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  • K-pop

    InterviewKATSEYE reflects on AMA wins as group prepares new release

    Girl group KATSEYE is having its moment. It recently swept all three of its nominations at the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) on May 25: New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for "Gnarly" and Breakthrough Pop Artist. "We never expected to go home with all three awards that night," Sophia said in a written interview with The Korea Times. For a group that debuted less than two years ago, the achievement marks an important milestone in the group's rapid rise. KATSEYE was formed through the 2023 competition reality show "The Debut: Dream Academy," and the members went through the K-pop trainee system, involving months of vocal and dance training under a survival format. Signed jointly under HYBE Labels and Geffen Records, the group debuted in August 2024 with its first EP "SIS (Soft Is Strong)," positioning itself as a bridge between the K-pop world and Western pop audiences. While KATSEYE was conceived as a global pop act, its connection to Korea remains strong. Korea is often among the first stops on the group's promotional schedule, and its members credit the country's music industry

    3 MIN READBy Pyo Kyung-min
    KATSEYE reflects on AMA wins as group prepares new release
  • K-pop

    'KPop Demon Hunters' singer EJAE to take World Cup opening stage

    2 MIN READBy Park Jin-hai
    'KPop Demon Hunters' singer EJAE to take World Cup opening stage
  • Shows & Dramas

    Are multiple seasons becoming the new norm for Korean dramas?

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    Are multiple seasons becoming the new norm for Korean dramas?
  • Shows & Dramas

    'His Man' creators return with Korea's first bisexual dating show

    2 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    'His Man' creators return with Korea's first bisexual dating show
  • K-pop

    BIGBANG unveils plans for world tour marking 20th anniversary

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    BIGBANG unveils plans for world tour marking 20th anniversary
  • K-pop

    Stray Kids' Han to drop solo digital single 'back to life'

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Stray Kids' Han to drop solo digital single 'back to life'
  • Films

    ReviewSpielberg returns to familiar territory with ‘Disclosure Day’

    2 MIN READBy Baek Byung-yeul
    Spielberg returns to familiar territory with ‘Disclosure Day’
  • Shows & Dramas

    From temple stays to TV: The rise of Korea's 'hip Buddhism'

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    From temple stays to TV: The rise of Korea's 'hip Buddhism'
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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

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BTS ARIRANG

BTS redefines 'Koreanness' in long-awaited full-group album 'Arirang'

Global K-pop sensation BTS said it wanted to keep Korean sentiment alive in its own way as it prepared to release the new studio album "Arirang," its first full-group project in nearly four years. The seven-member group will drop the 14-track set at 1 p.m. Friday in Korean time, marking its first group release since the anthology album "Proof" in June 2022 and all members completed their mandatory military service. The album takes its name from "Arirang," a beloved Korean folk song often described as an unofficial national anthem, and is billed by its label, BigHit Music, as capturing BTS' identity as a group that began in Korea, along with "the longing and deep love that lie within their hearts." Speaking in a written interview with the label ahead of the release, the team's front man RM said Korean elements were a natural anchor for the band's first group comeback in three years and nine months. "'Koreanness' is an important keyword that can bind the seven of us together, because it's where we started and what connects us to our roots," he said. "Rather than bringing in traditional mot

Mar 20, 2026By Yonhap
BTS redefines 'Koreanness' in long-awaited full-group album 'Arirang'
BTS ARIRANG

BTS chronology: From global breakthrough to Gwanghwamun comeback

When K-pop powerhouse BTS takes the stage for its comeback performance at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, Saturday, the moment is expected to carry significance beyond a typical return to the spotlight. More than a decade after debuting in small studios and modest concert venues, the seven members will perform in the symbolic center of the Korean capital — not only as returning superstars, but as artists whose rise has reshaped the scale and global reach of K-pop. The performance coincides with the release of "ARIRANG," BTS' first full-length studio album as a complete group in nearly four years and its first major collective activity following the completion of its members' mandatory military service. For fans and industry observers alike, the Gwanghwamun concert represents a key moment in BTS' trajectory, as well as a test of the group’s continued global drawing power. BTS — consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — debuted in June 2013 with the single album "2 Cool 4 Skool." At a time when the K-pop industry was bombarded with rookie groups, the group distin

Mar 20, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS chronology: From global breakthrough to Gwanghwamun comeback
K-pop

The Boyz members end contracts, but will go ahead with April concert

Nine members of K-pop group The Boyz have notified their agency, One Hundred Label, that they are terminating their exclusive contracts while still planning to move ahead with the group's concert in April. In a statement released Thursday, attorney Kim Moon-hee of Yulchon LLC, who represents nine members of the group, excluding New, said they have notified the group's agency on Feb. 10 that they were ending their exclusive contracts over what they described as “serious violations” of the agreement and an “irreparable breakdown” of trust. According to the statement, the contracts are therefore lawfully terminated and are no longer in effect. However, One Hundred Label later said it “cannot accept” the group’s notice of contract termination. Kim said the group decided to take action after the agency allegedly failed to pay members proper settlement amounts for all activities from July 2025 onwards despite having paid settlement funds through the second quarter of 2025. The attorney also claimed that although the artists repeatedly asked to review basic materials, including con

Mar 19, 2026By Hankookilbo
The Boyz members end contracts, but will go ahead with April concert
Shows & Dramas

Long-running travel show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?' returns with major revamp

MBC's "Welcome, First Time in Korea?," a long-running reality travel show, has returned after a thoughtful makeover, kicking off its fourth season this evening. The show has been a trailblazer for foreigner-led travel shows and one of network's flagship programs, charming viewers with real stories from international guests exploring Korea. It has delivered fun and cultural connection over more than 400 episodes, all with solid 3 percent average ratings. Breaking free from traditional trips, the new season opens its doors to anyone worldwide with an interest in Korea, allowing visitors to explore and share their journeys. The production team has handpicked unexpected figures to uncover Korea's hidden charms and reaffirm the show's enduring power. "We dropped 'invited' because fans — big names even — emailed us wanting in. After some 300 Zoom calls over six months, we selected those genuinely eager to travel Korea. The show will also introduce unique national traits, inviting hosts from each country to the studio," the show's producer Jeon Min-kyung said during an online press confere

Mar 19, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Long-running travel show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?' returns with major revamp
K-pop

Police to set up triple-layer barrier around BTS concert to counter terror threats

Police plan to set up three layers of barricades near the site of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert this weekend as part of preventative measures against potential terror threats, officials said Thursday. The barriers will be installed at 20 locations before the event kicks off Saturday at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul, where hundreds of thousands of fans and visitors are expected. Authorities have beefed up security around the area, with plans to deploy more than 6,700 police officers, including tactical units, on the day of the concert for crowd control and safety. Concertgoers will have to go through metal detectors at the site's 31 entrances, with police vowing zero tolerance for possession of dangerous items and acts of violence or terror. Acting National Police Agency chief Yoo Jae-seong inspected the site Thursday and called for preparations against possible terror threats, citing the recent Middle East conflict as a potential security factor.

Mar 19, 2026By Yonhap
Police to set up triple-layer barrier around BTS concert to counter terror threats
K-pop

BTS marks comeback with drone light show over New York's Brooklyn Bridge

K-pop supergroup BTS lit up the night sky over New York with a drone light show Wednesday (U.S. time) to mark its long-awaited comeback and the release of its fifth studio album, "ARIRANG." According to music industry sources, drones formed images, including "BTS" and the logo of its upcoming album "ARIRANG," the album's campaign phrase, "What is your love song?" and the number "7" for the group's members, in a 15-minute display over the Brooklyn Bridge. BTS is set to release the new album, its first as a full group in three years and nine months, on Friday and stage a free outdoor concert at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square the next day to mark the release. The group is scheduled to travel to the United States next week to perform at "Spotify x BTS: Swimside" in New York on Monday, followed by appearances on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on March 25 and 26.

Mar 19, 2026By Yonhap
BTS marks comeback with drone light show over New York's Brooklyn Bridge
K-pop

The Boyz seek contract termination, agency refuses

Most members of K-pop boy band The Boyz have demanded their exclusive contracts with their agency One Hundred be terminated, but on Thursday, it said it would not accept their request. Local law firm Yulchon, representing nine members, excluding New, said the same day that the group notified the agency on Feb. 10 of the desired termination, citing "serious breaches of contract" and an "irretrievable breakdown of trust." Attorney Kim Moon-hee said the agency has failed to pay the group's earnings for all activities since July 2025 and ignored repeated requests to provide settlement data, accusing it of neglecting basic management duties. Kim alleged One Hundred also withheld staff pay for months and failed to cover essential expenses for the group's activities, prompting the members to conclude they could "no longer continue under such conditions." One Hundred rejected the claims, saying the demand for contract termination was "unacceptable." The agency said it had signed the group on the condition that all 11 members would work together throughout the contract period. However, it noted t

Mar 19, 2026By Yonhap
The Boyz seek contract termination, agency refuses
K-pop

Culture ministry launches events highlighting Korean culture to coincide with BTS concert

The culture ministry said Thursday it will launch events promoting Korean culture across five national museums and the national library in Seoul, timed to coincide with BTS' comeback concert at the city center this weekend. The events, which begin Friday, will include exhibitions, hands-on experiences and performances designed to connect Korean culture with the global K-pop sensation. The septet is scheduled to perform at Gwanghwamun Square at 8 p.m. Saturday to mark the release of its new album, "ARIRANG," and the concert is expected to draw some 260,000 people to the area, including 22,000 ticket holders. As part of the initiative, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) will run an English-language guided program for international visitors titled "MMCA: Meet the K-Art" until April 19. Its Seoul gallery will also feature "BTS Sound Cube," a large outdoor media installation playing the band's music through projection mapping. The National Folk Museum will run a special program titled "K-Culture Folk Experience with BTS" through April 30, featuring traditional Korean fo

Mar 19, 2026By Yonhap
Culture ministry launches events highlighting Korean culture to coincide with BTS concert
BTS ARIRANG

BTS says is 'thrilled' ahead of Gwanghwamun comeback show

K-pop megastar BTS said Thursday it is "thrilled" to meet fans again ahead of the concert in central Seoul to mark its long-awaited return, expressing gratitude to public officials working to ensure the event's safety. The septet is scheduled to perform at Gwanghwamun Square at 8 p.m. Saturday to mark the release of its new album, "ARIRANG." As the concert is expected to draw some 260,000 people to the area — far exceeding 22,000 ticket holders, the band called for fans' cooperation in maintaining order and safety. "Since many people will be gathering, we ask that everyone enjoy the show safely," leader RM wrote on K-pop fan community platform Weverse. "Please follow the instructions of staff and security personnel. I believe that the respect and consideration of each fan make for a better performance." He added: "We are sincerely grateful to police officers, firefighters, officials from the central and local authorities and everyone who is working to ensure safety." Eldest member Jin also wrote, "Thanks to the many people who helped and supported us, we're able to hold our comeback sho

Mar 19, 2026By Yonhap
BTS says is 'thrilled' ahead of Gwanghwamun comeback show
K-pop

After Heeseung's exit, ENHYPEN at crossroads as it enters 7th year

K-pop group ENHYPEN is facing an unexpected turning point six years after its debut, following the departure of a member and the team’s subsequent reorganization. The sudden exit of Heeseung, the group’s main vocalist and one of its most popular members, has delivered a major shock to both the band and its fandom. For fans, the blow has been even harder since the decision was not framed as a temporary suspension of activities, but as a full departure and a pivot to a solo career. Belift Lab, the group's label, said the move came after “extensive discussions about the group’s direction and each member’s future.” In a handwritten letter, Heeseung expressed both his affection for the group and his thoughts about his own musical path. Many fans say they are still struggling to make sense of the decision, arguing that the agency offered too little explanation and that the abrupt timing and manner with which the announcement was made only worsened the emotional fallout. What it means for ENHYPEN in its seventh year Heeseung’s departure means more than just the loss of one member.

Mar 19, 2026By Hankookilbo
After Heeseung's exit, ENHYPEN at crossroads as it enters 7th year
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