my timesThe Korea Times

Inna Christine Cabel

Korea Times Digital Content Reporter

Inna Christine Cabel is a digital editor at The Korea Times. Prior to moving to Korea, she worked as an editorial assistant and writer in the Philippines. She occasionally writes about trends, pop culture and music. Reach her at innacabel@koreatimes.co.kr.

Go to Email

Read more

K-pop

ENHYPEN donates $68,200 for Philippine flood relief efforts

Global K-pop powerhouse ENHYPEN, in partnership with their agency Belift Lab, announced Thursday a donation of 100 million won ($68,200) to support flood relief efforts in the Philippines. “We became aware of the recent severe flooding affecting many communities across the Philippines, a country that has long been close to our hearts," ENHYPEN said through a press release. Belift Lab, a subsidiary of HYBE Labels, told The Korea Times that the donation will primarily be used for flood relief efforts across various communities in the northern Philippine province of Bulacan, one of the worst-hit areas during typhoon season. Bulacan also "holds a special place in the group's history," Belift Lab said. In March, ENHYPEN played one of their first major stadium concerts in Southeast Asia as part of their "WALK THE LINE" world tour at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan. The group is also one of the most popular bands in the Philippines, clinching ambassadorships for major local brands. "We wanted to offer our support, even in a small way, and sincerely hope the contributions will be used

Nov 20, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel
ENHYPEN donates $68,200 for Philippine flood relief efforts
K-pop

Rookie group CORTIS shows off teen swagger on debut EP

When rookie boy group CORTIS first burst onto the K-pop scene in August with styles straight from the pages of a 2000s teen magazine, following in the footsteps of industry icons such as BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, making their mark seemed like a daunting task. But the five teens who made up BigHit Music’s first group in six years — Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon and Keonho — have the swaggering confidence and youthful charisma to show they're up for the challenge. Be it through their nostalgic styling choices or their energetic choreography, CORTIS made a splash with their debut EP, "Color Outside The Lines" — an impressive feat for a group with only five songs under their belt. The group is a shoo-in for Rookie of the Year nominations. In a month, the young creator crew broke multiple records by debuting at No. 15 on the global Billboard 200, the highest among their contemporaries; amassing 48 million views for their three official music videos; and gaining over 7.5 million monthly listeners on music streaming platform Spotify. These are numbers and chart placements that e

Oct 11, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel
Rookie group CORTIS shows off teen swagger on debut EP
Global Community

Rain or shine, Seoul Drag Parade glitters in gold

No amount of rain could dull the sparkle of the kings and queens of the Seoul Drag Parade, who graced the streets of central Seoul’s multicultural Itaewon and Haebangchon neighborhoods, Friday, aiming to show the world the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent of Korea’s queer community. Gathered outside the small neon sign that marked Haebangchon's Rabbithole Arcade Pub, a home for many in Seoul’s LGBTQ+ community, were drag artists of all walks of life: queens draped in elaborate, bedazzled costumes and multicolored tulle, alongside kings who donned fierce statement pieces. Behind them were young queer people wearing Pride flags, carrying signs that declared their gender identity and expression loud and proud. Against the usual neutral-toned backdrop of Seoul were these exuberant declarations of identity, flamboyant and fearless, buzzing with excitement as they sought to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight. “We don’t want [drag] to be hidden away and just tolerated on the fringes. It deserves to be a part of the everyday cultural landscape,” Seoul Drag Parade c

Oct 4, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel
Rain or shine, Seoul Drag Parade glitters in gold
Global Community

Seoul Drag Parade returns with bigger, bolder festivities

In 2018, drag queens Hurricane Kimchi and Ali Vera shared a common goal: to show the world the vibrant community and culture of Seoul’s drag queens. While drag queens have become mainstays around the world, representation and mainstream visibility in Korea remain elusive. And as the two drag artists sought to create a diverse, inclusive space for queer individuals and expression, Seoul Drag Parade was born. “Growing up as a queer person in Korea and living my entire life in Korea, I always felt Korea lacks understanding, support and protection for LGBTQ+ people, other minorities and people who are different in general,” Seoul Drag Parade co-founder Hurricane Kimchi told The Korea Times. For seven years, the two have assembled a diverse mix of allies and members of Seoul’s queer community, growing the festival into a two-week celebration in the heart of Seoul. Seoul Drag Parade, Korea’s largest drag event, will kick off this year on Oct. 3 across central Seoul's diverse Haebangchon and Itaewon neighborhoods in Yongsan District. It also doubles as an LGBTQ+ cultural and human rig

Sep 30, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel
Seoul Drag Parade returns with bigger, bolder festivities
K-pop

Stray Kids prove their might in 'Karma'

Stray Kids’ new album “Karma” starts with the feisty hip-hop track “BLEEP,” a truculent introduction that lays the foundation for the rest of what’s to come. It’s familiar fare for the boy group, which carved out its niche in the K-pop scene with noisy, boisterous performances (“God’s Menu” in 2020 and “Chk Chk Boom” in 2024), after debuting with an audacious — and at times cantankerous — sound in 2018 (“District 9”). “Yada, yada, noise cancellation,” they repeat throughout “BLEEP,” making a show of muting all the hardships, rumors and boomers. The members of Stray Kids — Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N — have probably heard it all when it comes to the music they make. The band is one of the biggest acts to emerge from K-pop, earning fame in the United States and Europe for its fiery stages and self-produced discography. In their fourth full-length album “Karma,” Stray Kids make it clear who they owe their success to: themselves. While K-pop has no shortage of bravado, only a few groups have the actual n

Sep 4, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel
Stray Kids prove their might in 'Karma'
K-pop

Stars align for TXT in ‘The Star Chapter: TOGETHER’

The boys of K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER, also known as TXT, have always been known for blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Since their debut in 2019, Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai have combined their personal stories with mythical lore, cementing their status as preternatural storytellers in the music they’ve put out in their six-year career. In their latest full-length album, “The Star Chapter: TOGETHER,” released July 21, TXT finds themselves at an artistic crossroads, unveiling in eight tracks a search for identity — not just as a band, but as individuals. Bouncy bass and sophisticated synths drive the album’s club-ready opener, “Upside Down Kiss,” where they playfully invite you for a night out together. “Baby girl, let’s get freaky,” the boys sing — one of their more quirky, and mature, one-liners. The album takes a sharp thematic turn with the lead single, “Beautiful Strangers,” an EDM-laden hip-hop track that plays like an ode to TXT themselves. “The Star Chapter: TOGETHER” comes under the shadow of contract negotiations

Jul 31, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel
Stars align for TXT in ‘The Star Chapter: TOGETHER’
Photo News

PHOTOS How K-pop's past, present and future come together at SMTOWN LIVE in London

Minho of SHINee greets the press on the red carpet of "SMTOWN LIVE 2025 [THE CULTURE, THE FUTURE]," the first ever K-pop festival at London's iconic O2 Arena, June 29. Courtesy of Nieca Mae

Jul 2, 2025By Inna Christine Cabelphoto
[PHOTOS] How K-pop's past, present and future come together at SMTOWN LIVE in London
K-pop

BTS' Suga donates $3.6 mil. to build autism center at Severance Hospital

Suga, a member of K-pop juggernaut BTS, donated 5 billion won ($3.6 million) to Yonsei University’s Severance Hospital to help establish a treatment center for children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), partnering with the hospital to support long-term care and research for their social independence. The hospital held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center in Seodaemun District, Seoul, Monday. Min Yoon-gi is Suga’s real name. The center, set to open in September, will provide psychiatric support for individuals with ASD, aiming to establish programs using language, psychological and behavioral therapies geared toward developing skills for social independence. "Over the last seven months preparing for the program launch and engaging in volunteer work, I have come to understand that music can be a positive outlet for expressing emotions and communicating with the world,” Suga said in a statement. “I am so happy and grateful that I was able to participate in the treatment process for children with ASD.” According to a press release from

Jun 23, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel and Kwak Yeon-soo
BTS' Suga donates $3.6 mil. to build autism center at Severance Hospital
K-pop

BTS' Jin taps into nostalgia in 'Echo'

For most artists, each new album is a chance at reinvention. BTS’ Jin, a member of the most famous boy band in the world, is no stranger to this. After completing his military service last year — the first BTS member to do so — the singer was handed the heavy task of carrying the band name while the rest were out of the limelight. In the year since, Jin has done just about everything and anything, managing to surprise even his most ardent supporters as he makes headlines for stints across industries. He carried the Olympic torch during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games, starred in a quirky Netflix reality show where he runs a bed and breakfast on an island, and even introduced Tom Cruise to his mom. Still, the K-pop maverick reminds us of his strongest skill, doubling down on his identity as a vocalist in his sophomore solo offering, “Echo,” released Friday. “Echo” starts off subtle, helmed by the unassuming “Don’t Say You Love Me.” It’s an easy listen, with a mellow hook that you’ll find yourself humming throughout the day. True to the album name, Jin’s voca

May 21, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel
BTS' Jin taps into nostalgia in 'Echo'
Photo News

PHOTOS K-pop stars dazzle at the 2025 Met Gala

Jennie of BLACKPINK attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition, Monday, in New York. AP-Yonhap

May 6, 2025By Inna Christine Cabelphoto
[PHOTOS] K-pop stars dazzle at the 2025 Met Gala
previous page
123
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.