Speak or not to speak? K-pop stars face dilemma amid national crisis

After the shocking but brief martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 3, several celebrities, including K-pop singers, have voiced — or at least hinted at — their stance on the ongoing political crisis. Speaking out on political matters has long been a taboo for idols, whose freedom of expression is often tightly controlled by their agencies. However, with the rise of social media and the globalization of K-pop, the question emerges: Should K-pop singers be restricted

K-popDec. 10, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS hits 1.9b views with ‘Dynamite’ music video

BTS surpassed the 1.9 billion view mark on YouTube with the music video for “Dynamite,” said label Big Hit Music Monday. It was the first time the band reached the milestone. “Dynamite” was rolled out in August 2020 and made a hotshot debut on Billboard’s Hot 100, a first for a K-pop artist. The upbeat single topped the main songs chart two more times and stayed on it for 32 weeks in total, setting records for a K-pop act. Meanwhile, solo albums from RM and Jin made

K-popDec. 9, 2024

JYP USA vows all necessary action after VCHA member KG’s abrupt departure

JYP USA, the US subsidiary of JYP Entertainment, announced Monday it would take strong action following the departure of VHCA member KG, who filed a lawsuit against the company alleging workplace mistreatment. The North American girl group debuted in January as a collaboration between Universal Music Group’s subsidiary Republic Records and JYP USA. “We deeply regret KG’s decision to file a lawsuit and make unilateral public statements containing false and exaggerated claims,&rd

K-popDec. 9, 2024

[Herald Review] Infinite celebrates 15th debut anniversary, announces comeback in March

Veteran boy group Infinite, set to mark its 15th debut anniversary next year, kicked off its Asia concert tour, promising fans an even brighter future together. The six-member group held their 15th-anniversary concert “Limited Edition” from Friday to Sunday, at KSPO Dome located in Seoul Olympic Park, drawing over 30,000 spectators over three days. With a powerful live band session filling the venue, the sextet made a grand entrance, descending a massive staircase from the ceiling, a

K-popDec. 9, 2024

KG leaves VCHA citing 'abuse and mistreatment'

The American member of JYP Entertainment’s newly debuted global girl group VCHA, KG, has announced her departure from the group citing alleged abuse by a staff member. The 17-year-old singer shared the news Sunday on her Instagram, revealing that she had decided to terminate her contract and exit VCHA after experiencing “incidents of abuse and mistreatment by certain staff members.” VCHA, a joint Korean-US girl group, debuted in January this year as part of the global project A

K-popDec. 8, 2024

The Boyz to keep group name after trademark agreement

The Boyz have officially secured their group name after their former agency, IST Entertainment, reached a final agreement on trademark rights with their new agency, One Hundred Label. One Hundred Label announced Thursday that they had concluded negotiations with IST Entertainment, achieving a resolution. “We have set aside past grievances and had open, honest discussions, prioritizing The Boyz and their fans in reaching a resolution that benefits everyone. We sincerely thank IST Entertainm

K-popDec. 6, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Twice rolls out EP No. 14

Twice made a comeback Friday with 14th EP “Strategy,” about 10 months after its previous EP “With YOU-th.” As the album title suggests, the nonet sings of their “strategies” finding and expressing love. “It has been a while. We are returning as a full group … and we’d love to see the reaction from our fans,” said Momo via label JYP Entertainment adding that the title track “is the most hip among songs from us.” The lead sin

K-popDec. 6, 2024

Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association issues statement against NewJeans

The Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association released a statement Friday condemning NewJeans for “unilaterally” terminating their exclusive contract with its agency Ador. It is the second organization from the K-pop industry that publicly defined its position in favor of Ador, after the Korea Management Association urged NewJeans on Monday to retract their decision. “An exclusive contract is not just a document, but the result of shared trust and promises. The notion th

K-popDec. 6, 2024

Ador files legal action to confirm validity of contract with NewJeans

Ador filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court Tuesday to confirm the validity of its exclusive contract with NewJeans which the group claimed to have terminated, the company said on Thursday. The agency said it deemed it necessary to take this step to affirm that exclusive contracts cannot be unilaterally terminated based on individual claims, ensuring clarity for the artists and other stakeholders involved. “This decision was not made lightly,” the agency said in a stat

K-popDec. 5, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Rose surpasses 500m views in record time with ‘APT.’ video

Rose of Blackpink amassed 500 million views on YouTube with the music video for “APT.,” her agency The Black Label said Thursday. She achieved the feat in less than 48 days breaking the record for a K-pop artist. “APT.,” featuring Bruno Mars, came out on Oct. 18 and swept all music charts at home and abroad. The catchy tune is enjoying a six-week stay on Billboard’s Hot 100, having peaked at No. 8, the highest spot for a K-pop female solo singer. It also entered the

K-popDec. 5, 2024

BTS RM's documentary to be released in 110 countries

A documentary film chronicling the making of BTS leader RM's solo album was released Thursday in theaters in 110 countries, including Korea. The film "RM: Right People, Wrong Place" captures the eight-month journey behind RM’s second solo album, "Right Place, Wrong Person." It offers an intimate look at RM navigating the multiple roles of BTS' leader, solo artist and an ordinary man named Kim Nam-joon. Directed by Lee Seok-jun, the documentary also features th

FilmDec. 5, 2024

Use of name 'The Boyz' uncertain following trademark dispute

Boy group The Boyz is the latest in the long list of groups that face trademark disputes over their name. The Boyz, which recently moved to One Hundred Label after its contract with IST Entertainment ended, might not be able to use its name. On Wednesday night, One Hundred Label announced that negotiations with IST Entertainment over the trademark had broken down, citing “unreasonable negotiation conditions” from IST as the reason. “We have done our utmost to negotiate regardin

K-popDec. 5, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ RM makes Rolling Stone’s best album list

The second solo album from RM was picked as one of “The 100 Best Albums of 2024” by Rolling Stone magazine. The American publication ranked the album “Right Place, Wrong Person” at No. 88, writing, “His lyrical ride is made even more mind-expanding by the music laid down by RM and his collaborators. (The album) is psychedelia-tinged and soulful, its lyrics’ intense self-interrogation balanced by music that feels like an invite to further explorations.” T

K-popDec. 4, 2024

International fans voice concerns for K-pop idols amid martial law declaration

K-pop fans around the world have expressed deep concerns for their favorite idols, particularly those currently serving in the military, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law late Tuesday night. The sudden announcement, which was lifted Wednesday morning, has left fans worried about the safety of both the artists and the broader population in South Korea, a country they admire. Nana Oh, a Korean immigrant living in Michigan and a fan of BTS, said the emergency situ

K-popDec. 4, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Ive logs 300m views with ‘After Like’ music video

Ive’s music video for “After Like” surpassed 300 million views on YouTube, said agency Starship Entertainment Tuesday. “After Like” is the title track from the group's third single album released in 2022. The genre-breaking hit swept all music charts in Korea and earned the group 14 trophies from television music chart shows. It also enjoyed 17 and 25 weeks straight on Billboard’s Global 200 and Global excl. US charts, respectively, peaking at No. 20 an

K-popDec. 3, 2024

Can 2025 be year of YG Entertainment?

YG Entertainment, once a dominant force in the K-pop industry with groups like Big Bang, 2NE1 and Blackpink, is preparing for what it hopes will be a transformative year in 2025. The company, which has faced significant challenges over the past five years, is now gearing up for an active schedule featuring its top artists and a potential new group debut. YG Entertainment Founder and Executive Producer Yang Hyun-suk hinted at an ambitious lineup for 2025 in a video shared on the company’s o

K-popDec. 3, 2024

Industry group sides with Ador in NewJeans saga

An organization representing road managers and entertainment agency officials has stepped into K-pop's latest industry-shaking drama, calling chart-topping group NewJeans' attempt to terminate their agency contract "preposterous" in a statement released Tuesday. The statement from the Korea Management Association comes days after the quintet announced they were pulling out of their contract with Hybe subsidiary Ador in a late-night press conference Thursday. Group members cit

K-popDec. 3, 2024