Key of Shinee came out with his first solo EP, “Bad Love,” on Friday.   　 It has been 2 1/2 years since his previous solo album.   　 “It will be impossible to make an album that is perfect in every aspect but I am satisfied in that I’ve been able to have quite a say,” said the veteran idol. He was inspired by the combination of retro and space and the overall concept was based on that idea.   　 The title track boasts a powerful choreography all the

K-pop Sept. 27, 2021

The five members of ITZY talked about their first studio album “Crazy in Love” that came out on Friday through a Q&A statement released through their label JYP Entertainment. 　 The LP consists of 16 tracks and Ryujin admitted that it was not easy since it was the first time she recorded so many songs in such short time. 　 “But I am glad that we get to show a diverse range of new songs,” she said. The name of the lead track, “Loco,” is a slang for crazy

K-pop Sept. 24, 2021

Winter and Ningning of aespa signaled an even more dramatic return with teaser photographs that were released at midnight Thursday. 　 The two struck poses under the theme. The images carry on the narrative that weaves through their previous singles -- “Black Mamba” and “Next Level” -- and depict them in hallucinations induced by a Black Mamba that threatens the world and keeps the members of the group from connecting with their avatars. 　 The photographs are part of the

K-pop Sept. 23, 2021

NCT127 held a showcase on Friday to roll out its third full album “Sticker.” 　 “It has been almost 1 1/2 years and I am nervous and excited at the same time,” said Doyoung, asking fans to enjoy the moment as well. 　 Since its previous song “Kick It” was a huge hit, it put pressure on the band, members said. 　 “Preparing for this album, we were worried and anxious if we could do better, if we would be able to put on a cooler performance,” Taeyong

K-pop Sept. 17, 2021

NCT127 has already sold 2.12 million copies of its forthcoming third full-length album, “Sticker,” according to label SM Entertainment on Thursday.   　 The LP, due out Friday, topped 1.3 million in preorders on the first day.   　 The album consists of 11 tracks, including the title track, a hip-hop dance number that is said to feature catchy pipe sounds. The band will perform it for the first time on stage on CBS’ “The Late Late Show with James Corden” o

K-pop Sept. 16, 2021

BTS is holding a digital concert on Oct. 24, the band announced Wednesday. 　 Titled “BTS Permission to Dance on Stage,” the show will broadcast live. 　 It has been about a year since the group’s previous concert, “BTS Map of the Soul ON:E,” which was livestreamed across the world and attracted 993,000 fans from 191 countries. 　 Meanwhile, the septet is leaving for New York on Saturday to attend the 76th United Nations General Assembly alongside South Korea Presi

K-pop Sept. 15, 2021

Rookie girl group aespa will release its first EP, “Savage,” on Oct. 5, announced label SM Entertainment on Tuesday.   　 The EP will consist of six songs including the titular main track. It will be the first physical album for the band, which debuted in November last year. The four-member group stormed into the spotlight with the debut song “Black Mamba” and following single “Next Level” topping music charts at home and abroad. The music videos amassed

K-pop Sept. 14, 2021

Ateez came out with its seventh EP “Zero: Fever Part 3” on Monday and discussed new music at an online showcase.   　 “I’ve stayed up all night tingling with excitement,” said leader Hongjoong.   　 The new album deals with the fever and confusion surrounding the youth, he explained, comparing it to the color of blue. The color also is similar to that of the mysterious lights of dawn, just as the world is ready to be revealed, added Yeosang.   　 The

K-pop Sept. 13, 2021

Blackpink became the artist or group with the most subscribers on YouTube around the world.   　 According to label YG Entertainment, subscribers to the girl group’s official channel surpassed 65.2 million Friday afternoon, surpassing Justin Bieber.   　 “It’s unbelievable. It is a moment of miracle made by Blink,” the bandmates said through their management firm, thanking their official fandom.   　 “This is a result achieved with our fans so we hop

K-pop Sept. 10, 2021

BTS now has as many as 14 music videos with more than 400 million views on YouTube. 　 The kinetic manifesto film for “ON” from its fourth full-length album, “Map of the Soul: 7,” logged 400 million views as of Wednesday. The video features over 30 dancers and a 12-piece marching band, manifesting the band’s energy and determination to accept fate and march forward without hesitation. 　 The septet’s fourth LP landed atop the Billboard 200 when it was released

K-pop Sept. 8, 2021

Tomorrow X Together turned out to be the the featured artist in Enhyphen’s soon-to-be-released album.  Taehyun and Huening Kai of TXT appeared in a late-night Japanese radio show hosted by Jay and Niki of Enhyphen on Monday and at the end of the program thanked the two for inviting them.  “It was fun doing this together with Enhyphen. Please have us again,” said Taehyun and Huening Kai. They also told listeners that their first Japanese EP “Chaotic Wonderland&

K-pop Sept. 7, 2021

Tomorrow X Together will launch its first Japanese EP on Nov. 10, label Big Hit Music announced Monday. 　 The EP, titled “Chaotic Wonderland,” will consist of four tracks including the Japanese version of “0X1=LOVE SONG (I Know I Love You)” and “MOA Diary (Dubaddu Wari Wari)” from the repackaged second LP “The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape,” as well as new songs. 　 The same-titled lead track will feature a yet-to-be-named artist. 　 The boy band

K-pop Sept. 6, 2021

Twice uploaded the first teaser photograph for its first English-language song, “The Feels,” Friday. 　 In the group photo, the nine band members are sitting together in a girly powder room, sporting preppy looks tweaked with trendy accessories. Jeongyeon is with her bandmates even though she is taking some time off, for the second time, due to panic and anxiety attacks since last month. 　 The band released English versions of “More & More,” “I Can’t Stop

K-pop Sept. 3, 2021

Five members of Enhypen tested positive for COVID-19, agency Belift Lab announced Thursday. 　 Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake and Sunghoon were found to be infected with the virus during self-quarantine. The bandmates began self-isolating as a preemptive measure on Aug. 26, when they learned a staff member had been diagnosed with COVID-19. 　 Jake started showing symptoms, including a cough and fever, so he got tested and the results came back positive on Monday. The rest of the band showed simila

K-pop Sept. 2, 2021

Seventeen will be active as an 11-member group for the remainder of the year so that Chinese bandmates Jun and The8 can focus on activities in their homeland, agency Pledis Entertainment announced on Wednesday. 　 The company supports the activities of all Seventeen’s members, as well as the band as a whole, and is actively looking for opportunities for them at home and abroad, the statement continued. 　 Jun and The8 will work on projects in China that they had postponed, Pledis added, a

K-pop Sept. 1, 2021