War to become next K-pop queen to intensify with debut of HYBE's new girl group HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, center, poses with Kim Chae-won, left, and Sakura, the members of soon-to-debut girl group Le Sserafim. Captured from InstagramBy Dong Sun-hwaHYBE is mostly known as a record label behind some of the most celebrated K-pop boy groups like BTS, Tomorrow X Together (TXT) and Enhypen. But it now seeks to expand its footprint in the world of girl groups.The company will debut its first-ever girl group, Le Sserafim, in May, which will include Sakura and Kim Chae-won of IZ*ONE, a now-defunct project group that was created through Mnet's popular audition program “Produce 48” in 2018. Le Sserafim is an anagram for the team's motto, “I'm fearless,” according to HYBE.K-pop girl group aespa / Courtesy of SM Entertainment“The name reveals the members' determination to proceed without being disturbed by the judgment of others,” the company explained. “HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk will serve as the executive producer of Le Sserafim's debut album, with creative director Kim Sung-hyun ― who has been working with BTS and TXT ― joiningMar 31, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
TWICE to hold encore concert in L.A. after sold-out tour of US cities K-pop girl group TWICE / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment K-pop girl group TWICE will return for a one-day encore concert in Los Angeles as part of its fourth world tour that took it to five U.S. cities, including L.A., in February, the group's agency said Thursday.The nine-piece group will hold the concert at the 22,000-seat Banc of California Stadium, May 14 (U.S. time), becoming the first K-pop girl group to hold an individual show at a stadium in North America, JYP Entertainment said on the band's official social media channels.The band played seven sold-out concerts in L.A., Oakland, Atlanta, Forth Worth and New York during its recent world tour titled "III" from Feb. 15 to 27, drawing around a combined 100,000 fans, according to the agency.TWICE has been gaining popularity in the U.S. since its third full-length album "Formula of Love: O+T=<3" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 main albums chart following its release in November. The album's lead-off track "Mar 31, 2022
From EXO's Suho to BIGBANG, K-pop megastars to make much-anticipated return in AprilBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop fans' long wait will finally come to an end in April, with their favorite stars, like Suho of K-pop boy group EXO and BIGBANG ― who have been on a hiatus for years ― planning to return to the music scene with their new offerings. 1. EXO's Suho (April 4) Suho, the leader of K-pop boy group EXO / Courtesy of SM Entertainment Suho of K-pop boy group EXO, who was discharged from his alternative military service in February, will be releasing his new solo album, “Grey Suit,” April 4. The upcoming album will present a moment of healing for people, according to his record label, SM Entertainment. “Suho participated in the creative process of all six tracks included in his new album,” the company said in a statement. “It will mostly center on the theme of time. The lead single, in particular, is a progressive rock song about a man who sees his empty and grey-colored world changing after he reunites with his loved one.”Suho, whose real name is Kim Jun-myeMar 30, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
Various events planned for BTS fans in Las Vegas BTS takes the stage during a concert at Olympic Stadium in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul, March 10. From a dazzling fountain water show to a club party, BTS fans will have lots of attractions and events to enjoy before and during the band's live concerts in Las Vegas next month. Courtesy of Big Hit Music From a dazzling fountain water show to a club party, BTS fans will have lots of attractions and events to enjoy before and during the band's live concerts in Las Vegas next month.Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind BTS, said Wednesday it has been preparing various events for fans coming to visit the "Permission to Dance on Stage ― Las Vegas" shows at Allegiant Stadium, April 8 and 9, and 15 and 16 (local time) in person."We're preparing various programs where fans can feel the presence of the BTS throughout the city around the concert period," Hybe said on its online fan community platform Weverse.Under the project called "The City - Las Vegas," various BTS-related progrMar 30, 2022
BTS member Jungkook tests positive for COVID-19 in US Jungkook of BTS tested positive for COVID-19. Korea Times file By Lee Gyu-leeK-pop group BTS member Jungkook has tested positive for the coronavirus, two days after he arrived in the United States for the 64th Grammy Awards and the group's live concert slated for next month.The group's agency Big Hit Music shared the news on the fan community platform, Weverse, Tuesday.The singer left for Las Vegas on Sunday, a day earlier than the rest of the group members, except for J-Hope, to prepare for a performance at this year's Grammy Awards, scheduled to be held on April 4 (local time). The group has been nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and will perform on stage during the ceremony. Jungkook tested negative before his departure but was tested again after showing mild symptoms upon his arrival in Las Vegas, according to the agency.“Jungkook does not have any other symptoms except for a mild sore throat but will be monitoring his health condition during the selfMar 29, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
SHINee's Onew to drop new EP 'Dice' next month Onew of K-pop boy group SHINee / Courtesy of SM Entertainment Onew, the leader and lead vocalist of K-pop boy group SHINee, will release his second individual EP next month, his agency said Tuesday.The EP, titled "Dice," will hit various online music services April 11, SM Entertainment said.It marks the first release from the artist following his first individual EP "Voice" in 2018.The upcoming album consists of six tracks, including the title track "Dice."The singer, whose original Korean name is Lee Jin-ki, debuted as a member of the popular quintet in 2008. He has also been working as an actor and an individual artist not only as a group member, appearing on the 2016 smash-hit Korean drama "Descendants of the Sun" and various stage musicals. (Yonhap)Mar 29, 2022
Stray Kids top Billboard's main albums chart for third time as K-pop act K-pop boy group Stray Kids / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment Korean boy group Stray Kids debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's main albums chart with their latest release "Oddinary," the U.S. music magazine said Tuesday, becoming the third K-pop act ever to top the chart.The seven-track album began atop the Billboard 200 chart dated April 2 with 110,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States in the week ending March 24, Billboard said on its social media channels.It added that the album was not just the first chart-topper for the act but its first chart entry. With the feat, Stray Kids have joined BTS and SuperM to sit atop the list.Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S., measured by equivalent album units comprising physical album sales and other digital sales records. Debuting in 2018, the eight-piece group has been known for its intense stage performance and unique music style.It became the first JYP-managed group with million-selMar 29, 2022
BTS leaves for Las Vegas to attend Grammy Awards, hold live concerts From left, K-pop boy band BTS members Jimin, RM and Jin arrive at Incheon International Airport in west of Seoul, Monday, to leave for Las Vegas where the group will attend the 64th Grammy Awards and hold four live concerts. YonhapK-pop supergroup BTS on Monday left for Las Vegas to attend the annual Grammy Awards and hold four live concerts.The group appeared at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, about 40 kilometers west of Seoul, at about 6:40 p.m. and headed for the departure hall after greeting fans and reporters who were waiting for them.Members Jungkook and J-Hope, however, did not show up.Jungkook left earlier due to his schedule related to the awards ceremony while J-Hope, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, is expected to head for the United States after he is released from self-isolation.BTS was nominated for best pop duo or group performance for the 64th Grammy Awards on Sunday (U.S. time), possibly to become the first-ever K-pop artist to win a Grammy.The South Korean septet will also take the stage at the awards ceremony as a performer for the third consMar 28, 2022
BTS, Snoop Dogg to collaborate on new single K-pop group BTS / AP-Yonhap By Kwak Yeon-soo American rapper Snoop Dogg / AP-Yonhap After months of rumors, Snoop Dogg confirmed that he will be releasing a collaboration with BTS. During the “American Song Contest” red carpet event on Sunday (local time), the American rapper hinted at the collaboration between himself and the Korean pop sensation.“The BTS experience you keep talking about. I'm going to let them tell you about it. It's official like a referee with a whistle. I make good music. They make good music. And we end up doing this. This is what it's always about, bringing our worlds together,” the rapper told U.S. entertainment outlets. He did not give any details about the song's title or its release date.Rumors began to swirl that the two would team up for a song after Snoop Dogg appeared on the Mogul Talk podcast in January and revealed tMar 28, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Documentaries on K-pop artists become increasingly popular K-pop girl group Mamamoo's documentary series “MMM_Where Are We Now,” released on Wavve, Friday / Courtesy of WavveBy Lee Gyu-leeDocumentaries on K-pop stars have been soaring in popularity, offering fans a glimpse of their personal and behind-the-scenes stories.Homegrown streaming platform Wavve released its original documentary starring four-member girl group Mamamoo, “MMM_Where Are We Now,” Friday.The four-part docuseries follows the seven years of the group's career since debuting in 2014 with the single “Don't Be Happy.”The group members ― Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein, and Hwasa ― go on their dream trip together and share their personal accounts of the group's rise to global stardom from being an underdog K-pop group. Singers like Lee Hyo-ri and Baek Ji-young also make appearances to offer the perspective of fellow K-pop artists who have witnessed their success from the sidelines. “The documentary, shedding light on Mamamoo's incredible journey to success, will deliver a message of hope and empathy to the young adults of today,” the strMar 25, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
