[Today’s K-pop] NewJeans sells most-ever albums for K-pop female act

NewJeans sold more than 4.39 million units of albums so far this year, the most-ever for a K-pop female act, according to a local tally Friday. The rookie girl group achieved the feat with three albums: its namesake album from August last year and single “OMG” from January, as well as second EP “Get Up," which was rolled out in July. All three albums each sold over a million and the latest is likely to sell over 2 million, as it had logged more than 1.99 million in sales

K-popDec. 29, 2023

Blackpink members not renewing individual contracts at YG: agency

All four members of the K-pop sensation Blackpink are leaving YG Entertainment to pursue their solo careers. “We recently extended our exclusive contract with Blackpink for its group projects. We agreed not to proceed with an additional contract for each member’s individual activities,” said YG Entertainment in a press release on Friday. YG announced on Dec. 6 that the four-member group had renewed an exclusive contract with the agency for group activities. Since their debut in

K-popDec. 29, 2023

Twice to perform at Nissan Stadium in Japan next summer

K-pop girl group Twice will hold standalone concerts at Nissan Stadium, the biggest multipurpose stadium in Yokohama, Japan, in July next year. The group announced the upcoming concert during a gig at the PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, Japan, Thursday. Twice will later hold standalone concerts at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka, Japan, July 13-14, 2024, as well as at Nissan Stadium on July 27 and 28. Twice will become the second K-pop act to perform at Nissan Stadium, following legendary K-pop boy band T

K-popDec. 29, 2023

‘Excessive’ police questioning over celebrities’ alleged drug use comes under fire

Controversy is brewing over the police's excessive investigation of celebrities following the sudden death of actor Lee Sun-kyun. Lee was found dead in an apparent suicide on Wednesday, days after police questioning amid suspicions of illegal drug use. According to the police, the alleged case of illegal drug use against Lee was first made public on Oct. 19 through a report by the local media. It was when the case was still in the confidential initial stage of investigation. But the leaka

K-popDec. 28, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Jennie hits Billboard’s Hot 100, 1st as solo act

Jennie of Blackpink made Billboard’s Hot 100 with single “One Of The Girls,” according to chart previews that became available on Tuesday in the US. It is part of the original soundtrack for drama “The Idol,” fronted by The Weeknd, and featuring co-star Lily Rose Melody Depp. The song charted at No. 100 on the main singles chart and is Jennie’s first entry on the tally as a solo artist. Her solo special single from October, “You ＆ Me,” ranked No.

K-popDec. 27, 2023

Broadcasters' year-end music festivals mired in controversy

Broadcasters' year-end music festivals have come under fire for poor production value, counterfeit tickets and selecting overseas venues over domestic ones, making it hard for K-pop fans to attend. The "SBS Gayo Daejeon 2023,” which was held at Inspire Arena in Yongjeong-do, Incheon, on Christmas Day, several accidents threatened the safety of artists in attendance. A man jumped over the safety line while girl group aespa was about to leave the red-carpet photo wall. A bodyguar

K-popDec. 27, 2023

[2023 K-pop in a Nutshell] Easy listening, new trending genre in K-pop

Easy listening, a popular music genre of soothing vocal and instrumental sounds that first appeared in the 1940s, or also sometimes called "elevator music," hit the K-pop scene this year. In a departure from their typical conceptual-driven songs, many K-pop groups started introducing easy-listening singles. Releasing a single of this genre was one of the key factors in girl group Fifty Fifty's record-breaking feats on the biggest music charts in the West, the US-based Billboard an

K-popDec. 27, 2023

New boy band TWS to debut Jan. 22

Pledis Entertainment, which represents K-pop boy band Seventeen, is to launch a new boy band under the name TWS on Jan. 22, 2024. The six-member TWS will release a single, “Oh Mymy: 7s,” on Tuesday prior to the official debut, according to Pledis Entertainment on Wednesday. The predebut single will be part of the group’s debut EP, “Sparkling Blue.” TWS is scheduled to release various video content before its official debut, such as a clip on the story behind the deb

K-popDec. 27, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen drops trot remix single

Seventeen is rolling out a trot song on Tuesday to the surprise of its fans. Under the title “God of Light Music,” the single was originally made as a promotional content for the band’s 11th EP “Seventeen’s Heaven.” It was created for the 13-member act’s documentary, part of its YouTube show “Going Seventeen,” and many of the fans requested the music to be officially released, according to agency Pledis Entertainment. A Korean trot version o

K-popDec. 26, 2023

TVXQ looks back on two decades and the next to come with 9th LP

As it celebrates two decades in the music business, TVXQ said Tuesday it hopes to slowly but steadily continue its journey as K-pop artists for many years to come. “We’ve run forward like wild horses during the past 20 years. For the next 20 years, we hope to work slowly but continuously," said Yunho of TVXQ during a press conference in Seoul. "Looking at other artists who have been in the industry longer than us, I learned that we’ve also got to make new attempts ins

K-popDec. 26, 2023

[2023 K-pop in a Nutshell] Return of K-pop veterans stirs up nostalgia

A rush of veteran K-pop boy groups returning with new releases stirred up nostalgia among old K-pop fans and enriched the music scene. That includes the so-called "second-generation" boy groups, those who debuted between 2003 and 2011, such as legends SHINee, Ukiss, Infinite, Teen Top and TVXQ. SHINee started the comeback race with the release of its eighth studio album, "Hard," in June, breaking a hiatus of more than two years. The group celebrated its 15th anniversary this

K-popDec. 26, 2023

[2023 K-pop in a Nutshell] Debut acts set bar high for future rookies

Rookies who embarked on a new journey as K-pop idols this year wrote many firsts in K-pop history. Even in the overpopulated industry, the debut acts managed to set the bar high for those following their footsteps by setting new records. Zerobaseone, a group of nine artists chosen through Mnet’s idol survival program, “Boys Planet,” made its grand debut in July with its first EP, “Youth in the Shade.” According to local album sales tracker Hanteo Chart, 1.24 million

K-popDec. 26, 2023

G-Dragon names anti-drug foundation 'JusPeace,' donates W300m

K-pop artist G-Dragon unveiled a plan on Monday to donate 300 million won ($230,237) to an anti-drug foundation he is establishing next year. According to G-Dragon's agency Galaxy Corporation, G-Dragon named the foundation "JusPeace Foundation," a word that combined “justice” and “peace.” The 35-year-old artist is donating 300 million won in the name of his now defunct group Big Bang’s fan community, VIP, to the JusPeace Foundation. “The foundat

K-popDec. 25, 2023

Jennie of Blackpink starts solo journey with own label, OA

Jennie of Blackpink announced a new beginning under a new agency that she has established for her solo career. “This year was filled with many accomplishments, and I’m so thankful for all the love I’ve received. I’m also excited about what’s to come, as I start my solo journey in 2024 with a company that I have established called OA. Please show lots of love for my new start with OA and of course, Blackpink,” Jennie wrote in a post uploaded on X, formerly Twit

K-popDec. 25, 2023

BTS' Jimin tops iTunes charts in 90 countries with 'Closer Than This'

BTS member Jimin topped the iTunes Top Song charts in 90 countries around the world with his new solo single, "Closer Than This," on Saturday, a day after its release, his agency said. The digital single was at No. 1 on the charts in the United States, Japan, Germany, France and dozens of other countries as of 8 a.m., according to BigHit Music. The tune is dedicated to ARMY, the band's fandom, in which Jimin promises he won't let go of "your hold" no matter what cha

K-popDec. 23, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook garners 100m views with “3D” music video

Jungkook of BTS logged 100 million views on YouTube with the music video for his solo single “3D (Feat. Jack Harlow),” according to Big Hit Music on Friday. This is Jungkook's second solo music video to reach the milestone, following “Seven (Feat. Latto).” “3D” was released in late September and debuted on both Billboard’s Hot 100 and the UK’s Official singles chart at No. 5. The single stayed on Billboard’s main songs chart for nine weeks i

K-popDec. 22, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jimin gifts fans a song

A digital single from Jimin of BTS will come out on Friday, said label Big Hit Music on Thursday. With solo single “Closer Than This,” he reminds fans of his love for them and promise he wants to keep. The artist also left a message to fans via the band’s YouTube channel asking fans to stay healthy and just be happy. He joined the military training camp along with bandmate Jungkook on Dec. 12. The two, as well as RM and V, will return in June 2025. In the meantime, the septet&

K-popDec. 21, 2023

IU seeks compensation for plagiarism accusation

Singer-actor IU recently launched a civil lawsuit seeking compensation from an individual who raised plagiarism allegations against her, as local media outlets on Thursday reported that South Korean police have submitted the information related to the individual to court. The 31-year-old singer has been engaged in a legal battle seeking compensation for what her representatives claimed was defamation via groundless acts of slander. After investigators cleared her of plagiarism allegations in Sep

K-popDec. 21, 2023

Pledis to launch first boy group in nine years after Seventeen

Pledis Entertainment, the agency that produced K-pop idol group Seventeen, is launching a new boy group for the first time in nine years. Called TWS, it is also the first rookie group that Pledis has produced after the company was acquired by Hybe in 2020. TWS, short for "Twenty-four seven with us," implies its music will be around fans all the time, Pledis said, adding that it aims to debut the group within January next year. "Like Seventeen, Pledis has followed a unique naming

K-popDec. 21, 2023

G-Dragon to return with new album next year, set up anti-drug foundation

K-pop artist G-Dragon is making a comeback next year and will establish a foundation aiming to, in his words, "eradicate drugs." In a press conference held in Seoul on Thursday, G-Dragon’s new agency Galaxy Corporation explained the result of the recent police investigation on the artist’s alleged illegal drug use and his plans for next year. G-Dragon did not attend the press conference. “The Police wrapped up the drug investigation on G-Dragon without suspension. We

K-popDec. 21, 2023