NCT DREAM goes full sci-fi, travels through time in 'Go Back To The Future'NCT DREAM is turning back the clock and hopping back on the hoverboard with its fifth full-length album, "Go Back To The Future." Nearly a decade into its career, the seven-member group is revisiting the excitement of its early days, this time armed with a veteran's poise. The seven NCT DREAM members — Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung — appeared for a press conference Monday morning at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul's Songpa District, dressed in sleek black suits, adding a pop of color through hairstyles in blue, silver and pink, and fresh off three sold-out concerts last week. "Go Back To The Future," set to drop on Monday 6 p.m., marks the team's return eight months after its "DREAMSCAPE" release in November. This new project takes listeners on a time travel adventure, as the group reflects on their nine-year idol journey. Paying homage to the 1985 film "Back to the Future," the album's concept is inspired by the theme of time travel. A music video was produced with approval from Amblin Entertainment and Universal Studios, the studios behind the original mJul 14, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
BLACKPINK secures 3rd No. 1 on Spotify global songs chart with 'Jump'Girl group BLACKPINK topped Spotify's Daily Top Songs Global chart with its latest single, "Jump," becoming the first K-pop act to achieve three No. 1s on the chart, its agency said Monday. According to YG Entertainment, the track hit No. 1 on Sunday, following previous chart-toppers "Pink Venom" and "Shut Down," both released in 2022. "Jump," which marks a stylistic shift from the group's previous sound, features guitar riffs reminiscent of Western films and showcases the quartet's distinct vocals, the agency said. The song garnered more than 13 million streams within two days of its release Friday, gaining traction in key markets including the United States and Britain. The track also topped the iTunes Top Songs chart in 60 countries and regions. BLACKPINK kicked off the North American leg of its "Deadline" world tour with two sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles over the weekend, drawing a combined crowd of 100,000, YG said. During Sunday's concert, global pop star Bruno Mars made a surprise appearance to perform "APT.," his collaborative single with BLACKPINK member Rose.Jul 14, 2025By Yonhap
BigHit Music to debut new boy group in AugustBigHit Music, home to BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT), will launch its first new boy group in six years. The five-member act — Martin, James, Joohoon, Sunghyun and Gunho — is scheduled to debut Aug. 18. Calling themselves a “Young Creator Crew,” the group is composed entirely of teens who participate in songwriting, choreography, videography and performance production. Rather than assigning fixed roles, the group collaborates across all creative aspects. Even before their debut, members Martin and James contributed to songs and choreography for senior HYBE artists. Martin is credited on TXT’s “Deja Vu,” “Miracle” and upcoming track “Beautiful Strangers,” as well as ENHYPEN’s “Outside,” Le Sserafim's “Pierrot” and ILLIT’s “Magnetic.” James participated in choreography for TXT’s “Deja Vu” and ILLIT’s “Magnetic,” “Cherish” and “Tick-Tack.” BigHit Music said it will reveal more details about the group and its concept in the coming weeks. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a gJul 14, 2025By Hankookilbo
BTS' J-Hope electrifies Lollapalooza BerlinK-pop superstar J-Hope of BTS has ignited the stage at Lollapalooza Berlin, one of the largest music festivals in Europe, drawing fervent cheers from a crowd of 60,000, his agency said Monday. The performance marked J-Hope's return to a Lollapalooza stage after three years, following his solo debut at Lollapalooza Chicago in 2022. Taking the main stage at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday (local time), the festival's final day, J-Hope delivered an energetic 90-minute set. As the massive audience chanted his name, the Korean rapper emerged on a lift, kicking off the show with "What if…" and "Pandora's Box." J-Hope kept the momentum high, asking the crowd: "Are you ready to go crazy tonight? Then let's go!" His setlist comprised 21 songs, including solo tracks, like "on the street" and the new song "Killin' It Girl," alongside the BTS group hit "MIC Drop." Toward the conclusion of his performance, J-Hope expressed gratitude to his global fanbase. "This year has been a truly meaningful time for me," he said. "I'm grateful for many things while touring around the world. Thank you for being wJul 14, 2025By Yonhap
'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack surges to No. 2 on Billboard 200, tops Melon chartThe soundtrack for the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in its third week, propelled by the global popularity of the U.S.-produced film centered on a fictional K-pop girl group. Billboard reported Sunday (local time) that the album rose one spot from No. 3 the previous week, marking its highest position on the chart to date. After debuting at No. 8 following its release June 20, the soundtrack jumped five spots to No. 3 last week. "KPop Demon Hunters" is a Netflix original musical animation that features the popular girl group HUNTR/X, who protect the human world from evil spirits. Including the film's soundtrack, only five movie soundtrack albums have reached the top two of the Billboard 200 in the 2020s alongside those for "Wicked," "Barbie" and "Encanto." 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 75,000 eJul 14, 2025By Yonhap
ReviewNCT DREAM commands Seoul's biggest dome with 3-night spectacle ahead of new albumIn a city where only the biggest names can fill its largest arena, K-pop boy band NCT DREAM didn't just pack Seoul's symbolic Gocheok Sky Dome, they nearly blew its roof off. The seven-piece NCT subunit, who first burst onto the stage on hoverboards nine years ago as SM Entertainment's youngest boy band, returned to the capital last week exuding arena-dominating aura in place of their once-teenage charm. Now grown and backed by one of K-pop's most powerful fandoms, NCT DREAM drew 60,000 fans over three sold-out nights with their "2025 NCT DREAM TOUR 'THE DREAM SHOW 4 : DREAM THE FUTURE.'" The dome, located in southwestern Seoul's Guro District, is the city's largest currently operating concert venue, a space that has hosted only a select few K-pop acts such as BTS, BLACKPINK, Seventeen, Stray Kids and BIGBANG. But NCT DREAM and their fans made it look easy, even with the group's "THE DREAM SHOW" concert series returning regularly over the years. Hours before Saturday's final concert, crowds filled the area around the dome, many dressed in their best looks and holding the group's officialJul 13, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS’ V flaunts sculpted physique in Paris as he shares final glimpses without Park Bo-gum or SuzyBTS member V turned heads in Paris with his striking visuals and newly bulked-up physique. On July 11, V posted a series of photos to his personal account with the caption, "My final glimpses of Paris." The images captured moments from his recent visit to the French capital for a luxury fashion show. What drew the most attention was V’s noticeable physical transformation. Having previously shared updates about his disciplined workout routine following his military discharge, the singer showcased the results in a slim-fit white top paired with denim pants — revealing a sharply defined upper body and arm muscles as large as his face. In addition to his toned physique, V charmed fans with his tousled black hair and delicate, sculpture-like facial features, blending boyish charm with cinematic elegance. V completed his mandatory military service on June 10. BTS, the group he belongs to, is currently in the United States working on new music and concert preparations. They are expected to make a full-group comeback in the spring of next year. This article from Xportsnews is translated by aJul 12, 2025By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK's new single 'Jump' tops iTunes charts in 47 countriesGirl group BLACKPINK's new digital single, "Jump," topped iTunes charts in 47 countries, YG Entertainment said Saturday. The song released Friday marks the group's first release in two years and 10 months since its second full-length album, "Born Pink," in September 2022, excluding "The Girls" from the soundtrack of a video game. "Jump," with an addictive chorus, marks a transformation from the K-pop quartet's previous charismatic musical style. It "captivates listeners with guitar riffs reminiscent of a Western film, layered with the members' distinctive vocals," according to the agency. Music producers Teddy and 24, who have crafted BLACKPINK's hit songs, collaborated on the track with international lyricists and composers. The song's music video was helmed by award-winning director Dave Meyers. BLACKPINK performed the song for the first time during a "Deadline" world tour concert at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul, last weekend. The tour will take the group to 15 other cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Paris, Milan, London and BangkoJul 12, 2025By Yonhap
ALLDAY PROJECT breaks through K-pop’s ‘co-ed group wasteland’ALLDAY PROJECT, a co-ed K-pop group launched by producer Teddy under The Black Label, is drawing major attention both at home and abroad after a strong debut, marking a potential turning point in a market long considered inhospitable to mixed-gender acts. The group officially debuted on June 23 with its first single “FAMOUS” and has already reached major milestones. Within four days of its release, “Famous” topped Melon’s Top 100 chart, and just ten days after debuting, ALLDAY PROJECT took first place on Mnet’s “M Countdown.” Internationally, the group entered Billboard’s Global 200 chart at No. 94, signaling strong overseas reception as well. Comprising members Annie (an heiress to Korea’s retail group Shinsegae), rapper Woochan (from “Show Me the Money”), dancer Bailey, former ILLIT debut team member Youngseo and model-dancer Tarzzan, the five-member group boasts diverse backgrounds and predebut buzz that helped it hit the ground running. But what has truly set ALLDAY PROJECT apart is its bold revival of the co-ed group format, something rarely seen in K-pop sinJul 12, 2025By Hankookilbo
G-Dragon cancels Thai concert over fan safety concerns amid extreme heatK-pop star G-Dragon has canceled an upcoming concert in Thailand, citing concerns over fan safety due to extreme heat, his agency said Friday. The concert was scheduled to be held Aug. 2 at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok as part of his "Ubermensch" world tour. Galaxy Corporation, the artist's agency, said the cancellation was made after assessing the risks associated with holding an outdoor concert in scorching weather conditions, which have led to a surge in heat-related illnesses in the region. "The health and safety of fans was the top priority in making the decision," the agency said in a statement. No refunds are required since tickets for the Bangkok show had not yet gone on sale. The agency added it plans to reschedule the concert as early as possible, taking into account weather conditions and fan safety.Jul 11, 2025By Yonhap
