ATEEZ, TXT and Stray Kids prove 4th-gen K-pop is still on ‘another level’Fifth-generation idols may be rising, but when it comes to the global music scene, the fourth generation of K-pop is still reigning supreme. Boy groups like ATEEZ, Tomorrow X Together (TXT), and Stray Kids continue to dominate with record-breaking performances, headline festival appearances and sold-out world tours. ATEEZ creates their own ‘golden hour’ ATEEZ recently hit a new career milestone by debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time with their latest track, "Lemon Drop," from their 12th mini album "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3," released June 13. The album also soared to No. 2 on the Billboard 200, proving the group’s growing influence in the global pop market. Their momentum has been years in the making. In 2023, ATEEZ became the first K-pop boy group to be invited to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where they wowed the crowd with their powerful stage presence and dynamic performance. ATEEZ’s success is far from over. They are scheduled to release "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3 ‘In Your Fantasy Edition," July 11, following the kickoff of their new world tourJun 28, 2025By Xportsnews
YENA to join BTS’ Jin as guest performer at solo fan concertSinger YENA will appear as a guest performer at BTS member Jin’s solo fan concert “RunSeokjin_EP. Tour in Goyang” on Saturday at the auxiliary stadium of Goyang Sports Complex. YENA recently featured on “Loser,” a track from Jin’s second mini album “Echo,” released on May 16. Their fresh chemistry, showcased in a previously released live clip, has sparked anticipation among fans for what the two artists will present together at the upcoming event. “Loser” is a playful duet that captures the dynamic of a couple that alternates between sweetness and everyday bickering. Jin and YENA’s musical synergy has drawn positive attention, with fans praising the blend of YENA’s signature bright tone and Jin’s vocals. YENA continues to expand her presence as a solo artist with a distinct sound and vibrant performances, often referred to as the “YENA genre.” Beyond music, she has also made notable appearances in television dramas and variety shows. Following solo concerts in Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo, Macau and Taiwan, YENA plans to continue engaging with fans through a varietyJun 27, 2025By Hankookilbo
A2O MAY breaks China’s hallyu ban with national music show debutA2O MAY, the new global girl group produced by former SM Entertainment CEO Lee Soo-man, has made a high-profile appearance on Chinese television, signaling a breakthrough in cultural exchange amid the lingering effects of the unofficial Korean Wave — or “hallyu” — ban. The group, composed of two Chinese Americans and three Chinese members, performed its second single “BOSS” on China Central Television’s (CCTV) popular music program “China Music Top Chart” on Wednesday. The show is resuming a new season after a yearslong hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic. A2O MAY’s participation is seen as a landmark moment, showcasing the group’s growing popularity in the Chinese market following their debut last December. Upon its release on April 25, “BOSS” debuted at No. 3 on the new songs chart of QQ Music, China’s largest streaming platform, and quickly rose to No. 1 for three consecutive days. The strong chart performance led to the group’s invitation to perform on “China Music Top Chart,” which regularly features high-profile artists. During the broadcast, theJun 27, 2025By Hankookilbo
Aespa signals 6th million-seller as ‘Dirty Work’ preorders top 1 millionK-pop girl group aespa is on track to score its sixth million-selling record, with preorders for its new single “Dirty Work” surpassing 1.01 million copies ahead of its release Friday, according to SM Entertainment. “Dirty Work,” a synth-driven dance track with cool vocal melodies and an empowering message, dropped at 1 p.m. Friday on major music platforms. The single follows aespa’s previous million-sellers, including “Girls,” “My World,” “Drama,” “Armageddon” and “We Fresh.” Known for launching popular short-form dance challenges, aespa incorporates a mix of bold and sultry choreography in “Dirty Work,” featuring individualized dance breaks and a powerful final chorus that highlights the group’s signature energy. The music video, also out Friday via the SMTOWN YouTube channel, was shot at Hyundai Steel’s Dangjin plant, adding a raw industrial edge to the video with massive equipment and a sprawling scrapyard as well as 225 extras. In the video, the members take on the roles of fierce resistance fighters who do not hesitate to carry out “dirty worJun 27, 2025By Hankookilbo
BTS’ Suga recognized for volunteer work at autism centerBTS member Suga is being recognized for his deep personal involvement in launching a treatment center for children with autism. On Tuesday, a video titled "Comfort through music: The story of the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center" was uploaded to the official YouTube channel of Seoul’s Severance Hospital. The center, named for Suga’s birth name, aims to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental conditions. In the video, Cheon Keun-ah, a pediatric psychiatrist at Severance Hospital, described the project as “a miracle center that fulfills a long-held dream.” “Children with autism grow into adults, and I always wished our hospital had a rehabilitation program to help them achieve social independence," she said. Cheon revealed that Suga had long been interested in developmental and mental health issues, particularly those affecting children and adolescents. “I’ll never forget the first day I met him,” she said. “I had written a 500-page textbook on autism spectrum disorder, and he had read a significant portion of it before our meeting. His quJun 26, 2025By Xportsnews
Why K-pop’s rise in London is about more than just musicLONDON — It’s a Sunday afternoon near Covent Garden. A crowd begins to form as dancers glide through the sharp, synchronized moves of TWICE’s “I Can’t Stop Me.” The performers — members of iKloud, one of London’s grassroots K-pop cover crews — channel the song’s sleek energy with striking precision. Diverse in race, gender and background, they move as one, drawing out phones and smiles from curious onlookers. Scenes like this — whether K-pop cover shoots, TikTok challenges or random play dances — are now a regular sight at London’s landmarks. From the Southbank to King’s Cross, K-pop’s influence in London runs deeper than dance moves or catchy tunes, reshaping how young Londoners express themselves, build community and foster cultural connection. Community built from ground up London's K-pop fan community flourished in unexpected ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Bee and Katie, co-founders of BKT K-pop Events, it started online — watching music videos, discovering new groups and admiring the fashion and choreography. What began as casual fandom soonJun 26, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo
BLACKPINK releases teaser of upcoming world tour with all four membersGirl group BLACKPINK has released a teaser offering fans a glimpse of their upcoming world tour, in which all four members will be back together. YG Entertainment, the group's agency, released a teaser video Thursday for the upcoming "Deadline" tour on its official social media accounts. The video opens with member Rose making a call in a vast desert landscape. Her bandmates Lisa, Jennie and Jisoo appear one by one, joining her on a road trip. The clip evokes a trailer for a Western film as the K-pop quartet races down an open highway. "The trailer was filmed on location near Lancaster, California, and at Hollywood studios, in collaboration with internationally renowned directors," YG Entertainment said in a press release. The "Deadline" tour will kick off July 5–6 at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul. The tour is scheduled to visit 16 cities around the world. During the Goyang concerts, BLACKPINK is set to premiere its first new release in two years and eight months.Jun 26, 2025By Yonhap
Controversy-hit rapper Jessi to drop new music under independent labelRapper Jessi is stepping back into the music scene with a new digital single, "Newsflash," set for release Friday, marking her first major move since launching her own independent label, UNNI Company. Framed around a breaking news concept, "Newsflash" is described as a hip-hop track that delivers "a raw and confident message reflecting Jessi's trademark unfiltered style," according to a statement Thursday. A teaser video released Wednesday also features Jessi under spotlights with the lyrics, "Don't believe all the hype" — seen as a pointed nod to recent media scrutiny. The single arrives nearly a year after Jessi stepped away from the music scene amid a legal controversy that briefly stalled her career. Last September, the rapper became embroiled in a public dispute after a fan alleged they were assaulted by someone in her entourage while seeking an autograph in southern Seoul. At the time, Jessi was investigated by the police as a suspect in the case, facing accusations of assault and harboring a criminal. She was recently cleared of all charges. "Newsflash" marks her first release foJun 26, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Kiss of Life’s Natty sustains injury during ‘The Show’ prerecordingNatty, a member of K-pop girl group Kiss of Life, suffered an injury during a prerecording for SBS M’s music program “The Show,” her agency said Wednesday. According to S2 Entertainment, Natty fell during the prerecording session on Tuesday. “She immediately visited the hospital for treatment following the incident,” the agency said in a statement. Despite experiencing pain, Natty expressed a strong desire to perform, leading her to participate in rehearsals for the stage scheduled for the next day. However, the agency noted that due to continued discomfort, the choreography had to be minimized. “We also plan to reduce choreography for the ‘Tell Me’ prerecording later today,” they added. “We apologize for the short notice regarding this decision, which was made following rehearsal. Future performances of ‘k bye’ will also be adjusted with minimal choreography.” The company emphasized its commitment to Natty’s well-being. “We will prioritize the artist’s health and safety by supporting her treatment and recovery," it said. Kiss of Life recently made a comebaJun 26, 2025By Hankookilbo
InterviewH1-KEY chases summer queen status with new release 'Lovestruck'While many are packing for vacations or curating their ultimate summer playlists, K-pop girl group H1-KEY is welcoming the season a little differently — by dropping a new, summer-themed album and aiming straight for the crown. The group's new project, "Lovestruck," marks its first comeback in a year, and according to its four members — Seoi, Riina, Hwiseo and Yel — it sets the tone for what they hope will be their most vibrant chapter yet. "This is a comeback we've all been looking forward to," said Seoi, the group's leader and eldest member, during an interview Friday with The Korea Times at a cafe in southern Seoul. "It's exciting, and we're all hoping this summer song will really connect with more people." Packed with energy, emotion and a splash of bittersweet charm, the five-track release, set to drop Thursday afternoon, depicts young love and fleeting summers. In particular, the lead single, "Summer Was You," taps into something a little deeper than K-pop's typical summer anthems, which are usually full of sweltering party vibes. "The lead single is not just about the fun partJun 26, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
