P1Harmony to launch world tour, take stage at Intuit Dome in USK-pop boy band P1Harmony will launch its biggest world tour to date, with performances across major arena venues in North and Latin America, their agency FNC Entertainment said Tuesday. Titled "2025 P1Harmony LIVE TOUR [P1ustage H : MOST WANTED] IN NORTH AMERICA," the tour will begin on Sept. 27 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Additional stops include Eaglebank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia (Sept. 29); Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto (Oct. 1); Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas (Oct. 4); Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia (Oct. 9); United Center in Chicago (Oct. 14); Intuit Dome in Los Angeles (Oct. 18); and Oakland Arena in Oakland, California (Oct. 21). All venues are large-scale arenas, underscoring the group's growing international presence. After entering the arena circuit during their previous "P1ustage H: UTOP1A" tour, this marks P1Harmony’s first full arena tour in North America. Notably, the Intuit Dome in LA, which has hosted global stars like Bruno Mars and Olivia Rodrigo, will see P1Harmony become only the second K-pop act to perform there. Following the North AmeJul 1, 2025By Hankookilbo
Babymonster to drop 'Hot Sauce,' an '80s-style hip-hop singleRising girl group Babymonster from YG Entertainment will release a new single titled "Hot Sauce" on Tuesday, the company said. "Hot Sauce" is a high-energy summer dance track that reinterprets 1980s old-school hip-hop in Babymonster's signature style. The lyrics compare a bold, confident attitude with spicy food, according to the agency. The song's dynamic feel is driven by a rhythmic beat and rap layered over a synth bass and upbeat brass. Refreshing vocals and a catchy chorus add to the song's appeal, YG added. Following "Hot Sauce," Babymonster is scheduled to release another single in September and an EP in October. In August, the group will perform at Japan's Summer Sonic festival and kick off its second U.S. tour.Jul 1, 2025By Yonhap
BTS to drop first-ever live album this monthK-pop supergroup BTS will release its first-ever live album this month, the group's agency, BigHit Music, announced Tuesday, offering fans a chance to relive the global "Permission to Dance on Stage" tour. The album, "Permission to Dance on Stage — Live," will roll out July 18, featuring 22 tracks recorded during the 2021-2022 tour, including live renditions of hit songs, such as "On," "Fire," "Dope" and "Idol," according to the agency. It said in a statement that it hopes the album serves as an opportunity for fans to "recall the memories" of the concerts and wished for "every moment spent with BTS to shine brightly in your hearts for a long time." The "Permission to Dance on Stage" tour spanned 12 shows across three cities: Seoul, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It drew a total of 4 million members of ARMY, the group's devoted fan base, through various platforms, including online livestreaming. The tour also marked a significant milestone for the septet, as they became the first Korean artists to perform at major U.S. venues, including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Allegiant Stadium inJul 1, 2025By Yonhap
Xdinary Heroes’ Jun Han apologizes for racial, eugenic commentsJun Han, a member of the K-pop rock band Xdinary Heroes, has issued a public apology after drawing backlash for remarks interpreted as promoting eugenic ideology during an online conversation with fans. The controversy erupted when Jun Han, in a chat on fan communication platform Bubble, responded to a fan’s comment about genetic research by asking whether it would be possible to “combine the strengths of different races” — citing examples such as “the superior sugar metabolism of white people, the physical abilities of Black people and the intelligence of Asians and Indians.” The comment sparked immediate criticism from fans and the public, with many accusing the singer of echoing ideas associated with eugenics, a discredited, pseudoscientific belief system based in racist assumptions. Eugenics promotes selective breeding of humans based on desirable traits supposedly associated with different ethnicities, groups and races. Jun Han took to Xdinary Heroes’ official social media to apologize on Sunday. “I sincerely apologize for my careless remarks that hurt and offendedJul 1, 2025By Hankookilbo
ENHYPEN agency takes legal action against stalkers, online abusersK-pop boy band ENHYPEN’s agency has vowed to take strong legal action against stalkers, malicious commenters and those violating the members’ privacy, citing escalating threats to their safety and wellbeing. Belift Lab issued a public statement via fan platform Weverse on Sunday, detailing ongoing legal proceedings and investigations related to repeated invasions of privacy and defamation. “Despite multiple warnings to stop invading the artists’ private lives, such behavior has not only persisted but become more severe,” the agency said. “The psychological and physical harm inflicted on the members has reached an intolerable level. We will respond with all possible legal measures.” According to the agency, a recent incident involved intruders unlawfully entering the members’ residence and secretly filming them. Belift Lab said the individuals were caught in the act and reported to police on charges of trespassing and violating Korea’s anti-stalking laws. “They were apprehended on the spot and are currently under police investigation,” the agency said, adding that itJul 1, 2025By Hankookilbo
NCT Wish, RIIZE lead keyring album craze in K-popIn the ever-evolving world of K-pop, where physical albums double as collectibles, a new trend is taking hold: the rise of keyring-format albums. These mini-sized, music-enabled charms are capturing the attention of fans and artists alike, blending fandom culture with portable tech and playful design. Once seen primarily as fashion accessories, keyrings have become popular items in Korea’s MZ generation culture. Their affordability and ability to express personal taste through customization made them a must-have item among young consumers. Now, the K-pop industry has embraced their appeal, giving birth to albums that double as keychains. Leading the charge is NCT Wish's "Wichu" album, widely credited as the breakout success of the keyring album format. Designed as a plush character keyring, "Wichu" contains an NFC chip inside a zippered pouch. With a simple tap on a mobile device, fans can access the album’s full track list and digital content. The product sparked a frenzy upon release, selling out rapidly and expanding NCT Wish’s fan base beyond hardcore followers. Its cute designJun 30, 2025By Hankookilbo
AKMU's Lee Chan-hyuk to drop 2nd solo studio albumLee Chan-hyuk, the brother of K-pop's famous sibling duo AKMU, will make a comeback as a solo artist with his second studio album next month, his agency said Monday. Announcing that the album titled "Eros" will drop at 6 p.m. on July 14, YG Entertainment also unveiled a teaser video for the upcoming release on its official social media channels. "You will be able to experience Lee Chan-hyuk's unrivaled producing, as well as delicate storytelling and music that attempts to break the mold," the agency said in a release. Lee won the 2012-2013 SBS audition program "K-pop Star" Season 2 as a duo with his younger sister Lee Su-hyun and officially debuted in 2014. AKMU has since released numerous hit songs, such as "200%," "How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You're the One I Love," "Re-Bye" and "Love Lee," with the brother gaining recognition as a singer-songwriter by personally writing and composing these hits. He debuted as a solo artist in 2022 with his first studio album, "Error," receiving critical acclaim.Jun 30, 2025By Yonhap
K-pop group 2NE1 to perform halftime show at Tottenham-Newcastle match in SeoulK-pop girl group 2NE1 will take the stage for the halftime show for an upcoming football match in Seoul pitting Tottenham Hotspur against Newcastle United, match organizers said Monday. Coupang Play, a South Korean streaming platform, announced the veteran quartet as the halftime performer for the second match of the annual Coupang Play series between Tottenham and Newcastle at 8 p.m. on Aug. 3 at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul. 2NE1 burst onto the K-pop scene in 2009, churning out one hit single after another. The group's second studio album, "Crush," debuted at No. 61 on the Billboard 200 in 2014. It became the best-selling K-pop album and the highest-charting K-pop album on the Billboard album chart up to that point. The group split in November 2016 but got back together to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2022. Then the group embarked on the "Welcome Back Tour" and has sold out every show in its Asian stops. Newcastle are also scheduled to play Team K League, made up of star players from the South Korean league, on July 30 at Suwon World Cup StadiumJun 30, 2025By Yonhap
Jin of BTS redefines stardom as a 'human-centered asset' in content eraIn an age where mere talent and good looks are no longer enough to sustain long-term appeal, trustworthiness and relatability have emerged as the new benchmarks of stardom. Few embody this shift more convincingly than Jin of BTS, whose recent solo fan concert reaffirmed his standing as one of K-pop’s most beloved and enduring figures. Held on Saturday at Goyang Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province, Jin’s “RunSeokjin_EP. Tour in Goyang” was far more than a nostalgic fan event. Between his playful banter and familiar laughter, Jin revealed a deeper emotional resonance, inviting fans to reflect on the years he has quietly but steadily built his presence, not only as a performer but as a person. Jin’s continued popularity extends beyond BTS’ famously loyal fandom. His appeal lies in his embodiment of what today’s content-driven era values most: sincerity, stability and a carefully honed imperfection. Unlike the polished perfection of past celebrity ideals, Jin represents a new archetype, someone who allows space for vulnerability, evolves publicly without self-aggrandizement andJun 30, 2025By Hankookilbo
Australian rapper threatens lawsuit against K-pop's ALLDAY PROJECT, trashes genreAustralian rapper Allday, whose real name is Tomas Henry Gaynor, threatened legal action against K-pop band ALLDAY PROJECT, claiming trademark infringement and dismissing much of the genre as "shit." In a social media post on June 24, the rapper shared a screenshot of a news article about the group, defending his ownership of his name and taking a swipe at K-pop. "People keep asking me about this," he wrote. "I have a trademark on the name Allday. Maybe I don't have 20 billion streams like that kpop shit which mostly sucks by the way. But I do exist and own the trademark to my name. Prepare for the greatest legal battle of all time." According to The Music, an Australian music outlet, the rapper registered the trademark for his stage name in Australia in June 2021. The filing reportedly covers digital music, recordings, vinyl, merchandise, live entertainment and related content. He claimed online that the trademark extends to the United States. Despite his sweeping insults, Gaynor followed up with a video offering a bizarre concession, Saturday, stating that he would drop the lawsuit ifJun 29, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
