[Exclusive] Ateez to return in November

Ateez is preparing to return with new music in November, about four and a half months after the release of its hit "Bad," an industry source told The Korea Herald on Wednesday. "Ateez's comeback is currently scheduled for the second week of November," the source said on condition of anonymity. "Nov. 9 is currently being used as the comeback date for broadcast scheduling, rather than as the official release date, and the schedule could still change." Based on the group's recent release pattern, N

2026-09-02 10:59:29:00

Meet Woni, the underdog with an edge on K-pop's biggest names

Who was the most talked-about individual K-pop idol in August? Not BTS' Jimin or Ive's Jang Wonyoung. According to the monthly individual idol brand reputation rankings published by brand analytics firm Brikorea, it was Woni of Rescene for the second consecutive month. The leader of the five-member girl group topped the August ranking with a brand reputation index of 6,951,891, ahead of Jimin at No. 2 and Jang Wonyoung at No. 3. The index combines data on consumer engagement, media exposure, onl

2026-09-01 11:28:09:00

[Exclusive] G-Dragon documentary underway at Disney+ for 2027 release

G-Dragon is set to get the documentary treatment from Disney+, with production started and a release expected sometime next year, an industry source told The Korea Herald on Monday. The project is expected to trace G-Dragon's influence on K-pop while exploring his career as a solo artist and his role in Big Bang. "Production of a G-Dragon documentary for Disney+ is currently underway," the source said on condition of anonymity. “Members of the documentary's production team had already begun reac

2026-09-01 10:23:37:00

Has 'APT.' made Rose too selective?

Bruno Mars made an unusual request of Rose recently. Speaking to local media about his concerts scheduled for South Korea in May 2027, the 16-time Grammy winner turned directly to his "APT." collaborator. "Rosie, if you're listening, if you're watching, what do I have to do, for me and you to do 'APT.' in Korea?" Mars said in the interview video. "She's expensive these days. She doesn't even answer my call." It was, of course, a passing joke. But something remarkable lay beneath it: For all of K

2026-08-30 17:32:11:00

Stray Kids' Lee Know donates W100m for Nepal flood relief

Stray Kids member Lee Know has donated 100 million won ($72,700) to support children and families affected by severe flooding in Nepal, his agency JYP Entertainment said Sunday. Lee Know made the donation Friday through international relief organization World Vision Korea. The funds will be used to provide food and nutrition, temporary shelter, clean water and sanitation support to communities affected by the floods. "I hope my contribution can be of some help to those going through such a diffi

2026-08-30 16:28:14:00

From K-pop views to K-beauty buys

Short-form platforms are increasingly turning interest in Korean entertainment into spending across industries ranging from beauty and food to fashion and tourism, according to a study released Wednesday by TikTok and global consulting firm Kearney. The report, "K-Culture on TikTok: Driving Global Economic Impact," surveyed 3,300 consumers aged 16-49 across 10 countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, the UK and the US. It examined six sectors: K-pop, K-media and intellectual property conte

2026-08-27 16:57:16:00

Why one size shouldn't fit all in golf

A 79-year-old former professional golfer watched his driving distance fall to around 170 meters with age. Reaching a par-5 green in two was no longer easy. For someone who had spent decades playing golf at a professional level, the loss of distance did more than hurt his pride. It was taking the fun out of the game. "People say golf is a fair game. I see it as an extremely irrational and unfair game," said Lee Hyung-kyu, CEO of Bang Golf, during an interview with The Korea Herald in Seoul on Wed

2026-08-27 15:46:43:00

Can Tuide carve out its own identity?

Hybe's newest girl group Tuide already found a way to attract attention before releasing a single song. The group's Seoyeon was revealed to be the younger sister of Jihyo, leader of JYP Entertainment's Twice. The connection quickly drew attention to Tuide, the first act launched by ABD, Hybe's new subsidiary dedicated to producing girl groups. But being Hybe's newest girl group inevitably invites another comparison: NewJeans. Four years after NewJeans' arrival reshaped the K-pop girl group lands

2026-08-25 18:21:48:00

Galaxy Robot Park: Glimpse of the future or spectacle without substance?

A dozen humanoid robots line up onstage. Rose's "APT." starts playing, and they begin to dance in formation. After that, it's Saja Boys' "Soda Pop" and Yena's "Catch Catch," with the machines shifting positions and keeping pace with one another. At first, it looks awkward. Watch a little longer, though, and it becomes surprisingly compelling. This was the scene Friday at the official opening of Galaxy Robot Park, which Galaxy Corporation bills as the world's first robot-centered cultural complex

2026-08-24 15:21:59:00

[단독] 블랙핑크 지수, 9월 4일 신곡 발표…첫 솔로 정규앨범 선공개곡

그룹 블랙핑크 지수가 오는 9월 4일 신곡을 발표한다. 지난해 10월 잰(Zayn)과 함께한 ‘Eyes Closed (feat. Zayn)’ 이후 약 11개월 만의 신곡으로, 향후 발매할 첫 솔로 정규앨범의 선공개곡이다. 24일 가요계에 따르면 지수는 다음 달 4일 신곡을 공개하고 본격적인 솔로 정규앨범 준비에 나선다. 지수 역시 이날 자신의 SNS를 통해 신곡 발표를 암시하는 티저를 공개했다. 신곡의 제목과 장르 등 구체적인 정보는 아직 공개되지 않았다. 첫 솔로 정규앨범의 발매 시점 역시 정해지지 않은 것으로 알려졌다. 한 업계 관계자는 이날 코리아헤럴드에 “이번 신곡에는 다른 아티스트가 피처링으로 참여하지 않는다”며 “여러 곡이 수록될 지수의 첫 솔로 정규앨범에 포함되는 선공개곡”이라고 밝혔다. 신곡 뮤직비디오는 그래미 수상 경력의 뮤직비디오 감독 조셉 칸(Joseph Kahn)이 연출했다. 촬영은 태국 방콕에서 진행됐다. 칸은 테일러 스위프트, 브리트니 스피어스, 레이디 가가

2026-08-24 13:03:04:00