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
CORTIS returns with 'REDRED,' doubling down on identityRookie K-pop boy band CORTIS is betting on a more defined sense of identity with its latest release, "REDRED," leaning into what the group describes as an "honest reflection" of its creative direction. The five-member group — Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon and Keonho — dropped "REDRED" on Monday as the prerelease track from its second EP "GREENGREEN," due May 4. The group debuted last August under BigHit Music, the HYBE Labels subsidiary managing BTS, with "COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES," quickly gaining traction for its hip-hop-driven sound that drew comparisons to artists like Travis Scott and Playboi Carti. The approach proved effective particularly among younger listeners, as tracks like "FaSHioN" and "GO!" spread across short-form media platforms. "REDRED" continues that trajectory, but with a conceptual frame. The track uses the colors green and red to draw a line between what the group embraces and what it rejects. "It's about what we pursue and what we stay wary of," Juhoon said during a media showcase held at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District on Monday, just a few hoApr 20, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS to take 'The City' project to Las Vegas, BusanK-pop supergroup BTS' large-scale cultural program "The City" will return to Las Vegas next month and Busan in June to celebrate the group's stops there for the ongoing world tour, the group's agency, BigHit Music, said Monday. "The City" project debuted during the band's "Permission to Dance on Stage" tour in Las Vegas in 2022 to boost the festive mood, illuminating the city's major landmarks in purple, the signature color of its global fandom, ARMY. The project also features various BTS-themed cultural events, including musical foundation shows, drone lighting displays and photo exhibitions and multimedia installation art. It was last staged in Seoul to celebrate the release of BTS' fifth studio album, "Arirang," on March 20 and a landmark live performance in central Seoul the following day. The upcoming editions will be held around the group's "Arirang" world tour concerts in each city. In Las Vegas, the event will run May 20-31. BigHit Music said the project will present highly immersive experiences through partnerships with major local brands, alongside visual displays utilizing citApr 20, 2026By Yonhap
SM Entertainment executives named to Billboard’s 2026 Women in Music listSM Entertainment said two of its senior executives were named to Billboard’s 2026 Women in Music list in the labels, distributors and artist services category. Kim Ji-won, chief relations officer, and Choi Jeong-min, chief global officer, were among the honorees listed Friday on Billboard's official website. The recognition marks the second consecutive year both executives have appeared on the annual list. Billboard's Women in Music program recognizes female artists, creators, producers and executives who have made a significant impact on the music industry over the preceding year. Kim has served as a public relations strategist at SM Entertainment since the early 2000s, overseeing external communications and marketing strategy for the company and its artists. SM credited her with helping establish the country’s pop profile in international media markets through strategic media planning and integrated communications. Choi oversees artist branding and business operations across the Americas, Europe and Asia, working with the company’s regional subsidiaries and local partners to expaApr 20, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
