TXT's Yeonjun to drop 1st solo album next monthYeonjun of the K-pop boy group Tomorrow X Together (TXT) will put out his first solo album next month, his agency said Friday. According to BigHit Music, Yeonjun will unveil his first EP, "No Labels: Part 01," on Nov. 17, nearly seven years after his debut as a member of TXT. The track list and other details of the album have yet to be revealed. The group's main rapper and dancer, Yeonjun, first stepped into solo activities with his mixtape "Ggum" in September last year. In July this year, he showcased his unique artistic flair through "Ghost Girl," a solo track featured on TXT's fourth full-length album, "The Star Chapter: Together." TXT is currently on its "Act: Tomorrow" world tour and is also set to drop its third Japanese full-length album, "Starkissed," on Wednesday, the agency added.Oct 17, 2025By Yonhap
Charlie Puth says he watches K-pop shows on Sundays, keeps in touch with BTSAmerican pop star Charlie Puth has shared his continued affection for BTS and other K-pop artists, revealing how deeply he follows the Korean music scene. The singer appeared on the popular YouTube show “MMTG” on Wednesday, in an episode titled “Honorary Korean Charlie Puth Watches Popular K-pop Songs Every Sunday.” Host Jaejae asked whether he really keeps up with Korean music programs and rookie idol performances, to which Puth replied, “Oh, yes. I watch ‘Inkigayo.’ I really do like them all. I was with the BTS boys.” He added, “Whenever we meet up, we just saw each other like a year ago even though it’s been eight years. I’ve known them for eight years. How is that possible. That’s crazy.” A long friendship with BTS’ Jungkook Puth and Jungkook first connected in 2017 after the BTS member mentioned being a fan of his music. A year later, the two performed together onstage, and in 2022 they released their hit collaboration “Left and Right.” Puth’s warm relationship with BTS has continued to draw attention from fans around the world, and he remains one ofOct 17, 2025By Xportsnews
K-pop eyes historic breakthrough at 68th Grammy AwardsAs first-round voting for the 68th Grammy Awards concluded Wednesday, anticipation is rising over whether K-pop — a growing global music force previously snubbed by the Recording Academy — could finally break its losing streak at the ceremony. Hosted by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences since 1959, the Grammys have long stood as the highest honor in the American music industry, symbolized by its golden gramophone trophy. No K-pop act has yet claimed one of the awards. This year, however, hopes are high. The eligibility window for the 68th Grammys, covering releases from Aug. 31, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2025, has produced some of K-pop’s most globally successful records to date. Among the notable contenders are BLACKPINK vocalist Rosé and Bruno Mars’ hit single "APT." and "Golden," the standout track from Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." Both songs will compete for nominations in two of the Grammys’ most coveted general categories: Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Their respective albums — "Rosie" and "KPop Demon Hunters" — are also in contentioOct 17, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
IVE’s Jang Won-young, aespa’s Karina and NMIXX’s Sullyoon dazzle at charity galaIVE’s Jang Won-young, aespa’s Karina, and NMIXX’s Sullyoon turned heads as they appeared together at a star-studded charity gala in Seoul — a gathering fans are calling the meeting of “visual legends.” The three idols attended the “20th W Korea Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Charity Event” held at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Dangju-dong on Wednesday. During the photo session, the three stars showcased their signature looks that have defined a generation of K-pop visuals. Jang Wonyoung was radiating with an elegant glow, while Karina captivated with her flawless, AI-like beauty. Sullyoon completed the trio with a refreshing, pure charm that fans often describe as “the textbook definition of innocence.” Online, photos of the three standing side by side quickly went viral, with fans dubbing the moment “the ultimate K-pop visual lineup.” This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.Oct 16, 2025By Xportsnews
How fluent is BLACKPINK’s Lisa in Korean? Fans find out through her latest postLisa of BLACKPINK has once again shown how fluent she’s become in Korean — by watching a hit K-drama with Korean subtitles instead of Thai or English. On Oct. 13, Lisa shared on her personal social media account a screenshot from the recently concluded tvN series “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty,” which ended on Sept. 28. The image showed lead actor Lee Chae-min in a close-up scene with a Korean caption translating to “Please don’t smile like that.” What caught fans’ attention, however, was the fact that Lisa was watching the drama with Korean subtitles. The Thai-born global star, who has lived in South Korea for more than 15 years, is already known for her near-native fluency in the language — but this small detail once again highlighted her cultural comfort and identity as a long-time Korean resident. Earlier this year, Lisa appeared on BIGBANG member Daesung’s YouTube show “ZIP DAESUNG,” where she talked about her linguistic journey. “It’s been 15 years since I came to Korea,” she said. “I’m fluent in Thai, Korean, and English — in that order. Korean feeOct 14, 2025By Xportsnews
MEOVV to drop first new music since debut albumK-pop girl group MEOVV is set to release a new single, "Burning Up," its agency, The Black Label, said Tuesday. The song marks their first new music since the release of their debut EP, "My Eyes Open Vvide" in May. The upcoming single, set for release at 6 p.m., is described as "explosive" and "passionate," promising a different feel from the songs on their first EP. Calling the song "the crystal" of fiery energy, member Gawon said unlike the songs from their first album, which the members heard prior to their debut, they listened to "Burning Up" for the first time after their official debut. Listening to the song as MEOVV made her feel "all the more confident about the song." Narin also commented on the upcoming release, saying she strives to show a more "raw and free" side of the team through the new track. MEOVV is a five-member girl group that debuted last September under The Black Label, led by Teddy, the hit producer behind songs for BIGBANG, 2NE1 and BLACKPINK. The group consists of members Sooin, Gawon, Anna, Narin and Ella.Oct 14, 2025By Yonhap
Bang Si-hyuk’s legal battle turns on when BTS success became ‘predictable’Bang Si-hyuk, the founder and chairman of HYBE sometimes dubbed the “father of K-pop,” is facing what could be his greatest crisis yet, as police, prosecutors and financial authorities investigate him for alleged fraudulent trading under the Capital Markets Act. At the heart of the probe is whether Bang concealed HYBE’s initial public offering (IPO) plans from existing shareholders and reaped illicit profits by using a private equity fund tied to a close associate. The fund allegedly earned more than 100 billion won ($73 million) in gains around the time HYBE — then Big Hit Entertainment — went public in October 2020. Authorities suspect Bang misled early investors into selling their stakes cheaply before the IPO, while HYBE maintains the profit was a result of “business judgment and luck,” not deception. Whether IPO plans were hidden from investors Bang first mentioned the possibility of taking the company public in 2017, telling Bloomberg at the time that he was “discussing an IPO with early investors such as Legend Holdings and LB Investment.” HYBE began its formal lisOct 13, 2025By Hankookilbo
Singer Jang Hae-young of F-IV dies at 45Jang Hae-young, a member of the boy band F-IV in the early 2000s, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 45. The news was shared by fellow member Kim Hyun-soo on social media on Oct. 10. “Farewell, my friend. Let’s sing again when we meet in heaven,” Kim wrote, expressing his grief. Born in 1980, Jang debuted in 1997 as part of the group Kid. He later joined F-IV in 2002 along with Seo Ji-won and Woo Jung-tae, gaining popularity with hits such as “Girl,” “I’m Sorry” and “Ring.” He also pursued a solo career, releasing the single “I'm Sorry, I'm Ugly” in 2009. In 2016, Jang appeared with his bandmates on JTBC’s variety program “Two Yoo Project Sugar Man,” where he shared that he was working as a freelance investment consultant, delighting longtime fans with his upbeat presence. Jang is remembered for his soulful voice and his role in shaping the early era of K-pop boy bands. This article from Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.Oct 13, 2025By Hankookilbo
EJAE returns to Korea after global hit 'Golden'EJAE, the composer and vocalist of the globally popular song “Golden” from the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” is set for a highly anticipated return to Korea this week, where she will share her stories behind the internationally successful movie and her new song. The Korean American artist, currently based in the United States, is scheduled to arrive in Korea this week and will meet with local media for a press conference on Wednesday. During this visit, EJAE is also set to appear on the popular tvN talk show “You Quiz on the Block.” Adding to the excitement, EJAE will release her solo debut single “In Another World” on Oct. 24. On the talk show, she is expected to share stories about her involvement in the soundtrack production for “KPop Demon Hunters” and the recent live performance of “Golden” on a U.S. talk show. EJAE, a former trainee at SM Entertainment, a major Korean entertainment agency, shifted to working as a composer after studying abroad in the U.S. Her career has recently taken a new turn, propelled by the global success of “KPop DemonOct 12, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
‘I survived at 40kg’: K-pop idols speak out about extreme dieting and health strugglesA growing number of K-pop idols are opening up about the physical toll of extreme dieting, sparking concern among fans over the industry’s long-standing obsession with thinness. Recently, Seunghee of OH MY GIRL surprised viewers on the YouTube channel “Mim PD” when she revealed her weight was just “40 kilograms” (about 88 pounds). During an InBody test on the show, a specialist told her, “Your weight is below the healthy range for your height. Exercise is important, but so is eating properly.” When asked if her low weight affected her performances, Seunghee admitted, “I often feel weak and dizzy.” She has since begun a “get healthy again” project with her group members, focusing on regular meals and balanced workouts. The issue echoes similar stories from other idols, including solo artist HyunA, who once revealed she maintained a weight of 40 kilograms at the height of her career. Appearing on Rain’s YouTube show “Season B Season” in May last year, she said, “Back then, I was 40kg. I would go through entire schedules surviving on one piece of gimbap. My heOct 11, 2025By Xportsnews
