Petition demanding Assembly hearing on Hybe’s ‘misconduct’ gains momentum

A public petition calling for a National Assembly hearing to investigate alleged social misconduct by Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind BTS, has surpassed 50,000 signatures, qualifying it for a committee review. The petition, submitted on Nov. 15, argues for urgent action to address issues related to Hybe’s operations. The petitioner emphasized the need to address loopholes in existing laws revealed by Hybe’s actions, proposing both revisions to current regulations and the establishm

Dec. 13, 2024

K-pop’s global chart success: True milestone or outdated obsession?

As K-pop’s global influence expands, agencies have increasingly emphasized their artists' accomplishments on prestigious charts like the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. However, industry insiders argue that benchmarking traditional chart rankings reflects outdated thinking, as these once-iconic indicators have lost much of their relevance over the past decade due to a major shift in music consumption toward online streaming. Big Hit Music announced Tuesday that BTS member

Dec. 12, 2024

Babymonster to tour US next year

Babymonster uploaded a poster Thursday announcing the US stops for its first international tour Hello Monsters. The two concerts, in Newark, New Jersey, on Feb. 28 and in Los Angeles on March 2, will both be held in arenas -- a major feat for a rookie girl group. The group has already proved its pot

Dec. 12, 2024

Deaf trio Big Ocean to hold first solo concert next year

Big Ocean, the world's first idol group composed of members with hearing impairments, is set to hold its first solo concert. The trio -- Chanyeon, Hyunjin and Jiseok -- announced via the group's official social media channels that they will hold the first solo concert under the banner of “Follow” on March 9, 2025, at the Toyota City Cultural Hall in Nagoya, Japan. “Follow” is also the name of Big Ocean’s first mini album. The group is preparing not only to

Dec. 12, 2024

Indie band Daybreak marks 17th anniversary, continues evolution

The 17-year veteran band Daybreak has returned with a new album that captures the past, present, and future of the band, infused with their enduring passion. The band‘s 3rd mini album, “Semicolon,” is its first album since their 2016 full-length 4th album, “With.” In the interim, the band had been a

Dec. 12, 2024

BTS‘ Jimin extends record streak on Billboard Hot 100

Jimin of BTS extended his stay on Billboard’s Hot 100 to 20 weeks in a row with his solo song “Who,” according to the chart published Tuesday in the US. This is the longest streak on the main songs chart for a K-pop solo singer in the last decade, and he achieved the feat while climbing back up nine

Dec. 11, 2024

NewJeans manager files workplace harassment complaint against Ador CEO Kim Ju-young

A manager for K-pop group NewJeans has filed a workplace harassment complaint against Ador CEO Kim Ju-young with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, intensifying the conflict that started between the K-pop agency and its former CEO Min Hee-jin and spread to NewJeans and now their manager. According to a local media outlet on Tuesday, the manager alleges being lured to a work meeting where a suspension notice was issued, followed by demands for the immediate return of a company laptop. The indi

Dec. 11, 2024

BTS’ V enters Billboard Hot 100 with winter song

V of BTS hit Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 99 with the single “Winter Ahead,” according to the chart preview published Tuesday. It is his fifth solo entry on the main songs chart, following “Christmas Tree” for the 2021 drama “Our Beloved Summer”; “Slow Dancing” and “Love Me Again” from his first solo

Dec. 10, 2024

Speak or not to speak? K-pop stars face dilemma amid national crisis

After the shocking but brief martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 3, several celebrities, including K-pop singers, have voiced — or at least hinted at — their stance on the ongoing political crisis. Speaking out on political matters has long been a taboo for idols, whose freedom of expression is often tightly controlled by their agencies. However, with the rise of social media and the globalization of K-pop, the question emerges: Should K-pop singers be restricted

Dec. 10, 2024

BTS hits 1.9b views with ‘Dynamite’ music video

BTS surpassed the 1.9 billion view mark on YouTube with the music video for “Dynamite,” said label Big Hit Music Monday. It was the first time the band reached the milestone. “Dynamite” was rolled out in August 2020 and made a hotshot debut on Billboard’s Hot 100, a first for a K-pop artist. The upb

Dec. 9, 2024

JYP USA vows all necessary action after VCHA member KG’s abrupt departure

JYP USA, the US subsidiary of JYP Entertainment, announced Monday it would take strong action following the departure of VHCA member KG, who filed a lawsuit against the company alleging workplace mistreatment. The North American girl group debuted in January as a collaboration between Universal Music Group’s subsidiary Republic Records and JYP USA. “We deeply regret KG’s decision to file a lawsuit and make unilateral public statements containing false and exaggerated claims,&rd

Dec. 9, 2024

[Herald Review] Infinite celebrates 15th debut anniversary, announces comeback in March

Veteran boy group Infinite, set to mark its 15th debut anniversary next year, kicked off its Asia concert tour, promising fans an even brighter future together. The six-member group held their 15th-anniversary concert “Limited Edition” from Friday to Sunday, at KSPO Dome located in Seoul Olympic Park, drawing over 30,000 spectators over three days. With a powerful live band session filling the venue, the sextet made a grand entrance, descending a massive staircase from the ceiling, a

Dec. 9, 2024

KG leaves VCHA citing ‘abuse and mistreatment’

The American member of JYP Entertainment’s newly debuted global girl group VCHA, KG, has announced her departure from the group citing alleged abuse by a staff member. The 17-year-old singer shared the news Sunday on her Instagram, revealing that she had decided to terminate her contract and exit VC

Dec. 8, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Twice rolls out EP No. 14

Twice made a comeback Friday with 14th EP “Strategy,” about 10 months after its previous EP “With YOU-th.” As the album title suggests, the nonet sings of their “strategies” finding and expressing love. “It has been a while. We are returning as a full group … and we’d love to see the reaction from our fans,” said Momo via label JYP Entertainment adding that the title track “is the most hip among songs from us.” The lead sin

Dec. 6, 2024

Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association issues statement against NewJeans

The Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association released a statement Friday condemning NewJeans for “unilaterally” terminating their exclusive contract with its agency Ador. It is the second organization from the K-pop industry that publicly defined its position in favor of Ador, after the Korea Management Association urged NewJeans on Monday to retract their decision. “An exclusive contract is not just a document, but the result of shared trust and promises. The notion th

Dec. 6, 2024