Stalker fans, or 'sasaeng' continue to plague entertainment landscape

The darker side of fame continues to haunt stars as the South Korean entertainment scene has recently been rocked by a series of incidents involving "sasaeng" fans -- meaning obsessive fans who engage in behaviors that invade the privacy of celebrities, including stalking. IST Entertainment, home to the popular K-pop group The Boyz, revealed on its fan cafe site Thursday that member Sunwoo was ambushed by a sasaeng fan hiding in the emergency stairwell where the group members live as h

TelevisionNov. 17, 2024

Former Riize member Seunghan to debut solo next year

Seunghan, who left boy band Riize due to a controversy surrounding his private life, is set to debut as a solo artist in the latter half of next year. SM Entertainment announced that Seunghan is preparing for his solo debut, which is targeted for the second half of 2025. The agency stated, “He is undergoing systematic training, receiving support in production, management and other areas necessary for a solo debut.” “Updates regarding Seunghan will be shared through his newly la

K-popNov. 17, 2024

Your idols' style by agency

The popularity of K-pop has grown significantly in recent years, reaching a point where many around the world at least recognize the names of several groups, if not their music. Younger audiences especially have become familiar with K-pop and can distinguish its sound from other genres. However, global K-pop fans new to the genre may struggle to recognize the unique styles of the powerhouse agencies behind some of the biggest groups. For fans of the genre with an appreciation of its history, how

K-popNov. 16, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez returns with 11th EP

Ateez rolled out its 11th EP, “Golden Hour: Part 2,” on Friday, along with the music video for main track “Ice on My Teeth.” Not afraid to push the limits, the single adds hip-hop to sophisticated, calm sounds of strings, demonstrating even those seemingly unlikely to match can coexist beautifully when truly appreciated. “We were so committed to move forward, we’ve never expressed pride in what journey we have made,” said Hongjoong, “and wanted to

K-popNov. 15, 2024

Stray Kids to wrap up 2024 with ‘Skzhop Hiptape’

Stray Kids will adorn the end of the year with the release of their new album, “Skzhop Hiptape,” on Dec. 13. The group announced Friday via social media the upcoming release of the new album by unveiling its first teaser, showcasing graphic artwork. “Skzhop Hiptape” is a creative combination of the group’s initials with “hip-hop.” It suggests that the album will feature the type of hip-hop music that defines Stray Kids. The teaser clip shows two glowing

K-popNov. 15, 2024

BTS Jin releases 1st solo album ‘Happy’

Jin of BTS released his first solo album, “Happy,” on Friday. The album explores the journey of finding happiness and features themes of love, excitement, courage and positivity. Through the album, Jin describes himself as a "ray of sunshine," hoping listeners will find happiness through his music. “It’s meaningful to release a solo album. I hope that Army (the BTS fandom) enjoys it. I’d like for everyone who listens to this album to feel happy. This album

K-popNov. 15, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] NewJeans reaches 200m views with ‘Hype Boy’ music video

NewJeans surpassed 200 million views on YouTube with the music video for “Hype Boy,” said agency Ador Thursday. The video reached the milestone Wednesday and is the third from the group to do so, after those for “OMG” and “Super Shy.” The video, shot in a long take to highlight the performance, was their first to hit the 100-million mark on the platform. “Hype Boy” is one of the main tracks from the group's eponymous debut album that took the

K-popNov. 14, 2024

NewJeans reassure fans after giving ultimatum to Ador

NewJeans members reassured fans after issuing an ultimatum to Ador that they would terminate their exclusive contracts if certain demands, including former CEO Min Hee-jin’s reinstatement, were not met. “Just in case, do not worry about us. Everyone has an important stage in their lives and for us, it’s just now. Don’t worry about us when taking the test,” Hanni of NewJeans shared on the fan community app Phoning on Wednesday, a day ahead of Korea's college ent

K-popNov. 14, 2024

Jin of BTS to appear on NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’

Jin of BTS will begin the global promotion of his upcoming solo album, “Happy,” by starring on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Falon,” on Nov. 21. The show dropped a trailer for Jin’s episode on its official social media Wednesday. The 33-second clip shows Jimmy, the host of the show, opening a “top secret” envelope in an 1990s-style office. In the envelope is a disk that says “Special Guest,” showing a photo of Jin with the date

K-popNov. 14, 2024

[Herald Interview] Yves wraps up her solo debut year with EP ‘I Did’

After a protracted legal battle and period of uncertainty, Yves has emerged stronger and more committed to proving herself as a solo artist with her second solo album. Yves first entered the music scene as a member of Loona, a 12-member girl group that officially debuted in August 2018. However, in 2022, the group faced a crisis, with all members filing injunctions to suspend their contracts with their agency Blockberry Creative. Though the members won the lawsuit, the group was disbanded. Some

K-popNov. 14, 2024

NewJeans sets 14-day deadline for Ador to meet demands, including return of Min Hee-jin

Girl group NewJeans sent a certification of contents to their agency, Ador, stating they would terminate their exclusive contracts if the agency does not address certain demands, including the return of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, Wednesday. In the certification of contents, the bandmates listed various requests, asking Ador to “rectify all major contract violations within 14 days from the receipt of this letter.” The members of NewJeans pointed out that an internal Hybe document, r

K-popNov. 13, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS tops 1.6b views with ‘DNA’ music video

BTS hit the 1.6 billion mark on YouTube for the third time with the music video for “DNA,” according to label Big Hit Music Wednesday. The video follows those of “Dynamite” and “Boy With Luv (feat. Halsey).” “DNA” fronted the group’s fifth EP “Love Yourself: Her” which was released in 2017. The extended play and the electro-pop tune both entered the Billboard 200 and Hot 100, a first for a K-pop act. The song debuted on the main s

K-popNov. 13, 2024

Park Jin-young to hold 30th-anniversary concert ‘Still JYP’ in Tokyo

Celebrating his 30th debut anniversary, Park Jin-young, singer and founder of JYP Entertainment, will be holding two days of concerts titled, “Still JYP,” in Tokyo in February 2025. According to JYP Entertainment, the concerts will be held at Tokyo Dome City Hall Feb. 20-21, 2025. This marks Park’s return to Japan for a solo concert after nearly two years, following his “Groove Back in Japan” concert in January 2023. Prior to his Japan shows, Park will hold three da

K-popNov. 13, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Rose hits 300m with ‘APT.’ video in record time

Rose of Blackpink garnered 300 million views on YouTube with the music video for “APT.” in record time, agency The Black Label said Tuesday. The music video featuring collaborating artist Bruno Mars reached the milestone Saturday, in 22 days and six hours since its release, shattering a record for a K-pop solo artist. Rose has been setting records as a K-pop female solo singer with the single, ranking No. 8 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and No. 2 on the UK’s Official Singles Cha

K-popNov. 12, 2024

Who are the K-pop stars taking Suneung this year?

Among the more than 520,000 people sitting for Suneung, the national college entrance exam, on Thursday will be a number of well-known K-pop idols born in 2006. That list includes Park Jihoo of Evnne, Eunseop of Lun8, Kim Dogyun of 82Major and Seungmo and Mackiah of Ampers&One. Park Jihoo, for instance, debuted in September last year and is currently enrolled at Hanlim Arts School, a prestigious arts high school in Seoul with many singers and actors among its alum. Mackiah, who holds Austral

K-popNov. 12, 2024

Deaf K-pop trio Big Ocean reach out to global fans with first EP 'Follow'

Big Ocean, the world’s first K-pop idol group composed of members with hearing disabilities, launched international promotions for its first mini album. The group -- consisting Chanyeon, Hyunjin and Jiseok -- released the mini album "Follow" on Tuesday, inviting listeners to join them on a journey to find happiness. The new album includes the title track “Flow” along with previously released digital singles “Glow,” “Blow” and “Slow.&rdquo

K-popNov. 12, 2024

Babymonster enters Billboard 200 just 8 months after debut

Rising K-pop girl group Babymonster has made an impressive debut on the US Billboard's main albums chart, establishing its popularity on the global stage with its first full-length album. The septet's album, "Drip," debuted at No. 149 on the Billboard 200, according to Billboard on social media platform X on Monday. The Billboard 200 is widely regarded as a key indicator of an artist's popularity in the US music market, particularly reflecting the size and impact of thei

K-popNov. 12, 2024

Rose tops Billboard's global charts for 3rd consecutive week with 'APT.'

BLACKPINK's Rose has claimed US Billboard's global charts for the third consecutive week with "APT.," her collaborative single with American pop star Bruno Mars. Billboard said on social media platform X on Monday that the song maintained the top position on both the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. US, following its debut atop the two weekly charts. "APT.," which dropped on Oct. 18, is a prerelease from Rose's highly anticipated first solo f

K-popNov. 12, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Zerobaseone to release 1st EP in Japan

Zerobaseone will put out its first EP in Japan on Jan. 29, 2025, agency WakeOne Entertainment announced Monday. The mini album “Prezent” will comprise six songs, including Japanese versions of “Feel The Pop” and “Good So Bad.” One of the new tracks “Only One Story” was unveiled in advance as an opener for the television animation show “Pokemon” last month. The upcoming EP comes about 10 months after its first Japanese physical single, &

K-popNov. 11, 2024

Blackpink’s Lisa nabs 2 trophies at 2024 MTV EMA

Blackpink’s Lisa took home two trophies at Europe’s biggest music awards ceremony, the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards, held Sunday at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. The Thai K-pop singer won Biggest Fans and Best Collaboration for “New Woman,” her work with the Spanish pop star Rosalia. Jimin of BTS nabbed Best K-pop, an award previously won by his group member Jungkook in 2023 and by BTS in 2021. Jimin’s second solo album “Muse” and its main track &

K-popNov. 11, 2024