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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

What Min Hee-jin's breach of trust clearance means for her, NewJeans

Min Hee-jin, the ousted former CEO of Ador, has been cleared of breach of trust allegations filed by HYBE, reigniting debates over her future and the uncertain status of NewJeans, the chart-topping girl group she helped create. In a statement released Tuesday, Min’s legal team said "the breach of trust allegations filed by HYBE in April last year were found to lack sufficient grounds for criminal charges," adding that the police concluded their investigation after determining there was "no evidence of wrongdoing." This follows a year-long probe that began after HYBE accused Min of attempting to seize control of Ador, a subsidiary in which it holds an 80 percent stake. Min denied the allegations. In response to the decision, HYBE announced it would file an appeal with the prosecution. "Following the police investigation, new developments have occurred, including the NewJeans members' declaration of contract termination, and numerous new pieces of evidence have been submitted in related court proceedings," the label told reporters the same day. Min was dismissed from her position at Ador

Jul 16, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
What Min Hee-jin's breach of trust clearance means for her, NewJeans
K-pop

Timeline: Monsta X's 10 years of grit, global growth

From fierce rookies to global stars, K-pop boy band Monsta X marks its 10th anniversary this year. Over the past decade, the Starship Entertainment powerhouse has carved out a unique path, one built on fiery performances and international aspirations. Here's a look back at how Monsta X shaped each year into a milestone. 2015 Formed through Mnet's survival show "NO.MERCY," Monsta X officially debuted on May 14 under Starship Entertainment as a seven-member act with their first EP "Trespass." The group's aggressive sound and performances made an immediate impression, earning them multiple rookie awards within months of debut. In September, they also announced their official fandom name: Monbebe. 2016 Monsta X launched its "The Clan" series with its third EP, "Pt.1: Lost," which landed on Billboard's World Albums chart. The group also held their first solo concert in Seoul and closed the year with the release of "Pt.2: Guilty." 2017 The group's first studio album, "The Clan Pt.2.5: Beautiful," arrived in March, followed by its first world tour, "Beautiful," with stops across Asia, Europe and th

Jul 16, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Timeline: Monsta X's 10 years of grit, global growth
K-pop

SHINee's Onew taps into animal instincts with new album 'PERCENT'

SHINee's iconic vocalist Onew returned as a soloist with a breezy new track that calls on listeners to return to their animal instincts this summer. The singer dropped his second full-length album, "PERCENT," on major streaming platforms Tuesday, marking his solo comeback about five months after his fourth EP, "CONNECTION." Onew, dressed in a crisp white jacket, introduced the album during a media showcase at Myunghwa Live Hall in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District Tuesday afternoon, a few hours before the album release. "I wanted to express my different emotions in numbers, and that's why I came up with the current title," he said. "Even when we're happy, there's always that little percentage of anxiety, and even when things are tough, there's still some hope. I tried to interpret those everyday feelings exactly as I experience them in this album." The title track, "ANIMALS," is a song about finally setting those feelings and instincts free. Its refined bass line and acoustic guitar drive the track, while Onew's trademark soaring vocals add a burst of energy, making it a perfect fit for the

Jul 15, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
SHINee's Onew taps into animal instincts with new album 'PERCENT'
K-pop

ASTRO's Yoon San-ha goes 'EXTRA VIRGIN,' extra confident on new solo album 'CHAMELEON'

Yoon San-ha isn't here to play it safe, especially not when he's naming his new solo title track "EXTRA VIRGIN," after premium olive oil. Nearly a year after going solo, the youngest member of K-pop boy band ASTRO returns with "CHAMELEON," a vibrant second mini-album that blends playful charm, summer vibes and a newfound level of confidence. "These 11 months, I had time to grow deeper and more solid," Yoon said during an afternoon interview on July 3 with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul's Gangnam District. "It may seem long or short depending on how you look at it, but it gave me the courage to return solo. That's really thanks to the support and patience of my fans." Set for release on Tuesday, "CHAMELEON" shows off a broader artistic palette than his first solo work. Its lead track, "EXTRA VIRGIN," stands out with its blend of country-inspired chords and punchy hip-hop rhythms. Its title, in particular, reflects his desire to take risks. The name "EXTRA VIRGIN" came from the demo stage, and while the lyrics were initially full of references to olive oil, the singer said something abou

Jul 15, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
ASTRO's Yoon San-ha goes 'EXTRA VIRGIN,' extra confident on new solo album 'CHAMELEON'
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'
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