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
Power of short-form videos sends 13-year-old K-pop song up the charts“We wanted so badly to make the top 100 when we were promoting this song. I never imagined it would climb the charts all these years later…” Former BESTie member Uji shared her excitement on social media after “Love Options” entered the charts on Melon, Korea’s largest music streaming platform, 13 years after its release. Released in 2013 as the group’s second single, “Love Options” is enjoying the attention that eluded it during BESTie’s active years. In a music scene flooded with new releases, such belated breakthroughs are rare. Their unpredictability is also part of the appeal: There is no telling when an old song will catch on or what will set it off. “Love Options” entered Melon’s daily chart on Aug. 27 and climbed to No. 175 as of Sept. 7. It has also appeared on Apple Music’s Top 100 chart for Korea and YouTube Music’s weekly chart, while reaching No. 1 on music recognition service Shazam’s charts in both Korea and Vietnam. The spark was a fan-made short video that paired a performance of Hearts2Hearts’ “Lemon Tang” with “Love Options.” TSep 16, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Dracula' featuring Jennie longest-charting song by K-pop artist in Hot 100's top 10"Dracula," a collaboration single between Australian act Tame Impala and BLACKPINK's Jennie, has set a new record on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 by logging the longest top-10 run for a song involving a Korean pop artist. The track held at No. 6 for a second straight week, Billboard's chart preview said Monday (U.S. time), extending its stay inside the top 10 to 16 weeks. With this, "Dracula" surpassed the previous 15-week record set by K-pop supergroup BTS with its smash-hit "Butter," becoming the longest-running top-10 song by or featuring a K-pop act. Originally released as a solo track by Tame Impala in October last year, "Dracula" gained renewed traction after a remix featuring Jennie was released in February, going viral on short-form video platforms and climbing up the rankings. The song peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100. Billboard will publish the official Hot 100 ranking on Tuesday.Sep 15, 2026By Yonhap
TWICE's Jeongyeon reveals new look after leaving JYPTWICE member Jeongyeon is drawing attention with a new look after leaving JYP Entertainment and joining VARO Entertainment, the agency that represents her older sister, actor Gong Seung-yeon. VARO Entertainment released a series of new profile photos of Jeongyeon on its official social media accounts Monday. The singer joined the agency in August after 11 years with JYP Entertainment. In a handwritten letter announcing the move, Jeongyeon assured fans that she would continue her activities with TWICE. “I’m leaving JYP, where I’ve spent so many years since my teens, to make a fresh start somewhere new,” she wrote. “TWICE remains at the heart of who I am, and that will not change. Standing before ONCE as a member of TWICE will always come first.” The move has fueled expectations that Jeongyeon will pursue acting in earnest. In the new photos, she projects a calm, mature image, suggesting a shift toward a more understated look as she prepares to launch her acting career. Jeongyeon is set to make her big screen debut in “New Recruit: The Movie.” This article from the Hankook IlSep 15, 2026By Hankookilbo
Stray Kids' Felix marks birthday with $220,000 donation to children, flood victimsStray Kids member Felix celebrated his birthday by giving rather than receiving, donating 300 million won ($220,000) to support sick and vulnerable children in Korea as well as disaster relief efforts overseas. Felix made the donations on his birthday on Tuesday, giving 100 million won each to Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, and 50 million won each to Books International and UNICEF Korea. The funds donated to Samsung Medical Center will help cover treatment costs for children and adolescents with cancer, while the contribution to Seoul National University Children’s Hospital will support pediatric patients from financially vulnerable families. His donation to Books International will go toward creating and producing picture books in children’s native languages as part of the organization’s cultural education and awareness programs. The UNICEF Korea contribution will be used for emergency relief following severe flooding in Nepal. “I hope the days of many children will be filled with bright hope instead of worry,” Felix said. “I sincSep 15, 2026By Xportsnews
What K-pop concert venues will look like in 2027Next year will reshape where and how K-pop is staged, with a purpose-built arena opening in northern Seoul, the country's largest stadium returning from a three-year overhaul and the city of Goyang spending money on upgrades to hold on to the business it's built while other venues have been under construction. The clearest change will be Seoul Arena, the 28,000-capacity venue under construction in Dobong District, northern Seoul. It began accepting official rental applications this month for live performances in the second half of 2027, with submissions closing Friday. Alongside the main arena, the complex will house a mid-size hall seating about 7,000, and promoters can book either space or combine the two depending on the scale of an event. The venue is being built as a build-transfer-operate project with Kakao as lead investor. Ownership will transfer to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on completion, after which a Kakao-held operating company will run the site for 30 years. Opening is targeted for the first half of next year. One major booking is already locked in: Fanomenon, the gSep 15, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Minho shows off six-pack 19 years into SHINee careerSHINee's Minho is drawing attention for his remarkably toned physique nearly two decades after his debut. The K-pop star performed his latest track, "Make it hot," on SBS' "Inkigayo" on Sunday, taking the stage in a voluminous fur jacket with no shirt underneath. The styling put his sharply defined six-pack on full display as he delivered the song's high-energy choreography. His muscular build and lean frame remained striking throughout the physically demanding performance, highlighting the results of his longtime commitment to exercise and fitness. Minho debuted with SHINee in 2008 and is now in his 19th year in the industry. Despite his lengthy career, the 34-year-old singer continues to maintain the athletic physique for which he has long been known among K-pop fans. "Make it hot" is an EDM-infused pop dance track that portrays the growing attraction between two people amid the heat of summer. The choreography incorporates a hand gesture resembling flames, a nod to Minho's long-standing association with the nickname "Flaming Charisma." Combining his trademark energetic performance stylSep 14, 2026By Xportsnews
