Fans of Le Sserafim, ILLIT protest NewJeans’ return to Ador with truck demonstrationsFans of K-pop girl groups Le Sserafim and ILLIT staged truck protests outside HYBE’s headquarters in Seoul on Thursday, opposing NewJeans’ return to its label Ador. The Chinese fan communities of both groups sent LED trucks to the company’s building in Yongsan District. Messages displayed on the screens included: “We will not share any authority, including access to company facilities, with those who have maliciously targeted Le Sserafim,” and “Feeling depressed just by walking near HYBE? The ones truly suffering are Le Sserafim and their fans.” All three groups are under HYBE subsidiaries: NewJeans under Ador, Le Sserafim under Source Music and ILLIT under Belift Lab. Tensions escalated after former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and HYBE became embroiled in a management dispute earlier this year. During the conflict, NewJeans notified HYBE of its intent to terminate its exclusive contract with Ador, while invoking Le Sserafim and ILLIT and sparking friction. Min claimed that ILLIT had copied NewJeans’ concept and that HYBE ignored her protests. She also said NewJeans’ debut hadNov 21, 2025By Xportsnews
TWICE’s Chaeyoung halts activities due to health issuesChaeyoung of K-pop group TWICE is suspending all activities due to health problems, her agency said Thursday, following a notice on the group’s official channels titled “TWICE Chaeyoung’s health status and future activities.” JYP Entertainment said Chaeyoung was recently diagnosed with vasovagal syncope and had been resting under the guidance of medical professionals. After additional consultations and examinations, doctors concluded she would need a longer recovery period. Vasovagal syncope refers to a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain, often triggered by severe stress or mental or physical tension. It is the most common type of fainting and can occur frequently even among young people without underlying conditions. The agency said that after extensive discussions, Chaeyoung decided to halt her activities for now to focus on treatment, stability and sufficient rest. JYP added that the goal is for her to rest and recover through the end of the year. “Because health must come first, she will take part in upcoming activities only wNov 21, 2025By Xportsnews
First K-pop-inspired Latin boy band SANTOS BRAVOS steps into global arenaIf HYBE Labels' "multi-home, multi-genre" strategy has already begun reshaping pop through its U.S. and Japan branches with acts like KATSEYE and &TEAM, the company is now extending that blueprint to Latin America with its newest project, SANTOS BRAVOS. Formed through a televised reality series of the same name that aired from August to October, the five-member boy group — Drew, Alejandro, Kaue, Gaby and Kenneth — represents HYBE's most ambitious localization effort yet. The band's launch suggests the strategy is paying off: SANTOS BRAVOS debuted with a concert in Mexico, selling out every seat and positioning themselves as early global contenders. Its debut builds on the momentum of HYBE's overseas units. U.S.-based global girl group KATSEYE has surged to the forefront of pop, dominating international charts and securing two nominations at the upcoming 68th Grammy Awards, while Japan's &TEAM has climbed to million-seller status in both Korea and Japan. HYBE Latin America aims to carve out its own lane, pairing the region's rhythmic traditions with the performance-driven precisionNov 21, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Le Sserafim’s Sakura and Kazuha go viral after emotional Tokyo Dome encoreLe Sserafim members Sakura and Kazuha have opened up about the overwhelming emotions they experienced after performing at Tokyo Dome, one of Japan’s most symbolic venues. The group held encore concerts for the “Easy Crazy Hot” tour at the Dome on Nov. 18 and 19, just three years after their debut. Tokyo Dome is widely regarded in Japan as the benchmark of mainstream success and a stage most artists never reach. For Sakura and Kazuha, who were both born and raised in Japan, the achievement carried special personal meaning. Sakura, who previously performed at Tokyo Dome as a member of a Japanese girl group, said the moment felt surreal. “The last time I stood on this stage was 11 years ago,” she said. “Back then, I did not really understand what this venue meant. I remember just looking at my seniors’ backs. Now that I am standing here again 11 years later, so many emotions are coming back. I feel like I can finally understand how my seniors felt that day.” Reflecting on her 14-year career as an idol, Sakura said she often wondered what her life might have looked like had sNov 20, 2025By Xportsnews
ENHYPEN donates $68,200 for Philippine flood relief effortsGlobal K-pop powerhouse ENHYPEN, in partnership with their agency Belift Lab, announced Thursday a donation of 100 million won ($68,200) to support flood relief efforts in the Philippines. “We became aware of the recent severe flooding affecting many communities across the Philippines, a country that has long been close to our hearts," ENHYPEN said through a press release. Belift Lab, a subsidiary of HYBE Labels, told The Korea Times that the donation will primarily be used for flood relief efforts across various communities in the northern Philippine province of Bulacan, one of the worst-hit areas during typhoon season. Bulacan also "holds a special place in the group's history," Belift Lab said. In March, ENHYPEN played one of their first major stadium concerts in Southeast Asia as part of their "WALK THE LINE" world tour at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan. The group is also one of the most popular bands in the Philippines, clinching ambassadorships for major local brands. "We wanted to offer our support, even in a small way, and sincerely hope the contributions will be usedNov 20, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel
Aespa drawn into China-Japan tensions as petition targets Ningning’s ‘Kohaku’ appearanceK-pop girl group aespa has been pulled into the deepening diplomatic dispute between China and Japan as a growing number of Japanese viewers are calling for the removal of Chinese member Ningning from NHK’s year-end music program, “Kohaku Uta Gassen.” A petition posted on Monday to Change.org is urging broadcaster NHK to cancel aespa’s scheduled appearance. The petition quickly gained momentum, surpassing 70,000 signatures within two days. Supporters argue that Ningning’s past social media post — where she shared a backstage photo featuring a decorative light that some critics said resembled a nuclear mushroom cloud — shows “a lack of historical awareness.” “‘Kohaku’ is an important national broadcast,” one commenter wrote, insisting that allowing her to perform would “hurt the victims of Hiroshima.” Another said, “Someone who praised a mushroom cloud-shaped light should not appear on a program watched by the whole country.” Ningning’s post from 2022 previously sparked criticism in Japan but did not lead to formal complaints. However, this year’s petNov 20, 2025By Hankookilbo
Internal probe launched into Japanese woman for attempting to breaking into BTS Jungkook's homePolice have launched a preliminary investigation into a Japanese woman accused of attempting to break into the home of BTS member Jungkook last week, officials said Wednesday. The Japanese woman in her 50s is accused of attempting to open the keypad door lock of Jungkook's house in Seoul's Yongsan district on several occasions between Nov. 12 and 14. The Seoul Yongsan Police Station said it has opened an internal probe into her on charges of attempted housebreaking, based on a report filed with the police. Earlier in June, a Chinese woman in her 30s was apprehended for attempting to break into Jungkook's home, but prosecutors decided not to pursue charges against her.Nov 19, 2025By Yonhap
Japanese woman who forcibly kissed BTS Jin indicted without detentionA Japanese woman in her 50s has been indicted without detention for forcing a kiss on Jin of BTS during a public fan event last year. The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office said that the suspect was charged Monday with indecent assault. She is accused of approaching Jin, real name Kim Seok-jin, during a fan meeting held at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul’s Songpa District in June last year, shortly after he completed his military service. She forced a kiss on Jin’s cheek without consent. Following the incident, several fans filed complaints through the National Petition System, accusing her of committing indecent acts in a crowded public space. Songpa Police launched an investigation but initially suspended it in March, citing delays and the suspect’s failure to appear. However, she later voluntarily appeared for questioning. Police determined that the allegations were substantiated and forwarded the case to prosecutors. Jin, the oldest member of BTS, was discharged from the military in June 2024 and has since resumed public activities, including fan events and promotions. NNov 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
InterviewINFINITE's Jang Dong-woo turns alarm into anthem with 'AWAKE'Jang Dong-woo is starting his days with an alarm — literally. He wakes up at 7 a.m. every day to upload content tied to alarm-themed promotions for his new solo album and monitor fan reactions. He has always been the loudest spark in the second-gen K-pop boy band INFINITE — the group's kinetic rapper, dancer and resident live wire, but on a chilly Monday morning during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul's Yongsan District, he leaned forward with the urgency of someone who has rebuilt himself piece by piece. "This album is made out of my own money and thus falls entirely under my responsibility," Jang said, half laughing at the weight of it. "I finally understand why entertainment CEOs get so stressed." A whopping six years and eight months after his first solo project, the INFINITE rapper-performer returns Tuesday with "AWAKE," a self-made, six-song mini-album designed to jolt listeners out of emotional autopilot. The concept fits him. His energy fires fast, his words tumble out and even his jokes land with precision. But beneath that positivity was the steely resolNov 18, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
NewJeans’ Hanni revealed as ‘Antarctic member’ after missing meeting with AdorAll five members of girl group NewJeans have formally expressed their intention to return to Ador, the label with which they’ve been embroiled in a yearlong contract dispute. Though the members and their guardians met with Ador CEO Lee Do-kyung on Nov. 11, it has now been confirmed that Hanni did not attend due to being abroad. According to Star News on Monday, Hanni was overseas at the time of the meeting and informed the agency in advance that she would be absent. The session covered preconditions and requests related to the group’s return. Following the news, industry insiders now believe Hanni was the member described in earlier statements as being “in Antarctica,” a phrase that sparked rampant speculation among fans and online communities. Claims ranged from Danielle participating in an Antarctic marathon to sightings of Hanni in Ushuaia, Argentina. Ador is preparing to arrange an individual meeting with Hanni as soon as she returns to Korea. The agency announced on Nov. 12, one day after the meeting with CEO Lee, that members Haerin and Hyein had formally expressed their inNov 17, 2025By Hankookilbo
