BTS returns home after live concerts in Las Vegas

K-pop supergroup BTS returned home Tuesday after wrapping up live concerts in Las Vegas that drew about 620,000 fans. Six members of the septet -- Jin, Jimin, V, J-Hope, Jungkook and Suga -- arrived at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, about 40 kilometers west of Seoul, in the early hours of the day. Their return came three weeks after they left for the United States on March 28. The singers in masks then silently walked out of the airport, occasionally waving to fans who had been waitin

K-popApril 19, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] All tracks from Blackpink’s 1st LP log 100m Spotify streams

Blackpink set another record, as each song from its first studio album has now surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify.   　 “You Never Know,” from the album titled “The Album,” reached the milestone on the platform on Monday, the last of the eight songs from the LP to achieve the feat, according to label YG Entertainment.   　 The band’s megahit “How You Like That” had logged 600 million streams as of last month, as the first song by a K-pop

K-popApril 18, 2022

Meet Hybe’s first girl group: Le Sserafim

Ahead of making its official debut, Le Sserafim, better known as Hybe’s first girl group, is at the center of the spotlight. The six-piece group is set to debut on May 2 under Source Music, an affiliate label of Hybe Labels, as the first all-female act to be launched by the multi-label entertainment company. On March 14, Hybe’s founder and chairman Bang Si-hyuk posted a picture of himself posing with the band’s two initial members, Sakura Miyawaki and Kim Chae-won, on his soc

K-popApril 18, 2022

2NE1 Coachella reunion brings fans together for first show in 7 years

After years of rumors that the band is preparing a new project or might even reunite, the now-disbanded 2NE1 sent fans abuzz with a special appearance at Coachella. On Saturday, the group took over the main stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, held in Indio, California. This marks the hit-making K-pop superstar’s return for the first time in seven years since it last performed at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong. Some of other big names that lit up the 8

K-popApril 18, 2022

BTS to return with new summer anthem in June

Amid rumors about BTS‘ imminent return with a new batch of songs, the band’s agency Big Hit Music said Sunday that the K-pop sensation is currently gearing for a comeback on June 10. Although not much has been announced about the group’s return and the new song’s title, the company said it would provide more details on the new album at a later time. “We look forward to your love and support for BTS’ new album,” the company added on the group’s

K-popApril 17, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Astro to host concert in Seoul next month

   Astro will hold a concert in Seoul on May 28-29, agency Fantagio announced Friday. 　 It has been almost 3 1/2 years since it hosted a standalone concert and since the bandmates have carried on their careers both as individuals and as a group, they will present a much more mature performances, said the company. 　 However, MJ will not be able to join the concert, as he will enlist on May 9. He will serve his mandatory military service as a member of the marching band after receiving

K-popApril 15, 2022

[Video] Ex-BTS trainee’s message to BTS

BTS holds a special place in many peoples’ hearts. But for Kim Ji-hun, the seven-member act is more than just a record-breaking band to him. They were once his closest friends that he shared the best times of his life with. We talk to Ji-hun about his time as a K-pop trainee, memories with BTS and also how the experience has changed his life. Watch till the end for his message to BTS ! By Team Konnect Kim Min-Jung(minjung.kim@heraldcorp.com) Choi Jeong-yoon(jychoi@heraldcorp.com) Kim J

K-popApril 15, 2022

Seventeen’s first English single ‘Darl+ing’ gets Apple spotlight

Just as K-pop boy band Seventeen’s new single “Darl+ing” was unveiled online Friday afternoon, the song rang out gently through the Apple Store in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, where the first of the band’s collaborative session with the tech company was taking place. Dropping their first ever English-lyric single, “Darl+ing,” the band joined hands with Apple as the first K-pop artist to be selected for the “Today at Apple” remix session. The creati

K-popApril 15, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] TXT to return with 4th EP next month

  Tomorrow X Together will put out its fourth EP “minisode 2: Thursday’s Child,” said label Big Hit Music on Thursday. 　 The quintet wrapped up its “The Chaos Chapter” series last year with “The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape,” a repackage of its second studio album “The Chaos Chapter: Freeze.” The second LP from August last year ranked No. 5 on Billboard 200, the band’s career high. The two albums each made the year’s best

K-popApril 14, 2022

‘Into the New World’: Girls’ Generation’s debut song lives on as Millennials’ anthem of solidarity

After debuting with the single “Into the New World” in 2007, Girls’ Generation was soon propelled to stardom and went on to become one of the biggest acts in the K-pop industry. Written by SM Entertainment’s in-house songwriter Kenzie and her husband and lyrist Kim Jung-bae, the cheerful song’s joyful melody is accompanied by resolute lyrics. “With the unknowable future and obstacles, I won’t change, I can’t give up,” the then nine-member g

K-popApril 14, 2022

The Boyz to launch first world tour next month

K-pop group The Boyz will begin its first-ever world tour, encompassing North America and Europe, next month, its management agency said Thursday. The 11-piece group will kick off the tour titled "The Boyz World Tour: The B-Zone" in Los Angeles on May 29, IST Entertainment said. It will mark the band's first live concerts in front of overseas fans in about two years and five months after a tour of major European cities such as Berlin and Paris in 2019. But the boys have never had a big

K-popApril 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] Just B bids farewell to ‘Rage’ trilogy, starts new journey through ‘Just Begun’

Less than a year since the group’s debut, rookie boy band Just B hopped onto the April music craze with its second EP, “Just Begun,” which is to be released Thursday evening. This marks a return from the sextet nearly six months after its previous work, “Just Beat,” released in October. It’s unusual for a rookie band to be away for months, since they must get their name out to the public. But it took the sextet six months to add value to their musical caree

K-popApril 14, 2022

Jessi’s ‘Zoom’ looks into her 18-year life under spotlight

One of the busiest TV personalities in the Korean entertainment scene right now, singer and rapper Jessi has finally returned as a musician with her new single “Zoom.” Ahead of dropping the digital single Wednesday afternoon, Jessi conducted an online media showcase in Seoul to give a peek into how the song came out. Returning after six months with a new song, Jessi said, “I feel like it’s been much longer, but in terms of promoting my songs, it’s been around a ye

K-popApril 13, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids stays on Billboard 200 for 3rd week

Stray Kids extended their stay on the Billboard 200 for another week, ranking No. 59 with EP “Oddinary,” according to the publication’s tally for next week.   　 The EP was the chart-topper on the world albums chart for three consecutive weeks. Along with the focus track “Maniac,” it has put the band’s name on 10 charts in total.   　 The EP was fully unveiled on March 18 and debuted on Billboard 200 at No. 1. The eight-member act became the third K

K-popApril 13, 2022

Hybe's first girl group to debut next month

The first girl group from K-pop powerhouse Hybe will release its first album next month, its management agency said Wednesday. Le Sserafim will drop the debut EP "Fearless" and hold a showcase for fans at the Jangchung Arena, an indoor sports stadium that can house 4,000 people, on May 2, Source Music said. The showcase will also be livestreamed online, it added. Le Sserafim is a six-piece group that consists of Miyawaki Sakura, Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, Kim Garam and Hong Eunch

K-popApril 13, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] SHINee’s Onew tops iTunes chart in 40 regions

    Onew of SHINee landed atop iTunes top albums chart in 40 regions with his second solo EP, “Dice.”   　 The six-track EP was fully unveiled Monday and also swept all major charts at home. It came almost 3 1/2 years after his first solo EP, “Voice,” and the musician demonstrated a fuller spectrum with the new EP, proving himself capable of going beyond the ballads for which he is best known.   　 He debuted as a member of SHINee in 2008 and has si

K-popApril 12, 2022

Dreamcatcher calls for climate action with second LP ‘Apocalypse: Save Us’

K-pop girl group Dreamcatcher on Tuesday made a comeback in nine months with their second full-length album, “Apocalypse: Save Us.” The band conducted a press conference ahead of their comeback to talk about the album and its production. The new album is the first studio album participated by all members, as the act’s Chinese member Handong had to sit out on the first LP, “Dystopia: The Tree of Language,” due to activities in her home country. “Handong cou

K-popApril 12, 2022

EPEX sends sheep in the midst of wolves through ‘Prelude of Anxiety’

Less than a year since the group’s debut, rookie boy band EPEX welcomed the spring season with the third EP, “Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. 21st Century Boys,” released Monday evening. This marks the band‘s return nearly five months after its previous work, “Bipolar Pt. 2 Prelude of Love,” released in October. In a press conference Monday, Wish said it is “an album that aims to talk about the younger generation and youth’s struggle with the oppr

K-popApril 11, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez to drop 2nd Japanese EP next month

     　 Ateez will release its second EP in Japan on May 25, agency KQ Entertainment announced Monday.   　 The EP, “Beyond: Zero,” consists of seven tracks: “The King,” a new song in Japanese as well as Japanese versions of hit songs such as “I’m the One,” “Take Me Home” and “Deja Vu.”   　 Main track “Rocky” is the work of leader Hongjoong, who was inspired by the classic underdog movie of

K-popApril 11, 2022

SHINee’s Onew hopes to unravel his ‘diversity’ through second solo EP ‘Dice’

K-pop group SHINee’s Onew on Monday put out his second solo album, “Dice,” through which he hopes to show his diversity as a solo musician and spread hopeful messages. Ahead of dropping his new album, Onew conducted a media showcase in Seoul on Monday afternoon. Hosting the show was SHINee bandmate Minho. Onew has been constantly releasing music, but mostly in for the original soundtracks of dramas, as the new album marks his official comeback as a soloist after over three ye

K-popApril 11, 2022