Entertainment - The Korea Times

InterviewNEWBEAT gets 'Louder Than Ever' with all-English K-pop album

When NEWBEAT first stormed onto the scene earlier this year with "RAW AND RAD," the seven-member boy band positioned itself as a blend of hip-hop swagger and unfiltered drive. Eight months later, the act — Minseok, Minsung, Yeojeong, Seohyun, Taeyang, Yunhoo and Riwoo — is turning that energy outward. The group's first mini-album, "LOUDER THAN EVER," released Thursday, marks a bold turn — four tracks, two title songs and, most strikingly, lyrics sung almost entirely in English. "It's our way of saying we're ready for the world," said Minseok, the group's leader, during an interview at The Korea Times headquarters in central Seoul, Oct. 23. "During the eight-month break, we thought a lot about our fans and about how to show something new to everyone, not just in Korea. We sharpened ourselves for this comeback." The record's twin centerpieces, "Look So Good" and "LOUD," reveal two sides of the same confident coin. The former revisits early-2000s pop-R&B with slick retro polish, while "LOUD" crashes forward with bass-house pulse and rock-infused hyperpop bravado. Both, the members say

Nov 6, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

NEWBEAT gets 'Louder Than Ever' with all-English K-pop album

BLACKPINK’s Lisa reportedly considered for lead role in Disney’s live-action ‘Tangled’

BLACKPINK’s Lisa may be on her way to Disney stardom. According to U.S. entertainment outlet Allkpop on Nov. 4 (local time), industry sources said that the Thai-born K-pop star is being considered for the title role of Rapunzel in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “Tangled.” The report said Lisa has emerged as a strong contender after Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White,” starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, failed to meet box office expectations. In an effort to reignite its fairytale franchise, the company is reportedly seeking a fresh global face who can attract audiences and generate profit — and Lisa’s worldwide popularity fits the bill. Other names said to be in the mix include Florence Pugh and Sydney Sweeney. Meanwhile, Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has reportedly been cast as Mother Gothel, the villain who locks Rapunzel in her tower. The “Tangled” project had previously been shelved after early casting efforts stalled, but it has recently resumed development. “The Greatest Showman” director Michael Gracey is attached to the fil

Nov 6, 2025By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK’s Lisa reportedly considered for lead role in Disney’s live-action ‘Tangled’

TVXQ!'s U-Know gets honest with new solo album 'I-KNOW'

Twenty-two years into his career, veteran K-pop star U-Know of TVXQ! is stepping into a new chapter with his first full-length solo album, "I-KNOW," released Wednesday. Led by double title tracks "Stretch" and "Body Language," the album unfolds around the concept of "Fake & Documentary," exploring the duality between U-Know the artist and Jung Yun-ho the man. Across 10 tracks, he contrasts the glossy, image-driven facade of the performer — the "Fake" — with the quieter, more introspective reality behind the spotlight. Speaking at a press conference in Seoul's Songpa District just a few hours ahead of the release, U-Know described "I-KNOW" as his most personal project yet. "It's literally an album about myself," he said. "If the version people see is U-Know the artist, there's also an unseen side filled with self-reflection and worries. I wanted to embrace both as part of who I am." The singer shared that he felt ready to reveal a more vulnerable side after over two decades in the industry. "Fans have always loved my bright and energetic image," he said. "But after all these years, I t

Nov 5, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

TVXQ!'s U-Know gets honest with new solo album 'I-KNOW'

ITZY looks ahead with 'TUNNEL VISION'

K-pop girl group ITZY is gearing up for another high-profile comeback, signaling a new chapter after its members renewed contracts with their agency, JYP Entertainment. The five-piece act will release its new mini-album, "TUNNEL VISION," on Monday, marking its first release in five months since "Girls Will Be Girls" in June. JYP unveiled the first teaser for the "TUNNEL VISION" music video on its official social media channels earlier this week, followed by a second clip on Wednesday. Though brief, the videos highlight ITZY's signature, sharp choreography, underscoring the group's reputation for performance. According to the label, the lead single, "TUNNEL VISION," leans into a hip-hop-driven groove, layered with brass sounds for extra intensity. The song features production by acclaimed U.S. hitmaker Dem Jointz, whose resume includes collaborations with some of K-pop's biggest names. The EP will feature a total of six tracks: "Focus," "DYT," "Flicker," "Nocturne" and "8-BIT HEART," along with the title track. Behind the scenes is an all-star lineup of producers including veteran hitmake

Nov 5, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

J.Y. Park to drop new single 'Happy Hour'

Veteran singer and producer J.Y. Park will release a new single titled "Happy Hour" on Wednesday, his agency, JYP Entertainment, said. The track marks his first new release in a year, following "Easy Lover." J.Y. Park, whose real name is Park Jin-young, 53, is the founder of JYP Entertainment, one of South Korea's leading K-pop agencies. He also serves as co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange. Described as a country-pop song with a warm, soothing tone, "Happy Hour" features vocals by Park and singer Kwon Jin-ah, JYP said. The agency added that the song depicts the quiet solace of an office worker unwinding after a long day, listening to a playlist of favorite songs on the way home.

Nov 5, 2025By Yonhap

J.Y. Park to drop new single 'Happy Hour'

AHOF explores growth in fairytale-inspired new album 'The Passage'

K-pop boy band AHOF is leaning into the turbulence of youth with its latest release, a fairy-tale-infused project that turns confusion, pain and hope into a coming-of-age soundtrack. The nine-member group — Steven, Jeongwoo, Woongki, Shuaibo, Han, JL, Juwon, Chih En and Daisuke — dropped its second mini-album, "The Passage," Tuesday evening, only four months after its ambitious dive into the K-pop industry. Member Chih En will sit out current promotions due to health issues, leaving AHOF to perform as an eight-piece for the time being. The group, initially formed through broadcaster SBS' survival audition show "Universe League," turned heads in July with "WHO WE ARE," a debut effort that ranked fifth among all-time first-week sales for a boy group's debut. Its lead single "Rendezvous," a sweeping rock anthem soaked in nostalgia, earned three music-show trophies within just 10 days, signaling the rise of a new powerhouse rookie act. At a press showcase held Tuesday afternoon at Seoul's YES24 Live Hall, the members appeared dressed completely in white, describing the new album as a cha

Nov 4, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

AHOF explores growth in fairytale-inspired new album 'The Passage'

Will G-Dragon be first to benefit from eased hallyu ban? Eyes on Hangzhou exhibition

Following the first Korea-China summit under President Lee Jae Myung’s administration, expectations are rising that Beijing may finally relax its long-standing restrictions on Korean pop culture, known as the hallyu ban. At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit dinner in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Oct. 31, Chinese President Xi Jinping personally watched a performance by official promotional ambassador for the event G-Dragon, who is preparing to open a major exhibition in Hangzhou later this month, possibly becoming the first cultural figure to benefit from the thaw. According to Chinese cultural industry sources on Monday, G-Dragon will hold a media art exhibition titled “Ubermensch” from Nov. 15 to Dec. 7 at Hangzhou Center in Zhejiang Province. The show, which uses digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality to visualize the message of G-Dragon’s third studio album, premiered at The Hyundai Seoul in March before touring Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei and Hong Kong to strong audiences. News of its Hangzhou stop has spread quickly on

Nov 4, 2025By Hankookilbo

Will G-Dragon be first to benefit from eased hallyu ban? Eyes on Hangzhou exhibition

'Golden' remains No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100

"Golden," a hit song from the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," held steady at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, Billboard said Monday (U.S. time). The track remained in second place for the second straight week, following eight non-consecutive weeks at the top of the chart. Taylor Swift's latest single, "The Fate of Ophelia," continued its reign at No. 1 for the fourth consecutive week. The Billboard Hot 100 ranks the most popular songs in the United States across all genres, combining data from streaming, radio airplay and sales.

Nov 4, 2025By Yonhap

'Golden' remains No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100

Miyeon of i-dle returns solo with heartfelt album 'MY, Lover'

K-pop girl group i-dle's powerhouse vocalist Miyeon returned this fall with her second solo mini-album, "MY, Lover," a wistful yet elegant collection that deepens her musical identity outside of the fierce five-piece act. The new release marks Miyeon's first solo comeback in three and a half years, since releasing "MY" in 2022. Featuring seven tracks, the album highlights Miyeon's growth beyond her presence as the main vocalist of i-dle, presenting a new portrait of her as an independent artist. Now 28, Miyeon first drew attention years before her debut when it was revealed that she had trained alongside BLACKPINK members in YG Entertainment's pre-debut lineup. Eventually making her debut in 2018 under Cube Entertainment, Miyeon has since built a reputation as a solid K-pop vocalist. Last year, Miyeon officially released "Sky Walking," a self-written track she first performed during i-dle's world tour. Ahead of the new album, she dropped the prerelease track "Reno (Feat. Colde)" on Oct. 28, which drew attention for its deeper tone. A few hours before the official album release on Monday,

Nov 3, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Miyeon of i-dle returns solo with heartfelt album 'MY, Lover'

Sung Si-kyung suffers financial loss from longtime manager, agency says case ‘serious’

Singer Sung Si-kyung has suffered financial losses caused by his manager of more than a decade, prompting his agency to take disciplinary action and conduct an internal investigation. According to industry sources Monday, Sung’s manager, who had worked with him for over 10 years, allegedly caused financial harm to outsourcing partners and related parties during the course of work. His agency, SK Jaewon, confirmed the matter. “It has been verified that Sung Si-kyung’s former manager engaged in acts that betrayed the company’s trust while on duty," it said. “The company has recognized the seriousness of the situation following an internal investigation and is currently verifying the exact scope of the damage,” the agency added, noting that the manager has since left the company. “We take full responsibility for the lack of supervision and are working to overhaul our internal management system to prevent similar incidents,” it said. “We deeply apologize to fans and all those who have been concerned by this unfortunate situation.” This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the si

Nov 3, 2025By Hankookilbo

K-pop