ReviewIVE dives into darkness with 'IVE SECRET,' in test of group's identityK-pop megastar girl group IVE is back in the spotlight with "IVE SECRET" and its moody title track "XOXZ," with the band's first release in seven months already creating an undeniable buzz. Fans rushed to streaming platforms, with the single debuting at No. 32 on Melon within an hour of its release on Aug. 25. The official music video also racked up nearly 5 million views in less than one day to top YouTube's trending music chart. But hype doesn't tell the full story. What IVE offers in the new work is a daring image shift that sounds good on paper, yet leaves room to question whether the group itself is ready to embrace it. From the beginning, the six-piece group — consisting of Ahn Yu-jin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Won-young, Liz and Leeseo — have been carving a lane of their own. The group's opening trilogy — "ELEVEN," "LOVE DIVE" "After LIKE" — built a glittery, modern spin on Y2K under the banner of self-love. Instead of leaning on K-pop's fierce "girl-crush" archetype, the members focused on delivering a princess-like elegance, presenting themselves as confident young women with a toAug 31, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Woman apprehended for entering BTS Jungkook's home parking lotA woman in her 40s has been apprehended after entering the home parking lot of BTS member Jungkook, police said Sunday. The woman, a South Korean national, was booked on suspicion of housebreaking after trespassing on the parking lot of Jungkook's home in Seoul's Yongsan district at 11:20 p.m. Saturday, according to the police. The police have been questioning the suspect about her motives. Separately, a Chinese woman was transferred to the prosecution last week for allegedly attempting to trespass on Jungkook's home in June. The woman, in her 30s, is accused of visiting Jungkook's home in the late hours of June 11, the day the South Korean K-pop star was discharged from military service, and pushing the keypad door lock multiple times. The police had responded to a call and apprehended her at the scene. The woman reportedly told the police that she did not live in South Korea and visited the country to see Jungkook.Aug 31, 2025By Yonhap
Stray Kids' latest album posts strongest first-week K-pop sales this yearBoy band Stray Kids set a record with its latest release, "Karma," which posted the highest first-week sales of any K-pop album this year, the group's agency said Friday. JYP Entertainment said the group's fourth full-length album, released on Monday, sold 3.03 million copies in its first week, citing data from Hanteo Chart, a local tracker of K-pop album sales. It was the only K-pop album this year to surpass 3 million sales in the first week. On the global music streaming platform Spotify, the album also logged the highest number of first-week streams among K-pop albums released in 2025. The record is expected to debut strongly on Britain's Official Albums Chart Top 100 this week. "It could be a historic moment for the band, who have never cracked the Top 10, with 'Karma' set to be their best-performing project to date," the Official Charts Company said in a preview on Tuesday (local time).Aug 29, 2025By Yonhap
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ grips world from toddlers to grandparentsA 4-year-old in the United States sits strapped in a car seat, belting out “Golden” with solemn concentration. The track is the theme song of Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” Even as the child stumbles through the lyrics, the effort to hit the high notes sends the mother in the driver’s seat into laughter. The TikTok clip, titled “POV: you have a toddler who’s obsessed [with] KPop Demon Hunters,” has racked up more than 230,000 likes. The explosive success of “KPop Demon Hunters” has accelerated the spread of Korean culture worldwide, giving rise to what some call a “K-generation,” a cohort humming K-pop tunes from infancy, regardless of nationality. Since its June 20 release, the movie has become Netflix’s most-watched film and produced an original soundtrack that topped Western charts. While some compare the craze to the global “Let It Go” moment from Disney’s “Frozen” 11 years ago, the cultural ripple effect now unfolding suggests an even greater reach. Sing-alongs pack theaters, Empire State lights up On Aug. 23 and 24, more than 1,700Aug 28, 2025By Hankookilbo
G-Dragon’s ‘pajama look’ at airport turns out to be first-class loungewearSinger G-Dragon has once again captured attention with his airport fashion, this time by arriving in what appeared to be pajamas. The outfit turned out to be the loungewear provided exclusively to Korean Air’s first-class passengers. Korean Air posted photos of G-Dragon on its official Instagram account Wednesday, writing captions such as, “Korean Air first-class loungewear with GD,” and “POWER — even in-flight loungewear he pulls off effortlessly.” The pictures were taken when the singer returned from New York through Incheon International Airport. The loungewear in question is designed by Italian luxury bedding brand Frette, introduced earlier this year as part of Korean Air’s service upgrade following the launch of its new corporate identity in March. To enhance the premium in-flight experience, the airline rolled out new menus, refined bedding options and upgraded cabin services. For first-class passengers, Korean Air now offers mattresses made with functional new materials and Frette loungewear crafted from top-grade natural cotton. The garments are distinguished by theiAug 28, 2025By Xportsnews
Psy booked for medical law violation, agency admits ‘proxy pickup’ of sleeping pillsSinger Psy has been booked on suspicion of violating the Medical Service Act, though his agency said the case involves a proxy pickup of prescription sleeping pills rather than proxy prescriptions. P Nation, Psy’s management company, issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging fault. “It is undeniably a mistake and negligence that a third party picked up prescription sleeping pills on his behalf,” the agency said. According to the agency, Psy has long suffered from chronic sleep disorders and has been taking sleeping pills prescribed by doctors. His agency emphasized that he has followed medical guidance and dosages as prescribed, and denied any proxy prescriptions. “There were cases where sleeping pills were collected by a third party, and the police are currently investigating,” the company said, adding that there was no deliberate wrongdoing. The controversy emerged after Psy and a university hospital professor, identified only as A, were reported on Aug. 27 for alleged violations of the Medical Service Act. Police said Psy was accused of receiving prescriptions for psychotrAug 28, 2025By Hankookilbo
Fans express frustration as BTS’ Jimin caught up in fresh Song Da-eun dating rumorsBTS member Jimin has once again found himself entangled in dating rumors involving actress Song Da-eun, sparking a wave of controversy among fans ahead of the group’s highly anticipated full-member comeback. Song, a former cast member of the reality dating show “Heart Signal,” has long been at the center of speculation after repeatedly fueling rumors of a relationship with Jimin. In the past, she posted photos of couple items and ambiguous images that drew criticism from BTS fans. After a period of silence, Song reignited the controversy on Aug. 27 by uploading a video on her personal channel showing Jimin’s face. The clip, which appears to capture Song waiting in front of an elevator and greeting Jimin, quickly went viral on social media and online communities. Jimin, seemingly surprised in the footage, was seen interacting with her in a friendly manner, further intensifying speculation among domestic and international fans. The timing of the renewed rumors has heightened fan frustration, as BTS is preparing for a full-group comeback following the members’ military dischargesAug 27, 2025By Xportsnews
Top singer Kim Gun-mo to return to stage after 6-year hiatusKim Gun-mo, one of the most iconic and successful singers to emerge from the 1990s K-pop scene, is set to make a comeback with a nationwide concert tour after a six-year hiatus. The 57-year-old singer’s upcoming concert tour will begin with a show in Busan on Sept. 27, followed by performances in Daegu on Oct. 18 and Daejeon on Dec. 20. The tour is expected to expand to Seoul and other major cities next January, according to concert production company IStar Media, Tuesday. The singer abruptly halted his career in 2019 after sexual assault allegations were made against him. At the time, he was enjoying a career resurgence on the popular TV show "My Little Old Boy." Kim was acquitted of the charges in 2021 after a police investigation, but he has remained out of the public eye ever since. “Kim Gun-mo never let go of his music for a single moment, even though he had been away from the stage,” the concert production company said. "His music never stopped during the hiatus." Fans are eager to see if Kim will address the past six years during his concerts, as he has not given a single inAug 26, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Sunmi to release new digital single 'BLUE!' after yearlong hiatusSunmi, one of K-pop's most distinctive solo artists, will release her new digital single "BLUE!" Tuesday at 6 p.m., her first music in more than a year since the release of "Balloon in Love" in June 2024. Sunmi's comeback was initially announced on Aug. 7 through the teaser video "SUNMI Comeback Trailer: Bass(ad)" on her official YouTube channel. The clip features a bass line performed by Sunmi herself, hinting at a new direction in sound. The teaser also introduced a striking visual shift. Sunmi appeared with short blonde hair and black nails for a punk-inspired concept, drawing attention for its contrast with her previous work. Anticipation grew on Monday with the teaser for "BLUE!" The clip opened with the question, "What would you do if your boyfriend became a cockroach?" before cutting to Sunmi in a red outfit, her sharp styling amplifying the moody rock star vibes. Since embarking on her solo career, Sunmi, 33, has solidified her place as one of K-pop's leading individual artists by self-producing a string of hit songs. The singer debuted in 2007 as a member of the now-iconic secondAug 26, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Super Junior’s 20-year journey shows what K-pop longevity looks likeIn K-pop, the seven-year contract has long been seen as a finish line. For many groups, it's the point where its members either decide to renew or part ways, with only a handful surviving beyond it — and even fewer managing to thrive. Yet Super Junior, SM Entertainment's first-ever large-scale boy band which debuted in 2005, has not only repeatedly renewed its commitment to stay together, but also set benchmarks for K-pop's global rise. Two decades on, the group now stands as one of the rarest acts to endure the industry turbulence, cementing its place as a model of K-pop longevity. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Super Junior recently released its 12th studio album, "Super Junior 25," in July, before launching the 10th edition of its long-running concert series, "SUPER SHOW." Having opened last weekend with three nights in Seoul, the tour now heads to 16 cities across Asia, Europe and the Americas, running through March 2026. Since its launch in 2008, the series has drawn more than 2 million fans, making it the longest-running concert brand in K-pop. Super Junior's origins trace bacAug 26, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
