EJAE named most-streamed K-pop artist in US in 2025Korean American singer-songwriter EJAE, who performed songs for the Netflix animation sensation "KPop Demon Hunters," was the most-streamed K-pop artist in the United States last year, according to data recently released by U.S. entertainment data company Luminate. EJAE recorded about 2.1 billion on-demand streams, a figure combining audio and video plays, in 2025, topping all K-pop acts in the U.S. market, Luminate said. On-demand streams count how many times listeners choose and play specific tracks or videos. Huntr/x, the in-film girl group whose songs were partly performed by EJAE, ranked second with 1.8 billion streams. It was followed by boy band Stray Kids in third place with 1.2 billion. The film's fictional boy group Saja Boys took fifth place with 921 million streams, while K-pop supergroup BTS, set to make a full-group comeback this month, placed tenth with 892 million. Luminate said eight of the 10 most-streamed K-pop acts were artists or groups connected to the film's original soundtrack, underscoring the film's global reach. The company noted that the success of "KPop Demon HMar 9, 2026By Yonhap
ReviewRIIZE ends 1st world tour with high-voltage Seoul finaleK-pop boy band RIIZE ended its first world tour the way every rising group dreams of — loud, confident and fully in command of the stage. At the finale concert of its "RIIZING LOUD" tour at KSPO Dome in Seoul's Songpa District Sunday, the six-member act delivered a two-and-a-half-hour performance that showcased a level of cohesion that felt striking for a group still early in its career. With relentless choreography, polished live vocals and production that rarely slowed for breath, RIIZE turned the final stop of the tour into a convincing case for why the group is worth following. The Sunday performance marked the third and final night of the Seoul concerts, wrapping up a global tour that drew roughly 420,000 fans across 21 cities. The group also performed at Tokyo Dome in February — a milestone venue for any K-pop act — just two years and five months after debut, setting a record for the fastest entry to the venue by a K-pop boy band. The Seoul finale reflected the group's rising momentum. All available seats sold out, filling the arena with roughly 32,000 fans across three nightsMar 9, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BLACKPINK's 'Deadline' debuts at No. 8 on Billboard 200The latest album from girl group BLACKPINK has landed at No. 8 on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart. Billboard announced Sunday (U.S. time) that the group's third EP "Deadline" debuted on the Billboard 200 with 52,000 equivalent album units. "Deadline" is the K-pop quartet's first full-group project in three years and five months, following its second studio album "Born Pink" in 2022. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units, comprising physical album sales, track equivalent albums and streaming equivalent albums. Of the 52,000 album units "Deadline" earned, 41,000 came from physical album sales. This week's Billboard 200 was topped by "The Romantic," the first studio album in a decade from global pop star Bruno Mars.Mar 9, 2026By Yonhap
BLACKPINK's Jennie celebrates 'Ruby' anniversary with Seoul pop-upJennie of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK is celebrating the first anniversary of her debut solo album, "Ruby," with a pop-up store in Seoul. According to her agency ODD ATELIER, Jennie opened the pop-up "A Year in Ruby" on Thursday at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, one of the capital’s busiest retail complexes. The pop-up will run through Wednesday. The exhibition revisits the year since "Ruby" was released in March 2025, offering fans a chance to experience the album’s visual world in person. It features a range of official merchandise originally released alongside "Ruby," including items that had not previously been available in Korea. They include T-shirts, socks, beanies, crewnecks, hoodies and other apparel, as well as accessories such as key chains, cups and physical albums. Accoridng to visitors, anniversary content has also been displayed across the department store. A celebratory video marking the album’s one-year milestone is screened on the venue’s large digital display, while additional themed installations appear throughout the building. Several costumes worn by the singerMar 8, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BOYNEXTDOOR goes from ramen ads to Paris runways as brands rush to sign K-pop’s rising ‘it boys’K-pop boy band BOYNEXTDOOR is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after faces in both advertising and fashion, as brands across industries race to collaborate with the fast-rising group. The six-member group — Sungho, Riwoo, Myung Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak — has recently gained attention in Korea’s advertising industry thanks to their growing popularity and positive public image. They were selected as models for a new global campaign for the Buldak spicy noodle brand and also became advertising faces for Binggrae’s iconic Banana Flavored Milk, one of South Korea’s most recognizable beverages. The partnerships with such widely known brands have helped cement the group’s mainstream appeal. BOYNEXTDOOR has also expanded its presence in the advertising industry by becoming models for Nache Perfume and several color cosmetics products. The group’s influence is now spreading beyond commercials into the global fashion scene. Members Taesan and Leehan recently traveled to Paris to attend the Courrèges Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection show. Their confident presence aMar 7, 2026By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK's 'Deadline' lands at No. 11 on British Official Albums ChartK-pop girl group BLACKPINK has entered the top 100 of Britain's Official Albums Chart with its third EP, "Deadline." The record, which marks the quartet's first group project since 2022, debuted at No. 11 on the Official Albums Chart Top 100, Friday (local time), a week after its Feb. 27 release. The lead-off track "Go" debuted at No. 44 on the separate Official Singles Chart Top 100. According to YG Entertainment, the group's agency, the five-track album explores themes of confidence, growth and unity, combining elements of EDM, hip-hop and pop. "Go" features powerful sound production and a chant-driven hook, complemented by the prerelease "Jump," the retro hip-hop track "Me and My," the anthemic "Champion," and "Fxxxboy," described as a more subtle and emotional track.Mar 7, 2026By Yonhap
BLACKPINK sets first-week sales record for K-pop girl groupBLACKPINK has established a new first-week sales record for a K-pop girl group with its third EP, "Deadline," the group's agency announced Friday. The release sold more than 177,000 copies in the week following its launch last Friday, YG Entertainment said, citing data from local sales tracker Hanteo Chart. The figure marks the highest first-week sales for an album released by a K-pop girl group, registering 230,000 units more than its previous album, "Born Pink." Within the K-pop industry, first-week sales figures serve as a critical metric for gauging an artist's popularity and the overall size of its fandom. Highlighting its immediate commercial impact, "Deadline" surged to the top of Hanteo's monthly albums chart for February just 2 1/2 days after its release, with 1,468,894 copies, according to a chart update released Wednesday. The new album has also topped iTunes albums charts across 38 countries and regions since its debut.Mar 6, 2026By Yonhap
BTS begins 15-day countdown to historic returnWith only 15 days remaining until their official return, BTS is set to release their fifth full-length album "Arirang" on March 20, accompanied by a large-scale live performance in central Seoul. The seven-member band will release their latest album on March 20. On the following day at 8 p.m., the group will hold a massive comeback live performance at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. This historic event will be streamed globally through Netflix. This is the first time the platform will broadcast a live music performance from Korea to a global audience. The teaser video opens with the thunderous cheers from members of the group's global fandom, known as ARMY. "We promised our fans that we would be back," group leader RM says in the teaser, which features footage of the members at Gyeongbok Palace, showcasing them against the backdrop of the historic royal residence. Hamish Hamilton, the British director of the Super Bowl halftime show since 2010, the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony and the MTV and Academy Awards, will lead the production of the Gwanghwamun concert. Hamilton’s collaborMar 5, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
At 30, YG Entertainment looks ahead with BIGBANG return, new debutsYG Entertainment is preparing a slate of major projects as it marks its 30th anniversary in 2026, signaling both a return to legacy acts and a push toward the next generation of K-pop. In a video titled “2026 YG PLAN | YG ANNOUNCEMENT” released through the company’s official social media channel Wednesday, executive producer Yang Hyun-suk outlined the label’s upcoming activities. The most notable reveal was the return of K-pop boy band BIGBANG. Marking its 20th debut anniversary this year, the group has agreed to hold concerts with YG, according to Yang. Although the three remaining members — G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung — are currently signed to different agencies, they plan to reunite under the BIGBANG name for the performances. YG also confirmed plans for intensified activities from its current roster. Rookie girl group BABYMONSTER is set to release two albums this year alongside a large-scale world tour, while boy band TREASURE will launch the next phase of its career with a mini album in June. Yang said the group would return with a sound rooted in what he described asMar 5, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
2NE1 rift grows as Sandara Park severs ties with Park Bom over drug accusationSandara Park unfollowed her 2NE1 bandmate Park Bom on Instagram on Wednesday, signaling a public rift after Park Bom accused her of drug use. Sandara Park denied the allegations on her social media account that day. "I have never used drugs. I wish her well," she said. As of Wednesday afternoon, Sandara Park no longer follows her bandmate's account. Fellow 2NE1 members CL and Minzy still follow Park Bom. The decision follows a handwritten letter Park Bom posted on Tuesday, addressing her past prescription drug controversy. Park revealed she was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and emphasized her medication was not a narcotic. In the post, Park Bom said she was used as a scapegoat. Park said she was "made into a drug addict" to cover up Sandara Park's alleged drug use. Representatives for Sandara Park said the claims were "groundless." She followed up with her personal denial the next day. The rift sparked widespread online speculation about the duo's relationship. Fans expressed understanding for Sandara Park's decision, with one saying the move is "essentially cutting ties." OtherMar 5, 2026By Xportsnews
