Big Bang's Taeyang to return with “Vibe” next week featuring BTS’ Jimin

Taeyang of Big Bang is making a grandiose comeback with a collaboration with BTS member Jimin. His new digital single, “Vibe,” will be released next Friday at 2 p.m., Taeyang’s new agency, the Black Label, announced Wednesday with a teaser image. The teaser image shows Taeyang and Jimin dressed in black and red standing together and gazing into the camera. The single comes six years after his last solo release, his third studio album "White Night." Jimin’s uniqu

K-popJan. 4, 2023

NewJeans' new title track "OMG" follows success of "Ditto" while MV draws controversy

NewJeans is at it again, taking over local and international music charts with their tracks “Ditto” and “OMG” from their new album “OMG” unveiled on Monday. Following the success of the prerelease track “Ditto" is the title track “OMG,” trending in both South Korea and abroad. It reached No. 1 on the iTunes Top Song chart in nine countries including Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. “OMG” is a hip-hop R&B with a mix of tra

K-popJan. 4, 2023

Twice to drop new English single 'Moonlight Sunrise'

K-pop girl group Twice will unveil its new English single "Moonlight Sunrise" later this month, making its first step of the new year. JYP Entertainment, the act's agency, on Wednesday said Twice will drop the new song, a prerelease from the upcoming album, at 2 p.m. on Jan. 20. Ahead of the announcement, JYP posted on the act's social media the online cover image of "Moonlight Sunrise," revealing the title for the first time. The image showed a blurry white orb han

K-popJan. 4, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s ‘Shut Down’ music video tops 300m views

The music video for Blackpink’s “Shut Down” has amassed 300 million views on YouTube, label YG Entertainment said Tuesday. The video reached the milestone 109 days after the release. “Shut Down” is the main track from the group’s second studio album “Born Pink.” The album landed atop Billboard 200 and has been on the chart for 12 weeks. The song hit the Hot 100 chart at No. 25 and stayed on it for six weeks. The dance practice video for Lisa&rsquo

K-popJan. 3, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Jisoo ready for solo album

Jisoo of Blackpink is gearing up to put out her first solo album, YG Entertainment said Monday. She is currently in the process of recording songs. She has already finished shooting the jacket cover for the album and has been devoting what time she has while touring the world to working on the album, the company said, adding that she will soon be able to announce good news to fans. She will be the last member of the quartet to release solo work. Jennie was the first, dropping “Solo”

K-popJan. 2, 2023

What to look forward to from K-pop in 2023

The year that just ended saw the Korean music scene go through a whirlwind of changes. But don't sit back yet, as the new year is already hyping up with unexpected returns, anniversary celebrations and lingering questions to be answered. Among the biggest events to come this year is the unveiling of a new YG Entertainment girl group. The company broke the news at midnight on Sunday, releasing a video that gave a peek into the upcoming girl group to be named Baby Monster. According to the vi

K-popJan. 2, 2023

[Herald Review] From laughter to tears, BTOB gifts fans with 10th anniversary concert

As the lights went off to signal the beginning of the long-awaited concert of the K-pop boy band BTOB, the concert hall turned into a sea of shimmering blue as chanting fans waved their fandom light sticks. BTOB kicked off their 10th-anniversary concert, “2022 BTOB TIME [Be Together],” on Friday at the KSPO Dome in Jamsil, Seoul, singing “Finale.” The act of six was overwhelmed with emotions as they were welcomed onstage with cries of joy from their fandom, Melody, whom t

K-popJan. 2, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] YG says Blackpink is staying

    Blackpink will not leave label YG Entertainment, the management firm announced Friday, denying a report by the Korea Herald that it will join The Black Label. The report said the foursome would sign with The Black Label, a YG affiliate headed by producer Teddy who has been a main force behind the group since its debut, after its contract with YG Entertainment comes to and end next year. It added that Blackpink had already completed discussing the terms with the Black Label. Se

K-popDec. 30, 2022

From disbandment, legal disputes and plagiarism issues: 2022 K-pop wrap up (2)

This year has opened up a new chapter for K-pop. Novel names have dominated the scene, with long-loved veterans venturing out on a path never walked by others. Groups released new records, with the overall market growing annually to see the highest physical album sales this year. But with the ups come the downs, and 2022 brought to light many problems -- old and new -- inside the industry. While some were mild hiccups, many have shocked society and remain unresolved. With only a few days left th

K-popDec. 30, 2022

From BTS enlistment to reign by new girl groups: 2022 K-pop wrap up (1)

This year has opened up a new chapter for K-pop. Rookies have stepped up, with girl groups excelling beyond all. BTS ended the long discussion on the seven members' conscription with Jin's December enlistment. Long-awaited comebacks came as the end of the prolonged virus pandemic nears, with some surprise returns making a splash. The K-pop market itself is expanding fast. The top 400 albums sold 74 million copies as of last week, up 30 percent from 2021, Circle Chart (previously, Gaon

K-popDec. 30, 2022

iKon to not renew contract with YG

K-pop boy band iKON is leaving its current agency YG Entertainment as its exclusive contract has come to an end. According to industry sources, the members of iKON -- Song, Jay, Ju-ne, Chan, Bobby and DK -- decided to not renew their contracts with YGt. This comes seven years after their debut in September 2015. The iKON members are currently looking for new agencies and at the same time are considering the option of forming an agency themselves to continue their careers together as a band. Prev

K-popDec. 30, 2022

[Exclusive] Blackpink to move to YG affiliate The Black Label

Blackpink will change its management to The Black Label, an affiliate of YG Entertainment, according to industry sources. On Friday, an industry insider told The Korea Herald that the four-piece girl group would leave YG to join The Black Label, and that discussions over the contracts were completed early this year. The Black Label is headed by Teddy, a creative director and songwriter who has worked with Blackpink since the group’s debut. Formerly an in-house producer for YG, Teddy co-fou

K-popDec. 30, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook logs 100m streams with ‘Dreamers’ in record time

Jungkook of BTS surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify with solo work “Dreamers” on Thursday. It is from the original soundtrack for 2022 FIFA World Cup and reached the milestone in 35 days, record time for a K-pop solo artist. The single debuted on the music platform’s global chart at No. 2, the highest spot for a solo musician from Asia. “Dreamers” landed atop the iTunes top albums chart in 102 regions and Billboard’s digital song sales chart. Pictures of

K-popDec. 29, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Treasure confirms Asia tour plan

Treasure will tour seven cities in Asia from March next year, announced label YG Entertainment on Wednesday. It will be the boy band’s first tour in the regions since its debut in 2020. The band will begin its itinerary in Taipei on March 4 before going live twice each in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Jakarta, Indonesia in following weeks. The next month, it will hop around Bangkok, Singapore and the Philippine capital of Manila before wrapping up in Macau. The ten members have been touring

K-popDec. 28, 2022

GOT7’s Yugyeom to comeback with new digital single “Ponytail”

Yugyeom, a member of K-pop boy band GOT7, is making a comeback on Jan. 2 next year with his new digital single “Ponytail,” announced agency AOMG with concept photos on Thursday. The photos depict Yugyeom slumped against an obstacle in jet-black outfits with silver accessories. He is also sporting a charismatic expression, covering part of his face with his hand. The new digital single “Ponytail” comes 10 months after Yugyeom dropped his digital single “Take You Down

K-popDec. 28, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ RM leaps to record No.3 on Billboard 200 with solo album

RM of BTS notched No. 3 spot on Billboard 200, setting a record for a K-pop solo musician. His first solo album “Indigo” debuted at No. 15 on the chart dated Dec. 17 and slipped out of it on the following week. But sales of the physical album pushed it back on to the chart. He “is the first member of BTS to earn a solo top 10 album on the Billboard 200, and the second to reach the chart in 2022 with a solo project, following the No. 17 debut and peak of J-Hope’s Jack in

K-popDec. 27, 2022

K-pop girl group members compete in virtual world

Unlike most K-pop survival programs, Kakao Entertainment has brought 30 former and current girl group members together to compete in a virtual world. Kakao Entertainment’s new virtual idol survival program “Girl’s Re:Verse” will walk the audience through the journey every Monday at 9 p.m. starting on Jan. 2 via Kakaopage and its official YouTube channel. Only the final five that survive the competition will make their debut. The singers took part in the program with virtu

K-popDec. 27, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Big Bang’s Taeyang leaves YG Entertainment

Taeyang of Big Bang will leave label YG Entertainment and join The Black Label, said YG Entertainment on Monday. “We are sincerely pleased to deliver the news that Taeyang is making a fresh start,” said the company. It remains unchanged that Taeyang still is a family of YG Entertainment and a member of Big Bang, it added hinting that he will continue as a part of the veteran idol group. The Black Label is headed by Teddy, a creative director and songwriter best known for his works f

K-popDec. 26, 2022

2022 highlights of K-Pop: From rise of new female groups to long-awaited return of legends

Addictive rhythms and powerful choreography continued to propel K-pop up the global music charts in 2022. Korean artists have reached the top spot on the Billboard 200 -- the ranking of the best-performing albums and EPs in the US -- a record four times this year. Stray Kids was the first Korean act to top the chart this year with its album “Oddinary,” followed by Blackpink, (G)I-idle, and RM. Apart from the global chart-toppers, this year’s K-pop scene was undoubtedly dominate

K-popDec. 26, 2022

Tiffany Young joins Sublime agency

K-pop singer and actress Tiffany Young signed an exclusive contract with the agency Sublime. “We signed an exclusive contract with Tiffany Young who has an irreplaceable identity. We are glad to have Tiffany Young encompassing boundless influence join us. We plan to fully support her in expanding her capabilities in diverse sectors and also in her overseas career-related activities,” announced Sublime on Monday. Some renowned actors, actresses, and singers including Song Kang-ho, Rai

K-popDec. 26, 2022