Why K-pop stars are getting backup careers — from dog groomers to insurance agentsBehind the glamour of South Korea's entertainment industry, an increasing number of celebrities are preparing for life beyond the spotlight. Facing the uncertainty of careers that can change overnight, several K-pop idols and TV personalities have recently drawn attention for earning professional certifications and building alternative careers — from pet grooming and beauty services to insurance consulting and fitness instruction. The trend has resonated with many young Koreans, who often discuss "backup plans" and career diversification on social media amid growing economic uncertainty. Former Secret member Jun Hyo-seong recently revealed that she obtained a pet care certification. Appearing on comedian Kim Sook's YouTube channel, June 15, Jun said she began considering what she might do if she ever left the entertainment industry. "I earned a pet care manager certification," she said. "I started thinking about what I would do if I were no longer an entertainer, and I realized I wanted to do something that helps animals." Red Velvet member Joy is pursuing a similar path. During a recent1d agoBy Xportsnews
EJAE celebrates ‘extraordinary’ World Cup experience with fiancéEJAE is celebrating a major career milestone with her future husband by her side. The Korean American singer-songwriter shared a series of photos from her trip to Mexico City following her performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, including a snapshot with her fiancé, Sam Kim. “Such an extraordinary experience! Mexico City, you are beautiful,” EJAE wrote alongside the Instagram post on Wednesday. In one photo, the couple press their cheeks together while posing at Estadio Azteca, offering fans a rare glimpse into their relationship just months before their wedding. EJAE and Kim are set to tie the knot in November. EJAE took the stage at Estadio Azteca during the World Cup’s opening festivities, joining Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli for a performance of “DNA,” the tournament’s official anthem. David Guetta and Megan Thee Stallion also appear on the recorded track, while EJAE contributed Korean lyrics to the song. The singer also drew attention for wearing sneakers during the performance rather than dress shoes, reportedly to help minimize damage to the stadium’2d agoBy Hankookilbo
Recognition or sidelining? Reactions mixed as Grammys unveil Asian pop categoryThe Grammy Awards will add a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, a move read as recognition of Asian music's global reach after years of criticism that the show favored English-language acts and lagged behind the times. The Recording Academy, which runs the Grammys, announced the rule change on its website Tuesday (local time). The new category takes effect at the 69th Grammy Awards next year, alongside four others — Best Latin Song, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance and Best Traditional Folk Album. For Korea, the Asian pop category was the most welcome news of the bunch. BTS and other K-pop acts have topped Billboard's main chart and sold out world tours for years, yet the Grammys remained the one stage they could not crack. Because Grammy wins were especially hard to come by, some saw the change as a milestone cracked open by years of persistent knocking from K-pop music. "Now that there is finally a category where K-pop artists can be officially recognized, it opens the door for far more artists to enter the conversation tJun 18, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
ENHYPEN returns as 6-member group after major lineup changeAfter months of speculation following a member's departure, K-pop boy group ENHYPEN is set to make its first comeback as a six-member act. ENHYPEN — Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo and Ni-ki — will release a new album in August, marking the group's return to the music scene after seven months. The upcoming release will be ENHYPEN's first since its seventh EP, "THE SIN : VANISH," which came out in January and further cemented the group's global popularity. The comeback is drawing particular attention because it will be the group's first promotional cycle since Heeseung, now known by the stage name EVAN, left the group in March. The lineup change sparked widespread discussion among fans, making the August return one of the most closely watched K-pop comebacks of the second half of the year. ENHYPEN previously achieved its fourth double-million-selling album with "THE SIN : VANISH." The release also spent 10 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200, Billboard's main albums chart in the United States, underscoring the group's growing international reach. Industry sources said the groupJun 18, 2026By Xportsnews
U-Know Yunho of TVXQ announces 1st solo concert tour across AsiaU-Know Yunho has been anchoring packed stadium shows for the last 20 years as one-half of the seminal K-pop duo TVXQ!. Now, the veteran K-pop star is stepping into the spotlight entirely on his own, announcing a highly anticipated solo concert tour that signals a new chapter in a remarkably enduring career. His agency, SM Entertainment, unveiled Thursday the itinerary of the tour, titled “U-KNOW PROJECT 26 : SCENE#1.” The announcement immediately ignited a flurry of excitement across social media platforms, underscoring the singer’s continuous draw in an industry notorious for its rapid turnover of talent. The tour is scheduled to open in Seoul with a three-night residency at the Ticketlink Live Arena in Olympic Park from July 17-19. Demonstrating his formidable power as a standalone act, tickets for all three initial dates sold out immediately upon release. Following the Seoul engagement, the 40-year-old artist will embark on a sweeping regional tour across seven major Asian markets. The itinerary includes stops in Macau on Aug. 8, Singapore on Aug. 15, Bangkok on Aug. 29, TaipeiJun 18, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
BTS expands world tour to 88 shows, adding Jakarta, BulacanBTS has added two concerts to its ongoing “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG,’” expanding the trek to a total of 88 performances, the group said through global fan platform Weverse. The newly announced dates include additional shows in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Dec. 29 and in Bulacan, the Philippines, on March 16 next year. The Jakarta stop had originally been scheduled for Dec. 26 and 27 at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, but demand prompted organizers to add a third night on Dec. 29, according to the announcement. In Bulacan, the group had been set to perform on March 13 and 14 at Philippine Sports Stadium before adding the March 16 concert. The latest additions continue a series of expanded stops across the tour as BTS draws strong demand in multiple markets. The group previously added one extra performance each in Tampa, Florida; Stanford, California; and Las Vegas in the United States, as well as in Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Melbourne, Australia. BTS recently completed its stop at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Friday and Saturday, performing for approximatelyJun 18, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Boy group CORTIS' 'RedRed' tops 100 mil. Spotify streamsRising rookie boy group CORTIS has surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify with its latest hit "RedRed," its agency said Thursday. The track, the lead single from the group's second EP, "GreenGreen," crossed the milestone Tuesday, just 57 days after its release on April 20, according to BigHit Music. With the feat, the quintet became the fastest K-pop boy group that debuted within five years to hit 100 million streams, according to the agency. The group has performed "RedRed" at a range of venues, including university festivals and a street cheering event for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square. Riding the track's popularity, Cortis has sold out all nine dates of the Incheon and North American legs of its first tour, according to the agency. After North America, the group is scheduled to continue the tour in Seoul and Yokohama, Japan, until early September.Jun 18, 2026By Yonhap
USPEER returns with revamped lineup on 1st mini albumRookie K-pop girl group USPEER dropped its first mini album, "BITE DISTRICT," Wednesday, about a year after debuting with "SPEED ZONE." The six-member group — Soee, Sian, Seoyu, Daon, Chaena and Roa — met with press just hours before the release at Myeonghwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo District, southern Seoul, to talk about the new album and behind-the-scenes stories. "It's been a year, so this feels less like a comeback and more like a redebut," Chaena said. "We worked hard to show a different side of ourselves that fits the new concept." "I want to thank everyone who waited for us," Daon said. "I'm excited and a little nervous." The girl group debuted last June as a septet, but the lineup changed to six in May when the group's former leader, Yeowon, left the team. Agency MW Entertainment said Yeowon had been taking time to rest and recover since the second half of last year, and the two sides agreed she would end her activities with USPEER. "Yeowon left for personal reasons," Sian said. "I was elected leader right after she stepped down, and it was difficult at first. I thought thatJun 17, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Former Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram pursues acting careerKim Ga-ram, who departed girl group Le Sserafim four years ago amid school bullying allegations, is pursuing an acting career. According to Management Koo, it has signed an exclusive contract with Kim, who aspires to become an actor. “We have watched Kim’s YouTube activities and were deeply impressed by her sincere attitude and potential as an actor,” the agency said in a statement. “Her relentless daily efforts toward her dream played a major role in our decision.” Kim, 21, debuted as a member of Le Sserafim in May 2022 but suspended activities two weeks later after school bullying allegations surfaced. A school violence review committee found her to have been a perpetrator and issued a Level 5 disciplinary measure, which required the student to complete a special disciplinary program geared toward correcting violent behavior. Kim left the group in July 2022, and her contract with her then-agency Source Music, under HYBE Labels, was terminated. Management Koo said Kim has been training to sharpen her acting skills and has shown notable growth in a short period. It added that shJun 17, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Hyeri slams online body shaming, strict beauty standardsActress and Girl's Day member Hyeri pushed back against recent online body shaming, questioning why strict physical standards are equated with professionalism. The response, posted Tuesday on a fan platform, revealed her feelings as she addressed a barrage of online comments on her appearance. "Actually, I like myself, but the people watching might think it is unprofessional," Hyeri said. "But I don't know why one must absolutely be slim to look professional, but still, if 'Hyerumi' (her fandom) wants it, I will try hard. Exercising healthily." Emphasizing her point, she said, "All of us are beautiful just the way we are." The online comments followed the kickoff of her Asia meet-and-greet tour, held Saturday at Ewha Womans University's Samsung Hall in Seoul, where she showcased various dance numbers. As footage of the fan meeting spread online, critics claimed a specific outfit highlighted her midriff, sparking intense scrutiny over her physique and widespread body shaming. With some internet users accusing her of failing to maintain her physical appearance, Hyeri tackled the criticism heJun 17, 2026By Hankookilbo
