my timesThe Korea Times
pzzang

Pyo Kyung-min

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Stay tuned for Pyo Kyung-min's latest K-pop stories, where she digs into the backstories that matter. She’d love to hear from you — share your thoughts at pzzang@koreatimes.co.kr. After all, every article gets better with insights from those who love the scene, just like she does!

Go to Email

Read more

K-pop

BTS chronology: From global breakthrough to Gwanghwamun comeback

When K-pop powerhouse BTS takes the stage for its comeback performance at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, Saturday, the moment is expected to carry significance beyond a typical return to the spotlight. More than a decade after debuting in small studios and modest concert venues, the seven members will perform in the symbolic center of the Korean capital — not only as returning superstars, but as artists whose rise has reshaped the scale and global reach of K-pop. The performance coincides with the release of "ARIRANG," BTS' first full-length studio album as a complete group in nearly four years and its first major collective activity following the completion of its members' mandatory military service. For fans and industry observers alike, the Gwanghwamun concert represents a key moment in BTS' trajectory, as well as a test of the group’s continued global drawing power. BTS — consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — debuted in June 2013 with the single album "2 Cool 4 Skool." At a time when the K-pop industry was bombarded with rookie groups, the group distin

Mar 20, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS chronology: From global breakthrough to Gwanghwamun comeback
K-pop

BTS drops music video teaser for 'SWIM' as full-group return nears

K-pop supergroup BTS has heightened anticipation for its return with a cinematic teaser for the music video of its upcoming title track, signaling its first full-group comeback in nearly four years. BigHit Music, the label behind the boy band, released the teaser at midnight Wednesday through the group’s official social media accounts and YouTube channel. The clip previews a portion of the melody from “SWIM,” the lead single from BTS’ upcoming fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” due Friday. The teaser unfolds with a woman running into an empty museum and scanning its exhibition halls before stopping in front of a large ship model. As the surrounding lights gradually fade, the vessel remains under a spotlight. The scene then shifts to a glimmering ocean, where sunlight reflects off calm waves. The word “SWIM” appears across the water as the video fades out. The music video is directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Tanu Muino, known for her work on Jung Kook’s “Standing Next to You” music video as well as projects for global pop acts including Post Malone, Doja Cat and Dua

Mar 18, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS drops music video teaser for 'SWIM' as full-group return nears
K-pop

Why K-pop concerts are breaking out of domes, infiltrating cityscapes

As K-pop supergroup BTS prepares to stage a free comeback concert at Seoul's iconic Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, the event is drawing attention not only for its scale but also for what it signals about the evolving spatial strategy of K-pop performances. The show, linked to the group's upcoming full-length album "Arirang," is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors into central Seoul. While a limited number of fans will be admitted to designated viewing areas near the main stage, significantly larger crowds are likely to gather along surrounding avenues stretching toward Sungnye Gate and Cheonggye Stream, turning the entire district into an open-air concert setting. The event reflects a broader shift in which major K-pop performances are increasingly being staged in prominent urban locations — often as free or publicly accessible spectacles — rather than remaining confined to indoor arenas and domes. Entertainment agencies and local governments alike have begun using such events to expand the genre's engagement beyond the core fan base, attract city visitors and boost

Mar 17, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Why K-pop concerts are breaking out of domes, infiltrating cityscapes
K-pop

Why K-pop remains popular in China despite cultural disputes

When recent online disputes between Southeast Asian and Korean netizens were reposted on Chinese social media, Irene Jin felt a sense of deja vu. For the longtime K-pop fan, the arguments echoed a wave of anti-Korean sentiment she remembered well from years earlier — one that had put K-pop fandom in the crossfire. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a wave of large-scale criticism of Korean idol groups over cultural appropriation,” said Jin, who has followed K-pop for more than a decade. “Many groups used elements associated with traditional Chinese culture in their content — such as Chinese knotting and folding screens — but often described them broadly as ‘Oriental style.’” The disputes have played out repeatedly. In 2020, stage outfits worn by girl group Mamamoo drew criticism from Chinese netizens who argued that the designs drew too heavily from Hanfu, China’s traditional clothing. They rejected the group’s characterization of the costumes as a modernized take on hanbok, Korea’s traditional attire, framing them instead as an appropriation of Chinese cu

Mar 14, 2026By Alice Li and Pyo Kyung-min
Why K-pop remains popular in China despite cultural disputes
K-pop

GIRLSET, SANTOS BRAVOS signal next phase of K-pop's global strategy

K-pop agencies are accelerating their push into overseas markets this month, unveiling new music from global acts positioned beyond the traditional K-pop idol framework. March has seen fresh releases from JYP Entertainment's global girl group GIRLSET and HYBE Labels' Latin boy band SANTOS BRAVOS, underscoring how major labels are continuing to refine exportable versions of the K-pop production system. GIRLSET, rebranded from VCHA, returned March 6 with the digital single "Tweak," a track shaped by JYP's founder and chief producer Park Jin-young alongside Grammy-winning hitmaker Diego Ave. Built on a sleek blend of late-1990s R&B textures, the song draws on vintage sonic references while maintaining K-pop's polished performance focus. The accompanying music video also quickly gained traction online, with the clip surpassing 10 million views on YouTube by Thursday and reaching No. 1 on the platform's worldwide music video trending chart shortly after its release. HYBE's Latin boy band SANTOS BRAVOS followed with the release of its first mini album, "DUAL," Friday. The six-track project pre

Mar 13, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
GIRLSET, SANTOS BRAVOS signal next phase of K-pop's global strategy
K-pop

BTS' animated teaser traces global journey of 'Arirang'

K-pop supergroup BTS released an animated teaser Friday for its upcoming full-length album “Arirang,” using imagery tied to the global journey of Korea’s best-known folk song of the same name. The video, posted on the group’s official social media accounts, opens with seven young men winding a gramophone as the melody of “Arirang” begins to play. They are later shown crossing the Pacific Ocean by boat, a symbolic narrative that frames the song’s spread beyond Korea. The clip transitions to a modern concert setting, depicting BTS performing before rotating crowds, linking the group’s contemporary global success with the folk song’s historical movement overseas. BigHit Music said the concept was inspired by records showing that one of the earliest known recordings of “Arirang” was made in Washington, D.C., in 1896. The agency described the video as an attempt to introduce international audiences to the cultural and emotional background of the song. “We wanted to share the story behind ‘Arirang’ with listeners who may not be familiar with it,” the agency said. B

Mar 13, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS' animated teaser traces global journey of 'Arirang'
K-pop

Ultimate BTS pilgrimage guide: Every landmark worth visiting before, after Gwanghwamun concert

As K-pop juggernaut BTS prepares to return to the stage at Seoul’s historic Gwanghwamun Square, fans from around the world are once again planning journeys that extend far beyond a single night of music. For many members of ARMY, BTS' official fandom, traveling to Korea is not simply about attending a concert. It is about stepping into the physical landscapes that shaped the group’s story, tracing the arc from uncertain trainee years to global influence. Across Seoul and beyond, buildings, cafes, coastal landmarks and performance sites have quietly evolved into a living map of BTS' rise. Some are grand symbols of the group’s transformation. Others are modest, almost hidden spaces that carry emotional resonance precisely because they reflect the ordinariness of the members’ early lives. Together, they form an unofficial pilgrimage route that continues to grow in significance each time BTS embarks on a new chapter. HYBE Labels headquarters, Yongsan District, Seoul Few places illustrate the scale of BTS' sheer impact more clearly than HYBE’s glass-and-steel headquarters in Yongsan

Mar 13, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Ultimate BTS pilgrimage guide: Every landmark worth visiting before, after Gwanghwamun concert
K-pop

What Heeseung's exit means for ENHYPEN, fans

The announcement that Heeseung of K-pop boy band ENHYPEN will leave the group and pursue a solo career sparked a wave of surprise, with fans expressing grief and confusion while speculating about what the decision means for both the singer and the group. Belift Lab, the HYBE Labels subsidiary that manages ENHYPEN, announced Tuesday that the singer would depart the seven-member act but remain with the company to pursue a solo career. Since debuting in November 2020 through the survival program "I-LAND," ENHYPEN has built a strong global following, driven by its distinctive fantasy vampire concept and polished performance style. Heeseung, widely recognized as the group's main vocalist, has been regarded as one of the musical anchors of the team by fans, known collectively as ENGENE. In a handwritten letter shared with fans on Tuesday, the singer described the decision as the result of "extensive discussions" with the agency about how to present his individual work. "The six years I have spent have been filled with moments too precious to describe," he wrote. "After sharing the results of m

Mar 11, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
What Heeseung's exit means for ENHYPEN, fans
People & Events

Calligrapher highlights King Sejong's 'think different' spirit behind Hangeul

The creation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, reflects Joseon-era King Sejong's willingness to "think different," calligrapher Kang Byung-in said, describing the Korean script as a writing system whose beauty lies in its structure and creative design. Kang said this as he delivered a lecture Tuesday evening at the CQ Forum held at the residence of the New Zealand ambassador in Seoul. The event was organized by the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), a nonprofit cultural organization that promotes Korea's global image and cultural exchange. Launched in 2006, the CQ Forum invites diplomats, cultural figures and scholars to explore various aspects of Korean culture through lectures and discussions. In a talk titled "In the Spirit of the Creation of Hunminjeongeum and the Think Different of Sejong and the Beauty of Hangeul," Kang reflected on the philosophical background behind the Korean writing system and the creative mindset that shaped it. "The beauty of Hangeul does not mean it is the most beautiful script in the world," Kang said. "It refers to the originality of the system, in

Mar 11, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Calligrapher highlights King Sejong's 'think different' spirit behind Hangeul
K-pop

How AtHeart finds its confidence through 'Butterfly Doors'

When K-pop girl group AtHeart debuted in August 2025 with its first EP "Plot Twist," the title track captured the emotional swings of teenage life. Crushes felt mysterious, feelings were confusing and the members leaned into the carefree brightness of youth. Seven months later, the group says it has found something new — confidence. Returning with the paired singles "Shut Up," released Feb. 26, and "Butterfly Doors," set to follow Wednesday, AtHeart is presenting what the members describe as a more "self-assured side" of the group. The back-to-back releases mark the group's first comeback since its debut and form a connected story about growth. "When we debuted, all of us were teenagers, so the concept naturally reflected that youthful energy," member Arin said in an interview at The Korea Times office Monday. "This time, some of us have become adults, so we naturally wanted to show a more mature side. It feels like our atmosphere as a team has developed." The new era is also visually anchored by a symbol the group calls "The Black Heart." Ahead of its comeback campaign, AtHeart unveil

Mar 11, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
How AtHeart finds its confidence through 'Butterfly Doors'
previous page
1112131415
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.