[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids’ 3rd LP sells over 2m in single day

Stray Kids sold more than 2.39 million copies of its third studio album on the first day of release, according to a local tally. The LP “5-Star” was released on Friday and broke K-pop's preorder sales record, logging 5.13 million sales. Its first million-selling album was its second LP “Noeasy” in 2021. EP “Oddinary” from March 2022 was its second to achieve the feat and the next EP “Maxident” from October surpassed 3 million. The new LP landed at

K-popJune 5, 2023

fromis_9 blooms with first LP 'Unlock My World'

K-pop girl group fromis_9 returned on Monday, splashing down for the summer with its new album "Unlock My World." The new release is the first full-length album from the eight-piece since its debut in 2018. "It's our first LP, and we were determined to showcase good music with it. We shared a lot of conversations and poured ourselves into every small detail," the band's leader Lee Sae-rom said at the press showcase event in Seoul. At the event, they performed the ti

K-popJune 5, 2023

[Herald Review] K-pop diva Taeyeon leaves audience in awe with a cappella performance

It took more than three years for Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation to hold a solo concert in-person. The excitement from thousands of fans seated at the KSPO Dome in Seoul on Sunday to finally see their star onstage fired up the venue even before the concert began. As soon as the lights dimmed to signal the beginning of Taeyeon’s fifth solo concert “The ODD Of LOVE,” the audience aroused an ear-deafening cheer and the dome was rippling in pink lights coming from the fan light

K-popJune 5, 2023

Kard, StayC tapped as ambassadors of Korea Brand Expo 2023 in Frankfurt

K-pop groups StayC and Kard have been appointed as honorary ambassadors of the Korea Brand and Entertainment Expo 2023, Frankfurt, set to take place at the end of this month. The exhibition, jointly launched by several government ministries and state-run agencies, including the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, will kick off on June 29 and run for two days at Messe Frankfurt in Germany. Kard and StayC members took part in an appointment ceremony Monday at KOTRA's headquarters in

K-popJune 5, 2023

[Herald Interview] For singer-songwriter Kassy, music is means of expressing true feelings

Singer-songwriter Kassy is an introvert who has difficulty expressing her feelings and emotions, but she has music to lean on as her medium to share such things. “Just like me, I think there are a lot of people who are not used to talking about themselves and instead rely on music to relieve their stress and express their feelings. I share my experiences and feelings through music hoping that it could help such people relate to and be comforted,” she said in an interview with The Kor

K-popJune 5, 2023

3 EXO members file antitrust complaint against SM Entertainment

K-pop boy group EXO's Baekhyun, Xiumin and Chen have lodged a complaint with the antitrust regulator against their agency SM Entertainment's "unfair" contract terms, their lawyer said Monday. The members of the nine-piece group have been in a dispute with the K-pop powerhouse over their excessively long contract durations and the agency's alleged lack of transparency in financial settlements. They notified the agency through their lawyer last week of their decision to te

K-popJune 5, 2023

BTS' Jungkook to possibly debut solo in July

Jungkook of BTS may drop a solo album in July, local media outlet Sports Chosun reported on Sunday. Sports Chosun's exclusive report reported that Jungkook is gearing up to release his first solo album on July 14, and that the album will include an English song. BTS' agency Big Hit Music told The Korea Herald that it will announce Jungkook's solo debut "once plans are confirmed." Jungkook will be the sixth member from BTS to come out solo, following J-Hope, Jin, RM, Jimi

K-popJune 4, 2023

NCT Dream to drop 3rd LP in July, new single 'Broken Melody' in June

NCT Dream will drop a new song this month, which will be followed by a new album in July. The team's agency SM Entertainment on Sunday announced NCT Dream will make a July comeback with its third LP. The seven-piece group will pre-release its single, "Broken Melody," from the album later this month. The new album will mark the band's comeback seven months after the release of its winter seasonal album "Candy" in December. The announcement came after the band wrapped

K-popJune 4, 2023

From hip-hop idols to global superstars, BTS shatters records over decade

BTS, which celebrates its 10th anniversary on June 13, has grown from a lesser-known hip-hop idol group to the most successful K-pop band, breaking numerous records in K-pop history along the way. Initially launched as a band under Big Hit Entertainment, a smaller K-pop label that later transformed into Hybe, the group encountered considerable challenges in capturing the attention of its fan-base within the fiercely competitive idol music industry. But with its strong rebellious image, the septe

K-popJune 4, 2023

Stray Kids hopes 3rd LP "5-Star" can inspire confidence and courage

Stray Kids returned with their third studio album “5-Star” on Friday, eight months since their seventh EP “Maxident.” “It took us around two years to release a studio album after the second one ‘Noeasy,’ because we took a lot of time in choosing the songs that would appeal to Stay and also all of our members,” said Changbin of Stray Kids through a press release. Stay is the name of Stray Kids' fandom. Despite their worries, the new album helpe

K-popJune 2, 2023

B.I apologizes over past drug-use, hopes to regain public trust through music

Rapper B.I openly apologized for his past drug use to the local press for the first time. The apology came on Thursday during a press conference for B.I's second studio album "To Die For" that took place in Seoul, few hours before the album's release at 6 p.m.. "I've disappointed many people by making wrong decisions and choices in the past. I'm sincerely sorry. I know I haven't properly addressed my honest thoughts to the public and wanted to deliver my a

K-popJune 1, 2023

Hybe to air new girl group audition show on JTBC

Hybe is set to air another idol survival program to discover its next girl group. A joint project with local broadcaster JTBC, the program, "R U Next?" aims to see the finalist members debut as the first girl group of Belift Lab, a indie label affiliated to Hybe. Belift Lab on Thursday said it has begun shooting the program, which is produced by Studio Jamm and Mushroom Company. The 10-episode series will begin airing on June 30 via JTBC and air every Friday at 8: 50 p.m. The show will

K-popJune 1, 2023

JYP Entertainment to enhance strategic partnership with US music label

K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment and US music label Republic Records are expanding their strategic partnership. The labels announced Thursday their plan to expand their partnership, which includes global distribution of artists and catalogs, marketing, business development and artist repertoire. Their partnership was initially formed back in 2020 to promote JYP Entertainment’s girl group Twice outside South Korea. The partnership has proved successful, with Stray Kids and Twice housed by

K-popJune 1, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] (G)I-dle hits Billboard 200 at No. 41, expands world tour

(G)I-dle hit the Billboard 200 at No. 41 with its sixth EP “I Feel,” according to the latest chart rankings announced on Wednesday in the US. The album came out on May 15 and topped the iTunes top albums chart in 18 regions. It sold over 1.16 million copies in the first week, the fourth-highest first-week sales figure for a K-pop girl group. The lead track “Queencard” debuted on Billboard’s Global 200 at No. 157 last week and climbed up to No. 38 this week. Separat

K-popJune 1, 2023

EXO in crisis: Baekhyun, Xiumin and Chen to sue SM, end contracts

Baekhyun, Xiumin and Chen of EXO are leaving their longtime agency SM Entertainment and embarking on a legal battle to claim unsettled payments. The legal representative of the three artists on Thursday announced that the EXO members have notified SM Entertainment of the termination of their exclusive contracts with the agency. "Since March 21 until recently, we have repeatedly requested SM to provide copies of materials and evidence for payments," the representative, attorney Lee Jae-

K-popJune 1, 2023

SHINee makes long-awaited comeback with 8th studio album “HARD”

After more than two years of hiatus, K-pop legend SHINee is finally returning to the music scene with its eighth studio album, “HARD,” on June 26. The upcoming album comprises a total of 10 tracks led by the titular track “HARD,” according to SM Entertainment. SHINee celebrates its 15th debut anniversary this year with this studio album which will open a new chapter in the group's career. The band established a strong position in the K-pop industry with irreplaceable

K-popJune 1, 2023

BTS' J-Hope to work as drill instructor at Army boot camp: sources

J-Hope of globally popular K-pop boy group BTS will work as an assistant instructor at an Army boot camp during the remainder of his mandatory military service, sources in the music industry said Wednesday. The sources revealed the member has recently been chosen for the position at the recruit training center of the 36th Infantry Division in Wonju, 87 kilometers southeast of Seoul. In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for about two years. The 29-year-old ent

K-popMay 31, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] SHINee to hold concert after almost 7 years

SHINee will meet fans at its sixth standalone concert in Seoul on June 23-25, according to label SM Entertainment on Wednesday. The concert, titled “Perfect Illumination,” will see the veterans go live in front of fans at home for the first time in over 6 1/2 years. Its most recent live gig was the online concert “SHINee World” held more than two years ago. The last day’s performance will be livestreamed online for fans from around the world. Over the weekend, the

K-popMay 31, 2023

BTS to release new song 'Take Two' on June 9

Global K-pop phenomenon BTS is dropping a new digital single next month, a surprise gift for fans amid its group hiatus. According to Big Hit Music on Wednesday, BTS will drop a new digital single called "Take Two" on June 9. "'Take Two' is a song for fans embodying the heartfelt emotions and stories BTS sends to its fans in celebration of its 10th anniversary," Big Hit Music said in a statement released Wednesday. The septet is set to celebrate its anniversary on

K-popMay 31, 2023

Boynextdoor makes splash debut

Boynextdoor debuted Tuesday with its single "Who!" and bold ambitions to claim itsspot as rookie of the year. Boynextdoor stepped into the arena with a press showcase in Seoul, where the group introduced itself and performed the three songs on the "Who!" single for the first time. "It's overwhelming that the world is finally hearing our voices," said Woonhak, the group's youngest member. The group is signed to KOZ Entertainment, a music label under Hybe le

K-popMay 31, 2023