BTS to release new album, ‘Map of the Soul: 7,’ Feb. 21

Just 10 months after setting multiple records with “Boy With Luv,” BTS announced the upcoming release of a new album in February.On Tuesday, the seven-piece K-pop juggernaut told its global fan community Weverse that it would drop a new album, “Map of the Soul: 7,” Feb. 21. The album is the sequel to the act’s Billboard 200 chart-topper EP “Map of the Soul: Persona,” released in April last year. “With ‘Map of the Soul: Persona,’ BTS san

K-popJan. 8, 2020

SF9 returns as gentlemen with ‘Good Guy’

The bandmates of SF9 suited up for new single “Good Guy,” all set to kick off a new era of the group’s career.The nine-piece group held a media debut showcase for its first full-length album “First Collection” in Seoul on Tuesday, where it showcased the album’s lead track “Good Guy” and shared New Year’s ambitions. Clad in clean-cut matching suits, the band explained that the outfits were to portray an image of “good guys.” &ldquo

K-popJan. 7, 2020

Ateez kicks off new year with ‘Answer’

Rising K-pop act Ateez is already out with a new single -- “Answer” -- continuing its bombastic sonic style into the new year. The brand new single fronts the act’s “Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer EP,” the last segment to Ateez’s “Treasure” album series that began with its October 2018 debut. Blending powerful hip-hop elements and melodious electronic dance music sounds, “Answer” is reminiscent of the band’s previous releases

K-popJan. 7, 2020

How X1's promising career came to an abrupt end

Fans were shocked Monday night to learn that project boy band X1 was disbanding."We negotiated with the agencies representing each member of X1 on terms of unanimous agreement but failed to reach an agreement and decided to disband (the group),” the agencies said in a joint statement after the talks fell through.The decision came months after the vote-rigging scandal surrounding the “Produce” series forced the musicians from X1 and Iz*One to put their careers on hold, leav

K-popJan. 7, 2020

Treasure to debut as first new boy band from YG in over 4 years

YG says the official debut of the revamped 12-piece boy band Treasure is on the way, marking the first boy band to debut from YG in over four years, since iKON in 2015.In a blog post on Monday, YG said the company is thankful for fans who have been waiting a long time, and added that new content is coming this month through multiple channels. Treasure consists of a dozen members who were put together after appearing on YG’s K-pop competition “Treasure Box,” which aired around a

K-popJan. 6, 2020

CJ ENM CEO apologizes for vote rigging on Mnet’s ‘Produce’ series

CJ ENM, the company behind Mnet, has officially responded to the vote-rigging scandal surrounding the cable channel’s flagship audition show. “I’m extremely sorry for the hurt it caused to many trainees who passionately followed their dreams of debuting,” CEO Heo Min-heoi said at a press conference at the company’s headquarters in Seoul on Monday.The apology comes after the show’s key producers were found to have fixed the votes for some contestants in return

K-popDec. 30, 2019

Year in review: The biggest K-pop news of the year

To say the least, the year 2019 was a tumultuous one. Ups and downs, tears of joy and sorrow dominated the headlines. 　Here are some of the major stories that dominated K-pop news. 　1. Plight of YG Entertainment　At the beginning of the year, it seemed like K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment would have a solid 2019. YG’s girl group Blackpink was enjoying growing popularity around the world, while the label’s crown jewel Big Bang was gearing up for a possible comeback when all the

K-popDec. 22, 2019

[Newsmaker] Dispute continues over military exemption for K-pop stars

Debate heated up over whether successful K-pop stars should be exempted from Korea’s mandatory military service during a public hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday.Chaired by Rep. Ahn Min-suk of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, the hearing saw a panel of lawmakers and culture critics call for reform of the country’s military exemption rules in order to give international K-pop stars like BTS military service exemption.Pop culture critic Ha Jae-geun said exempti

K-popDec. 19, 2019

Playlist: 15 best K-pop Christmas songs, from Twice, EXO to LOONA and more

Christmas is just around the corner and what is the festive season without Christmas songs?That’s why we’ve put together a list of 15 Christmas-themed tracks with a little K-pop twist to usher in one of the most celebrated holidays around the world.“Merry & Happy” – TwiceOur first choice is Twice’s 2017 track from the repackaging of the group’s first studio album of the same title, “Merry & Happy.”Released Dec. 11, 2017, the midtempo

K-popDec. 17, 2019

Academics explain driving force behind BTS’ global success

Academics from around the world got together in Seoul on Wednesday to discuss the global success of BTS and K-pop in general.Sponsored by Big Hit Entertainment, which houses the likes of BTS and TXT, the global seminar “K-Pop Beyond BTS” took place at Yonsei University, attracting scores of scholars, journalists and YouTubers.  In a keynote speech, Hong Seok-kyeong, a professor of communication at Seoul National University, said BTS and other K-pop boy bands offer “soft ma

K-popDec. 11, 2019

[INTERVIEW] Holland is turning scars into triumphant pop

It wasn’t only a bold light blue Supreme coat and fashionable trainers that Holland was sporting that are new. He seemed more confident than ever when we met for the second time late November even as our conversation was on mental health -- an issue that has recently sparked debate in South Korea “I think agencies need to do more to take care of their artists as K-pop becomes bigger. And instead of being reactionary after something happens, people need to think twice and try to be mo

K-popDec. 11, 2019

Big Hit denies report it is in profit dispute with BTS

BTS’ agent Big Hit Entertainment on Tuesday flatly denied a report that the label and BTS members are in a legal dispute over profit-sharing. On Monday evening, local cable TV network JTBC reported that the K-pop group had reached out to a large law firm in Seoul to pursue legal action against Big Hit over how profits are distributed. The news was broadcast as part of the channel’s flagship current affairs show “Newsroom.” Shortly after, however, Big Hit issued a lengthy

K-popDec. 10, 2019

‘Virtual Play’: Genie Music VR service lets you see Mamamoo up-close

Streaming service Genie Music launched a new virtual reality-powered video service on Tuesday with girl group Mamamoo’s ultra-high resolution performances as the platform’s first project.The Korean streaming giant’s new platform, dubbed “Virtual Play,” uses all the latest VR technology to present a 360-degree, 3D, 8K ultrahigh resolution experience.  Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, Cho Hoon, CEO of Genie Music, explained the name was inspired by the co

K-popDec. 10, 2019

[Photo news] BTS performs at 2019 Jingle Ball

K-pop supergroup BTS  on Friday wowed the audience of the 102.7 KIIS FM‘s Jingle Ball concert in Inglewood, California, US, with its performances of "Boy With Luv", "Mic Drop," and other hit songs.  

K-popDec. 7, 2019

BTS' Suga releases collaboration with Halsey

Suga, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, released a song in collaboration with American singer-songwriter Halsey on Friday.The song, "SUGA's Interlude," featuring the BTS member is one of the tracks on Halsey's new album, "Manic," to be officially released on Jan. 17. The two sides pre-released the track in digital single format through major online music stores and streaming platforms on Friday ahead of the official release next month.  It is the second joint project betw

K-popDec. 6, 2019

What went wrong at MAMA 2019

K-pop Twitter was set abuzz Wednesday night as the 2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards went down at Nagoya Dome in Japan.BTS swept up nine awards, including the top three prizes -- Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year -- while Itzy and TXT took home Best New Female Artist and Best New Male Artist, respectively. While fans cheered on their favorite acts’ achievements, many viewers thought the show came across as rushed and lacking in energy. It had already faced criticism ove

K-popDec. 5, 2019

Playlist: 10 relaxing IU songs to keep you warm this winter

The nippy winter is in full swing -- time to take out the cozy essentials like a fuzzy blanket, padded coat and, most importantly, a renewed winter playlist. And just in time, K-pop fans have recently been treated to a new album from IU, whose sweet, comforting vocals make her one of the most sought-after acts this time of the season. While the chart-topping singer-songwriter is beloved regardless of the weather, many of her emotional ballads have especially served as a remedy for winter blues,

K-popDec. 5, 2019

K-pop star Kang Daniel suspends engagements over mental health

K-pop star Kang Daniel has temporarily halted entertainment activities, his management company said Wednesday, citing Kang’s ongoing struggle with depression and panic disorder Wednesday.Kang has canceled recordings for TV programs, including “Show! Champion,” an MBC music program that was scheduled for Wednesday. “Securing enough rest for the artist’s condition is the first priority,” management agency Konnect Entertainment said in a statement, adding th

K-popDec. 4, 2019

K-Pop stars introduce favorite sightseeing spots in Korea

A number of K-Pop stars joined a campaign to introduce attractions in Korea by taking videos of their favorite spots, aimed at giving travel tips to foreigners. The campaign is organized by Seo Kyoung-duk, a Sungshin Women’s University professor. The content, created by the K-pop stars, is shared on Korea Tourism Organization’s social media accounts, with translations in English, Chinese and Japanese. The campaign kicked off with two members of K-Pop group NU’EST, Min-hyun and

K-popDec. 1, 2019

EXO taps into inner darkness with ‘Obsession’

It’s been one of EXO’s most prolific years, as it has seen both individual and duo projects from its members, some of them promoting as part of S.M. Entertainment’s supergroup SuperM. And the K-pop juggernaut has capped a packed year by putting out its long-awaited “Obsession” album, fronted by new obsession-worthy single of the same title. Thumping with urban synth and bass, “Obsession” is an edgy hip-hop dance track that marks a stylish shift from the

K-popNov. 27, 2019