[Today’s K-pop] Illit surpasses 500m Spotify streams in record time

Illit amassed 500 million streams on Spotify for its debut song “Magnetic” as of Wednesday, said agency Belift Lab Friday citing the platform. The rookie girl group achieved the feat in 275 days, a record for a debut single from a K-pop group. “Magnetic” is the main track from its first EP “Super Real Me." The track entered Billboard’s Hot 100 and UK’s Official Singles Top 100, becoming the first debut song to do either in K-pop history. It also made the year-end charts of Billboard and Apple Mu

Dec. 27, 2024

Seventeen subunit BSS to drop new single 'Teleparty' on Jan. 8

Seventeen subunit trio BSS is returning with its second single, titled "Teleparty," on Jan. 8, Pledis Entertainment said Friday. The three-piece unit of Seung-kwan, Do-gyeom and Hoshi teased a snippet of the upcoming song through a two-minute trailer titled "How is Your Youth?" on Hybe Label's YouTube channel and the group's official social media account. The new single "Teleparty" means to connect with everyone in the world in a party through telepathy. The song reflects the message that promot

Dec. 27, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Japan TV to air 1st Ateez documentary

A documentary on Ateez will air on Japanese television from Jan. 7, 2025, announced broadcasting station BS-TBS Wednesday. “Ateez 8Face” will give fans an up-close and personal look at the band through eight episodes split into “Side A” and “Side B.” The former is largely based on interviews with each of the bandmates looking back at their career from trainee days. The latter takes an even more personal look, following them spending time alone, from Hongjoong scouring vintage shops and Seonghwa

Dec. 26, 2024

Ive to return next year with 'Ive Empathy'

Girl group to drop 3rd EP in February Ive has officially announced the release of its third EP “IVE Empathy,” set for Feb. 3, 2025. The group’s agency, Starship Entertainment, made the announcement via a teaser video shared to the group's official social media channels, which captures heartwarming moments shared between the six members. Linking arms, holding hands, and covering one other with blankets, each Ive member radiates warmth and affection; at the end of the video, the lyrics “May we che

Dec. 26, 2024

Jennie hints at solo comeback in 2025

Iconic K-pop star promises deeper musical spectrum Jennie of Blackpink has officially announced the release of her solo album next year. In a video uploaded on Christmas Day, Wednesday, entitled “Happy Holidays,” Jennie confirmed that the new album will drop in 2025, marking a significant milestone in her solo career. Describing the album, Jennie teased a diverse range of genres and revealed that several tracks will feature collaborations with other artists. She called it “an album like a buffet

Dec. 26, 2024

Rose's 'APT.' at No. 22 on Billboard Hot 100 this week

Rose's hit single "APT." stood at No. 22 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart this week, remaining on the chart for two months since its release. The song, released Oct. 18, stood at 22nd on the top singles list this week, down two places from the previous week, and spending its ninth week on the chart, according to Billboard. The single, featuring Bruno Mars, has been a smash hit for the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK member, reaching as high as No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 -- the highest for a K-pop fem

Dec. 25, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa to offer 1st solo LP in 7 versions

The first solo album from Blackpink’s Lisa will be available in seven different versions, according to agency Lloud Company. She is poised to return on Feb. 28 with the LP “Alter Ego.” The physical albums will be a jewel case, a vinyl and five photo book editions. The artist established her own management company and cinched a partnership with RCA Records, a Sony Music affiliate earlier this year. Since June, she has dropped three singles: “Rockstar,” “New Woman (feat. Rosalia)” and “Moonlit Flo

Dec. 24, 2024

Singer Lee Seung-hwan vows legal action against Gumi City concert cancellation

Conservative mayor‘s action sparks allegations of censorship Singer Lee Seung-hwan, whose Christmas Day concert in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, was unilaterally canceled by the city citing safety concerns, said he plans to take legal action. Lee, who has been touring the country since November with his concert “Heaven,” marking the 35th anniversary of his debut, was scheduled to perform at the Gumi Arts Center's Grand Performance Hall on Dec. 25. On Monday, the city announced the cancellatio

Dec. 24, 2024

Hybe to introduce facial recognition entry at concerts

TWS fan meeting to debut ‘Face Pass’ system Starting next year, concertgoers attending performances by Hybe artists will be able to enter venues using facial recognition technology. Hybe announced that the "Face Pass" system will be introduced at "42:Club," a fan meeting event for boy band TWS, which is scheduled for Feb. 14-16, 2025 at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Face Pass, provided by ticket platform Interpark Triple, allows attendees to verify their identity and q

Dec. 24, 2024

Fifty Fifty makes Billboard's best new Christmas song list

Fifty Fifty’s first season song was chosen as one of Billboard's "25 Best New Christmas Songs of 2024: Staff Picks,” agency Attract said Monday. “Naughty or Nice” is a combination of “fun K-pop with snazzy retro jazz vibes” and “a pace-changing banger that finds the girl group taking a page out of Santa Claus’ book and asking the eternal question: Are you naughty or nice?” wrote the American publication. The single is from the quintet’s digital single “Winter Glow” which was released on Dec. 9.

Dec. 23, 2024

Day6 ends the year on a triumphant note with Gocheok Sky Dome concert

First K-pop band to perform at Gocheok Sky Dome, Day6 at heart of resurgence of band music This year has been a tremendous year for Day6, a band at the heart of the resurgence of band music in Korea. Released in March after the completion of the member's military service, “Fourever” propelled the band's popularity to new heights. In September, "Band Aid,” the band's ninth mini album, and its title track “Melt Down” reached No. 1 on the Melon Top 100 chart, the first for the band. With a busy yea

Dec. 23, 2024

Stray Kids album 'HOP' achieves historic sixth Billboard 200 No. 1

Stray Kids marked a historic milestone by ranking No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for the sixth time with their latest album "HOP." The group is the first act in the 69-year history of the Billboard 200 chart to have all six of their albums debut at No. 1. Released on Dec. 13, "HOP" debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, surpassing Kendrick Lamar's "GNX" and Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department." Starting with "Oddinary" in 2022, Stray Kids have topped the Billboard 200 with "Maxiden

Dec. 23, 2024

Jang Na-ra, Lee Chan-won take home grand prize at SBS, KBS awards shows

Singer and actor Jang Na-ra and trot singer Lee Chan-won wrapped up the year triumphantly, taking home top honors at drama and entertainment awards ceremonies held over the weekend. Recognized for her portrayal of Cha Eun-kyung, a seasoned divorce lawyer whose husband cheated on her in “Good Partner,” Jang, 43, received the first grand prize in her 24-year acting career Sunday at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards. This year’s grand prize was a tight race between Ahn Bo-hyun (“Flex X Cop”), Hwang Jung-eu

Dec. 22, 2024

Monika from 'Street Woman Fighter' announces marriage, pregnancy

Dancer and choreographer Monika has announced her marriage and pregnancy. The 38-year-old artist posted a handwritten letter to fans and the public on Instagram on Friday, expressing gratitude for what she described as a "precious miracle." “I have met someone I love deeply, and we have promised to spend our lives together,” she wrote. Introducing her fiance, she described him as “a quiet and steadfast person who stays out of the public limelight -- ordinary to others, but more special to me tha

Dec. 22, 2024

Seventeen hits high on Oricon’s annual rankings

Seventeen added another record on Oricon’s annual wrap-up of this year announced Friday. Its best-of album “17 Is Right Here” claimed No. 3 spot on the annual Combined Album Ranking, the highest rung for an international artist this year, with 12th EP “Spill The Feels” sitting two rungs below. The 13-member act is the only artist to have multiple albums among top 10 on the chart. The compilation album and 12th EP ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, on annual album ranking and 11th EP from last

Dec. 20, 2024