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Tag: K-POP

  • [🇺🇸] 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • A Global Stage for Korean Culture: ‘Unboxing Korea’ Takes Over Belgium

    The Korean Cultural Center in Belgium and the EU will host a large-scale cultural festival, “Unboxing Korea: Scoop the Trend,” in the heart of Brussels from October 18 to 19 (local time).

    Now in its second year, the festival offers visitors a chance to experience the full spectrum of Korean culture — from K-culture, K-beauty, and K-food to K-tourism — all in one place. The event aims to showcase both the emotional depth and industrial power of modern Korean culture.

    The festival will take place across two main venues.
    At the Korean Cultural Center, guests can explore the K-Beauty Zone and K-Tourism Zone, while Place de la Chapelle, one of Brussels’ most popular spots, will transform into the K-Culture Zone and K-Food Zone.

    A highlight of the K-Culture Zone will be the “K-pop Demon Hunters Zone”, created in collaboration with Netflix EU, where visitors can try on hanbok and traditional accessories for photo experiences. There will also be K-pop cover dance performances and traditional craft workshops, offering European audiences a hands-on taste of Korean creativity.

    At the K-Food Zone, Korean rice-based food companies will present tteokbokki, traditional liquor cocktails, and Korean-style desserts. The K-Beauty Zone will feature small and medium enterprises showcasing their products through personal color analysis sessions and live makeup demonstrations. The K-Tourism Zone will include Korean travel tarot readings, Jeju keyring crafts, and photo booth experiences.

    “Unboxing Korea” serves as more than just a festival — it’s a global cultural exchange platform that blends Korea’s artistic spirit with its contemporary lifestyle and industry trends.

  • Visa to Offer Exclusive Pre-Sale for 2025 MAMA AWARDS Tickets

    Global payment technology company Visa has announced that it will offer pre-sale tickets for the 2025 MAMA AWARDS to all Visa cardholders worldwide.

    Starting on October 17, Visa will begin pre-sale access for Visa Infinite cardholders and all Visa cardholders in phases. Visa Infinite cardholders will have the exclusive opportunity to be the first to secure tickets for the 2025 MAMA AWARDS worldwide.

    Pre-sales will be available on October 17, from 11 AM to 3 PM (KST) through Cityline, an online ticketing platform based in Hong Kong. Following that, from 7 PM (KST) on the same day until 3 PM (KST) on October 18, all Visa cardholders worldwide will be able to access pre-sale tickets.

    The 2025 MAMA AWARDS will be held at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on November 28-29, offering another spectacular stage for global K-pop fans.

  • From PLAVE to LUVITA: The Rise of K-pop’s Virtual Generation

    The Netflix animated film “K-POP DEMON HUNTERS” has amplified the K-pop wave, bringing virtual idols into the spotlight as the new leading force in K-culture. Virtual idol groups like PLAVE and Isekai Idol are gaining immense popularity, leading to a shift in the K-pop fandom culture.

    Virtual idols engage with their fans in real-time through live streaming and virtual content platforms, strengthening their connections with audiences in a variety of spaces and formats. Fans interact with their favorite idols through offline concerts, merchandise sales, and immersive virtual content, building strong emotional bonds.

    Recently, the newly formed virtual idol group LUVITA, created in partnership with SOOP and Duribun, is set to make its official debut at the “MBC Virtual Live Festival with Coupang Play” in October. Alongside LUVITA, another group, PLAN B, garnered great praise for releasing high-quality tracks and videos utilizing AI and the metaverse.

    As virtual idol concerts sell out and merchandise flies off the shelves, this market is attracting attention similar to that of traditional K-pop idols. This growing success is expected to lead to even more K-pop virtual streamers making their debut in the future.

  • A Decade of TWICE: Group Celebrates with New Music and Love for ONCE

    TWICE released their special album “TEN: The Story Goes On” on October 10, marking the group’s 10th debut anniversary.

    The album symbolizes how TWICE’s journey — which began with their 2015 debut album “THE STORY BEGINS” — continues to unfold, serving as a heartfelt gift to their devoted fandom, ONCE.

    The title track “ME+YOU” blends sleek melodies with a refreshing R&B-pop groove, expressing the members’ promise of everlasting friendship with each other and their fans. The members took part in writing the lyrics, while renowned K-pop producer KENZIE composed and produced the track, elevating its musical quality.

    The album features 10 songs in total, including solo tracks by all nine members:

    “MEEEEEE” (Nayeon), “FIX A DRINK” (Jeongyeon), “MOVE LIKE THAT” (Momo), “DECAFFEINATED” (Sana), “ATM” (Jihyo), “STONE COLD” (Mina), “CHESS” (Dahyun), “IN MY ROOM” (Chaeyoung), and “DIVE IN” (Tzuyu).

  • Soda Pop Composer KUSH to Marry Vivien After 9 Years Together

    Composer Kush and Vivian have officially announced their upcoming wedding, scheduled to take place on October 11 at a private location in Seoul.

    Kush made his debut in 2003 as a member of Stony Skunk, and began his career as a composer in 2007. Over the years, he has collaborated with a wide range of artists including BIGBANG, G-DRAGON, TAEYANG (SOL), 2NE1, Uhm Jung-hwa, Cho Hyun-ah, Seo In-young, and Heize, producing numerous hit tracks.

    He also wrote and composed “Soda Pop” by the Lion Boys, a song that gained attention through the Netflix animated series “K-pop Demon Hunters.”

    Vivian, on the other hand, began her career after winning first place in the 2015 model contest for the fashion magazine Ceci. She is also known as a cousin of Girls’ Generation member Yuri.

    She later participated in songs by BIGBANG, BLACKPINK, and JISOO, and more recently showcased her talent as a music producer on Mnet’s “I-LAND 2: N/a.”

  • SFMOMA to Host BTS RM’s Art Collection Exhibition

    BTS leader RM, widely known as an art enthusiast, will showcase his personal collection at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from October next year through February 2027. This marks the museum’s first collaboration with a K-pop artist, with RM himself serving as curator.

    The exhibition will feature around 200 works, combining RM’s personal collection with pieces from SFMOMA’s holdings. Notably, it will include works by masters of Korean contemporary art alongside renowned artists from around the world, with some pieces being revealed to the public for the first time.

    RM expressed his hopes, stating, “I want this exhibition to reflect on the boundaries between East and West, Korea and the U.S., modernity and contemporary, the personal and the universal.” The museum praised RM’s discerning eye for art and expressed anticipation for the new dialogue between the works he has curated.

    RM has long been recognized as a passionate art lover, frequently visiting museums worldwide and actively contributing to the preservation and restoration of Korean cultural heritage, as well as supporting the spread of art and culture.