Izna joins K-pop's house wave with new EP 'Set the Tempo’

Izna returned Monday with its third EP, "Set the Tempo," led by house-inspired main track "Metronome," as the group seeks to carve out its own identity amid a growing wave of house music influences in K-pop. Its new album continues the six-member group's ongoing narrative of self-definition. While its debut EP "N/a" challenged limits and second EP "Not Just Pretty" pushed beyond conventional ideas of beauty, the new release centers on the message that the group itself sets the standard rather th

2026-06-09 17:45:44:00

Beyond 'Dreamers': K-pop's soundtrack for 2026 FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is no longer an event enjoyed solely by soccer fans. Held once every four years, the tournament attracts billions of viewers worldwide and has long inspired musicians to release official FIFA anthems, national team songs and unofficial tributes. K-pop has become increasingly visible in that tradition. After BTS member Jungkook made history by performing the first FIFA World Cup anthem by a Korean artist with "Dreamers" at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Blackpink's Lisa joined this

2026-06-09 17:33:02:00

Jensen Huang's K-pop playlist includes a hit and a surprise

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has revealed three of his favorite K-pop songs, naming global smash hit "Golden" by fictional girl group Huntrix of Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" and the unexpected choices of Hwasa's "Good Goodbye" and "So Cute." During an appearance on popular South Korean television program "You Quiz on the Block," set to air Wednesday, Huang was asked about his interest in K-pop and the music he listens to at work. "Who doesn't love 'Golden?'" Huang said in a teaser video released Su

2026-06-08 14:20:42:00

In TikTok era, Heart of Woman looks back to Y2K

Heart of Woman (H.O.W.), the first girl group formed by the late R&B singer Wheesung's label Blue Brown Records, is drawing attention with its Y2K-inspired debut album "Heart Byte: Legacy" — reviving not only the sounds, but also the album formats and promotional practices that once defined K-pop in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The quintet's first full-length album, released on May 28, contains 13 tracks, including the lead single "Lost in Proof," a polished reinterpretation of new jack swing

2026-06-07 16:58:26:00

Making America laugh is no joke

Korean culture has expanded far beyond its borders over the past decade: K-pop is a global phenomenon, while Korean films, television, food, fashion and beauty products continue to attract growing international audiences. Comedian Kim Dong-ha hopes Korean comedy can follow. Kim recently completed the first North American stand-up tour by a Korean comedian, performing in Washington, Toronto and Vancouver under the banner "Made in Korea." The shows were performed entirely in Korean and drew largel

2026-06-06 16:00:00:00

Psy referred to prosecutors over alleged proxy drug pickup

Psy, the singer behind 2012 K-pop megahit "Gangnam Style," has been referred to prosecutors over allegations he had a manager collect psychotropic medication on his behalf. According to local media reports Tuesday, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office received the case from police on Monday and is investigating Psy, his manager, a professor at a university hospital in Seoul and another individual on suspicion of violating the Medical Service Act. Psy is accused of receiving prescriptio

2026-06-02 19:22:23:00

Meovv looks beyond genres with Bach-inspired new EP

Meovv is betting that one of classical music's most recognizable melodies can help define the rookie girl group's future. The five-member act returned Monday with its second EP, "Bite Now," led by "Ddi Ro Ri," a main track built around a reinterpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor." Rather than treating the classical piece as a novelty, the group said it saw the song as an opportunity to showcase its evolving musical identity and willingness to experiment across gen

2026-06-02 19:22:18:00

Rescene rides YouTube buzz to chart resurgence

Rescene is enjoying an unlikely chart resurgence as "Love Attack," the lead track from the group's first EP "Scenedrome," released in August 2024, continues to climb major Korean music charts nearly two years after its release. The renewed interest follows the viral success of member Woni's personal YouTube channel, "Hello I am Woni Nice To Meet You." Videos featuring fellow members Minami and Zena taking on gyaru, Japanese fashion subculture, and regional dialect concepts, respectively, have re

2026-06-01 16:22:22:00

BTS brings back 'Run BTS,' will officially release 'Come Over' for Festa

BTS will bring back its popular variety series "Run BTS" and officially release "Come Over" as part of its annual Festa celebration marking the group's June 13 debut anniversary, according to a schedule unveiled Monday. Festa is BTS' annual festival commemorating its debut, featuring a mix of online and offline events. This year's celebration will coincide with the group's "BTS World Tour ‘Arirang' in Busan" concerts at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on June 12 and 13. The festivities will begin on Th

2026-06-01 11:13:33:00

Aespa returns with broader sound, global collaborations on second LP 'Lemonade'

Aespa returned Thursday with its second full-length album, "Lemonade," an 11-track release that broadens the group's musical palette while launching a new chapter in its fictional universe. The album has two lead tracks — "Lemonade" and prerelease single "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" — and features collaborations with G-Dragon, Ty Dolla $ign and Becky G. "These two tracks mark the beginning of a new storyline for us," Karina said during a showcase in Seoul on Thursday. "People often describe Ae

2026-05-29 18:44:02:00