[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s Xiumin tests positive for COVID-19

Xiumin of EXO tested positive for COVID-19, his label SM Entertainment said Thursday. 　 He took a preemptive PCR test last week before starting work for a musical and the results had come back negative. He took another test Wednesday after feeling unwell and was confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus. 　 All the other EXO bandmates as well as staffers in charge of them have taken tests and are in self-quarantine awaiting results, the company added.  He has immediately stoppe

K-popAug. 5, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink lands atop Oricon chart with 1st LP

Blackpink hit No. 1 on Oricon’s daily album chart with its first studio album in Japanese, YG Entertainment announced Wednesday. 　 The band’s “The Album” also topped Japan’s iTunes’ top albums chart. 　 This is the Japanese version of Blackpink’s first LP that came out in October last year in Korea, which sold over 1.3 million copies and became the first million-selling album from a K-pop female group. It also ranked No. 2 on both the Billboard 200 and

K-popAug. 4, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Astro hits iTunes No. 1 for the 1st time

Astro landed atop the iTunes top songs chart in five regions with “After Midnight,” the title track from its eighth EP “Switch On” that came out on Monday. 　 It is the first time the six-member band hit No. 1 on the chart. 　 The song also was No. 1 on the iTunes K-pop songs chart in seven regions while the EP hit No. 1 on top albums chart in five and K-pop albums chart in 20 regions. 　 Meanwhile, Cha Eun-woo shared pictures taken between shooting the music video for th

K-popAug. 3, 2021

Boy band SHINee tops Japanese music chart with new EP

South Korean boy band SHINee topped a key music chart in Japan with its latest Japanese-language EP "Superstar," the group's agency said Tuesday. The five-track album, released on July 28, ranked No. 1 on Oricon's weekly album chart after reaching number one on the daily album chart, according to SM Entertainment. It marks the group's fourth No. 1 on the weekly chart after "I'm Your Boy," "D×D×D" and "SHINee: The Best from Now On" released be

K-popAug. 3, 2021

BTS reigns Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks, with 'Butter' leading for 9

South Korean superband BTS sat atop Billboard's main singles chart for the 10th consecutive week, with "Butter" leading the latest Hot 100. "'Butter' is officially No. 1 on this week's #Hot100 chart for a ninth week," Billboard said on its Twitter account on Monday (US time). The song had sat atop the main singles chart for seven consecutive weeks before giving way to a new BTS song, "Permission to Dance," and returning to the throne last week. After spending nin

K-popAug. 3, 2021

Astro ready to ‘switch on’ button to summer with wider musical taste

Boy band Astro welcomed the bright and sunny season of August by hopping on the summer music craze. The six-piece act returned after nearly four months with an aim to expand their musical taste and popularity with the eighth EP, “Switch On,” released Monday evening. The six-song package is a “gift by the band to themselves,” as the album talks about the group’s footprints over the past six years and the path the six bandmates aim to walk in the future, the group

K-popAug. 2, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Astro returns with ‘Switch On’ EP

Astro dropped its eighth EP “Switch On” Monday and hosted an online media conference to introduce its latest release to fans and local media. 　 It has been only four months since the release of the group’s second studio album “All Yours” and the bandmates said that they came back with new music quickly in response to the popularity of the album. 　 The new EP contains the past, present and future of the band who has been together for six years. 　 “We’

K-popAug. 2, 2021

Jeon Somi returns bold and blonde in ‘Dumb Dumb’

Soloist Jeon Somi is returning with her new single “Dumb Dumb” on Monday. The comeback follows a yearlong break since her latest release “What You Waiting For” dropped July 2020. “I’m really excited to finally go on the stage. I’ve been preparing hard, and I feel both thrilled and nervous right now,” the 20-year-old singer said in a video released to the media by her agency The Black Label on Monday. With a sparkly black dress and hair dyed bri

K-popAug. 2, 2021

K-pop act Red Velvet set to return this month with new music

Five-piece girl group Red Velvet will release a new EP in mid-August, the first new album in nearly two years, its management agency said Monday. The group's upcoming album "Queendom," which carries six tracks, will drop globally at 6 p.m. on Aug. 16, according to SM Entertainment. In line with the release, Red Velvet will host a virtual fan meet the following day. The physical album will hit shelves the same day, with preorders set to start this week. The upcoming album is the grou

K-popAug. 2, 2021

Former EXO member Kris Wu detained in China on rape allegations

SHANGHAI -- Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu, a former member of the K-pop boy band EXO, has been detained in China over suspicions of rape. Police in Beijing said in a posting on the Chinese social media platform Weibo late Saturday that they took the 30-year-old, whose legal Chinese name is Wu Yi Fan, into criminal custody on rape charges after looking into allegations that he seduced and had sex with female minors multiple times. Police did not give further details on the rape charges. Th

K-popAug. 1, 2021

Dreamcatcher thinks “BEcause” can defeat the scorching heat

K-pop girl group Dreamcatcher is set to release a new summer special EP, “Summer Holiday,” Friday evening. Fronted by lead track “BEcause,” the six-song package aims to alleviate music lovers’ pandemic fatigue and, most importantly, to bring the septet closer to the public, its members said during an online media showcase. 　 “We’ve prepared several songs to let InSomnias all over the world feel the summer breeze just by listening to them,” said

K-popJuly 30, 2021

EPEX: A high-profile rookie band ready to make a splash

In the highly competitive K-pop scene, it’s hard for rookies to rise above the crowd and make a splash. Despite the global lockdown during the ongoing pandemic era, EPEX is off to a good start. Hailed as a super-rookie band, the eight-piece group under C9 Entertainment released its first EP, “Bipolar Pt. 1: Prelude of Anxiety,” June 8 and achieved the highest first-week sales for a debut album among newcomers this year: a total of 33,353 copies sold on the Hanteo chart. Wit

K-popJuly 30, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Dreamcatcher ready for summer holidays

Girl group Dreamcatcher held an online media showcase Friday to promote its latest EP, “Summer Holiday.”  　 It has been six months since the band wrapped up its “Dystopia” series with “Dystopia: Road to Utopia,” and the musicians are enjoying a breather before they embark on a new narrative. 　 “We’ve prepared special new songs to let InSomnias all over the world feel cool just by listening to them,” said Gahyun, referring to the band&

K-popJuly 30, 2021

New releases to heat up August music charts

A handful of K-pop acts are vying to control domestic music charts during the sweatiest season. From rookies to heavyweights, many artists are gearing up for a spin next month. Following is a list of singers who are ready to showcase their new summer anthems that will allow music lovers to unplug from pandemic-triggered fatigue.  Astro Astro is ready to switch on the summer button with the release of its eighth EP, “Switch On.” The sextet revealed a snippet of their album

K-popJuly 30, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Girls’ Generation to appear in variety show to mark 14th debut anniversary: report

All bandmates of Girls’ Generation will appear in a variety show in time for the group’s 14th anniversary, according to media reports Wednesday. 　 It has been four years since they were seen on an entertainment program although they have been seen together on each other’s social media and YouTube channels. 　 Producers of “You Quiz on the Block,” a show hosted by veteran comedian/emcee Yoo Jae-seok, confirmed their appearance saying that they are discussing the ti

K-popJuly 28, 2021

BTS makes debut performance on BBC's 'Live Lounge'

South Korean superband BTS appeared on a BBC radio show on Tuesday to perform two of its biggest hits, as well as a cover of the Billboard-topping hit "I'll be Missing You." The seven-piece act sang "Dynamite" -- the group's first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard's main singles chart -- and its latest single "Permission to Dance," which topped the music chart last week, on BBC Radio 1's "Live Lounge." In addition to the group's own songs, BTS also pe

K-popJuly 27, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s D.O. tops iTunes charts in 59 regions with solo debut album

The first solo album of EXO’s D.O. hit No. 1 on iTunes top albums chart in 59 regions.   　 The album came out Monday and swept all major music charts in Korea as well.   　 The eight-track album marks the debut of the veteran idol as a solo vocalist after almost 10 years of providing the main vocals of EXO.   　 It also is the first release since he returned after completing his mandatory military service in January, besides the band’s special album that came out in

K-popJuly 27, 2021

BTS vs BTS: 'Butter' returns to top of Billboard after giving way to 'Permission to Dance'

South Korean supergroup BTS sat atop the Billboard's main singles chart for the ninth consecutive week as its hit single "Butter" returned to the throne after briefly giving way to its own latest single. "'Butter' officially returns to No. 1 on this week's #Hot100 chart for an eighth total week," Billboard said on its Twitter account Monday (US time). The song had reigned on the singles chart for seven straight weeks before giving way to the septet's latest single, "Pe

K-popJuly 27, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] EXO's D.O. unveils solo debut album

D.O. of EXO discussed his first solo album, “Empathy,” which came out Monday. 　 “This is quite a new frame of mind,” he confided through a Q&A statement through his label SM Entertainment. Singing alone was difficult in a way but was a different and fun experience, said the performer, wondering how listeners would find the eight tracks from the album. 　 As for naming the album “Empathy,” he explained that he realized the sheer energy of the word, after

K-popJuly 26, 2021

AKMU helps to take leap through new collaboration album

Sibling duo AKMU is ready to take the music scene by storm. The duet is opening a new chapter in their music career with new collaboration album “Next Episode,” releasing Monday evening. The seven-song package provides support and comfort to people when they hit rock bottom in their lives, brother and songwriter Lee Chan-hyuk and sister Lee Su-Hyun said during an online press conference. Fronted by lead track “Fall,” featuring singer and actress IU, the latest print

K-popJuly 26, 2021