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SM Entertainment broadens reach via partnerships
SM Entertainment will expand the forest it donated in partnership with Seoul, the metropolitan government said Wednesday. The label signed a memorandum with the city on Tuesday to contribute to the third phase of the forest expansion and maintenance of the site, which began as 400 square meters of land in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, in 2023. Named "Kwangya Forest," it now stretches over 1280 square meters and has become increasingly sustainable. The entertainment company also joined hands with Samsung
April 30, 2025 -
Blackpink members stay strong on Billboard’s Hot 100
Rose of Blackpink added another week to her record stay on Billboard’s Hot 100. “APT.,” her smash hit collaboration with Bruno Mars, ranked No. 16 on the main singles chart, down three rungs from the previous week, and extended her presence on it to 27th week, the most for a K-pop female singer. The single peaked at No. 3, the highest spot for a K-pop female musician on the chart. Her first solo album “Rosie,” which the single is part of, ranked No. 110 on Billboard 200. Jennie’s “Like Jennie” i
April 30, 2025 -
Illit to return in mid-June: report
Illit is poised to make a comeback in mid-June, according to a local media report on Wednesday. Agency Belift Lab confirmed the news but did not provide more details. The group of five will be bringing out a new album about eight months after its second EP, “I’ll Like You.” The mini album ranked No. 94 on Billboard 200 and sold over half a million. The upcoming album would be released after the members greet their fans at first fan concert “Glitter Day” which will be held in Seoul June 7-8. They
April 30, 2025 -
G-Dragon launches space-themed spirits
G-Dragon unveiled his first venture into alcoholic beverage on social media on Wednesday. He launched a highball under his fashion brand Peaceminusone, packaged in a logo-covered black can designed by the artist. He has been teasing the release of the spirit through a series of thematic visuals inspired by space. They are also in line with the music video of “Home Sweet Home,” for which he teamed up with Microsoft and incorporated artificial intelligence, as well as projecting his music into the
April 30, 2025 -
Hybe posts record Q1 sales on booming concert biz
Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind BTS, reported a 50 percent year-on-year rise in its operating profit for the January-March period, largely driven by its artists' expanded global tour activities, the company said Tuesday. Sales rose 38.7 percent to a record 500.6 billion won ($348 million) for the quarter, marking its highest first-quarter performance ever. Net profit surged nearly 400 percent to 55.3 billion won. The company attributed the strong sales growth to active world tours and solo con
April 29, 2025 -
HITGS debuts amid scrutiny over members being all under 18
Rookie girl group HITGS made its official debut Monday, drawing mixed reactions over its lineup consisting of five members who are minors: from the eldest, VV, 18, to the youngest, Iyoo, 15. From the outset of its debut promotions, H Music Entertainment, the group’s agency, emphasized the youthfulness of the group, highlighting the members’ “fresh and lively visuals” and “pure, radiant girl-like charm” that it said “instantly captured attention.” The group’s name, HITGS, is an acronym for “Hip,
April 29, 2025 -
KCON returns to Los Angeles with expanded festival experience
CJ ENM announced Monday that the world’s largest K-pop fan and artist festival, KCON, will be back in Los Angeles this summer with an upgraded experience. "KCON LA 2025" will take place at Crypto.com Arena and the LA Convention Center from August 1 to 3, combining large-scale concerts with convention programs celebrating K-pop culture and entertainment. This year’s festival will feature performances by 11 artists in its initial lineup, including HxW (Seventeen’s Hoshi and Woozi), Ive, Izna, Lee
April 29, 2025 -
Highlight celebrates 17 years with a return to the name Beast
This year marks a milestone for the long-running boy group Highlight. Not only is the group celebrating its 17th year, it has also released new music under its original name, Beast, for the first time in nine years. The four-member group dropped its sixth EP "Real to Surreal" on Monday, its first release in over a year. Prior to the album's launch, the group released the prerelease track "Endless Ending" under the name Beast on April 16. Since leaving its former agency Cube Entertainment in 2017
April 29, 2025 -
Kim Jae-joong returns with 'Beauty in Chaos'
Singer and actor Kim Jae-joong is back with a new album rooted in rock. Kim will release his new mini album, "Beauty in Chaos," on May 19. A teaser image shared on his official social media channels features a shattered electric guitar and scattered fragments of broken glass, building anticipation for the powerful new music he is about to unveil. Previously, Kim hinted at the rock concept of the album by posting the phrase "Rock Jaejoong is back" on his personal social media. Leading up to and f
April 29, 2025 -
All-Korean K-pop idol group to perform in China
An all-Korean K-pop boy group is set to hold a standalone concert in China next month, raising expectations that Beijing may be moving toward easing its tacit ban on South Korean entertainment. C9 Entertainment announced Tuesday that its eight-member boy group Epex will perform in Fuzhou, China, on May 31 as part of its Asian tour, which kicked off in Seoul last December. China imposed an effective ban on South Korean pop music, TV dramas and films around 2016, in what was widely viewed as retal
April 29, 2025 -
Tensions rise between Ador and NewJeans fandom over ‘Indomie’ pop-up store
Tensions are flaring between Ador, the agency of girl group NewJeans, and Team Bunnies, a segment of the group's fandom, over a pop-up store event scheduled to open in Seoul on May 1. On Friday, Team Bunnies posted promotional images and a demand survey related to the pop-up event for the Indonesian instant noodle brand, Indomie, on the social media platform X — even before Indomie or Ador had officially announced the event. The survey requested personal information such as name, phone number an
April 28, 2025 -
Riize to release first full-length album ‘Odyssey’ May 19
Rookie boy group Riize is set to return with its first LP "Odyssey" on May 19, according to its agency SM Entertainment on Monday. The new album marks the group’s first major release in about 11 months after its first EP "Riizing" in June. "Odyssey" will feature 10 tracks and is available for preorder from Monday through various online and offline music retailers. Known for distinctive promotional strategies, Riize is preparing what the agency describes as its "first, best, and biggest" promotio
April 28, 2025 -
Rookie group Kiiras gears up for debut
Another rookie girl group is gearing up to debut in the K-pop scene. LeanBranding Entertainment announced that its new six-member girl group, Kiiras, will officially debut May 29. The lineup includes Lingling, a standout contestant from Mnet’s audition program "I-Land 2" and the first Malaysian member of a K-pop girl group, along with one Japanese member and four Korean members. The group's teaser image, revealed on social media, caught attention with the team name "Kiiras" emblazoned across pin
April 28, 2025 -
Just B’s Bain thanks Hong Seok-cheon for paving way for LGBTQ+ in Korea
Bain, a member of K-pop boy band Just B who came out as part of the LGBTQ+ community last week, has expressed gratitude to Hong Seok-cheon, Korea’s first openly-gay celebrity who came out in 2000, for paving the way for the LGBTQ+ community in the Korean entertainment industry. On Sunday, Hong shared a thank-you message he received from Bain on his Instagram account. In the message, Bain expressed his deep appreciation, writing, “I read about your warm encouragement and advice in a news article
April 28, 2025 -
Twice members feature on Netflix's animated film
Twice members have participated in the soundtrack for Netflix’s upcoming animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." According to Netflix’s announcement, the three Twice members -- Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung -- lent their voices to original songs for "KPop Demon Hunters," which will be released in 190 countries June 20. "K-Pop Demon Hunters" is an action-packed musical animation that follows globally popular K-pop superstars who secretly hunt demons offstage to protect their fans. Produced by Sony P
April 28, 2025