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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

HYBE brings concert film festival to Asian theaters this July

K-pop giant HYBE Labels is bringing its immersive film festival to Asia this summer, following its successful Latin American debut last year. The company announced Wednesday that the theater event, titled "HYBE CINE FEST in ASIA sponsored by Weverse," will take place from July 10 to 13 across 10 Asian countries, including Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Hong Kong, with an extended run in Japan through Aug. 7. Organized in partnership with global distributor Trafalgar Releasing, the event will transform more than 350 theaters into communal K-pop celebration spaces, offering fans a chance to relive their favorite concert experiences on the big screen. The lineup includes four concert films from HYBE's biggest acts — BTS' "MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E," Seventeen's "BE THE SUN," Tomorrow X Together's (TXT's) "ACT: SWEET MIRAGE" and Enhypen's "FATE." A highlight of the event is "HYBE CINEMA NORAEBANG," an additional karaoke-style video experience featuring 22 music videos from 10 HYBE artists including BTS, Seventeen, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, &TEAM, BOY

May 29, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
HYBE brings concert film festival to Asian theaters this July
K-pop

ATEEZ details June comeback, summer world tour schedule

Known for its powerful and sultry performances, eight-piece K-pop boy band ATEEZ is set to return to the scene next month with a new mini album and the launch of a global tour. According to the band's agency, KQ Entertainment, the group will release its 12th EP, "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3," on June 13. The comeback marks the band's first new release in about seven months, following November 2024's "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2." The "Part.2" album achieved notable global success, topping the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S. and reaching No. 4 on the U.K.'s Official Albums Chart. Their second full-length album, "THE WORLD EP FIN : WILL," also secured first place on the Billboard 200 late last year, raising expectations for another strong chart performance with the new release. If the upcoming release also lands atop the Billboard 200, it will mark ATEEZ's third No. 1 on the chart — an achievement only two other K-pop boy bands, BTS and Stray Kids, have accomplished. ATEEZ also will kick off its "2025 World Tour: In Your Fantasy" with two nights at Inspire Arena on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, on July 5 a

May 28, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
ATEEZ details June comeback, summer world tour schedule
Shows & Dramas

'World of Street Woman Fighter' brings global dance crews to Mnet’s stage

Mnet's hit survival reality show "Street Woman Fighter" (SWF) is back for its third season — and this time, it’s going global. Titled "World of Street Woman Fighter" (WSWF), the new season expands the show’s original format into a full-fledged international contest. Six dance crews from Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are set to face off as national representatives, with communication transcending language as dancers rely on movement to connect, compete and captivate. At a press conference Tuesday in southern Seoul, the show's chief producer Choi Jeong-nam said the decision to turn the show into a global showdown came after seeing the impact of overseas participation in Season 2. "When international crews joined in the second season of 'SWF,' we realized how much more we could introduce global dancers to our fans," Choi said. "That's why we brought in crews from around the world for this season." Choi said the shift did bring its share of challenges, especially in communication and cultural differences. "We had translators for English and Japanese. There ar

May 27, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
'World of Street Woman Fighter' brings global dance crews to Mnet’s stage
K-pop

KickFlip teases busy summer with high-energy comeback, global festival debut

Less than a year into its debut, JYP Entertainment's rookie group KickFlip is already turning heads, landing spots at major global festivals and positioning itself as one of K-pop's rising contenders. Building on that momentum, the group is now back with a new album powered by youthful energy and self-produced tracks, setting the stage for a sizzling summer. Composed of Kyehoon, Amaru, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju and Donghyeon, KickFlip debuted on Jan. 20 under JYP, stepping onto the scene to carry forward the label's legacy of idol groups like Stray Kids, ITZY and NMIXX. Except for leader Kyehoon who recently entered his 20s, all KickFlip members are still in their teens. Staying true to their age, the group has gained attention for self-produced music that blends playful energy with a touch of mischievous charm. Its appeal has translated to solid results. The group's debut album sold 270,000 copies in its first week, according to Circle Chart, marking a strong start for a rookie group. "Looking back on the past four months, I've become even more certain that it was the right choice no

May 26, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
KickFlip teases busy summer with high-energy comeback, global festival debut
K-pop

All aboard birthday bridge: Seventeen takes over Seoul with epic concert celebration

Even for a K-pop juggernaut that has conquered stages around the world, breaking new ground can still be a daunting challenge. That seemed to be the case for Seventeen on Sunday night, right before the 13-member boy band's show "B-DAY PARTY: BURST Stage @Jamsu Bridge" — the first-ever held on a bridge over Seoul's Han River. The event began in disarray as the unusual layout of the elongated venue led to confusion among attendees trying to find their assigned seats. Yelling matches broke out among some fans, and a few were even moved to tears, delaying the performance by more than 20 minutes. But the moment Seventeen burst onstage, fireworks erupting, jets of water crashing down from above, the chaos vanished. It was a moment of pure K-pop awe, a thunderous wave that swept over the bridge, the river and the entire city. The performance capped a three-day celebration, "B-DAY PARTY," held from Friday through Sunday across the Some Sevit islets and around Jamsu Bridge in Seoul's Seocho District. With the concert staged directly over the Han River, it brought the genre closer than ever to d

May 26, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
All aboard birthday bridge: Seventeen takes over Seoul with epic concert celebration
K-pop

Seventeen bedazzles Seoul at 10th debut anniversary celebration

Drawing approximately 100,000 fans, K-pop powerhouse Seventeen turned Seoul into a sprawling celebration of its 10th anniversary, marking the boy band's journey since it burst onto the scene a decade ago. The large-scale event, titled "B-DAY PARTY," kicked off Friday around the city's Seom Sevit islets at Jamsu Bridge in Seocho District, spanning three days of exhibitions, performances and interactive experiences. Despite the early summer heat on Sunday, the final day of the event, fans arrived in droves — some dressed in the group's colors of rose and soft blue, while others clutched the group's official light sticks. Among them were longtime Korean fans, international visitors who traveled to see Seventeen and families simply taking in the festive atmosphere. "I've been a fan of Seventeen for nearly six to seven years," said Samantha, a 25-year-old fan from Canada. "It feels weird to be here celebrating. I want to say happy birthday and thank them for working so hard. I love everything they do and will keep supporting them." Another fan, Bree from the Philipines, said she flew all the

May 25, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Seventeen bedazzles Seoul at 10th debut anniversary celebration
K-pop

Seventeen to throw concert on Han River bridge Sunday; city ramps up security measures

A landmark K-pop concert by boy band Seventeen will take place on Sunday on the Jamsu Bridge in Seoul, marking the first K-pop concert on a Han River bridge. The concert, titled "B-DAY PARTY: BURST Stage" and held to celebrate the band's 10th anniversary, is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans to the bridge and a nearby park. "This anniversary concert is a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of the Han River and Jamsu Bridge to fans around the world," a Seoul city official stated through the Thursday release. The concert is part of a larger weekend festival in the area, and officials anticipate approximately 100,000 visitors over the three-day period. Meanwhile, the city is ramping up safety measures ahead of the concert. The city government announced Thursday that access restrictions will be in place on the Jamsu Bridge in Seoul's Seocho District before and after the concert, which will start at 7:30 p.m. While seating on the bridge is limited to 6,000 and requires advance reservation, a first-come, first-served live viewing area will be open to the public at nearby Banpo Han

May 22, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Seventeen to throw concert on Han River bridge Sunday; city ramps up security measures
  • Seventeen bedazzles Seoul at 10th debut anniversary celebration
K-pop

SHINee celebrates 17-year legacy with new single, 3-day concert

K-pop boy band SHINee is set to release a new single album titled "Poet | Artist" at midnight Sunday, marking the 17th anniversary of its debut, SM Entertainment announced Thursday. The digital single includes two tracks — the eponymous title song and a B-side, "Starlight." According to SM, the new title track was written and composed by late member Jonghyun, who died in 2017. An electro-pop song, it features lyrics that "encourage embracing creativity in life," urging listeners to "live as poets and artists, not only through art but also through how they navigate the world." The second track, "Starlight," is a medium-tempo dance track that likens the feeling of getting to know someone to being illuminated by starlight in darkness. The band will also debut both songs live during its upcoming concert series, "SHINee WORLD VII 'E.S.S.A.Y,'" which will have a three day run, from Friday to Sunday, at the KSPO Dome in Songpa District, Seoul. The concert will be a retrospective journey that traces SHINee's 17-year musical legacy. Alongside SHINee's biggest hits, the group will perform fan-favo

May 22, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
SHINee celebrates 17-year legacy with new single, 3-day concert
Arts & Theater

Adoptee artist brings Korean textile tradition to life in live Seoul performance

Minnesota-based Korean adoptee bojagi artist Dawn Tomlinson recently concluded a 10-day live performance at Kwanhoon 1 Pyung Gallery in the traditional streets of Insa-dong, central Seoul, where she crafted Korean textile art in front of a live audience. Bojagi, a traditional Korean wrapping cloth once used for everyday storage or gift-giving, has evolved into a contemporary art form featured in fashion, interior design and global exhibitions. From May 12 to 21, Tomlinson worked in full view of the public, her process visible through the gallery's large street-facing window. Visitors were also invited to step into the small but welcoming studio to ask questions and engage with the artist as she stitched each day's piece. Each day, Tomlinson completed a small bojagi, and on the final two days, she assembled the individual pieces into a larger patchwork, tying the entire performance together in a single textile work. An award-winning artist currently based in Minnesota, Tomlinson shared that she brought a personal layer to the traditional practice, using bojagi to explore themes of identit

May 22, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Adoptee artist brings Korean textile tradition to life in live Seoul performance
K-pop

TWICE to drop 1st full-length album in nearly 4 years this July

K-pop powerhouse TWICE is set to release its fourth full-length album, "THIS IS FOR," on July 11, the group's agency JYP Entertainment announced Wednesday. It will be the group's first full-length album in nearly four years. The label shared the news along with a teaser video on the group's official social media channels. Filmed in a single take, the video features all nine members with visuals centered around the mysterious theme of "FOUR." The upcoming release marks their first studio album in three years and eight months, following their third album, "Formula of Love: O+T=<3" in November 2021. TWICE, made up of members Jihyo, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu, debuted in October 2015 with the breakout hit "Like OOH-AHH." The group quickly rose to prominence as a leading third-generation girl group, releasing a series of chart-topping tracks including "CHEER UP," "What is Love?," "Likey" and "Feel Special." The group's 13th EP, "With YOU-th," released last year, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking a major milestone in their internat

May 21, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
TWICE to drop 1st full-length album in nearly 4 years this July
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