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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!

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K-pop

NCT DREAM goes full sci-fi, travels through time in 'Go Back To The Future'

NCT DREAM is turning back the clock and hopping back on the hoverboard with its fifth full-length album, "Go Back To The Future." Nearly a decade into its career, the seven-member group is revisiting the excitement of its early days, this time armed with a veteran's poise. The seven NCT DREAM members — Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung — appeared for a press conference Monday morning at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul's Songpa District, dressed in sleek black suits, adding a pop of color through hairstyles in blue, silver and pink, and fresh off three sold-out concerts last week. "Go Back To The Future," set to drop on Monday 6 p.m., marks the team's return eight months after its "DREAMSCAPE" release in November. This new project takes listeners on a time travel adventure, as the group reflects on their nine-year idol journey. Paying homage to the 1985 film "Back to the Future," the album's concept is inspired by the theme of time travel. A music video was produced with approval from Amblin Entertainment and Universal Studios, the studios behind the original m

Jul 14, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
NCT DREAM goes full sci-fi, travels through time in 'Go Back To The Future'
  • NCT DREAM commands Seoul's biggest dome with 3-night spectacle ahead of new album
K-pop

NCT DREAM commands Seoul's biggest dome with 3-night spectacle ahead of new album

In a city where only the biggest names can fill its largest arena, K-pop boy band NCT DREAM didn't just pack Seoul's symbolic Gocheok Sky Dome, they nearly blew its roof off. The seven-piece NCT subunit, who first burst onto the stage on hoverboards nine years ago as SM Entertainment's youngest boy band, returned to the capital last week exuding arena-dominating aura in place of their once-teenage charm. Now grown and backed by one of K-pop's most powerful fandoms, NCT DREAM drew 60,000 fans over three sold-out nights with their "2025 NCT DREAM TOUR 'THE DREAM SHOW 4 : DREAM THE FUTURE.'" The dome, located in southwestern Seoul's Guro District, is the city's largest currently operating concert venue, a space that has hosted only a select few K-pop acts such as BTS, BLACKPINK, Seventeen, Stray Kids and BIGBANG. But NCT DREAM and their fans made it look easy, even with the group's "THE DREAM SHOW" concert series returning regularly over the years. Hours before Saturday's final concert, crowds filled the area around the dome, many dressed in their best looks and holding the group's official

Jul 13, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
NCT DREAM commands Seoul's biggest dome with 3-night spectacle ahead of new album
K-pop

All ATEEZ members renew contracts, stay with KQ as full group

All eight members of ATEEZ have renewed their contracts with KQ Entertainment for another seven years, the agency announced Thursday. In a press release, KQ said it was "pleased to continue this partnership based on the trust built over the past seven years" and added that it plans to "fully support each member in showcasing their limitless potential and expanding onto even greater stages." The eight-member boy band, consisting of Seonghwa, Hongjoong, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho, debuted in October 2018 with its first EP, "TREASURE EP.1: All To Zero." Known for its powerful and often sultry performances, the group found success overseas before gaining local recognition. In 2023, ATEEZ reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts with its second full-length album, followed by another No. 1 hit with its 11th EP released later that year. Last month, the group made its debut on Billboard's Hot 100 songs chart, landing at No. 69 with "Lemon Drop," the title track from its 12th EP, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3." At a press event held last month to celebrate the release of "Lemon

Jul 10, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
All ATEEZ members renew contracts, stay with KQ as full group
K-pop

Former RIIZE member XngHan to drop solo work on July 31

Seunghan, the K-pop singer who left rookie boy band RIIZE following a personal life controversy, is set to return to the music scene under a new name, XngHan, with his solo debut confirmed for July 31. SM Entertainment, the singer's agency, announced Wednesday that Seunghan, whose real name is Hong Seung-han, will relaunch his career at the end of this month with his new stage name and a newly launched artist identity of XngHan&Xoul. According to the label, the rebrand combines the letter "X" — representing limitless possibilities and cross-genre creativity — with his name and "Xoul," a flexible unit performing alongside him. As part of the project's initial promotions, XngHan will release his debut single, "Waste No Time," at the end of July, featuring two new tracks. "This debut project highlights one of XngHan's biggest strengths and interests, performance, by teaming up with two professional dancers to deliver a more complete stage experience ... We expect it to bring a fresh energy to the K-pop scene," SM explained through the Wednesday statement. Teaser images for the single wer

Jul 9, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Former RIIZE member XngHan to drop solo work on July 31
People & Events

Foreign language newspaper guild celebrates decade of progress

The Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea (FNA) marked its 10th anniversary Wednesday, recognizing journalists and staff who have helped share Korea's stories with the world in English and Chinese. Founded in 2015, the FNA brings together Korea's major daily foreign-language newspapers — The Korea Times, The Korea JoongAng Daily, The Korea Herald and The Aju Daily, which is the Chinese edition of Aju Business Daily. The association aims to boost cooperation among its members and expand Korean media's presence on the global stage. A ceremony at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul drew an audience of lawmakers, diplomats and journalists. Notable attendees included acting chair and floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Rep. Kim Byung-kee; emergency committee chair and floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party Rep. Song Eon-seog; acting chair and floor leader of the Reform Party Rep. Chun Ha-ram; and senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication Lee Kyu-youn. In his congratulatory remarks, FNA Chairman Choi Jin-young,

Jul 9, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Foreign language newspaper guild celebrates decade of progress
K-pop

Close Your Eyes makes it snow in July with 'Snowy Summer'

What do you get when you mix snow, ghosts, Christmas nostalgia and chaotic death scenes — all in the middle of summer? For rookie boy band Close Your Eyes, the result is "Snowy Summer," the group's second mini-album and most delightfully offbeat concept yet. Just three months after debuting through JTBC's audition show "PROJECT 7," the seven-piece group — Jeon Min-wook, Ma Jingxiang, Jang Yeo-jun, Kim Sung-min, Song Seung-ho, Kenshin and Seo Kyoung-bae — is already making waves not just for their looks, but for their commitment to unique storytelling. "This new album tells the story of seven unlucky ghosts," the group's leader Jeon said with a playful smile during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul's Yongsan District, Tuesday. "Each of us dies in our own unfortunate ways and misses out on that year's Christmas. So we return in the summer as ghosts who make it snow. That surreal contrast is what makes this album feel really special." "Snowy Summer," set to drop Wednesday, is a four-track release with two lead singles: the wintry pop anthem of the same name, and "Pa

Jul 9, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Close Your Eyes makes it snow in July with 'Snowy Summer'
K-pop

BLACKPINK sets Goyang ablaze with historic stadium tour kickoff, debuts new track 'JUMP'

Nearly two years after their last group concert, BLACKPINK proved they've still got unmatched star power — together and solo. The global superstars — Jennie, Jisoo, Rose and Lisa — reunited as a full group over the weekend for a long-awaited concert, marking their first group performance in nearly two years. In the time since, each member has soared to individual superstardom, building global fan bases that only heightened anticipation for their return. With scorching solo momentum behind them and a new song in their pocket, the quartet set Goyang Sports Complex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, ablaze with their signature blend of style, power and show-stopping visuals. Billed as the kickoff to their new "DEADLINE" tour, the Goyang concert made history on multiple fronts. BLACKPINK became the first K-pop girl group to perform at the stadium, setting a new attendance record — some 78,000 fans for two concerts — for the venue. Fans arrived hours early on Sunday, decked out in signature colors black and pink, filling the area outside with chants and cheers. As the summer heat began t

Jul 7, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
BLACKPINK sets Goyang ablaze with historic stadium tour kickoff, debuts new track 'JUMP'
  • Tetra Pak draws BLACKPINK fans to recycling mission in Goyang
  • BLACKPINK kicks off long-awaited tour with sizzling shows in Goyang
K-pop

BLACKPINK kicks off long-awaited tour with sizzling shows in Goyang

Expectations were sky-high for one of K-pop's most iconic quartets as BLACKPINK gave its first full-group performance in nearly two years, judging by the sea of fans who braved a scorching heat wave to see them in Ilsan. The K-pop supergroup — Jennie, Rosé, Jisoo and Lisa — kicked off its "DEADLINE" world tour over the weekend at Goyang Sports Complex in Ilsan, just west of Seoul, becoming the first K-pop girl group to do so at one of the capital area's largest concert venues. Fans swarmed the venue Sunday, the final show of the two-day performance, despite temperatures soaring to about 33 degrees Celsius and a heat wave advisory in effect. Armed with mini electronic fans and parasols to escape the heat, the throngs of fans could be heard complaining here and there, but their faces collectively lit up with excitement when asked for a brief interview. "It's so hot and I'm sweating like crazy, but the thrill of getting to see the four perform together again is the only thing keeping me on my feet right now," said Liu Wen, a Chinese fan in her 20s who arrived hours early, clutching the

Jul 6, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
BLACKPINK kicks off long-awaited tour with sizzling shows in Goyang
  • BLACKPINK sets Goyang ablaze with historic stadium tour kickoff, debuts new track 'JUMP'
K-pop

Korea's water-soaked festivals offer splashy escape from summer heat, reality

In the blistering heat of a Korean summer, few things offer relief like getting drenched in water — and if it’s while singing along to your favorite artist, even better. That’s the appeal behind Korea’s booming summer water festivals, which continue to draw massive crowds with their combination of high-octane performances, celebrity appearances and plenty of splash. Among those who can’t forget the experience is an office worker surnamed Lee, who marked the end of her 20s with a wet and wild day at Seoul's WATERBOMB festival in June 2022. Even now, she says, the memory resurfaces every summer. "It was so hot and humid and then it started raining," she recalled. "Everyone was dragging their feet, but maybe that's why we were all more willing to embrace the streams of water at the festival. I probably couldn't do it again now, but ending my 20s with something that intense made that summer really unforgettable." These events are built on exactly that kind of intensity. Taking place at the height of Korea’s monsoon season, water festivals embrace the heat, replacing sweat with c

Jul 4, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Korea's water-soaked festivals offer splashy escape from summer heat, reality
K-pop

BTS confirms full-group comeback for next spring, world tour also planned

K-pop megastars BTS thrilled fans worldwide Tuesday with the announcement of their full-group return next spring, featuring a new album and world tour, during a surprise livestream. The seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — appeared together on the fan platform Weverse, marking the band's first full-group livestream since September 2022. The 30-minute broadcast drew more than 7.3 million views. During the livestream, the members shared that they will begin preparing the new album starting this month. "It will include everyone's ideas. We're going back to our roots for this one," they said. They added that a world tour is in the works following the album release. "We'll be visiting places around the world, so please look forward to it," they said. The upcoming tour will be the group's first in four years, since the "'Yet to Come' in Busan" concert back in 2022. That performance marked the group's final activity as a full group before taking an extended hiatus for Korea's mandatory military service. In the meantime, the members have pursued successful solo ventu

Jul 2, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS confirms full-group comeback for next spring, world tour also planned
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