Kian84 praises BTS’ Jin for unwavering fan loyalty, even off cameraEntertainer Kian84 has drawn attention for praising Jin of BTS for what he described as an unusually strong sense of loyalty toward fans that continues even when cameras are turned off. On Jan. 20, a new video titled "Spending a day with Chuu" was released on Kian84’s YouTube channel Life 84. The episode features the singer Chuu as a guest. During the video, the production staff mentioned the popular K-pop fan gesture known as the “biting heart,” noting that Kian84 seemed unfamiliar with it. Chuu then recalled her own experience with the gesture, saying she created the biting heart out of excitement when seeing fans, but did not realize how much attention it received at the time because she was not active on social media. She added that seeing senior celebrities frequently use the gesture later made her appreciate it more. The conversation eventually shifted to marriage. When Chuu asked Kian84 whether he had plans to marry, he replied that he did before playfully turning the question back on her. Chuu said she views marriage as simply one stage of life, prompting Kian84 to joke thaJan 21, 2026By Xportsnews
Korea Heritage Service gives conditional nod to BTS' Gwanghwamun comeback showThe Korea Heritage Service (KHS) conditionally approved HYBE’s proposal to stage a large-scale “K-heritage and K-pop fusion performance” in and around some of Seoul’s most symbolic cultural heritage sites, including Gyeongbok Palace, Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun. The decision came Tuesday after the agency’s Cultural Heritage Committee reviewed HYBE’s request to use and film within the heritage zones for the show in March. The committee’s palaces and tombs subcommittee passed the plan with conditions and decided to form a smaller working group to address specific issues such as safety, noise and crowd management, and to further assess the potential impact on the heritage environment, according to the KHS. HYBE, home to global K-pop powerhouse BTS, recently submitted an application seeking permission to use multiple heritage locations for a concert and a media facade event. The requested sites include areas of Gyeongbok Palace such as Geunjeongmun Gate and Heungnyemun Gate, Gwanghwamun and Woldae (stone platform) zone and surrounding walls, as well as Sungnyemun, also known aJan 20, 2026By Kwon Mee-yoo
BTS discussing performance in central Seoul to promote comeback: sourcesK-pop juggernaut BTS is considering a major performance in central Seoul ahead of its comeback in March, industry sources said Monday. Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind the group, has applied to the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) for permission to use Gyeongbok Palace, Gwanghwamun and the Woldae area, and the Sungnyemun gate for a performance featuring the septet in late March, the sources said. The event, tentatively titled "K-heritage and K-pop fusion concert," aims to blend traditional Korean culture with contemporary pop music. The Cultural Heritage Committee, an advisory body of the KHS, is expected to review the application Tuesday. The Seoul metropolitan government will separately convene an advisory meeting by Friday to determine whether to authorize the use of Gwanghwamun Square. Approval for the venue is contingent on a safety plan to prevent crowd-related accidents, according to officials. A Hybe official told Yonhap News Agency that "discussions are under way," adding that details regarding the venue and schedule will be announced once confirmed. BTS is set to return March 20 wiJan 19, 2026By Yonhap
EXO to return with 8th studio album 'REVERXE'K-pop boy band EXO will make a much-anticipated return Monday with its first studio album in more than two years. The group's agency, SM Entertainment, said the eighth full-length album, titled "REVERXE," would be released at 6 p.m. It marks the group's first studio album since the release of "EXIST" in July 2023. The upcoming album consists of nine tracks, fronted by the lead single "Crown." Other tracks include the winter song "I'm Home" and "Suffocate," which depicts the pain of a breakup. The release features six members of the group — Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun and Lay. Three other members — Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin — will not take part in the album due to an ongoing contract dispute with the company. "Crown" is described as a hard dance track that blends Atlanta-style trap drums, heavy metal guitar riffs and EDM synthesizers. Its lyrics express a desperate vow to protect a precious person, using the metaphor of a crown. EXO will also unveil a music video for the lead single on its official YouTube channel on the same day. The video features choreography in which the memJan 19, 2026By Yonhap
Fans dig into Korean history as BTS names new album ‘Arirang’Global fans of BTS, known as ARMY, are diving into Korean history after the group announced the title of its long-awaited new album: “Arirang.” The album, set for release after a hiatus of three years and nine months, has sparked intense online discussion, with overseas fans actively researching the origins and meaning of “Arirang,” Korea’s most iconic folk song. Social media platforms and fan communities have been filled with explanations, translations and personal reflections, as international listeners try to understand why the name carries such emotional weight. BTS said the album title reflects the group’s identity as artists who began in Korea, as well as emotions of longing and deep love that remain central to their music. By choosing “Arirang,” the group aimed to symbolically express both its roots and the emotional tone of the new release. As news of the comeback spread, many foreign fans turned their attention to the song’s historical background. Fans have highlighted how “Arirang” accompanied Koreans through periods of hardship, including Japanese coloniJan 17, 2026By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK's 'Jump' certified gold in USK-pop girl group BLACKPINK has earned a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for its 2025 digital single "Jump." The RIAA said on its website on Thursday (U.S. time) that "Jump" has surpassed 500,000 units, the threshold required for gold certification, as of Dec. 11. The association awards gold for 500,000 units, platinum for 1 million, multi-platinum for 2 million and diamond for 10 million units. Certified units are counted based on physical and digital album sales, downloads, and audio and video streams. The track has also been certified platinum by the Canadian music industry and single platinum in France. It received gold certifications in Australia, Belgium and New Zealand. Released last July, "Jump" has exceeded 470 million streams on Spotify and stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 10 weeks. The K-pop quartet is set to release its third EP "Deadline" on Feb. 27, marking its first full-group comeback in three years and five months since its second studio album "Born Pink" in September 2022.Jan 16, 2026By Yonhap
K-pop album exports top $300 mil. in 2025 for 1st timeKorea's exports of K-pop albums exceeded $300 million for the first time last year, customs data showed Friday, underscoring the genre's continued strength overseas despite weakening domestic sales. According to the Korea Customs Service, overseas shipments of K-pop albums reached a record high of $301.7 million in 2025, up 3.4 percent from a year earlier. Japan remained the biggest market with $80.6 million, followed by China with $69.7 million and the United States with $64 million. While exports to Japan fell 10.2 percent from the previous year, shipments to China jumped 16.6 percent, allowing Beijing to reclaim its position as the No. 2 market for the first time since 2022, ahead of the U.S. Taiwan, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Canada, France and Poland were also among the top 10 importers of K-pop albums. Despite the record export value, data from music sales tracker Circle Chart showed that overall K-pop album sales, including both domestic and overseas markets, fell for a second consecutive year to around 93.5 million copies in 2025, down from about 120 million in 2023. AnalJan 16, 2026By Yonhap
InterviewENHYPEN expands vampire saga with new mini album 'THE SIN : VANISH'Six years after debuting through "I-LAND," a global audition program that put competitors' fate in the hands of viewers around the world, K-pop boy band ENHYPEN finds itself at a turning point. What began as a survival show experiment has grown into a tightly bonded team with its own mythology, international reach and a string of milestones, including a sweep of major year-end awards in 2025. That growth feeds directly into the group's seventh mini album, "THE SIN : VANISH," set for release Friday. The record continues ENHYPEN's long-running "vampire narrative" through a story of forbidden love between a vampire and a human. "For us, every comeback means trying something new," Jay said during an interview with The Korea Times at a small cafe in Mapo District, Seoul, Wednesday. "This time, from the prerelease promotions to the way the album is structured as a story, we really tried to make everything feel fresh." At the center of "THE SIN : VANISH" is its title track "Knife," a hip-hop-driven song built on trap beats and sharp synths that frame a message of resolve. While familiar to theJan 16, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS unveils name of new album: 'Arirang'K-pop megastar BTS' upcoming full-length album will be titled "Arirang," named after Korea's most famous folk song, the group's label BigHit Music said Friday. "Arirang" is scheduled to be out March 20 as the group's fifth studio album and first since the 2022 anthology album "Proof." The new record will include 14 tracks. BigHit said the album captures BTS' identity as a group that began in Korea, along with "the longing and deep love that lie within their hearts." The label described the word "Arirang" as a symbolic expression of the emotions the group seeks to portray. "As BTS prepares for its long-awaited return, it naturally looked back on its roots, beginnings and inner stories," BigHit said in a statement, adding that the album explores universal emotions expected to resonate globally. After the release, BTS is set to embark on a world tour April 9, starting at Goyang Sports Complex near Seoul. The tour will span 34 cities and 79 shows — the largest in K-pop history — and will feature a 360-degree stage design.Jan 16, 2026By Yonhap
K-pop pioneer BoA at crossroadsK-pop pioneer BoA has officially ended her 25-year relationship with SM Entertainment, setting off intense speculation about whether she is preparing for retirement — or a dramatic reunion with SM founder Lee Soo-man. SM confirmed Monday that BoA’s exclusive contract had expired and would not be renewed. Industry watchers had expected a renewal, making the sudden “clean break” all the more surprising. In its farewell statement, SM praised BoA as “the icon of overseas expansion” and “the star of Asia,” saying, “Although our exclusive contract has ended, we sincerely support BoA as she begins new challenges and continues to shine as Asia’s star.” The company also released a tribute video on BoA’s YouTube channel, chronicling her journey from her debut at age 13 in 2000 to today. The video closed with the message, “We sincerely support every moment of BoA, who will forever shine as No.1.” BoA responded with her own message, saying, “As much as we gave to each other, I am leaving without regret. Thank you for the time we shared, and I will continue to support thJan 15, 2026By Xportsnews
