Remaining BTS members to head to military

RM, Jimin, Jungkook and V of South Korean mega group BTS have started their military enlistment process, BTS' label, BigHit Music, announced Tuesday. According to the company, the group's remaining four musicians have undertaken procedures to fulfill their national service obligations, following the other three members, Jin, Suga and J-Hope, who are already serving their duties. Specific details on the enrollment are expected to be announced later. All men of South Korean nationality a

K-popNov. 22, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids makes Billboard’s Hot 100 for 1st time

Stray Kids entered Billboard’s Hot 100 with the main track from its eighth EP, announced label JYP Entertainment on Tuesday. “Lalalala” from EP “Rock-Star” ranked No. 90 on the main singles chart and made the band the second K-pop boy band to make the chart, only after BTS. It is the seventh K-pop group to chart on the Hot 100. The American publication also commented on the group’s first entry writing that “Stray Kids are officially Billboard Hot 100-ch

K-popNov. 21, 2023

Mnet’s ‘Street Dance Girls Fighter 2’ targets global audience with multinational teen dancers

Mnet returns Tuesday night with the second season of its dance competition show “Street Dance Girls Fighter,” which features teenage female dancers. Different from the first season of the show, the program included young dancers from abroad and dancers even younger, between the ages of 13 and 18. “We decided to include dancers from other countries because we thought that dancing is another way of communication in a situation where there are language barriers. Because K-pop is p

K-popNov. 21, 2023

Jungkook holds live stage event for fans

Jungkook of BTS held his first-ever fan-exclusive live stage event with around 2,800 fans in Seoul on Monday. The global pop star performed all of the tracks in his recently released solo album, “Golden,” at the event, “Jungkook ‘Golden’ Live On Stage.” The singer kicked off the show with “Standing Next to You,” the lead track of his album, and sidetrack “Yes or No.” “I’ve prepared this concert solely for Armys. I happily pr

K-popNov. 21, 2023

[Herald Interview] VIXX highlights group’s continuity in 5th EP ‘Continuum’

K-pop boy group VIXX returned to the music scene on Tuesday with its fifth EP, “Continuum,” the group's first album release in four years. “We've longed for this comeback. In this album, we talk about one of our core values which is continuity. Our group hopes to continue presenting new albums for our fans,” Leo said during a group interview in Seoul. Over the past four years, all members of the group have been individually active in expanding their careers b

K-popNov. 21, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids tops Billboard 200

Stray Kids charted No. 1 on Billboard 200 with its eighth EP, according to the publication’s preview published on Sunday in the US. EP “Rock-Star” is the band’s fourth consecutive album to achieve the feat, following previous EPs, “Oddinary” and “Maxident,” as well as third studio album “Five-Star.” The eight-member act is the only K-pop band to top the main albums chart more than four times besides BTS that did so six times. The band

K-popNov. 20, 2023

K-pop artists take home 4 awards at BBMAs

Jungkook of BTS nabbed the award for top global K-pop song at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards with his single “Seven.” “It’s very hard to express my gratitude in words. Thank you ARMY and everyone who loves this song. Without you, I couldn’t have (received) this amazing award. While we were working on ‘Seven,’ I hoped everyone could enjoy this track, so the fact that I won this category means a lot to me. I’m so glad to share great music with eve

K-popNov. 20, 2023

[Herald Review] NCT 127 takes inspiration from ‘Matrix’ for 3rd tour

Thousands of NCT 127 fans gathered at the KSPO Dome in Seoul on Sunday for the third show of the group’s third tour, “Neo City - The Unity.” Most in attendance were Korean fans carrying banners with the name of their favorite member on them. As the house lights went down to signal the start of the show, the fans' lights illuminated the venue in neon hues. NCT 127 ascended to the stage decked out in all white. The band stood silently, taking in acclamations from the thousan

K-popNov. 20, 2023

Fifty Fifty's Keena marks group's 1st anniversary with apology

Downsized from a four-piece, Fifty Fifty's last remaining member Keena celebrated the group's first anniversary with an apology. Keena penned a hand-written letter to fans Saturday, a year on from the group's debut. "I'm cautious as to how to start this since I'm addressing my fans, Hunnies, for the first time in a while, but I'm plucking up my courage to speak on my honest thoughts," Keena began her letter. "First of all, I'm sorry to Hunnies wh

K-popNov. 19, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Aespa’s new album is 3rd million-seller

     The fourth EP from aespa sold more than 1.13 million units in the first week, according to label SM Entertainment on Friday. EP “Drama” is the group’s third consecutive album to sell over a million, following previous EPs “Girls” and “My World.” The new mini album also earned “double platinum” certification from China’s largest music platform QQ Music. Meanwhile, the foursome celebrated its third anniversary wit

K-popNov. 17, 2023

Dancers say Street Woman Fighter 2 made dance more approachable

Just a month since Mnet’s dance competition show “Street Woman Fighter 2” ended, the leaders of the show's seven dance crews say the show helped encourage more people to try dancing. At a group interview in Seoul on Friday, they also talked about their time on the show as a springboard to bigger things. “I've been having mixed emotions because I can’t believe the show is over. I think the show will continue to spread around the world as time goes. We are p

K-popNov. 17, 2023

Seventeen’s Dino to release first solo mixtape ‘Wait’ this month

Dino of the K-pop boy band Seventeen is releasing his first solo mixtape on Nov. 27, according to Pledis Entertainment. The agency dropped a teaser image of the upcoming mixtape in which Dino is seen crossing a road. “Dino plans to show something new through his first solo mixtape, ‘Wait.’ We hope the audience looks forward to Dino’s first step as a solo artist,” said the agency in a press release on Friday. He recently released “Icarus,” the original so

K-popNov. 17, 2023

Woman faces prosecution after demanding marriage from V

The case of a woman in her 20s, accused of stalking BTS member V has had her case transferred to the prosecution, according to the police. On Nov. 8, the woman was referred for investigation on charges including violating the Anti-Stalking Act and trespassing. The woman allegedly waited in front of V's residence, followed him into the apartment parking lot, and accosted him in the elevator on Oct. 26. She initiated a conversation with V and declared her intention to marry him. After the enc

K-popNov. 17, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Fantasy Boys to host live show for 2nd EP

Rookie band Fantasy Boys are set to mark the release of their second EP with a live show, according to agency Pocketdoll Studio on Thursday. The live event for EP “Potential” will be broadcast via Tik Tok and the bandmates will discuss the makings of the new album while communicating with fans in real-time. Details of the event will be announced later. The upcoming EP was set to be released on Nov. 24 but the date was changed to Nov. 23. The 11-member act will unveil the main track

K-popNov. 16, 2023

Surf's up: Enhypen enjoys the ride with 'Orange Blood'

Enhypen returns with a riveting new sound with its fifth EP "Orange Blood." The members on Thursday held a press conference in Seoul, a day ahead of the album's release. Member Jungwon said the album deviates from the team's iconic intoxicating music and exudes a "subtle sexiness." Representing Enhypen's new sound on "Orange Blood" is "Sweet Venom," a groovy and chill punk-pop melody through which the members vow their eternal love. Accordin

K-popNov. 16, 2023

Ampers&one hopes to seep into listeners’ hearts with positive music

FNC Entertainment’s new boy group Ampers&one set its foot on the K-pop scene on Wednesday with their debut single album “Ampersand One.” “This is our first-ever performance on stage and we hope to get the chance to perform on diverse stages from now on,” said Kamden of Ampers&one after performing at a press conference in Seoul. “I spent four years as a trainee, and my parents and I had decided that it would be time for me to look for something else to

K-popNov. 16, 2023

SM to launch boy group in the UK

SM Entertainment has joined hands with the British entertainment company M&B to launch a boy group in the UK. The K-pop powerhouse announced Thursday that it has inked a strategic partnership with M&B in Seoul. M&B is led by Nigel Hall, known as the producer of British competition shows such as “The X Factor” and “Britain’s Got Talent.” M&B co-CEO Dawn Airey is also known as a former CEO of Getty Images, and another co-CEO Russ Lindsay is one of the

K-popNov. 16, 2023

Soyeon, Winter, Liz's collaborative song 'Nobody' comes out Thursday

A collaborative single by (G)I-dle's Soyeon, aespa's Winter and Ive's Liz comes out today. Titled "Nobody," the single gets it global release at 6 p.m., according to the song's music video distributor M:USB on Thursday. The music video will be released with the song on M:USB's YouTube channel. The high-profile collaboration of the top girl group members comes in support of the 2030 Busan World Expo host bid, the producer said. "The song is based on disco-i

K-popNov. 16, 2023

FNC's new boy group Ampers&One debuts with energetic, youthful single

A new boy band from local cable channel Mnet's latest audition program, "Boys Planet," made its debut Wednesday under the name "Ampers&One." It is the first boy group from FNC Entertainment, the K-pop label behind FTisland, CNBlue and SF9, in three years, following P1Harmony. The rookie group consists of seven members -- Brian, Kamden, Jiho, Siyun, Kyrell, Mackiah and Seungmo. The first three members were contestants on the show who scored high but failed to make t

K-popNov. 15, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook places record 4 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100

Jungkook of BTS had four solo songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 this week. “Standing Next to You,” the main track from his first solo album “Golden,” debuted on the main songs chart at No. 5, according to the latest chart published Wednesday. Solo debut single “Seven (Feat. Latto)” reentered the chart at No. 49, while “3D (Feat. Jack Harlow)” ranked No. 58 and “Too Much (Feat. The Kid Laroi ＆ Central Cee)” was No. 94, up 42 spots and

K-popNov. 15, 2023