SM launches 1st official K-pop merch store in China amid thaw signalsSM Entertainment opened its first official merchandise store in China, marking a notable step in the K-pop powerhouse's push into a market where cultural ties with Seoul have long been strained. The company launched the SMTOWN STORE Shanghai, Wednesday, at Xinliubai YOUNG in Shanghai’s Xujiahui District, as part of a broader effort to expand its global retail footprint. Spanning about 335 square meters, the store offers official merchandise from SM artists — aespa, the NCT subunits, RIIZE, Girls' Generation, Red Velvet and more — alongside a light stick display zone, album photo walls and large multimedia screens, positioning the space as more than a conventional retail outlet. Located near the city's Xujiahui Station, which serves subway lines 1, 9 and 11, the site benefits from steady foot traffic and proximity to major universities such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University, drawing a young, trend-driven consumer base. According to an SM press release, interest was strong ahead of the opening, fueled by social media buzz. A themed pop-up tied to the label's boy bMay 1, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
‘They go way back?’ BLACKPINK’s Jennie and WOODZ reveal decade-long friendshipSinger WOODZ revealed a decade-long friendship with BLACKPINK's Jennie in a YouTube vlog posted Wednesday. The two artists made their first on-camera appearance together in the video titled, "Why bother date with JENNIE." WOODZ acknowledged the novelty of the situation, saying it was "really awkward" to be on camera together despite their long-standing relationship. WOODZ accompanied Jennie on a shopping trip, showing he knows her habits well. "Are you buying sweatpants again? You usually only buy sweatpants, don't you?" he asked, predicting her preference. The pair recounted a shared past that stretches back to childhood, revealing they attended the same elementary school. WOODZ recalled meeting Jennie at a high school festival when he was an agency trainee and she was already a well-known figure, an encounter Jennie joked she did not remember. The two frequently crossed paths while commuting to their respective entertainment agencies and became close friends. Jennie acknowledged the unexpected nature of their bond. "Our connection is deep," she said. "People are curious about why we areApr 30, 2026By Xportsnews
Tickets for BTS' concerts in Busan sell out in presalesAll tickets for BTS' concerts in the southern Korean city of Busan sold out during presales, the group's agency BigHit Music said Thursday. The K-pop supergroup is set to perform at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on June 12-13 as part of its "Arirang" world tour, which kicked off in Goyang earlier this month. The three earlier shows in Goyang also sold out. The second concert in Busan on June 13 coincides with BTS' debut anniversary. The concerts will mark the septet's return to the venue for the first time in three years and eight months since its October 2022 concert to support Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo. The 2022 show was the group's last full-member performance before its nearly four-year hiatus for the members' mandatory military service. BigHit will host "BTS The City," a BTS-themed festival for fans, across the city from June 5 to 21, timed with the upcoming concerts.Apr 30, 2026By Yonhap
YG to launch 5-member boy group in SeptemberK-pop agency YG Entertainment's first boy group in six years will launch in September with five members, the company announced Thursday. YG had previously unveiled a plan to launch a new boy group this fall. "We're planning to introduce the male group in September for now. The number of its members, which many people may be curious about, is five," Yang Hyun-suk, founder and executive producer of YG Entertainment, said in a video posted on the company's official blog. He did not give further details of the new group, including its name. The last new boy group launched by YG was TREASURE, which debuted in August 2020. Yang added that the company would gradually reveal details about its upcoming intellectual properties and rookie artists, hinting at a broader debut lineup that includes a new girl group tentatively named Next Monster. YG also plans to roll out major projects this year, including new albums from Babymonster and TREASURE, as well as a world tour by BIGBANG marking its 20th anniversary.Apr 30, 2026By Yonhap
HYBE posts $468 mil. in Q1 revenue on BTS' comebackHYBE, the company behind K-pop megastar BTS, posted a sharp rise in first-quarter revenue on the back of the band's comeback, but swung to an operating loss due to a one-off accounting cost tied to stock-based compensation for employees. The company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that its January-March revenue rose 39.5 percent year-on-year to 698.3 billion won ($468 million), marking a record high for a first quarter, which is typically a slow season for the music industry. Operating loss came to 196.6 billion won, compared with a profit of 21.6 billion won a year earlier, missing the market consensus of 42.6 billion-won profit compiled by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data service of Yonhap News Agency. Net loss stood at 156.7 billion won. HYBE said the loss reflected a 255 billion won one-off expense after Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, the company's largest shareholder, granted shares from his personal holdings as employee incentives. The firm said the cost did not involve an actual cash outflow. Excluding the one-off item, adjusted operating profit was 58.5 billion won. Revenue from aApr 29, 2026By Yonhap
Kai’s ‘6-member’ comment on EXO sparks comeback doubts for CBXA casual remark by Kai about EXO’s current lineup is stirring online debate, with fans questioning whether the trio CBX may be drifting further from a full-group return. The moment came during the Monday broadcast of SBS variety show “Uh, But Like, Seriously!,” where cast members jokingly expressed interest in appearing as guests at EXO’s upcoming world tour concerts. When host Lee Sang-min mentioned that Kai would begin EXO concerts in April, Kai confirmed plans for a world tour. As the cast playfully pushed for guest appearances, Kai shut it down, saying, “Don’t get your hopes up,” and added, “It’s a secret. The concert might even get canceled,” waving his hands dismissively. The banter continued, with Tak Jae-hoon jokingly asking for a favor, and Lee urging Kai to let them join. Kai replied cautiously, “I’ll say just one thing. I’m also entering contract renewal season soon,” prompting laughter and more teasing from the cast. But it was one seemingly simple exchange that drew the most attention. When Tak asked, “Kai, how many EXO members are there besidesApr 29, 2026By Xportsnews
BTS begins North America tour in Tampa, drawing 190,000 fansK-pop supergroup BTS drew about 190,000 fans over three days as it kicked off the North American leg of its "Arirang" world tour in Tampa, Florida, the group's agency said Wednesday. The group performed at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday (local time) as part of the North American leg, delivering tracks from its latest studio album, "Arirang," and past hits, such as "MIC Drop" and "Fake Love," BigHit Music said. BTS began the world tour with three-night concerts in the Korean city of Goyang earlier this month. The tour spans a total of 85 shows across 34 cities, making it the largest tour ever undertaken by a K-pop artist. After Tampa, the seven-member group will continue the tour on May 2–3 at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, becoming the first Korean act to hold a concert at the venue. The North American leg involves 31 shows across 12 cities, including Mexico City, Stanford and Las Vegas, with all dates sold out, according to the agency.Apr 29, 2026By Yonhap
ADOR lawyers quit before Danielle court dateAmid ongoing litigation in which entertainment agency ADOR has filed a damages lawsuit worth approximately 43 billion won ($29 million) against former NewJeans member Danielle and others, ADOR’s entire legal team has stepped down. Xportsnews confirmed on April 29 that five attorneys from Kim & Chang, who had been representing ADOR in the case, have all resigned. The resignations come less than a month after the first pretrial hearing, drawing speculation over possible reasons behind the move. With the legal team stepping down, HYBE must now appoint new legal representatives. Some speculate that the trial could be prolonged as a result. Meanwhile, Danielle’s legal representatives remain unchanged and will continue handling the case. Previously, during the first pretrial hearing held on March 26 at Seoul Central District Court, the two sides clashed over the pace of proceedings. At the time, Danielle’s side raised suspicions that ADOR was intentionally trying to delay the case, stating, “They recently requested to postpone the pretrial hearing by two months, which makes it seem likeApr 29, 2026By Xportsnews
BTS logs 5th week on Billboard Hot 100 with two tracksTwo tracks from K-pop sensation BTS' fifth studio album, "ARIRANG," have spent a fifth consecutive week on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of the United States. According to the chart unveiled Tuesday (U.S. time), the album's lead single "Swim" ranked No. 22 while "Body To Body" placed at No. 95. "Swim," which debuted at No. 1, has since ranked No. 2, No. 5 and No. 10, extending its run on the Hot 100 to five weeks. "Body To Body" entered the chart at No. 25 and has remained for the same period. Elsewhere on the chart, "Golden," from the original soundtrack of the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," ranked No. 9 in its 44th consecutive week on the chart. Australian psychedelic rock project Tame Impala's "Dracula," featuring K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's Jennie on a remix version, came in at No. 16, while Katseye's "Pinky Up" ranked No. 49.Apr 29, 2026By Yonhap
BTS concertgoers outspent average tourist in Korea, data showsInternational visitors who traveled to Seoul and Goyang for BTS concerts in March and early April stayed longer and spent significantly more money than the average tourist to Korea, according to data released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The ministry, working with the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute and the Korea Tourism Organization, surveyed concertgoers and analyzed telecommunications and card transaction data to assess the economic impact of major K-culture events on inbound tourism. Foreign visitors who attended the Gwanghwamun concert March 21 stayed an average of 8.7 days and spent 3.53 million won ($2,391), well above figures for general inbound visitors. Those who attended the Goyang Stadium concerts on April 9, 11 and 12 averaged 7.4 days and 2.91 million won in spending, with many extending their itineraries to visit BTS THE CITY Seoul program venues including Yongsan, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The impact on the local economy near Goyang Stadium was particularly sharp. TelecommunicationsApr 29, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
