Why did Perry leave YG? Former 1TYM member's cryptic comments resurfaceFormer 1TYM member Song Baek-kyung's cryptic comments about producer Perry are drawing renewed attention after a SBS investigative program asked the public for information about the longtime YG Entertainment producer, whose whereabouts have remained unknown for years. Song posted a lengthy message on his social media account in January, reflecting on his relationship with the producer and the abrupt changes he noticed more than two decades ago. "Maybe because I've been getting more submissions lately, a lot of people have been asking me various questions," Song said. "The question that stands out the most — and one that I'm also extremely curious about — is how Perry is doing." Song also hinted that he had an idea why Perry eventually left YG Entertainment, but stopped short of revealing details. "I can roughly guess and read between the lines as to why he left YG, but I can't say it directly myself," he said, adding another layer of mystery to Perry's disappearance from public view. Song recalled that around 2000 to 2002, Perry smoked cigarettes and regularly joined him for nights ouSep 18, 2026By Xportsnews
Singer-actor IU donates $144,436 on debut anniversarySinger-actor IU has donated 200 million won ($144,436) to mark her debut anniversary Friday, her agency said. IU, whose real name is Lee Ji-eun, donated 50 million won each to four organizations, using the name IUaena, a combination of her stage name and the name of her fan community, Uaena, according to Edam Entertainment. The donations, made to charities that include Korea Welfare Services and Habitat for Humanity Korea, will be used to help young patients from low-income families, war veterans and people of merit, it added. Lee has regularly made donations in the name of her fan community on special occasions, including her debut anniversary, birthday and the year-end holiday season. In May, she donated 300 million won on her birthday to organizations supporting patients facing financial difficulties, single-mother households and elderly people living alone.Sep 18, 2026By Yonhap
Chungha rushed to emergency room, cancels university festival performanceK-pop singer Chungha was taken to an emergency room early Friday and has canceled a scheduled performance at a university festival. The student council of Kyonggi University's College of Tourism and Culture announced Chungha's absence from the festival on its official social media account Friday. The singer had been scheduled to perform at the university that day. "Early this morning, Chungha was taken to the emergency room due to a health issue and is still receiving treatment there," the student council said. "As a result, it appears that her scheduled performance today will unfortunately not be able to proceed." The council said organizers were working with an agency to find a replacement artist. "We sincerely apologize to the students who had been looking forward to the performance for having to deliver this sudden news," it said. Chungha debuted in 2016 as a member of girl group I.O.I after competing on Mnet's hit audition program, "Produce 101." After the group's activities ended, she launched a solo career. She recently left MORE VISION, the entertainment company founded by rapper aSep 18, 2026By Hankookilbo
BLACKPINK's Rosé drops new single 'New Trick'Rosé of K-pop supergroup BLACKPINK released her new single "New Trick" on Friday, her agency said. The energetic garage-punk track carries a message on overcoming hardship and moving forward with one's own "new trick," according to The Black Label. Amy Allen, who worked on Rose's megahit "APT.," and Andrew Wells, who collaborated with the singer on her song "Stay a Little Longer," co-produced the new track. The music video for "New Trick" was filmed in collaboration with Apple on the occasion of the release of the iPhone 18. It was directed by Dave Meyers who has worked with pop stars Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and Ariana Grande.Sep 18, 2026By Yonhap
Gov't vows to end outdated dance ban at live music venuesThe government pledged to reform outdated regulations that prohibit dancing at live music venues registered as general restaurants, addressing a long-standing issue that recently sparked outrage across the independent music scene, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young said Wednesday. Speaking at the fourth advisory committee meeting for popular music policy in Seoul, the minister emphasized the urgent need to revise the Enforcement Decree of the Food Sanitation Act. "We need to bring this issue into the public discourse and resolve it once and for all," Choi said during the meeting. "Instead of avoiding the discussion as in the past, we must not miss this opportunity to update regulations that no longer align with reality." The policy discussion was brought up when Ovantgarde, a live music venue in Busan, was slapped with a temporary shutdown for two months due to allegations it allowed patrons to dance during a band's performance. Under current food sanitation regulations, establishments registered as general restaurants are strictly prohibited from allowing customers tSep 17, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Cortis' 'GreenGreen' tops 4 mil. copies in salesK-pop boy group Cortis has surpassed 4 million copies in sales with its second EP, "GreenGreen," becoming the second act to reach the milestone in Korea this year, its agency said Thursday. BigHit Music said the EP has sold over 4.1 million copies, based on the latest data from the weekly Circle Chart. The only other release to exceed the 4 million mark in Korea this year is BTS' fifth studio album "Arirang." According to Hanteo Chart data, "GreenGreen" began its highly successful run by selling more than 2.3 million copies during its debut week in May. BigHit Music attributed the robust sales to sustained listener interest in the EP's tracks, particularly the lead single, "RedRed," and the B-side, "YoungCreatorCrew." The record's popularity has also extended well beyond Korea. "GreenGreen" debuted at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and has remained on the chart for 18 consecutive weeks as of mid-September. Cortis' debut EP, "Color Outside the Lines," released in September 2025, has also maintained strong sales, adding about 1 million copies this year alone to its sales total of around 2.Sep 17, 2026By Yonhap
Wendy, fromis_9 agency warn of legal action over privacy violationsASND, the agency representing Red Velvet’s Wendy and girl group fromis_9, warned of possible legal action over repeated invasions of privacy and threats to the artists’ safety. In a notice posted on its social media accounts Tuesday, the agency said Wendy and fromis_9 had faced repeated incidents. It urged fans to refrain from approaching the artists, bringing vehicles too close when delivering letters and gifts or stepping into the road to block vehicles, saying such actions could endanger the artists and others. The agency also asked fans to respect the artists’ private spaces, refrain from illegally obtaining their personal information and stop lingering around its offices. Legal action could be taken against anyone who misuses the artists’ personal information, invades their privacy, repeatedly loiters around company premises or enters without permission, it warned. Wendy debuted as Red Velvet’s main vocalist in 2014, but left SM Entertainment in 2025 after 11 years, but announced that she would continue her activities with Red Velvet. She joined ASND in April 2025. Fromis_Sep 17, 2026By Hankookilbo
Shine, scandal, survival define K-pop boy band PENTAGON's 1st decadeIn 2023, seven years after debuting as the leader of K-pop boy band PENTAGON, Hui returned to trainee status. He competed alongside aspiring male idols on Mnet's audition program "Boys Planet" for a place in a new project group as his own group's contracts with Cube Entertainment approached their end. Three years later, he is back onstage with six fellow PENTAGON members for the group's 10th debut anniversary. PENTAGON, which debuted on Oct. 10, 2016, has reunited for an anniversary project organized by NAKED, the label founded by member Kino. It comes after most of the participating members left the company that formed the group and pursued careers under separate agencies. The group's first decade illustrates how uncertain success can remain for a K-pop act, even one recognized for producing its own music. Its breakthrough arrived a year and a half after debut, only for a dating controversy to disrupt its momentum months later. Its first music show victory took four years, while military service and expiring contracts eventually scattered the members. That PENTAGON has regrouped under aSep 17, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
The Boyz' Sangyeon returns to fans after military serviceK-pop group The Boyz member Sangyeon returns to his fans after completing 18 months of mandatory military service. Sangyeon was discharged Wednesday from the military band of the Army Cadet Military School in Goesan, North Chungcheong Province, having completed his mandatory service as an Army sergeant. Enlisting on March 17 last year, he served as a member of the military band. In an exclusive interview with the Hankook Ilbo, Sangyeon said he gained a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by service members and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to sing on stage and meet fans. Regarding the multiple changes and difficulties The Boyz faced during his deployment, Sangyeon said his involvement was limited, which led to many frustrating moments. However, he emphasized that he coordinated with his bandmates by continuously communicating to resolve problems and preserve the group. Previously, nine members of The Boyz, excluding New, notified One Hundred Label that they were terminating their exclusive contracts. In April, the Seoul Central District Court granted an injunction suspeSep 16, 2026By Hankookilbo
Stray Kids becomes 1st K-pop act to headline Rock in RioBoy group Stray Kids made history as the first K-pop act to headline Rock in Rio, one of the world's largest music festivals, earning widespread praise from international media for the milestone performance. The eight-member group took the stage Friday at Palco Mundo, the festival's main stage, before a crowd of roughly 100,000 people at Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rock in Rio, first held in 1985, has hosted acts such as Queen and Guns N' Roses over the decades but had never before featured a K-pop headliner. In a report published Saturday, U.S. entertainment outlet Billboard hailed the show as an especially strong debut, saying the group's performance met the high expectations of South American fans and marked the opening of a new chapter for K-pop at the festival. The group, dressed in outfits inspired by traditional Korean styling, performed a string of hit songs while interacting with the audience throughout the set, backed by fireworks and a light display. During "Chk Chk Boom," the members incorporated samba steps as a tribute to Brazilian culture, and at another point sSep 16, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
