Groups can break out big, but for some, the individual members, even bigger when fans have waited a long time to see them come out as independent artists. The coming weeks are set to welcome some big names as make their solo debut and comebacks. The most-anticipated among the names are Jimin of BTS who is set to make an official start as a solo artist. Jimin will drop his solo debut album "Face" on March 24. Led by synth pop score "Like Crazy," the album will tell his story a

K-pop March 16, 2023

In singer-songwriter Kim Jae-hyung's latest single "One Second," there is no mention of the word "second" in either Korean or English. The song itself is an embodiment of that one second we wish to spend more with those who we love, that one second which feels like forever as our senses are numbed and our mind, overwhelmed by happiness. It is this metaphor that mainly defines the alternative folk singer's music. "One second feels different according to situatio

K-pop March 16, 2023

Kyoungyoon, a member of the K-pop band DKZ, has admitted his affiliation to scandal-ridden cult JMS, but denied he attempted to spread the religious beliefs to his bandmates. Local entertainment outlet Dispatch on Monday released an exclusive interview with Kyoungyoon and his parents, through which the K-pop singer broke his silence about his connection to Christian Gospel Mission, better known as Jesus Morning Star. The interview comes around a week after Kyoungyoon initially denied that he was

K-pop March 14, 2023

An end opens the door to another beginning, as boy band Seventeen wrapped up its fan meeting only to begin the countdown to its April comeback. The act's seventh fan meeting, "Seventeen in Carat Land," was held over three days from Friday to Sunday at the KSPO Dome in Seoul's Olympic Park. Carat is the name of the band’s fandom. Welcoming fans to the last day of its fan event on Sunday, Seventeen members appeared on the stage singing their 2016 song "Pretty U,"

K-pop March 13, 2023

It's not often the case that a rookie K-pop group gets a second chance to appear on a major TV music show with its debut song. But Mave:, a virtual girl group with four AI-generated singers, made it happen. Mave:, short for "Make New Wave," debuted on Jan. 25 with its first single album "Pandora's Box." Jointly launched by game operator Netmarble and IT firm Kakao Entertainment, the group is housed under Netmarble affiliate Metaverse Entertainment. Mave:'s firs

K-pop March 13, 2023

BTS' member J-Hope is making a surprise appearance on public broadcaster KBS' music program "The Seasons: Jay Park's Drive" on Sunday night. The broadcaster on Sunday announced the BTS rapper-dancer will be starring on the episode set to be aired that night. The show, referred to as "The Seasons" in short, is a music talk show hosted by rapper Jay Park, where he introduces musicians from various genres through in-depth interviews and live performances. Stepping

K-pop March 12, 2023

Suga of BTS donated 100 million won ($75,700) to support relief efforts in Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the major earthquakes there. Global NGO Save the Children on Thursday said Suga delivered the 100 million won fund to the organization to help the children who have been affected by the disaster. The producer-rapper of BTS turned 30 on Thursday. The organization added that Suga's donation will be used to buy blankets, mattresses, stationery and other relief supplies and deliver th

K-pop March 9, 2023

Yuju on Tuesday dropped her new album "O," packed with soft, comfortable music just like the warmth of the spring air spreading gently through the nation. The new album marked Yuju's return after 14 months. The time away was a carefully-knit process of finding the right pieces to complete the full picture, the singer said. "It wasn't a short process. Usually, we'd select the songs to go into the album before going into recording, but this time, we recorded various s

K-pop March 7, 2023

SM Entertainment has openly slammed stalking fans who invade the privacy of NCT members and has warned of strict legal action against them. SM Entertainment on Monday afternoon released a press statement through which it disclosed aggressive acts of the intrusion of its artist's privacy and warned of "zero tolerance" against such behavior. "Cases of the violation of the privacy of NCT members have been increasing recently," SM said. The agency directly lashed out at &quo

K-pop March 6, 2023

K-pop group Le Sserafim member Kim Chaewon is making her first appearance as a regular cast member of the TV variety show, ENA's "HyeMiLeeYeChaePa." The channel unveiled an interview with Chaewon on Monday ahead of the program's kick-off on Sunday evening. "This is my first time starring in a TV show alone and I'm thrilled," Chaewon said in a written interview with ENA. "I'm not sure exactly which part of me makes people laugh but I feel good when peo

K-pop March 6, 2023

Jisoo of Blackpink is set to make her solo debut on March 31, the last member of the four-piece to come out solo. YG Entertainment, the agency behind Blackpink, on Monday dropped a poster announcing Jisoo's debut as an individual musician. On the poster, a bright red cloth lies crumpled on a grassy field that extends into the distance under a blue sky. At the top of the image reads the words "Jisoo Coming Soon." While not much has been unveiled about Jisoo's solo material, YG

K-pop March 6, 2023

J-Hope of global K-pop sensation BTS dropped his new single, "on the street," on Friday, sending through music a message to fans before setting off to the military. Dropped at 2 p.m. Friday, "on the street" came seven months after his solo debut with the album "Jack in the Box" in July. An easy-to-listen lo-fi hip-hop tune, the song carries J-Hope's earnest heart to share hope and joy through music. The rapper-dancer of BTS contributed in writing the melody and

K-pop March 3, 2023

One of the most memorable moments in producing Kakao Entertainment's online audition program "Girl's Re:verse" was when one of the contestants made a rude finger gesture to the others, says producer Son Su-jung. It was the first time all 30 of the contestants' virtual characters had gathered in the metaverse, and Muneo's unexpected cursing not only caught the producers off-guard, but the other contestants as well. "(Muneo's action) smashed the boundary (of

K-pop March 1, 2023

Hwang Min-hyun opened a new chapter in his music career as a soloist by releasing his first solo EP "Truth or Lie" on Monday. "It took me almost 11 years to release an album that contains only my voice. I promise to make good music and good performances so that the 11 years can count," Hwang said during a press conference held on Monday in Seoul. The musician has been on a fairly successful path since he first set foot on the local entertainment scene more than a decade ago.

K-pop Feb. 28, 2023

Walking into The Korea Herald studio, the seven members of K-pop group XG oozed charisma with each step. Their eyes were glistening and a slight yet poised smile was visible over each member’s face. But as soon as the bandmates sat down and uttered their first words of greeting, the tension circling them melted away to the cheerful, high-pitched laughter of the seven young women. XG conducted its first-ever exclusive media interview with The Korea Herald on Feb. 17. Here, they shared for t

K-pop Feb. 28, 2023