BTS' Jung Kook appears on Rolling Stone covers in Korea, Britain, JapanBTS member Jung Kook has become the cover star of Rolling Stone magazine in three countries — Korea, Britain and Japan — marking the first time the publication's editions have jointly featured a single artist, his agency said Tuesday. BigHit Music said the cover collaboration showcases Jungkook as the first-ever Korean solo artist to appear on the front of the British edition of Rolling Stone. The feature includes an exclusive interview and a photo spread highlighting the 28-year-old's musical direction and ambitions. In the interview, Jungkook described the current phase of his career as a time for a new leap forward and he wants to be "an artist who doesn't get dragged by the flow, but creates the flow." Beyond the print issues, his cover images appeared as digital editions of Rolling Stone in the United States, France, India, the Philippines and China, extending his presence across a total of eight national editions. Jungkook recently surpassed 10 billion cumulative streams on Spotify with his solo releases, setting a milestone as the first Korean solo artist to achieve the feat. HiDec 9, 2025By Yonhap
Allday Project drops 1st EPRookie sensation Allday Project will release its first EP, "Allday Project," on Monday, the group's agency said. The Black Label said Thursday the album, set for release at 6 p.m., features six tracks, including the prerelease single "One More Time" and the lead track "Look at Me." The five-member co-ed group composed of Annie, Tarzzan, Bailey, Woochan and Youngseo rose to prominence when its debut single, "Famous," topped major domestic music charts upon its release. The group has continued to build momentum with the prerelease track "One More Time," released Nov. 17, climbing as high as No. 2 on Melon's Top 100 chart.Dec 8, 2025By Yonhap
BTS' RM says group grappled with whether to disbandRM, the leader of K-pop sensation BTS, has said the group had at times grappled with whether to disband or suspend activities during its hiatus as it is preparing a full-group comeback next spring. BTS is scheduled to reunite as a full group next year as all seven members have completed mandatory military service. While RM said preparations for BTS' new album are well under way for the comeback, he also acknowledged that the group had at times grappled with whether to disband or suspend activities. "(We've) thought for tens of thousands of times whether it would be good for us to disband or to suspend activities," RM said Saturday during a live broadcast on the K-pop fan community platform Weverse."What has kept this team going is how much we love each other, and the love and respect we have for those watching this livestream." RM said work on the new album is progressing steadily. In July, BTS announced it would return with a new album featuring all seven members and launch a world tour next spring. "Preparations for the album are almost being made," RM said. We practiced together yesterDec 7, 2025By Yonhap
BTS' Jungkook and aespa's Winter dating rumors draw comparisons to V and Jennie as agencies stay silentK-pop fans are in a frenzy as a wave of alleged “evidence” fuels dating rumors between BTS member Jungkook and aespa’s Winter — while both of their agencies remain completely silent, prompting speculation that the pattern may mirror the long-running V–Jennie saga. Posts alleging that the two idols are in a relationship spread rapidly across Korean online communities and global social media Dec. 5, with users compiling what they claim are visual clues linking the pair. One of the most circulated claims is that Jungkook and Winter have similar dog-face tattoos placed in nearly the same spot on their arms. Photos showing the artists’ exposed arms — with fans pointing to tattoo shapes they argue appear alike — quickly went viral, becoming the centerpiece of the fast-moving rumor. Other users pointed to matching fashion items such as shorts, slippers, and in-ear monitors, asserting that several were identical or shared unusually similar designs. Some also revived speculation that the two once used couple-style social media IDs, adding further fuel to the online debate. DespiteDec 6, 2025By Xportsnews
TWICE donates $128,458 for Hong Kong fire reliefK-pop girl group TWICE has donated $128,458 to support recovery efforts after a devastating fire in Hong Kong, its agency said Saturday. JYP Entertainment announced via Chinese social platform Weibo that the donation was made through Hong Kong World Vision to aid affected children and families. The funds will be used to provide temporary shelters, psychological treatment, education and livelihood support to those impacted, according to the agency. TWICE is set to perform at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday and Sunday as part of its world tour. JYP said it had discussed the situation with Live Nation, the local organizer, ultimately deciding to hold the concerts as planned. "We express our condolences to the victims and extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families," the agency added.Dec 6, 2025By Yonhap
BTS' Jungkook and aespa's Winter embroiled in dating rumorsDating rumors surrounding two of K-pop's biggest global stars — Jungkook of BTS and Winter of aespa — are spreading rapidly online, while their respective agencies have offered no comment, further intensifying fan speculation. According to music industry sources, the rumors have gained traction based on claims that the two idols share identical tattoos, referred to by some users as "couple tattoos." Internet posts allege that both Jungkook and Winter have tattoos depicting three puppies, interpreting the matching imagery as a possible hint at a relationship. Additional "evidence" raised by online observers includes similarities in the design of their in-ear monitors used onstage. Some users have also pointed to the structure of their past Instagram usernames, noting that both previously used a similar format: "imwinter" and "imjungkook" (though Jungkook has since changed his account name). As of Friday afternoon, neither BigHit Music, representing Jungkook, nor SM Entertainment, representing Winter, has issued an official statement addressing the rumors.Dec 5, 2025By Yonhap
Hybe CEO says fan-driven 'virtuous cycle' powers K-pop's global riseThe chief executive of K-pop powerhouse Hybe, Lee Jae-sang, said Friday that K-pop's global rise is propelled by a "virtuous cycle" created through active fan participation, strengthened by localized strategies and a digital feedback ecosystem. Speaking at a webinar hosted by U.S.-based entertainment data analytics firm Luminate, which supplies data for the Billboard charts, Lee emphasized the growing importance of "super fans," highly engaged audiences who shape artist trajectories. "Fans are more than just listeners. They actively participate in the artist's entire scope of activities," Lee said. "This creates a virtuous cycle where a word of mouth through social media and communities quickly leads to streaming, establishing a rapid and potent feedback loop." He explained that Hybe's sustained global growth stems from "fan engagement," supported by a localized version of what the company calls the "K-pop Approach," an integrated model encompassing artist development, production systems, promotions and fan communities tailored to the cultural and industrial context of each market. As exDec 5, 2025By Yonhap
USC to offer course on K-pop icon G-DragonStarting in spring 2026, the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles will offer a class focused on G-Dragon's music career and his cultural impact. The class is titled "Crooked Studies of K-pop: The Case of G-Dragon" and will be taught by Hye Jin Lee, a professor in the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. The course is the latest in a string of college classes available on pop culture themes. Yale University and Harvard University have each offered classes based on Beyonce and Taylor Swift’s influence. "Introducing a course on G-Dragon at a prestigious institution like USC, particularly as he marks the 20th anniversary of his debut, is highly meaningful,” G-Dragon's agency Galaxy Corporation said in a statement Friday. “We believe this will further underscore the artistic depth and global influence of K-pop.” G-Dragon debuted in 2006 as a member of BIGBANG under YG Entertainment. The group transformed K-pop with chart-topping hits like “Lies,” “Haru Haru,” “Tonight” and “Bang Bang Bang,” many of which were written or produced by GDec 5, 2025By Kwak Yeon-soo
NewJeans creator Min Hee-jin overwhelmed with audition applicants as she hints at new boy groupInterest in Min Hee-jin’s next move is growing after the former Ador CEO hinted at plans to produce a boy group, with her newly founded label’s first audition attracting a flood of applicants. Min established her new entertainment company, OK Records, in October and completed corporate registration shortly afterward. Recently, the agency quietly launched submissions for a private, in-person audition at a prominent dance academy, quickly attracting aspiring trainees’ attention. According to the original notice, applications for the audition were open online until Thursday at 10 p.m. However, on the same day, the academy posted an update on its official account titled “OK Records Private Audition Notice.” The academy said, “Applications for the private audition exceeded expectations, far surpassing our operational capacity for the day. To ensure a smooth evaluation, we had no choice but to close submissions early.” The update added that the successful applicants would receive individual schedules and further instructions. The overwhelming turnout fueled speculation that Min hDec 5, 2025By Xportsnews
'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack ranks No. 2 on Spotify's 2025 most streamed albumsThe soundtrack of the Netflix hit animation "KPop Demon Hunters" has been named the world's second-most streamed album of the year on Spotify, the music platform said in its annual Wrapped 2025 report released Wednesday (U.S. time). The original soundtrack ranked second in Spotify's Top 10 Albums Globally list, overtaking releases by leading U.S. pop stars, including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar. Its lead track "Golden" placed seventh in the global Top 10 Songs ranking, while "APT.," a collaborative song by BLACKPINK's Rose and Bruno Mars, came third in the same category. In the United States, the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack was the fourth-most popular album, with "Golden" ranking sixth among songs. Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny topped this year's global album chart with "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos." His 2022 album, "Un Verano Sin Ti," also returned to the list at No. 10, underscoring his continued global appeal. Bad Bunny also topped Spotify's list of most streamed artists, ahead of Taylor Swift in second place. Spotify said the most played song worldwide in 2025 was "Die With ADec 4, 2025By Yonhap
