H.O.T. to reunite as full group after 6 years for Hanteo Music FestivalIconic first-generation K-pop group H.O.T. is reuniting as a full group for the first time in six years, marking a major milestone ahead of their 30th debut anniversary. Hanteo Global announced on Wednesday that H.O.T. will perform as the headliner for the inaugural Hanteo Music Festival, set to take place at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sept. 6 and 7. As headliners, the group is scheduled to deliver a solo-style performance lasting over 60 minutes. This marks their first complete group performance since 2019 and comes at a significant time, with their 30th anniversary just around the corner. Notably, Sept. 7 will also mark exactly 29 years since their debut, making the moment even more symbolic. The Hanteo Music Festival, being held for the first time this year, is expected to be a historic celebration of Korean music. According to Hanteo Global, the lineup will span K-pop acts from the first to fifth generation, offering a panoramic view of the genre’s evolution. Hanteo Global, the organizer of the event, has operated the real-time Hanteo Chart for the past 33 years and has played a cenJul 23, 2025By Hankookilbo
1VERSE debuts as truly global K-pop groupK-pop boy group 1Verse officially debuted with its first single album, "The 1st Verse," and a press showcase last week. For Seok, one of the five members and a North Korean defector, the moment still feels surreal. "I still can't believe I've debuted as an idol," Seok said with a quiet laugh during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at his agency's studio in Seoul on Tuesday. "It feels like things have gotten a lot busier since then, with many interviews being scheduled. From now on, I want to try to live and work harder with just one word in mind — beginner's mindset." The group has drawn wide media attention even before its debut due to the remarkable backstory of its members: two of the members, Seok and Hyuk, are North Korean defectors, though not the first to debut in a K-pop group. Formed by the independent label Singing Beetle, 1Verse's lineup is as diverse as the members' stories. Alongside Hyuk and Seok from North Korea are Nathan, an American with Lao and Thai heritage, Aito from Japan, and Kenny, a Chinese American raised in Los Angeles. Both Seok and Hyuk were born in 2000Jul 22, 2025By Yonhap
Airline staffer faces indictment for selling BTS flight detailsAn airline employee who allegedly sold the flight information of BTS and other celebrities to brokers is now facing indictment, the K-pop boy band's agency HYBE said Tuesday. According to the agency’s public relations manager, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's cybercrime unit apprehended three people, including one airline crew member, in February and March on suspicion of selling the group members’ flight details to brokers, a violation of the Personal Information Protection Act. During the investigation, police reportedly traced the suspects’ history of illegally acquiring information and financial records, confirming the structure of the profit-making operation. The case was transferred to the prosecution over the weekend. The nationalities and employment details of the defendants have not been disclosed. Police were unavailable for comment. HYBE said BTS was not the only victim of the breach. “Other HYBE artists, as well as those from different entertainment agencies, were also targeted,” the public relations manager said on condition of anonymity. The defendants allegeJul 22, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
BLACKPINK scores 3rd No. 1 on Billboard Global 200Girl group BLACKPINK has claimed the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts with its latest digital single, "Jump," Billboard said Tuesday. It marks BLACKPINK's third time topping the Global 200 and fourth time leading the Global Excl. U.S. chart, making it the first K-pop girl group to simultaneously top both charts. It also sets a new record for the most No. 1s by a K-pop girl group on each chart. The Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts rank songs based on streaming and sales data from more than 200 territories worldwide, compiled by Luminate, a U.S.-based entertainment data and analytics company. The Global 200 includes data from all regions, while the Global Excl. U.S. chart excludes the United States. Released July 11, "Jump" garnered 123 million streams to debut atop the Global 200. It marks the highest streaming total for a song released by a female artist worldwide this year. On the Hot 100 main songs chart, "Jump" debuted at No. 28. With this achievement, BLACKPINK extends its record as the K-pop girl group with the most entries onJul 22, 2025By Yonhap
JYP apologizes after fans asked for school records at DAY6 eventJYP Entertainment has issued a formal apology after reports emerged that some fans attending a DAY6 fan meeting were asked to present sensitive personal documents, including elementary school records, to verify their identity. The controversy stems from “PIER 10: All My Days,” a fan event held from July 18 to 20 in Songpa District, Seoul, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the popular K-pop band. According to social media posts on X, fans were asked to show a range of documents, including parents’ IDs, family relation certificates, financial authentication and even school records, during the admission process. One attendee claimed that despite providing everything requested, including the name of their elementary school teacher, staff continued to question their identity. “They made me stand in front of two team leaders who kept saying things like, ‘The nose hasn’t changed and the eyes look the same,’ but still didn’t accept it,” the fan wrote. “I was finally let in 15 minutes after the show started.” Other fans expressed discomfort and outrage, calling the measuresJul 22, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘Show Me the Money’ returns for 12th season with new teaserMnet’s iconic hip-hop survival show “Show Me the Money” is returning for its 12th season, the network said Monday, releasing a teaser video to mark the launch. As Korea’s first-ever hip-hop competition program, “Show Me the Money” has played a pivotal role in popularizing the genre and producing numerous star rappers and hit tracks. Known for its long-running success, the show holds the record for the most seasons among Korean survival programs and continues to draw attention from hip-hop fans and general viewers alike. The teaser clip celebrating the upcoming season emphasizes the symbolic power of the number 12. Themed visuals such as 12 months, 12 zodiac signs and 12 musical notes are featured with the phrase “The world is completed by 12,” highlighting the idea that this season marks a new pinnacle for the show. The video concludes with the line “Finally connected by 12,” signaling the anticipated return of the series. Set to return after nearly three years, “Show Me the Money 12” promises to be one of the most powerful seasons yet. Fans have long called for itJul 22, 2025By Hankookilbo
Seventeen to kick off new world tour in Incheon this SeptemberK-pop group Seventeen is set to launch a new world tour this fall, beginning with a two-day concert in Incheon on Sept. 13–14, according to agency Pledis Entertainment on Monday. The tour, titled “SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR ‘NEW_’ IN INCHEON,” will take place at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium and be livestreamed globally to connect with fans around the world. The title “NEW_” signals a bold new chapter for the group. The underscore following the word “new” is meant to symbolize limitless potential and open-ended possibilities. A teaser poster featuring the members walking along an open road further suggests the beginning of an expansive journey. On May 26, the group celebrated its 10th anniversary by releasing its fifth full-length album “HAPPY BURSTDAY,” signaling a dramatic rebirth. The album includes solo tracks from each member for the first time and features collaborations with legendary artists such as Pharrell Williams, showcasing Seventeen’s evolving musical versatility. The group achieved major commercial success with the album, topping the Circle Chart’s midJul 22, 2025By Hankookilbo
TXT gets personal, more powerful in 'The Star Chapter: TOGETHER'Tomorrow X Together (TXT) is back, and the band is literally bringing it all together. The BigHit Music boy band returned Monday with "The Star Chapter: TOGETHER," the group's first full-length album in nearly two years, wrapping up its "Star Chapter" series with more emotional storytelling and powerful performances. Just hours before the album drop, the five TXT members — Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai — took the stage at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall in Seoul to talk the press through their newest work. Dressed in black leather and exuding a darker edge, the members described the album as the group's most personal project yet. "We worked really hard to make sure our colors came through this time," said Yeonjun, the group's eldest. "Since the word 'together' is part of our team name, we thought a lot about what it actually means and how to express that through the music." Beomgyu added, "Being together is at the core of who we are as a team. We've all built this together — our fans, our staff and the five of us. That made the message of this new album feel eveJul 21, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
WOODZ completes military service, set to return to stageSinger WOODZ has been discharged from the military after completing his 18-month mandatory service. WOODZ held his discharge ceremony at the Korea Military Academy in Nowon District, Seoul, Monday. He enlisted in January 2023 as an active-duty soldier and served in the military band. During his service, he was selected as a “special warrior,” an honor awarded to exemplary soldiers. Speaking through his agency EDAM Entertainment, WOODZ said, “When I first enlisted, I worried about how hard it might be and whether time would pass slowly, but now I can’t believe a year and six months have flown by. I feel truly happy right now.” Despite being away from the spotlight, WOODZ made waves in the music scene during his military service. His self-composed track “Drowning,” released in April 2023, experienced a resurgence in popularity beginning in October 2023. The song climbed to No. 1 on major streaming platforms such as Melon and Genie, even topping terrestrial music programs, a rare feat for an artist not actively promoting. Reflecting on the unexpected success, WOODZ said, “EveJul 21, 2025By Hankookilbo
Jin’s mirror confession draws humorous responsesBTS member Jin gave a humorous answer when asked about what it’s like to live as the so-called “number one in looks.” On the July 20 episode of JTBC’s “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator,” Jin appeared as a guest alongside comedian Jo Se-ho, who is enjoying newlywed life. The hosts introduced Jin with his popular nickname, “Worldwide Handsome,” noting that he supposedly has an ideally proportioned unaltered face from an artistic perspective, as well as being rated the most scientifically attractive Asian male by overseas plastic surgeons. When asked how it feels to live up to that reputation, Jo joked, “Don’t you see Jin in the mirror when you go to the bathroom in the morning?” Jin played along, saying, “After I shower in the morning, I can’t leave the bathroom for three hours. How can I when a sculpture-like face is staring back at me in the mirror?” He added that even if he steps away from the mirror, he somehow finds himself drawn back toward it. Chef Yoon Nam-no from “Culinary Class Wars,” a competing chef on the show, chimed in with admiration: “IJul 21, 2025By Xportsnews
