Virtual boy band PLAVE returns with playful new album 'PLBBUU'Virtual boy band PLAVE is returning to the K-pop scene with its second single album "PLBBUU," out Monday. The release comes about nine months after its third mini-album "Caligo Pt.1," trading the group's previous intensity for color and playfulness. The new project, according to VLAST, PLAVE's management label, marks a collaboration with Sanrio Korea, bringing together PLAVE's animated universe and the Japanese character brand's signature cuteness. The three-track album features the title song "BBUU!" alongside "Hide and Seek" and "Bongsoonga." "BBUU!" blends a breezy R&B rhythm with upbeat lyrics, its title drawn from an onomatopoeia that mimics puckered lips. Its music video reportedly shows PLAVE's members turning into dolls who meet Sanrio characters, a crossover that highlights the song's whimsical charm. Meanwhile, "Hide and Seek" offers an emotional contrast, showcasing PLAVE's signature band-driven sound. The track is the Korean version of the group’s Japanese debut single "Kakurenbo," preserving the original’s gentle sentiment while reinterpreting it through Korean lyrics.Nov 10, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Is HyunA's collapse during Macau show from rapid weight loss?Singer HyunA collapsed during a performance in Macau, prompting an immediate halt to the show. She later took to social media to ease fans’ concerns. HyunA fainted on Sunday while performing “Bubble Pop” at the Waterbomb 2025 Macau music festival. Videos circulating online show dancers rushing to support her as she lost consciousness, and a security guard carrying her offstage. Fans have since expressed concern about her health. She recently revealed that she had lost 10 kilograms in just 1 month, following rumors of weight gain and a possible pregnancy. Fans worried because she has a history of vasovagal fainting, resulting from sudden drops in heart rate or blood pressure, as well as other health issues. HyunA has previously said that her stamina drops sharply and she collapses when her weight falls below 45 kilograms. HyunA wrote on her social media, “I’m really sorry. It was a short break between performances, but I wanted to show you my best. I don’t remember anything that happened, and I feel like I wasn’t professional.” She apologized again and added, “I’ll tryNov 10, 2025By Hankookilbo
Park Bom says she is 'completely fine,' pushes back against agency’s claim about her healthPark Bom of 2NE1 has directly denied her agency’s explanation that she is taking time off due to health issues, adding another twist to the ongoing dispute. Park wrote on social media Saturday, “I’ve always been completely fine. Don’t worry, everyone.” The post was an edited version of a message she uploaded a day earlier that included the hashtag #parkbomelizabeth along with recent photos. The update drew attention as it came around two weeks after she publicly criticized Yang Hyun-suk, chief producer of YG Entertainment. On Oct. 22, Park said she planned to file charges of fraud and embezzlement against Yang and YG Entertainment. She claimed revenue from both 2NE1 and her solo activities had not been properly settled and that no transparent record had been provided. Her current agency, D-Nation Entertainment, responded that accounting for 2NE1 activities had already been completed and said Park had “halted all activities to focus on treatment and recovery.” Park rejected that explanation and continued raising complaints about her former label, saying YG never paid for plasNov 10, 2025By Hankookilbo
Sung Si-kyung keeps his promise to fans after manager’s betrayalSinger Sung Si-kyung took the stage at the 2025 Incheon Airport Sky Festival on Sunday, telling fans he was fine despite recent news that a longtime manager had caused him financial harm. Performing at Inspire Resort in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, Sung said, “I know you’ve seen the reports, but I’m okay. I came here in good spirits to sing, so I hope you enjoy the show.” He added that some people seemed unsure whether he would appear. “Maybe there was an option that I wouldn’t come today. ‘What if he doesn’t show up?’ That almost never happens. A promise is a promise, and I have never canceled a performance.” Sung also said the support he receives from audiences matters just as much as what he gives. “This isn’t empty talk. Energy goes both ways. I didn’t come here only to give something to you. I came to receive something too.” He thanked the crowd warmly, saying, “Singing and breathing together with you comforts me,” before ending with a remark that drew applause. “The most useless thing is worrying about celebrities. I’ll be fine.” Sung recently learnedNov 10, 2025By Hankookilbo
EJAE goes beyond imagination on Grammy nomination for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ soundtrackKorean American singer-songwriter EJAE expressed overwhelming joy after her song “Golden” and the original soundtrack from the Netflix hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” together secured five nominations at the upcoming Grammy Awards. On Friday (local time), the Recording Academy that hosts the 68th Grammy Awards announced “Golden” earned nominations in four categories, including Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media and Best Remixed Recording. The film's soundtrack also earned a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. EJAE, who contributed to vocals, lyrics and composition for "Golden," expressed her joy, saying the Grammy nominations were something beyond her dream. “I don’t even have the adjectives to describe how I’m feeling. This is beyond anything I ever imagined, being nominated for a Grammy,” she wrote on Instagram on Saturday. The artist also delivered her gratitude to fans of “KPop Demon Hunters” and fellow Korean American musicians Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, who also sang on the trackNov 9, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Rose's 'APT.,' 'Golden' from 'KPop Demon Hunters' nominated for Song of the Year at Grammy AwardsWASHINGTON — "APT.," BLACKPINK member Rose's collaborative single with Bruno Mars, and "Golden" from the original soundtrack of the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," were nominated for key categories at the 68th Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year. The Recording Academy, which presents the awards, announced the 2026 nominations across 95 categories for the Grammy Awards, which will be held on Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Rose's "APT." was nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year -- two of the "Big-Six" general field categories -- as well as Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. "Golden" from "Kpop Demon Hunters" was nominated for the Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media and Best Remixed Recording. The film was also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. It marks the first Grammy nominations for K-pop music since superband BTS received a nomination with "My Universe," a collaboration single with global pop icon Coldplay, in 2023. Rose's "APT." is a track from her first full-length alNov 8, 2025By Yonhap
Stray Kids, RIIZE, ILLIT: K-pop heavyweights crowd November lineupThis November is proving to be one of K-pop's busiest months, with heavyweight acts and rising newcomers alike crowding the release calendar. From veteran performers like Super Junior vocalist Kyuhyun and rapper Jessi to global powerhouses including Stray Kids and NCT DREAM, the month's lineup highlights shifting currents within the K-pop soundscape. The comeback rush begins with ONF, a six-member boy band under WM Entertainment. Returning after a nine-month hiatus, the group will release its five-track mini-album "UNBROKEN" on Nov. 10, led by the title track "Put It Back." Anchored by groovy bass lines and crisp electric guitar riffs, WM Entertainment described the song as having a funky edge and an addictive melody. The album also includes "Broken Map," "Moonlight Festa," "New Dawn" and "I Found You in Heaven," each broadening the record's sonic range. A day later, rookie boy band CLOSE YOUR EYES will return with its third mini-album "blackout" on Nov. 11, led by double title tracks "X" and "SOB (with Imanbek)." According to agency UNCORE, the album takes on a darker tone than the grouNov 7, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
G-Dragon reflects on drug allegations, says he even considered retirementG-Dragon opened up about the distress he experienced during a drug investigation involving him, saying the false accusations left him so shaken that he even considered retiring from the entertainment industry. The singer also spoke about his future, including the possibility of marriage. The artist appeared on MBC’s current affairs program “Son Suk-hee’s Questions 3,” which aired Wednesday. During the interview, he revisited key moments of his career and discussed the circumstances surrounding his 2023 drug allegations. Host Son Suk-hee mentioned the music video for “Power,” released last October, noting that G-Dragon had described it as humorous satire but that the video felt like a direct critique. G-Dragon replied, “I had a very clear message. A year before the album release, I became entangled in an incident.” In October 2023, he was investigated on suspicion of drug use. G-Dragon firmly denied the allegation, voluntarily appeared for police questioning and was later cleared after detailed forensic tests returned negative. Although prosecutors found no grounds to move tNov 7, 2025By Hankookilbo
Crayon Pop’s Way criticizes extreme crash diets, voices concern over HyunA and WJSN’s DayoungWay, a former member of Crayon Pop, raised concerns about extreme short-term dieting in the entertainment industry, mentioning singer HyunA and WJSN’s Dayoung as recent examples of harmful practices. Way uploaded a video titled “Why K-pop diets fail + how to succeed” on her YouTube channel Thursday, where she discussed the dangers of rapid weight-loss methods common in the industry. “I’ve basically been dieting since my teens,” she said. “Because I worked in front of cameras, I’ve seen every kind of diet — successes and failures. The K-pop industry contains every extreme form of dieting you can imagine.” Way said structural issues play a major role. “Most contracts last about seven years. Because idols are valued as short-term products, agencies often force harmful crash diets,” she said. “The moment people hear ‘an idol lost weight this way,’ everyone copies it. You should never follow these methods.” She pointed to the “yo-yo effect” as the most serious consequence. “HyunA always had an incredible figure, but recently she and even Seo In-young haveNov 7, 2025By Hankookilbo
G-Dragon opens up about considering retirement after drug probeK-pop superstar G-Dragon revealed in a recent interview that he was so disheartened by a drug allegation probe two years ago that he considered retiring from the music industry. The leader of the influential K-pop group BIGBANG opened up about the emotional toll of the investigation during an appearance on MBC's current affairs program "Sohn Suk-hee's Questions," which aired Wednesday. "I was involved in a certain incident about a year before releasing 'Power,'" G-Dragon said, referring to his 2023 investigation on suspicion of violating the Act on the Control of Narcotics. The singer was ultimately cleared of all charges in December 2023. "There was nowhere to voice my personal opinions or feelings. Even though I was a victim, the situation spiraled out of control, leaving me feeling disheartened and empty." G-Dragon, a fashion icon and highly regarded singer and songwriter, returned to the music scene after a seven-year hiatus with his new single, "Power," last November. He explained that the song encapsulates his experiences from that difficult period. "I didn't even want to hold a preNov 6, 2025By Yonhap
