Aespa’s Karina addresses controversy over ‘politically charged’ outfitKarina, a member of K-pop girl group aespa, has offered a public explanation about one month after sparking political controversy with a social media post in which she wore a jacket featuring the number “2” in red, a color and number associated with Korea's conservative People Power Party, ahead of Korea’s presidential election. Speaking on the singer and YouTuber Jung Jae-hyung's YouTube channel “Fairy Jaehyung” on Sunday, Karina said she had no political intent and was unaware of the connotation at the time. “I want to talk about it because there truly was no such intention,” she said. “I’m so sorry for worrying our fans and many others. I was out with staff and bought an extra jacket because the weather was chilly. I just posted a photo to communicate with fans, but then I was contacted about it and took it down. I was simply ignorant. Even if I was overseas, I should have known better.” Karina originally posted the photo on May 27, just a week ahead of the presidential election, prompting speculation that she was implicitly supporting a specific candidate. The jacJul 7, 2025By Hankookilbo
BLACKPINK kicks off long-awaited tour with sizzling shows in GoyangExpectations were sky-high for one of K-pop's most iconic quartets as BLACKPINK gave its first full-group performance in nearly two years, judging by the sea of fans who braved a scorching heat wave to see them in Ilsan. The K-pop supergroup — Jennie, Rosé, Jisoo and Lisa — kicked off its "DEADLINE" world tour over the weekend at Goyang Sports Complex in Ilsan, just west of Seoul, becoming the first K-pop girl group to do so at one of the capital area's largest concert venues. Fans swarmed the venue Sunday, the final show of the two-day performance, despite temperatures soaring to about 33 degrees Celsius and a heat wave advisory in effect. Armed with mini electronic fans and parasols to escape the heat, the throngs of fans could be heard complaining here and there, but their faces collectively lit up with excitement when asked for a brief interview. "It's so hot and I'm sweating like crazy, but the thrill of getting to see the four perform together again is the only thing keeping me on my feet right now," said Liu Wen, a Chinese fan in her 20s who arrived hours early, clutching theJul 6, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS’s V turns heads with wide-shouldered look and retro denim at airportBTS member V exuded star power at Incheon International Airport, Friday, as he departed on an overseas trip, captivating fans with a stylish yet effortlessly cool appearance. V paired a white Henley T-shirt with flared denim pants, bringing a modern twist to the 1970s retro mood. Known for his dedication to self-care — often shared through personal social media posts showing workouts and ballet stretches — V’s physique stood out even in casual attire. The slim-fit T-shirt accentuated his broad shoulders and balanced frame, while the bold flared pants elongated his legs, highlighting his statuesque proportions. Black loafers, a red jacket, and a Boston bag featuring a classic pattern added structure and depth to the overall look. Accessories like layered necklaces and earrings offered subtle details, and despite wearing a face mask, V’s striking features and intense gaze still shone through, sending fans — known as the ARMY — into a frenzy. He also made time for fans gathered at the airport, flashing a relaxed smile and waving in a show of trademark fan service. V completed hisJul 5, 2025By Xportsnews
From ‘boyhood pop’ to ‘baby rock,’ K-pop’s new wave builds genre of its ownAs competition heats up in the saturated K-pop idol market, a new trend is emerging: groups are creating and naming their own musical genres to stand out. These “self-defined genres” are gaining momentum as a powerful strategy to build distinct musical identities and deepen fan loyalty. In recent years, fourth-generation idol groups sought to differentiate themselves by creating elaborate fictional universes and storylines. These narrative-driven concepts served as a unique branding tool as well as a way to engage fans beyond the music itself through lore, characters and visual storytelling. However, the craze around immersive world-building has begun to wane. As “easy listening” gains traction in the broader music landscape, the appeal of high-concept, lore-heavy music has declined. Oversaturation, along with growing fatigue toward complex storytelling, has pushed the industry to look for a new way to differentiate groups. 'Self-defined genres’ Stepping into this void are fifth-generation idol groups who are defining their own musical styles from the start, branding their soundJul 4, 2025By Hankookilbo
Moon Won denies past misconduct allegations amid marriage news with Koyote’s ShinjiSinger Moon Won, who recently announced his engagement to Koyote group member Shinji, has spoken out amid controversy over allegations about his past. While he admitted to engaging in real estate work without a broker’s license, he denied claims of name changes, infidelity and bullying during his school years and military service. In a lengthy social media post shared Thursday, Moon admitted to some missteps while firmly denying others. The controversy erupted after a video interview featuring Moon was released on Shinji's YouTube channel on Wednesday. In it, Moon made remarks that were widely criticized by fans of both Koyote and Shinji. “I sincerely apologize to Koyote fans, Shinji’s supporters, and everyone who felt uncomfortable or disappointed because of my careless behavior,” Moon wrote. “I especially regret causing hurt to Shinji, who should be receiving only love and congratulations at this time. As her future partner, I deeply reflect on my words and actions.” He continued, “After reading the comments following yesterday’s radio broadcast, I realized how thoughtleJul 4, 2025By Hankookilbo
Korea's water-soaked festivals offer splashy escape from summer heat, realityIn the blistering heat of a Korean summer, few things offer relief like getting drenched in water — and if it’s while singing along to your favorite artist, even better. That’s the appeal behind Korea’s booming summer water festivals, which continue to draw massive crowds with their combination of high-octane performances, celebrity appearances and plenty of splash. Among those who can’t forget the experience is an office worker surnamed Lee, who marked the end of her 20s with a wet and wild day at Seoul's WATERBOMB festival in June 2022. Even now, she says, the memory resurfaces every summer. "It was so hot and humid and then it started raining," she recalled. "Everyone was dragging their feet, but maybe that's why we were all more willing to embrace the streams of water at the festival. I probably couldn't do it again now, but ending my 20s with something that intense made that summer really unforgettable." These events are built on exactly that kind of intensity. Taking place at the height of Korea’s monsoon season, water festivals embrace the heat, replacing sweat with cJul 4, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Xdinary Heroes to drop new single ‘FiRE’ ahead of summer concert debutK-pop rock band Xdinary Heroes will release a new digital single in July, turning up the heat this summer with a blast of high-energy rock. JYP Entertainment unveiled visual artwork for the single “FiRE (My Sweet Misery)” through the band’s official social media accounts on Wednesday, followed by a mood film at noon teasing the track’s theme and atmosphere. While the artwork features striking portraits of members Gunil, Jungsu, Gaon, O.de, Jun Han, and Jooyeon in a bold and experimental concept, the accompanying mood film leans into a mysterious tone with stylized visual direction. The group will perform the new track live for the first time during their upcoming summer concert series, “Xdinary Heroes Summer Special: The Xcape,” scheduled for July 4-6 at SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in the Songpa District of Seoul. The shows mark the band’s first solo performance at the venue, and they are expected to bring peak energy with the debut of “FiRE (My Sweet Misery).” Xdinary Heroes has earned a reputation for electrifying live shows, both at home and abroad. Their ongoing woJul 3, 2025By Hankookilbo
Cha Eun-woo VR concert opens new frontier for K-popImagine K-pop star Cha Eun-woo stepping just inches from your face, gazing into your eyes, and singing a love song. That’s the premise behind “Cha Eun-woo VR Concert: Memories,” a virtual reality (VR) concert film that premiered in Korea on June 18. Designed to feel like a one-on-one date with the singer, the 58-minute experience blends music performance with interactive storytelling and monodrama, offering fans an intimate 3D encounter that feels almost real. The fourth K-pop VR concert film to hit theaters, following releases from aespa, EXO’s Kai, and Tomorrow X Together, “Memories” experiments with a hybrid format that pushes the boundaries of virtual K-pop entertainment. Though only screened at two VR-equipped theaters in Seoul, the film has generated buzz. By July 1, it had attracted 2,279 moviegoers. With each ticket priced at 33,000 won ($24), more than double the price of a regular movie pass, its total revenue rivals that of films with audiences exceeding 8,000. The film’s reach, however, extends well beyond Korea. After its domestic release, it opened in Japan, CJul 3, 2025By Hankookilbo
BTS confirms full-group comeback for next spring, world tour also plannedK-pop megastars BTS thrilled fans worldwide Tuesday with the announcement of their full-group return next spring, featuring a new album and world tour, during a surprise livestream. The seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — appeared together on the fan platform Weverse, marking the band's first full-group livestream since September 2022. The 30-minute broadcast drew more than 7.3 million views. During the livestream, the members shared that they will begin preparing the new album starting this month. "It will include everyone's ideas. We're going back to our roots for this one," they said. They added that a world tour is in the works following the album release. "We'll be visiting places around the world, so please look forward to it," they said. The upcoming tour will be the group's first in four years, since the "'Yet to Come' in Busan" concert back in 2022. That performance marked the group's final activity as a full group before taking an extended hiatus for Korea's mandatory military service. In the meantime, the members have pursued successful solo ventuJul 2, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Where have all the girl groups gone? K-pop sees solo acts, bands rise as girl groups fadeK-pop girl groups that once dominated the charts are losing ground, with only a few holding on in a shifting music landscape. While aespa and IVE managed to stand out during the first half of 2025, many others, from rebranded veterans to ambitious rookies like ILLIT and Le Sserafim, fell short of expectations. On Monday, rookie co-ed group Allday Project topped Melon’s daily chart with its debut single “Famous.” Often called a “concrete chart” for its resistance to change, Melon is notoriously difficult even for top-tier K-pop acts to break into, making the rookie group’s No. 1 ranking symbolic. With soloists and bands now occupying much of the top ranks, attention has shifted away from girl groups that once led the industry. According to the Korea Music Content Association’s digital chart, based on usage data from major platforms, only four girl groups entered the weekly Top 10 between January and June 21. IVE, which released an album in February, was the only act to earn significant chart positions, with “Rebel Heart” reaching No. 1 and “Attitude” peaking at No. 7Jul 2, 2025By Hankookilbo
