RIIZE to release 2nd mini album 'II' on June 15RIIZE, the SM Entertainment group whose signature "emotional pop" has already secured three consecutive million-selling records, said Friday that it will release its second mini-album, "II," on June 15. Led by the high-octane title track "Do your dance," the six-track collection comes just seven months after its single "Fame," arriving at a critical juncture as the group enters its fourth year on the global stage. The upcoming release aims to channel the kinetic energy of RIIZE's recent world tours into a broader, cross-border invitation to the dance floor. Last May, RIIZE secured its third consecutive million-seller status with its debut studio album, "ODYSSEY." Now entering its fourth year since debut, the group is no longer just chasing trends — it is defining them. The new six-track mini-album promises a deeper dive into emotional pop — a genre RIIZE has uniquely carved out for itself. The album is led by the title track "Do your dance," an anthem designed to showcase the group’s sharp choreography and raw, experiential growth. According to insiders, "II" reflects the members'May 22, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
ATEEZ signals moodier, introspective turn for its next albumFor a K-pop group that has built its reputation on cinematic scale and relentless touring, the next step isn't just about maintaining momentum — it is about challenging the audience. ATEEZ, the eight-member powerhouse known for explosive choreography, will release its 14th mini-album, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5," on June 26, its agency, KQ Entertainment, said Friday. The release comes a mere four months after its previous record, signaling an aggressive release strategy designed to capitalize on a rapidly expanding Western footprint. The announcement arrived via a cryptic midnight video on the group’s official YouTube channel. Featuring fragmented, rapid-fire imagery and an ominous voiceover repeating the phrase “Question yourself,” the teaser culminates with the word “BAD” flashing across the screen. The gothic tone hints at a stark thematic pivot for a group whose narrative universe has long blended pirate mythology with dystopian sci-fi. The stakes for the new release are notably high. In February, ATEEZ’s 13th mini-album, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4," debuted at No. 3 on the BillboMay 22, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
InterviewLE SSERAFIM has grown stronger in dealing with fearThree years after its first full-length record, K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM is ready to tell a different story about fear. The five-member group is set to drop "PUREFLOW pt.1," its second studio album on Friday, built around a premise that inverts the group's debut message. While the group's first record declared strength through fearlessness, this one argues the opposite — that fear, faced directly, is what makes you stronger. "When we first debuted, the message was that we were strong because we had no fear," said Huh Yun-jin, the group's primary songwriter, said during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Monday. "Now it's that we're strong because we faced our fears." The group's leader Kim Chae-won was not able to join the interview due to a neck injury. Eleven new songs in the "PUREFLOW" album follow that premise, across genres ranging from Latin house to punk to funk. Formed by Source Music, a HYBE subsidiary, LE SSERAFIM debuted in May 2022 with its EP "Fearless." The group's name is an anagram of "I'm Fearless," and from the start built its identity around a unique kindMay 22, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS concert in Busan to be streamed live at cinemas worldwideK-pop sensation BTS will broadcast a Busan concert from its ongoing "Arirang" world tour live in movie theaters worldwide next month, its agency said Thursday. BigHit Music said the second of the two-night concerts, scheduled for June 12 and 13, will be streamed live from Busan Asiad Main Stadium in the city located about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The live viewing event will take place in more than 3,800 theaters across over 80 countries and regions, offering fans a shared concert experience beyond geographical limits. Due to time zone differences, audiences in North America, South America and Europe will have access to delayed screenings within one to two days after the concert. In South Korea, the event will be available at major multiplex chains, including CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox. BTS previously held a large-scale performance at the same venue in Busan in October 2022 in support of the city's bid to host the 2030 World Expo. The group, which marks the 12th anniversary of its debut on June 13, launched the "Arirang" world tour last month in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul.May 21, 2026By Yonhap
BTS to make special appearance at this year's AMAsK-pop supergroup BTS will make a special appearance at this year's American Music Awards (AMAs), organizers said, marking its first in-person participation at the ceremony in nearly five years. The group is set to attend the 52nd awards show on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, according to an announcement released by the AMAs on Wednesday (U.S. time). BTS has been nominated in three categories, including the top prize of Artist of the Year, as well as Song of the Summer and Best Male K-Pop Artist. The AMAs hold particular significance for the group. In 2017, BTS made its U.S. television debut at the ceremony with a performance of "DNA," becoming the first Korean act to perform on the show since its launch in 1974. BTS has since won a total of 12 AMA trophies both as a group and individually. In 2021, BTS became the first Asian act to win Artist of the Year. This year, the South Korean group will compete in the top category with global stars, including Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. BTS' latest hit "Swim," the lead single from its fifth studio album "AMay 21, 2026By Yonhap
InterviewShownu X Hyungwon breaks silence with bold declaration, 'LOVE ME'Thirty-four months is a long time in the K-pop realm. Trends shift, rosters change and the industry moves fast enough to leave even established acts behind. For Shownu and Hyungwon of boy band MONSTA X, however, the wait seems to have only sharpened their focus. The duo returns Thursday with "LOVE ME," their second mini-album as a unit, nearly two years and ten months after their 2023 debut. The album arrives at a real momentum for MONSTA X, who recently sold out the KSPO Dome in Seoul's Songpa District as part of the group's ongoing world tour "THE X : NEXUS." MONSTA X debuted in 2015 under Starship Entertainment — home to major global acts like WJSN, Cravity and IVE — and has since built a dedicated global fanbase known as Monbebe. Shownu X Hyungwon first came together as the group's inaugural subunit in July 2023, releasing their debut mini-album "THE UNSEEN" before Hyungwon's mandatory military service put the project on hold. For Shownu X Hyungwon, "LOVE ME" is less of a comeback and more of a declaration. "I wanted to show my natural self, with whatever maturity time has given mMay 21, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
InterviewAhn Hyo-seop fulfills hidden passion with solo music debutFrom an early age, Ahn Hyo-seop always had a burning passion for music. After school, he would always talk about music and would even produce tracks with his friends for fun. This passion led him to train under JYP Entertainment with the hopes of becoming a K-pop idol. However, Ahn decided to follow a different career path as an actor and became a household name with performances in "Dr. Romantic" (2016) and "Business Proposal" (2022). After starring in movies and shows for over ten years, Ahn recently surprised fans as he announced his solo music debut in a collaboration with U.S. R&B star Khalid. The unexpected duo will release "Something Special" on May 22, a cross-cultural track which blends K-pop and U.S. R&B seamlessly with a summer-infused sound. “Music has been a hidden passion for me for a long time. This project came to me very naturally. It was a good opportunity to be part of a fun project with a very creative team. And of course, Khalid, I’ve been listening to his music for a very long time. To be able to make music was a great honor,” said Ahn. Ahn has previously perfoMay 21, 2026By Adam Davidson
Everland turns into g.o.d. fan festival for group's 10,000-day milestoneEverland, Korea’s largest theme park, is transforming its expansive grounds into a sprawling festival arena to honor the veteran boy band g.o.d., marking the group’s 10,000th day since its debut. The corporate collaboration underscores a growing trend in the entertainment industry of merging physical infrastructure with pop music franchises to capture fan loyalty. Samsung C&T Resort Group, the amusement park's operator, said Wednesday that it will host a four-day celebration, called “Sky Blue Balloon Week,” running from Wednesday through Saturday. The project effectively reengineers the theme park into a massive, site-specific retrospective built around one of Korea’s most enduring musical acts. Since entering the music scene in 1999, g.o.d. has remained a prominent fixture in the country’s cultural landscape. The five-member group is widely recognized for the emotional ballads and accessible harmonies that helped define the foundational era of contemporary Korean pop music, long before K-pop became a global economic export. The four-day event will feature multimedia exhibitiMay 20, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
LE SSERAFIM's Chaewon to miss some ‘PUREFLOW’ comeback activities due to neck painLE SSERAFIM leader Kim Chaewon will be stepping back from some of the group’s upcoming activities as she focuses on her health. Source Music shared an update on the singer's condition through the group's official channels on Tuesday, explaining that Kim recently received hospital treatment for neck pain. “Kim Chaewon recently received medical treatment for pain in her neck area, and medical staff advised that she take a period of rest while monitoring her recovery,” the agency said. Source Music added that, after reviewing the artist’s condition, it had decided that Kim needed enough time to recover so she could continue activities in a stable condition. As a result, Kim will be unable to attend some scheduled events, including university festivals, Spotify’s PURE FLOWERS LIVE and music broadcasts. “We will actively support Kim Chaewon so that she can fully focus on her recovery,” the agency said, adding that her future schedule will be adjusted depending on her condition. The agency also said it would do its best to help the singer recover and return to fans in good health aMay 20, 2026By Hankookilbo
‘Princess’ image no more? IVE’s Jang Won-young sparks buzz with bolder, sexier style shiftJang Won-young of K-pop girl group IVE is drawing attention online as fans debate whether the idol is moving away from her signature “lovely princess” image in favor of a bolder and more mature style. Long known for her bright, elegant and doll-like visuals since her days in IZ*ONE, Jang has recently been showcasing a noticeably different mood through fashion choices that lean more sensual and trend-driven. The latest wave of discussion began after the singer attended a photo call event for an Italian high jewelry brand wearing a black velvet tube top dress that highlighted a sleek silhouette and a more sophisticated image. The fitted styling emphasized both her tall proportions and glamorous aura, prompting strong reactions across social media and online communities. Fans said the look felt distinctly different from the youthful and “princess-like” styling often associated with the star during IVE’s earlier years. Another round of buzz followed after Jang uploaded new photos to social media on May 15, where she showed off a daring “sagging” fashion style — a trend in whiMay 19, 2026By Xportsnews
