Former Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram pursues acting careerKim Ga-ram, who departed girl group Le Sserafim four years ago amid school bullying allegations, is pursuing an acting career. According to Management Koo, it has signed an exclusive contract with Kim, who aspires to become an actor. “We have watched Kim’s YouTube activities and were deeply impressed by her sincere attitude and potential as an actor,” the agency said in a statement. “Her relentless daily efforts toward her dream played a major role in our decision.” Kim, 21, debuted as a member of Le Sserafim in May 2022 but suspended activities two weeks later after school bullying allegations surfaced. A school violence review committee found her to have been a perpetrator and issued a Level 5 disciplinary measure, which required the student to complete a special disciplinary program geared toward correcting violent behavior. Kim left the group in July 2022, and her contract with her then-agency Source Music, under HYBE Labels, was terminated. Management Koo said Kim has been training to sharpen her acting skills and has shown notable growth in a short period. It added that shJun 17, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Hyeri slams online body shaming, strict beauty standardsActress and Girl's Day member Hyeri pushed back against recent online body shaming, questioning why strict physical standards are equated with professionalism. The response, posted Tuesday on a fan platform, revealed her feelings as she addressed a barrage of online comments on her appearance. "Actually, I like myself, but the people watching might think it is unprofessional," Hyeri said. "But I don't know why one must absolutely be slim to look professional, but still, if 'Hyerumi' (her fandom) wants it, I will try hard. Exercising healthily." Emphasizing her point, she said, "All of us are beautiful just the way we are." The online comments followed the kickoff of her Asia meet-and-greet tour, held Saturday at Ewha Womans University's Samsung Hall in Seoul, where she showcased various dance numbers. As footage of the fan meeting spread online, critics claimed a specific outfit highlighted her midriff, sparking intense scrutiny over her physique and widespread body shaming. With some internet users accusing her of failing to maintain her physical appearance, Hyeri tackled the criticism heJun 17, 2026By Hankookilbo
Grammy Awards to add Asian pop categoryThe Grammy Awards announced Tuesday (U.S. local time) the creation of a new category for Asian pop music, following previous nominations of K-pop stars BTS and BLACKPINK member Rosé in major categories. The Recording Academy, the organizer of the prestigious music awards, said it will add the Best Asian Pop Music Performance award. Other additions include Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best Traditional Folk Album and Best Latin Song. Earlier this year, "Golden" from the hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" won Best Song Written for Visual Media, becoming the first K-pop song to receive a Grammy Award. BTS, meanwhile, became the first K-pop act to perform at the awards show and earn a Grammy nomination when the group's song "Dynamite" was nominated in the Best Pop/Duo Performance category in 2020. The global stars have since earned multiple nominations in the succeeding years. BLACKPINK's Rosé also made Grammy history for being the first K-pop artist to open the awards ceremony when she performed her global hit "APT." with popJun 17, 2026By Kim Se-jeong
Seventeen's The8, Vernon to launch new unit V8 with debut EPThe8 and Vernon, both members of K-pop boy group Seventeen, will debut a new subunit, V8, later this month, the group's agency, Pledis Entertainment, said Tuesday. The duo will release its first EP, "V8," on June 29 as the group's sixth official unit following BSS, Jeonghan x Wonwoo, Hoshi x Woozi, S.Coups x Mingyu and DK x Seungkwan. The album explores themes of recovery and growth discovered through wandering and confusion from the past, the agency said. It will feature eight tracks, including lead single "singasong," an electronic song rooted in hyperpop, and co-composed by German DJ and producer Mechatok alongside the two members. Other tracks include "Friend," "Beat," "Mia," "Coloring," "girlsnboys," "8DM" and the digital-only "rat race." "Girlsnboys" was written, composed and produced by Pharrell Williams, a 14-time Grammy Award winner, with longtime Seventeen collaborator and producer Bumzu also contributing to the track. V8 will hold its first standalone concerts on July 11-12 at the KINTEX convention center in Goyang, west of Seoul, in what will be the first Seventeen unit show tJun 16, 2026By Yonhap
Jang Wonyoung airport footage: IVE star's behavior fuels debate over politeness in KoreaA short video of IVE member Jang Wonyoung has sparked debate online over her conduct at Gimpo International Airport, with critics questioning her interaction with airport staff and supporters saying footage from another angle showed more context. Videos of Jang at the airport circulated widely online after she left Korea on May 30 with other IVE members for a scheduled event in Shanghai, China. The debate began after footage appeared to show Jang standing in front of an airport employee with her arms crossed and receiving her passport with one hand, a gesture considered impolite in Korea. Some online users also criticized her because the footage seemed to show her wearing a hat and not lowering her mask all the way during an ID check, a mandatory part of departure procedures. Some critics said the airport employee had asked Jang to remove her mask and hat for identity verification, but that she did not appear to fully comply. Comments on YouTube and other platforms included "Why is she acting like that when they are checking her identity?" and "How would she feel if she were that employJun 16, 2026By Hankookilbo
Red Velvet sets August return, ending 2-year wait for full group comebackAfter more than two years away from group promotions, Red Velvet is preparing to return to the spotlight with a new album and a fan concert timed to the anniversary of its debut. SM Entertainment said the five-member group will make its comeback in August, marking its first full group release since “Cosmic,” which was released in June 2024. The announcement immediately fueled anticipation among fans, who have been waiting for the return of all five members together. The company also unveiled details Sunday for “2026 Red Velvet FAN-CON 'A Day in Red & Velvet,'” a two-day event that will bring the group together with fans as it celebrates its 12th debut anniversary. The fan concert will take place at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. According to SM Entertainment, the performances will feature a selection of songs spanning Red Velvet’s career, along with interactive segments designed to engage fans. The opening night carries particular significance as it marks the anniversary of the group’s debut. The event is expected to serve as both a celebration ofJun 16, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea launches $2.2 mil. fund to boost indie K-pop labelsThe Korean government is stepping in to fortify the "backbone" of the K-pop industry, launching a new initiative aimed at helping midsized and small music agencies expand globally. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Korea Creative Content Agency, said Tuesday they selected 10 indie K-pop groups for the inaugural "Global Leap Forward Support" project. Under the initiative, each selected agency will receive up to 300 million won ($218,000) annually for up to three years to finance international promotions, music videos and overseas tours. The intervention comes amid growing concerns over market polarization. While global K-pop exports surged 32.4 percent year-on-year in 2025, the market remains heavily dominated by a handful of conglomerate-backed "Big Four" entertainment giants. According to government data, major conglomerates spent an average of 43.1 billion won on music production in 2023, compared to a meager 1.49 billion won on average for smaller agencies. Furthermore, major label acts performed abroad 20 times more frequently than their indie counterparts. TJun 16, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seventeen's Joshua to speak at UNESCO headquarters in Paris next weekJoshua of K-pop boy group Seventeen will deliver a speech at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris next week as a youth goodwill ambassador of the organization, his agency said Tuesday. The appearance on June 25 will be part of the "Going Together — For Youth Creativity & Well-Being" program, a global youth initiative launched jointly by Seventeen and UNESCO, according to Pledis Entertainment. The Korean American will speak on behalf of the group to deliver a message of support to young people worldwide. The event will be attended by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and livestreamed on the organization's official YouTube channel. Seventeen was appointed a youth goodwill ambassador for UNESCO in 2024 and donated $1 million to establish a global youth fund. The fund supports projects aimed at strengthening youth confidence and resilience through music, arts and sports, fostering creative youth communities and promoting mental health. Last year, the group also donated proceeds from a charity auction to mark the International Youth Day.Jun 16, 2026By Yonhap
TXT's Yeonjun to release 2nd solo album in JulyYeonjun of boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT) will release his second individual album next month, his agency BigHit Music said Tuesday. The EP, titled "No Labels: Part 02," is set to drop July 10 at 1 p.m., marking the first release from Yeonjun in about eight months after his first solo record, "No Labels: Part 01." The upcoming album is expected to further highlight Yeonjun's musical identity and personal storytelling. In his previous release, Yeonjun took part in songwriting, composition and creating the choreography, proving his potential as a rising solo artist beyond his activities with TXT. TXT, meanwhile, is currently holding a special concert series, titled "2026 TXT Moa Con in Japan," to mark the group's seventh debut anniversary. The tour, spanning eight shows across four Japanese cities, has sold out in advance. Following performances in Fukuoka on Tuesday and Wednesday, the group will wrap up the tour in Hyogo on June 23 and 24.Jun 16, 2026By Yonhap
Seoul 'melting pot' for global music talent, says producer behind BTS hitsA Swedish music producer who has worked with the biggest names in K-pop — BTS, SuperM, Tomorrow X Together, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM and ATEEZ — said Seoul has become a "global melting pot" for music talent, surpassing creative hubs like Stockholm and Los Angeles, as top songwriters worldwide increasingly look to Korea for the best opportunities. "I saw an opportunity that seemed more impactful by coming to Seoul rather than going to the States, and not by a small margin," Alex Karlsson said at a music industry conference hosted by the French Embassy in Seoul, June 8. Karlsson was speaking at "From K-pop to Global Pop: Rethinking Music Without Borders," the opening panel of "Fête de la Musique+ 2026," a Korea-France cultural exchange event held in Seoul. For Karlsson, Korea's appeal as a creative base comes down to access and structure. He said the country draws top-tier global talent at a scale unmatched by European music hubs, while its systemized approach to music production offers a creative framework he finds valuable rather than limiting. "Koreans love their systems, and I think tJun 16, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
