With 'Girls Will Be Girls,' ITZY marks 6 years with strength, sisterhoodK-pop powerhouse ITZY stormed back onto the scene Monday with its new mini-album “Girls Will Be Girls,” in celebration of the group’s sixth anniversary. “This comeback is significant to us,” said group leader Yeji during a press conference at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul in Gangnam District. “We put much thought into what ITZY represents today — our unity, strength and the message we want to deliver as artists who’ve grown together for six years." Since their debut in 2019 with “Dalla Dalla,” the five-member act — Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna — has carved a niche in the K-pop landscape with their unapologetically bold attitude. The five-track album includes the title song “Girls Will Be Girls,” along with “Kiss & Tell,” “Locked N Loaded,” “Promise” and “Walk.” Each track tells a story of camaraderie and sisterhood as well as each member’s personal growth and ITZY’s connection as a team. The title track captures the group’s signature confidence with a driving rhythm and soaring harmonies. It also reaffirms ITZY’s position as a voicJun 9, 2025By Kim Min-ji
K-pop’s first ‘chaebol idol’: Shinsegae heiress Annie Moon to debut in coed groupK-pop is set to welcome its first “chaebol idol” as Moon Seo-yoon — the eldest daughter of Shinsegae President Chung Yoo-kyung — prepares to make her debut in a new coed group later this month. According to The Black Label, the entertainment agency founded by former YG Entertainment producer Teddy, Moon will debut under the stage name Annie on June 23 as a member of the five-member coed group Allday Project. The lineup includes Annie, Tarzzan, Bailey, Woochan and Youngseo. Moon is also the granddaughter of Shinsegae Group Chairwoman Lee Myung-hee and the daughter of Moon Sung-wook, who holds executive positions including vice president of Shinsegae International and CEO roles at Shinsegae Tomboy and Signite Partners. Her debut marks the first time a member of a prominent Korean chaebol (family-run conglomerate) has joined the idol industry. Rumors of her entertainment aspirations began circulating last year after photos surfaced of her with trainees from The Black Label’s girl group Meovv in what appeared to be a practice studio. Although Meovv officially debuted in September,Jun 9, 2025By Hankookilbo
InterviewFrom stadium anthems to dreamy rock: NCT's Doyoung soars soloAt first glance, Doyoung might seem like the quintessential SM Entertainment powerhouse — a fierce vocalist at the heart of NCT 127, one of the label's best-selling boy bands. On stage with his bandmates, he belts through high notes and intense choreography with razor-sharp precision. But Doyoung's solo music tells a different story — one that's calmer, deeper and very personal. "Performing as NCT 127 now feels like working on a group project with my closest friends. It's fun and I rely on them a lot," Doyoung said in an interview Thursday with The Korea Times at a cafe near SM's headquarters in eastern Seoul. "Making music alone, on the other hand, is way harder," he expressed. "While group activities feel like a dopamine rush, solo work requires more introspection and communication, so there's a different kind of fulfillment when it comes together." His second solo album, "Soar," set for release on Monday, reflects that shift — trading stadium-ready anthems for band-driven sounds. While his solo debut "YOUTH" in 2024 captured the turbulence of growing up, the singer says "Soar" isJun 9, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS' 'ON' surpasses 500 mil. Spotify streamsK-pop sensation BTS' song "ON" has surpassed 500 million streams on the global music platform Spotify, the group's agency BigHit Music said Sunday. Released in February 2020, "ON" reached the 500 million mark Friday, becoming the 16th group track by the boy band to achieve the milestone on the platform. "ON," the main track of BTS' fourth studio album, "Map of the Soul: 7," reflects on the group's journey over the seven years since their debut.Jun 8, 2025By Yonhap
4 BTS members to complete military service next weekFour members of the K-pop supergroup BTS — RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook — will be discharged from their mandatory 18-month military service next week, the boy band's agency said Saturday. RM, the leader of the group, and V will complete their military service Tuesday, followed by Jimin and Jungkook the next day, according to BigHit Music. For safety reasons, there will be no public event to mark their military discharge, the agency said, asking BTS fans to refrain from visiting the locations where they will be released. "We kindly ask fans to send their warm welcome and support from their hearts to RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook," it said. Of the seven-member group, Jin and J-Hope completed their military service last year, and Suga is scheduled to be discharged June 21 after serving in a social service program, an alternative form of military service. In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve between 18 and 21 months in the military.Jun 7, 2025By Yonhap
‘I’m bisexual’: Megan becomes second KATSEYE member to come outMegan, a Chinese American member of HYBE’s multinational girl group KATSEYE, has publicly come out as bisexual, making her the second member of the group to do so. “I want to come out. I’m bisexual," Megan told fans during a livestream on Friday. Her comment follows previous fan speculation about her sexuality, which had circulated online for some time. Megan's statement marks the first time she has officially confirmed her identity. Fans responded with support and celebration, leaving comments such as “Truly global,” “Megan came out too” and “Congratulations.” Back in March, her Indian American bandmate Lara also came out as bisexual via the fan communication platform Weverse. With both Megan and Lara now openly identifying as bisexual, KATSEYE has become the first currently active K-pop girl group with two openly queer members. Formed through the survival audition program “The Debut: Dream Academy,” KATSEYE made their official debut under HYBE and Universal Music in June 2024. The six-member lineup includes Lara, Manon, Sophia, Daniela, Megan and Yoonchae, with meJun 6, 2025By Xportsnews
BTS to celebrate return from military duty with fan events and exhibitionsAs BTS members approach the end of their military service, a series of fan-centered events is set to celebrate their return. Entertainment agency BigHit Music announced a full schedule of both online and offline events this month, including a large-scale fan festival and a global fan art exhibition. On June 13 and 14, the 2025 BTS Festa will take place at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The event is part of BTS Festa, an annual celebration marking the group’s debut on June 13, 2013. Since 2014, BTS has held a two-week festival each year in early to mid-June, combining both digital and in-person fan experiences. This year’s Festa coincides with a major milestone: the discharge of all remaining BTS members from military service. RM and V are expected to complete their duties on Tuesday, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on Wednesday. With Jin and J-Hope having already completed their service, fans are eager to see whether all seven members will make a surprise appearance at the event. The two-day festival will feature over 20 themed booths, including a Voice Zone where fans can hearJun 6, 2025By Hankookilbo
K-pop embraces interactive VR to deepen fan engagementVirtual reality (VR), once used in the K-pop scene primarily to simulate the energy of live shows, is now evolving into a tool for immersive, interactive fan experiences. From boy band Seventeen's recent album promotion to an upcoming VR concert by singer-actor Cha Eun-woo, artists are increasingly turning to cutting-edge technology to deepen their connection with fans. On May 16, Seventeen released a highlight medley video for its fifth studio album, "HAPPY BURSTDAY," incorporating VR technology to create a 360-degree virtual environment. The video, accessible through YouTube, allows viewers to navigate the digital space by simply moving their phones, with each scene corresponding to a different track from the album. Designed to broaden access beyond VR device users, the video lets fans explore changing virtual settings and hidden text reflecting each song's theme. The format aims to offer a more active listening experience, with viewers able to engage with the album directly by interacting with the space as it unfolds. The response was swift, with the video surpassing 1.74 million viewJun 6, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Seventeen performs 'Thunder' on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'K-pop boy group Seventeen has appeared on U.S. NBC's "The Kelly Clarkson Show," performing "Thunder," the lead track from its fifth full-length album "Happy Burstday," according to the group's agency, Pledis Entertainment. The performance, which aired Wednesday (U.S. time), featured synchronized choreography, dramatic lighting and props -- including one combining a public telephone and a defibrillator, symbolizing themes of communication and inspiration. Host Kelly Clarkson introduced Seventeen as "K-pop's performance powerhouses," noting its international award wins and record for the highest-selling album in K-pop history. "Happy Burstday" sold over 2.52 million copies in its first week, marking the highest first-week sales among K-pop releases this year, according to the Hanteo Chart, a Korean album sales tracker.Jun 5, 2025By Yonhap
Super Junior to return with studio album marking 20th anniversaryK-pop idol group Super Junior will make a comeback with a new full-length album next month, the group's agency said Thursday. Titled "Super Junior25," in line with the name of the band's 2005 debut album, "Super Junior05," the band's 12th studio album will drop July 8, according to SM Entertainment. It marks the band's first album in two years and eight months since "The Road: Celebration," the second installment of its two-part 11th studio album series, released in December 2022. The upcoming album will feature nine tracks, the agency said, without giving further details. Debuting in November 2005, Super Junior has become an iconic act of second-generation K-pop with hit songs such as "Sorry, Sorry," "Bonamana," "Mr. Simple" and "Sexy, Free & Single." In addition to group projects, the members have gained popularity in various fields, including acting, variety TV shows, and both unit and solo activities. Super Junior will hold an online showcase event for its international fans July 8, the day of the album's release.Jun 5, 2025By Yonhap
