Stray Kids to drop new album 'Do It' next monthK-pop boy group Stray Kids are set to release a new album titled "Do It" next month, the group's agency JYP Entertainment said Tuesday. The album, scheduled for release on Nov. 21, marks the group's first new music in about three months. The upcoming release will feature five tracks — the double title tracks "Do It" and "Divine," "Holiday," "Photobook" and a special "Do It (Festival version)." The group's own producing unit, 3RACHA, composed of members Bang Chan, Changbin and Han, contributed to the songwriting for all the tracks on the album. The release follows the success of their fourth full-length album, "Karma," with which the group achieved their seventh No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart.Oct 21, 2025By Yonhap
Soyou denies claims of being drunk on US flight, reiterates racism complaintSinger Soyou, 34, formerly of girl group Sistar, has denied online claims that she was drunk on a U.S. flight where she said she experienced racial discrimination, clarifying that the incident stemmed from a language misunderstanding rather than alcohol consumption. In a social media post on Monday, Soyou said she only had “a small amount of alcohol served with a meal” at the airport lounge before boarding. “I was not intoxicated, and I boarded without any issue or restriction,” she wrote, refuting allegations that she had caused a disturbance while under the influence. The singer explained that after boarding, she tried to ask a flight attendant about meal times but struggled due to her limited English proficiency. “I asked if a Korean-speaking crew member could help me,” she said. “Then, the cabin manager and a security officer came over. Once it was confirmed that there was no problem, I was allowed to continue the flight as planned.” Soyou said tensions rose later when she stood up to use the restroom. “A flight attendant asked me to step aside so a cart could pass,Oct 21, 2025By Hankookilbo
Hearts2Hearts zeroes in on identity with 1st mini-album ‘FOCUS’K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts returns with its first mini-album “FOCUS,” marking a new chapter just eight months after their debut. At a media showcase held at Blue Square’s SOL Travel Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday, the members — Ye-on, Stella, Yuha, Ian, A-na, Juun, Carmen and Jiwoo — reflected on how much they have grown since their debut single “The Chase.” “It’s made up of six tracks that show how much we’ve grown,” A-na said. “I think people will see the direction Hearts2Hearts is heading more clearly this time.” Jiwoo added that the title itself encapsulates the group’s mindset. “This album captures our true color. We want to grab everyone’s attention and keep it.” The album’s title track, “FOCUS,” was produced by renowned K-pop hitmaker KENZIE, who also penned the group’s earlier singles “The Chase” and “STYLE.” Built around a looping piano riff and a sleek, rhythmic bass line, the deep house number highlights Hearts2Hearts’ versatility and maturity. “The song’s message is about being drawn completely to someone,”Oct 20, 2025By Youn Ye-jin
BOYNEXTDOOR returns with confidence, challenge in 'The Action'Boy group BOYNEXTDOOR on Monday expressed its determination to take another leap forward with its fifth EP, "The Action," which reflects the confidence it has gained through previous musical experiences. "If our previous album declared that we wouldn't confine ourselves within a box, this one captures our resolve to jump into new opportunities without setting limits," member Taesan said during a media showcase held in Seoul. Sungho explained the album embodies the K-pop sextet's passion for growth. "To grow, action is necessary, and this work encapsulates our spirit of challenge for further growth," he said. The EP features five tracks in total, including the lead track "Hollywood Action," as well as "Live in Paris," "Jam!" and "Bathroom." The main track, "Hollywood Action," conveys a bold and confident attitude. Expressing the proud energy of a Hollywood star, the song features an appealing swing rhythm and an addictive chorus. Members expressed their strong confidence in the quality of the lead track. "The moment I heard it for the first time, I was certain it would do well. Since all theOct 20, 2025By Yonhap
BLACKPINK ramps up preparations for 1st new album in 3 years: agencyK-pop girl group BLACKPINK is accelerating preparations for its first new album in three years, with plans to film a new music video this week, the group's agency said Monday. "BLACKPINK will begin shooting the music video for their forthcoming new song this week," YG Entertainment said in a release. "Both the members and staff are putting their utmost effort into delivering the best possible result." The group is working toward releasing the new album later this year, marking its first major album since its second full-length album, "Born Pink," in 2022. The K-pop quartet is currently on a global tour titled "Deadline," which kicked off in the Goyang earlier this year. In August, it became the first K-pop girl group to hold a standalone concert at London's Wembley Stadium, known as one of the world's most prestigious music venues. "We sincerely thank fans for waiting for BLACKPINK's comeback. The album is in its final stage of completion, focusing on ensuring the highest musical quality. We look forward to sharing more good news soon through official promotional channels," YG said.Oct 20, 2025By Yonhap
BTS' J-Hope to feature on Le Sserafim's new single 'Spaghetti'BTS member J-Hope will feature on the upcoming single "Spaghetti" by K-pop girl group Le Sserafim, its agency said Monday. Source Music announced that J-Hope participated as a featured artist on Le Sserafim's new single, set to come out Friday. It marks the first time J-Hope has been featured on a song by a K-pop girl group. A teaser video posted to Le Sserafim's official social media accounts showed the BTS rapper-dancer striking poses under flashing lights and a fast-tempo beat. This is not the first time the two acts have worked together. Le Sserafim member Huh Yunjin lent her vocals to "I Don't Know," a track on J-Hope's solo album "Hope on the Street Vol. 1" released earlier this year. Source Music said J-Hope's participation in "Spaghetti" reflects the camaraderie and mutual support between the senior and junior artists under Hybe, which houses the labels of BTS and Le Sserafim.Oct 20, 2025By Yonhap
'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack stays at No. 2 on Billboard albums chartThe soundtrack for Netflix's hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" maintained its No. 2 position in its 17th week on Billboard's main albums chart. According to a Billboard preview released Sunday (U.S. time), the album ranked just behind global pop star Taylor Swift's latest studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," for the second week in a row. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units, comprising physical sales, track-equivalent units and streaming-equivalent units. During the latest tracking week, the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack earned 104,000 equivalent album units, up 9 percent from the previous week. "The Life of a Showgirl" recorded 338,000 equivalent album units, down 92 percent from the previous week. Swift's album earlier posted about 4 million units, the highest weekly total since Billboard began electronically tracking album sales data in 1991.Oct 20, 2025By Yonhap
Soyou reveals racial discrimination on flight, endured 15 hours without foodSinger Soyou, formerly of girl group Sistar, said that she experienced racial discrimination on a U.S. flight while returning to Korea, describing the incident as one of the most humiliating moments of her life. Her account has reignited debate over racial bias in international air travel. In a post uploaded Sunday on her social media, Soyou said she was flying from Atlanta to Seoul after completing commitments in New York. “I was extremely tired and simply asked for a Korean flight attendant to check the meal time,” she wrote. “But the steward took issue with my attitude and treated me like a problematic passenger.” She said the situation quickly escalated. “They even called a security officer,” Soyou continued. “I had to say, ‘If I’m really the problem, I’ll get off the plane.’ After that, I had to endure cold looks and attitudes for the entire 15-hour flight.” Soyou added, “At one point I thought, ‘Is this racism?’ I couldn’t eat anything during the whole flight, and the experience left me deeply hurt by what felt like racial prejudice. No one should evOct 20, 2025By Hankookilbo
K-pop 'Season's Greetings' explained: Holiday merch that's more than a gift setEvery winter, as the K-pop calendar fills with award shows and comeback announcements, another ritual quietly takes over fandom timelines — the release of a special line of year-end merchandise known as "Season's Greetings." What began as a simple holiday gift has grown into a unique K-pop tradition — a blend of pop culture and commerce that shapes how fans celebrate the season and stay connected to their favorite idols. The K-pop version of Season's Greetings generally refers to a yearly merchandise bundle, often packed with calendars, diaries, postcards and exclusive photo cards, reimagined each year around a new concept or theme that reflects a group or idol's identity. Typically released as early as October and through December, the merch bundle has come to represent a way for fans to look back on the year and step into the next one with their favorite idols. On the surface, they might seem like simple desk accessories, but in spirit, they're almost tokens of belonging. For entertainment companies, the winter merch tradition is considered a pillar of revenue. Unlike albums, whichOct 20, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
'Golden' from 'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack rebounds to No. 3 on British Official chart"Golden," the smash hit single from the original soundtrack of the Netflix animation film "KPop Demon Hunters," rebounded to No. 3 on the British Official Singles Chart Top 100. According to the chart released Friday (local time), "Golden" climbed two spots to take the position in its 17th week on the chart. Sung by Korean American artists Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as the film's fictional girl group Huntr/x, "Golden" debuted at No. 93 in June. It spent eight weeks at No. 1 before falling down the chart and then rising again. It is notable that the track remains high on the chart even as songs from global pop star Taylor Swift's latest album dominate various other music rankings. "Golden" has also topped the U.S. Billboard's Hot 100 main singles chart for eight weeks. Among other songs from the soundtrack, "Your Idol" ranked No. 10 on the British chart, down a notch from the previous week's No. 9, while "How It's Done" reentered the chart at No. 12. "Takedown," performed by K-pop girl group TWICE, fell six spots to No. 93. Released June 20, the animated sensation has officially become tOct 18, 2025By Yonhap
