China signals end to hallyu ban as K-pop prepares for returnFor nearly a decade, Korea’s entertainment industry has faced a long, dark tunnel when it comes to China. Now, however, a faint light appears to be emerging at the far end. China’s long-standing restrictions on Korean pop culture — commonly referred to as the hallyu or Korean wave, ban— are showing signs of gradually easing. At Chinese music retailers, K-pop albums have returned to store shelves and are once again displayed prominently. On Chinese streaming platforms, a local remake of the Korean drama “My Mister” has been unveiled. The shift in atmosphere is even fueling cautious optimism about the possibility of a government-level K-pop concert backed by the Korean government in China — something that had previously failed to materialize. The Hallyu ban effectively took hold in 2016, following Korea’s deployment of the U.S.-built Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, which Beijing viewed as a threat to its security interests. Although the Chinese government never formally announced the measure, it functioned as a sweeping, unofficial banJan 15, 2026By Hankookilbo
Former NewJeans member Danielle opens Chinese social media as lawsuit loomsDanielle, who was removed from K-pop girl group NewJeans amid a contract dispute, is expanding her online footprint just as her legal battle with her former agency intensifies — fueling speculation that she may be preparing for overseas activities. The singer recently opened an account on Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, one of China’s most influential lifestyle and social media platforms often described as the country’s version of Instagram. Although Danielle has yet to post any content, her follower count has already surpassed 10,000, highlighting continued fan interest despite her ongoing controversy. Her older sister, Olivia Marsh, who also operates a RedNote account, followed Danielle on the site, further confirming the authenticity of the newly created profile. The move comes just days after Danielle opened an Instagram account on Monday and hosted her first live broadcast at 7 p.m. the same day. It marked her first official appearance since Ador notified her of the termination of her exclusive contract. At the time, the law firm representing Danielle said the livestream wJan 15, 2026By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK to return with new EP 'Deadline' on Feb. 27Girl group BLACKPINK will release its third EP, "Deadline," on Feb. 27, the group's label, YG Entertainment, said Thursday. YG unveiled a video announcing the K-pop quartet's comeback on its official blog. "Deadline" will mark the first album from the group in three years and five months since "Born Pink" in September 2022. The group released the digital single "Jump" in July but showcased its distinctive musical colors more through active solo projects during the group's break. YG said the album's title, "Deadline," is the same as that of BLACKPINK's latest world tour, which began in July in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul. It added the comeback will serve as a grand finale to the tour. While the group had already completed major work on the album, including the filming of a music video, the release was postponed from last year to this year to further enhance its quality. "We sincerely thank fans for their patience over the long wait," YG said. "We plan to repay their support with highly refined music and ask for continued interest." BLACKPINK will wrap up its world tour with concerts at TJan 15, 2026By Yonhap
Kang Daniel to begin military service next monthSinger Kang Daniel will begin his mandatory military service Feb. 9, his agency, ARA, said Thursday. The 29-year-old had signaled his plans for enlistment during a press showcase for his sixth EP in June last year, expressing his desire to show as much as he can as a singer before starting his service. Last month, he held his final fan concert in Seoul, an interactive show that combines performances and fan events, before his departure. All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve at least 18 months in the military in a country that faces security threats from North Korea. Kang Daniel debuted in 2017 and quickly rose to prominence as a member of the project boy group Wanna One. It was formed through the Mnet audition program "Produce 101" Season 2. Following the group's activities, he continued to find success through various solo projects. While Wanna One disbanded at the end of 2018 after 18 months of activity, it is scheduled to be reunited for a reality show on the same TV channel in the first half of this year. According to media reports, Kang is currently discussing ways tJan 15, 2026By Yonhap
Chaebol heiress-turned-idol Annie returns to Columbia University while keeping her K-pop career aliveAnnie of rookie K-pop group AllDay Project is heading back to the classroom — but without putting her celebrity life on pause. The Black Label said Wednesday that Annie will return this month to Columbia University in New York to attend the school’s spring semester. She will use the group’s current break to focus on her studies through May, while still remaining available for select overseas activities, such as fan signing events. The agency said Annie’s return to school does not mean a suspension of group activities. During this period, the other members of AllDay Project will also pursue individual activities, keeping the team active even while Annie balances academics and entertainment. Annie has drawn intense public interest since before her debut, not just as an idol but as a member of one of Korea’s most powerful business families. She is the granddaughter of Lee Myung-hee, the chairwoman of retail giant Shinsegae Group, and the eldest daughter of Chung Yoo-kyung, the company’s president — making her one of the rare “chaebol," or conglomerate, heirs to enter the K-Jan 14, 2026By Xportsnews
KATSEYE lands 3 songs on Billboard Hot 100, led by 'Gabriela' at No. 21Hybe's U.S.-based girl group KATSEYE has placed three songs on the U.S. Billboard's main singles chart this week, led by "Gabriela," which rose one spot to a new peak of No. 21 for the group, Billboard said Tuesday (U.S. time). The group's latest release, "Internet Girl," debuted at No. 29, while "Gnarly" slipped seven places to No. 89. The feat marks the act's first time landing three tracks simultaneously on the chart. Songs from the original soundtrack of Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" maintained strong showings on the chart, with "Golden" at No. 3, "Soda Pop" at No. 39, "Your Idol" at No. 49 and "How It's Done" at No. 50. On the Billboard 200 main albums chart, the soundtrack fell one spot to No. 4, extending its run to 29 consecutive weeks inside the top tier. KATSEYE's album "Beautiful Chaos" ranked No. 32, while boy band Stray Kids charted at No. 155 with "Do It."Jan 14, 2026By Yonhap
'Biggest global K-pop tour of all time': BTS announces 79 shows for first large-scale world tour after hiatusAfter a three-year hiatus, global superstars BTS are set to embark on their largest world tour yet. The tour will kick off with a three-day concert at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on April 9, April 11 and 12. The pop icons announced the upcoming tour on the fan platform Weverse on Wednesday midnight, sharing the tour’s poster with a list of 79 shows across 34 regions. The band will meet fans worldwide from April 2026 to March 2027, with stops set for North America, Europe, Oceania, East Asia and Southeast Asia. The tour is set to be the "biggest global K-pop tour of all time," a press release by concert promoter Live Nation said. BTS' highly anticipated comeback tour will also feature a "a 360-degree, in-the-round stage design," which is a first for K-pop stadium tours. According to Live Nation, this concert setup allows for increased capacity at every venue. The band will also visit Latin America, holding shows in countries like Argentina, Peru and Colombia for the first time. BTS is also set to celebrate its 13th anniversary in the port city of Busan, Korea's second larJan 14, 2026By Inna Christine Cabel
Jay Park says K-pop lost its romantic spirit, introduces LNGSHOT as his answerR&B singer Jay Park says K-pop has lost some of its "romantic spirit" and "authenticity," and his answer is LNGSHOT, a four-member boy band that made its debut Tuesday with the release of its first mini-album, "SHOT CALLERS." Introduced under Park’s label, More Vision, LNGSHOT consists of Ohyul, Ryul, Woojin and Louis. The group’s name refers to a "long shot," a decisive play with slim odds that can flip the game entirely. Just hours before the album’s release, the group held a debut showcase at MyungHwa Live Hall in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo District, where they performed tracks from the album and spoke about its production process. Woojin admitted that the group name initially felt unfamiliar. “It wasn’t a term commonly used in Korea, so it felt strange at first,” he said. “But as we started promoting, I realized there isn’t another word that could replace LNGSHOT or capture its meaning. Now I’m very attached to it.” The band's debut album, "SHOT CALLERS," is mainly built on hip-hop and R&B foundations, reflecting Park’s long-established musical tastes. The album inclJan 13, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BLACKPINK unexpectedly takes over Golden GlobesK-pop idols didn’t just attend Hollywood’s biggest award night this year — the genre became part of the soundtrack. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, held Sunday at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, BLACKPINK and other K-pop stars made their presence felt in ways no one expected, as their songs and members were woven directly into the live broadcast. When Jennifer Lopez stepped onstage to present the Best Actor award in the Musical or Comedy category, the arena was filled with "like Jennie,” a popular song from BLACKPINK member Jennie. The moment was a playful wordplay — Lopez and Jennie share the same name — but it instantly sent K-pop fans into a frenzy online, celebrating how a Korean pop star’s solo track was used at one of America’s top four awards shows. Soon after, host Nikki Glaser introduced Judd Apatow, who was presenting the Best Director award, playing “APT.,” the hit collaboration between BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars. The choice was another joke, referencing the similarity between “Apatow” and “apateu,” the Korean word for apaJan 13, 2026By Xportsnews
BoA closes historic chapter with SM Entertainment after 25 yearsBoA has ended her exclusive contract with SM Entertainment, the agency that has been by her side since her debut. SM announced Monday that, “After extensive discussions with BoA over a long period, we mutually agreed to conclude our 25-year partnership as of Dec. 31.” “BoA has been, in every sense, the pride and symbol of SM for 25 years,” the agency said. “Although her exclusive contract has ended, we will continue to support her future activities and challenges.” The company also posted a five-minute video celebrating her career on YouTube. BoA debuted in August 2000 at age 14 with her first album, “ID; Peace B.” Including her time as a trainee after being scouted in 1998 as a sixth grader, her relationship with SM spans more than 25 years. Since her debut, BoA has released hit songs such as “No.1,” “Atlantis Princess” and “Only One.” She helped lead the K-pop wave in Japan, becoming the first Korean artist to have two albums sell more than a million copies on the Oricon Albums Chart. She appeared on NHK’s “Kohaku Uta Gassen,” Japan’s premier year-endJan 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
