[Today’s K-pop] BTS to discuss new music on talk show next week

BTS will appear in an online talk show to discuss new music on July 9 after the release of its single CD “Butter.” 　 In the special show titled “A Butterful Getaway with BTS,” the band will perform its new song “Permission to Dance” for the first time. It is another collaborative work with British singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran. 　 The upcoming single CD consists of the new song as well as “Butter,” which has set multiple records, including staying

K-popJuly 2, 2021

BTS to drop new Ed Sheeran collaboration 'Permission to Dance' next week

K-pop juggernaut BTS will release a new song, "Permission to Dance," co-written by British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, next week, its agency said Friday. The tracklist of the upcoming physical CD version of "Butter," unveiled on the septet's official social media account, includes two songs -- "Butter," a summer number topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five straight weeks, and "Permission to Love" -- along with their instrumental versions. The ne

K-popJuly 2, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Jennie sets record as solo

Jennie of Blackpink set another record as a solo musician, as her song “Solo” surpassed 300 million streams on Spotify, label YG Entertainment said on Thursday. 　 This is the first time a K-pop solo act’s song has reached the milestone. 　 The song came out in November 2018 as the band’s first solo project. Not only did it sweep every major music chart in Korea but also topped iTunes song charts in 40 regions. She became the first K-pop female musician to top the iTunes

K-popJuly 1, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Twice tops Japan charts with prerelease

Twice landed at the top of real-time charts in Japan with its new song “Perfect World,” which was released Wednesday in advance of the release of the same-titled album.   　 The song shot to No. 1 on real-time charts including that of Line Music. The main track, along with the music video, was unveiled before the group’s third full Japanese album set to come out on July 28.   　 In the music video, the bandmates appear charismatic and alluring, depicting the image of

K-popJune 30, 2021

An invitation to S.M. Entertainment’s futuristic cultural universe

S.M. Entertainment recently announced plans to augment its business portfolio and garner more fans to engage in the process. The label held an online YouTube event Tuesday morning to share its futuristic visions and strategies to lead the entertainment industry. SM Congress 2021 was the first event of its kind since the company was established in 1995. Lee Soo-man, the chief producer and founder of the label, said, “S.M. has been and is a content-based company. Our metaverse content

K-popJune 30, 2021

Mass K-pop concert to take place in person next month amid pandemic

In line with eased social distancing rules, a mass K-pop concert will be held in person here next month for the first time since the new coronavirus pandemic broke out early last year, organizers said Wednesday. "Together Again, K-pop Concert" will kick off at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in the Olympic Park in southeastern Seoul at 5 p.m. July 17, according to the Korea Management Federation (KMF). The long-awaited offline concert will be co-hosted by the KMF and Arirang TV, th

K-popJune 30, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ “Butter” video tops 400m views

The video for BTS’ historic hit “Butter” has surpassed 400 million views on YouTube. 　 It is the band’s 13th video to reach the milestone. 　 The video drew over 3.9 million concurrent viewers when it was released May 21, a record high. Within 24 hours, it drew over 108.2 million views on YouTube, the most for a music video on the platform in 24 hours. 　 The summer anthem of this year is rewriting history, having stayed at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 for five co

K-popJune 29, 2021

BTS tops Billboard Hot 100 for 5th straight week with 'Butter'

Superband BTS retained the top spot on Billboard's main singles chart for the fifth straight week with its upbeat summer number "Butter," once again outpacing the group's chart record. "Butter" holds at No. 1 with 12.4 million US streams and 128,400 downloads sold (up 15 percent) in the week ending June 24. It also attracted 27.6 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 6 percent) in the week ending June 27," Billboard said Monday (US time) on its Twitter account.

K-popJune 29, 2021

2PM reunited after 5 years with new album ‘Must’

Boy band 2PM made a bit of K-pop history on Monday, when it staged the first return by a second-generation idol group after a five-year hiatus. It’s only been 100 days since Junho, the last of the members to serve the armed forces, was discharged from his compulsory military service. Dropping their seventh studio set “Must,” the group conducted an online press conference, first time in five years the six members stood officially in front of the media to introduce their mus

K-popJune 28, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] 2PM happy to keep promise with 7th LP

2PM returned after five years with its seventh full album “Must." 　 It is first time in almost five years since all six members put together an album since the fifth LP “Gentlemen’s Game.” 　 “Time has changed a lot. There are many who have been expecting us, and there also would be those who don’t know us,” said Jun K at the online media conference. 　 “I hope many would find out what appeal 2PM has and which color each of the member has,&r

K-popJune 28, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s DO to drop 1st solo album: report

DO of EXO is putting out his solo debut album at the end of July, media reports said Friday. 　 His label SM Entertainment confirmed the news following the report. 　 He has released solo songs, such as “It’s Okay” and “Crying Out,” which were on the original soundtrack for the movie “Cart,” but this will be the singer’s first solo album since his debut in 2012 as a member of EXO. 　 The main vocal of the veteran idol band has been equally successf

K-popJune 25, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez to release Japanese record

Ateez is launching its next record, “Dreamers,” in Japan next month, said agency KQ Entertainment on Thursday. 　 “Dreamers” consists of the title track and an acoustic version of “Still Here,” a song from its first Japanese full album, “Into the A to Z,” which came out in March. 　 In a 30-second teaser trailer the bandmates appear fresh and cool against the backdrop of Jeju Island. 　 The title track is full of positive energy as the band roots f

K-popJune 24, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] SF9 floats teaser for upcoming EP

SF9 shared a prologue clip on Tuesday for its ninth EP, which will be released next month. 　 The video snippet for the EP, titled “Turn Over,” begins with a golden snake, a recurring character from the band’s previous EP. It slithers into the roots of a tree that symbolizes the universe and the tree withers, losing its leaves and turning black. The bandmates, all clad in black, gaze up at the tree as the screen turns black and white. 　 The band’s ninth EP is the third

K-popJune 22, 2021

BTS' 'Butter' extends No. 1 streak on Billboard Hot 100 to 4 straight weeks

BTS' latest megahit dance-pop song "Butter" retained the No. 1 position on the Billboard's main albums chart for the fourth consecutive week in the group's best record on the chart since its debut. "Butter" is officially No. 1 on this week's Hot 100 chart for a fourth consecutive week. It becomes the group's longest-leading No. 1 hit, surpassing the three-week run of "Dynamite."" Billboard said Monday (U.S. time) on its Twitter account. "Butter" dre

K-popJune 22, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] The Boyz to put out new EP in August

The Boyz are coming out with a sixth EP in August, said agency Cre.ker Entertainment on Monday. 　 More details will be announced soon, the company added, asking fans to keep their eyes open. 　 It has been 11 months since the band’s previous EP, “Chase.” That was the group’s bestselling EP so far, and all its tracks made it onto all the major local charts. 　 The 11-piece boy band recently participated in “Kingdom: Legendary War” and competed against five ot

K-popJune 21, 2021

TWICE's latest EP debuts at No. 6 on Billboard 200

K-pop star band TWICE's new EP album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard main albums chart this week, becoming the second K-pop girl group to make the chart's top 10. "K-pop girl group TWICE debuts at No. 6 with 'Taste of Love,' with 46,000 equivalent album units earned," Billboard reported Sunday (US time), one day before its chart will be updated. The Billboard 200 is one of the U.S. music publisher's main charts, ranking the most popular albums of the week in the United States based

K-popJune 21, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen is back, full of love, confidence

Seventeen held a media conference in Seoul on Friday to celebrate the release of its eighth EP “Your Choice.” 　 The band is returning eight months after its last release and leader S.Coups thanked fans for loving and waiting for them. 　 The main theme of the new music is the power of love, “a story of mature love seen from Seventeen’s perspective,” said Woozi. 　 “In addition to the addictive sounds and strong performances, we are focusing on showing new side

K-popJune 18, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Brave Girls are ready for summer

Brave Girls hosted a media showcase in southern Seoul on Thursday to introduce its fifth EP “Summer Queen.” 　 It has been 10 months since the release of the group‘s last EP “We Ride,” and during that time, the girl group has become a surprise sensation, climbing up to the top of music charts with songs from past albums. 　 “This is the first time we’ve prepared with so much fun and excitement,” said Minyoung. 　 “When the music video started

K-popJune 17, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink makes movie to mark 5th anniversary

  Blackpink is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its debut with a movie that will hit cinemas in over 100 countries, said label YG Entertainment on Wednesday. 　 Titled “Blackpink The Movie,” it will premiere Aug. 8, although release dates may differ in some countries. The film will show the quartet reminiscing over shared memories and include never-before-seen interviews with the bandmates. 　 There will also be performances from its January digital concert “The Show,&r

K-popJune 16, 2021

New BTS Japanese album ships 1.1m units on 1st day: agency

A Japanese-language compilation album of BTS songs has shipped 1.1 million units on its first day, the band's agency said Wednesday. Shipments of "BTS, The Best," the seven-piece band's new album, surpassed 1.1 million units on its first day of release in the Asian country, according to Big Hit Music. The 23-track album includes Japanese-language songs such as "Film Out," "Your Eyes Tell" and "Crystal Snow." It also includes Japanese versions of the band

K-popJune 16, 2021