'Golden' stays on Billboard Hot 100 for 25th week"Golden," off the soundtrack of the Netflix hit "KPop Demon Hunters," has stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for the 25th consecutive week. "Golden" fell a notch to No. 5 on Billboard's main singles chart released Tuesday (U.S. local time). It has been one of the biggest hits this year, having spent eight nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1. The top of the latest chart was dominated by holiday classics, including "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey. On the Billboard 200, the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack remained at No. 3 for its 25th consecutive week on the main albums chart. The K-pop octet Stray Kids placed two albums on the Billboard 200, with "Do It" at No. 10 and "Karma" at No. 160. "Do It" became the group's eighth No. 1 album upon its release in late November.Dec 17, 2025By Yonhap
Culture minister unveils plan to improve K-pop concert venuesCulture Minister Chae Hwi-young said Tuesday the government will introduce comprehensive policies to improve the concert environment in order to further promote K-pop. Chae made the remarks during a policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung. The government aims to build a new dome stadium with a capacity of 50,000 seats that can be used as a concert venue, according to the minister. In addition, arena-style concert halls will be constructed by several local governments, including Seoul and Goyang, just north of Seoul, to expand the foundation of K-pop. "We will focus our efforts on expanding K-pop globally so that its international stature can become even more firmly established," he said. To address the shortage of large-scale K-pop concert venues, the ministry plans to expand performance infrastructure through a phased approach. "In the short term, we plan to utilize regional sports facilities as concert venues starting next year," Chae said. He added that in the mid-term, several local governments have already begun constructing arena venues, including Seoul Arena and Goyang Arena. "If cDec 16, 2025By Yonhap
EXO to drop new album next month with 6 membersK-pop boy band EXO will release its eighth full-length album next month, its first group project in about two years, SM Entertainment said Monday. The nine-track album "REVERXE," set for release on Jan. 19, will feature six members — Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun and Lay. Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin will not take part due to an ongoing contract dispute with the company. EXO held a fan meet-and-greet event at Inspire Arena in Incheon, just west of Seoul, over the weekend, where the six members performed hit songs and premiered a new track, "I'm Home" from the upcoming album. The nine-member group had been on hiatus since members began their military enlistments in 2019. Sehun was the last to complete his service in September.Dec 15, 2025By Yonhap
G-Dragon's 'Ubermensch' world tour wraps with sold-out Seoul shows, BIGBANG reunionG-Dragon continues to prove why he’s one of K-pop’s most prominent stars with an unmistakable style that has captured the imaginations of the global audience for nearly 20 years. Debuting in 2006 as the leader of BIGBANG, he helped take K-pop to new heights with classic hits such as “BANG BANG BANG” and “Fantastic Baby.” The K-pop icon returned as a solo artist in February with “Ubermensch,” his first solo album in 12 years, and kicked off a world tour that showcased his musical evolution and lasting impact on pop culture across Asia, Australia and North America. The tour concluded in Seoul with an encore run of three nights at the Gocheok Sky Dome over the weekend, with all dates selling out in just eight minutes. Even before G-Dragon appeared on stage for Sunday’s concert, the stadium buzzed with anticipation, as if the crowd knew they were about to witness something extraordinary — a journey through the highlights of his storied career. The crowd's excitement was instantly worth the wait as the lights dimmed and G-Dragon was unveiled on stage wearing a crown. He gotDec 15, 2025By Adam Davidson
CORTIS’ success reflects what today’s K-pop market wantsThe group CORTIS is reshaping the flow of the K-pop market in line with its stated ambitions. By breaking away from the conventional idol formula and debuting as a “young creator crew,” the group’s strategy has proven effective. CORTIS officially debuted last September with its debut album “Color outside the lines.” The group is the first new boy group launched by BigHit Music, a HYBE subsidiary, in six years since BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT). Even before its debut, CORTIS drew intense attention within and outside the industry simply by virtue of being a BigHit Music boy group. Given the lineage following BTS and TXT, expectations were high for a familiar BigHit Music-style idol group. However, CORTIS defied those expectations by presenting a completely different concept and direction from older groups. As reflected in the group name — formed by irregularly extracting six letters from the phrase “Color outside the lines” — CORTIS’ core value is freedom. True to the meaning of thinking freely beyond standards and rules set by the world, the group chose to differDec 15, 2025By Hankookilbo
BTS reunites amid breakup fears and dating rumors, fueling comeback speculationAll seven members of BTS have appeared together again, setting off intense speculation about an imminent group comeback at a time when the fandom has been rattled by dating rumors and emotionally charged remarks about the band’s future. On Dec. 12, BTS members RM, J-Hope, V and Suga shared multiple photos on social media showing the group gathered in a practice studio. The images feature RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook posing casually in front of mirrors, including a rare full-group shot of all seven members together. The timing has only amplified expectations. BTS completed their mandatory military service this year and have previously said they plan to release a new album in the spring of next year, followed by a large-scale world tour. Seeing all seven members reunited in a rehearsal space has been widely interpreted by fans as a sign that preparations for a full-group return are underway. The reunion comes amid a turbulent period for the fandom. On Dec. 5, Jung Kook became the subject of dating rumors involving aespa member Winter. The speculation spread rapidly onliDec 13, 2025By Xportsnews
K-pop events in China disrupted as Beijing-Tokyo tensions affect entertainment sectorGrowing tensions between China and Japan are apparently affecting Korea's K-pop industry, with recent events involving groups with Japanese singers being either canceled or altered in China, according to industry sources Saturday. Girl group Le Sserafim canceled a fan signing event for its single "Spaghetti," which was slated for Sunday in Shanghai. The event organizer said the cancellation was due to an "uncontrollable factor," without specifying the reason. Industry watchers believe the ongoing dispute between China and Japan likely played a role, given two members — Sakura and Kazuha — of the group's five-person lineup are Japanese. Boy group Close Your Eyes held a fan meeting in Hangzhou on Dec. 6, but Japanese member Kenshin did not participate. On the same day, a fan event featuring trainees from Incode Entertainment scheduled in Shanghai was abruptly canceled hours before it started. The lineup included Japanese trainees. Such disruptions affecting teams with Japanese members have raised concerns in the K-pop industry, where multinational lineups, particularly including JapaneseDec 13, 2025By Yonhap
BTS’ Jung Kook named Chanel Beauty’s new global ambassadorChanel has tapped BTS member Jung Kook as the new global ambassador for Chanel Beauty, signaling a strategic push to connect the luxury house’s iconic image with younger global audiences shaped by K-pop culture and social media. On Thursday, Chanel officially announced Jung Kook as its latest global beauty ambassador, saying the partnership aims to bring the brand’s modern creativity and timeless identity closer to a new generation. The move quickly gained traction online, with fans celebrating another major fashion milestone for the global pop star. Jung Kook has emerged as one of the most influential figures in the global music scene, earning widespread recognition for his powerful performances, artistic versatility and cross-generational appeal. Through his solo career, he has topped international charts and solidified his status as a global pop icon, often praised for pushing creative boundaries both on stage and in the studio. Chanel said his bold and expressive approach closely aligns with the values pursued by Chanel Beauty. Thomas du Pre de Saint Maur, Chanel’s global fragDec 12, 2025By Xportsnews
BTS member Jungkook target of protest by angry fans over dating rumorsA faction of BTS member Jungkook’s fans staged a protest truck demonstration in front of HYBE’s headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday, criticizing the singer over recent dating speculation involving aespa member Winter. According to photos and witness accounts shared online, the truck displayed messages accusing Jungkook of misleading fans and damaging the group’s image. The LED signs included phrases such as “Erase the couple tattoo or step back from BTS activities,” “Are you in your right mind deceiving fans and harming the group?” and “ARMY waited for you during the military, and this is what we get in return.” The protest follows growing frustration among some fans after rumors spread that Jungkook and Winter were dating. Posts on Korean online communities pointed to what users claimed were “matching clues,” including dog-face tattoos with the same design on each artist’s arm, similar nail art on their ring fingers, overlapping accessories, Jungkook being spotted at an aespa concert and Winter saying Jungkook’s real name during a livestream. Neither HYBE nor SDec 10, 2025By Xportsnews
Rose's 'APT.' No. 9 on Billboard year-end singles chartBLACKPINK's Rose and tracks from the hit Netflix animation "Kpop Demon Hunters" have dominated the U.S. Billboard's various year-end charts, underscoring the genre's global appeal. Billboard said Tuesday (U.S. time) "APT.," Rose's smash-hit collaboration single with Bruno Mars, placed ninth on the 2025 year-end Hot 100 chart, while BTS member Jimin's "Who" came in at 57th. The "KPop Demon Hunters" original soundtrack landed seven songs on the chart, backed by the global success of the animated film. "Golden" ranked highest at No. 25, followed by "Your Idol" at No. 54 and "Soda Pop" at No. 61. "How It's Done" placed at No. 68 and "What It Sounds Like" at No. 83, while "Free" and "Takedown" entered the chart at No. 92 and No. 93, respectively. In the year-end Billboard 200 albums ranking, the soundtrack reached No. 13. Rose's solo album "rosie" secured 112th place, with Stray Kids' "Karma" and "Hop" charting at No. 128 and No. 157, respectively. Katseye's "Beautiful Chaos" ranked at No. 182. The KPop Demon Hunters' fictional girl group Huntr/x placed 24th on Billboard's Top Artists list, ahDec 10, 2025By Yonhap
