EXO to make comeback in July amid legal dispute K-pop boy group EXO will drop its new album in July. Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeK-pop boy group EXO will be releasing its first full-length album in about four years since the sixth album “OBSESSION” in 2019.The group's agency SM Entertainment announced that the group's seventh full-length album will come out on July 10. The album comes amid a legal dispute between three of the group's members ― Baekhyun, Xiumin and Chen ― and the agency over terminating their exclusive contracts. The singers accused the agency of not disclosing the proper records of how their payment was being calculated during the contract and demanded to terminate the contract.Earlier this year, the group announced that it was preparing to drop a new album with all of its members to celebrate its 11th anniversary. With the new album, the agency shared that the group will carry out promotions as planned, except for Kai who began his mandatory military service in May.“As we've prepared hard for this album, the promotion will go as planned. We will share the detailed schedule soon,&rdJun 12, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
BTS' 'Take Two' tops Spotify's global chart K-pop supergroup BTSK-pop supergroup BTS' 10th anniversary song "Take Two" has topped the world's largest music streaming service Spotify's Global Top 50 chart.The newly released song secured the No. 1 position on the daily global chart for Saturday, accumulating over 7.3 million streams.Released Friday, the song is produced by Suga and features contributions to the composition and lyrics by RM and J-Hope. The song serves as an expression of gratitude and commitment to the dedicated fans who have supported BTS throughout its journey. (Yonhap)Jun 11, 2023
INTERVIEW CIX talks about team chemistry, youth theme K-pop boy band CIX / Courtesy of C9 EntertainmentCIX returns with sixth EP By Dong Sun-hwaThe history of boy band CIX started about eight years ago when two members ― BX and Seunghun ― bumped into each other at K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment as idol trainees. Back then, they did not know they would form a group together at a company other than YG. But they did so in 2019, debuting as part of CIX ― an acronym of “Complete in X” ― under C9 Entertainment. BX and Seunghun boast a close-knit chemistry today, but they did not find a family-like bond at the outset. “Seunghun and I belonged to different teams (at YG), so we had to go head-to-head,” CIX's frontman BX recalled during a recent interview with The Korea Times at a studio in Mapo District, northern Seoul. They were also the contestants of YG's survival show, “YG Treasure Box” (2018), which gave birth to the boy band TREASURE. Flashing a playful smile, Seunghun jokingly said, “Since we were competing, BX did not really welcome me when I first came to our dormitory. But it was understandaJun 9, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
NCT to hold Korea-Japan stadium tour NCT announced its summer tour plans in Korea and Japan. Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Hong Hye-minK-pop group NCT is set to hold a concert tour in stadiums across Korea and Japan this summer.SM Entertainment announced on Wednesday that the “NCT Nation: To the World” tour will kick off on August 26 at Incheon Munhak Stadium.This will be followed by a two-day concert at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka on September 9 and 10, followed by another pair of performances at Tokyo's Ajinomoto Stadium on September 16 and 17.This event represents NCT's first concert tour as a group, and a demonstration of their growing popularity in Korea and Japan, especially given the size of the host venues.The tour is being billed as an event that everyone can enjoy, showcasing not only NCT 127, NCT Dream and WayV, but also different NCT U combinations as well as mass performances where all members of NCT Nation are brought together. The tour is expected to provide the audience with a top-notch music experience, stunning performances and unique stage production.NCT 127 wrapped up their second worlJun 9, 2023
China's hallyu restrictions likely to continue unless Seoul-Beijing ties improve Jung Yong-hwa, a member of K-pop boy group CNBLUE / Courtesy of FNC EntertainmentChina's ban on Korean cultural content continuesBy Dong Sun-hwaChina has long been a lucrative yet unforeseeable market for the K-pop industry. It has a vast population of 1.4 billion, but is largely at the mercy of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ― the sole ruling party of the country ― that applies cultural or economic policies at its discretion depending on political circumstances.Such a phenomenon was most visible when Beijing launched an unofficial boycott on Korean cultural content following the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area of Defense (THAAD) missile defense battery system on Korean soil in 2017. Since then, China, which considered the installation as a threat to its national security, banned performances by K-pop stars and the airing of K-dramas and films on its land. Korean celebrities have not been able to appear on Chinese shows as well. A few years earlier, K-pop bigwigs like EXO and dramas like “My Love from the Star” (2013) swept the country off its feet, buJun 9, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Seventeen's album 'FML' stays strong on Billboard for 5 straight weeks The group Seventeen has held its position on the main Billboard chart in the United States for five consecutive weeks with their 10th mini-album “FML.” Courtesy of Pledis EntertainmentBy Hong Hye-minK-pop group Seventeen's 10th mini album, “FML,” has remained on the main Billboard chart in the United States for five consecutive weeks. Although official promotion for “FML” has ended, Seventeen continues to enjoy significant popularity in the global music market.According to the latest chart released by Billboard on June 6th (local time), Seventeen's 10th mini album “FML,” released on April 24th, rose to 64th place on the main album chart Billboard 200, marking its fifth consecutive week on the chart.Furthermore, “FML” reclaimed the top spot on the World Albums chart and climbed two spots on both the Top Current Album Sales chart and the Top Album Sales chart, securing the third position. The album continues to maintain its popularity and longevity.Previously, Seventeen became the only K-pop artist to sell over 3 million copieJun 7, 2023
BTS lifts veil on upcoming 10th anniversary event BTS released a trailer of their upcoming event in Yeouido to mark the group's 10th anniversary. Courtesy of Big Hit MusicBy Hong Hye-minK-pop fans are buzzing after BTS released a trailer for their 10th-anniversary event, set to be held next Saturday, June 17 in Yeouido, Seoul.The official trailer for the “BTS 10th Anniversary FESTA in Yeouido” was released, Wednesday, on the group's official social media channel. A sneak peek of the various scenes that can be expected at the event was shown in the 20-second video, fueling excitement and anticipation among BTS fans.The trailer begins with a shot of a gift box, followed by scenes of a purple whale flying over Seoul. An invitation letter to BTS' fan group, ARMY, is shown and an on-air sign is lit up, as BTS's official logo appears against the backdrop of fireworks.The trailer ends with a view of the stage in Yeouido, which will host the highly-anticipated event.In the run-up to the event, major landmarks all across Seoul will be illuminated in purple. Starting next Monday, various media art will be on display at N Seoul TowJun 7, 2023
JYP founder to work as guest commentator for NBA finals on Korean cable This file photo, provided by SBS, shows the K-pop agency's founder and solo artist, Park Jin-young. Korea Times filePark Jin-young, founder of the K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment and a successful solo artist himself, will serve as a guest color commentator for the NBA Finals on Korean cable this weekend.SPOTV, which holds NBA rights in Korea, announced Wednesday that Park will be in the studio for Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat, which tips off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Seoul time.A well-known fan of basketball, Park has called NBA games in Korea on several previous occasions.The Nuggets and the Heat are tied at 1-1, with Game 3 in Miami on Thursday in Korean time. The fourth game of the best-of-seven series will also be in Miami."I am picking Denver to win the title in five games," Park said in a statement released by SPOTV. "But as I watch Miami, featuring undrafted players, battle the star-studded Nuggets, it reminds me of the early days of JYP." (Yonhap)Jun 7, 2023
REVIEW 'The ODD Of LOVE' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists K-pop star Taeyeon performs during the “The ODD Of LOVE” concert at the KSPO Dome in southern Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM EntertainmentTaeyeon electrifies 18,000 fans at her two Seoul concertsBy Dong Sun-hwaThe K-pop scene has seen a plethora of gifted female vocalists to date. It may not be possible to decide who the best one is, but Taeyeon, the leader of Girls' Generation, must be one of the main contenders. The SM Entertainment star was only 18 when she burst onto the music scene as part of her group in 2007. However, she ascended to stardom immediately after her debut thanks to her vocal bravura. Her velvety and unique voice, wide vocal range, fluent expression of emotions combined with exceptional live performing skills have made her a game changer in the cutthroat K-pop industry. Unlike other stars who often juggle singing with acting, Taeyeon has been focusing only on singing and performing over the past 16 years. And she demonstrated the power of persistence during her “The ODD Of LOVE” concert at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park in southern Seoul, JunJun 5, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Girl group Fromis_9 drops first LP Korean girl group Fromis_9 poses for a photo at their first full-length album showcase, June 5. YonhapK-pop girl group Fromis_9 released its first full-length album Monday, five years after its debut in 2018.The album, "Unlock My World," captures one's will to show his or her true self to the world without trying to live up to the expectations of others, according to the band's agency, Pledis Entertainment.Including the main track, "#menow," the LP has 10 songs of diverse genres.The song "#menow" captivates listeners with its sophisticated rhythms, complemented by the graceful vocals and lush harmonies of the members, the agency added. (Yonhap)Jun 5, 2023
