As BigBang hits 20, their next chapter could change K-pop foreverBigBang is set to mark its 20th anniversary next year with a spectacular first step: a headlining performance at the "2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival." As one of the most influential K-pop groups of all time, the scale of their anniversary plans is already proving to be as monumental as their legacy — and the Coachella stage is just the beginning. With a new group single also on the way, BigBang’s highly anticipated comeback is expected to have a major impact on the global K-pop scene. The group recently confirmed its participation in next year’s Coachella, where it will perform as a three-member unit on the festival’s main stage. The appearance will be BigBang’s first official event commemorating its 20th debut anniversary, opening a new chapter in their two-decade-long career at one of the world’s biggest music festivals. From 2nd-gen icons to enduring legends Debuting on Aug. 19, 2006, BigBang will celebrate 20 years in the industry next year. Since their debut, the group has defined the so-called “second generation” of K-pop idols, combining mainstreamSep 27, 2025By Hankookilbo
Are ballads still relevant in K-pop dominated era?Not long ago, the ballad genre was Korea's national soundtrack — filling karaoke rooms, topping the charts and etching itself into the country's collective memory. Then came the K-pop boom, and with it, a slow fading of the genre's presence. However, this fall, as veterans break their silence and fresh voices emerge, the music that once defined a generation is quietly making a comeback — sparking renewed hope among fans and industry insiders that ballads are on the brink of a revival. Singer Shin Seung-hun, long revered as the "Emperor of Ballads" in Korea, made headlines Tuesday with "SINCERELY MELODIES," his first full-length album in a decade. The 11-track release features dual title tracks "Gravity of You" and "TRULY," and will be followed by two concerts at Olympic Hall in Seoul on Nov. 1-2. Singer Yim Jae-beum, who built his legacy on distinctive rock ballads, also announced a nationwide tour kicking off Nov. 29 to mark the 40th anniversary of his career, where he will also showcase his newly released track, "Insa." Another defining voice of the era, singer Kim Gun-mo, has alsoSep 26, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
The Boyz, QWER clash over light stick design similaritiesTensions are rising between boy group The Boyz and girl band QWER over allegations of similar light stick designs. The Boyz’s agency, One Hundred, has raised objections, while QWER’s management maintains there are no copyright issues. One Hundred issued a statement on Sept. 25, saying, “We sincerely apologize to fans for the confusion and inconvenience caused by the similarity between The Boyz’s official light stick and QWER’s version. The light stick is a valuable symbol that connects an artist and their fandom, and we fully understand the discomfort felt by The Bs (The Boyz’s fandom).” The agency said that it had requested design changes after raising the issue with QWER’s team, but said no resolution had been reached. It also apologized to fans for not responding more swiftly to the controversy, pledging to “take strong action, including all legal procedures, to prevent a recurrence.” The dispute began when QWER unveiled its megaphone-shaped light stick, which drew comparisons to the design The Boyz introduced in 2021. In response, QWER’s agency, 3Y Corporation,Sep 26, 2025By Hankookilbo
K-pop heavyweights, rookies pack October comeback calendarOctober is shaping up to be a blockbuster month for K-pop, with the industry's biggest names and rising rookies all crowding the calendar. From milestone celebrations to career-defining new records, the month promises fresh sounds that will keep fans' playlists brimming. Leading the wave is TWICE, the nine-member juggernaut celebrating its 10th anniversary. On Oct. 10, the group will release a special album, "TEN: The Story Goes On." To mark the milestone, the group will also host a fan meeting, "10VE UNIVERSE," at Korea University's Hwajeong Gymnasium on Oct. 18. The comeback underscores TWICE's enduring stature in the genre. Now in the midst of its sixth world tour "THIS IS FOR," the group continues to cement its reputation as one of K-pop's most global acts. The group's latest career peaks came with "TAKEDOWN," featured on the soundtrack of Netflix's smash hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," and "STRATEGY" from its 14th mini-album, both tracks setting new personal bests across the Billboard Hot 100, Apple Music, Spotify and the U.K. Official Charts, proving the group's decade-lonSep 26, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Shinsegae heiress and K-pop rookie Annie wins fans over with volunteer workAnnie, a member of the co-ed K-pop group ALLDAY PROJECT and the eldest daughter of Shinsegae President Chung Yoo-kyung, is drawing attention for her unpretentious daily life — far from the glamorous image often associated with chaebol families. Even before her official debut, Annie attracted public interest as a chaebol heiress. But while many expected her to project a polished, high-society persona, Annie is instead showing a more relatable side. A video uploaded Wednesday on the group’s official YouTube channel shows Annie and fellow member Woochan volunteering at a local dog shelter. “I’ve been coming here since before my debut, and Woochan has always wanted to join me, so we decided to come together today,” she said. Despite being filmed, Annie appeared makeup-free, emphasizing her natural charm. In the video, she’s seen gently scooping up a stray puppy that wandered outside the yard — laughing as she says, “This one escaped!” — and carefully feeding the shelter dogs. She even asked Woochan to help remove a worm she discovered while checking a dog’s paws and caSep 25, 2025By Xportsnews
BTS hits gym ahead of comeback, fans go wild over ripped physiquesAs BTS gears up for their first group comeback since completing military service, the world’s biggest boy band is spending its days not just in the studio, but also in the gym. A new vlog posted Wednesday on fitness trainer Ma Sun-ho’s YouTube channel revealed that the members of BTS have been undergoing intense workout sessions in Los Angeles while simultaneously preparing their upcoming album. Ma, who flew to the U.S. to train the group, shared a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s daily routine and their remarkable dedication to “building their best shape yet.” “I didn’t come here for a vacation,” Ma explained. “The BTS members are working on their music in LA, and I’m here to help them train. I design workout programs, guide them through routines, and they’re all extremely passionate and hardworking.” Early morning jogs, studio sessions and evening workouts According to Ma, the group’s schedule is relentless. He begins his day with a jog at 6 a.m., followed by morning weight training sessions with the members before they switch gears to focus on music produSep 25, 2025By Xportsnews
BAE173 hit by leak ahead of first full album releaseK-pop boy band BAE173 has suffered a music leak just weeks before the release of its first full-length album. Agency Pocketdol Studio said Wednesday that part of a track from the upcoming album was uploaded without authorization on social media the previous day. “We immediately began investigating the source of the leak and took steps to prevent further damage. The cause is currently under review, and we will thoroughly examine all processes and establish measures to prevent a recurrence,” a company official said. The leaked song is included in the group’s first full-length album, scheduled for release on Oct. 23. The album marks BAE173’s first studio record since debut and is said to showcase the members’ musical growth. Despite the incident, the company said that the release will go ahead as planned. “There will be no change to the scheduled release date, and BAE173 will continue preparing for its comeback,” the official said. Following the album release, BAE173 will also kick off a Japan tour starting Nov. 4, with stops in major cities including Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. ThSep 25, 2025By Hankookilbo
Will HYBE make K-pop model work in India?K-pop powerhouse HYBE Labels is pushing its global ambitions further by setting up shop in India, one of the world's most populous nations, in a bid to test whether the business model that turned K-pop into a worldwide force will resonate on the subcontinent. The entertainment giant, home to juggernauts like BTS, announced the official establishment of an Indian subsidiary on Tuesday, adding a new hub after earlier expansion into Japan, the United States, Latin America and China. The company described the move as a "key addition" to its global strategic map, aimed at accelerating "the creation of a worldwide K-pop ecosystem." This move into India reflects HYBE's "multihome, multigenre" strategy, which the company's chairman, Bang Si-hyuk, has long described as essential for K-pop's survival, applying the industry's model across genres and geographies to sustain growth. In practice, HYBE has sought to build bases tailored to local culture and music industries, producing and managing artists in the typical K-pop style while extending its intellectual properties into new territories. One prSep 25, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Seventeen to host immersive citywide event for fans in LAK-pop boy group Seventeen will host a citywide immersive fan event in Los Angeles next month to coincide with the U.S. leg of its world tour, the band's agency, Pledis Entertainment, said Wednesday. The event, "Seventeen The City LA," will run from Oct. 11 to 19 and feature a series of experiences themed on the band across the city, including pop-up stores, and food and beverage partnership events. According to Pledis, the event is a follow-up to a similar project held in the U.S. last year. This year's event is expanding with a new partnership with Airbnb, which will offer fans hands-on experiences, like K-pop dance classes, K-beauty tutorials and a DJ party featuring Seventeen's songs. The program also includes opportunities for fans to record their own songs, learn DJing and remixing, and participate in pottery painting and cake decorating workshops. The area around BMO Stadium, where the group's concerts will be held, will be designated as a meeting hub for "Carat," the group's official fan club. The city will be a backdrop for the event, with "Seventeen The City LA" posters displayeSep 24, 2025By Yonhap
Boy group Cortis debuts at No. 15 on Billboard 200Cortis, the new boy band from BigHit Music, debuted on the Billboard 200 albums chart at No. 15 with its first EP, "Color Outside the Lines," according to the latest chart released Tuesday (U.S. time). It is the second-highest position ever for a debut album by a K-pop act and the highest for a group not formed with members of established acts, BigHit said. Among K-pop boy bands that have debuted in the past four years, Cortis is the first to reach the top 20, it added. The five-member group composed of Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon and Keonho is the first new boy band from BigHit, the label behind BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT), in six years, following TXT's debut in 2019. The agency described Cortis as a "young creator crew" who make their own music, choreography and videos "with a completely new and original sensibility." Released Sept. 8, the album features five tracks led by "What You Want," a song in which the members sing about pursuing their desires with confidence and without hesitation.Sep 24, 2025By Yonhap
