Busan: More than tour stop for BTSBUSAN — K-pop sensation BTS is heading back to Busan. Three years and eight months have passed since the group last stood on a stage in Korea's second-largest city, and the place has not been forgotten. On June 5, about a week before the group's concert, the city was already restless with anticipation. The seven-piece K-pop juggernaut — composed of RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — is set to hold the Busan leg of its ongoing "ARIRANG" world tour at Busan Asiad Main Stadium scheduled for Friday and Saturday. The shows come roughly three months after the group's comeback performance at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, held to mark the release of its fifth studio album, and about two months after the tour's opening run in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Both Busan dates have long since sold out. For BTS and its fans, Busan is not simply a tour stop. Few cities in the world carry the kind of weight for BTS that the port city does, and the group has chosen its concert dates here carefully. The finale of the two-night Busan show will fall on Friday, the exact date BTS debuted in 2013Jun 12, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS to launch Busan shows for 'Arirang' world tourK-pop supergroup BTS will begin the Busan leg of its "Arirang" world tour Friday, returning to the southern Korean port city, alongside its global fan base, known as ARMY. The group will perform at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Friday and Saturday, with the shows expected to draw a combined audience of around 110,000. Tickets for both shows have sold out. The K-pop septet kicked off the tour in April at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul, where it had three shows before heading overseas. The group has since performed in cities, including Tokyo, Tampa, El Paso, Mexico City, Stanford and Las Vegas, attracting roughly 840,000 fans across 15 shows during the first leg of its North American tour alone. It marks BTS' first performance in Busan in more than three years after staging the "Yet to Come in Busan" concert in October 2022 in support of the city's bid to host the 2030 World Expo. The upcoming shows also carry added significance as the group reunites with fans at the venue where it last performed before entering a hiatus for its members' mandatory military service. Team leaJun 12, 2026By Yonhap
BTS to release new digital single 'Come Over'K-pop supergroup BTS will release the new digital single "Come Over" on Thursday, the group's agency BigHit Music said. The track was previously included on the deluxe vinyl edition of the band's fifth studio album, "Arirang," released last month. The song will be made available on streaming platforms at 1 p.m. as part of the group's annual "BTS Festa" event marking its debut anniversary. "Come Over" was produced by member Suga, with RM and J-Hope also credited on the track. The song combines elements of pop and stadium anthems, featuring synthesizer-driven instrumentation and layered vocals. According to the agency, the lyrics describe a journey of returning to a significant person despite periods of uncertainty, a theme that also reflects the group's relationship with its fan base, known as ARMY. The song was performed earlier as part of the set list at select concerts during the group's ongoing "Arirang" world tour, where it was introduced to audiences ahead of its official release. Separately, BTS will release a new vinyl edition, "Arirang (613 Limited Edition Picture Disc Vinyl)," onJun 12, 2026By Yonhap
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
