[Today’s K-pop] NCT’s Lucas quits NCT, WayV

Lucas of NCT told fans that he is leaving the band, as well as WayV, he said on social media on Wednesday, approximately two years after he suspended activities. “After a long consideration, I’ve decided to quit groups NCT and WayV,” he wrote in Chinese. He said he feels really sorry and bad to leave his bandmates who have been together for almost eight years. He reiterated that this was the "best decision" for all of them, and that he will soon be back on his own. H

K-popMay 10, 2023

BTS' Jimin features in 'Angel Pt. 1' from 'Fast X' soundtrack

Jimin of BTS featured in “Angel Pt. 1,” the original soundtrack of the upcoming movie “Fast X” along with other artists including Kodak Black, NLE Choppa, JVKE and Muni Long. The single will be released on May 18, a day after the movie premieres in South Korea, according to Universal Pictures on Wednesday. Jimin also starred in the song's music video, scheduled for release on the same day as the single. Jimin is the first South Korean singer to feature in the soundtr

K-popMay 10, 2023

IU denies plagiarism allegations, takes legal action

Singer-songwriter IU is refuting allegations of plagiarism, and is taking legal action against those raising the allegations. IU's agency Edam Entertainment on Wednesday afternoon said in a press statement that it has pressed charges over continued malicious behavior against the singer online. "For several months we have been aware that posts alleging plagiarism and carrying false rumors based on unverified claims have been spreading via online communities, social media and YouTube,&qu

K-popMay 10, 2023

Secret Number to drop new album this month

Multinational K-pop girl group Secret Number will release a new album on May 24, some six months after its fifth single album, “Tap," was released. Secret Number’s return was announced through a teaser clip of its upcoming track posted on its YouTube channel. The teaser clip shows the band recording in a studio holding sheet music for a song titled “Beautiful One.” The lyrics read “Sorry for taking long,” “My heart is a lock and you’re my key

K-popMay 10, 2023

BTS solo documentaries to hit global cinemas in June

Two documentaries starring BTS' Suga and J-Hope are set for global release in June, Lotte Cinema announced Wednesday. The cinema release of "J-Hope in the Box" and "Suga: Road to D-Day" is in celebration of BTS' 10th anniversary, Lotte Cinema said. BTS, the seven-piece K-pop sensation consisting of Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook, celebrates its anniversary on June 13. More details on where the films will be available worldwide have not been announced.

K-popMay 10, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] aespa sets sales record with 3rd EP

The third EP from aespa sold more than 1.37 million copies on the first day, a record for a K-pop girl group. It is the group’s second million-seller, after its previous EP “Girls” sold 1.12 million in the first week, then fourth highest for a K-pop girl group. The mini album came out Monday, about 10 months after the last album, and logged 1.8 million in preorders. It swept a series of major music charts at home and topped iTunes top albums chart in 20 regions.   NewJean

K-popMay 9, 2023

New season of late-night KBS music talk show to reawaken legendary artists and music

The late-night KBS music talk show “The Seasons” is set for a fresh start with Choi Jung-hoon, band Jannabi's vocalist, as its new face. “I’m so honored to be part of this program. I’ve dreamed of performing at a late-night music talk show but never of hosting it. Different to Jay Park, who did an amazing job as the emcee of the first season and put his focus on the artists themselves, I will try to focus more on their music,” said Choi Jung-hoon during

K-popMay 9, 2023

Oneus sets off as a quintet with 'Pygmalion'

Boy band Oneus is opening its second chapter with its ninth EP, "Pygmalion." "This album in one phrase is 'Oneus' new takeoff.' We've worked really hard to show a different side of us," Hwanwoong said at a press showcase in Seoul on Monday. "Pygmalion" marks the return of Oneus after eight months, the group's longest break to date. It is also the group's first album dropped following the departure of member Raven in October, which left

K-popMay 9, 2023

Seventeen hits No. 2 on Billboard albums chart

Seventeen continues to write history with its 10th EP, "FML," with the album landing at No. 2 on Billboard's main albums chart. The US music publisher on Monday announced the chart placing, which beats the groups previous best performance, when it hit No. 4 with its fourth LP-reissue "Sector 17" in July 2022. Since its debut on the chart at No. 15 with eighth EP "Your Choice" in 2021, all of Seventeen's albums made it into the chart and set highs every tim

K-popMay 9, 2023

K-pop boy band CIX announces comeback in May

K-pop boy band CIX is dropping a new album this month. The upcoming album marks the quintet’s first release since its fifth EP “OK’ Episode 1: OK Not” in August last year. CIX unveiled its first teaser clip on Tuesday to announce its new release, in which all members are wearing school uniforms and each is expressing a different kind of sadness. According to the group’s management agency C9 Entertainment, the upcoming album is the second episode of the act’s &

K-popMay 9, 2023

[Herald Interview] ADYA embarks on adventure with debut single 'Per'

ADYA, Starting House Entertainment’s new girl group, set sail on Tuesday with its debut single “Per." The name of the five-member group is a combination of the word “adventure” and the Spanish word “ya,” which means now. ADYA comprises Chaeeun, Sena, Seungchae, Yeonsu and Seowon. The team, whose members are aged 17 to 20, aims to portray the younger generation who love themselves and are honest about their feelings and desires, ADYA said. “We don&rs

K-popMay 9, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook sets Guinness record with Spotify streams

Jungkook of BTS set a Guinness World Record for amassing 1 billion streams on Spotify in the shortest time for a K-pop male solo artist, said the global record authority on Monday. He achieved the feat on the platform in 409 days with three songs: “Stay Alive” from the original soundtrack for the webtoon “7Fates: Chakho,” the Charlie Puth collaboration track “Left and Right” and “Dreamers” from the official soundtrack for the 2022 FIFA Qatar World

K-popMay 8, 2023

Led by 'Spicy,' aespa returns with 3rd mini album 'My World'

Aespa finally made its long-awaited return on Monday with songs filled with bright young energy, unlike its powerful and intensely conceptual previous tracks. Aespa dropped its third mini album, “My World,” on Monday, 10 months after the release of its last album. "This album shows a new side of aespa. We've mostly done dark and intense music so far because of our Kwangya story line, in which we fought with a villain called Black Mamba. But as we are back in the 'real

K-popMay 8, 2023

Boynextdoor to debut with 3-track single

Hybe's rookie boy band Boynextdoor is set to unveil three songs on its debut single. KOZ Entertainment, Hybe's affiliate label under which the band will debut, on Monday said Boynextdoor's debut single, "Who!," will consist of three songs: "But I Like You," "One and Only" and "Serenade." Rapper-producer Zico, who is the CEO of the team's label, took part in producing "One and Only," teaming up with his longtime musical partner

K-popMay 8, 2023

MCND takes stage in Dubai for '2023 K-Travel Week in UAE'

K-pop boy band MCND performed in Dubai Festival City, United Arab Emirates, in celebration of "2023 K-Travel Week in UAE," its agency TOP Media said Monday. According to the agency, MCND was the only K-pop artist to perform at the festival held on Friday and Saturday. The event was organized by South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization to promote South Korean culture and tourism in the Middle East. Appearing onstage to fans' cheering, MCND

K-popMay 8, 2023

K-pop's 5th gen kicks off with boy band rush

K-pop is entering a new era, with rookie boy bands rushing to open doors. The fourth generation of K-pop groups, mainly defined by those who debuted from 2019 to 2022, saw the flourishing of girl groups. From aespa to Ive, NewJeans, Le Sserafim and Itzy, unique and talented groups reigned on the stage and charts during those years. But trends come and go, and it appears boy bands may be in vogue again. One of the most anticipated groups from the next generation is the string of new boy bands set

K-popMay 8, 2023

iKon starts 'Take Off' world tour in Seoul

Six-piece boy band iKon kicked off its world tour "Take Off" with a set of Seoul concerts. The first and second day of iKon's global concert tour "Take Off" took place on Friday and Saturday at Jangchung Arena in Seoul. The concerts followed the band's long-awaited comeback on Thursday with its third full-length album "Take Off." The six members packed both nights with three hours of live performances and talk sessions, showcasing old hits, such as "R

K-popMay 7, 2023

Fifty Fifty becomes 1st K-pop girl group to enter British Official Singles Chart Top 10

Fifty Fifty has made it into the top 10 of the British Official Singles Chart for the first time as a K-pop girl group with its new viral hit song "Cupid." According to the latest chart released Friday, "Cupid" rose nine places from last week to rank No. 9 in its sixth consecutive week on the chart. Since debuting at No. 96, the song has climbed rapidly up the rankings to reach No. 61, 34, 26, 18 and now ninth. It marks the first time a K-pop girl group has reached the Britis

K-popMay 6, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] NCT’s Taeyong to drop solo album next month

Taeyong of NCT will bring out his first solo album early next month, according to label SM Entertainment Thursday. He is shooting a music video for the album, added a source. He will be the first member of the mega band to release an album on his own although many, including Mark, Taeil, Jaehyun and Doyoung, dropped solo singles before. Taeyong also put out “Long Flight” as the label’s singles project in 2019. The musician debuted in 2016 as a member of the band and has partic

K-popMay 4, 2023

Ex-foreign service employee fined for attempt to sell BTS Jungkook's lost hat

The Seoul Central District Court has fined a former foreign service employee 1 million won ($749) on charges of attempting to sell BTS member Jungkook's lost hat online, legal sources said Wednesday. The employee, whose identity has been withheld, put the bucket hat for sale on an online second-hand market for 10 million won in October, claiming the K-pop star had left it at the foreign ministry building in Seoul when he visited to apply for a passport. The seller deleted his offer and turn

K-popMay 3, 2023