The Boyz struggle with ongoing controversies despite distancing from Ju Haknyeon scandalThe Boyz, once praised for their unity and bold agency move, are now facing a string of controversies that have left fans disappointed. In November last year, all 11 members of the group departed IST Entertainment and joined new label Onehundred, established by MC Mong and p_Arc Group chairperson Cha Ga-won. The rare simultaneous transfer of an entire group under a single agency was viewed as a sign of strength and unity, drawing attention as a positive example of group preservation. However, 2025 has proven rocky for the group. In April, a video of member Sunwoo dropping his AirPods and shouting “My AirPods!” while entering an elevator went viral online. Criticism erupted after a security guard quickly picked up the device and handed it to him, with Sunwoo receiving backlash for not expressing thanks. The incident intensified when actress Nana, formerly of After School, commented on social media, “He needs to be scolded,” prompting Sunwoo to issue an apology. That same month, Kevin drew criticism after being invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Kiwoom Heroes basebalJun 21, 2025By Xportsnews
BTS member Suga discharged from military serviceK-pop group BTS member Suga was discharged from the South Korean military on Saturday, the seventh and final member to complete the country's mandatory national service amid expectations of the band's comeback from a hiatus. Suga finished his military tenure as a social service agent Saturday with little fanfare as fans looked forward to his reunion with the rest of the band, a K-pop sensation since it started up in 2013. "We confirm that Suga effectively completed his alternative service on June 18 by using his remaining leave. His official discharge date is June 21," BTS' label, Big Hit Music, said in a statement. Unlike with his BTS bandmates, there was no public event planned to mark Suga's release because of overcrowding concerns. The seven members of the group put their global music careers on hold in 2022 to begin their military service, starting with Jin in December that year. South Korea's mandatory national service can be for terms of up to 18 months. The group is expected to hold its largest-ever world tour in 2026, an NH Securities entertainment analyst said in a report. EntertJun 21, 2025By Reuters
J-Hope's new single debuts at No. 30 on British chartA new single by J-Hope of the K-pop sensation BTS has debuted at No. 30 on the top British chart. The Official UK Singles Chart released Friday (local time) showed "Killin' It Girl (feat. GloRilla)" at No. 30, J-Hope's highest position on the chart in his solo career. J-Hope had previously peaked at No. 37 with "on the street" and No. 42 with "Sweet Dreams." "Killin' It Girl," released June 13, topped iTunes charts in 61 countries last weekend. Among other K-pop acts, "APT." by Rose of BLACKPINK with Bruno Mars dropped two spots to No. 32. The international hit peaked at No. 2 and has now been on the British chart for the 35th consecutive week.Jun 21, 2025By Yonhap
TXT to launch new world tour in AugustK-pop boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT) will kick off its fourth world tour in August. The group announced Friday on the K-pop fan community platform Weverse that the "Act: Tomorrow" tour will begin with concerts at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Aug. 22 and 23. It marks the band's fourth global tour, following "Act: Love Sick," "Act: Sweet Mirage" and "Act: Promise." TXT wrapped up its previous tour in May, with 23 performances across 13 countries and regions. According to the group's agency, Big Hit Music, the Seoul concerts will also be available via online streaming on Weverse. It said details on additional tour dates and locations will be announced later.Jun 20, 2025By Yonhap
K-pop's 1st boy band with North Korean defectors set for global debut1VERSE, a five-member multinational boy band including North Korean defectors — a first in K-pop history — officially announced its global debut slated for next month. Its agency, Singing Beetle, revealed through the group's official social media channels on Thursday that a global debut showcase will be livestreamed worldwide on July 18. The lineup includes Hyuk and Seok, both originally from North Korea, alongside Nathan, a Thai-Laotian American; Kenny, a Chinese American; and Aito from Japan — forming a rare multinational act that marks the first time North Korean defectors have entered the K-pop idol industry. The name 1VERSE reflects the idea of individual "verses" coming together to create one "universe." The "1" is pronounced "uni," symbolizing unity and harmony, according to the agency. Singing Beetle says the group has already drawn early international attention, with media coverage and growing fan interest even before its debut. Through platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, 1VERSE has shared behind-the-scenes training footage, vocal and dance covers and glimpses ofJun 20, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Jeon Somi to drop new single 'EXTRA' ahead of fan meeting tourSinger Jeon Somi is set to make her return to the music scene next month with the digital single “EXTRA,” her first release in a year. Her agency, The Black Label, announced the news on Friday via official social media channels, sharing a teaser image along with the announcement that “EXTRA” will be released at 6 p.m. on July 7. The comeback follows her 2023 single “Ice Cream,” which showcased Somi’s cool and vibrant summer energy and cemented her image as a “summer queen.” Anticipation is now building over whether her latest release will again take over the season’s charts. In the teaser photo, Somi exudes a chic and mature vibe, sporting a short bob haircut and minimal black outfit, a striking contrast to the bubbly, playful image she has often embraced in the past. Somi is also scheduled to meet fans in person through her 2025 fan meeting tour, “CHAOS,” which begins in Seoul on July 19 and continues in Tokyo and Osaka. The release of her new single ahead of the tour adds to the growing excitement among fans. “EXTRA” will be available on major music streamingJun 20, 2025By Hankookilbo
Wired earphones make comeback after ILLIT’s album sparks sellout frenzyOnce pushed aside by the wireless boom, wired earphones are making a surprising comeback, this time as a must-have fashion accessory for Gen Z. What was once seen as outdated is now riding a new wave of popularity thanks to its retro appeal, affordability, and unexpected visibility in the K-pop world. As wireless earphones became the industry standard, wired models saw a steep decline in demand. With the convenience of cordless listening and sleek designs, wireless products dominated the market for years. But recently, a shift has emerged, led by Gen Z idols and fans seeking individuality in retro styling. The trend gained momentum when stars like Karina of aespa, Mark of NCT, Wonbin of RIIZE, Woonhak of BOYNEXTDOOR, and Rose of BLACKPINK were seen sporting wired earphones at airports and public events. The wired aesthetic, once considered old-fashioned, began to resonate with a generation that values uniqueness and Y2K-era nostalgia. Practical perks also contribute to its charm: Wired earphones are cheaper and don’t require charging, making them an appealing alternative for younger userJun 20, 2025By Hankookilbo
What J-Hope’s solo tour finale says about BTS’ future as a groupMore than 27,000 fans filled Goyang Stadium for what became a three-hour celebration led by one man: BTS’ J-Hope. He stood solo on the massive stage, once unthinkable for a K-pop artist without their team, and proved that he could command a stadium-level concert entirely on his own. The significance extended beyond personal achievement; it served as a powerful preview of what lies ahead for BTS as the group approaches a long-awaited reunion. J-Hope held the “j-hope Tour ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ FINAL” at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium, Gyeonggi Province, on June 13 and 14. The shows marked the encore and conclusion of his first solo world tour, which began in February. From the moment the final concerts were announced, global ARMY, BTS’ official fandom, responded with overwhelming anticipation. What made the event even more notable was that it marked BTS’ first-ever performance at Goyang Sports Complex. While BTS has conquered nearly every major concert venue in Korea, the group had never staged a solo concert there, until now — and not as a group, but through J-Hope’s sJun 20, 2025By Hankookilbo
MyK FESTA kicks off in Seoul to expand global reach of Korean waveIn promoting Korean popular culture, the government has traditionally taken a supporting role. However, at MyK FESTA, the government is stepping to the fore. The four-day event organized by the ministry kicked off Thursday at Olympic Park in southeastern Seoul, featuring a mix of concerts, panel discussions and business networking. It has drawn a diverse crowd — from K-pop fans and beauty influencers to content creators and international buyers. “This event is an opportunity to help Korean popular culture expand into broader fields,” an official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on condition of anonymity. “In the medium to long term, we aim to develop MyK FESTA into a leading cultural industry expo, akin to the CES.” On the opening afternoon, the area outside the venue was relatively calm. Small groups of K-pop fans from both Korea and abroad gathered near registration booths or waited for ticket pickup. The crowd size was modest early in the day, with most attendees anticipating the evening concert. Waiting for the concert to start, the fans sampled Korean fJun 19, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
The Boyz's former member denies prostitution allegationsJuhaknyeon, who recently departed from the K-pop boy group The Boyz following a controversy over his private life, on Thursday acknowledged he drank with a former Japanese adult video actress but denied allegations of purchasing sex. "I'm sorry to my fans and everyone who were shocked by the news articles about me for causing trouble due to this disgraceful incident," Juhaknyeon wrote in a post on his social media page. "It is true that I was present at a drinking gathering with acquaintances in the early hours of May 30, 2025," he continued. "But I never committed any illegal acts, including prostitution as reported by some media outlets or mentioned in rumors." He again apologized for his actions and said he deeply regrets his behavior. The 26-year-old singer had suspended his activities as a member of the group Monday, citing unspecified "personal issues." However, two days later, after media reports emerged that he had been seen drinking with the former adult video actress at a bar in Tokyo, his agency, One Hundred Label, announced that he would leave the group and that his exclusiveJun 19, 2025By Yonhap
