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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

Court rules against FIFTY FIFTY over 'Cupid' ownership; ATTRAKT vows to appeal

The copyright to K-pop girl group FIFTY FIFTY's breakout hit "Cupid" has been recognized as belonging to The Givers, a production company previously accused of attempting to poach the group's members from their agency, ATTRAKT. The Givers announced the ruling Thursday, saying the Seoul Central District Court had dismissed ATTRAKT's lawsuit seeking to claim copyright ownership of the song. "The court ruled that 'the plaintiff's claims are without merit and are therefore all dismissed,'" the company said in a statement. Released in 2023, FIFTY FIFTY's "Cupid" became a viral sensation on short-form video platforms and soared to No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining on the chart for 25 weeks. ATTRAKT responded later that day, saying it was preparing to appeal the decision. "We are currently reviewing the case legally and preparing an appeal," the agency said. "We will provide further updates once the legal schedule is confirmed." The copyright case is part of a wider legal dispute between the two companies that began in June 2023, when all four original members of FIFTY FIFTY — Saena, S

May 9, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Court rules against FIFTY FIFTY over 'Cupid' ownership; ATTRAKT vows to appeal
K-pop

Bop or flop? KATSEYE's 'Gnarly' dispels first-listen doubts

"You're not gonna get the song the first time you hear it." That quote from Nicki Minaj, lip-synced by KATSEYE member Megan in the group's official TikTok post, felt more like an actual disclaimer than a simple joke. It turns out, it was both. A prerelease to the band's upcoming album, "Beautiful Chaos," scheduled to drop on June 27, "Gnarly" marks a vast stylistic departure for KATSEYE, the six-piece U.S.-based girl group. Co-written by hyperpop pioneer Alice Longyu Gao, the track was described by HYBE Labels — who co-manage the group with the American record label Geffen Records — as a "sharp turn" from its previous sound. In reality, "Gnarly" wasn't just a sharp turn — it was a full-power jolt that hurled K-pop listeners into unfamiliar territory. Compared to "Touch," the lead single from KATSEYE's 2024 album "SIS (Soft Is Strong)" which embraced soft, girly pop sounds, "Gnarly" offers just over two minutes of complete sonic intensity. The track layers metallic synths, clashing sound effects and bursts of giggles from the girls, all building up to an aggressive, almost chaotic ch

May 9, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Bop or flop? KATSEYE's 'Gnarly' dispels first-listen doubts
K-pop

J-Hope to close out solo world tour in Korea on BTS' debut anniversary

J-Hope of K-pop megastar band BTS will bring his solo world tour to a close with an encore concert in Korea, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the group's debut. BigHit Music, BTS' agency, announced Wednesday that the rapper is set to hold the "HOPE ON THE STAGE FINAL" two-day concert on June 13 and 14 at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province. The show marks the final stop of his solo world tour, which began on Feb. 28 at the KSPO Dome in Seoul's Songpa District. Over the course of the tour, J-Hope has performed 31 shows in 15 cities, including Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico City, Manila, Jakarta, Bangkok, Saitama and Osaka. As the concert falls on June 13, BTS' debut date, J-Hope aims to present a meaningful stage for the group's official fandom, ARMY, his agency said. "We're preparing the show to vividly capture J-Hope's signature energy and immersive performances," BigHit Music said in a press release. Ticket sales will begin Monday with a presale for official fan club members, followed by general sales on Tuesday. Fans unable to attend in person w

May 8, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
J-Hope to close out solo world tour in Korea on BTS' debut anniversary
K-pop

K-pop cautiously returns to China after years of restriction

After years of a de facto cultural freeze, signs are emerging that China may be loosening its restrictions on Korean entertainment — including the long-awaited return of large-scale K-pop concerts — rekindling cautious optimism across the K-pop industry. However, opinions remain divided over whether the genre can reclaim the Chinese momentum it once had before the so-called Korean wave ban, also known as "hanhallyeong" in Korean, took hold nearly a decade ago. Signs began to surface in recent months as K-pop idols resumed in-person promotions in China, signaling a tentative return to a long-lost market. Among them is NCT's Mark, who appeared at a pop-up store at Jingdong Mall in Guangzhou from April 19 to 25 to promote his solo debut album, "The Firstfruit." According to his agency, SM Entertainment, more than 4,000 fans crowded the five-story mall despite the singer's unannounced appearance during the event. Other artists have followed suit. In March, NCT WISH, another unit under the NCT umbrella, traveled to Shanghai to promote its second mini album, "poppop," holding a press confe

May 7, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
K-pop cautiously returns to China after years of restriction
K-pop

Boy band members spark abuse concerns with repeated distress hand signals

Members of the K-pop boy band Fantasy Boys have raised concerns after fans noticed what appeared to be distress signals during recent live broadcasts, prompting speculation of possible abuse by their agency. In a livestream clip circulating online, member Minseo was seen using a hand gesture widely recognized as a silent signal for help — a gesture developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to indicate abuse during video calls. The signal involves showing the palm, tucking in the thumb and folding the fingers over it. Hanbin, another member, was also seen making the same gesture during a music show appearance in April. As the footage spread across social media, fans shared previous messages from different members of the 10-piece group, which included mention of injuries and hospital visits. Some interpreted the posts as potential signs of abuse. With the situation quickly gaining traction, Minseo and Hanbin each addressed the controversy through a fan communication app. In an unexpected apology, Minseo asked fans not to worry and attributed the livestream incident to "extreme exhaustion." "I

May 6, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Boy band members spark abuse concerns with repeated distress hand signals
K-pop

K-pop stars rush May releases ahead of summer festivals, election

An unusually crowded slate of K-pop comebacks is unfolding this May, as rookie girl groups tripleS and MEOVV join chart-toppers (G)I-DLE in releasing new music — part of the industry's push to seize momentum ahead of major summer events. The 24-member group tripleS that operates through rotating sub-units, announced that it will release a new album featuring all members — ASSEMBLE25 — on May 12. Its title track, "Are You Alive," was selected through fan voting, a signature concept for the group since its 2023 debut. On the same day, MEOVV — a newly launched five-member act under The Black Label, the agency behind BIGBANG's Taeyang, BLACKPINK's Rosé and solo singer Jeon So-mi — will release its debut EP, "MY EYES OPEN VVIDE." The EP's pre-release single "HANDS UP," unveiled earlier on Monday, has already generated buzz on social media for its unexpected embrace of Brazilian punk, a genre rarely seen in K-pop. (G)I-DLE is also slated to return with a new mini album in mid-May. While details have yet to be announced, the new release will mark the group's first comeback in 10 mont

May 2, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
K-pop stars rush May releases ahead of summer festivals, election
People & Events

MyK Festa to bring K-pop, food, comics and more to Seoul in June

A large festival celebrating Korean culture is set for Seoul's Olympic Park from June 19 to 22, bringing together music, food, webtoons and more for fans of the Korean wave, or "hallyu." The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday that it will host the inaugural MyK Festa in partnership with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. The four-day event is designed as an "immersive festival that highlights the full spectrum of Korean lifestyle and cultural exports, from K-pop and traditional music to TV dramas, comics and cuisine," according to the ministry. The opening concert on June 19 will feature a plethora of K-pop acts including rapper Lee Young-ji, girl group aespa and rookie acts Illit and Hearts2Hearts. On June 21, K-pop girl group ITZY and solo artist Chungha are set to perform, adding star power to the lineup. Talks and conferences will offer further insights into the cultural industries behind hallyu. A June 20 international conference will feature prominent speakers, including Billboard President Mike Van and Lee Young-ah, chief strategy of

May 1, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
MyK Festa to bring K-pop, food, comics and more to Seoul in June
K-pop

How idols coming out could reshape K-pop — or expose its limits

While Bain, the vocalist of K-pop boy band JUST B came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community during a concert Tuesday (local time), his declaration has sparked a discussion in the broader K-pop scene about how such moments — still rare in the industry — may shape its future. The singer made the announcement during a stop on the group's "JUST ODD" world tour at The Vermont Hollywood in Los Angeles, telling the crowd mid-show, "I am proud to be a part of the LGBTQ community." His words were met with loud cheers and applause as he waved a rainbow flag onstage. Though several K-pop artists have shared their sexual orientations in recent years, Bain is the first active member of a Korean boy group to come out publicly. Earlier this year in March, Lara, an Indian American member of HYBE Label's U.S.-based girl group KATSEYE, also came out via the fan platform Weverse, adding to the slowly growing visibility of queer figures in K-pop. Tradition to representation Korea's entertainment industry has long been shaped by a conservative cultural backdrop, whereby open discussions of sexual orien

Apr 25, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
How idols coming out could reshape K-pop — or expose its limits
K-pop

Boy bands brace for chart war in May

May is shaping up to be a massive month for K-pop boy bands, with high-profile comebacks, milestone albums and fast-rising rookies all crowding the calendar. The return parade kicks off May 2 with TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), the polished five-member group under HYBE Labels. The band first teased its comeback during a set at Mexico's AXE Ceremonia festival, where they thrilled fans with a surprise date reveal. The group then confirmed this week that a digital single titled "Love Language" is officially on the way. The track is described as "a breezy love song powered by the group's signature energy," according to BigHit Music, TXT's label. From there, two of the scene's buzziest rookie groups — SM Entertainment's RIIZE and BOYNEXTDOOR from KOZ Entertainment, a HYBE subsidiary — are set for a head-to-head clash in May. RIIZE is preparing its first full-length album for release later in May. While the title and release date remain under wraps, the album will mark the group's first new release in 11 months, following the popular June 2024 drop, "RIIZING." BOYNEXTDOOR will also return with i

Apr 24, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Boy bands brace for chart war in May
K-pop

From Tokyo to Gangnam: Cosmosy's K-pop dream takes flight

Making it in the K-pop world is no easy feat. Years of grueling training may finally lead to a debut, but even then, life under the constant scrutiny of the public can be challenging — especially for foreigners navigating an unfamiliar culture and language barriers. But for Cosmosy, a four-member girl group made up entirely of Japanese members, the challenge is part of the thrill. "It really hit me when we performed on a music show for the first time," Cosmosy's Kamión said in fluent Korean during an exclusive interview Wednesday with The Korea Times at a studio in Seoul's Gangnam District. "With fans right in front of us, it finally felt real — like, 'We actually debuted!'" Cosmosy — composed of Amei, Kamión, Himesha and De_Hana — officially launched into the K-pop world on April 11 with the digital single "Lucky=One." They had first introduced themselves through a pre-debut track, "zigy=zigy," released on Dec. 31. The group is co-managed under the Japanese label, NTT Docomo Studio & Live, and Sony Music Entertainment Korea. Despite their Japanese backgrounds, Cosmosy proudly i

Apr 24, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
From Tokyo to Gangnam: Cosmosy's K-pop dream takes flight
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