EXO’s December comeback sparks questions over Lay's return, CBX participationEXO has set the K-pop world abuzz after dropping a surprise teaser announcing a December comeback, just 12 days before the group’s youngest member, Sehun, completes his mandatory social service. At 1:26 a.m. on Monday, EXO’s official social media account posted a mysterious teaser poster with the phrase “DECEMBER 2025” and the cryptic tagline, “When we become true one, a new world awakens.” Fans noted that the line references the narration from the music video for EXO’s debut song “MAMA," hinting at an expansion of the group’s long-standing fictional universe. The timing of the teaser — released during a total lunar eclipse, a motif often used in EXO’s storylines — further deepened fan curiosity. Return after years of military service Since 2019, when Xiumin and D.O. enlisted, EXO has been unable to promote as a full group. That will change on Sept. 20 when Sehun completes his service, officially marking the end of the group’s “military hiatus.” Earlier this year, Kai was discharged, and members including Suho hinted that EXO was preparing for a long-awaitedSep 9, 2025By Xportsnews
Fin.K.L’s Ock Joo-hyun reflects on career, addresses marriage hesitationSinger and musical actor Ock Joo-hyun, formerly of first-generation girl group Fin.K.L, has opened up about longstanding misconceptions that she is opposed to marriage. Ock appeared on the Sept. 8 broadcast of a Channel A variety show where she welcomes singer Tei and musical actress Lee Ji-hye as guests for a home-cooked meal. Debuting in 1998 with Fin.K.L, Ock rose to stardom in the late 1990s and transitioned to a career in musicals in 2005. She shared stories from her 27 years in the industry, including behind-the-scenes episodes from her Fin.K.L days. Ock also revealed how she once felt about her Fin.K.L identity: “When I debuted in musicals, I wished people would forget I was Ock Joo-hyun from Fin.K.L. But I’ve realized Fin.K.L is inseparable from my life.” She said that the group’s ongoing project of remaking its hit songs is meant as a gesture of gratitude to fans who have supported them. She added that the project has reminded her of her roots as a singer, sharing that Lee Hyo-ri featured in the recording of “Feel Your Love” in August, and that the group’s winter reSep 9, 2025By Hankookilbo
InterviewKATSEYE’s global model shows where pop music could go nextWhat does pop music sound like when it’s built on K-pop precision and Western flair? The answer may be KATSEYE, a six-member girl group formed through a cross-border collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records and first introduced in Netflix’s 2023 survival show “The Debut: Dream Academy.” In an era when K-pop is reaching mainstream audiences on global stages from Coachella to Lollapalooza, the industry isn’t just celebrating the genre’s crossover success, but preparing for what’s next by looking at how they can evolve, break new barriers and ensure long-term sustainability. That’s where KATSEYE, trained in the rigorous world of the Korean idol system but rooted in global pop sensibility, comes in. “I think a gem that KATSEYE brings to the pop world is representation, empowerment, our powerful performance and showmanship. These are things we really value as a group and want to continue leveling up,” Lara told The Korea Times. The lineup — Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia and Yoonchae — hails from the Philippines, Switzerland, the U.S. and Korea, bringing a gloSep 9, 2025By Adam Davidson
BLACKPINK's Rose accepts 2 awards at MTV VMAs 2025Rose, a member of the K-pop group BLACKPINK, picked up two trophies, including Song of the Year, at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday (U.S. time). She won the honor for "APT.," her collaboration single with global pop icon Bruno Mars, and accepted Best Group on behalf of BLACKPINK during the ceremony at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The VMAs are among the best-known pop music awards in the United States. It is the first time a K-pop artist has been honored in a main category. For Best Group, it was the K-pop quartet's second win, following 2023. Mars was not present at the ceremony, but Rose accepted the Song of the Year award on their behalf, taking the stage in a yellow sequined fringe dress. "Oh, my gosh, I can't believe this," Rose said in her English acceptance speech. "First of all, thank you so much, Bruno ... Thank you so much for believing in me and helping me build this world together." She dedicated the award to her "16-year-old self, who dreamed, and to all those who have watched me grow into the artist that I am today." She also gave special thanks to her agency's chiSep 8, 2025By Yonhap
Zerobaseone achieves 6th consecutive million-sellerBoy group Zerobaseone has garnered its sixth consecutive million-seller with its first full-length album "Never Say Never," the group's agency said Monday. Released last Monday, the album sold 1.51 million copies in its first week of release, according to WakeOne, citing data from Hanteo Chart, a local album sales tracker. All five of the nine-member group's previous albums also surpassed the 1-million sales mark. "Never Say Never" topped iTunes Top Albums charts in countries including Qatar, Russia and the Czech Republic, and debuted at No. 4 on the Worldwide iTunes Albums chart. The album delivers a message of encouragement to those who dream of something special in their ordinary lives, according to the band. It features 10 tracks, including the lead single "Iconik."Sep 8, 2025By Yonhap
Crayon Pop’s ChoA announces twin pregnancy after overcoming cervical cancerChoA, a former member of K-pop girl group Crayon Pop, has revealed that she is expecting twins, four years after getting married and two years after battling cancer. ChoA shared the news on her social media on Sept. 5, writing, “The precious life we have long awaited has finally come to us,” drawing congratulations from fans. She married a non-celebrity in 2021. ChoA disclosed that two years ago she was diagnosed with cancer and told by several university hospitals that pregnancy would not be possible. Refusing to give up hope, she underwent surgery and fertility treatments. Eventually, she succeeded through in vitro fertilization. Now ten weeks pregnant, ChoA said she initially kept it quiet out of caution but felt she could no longer hide it. Despite transferring only one embryo to reduce the risk of premature birth, she became pregnant with identical twins through natural division, which she described as a 1 percent probability. She has given them the temporary names “Heart” and “Cute.” “Although I was worried at first, now I only think about carrying them well and deliveSep 8, 2025By Hankookilbo
InterviewCIX pushes forward as 4, steps into new era with 'GO Chapter 1 : GO Together'In the crowded landscape of K-pop, few groups have built their identity around long-form storytelling as meticulously as boy band CIX. Since its 2019 debut, the band has used interconnected album series like "HELLO" and "OK" to explore sin, salvation and the turbulent nature of love. That story, however, faced a rupture last year when the group lost one of its most recognizable members, Bae Jinyoung, who first rose to stardom on the second season of Mnet audition show "Produce 101" and as part of project boy band Wanna One, before deciding to pursue a solo career. While the departure could have easily destabilized the group, the four remaining members were eager to make it a turning point. Reorganized as a quartet — BX, Seunghun, Yonghee and Hyunsuk — CIX doubled down on its commitment and is preparing to release its eighth EP, "GO Chapter 1 : GO Together," Monday. The record marks only the group's second project as a quartet, and its arrival signals both continuity and reinvention. The EP serves as an introduction to the new "GO" series, a trilogy that extends CIX's conceptual ambitSep 8, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
DAY6 at 10: K-pop's reluctant rock band celebrates first decadeIn the fiercely competitive K-pop scene, when a band's songs climb back up the charts years after their release — long after promotions have ended and members have gone quiet — it signals something rare. For four-piece rock band DAY6, that unlikely twist arrived during their mandatory military service hiatus, when songs like "You Were Beautiful" (2017) and "Time of Our Life" (2019) suddenly surged back onto streaming charts. That revival didn't just breathe new life into old tracks. Instead, it reshaped the perception of a rock band that has endured for a full decade in a K-pop landscape that seldom grants rock outfits that kind of staying power. Formed in 2015 under Studio J, an experimental label within JYP Entertainment, a company best known for sculpting polished idol groups, DAY6 never quite fit the mold. Unlike their labelmates, the original six members — Sungjin, Young K, Wonpil, Dowoon, and formerly Jae and Junhyeok — honed their craft in live clubs around Seoul, building themselves as performers and songwriters before stepping onto the mainstream stage. The band's debutSep 7, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
The KingDom’s Dann to enlist Sept. 9Dann of K-pop boy group The KingDom will begin his mandatory military service next week. His agency GF Entertainment said Thursday, “While preparing for the group’s next album, Dann received notification from the Military Manpower Administration and will enlist in the Army on Sept. 9, earlier than expected.” His entry into the recruit training center will be held privately, with the agency stressing that both the location and time will not be disclosed. With Dann’s enlistment, The KingDom will continue activities as a five-member group. “We ask fans to send warm support and encouragement to Dann as he faithfully completes his military duty and returns in good health,” the agency said. The KingDom debuted in 2021 with the EP “History of KingDom: Part I. Arthur.” This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.Sep 5, 2025By Hankookilbo
Le Sserafim to make October comeback after 7-month breakK-pop girl group Le Sserafim has confirmed their return with a new album set for release in October, marking a comeback after seven months. Le Sserafim members Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha and Hong Eunchae are gearing up for their highly anticipated comeback, following the release of their fifth mini album “Hot” in March. The group has been focusing on global promotions through a world tour and activities in Japan, and is said to be putting everything into their preparations for this release. With Fifty Fifty and Nmixx also scheduled to return in October, Le Sserafim is joining what fans are calling the “October comeback battle,” heightening excitement among K-pop fans. Le Sserafim’s previous album, “Hot” debuted at No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, making them the only fourth-generation K-pop girl group to achieve four consecutive top-10 entries on the chart. The title track surpassed 100.1 million streams on Spotify, becoming the group’s 13th song to exceed 100 million streams on the platform. From their debut single “Fearless” to “Antifragile,”Sep 4, 2025By Xportsnews
