Apink's 8th concert, 15-year run proves K-pop success is built on talent, not just viralityAt its eighth solo concert, 15-year-old girl group Apink celebrated much more than longevity. The veteran five-member act delivered a blunt reminder of what still matters in the K-pop realm — live vocals, onstage effort and genuine sincerity. Apink, comprising members Chorong, Bomi, Eunji, Namjoo and Hayoung, brought “The Origin : APINK” show to Jangchung Arena in central Seoul last weekend, marking the first time a K-pop girl group has reached an eighth standalone concert. The show doubled as the group’s 15th anniversary milestone, but it never felt trapped in nostalgia. On Sunday, the closing night of the two-day show, Apink ran through a massive 30-song set backed by a full live band in front of about 5,000 devoted fans. Appearing onstage in glittering pink outfits, the group opened the event with its 2011 debut track “I Don’t Know,” instantly pulling the crowd back to the era when Apink first carved out its space in the industry. Fifteen years later, the energy felt less like a throwback and more like a quiet flex. From there, the hits arrived one after another. Tracks lFeb 23, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Tickets for BTS' Gwanghwamun concert to go on saleTicketing for a free concert by K-pop group BTS at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square will open at 8 p.m. on Monday through NOL Ticket, its agency BigHit Music said. The event will be the band's first live performance for a new album in nearly four years, and intense competition is expected as fans rush to secure limited seats. Titled "BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang," the concert is scheduled for March 21 and will run for approximately one hour. While admission is free, each fan is restricted to reserving only one ticket for the seated sections, with a small handling fee applied. Organizers warned that the use of auto programs or macros for unauthorized ticket purchases could result in legal penalties. A special standing zone near the extended stage will be allocated to 2,000 fans chosen through a separate draw from those who preordered BTS' upcoming fifth full-length album, "Arirang." The concert will also be streamed live globally on Netflix, according to the agency.Feb 23, 2026By Yonhap
NCT JNJM to drop debut albumNCT JNJM, a new unit of K-pop supergroup NCT, will release its first EP, "Both Sides," its agency SM Entertainment said Monday. Comprising members Jeno and Jaemin, it is the second unit formed from NCT, following NCT DoJaeJung. The six-track album explores "duality" as its main theme to showcase the two members' contrasting charms and colors, the agency stated. Alongside the title track "Both Sides," the release includes "I.D.O.L.," "What It Is" and "Hashtag." The lead single is a hip-hop dance song combining stylish sounds, smooth drum beats, and playful vocal and rap performances. Its lyrics convey a message about captivating listeners with the members' two different kinds of appeal.Feb 23, 2026By Yonhap
Museums, theaters near Gwanghwamun adjust schedules for BTS' comeback showCultural institutions surrounding Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul are preparing temporary closures and schedule changes as safety measures ahead of K-pop juggernaut BTS' large-scale comeback concert set for March 21. The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History announced Friday that it will remain closed that day due to the event. The museum said the decision was made after considering safety concerns tied to the anticipated concentration of large crowds in the Gwanghwamun area. Nearby, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is also in discussions with concert organizers about canceling scheduled performances and exhibitions. Officials are reportedly exploring ways to open parts of the complex for fan use, potentially allowing visitors access to selected spaces and amenities. Several performances scheduled at the center that day have already been affected. The musical "Anna Karenina," originally set to be held at the Grand Theater, and the play "The Wasp" at the S Theater have been officially canceled. While decisions are still pending for The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet's danFeb 22, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
K-pop stars sweep seven of top 10 spots on IFPI global album sales chartK-pop acts, including Stray Kids and Seventeen, dominated global album sales last year, taking seven of the top 10 spots on the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry's (IFPI) Global Album Sales Chart, data showed Friday (U.S. time). Stray Kids' "Karma" came in second on the 2025 ranking, followed by Seventeen's "Happy Burstday" in third place and Enhypen's "Desire: Unleash" in fourth. Global pop star Taylor Swift topped the list with "The Life of a Showgirl." Other K-pop albums in the top 10 included Tomorrow X Together's "The Name Chapter: Together" at No. 6, Zerobaseone's "Never Say Never" at No. 7, Ive's "Ive Empathy" at No. 9, and G-Dragon's "Ubermensch" at No. 10. The IFPI chart, which reflects combined physical album and paid digital download sales, also featured several other Korean releases within the top 20, such as NCT Wish's "Color" (11th), &Team's "Back to Life" (13th), Riize's "Odyssey" (15th), aespa's "Rich Man" (16th), and Boynextdoor's "No Genre" (18th). In IFPI's separate Global Album Chart, which includes streaming data, the original soundtrack of NetfliFeb 21, 2026By Yonhap
Chaebol heiress-turned-idol Annie says her ‘perfect life’ videos are curated: ‘Don’t compare yourself’Annie of rookie K-pop group AllDay Project — also known as a granddaughter of South Korean retail conglomerate Shinsegae Chairwoman Lee Myung-hee — has addressed fans who felt intimidated after watching her high-achieving daily life content, saying the videos show only the “cool and pretty” parts of her routine. The singer, who recently returned to Columbia University, shared a vlog-style video on her personal social media showing a packed schedule of classes, workouts, and self-care. The clip quickly drew admiration online, with fans commenting that her “god-tier productivity” and discipline were inspiring — but also difficult to match. Responding on a fan communication platform, Annie expressed concern that younger followers might compare themselves negatively. "I wanted to say something," she said. "If you only watch the videos I post or what I share on DayOff, it can look like I’m always doing something fun, exercising, and living diligently every day." "It’s great if DayOnes, especially younger fans, feel motivated," she said. "But I hope you don’t compare yourseFeb 21, 2026By Xportsnews
BTS’ V says he never sided with Min Hee-jin after private texts appear in courtBTS member V has expressed discomfort after his private messages with former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin were cited as evidence in a court ruling tied to her ongoing legal dispute with HYBE, with the company saying the singer never intended to support any of her claims. On Feb. 20, V posted a screenshot of a news report on his personal social media account, addressing the disclosure of his KakaoTalk conversation with Min. He stressed that the exchange was part of a personal conversation between acquaintances and should not be interpreted as him taking sides. "It was part of a private, everyday conversation shared in empathy because she was an acquaintance," V said. "I had absolutely no intention of siding with either party. I am also very taken aback that this conversation was submitted as evidence without my consent." HYBE echoed the sentiment, cautioning against overinterpretation. "Because it was a private exchange with an acquaintance, he was simply responding in an empathetic way. It has been confirmed that he did not agree with any specific claims made by the other party," a HYBE officiaFeb 21, 2026By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK becomes first artist to reach 100 mil. subscribers on YouTubeK-pop girl group BLACKPINK has hit 100 million subscribers on YouTube, making it the first official artist channel to hit the milestone. According to the global video sharing platform and YG Entertainment, the group's label, on Saturday, BLACKPINK reached the milestone at around 7 p.m. the previous day, roughly nine years and eight months after launching its channel in June 2016. The channel currently hosts 648 videos. To celebrate such an achievement, YouTube said it presented BLACKPINK with a custom Red Diamond Creator Award. "The dynamic female powerhouse that is BLACKPINK has earned international acclaim on YouTube with their mega hit songs and fierce performances," YouTube said on its official blog. "The group has continuously raised the bar on YouTube, pioneering new ways to connect with their fans," it added. BLACKPINK thanked fans for their support and love. "We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has always shown interest in our music and supported us with so much love. We're especially happy that we achieved this incredible record together with Blinks," Jennie said on theFeb 21, 2026By Yonhap
Rose's 'APT.' tops IFPI's 2025 chart for global singlesRose's "APT." has topped the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) Global Single Chart 2025, the organization representing the global recording industry said Friday. According to the chart unveiled Sunday (U.S. time), the global hit by the BLACKPINK member and Bruno Mars was the biggest-selling single of last year. "It is the first time the IFPI Global Single Chart has been topped by an artist outside of North America or Europe," it said on its website, adding it is also "the first time a winning single has featured non-English lyrics, reflecting the increasingly global nature of recorded music and the role of labels in breaking language and market barriers." The song is closely followed by "Golden" from Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." The IFPI Global Single Chart calculates global consumption of a song, taking into account single-track downloads as well as streams on both free and paid platforms.Feb 20, 2026By Yonhap
Legal victory opens new chapter for Min Hee-jin as HYBE, NewJeans face next testA Seoul court’s ruling ordering K-pop conglomerate HYBE Labels to pay former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin about 25.5 billion won ($17.5 million) in a put option dispute has begun reshaping the next phase of one of K-pop’s biggest corporate battles. While the Feb. 12 decision clarified key legal questions surrounding Min’s shareholder agreement and creative autonomy, it also left a complex web of appeals, ongoing lawsuits and artist negotiations unresolved, placing renewed focus on how Min, HYBE and girl group NewJeans will navigate the months ahead. What court decided The central question in the case was whether Min had committed a substantial breach of her shareholder agreement with HYBE that would allow the company to terminate the contract and block her put option. HYBE argued that Min’s conduct, including efforts to pursue independence for sub-label Ador and her public remarks tied to internal disputes, amounted to a “serious violation” that destroyed mutual trust. Min countered that her put option was valid under the contract terms and that her actions did not meet the legal thrFeb 19, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
