InterviewFrom survival show to world tour: CLOSE YOUR EYES is just getting warmed upAbout a year into its career and currently mid-tour, seven-piece K-pop boy band CLOSE YOUR EYES (CYE) is already releasing music that has something to say. The group, formed in 2025 through JTBC's survival program "PROJECT 7," dropped its first digital single, "OVEREXPOSED," Tuesday. It's a two-track release built around the concept of overexposure in photography — the point at which too much light wipes an image out entirely. The idea, as the group describes it, is about still wanting to leave a record of yourself when everything feels uncertain. "It's an appetizer," said Jeon Min-wook, the group's eldest, during an interview at The Korea Times headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday. "Before a new side of us is revealed in the upcoming album, 'OVEREXPOSED' is a preview of what's coming." The single follows the group's third mini-album "blackout," and Jeon is clear that the narrative is intentional and ongoing. "We put a lot of meaning into 'Eternity,' our debut project. Then we woke up from 'blackout,' and we've spent a year," he said. "This single is an extension of that. It's a statement ofApr 21, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Seoul to transform Chang-dong into K-pop hub with new arenaSeoul unveiled on Tuesday a 2.7 trillion won ($1.9 billion) plan to transform Chang-dong, a neighborhood in the city's northeastern Dobong District, into a 24/7 K-pop-themed cultural hub, anchored by a new concert venue as well as a cluster of entertainment and commercial facilities intended to draw more visitors north of the Han River. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the “K-entertainment town” project is meant to serve as a new economic engine for the area and beyond as the city aims to draw 30 million foreign tourists a year. “Chang-dong and the surrounding Sanggye area will no longer be the outskirts of Seoul, but will become the cultural and artistic hub of the city and a solid economic core that will shoulder its future as a key area in opening the era of 30 million foreign tourists,” Mayor Oh Se-hoon said during a press conference. The central part of the scheme is the Seoul Arena, a K-pop concert hall slated for a May 2027 opening. The place will be able to accommodate up to 28,000 fans per performance and is expected to host some 100 large-scale shows a yApr 21, 2026By Jung Min-ho
BTS’ J-Hope shares tearful selfie after grandmother’s deathBTS member J-Hope has drawn attention after posting an emotional selfie, revealing a deeply personal moment that unfolded in the middle of the group’s ongoing world tour. J-Hope shared several photos on social media on Monday with the caption “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ TOKYO.” The images captured a mix of behind-the-scenes moments to high-energy performances on stage. Among them, one photo stood out: A close-up of the artist with tears in his eyes, his face visibly swollen and flushed. The raw image quickly spread across fan communities and social media, with many interpreting it as reflecting the emotional toll of a recent family loss. According to the singer, he learned of his grandmother’s death shortly after arriving in Japan for the Tokyo leg of the tour. During a concert, he told fans, “After coming to Japan, I heard that my grandmother, who raised me since I was young, had passed away,” sharing his grief and drawing an emotional response from the audience. Despite the loss, J-Hope continued to perform, documenting both his off-stage moments and his time in the spotlApr 21, 2026By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo warns of legal action over false claims tied to family controversyLegal counsel for BLACKPINK's Jisoo issued a statement over recent allegations involving a family member, after reports emerged that a man identified as the brother of a member of a well-known K-pop girl group had been arrested on charges of sexually harassing an online streamer. "Some media reports, online communities and social media platforms have been recklessly linking the artist and Blissoo to the family-related issue spreading online, while defaming them based on false claims," said Eun Hyun-ho, an attorney at Kim & Chang, legal representative for Jisoo’s agency Blissoo. "The issue currently being raised is entirely unrelated to the artist and Blissoo, and many of the claims circulating online are either unverified speculation or plainly false," the law firm said. It added that Jisoo, who began her career at a young age and has long lived independently from her family, had no knowledge whatsoever of her brother’s private life. The statement also rejected claims that the controversial figure had ties to Jisoo or her agency. "Although the artist received limited advice from a faApr 21, 2026By Hankookilbo
18-month sentence sought for WINNER's Song Min-ho for alleged negligence in mandatory serviceProsecutors on Tuesday demanded an 18-month prison term for Song Min-ho, a member of K-pop boy band WINNER, over allegations of negligence related to his alternative mandatory service. Song is accused of failing to properly fulfill his duty as a social service agent at a facility in western Seoul from March 2023 to December 2024, such as not showing up to work for more than 100 days, inconsecutively. Prosecutors requested the sentence during the case's first hearing at the Seoul Western District Court, arguing that Song appeared to have been absent for long periods of time and effectively did not carry out his service. Song, who appeared for the trial, admitted to all charges and voiced hope to carry out his service again if given the chance. "As a person who is loved by many, (I) feel sorry for showing an embarrassing side of myself instead of setting an example," he said, adding that his struggles with bipolar disorder and panic disorder cannot be excuses. "If given an opportunity to serve again, (I) wish to faithfully fulfill it until the end." All able-bodied South Korean men are requiApr 21, 2026By Yonhap
BIGBANG's Taeyang to drop new solo album in MayTaeyang of veteran K-pop group BIGBANG will release his new individual album on May 18, his agency, The Black Label, said Tuesday. The new release titled "Quintessence" is the singer's fourth full-length solo album. It marks his first release in about three years since his individual EP "Down to Earth" in 2023 and his first studio album in nearly nine years following "White Night" in 2017. Details of the upcoming album have not been unveiled. "Through 'Quintessence,' Taeyang will showcase his capabilities as an all-round solo artist and present a new musical world of his own," the agency said. Taeyang, who debuted with BIGBANG in 2006, celebrates his 20th anniversary this year. The group recently performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, on April 12 and 19, where they also unveiled plans for a new album and a world tour.Apr 21, 2026By Yonhap
I.O.I to return next month after 9-year hiatusK-pop project girl group I.O.I will return to the music scene next month, marking the 10th anniversary of its debut and ending a nine-year hiatus, the group's agency said Tuesday. Swing Entertainment said the group will release its third EP "I.O.I: Loop" on May 19, followed by promotional activities. A promotional schedule released via the agency's official social media accounts showed that a pre-release track is set to be unveiled May 4. The group will also stage a three-day concert at Jamsil indoor stadium in Seoul starting May 29 to mark the comeback. However, promotional activities for the upcoming album will involve only nine of the group's 11 members with two — Kang Mi-na and Zhou Jieqiong — sitting out due to individual schedules. Formed through local cable TV channel Mnet's 2016 audition program "Produce 101," the group debuted in May that year. It quickly rose to prominence with hits such as "Very Very Very" and "Downpour" before disbanding in January 2017 after a final standalone concert.Apr 21, 2026By Yonhap
BTS' 'SWIM' ranks No. 10 on Billboard singles chartK-pop juggernaut BTS placed at No. 10 on the Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart with "SWIM" in its fourth week on the chart after debuting at No. 1. The song, the lead track from the group's fifth studio album, "ARIRANG," moved down five places from No. 5 the previous week, Billboard said in a chart preview Monday (U.S. time). "SWIM" had spent four weeks at No. 1 on both of Billboard's global charts — the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts — as well as the Digital Song Sales chart. Elsewhere on the Hot 100, Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" held the No. 1 spot for a second straight week, marking its seventh time atop the chart overall. Olivia Dean's "Man I Need" ranked No. 2, followed by Bruno Mars' "I Just Might." "Golden," from the soundtrack of Netflix's hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," remained at No. 7 for another week.Apr 21, 2026By Yonhap
Jisoo not linked to family member under police investigation: attorneyBLACKPINK member Jisoo is not connected to a family member under police investigation, an attorney representing her agency, Blissoo, said Monday. Police had earlier sought an arrest warrant for a man, identified as Jisoo's family member, on allegations of attempted indecent physical contact, but prosecutors rejected the request. "The issue currently being raised has nothing to do with the artist or Blissoo," said attorney Eun Hyun-ho of Seoul-based law firm Kim & Chang, who represents the agency. He added that Jisoo began her trainee period at a young age and has lived apart from her family for a long time, making it unlikely she was aware of or involved in the individual's private matters. The lawyer also denied rumors that the agency was jointly established by Jisoo and the family member or that he was involved in its management.Apr 20, 2026By Yonhap
BIGBANG says it completed work on new album, to launch world tour in AugustK-pop group BIGBANG said it has completed work on a new album marking its 20th anniversary and will begin a world tour in August. "BIGBANG has reached its 20th anniversary. It's a restart. BIGBANG will continue," leader G-Dragon told the audience during the trio's performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, on Sunday. "We have completed preparations for a new album and will begin a world tour in August." The announcement marks the first official confirmation of both the album and tour plans. BIGBANG has not held a standalone concert tour since 2017. During its second Coachella set, following the first a week ago, the group performed hits including "Bang Bang Bang," "Fantastic Baby," "Sober," "Stupid Liar" and "Loser," along with "Haru Haru" and "Lies." Solo stages featured Taeyang's "Ringa Linga," G-Dragon's "Power" and Daesung's "Look at Me, Gwisun," before the set closed with BIGBANG's last group release, "Still Life."Apr 20, 2026By Yonhap
