Other boy bands are also gearing up for new releases, including AB6IX, DKZ, Kingdom and WEi. AB6IX, the four-piece band of BrandNew Music, is dropping its sixth EP, "Take A Chance," and its title song "Sugarcoat" on Oct. 4. This comes nearly four months after its fifth EP "A to B" that was released in May. Member Lee Dae-hwi, who recently starred on KBS2's producing survival show "Listen Up," t...

Hybe on Thursday released a statement to rebut controversies surrounding hefty expenses for BTS' upcoming Busan concert. In a statement released via email to local press on Thursday, Hybe said, "Hybe and BTS feel proud in contributing in a national affair. Until now we have been focusing more on making a meaningful outcome than on the expense," adding that the company and BTS "will support the b...

Le Sserafim debuted under Source Music, an affiliate of Hybe Labels, in May with its first EP “Fearless.” As the first all-female group from Hybe, its debut was met by a heated attention and “Fearless” racked up the highest opening-week sales by a girl group debut album. The upcoming EP will also mark the first album from Le Sserafim after it repositioned into a quintet. In July, Source Music an...

The orange sun hung low in the Seoul sky on Sunday evening, and as the clock ticked to 7 p.m., IU’s “Eight” began ringing out at Olympic Stadium in Jamsil, Seoul, marking the start of the second of her two days of “The Golden Hour: Under the Orange Sun” concerts. While all IU concerts are special, “The Golden Hour” was historic in another sense, as it marked her debut at Olympic Stadium, one of ...

Seven years into their career, NCT127 seems more relaxed and ready than ever, and the bandmates seemed to feel the same about themselves. "I've always been afraid and tense at press cons before, but today I'm here more firm. We came across '2 Baddies' and honed ourselves hard. Now we feel ready. Rather than saying anything, we'll show it through our performances,” Yuta, the band’s Japanese membe...

In looking back on their journey, Mark said, "I think our team is like an icon of growth, and we've become so because we've worked to always be at our best state right now." Chenle piped into say, "What makes me the proudest is that, even though we're seventh year into our career, we're still really ambitious and we work hard. Although we've aged and we now have to shave more, apart from such ph...

The album comes two months since Yim released the single "Consolation" in June. The song is the first track on "Seven," in the album's prologue. The press conference he held to promote the release of "Consolation" was the first time he had picly ublopened up about the excruciating pain that had held him back for seven years, and on Wednesday, he spoke of the time again. "Some people had questio...

Dia, whose name stands for "do it amazing," made their debut on Sept. 14, 2015, with its namesake LP. The group kicked off with seven singers and went through several changes in its member lineup before becoming the current six in 2020. The group consists of members Eunice, Hui-hyeon, Yebin, Jung Chae-yeon, Eun-chae and Ju-eun. Dia had a rough start, as Hui-hyeon and Chae-yeon took a tentative b...

K-pop musician Kim Jae-hwan is back with his fifth EP "Empty Dream," and he hopes the package of self-made songs feels like a gift set for listeners ahead of the holidays. The 26-year-old singer held a media showcase on Monday afternoon in Seoul, a few hours ahead of the album’s release at 6 p.m. that day. The EP comes a month after the release of Kim’s single "Snail," and is his first album re...

Hybe Labels Japan, the indie label affiliated to the K-pop powerhouse Hybe, is set to launch its first global group in December. The Japan-based company on Monday said through a press statement that its first idol group, &Team, will make its Japan debut on Dec. 7. The statement came two days after the band conducted a press event on Saturday in Japan to announce their debut and thank its fans w...

A lack of public infrastructure surrounding the concert site is also expected to lead to a slew of problems, including safety concerns for the audience. Serious traffic confusion is one problem. The concert is set to take place at a temporary venue installed on unused land near the coast some 15 minutes by walk from Ilgwang Station, which will be the only means of public transportation. The mass...

Marking the highlight of the joint event were collaborations between different acts. SM's project girl group GOT the beat showcased its song "Baby Don't Stop," while SM's rapper unit brought the hip-hop vibe with "Zoo." SM's founder and executive producer Lee Soo-man was also present at the event. While Lee stayed below the stage most of the time, he was invited to the stage on the first day, fo...

Rocket Punch debuted in August 2019 under Woolim Entertainment with first EP “Pink Punch.” The group has since dropped four EPs and two singles in South Korea. In August 2021, they made their Japan debut with EP “Bubble Up!” and later dropped their first Japanese single, “Fiore,” this year in June. Asked how they can differentiate themselves from the other girl groups, leader Yeonhee replied, “W...

“K-pop idols must now carry a message and philosophy, and this is not something you can force upon them through short-term training. The company must be able to teach them to think wisely,” Kim said. “CEO Min Hee-jin’s NewJeans has recently been an issue. In her interview, she said more than anything, the members must be happy. She is making efforts to make new attempts, and such values and an e...