So many epic performances, so few places to hold them

While K-pop continues its phenomenal growth and more people attend live performances than ever before, one issue remains unchanged from a decade ago -- the chronic shortage of concert venues. "Finding a venue is like finding a needle in a haystack," said an official from a music festival organizing agency. The official added that many performances that were originally scheduled for December to target the year-end are being pushed to January due to the shortage of venues. Another indust

CultureSept. 9, 2024

Seventeen breaks through barriers at Lollapalooza Berlin

K-pop sensation Seventeen headlined the Lollapalooza Berlin music festival on Sunday. The group was the last headlining act to take the main stage at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Seventeen delivered a spectacular 90-minute set, showcasing 19 tracks and sharing heartfelt moments with the audience. The show was as well-prepared as the group's standalone concerts, featuring grand-scale performances with 12 dancers on stage. The group kicked off with high-energy tracks like “Super&rdq

K-popSept. 9, 2024

Jennie partners with Columbia Records for solo comeback in October

Blackpink member Jennie is set for a solo comeback. Jennie's agency, OA Entertainment, announced Monday that the star had signed on with Columbia Records, a major American record label under Sony Music Entertainment. She will be releasing a single in October. Columbia Records is home to global pop stars such as Beyonce, Adele and Harry Styles. Jennie's upcoming solo track marks her first release since the special single "You & Me," released in October. Jennie also release

K-popSept. 9, 2024

Megan Thee Stallion's 'Neva Play' featuring BTS' RM performs well on global music charts

A collaboration song between RM, the leader of K-pop supergroup BTS, and American rapper Megan Thee Stallion has performed well on major global music charts. "Neva Play" reached No. 10 on Spotify's daily top songs global chart after being streamed more than 4.5 million times, the streaming giant said Saturday (U.S. time). It marks RM's highest solo entry on this chart. The track also topped the iTunes Top Songs charts in 87 countries, including the United States, Canada and G

K-popSept. 8, 2024

Family of late K-pop star Jonghyun launches counseling program for young artists

The family of the late SHINee member Jonghyun has launched a psychological counseling project aimed at supporting young artists through the foundation established in his memory. On Saturday, the Shiny Foundation introduced its latest initiative, Youth Meetup, to promote the mental well-being of young artists. The announcement was made via the foundation’s official social media accounts. In a video accompanying the launch, Jonghyun’s older sister Kim So-dam, who also serves as a direc

CultureSept. 8, 2024

Xikers returns with darker, deeper charisma in their bold 4th mini album

K-pop boy band Xikers released their 4th mini album, "House of Tricky: Watch Out," on Friday, showcasing more powerful performances and charisma than ever before. The album comes in three distinct versions, each depicting a different phase of Xikers' journey. “The ‘Tricky’ version represents the maze Xikers are trying to escape from, while the ‘X’ version captures the moment they discover the light and run toward it. The ‘Hiker’ version sh

K-popSept. 8, 2024

Producer Teddy's girl group Meovv debuts, showcasing dual feline charms

K-pop agency The Black Label's first girl group, Meovv, debuted Friday with its first single showcasing the group's identity that evokes the "chic and lovely" characteristics of cats. The label is led by Teddy, a renowned producer who has worked with K-pop legends BIGBANG and BLACKPINK. "I'm really happy to be on this debut stage, which I have dreamed of for a long time," member Gawon said during the media showcase for the group's debut album, which was st

K-popSept. 6, 2024

Kim Jae-joong and Kim Jun-su to hold concert in November

K-pop artists Kim Jae-joong and Kim Jun-su, former members of legendary K-pop group TVXQ, are holding a concert together. According to Kim Jun-su’s agency, Palmtree Island, the two artists will hold a three-day concert titled “JX 2024 Concert Identity in Seoul” at the KSPO Dome Nov. 8-10 to celebrate their 20th debut anniversary. Kim Jae-joong and Kim Jun-su have created official social media accounts to promote their duet concert and communicate with their fans. "This con

K-popSept. 6, 2024

TikTok to launch global K-pop competition ‘Time Turner’

TikTok is to launch its first K-pop girl group competition, “Time Turner,” in November. TikTok has collaborated with new media companies Pi Corp. and MakeStar to produce the audition show that will premiere on TikTok. “Time Turner" is a unique real-time competition set in the boundless realm of space-time known as "P-314," where aspiring dreamers embark on a journey to achieve their dreams through time travel. The ultimate winners of the show will be determined b

K-popSept. 6, 2024

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

Yeonjoon of Tomorrow X Together will bring out a solo album by the end of the month, according to a local media report Friday. The main dancer of the five-member act has established himself as one of most noteworthy performers among K-pop idols, not only as a member of the band, but also through a series of dance challenge videos. He also participated on the original soundtrack for TV drama “Cinderella at 2 AM,” which began airing last month, a first for him. Meanwhile, TXT is in the

K-popSept. 6, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] NCT Taeyong’s solo concert film to premiere

NCT Taeyong's first solo concert will be made into a movie and will come to cinemas Sept. 25, according to distributor CJ4D Plex on Thursday. “Taeyong: TY Track in Cinema” will not only let the audience relive the live show but also get a glimpse of Taeyeong's preparation for the stage along with candid commentaries. He hosted his first solo concert “TY Track” in Seoul in late February and put on “Tap,” the titular track from his second solo EP, ahea

K-popSept. 5, 2024

Twice’s Tzuyu reveals new, mature side in solo debut

Twice's youngest member Tzuyu is set to make her solo debut Friday, promising fans a more mature and sexy side they haven’t seen before. The Taiwanese singer becomes the third Twice member to go solo, following Nayeon in June 2022 and Jihyo in August 2023, with the release of her first mini-album, “abouTZU.” "While performing with Twice members and seeing various stages, I started wondering what it would be like to have my own stage, inspired by other female solo arti

K-popSept. 5, 2024

Day6 to become 1st Korean band to perform at Gocheok Sky Dome

Korean band Day6 is set to become the first Korean band to hold a standalone concert at the Gocheok Sky Dome, the largest dome venue in Seoul, which can accommodate around 25,000 people. JYP Entertainment announced Wednesday that it is currently planning for the band’s show near the year-end to celebrate their 10th debut anniversary. Specific details of the concert will soon be announced, according to the agency. Day6, a Korean pop rock band consisting of guitarists Sungjin and Young K, ke

K-popSept. 5, 2024

Fans call for zero-waste K-pop industry

Kpop4Planet (K4P), a climate activist group founded by K-pop fans advocating for a more sustainable K-pop industry, held a protest titled "Plastic Album Sins" in front of Hybe’s headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Wednesday, urging the industry to take stronger environmental protection measures. During the protest, K4P cited an August survey that gathered input from over 12,000 K-pop fans here and overseas. According to the survey, 42.8 percent of respondents identified marketing

K-popSept. 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] Younha delivers hope to people facing new journey

Singer-songwriter Younha returned with a fairytale of comfort and encouragement. Celebrating her 20th debut anniversary this year, Younha embarked on a journey to Australia after the success of her 6th album’s main track, “Event Horizon.” While contemplating the next album, she encountered mangrove trees standing resiliently on a coastline, enduring the salty seawater. It was the moment that sparked the concept for her next album. “My agency suggested exploring stories ab

K-popSept. 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] Yerin returns as healing magician

Yerin is making a return as a soloist with vibrant energy. For her third solo mini album, the singer has embraced the concept of a magician who heals people’s wounds and brings happiness. Yerin shared her thoughts from the early stage of album planning. “Listening to the lyrics of the songs on this album, you'll notice that the tracks are arranged in a way that takes you on a journey — from a resolve to heal someone to the path toward happiness," said Yerin. Upon rece

K-popSept. 4, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Itzy to return next month including Lia: report

Itzy will return in October as a full group, local media reported Wednesday. Lia, as label JYP Entertainment told fans in July, will resume activities starting with the new album as her condition has improved significantly. She has been taking a break due to anxiety. The group’s last album in Korea was its eighth EP “Born To Be” which came out in January. Its latest was “Algorhythm,” its third single in Japan, which came out in May. Itzy wrapped up its second inte

K-popSept. 4, 2024

K-pop agencies hop on the virtual artist bandwagon

The entertainment industry continues to be captivated by the virtual K-pop artist phenomenon, despite initial skepticism that it would fade into obscurity like the once-popular notions of the metaverse and NFTs. As virtual idols are increasingly being recognized beyond the niche market, major K-pop agencies such as SM Entertainment and Hybe are entering the virtual artist market, aiming to replicate the success of virtual groups like Vlast's Plave. Jumping on the bandwagon SM Entertainment

K-popSept. 4, 2024

Is Ador moving to isolate Min Hee-jin?

Ador may be taking steps to distance NewJeans from the influence of former CEO Min Hee-jin, as her close associate and director behind the music videos for “ETA” and “Ditto,” Shin Woo-seok, announced Monday that he would cease collaboration with the group. In May, Shin had submitted a petition opposing Min's dismissal as Ador's CEO. Shin revealed that the Hybe-owned label recently requested that he remove all NewJeans-related content from his production company

K-popSept. 3, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jin hits 100m views with ‘Super Tuna’ dance video

The performance video for “Supertuna,” a solo song from Jin of BTS, surpassed the 100 million milestone on YouTube as of Monday, according to label Big Hit Music on Tuesday. The artist uploaded the video in December 2021 to celebrate his birthday with his fans. Donning denim overalls and a T-shirt with a tuna he drew himself, he danced on a beach in Los Angeles. Inspired by his hobby, fishing, Jin’s self-written song “Supertuna” was officially released the following

K-popSept. 3, 2024