Disbanded B.A.P members return to fans after 6 years

After a lengthy hiatus, the former members of the disbanded group B.A.P have reunited and made their much-anticipated return to the stage, now performing under a new name. Debuting in 2012, the iconic boy band quickly rose to fame with their versatile sound, delivering powerful hip-hop anthems like “No Mercy” and “One Shot,” alongside lighter, more playful tracks such as “Stop It” and “Crash.” The band was disbanded in 2019, following the expiratio

K-popAug. 11, 2024

K-pop stars’ military favoritism controversy returns amid Suga's DUI incident

The long-standing controversy over K-pop stars receiving preferential treatment during their mandatory military service has resurfaced following BTS member Suga's drunk driving incident Tuesday. Currently serving as a public service agent, Suga was booked and is under police investigation for driving an electric scooter while intoxicated. In response, the Military Manpower Administration released a press statement Thursday, addressing the incident and promising to strengthen education to en

K-popAug. 11, 2024

[What to play] Melodies of liberation

On Aug. 15, 1945, Korea achieved independence after 35 years of Japanese colonial rule. Many fought for the country’s liberation from the Japanese Empire, with many losing their lives. August seems to be a perfect time to reflect on the stories of those who endured tremendous hardships and their legacies in Korean music today. "Women’s March" sung by Ahn Ye-eun In 1919, after the nationwide March 1st Independence Movement, seven female independence activists — Yu Gwan

PerformanceAug. 10, 2024

BTS' Suga's blood alcohol concentration over 0.2 pct in drunk driving incident: police

Suga of K-pop superband BTS was fully drunk with a blood alcohol level of over 0.2 percent when he fell to the ground in Seoul earlier this week while driving an electric scooter, police said Friday. Suga has been booked for investigation after being found lying on the ground in Yongsan district, central Seoul, on Tuesday night after falling off his electric scooter while driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said Friday that a breathalyzer test conducted on the day of the accident show

K-popAug. 9, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] NCT Dream to drop English-language single

NCT Dream will release the English-language single “Rains in Heaven” on Aug. 23, label SM Entertainment said Friday. Mark participated in writing the lyrics for the 80s-style pop tune which blends drum, bass and synthesizer sounds and soothes listeners with empathy. The seven members perform the song for the first time during the North American and European leg of NCT Dream's upcoming world tour “The Dream Show 3: Dream()scape” which begins Aug. 31. The tour starte

K-popAug. 9, 2024

New members of Fifty Fifty unveiled

The four new members joining Keena to form the second generation of the K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty have been unveiled. On Friday, Fifty Fifty dropped a clip on YouTube introducing its new members — Yewon, Chanelle, Hana and one whose name has not been revealed. Yewon is a 19-year-old born in Korea who took part in the JTBC idol survival program “R U Next?” that launched the girl group Illit and was organized by Hybe subsidiary Belift Lab. Yewon was formerly a trainee at Sourc

K-popAug. 9, 2024

Hybe Chairman Bang spotted in LA with livestreamer Seyeon

Chairman of powerhouse K-pop company Hybe Bang Si-hyuk was spotted crossing the street with renowned livestreamer Seyeon and her older sister in Los Angeles. A YouTube video showing a street in Beverly Hills sometime in July captured Bang with Seyeon and her sister crossing at a crosswalk. As the clip went viral online drawing speculations, Hybe told local reporters that “Chairman Bang had met with Seyeon’s older sister in the past in a gathering with his acquaintances during which s

K-popAug. 9, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Ive drops pre-release from upcoming Japan EP

Ive has unveiled “Crush,” the focus track from its second EP in Japan, in advance to the full release to come on Wednesday. In the music video for the summery pop tune, the six bandmates frolick under the sun, enjoying the season and having fun together. The EP “Alive” is due out on Aug. 28 and will consist of five tracks, including two new songs – “Crush” and “Will.” The latter was used as an opening theme song for the “Pokemon”

K-popAug. 8, 2024

Seventeen to embark on world tour in October

K-pop sensation Seventeen is embarking on a world tour in October to meet with its fans in the US and Japan. According to Pledis Entertainment, Seventeen is kicking off its “Seventeen [Right Here] World Tour” at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province Oct. 12-13. The group is then taking their show to Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois Oct. 22-23. The following concerts are at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York Oct. 25-27, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas Oct. 31-Nov.

K-popAug. 8, 2024

SM to launch new K-pop girl group in Q4

Naevis, a virtual artist showcased at aespa’s standalone concert in June, is among the various new K-pop artists that will be unveiled by K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment in the remaining four months of the year. Naevis, better known as aespa’s Kwangya helper, is releasing a single in the third quarter of this year, according to SM Entertainment which announced its lineup for the remainder of the year Thursday. In the fourth quarter, SM is launching a new K-pop girl group for the fi

K-popAug. 8, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa to drop solo single feat. Rosalia

Lisa of Blackpink will put out the solo single “New Woman” on Aug. 16, agency Lloud Company said Tuesday. She has joined forces with Grammy-winning Spanish singer and songwriter Rosalia. Fans have speculated that the two superstars would collaborate after watching a teaser featuring a silvery “rose” rotating between flashes of a silver star. Lisa had hinted at a solo endeavor with a TikTok video last week which included snippets of music in which she sang “Pullin&rs

K-popAug. 7, 2024

Unis aims to become idol for Gen Z

Multinational K-pop girl group Unis returned confident and ready to become an idol representing Generation Z with a new single, “Curious,” on Tuesday. This is the group’s first comeback after its debut through SBS’ idol survival program “Universe Ticket” in March this year. “Our single album is led by the titular track ‘Curious.’ It’s about breaking free from the old me to become a new person. It’s the greatest of all time. It&rsq

K-popAug. 7, 2024

K-pop enthusiast Singaporean businessman David Yong charged with falsification of accounts

David Yong, CEO of Evergreen Group Holdings, who starred in various Korean TV programs and YouTube content introducing himself as a K-pop singer and Singaporean businessman with a 120-billion-won asset in cash, was charged with falsification of accounts on Aug. 3 in Singapore. He allegedly had the intention to defraud by abetting a woman named Jolene Low Mong Han to falsify a tax invoice from Evergreen Assets Management for purported bulk sales of household fittings and appliances. Yong could be

K-popAug. 7, 2024

BTS Suga admits drunk driving, apologizes

BTS member Suga, currently serving military duty as a public service agent, admitted Wednesday to drunk driving on Tuesday. He apologized for his actions and acknowledged his ignorance of the law regarding the use of electric scooters while intoxicated. “Last night, after drinking alcohol at dinner, I rode an electric scooter home. Underestimating the short distance and failing to recognize that the use of electric scooters is prohibited while under the influence, I violated traffic laws,&

K-popAug. 7, 2024

Once megastar, G-Dragon finds new avenues for influence

G-Dragon, a member of YG Entertainment's biggest boy group Big Bang who dominated the K-pop scene from 2006 to 2018, has recently been making unique moves, moves that industry insiders say show that the musician is striving to maintain his fame and reputation as a cultural icon. On Monday, G-Dragon launched a new foundation, JusPeace, to help young artists with drug addiction. In June, he appeared at the Innovate Korea forum on the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology campus,

K-popAug. 7, 2024

Fifty Fifty to return with new members Sept. 20

K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty is finally making its long-awaited comeback on Sept. 20 with its second mini album. Attrakt, the K-pop agency housing Fifty Fifty, dropped Wednesday a poster with the group’s comeback schedule on social media platform X. The poster shows an event planned for Aug. 9 titled “Hello Fifty Fifty” and for Aug. 12-16 titled “We are Fifty Fifty,” hinting that these could be the dates on which the new members are announced. Fifty Fifty is returni

K-popAug. 7, 2024

Yoon San-ha of Astro ‘Dive’ into solo journey

Yoon San-ha of the boy band Astro set off on a journey as a soloist with his first mini album "Dusk." The singer debuted as the youngest member of Astro in 2016. The album's title symbolizes the transition from being an Astro member to his new solo artist identity. “When I started preparing the album, I pondered what kind of music I could make and my unique color. Then I decided to incorporate those struggles into the album,” said the singer at a press conference held

K-popAug. 7, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids tease follow-up track

Stray Kids uploaded a trailer for the music video of a B-side track from their ninth EP “Ate” on Monday. The visual for “Jjam” is fashioned after that of a horror movie and follows the eight members as they roam around dark spaces before breaking into a run spooked by a mysterious presence and shattering a glass bottle. The single, written by Bang Chan and Changbin, claimed the No. 9 spot on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart last week. It follows the succes

K-popAug. 6, 2024

More K-pop singers turn to video streaming service

More K-pop musicians struggling to succeed in the entertainment industry are turning to the local livestreaming platform AfreecaTV as a way to make money. AfreecaTV has long been ill-received by the public due to its involvement in several social problems, including sex crimes and the abasement of disabled persons. For K-pop musicians, appearing on the platform’s video streaming service has been seen as taboo. However, for many former idols who have devoted their youth to training to becom

K-popAug. 5, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen to return in October

Seventeen will release its 12th EP in October, agency Pledis Entertainment said Monday. The band will also embark on a world tour to be held across North America and Asia where it will perform songs from the upcoming album. The tour will be named “Right Here,” after the group's best-of album “17 Is Right Here,” which was released in April. Consisting of 33 tracks, the compilation album set a record on the Oricon chart, topping its weekly combined album ranking for th

K-popAug. 5, 2024