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AI-assisted song climbs Korean charts as copyright rules struggle to keep pace
An AI-assisted song has climbed into the upper ranks of Melon’s Top 100 chart, drawing fresh attention to unresolved questions over copyright and transparency in music generated with artificial intelligence. “The Adult I Dreamed Of,” by Meomuru, has risen to No. 3 on Melon’s Top 100 as of Wednesday. Released in June, the song recently gained traction after being widely used as background music in short-form videos on Korean social media. However, the voice heard on the track does not belong to a
Oct. 14, 2026 -
A2O Lite member Aijing’s parents face wage nonpayment allegations in China
A2O Lite member Aijing has been drawn into controversy just days after the rookie girl group’s debut, after allegations surfaced that a company run by her parents failed to pay former employees’ wages. Aijing, a 13-year-old Chinese member of A2O Lite, drew attention at the group’s debut showcase in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Monday, for her dance skills and styling that some said resemble BoA during the early years of her career. The following day, however, Chinese media reported allegations inv
Oct. 14, 2026 -
Taemin's Seattle concert canceled, K-brand expo postponed
Taemin's concert in Seattle later this month has been canceled due to US visa delays affecting key touring and production personnel, prompting organizers to postpone a Korean cultural and consumer goods exhibition featuring 31 Korean brands. The K-pop singer was scheduled to headline the finale concert of K-Era Fest at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, Oct. 25. The performance was separate from his world tour, which had already seen six US stops postponed last month over similar visa
Oct. 14, 2026 -
YG unveils new boy group, girl group plans after delayed debut
YG Entertainment is moving forward with plans to debut a new boy group and girl group, though neither has a confirmed launch date. YG founder and chief producer Yang Hyun-suk outlined the remaining preparations for the five-member boy group and four-member girl group in a statement posted on the company's official blog Wednesday. "Both groups plan to record a number of demo songs we've been working on by the end of this year," Yang said. "Once their title tracks are finalized, we expect to have
Oct. 14, 2026 -
Cortis’ 2nd EP garners 500m plays on Spotify
Cortis reached 500 million streams on Spotify with its second EP “Greengreen,” label Big Hit Music said Wednesday. The six-track EP accomplished the feat in about five months. The album rolled out in May and sold more than 2.3 million units in its first week. So far, it has sold over 4.3 million copies and is the second K-pop act released this year, following BTS’ fifth LP “Arirang,” to exceed 4 million in sales. “GreenGreen” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and spent 18 weeks on the chart.
Oct. 14, 2026 -
Katseye digitally releases bonus track Lara co-wrote
Katseye officially released “Unloveu,” a bonus track from the group’s third EP “Wild,” agency Hybe X Geffen Records said Wednesday. Originally available only on the physical editions, the single is a collaborative effort between Lara, Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Allen and producer Ross Golan, serenely portraying getting over a broken heart. The single is expected to boost the mini album, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 in August and has tallied eight weeks on the main albums chart. Meanwh
Oct. 14, 2026 -
And2ble to host fan concerts in Japan, Korea
And2ble will hold fan concerts in Seoul and Japan in December, according to its agency YH Entertainment on Tuesday. The five members announced “W!nter Inside” with a poster posing in front of a wintry backdrop, inviting fans to join them in Seoul on Dec. 5-6 and in Yokohama on Dec. 11-12. The quintet is set to release its second EP “Sequence 02: Attraction” on Oct. 27, about five months after the first mini album “Sequence: Curiosity.” The first EP sold over 730,000 copies in its first week, and
Oct. 14, 2026 -
BTS hits 5b Spotify streams with ‘Arirang’
BTS clocked 5 billion streams on Spotify with its fifth studio album, “Arirang,” Big Hit Music announced Wednesday, citing platform data. It recorded the most plays on Spotify among albums released this year. All 14 tracks from “Arirang,” including the instrumental track “No. 29,” which entirely consists of the sound of the South Korean Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok, have garnered more than 200 million streams. The LP generated over 110 million plays on the day of release and claimed the t
Oct. 14, 2026 -
Son Ho-young wonders if K-pop idols have become ‘too perfect’
Nearly three decades after debuting with g.o.d, Son Ho-young, 46, has watched K-pop transform from an industry still figuring out what an idol should be into a global business capable of producing performers polished down to the smallest detail. “Everything (in the K-pop industry) seems to be becoming more perfect. It almost feels like there are fewer gaps,” Son said during a recent interview with press in western Seoul. “When I look at idols today, everything, from their preparation and trainin
Oct. 14, 2026 -
Sung Hanbin embraces darker side with first solo EP ‘Dead:Alive’
Zerobaseone leader Sung Hanbin is stepping out on his own for the first time, trading the group’s bright, youthful image for something darker and more intense. Sung unveiled his first solo EP “Dead:Alive” at a media showcase Monday, describing the eight-track release as an opportunity to challenge both what the audience expects from him and what he thought he was capable of as an artist. After debating whether he should build on the bright, youthful image he’s developed with Zerobaseone, Sung ad
Oct. 13, 2026 -
BTS, Blackpink, Stray Kids face off for top MAMA honors
The 2026 MAMA Awards are shaping up to be a fiercely contested showdown among K-pop's biggest names, including BTS, Blackpink and Stray Kids — all of whom are absent from the 2027 Grammy Awards' inaugural Asian pop category. The MAMA Awards, one of K-pop's most prominent music awards ceremonies, are organized by CJ ENM and take place Nov. 20-21 at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan. The nominations unveiled Monday arguably feature a stronger lineup of established K-pop stars than those in the Grammys'
Oct. 13, 2026 -
The Boyz’ Q to host first solo fan meetup
Q of The Boyz is getting ready for his first solo meet-and-greet with fans, his agency Peachy announced Tuesday. The fan meeting “For Seasons” will take place in two parts at Coex Artium in Seoul on Nov. 17, once at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Q, the main dancer of The Boyz, ventured into acting as the male lead in the drama “My Idol, My Debut,” which aired in July. His first attempt at film is in a supporting role in the interactive sci-fi thriller “Apartment: In the Realm of Ripley,” set to premiere in
Oct. 13, 2026 -
NCT Wish’s 4th EP hits 1m sales upon release
NCT Wish’s fourth mini album is an instant million-seller, recording over 1.2 million in first-day sales, SM Entertainment said Tuesday. It brought out “I Spy” on Monday and extended its million-selling streak to a fourth consecutive set, which follows the second and third EPs, “Poppop” and “Color,” respectively, as well as its first full-length album, “Ode to Love.” All six tracks from the latest endeavor made Melon’s Top 100 and Hot 100. The youngest subunit of NCT is set to embark on its seco
Oct. 13, 2026 -
Le Sserafim adds seats to sold-out London show
Le Sserafim is opening more seats for its London show slated for Oct. 16, according to its agency Source Music on Tuesday. The group is set to perform at The O2 Arena in the British capital to kick off the European leg of its “Pureflow” tour. Tickets for the first stop had sold out, prompting the agency to add extra seats. This is Le Sserafim's first tour in the region, and the group will visit Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen and Berlin as well. The tour is titled after the second studio album, “Pu
Oct. 13, 2026 -
Blackpink’s Jennie marks 20th week on Billboard’s Hot 100 with ‘Dracula’
Jennie of Blackpink claimed the No. 6 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 dated Oct. 17 with her Tame Impala collaboration “Dracula,” according to the chart preview published in the US on Monday. The Australian rock band and Jennie came together to rearrange the single, which climbed up four rungs from the week before, staying among the top 10 on the main songs chart for 20 weeks, extending the longest run for a K-pop artist. The single is the first to make it among the top 10 for both acts, and is char
Oct. 13, 2026