With pants on backward, 8TURN makes a splash with 'Uncharted Drift'

Rookie boy band 8TURN continues its adventure to break the rules with its second EP, "Uncharted Drift," which was released Monday. "We want to show we've grown with every comeback, and this time, as it's our very first, we tried hard to improve in terms of our visuals, music and performance," Yoonsung said at the band's comeback showcase held in Seoul on Monday. The fledgling team takes another go at shaking up the scene with its new summer sizzler, "Uncha

K-popJune 27, 2023

Rising K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty's outlook for near future is foggy

It has been over four months since K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty shot to fame with the hit single “Cupid” but the outlook for the group remains foggy. Although Fifty Fifty's management announced in May that the group will be releasing an album in the near future, several impediments that have emerged since then appear to be holding the group back. Attrakt, Fifty Fifty's agency, released a press statement Monday saying that there has been an attempt by a third party to poach

K-popJune 27, 2023

Band production master FNC Entertainment debuts new boy band Hi-Fi Un!corn

FNC Entertainment’s new boy band Hi-Fi Un!corn made its debut on Monday with the single “Over the Rainbow.” “We hope to comfort listeners with our music in diverse languages. We are really nervous and excited about this debut, but we can confidently say that we are ready to face the public,” said Taemin of Hi-Fi Un!corn during a press conference in Seoul to mark the band’s simultaneous debut in South Korea and Japan. Hi-Fi Un!corn consists of five members&mdas

K-popJune 27, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez hits Billboard 200 at No. 2 with 9th EP

The ninth EP from Ateez debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 2, according to the publication’s preview article on Sunday in the US. “The World Ep. 2: Outlaw” notched second place on the main albums chart, marking a career-high for the band. “The World Ep. 1 Movement” from July last year was No. 3 on the chart, while first single “Spin Off: From the Witness” in December was No. 7. The mini album sold over 1.52 million copies in its first week, another rec

K-popJune 26, 2023

[Herald Review] BTS' Suga proves solo power with 'D-Day' in Seoul

Suga made a bold jump from BTS rapper to solo musician Agust D this year, dropping his first official album, "D-Day," in April and instantly kicking off a global tour. The two-month odyssey was set to end on Sunday in Seoul, with the world tour -- officially titled "Suga | Agust D Tour ‘D-Day’" making its apparent final two-day run in the rapper's home country, before Suga made the surprise announcement of encore concerts the same day. Opening the act to the

K-popJune 26, 2023

[Herald Review] 15 years after debut, SHINee makes radiant comeback with 3-day concert

The KSPO Dome in Seoul was packed Sunday with 10,000 SHINee fans, eagerly waiting for the K-pop veterans to appear on stage and kick off its much-anticipated concert. As the lights dimmed to signal the beginning of the last day of SHINee’s three-day concert, “Perfect Illumination," the dome rippled with cries of joy. Minho, Taemin and Key of SHINee appeared in front of the audience on a spacecraft-like platform singing “Chemistry.” Dressed in bejeweled sky blue suits

K-popJune 26, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez’s 9th EP sells 1.5m in 1st week

Ateez's ninth EP sold more than 1.52 million units in its first week, according to agency KQ Entertainment on Friday. Sales of “The World Ep. 2: Outlaw,” which came out last week, surpasses that of its previous EP, “The World Ep. 1: Movement,” at 930,000 last year. The new album topped Oricon’s daily album ranking and worldwide iTunes albums chart as well as a number of weekly albums charts at home. The music video for main track “Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers

K-popJune 23, 2023

I.M sets off afresh with 'Overdrive'

Singer-songwriter I.M has set off afresh as a solo musician with "Overdrive," his first album dropped under his new label Sony Music. I.M, whose real name is Im Chang-kyun, released his new solo album, "Overdrive," on Friday. The album marked the artist's return as a soloist for the first time in over two years since the release of his first EP "Duality" in February 2021. "Overdrive" is the first release from the artist since he signed with Sony Music

K-popJune 23, 2023

Lapillus celebrates 1st anniversary with 'Who's Next'

Fully loaded with lively energy and frenzied vibes, Lapillus returned with its second EP, "Girl's Round Part. 2," on Wednesday. This EP marks the band's comeback after nine months. Sporting fresh new visuals and beats, the members -- Chanty, Shana, Yue, Bessie, Seowon and Haeun -- held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to launch the comeback. "We feel like we're debuting again," the band's leader, Shana, said, adding, "We've worked hard t

K-popJune 22, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS returns to Billboard Hot 100 at No. 48 with ‘Take Two’

BTS placed its digital single “Take Two” on Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 48. The single was dropped on June 9 in time to mark the 10th anniversary of debut for the superband. It also landed atop a series of other charts including Billboard 200 and Billboard Global excl. the US. The last time the septet hit the main albums chart as a group was a year ago when “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” debuted on it at No. 13. The song fronted its anthology album &ldquo

K-popJune 22, 2023

[Today's K-pop] Le Sserafim joins hands with Bibi for new campaign

Le Sserafim has invited fans to create their own take on “Eve, Psyche ＆ …,” a B-side track from its first studio album “Unforgiven.” It uploaded the instrumental version of the song Tuesday for the project, allowing fans to add their personal messages and share them online. Singer Bibi unveiled hers in a video clip in which the bandmates appeared at the end. The single has climbed up to the top five rankings on a series of music charts at home. The song is also po

K-popJune 21, 2023

BTS tops Billboard Global 200 with latest single 'Take Two'

K-pop sensation BTS topped the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. US charts dated June 24 with its latest single, “Take Two.” BTS' single “Take Two,” released to mark its 10th debut anniversary, was streamed 60.2 million times and sold 64,000 copies worldwide from its release June 9 through June 15, according to Billboard. It garnered 54.3 million streams and 48,000 copies were sold outside the US during the same period. The Billboard Global 200 and Bill

K-popJune 21, 2023

Five former Loona members to re-debut under new agency Modhaus

Haseul, a former member of the disbanded K-pop girl group Loona, has signed an exclusive contract with Modhaus, the company said Wednesday. “We will do our best to help Haseul show off her talents and meet with her fans in many ways,” said Modhaus in a press release on Wednesday. With Haseul joining the agency, Modhaus now houses a total of five former members of Loona: Heejin, Kimlip, Jinsoul, Choerry and Haseul. They will be part of the agency’s Artms project, under which the

K-popJune 21, 2023

Singer Kim Jae-hwan aspires to become next Psy, Bruno Mars

"Journey above music," the full name of Kim Jae-hwan's new album, "J.A.M," perfectly reflects what the new piece means for the 27-year-old singer. Appearing in front of the local press on Tuesday for the album's media showcase, Kim took to the stage with an air different from the temperate demeanor he has shown in the past. "I feel like I'm debuting again as a soloist. I can't remember where the past Kim Jae-hwan has disappeared to. I'm reveling

K-popJune 21, 2023

[Today's K-pop] Le Sserafim to release single in Japan

Le Sserafim will roll out second single in Japan “Unforgiven” on Aug. 23, agency Source Music said Tuesday. It will consist of three tracks: the title track, featuring Nile Rodgers, which also fronted its first studio album that was released last month; a Japanese-language version of “Antifragile,” the lead track from its second EP from October; and a collaboration with a Japanese artist. Its first LP topped a number of music charts in Japan including Oricon’s week

K-popJune 20, 2023

Tempest to hold 1st concert in August

K-pop boy band Tempest will hold its first-ever concert this summer, according to Yue Hua Entertainment. The concert, “2023 Tempest Show Con (T-OUR) in Seoul,” will be held at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul on Aug. 12-13. Tempest announced the concert Monday via a video clip in which the members showed their enthusiasm over holding a concert filled only with their performances. “This is the moment that we have dreamed of. We are so excited and overwhelmed. Please lo

K-popJune 20, 2023

NMIXX to return with new single “A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream” next month

K-pop girl group NMIXX is releasing a new single, “A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream,” on July 11. This comeback comes four months after the group dropped its first mini album, “expergo,” in March. JYP Entertainment announced the comeback by dropping a teaser image of NMIXX’s third single on Tuesday. The teaser image shows a mystic forest with floating bubbles which augments the curiosity over the new concept the girls will present this time. The six-member unit, whic

K-popJune 20, 2023

[Herald Review] Bruno Mars brings magic to sold-out crowd in Seoul with finesse

Every moment in Hawaiian-born superstar Bruno Mars' performance in Seoul was delicate and romantic -- and it was his unmatchable finesse that made it all seem so easy. The iconic “Uptown Funk” singer Bruno Mars, born Peter Hernandez, visited Korea for the first time in nine years for a two-day sold-out concert series at Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium from Saturday to Sunday. The shows were part of the 27th edition of Hyundai Card’s annual cultural project “Super Concert

PerformanceJune 20, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s Baekhyun addresses fans after patching up with label

Baekhyun of EXO thanked and apologized to fans Monday over trouble with label SM Entertainment. Through a statement released through the firm, the veteran idol, along with Chen and Xiumin, reassured fans that they have reached an agreement over their contracts. Earlier this month, the three members voiced their discontent over the fairness of their contracts. “Thank you for believing and sorry for making it hard for you,” wrote Baekhyun via a platform dedicated to communications wit

K-popJune 19, 2023

Dream Concert kicks off smoothly in Japan

Dream Concert, a major K-pop concert, made its historic debut in Japan on Sunday. Officially titled "2023 Dream Concert in Japan," the event took place in Japan's Saitama Super Arena, a stadium located on the outskirts of Tokyo, with some 30,000 fans attending in person. Fourteen acts, including Dream Catcher, Xia, Kim Jae-joong and AB6IX, performed that day. The full list includes Korean artists Kingdom, Class:y, Ily:1, Aimers and Hi-Fi Un!corn and Japanese artists JO1, INI, DXTe

K-popJune 19, 2023