ONLINEKOREANEWS.COM

Category: K-ENT

  • Digital Photocard Tickets Rise as the New K-POP Concert Trend

    A new trend is taking hold in the K-culture boom: concert tickets are becoming collectible goods.

    The digital photocard ticket, which merges a photocard-style design with NFC-based digital technology, is rapidly spreading across KPOP concerts, combining convenience, high collectible value, and anti-counterfeiting features into a new ticket culture.

    These tickets contain an encrypted NFC chip that allows entry with a simple tap. Since audience information is verified through a central system, reissuance is possible, solving the limitations of traditional paper tickets. Fans have praised the tickets, saying they are “easy to store,” “valuable as memorabilia,” and “pretty,” acknowledging their appeal as goods.

    The technology is being adopted not only for large-scale concerts featuring BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and NCT DREAM, but also for fan meetings for various singers and actors, expanding rapidly across the market. Ticket developer Booster Lab Co., Ltd. stated that annual card issuance has increased two to threefold, with adoption expanding into Japanese concerts as well. The company plans to further extend the technology into musicals, exhibitions, and sports events.

    Whether digital photocard tickets will bring new innovation to the performance market is now a key point of interest.

  • Japanese Idol Group FRUITS ZIPPER Completes Successful Korea Concert

    Japanese girl group FRUITS ZIPPER has successfully completed the Seoul stop of their first-ever Asia tour, marking a meaningful milestone since their debut.

    On the 29th, the group held “FRUITS ZIPPER 1st ASIA TOUR 2025 ‘We are FRUITS ZIPPER’” at Donghae Culture and Arts Center at Kwangwoon University, meeting Korean fans for the first time.

    “We are FRUITS ZIPPER” is the group’s first Asia tour since debut, with Seoul serving as the grand finale following performances in Taipei and Shanghai.

    The concert opened with “かがみ”, the title track from their 15th digital single released in January. The members also captured attention by greeting fans with “안녕!” in Korean and even modifying parts of the lyrics for their Korean audience.

    They then performed a series of their major singles, including ‘ぴゅあいんざわーるど’, ‘はちゃめちゃちゃライフ!’, ‘RADIO GALAXY’, ‘We are Frontier’, ‘Re→TRY & FLY’. Notably, their mega-hit “わたしの一番かわいいところ”, which has surpassed 3 billion views on TikTok, and their signature track “NEW KAWAII” drew explosive cheers from fans.

    FRUITS ZIPPER performed a total of 19 songs including two encore tracks. After the show, the group held a farewell session, personally thanking each fan who attended.

  • Jungwoo Unveils Animation-Like Visuals Ahead of ‘SUGAR’ Release

    Jungwoo NCT memberikan hadiah spesial untuk para penggemar menjelang wajib militernya.

    Pada tanggal 28, Jungwoo akan merilis single pertamanya ‘SUGAR’ melalui berbagai platform musik. Dengan jadwal wajib militer pada 8 Desember, ini menjadi single solo pertamanya sejak debut, sehingga menarik perhatian besar. Foto teaser yang dirilis bersamaan langsung mencuri perhatian karena visual Jungwoo disebut mirip “Saja Boys Baby” dari animasi Netflix populer K-pop Demon Hunters. Visualnya yang seolah keluar dari animasi, dipadukan dengan rambut mint, membuat antusiasme untuk lagu baru semakin tinggi.

    Jungwoo juga akan merayakan hari perilisan bersama para penggemar. Pada 28 November pukul 15.00 dan 20.00, ia akan menggelar fanmeeting solo pertamanya, ‘Golden Sugar Time’, di Ticketlink Live Arena (Gymnasium Bola Tangan), Olympic Park, Seoul.

  • “Grandma Vests” Become the New Winter Trend Among MZ Generation

    The “Kimjang vest,” also known as the “grandma vest,” is rising as a major winter fashion trend, becoming a popular item among people in their teens and twenties. With a warm, nostalgic charm blended with retro aesthetics, the item evokes childhood memories and emotional comfort. Its rapid spread aligns with the growing “Halmenial” trend that reinterprets old-fashioned style through a modern emotional lens.

    According to the search platform Black Kiwi, searches for “Kimjang vest” and “grandma vest” surged over the past month, recording 54,500 and 30,790 searches respectively. Notably, users in their teens and twenties accounted for 24.9 percent and those in their thirties 21 percent, highlighting the strong interest among younger generations. Celebrity influence has also played a major role. When BLACKPINK’s Jennie and aespa’s Karina were seen wearing retro floral vests on social media, fan communities responded with explosive enthusiasm.

    Experts say this trend is more than a simple revival of retro fashion. It reflects a societal desire for familiarity and warmth, along with a broader movement to reinterpret old styles with contemporary sentiment. As a result, the Kimjang vest has firmly established itself as a fashion piece that carries a symbolic “warmth of the heart.”

  • WOWPASS K-POP Payment Card Becomes a Must-Have for Foreign Tourists

    The K-POP payment card launched by WOWPASS, a payment platform designed for foreign visitors, is gaining explosive popularity among global travelers coming to Korea. More than a simple payment tool, the card offers the joy of “carrying your favorite idol in your wallet,” adding emotional excitement to the travel experience.

    Orange Square, the operator of WOWPASS, stated that its K-POP card created in collaboration with JYP Entertainment is receiving strong responses from foreign tourists. Although shaped like a photocards, it functions as an all-in-one prepaid payment card with built-in currency exchange and transportation features, making it a meaningful collectible on its own. Versions featuring JYP artists such as DAY6, TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, Xdinary Heroes, and NMIXX have been released, quickly becoming a “must-have travel item” for fans worldwide.

    On social media, reviews such as “I’m happy every time I pay with my favorite idol’s picture” and “It feels like I’m closer to them” continue to spread. As advance purchase requests from fans increased ahead of their trips to Korea, WOWPASS introduced the nation’s first ‘payment-type photocard international delivery system’. This not only meets the needs of global travelers but also gives fans an early sense of excitement for their upcoming K-POP pilgrimage, contributing to inbound tourism growth.

    Orange Square plans to continue offering collaborations that blend K-POP emotion with travel experiences, aiming to provide visiting global fans with an even more special journey in Korea.

  • PLAVE Mesmerizes 18,500 Fans With Cinematic Stage Effects

    Virtual idol group PLAVE captivated 18,500 fans at their “DASH: Quantum Leap” encore concert held at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome on the 21st, delivering cinematic stage transitions and highly immersive performances.

    In their debut year, PLAVE achieved one million first-week album sales and topped Japan’s Oricon chart, marking strong global success. Beginning in August, the group launched their first Asia tour across six cities including Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Jakarta, with the Gocheok Dome performance serving as the grand finale.

    Debuting in 2023, PLAVE is a five-member virtual idol group whose performances are created through real singers and dancers working offstage, while their characters express the movements in real time.

    During the concert, they energized the venue with hit songs like “Watch Me Woo!,” “Virtual Idol,” and “RIZZ,” and connected with fans through piano performances, a live band, and extended stage interactions. Their cover of TVXQ’s “MIROTIC” and individual solo stages also drew strong reactions.

    In the later part of the show, they wrapped up the night with “Pump up the volume,” “I’ll Wait,” their new single “BBUU!,” and “Bongsunga.”

    Fans waved light sticks and filled the dome with photos, while PLAVE expressed gratitude to their fandom PLY, saying, “This stage is a new beginning.”

  • AGF2025 Confirms Exclusive Booth for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle

    The animated film “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle”, which is on the verge of becoming the highest-grossing release of the year, has announced its participation with an exclusive booth at AGF2025, drawing significant attention.

    AGF2025 will take place from December 5 to 7 at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang. It is Korea’s largest official comprehensive subculture festival, covering not only anime and games but also manga, webtoons, light novels, anisong, and virtual YouTubers. With exhibitions, merchandise sales & collaboration cafés, hands-on experiences, and stage programs, the festival attracts subculture fans from around the world.

    The film, which already achieved the highest opening score, top revenue, and No.1 audience ranking among Japanese films this year, is now on the brink of taking over the box office crown. News of its exclusive booth at AGF2025 has sparked an explosive response from fans.

    The booth will feature a variety of content revisiting iconic scenes from past installments, showcasing the intense world of Infinity Castle. Special gifts and events for visitors are also being prepared, raising expectations for an even more enthusiastic reception.

    Further details on the exclusive booth will be released sequentially through the official AGF2025 website and the social media channels of ANIMOVIE, ANIMAX, and ANIPLUS.

  • Nongshim Partners with aespa for Global Shin Ramyeon Campaign

    Nongshim has appointed aespa as the first global ambassador for Shin Ramyeon.
    With this collaboration with a leading global K-pop group, the company aims to promote its global slogan “Spicy Happiness In Noodles” worldwide.

    Nongshim explained that aespa’s image, known for transmitting energy through music, aligns perfectly with the Shin Ramyeon brand values. They also pointed out that aespa has naturally referenced Nongshim products since 2021, which positively influenced the decision.

    The first global Shin Ramyeon advertisement was produced in a music video style, breaking away from the usual format.
    The ad visualizes the unique spicy joy of Shin Ramyeon through aespa’s performance and vocals, showing consumers around the world enjoying the noodles with happiness. The ad’s ‘Shin Ramyeon dance’ adds fun by reinterpreting actions such as opening the ramen package, pouring water, and preparing chopsticks as part of the choreography.

    This advertisement will be digitally distributed mainly in key export markets such as the United States, China, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

  • Im Si-wan Announces First Solo Mini Album, The Reason, for December Release

    Im Si-wan, the first artist under SM Entertainment’s new music label SMArt, is set to release his first-ever solo mini album.

    Titled The Reason, the album features five tracks of varying moods, including the title track of the same name, and will be released in full on December 5 at 6 p.m. KST across major streaming platforms.

    The project marks a significant milestone for Im Si-wan, who has built a wide-ranging career as an actor through numerous acclaimed works. This album is his first solo release since debut, showcasing his personal musical taste and nuanced emotional expression. Fans are expected to discover a new side of him as a solo artist.

    The Reason will also be available in physical format starting December 5, with pre-orders opening on the 17th at both online and offline music retailers.

  • KPop Demon Hunters Announces Seoul Pop-Up Dates and Exclusive Merch

    The Netflix animated feature KPop Demon Hunters has unveiled the full lineup of official merchandise that will be available at its Seoul pop-up store.

    The pop-up will showcase a wide variety of items inspired by key characters from the film, including HUNTR/X and Saja Boys. Highlighted products include Duppy & Seo plush dolls and keyrings, apparel and accessories, K-pop–style goods such as random photocards, photocard holders, and collect books, as well as CD keyrings featuring themed artwork. Several items will be offered exclusively as Seoul pop-up limited editions.

    The official Seoul pop-up will run from December 4 to 28 in Seongsu-dong. Pre-reservations open on November 18 at 11 a.m. through the official fan community, while general reservations begin on November 20. Each reservation allows entry for the ticket holder plus one accompanying guest.

    In addition, an online pre-sale will be available from November 25 at 11 a.m. until midnight on November 30 through the film’s official fan community. Online buyers may collect their purchases on-site using the “pickup at venue” option. Direct in-store purchases will also be available starting December 4.