Emotional Oranges issues apology over NewJeans’ Danielle collaboration rumorsAmerican R&B duo Emotional Oranges have denied rumors of a collaboration with Danielle from K-pop group NewJeans, clarifying that a recent social media post had been misunderstood. Azad Right from Emotional Oranges wrote on their official social media account on Wednesday, saying “Guys, there's no Dani collab, I was just helping produce a song for Livvie!! Sorry if we caused any confusion, but that genuinely wasn't the intention.” Livvie refers to Olivia Marsh, Danielle’s older sister. He had earlier shared a photo with Danielle in a recording studio, which sparked speculation among fans about a possible joint project. The initial post, captioned “it's coming,” led many to believe Danielle was working on a new release with the American act. However, Danielle is currently unable to carry out independent activities. A recent court ruling in the ongoing dispute between NewJeans and their agency, Ador, specified that solo ventures by the members are not allowed. As such, the collaboration rumor raised concerns among fans and observers, prompting Emotional Oranges to clarify the sitMay 22, 2025By Hankookilbo
TWICE to drop 1st full-length album in nearly 4 years this JulyK-pop powerhouse TWICE is set to release its fourth full-length album, "THIS IS FOR," on July 11, the group's agency JYP Entertainment announced Wednesday. It will be the group's first full-length album in nearly four years. The label shared the news along with a teaser video on the group's official social media channels. Filmed in a single take, the video features all nine members with visuals centered around the mysterious theme of "FOUR." The upcoming release marks their first studio album in three years and eight months, following their third album, "Formula of Love: O+T=<3" in November 2021. TWICE, made up of members Jihyo, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu, debuted in October 2015 with the breakout hit "Like OOH-AHH." The group quickly rose to prominence as a leading third-generation girl group, releasing a series of chart-topping tracks including "CHEER UP," "What is Love?," "Likey" and "Feel Special." The group's 13th EP, "With YOU-th," released last year, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking a major milestone in their internatMay 21, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
ReviewBTS' Jin taps into nostalgia in 'Echo'For most artists, each new album is a chance at reinvention. BTS’ Jin, a member of the most famous boy band in the world, is no stranger to this. After completing his military service last year — the first BTS member to do so — the singer was handed the heavy task of carrying the band name while the rest were out of the limelight. In the year since, Jin has done just about everything and anything, managing to surprise even his most ardent supporters as he makes headlines for stints across industries. He carried the Olympic torch during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games, starred in a quirky Netflix reality show where he runs a bed and breakfast on an island, and even introduced Tom Cruise to his mom. Still, the K-pop maverick reminds us of his strongest skill, doubling down on his identity as a vocalist in his sophomore solo offering, “Echo,” released Friday. “Echo” starts off subtle, helmed by the unassuming “Don’t Say You Love Me.” It’s an easy listen, with a mellow hook that you’ll find yourself humming throughout the day. True to the album name, Jin’s vocaMay 21, 2025By Inna Christine Cabel
BLACKPINK’s Lisa spotted on another date with billionaire boyfriend ahead of world tourBLACKPINK's Lisa has once again been seen spending time with her billionaire boyfriend, drawing attention just ahead of the group's upcoming world tour. Photos recently circulated on online communities showing Lisa on a seaside date with Frédéric Arnault in Sicily, Italy. In the images, Lisa is seen enjoying her time with him, not wearing a mask or sunglasses to cover her face. Arnault, who has been repeatedly linked to Lisa in dating rumors, is the CEO of luxury watch brand TAG Heuer and the fourth son of Bernard Arnault, chairman of the LVMH Group, which owns over 50 luxury brands. There has been speculation about the two dating since July 2023. While neither has officially addressed the rumors, multiple public sightings have led many to believe they are in a relationship. Since launching her own label LLOUD last year, Lisa has taken increasingly bold steps. She once uploaded photos on her social media wearing the same outfit seen during a museum date with Arnault and was also spotted speaking with guests at a brand event he attended. Lisa was even seen greeting Arnault's parents, fueMay 21, 2025By Xportsnews
BTS' J-Hope on cover of Billboard magazineJ-Hope of K-pop supergroup BTS has been featured on the cover of Billboard's May issue. "Best known as a dancer, rapper and singer-songwriter in BTS, J-Hope has long stood out, with a magnetic stage presence and captivating dance moves that helped propel the group to global stardom," the U.S. music magazine said of the Korean artist in the cover story for its May issue released Tuesday (U.S. time). The rapper-dancer is the second K-pop male soloist to be on the magazine's cover, following Psy in 2012, according to BTS' agency, BigHit Music. BTS previously appeared on the cover of the magazine's 2018 special issue and its August 2021 issue. "Just as I drew inspiration from the artists I admired growing up, shaping my own music through their influence, I'd be honored if my work could inspire others and pass on that same positive energy — that would mean the world to me," J-Hope was quoted as saying in the cover story. "Above all, I hope to continue growing into an artist who brings light and encouragement to others wherever I go." In April, J-Hope made history as the first Korean male solMay 21, 2025By Yonhap
K-pop without Koreans? As ‘K’ shrinks, K-pop growsHYBE’s U.S.-based multinational girl group KATSEYE entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 92 on Friday, making it the first K-pop act to do so without being based in Korea. Their song “Gnarly,” released May 17, leans heavily into the hyperpop genre and significantly tones down conventional K-pop elements — a strategic pivot that may signal a new phase for the genre’s global expansion. Billboard named KATSEYE and NewJeans among its “21 Under 21” list of influential young artists on Friday, further underscoring the genre's global reach. Meanwhile, American producer Paul Bryan Thompson — CEO of VVS’s agency MZMC — is one of the few foreign producers to have built and launched a K-pop girl group. A veteran of Korea’s music scene since being recruited by JYP Entertainment in 2013, Thompson has contributed to numerous tracks for SM Entertainment artists. “Over the past decade, I’ve continuously studied the differences between what resonates with Korean listeners and what appeals to overseas K-pop fans,” he told the Hankook Ilbo. As the “K” in K-pop becomes lesMay 21, 2025By Hankookilbo
K-pop's boundaries tested again: Irene & Seulgi spark debate over sexual symbolism, queerbaitingAs Red Velvet's subunit Irene & Seulgi gear up to release their second mini album, teaser images promoting the comeback have sparked controversy, with critics raising concerns over the use of overt sexual symbolism and queerbaiting in the promotional visuals. The debate ignited wider discussions about whether explicit content in K-pop demands greater introspection or whether it falls within the realm of creative freedom. SM Entertainment, the agency behind the duo, released teaser photos for the album, "TILT," starting at midnight on May 12, ahead of its scheduled release on Monday. The teasers were rolled out in three parts, each conveying a different emotional or narrative arc. The label described the visuals as capturing "subtle tension" between the two artists, "a moment of confrontation and a final state of balance," portraying "not a destructive rivalry, but a relationship of mutual uplift." Initial reactions from fans were enthusiastic. Many praised the dramatic and stylized portrayal of Irene and Seulgi as near-mirror images, fueling online speculation that the concept was rootedMay 20, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
i-dle's Shuhua turns heads with flawless figure at radio tapingShuhua of girl group i-dle sparked admiration for her fit physique during a recent appearance in Seoul. On Tuesday, members Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua attended a prerecording of KBS Cool FM’s radio show “Lee Eun-ji’s Gayo Plaza” at the KBS building in Yeouido. Shuhua struck confident poses for photographers, her slim and toned look drawing attention and igniting renewed interest in fitness among fans. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.May 20, 2025By Xportsnews
Kim Jae-joong returns as ‘rock star,’ embracing challenge through musicSinger Kim Jae-joong has returned with a new persona — that of a rock star. Known for expressing a passion for rock music throughout his solo career, Kim unveiled his latest EP, “Beauty in Chaos,” at a press conference Monday at the MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Seoul. The five-track album spans genres from rock to electronica, channeling emotional turbulence and conflict while ultimately embracing hope and beauty. At its core, the EP reflects Kim’s signature take on rock — raw, expressive and deeply personal. Reflecting on his return to the genre, Kim said with a smile, “Fans recently asked me to come back with my ‘rock virus’ again, so I feel a bit awkward not knowing what pose to strike here.” Kim previously joked on variety shows that he had “recovered” from his so-called rock obsession, but during the press conference he remarked, “I think it really is cured now. I tried to bring it back on purpose, but it wasn’t easy. I used to be consumed by it like a teenager going through a phase, but now I’m just doing my best to recreate the spirit of it.” When asked wMay 20, 2025By KTimes
No more (G): i-dle rebrands, roars back with 'We are'K-pop girl group i-dle, formerly known as (G)I-DLE, is starting a new chapter with its latest album "We are," out Monday, marking its first release since the group renewed contracts with its agency and officially changed its name. The five-member act — Soyeon, Minnie, Yuqi, Miyeon and Shuhua — debuted in 2018 with the breakout hit "LATATA." Now in its eighth year, the group reaffirmed its future with all members renewing their contracts with Cube Entertainment last year. Then, on May 2, the band sent another wave through the K-pop landscape by announcing it would drop the "(G)" from its name in time for its seventh anniversary. "The group will no longer be defined by 'girl,' 'gender' or any other label," Cube had said in a statement, promising "limitless" music and concepts moving forward. The members say the change was long overdue. Miyeon recalled during a press conference at a hotel in Seoul's Gangnam District, just hours before the album's release on Monday, that the members had long discussed the name change. "From the start, we were all a bit confused about why the '(G)' was theMay 19, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
