BTS to take indefinite break to focus on solo careers

K-pop superstar boy band BTS is taking an indefinite hiatus from group activities to take a break and focus on the bandmates’ individual careers. BTS broke the news late on Tuesday night through a pre-recorded video posted on the band’s official YouTube channel, BangtanTV. The video comes shortly after the act’s ninth anniversary since its debut. In the video, the seven members celebrate their anniversary over dinner, share their honest thoughts about their journey up to now

K-popJune 15, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Girl group aespa adds date to LA showcase

Girl group aespa decided to perform one more day in Los Angeles, as tickets for its showcase in the city sold out as soon as they became available for purchase. 　 The original date was June 26, but the quartet will take to the stage one more time on the following day. 　 The group’s showcase in Japan -- its first in the country – is slated for Aug. 6-7. It drew 400,000 fans in ticket pre-orders. 　 In the meantime, it will drop its second EP “Girls” on July 8. The EP so

K-popJune 14, 2022

[Herald Review] BTS wrap up first chapter of 9-year-career through ‘Proof’ Live, embarks on new musical chapter

Monday marked K-pop sensation BTS‘ ninth anniversary. And in celebration of the date, the septet took themselves to the stage to celebrate the release of its new anthology album, “Proof, ”and showcase live performances of its new songs. The free-to-view live session was held online and streamed via the band’s official YouTube channel. As the clock struck 9 p.m., more than 2 million Army members, the band‘s official fan group, flocked to the platform and filled t

K-popJune 14, 2022

Enhypen to release 3rd EP next month

K-pop boy group Enhypen will put out its third EP titled "Manifesto: Day 1" on July 4, the band's agency Belift Lab said Tuesday. The album marks the first release from the septet since "Dimension: Answer," the repackaged version of its full-length album, in January. Enhypen unveiled a logo trailer and lyrics video of "Walk the Line," a track on the upcoming album on YouTube earlier Tuesday. The rookie group's first full album, "Dimension: Dilemma,&qu

K-popJune 14, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen ranks No. 7 on Billboard 200

Seventeen hit the Billboard 200 at No. 7 with the group’s fourth full album, according to the publication on Sunday in the US. 　 The LP “Face the Sun” marked the highest spot for the 13-member act whose EPs “Your Choice” and “Attacca” came in at No. 15 and No. 13, respectively, on the chart last year. 　 The band has been eyeing the No. 1 spot on the chart, admitting its ambition at a media conference to introduce the fourth LP last month. 　 The LP sol

K-popJune 13, 2022

[Album Review] BTS’ ‘Proof’ offers throwback to past, invitation to future

On June 13, 2013, BTS debuted on the K-pop scene with “No More Dream,” leading the band’s debut EP, “2 Cool 4 Skool.” A month later, the band unveiled for free online the single “Born Singer,” through which they voice their honest feelings about debuting and pledge to keep striving for their dreams as musicians. Nine years later, the song, which had sampled J. Cole’s “Born Sinner,“ is officially released as the first track of the ba

K-popJune 13, 2022

K-pop industry seeks ways to join eco-friendly movement

  K-pop’s relatively strong sales of physical albums is a key income stream for artists and labels, but it comes with a major downside: mounds of nonrecyclable packaging. Now more and more K-pop agencies are working to clean up their act. Many loyal fans multiply the problem by buying albums in bulk, be it to collect photo cards or to increase their chances of winning places at special fan events. But much of this surplus product soon ends up in the trash. Backed by such concerns, som

K-popJune 13, 2022

BTS' new album 'Proof' sold over 2m on 1st day of release

K-pop supergroup BTS' new album "Proof" sold over 2 million copies on the first day of its release, its entertainment agency said Saturday. The anthology album had sold a total of 2.15 million copies as of 11 p.m. Friday, just 10 hours after it became available in the market, according to Hanteo Chart, a South Korean music chart. It was the second time that the boy band's album sales surpassed 2 million on the first day, after its fourth album, "Map of the Soul: 7," in 2020

K-popJune 11, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] S.M. Entertainment to find new NCT member through audition

    S.M. Entertainment announced on Friday that it will carry out a worldwide search for the next member to join NCT. 　 A global audition called “2022 Welcome to the Neo CiTy” will be held from June 10. Males born between 2001 and 2008 are welcome to participate regardless of nationality. The second round of auditions will be held in person in 14 cities in eight countries including the US, Canada, Japan, China, Thailand and Korea. 　 Founder and chief producer Lee Soo

K-popJune 10, 2022

BTS releases career-spanning anthology album ‘Proof’

Global K-pop sensation BTS dropped its anthology album “Proof” on Friday afternoon, unveiling three new songs and one music video with the three-CD package. At 1 p.m. on Friday, Big Hit Music released the album, along with the music video of the new lead single “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” via YouTube. The three-CD album marks the septet’s first official release since “Butter” in July last year, and with new songs released for the first t

K-popJune 10, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Chungha to come out with 2nd LP next month: report

Chungha will make a comeback with second studio album next month, according to a local media report on Thursday. 　 It has been eight months since single “Killing Me” and about 1 1/2 years since her first LP “Querencia.” The LP came four years after her debut and the 21-track album was selected as one of The 50 Best Albums of 2021 listed by Billboard magazine. 　 Last month the songstress sang the theme song for period drama “Bloody Heart” and is the featured

K-popJune 9, 2022

Preorders for aespa's upcoming EP surpass 1m copies

Rising K-pop girl group aespa's second EP "Girls" has scored over 1 million units in preorders since they began a week ago, SM Entertainment, the group's agency, said Thursday. Debuting in November 2020 with a unique metaverse-based concept, the quartet shot to fame with its debut single "Black Mamba" and follow-up songs "Next Level" and "Savage." The large preorders herald the forthcoming album will also be a huge success. The quartet will relea

K-popJune 9, 2022

Secret Number goes cool and chic for 4th EP ‘Doomchita’

Less than a year since Secret Number graced the stages, the rookie girl group dropped its fourth EP “Doomchita.” This marks the sextet’s return in eight months since its previous work “Fire Saturday.” In a press conference held in Seoul on Wednesday prior to the album release, Soo-dam described the EP as “an album that shows a different side of Secret Number.” The singer went on to say that all bandmates are looking forward to it and that she felt ne

K-popJune 8, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen’s Seoul concerts sell out

　 All tickets for Seventeen’s upcoming Seoul concerts have sold out, according to agency Pledis Entertainment on Wednesday. 　 The band will have two live shows in Seoul on June 25 and 26 to kick off its second world tour, “Be the Sun.” It has been almost 2 1/2 years since its first, “Ode to You.” 　 After the Seoul gig, the 13-member group will head to Canada and the US, performing in 12 cities -- including Vancouver in British Columbia, Toronto, Los Angeles and Ch

K-popJune 8, 2022

Rookie boy band Trendz drops 2nd EP ‘Blue Set Chapter 2. Choice’

K-pop boy band Trendz released its second EP “Blue Set Chapter 2. Choice,” in which they continue their journey through the unknown space, Blue Set. The septet -- comprising of members Havit, Leon, Yoonwoo, Hankook, ra.L, Eunil and Yechan -- conducted a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of the album‘s release at 6 p.m. that day. After overcoming the chaos and despair of Blue Set on their previous album, the boys are faced with a two-way crossroad inside

K-popJune 8, 2022

BTS to celebrate 9th anniversary with fans, album drop

Celebrating its ninth anniversary, global K-pop phenomenon BTS will mark the milestone with fans around the world with a round of festivities both online and offline. On Tuesday, BTS’ label Big Hit Music said the boy band is set to conduct the online live show “‘Proof’ Live” on June 13, during which the band will premiere the stage for its upcoming single “Yet To Come.” Kicking off the show at 9 p.m. via the act’s official YouTube channel “B

K-popJune 8, 2022

aespa to embark on global promotions ahead of July release

Ahead of a highly anticipated new release this summer, girl group aespa is set to hold its ever-first US showcase in the Los Angeles area. S.M. Entertainment said Tuesday that the four-piece act would meet American fans through “aespa Showcase SYNK in LA” at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, June 26. The quartet will perform its hits and new songs and enjoy talks with fans during the event, according to the agency.  The upcoming showcase marks a return stateside f

K-popJune 8, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] TXT to host 1st concert Japan in September

Tomorrow X Together will hold its first in-person concert in Japan in September, announced label Big Hit Music on Tuesday. 　 Under the title “Act: Love Sick in Japan,” the band will perform four times: in Osaka on Sept. 3-4 and in Chiba prefecture on Sept. 7-8. 　 The quintet released first Japanese studio album “Still Dreaming” and first Japanese EP “Chaotic Wonderland.” It also has been setting records on Japan’s Oricon charts. It put six consecutive

K-popJune 7, 2022

aespa to hold showcase for fans in Los Angeles this month

South Korean girl group aespa will hold a showcase in Los Angeles this month for its American fans, its agency said Tuesday. The group will perform its hit singles and new songs during the "aespa Showcase SYNK in LA" at YouTube Theater on June 26 (US time), SM Entertainment said. Aespa will then hold its first showcase in Japan from Aug. 6-7. Debuting in November 2020 with a unique metaverse-based concept, the quartet shot to fame with its debut single "Black Mamba" and follo

K-popJune 7, 2022

BTS to drop anthology album 'Proof' on Friday

K-pop supergroup BTS will make a highly anticipated return to the music scene Friday with an anthology album titled "Proof." The group will drop the album compiling the group's nine-year-long activities since its debut at 1 p.m. on Friday in South Korea, which is midnight US EST, apparently with the US market in mind, according to the local music scene. It will be the band's first physical album since it released the single CD with "Butter" and "Permission to D

K-popJune 7, 2022