Jin-goo, Woo Do-hwan and Nam Yoon-su were confirmed as presenters for the biggest annual music awards in the K-pop industry. Along with comedian

K-popNov. 25, 2022

BTS member RM's solo debut album to be led by 'Wild Flower Play'

A song with a Korean title that roughly translates as "Wild Flower Play" will be the main track of the first individual album from K-pop group BTS' leader RM, the band's agency said Friday. The rapper will drop the album "Indigo" next Friday to become the third BTS member to debut as a soloist. "Wild Flower Play" carries the rapper's wish to live just like a calm wild flower, not a flame that is flamboyant but disappears in an instant, according to Bi

K-popNov. 25, 2022

[Graphic News] BTS nominated for multiple Grammys

　South Korean supergroup BTS has been nominated in two categories for the 2023 Grammy Awards, becoming the first K-pop act to receive Grammy nominations for the third consecutive year. 　The septet was nominated for the best pop duo or group performance for “My Universe,” along with British rock band Coldplay, and best music video for “Yet to Come,” during the official Grammy nomination ceremony livestreamed by the US Recording Academy. 　The best pop duo/group performan

K-popNov. 25, 2022