Suga of BTS assured fans that he is OK.   　 He wrote “I am very much all right! Don’t worry too much” on Weverse, a platform for artist-to-fan communications for Hybe musicians, Monday.   　 The artist returned to Korea from the US on Thursday and started a 10-day self-quarantine. The test result for COVID-19 came back positive the following day. Separately, RM and Jin were also found to have contracted the virus, Saturday.   　 All three bandmates came back to K

K-pop Dec. 28, 2021

Enhypen hinted at an upcoming repack of its upcoming album with an Instagram post of a mood board on Monday. 　 The album, titled “Dimension: Answer,” is a repack of the first studio album “Dimension: Dilemma” for which it also put out a mood board. Small desks and chairs, a blue hand holding a figure with “Liar,” as well as a message that starts with “Don’t Butt In” piqued fans’ interest online. 　 A series of concept photos and a teas

K-pop Dec. 27, 2021

Suga of BTS has been infected with COVID-19, local media reported Friday. 　 Suga’s COVID-19 test results came back positive after arriving in Korea from the US. He will be isolated. 　 Separately, BTS shared the choreography video for its holiday remix of “Butter” on Friday. 　 Using props such as Christmas-themed headwear and sparkling tinsel that matched with their warm-toned clothes, the bandmates celebrated the holidays dancing to the tune of their mega hit song’s ca

K-pop Dec. 27, 2021

  Tomorrow X Together surprised fans with the group’s first carol, “Sweet Dreams,” Thursday.   　 The band gave just three hours’ prior notice in announcing the song’s release. The news came with an image that showed the five bandmates, each as a stamp, with a Christmas tree.   　 In the R&B-based tune featuring melodic piano sounds, they wish everyone a warm Christmas despite the challenging time, with only good things in the future.  

K-pop Dec. 23, 2021

BTS has topped the albums category of Oricon’s annual ranking 2021 with its best-of album in Japan, “BTS, The Best,” according to the Japanese chart on Wednesday. 　 This is the first time an international group topped the list and the second time for an international artist. Michael Jackson was the only one to take the spot with “Thriller” in 1984. 　 The album debuted as No. 1 on its weekly album ranking (June 28) selling 782,000 copies in the first week of sales, a

K-pop Dec. 22, 2021

   Jeongyeon of Twice will be absent from the band’s upcoming concerts in Seoul, announced label JYP Entertainment late Monday. 　 Citing health reasons, the firm said that after discussing the issue with her bandmates, she has decided not to participate in the two-day concerts slated to be held Dec. 25-26. 　 It will be the third time Jeongyeon has taken a break from performing. The idol suspended activities two times before, in October last year and in August this year due to he

K-pop Dec. 21, 2021

aespa put out its own take on “Dreams Come True,” a 1998 hit song by S.E.S., on Monday. 　 BoA participated in producing the remake for the rookie girl group adding fresh energy and hip-hop vibes to the dreamy sounds of the main track from the second studio album of S.E.S. 　 This is part of a project by label SM Entertainment and YouTube that seeks to upgrade the music videos and songs of legendary artists produced by the entertainment giant from over the past two decades. 　 On Thur

K-pop Dec. 20, 2021

Twice decided to cancel the first show of its three-day concert that was originally planned to start from Dec. 24-26. 　 This is to keep in line with strengthened measures to curb the recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases, according to which the concert venue has to close at 10 p.m. The first day’s concert was to begin at 7:30 p.m. and running time was 2 1/2 hours. 　 The concerts on the following two days start at 6 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively and will be held as scheduled. The Sunday concer

K-pop Dec. 17, 2021

Seventeen continues to reign at the top of Japanese charts with its special single “Ainochikara.”  The single topped Billboard Japan’s weekly single sales chart, logging close to 247,000 copies in sales. It also was No. 2 on Billboard Japan’s Hot 100, according to the publication’s latest announcement on Wednesday. It was released on Dec. 8 and landed atop Oricon’s daily single ranking and maintained the spot for six days before hitting its weekly sing

K-pop Dec. 16, 2021

NCT’s third full-length album “Universe” landed atop iTunes top albums chart in 30 regions as well as all major charts in Korea. 　 The 13-track album was fully unveiled on Tuesday and won the platinum album certification from China’s largest music platform QQ Music for having logged over 1 million yuan ($157,000) in sales. 　 NCT U, a subunit of the 21-member band, performed “Universe (Let’s Play Ball),” one of the double title tracks of the LP, in advan

K-pop Dec. 15, 2021

NCT has sold more than 1.7 million units of its third full-length album in preorders, according to label SM Entertainment. 　 The album, named “Universe,” is due out Tuesday and would become another million-seller for the band. 　 “Beautiful,” one of the double title tracks, hopes to remind listeners that each and every one of them is a special and unique being, and they should pursue their dreams even though life can be challenging. Johnny, Taeyong, Mark and Hendery part

K-pop Dec. 14, 2021

Woozi of Seventeen will put out his first solo mixtape in January, according to a local media report on Monday. 　 He is the leader of the vocal team within the band and has been writing and producing songs as one of the two main producers of the 13-member act since its debut. He won the best producer award at 2021 Asia Artist Awards.  　 “I am overwhelmed and wonder if I deserve to receive an award with such big title when I’m only 26 years old,” said the musician at the c

K-pop Dec. 13, 2021

Ateez came out with a repackaged EP on Friday, just in time for the holiday season. 　 “It felt as if we were preparing a surprise gift, making music that fans would like to listen to and putting together performances they’ve been waiting for,” said Hongjoong in a statement released by the group’s agency KQ Entertainment. 　 Seonghwa was filled with emotion that the 10-track EP wraps up the “Fever” series and added that he felt that the band was maturing alon

K-pop Dec. 10, 2021

Suga of BTS made a guest appearance on a track from Juice WRLD’s upcoming posthumous album, “Fighting Demons.” 　 The rapper/producer is the featured artist on “Girl of My Dreams,” confirming a rumor that has been circulating for a while. 　 Suga, along with RM, collaborated with the American rapper, who died two years ago, on “All Night” from the original soundtrack for the mobile game “BTS World.” 　 In addition to his solo works under the

K-pop Dec. 9, 2021

NCT127 extended its stay on the Billboard 200 for another week as its third studio album “Sticker” ranked No. 103 on the newest tally that was announced on Wednesday. 　 The LP hit the chart at No. 3 when it was released in September and topped four more charts from the publication including the top album sales chart. The album sold over 3.58 million copies and swept the charts in Korea, Japan and China. 　 The band will hold its second standalone concert “Neo City: Seoul - The

K-pop Dec. 8, 2021