HYBE chairman referred to prosecution over alleged unfair tradingFinancial authorities referred Bang Si-hyuk, chairman and founder of K-pop powerhouse HYBE, to the prosecution over alleged fraudulent securities transactions related to the company's listing, officials said, Wednesday. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) under the Financial Services Commission (FSC) decided to forward the complaint against Bang and three former HYBE officials for their alleged violation of the Capital Markets Act regarding the company's initial public offering (IPO). Bang is accused of misleading investors, including venture capital firms, in 2019 into believing that HYBE's IPO would be delayed and inducing them to sell their shares to a special purpose company (SPC) established by a private equity fund created and funded by HYBE executives. Investors sold their shares to the SPC, but financial authorities determined that HYBE was, at the time, already in the process of preparing for its listing. After the company went public, the SPC sold its shares, and Bang reportedly received 30 percent of the profit from the share sale in accordance with a prior shareholderJul 16, 2025By Yonhap
Monsta X looks ahead after decade in K-pop, teases September comebackHaving weathered all the highs and lows that come with spending a decade in the turbulent K-pop industry, nothing seems to rattle boy band Monsta X and its sheer confidence. That was clear on Wednesday afternoon, as the six Monsta X members — Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M — gathered at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, for a press conference marking the group's 10th anniversary. Rather than treating it as a routine media event, the members filled the room with easy laughter, trading jokes about their military service and even dropping unannounced hints about new music. Monsta X made its official debut on May 14, 2015, under Starship Entertainment, with its first mini album, "Trespass." Since then, the group has built an impressive catalog of hits, including "DRAMARAMA," "Shoot Out" and "GAMBLER," winning over fans in Korea and abroad with its signature masculine charisma. Looking back on the decade together, Minhyuk said the milestone finally felt real. "I didn't really feel it until today," he said. "Being congratulated like this makes it sink in. It feels both movingJul 16, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Mnet’s ‘BOYS II PLANET’ aims to create more global starsMnet, the channel that brought the world some of K-pop’s most popular acts, is returning with a bigger, more ambitious reality survival show this week, featuring its biggest lineup yet and a revamped format aimed at global audiences. Titled “BOYS II PLANET,” the second season of the hit 2023 series “Boys Planet,” kicks off this week in two parts — “Planet K” premiering Thursday and “Planet C” on Friday. A total of 160 trainees from across the globe, the most in Mnet's survival show history, will vie for a spot in a new global K-pop boy group. At a press conference held Tuesday in southern Seoul, chief producer Kim Shin-young — the creative mind behind the shows that launched the careers of boy groups ENHYPEN and ZeroBaseOne (ZB1) and girl groups Kep1er and Izna — introduced the season’s dual-language format as a key upgrade. “Planet K” is filmed in Korean, featuring participants from underdog K-pop boy bands and well-known trainees from established K-pop companies. “Planet C” will feature more industry newbies and trainees primarily speaking in the ChinJul 16, 2025By Youn Ye-jin and Inna Christine Cabel
What Min Hee-jin's breach of trust clearance means for her, NewJeansMin Hee-jin, the ousted former CEO of Ador, has been cleared of breach of trust allegations filed by HYBE, reigniting debates over her future and the uncertain status of NewJeans, the chart-topping girl group she helped create. In a statement released Tuesday, Min’s legal team said "the breach of trust allegations filed by HYBE in April last year were found to lack sufficient grounds for criminal charges," adding that the police concluded their investigation after determining there was "no evidence of wrongdoing." This follows a year-long probe that began after HYBE accused Min of attempting to seize control of Ador, a subsidiary in which it holds an 80 percent stake. Min denied the allegations. In response to the decision, HYBE announced it would file an appeal with the prosecution. "Following the police investigation, new developments have occurred, including the NewJeans members' declaration of contract termination, and numerous new pieces of evidence have been submitted in related court proceedings," the label told reporters the same day. Min was dismissed from her position at AdorJul 16, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Timeline: Monsta X's 10 years of grit, global growthFrom fierce rookies to global stars, K-pop boy band Monsta X marks its 10th anniversary this year. Over the past decade, the Starship Entertainment powerhouse has carved out a unique path, one built on fiery performances and international aspirations. Here's a look back at how Monsta X shaped each year into a milestone. 2015 Formed through Mnet's survival show "NO.MERCY," Monsta X officially debuted on May 14 under Starship Entertainment as a seven-member act with their first EP "Trespass." The group's aggressive sound and performances made an immediate impression, earning them multiple rookie awards within months of debut. In September, they also announced their official fandom name: Monbebe. 2016 Monsta X launched its "The Clan" series with its third EP, "Pt.1: Lost," which landed on Billboard's World Albums chart. The group also held their first solo concert in Seoul and closed the year with the release of "Pt.2: Guilty." 2017 The group's first studio album, "The Clan Pt.2.5: Beautiful," arrived in March, followed by its first world tour, "Beautiful," with stops across Asia, Europe and thJul 16, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Super Junior marks 20th anniversary with career-high album salesK-pop veteran group Super Junior has achieved a career high with the release of its 12th full-length album, celebrating the group’s 20th anniversary with a strong show of global popularity. The album, titled “Super Junior25,” sold 309,959 copies in its first week after release on July 8, according to Hanteo Chart, the group’s highest first-week sales to date. The milestone underscores Super Junior’s enduring appeal two decades into their career. The album's title track, “Express Mode,” also made a strong impact overseas, sweeping the top spot on Taiwan’s largest music platform KKBOX in three categories: real-time chart, K-pop new releases daily chart and K-pop singles daily chart. The remaining eight tracks from the album also occupied top spots on the charts, resulting in a rare full-chart domination by a single artist. International response to the album has been similarly enthusiastic. “Super Junior25” topped iTunes Top Albums charts in 20 regions including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Singapore and Thailand. It also ranked No. 1 on China’s QQ MJul 16, 2025By Hankookilbo
SHINee's Onew taps into animal instincts with new album 'PERCENT'SHINee's iconic vocalist Onew returned as a soloist with a breezy new track that calls on listeners to return to their animal instincts this summer. The singer dropped his second full-length album, "PERCENT," on major streaming platforms Tuesday, marking his solo comeback about five months after his fourth EP, "CONNECTION." Onew, dressed in a crisp white jacket, introduced the album during a media showcase at Myunghwa Live Hall in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District Tuesday afternoon, a few hours before the album release. "I wanted to express my different emotions in numbers, and that's why I came up with the current title," he said. "Even when we're happy, there's always that little percentage of anxiety, and even when things are tough, there's still some hope. I tried to interpret those everyday feelings exactly as I experience them in this album." The title track, "ANIMALS," is a song about finally setting those feelings and instincts free. Its refined bass line and acoustic guitar drive the track, while Onew's trademark soaring vocals add a burst of energy, making it a perfect fit for theJul 15, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
BoA diagnosed with bone necrosis, cancels August concert for knee surgerySinger BoA has been diagnosed with acute osteonecrosis in her knee and will undergo surgery, prompting the cancellation of her upcoming solo concert scheduled for August. Her agency, SM Entertainment, said Tuesday that BoA’s fifth solo concert has been canceled due to health concerns. She was scheduled to kick off her new tour with performances at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 30 and 31. BoA recently visited the hospital after experiencing worsening knee pain and was diagnosed with acute osteonecrosis, a condition requiring surgical treatment, the agency said. Based on doctors’ advice that she should avoid strenuous physical activity and undergo surgery promptly to prevent further deterioration, they decided to cancel the performances. “We sincerely apologize to fans for the sudden news,” the agency said. “This was a difficult decision made with the artist’s health as our top priority, and we ask for your understanding.” Despite the setback, BoA’s upcoming album, scheduled for release this year to mark the 25th anniversary of her debut, will be released as plannedJul 15, 2025By Hankookilbo
ILLIT to debut in Japan with first single ‘Toki Yo Tomare’ in SeptemberK-pop girl group ILLIT will officially debut in Japan this September, furthering its growing popularity in both Korea and Japan. According to agency Belift Lab on Monday, ILLIT’s first Japanese single “Toki Yo Tomare,” which means “Time, Please Stop,” will be released digitally on Sept. 1, with the physical album following on Sept. 3. The single album will feature four tracks: two new songs; a Japanese version of “Do the Dance,” the title track from their third EP; and “Almond Chocolate,” ILLIT’s first Japanese original song that went viral after its release in February. A teaser poster, filled with ILLIT’s signature whimsical, girlish energy, features props like a magic wand in a drawer and a ribbon-adorned clock. Despite not having officially debuted in Japan yet, ILLIT has already made waves in the country. Their debut song “Magnetic” was a major hit on local charts throughout last year. They also won the Rookie of the Year Award at the 66th Japan Record Awards, the first K-pop girl group to do so in 13 years. The group’s momentum continues to build. Their thJul 15, 2025By Hankookilbo
InterviewASTRO's Yoon San-ha goes 'EXTRA VIRGIN,' extra confident on new solo album 'CHAMELEON'Yoon San-ha isn't here to play it safe, especially not when he's naming his new solo title track "EXTRA VIRGIN," after premium olive oil. Nearly a year after going solo, the youngest member of K-pop boy band ASTRO returns with "CHAMELEON," a vibrant second mini-album that blends playful charm, summer vibes and a newfound level of confidence. "These 11 months, I had time to grow deeper and more solid," Yoon said during an afternoon interview on July 3 with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul's Gangnam District. "It may seem long or short depending on how you look at it, but it gave me the courage to return solo. That's really thanks to the support and patience of my fans." Set for release on Tuesday, "CHAMELEON" shows off a broader artistic palette than his first solo work. Its lead track, "EXTRA VIRGIN," stands out with its blend of country-inspired chords and punchy hip-hop rhythms. Its title, in particular, reflects his desire to take risks. The name "EXTRA VIRGIN" came from the demo stage, and while the lyrics were initially full of references to olive oil, the singer said something abouJul 15, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
