'Golden' from 'KPop Demon Hunters' hits No. 5 on Billboard Hot 100"Golden" from the original soundtrack of Netflix's global animation sensation "KPop Demon Hunters" ranked fifth on the U.S. Billboard main singles chart this week, extending its run on the chart to 33 consecutive weeks. The song slipped one spot from No. 4 the previous week on the Billboard Hot 100, according to the latest chart released on Tuesday (local time). Another hit from the soundtrack, "How It's Done," came in at No. 85. On the Billboard 200, the main albums chart, the soundtrack album placed sixth, also extending its chart run to 33 consecutive weeks. Hybe's U.S.-based girl group Katseye placed two albums on the chart -- Its second EP "Beautiful Chaos" at No. 43 and its first EP "SIS (Soft Is Strong)" at No. 176. Boy band Enhypen's new EP "The Sin: Vanish" ranked 48th, marking its third consecutive week on the chart, while Stray Kids' "Do It" held at No. 158.Feb 11, 2026By Yonhap
BTS' comeback show to admit about 15,000 fansK-pop supergroup BTS' upcoming comeback concert in central Seoul is expected to draw about 15,000 ticketed fans, music industry sources said Tuesday. According to the sources, Hybe, the K-pop company behind BTS, is coordinating with the Seoul metropolitan government on a plan to admit 15,000 fans in the standing and reserved seating sections for the "BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang" concert on March 21. The free concert will take place at Gwanghwamun Square the day after the release of BTS' fifth studio album, "Arirang," named after the famous Korean folk song. It will be its first release since "Proof" in June 2022 and the first since all members completed their mandatory military service. The septet plans to walk from inside Gyeongbok Palace, passing through the Gwanghwamun gate and the "woldae," a traditional ceremonial stage located in front of the gate, before moving onto a stage built at the northern end of the square to open the show. Applications for 2,000 standing tickets opened on Tuesday via Hybe's K-pop fan community platform Weverse for those who preordered the album. AccordinFeb 10, 2026By Yonhap
BTS Jin voted 'ideal son-in-law' in holiday pollJin of BTS has taken first place in a playful online poll asking which celebrity would most easily win approval at a first family meeting ahead of Korea’s Lunar New Year holiday — a result that quickly drew amused reactions from fans online. According to Idol Chart, Jin ranked No. 1 in the survey titled “With Lunar New Year approaching, who would get a free pass at a hometown family gathering?” The poll ran from Feb. 2 to 8 and saw Jin collect 9,683 votes, far outpacing the rest of the field. Trot singer Young Tak finished second with 1,199 votes, followed by actor Hong Ji-yoon with 1,029. Singer-actor IU placed fourth with 718 votes, while idols Minho from SHINee and Suho from EXO rounded out the list. In South Korea, Lunar New Year — known as Seollal — is traditionally a time for family gatherings, and “meeting the family” carries strong cultural weight. The phrase “family gathering free pass” has become a lighthearted meme on social media, referring to people whose looks, manners or public image seem universally parent-approved. Jin’s reputation for polite behavFeb 10, 2026By Xportsnews
Seoul city gov't approves official sponsorship for BTS concertThe Seoul city government said Tuesday it will officially sponsor K-pop supergroup BTS' comeback concert to be held at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21. Hybe, the K-pop company behind BTS and the organizer of the concert, had asked for the city government's official sponsorship of the event and its approval for the request was delivered to the company on Jan. 29, a municipal official told Yonhap News Agency by phone. The city government has concluded that there is no problem with the concert using the title "official sponsorship of the Seoul metropolitan government" because it is of public interest and will contribute to the city's administration, tourism and economy, the official said. Anticipating a large crowd for the concert, the city government has been working hard to ensure public safety and welcome global fans. It will also conduct special inspections of elevators in public facilities around Gwanghwamun Square. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon last week presided over a meeting to discuss crowd safety measures.Feb 10, 2026By Yonhap
Girl group KiiiKiii scores chart breakthrough with '404'KiiiKiii, the youngest girl group from the K-pop agency behind the popular girl group Ive, has rapidly climbed domestic music charts with its latest single "404 (New Era)." Released Jan. 26 as the lead track of KiiiKiii's second EP "Delulu Pack," the song reached No. 2 on Top 100 chart of Korea's largest domestic music streaming service Melon on Monday night and topped YouTube Music's weekly chart for the period of Jan. 30 to Feb. 5. The result positions KiiiKiii among major K-pop performers, despite competition from long-running chart fixtures and older tracks enjoying late streaming-driven chart resurgences, such as Car, the Garden's "My Whole World," Hwasa's "Good Goodbye," Hanroro's "Landing in Love" and Woodz's "Drowning." Built on pulsing UK house and garage beats with powerful rap verses and airy vocals, "404" draws inspiration from the familiar internet error code "404 Not Found." KiiiKiii flips it into a metaphor for "freedom beyond boundaries." Rapper Omega Sapien of the alternative K-pop group Balming Tiger, known for his witty wordplay, contributed to the lyrics. KiiiKiii debFeb 10, 2026By Yonhap
MONSTA X sends off its last enlisteeMONSTA X member I.M began his mandatory military service on Monday, marking the final enlistment among the group’s members and triggering a temporary halt to full-group activities. I.M entered the Army Training Center, where he will complete basic military training before being assigned to an active-duty unit. With his enlistment, MONSTA X now has all members either currently enlisted or having completed South Korea’s compulsory military service requirement for able-bodied men. In a message to the group's fans, collectively known as Monbebe, I.M said he felt grateful to have shared meaningful moments before leaving. “I was so happy to greet Monbebe more closely as we recently started our world tour, and I feel relieved that I was able to make good memories before enlisting,” he said. “I will take good care of my health, complete my military service well and return safely. Until we meet again, I hope Monbebe also stays healthy in both body and mind, and continues to support the members’ activities. I love you, Monbebe.” I.M is the youngest member of MONSTA X and the last toFeb 9, 2026By Xportsnews
Police unveil crowd safety measures for BTS concertPolice said Monday they will deploy counter-terrorism special forces in preparation for K-pop supergroup BTS' Seoul concert, slated for March 21, expecting a crowd of up to 260,000 would gather at Gwanghwamun Square, the venue for the concert, and its surrounding areas. Park Jeong-bo, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said his agency will form a special task force led by the public safety deputy commissioner to ensure that the concert would proceed safely through the preparation of all functions. Police estimate that the maximum number of 260,000 people will gather in areas from the concert stage at the northern starting point of Gwanghwamun Square to Sungnyemun gate, including 230,000 expected between the square and Daehanmun, the main gate of Deoksu Palace. "While we don't know for sure if the estimate will actually come true, we'll be prepared for as many people as possible to gather," Park said in a media briefing. Police plan to manage crowd flow and safety conditions by dividing the venue into four zones based on crowd density — core zone, hot zone, warm zoneFeb 9, 2026By Yonhap
K-pop enters new war as 3rd-gen giants return from military serviceThe "kings" of K-pop are back. Third-generation boy groups, who laid the global foundation for the genre, are returning with ferocious momentum, putting their fourth and fifth generation successors on high alert. The wave began with Monsta X last September. With all members except the youngest, I.M — who recently enlisted — having completed their military service, the group released their first full-group album, "The X." They proved their staying power by hitting major global charts, including the Billboard 200. The group followed this by touring the U.S. with "iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2025," the largest year-end festival in America, hitting four major cities, including a kickoff at Madison Square Garden last December. The boy band's world tour, "The X: NEXUS," which kicked off last month, is also cruising smoothly. EXO followed suit, releasing its album "REVERXE" last month. Fresh off an explosive "MMA 2025" stage, it achieved a "Grand Slam" with five music show wins for "Crown," the album's title track. The group is preparing for its first solo tour in six years, "EXO PLANET #6 –Feb 9, 2026By Hankookilbo
How house music is reclaiming its place in K-popAs K-pop continues to move away from maximalist, drop-driven electronic dance music (EDM), house music is reasserting itself as an identity-shaping aesthetic and sound. The shift has become more visible in recent months as rookie acts KiiiKiii and Hearts2Hearts, both of which debuted early last year, placed house at the center of their musical direction. Their releases have fueled renewed discussion among industry watchers that house is once again gaining momentum in K-pop, not as a novelty, but as a familiar and adaptable framework. House music emerged from Chicago’s club scene in the 1980s and is defined by a steady four-on-the-floor kick drum, repetitive rhythmic patterns and restrained melodic structures. Rather than relying on dramatic drops, the genre prioritizes groove and continuity, often producing a sleek, urban atmosphere. These qualities have long made house well suited to K-pop, a form that depends on the close integration of music, choreography and visual concept. In recent years, house’s presence within K-pop has become both more visible and flexible. Variations oftenFeb 9, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS to open reservations for free Gwanghwamun concert on Feb. 23Ticketing details have been released for K-pop powerhouse BTS' long-awaited comeback concert at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, as the group prepares to reunite as a full septet for the first time in nearly four years. The free outdoor show, titled "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE : ARIRANG," will be open to the public through two channels — general ticket reservations and a separate Weverse-based global fan lottery — according to global fan platform Weverse on Monday. General tickets will be available beginning at 8 p.m. on Feb. 23 through NOL Ticket, the Korean ticketing service handling the event. The service offers both Korean and international interfaces — the latter known as NOL World — and accepts major international credit cards, allowing overseas visitors to participate in the booking process. Full booking instructions will be released at noon on Feb. 20 via Weverse and NOL Ticket. A Weverse Global raffle will also be held exclusively for members of the official BTS fandom, ARMY, who purchase BTS' upcoming album during the designated entry period. The raffle is open to all purchasers,Feb 9, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
