[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook hits Billboard’s Hot 100 with fan song

Jungkook of BTS placed his solo digital single on Billboard’s Hot 100 dated June 22, according to the publication’s chart preview released Monday in the US. The track “Never Let Go” entered the Main Songs chart at No. 97 and became his seventh song to do so, cementing his record of having the most on the chart as a K-pop solo artist. The American publication commented “It’s his seventh career solo song to debut on the chart, and first since ‘Standing Nex

K-popJune 18, 2024

Jimin of BTS to release 2nd album ‘Muse’ next month

Jimin of BTS is releasing a new album next month. The singer is releasing his second solo album "Muse" on July 19 at 1 p.m., according to Big Hit Music on Tuesday. This release, recorded before the singer joined the military at the end of last year, follows his first official solo album “Face” from March 2023. His solo debut album peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s main album chart Billboard 200. “Following his first solo album, ‘Face,’ where he sought t

K-popJune 18, 2024

Riize shows youthful groove through 1st EP ‘Riizing’

K-pop boy group Riize took its signature genre, "emotional pop," to the next level in its first mini album, “Riizing,” released on Monday. “Our first mini album carries eight tracks to offer a full experience of our signature genre, emotional pop. The title of the album shows our desire to continue moving forward,” said Sungchan of Riize during a press conference in Seoul on Monday held to mark the album's release. Riize describes “emotional pop&rdquo

K-popJune 18, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Rose to join The Black Label: report

Rose of Blackpink will sign with The Black Label, according to a local media report on Monday. The hip-hop label and management company is an affiliate of YG Entertainment and is headed by producer Teddy, the mastermind behind the success of Blackpink who had his hands on many of the group’s hit songs including “Ddu-du Ddu-du,” “Boombayah,” “Kill This Love” and “How You Like That.” He also produced both songs from Rose’s first solo sing

K-popJune 17, 2024

Rose of Blackpink may sign solo contract with The Black Label

K-pop girl group Blackpink’s Rose is in talks with The Black Label for a possible solo artist contract, the music label said Monday. The Black Label, led by a esteemed music producer Teddy of 1TYM from YG Entertainment, confirmed that the label is in discussion to sign Rose on a solo contract. “We are in talks with Rose. That is all we can say,” an official from The Black Label commented. Rose is the only Blackpink member who has not signed with an agency for her solo artist

K-popJune 17, 2024

Health issues plague K-pop girl groups

An increasing number of female K-pop artists are taking time off due to injuries and health problems caused by the strict diets and schedules they maintain that leave little time for sleep. Woonhee of Belift Lab's rookie girl group Illit halted activities due to a foot injury last week. On Friday, her agency posted to an online fan community that while the singer showed a strong desire to participate in all of the group’s musical activities, Wonhee’s recovery is their top priori

K-popJune 17, 2024

[Herald Review] Weverse Con Festival captivates audience with music, technology

INCHEON -- The Weverse Con Festival, hosted by K-pop powerhouse Hybe, concluded over the weekend, captivating music fans with performances that spanned generations and genres. Held at the Inspire Entertainment Resort on Incheon's island Yeongjongdo on Sunday, the festival featured outdoor and indoor concerts as well as diverse events over two days. On the stage Sunday were 15 artists, including rising K-pop stars TWS, virtual idol group Plave and globally popular groups Seventeen, Enhypen a

PerformanceJune 17, 2024

[Herald Review] AKMU reminisces past 10 years with fans

Standing on top of a green grass hill, the main stage decor, a children's choir opened the K-pop sibling duo AKMU’s two-day concert singing “Last Goodbye.” AKMU then appeared on a lift in a navy suit and dress to perform “Every Little Thing” with a live band and a string orchestra. The K-pop duo was welcomed by 10,500 people in the audience holding green fan lights that shined like fireflies glowing on summer evenings. Sunday’s show was the last day of AK

K-popJune 17, 2024

Korea to promote eco-friendly albums in K-pop industry

The South Korean government seeks to encourage the adoption of eco-friendly album production practices in the K-pop industry, amid mounting concerns about excessive album packaging harming the environment. The Ministry of Environment announced on Sunday that it will offer consulting services to K-pop agencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture starting this month. The initiative includes educating members of the Recording Industry Association of Korea about existing regulations on e

K-popJune 16, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa hints at solo return

Lisa of Blackpink uploaded a clip Thursday signaling her return as a solo artist. Along with the video that fully demonstrated her status as a leading fashionista, she also posted a notice on her individual website that included “Coming Soon” and how to “pre-save” her upcoming new music on Spotify and Apple Music. She cinched a partnership with American record label RCA Records in April via her own agency, Lloud Company, which was established in February. Her namesake sol

K-popJune 14, 2024

[From the scene] BTS' Jin returns, fans erupt with joy

K-pop sensation BTS' oldest member, Jin, returned to his role as a singer just a day after he finished his mandatory military service on Wednesday. On Thursday, Jin showed up at 2024 Festa, an annual fan-meeting event celebrating the anniversary of BTS' debut on June 13, held at Jamsil Arena in Seoul. "I told my company that I will perform at 2024 Festa even if I have less than a day to practice. I had to do it myself since the other members are all away. I forgot how to sing, and

K-popJune 14, 2024

Global K-pop girl band Katseye confirms US debut on June 28

Katseye, the global K-pop girl group launched through a collaboration between Hybe and American record label Geffen Records, is poised to debut in the United States on June 28. The group's debut will be the first attempt for both labels to penetrate the mainstream pop market in the US with a global girl group. Eyes are on whether the six-member multinational K-pop act will show potential for the globalization of Hybe’s training and development system. According to Hybe and Geffen Reco

K-popJune 14, 2024

Fifty Fifty to return as quintet with four new members in September

K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty is returning as a quintet with four new members joining original member Keena in September. “We’ve been holding auditions in search of new members for the group’s new leap. We finalized four new members in April,” announced Fifty Fifty’s agency, Attrakt, on Friday in a press release. Fifty Fifty’s comeback was initially scheduled for June. “We know that many people have been waiting for their comeback but we needed more time

K-popJune 14, 2024

Global fans flock to Seoul to celebrate BTS anniversary

Despite sweltering temperatures Thursday, the area around the Seoul Sports Complex in southern Seoul transformed into a vibrant sea of purple, as fans gathered to celebrate the 11th anniversary of K-pop megastar BTS. Hours before the 2024 Festa -- an annual event hosted by BTS' agency, BigHit Music -- throngs of fans crowded a subway exit leading to the complex, demonstrating the band's immense popularity. The diverse crowd included fans conversing in Korean, Japanese, English and Fren

K-popJune 13, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Twice’s Nayeon brings out 2nd solo EP

Nayeon of Twice held a media showcase in Seoul Thursday to bring out her second solo EP, “NA.” She confided that she felt pressure from the success of her first solo album that far exceeded her expectations. Her previous EP from 2022 “Im Nayeon,” hit Billboard 200 at No. 7 and set a record for a K-pop solo musician at the time while main track “Pop!” swept all music charts at home. “I tried to enjoy as much as I can putting together the album,” s

K-popJune 13, 2024

Riize to open pop-up store promoting 1st EP ‘Riizing’

K-pop boy group Riize is opening a pop-up store to promote its first mini album, “Riizing,” to be released on Monday. The pop-up store will be open at Starfield Suwon in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province for 10 days, June 14-23. Visitors can tune into “Boom Boom Bass,” the lead track of Riize’s upcoming EP, at a special listening zone in the pop-up store. The six-piece band has also prepared a photo booth in which fans can take pictures with members of the group in its frame

K-popJune 13, 2024

XG expands first world tour to US, Europe

K-pop girl group XG, which consists of seven Japanese members, is expanding its first-ever world tour to the US and Europe. Starting with a concert in Las Vegas on Oct. 4, XG is to visit seven more cities in the US to meet with American fans. The group is then crosses the Atlantic to perform in Manchester, England, on Nov. 18, followed by shows in five more cities in Europe. XG kicked off its first world tour with two days of concerts at the Osaka-Jo Hall in Osaka, Japan, on May 18 and 19. Altho

K-popJune 13, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Riize to unveil 1st EP at June 17 showcase

Riize will unveil its first EP, “Riizing,” in Seoul on June 17 at a “premiere” showcase, according to label SM Entertainment on Wednesday. The six-piece band will perform “Boom Boom Bass,” its main track from the eight-track album, for the first time at the event, which will be broadcast live as well. The pop dance tune is mainly based on bass guitar, as the title suggests, and continues the theme of musical instruments that weaves through debut single “

K-popJune 12, 2024

2024 Dream Concert to be held in October in Goyang

The 2024 Dream Concert will be held Oct. 19 at Goyang Stadium in Ilsan, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, according to the Korean Entertainment Producer’s Association on Wednesday. Dream Concert is the longest-standing K-pop concert, held annually since 1995. This year’s event is co-hosted by the Korean Entertainment Producer’s Association, the Korea Tourism Organization and Goyang city. Dream Concert has attracted 1.98 million concertgoers so far over the past nearly 30 years. Fro

K-popJune 12, 2024

Dispute between Hybe and Ador CEO grows with lawsuit and rebuttal video

The conflict between Hybe and Ador CEO Min Hee-jin is showing no sign of improvement despite Min's offer of reconciliation, marked by a fresh lawsuit and the release of a rebuttal video by Belift Lab, the agency behind a K-pop rookie girl group Illit. Belift Lab announced Monday in a statement shared on X that they are filing an additional civil lawsuit against Min accusing her of business interference and defamation. Also on Monday, it released a 28-minute YouTube video refuting the alle

K-popJune 11, 2024