[Graphic News] 9 in 10 BTS fans motivated to study Korean

More than 9 in 10 overseas BTS fans have studied Korean, with their love for the group cited as the main motivation, a recent survey shows. The Multicultural Convergence Research Institute surveyed fans from 69 countries and found that 93.4 percent had learned Korean, mostly at the beginner level. Only 7.8 percent attended in-person classes, with most using apps and online videos. Over half had studied for less than a year, with 54 percent aiming for TOPIK 4 level proficiency, which is high inte

Feb. 27, 2026

Exo achieves 8th million-seller with “Reverxe”

Exo has added another milestone to its career with its eighth million-selling album. The group’s eighth LP, “Reverxe,” released on Jan. 19, surpassed 1 million cumulative copies sold as of the morning of Jan. 26, making it the group's eighth album to do so. Since first reaching the milestone with its 2013 first LP “XOXO (Kiss & Hug),” the group has consistently delivered strong album sales, solidifying its status as one of K-pop’s leading acts. The main track “Crown” drew attention for its signa

Feb. 26, 2026

Nmixx drops new single

Nmixx published a new single on Thursday, “Tic Tic Feat. Pabllo Vittar,” JYP Entertainment has announced. The six-member group brought the song to the stage for the first time at Carnival in Sao Paulo earlier this month. The fast-paced Latin pop number is its second collaboration with Brazilian drag queen and musical artist Pabllo Vittar. The group's Lily also participated in writing the lyrics that champion living life to the fullest. On Wednesday, Nmixx took to the stage in Chile at Festival d

Feb. 26, 2026

Cortis goes retro in new teaser

Cortis announced Thursday that it will share lyrics of a side track from its upcoming album through a typing practice program. The group is set to bring out a new album in April, including “YoungCreatorCrew,” which the group unveiled when it headlined the NBA Crosscover Concert Series earlier in February in Los Angeles. The rookie boy band also joined the lineup for the halftime show at the NBA All Star Celebrity Game. The US gigs, boosted by the group's participation on the soundtrack for Holly

Feb. 26, 2026

Ive ‘graduates’ with 2nd LP release

The six members of Ive invited fans to a “graduation party,” shared via its YouTube channel Wednesday. The girl group has been releasing a series of graduation-themed content in celebration of both Leeseo turning 20 and the group dropping its second full album. “We are having a graduation ceremony signifying that we will be reborn as new ‘Ive,’” Gaeul explained, with the six of them dressed in school uniforms. The group released second LP “Revive+” on Monday and will perform main track “Blackhol

Feb. 26, 2026

Enhypen drops live clip for 'No Way Back'

Enhypen uploaded a music video for “No Way Back (Feat. So!YoON!)” on Wednesday. It is a live clip for the B-side track from the group's seventh EP “The Sin: Vanish,” giving fans another look and listen to the alternative R&B tune that portrays mixed feelings at the start of running away. The video for the collaboration with indie rock band Se So Neon’s vocalist Hwang Soyoon was unveiled earlier this month. The EP, released last month, entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2 and is now in its fifth co

Feb. 26, 2026

Min Hee-jin offers to give up $17.9m payout if Hybe ends legal fights

Min Hee-jin, current Ooak Records CEO and the former head of Ador who created the girl group NewJeans, has proposed that Hybe drop all ongoing civil and criminal litigation and bring their dispute to a close. In return, she offered to forgo the 25.6 billion won ($17.9 million) put option payment she is set to receive following her recent court victory against Hybe, framing the offer as an effort to resolve the protracted conflict. When contacted by The Korea Herald, Hybe declined to comment on M

Feb. 25, 2026

P1Harmony teases March comeback

P1Harmony confirmed its pending return with a trailer video for the group's ninth EP, released through FNC Entertainment on Wednesday. The teaser clip began with a leaflet looking for the bandmates who have been hiding under the radar, ending with hints that the “heroes” are coming out of their hiatus. The group of six is set to release the mini album on March 12, about 10 months since previous EP “Duh.” After the success of the eighth EP, which sold over 440,000 copies in a week, P1Harmony brou

Feb. 25, 2026

Katseye extends streak on Billboard 200

Katseye added another week to its run on the Billboard 200, making it to 34 weeks on the main albums chart with second EP “Beautiful Chaos.” Ranking at No. 52, down four rungs from the previous week, having peaked at No. 4, the mini album charted the longest run for a girl group’s album released in 2025. The group’s first EP “SIS (Soft Is Strong)” reentered the chart at No. 192, tallying nine weeks in total. A side track from the second set, “Gabriela,” has spent 35 consecutive weeks on the Glob

Feb. 25, 2026

Exo’s Chinese pop-up events drew 600,000 fans

Exo partnered with Chinese music platform QQ Music and wrapped up a series of pop-up events at shopping complexes in China with images of its eighth studio album “Reverxe.” The monthlong events were held in 13 cities nationwide, adding five to meet its fans’ demands, and attracted more than 600,000 visitors, the group’s label SM Entertainment said Wednesday. The bandmates visited Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen earlier this month and had autograph and photo sessions to thank fans in China. The gr

Feb. 25, 2026

Tickets for BTS world tour cinema screenings go on sale, sell out fast in Korea

Ticket sales for the cinema broadcast of BTS's upcoming world tour opened Wednesday, with screenings in South Korea selling out in minutes. The live viewings, which beam full-length concerts into movie theaters for audiences to watch in real time, will cover two dates from the group's "Arirang" world tour: the April 11 gig in Goyang, South Korea and the April 18 gig in Tokyo. Both will be broadcast live as the group performs, with some regions receiving a delayed feed to account for time differe

Feb. 25, 2026

SHINee’s Taemin breaks away from agency

Taemin of SHINee has severed ties with agency Big Planet Made Entertainment, according to the company on Tuesday. Although the agency only said that their exclusive contract had come to an end, a local media outlet reported earlier in the day that the musician strongly demanded the revocation of the contract. He signed with the company less than two years ago, having parted ways with SM Entertainment after 16 years. Another local news outlet said that Taemin has been partially paying the salarie

Feb. 25, 2026

Ryan Tedder calls working BTS’ new album one of the most incredible projects of his career

Ryan Tedder — front man of American pop-rock band OneRepublic and a Grammy-winning producer — revealed during the band's Seoul show on Monday that he participated in BTS' upcoming album "Arirang," set for release on March 20. “Most recently, I did a lot of work on the upcoming BTS album,” Tedder said. “It absolutely blew me away how talented they were, and I think it’s honestly one of the craziest things I’ve worked on in my whole career. I know you’re going to love it.” Tedder has written hits

Feb. 24, 2026

Could 'Deadline' be Blackpink’s final release under YG?

Blackpink’s upcoming EP “Deadline” may become the group’s last release as a full unit under YG Entertainment, with industry insiders suggesting the quartet’s group contract could expire as early as this year. YG Entertainment on Tuesday unveiled a teaser for the EP’s main track “Go” ahead of the album’s Friday release. "Deadline” marks Blackpink’s first album in about three years and five months. The five-track EP includes “Jump,” which was prereleased in July. Unlike the typical promotional cyc

Feb. 24, 2026

Apink celebrates 15 years with nostalgic, high-energy ‘The Origin’ concert

Apink marked its 15th debut anniversary with a sweeping celebration of its career at Jangchung Arena in central Seoul on Saturday and Sunday, proving why the group is among K-pop’s most long-standing girl groups. The sold-out “The Origin: Apink” concert unfolded as a curated journey through the quintet’s history, blending nostalgia with polished live vocals and tightly coordinated choreography. Sunday’s show opened with a recreation of the group’s 2011 debut teaser film, instantly transporting f

Feb. 24, 2026