[Feature] Making big waves: How K-pop swelled into cultural superpower

The Washington Post called it a “cultural force” -- from welcoming the US presidential couple to representing the country at the Olympic Games -- K-pop has become pervasive now beyond the realm of the entertainment industry. K-pop idol groups have communicated with the world through song, and their milestones at both local and international levels indicate Korea might have found a new resource for diplomacy. In a recent exclusive interview with The Rolling Stone, RM of BTS opened up

K-popNov. 16, 2022

BTS earns three Grammy nominations

K-pop sensation BTS has been nominated by the Grammy Awards for the third year in a row -- and for the first time the band has been nominated in more than one category. According to the the Recording Academy's list of nominees for next year’s Grammy Awards, the boy band has been nominated for best pop duo/group performance with its mega-hit collaboration with British rock band Coldplay titled “My Universe.” Other nominees for the category are ABBA’s “Don’

K-popNov. 16, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Monsta X’s I.M signs with Sony Music Korea

I.M of Monsta X joined label Sony Music Korea recently, and confirmed the company Tuesday after uploading via social media his photograph only showing silhouettes the previous day. The musician debuted as the youngest member of the boy band in 2015 with EP “Trespass.” All members except him renewed their contracts with Starship Entertainment in August, even though he will continue to be a part of the group. After dropping mixtapes “Who Am I” and “Fly with Me,&rdquo

K-popNov. 15, 2022

Oh My Girl's YooA takes her second step as soloist with 'Selfish'

It took two years, but YooA of girl group Oh My Girl has returned to her solo career with her second EP "Selfish." YooA's solo comeback was more than anticipated as she had proved herself a one-of-a-kind soloist with the debut EP "Bon Voyage" in 2020. The album and its title song "Bon Voyage," called "Forest Child" in Korean, not only scored chart success, but was also critically acclaimed for its musicality and the artistic way it expressed its natur

K-popNov. 15, 2022

[Exclusive] iKon's Bobby to not renew contract with YG

Bobby, a member of K-pop boy band iKon, will not renew his contract with the act's agency YG Entertainment and the industry and fans are left wondering about the future of the group and what the next steps are for the rapper. According to industry sources on Tuesday, Bobby of iKon will not extend his exclusive contract with YG Entertainment. An industry insider, who claims to be familiar with YG Entertainment and its artists, told the Korea Herald that Bobby has decided not to renew his con

K-popNov. 15, 2022

[Feature] No more a career crisis: How K-pop singers are overcoming military hiatus

It's taken a long time to confirm that even BTS cannot avoid South Korea's mandatory military duty. All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve in the military for around 1 1/2 years, inevitably forcing most K-pop stars to leave the limelight at the peak of their careers. So it was once considered that military service was like a death sentence for a K-pop career. Most aspiring artists cram their youth with efforts to establish their name, and a nearly two-year absence was o

K-popNov. 14, 2022

Exo’s Chen talks honestly about his time away from music in ‘Last Scene’

Chen of boy band Exo added a touch more to the beauty of fall with his third solo EP, “Last Scene,” released Monday evening. This marks a return for the singer-turned-soloist in three years since he last released his second EP, “Dear my dear,” in October 2019. “I performed and met (fans) in August through SM Town Live, but it’s been a while since I’ve greeted (fans) with an album. I’ve honed my efforts into making good music, so I hope those who li

K-popNov. 14, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook to fly to Qatar via chartered jet: report

Jungkook of BTS will leave Seoul Tuesday and fly over to Doha, Qatar with a chartered jet, said a local media report on Monday. Label Big Hit Music refrained from confirming the schedule following the report. He is set to join the opening ceremony for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 that will be held on Sunday. The management company announced on Sunday that he will participate in the performance for the ceremony as well as the official soundtrack for the soccer event. Six to seven musicians from aro

K-popNov. 14, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Solo album of BTS’ RM named ‘Indigo’

The title of BTS leader RM’s solo album will be “Indigo,” according to label Big Hit Music on Friday. The album will evoke a diary that conveys the artist’s concerns and thoughts, and will demonstrate his musical spectrum with collaborations with a range of musicians. RM has put out two mixtapes on his own -- “RM” from March 2015 and “mono.” From October 2018. The former was listed as “The 50 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2015” by Spin, an Am

K-popNov. 11, 2022

[Herald Interview] A log of five songs that became life

A song often becomes the background music to a particular part of our life, and replaying it reminds us of that moment. The piece of life we experience with the song becomes edged into the musical notes, making the song itself a log of the moment. Singer Jung Eun-ji's new album "log" is a small collection of such pieces from her life and the five songs that had once played endlessly in the background. According to Jung, she is dropping the remake package to keep a promise to her f

K-popNov. 11, 2022

‘American Song Contest’ winner AleXa returns as concept queen with new EP ‘Girls Gone Vogue’

About six months after becoming the winner of NBC’s “American Song Contest" singer AleXa has returned to the K-pop scene with a new EP, “Girls Gone Vogue,” aiming to show her multi-faceted sides to a global audience. The K-pop singer held a press showcase to talk about the new release and its production at Ilchi Art Hall in Seoul, Friday, ahead of the EP's release at noon, the same day. She made a comeback with more seasoned music and diverse tones. “I wan

K-popNov. 11, 2022

Yong Jun-hyung apologizes over past scandal, returns with new music after 4 years

Singer and producer Yong Jun-hyung, formerly a member of the group Highlight, on Thursday shared regrets about his inappropriate actions in relation to the spycam scandal in 2019 and promised only to bring good music to fans. After a hiatus of almost four years, the 32-year-old musician dropped a new EP, “Loner,” on Thursday evening. Yong conducted an online press conference ahead of the release and shared his thoughts on his comeback and the new album. His return had already been po

K-popNov. 10, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] TXT to return in January with 5th EP

Tomorrow X Together will return in January next year with a fifth EP, Hybe said Thursday during a corporate briefing. The album comes about nine months after its previous EP, “Minisode 2: Thursday’s Child,” debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 4. The album stayed on the chart for 14 weeks, a record streak for the boy band. It will be the first group or artist under the Hybe label to release an album next year. Separately, TXT earned the group's first nominations at the MTV Euro

K-popNov. 10, 2022

Upon foundation made by BTS, Hybe's artists set to go global in 2023

Hybe, the multi-label K-pop powerhouse behind BTS, on Thursday introduced its plans for 2023, which includes the launch of four new groups and a string of new releases from its roster of big-name acts. The plans were unveiled during the company's corporate briefing, which was streamed online via YouTube on Thursday morning. Hybe's CEO Park Ji-won and Chairman Bang Si-hyuk appeared in the video and introduced the company's blueprints and visions. Hybe is a multi-label entertainment

K-popNov. 10, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jin hits Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 51

The first solo single from Jin of BTS made Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 51, according to the chart published Wednesday. Single “The Astronaut,” a collaboration with Brit band Coldplay, landed atop its digital song sales chart dated Nov. 12 and ranked No. 10 and No. 6 on its Global 200 and Global excl. US. It headed straight to the top of Oricon’s daily single ranking as well after sweeping all charts at home. It was No. 61 on UK’s Official Single Chart Top 100. Meanw

K-popNov. 9, 2022

NCT Dream wins big at Genie Music Awards 2022

Boy band NCT Dream left this year's Genie Music Awards in a celebratory mood after taking home two main prizes at the annual music awards. The seven-member group won two grand prizes at the 2022 GMA ceremony on Tuesday night -- top artist and top album -- winning the latter for the act's second full-length album "Glitch Mode." "Although we're thankful to receive the top album award, NCT Dream is only just beginning," member Haechan said while accepting the awar

K-popNov. 9, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Treasure loses 2 members

Two members of Treasure decided to quit and the band will reorganize into a 10-piece act, YG Entertainment announced Tuesday. Bang Yedam and Mashiho terminated their contracts with the company after a long discussion, the label said via a fan community platform, asking for understanding and continued support for the two. Mashiho reportedly needs more time for health reasons, while Bang wants to focus on his capabilities as a producer. The two have put on hold all group activities since late May

K-popNov. 8, 2022

Label CEO resigns over abuse allegations against bandmates

The CEO of Spire Entertainment has resigned, days after allegations of her verbal and physical abuse against the agency's boy band Omega X made headlines. Spire Entertainment on Monday evening announced the CEO had resigned from her post as the agency chief through an official statement posted on Omega X's official fan website. "We feel a heavy responsibility over the incident. The CEO behind the disgraceful event during the tour has voluntarily resigned (from her post)," the statement

K-popNov. 8, 2022

BoA to return to stage after 2-year hiatus with 3rd EP ‘Forgive Me’

K-pop diva BoA will make a grand return with her third EP on Nov. 22, the singer’s agency SM Entertainment announced on Tuesday. The agency preceded the official announcement by dropping a teaser image for BoA’s new album “Forgive Me” at midnight Tuesday on the artist’s official social media. It will mark her first album release in nearly two years since “Better” came out in December 2020 in celebration of the artist’s 20th debut anniversary. Al

K-popNov. 8, 2022

Seller admits all allegations surrounding BTS' Jungkook's hat

The online seller who asked for 10 million won for K-pop superstar BTS' member Jungkook's lost hat has admitted to all the allegations surrounding the case. Seoul Seocho Police on Monday said it has completed its investigations into the seller -- referred to anonymously as A -- who had put a hat allegedly worn by Jungkook up for sale on a online market. According to the police, A, an alleged former employee of the Foreign Ministry, was booked in early November on charges of embezzlemen

K-popNov. 7, 2022