BLACKPINK’s Lisa sparks debate with bold stage outfit and sensual choreographyBLACKPINK’s Lisa is making headlines for her bold and provocative performance during the group’s latest concert. From Saturday to Sunday (local time), BLACKPINK held its “DEADLINE World Tour” concerts at the Stade de France in Paris, kicking off the European leg of their tour. Following the show, Lisa shared a post on her social media on Aug. 5, writing, “Starting off the Europe tour strong in Paris,” along with a series of stage photos. In the photos, Lisa is seen commanding the stage in a striking outfit featuring hot pants and a cut-out bodysuit. Her toned abs and long legs captivated not only fans but also the general public. Lisa fully embodied the bold and confident concept of the show, exuding charisma as a true queen of the stage. Her high-energy performance alongside backup dancers showcased the tight choreography and powerful presence that define K-pop’s global appeal. However, the performance has also drawn some criticism. During her solo stage, Lisa performed a sensual routine with male backup dancers, and some viewers took issue with her revealing attire. OnlineAug 9, 2025By Xportsnews
NCT WISH to drop new EP 'Color' on Sept. 1Boy group NCT WISH will put out its third EP "Color" on Sept. 1, the group's agency SM Entertainment said Friday. The album will feature seven tracks, including the title track "Color" that carries the group's aspiration to fill the world with its own colors, according to the agency. Ahead of the album's release, the team will unveil "Surf," one of the seven tracks, on Tuesday. SM introduced it as a song with a summery vibe, which will "cool off the summer heat." The sextet, which debuted in February 2024 as the fourth subunit of the K-pop supergroup NCT, achieved its first million-selling album with "poppop," its second EP which sold more than 1.33 million copies.Aug 8, 2025By Yonhap
TWICE's Chaeyoung to make solo debut in SeptemberChaeyoung of K-pop girl group TWICE will debut as a solo artist next month, her agency announced Friday. JYP Entertainment said she will release her first solo album in her 10-year career on Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. She will be the fourth member of the band to go solo, following Nayeon, Jihyo and Tzuyu. Details of the upcoming album have yet to be announced. A video showing Chaeyoung working on the album is currently available on JYP's official social media channels. The clip features her meeting with Japanese pop band Gliiico and playing the piano, heightening fans' anticipation for the upcoming release. Chaeyoung recently took part in the soundtrack for the hit Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," performing a version of "Takedown," alongside her bandmates Jihyo and Jeongyeon. Last month, TWICE launched a new world tour after releasing its fourth full-length album, "This Is For." On Saturday (local time), the nine-member group headlined Lollapalooza Chicago, one of the major music festivals in the United States, at Grant Park in Chicago, performing "Dance the Night Away," "What Is Love?Aug 8, 2025By Yonhap
InterviewWave to Earth brings Korean indie rock to forefront with stirring Lollapalooza Chicago debutCHICAGO — Under the unforgiving August sun in Chicago's Grant Park on Sunday, the air shimmered with heat as Lollapalooza festivalgoers slowly drifted toward the Tito's Handmade Vodka Stage. At first, the scene was relatively quiet. But by the time Korean indie rock band Wave to Earth struck their final chord, an enthusiastic crowd was locked in, singing along and roaring with the kind of fervor usually reserved for global rockstars. "We didn't expect that many people to show up," bassist Cha Soon-jong told The Korea Times during a backstage interview just minutes after the band's set, his face still beaming in the afterglow. "But as the set went on, more and more came to see us perform. It was almost kind of overwhelming." Wave to Earth may not be a household name among fans of the flashier, performance-driven side of K-pop, but they've quietly become one of the country's most exciting musical exports. Their music trades in atmosphere over spectacle — hazy lo-fi guitar lines, soft jazz-inflected drumming and melancholy lyrics. The Seoul-based trio, made up of frontman-guitarist KimAug 6, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Rosé lands 8 MTV VMA nominations, including Video of the YearRosé of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK has secured eight nominations at this year's MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), one of the major music awards in the United States. According to the list of nominees announced by MTV VMAs on its website Tuesday (U.S. time), Rosé is up for Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects. In the Best K-pop category, she received a nomination for "toxic till the end." "I am beyond shocked and I just don't know what to say. I am absolutely speechless," she said on her Instagram Story. "This is a crazy day. It's really, really wild! What's happening?" she said. Rosé is joined by all three of her BLACKPINK bandmates, who were also recognized for their solo work: Jennie for "like JENNIE," Jisoo for "earthquake" and Lisa for "Born Again." Other nominees in the Best K-pop category include Jimin for "Who," aespa for "Whiplash" and Stray Kids for "Chk Chk Boom." This year's VMAs will be held at New York's UBS Arena on Sept. 8.Aug 6, 2025By Yonhap
Bada of S.E.S. apologizes for false advertisingBada, a member of first-generation K-pop girl group S.E.S., has issued a public apology after admitting to promoting a product with false claims. Her agency, Wavenine, said it is preparing legal action against those responsible for the misleading content. Bada posted a statement on her personal social media on Saturday, acknowledging that she had falsely advertised a product in a recent YouTube appearance. “I deeply apologize to everyone who was disappointed by this incident,” she wrote. “I will strive to act with greater responsibility moving forward.” Bada had introduced the product during a segment on a beauty-focused YouTube channel, claiming she had seen it in Australia. However, it was later revealed that this statement was untrue and that the product in question had previously faced controversy for exaggerated and misleading marketing. The video has since been taken down. “I should have reviewed the content more carefully before participating,” Bada said. “It is shameful that I failed to do so and caused confusion among viewers by presenting inaccurate information. I sAug 6, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘K-pop 4.0’ era begins as US-made ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ OST sweeps global chartsA song from the U.S.-produced Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” has reached No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, signaling a new era of K-pop’s global influence, one shaped increasingly by foreign creators and capital. On Tuesday, the track “Golden” became the first K-pop song in 13 years to top the UK chart since Psy’s “Gangnam Style” according to the Official Charts Company. It also holds the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the second consecutive week and is poised to become the first non-BTS K-pop No. 1 single on the chart. BTS and BTS members Jungkook and Jimin have previously reached No. 1. As American media companies embrace K-pop, Apple TV+ is set to premiere a new competition show titled “Kpopped” on Aug. 29. The title is a play on the idea of global pop songs being transformed into K-pop style. The show will feature global stars like the Spice Girls, TLC, Kylie Minogue, Boyz II Men and Megan Thee Stallion teaming up with Korean groups such as ATEEZ, ITZY, Kiss of Life and Kep1er to perform reimagined K-pop versions of their hit songs. LegeAug 6, 2025By Hankookilbo
K-pop and hallyu top pride list, politics ranks lowest, survey saysAs South Korea marks the 80th anniversary of its liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule, a new survey shows that K-pop and traditional culture are the sources of greatest national pride — while politics ranks lowest. In a poll conducted by Korea Research at the request of the Hankook Ilbo, 93 percent of respondents said they were most proud of hallyu or the Korean wave, including K-pop, followed by 90 percent who cited Korea’s traditional heritage. The findings suggest that many Koreans see culture as the country’s strongest global asset, especially given the worldwide success of BTS, the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” the hit Netflix series “Squid Game” and Han Kang’s Nobel Prize in Literature, emblematic examples. Public confidence also ran high in Korea’s medical system and science and technology, with 88 percent citing pride in each. About 84 percent of respondents said they were proud of the country’s sports achievements and public safety. National economic success (75 percent), premodern history (71 percent) and modern history since 1945 (70 percent)Aug 6, 2025By Hankookilbo
KATSEYE, BOYNEXTDOOR close out Lollapalooza Chicago with showmanship, industry promiseCHICAGO — Under the blazing sun in Chicago’s Grant Park, two of HYBE Labels’ fastest-rising acts stepped up to the plate, making it clear they intend to stay there. KATSEYE and BOYNEXTDOOR, both rising stars in the global music scene, delivered high-impact sets that closed out the four-day festival with a vibrant mix of flashy showmanship and industry promise. Though still in their nascent years, both groups demonstrated different strengths through their respective Sunday performances: KATSEYE brought theatrical flair and cross-cultural buzz, while BOYNEXTDOOR grounded their set in a powerful command of the stage. For KATSEYE, the performance at Lollapalooza’s main T-Mobile Stage — the group’s first-ever major festival appearance — was a pivotal career moment. Formed through the 2023 HYBE x Geffen global girl group audition program "Dream Academy," the six-member act — Manon, Daniela, Sophia, Megan, Lara and Yoonchae — has already cultivated a devoted international fan base. But according to the six members, stepping onto the Lollapalooza stage was something else entirelAug 4, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Girl group aespa to drop new album next monthK-pop girl group aespa will return next month with its sixth EP, "Rich Man," the group's agency, SM Entertainment, announced Monday. Following its three successive hits — "Supernova," "Armageddon" and "Whiplash" — the K-pop quartet achieved million-seller status with its latest single, "Dirty Work," released in June. The new album, set for release Sept. 5, consists of six tracks, including the title track "Rich Man." SM said the upcoming EP is not about a "rich man" in the conventional sense but rather aims to redefine aespa's own version of a "rich man" — one brimming with unparalleled energy and power. "The album will showcase the group's more distinct individuality and musical color," the agency added.Aug 4, 2025By Yonhap
