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Category: K-ENT

  • [🇺🇸] BTS Announces Full-Group Comeback and World Tour

    The global music scene is buzzing as BTS officially confirms their long-awaited full-group return.

    Scheduled for March 20, BTS will release their fifth studio album, followed by a massive, large-scale world tour. This announcement marks the end of a hiatus lasting approximately three years and nine months—a period that has only served to heighten the anticipation of fans and industry experts alike. Major international media outlets are already dedicating significant coverage to the group’s trajectory, emphasizing the immense cultural weight of this reunion.

    The reaction from the global press has been nothing short of electric.

    Leading outlets such as CBS News, Complex, and the UK’s NME are closely tracking the group’s every move. Billboard captured the sentiment perfectly, describing it as “the moment a giant artist representing K-pop returns after a nearly four-year hiatus,” while

    The Washington Post remarked that BTS is set to “heat up 2026 like ‘Dynamite’.” Variety further added that for fans, this comeback isn’t just about the end of a season, but a long-awaited “spring” that the group’s return signifies for the world of pop music.

    Beyond the charts, the industry sees this as a historic milestone for modern pop history.

    L’Officiel Singapore highlighted the group’s pivotal role in bringing K-pop into the global mainstream, stating that the return of all seven members will be one of the most decisive moments in contemporary music.

    The upcoming album is set to feature 14 tracks that weave together the members’ personal reflections and emotions gathered throughout their journey. It also carries a heartfelt message of gratitude to the fans who have stayed by their side, making this return a deeply emotional experience for the global community.

  • [Korean News] G-Dragon’s New Lectures and Legendary Comebacks

    Happy first Monday of 2026! To kick off the very first full week of the year, we have some incredible news from the world of K-pop. From academic milestones to long-awaited reunions, here are the hottest updates you should know as we start the week.

    Professor G-DRAGON Heading to USC

    The “King of K-pop” is expanding his reach into the world of academia.

    G-DRAGON is reportedly set to open a regular course at the University of Southern California (USC). As a global cultural visionary, he will be personally lecturing students on international cultural trends. It is inspiring to see a K-pop icon being recognized as a thought leader at such a prestigious global institution!

    The Return of Wanna One

    Wannables, get ready! The legendary group Wanna One is officially planning a reunion.

    They are scheduled to star in a new reality program airing in the first half of 2026. After years of waiting, seeing the members back together is sure to be the perfect gift for fans worldwide this year.

    Stray Kids: A Traditional Time-Slip

    The global superstars Stray Kids are preparing something special for the upcoming Lunar New Year.

    They will appear in a variety show titled Seolbim, featuring a “time-slip” concept that blends modern style with the traditional elegance of the Joseon Dynasty. It’s going to be a unique chance to see a different side of their versatility!

  • January 2026 K-Drama Watchlist: From Ji Sung’s Return to Netflix Originals

    January 2026 is set to be a blockbuster month for K-drama enthusiasts, with several highly anticipated titles making their debut.

    Leading the way is MBC’s The Judge Returns, starring Ji Sung, which premiered on January 2 to kick off the new year’s television season.

    Additionally, Spring Fever, featuring Ahn Bo-hyun and Lee Joo-bin, is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video on January 5, offering a heartwarming romance for international viewers.

    Netflix will feature the long-awaited romantic comedy Can This Love Be Translated?, written by the famous Hong Sisters and starring Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung, with its global release set for January 16.

     On the same day, the fantasy series No Tail to Tell, starring Kim Hye-yoon and Lomon, is also slated for release on both Netflix and SBS.

    2026 also marks the return of globally successful sequels. All of Us Are Dead Season 2 is aiming for a Netflix release within the year after a significant hiatus, while Disney+ has confirmed that A Shop for Killers Season 2 will premiere in late 2026, continuing the thrill for action fans.

  • Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun Campaign with aespa Sets New Viewership Record

    Nongshim’s advertisement featuring Shin Ramyun global ambassador aespa is recording remarkable view counts across social media platforms.

    According to Nongshim, the ad has surpassed 130 million cumulative views on YouTube, achieving the milestone just one month after its release—the highest performance in the history of Shin Ramyun advertising.

    The campaign has drawn attention for breaking away from conventional ramen advertising formats and adopting a music-video-style approach that maximizes aespa’s appeal. The background track is a remake by aespa of “Spice Up Your Life,” originally released in 1997 by the iconic British pop group Spice Girls.

    The ad also sparked buzz with the “Shin Ramyun Dance,” a playful choreography that cleverly incorporates actions such as opening the ramen package and pouring in water. The YouTube comment section features more than 1,000 posts, with viewers praising the “addictive melody and choreography,” the “fresh music-video-style structure,” the “album-level production quality,” and calling it “a revolutionary example of ramen advertising.”

    Alongside the campaign, Nongshim has been rolling out the “Shin Ramyun aespa Special Package” since November in Korea, Australia, and other markets. Multi-packs feature group images of aespa, while individual packs showcase member-specific designs. Each package includes a photo card containing the members’ pictures and handwritten messages.

    A Nongshim official said the 100-million-view milestone demonstrates that Shin Ramyun has established itself as a cultural icon beyond food in the global market, adding that the company will continue working with aespa to further strengthen Shin Ramyun’s image as a leading K-food brand worldwide.

  • EXO Returns After 2.5 Years with New Album ‘REVERXE’

    EXO is set to return after two years and six months, marking their comeback with a special showcase.

    The group will release its eighth full-length album, REVERXE, on January 19, 2026. All nine tracks will be unveiled across major music streaming platforms at 6 p.m. KST, followed by a showcase event starting at 7:30 p.m. at Kyung Hee University’s Peace Hall in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul.

    At the showcase, EXO will perform songs from REVERXE and share various behind-the-scenes stories related to the album, celebrating their long-awaited comeback together with fans in the same venue. With the group’s first full album release in over two years, anticipation among fans is running high.

  • Global K-Culture Festival SEOULCon Opens in Seoul on Dec. 29

    The Seoul Business Agency has unveiled the key programs of the global K-culture festival “2025 SEOULCon,” signaling its status as one of Seoul’s signature year-end cultural events.

    Now in its third year, SEOULCon is a participatory festival bringing together global influencers and citizens. Last year, it attracted 60,000 visitors and generated 320 million online impressions, underscoring its growing global reach.

    The event will take place from December 29 to January 1, 2026, at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), featuring a wide range of programs centered on Seoul’s representative content, including K-pop, television dramas, and street dance.

    The highlight of the festival is the “SEOULCon X World K-pop Festival – Countdown,” scheduled for December 31, with performances by Dynamic Duo, Taemin, BIBI, and QWER.

    On December 29, the “SEOULCon APAN Star Awards” will also be held, with top actors such as Park Bo-gum, IU, and Lee Jun-ho nominated, and the ceremony broadcast live on tvN and TVING.

    On the same day, the “K-Beauty Boost” program targeting North American expansion and a live makeup show will further expand opportunities for industry exchange.

    On December 30, the finals of “Street Force Seoul,” featuring dancers from five countries, will be followed by an EDM party designed for global influencer networking. Throughout the festival period, visitor-friendly programs such as brand pop-up zones, photo zones, and cosplay fan meetings will be available on a rolling basis.

    As a core component of the “2025 Seoul Winter Festa,” SEOULCon will also connect with Seoul Light DDP and the traditional New Year’s Eve Bell-Ringing Ceremony.

    With most programs offered free of charge, SEOULCon is expected to become a central platform showcasing Seoul’s culture and lifestyle to the world.

  • Chanel’s Bleu de Chanel Limited Edition Sells Out After Jungkook’s Endorsement

    Recently, Jungkook was officially appointed as the global ambassador for Chanel’s Beauty & Fragrance division. On the 16th, he graced the cover of ELLE Korea January issue, showcasing a Chanel photoshoot that quickly went viral. However, alongside the announcement of his ambassadorship, an unexpected “sold-out frenzy” erupted.

    The limited edition of Bleu de Chanel, the fragrance Jungkook mentioned as his favorite on Disney Plus’s variety show Are You Sure?, sold out simultaneously on both the official Chanel website and Chanel Korea. Overseas fans took to X (formerly Twitter), confirming the product’s availability issue on the Chanel site and expressing their surprise.

    Fans, calling him the “King of Sold-Outs,” flooded social media with congratulatory messages. Some fans, relieved after purchasing the fragrance at duty-free stores, even shared their joy. Jungkook’s mention of the fragrance sparked a massive response from fans around the globe, significantly increasing interest in Chanel.

    As Chanel’s Global Ambassador for Beauty and Fragrance, this marks Jungkook’s first official role with the brand. In the ELLE Korea photoshoot, he flawlessly embodied the Chanel look, leaving a deep impression on fans and further cementing his influence while showcasing Chanel’s global recognition.

  • TWICE to Headline Historic Solo Shows at Japan’s National Stadium

    TWICE will make history next April as the first foreign act to headline a solo concert at Japan’s National Stadium in Tokyo.

    The group’s agency announced on the 7th through its official Japanese SNS channels that TWICE has added new dates to their sixth world tour “THIS IS FOR,” confirming three solo shows at the National Stadium on April 25, 26, and 28 in 2026.

    The concerts will be staged in a massive 360-degree full-seating format, accommodating approximately 80,000 attendees per show and an estimated total of 240,000 across all three dates. This marks the first time a foreign artist will perform a standalone concert at the National Stadium.

    In September, TWICE drew a total of 400,000 attendees during their Japan dome tour, part of their ongoing world tour, affirming their status as one of the strongest ticket-selling K-pop girl groups. Their declaration at the final Tokyo Dome show—promising to “step onto an even bigger stage”—has now become a reality with this unprecedented National Stadium announcement.

  • Jungkook and Winter Dating Rumors Spread, Agencies Remain Silent

    Recently, various online communities and social media platforms have been buzzing with evidence related to the dating rumors between BTS’s Jungkook and aespa’s Winter.

    Netizens have pointed to several items as evidence to support the dating rumors, such as similar tattoos featuring three dog faces in the same spot, matching shorts, slippers, bracelets, in-ear monitors, and other accessories. Additionally, they highlighted that both Jungkook and Winter had their nails done on their ring fingers just one day apart.

    Further fueling the rumors, reports resurfaced about Jungkook visiting aespa’s concert during his military service. It’s been noted that Jungkook had never attended concerts of other girl groups under HYBE’s labels, which has led to speculation about a special relationship between the two.

    However, both BigHit Music (Jungkook’s agency) and SM Entertainment (Winter’s agency) have remained silent on the issue.

    This silence from the agencies has led many to speculate that the lack of denial could be seen as an implicit acknowledgment of the relationship.

  • Netflix’s K-pop Demon Hunters Pop-Up Opens in Seoul

    The official Seoul pop-up for Netflix’s animation K-pop Demon Hunters opened on the 3rd in Seongsu-dong, offering an immersive offline experience that expands the show’s universe into a physical space.

    The pop-up spans three entire floors, each connected as one continuous world-building journey.

    On the third-floor showroom, visitors can experience the product concept before the main tour begins. The second floor features themed OST zones such as “How It’s Done” and “Soda Pop,” along with various exhibition and interactive areas that deepen immersion into the full storyline. On the first floor, guests can pick up purchased items, customize keyrings and patches, and conclude their visit at the “Golden Stage,” where they complete “혼문 (Honmun),” the core narrative of the universe.

    The pop-up also includes multiple special events.

    These include a stamp mission where collecting four stamps earns visitors an exclusive “Deopy Balloon” reward, a random draw event for emoji purchasers, and a photo frame zone where fans can take pictures with characters from the animation.

    BeMyFriends, Netflix’s official partner overseeing the pop-up, stated, “Since this is being held in Seoul, the birthplace of K-POP, we prepared meticulously to showcase the essence of K-POP fandom culture.” They added, “This pop-up isn’t just an exhibition, but a fully integrated fan-experience space that combines platform, merchandise, and on-site events. We mobilized all our global fandom business expertise to create a deeper connection between the show and its fans.”