Seventeen, Lisa, Rose make Gold House's 2025 A100 listK-pop boy group Seventeen and girl group BLACKPINK's Lisa and Rose are included on Gold House's 2025 A100 list, which honors the most impactful Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States for the year. The annual list, announced by the U.S.-based nonprofit Gold House on Thursday (U.S. time), celebrates 100 figures who have made significant cultural and societal impact in the country. Gold House described Seventeen on its website for the A100 list as a "K-pop icon," noting the group has "rocketed to the forefront of the music scene since their debut in May 2015, fueled by a nonpareil in-house creative ecosystem that hinges on the interplay of three units: hip-hop, vocal, and performance." The organization added: "As Seventeen mark their 10th anniversary this year, they continue to persistently reinvent themselves beyond a decade, defying expectations with their relentless ambition and ever-expanding musical spectrum." Lisa was recognized not only for her global success with BLACKPINK but also as a solo artist. "She has broken several records globally with singles 'Lalisa' and 'Money'May 2, 2025By Yonhap
KBS apologizes, pulls video over ‘IQ-based escape’ phrase in NewJeans thumbnailKBS has issued an apology and removed a video about K-pop group NewJeans following public backlash over its provocative thumbnail, which featured the phrase “escape is in order of IQ.” The broadcaster said in a statement on its viewer petition board that the digital content in question was meant to neutrally present both sides of the ongoing contract dispute between NewJeans and HYBE, the parent company of their agency, Ador. However, KBS acknowledged the thumbnail text was inappropriate. “We have taken the content offline after accepting criticism over the phrasing," the broadcaster said. "We apologize to viewers who felt discomfort and will take greater care in all aspects of digital content production, including subtitles and titles." The thumbnail of the now-removed video included the phrase “shaky NewJeans, Haerin escaping?” followed by “escape is in order of IQ vs baseless, close-knit.” The video sparked outrage for its sensationalism and perceived implication that one member may be trying to leave the group, prompting speculation and misinformation. A viewer comment oMay 2, 2025By KTimes
ILLIT members to feature on rising U.S. singer-actor's new singleYunah and Minju of K-pop girl group ILLIT will participate as featured artists on a new single by U.S. singer-actor Kylie Cantrall, the group's agency said Friday. Cantrall rose to fame for her lead role in the Disney+ original movie "Descendants: The Rise of Red." Also working as a singer-songwriter, she has released songs such as "Boy for a Day," "Goodie Bag" and "Denim." "You'll be able to see a new side of ILLIT through 'See U Tonight' that reflects Cantrall's trendy sensibility," Belift Lab said in a release, asking fans to look forward to the energetic synergy between the two artists. The collaboration track is set for release Wednesday at 1 p.m. ILLIT will hold its first "fan concert" — a blend of live performances and fan-centered segments — in Seoul on June 7-8.May 2, 2025By Yonhap
(G)I-DLE rebrands as i-dle for fresh start on 7th anniversaryK-pop girl group (G)I-DLE has officially changed its name to i-dle, marking a new chapter in its career as the group celebrates its seventh anniversary. The group announced the rebranding Thursday on its official social media channels, saying that it will now go by i-dle, dropping the “(G)” — which stood for “girl” — from its original name. Since debuting on May 2, 2018, the group had been known as (G)I-DLE. According to the group’s agency, the removal of the “G” and parentheses symbolizes the group’s departure from gendered definitions, embracing a broader and more inclusive identity. The new name reflects the group’s intent to transcend boundaries in concept and music. Along with the name change, i-dle also unveiled a new logo and symbol. The lowercase design forms a minimal, circular motif representing the group’s limitless potential and fluid connection. A star-shaped emblem formed by five lowercase “i” letters signifies the unity and individuality of the group’s five members. After all five members renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment last DeMay 2, 2025By KTimes
Maroon 5 and BLACKPINK’s Lisa drop new single ‘Priceless’Global pop band Maroon 5 has released a new single, “Priceless,” featuring BLACKPINK’s Lisa, marking the group’s first collaboration with a K-pop artist. The track, released Friday, serves as the lead single for Maroon 5’s upcoming studio album. The band said the new song reflects a return to their musical roots, highlighting deeper songwriting and emotional authenticity. The collaboration has garnered intense interest not only from Korean fans but also from global audiences, as Lisa lends her vocals to what is expected to be one of the group’s standout releases this year. Alongside the single, Maroon 5 has announced plans for a full album and world tour later in 2025, raising anticipation for the next chapter in their musical journey. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.May 2, 2025By KTimes
K-pop stars rush May releases ahead of summer festivals, electionAn unusually crowded slate of K-pop comebacks is unfolding this May, as rookie girl groups tripleS and MEOVV join chart-toppers (G)I-DLE in releasing new music — part of the industry's push to seize momentum ahead of major summer events. The 24-member group tripleS that operates through rotating sub-units, announced that it will release a new album featuring all members — ASSEMBLE25 — on May 12. Its title track, "Are You Alive," was selected through fan voting, a signature concept for the group since its 2023 debut. On the same day, MEOVV — a newly launched five-member act under The Black Label, the agency behind BIGBANG's Taeyang, BLACKPINK's Rosé and solo singer Jeon So-mi — will release its debut EP, "MY EYES OPEN VVIDE." The EP's pre-release single "HANDS UP," unveiled earlier on Monday, has already generated buzz on social media for its unexpected embrace of Brazilian punk, a genre rarely seen in K-pop. (G)I-DLE is also slated to return with a new mini album in mid-May. While details have yet to be announced, the new release will mark the group's first comeback in 10 montMay 2, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Former EXO member Tao launches sanitary pad brand with eyebrow-raising salary offerFormer EXO member Tao has launched a sanitary pad brand in China, drawing attention for the conditions listed in a job recruitment post. According to local media, including Hunan Daily and QQ News, a recruitment notice for Tao’s brand, Domyway, recently appeared on a Chinese job posting site. Tao, who debuted with the boy band EXO in 2012 and left the group in April 2015, is now active primarily in China. Domyway’s job listings emphasize a “women-friendly” workplace and “no academic major restrictions,” and seek to fill positions including e-commerce channel manager, live commerce host, product manager, video production editor, design specialist and distribution sales lead. The salary for the distribution sales lead position stood out in particular — listed at 30,000 yuan (approximately $4,125), nearly five times the national average monthly salary in China, which was 6,050 yuan as of 2023. Tao has previously said he launched the business in response to public concern in China after a waste recycling company was found to have repackaged and sold disqualified sanitary producMay 1, 2025By KTimes
EXO's Baekhyun to launch 1st solo world tour in JuneBaekhyun of K-pop boy group EXO will kick off his first individual world tour in June in South Korea, his agency, INB100, said Wednesday. The "Reverie" tour will begin with two shows at the KSPO Dome in eastern Seoul on June 7 and 8, followed by stops in 28 cities across South America, Europe, and Oceania and Asia. Baekhyun is also set to release his fifth solo EP, "Essence of Reverie," on June 19.Apr 30, 2025By Yonhap
NewJeans’ Danielle says she will never forget fans’ love in heartfelt messageDanielle of girl group NewJeans, which is currently on hiatus, shared a message to fans in response to the birthday letters she received. Danielle posted several photos and a letter to fans Wednesday on the group’s shared Instagram account, mhdhh_friends, which she operates with fellow members Minji, Hanni and Haerin. The post began with a warm greeting: “Hi Bunnies! It’s Danielle~ Are you doing well? “I missed you so much that I wanted to send you my heart through a letter,” she continued. “There’s so much I want to say, so please understand if it’s a little long. First of all, Bunnies — guess what? I finally finished reading all the birthday letters you sent me! It took a bit of time because I didn’t want to skip even a single sentence.” Danielle said she began to cry even before finishing the letters. “Whether long or short, each letter was filled with so much sincerity. The love and gratitude I felt while reading them are something I will never forget.” She continued, “It’s not easy sometimes expressing how you feel towards someone, especially to a frienApr 30, 2025By KTimes
Former Madein member files complaint against 143 Entertainment CEO for sexual assaultA former member of K-pop girl group Madein has filed a police complaint against the CEO of 143 Entertainment, accusing him of sexual assault. According to the alleged victim, referred to as A, the CEO, identified as B, summoned her to his office last October, where he subjected her to verbal abuse and threats for three hours before committing acts of sexual assault and harassment. At the time, A was under 19 years old and protected under Korea’s Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sexual Offenses. A press conference regarding the case was held Monday at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, organized by the Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center. A’s mother spoke at the event, accompanied by the victim’s legal representative and several advocates. The representatives said B initially admitted wrongdoing and promised to step down and maintain physical distance from A, but later reversed his position, denied the allegations and defamed A. They also claimed that 143 Entertainment dismissed the accusations as groundless and removed A from the group without notice. They said A suffeApr 29, 2025By KTimes
