ZEROBASEONE's Sung Han-bin to make solo debut on Oct. 12Sung Han-bin, the calm, magnetic force at the center of K-pop boy group ZEROBASEONE, is preparing to step into the spotlight alone. The 25-year-old performer will make his formal solo debut on Oct. 12, his agency, THE L1VE LABEL, said Monday. The move marks a pivotal juncture for an artist who has spent the last three years anchored to one of the industry’s most meteoric boy bands, testing whether his individual gravitational pull can match the collective power of his group. Sung’s rise follows the high-stakes, hyper-accelerated trajectory typical of modern K-pop stardom. He first drew widespread attention in 2023 on the Mnet reality competition "Boys Planet," finishing second after showcasing a rare combination of fluid, technical dance skills and stable live vocals. As the designated leader of ZEROBASEONE, he quickly established himself as the ensemble’s focal point, balancing sharp choreography with an easy, approachable stage presence. His solo launch comes during a period of relentless activity. ZEROBASEONE recently released its sixth EP, “Ascend-,” led by the single “TOPSep 7, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
K-pop's new power fans? Middle-aged Americans with money and time to spendLast year, the United States imported more kimchi from Korea than K-pop albums. However, in the first half of 2026, K-pop album exports to the United States surged to three times the value of kimchi exports, while the country surpassed Japan and China to become the largest overseas market for K-pop albums. The United States was not alone in seeing a surge in K-pop album imports. Germany became the fourth-largest overseas market after its imports increased more than sixfold in a year. K-pop also breathed new life into CDs, once thought destined for extinction, while fans in their 40s and 50s emerged as an increasingly visible part of the fandom. Korea also rose to become the world’s third-largest “music export powerhouse,” behind only the United States and Britain, breaking the English-speaking world’s monopoly on the top three. The global music market witnessed one K-pop surprise after another in the first half of this year. As striking as the pace of growth was the way that growth unfolded: Where, by whom and how K-pop is consumed are all changing. US reshapes K-pop album exporSep 5, 2026By Hankookilbo
Former NewJeans member Danielle hints at going solo, first YouTube video hits 1.8 mil. views in a dayDanielle, formerly of NewJeans, has launched a YouTube channel, raising questions about whether she is preparing to embark on a full-fledged solo career. The former NewJeans member uploaded a video titled “Detour” to her YouTube channel, Danielle Marsh, on Thursday. The clip, which runs just over a minute, is her first upload since launching the channel. Appearing before the camera with little to no makeup, Danielle wore a hoodie and flashed a relaxed smile. “I’m by myself now so this is kind of awkward,” Danielle said in the video. She also revealed that she is currently staying in Australia and admitted that speaking to the camera alone after a long absence felt unfamiliar. “I really missed where I grew up and, of course, my family,” Danielle continued. “I chose to spend some quality time here.” The artist said she has spent time unwinding by swimming at the beach and being with her family since returning to Australia. “I’m really looking forward to my new adventure of my own,” she said. “I don’t know what what awaits me, I don't know where I'll be going. AllSep 4, 2026By Hankookilbo
Lisa reveals solo song was inspired by past secret relationship, says ex approved its releaseBLACKPINK’s Lisa has opened up about the hardships and restrictions she faced as a K-pop idol. According to a report by the Toronto Star on Thursday, Lisa discussed her past relationships and the constraints of idol life in her solo documentary, “Always Lalisa.” Lisa moved to Korea in 2011 at the age of 14 to begin training under YG Entertainment. Recalling those years, she said, “I didn’t dare speak up or express my thoughts.” She was also seen wiping away tears as she described the monthly performance tapes she submitted to bosses for review during those years and the feedback. “In K-pop culture, we can't date,” Lisa said. “When I was younger, I dated a few times, but we had to hide when we’re dating. I didn’t want my dating to be the thing that hurts BLACKPINK's popularity.” She also revealed that her debut solo studio album, “Alter Ego,” released last year, draws on her own romantic experiences. One of its songs, “Dream,” was inspired by a relationship she had kept secret in the past, Lisa explained. The artist added that she had contacted her former paSep 4, 2026By Xportsnews
Monsta X releases new EP 'The Phase'K-pop boy group Monsta X returned to the music scene Friday with its latest EP, "The Phase." The album comprises six tracks, including the lead track "Magic," B-sides such as "Type X" and "That's My Girl." "Magic" blends rhythmic guitar riffs with a punchy beat and credits member Jooheon as a lyricist, according to the group's agency, Starship Entertainment. Since debuting in 2015, Monsta X has built a sizable international following, becoming known for its high-energy performances and active involvement in songwriting and production.Sep 4, 2026By Yonhap
Riize marks 3rd anniv. with pledge to keep evolvingK-pop boy group Riize marked its third anniversary on Friday with a promise to keep growing and avoid settling for a comfort zone. "Our goal has always been growth, and that remains unchanged today," the six-member act said through its agency, SM Entertainment. "We want to show our new sides rather than staying in a place of familiarity." Since debuting in 2023, Riize became best known for hit singles including "Get a Guitar," "Love 119" and "Boom Boom Bass." This year, the act completed a world tour that has drawn 420,000 fans in 21 destinations. The group thanked its fans, known as "Breeze," for steady support during moments of doubt. "Whenever we wondered whether we were doing well or whether this was the right path, Breeze gave us confidence and guided us positively. We are thankful for that," it said. Member Sungchan said he owed his current position to sharing "both good times and hard times" with his bandmates and fans, and vowed to keep "cherishing each moment" going forward. Eunseok said he felt more composure onstage, able to enjoy the moment as well as execute choreography andSep 4, 2026By Yonhap
IU to release new digital single next weekSinger-songwriter IU will release a new digital single next Thursday, her agency said, marking her first new music in a year after health issues forced concert cancellations and delayed her sixth studio album. EDAM Entertainment announced the return in a statement Friday, alongside a teaser video uploaded to the artist's social media channels. The agency did not provide further details about the single, including its title. IU's most recent release was the digital single "Bye, Summer" in September 2025. The 33-year-old artist, one of Korea's best-selling solo acts, had planned to hold standalone concerts in Goyang near Seoul earlier this month. The shows were canceled after she suffered a flare-up of patulous Eustachian tube, a condition in which the tube inside the eardrum remains abnormally open. She also postponed the release of her sixth studio album due to the same health issue and has not announced a new date.Sep 4, 2026By Yonhap
Stray Kids' EP 'This & That' certified gold in FranceK-pop boy band Stray Kids' latest album, "This & That," has been certified "gold" by a major French recording industry association, the group's agency said Thursday. The EP received the certification from France's National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing for achieving 50,000 sales units across physical copies, downloads and streams, according to JYP Entertainment. With the latest certification, Stray Kids now owns six gold-certified albums in France, including "5-Star" and "Rock-Star." In August, "This & That" debuted atop the U.S. Billboard 200, the main albums chart, becoming the group's ninth No. 1 album. Stray Kids now has the second-most Billboard 200 No. 1 albums in the chart's history among group acts, behind the Beatles, who has 19, and tied with the Rolling Stones.Sep 3, 2026By Yonhap
Solo queens crowd September's K-pop comeback raceThe heat has finally started to break, but nobody told the K-pop release calendar. September opens with Chung Ha, Kwon Eun-bi, Lisa and Jisoo all putting out new music in just a four day span, the densest run of solo releases by women in K-pop this year. The month only gets busier, with a long-delayed first full-length album, a debut EP, a band's second wave and a rapid-turnaround return from HYBE's girl group LE SSERAFIM still to come. Solo queens open the month Chung Ha started the run on Tuesday, releasing the digital single "México" through MORE VISION. It is her first new music since "Save me," the birthday single she put out in February. Kwon Eun-bi then arrives Sept. 3 with the digital single "DEJAVU," her first release in a year and four months. It is also her first since signing with RBW in April, after ending a long run with Woollim Entertainment at the end of March. RBW has been teasing a wider tonal range with the single, compared to the sharply sexy register of her last release. BLACKPINK's Lisa also lands on Sept. 3 with "SaWaDiKa," the lead single from her six-track EP "PRSep 3, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
InterviewKwon Eun-bi opens new chapter with 1st single since label moveK-pop singer Kwon Eun-bi has taken to numbering versions of herself. The first one, she said, was spent working out who she actually was. The second one starts Thursday. "The Kwon Eun-bi at Woollim Entertainment was a time of getting to know myself," the singer said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul's Gwangjin District, Monday. "Going solo meant having to think hard about who I am, and that was quite difficult at the time. I'd had so little time alone that I hadn't thought about it much." The second, she said, "feels like a fresh start, finally knowing what I enjoy doing." Some of what she found was smaller than expected. "I discovered that I like little things more than I'd expected. Traveling abroad, meeting friends and giving out small gifts," she said. "I was always the older sister, always the leader, so I lived pretending to be that person. Turns out I was more than that." That leadership role is where most listeners first encountered her. Kwon debuted in 2014 with the short-lived girl group Ye-A, left the following year and signed as a trainee with WoollimSep 3, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
