Major K-pop labels to debut new groups this year K-pop boy group BOYNEXTDOOR / Courtesy of KOZ EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaCompetition in the music industry is likely to get into full swing this year with the debut of rookie groups created by major K-pop companies.KOZ Entertainment, a sub-label of K-pop powerhouse HYBE representing megastar band BTS, debuted its first boy group BOYNEXTDOOR on May 30. Established by rapper-producer Zico in 2019, KOZ unveiled the six-piece act, consisting of Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak. Its debut album, “WHO!” features three tracks: “But I Like You,” “One and Only” and “Serenade.” The group is already hitting the ground running, with its “One and Only” music video surpassing 20 million views on YouTube as of Tuesday. HYBE is poised to showcase one or two more rookie acts in 2023, but details have been kept under wraps. According to some reports, its sub-label Pledis Entertainment is likely to launch a new boy group. Pledis manages boy group SEVENTEEN and girl group fromis_9, among others. In line with its success with Jun 20, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
TREND REPORT What's that dress worn by Winter, Sakura and Shuhua? From left are aespa's Winter, LE SSERAFIM's Sakura and (G)I-DLE's Shuhua wearing identical outfits. Captured from SBS Inkigayo, Dankook University's official SNS and (G)I-DLE's music video Winter, Sakura and Shuhua seen wearing identical outfits on stageBy Hong Hye-minA plethora of girl groups are each vying for the spotlight in the glamorous and increasingly competitive world of K-pop, to the point where some have described it as an all-out war. Unlike girl groups in the past who cut an innocent figure with songs about falling in love, more recent bands have become strong and proactive go-getters.The expanding range of themes and ideas being explored by various girl groups has given fans the pleasure of witnessing the evolution of their fashion as well. Specific styling choices are made to fit the ideas revolving around the group's image and their tracks, a key element that drives their popularity. Accordingly, entertainment agencies are investing more effort to chJun 19, 2023By Lee Min-young
EXO and SM contract dispute ends in amicable settlement Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin of K-pop boy group EXO / Courtesy of SM Entertainment3 EXO members decide to keep their contracts with SMBy Dong Sun-hwa The three members of K-pop boy group EXO ― Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin ― and their management company, SM Entertainment, have reached a mutually amicable settlement concerning the trio's exclusive contracts. All three have decided to maintain their contractual relationships.The announcement came about three weeks after Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin ― who formed a sub-unit named “EXO-CBX” in 2016 ― demanded contract termination on June 1. They raised concerns about the lack of transparency in financial settlements and the excessively long duration of their contracts, which exceeded the recommended maximum of seven years set by the Fair Trade Commission for singer-label agreements. They also filed a complaint with the antitrust regulator over “unfair” terms. SM Entertainment swiftly responded to these allegations, denying any coercion on the members to renew their contracts. The company also revealed that the members had atJun 19, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
NewJeans to drop new album next month This photo, provided by Coca-Cola, shows K-pop girl group NewJeans. Korea Times fileK-pop girl group NewJeans will return after six months with its second EP, "Get Up," next month, the group's management agency said Monday.According to ADOR, the band will release the album on July 21 and "New Jeans" and "Super Shy," the first two of the album's six tracks, two weeks before their official release."Super Shy" is one of the album's three lead tracks along with "ETA" and "Cool With You." Also included on the album are "New Jeans," "Get Up" and "ASAP."This is not the first time that the band has presented triple main tracks for an album. The K-pop rookie made a sensation in August when three lead songs from its debut album ― "Attention," "Hype Boy," and "Cookie" ― swept domestic music charts.Earlier this year, the group released its first single album and dominated the charts with "Ditto" and "OMG" off the album throughout the first quarter. (Yonhap)Jun 19, 2023
BTS' 10th anniv. fireworks show captures 1.53 mil. livestream viewers worldwide Fans capture the fireworks show at Yeouido Han River Park in Seoul, marking the finale of a festival celebrating BTS' 10th anniversary, June 17. YonhapApproximately 1.53 million people around the world tuned in to watch a fireworks show livestreamed from Seoul on Saturday to commemorate K-pop superstar BTS' 10th anniversary, according to the group's agency.The fireworks display, which began at Yeouido Han River Park at 8:30 p.m., recorded around 340,000 peak concurrent viewers on YouTube, while nearly 1.19 million fans watched it on Weverse, a K-pop fan community platform, BigHit Music said Monday.The 30-minute show was streamed worldwide through Weverse, TikTok and YouTube.Fans capture the fireworks show at Yeouido Han River Park in Seoul, marking the finale of a festival celebrating BTS' 10th anniversary, June 17. YonhapA special talk show hosted by BTS leader RM, which preceded the fireworks show, attracted about 1.08 million viewers on Weverse, the agency added.Saturday's event, which included the fireworks display and the talk show, was the highlight of the two-week festival celJun 19, 2023
Girl group ITZY to drop new album next month A promotional image for K-pop girl group ITZY's upcoming EP, "Kill My Doubt," provided by JYP Entertainment. YonhapK-pop girl group ITZY will put out a new EP, titled "Kill My Doubt," on July 31, the group's agency said Monday.The quintet's latest release was "Cheshire," its sixth EP dropped in November.The upcoming EP will comprise six tracks, led by "Cake," according to JYP Entertainment. It said the five other songs are "Bet on Me," "None of My Business," "Bratty," "Psychic Lover" and "Kill Shot." (Yonhap)Jun 19, 2023
HYBE's first Japanese boy band &TEAM seeks to expand presence in Korea and beyond K-pop powerhouse HYBE's Japanese boy group &TEAM poses during a press event in Tokyo, Sunday. Courtesy of HYBE&TEAM to perform on Korean music showsBy Dong Sun-hwa&TEAM, the first Japanese boy group created by K-pop powerhouse HYBE, has ascended to meteoric stardom in Japan shortly after its debut last year, dominating multiple local music charts including Oricon. It consists of one Korean (EJ), one Taiwanese (Nicholas) and seven Japanese members (K, Fuma, Yuma, Jo, Harua, Taki and Maki), who were the top contestants on the audition programs, “&AUDITION ― The Howling” (2022) and “I-LAND” (2020). After getting off to a smooth start in Japan, the nine boys ― who all have a good command of Korean ― now aim to raise their profile in Seoul and beyond with their second EP, “First Howling : WE.” The EP hit shelves on June 14.For the first time in their career, &TEAM plans to perform on two major Korean music shows ― Mnet's “M COUNTDOWN” and KBS' “Music Bank” ― next week. “I usually have a lot of worriJun 19, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Purple hues of fervent fandom: BTS 10th Anniversary Festa captivates fans Fans of K-pop boy group BTS watch a video performance of the group during BTS 10th Anniversary Festa at the Hangang Park in Yeouido, Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Big Hit Music400,000 fans recall K-pop superstar's past 10 years through events, fireworksBy Pyo Kyung-minMore than 400,000 fans of K-pop superstar BTS immersed themselves in a sea of purple, the color symbolizing the boy band, at Hangang Park in Yeouido, Seoul, Saturday, as the highlight events celebrating the group's 10th anniversary were held.The BTS 10th Anniversary Festa commenced on June 12, leading up to the anniversary of BTS' debut on June 13, and "BTS 10th Anniversary Festa @Yeouido" stood as the centerpiece of the festivities.Fans from here and abroad, donning purple attire which signifies their allegiance to the group, flocked to the venue, creating an atmosphere brimming with anticipation. Undeterred by the scorching weather, the dedicated ARMY, the name of BTS' fans, patiently queued to experience the event.“I think it's very worth it,” said Zhafa, a fan from Indonesia wearing a purple checkered dreJun 18, 2023By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS' RM finds the group's 10th anniversary amazing In this photo provided by BigHit Music, RM of K-pop boy group BTS hosts a special talk session during the BTS 10th Anniversary Festa held at Yeouido Han River Park in Seoul, June 17. YonhapRM, leader of K-pop supergroup BTS, on Saturday shared how he feels about the band's 10th anniversary, which fell earlier this week.He hit the stage for "It's Kim Nam-joon at 5 p.m.," a special program held as part of the two weeks of BTS 10th Anniversary Festa, which kicked off at various places in Seoul on Monday."I used to go to school with Yoon-gi and practice when I was a trainee, but it feels amazing and nostalgic that I'm here to celebrate our 10th anniversary with a festival like this," he said during the talk session held at Han River Park in Seoul's Yeouido area."Kim Nam-joon" in the title is the original Korean name of the BTS member, while Min Yoon-gi is Suga's real name. About 3,000 members of the band's dedicated fandom, ARMY, chosen in a lottery, attended the event, while other fans enjoyed the show on a large screen set up at the festival venue.The rapper read the stories of selecteJun 17, 2023
BTS fans pack Seoul park to celebrate 10-year anniversary Fans wait to watch BTS' past performances on a screen at Yeouido, Seoul, during the BTS Festa. YonhapAn estimated 300,000 people are expected to gather in the heart of South Korea's capital Seoul on Saturday as fans from around the globe commemorated the debut of K-Pop boy band juggernaut BTS 10 years ago.BTS is on temporary break as a group with two of its seven members currently doing mandatory military service, but that didn't stop a host of celebratory events this week catering to the band's loyal fanbase known as "ARMY".At the "BTS 10th Anniversary FESTA" at Han River Park in Seoul on Saturday, thousands of fans wandered under clear skies and bright sun among various exhibits including a BTS history wall, stage costumes and commemorative sculptures, many in BTS' signature purple color.People enters into Yeouido Hangang Park to attend BTS Festa in Seoul, June 17. YonhapWith the bands' songs playing in the background, fans danced under shady trees or bonded over their favorite band members."Through this event I think we can get experience (of) how we build up our connection with BJun 17, 2023
