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Category: K-ENT

  • NewJeans Members Fully Return to Ador After Dispute

    After a period of conflict with their agency, Ador, all members of the girl group NewJeans have expressed their intention to return to the agency.

    Ador announced on the 12th that members Haerin and Hyein had communicated their decision to return and continue their activities. The agency explained that the two members, after careful consideration with their families and thorough discussions with Ador, had decided to respect the court’s ruling and abide by their exclusive contracts.

    Following this, the remaining members, Danielle, Hanni, and Minji, also communicated their intention to return. They stated, “One member is currently in Antarctica, so the message was delayed, but since we have not received a reply from Ador, we are informing you separately. We will continue to bring our sincere music and performances.”

    Their return comes one year after they announced the termination of their exclusive contracts, expressing solidarity with former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin.

  • G-STAR 2025: The Biggest Gaming Exhibition in Korea Begins

    The highly anticipated G-STAR 2025 kicks off today and will run for three days at BEXCO in Busan.

    This year, G-STAR is themed “Expand Your Horizons,” featuring 1,273 gaming companies from 44 countries and 3,269 exhibition spaces, making it the largest gaming exhibition in Korea. The event is welcoming gamers from around the world.

    Major gaming companies such as NCSoft, Netmarble, Krafton, Google Korea, Webzen, and Gravity are participating as main sponsors, unveiling their latest titles. Notably, global game companies including Blizzard Entertainment, Sega, Atlus, Bandai Namco Entertainment, and Warhorse Studios are making a comeback to G-STAR after 13 years, meeting excited fans.

    In the second exhibition hall, G-STAR Indie Showcase 2.0: Galaxy will be displayed, along with events such as G-CON, the G-STAR Cup 2025, and a cosplay award ceremony.

    At G-CON, renowned creators such as Yuji Horii (Designer of Dragon Quest series), Taro Yoko (Director of NieR: Automata), and Seonghyun Byun (Director of Good News film) will discuss creative language and storytelling in depth.

  • Virtual Idol Group PLAVE Returns with Playful New Concept

    irtual idol group PLAVE releases their new single album PLBBUU today at 6 p.m. KST.

    Following their charismatic image in February’s mini 3rd album Caligo Pt.1, PLAVE now returns with a more playful and endearing concept. Their collaboration with Sanrio Korea has drawn strong attention from global fans while expanding the group’s distinctive virtual universe.

    The album includes three tracks: the title song “BBUU!”, “Hide and Seek,” and “Bongsoonga.” The title track features an addictive R&B rhythm paired with cute lyrics, highlighted by the catchy “1234567” hook and a lip-shaped point choreography. “Hide and Seek” is the Korean version of their Japanese debut song “Kakurenbo,” characterized by a sentimental band sound, while “Bongsoonga” delivers a cozy winter feeling through warm guitar tones and gentle vocals.

    From August to October, PLAVE successfully completed their first Asia tour DASH: Quantum Leap, visiting six cities — Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Tokyo. The group will wrap up their tour with encore concerts at Seoul’s Gocheok Dome on November 21–22, both of which have already sold out.

    PLBBUU will be available on all major music streaming platforms starting today at 6 p.m. KST.

  • BABYMONSTER Unveils Eerie New Visual with Mysterious Mask

    On the 5th, K-pop group BABYMONSTER surprised fans by unveiling a mysterious image on YG Entertainment’s official blog.

    The poster features figures whose identities are concealed by a perfectly placed mask, with striking long red hair creating a bold contrast that gives off an eerie sense of tension.

    This mysterious mood ties in with the previously released content “EVER DREAM THIS GIRL?”, which had already intrigued fans with its black-and-white noisy portraits of the members and lines that seemed to search for a girl from a dream. The addition of these enigmatic figures has heightened curiosity and left a lingering impact.

    Music fans are now engrossed in connecting the dots between the two visuals, speculating whether this is part of the promotion for their second mini-album WE GO UP or the beginning of a new project. Either way, the introduction of this unique content has captured the attention of fans, eager to see what’s next.

  • H1-KEY to Perform at Korea-Japan All-Star Baseball Game

    Girl group H1-KEY will take the stage for a special performance at the Korea-Japan Dream Players Game 2025 supported by DAISO, held at Es Con Field Hokkaido in Japan on October 30.

    The event commemorates the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan and aims to strengthen friendship and trust through sports and cultural exchange. Legendary baseball players from both nations will participate, with H1-KEY adding star power to the event through their celebratory stage performance.

    H1-KEY officially launched their activities in Japan this year, releasing their debut Japanese album Lovestruck in August. The group has actively promoted through showcases and media appearances in Tokyo and Osaka, achieving No. 3 on the Oricon Daily Album Chart upon release. Their upcoming performance at a major stadium, just three months after their Japanese debut, marks another milestone in their expanding career.

  • Virtual Idol Group Saryeonghwa Debuts with Korean Folklore Concept

    A new virtual idol group inspired by traditional Korean folktales, Saryeonghwa (四靈花), will officially debut on November 13.

    Produced by subculture-focused label GRIM Production, the group follows last year’s debut of WISHes and is gaining attention for its unique storytelling rooted in a deeply Korean worldview.

    The group consists of four members — Cheongmok, Biwha, Maehwarin, and Baekhee — whose name Saryeonghwa means “four spiritual beings coming together to bloom as one flower, creating a beautiful story.”

    An animation released on October 31 depicted “The Garden of Stillness,” a realm where life and death, reality and fantasy intersect, illustrating the moment these four otherworldly beings unite as one team.

    What distinguishes Saryeonghwa’s universe is its reinterpretation of Korean myths and spiritual lore through a modern lens. Once-forgotten deities reawaken as virtual idols, reconnecting with fans to revive lost stories and emotions. The group’s poetic identity is reflected in its ethereal character designs and logo, adorned with drifting petals that symbolize rebirth and harmony.

    Saryeonghwa will hold its first broadcast on November 8 via Naver’s streaming platform Chzzk, followed by the official release of its debut album on November 13. Combining Korean aesthetics with immersive narrative depth, the group is poised to bring fresh energy to the growing virtual idol scene.

  • GIRLSET to Return with New Digital Single “Little Miss” on November 14

    JYP Entertainment’s global girl group GIRLSET will return on November 14 with their new digital single Little Miss.

    On October 31, JYP revealed the album cover art via the group’s official social media channels, announcing GIRLSET’s long-awaited comeback. The digital single Little Miss and its title track of the same name will showcase the group’s vibrant energy and musical versatility.

    In the teaser image, the members hold unique weapons and strike confident poses reminiscent of movie heroines. Their bold styling, kitschy motifs like hearts and stars, and sparks flying between members all heighten anticipation for the upcoming release.

    Little Miss marks GIRLSET’s first comeback in about three months since Commas, released in August. Following their debut phase, the group continues to define their limitless future and artistic identity through this new release, signaling another step forward in GIRLSET’s evolution.

    The new digital single Little Miss will be released globally at midnight (local time) on November 14.

  • 2PM’s Ok Taec-yeon Announces Marriage to Longtime Partner Next Spring

    2PM member and actor Ok Taec-yeon has announced that he will marry his longtime partner.

    His agency, 51K, stated on November 1, “Actor Ok Taec-yeon has promised to spend his life together with someone he has been seeing for a long time.” The wedding will take place privately next spring in Seoul, attended only by close family members and acquaintances. The agency added, “As the bride-to-be is a non-celebrity, we ask for your understanding that specific details will remain private.”

    Taec-yeon also personally shared the news with fans through a handwritten letter on his social media. “It has already been 19 years since I debuted with 2PM,” he began. “I felt it was only right to share this news first with the people who have been with me through it all. I’ve decided to spend the rest of my life with someone who has understood and trusted me for a long time. We’ll continue to walk forward together as each other’s source of strength.”

    He went on to express his gratitude to fans, saying, “I sincerely thank everyone who has supported me with unwavering hearts. Your love and encouragement have been an indescribable source of strength for me. I will continue to do my best as a member of 2PM, as an actor, and as your Taec-yeon, to repay the love and trust you’ve given me.”

  • AI-Powered “The Next Idol” Pop-Up Opens in Pangyo

    Millennial Works has opened a K-POP idol theme park, The Next Idol, powered by its proprietary AI technology. The pop-up store runs until November 9 at the Iconic Square on the 4th floor of Hyundai Department Store Pangyo.

    Based on the “Virtual Academy” concept from Millennial Works’ own IP, Nextworks, the experience allows visitors to step into the world of K-POP trainee life alongside popular virtual characters.

    The pop-up consists of three main zones — the Trainee Zone, Idol Zone, and Character Zone — featuring 16 interactive experiences such as AR-based vocal, facial, and dance practice studios, an AI photo booth for an “idol transformation” camera test, reflex games, fan communication training, idol tarot readings, and the “PICK MY TEAM” popularity voting.

    All visitors receive 10 free AI-generated K-POP-themed goods, including personalized idol character photocards, custom albums, light sticks, sticker packs, and badges. Multiple photo zones are also available for SNS snapshots, though visitors must make a timed reservation in advance through Naver’s “The Next Idol” booking system.

  • BTS’s V Redefines Hanbok in Modern Style at Vogue World: Hollywood

    BTS member V turned heads in Los Angeles with a stunning reinterpretation of traditional Korean attire blended with modern fashion elements.

    On October 26 (local time), V attended Vogue World: Hollywood 2025 at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, invited personally by Vogue’s U.S. editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour.

    V arrived wearing a long gray coat paired with a gray hat reminiscent of a traditional Korean gat, completing the look with a striking red traditional knot tied around his waist. The elegant red accent on his minimalist modern outfit created a perfect harmony between heritage and contemporary aesthetics, immediately drawing the attention of global fashion figures at the event.

    Maggie Kang, director of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, also posted on her social media, sharing side-by-side images of V and the film’s character “Saja Boys Jinu,” captioned, “I see you @thv, BTS V = Saja Boys Jinu,” delighting fans worldwide.