BTS in Busan: City guide for visiting fansBUSAN — The large LED screen on the outer wall of the Grand Josun Busan hotel has been playing the music video of "SWIM," the title track of BTS' latest album, every 30 minutes since last Friday. Standing in front of it, fans from all around the globe were glued to the display, with phones raised and the Haeundae seafront glistening in front of them. It was a scene that would have been unimaginable years ago — but then, a lot has changed since BTS last performed in Busan. The group returns to Busan Asiad Main Stadium Friday and Saturday for two concerts as part of its "ARIRANG" world tour. Scheduled to span 34 cities and 85 dates, the tour is BTS' first as a group after the members' return from mandatory military service, a nearly four-year absence that only seemed to sharpen the appetite of the fandom. The show on Saturday also will fall on the group's 13th debut anniversary, adding a layer of meaning that has not been lost on organizers. That performance will be broadcast live in cinemas worldwide. For the city itself, the concerts are the centerpiece of "BTS THE CITY ARIRANG BUSANJun 12, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Aespa's 2nd LP 'Lemonade' becomes 8th million-sellerAespa's second full-length album, "Lemonade," had sold over 1.03 million copies as of Thursday, the group's agency SM Entertainment said, citing a local tally. The album marks the K-pop girl group's eighth million-seller, according to the data from Circle Chart. Aespa's second LP entered the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart at No. 9 early this month. It was also ranked at the top in the United World Charts, an album sales tracking site owned by Media Traffic. Since its debut in 2020, the group has been known for its unique multiverse story. The second LP revolves around a multiverse called "Complaexity" and cracks in a parallel universe. Aespa will kick off its world tour, "SYNK : COMPLaeXITY," in August in Seoul, followed by stops in North America, South America and Europe.Jun 11, 2026By Yonhap
InterviewKATSEYE reflects on AMA wins as group prepares new releaseGirl group KATSEYE is having its moment. It recently swept all three of its nominations at the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) on May 25: New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for "Gnarly" and Breakthrough Pop Artist. "We never expected to go home with all three awards that night," Sophia said in a written interview with The Korea Times. For a group that debuted less than two years ago, the achievement marks an important milestone in the group's rapid rise. KATSEYE was formed through the 2023 competition reality show "The Debut: Dream Academy," and the members went through the K-pop trainee system, involving months of vocal and dance training under a survival format. Signed jointly under HYBE Labels and Geffen Records, the group debuted in August 2024 with its first EP "SIS (Soft Is Strong)," positioning itself as a bridge between the K-pop world and Western pop audiences. While KATSEYE was conceived as a global pop act, its connection to Korea remains strong. Korea is often among the first stops on the group's promotional schedule, and its members credit the country's music industryJun 11, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
'KPop Demon Hunters' singer EJAE to take World Cup opening stageSinger-songwriter EJAE — best-known for co-writing and performing the theme song "Golden" for animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" — is set to take the stage at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Thursday (local time). FIFA announced that she will join a star-studded lineup for a special show ahead of the tournament's kickoff match between Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. She will join legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli and a lineup of special guest singers to debut the official theme song for the tournament, "DNA." "Being a part of the official FIFA World Cup anthem means so much to me. It's especially meaningful because I was able to write Korean lyrics in the song — representing Korea on this stage is such an honor," EJAE said via FIFA. "One of my favorite childhood memories is being in Seoul during the 2002 World Cup, and seeing the city unite. I'll never forget the feeling of seeing strangers on the street hug each other and celebrate. To me, that feeling of togetherness is what the World Cup means, and I'm grateful to be a part of itJun 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai
BIGBANG unveils plans for world tour marking 20th anniversaryVeteran K-pop group BIGBANG on Thursday unveiled dates and venues for its upcoming world tour to mark its 20th anniversary. According to a tour poster released on its agency YG Entertainment's official social media, the tour will begin in South Korea's Goyang in August and continue across North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia through February 2027. It will comprise 31 shows in 18 cities, including Oakland, Paris, London, Taipei, Singapore, Hanoi, Sydney, Bangkok and Tokyo. Planned venues include large-capacity stadiums and dome arenas, such as Goyang Stadium, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Stade de France in Paris, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Tokyo Dome and Kyocera Dome Osaka. The upcoming tour has generated much anticipation from fans, as it will be BIGBANG's first world tour in about nine years, following its "Last Dance" tour in 2017. YG said additional tour dates and locations will be announced later. BIGBANG debuted in August 2006 and is marking its 20th anniversary this year. The group has released numerous hit songs, including "Haru Haru," "Fantastic Baby," "Bang Bang BanJun 11, 2026By Yonhap
Stray Kids' Han to drop solo digital single 'back to life'Stray Kids' Han will release a solo digital single titled "back to life" on Thursday, the singer's agency JYP Entertainment said. The track, due out at 6 p.m., was written and composed by Han and carries lyrics about a resolve to maintain one's sense of self. It features a sound that blends rough intensity with lyrical sensitivity. The song has been released as part of the group's in-house content series "Skz-Player," which, along with "Skz-Record," allows members to share self-produced material with fans. In "Skz-Player," members take part not only in songwriting but also in the planning and direction of music videos, highlighting their creative abilities. Stray Kids performed as a headliner at the Governors Ball music festival in New York on June 6 (U.S. time) and are scheduled to appear at Brazil's Rock in Rio in September. The band is also set to launch a new music festival, "Straycity," in Colombia, Argentina and Mexico. Earlier this year, in March and April, the group held its sixth "meet and greet" session for its domestic fans at Inspire Arena in Incheon, some 30 kilometers west oJun 11, 2026By Yonhap
BLACKPINK’s Jennie stuns in ultra-mini stage outfit at Governors BallBLACKPINK's Jennie is enjoying one of the biggest moments of her solo career after headlining New York's Governors Ball Music Festival, where her live performance and bold stage fashion generated buzz across social media. On Wednesday, Jennie shared a series of photos from the festival on her personal social media account, thanking fans for their enthusiastic support. "My first Gov Ball went cwaaaaaazy. Thank you NY. You guys gave me so much energy," she wrote. She also expressed gratitude to her performance team, adding, "We're just getting started." The photos quickly drew attention online, showcasing Jennie's eye-catching stage outfit. She paired a cropped khaki bomber jacket with a bra top and ultra-mini denim skirt, highlighting a Y2K-inspired look that has become one of the defining fashion trends among younger consumers recently. A checkered shirt tied around her waist and leg warmers completed the styling, while her long wavy hair and statement accessories added to the festival aesthetic. Fans also praised Jennie's toned physique, with many commenting on her defined abs and slim waJun 10, 2026By Xportsnews
New exhibition traces K-culture’s deep regional rootsAs Korean pop music, television dramas and cinema continue to capture global audiences, a new state-backed exhibition is turning its attention to a foundational question: What are the actual roots of the contemporary “K” phenomenon? The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Wednesday the opening of “Palsaekchanran: Regions Filled With K,” a special exhibition running through Dec. 31 at Cheong Wa Dae Sarangchae, a government-run cultural museum located directly in front of Korea’s presidential office. Rather than spotlighting sleek idol groups or modern streaming blockbusters, the showcase employs immersive digital displays and media art to demonstrate how centuries of regional history, traditional arts and local folklore became the bedrock of modern Korean content. The venue itself adds a layer of historic meaning to the exhibit. In traditional architecture, a “sarangchae” is a detached guest house used to entertain visitors. For decades, this building served as the official public information hall and presidential exhibition center. The current exhibit traces hJun 10, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
BTS' 'ARIRANG' lands on Billboard 200 for 11th straight weekK-pop supergroup BTS remained on the Billboard 200 chart for the 11th consecutive week with its latest album, "ARIRANG." The group's fifth studio album ranked No. 11 in the latest tracking week, down two spots from the previous week, according to the chart posted on Billboard's website Tuesday (U.S. time). The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States. "ARIRANG" previously made history as the first album by a K-pop act to spend three weeks at No. 1 following its release in March. "Swim," the lead single from the album, climbed three spots to No. 41 on the Hot 100 chart, Billboard's main singles chart. Several other K-pop acts also landed on the Billboard 200, with aespa's second full-length album, "Lemonade," debuting at No. 9 on the weekly chart. "GreenGreen," the second EP by K-pop rookie Cortis, ranked No. 46, while girl group Le Sserafim's second studio album, "Pureflow pt. 1," came in at No. 59.Jun 10, 2026By Yonhap
TXT's Yeonjun set for solo comeback in July after breakout debut successTXT member Yeonjun is preparing to return as a solo artist, less than a year after launching his individual music career and earning strong commercial results in Korea and Japan. Xportsnews learned Tuesday that Yeonjun of K-pop boy group TXT is preparing a solo album targeting a July release. The upcoming project will mark his latest solo activity following his first solo mixtape, released in September 2024, which introduced him as a standalone artist separate from the five-member group. Yeonjun continued his momentum with his first solo album in November last year, drawing favorable reviews from fans and critics alike. His debut solo EP proved to be a commercial success, selling more than 600,000 copies during its first week of release. The album also topped Japan's Oricon chart, one of the country's most closely watched music rankings. The singer earned praise from global listeners during his previous solo promotions, with many fans highlighting his distinct artistic identity and stage presence. Expectations are now growing over what new musical direction and concept he will showcase wiJun 9, 2026By Xportsnews
