BLACKPINK’s agency YG apologizes over obstructed-view seating at concertYG Entertainment has issued an apology following complaints about obstructed views during BLACKPINK’s concert held over the weekend in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. “We sincerely apologize for the limited stage visibility experienced by some fans in the N3 section during the BLACKPINK concert last weekend,” the agency said in a statement released Monday. The controversy arose after BLACKPINK kicked off their new world tour, “DEADLINE,” with concerts held July 5-6 at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. After the shows, several concertgoers voiced frustration online, saying their view of the stage was completely blocked by large screen structures despite having purchased standard-price seats. The issue centered on the N3 section, where seats were sold for 132,000 won ($96) as Category B seats, which were not designated as “obstructed view.” However, fans in the section reported having an even worse view than those who had purchased the 99,000-won obstructed-view tickets. YG acknowledged that the company had attempted to enhance the viewing experience in the section by installing aJul 8, 2025By Hankookilbo
ReviewBLACKPINK sets Goyang ablaze with historic stadium tour kickoff, debuts new track 'JUMP'Nearly two years after their last group concert, BLACKPINK proved they've still got unmatched star power — together and solo. The global superstars — Jennie, Jisoo, Rose and Lisa — reunited as a full group over the weekend for a long-awaited concert, marking their first group performance in nearly two years. In the time since, each member has soared to individual superstardom, building global fan bases that only heightened anticipation for their return. With scorching solo momentum behind them and a new song in their pocket, the quartet set Goyang Sports Complex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, ablaze with their signature blend of style, power and show-stopping visuals. Billed as the kickoff to their new "DEADLINE" tour, the Goyang concert made history on multiple fronts. BLACKPINK became the first K-pop girl group to perform at the stadium, setting a new attendance record — some 78,000 fans for two concerts — for the venue. Fans arrived hours early on Sunday, decked out in signature colors black and pink, filling the area outside with chants and cheers. As the summer heat began tJul 7, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
RIIZE wraps up first solo concert with 31,000 fans, launches Asia tourK-pop boy group RIIZE has successfully completed the opening leg of its first-ever solo concert tour, “RIIZING LOUD,” in Seoul, drawing more than 31,000 fans over three sold-out shows from July 4 to 6. Held at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, the three-day event marked a milestone for the group, which debuted in 2023, as it embarks on a larger journey to grow into one of the leading acts of K-pop’s fifth generation. The concerts also launched the group’s first Asia tour, which will take them to 14 cities including Tokyo, Jakarta, Manila and Singapore. The shows, themed as a coming-of-age “Odyssey,” took inspiration from the ancient Greek epic and reimagined the story through RIIZE’s music and growth narrative. The six members — Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton — performed a total of 24 songs in five conceptual segments, including “Siren,” “Odyssey,” “Talk Saxy,” “Get a Guitar” and “Boom Boom Bass.” “We’ve finally reached the last day of our Seoul concert. Let’s give it everything we’ve got and make it a night to remember,”Jul 7, 2025By Hankookilbo
BTS ranks 34th on Apple Music's most-streamed songs of past decadeFour Korean songs, including hits by BTS and BLACKPINK's Rose, have been included in Apple Music's list of the 500 most-streamed tracks of the past decade. According to the "10 Years of Apple Music: Top Songs" playlist, released by the streaming service on Sunday (U.S. time) to mark its 10th anniversary, BTS' 2020 global hit single "Dynamite" ranked 34th — the highest among K-pop tracks. "Dynamite" was also the only K-pop song to appear in the top 100. The next highest-ranked K-pop entry was BTS' 2021 single "Butter," which placed 252nd. Both tracks enjoyed worldwide success, reaching the top five of Apple Music's "Today's Top 100: Global" chart upon their release. Also on the list was "Baby Shark," which ranked 351st. The viral children's song by Pinkfong gained international recognition with its repetitive lyric, "Baby Shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo." BLACKPINK's Rose and pop star Bruno Mars placed 459th with their collaboration single "APT.," which held the No. 1 spot on Apple Music's "Today's Top 100: Global" chart for more than 60 consecutive days. The overall top spot went to Ed ShJul 7, 2025By Yonhap
Aespa’s Karina addresses controversy over ‘politically charged’ outfitKarina, a member of K-pop girl group aespa, has offered a public explanation about one month after sparking political controversy with a social media post in which she wore a jacket featuring the number “2” in red, a color and number associated with Korea's conservative People Power Party, ahead of Korea’s presidential election. Speaking on the singer and YouTuber Jung Jae-hyung's YouTube channel “Fairy Jaehyung” on Sunday, Karina said she had no political intent and was unaware of the connotation at the time. “I want to talk about it because there truly was no such intention,” she said. “I’m so sorry for worrying our fans and many others. I was out with staff and bought an extra jacket because the weather was chilly. I just posted a photo to communicate with fans, but then I was contacted about it and took it down. I was simply ignorant. Even if I was overseas, I should have known better.” Karina originally posted the photo on May 27, just a week ahead of the presidential election, prompting speculation that she was implicitly supporting a specific candidate. The jacJul 7, 2025By Hankookilbo
BLACKPINK kicks off long-awaited tour with sizzling shows in GoyangExpectations were sky-high for one of K-pop's most iconic quartets as BLACKPINK gave its first full-group performance in nearly two years, judging by the sea of fans who braved a scorching heat wave to see them in Ilsan. The K-pop supergroup — Jennie, Rosé, Jisoo and Lisa — kicked off its "DEADLINE" world tour over the weekend at Goyang Sports Complex in Ilsan, just west of Seoul, becoming the first K-pop girl group to do so at one of the capital area's largest concert venues. Fans swarmed the venue Sunday, the final show of the two-day performance, despite temperatures soaring to about 33 degrees Celsius and a heat wave advisory in effect. Armed with mini electronic fans and parasols to escape the heat, the throngs of fans could be heard complaining here and there, but their faces collectively lit up with excitement when asked for a brief interview. "It's so hot and I'm sweating like crazy, but the thrill of getting to see the four perform together again is the only thing keeping me on my feet right now," said Liu Wen, a Chinese fan in her 20s who arrived hours early, clutching theJul 6, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS’s V turns heads with wide-shouldered look and retro denim at airportBTS member V exuded star power at Incheon International Airport, Friday, as he departed on an overseas trip, captivating fans with a stylish yet effortlessly cool appearance. V paired a white Henley T-shirt with flared denim pants, bringing a modern twist to the 1970s retro mood. Known for his dedication to self-care — often shared through personal social media posts showing workouts and ballet stretches — V’s physique stood out even in casual attire. The slim-fit T-shirt accentuated his broad shoulders and balanced frame, while the bold flared pants elongated his legs, highlighting his statuesque proportions. Black loafers, a red jacket, and a Boston bag featuring a classic pattern added structure and depth to the overall look. Accessories like layered necklaces and earrings offered subtle details, and despite wearing a face mask, V’s striking features and intense gaze still shone through, sending fans — known as the ARMY — into a frenzy. He also made time for fans gathered at the airport, flashing a relaxed smile and waving in a show of trademark fan service. V completed hisJul 5, 2025By Xportsnews
From ‘boyhood pop’ to ‘baby rock,’ K-pop’s new wave builds genre of its ownAs competition heats up in the saturated K-pop idol market, a new trend is emerging: groups are creating and naming their own musical genres to stand out. These “self-defined genres” are gaining momentum as a powerful strategy to build distinct musical identities and deepen fan loyalty. In recent years, fourth-generation idol groups sought to differentiate themselves by creating elaborate fictional universes and storylines. These narrative-driven concepts served as a unique branding tool as well as a way to engage fans beyond the music itself through lore, characters and visual storytelling. However, the craze around immersive world-building has begun to wane. As “easy listening” gains traction in the broader music landscape, the appeal of high-concept, lore-heavy music has declined. Oversaturation, along with growing fatigue toward complex storytelling, has pushed the industry to look for a new way to differentiate groups. 'Self-defined genres’ Stepping into this void are fifth-generation idol groups who are defining their own musical styles from the start, branding their soundJul 4, 2025By Hankookilbo
Moon Won denies past misconduct allegations amid marriage news with Koyote’s ShinjiSinger Moon Won, who recently announced his engagement to Koyote group member Shinji, has spoken out amid controversy over allegations about his past. While he admitted to engaging in real estate work without a broker’s license, he denied claims of name changes, infidelity and bullying during his school years and military service. In a lengthy social media post shared Thursday, Moon admitted to some missteps while firmly denying others. The controversy erupted after a video interview featuring Moon was released on Shinji's YouTube channel on Wednesday. In it, Moon made remarks that were widely criticized by fans of both Koyote and Shinji. “I sincerely apologize to Koyote fans, Shinji’s supporters, and everyone who felt uncomfortable or disappointed because of my careless behavior,” Moon wrote. “I especially regret causing hurt to Shinji, who should be receiving only love and congratulations at this time. As her future partner, I deeply reflect on my words and actions.” He continued, “After reading the comments following yesterday’s radio broadcast, I realized how thoughtleJul 4, 2025By Hankookilbo
Korea's water-soaked festivals offer splashy escape from summer heat, realityIn the blistering heat of a Korean summer, few things offer relief like getting drenched in water — and if it’s while singing along to your favorite artist, even better. That’s the appeal behind Korea’s booming summer water festivals, which continue to draw massive crowds with their combination of high-octane performances, celebrity appearances and plenty of splash. Among those who can’t forget the experience is an office worker surnamed Lee, who marked the end of her 20s with a wet and wild day at Seoul's WATERBOMB festival in June 2022. Even now, she says, the memory resurfaces every summer. "It was so hot and humid and then it started raining," she recalled. "Everyone was dragging their feet, but maybe that's why we were all more willing to embrace the streams of water at the festival. I probably couldn't do it again now, but ending my 20s with something that intense made that summer really unforgettable." These events are built on exactly that kind of intensity. Taking place at the height of Korea’s monsoon season, water festivals embrace the heat, replacing sweat with cJul 4, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
