[Herald Interview] Sistar19 shows maturity in new single 'No More (Ma Boy)'

Sistar19, the unit from the now-defunct girl group Sistar, is back with a new single album “No More (Ma Boy).” This is the duo's first new single album in 11 years. Hyolyn and Bora of Sistar19 show what it is to sing and dance in a relaxed and composed manner, a change that comes from years in the K-pop scene. “We released our first digital single as Sistar19 just three years after our debut so we were really tense when performing. But with this new album, we wanted to sho

K-popJan. 16, 2024

Nmixx returns with new EP, 'Fe304: BREAK,' to break social prejudice

K-pop girl group Nmixx hopes to break prejudice and create a society in which everyone can be equally loved, which is a message the group hopes to portray through its new EP, “Fe304: BREAK.” Donning strange but cute hats, the group held a press conference Monday to introduce its new album, the first in six months. “Today we are dressed in red and black. We hoped to represent prisoners who want to break free from the hardships they face in the real world and head toward a utopia

K-popJan. 16, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS tops 500m views with ‘Black Swan’ music video

    BTS generated 500 million views on YouTube with the music video for “Black Swan,” according to label Big Hit Music on Monday. It is the band’s 17th music video to reach the milestone. “Black Swan” is a B-side track from its fourth studio album “Map of the Soul: 7” which came out in 2020. The song was dropped in advance and ranked No. 57 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and No. 46 on UK’s Official Singles Top 100. It also topped iTune

K-popJan. 15, 2024

[Herald Interview] KCM celebrates 20th anniversary with gratitude for fans

Marking the 20th year of his ballad singer career, KCM returned with a new album, “US,” sending gratitude to his fans on Sunday. The album is the finale of the first chapter of his life, as well as the starting point of his next chapter, according to KCM. From the album title, "US," to the first track "To My Fans," which he wrote and composed himself, KCM's new album is full of his love for his fans. "When I held my 20th anniversary concert in November,

PerformanceJan. 15, 2024

NewJeans wins 4 trophies at CCMA

Girl group NewJeans won the most trophies at the Circle Chart Music Awards 2023, a popular music award ceremony hosted by Circle Chart, while Babymonster, Zerobaseone and Riize all won the Rookie of the Year award. Circle Chart, a leading tracker of local album sales, held the annual music awards ceremony at Bexco in Busan on Wednesday. The winners for 2023 were determined by the commercial performances of albums and songs based on the tracker's chart from Dec. 1, 2022, to Nov. 30, 2023. Ar

K-popJan. 13, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] NewJeans hits 2m sales mark in record 17 months

The second EP of NewJeans sold over 2 million units as of last month, said agency Ador on Friday. It is the group’s first album to hit the milestone and the quintet achieved the feat in 17 months since its debut, setting a record for a K-pop female artist. The EP was rolled out in July last year and sold more than 1.65 million copies in the first week, becoming the second-most sold album from a K-pop female act.  The album debuted atop Billboard 200 and is staying on the main albums

K-popJan. 12, 2024

Jungkook nominated in 4 categories at People’s Choice Awards

BTS’ Jungkook has been nominated in four categories at this year's People’s Choice Awards, a record-breaking feat for a K-pop soloist. The list of nominees for the 2024 People’s Choice Awards unveiled on Thursday showed Jungkook was nominated for the Male Artist of the Year, the Pop Artist of the Year, the New Artist of the Year and the Collaboration Song of the Year awards. The People’s Choice Awards is a US awards show that began in 1975 to recognize people in the

K-popJan. 12, 2024

Monsta X’s I.M to return with new digital single this month

I.M of boy band Monsta X is releasing a new digital single, his first in seven months. The artist is set to drop a digital single on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m., according to Sony Music Entertainment Korea. I.M announced his comeback on his official Instagram account Friday by dropping two teaser images of his upcoming digital single. The teaser images show I.M dressed in a white knit sweater standing in front of a window. The details of his comeback are yet to be unveiled. I.M made his solo debut with &l

K-popJan. 12, 2024

Aespa opens pop-up store to promote upcoming movie

K-pop girl group aespa is celebrating its third debut anniversary with its fans by opening a pop-up store and through the release of a special movie on the group's story in February. The pop-up store which opened Friday at the Lotte World Mall in Seoul, is decorated around the group’s key color, “aurora,” which is light pink and sky blue. The store offers diverse and interactive content, including photo booths and a message zone where the visitors can leave messages for th

K-popJan. 12, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] NCT’s Haechan fined for smoking e-cigarette indoors

Haechan of NCT was issued a fine for smoking an e-cigarette inside a building, acknowledged label SM Entertainment on Thursday. He was seen smoking an e-cigarette device at the studio in the video clip showing the members of NCT127 practicing dance, which was uploaded on the day before, and will pay the penalties, explained the firm, adding an apology for his “negligent behavior.” The scene of him smoking has been edited out. Fines for smoking indoors here are customarily 100,000 wo

K-popJan. 11, 2024

KCON to kick off in Hong Kong this year

South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM is holding its largest Korean culture and music celebration, KCON, in Hong Kong for the first time this year. KCON will kick off in Hong Kong, the sixth-biggest K-pop album importer, on March 30-31, organizer announced Thursday. KCON Hong Kong 2024 is to be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo, one of the two major convention and exhibition facilities in Hong Kong capable of accommodating up to 10,000 visitors. Previously, the MAMA Awards were held at this venue fro

K-popJan. 11, 2024

Stray Kids land at No. 52 on SNEP’s 2023 Top 200 Albums chart, breaking record

K-pop boy group Stray Kids landed at No. 52 on the French music industry association SNEP’s 2023 Top 200 Albums chart, a record-breaking feat for a K-pop artist. According to SNEP’s 2023 Top 200 Albums chart, Stray Kids landed at No. 52 with its third studio album, “Five-Star,” and at No. 135 with its eighth EP, “Rock-Star.” The group made their career debut on the French annual album chart with these two albums, which were the top two most successful K-pop al

K-popJan. 11, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Boy band All Ours debuts

A seven-member team named All Ours debuted and held a media conference in Seoul on Wednesday. It brought out a namesake EP that consists of five tracks, including focus track “Gotcha.” The lead single is filled with thumping bass sounds that underline the band’s daring performance. The band's Kunho described the group's “turn” as a signature move from the choreography, and Minje added that they all practiced day and night for three months straight without taking a

K-popJan. 10, 2024

K-pop idols to hold first solo concerts, fan meetings of their career

Several K-pop idols are gearing up for their first solo concerts and fan meetings in February. Ten of NCT will hold his first fan concert as he tours four Asian cities, including Seoul. The first "2024 Ten First Fan-Con 1001" concert will be held at the Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on Feb. 17. Other concert venues for Ten's tour include the Bangkok Impact Arena on March 3, the Asiaworld-Expo Hall in Hong Kong on March 9 and the Kasablanka Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia, on A

K-popJan. 10, 2024

Hybe takes measures against illegal use of BTS name, images

Hybe, the K-pop agency whose sub-label Big Hit Music, represents BTS, is taking action against the illegal use of its intellectual property, including the use of BTS' name, logo and related pictures. “We will strengthen monitoring and take stern measures for acts that violate the rights of our company and artists to make commercial use of them,” an official from Hybe told The Korea Herald on Wednesday. The agency noted that Busan’s Nam-gu district office is using BTS&rsquo

K-popJan. 10, 2024

Jennie of Blackpink No. 69 on Billboard’s Hot 100, Jungkook on Billboard 200 for longest among K-pop soloists

Jennie of Blackpink landed at No. 69 on Billboard’s Hot 100, breaking a record for a female K-pop solo artist. The K-pop star made the Jan. 13 chart with “One of the Girls,” from the original soundtrack of HBO series “The Idol,” in which she also stars. Previously, Rose of Blackpink was the female K-pop solo artist with the highest ranking, landing at No. 70 on Billboard’s Hot 100 with her single “On the Ground,” followed by Lisa of Blackpink at No

K-popJan. 10, 2024

B1A4 returns with 'Connect' after two-year break

It's been more than two years since their last release but B1A4 is going nowhere. With members back from military service, the group released a new album, “Connect,” saying there was still a lot they wanted to do. The new mini album, the trio's eighth, comes about two years and two months since the digital single "Huge Horse" in November 2021. “I feel so nervous right now. I hope everyone will enjoy our new album,” Sandeul who completed his military se

K-popJan. 9, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Astro’s Cha Eunwoo to drop 1st solo album: report

Cha Eunwoo of Astro will bring out his first solo album in the first half of this year, according to a local media report on Tuesday. Agency Fantagio confirmed the news following the report and added that he will unveil one of the B-side tracks from the album at his first solo fan concert slated to be held in Seoul on Feb. 17. The singer and actor has released a number of solo songs for TV dramas he has starred in, including his first, “Rainbow Falling,” which was part of the origin

K-popJan. 9, 2024

Riize named by Apple Music as artist to watch in 2024

The year 2024 will be a big year for K-pop rookie group Riize, according to Apple Music's prediction. Riize was the only K-pop act among the five artists named on Apple Music’s 2024 Artists to Watch list, announced on Monday. Bloody Civilian, Flyana Boss, Kenya Grace and The Last Dinner Party are the other artists named on the list. Riize’s latest single, “Love 119,” was also included among 50 singles chosen for the “Shazam: 2024 Trend Playlist" announced

K-popJan. 9, 2024

Aespa to remake Seo Tai-ji and Boys’ ‘Regret of the Times’

Aespa is remaking "Regret of the Times," the hit single by K-pop group Seo Tai-ji and Boys. Part of SM Entertainment’s “Remastering Project," aespa's remake of the song will be released via major music platforms on Jan. 15 at 6 p.m., according to the entertainment agency. Aespa’s music video for the remake will be unveiled on SM’s YouTube channel at the same time. An alternative rock song with energetic band sounds and anti-establishment lyrics, &ldq

K-popJan. 9, 2024