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
I-dle announces N. American tour on NBC's 'Today Show'K-pop girl group i-dle has said it will return to North America in August for its biggest tour to date in the region, performing in 10 major cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. The announcement was made during an appearance on NBC's "Today Show" on Wednesday, where the members told viewers they were coming back with a North American tour and looked forward to meeting their fans, known as Neverland. "(Our last) tour was two years ago, so we miss our fans so much," Yuqi said. The quintet also performed its latest single, "Mono (Feat. skaiwater)," on the show. Cube Entertainment, the group's agency, released the official poster for the North American leg of the ongoing "Syncopation" world tour through the group's social media accounts Thursday. According to the poster, the North American leg will begin Aug. 2 in Hamilton, Canada, before moving to Newark, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Orlando, San Antonio, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Oakland and Seattle. It will mark the group's largest shows in the region. The world tour, which began in Seoul last month, is set to continue in other AsiMar 5, 2026By Yonhap
Female producers redefine K-pop’s creative blueprintInternational Women's Day arrives each March 8 with the usual flood of tributes. In K-pop, the more interesting story is what has been quietly changing the other 364 days of the year. The industry's power structure was, for a long time, easy to describe. While men and women equally shared the spotlight on stage as idols, the creative and managerial authority behind the scenes largely remained in the hands of men. For decades, the industry’s defining architects were figures such as SM Entertainment producer Lee Soo-man, JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young and YG Entertainment’s Yang Hyun-suk, later joined by HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk — producers whose creative direction and corporate leadership helped shape the modern K-pop system. In recent years, however, that balance has begun to shift. A growing number of women producers are stepping into roles that extend far beyond contributing songs or onstage choreography. Increasingly, they oversee narrative direction, overall aesthetics, branding and marketing strategy, shaping not only individual artists or groups but also the broadMar 5, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Sandara Park denies drug use after Park Bom’s accusationSandara Park has directly addressed an unexpected accusation from fellow 2NE1 member Park Bom, firmly denying any involvement with drugs. On Wednesday, Park wrote on her social media account, “I have never used drugs. I wish her well.” Her statement came a day after Park Bom posted a message appearing to express frustration over the drug controversy that once surrounded her. In 2010, Park Bom faced scrutiny after Adderall was shipped to Korea. She explained at the time that the medication had been prescribed for treatment purposes, and prosecutors later decided not to indict her. Park Bom said the prescription was related to treatment for attention deficit disorder. However, she also claimed that “Park Sandara was caught with drugs and that Park Bom was made into a drug addict to cover it up,” drawing attention online. Following the post, some fans left comments on Sandara Park’s social media accounts asking her to clarify the allegations. A person close to Sandara Park told Xportsnews that the claims were “groundless,” adding that the singer was concerned about Park Bom’sMar 4, 2026By Xportsnews
NewJeans controversy deepens as Danielle disappears from fan platform after $32 mil. lawsuitDanielle, the former member of K-pop girl group NewJeans, is set to disappear from an official fan communication platform as the fallout from her high-profile exit from the group continues to escalate. On Tuesday, Phoning — a fan platform jointly operated by NewJeans’ agency Ador and the global fandom service Weverse — announced that it will reorganize certain content on the service. The platform thanked fans for their continued support for NewJeans and explained that the change is part of broader service maintenance. "We deeply appreciate the love and support fans have shown NewJeans," the platform said in an official notice. "While we value the memories that artists and fans have built together, some content will be reorganized to provide better service." As part of the update, chat records involving Danielle will be removed. Fans will be able to access the conversations only until 11 a.m. on April 3. The move comes amid an intensifying dispute between Danielle and Ador following her removal from the group. In December last year, Ador confirmed the return of members Haerin and HyeiMar 4, 2026By Xportsnews
YG Entertainment confirms BIGBANG's 20th anniversary comeback tourBIGBANG will embark on a global tour later this year to celebrate their 20th anniversary of debut, the head producer of the group's agency said Wednesday. "Having worked together for so long, I am confident we will face no difficulties with the plan. Together, we will do our very best to create a perfect and brilliant concert," Yang Hyun-suk, founder and executive producer of YG Entertainment, said in a video posted on the company's official blog. This marks a significant comeback for the K-pop legend, which debuted in 2006 and became the first-generation K-pop act to achieve worldwide popularity. The group has been on a hiatus since the release of their single "Still Life" in April 2022. The tour will feature members G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. Early last month, G-Dragon confirmed he would be making his comeback during a fan event in Seoul. "This year, BIGBANG will come back to coincide with our 20th debut anniversary," he said at that time. "As a member, as well as a fan, myself, I am looking forward to it, and so are the other members." Ahead of the tour, the group is also scheduledMar 4, 2026By Yonhap
BTS unveils 14-song track list for comeback album 'Arirang'Global K-pop icon BTS on Wednesday unveiled the 14-song track list of its upcoming album, "Arirang" on their social media platforms. The album features a diverse collection of tracks – "SWIM," "Body to Body," "Hooligan," "Aliens," "FYA," "2.0," "No. 29," "Merry Go Round," "NORMAL," "Like Animals," "they don't know 'bout us," "One More Night," "Please" and "Into the Sun." The title track, "SWIM," is described as an upbeat alternative pop song about navigating life's challenges, with lyrics co-written by BTS frontman RM. "Body to Body" celebrates the shared energy of performing for their dedicated fans, while "Hooligan" offers a look back at BTS's journey and "2.0" provides a candid reflection of the seven members' lives at this moment. The group's label, BigHit Music, said the group held songwriting sessions last summer in Los Angeles for the album, in collaboration with star producers like Diplo, Ryan Tedder and El Guincho. "Arirang" marks the group's fifth studio album and first since the 2022 anthology album "Proof." BigHit said the album captures BTS' identity as a group that began iMar 4, 2026By Yonhap
BABYMONSTER under pressure as YG seeks BLACKPINK successorApproaching its second anniversary, K-pop girl band BABYMONSTER is struggling to establish itself as YG Entertainment's definitive flagship act. The group's momentum has been hindered by inconsistent recent releases and the agency's launch of a massive new audition project. The seven-member multinational group debuted amid high expectations in 2024. As YG's first new girl group since BLACKPINK, the highly promoted trainees initially stumbled with the 2023 pre-debut track "Batter Up." Released without member Ahyeon, the track underperformed and faced criticism for a dated concept. YG pivoted by bringing Ahyeon back for the group's official debut in early 2024. The strategy paid off immediately. The group's first mini-album, "BABYMONSTER," sold more than 400,000 copies in its first week. This set a record for the highest first-week sales of a K-pop girl group debut album at the time. The group gained traction with the title track "Sheesh" and the subsequent full-length album lead "Drip." Both releases shed the criticized elements of "Batter Up." They earned praise for showcasing YG's signaMar 3, 2026By Hankookilbo
World's 1st deaf K-pop act Big Ocean turns prejudice into power in 'The Greatest Battle'The world’s first deaf idol group, Big Ocean, returned Tuesday with its third mini album, “THE GREATEST BATTLE,” a release that channels the group’s experience of perseverance into its most intense statement yet. While earlier Big Ocean releases leaned into brightness and hope, “THE GREATEST BATTLE” sharpens its tone. The group embraces a more restrained, powerful atmosphere that reflects the realities they have faced as a K-pop group with hearing impairments. At a media showcase at the Showking K-pop Center in Seoul's Mapo District Tuesday, members PJ, Chanyeon and Jiseok unveiled the new performances and shared the meaning behind the new project. “The theme of this album is a great battle won after a difficult fight,” Jiseok said. “We have lived fiercely while fighting prejudice against our disability. But it’s not just us. Everyone is fighting their own battles. We wanted to send support to all of them.” The album features a total of eight tracks, including double title songs “One Man Army” and “Cold Moon,” B-sides “Alive” and “Back,” and instrumeMar 3, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
