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
ATEEZ, TXT and Stray Kids prove 4th-gen K-pop is still on ‘another level’Fifth-generation idols may be rising, but when it comes to the global music scene, the fourth generation of K-pop is still reigning supreme. Boy groups like ATEEZ, Tomorrow X Together (TXT), and Stray Kids continue to dominate with record-breaking performances, headline festival appearances and sold-out world tours. ATEEZ creates their own ‘golden hour’ ATEEZ recently hit a new career milestone by debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time with their latest track, "Lemon Drop," from their 12th mini album "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3," released June 13. The album also soared to No. 2 on the Billboard 200, proving the group’s growing influence in the global pop market. Their momentum has been years in the making. In 2023, ATEEZ became the first K-pop boy group to be invited to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where they wowed the crowd with their powerful stage presence and dynamic performance. ATEEZ’s success is far from over. They are scheduled to release "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3 ‘In Your Fantasy Edition," July 11, following the kickoff of their new world tourJun 28, 2025By Xportsnews
YENA to join BTS’ Jin as guest performer at solo fan concertSinger YENA will appear as a guest performer at BTS member Jin’s solo fan concert “RunSeokjin_EP. Tour in Goyang” on Saturday at the auxiliary stadium of Goyang Sports Complex. YENA recently featured on “Loser,” a track from Jin’s second mini album “Echo,” released on May 16. Their fresh chemistry, showcased in a previously released live clip, has sparked anticipation among fans for what the two artists will present together at the upcoming event. “Loser” is a playful duet that captures the dynamic of a couple that alternates between sweetness and everyday bickering. Jin and YENA’s musical synergy has drawn positive attention, with fans praising the blend of YENA’s signature bright tone and Jin’s vocals. YENA continues to expand her presence as a solo artist with a distinct sound and vibrant performances, often referred to as the “YENA genre.” Beyond music, she has also made notable appearances in television dramas and variety shows. Following solo concerts in Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo, Macau and Taiwan, YENA plans to continue engaging with fans through a varietyJun 27, 2025By Hankookilbo
A2O MAY breaks China’s hallyu ban with national music show debutA2O MAY, the new global girl group produced by former SM Entertainment CEO Lee Soo-man, has made a high-profile appearance on Chinese television, signaling a breakthrough in cultural exchange amid the lingering effects of the unofficial Korean Wave — or “hallyu” — ban. The group, composed of two Chinese Americans and three Chinese members, performed its second single “BOSS” on China Central Television’s (CCTV) popular music program “China Music Top Chart” on Wednesday. The show is resuming a new season after a yearslong hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic. A2O MAY’s participation is seen as a landmark moment, showcasing the group’s growing popularity in the Chinese market following their debut last December. Upon its release on April 25, “BOSS” debuted at No. 3 on the new songs chart of QQ Music, China’s largest streaming platform, and quickly rose to No. 1 for three consecutive days. The strong chart performance led to the group’s invitation to perform on “China Music Top Chart,” which regularly features high-profile artists. During the broadcast, theJun 27, 2025By Hankookilbo
Aespa signals 6th million-seller as ‘Dirty Work’ preorders top 1 millionK-pop girl group aespa is on track to score its sixth million-selling record, with preorders for its new single “Dirty Work” surpassing 1.01 million copies ahead of its release Friday, according to SM Entertainment. “Dirty Work,” a synth-driven dance track with cool vocal melodies and an empowering message, dropped at 1 p.m. Friday on major music platforms. The single follows aespa’s previous million-sellers, including “Girls,” “My World,” “Drama,” “Armageddon” and “We Fresh.” Known for launching popular short-form dance challenges, aespa incorporates a mix of bold and sultry choreography in “Dirty Work,” featuring individualized dance breaks and a powerful final chorus that highlights the group’s signature energy. The music video, also out Friday via the SMTOWN YouTube channel, was shot at Hyundai Steel’s Dangjin plant, adding a raw industrial edge to the video with massive equipment and a sprawling scrapyard as well as 225 extras. In the video, the members take on the roles of fierce resistance fighters who do not hesitate to carry out “dirty worJun 27, 2025By Hankookilbo
