BTS ranks No. 4 on British Official Albums Chart with 'ARIRANG'K-pop powerhouse BTS ranked No. 4 on the British Official Albums Chart with its latest album, "ARIRANG," a week after debuting at the top spot. According to the latest chart released Friday (local time), the group's fifth studio album moved down three places, trailing "This Music May Contain Hope." by Raye, Olivia Dean's "The Art of Loving" and Ye's "Bully." "ARIRANG" debuted at No. 1 last week, becoming the third album from BTS to top the list after "Map of the Soul: Persona" in 2019 and "Map of the Soul: 7" in 2020. On the Official Singles Chart, "SWIM," the lead single from "ARIRANG," slipped to No. 5, a week after its No. 2 debut — the group's highest ranking ever on the chart. Produced under the direction of HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, "ARIRANG" explores the identity of BTS as a group that began in Korea and the universal emotions its members have encountered throughout their lives. "SWIM" is an upbeat alternative pop song about navigating life's challenges, with lyrics co-written by the group's frontman, RM. The group returned with the album March 20 after a nearly four-year breApr 4, 2026By Yonhap
NCT’s Mark Lee exits after 10 years, fans in shockFans of NCT are reeling after the sudden announcement that longtime member Mark will leave the group, just days after wrapping up a major concert run — timing that has sparked confusion, disbelief and intense online reaction. On Friday, SM Entertainment said Mark’s exclusive contract will end Wednesday marking his official departure from all NCT activities, including its subunits NCT 127 and NCT Dream. Following his exit, NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group — Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan — while NCT Dream will promote with six members: Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung. Mark also addressed fans directly through a handwritten letter shared on his personal account. "I had many conversations with the members about this decision, and every single one of them supported me," he said. "I feel so thankful it brings me to tears, and at the same time, I feel a sense of lifelong apology." He added, "To the members who shared the same journey and sailed together for so long, I am truly grateful and I love you." Mark also expressed gratitApr 4, 2026By Xportsnews
Mark leaves SM Entertainment after 10 years with NCTMark of K-pop boy band NCT will terminate his contract with SM Entertainment and leave the group, the artist and his agency said Friday. The decision, effective next Wednesday, was made "after sufficient and deep discussions with Mark for a long time," the company said. The artist made his debut in 2016 as part of NCT and has actively performed across the group's sub-units, including NCT 127 and NCT Dream. In April last year, he also made his mark as a solo artist with his album "The Firstfruit." "Mark has been a remarkable artist over the last 10 years, demonstrating outstanding abilities both as a group member and as a solo artist," SM said, adding it wishes the artist well on his new journey. Later in the day, Mark shared a handwritten letter on Instagram, expressing his gratitude to fans and fellow members in what would be his final message as part of NCT. "I know this may feel sudden to everyone," he wrote, explaining that while his time with NCT had given him some of the best experiences of his life, he decided to follow a long-held dream of traveling around performing music with hisApr 3, 2026By Yonhap
T.O.P returns with 'Another Dimension,' his 1st solo studio albumSinger-actor T.O.P, a former member of boy group BIGBANG, is set to release his first solo studio album, "Another Dimension," his agency said Friday. The 11-track album, set to be released at 6 p.m., features double lead singles "Studio54" and "Desperado." It marks his first full-length solo album since his debut in 2006, according to Topspot Pictures. T.O.P oversaw production of the entire album alongside acclaimed Italian music producer and sound engineer IRKO, with "Squid Game" art director Chae Kyoung-sun also participating in the project. In a recent interview with GQ magazine in Hong Kong, T.O.P said he has focused on creating music over the past decade, describing the time "extremely constructive." As an actor, his most recent appearance was as Thanos in Season 2 of Netflix's hit series "Squid Game."Apr 3, 2026By Yonhap
BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LPBTS will drop a new single, "Come Over," as part of an LP version of their "Arirang" album, BigHit Music said Friday. The new vinyl record will feature all 14 songs from the fifth studio album, along with the new song dedicated to their fans, ARMY, which will be available exclusively on the LP, according to the company. Member Suga participated in producing the song, with RM and J-hope contributing to the songwriting. Meanwhile, the group will embark on the "BTS World Tour Arirang" in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, on April 11 and continue in major cities around the world through 2027.Apr 3, 2026By Yonhap
Global push is fueling English boom in K-pop, but at what cost?After BTS, one of the biggest names in K-pop, returned last month with its fifth studio album wrapped in Korean cultural symbols, one detail drew particular attention beyond the music — how much of the songs were sung, partly if not entirely, in English? The group's latest release, "ARIRANG," takes its title from Korea's best-known folk song and threads Korean identity through its visuals, sonic references and even its recent comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. But behind the scenes, the album reflected a tension that is becoming increasingly visible across the K-pop industry. In a recently unveiled Netflix documentary tied to the project, BTS' leader RM was seen raising concerns about the album's heavy use of English lyrics, questioning whether a project centered on Korean identity could remain "authentic" if much of it was not in Korean. Fellow member Suga also suggested increasing the number of Korean lines. Their label executives, however, emphasized a different priority — global reach. That exchange landed at a moment when English has become more prominent thaApr 3, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Reuniting after 15 years, SeeYa confronts new K-pop reality“I hope our music can feel different from the songs dominating the charts these days. I believe music should reflect a range of styles, but lately the industry seems to be leaning too heavily toward a narrow set of genres. In the past, there was a broader mix of artists,” the members of SeeYa said. “We hope our return can have a positive impact by helping open space for more distinctive and diverse musicians.” For SeeYa, whose reunion comes 15 years after the group disbanded, the message is about more than a comeback. It is also a pointed reflection on what they see as a deeper structural imbalance in Korea’s music industry. Even as K-pop continues to strengthen its global standing as a mainstream genre, criticism has been mounting in Korea that the domestic market has grown increasingly concentrated around idol music. In that sense, SeeYa’s return means more than the reappearance of a vocal group that once stood at the center of Korea’s ballad boom. It also revives a long-simmering conversation about musical diversity within K-pop. What was lost in an idol-centered industryApr 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
Lee Su-hyun says she almost quit AKMU during emotional slumpLee Su-hyun of sibling duo AKMU opened up about going through a slump and expressed gratitude to her brother and band member, Lee Chan-hyuk, for helping her through it. The duo appeared on “You Quiz on the Block” on Wednesday. When host Yoo Jae-suk asked how the siblings were doing living under the same roof, Lee Chan-hyuk said he had been the one to suggest they live together. “Su-hyun was having a hard time living alone because she wasn’t used to it,” he said. Lee Su-hyun said her slump initially came from work, but as she endured the emotional strain, she began to have deeper doubts about life itself. “That question first hit me after my brother left for his mandatory military service. What kind of person would I be without him? His absence made me realize just how big his presence had been. I ended up feeling disappointed in myself, and hurt.” She said she waited for Chan-hyuk to return from military service, but when he did, he charged ahead like a racehorse, focused only on what was in front of him. At some point, working with him began to feel dull. “I told him thatApr 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
Wanna One reunites for reality show 7 years after disbandmentK-pop project group Wanna One will reunite for a new reality show seven years after disbanding, K-pop content platform Mnet Plus announced Wednesday. The 11-member group's new program, "WANNA ONE GO — Back to Base," will premiere April 28. Prior to the broadcast, the group will host an in-person fan event April 6 at DMC Culture Park in western Seoul. Organizers prepared the gathering to officially announce the program's start and allow the members to reconnect with their fan base, known as Wannable. The group generated a nationwide cultural phenomenon upon debuting in 2017. They immediately sold out the Gocheok Sky Dome, Korea's largest indoor arena, sold 1 million copies of their debut album and swept rookie and grand prize honors at major award ceremonies. Even after the project group disbanded, the 11 members — Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon and Lee Dae-hwi, Kim Jae-hwan, Ong Seong-wu, Park Woo-jin, Lai Kuan-lin, Yoon Ji-sung, Hwang Min-hyun, Bae Jin-young and Ha Sung-woon — established themselves as solo singers, actors and producers. The upcoming program is highly anticipated globApr 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
How much could ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ songwriter earn? EJAE reacts to $34 mil. rumorSinger-songwriter EJAE is fueling curiosity — and a bit of disbelief — over how much money could be coming from the global hit “KPop Demon Hunters,” as talk of 45.6 billion won in royalties continues to circulate online. At a press conference Wednesday at Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul, celebrating the film’s recent awards success, EJAE addressed the speculation with a cautious but optimistic tone. “I don’t really know yet. It takes time,” she said when asked about royalty settlements. From viral hit to awards sweep “KPop Demon Hunters” — an action-fantasy animation about K-pop superstars who secretly protect the world — has become a rare crossover success, winning major honors at global awards including the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes and the Grammys. The film reached a new peak on March 15, when it won both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards. Alongside the soundtrack's breakout hit "Golden," other tracks have also gained traction internationally, with songs like “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol” charting and contributApr 2, 2026By Xportsnews
