[Today’s K-pop] ZeroBaseOne’s debut album sets sales record

ZeroBaseOne’s debut EP “Youth in the Shade” had sold more than 2.03 million copies as of September, according to a local tally released Thursday. It is the first debut album to log over 2 million in sales in K-pop history. The album also was the first million-seller from a debuting musician in Korea when it achieved the feat on the day of its release in July. The rookie band is set to bring out its second EP “Melting Point” on Nov. 6. Barely 3 months old, the nine-

K-popOct. 13, 2023

Le Sserafim becomes house ambassadors for Louis Vuitton

K-pop girl group Le Sserafim has been named the house ambassador to the luxury brand Louis Vuitton. This is the first time that all members of a K-pop girl group have been named as house ambassadors to Louis Vuitton, according to Source Music. Louis Vuitton introduced Le Sserafim as a group that has gained popularity around the world with its powerful image both onstage and offstage, and through music with its own story. “We are glad to announce that Le Sserafim joins us as our house ambas

K-popOct. 13, 2023

Conflict between Fifty Fifty and agency Attrakt continues to escalate

The legal battle between the K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty and its agency Attrakt continues to intensify as the group released a statement Thursday saying that it would reveal details of how they worked under surveillance and control. “We will disclose why we had to leave our agency and why we cannot go back,” Fifty Fifty members said on their social media account. The members of Fifty Fifty created the account as a channel of communication after they applied for an injunction to susp

K-popOct. 13, 2023

Striving to be the best, TXT returns with 3rd LP

After a yearlong journey touring international stages, including Lollapalooza and MTV's Video Music Awards, boy band Tomorrow X Together is back with a new album, this time setting its sights on the Billboard charts. The band, often referred to as TXT, released its third full-length album, "The Name Chapter: Freefall," Friday afternoon. The press conference held on Thursday, a day ahead of the album's release, felt like a celebration of the group's glorious return af

K-popOct. 13, 2023

Le Sserafim to release first English single 'Perfect Night'

K-pop girl group Le Sserafim is set to release its first English-language single next month, the band's agency Source Music said Thursday. According to Source Music, Le Sserafim will drop its first English digital single, "Perfect Night," on Oct. 27. The new song will convey a message that, perfect or not, a happy day with a friend is valuable, the agency said in a statement about the song on Thursday. Ahead of making the official announcement, Source Music posted on its social me

K-popOct. 12, 2023

Lightsum's new album ‘Honey or Spice’ tickles tastebuds

Cube Entertainment’s K-pop girl group Lightsum returned to the music scene with its second EP, “Honey or Spice,” after a year and five months' break. “We tried to show a new side of our group when coming up with this album. We tried to avoid choosing songs that were similar to what we’d done in the past. The titular track of this album is very addictive so we’re sure that people will like it,” said Sangah, the leader of Lightsum, during a press conf

K-popOct. 12, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen sells 4.6m copies of 11th EP in pre-orders

The upcoming EP from Seventeen received over 4.67 million pre-orders, according to agency Pledis Entertainment on Thursday. It is a record for the band whose previous EP “FML” logged 4.64 million in pre-orders. The 10th EP was released in April and sold more than 6.27 million units in total, renewing album sales record in K-pop history. The band has been uploading teaser photographs for EP “Seventeenth Heaven” that is due out on Oct. 23. Its offline promotional event &ld

K-popOct. 12, 2023

Dawn begins mandatory military service

K-pop solo artist Dawn began his mandatory military service on Thursday, according to music label At Area. “I am going to deliver a bit of a sudden announcement. I am beginning my mandatory military service today by doing alternative service,” Dawn took to his social media. “Please understand that I could not share the information earlier as I wanted to enlist quietly. Nonetheless, I wanted to say that I am very thankful for my fans who always support me and I will be back afte

K-popOct. 12, 2023

Lee Hyori returns with 1st new song in 6 years

Lee Hyori returns to the music world on Thursday with the digital single "Hoodie e Banbaji." The single is the veteran singer's first record in six years, since the release of her sixth album "Black" in 2017. "Hoodie e Banbaji" means "hoodie on shorts" in Korean, referring to the singer's casual daily style. According to her agency Antenna, the new song is an easy-listening tune that rolls out Lee's own story about walking her own path her o

K-popOct. 12, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jimin to discuss making 1st solo album

A documentary will give fans a glimpse at the making of Jimin's first solo album, his label Big Hit Music said Wednesday. A teaser from documentary film “Jimin’s Production Day,” released on the day, showed the BTS singer engrossed in working on his EP “Face” in a dimly lit studio. “Albums cannot be considered simply,” he admitted adding that putting together his solo album helped clarify what he should be doing from now on. The film will be available o

K-popOct. 11, 2023

Hip-hop 6-piece 82Major hopes to top K-pop

New boy band 82Major on Wednesday threw its hat into the ring with the debut album "On." The six-member group, consisting of Nam Sung-mo, Park Seok-joon, Yoon Ye-chan, Cho Seong-il, Hwang Seong-bin and Kim Do-gyun, is the first boy band debuting under novice label Great M Entertainment. Celebrating their debut, the group held a media showcase event in Seoul on Wednesday. The name, 82Major, combines the country code of South Korea, 82, with the word "major," reflecting the gro

K-popOct. 11, 2023

Viviz to drop 4th EP ‘Versus’ next month

K-pop girl group Viviz is returning with a new album next month, according to BPM Entertainment. The trio, which consists of members Eunha, SinB and Umji, is releasing its fourth mini album, “Versus,” on Nov. 2. The latest release is the first in 10 months after the group’s third mini album “VarioUS.” Viviz had hinted at new music in a YouTube interview video on Sunday. BPM Entertainment also released the promotion schedule for the trio’s upcoming album in a p

K-popOct. 11, 2023

Aespa to return with 4th EP ‘Drama’ next month

K-pop girl group aespa will release its fourth EP, “Drama,” on Nov. 10, according to an announcement by SM Entertainment. The upcoming album will be led by the titular track “Drama,” and will have a total of six tracks which are expected to highlight aespa’s enhanced vocal and musical talents. SM Entertainment released a teaser clip for the EP which shows a video projected onto an old building of the members of aespa walking around in black boots, and then one of th

K-popOct. 11, 2023

Half of Loona restarts as quintet Loossemble

Loona's Hyunjin, Yeojin, Vivi, Go Won and Hyeju are starting off afresh as Loossemble under a new label on Tuesday. The quintet held a debut press showcase in Seoul on Tuesday afternoon, greeting local press for the first time since its self-titled debut album, "Loossemble," released Sept. 15. "Half nervous, half excited," was how Vivi and the rest of the members said they felt as they set off from scratch again. "We look forward to our future as Loossemble," H

K-popOct. 10, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook hits Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 5 with solo single

Jungkook of BTS landed on Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 5 with solo single “3D,” according to the chart preview published on Monday in the US. The collaboration with Jack Harlow was also No. 1 on Billboard’s Global 200 and Global Excl. the US, as well as the digital song sales chart. His last single “Seven” ranked No. 2 on Global Excl. the US, making him the first solo artist to ever occupy the top two spots at the same time. Jungkook is also the first K-pop solo

K-popOct. 10, 2023

YG's new girl group Babymonster to debut next month

YG’s new K-pop girl group Babymonster is making its debut next month, according to YG Entertainment. The group will be filming its music video at the end of this month. YG says Babymonster’s debut album will be filled with high-quality tracks that have been gathered through song camps held with renowned foreign music producers and YG’s music producers. Babymonster is set to debut with a piece of powerful music. “We devoted our time and effort to choosing the group’s

K-popOct. 10, 2023

Jungkook becomes first Korean soloist to log 2 songs in Top 5 of Billboard's Hot 100

BTS' Jungkook has become the first South Korean soloist to place two songs in the top five of Billboard's Hot 100 main singles chart. Jungkook's latest single, "3D (feat. Jack Harlow)," debuted at No. 5 on this week's Hot 100 chart dated Oct. 14. The BTS vocalist topped the chart earlier in July with "Seven (feat. Latto)." The latest feat adds to Jungkook's record-setting streak on the global chart. With "Seven," he had become the second S

K-popOct. 10, 2023

Taemin of SHINee to drop new EP 'Guilty' on Oct. 30

SHINee’s Taemin is returning with a new solo EP titled “Guilty” on Oct. 30, according to SM Entertainment. His fourth solo mini album “Guilty” will carry six tracks, led by the titular track “Guilty.” This is Taemin’s first EP since his third EP “Advice” was released in May 2021. The artist hopes to capture global listeners with the upcoming album, which he filled with his unique colors. Taemin is recognized for his outstanding performa

K-popOct. 10, 2023

Pentagon’s Yeo One, Yanan, Yuto, Kino, Wooseok leaves Cube Entertainment

Yeo One, Yanan, Yuto, Kino and Wooseok of the K-pop boy group Pentagon will not renew their exclusive contract with Cube Entertainment. “We’ve had an open conversation with members as their exclusive contract with our agency is near expiration. After a thorough discussion, Yeo One, Yanan, Yuto, Kino and Wooseok have decided to terminate their contract,” announced Cube Entertainment on Monday in a press release. “We want to thank them for being with us for seven long years

K-popOct. 10, 2023

N.SSign to resume album promotion without Doha

K-pop boy group n.SSign will continue promoting its debut album one member short, with Doha on a break due to health issues, according to n.CH Entertainment on Monday. “Doha has been having health issues and he is currently taking a break for a medical diagnosis of his symptoms," said the agency in a press release. "As we prioritize our artist’s health and stability, we have decided along with other members of n.SSign that it is for the best for Doha to halt group activitie

K-popOct. 9, 2023