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South Korea investigates BTS ticket scalping after nearly 1,900 illegal listings detected
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Why did Heeseung leave Enhypen?
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Heeseung to leave Enhypen
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Wealthier overseas fans reshape power dynamics in K-pop
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Enhypen’s Jungwon to feature on Japanese film soundtrack
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BTS returns — and so does Army
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Is a new K-pop power map emerging in 2026?
South Korea’s K-pop industry may be entering a new phase of competition in 2026, as several prominent producers and entertainment companies prepare to launch new boy bands in the first half of the year. The renewed attention comes as veteran producer Lee Soo-man reached the end of a three-year noncompete agreement in late February, following his departure from SM Entertainment in 2023. With Lee expected to return to the Korean market with a new boy band, industry observers say the coming months
March 13, 2026 -
Hybe’s Latin boy band Santos Bravos releases first EP ‘Dual’
Latin boy band Santos Bravos released its first EP, “Dual,” on Friday, marking the group’s first new music in about two months, according to Hybe Latin America on the same day. According to the label, the six-track album highlights the group’s contrasting musical styles, blending genres such as reggaeton, Brazilian funk and club-inspired sounds. The lead track, “Mhm,” is a Latin pop song built on soft synths and percussion, paired with the group's warm vocals. The song captures the excitement of
March 13, 2026 -
BTS gives fans taste of new album ‘Arirang’
A snippet of BTS’ soon-to-be-released album, “Arirang,” was unveiled Friday. A sliver of animated film set in the 19th century shows seven young men gathered in front of a gramophone, which winds up to play the Korean traditional song “Arirang.” They then cross the Pacific Ocean, recording and singing songs before the backdrop switches to BTS on stage, awashed in its signature color, purple. The final scene has the seven members standing tall in front of Gwanghwamun, where they are set to hail t
March 13, 2026 -
SF9 to mark 10 years with special album
SF9 is bringing out the special album “About Love” on March 25 to celebrate its tenth anniversary, agency FNC Entertainment said Friday. It will be the group’s first group effort in about a year, after its 15th EP “Love Race.” Inseong hinted at the new album last week. Wrapping up promotions for his first solo album, EP “Crossfade:,” he thanked fans for the support and asked them to keep their expectations high. The teaser clip for the new album only shows six members of the octet, however. Yoo
March 13, 2026 -
Global popularity encourages K-pop idols to go solo
Heeseung from K-pop boy group Enhypen recently surprised fans after he abruptly left the successful group and signed a new solo deal with the same agency, Belift Lab. In a statement announcing his departure, the company said, while discussing the group’s future, Heeseung had a clear musical vision he wished to pursue, and the agency chose to respect his choice. Heeseung is not alone. An increasing number of K-pop idols have been turning their attention to solo projects. Wonpil of the popular roc
March 12, 2026 -
J.Y. Park's next move?
J.Y. Park, founder of JYP Entertainment, has stepped down from his position as an internal board director at the company, a role he had held for nearly 15 years, the agency said Tuesday. While Park will retain his title as chief creative officer, the move appears aimed at easing his corporate responsibilities so he can focus more on his role as co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange. In a statement, JYP Entertainment said, "He plans to focus on his creative work as an
March 12, 2026 -
Short-form platforms push K-pop songs to get shorter
Short-form video platforms are increasingly reshaping the structure of K-pop songs, with brief moments designed as viral hooks often determining a track’s success. In the past, the overall flow and musical development of a three- or four-minute track were key factors in determining a song’s success. Today, however, a roughly 15-second viral hook — the segment most likely to spread through short-form videos and dance challenges — can make or break a song’s popularity. As a result, the average run
March 12, 2026 -
Seventeen’s Vernon and The 8 to form new unit, album expected in June
Vernon and The 8 of K-pop boy band Seventeen are preparing to debut a new subunit this summer, according to Pledis Entertainment on Thursday. Pledis said the two artists are working on a unit album with a target release of June and are participating in the album's production. Vernon, one of the group’s rappers, has consistently taken part in songwriting and composing since Seventeen’s debut in 2015. In 2024, he became a member of the Korea Music Copyright Association in recognition of his contin
March 12, 2026 -
NexZ to tour Japan from May
Boy group NexZ will take to the stage in Japanese arenas in May and June, label JYP Entertainment announced Thursday. It will be the group's second tour and its first time visiting such venues in Japan, where six of the members are originally from. The 2-year-old group will have two shows each in Tokyo and Osaka, on May 30-31 and on June 12-13, respectively. Its previous trip was held last summer, spanning 15 cities in Japan for 18 shows, through which it made its concert debut at Budokan in Tok
March 12, 2026 -
Stray Kids win big at Japan Gold Disc Awards
Stray Kids took home four awards at the 40th Japan Gold Disc Awards, according to the organizer on Thursday. The group won album of the year, best artist, music video of the year and was among the best 3 albums in Asia, scoring the most this year for an international artist. Stray Kids' third EP in Japan, “Hollow,” the group's first to be entirely made up of Japanese-language songs, was chosen as the album of the year and one of the best 3 Albums. Live Blu-ray documenting the group’s fan meetup
March 12, 2026 -
Alpha Drive One to host 1st showcase in Japan
Rookie boy group Alpha Drive One is set to hold its first showcase in Tokyo on March 13, agency WakeOne Entertainment said Thursday. The event will welcome approximately 1,000 fans to relive the success of its first EP, “Euphoria,” which was released in January. Although the group has yet to officially promote in Japan, its Korean debut album ranked No. 3 on Oricon’s Weekly and Weekly Combined Album Rankings. The mini album sold more than 1.44 million copies in its first week, the second most fo
March 12, 2026 -
Seventeen to launch another subunit: report
Seventeen's Vernon and The8 will form a duo subunit and drop an album in June, according to a local media report on Thursday. Vernon, one of the 13-member act's rappers, has helped write songs for the group since its debut. Last year, he became a member of The Recording Academy along with Woozi, which earned them votes for the 2026 Grammy Awards. The8, one of Seventeen's performers, released his first solo EP “Stardust” in native China in 2024. Vernon co-wrote the lyrics and melodies for the lea
March 12, 2026 -
Taemin signs with G-dragon’s agency, Galaxy Corporation
Taemin of SHINee has signed an exclusive contract with Galaxy Corp., an AI entertainment technology company home to G-Dragon, the agency announced Tuesday. "Galaxy Corp. has signed an exclusive contract with artist Taemin," the company said in a statement, Wednesday. "We will provide full support so that Taemin’s unique artistic capabilities can create synergy with our advanced technology." Galaxy Corp. describes itself as Korea’s first AI entertainment technology company, combining artificial i
March 11, 2026 -
South Korea investigates BTS ticket scalping after nearly 1,900 illegal listings detected
South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it had identified 1,868 suspected scalping listings tied to upcoming BTS concerts in Goyang and Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area after monitoring major online resale platforms. Authorities said four cases involving 105 tickets appeared to reflect organized attempts to resell seats at steep premiums, and those cases have been referred to the National Police Agency for investigation. According to data released by the ministry, the majority of susp
March 11, 2026 -
Yena returns with brighter, bolder take on love in 5th EP ‘Love Catcher’
Solo artist Yena returned Wednesday with a brighter, more self-assured take on love, unveiling her fifth EP, “Love Catcher,” a five-track release that blends playful energy with a more mature emotional perspective. At a press conference in southern Seoul, Yena introduced the album as a project that captures different shades of love through a mix of sounds and collaborations, from the punchy main track “Catch Catch” to softer, more reflective B-sides featuring renowned artists such as Dindin, Mrc
March 11, 2026