For K-pop fans, the return of I.O.I, Wanna One is more than nostalgiaI.O.I and Wanna One are returning, bringing two of K-pop’s most symbolic audition-born project groups back into the spotlight. Their comeback has stirred nostalgia among longtime fans, but the move appears to be more than a sentimental revival. In today’s K-pop content market, familiar names with proven fandoms have become powerful acts capable of competing with newly launched groups. The two groups represent the golden age of “project groups,” temporary idol acts formed through audition programs. In 2016, Mnet launched the first season of “Produce 101,” introducing K-pop to the idea of “national producers,” in which viewers voted to decide which contestants would make the final lineup. The show quickly became a sensation, as fans followed the contestants’ growth arcs, rivalries and emotional competition narratives with near-syndromic intensity. I.O.I., whose members were chosen through the program, built a powerful fandom almost immediately after its debut. Though the group was active for only about a year, I.O.I. left a deep mark in the K-pop industry with songs suchJun 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
TripleS returns with anthem for girls who doubt themselvesK-pop girl group tripleS returned Monday under a whopping full 24-member lineup with an album it hopes will reach every girl who has yet to believe in herself. Under the new project name ASSEMBLE26, the girl group released "LOVE & POP PT. 1," the first installment of a planned three-part full-group project. All 24 members, donning matching sky blue outfits, appeared a few hours before the 6 p.m. album drop at the BlueSquare Theater in Seoul's Yongsan District to discuss the album and share behind-the-scenes stories. The members described the album as an anthem for those who have yet to discover or believe in their own potential. "We were all small girls once," Jiyeon said. "That's why we put extra care and love into preparing this album." Seoa said the concept represented a departure from the group's previous work. "Every time we promote, we put everything into it," she said. "But this song's concept shows a more cheerful side of us, which made the members both nervous and excited. That's why we prepared it with even more determination." The album's title track, "Baby Flower," carries on tJun 1, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Korea rolls out red carpet for BTS fans, travelers at Gimhae airportKorea is launching a targeted "Welcome Week" hospitality campaign at Gimhae International Airport in Busan to greet incoming travelers, capitalizing on an expected surge of international visitors ahead of a massive K-pop event, the government said Monday. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and the Visit Korea Committee, will run the special airport campaign from June 1 to 14. While the government held its primary spring welcome events during the peak travel windows of late April and early May, officials added this specific two-week iteration to the calendar to accommodate a massive wave of inbound travelers arriving for megastar K-pop group BTS’ upcoming stadium concerts. The shows, titled "BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN BUSAN," are scheduled for June 12 and 13 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Arriving passengers will be greeted by multilingual hospitality booths on the first floor of the airport, offering travel assistance, regional tourism information and on-site booking promotions for local themed tours. TravelerJun 1, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Taiwan fans seek divine help to secure BTS concert seatsTAIPEI — Taiwanese fans of K-pop boy band BTS are turning to Yue Lao, the Taoist god of love and marriage, in the hope that divine matchmaking will connect them with seats for their upcoming shows in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung. "It's really hard to get tickets for BTS concerts, so everyone says praying to the God of Love is the most efficient. After all, it's another kind of matchmaking," said fan Jessie Chuang, 26. Over the weekend, a group of K-pop fans, mostly BTS fans, laid out snacks in purple packaging — the official BTS group colour — along with group merchandise, concert seat maps and wish lists on an altar table at Taipei's Bangka Longshan Temple. The trend started on social media a couple of years ago. Taiwanese K-pop fans believe Yue Lao will use his red thread of fate to connect those destined to meet — in this case, connecting fans with a concert seat. "If you truly believe in it, your wish will come true," said university student Ye Yu-ting, 22. The last time BTS performed with all their members in Taiwan was in 2018. The group announced their long-awaitJun 1, 2026By Reuters
Seventeen ranks 7th on Billboard's midyear top tours chartK-pop boy band Seventeen ranked seventh among the world's top-earning musical acts by touring revenue in a biannual chart released by Billboard, the group's agency said Monday. Seventeen earned $88 million and drew some 574,000 concertgoers through 25 concerts during the six-month tracking period ending March 31, Pledis Entertainment said, citing the Billboard report released last week. The K-pop act launched its worldwide tour "NEW_" in September last year and wrapped up its monthslong run with an encore concert in Incheon, west of Seoul, in April. Among other K-pop groups, TWICE and Tomorrow X Together ranked 12th and 15th, respectively. Lady Gaga topped the midyear list with $236.2 million, followed closely by Bad Bunny with $230.3 million, according to the report.Jun 1, 2026By Yonhap
13 years after debut, BTS stages triumphant return to where it beganBTS will celebrate its 13th debut anniversary as a full group with the return of BTS FESTA — an annual two-week festival where the group rolls out rare music and digital content as a gift to its global fan base — unveiling a packed schedule of events alongside a pair of highly anticipated, sold-out stadium concerts in Busan later this month. The group released the timetable for “2026 BTS FESTA” through its official social media channels Sunday, outlining nearly two weeks of carefully curated archival events leading up to its June 13 debut anniversary. This year’s theme, “13(B)TS,” underscores a symbolic new chapter beyond the group’s first 12 years, framing a narrative of BTS and its global fan base, ARMY, embarking on their next collective era together. The festival begins Wednesday with the release of the group’s annual family photo, a signature anniversary tradition dating back to 2014. A performance video for “Hooligan,” a standout track from the group’s fifth full-length album “ARIRANG,” will follow Thursday. Additional documentary-style content, includJun 1, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
CORTIS makes it to Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia listK-pop boy group CORTIS has made it to Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2026, the youngest Korean act and the only K-pop boy group on this year's roster. The group earned a spot in the Entertainment and Sports category less than nine months after its debut, recognized in part for its collaborative approach to music, choreography and visual content production. Also named in the same category were K-pop girl groups NMIXX and I-dle, as well as dancer and choreographer Leejung Lee. The annual list recognizes individuals and teams under 30 who have demonstrated significant influence across the Asia-Pacific region. This year's selection involved Forbes Asia reporters, editors and expert panelists who vetted roughly 4,000 candidates across 10 categories. The recognition comes as CORTIS is riding the commercial success of its second mini-album, "GREENGREEN," released May 4. The album sold more than 2.3 million copies in its first week, according to Circle Chart, ranking second in first-week sales among K-pop releases this year behind BTS' "ARIRANG." The album's lead single, "REDRED," sMay 31, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS shows in N. America draw 840,000 concertgoers: agencyK-pop group BTS has drawn 840,000 fans across 15 performances in five cities on the North American leg of its world tour, the group's agency said Saturday. The seven-member act performed sold-out shows recently in Tampa, El Paso, Stanford and Las Vegas in the United States, as well as Mexico City in Mexico, as part of its "Arirang" world tour, according to BigHit Music. Due to overwhelming demand, the group put on extra shows in Tampa, Stanford and Las Vegas, which all sold out. BTS began the world tour last month to mark its comeback after a near four-year hiatus as members fulfilled South Korea's mandatory military service for men. U.S.-based Billboard reported that BTS grossed $76.2 million and sold 417,000 tickets in its eight shows in Goyang, South Korea, Tokyo and Tampa in April, making it the highest-grossing tour last month. BTS's next world tour performance will take place June 12-13 in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan.May 30, 2026By Yonhap
G-Dragon's 'like' seen as show of support for Kim Soo-hyunA simple social media "like" from K-pop star G-Dragon has sparked online discussion after he appeared to support a statement released by actor Kim Soo-hyun's agency, only to later remove the reaction. Screenshots circulating on Korean online communities Thursday showed G-Dragon had liked an Instagram post summarizing a statement from Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist. The statement addressed allegations that Kim had dated late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. The claims, which had been raised by the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, were found to be false following an investigation, according to the agency. "Kim Soo-hyun promised at a press conference a year ago that he would not ask people to simply trust him but would prove the truth," the agency said. "The past year has been devoted solely to keeping that promise. Through legal procedures and a thorough investigation, the truth has finally been established. We sincerely thank everyone who believed in and waited for Kim Soo-hyun." G-Dragon's apparent endorsement of the post quickly divided opinion online. SoMay 30, 2026By Xportsnews
TWICE member Jihyo’s youngest sister to debut in K-pop girl group under HYBEPark Seo-yeon, the youngest sister of TWICE member Jihyo, is drawing attention after appearing in teaser videos for ABD’s upcoming girl group project. ABD, a newly launched HYBE label, opened its official social media accounts on May 26 and released six short-form videos introducing its first girl group, which is expected to debut in the second half of this year. Several prospective members briefly appeared in the videos, but Park drew particular attention because of her family connection to Jihyo. In the clips, Park's distinct facial features reminded viewers of her older sister. Born in 2008, she is known to have spent years training ahead of her debut. Her expected debut would make all three sisters in Jihyo’s family active in the entertainment industry. Jihyo, the eldest, has built global popularity as the main vocalist of TWICE, while the second sister, Lee Ha-eum, has been pursuing an acting career, mainly through web dramas. With Park now preparing to debut as a girl group member, the family is drawing attention as a trio of entertainers. ABD’s teasers also hinted at the labeMay 28, 2026By Xportsnews
