BTS revives hit web variety series 'Run BTS' after 3-year hiatusK-pop powerhouse BTS will return with its hit web variety series, "Run BTS," after a three-year hiatus. The group announced in a teaser video posted on its official YouTube channel Monday that the new season, titled "Run BTS 2.0," will premiere on April 7 at 9 p.m. The variety show, which originally ran from 2015 to 2023, featured the seven members competing in various games and missions. The show has historically drawn massive global viewership, serving as a staple of the group's online presence. The show's initial 155 regular episodes, which aired between 2015 and 2021, drew 140 million views on YouTube. Ten special episodes released from 2022 to 2023 garnered an additional 130 million views. A single 2023 episode featuring the band attempting flying yoga hit 30 million views on its own. During the group's recent hiatus for mandatory military service, member Jin hosted a spinoff series titled "Run Jin" from 2024 to 2025 after completing mandatory military service. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and eApr 1, 2026By Hankookilbo
K-pop fans trade ticket wars for VR concert rushAs K-pop's global fandom continues to expand, one reality has become increasingly clear: Getting a concert ticket has become harder than ever. For 18-year-old student Lee Se-min, that challenge feels all too familiar. A longtime fan of K-pop boy band SEVENTEEN, she has also been closely following their label junior group TWS since debut. But even with strong interest, attending a live show is not a simple decision. "Of course I'd want to go in person, if I just had that much money," Lee said. "But I already have a favorite group, and there's no guarantee I'd even manage to get a ticket for TWS." Instead, she opted for a different kind of concert experience, one that is quickly reshaping how fans engage with their favorite idols. Virtual reality (VR) concerts, once seen as experimental, are steadily gaining ground as a viable alternative to traditional live shows. Lee recently attended "TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD," which premiered at Megabox Coex on March 4 and has since extended its run through April due to strong demand. "I went in expecting lower quality," she said with a laugh. "But thApr 1, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Genderless group XLOV opens a new chapter for K-popFor years, the K-pop industry operated within the fixed norms of “boy groups” and “girl groups.” Idols experimented with a wide range of concepts, but always within a basic framework that rarely bent: boy groups were expected to be energetic and powerful, while girl groups were expected to be feminine and beautiful. In recent years, however, those gender boundaries have begun to blur. As South Korea has grown more receptive to genderless expression, idol groups have begun moving beyond traditional gender-based presentation and testing the limits of what K-pop performance can look like. One of the most eye-catching examples is the multinational group XLOV, which is building a visible presence in the K-pop scene. By placing a genderless identity at the forefront, the group is not just experimenting with a new concept, but also raising broader questions about where the industry is headed. Not just a concept but an identity XLOV debuted in January last year as a four member group. Declaring itself "genderless," a first for the K-pop industry, the group took the stage in skirts and inApr 1, 2026By Hankookilbo
Netflix app downloads surge on BTS livestream concert in SeoulWeekly downloads of the Netflix application in South Korea rose sharply last month, driven by a livestreamed concert by K-pop superstars BTS in Seoul, industry data showed Wednesday. According to the data from IGA Works, Netflix recorded 136,400 downloads in the March 16-22 period, compared with 70,300 downloads during the previous week. Netflix live broadcast BTS' highly anticipated concert held at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 to mark the release of the band's fifth studio album, "ARIRANG." It marked the first time weekly downloads of the Netflix app exceeded the 130,000 level. During the same period, Coupang Play recorded 77,400 new downloads, while Tving posted 56,400. On a daily basis, Netflix app downloads peaked at 66,800 on March 21, up from 14,700 the previous day.Apr 1, 2026By Yonhap
K-pop first: BLACKPINK’s Lisa lands Las Vegas residencyBLACKPINK member Lisa is once again making headlines globally — this time as the first K-pop artist to secure a Las Vegas residency, a milestone typically reserved for top-tier Western pop acts. According to U.S. entertainment outlet Deadline on March 30 (local time), Lisa will hold a residency show titled “Viva La Lisa” at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Nevada. The performances are scheduled for Nov. 13 to 14 and Nov. 27 to 28. Ticket sales will be handled through Ticketmaster, with artist presales opening April 22 for fans who register between April 1 and 19. General sales begin April 23. Residency shows — where artists perform multiple concerts in a single city over a set period — are considered a benchmark of global ticket power, with stars like Bruno Mars and Jennifer Lopez having headlined similar runs in Las Vegas. Lisa’s entry into that lineup underscores her growing influence beyond K-pop. The announcement comes as Lisa, who recently turned 29, continues to expand her career across multiple fields. She debuted in 2016 as a member of BLACKPINK and renewed her contMar 31, 2026By Xportsnews
IVE’s Jang Won-young shares LA photos ahead of North America tourIVE member Jang Won-young shared photos from Los Angeles on social media Monday, following the group's recent U.S. promotional television appearance. In the photos, she appeared in a black slim-fit top and denim pants while posing in front of a pink car. The photos were posted days after the girl group's live television appearance on FOX11's "Good Day LA" morning show on Wednesday. The appearances come ahead of the group's extensive North American tour, which kicks off at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on July 21. Following the group's opening concert in Canada, the tour will visit Montreal, Newark, Austin, Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle and Vancouver. This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.Mar 31, 2026By Xportsnews
BTS’ V sparks buzz with English study push after RM commentBTS member V is drawing attention online after sharing his renewed effort to improve his English — something fans are linking to a recent comment by bandmate RM. On March 30, V posted on social media, writing, “I’m locking in for real this time no excuses,” alongside photos and a short video. The clip shows him listening to an online English conversation lesson and repeating sentences aloud, appearing focused and determined. Fans quickly reacted, praising what many described as a rare glimpse of V’s study routine and applauding his commitment. The moment has been widely shared across social media platforms, with supporters expressing encouragement and curiosity about his progress. The timing has added to the buzz. During a live broadcast on March 20 — the day BTS returned as a full group with their new album “ARIRANG” — RM referenced a lyric from track three, “Aliens,” which reads, “I’m the only one who can do English.” He said, “I also want to go back and forth in conversation. I’m the only one talking and translating.” That remark resonated with fans,Mar 31, 2026By Xportsnews
'ARIRANG' tops charts, signals new phase for BTS after hiatusBTS did not need long to prove it still commands attention. Within hours of release, "ARIRANG," the group’s first full‑length album since all members completed Korea’s mandatory military service, topped major Korean charts. The speed of the response made one thing clear. The more interesting question was what the group chose to do with that certainty. Released March 20 after a nearly four‑year hiatus, "ARIRANG" arrives at a moment when the K‑pop supergroup could have leaned into scale alone. Instead, the album signals a shift in approach. Its title, drawn from a traditional Korean folk song, shifts attention to the question the comeback keeps raising — how BTS balances its identity with its global position. The numbers are immediate and decisive. The title track, "SWIM," reached No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 and Hot 100 charts and on Bugs within two hours. Other tracks followed, filling out the charts in quick succession. The music video passed 10 million views in about three hours. Any lingering doubts about post‑hiatus relevance faded quickly. Restraint over spectacle But "AMar 31, 2026By Hankookilbo
K-pop’s perfect number? Why seven-member groups are both ideal and fragileIn the K-pop scene, a seven-member group suddenly becoming a six-member group is no longer uncommon. In fact, repeated cases of a member leaving groups that debuted with seven members have led to the coining of an industry term: the “curse of the seven-member team.” NMIXX, Weeekly and ONF all debuted with seven members but later saw one member depart. Going further back, Apink, 2PM, BTOB, Infinite and MONSTA X are also examples of teams that were reorganized into six-member groups. Earlier this month, Seo Young-eun exited Kep1er, marking another recent lineup change among seven-member K-pop groups. But perhaps the most high-profile case, at least recently, is ENHYPEN. On March 10, the group’s agency announced that Heeseung would leave the group and ENHYPEN would continue its activities as a six-member act. His sudden departure came as a major shock to fans. ENHYPEN has enjoyed strong popularity both in South Korea and overseas, and some fans staged protests near HYBE’s headquarters and the members’ dormitory, calling for the decision to be reversed. Others took to social media,Mar 31, 2026By Hankookilbo
MAMA Awards to return to Osaka in NovemberThe MAMA Awards, one of Asia's biggest K-pop awards shows, will be held at Osaka's Kyocera Dome in November, organizer CJ ENM said Tuesday. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Nov. 20 and 21, marking the third time the awards will take place at the venue after 2022 and 2024. Launched in 1999 as Mnet Video Music Awards, the annual event has grown into a major showcase for Korea's music industry and global K-pop fandom. This year's edition will feature a range of events combining both online and offline experiences to engage fans around the world, CJ ENM said in a release. "We are accelerating preparations to create another turning point for the awards," the company said, adding it would "offer an unprecedented experience through the expertise built over the past 27 years."Mar 31, 2026By Yonhap
