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
BoA to release 11th album, 'Crazier,' ahead of 25th debut anniversaryKorean diva BoA, dubbed "the star of Asia," will release her 11th full-length album, "Crazier," on Monday in celebration of her 25th debut anniversary, her agency SM Entertainment said. The album features 11 tracks, including the title track "Crazier," "It Takes Two," "How Could" and "Clockwise." SM described "Crazier" as a "meaningful album celebrating BoA's 25th debut anniversary" and "a work that brings together her musical journey while serving as a bridge to connect with "Jumping BoA," her dedicated global fanbase. "The album includes a variety of tracks, from dance songs to emotional ballads," the agency added. BoA made her debut at age 14 with "ID; Peace B" on Aug. 25, 2000, and entered the Japanese market the following year. She went on to achieve remarkable success in Japan, the world's second-largest music market, releasing two million-selling albums. Her powerful and stable live performances, even during demanding choreography, earned her wide acclaim. She is often credited as a trailblazer who helped open the Japanese market to K-pop artists. Reflecting on her milestone, BoA saAug 4, 2025By Yonhap
'Pink Venom' becomes BLACKPINK's 9th music video to surpass 1 billion views"Pink Venom," a track from girl group BLACKPINK's second full-length album, has surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube, the group's agency said Monday. The video reached the milestone at 12:52 a.m., about three years after its release in August 2022, according to YG Entertainment. With "Pink Venom," the K-pop quartet now has nine music videos that have each garnered more than 1 billion views, including "Ddu-du Ddu-du" (2.3 billion) and "Kill This Love" (2.1 billion). BLACKPINK has a total of 50 YouTube videos with over 100 million views, and the cumulative views on its official YouTube channel have reached 39.5 billion. The channel has 98.2 million subscribers, making it the most subscribed artist channel in the world. The group is currently on its new world tour, "Deadline," which includes 31 shows in 16 cities worldwide.Aug 4, 2025By Yonhap
'Kpop Demon Hunters' soundtrack climbs back to No. 2 on Billboard albums chart; TXT lands at No. 3The soundtrack for Netflix's global hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" has risen to No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart, matching its previous peak position. According to Billboard's preview released Sunday (U.S. time), the album climbed one spot to second place in its sixth week of release. Originally debuting at No. 8 in late June, the soundtrack steadily climbed the chart alongside the film's growing popularity — rising to No. 3, then No. 2, before slipping to No. 5 and rebounding to No. 3 last week. Produced by U.S.-based Sony Pictures Animation, the Netflix original follows Huntr/x, a fictional K-pop girl group battling evil spirits to protect the human world. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units, comprising physical sales, track-equivalent units and streaming-equivalent units. During the latest tracking week, the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack earned 93,000 equivalent album units, up 4 percent from the previous week. "The Star Chapter: Together," the fourth full-length album from K-pop boyAug 4, 2025By Yonhap
From TWICE to KickFlip: JYP doubles down at Lollapalooza ChicagoCHICAGO — As fireworks exploded above Grant Park and thousands of lightsticks danced below, TWICE closed out Saturday night at Lollapalooza Chicago with a bang — a spectacle that reaffirmed K-pop’s global power. But the spotlight wasn’t theirs alone. Just hours earlier, rookie boy band KickFlip stepped onto the same stage for their U.S. debut, wide-eyed but with enough raw energy to win over a sea of curious festivalgoers. Together, they turned JYP Entertainment’s presence at the festival into a generational double bill, painting a vivid portrait of both legacy and emergence on a global stage. TWICE dances night away Headlining Saturday night, TWICE, arguably one of K-pop's most globally celebrated girl groups, didn't just take the stage; they commanded it, unleashing a performance charged with the full force of K-pop's signature spectacle. Opening their set on the Bud Light Stage with a thunderous rendition of "The Feels," the nine-member group launched into a tightly choreographed run of fan favorites including "More & More," "Dance the Night Away" and "What is Love?" Tens ofAug 4, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
‘Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile’ ends today with surprise appearance by IUKBS2’s music talk show “The Seasons: Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile” is set to wrap up its five-month run with a star-studded finale, airing Friday. The final episode, themed “Friday Nights with Bo-gum,” features performances by a lineup of acclaimed artists including Kim Bum-soo, Zion.T and IU, as well as musical actors Kim Tae-han, Yoon Gong-ju and Na Ha-na. Opening with a full version of MeloMance’s “Shall We Take a Break,” host Park energized the audience by stepping off the stage to connect with fans. As the longest-running and first-ever actor-MC in “The Seasons” franchise, Park has drawn attention weekly for his musical versatility and heartfelt hosting. Kim Bum-soo performs a medley of his hit songs accompanied by Park on the piano. Kim later jokingly asked the multitalented actor to “at least leave one flaw” after being wowed by his musicianship. Their duet performance also includes soulful vocals from Park, drawing enthusiastic praise from Kim. To celebrate the season finale, messages from fans and a song gift from the show’s very first guest, composer and pAug 1, 2025By Hankookilbo
Ive to return this month with new EPGirl group Ive will be back late this month with its fourth EP, titled "Ive Secret," the group's agency, Starship Entertainment, said Friday. It said the album, set for release on Aug. 25, will be led by "XOXOZ." This marks the band's first release in six months following "Ive Empathy," released in February. Five of the group's Korean albums, including "Ive Empathy," have achieved million-seller status.Aug 1, 2025By Yonhap
Seventeen to perform at Hong Kong’s largest stadiumK-pop group Seventeen will take the stage at Hong Kong’s largest stadium, joining the ranks of global acts like Coldplay and Jay Chou, its agency said Wednesday. According to Pledis Entertainment, Seventeen will hold its “Seventeen World Tour [NEW_] in Hong Kong” on Sept. 27-28 at the Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium. The concert marks the group’s return to Hong Kong for the first time in seven years since its 2018 show. Kai Tak Stadium has hosted performances by international icons including Coldplay, Mayday, JJ Lin, and Jay Chou. It has also recently been the venue for high-profile European football friendly matches featuring clubs such as Liverpool FC, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and AC Milan. Seventeen has been expanding its global stadium tour footprint with headline performances in major cities including Seoul, Incheon, Yokohama, Osaka and Los Angeles. Last year, the group drew more than 1.5 million fans — both offline and online — to its shows, with solo concerts at major venues like Seoul World Cup Stadium and Nissan Stadium in Japan. Before the Hong Kong stop, SeventeeAug 1, 2025By Hankookilbo
Singer Gummy, husband Jo Jung-suk expecting second childSinger Gummy is pregnant with her second child, industry sources confirmed Thursday. She is currently in her fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. Gummy married actor Jo Jung-suk in 2018 and gave birth to their first daughter in 2020. Now, five years later, the couple is preparing to welcome another child into their family. Jo has previously praised Gummy as a “parenting genius,” raising anticipation for their next chapter as a family of four. Debuting in 2003, Gummy is known for numerous hit songs including “If You Come Back,” “We Should've Been Friends” and “Remember Me.” This article from the Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.Jul 31, 2025By Hankookilbo
