The Korea Times

New year, new playlist: K-pop fans' favorite songs to start 2026

As the clock resets on New Year’s Day, many K-pop listeners follow a small but familiar ritual: choosing the first song they will play in the New Year. It is a habit rooted in the idea that music can help shape the emotional tone of what comes next. Every year, K-pop fans usually treat their opening track as a kind of soft launch for the year ahead. Some reach for comfort, others for confidence or motivation, but the impulse is the same: Start the year on the right note. Over time, this has turned certain K-pop tracks into annual fixtures. While most of these were not written to become New Year’s anthems, they do share something more lasting — themes of renewal, self-belief and forward motion. With 2026 arriving at a moment that feels both uncertain and full of possibility, that first choice matters more than usual. Below are some of the songs fans return to as they step into a new year, spanning different eras, genres and moods. 'As You Wish,' WJSN Released in 2019, WJSN’s “As You Wish” has become a familiar presence on New Year’s Day playlists among K-pop fans. Built on a

Dec 31, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

K-pop

Fairness questioned as Ador drops Danielle from NewJeans, seeks damages

More than a year after a contract dispute first erupted between K-pop girl group NewJeans and its agency Ador, tensions have reignited just as hopes for reconciliation appeared within reach. Although all five members expressed a desire to return to the agency following a court ruling that upheld their exclusive contracts, Ador has now terminated its agreement with member Danielle and filed a lawsuit seeking damages — a move that undermines the possibility of a full-group comeback and raises concerns about coercive tactics in the K-pop industry. In a statement released Monday, Ador said it determined that it would be "difficult to continue" Danielle’s activities as a member of NewJeans and confirmed that it submitted a complaint the same day seeking compensation for damages. The agency did not disclose the amount being claimed, nor specify the contractual grounds for the termination. The decision follows an Oct. 30 court ruling that confirmed the validity of exclusive contracts between Ador and all five NewJeans members, a judgment that placed the agency in a legally advantageous pos

Dec 30, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Fairness questioned as Ador drops Danielle from NewJeans, seeks damages

K-pop

K-pop’s biggest names set for full-group comebacks in 2026

Some of the biggest names of K-pop are planning full-group returns in 2026, creating a rare overlap of top-tier acts from different generations that is already generating buzz. Full-group comebacks by established acts are typically staggered to avoid overlap, making the timing especially notable for longtime followers of the genre. Members across these groups have spent recent years focused on solo projects, and their reunions are expected to drive renewed fan interest and commercial activity. BIGBANG Among the first confirmed is second-generation boy band BIGBANG, which will perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California in April. The appearance will feature members G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung, and marks their first major group activity since releasing the single "Still Life" in 2022, after sharing the stage at G-Dragon’s solo concerts and other informal occasions. BIGBANG debuted in 2006 under YG Entertainment and became one of K-pop's most influential male acts with songs including "Lies," "Fantastic Baby" and "BANG BANG BANG." G-Dragon, the group's leader an

Dec 29, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

K-pop

Why dating rumors still shake K-pop, even as it goes global

When a dating rumor linking BTS' Jung Kook and aespa's Winter — arguably two of the highest-profile stars in the current K-pop landscape — began circulating online, the response followed an all-too-familiar script. Neither artist nor their agencies confirmed or denied the reports, but silence did little to slow the conversation. Instead, the rumor reopened one of the genre's hottest debates: how much of an idol's personal life truly belongs to their fans? Within days, fan communities split along predictable lines. Some urged respect for privacy, while others expressed concern that a relationship could affect group activities or public image. A smaller but louder faction even sent protest trucks to the artists' agencies, turning speculation into a public dispute. The episode echoed events from last year, when aespa member Karina was linked to actor Lee Jae-wook. That controversy culminated in Karina issuing a public apology to fans, drawing international attention not because idols dating was unusual, but because the expectation of remorse felt increasingly misaligned with how pop st

Dec 25, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Why dating rumors still shake K-pop, even as it goes global

Society

44% of foreign residents in Korea report discrimination, yet remain happier than locals: survey

More than four out of 10 foreign residents in Korea say they have experienced discrimination, most commonly based on their country of origin, yet nearly eight in 10 of them did not raise complaints, largely because they believed doing so would not lead to change, a new survey found. Despite these experiences, a majority of foreign residents reported relatively high levels of happiness and life satisfaction in Korea — higher than those of Korean nationals. The findings were released Tuesday by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as part of the 2025 Survey on Korean Attitudes and Values, conducted by KSTAT Research. The nationwide survey, which polled 6,180 respondents, was the ninth edition of the study, which was first launched in 1996 and has been conducted every three years since 2013. This year’s survey expanded its scope by including teenagers for the first time and conducting a separate survey of foreign residents who have lived in Korea for more than two years, aiming to capture a broader picture of social perceptions in Korea. According to the findings, 43.7 percent of

Dec 23, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

44% of foreign residents in Korea report discrimination, yet remain happier than locals: survey

K-pop

How BLACKPINK's Jennie uses star power to promote Korean heritage

As her global profile expands, Jennie of K-pop juggernaut BLACKPINK is increasingly weaving Korean language and heritage into her solo work — not as decorative references, but as core elements of her contemporary, signature aesthetic. That artistic vision was fully realized last week at the 2025 Melon Music Awards (MMA), where she won three honors including Record of the Year. But beyond the trophies, it was her solo performance built around Korean imagery and visual motifs that captured the most attention. At the ceremony, Jennie performed rearranged versions of "Seoul City," "ZEN" and "like JENNIE," all from her March album "Ruby," her first full-length studio release. Costume and stage design played a central role in shaping the performance’s thematic arc. The performance opened with "Seoul City," in which she appeared beneath a 15-meter veil inscribed with Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, set against stage visuals drawn from the deep blue of the Korean national flag. To bring this vision to life, Jennie collaborated once again with Korean fashion label LEJE, which previously created

Dec 23, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

How BLACKPINK's Jennie uses star power to promote Korean heritage

People & Events

Theater pioneer Yoon Suk-hwa dies at 69

Yoon uk-hwa, a leading figure in Korea's first generation of modern theater actors, died Friday after battling a brain tumor. She was 69. The Korean Actors Association said Yoon died at 9:54 a.m. at Severance Hospital in Seoul, with family members and close acquaintances at her side. Reports of her death had circulated earlier in the day before her passing was officially confirmed several hours later. Yoon had been in treatment since October 2022, when she underwent surgery for a malignant brain tumor. Earlier that same year she had appeared as Ophelia in a production of "Hamlet." After publicly disclosing her illness, she made her final stage appearance in 2023 with a brief guest role in the play "Toccata" at LG Arts Center in Seoul. Gil Hae-yeon, chair of the Theater People Welfare Foundation of Korea, said Yoon was “a central pillar of Korea’s theater community and someone who recognized and put into practice the importance of artists’ welfare earlier than anyone else.” “Her dedication to laying the foundation for the foundation and to protecting the rights of theater artist

Dec 19, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Premature report of Yoon Suk-hwa’s death causes confusion

K-pop

BTS eyes 2026 comeback amid fan backlash

Six months after all members of the K-pop juggernaut BTS completed their long-awaited military discharge, the return of the genre's most influential group remains defined as much by uncertainty as anticipation. The seven-member act is widely expected to make a full-group comeback in spring 2026, but the period following its military hiatus has been marked by a series of personal controversies and public scrutiny. Together, they have exposed fault lines within the fandom over privacy, accountability and the pressures facing a group whose every move carries global weight. BTS' military hiatus officially ended June 21, when the group's rapper Suga completed his alternative service. The moment ended a two-and-a-half-year pause that many fans believed would clear the way for a straightforward return. With all members discharged, expectations were high that the group would smoothly transition into its next chapter. Instead, the months that followed have been turbulent. In August, optimism briefly resurfaced when all seven members appeared together in Los Angeles during a Weverse live broadcast

Dec 18, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

BTS eyes 2026 comeback amid fan backlash

Travel & Food

Why winter is best time to enjoy seafood in Korea: From grilled shellfish to amberjack sashimi

Winter announces itself in Korea not just through its icy winds but through food, as a familiar rhythm returns to coastal towns, fish auctions and markets across the country. Fishmongers haul in crates of fresh catch at dawn, steam rises from metal pots on street corners and lines form outside small grill houses in seaside towns and cities. Winter is widely regarded as the best season for seafood in Korea, a time when shellfish grow firmer and cold-water fish develop a richer flavor. For many Koreans, it’s a moment they refuse to miss — a season defined less by temperature and more by taste. Short-form videos showing scallops popping open on a grill or shoppers racing through Seoul’s Noryangjin Fish Wholesale Market spread quickly on TikTok and Instagram each year. Searches for "winter seafood trip" and "where to eat good amberjack" surge among younger users, and clips comparing cuts of amberjack or showcasing oyster dishes can gather millions of views in a matter of days. What was once a quiet seasonal tradition has become a nationwide ritual fueled in part by social media. That

Dec 6, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Why winter is best time to enjoy seafood in Korea: From grilled shellfish to amberjack sashimi

K-pop

K-pop holiday playlist: New collabs, festive singles, rediscovered classics

With Christmas only weeks away, Korea's music scene is easing into its annual wave of festive releases. Seasonal songs have always had a strong foothold in the K-pop market, and this year's lineup includes fresh collaborations and reimagined classics that are already shaping the country's winter soundtrack. From remade global hits to nostalgic favorites rising on the charts again, these K-pop selections will keep your holidays sounding both familiar and fresh. One of the season's standout releases comes from boy group ENHYPEN, who recently reinterpreted pop star Justin Bieber's holiday single, "Mistletoe." The project was produced as a collaboration between the group's label Belift Lab and Apple Music, with ENHYPEN's version premiering exclusively on the platform on Nov. 11. The original "Mistletoe" was released in 2011, when a then-teenage Justin Bieber was dominating global charts. The track reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and quickly cemented itself as one of the most recognizable contemporary Christmas pop singles. ENHYPEN's remake honors that nostalgic familiarity while int

Dec 2, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Pyo Kyung-min

Read more

New year, new playlist: K-pop fans' favorite songs to start 2026

Fairness questioned as Ador drops Danielle from NewJeans, seeks damages

K-pop’s biggest names set for full-group comebacks in 2026

Why dating rumors still shake K-pop, even as it goes global

44% of foreign residents in Korea report discrimination, yet remain happier than locals: survey

How BLACKPINK's Jennie uses star power to promote Korean heritage

Theater pioneer Yoon Suk-hwa dies at 69

BTS eyes 2026 comeback amid fan backlash

Why winter is best time to enjoy seafood in Korea: From grilled shellfish to amberjack sashimi

K-pop holiday playlist: New collabs, festive singles, rediscovered classics

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