Advertisement
Advertisement
-
K-Pop /

Bands

Related Topics:
NCT
BTS
Blackpink
South Korean K-pop group Stray Kids perform in Seoul, South Korea, in 2022. In his new book, “Almost Everything You Need to Know About K-pop”, Choi Jung-kiu gives a primer on how Korea’s music industry has evolved beyond catchy melodies to become “a meticulously designed value chain”. Photo: AFP
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop-loving business expert breaks down the systems that drive the industry

Choi Jung-kiu’s new book analyses K-pop’s working parts using examples drawn from active idol groups, recent releases and everyday practices.

South Korea

BTS are back! A new album and tour are coming after their military service

TV shows and streaming video

KPop Demon Hunters pop-up proves huge hit in Seoul. Next up is Hong Kong

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Why the ‘King of K-pop’ Lee Soo-man is looking at the China market

The founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo-man talks about his Amazon biography, K-pop in China, and his latest band A2O May.

videocam
Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment, is known as the “King of K-pop”. Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment, is known as the “King of K-pop”. Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop stars BTS announce new album and world tour to come in 2026

BTS are set to return with an album that will ‘reflect each member’s thoughts and ideas’ and a world tour, their first in nearly four years.

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

All about K-pop giants BTS as last member finishes up military service

BTS’ seven members are expected to reunite later this year. Before they do, we examine their global impact, records and advocacy journey.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Music

BTS Army celebrate group’s return by helping South Korean adoptees

As BTS return from military service, the Army fandom launches a project to help adoptees reconnect with or learn about their birth families.

BTS members RM (right) and V salute their fans in Chuncheon, South Korea after finishing 18 months of military service, on June 10, 2025. Photo: AFP
BTS members RM (right) and V salute their fans in Chuncheon, South Korea after finishing 18 months of military service, on June 10, 2025. Photo: AFP
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Will BTS make a comeback with members’ military service nearly over?

Four more members of superstar Korean boy band finish their compulsory military service this week, raising fans’ hopes they’ll perform again.

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Teen ex-member of K-pop girl group sues alleging abuse, exploitation

JYP USA is being sued for child labour law violations, abuse and exploitation by Kiera Grace Madder, formerly of K-pop girl group VCHA.

videocam
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

(G)-IDLE rebrand as I-dle and release new six-track album We Are

The K-pop girl group say they will no longer be defined by labels like ‘girl’ or ‘gender’ and that We Are marks ‘another leap forward’.

videocam
(G)I-DLE - now called I-dle - perform at the 9th Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards in Seoul, South Korea, on January 8, 2020. Photo: Getty Images
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop’s BoyNextDoor on new EP No Genre, their coming Lollapalooza debut

BoyNextDoor, defying genre norms with their new EP, talk about putting ‘honesty’ in their songs, their dream stage and defining an era.

videocam
From left: Taesan, Sungho, Jaehyun, Leehan, Riwoo and Woonhak of BoyNextDoor. They talk about putting “honesty” in their songs, their dream stage and defining an era. Photo: courtesy of KOZ Entertainment
From left: Taesan, Sungho, Jaehyun, Leehan, Riwoo and Woonhak of BoyNextDoor. They talk about putting “honesty” in their songs, their dream stage and defining an era. Photo: courtesy of KOZ Entertainment
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Soft power at heart of China-South Korea thaw, with benefits for K-pop fans

Chinese fans of K-pop, K-dramas and Korean beauty products no longer need unofficial channels. Korean tourists relish easier entry to China.

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

British boy band dearAlice’s journey from K-pop novices to idols

Recruited through a BBC reality-TV series, dearAlice members confess they knew little about K-pop before they began their training in Seoul.

videocam
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop boy band Re:wind talk about chasing their dreams for a second time

Eddie, Elaya and Lei had all auditioned and trained in Korea to be idols before leaving the industry, only to return to it and join Re:wind.

videocam
Re:wind members Elaya, Eddie and Lei each spent time in Korea chasing their K-pop dreams before returning to the US. Now they have returned to the music industry. Photo: Re:wind
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

As famous as BTS? Meet Plave, virtual K-pop boy band made up of 2D avatars

Plave, a record-breaking virtual group blending human motion-capture with two-dimensional avatars, are aiming for global fame like BTS.

An image of K-pop virtual boy band Plave posted to Instagram in March to mark their second anniversary. Plave are aiming for global fame like BTS. Photo: Instagram/plave_official
An image of K-pop virtual boy band Plave posted to Instagram in March to mark their second anniversary. Plave are aiming for global fame like BTS. Photo: Instagram/plave_official
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Mainland China to host first K-pop concert since ‘K-wave ban’ began in 2016

Epex’s concert in Fuzhou on May 31 is raising expectations that Beijing may ease restrictions on K-pop culture in mainland China.

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

‘Extremely risky’ for NJZ, formerly NewJeans, to pursue new direction

Lawyers raise concerns as the K-pop girl group – due to perform in Hong Kong in March – remain mired in lawsuits with Hybe Labels’ Ador.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Exo gear up for full group comeback as Kai completes military service

With member Kai’s military service complete, a full group comeback is on the cards once Sehun completes his duty in September.

A full group comeback is on the cards for Exo, once Sehun completes his military service on September 20. Photo: SM Entertainment
A full group comeback is on the cards for Exo, once Sehun completes his military service on September 20. Photo: SM Entertainment
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Surprise for G-Dragon fans as bandmate reveals star’s concert return

‘G-Dragon’s concert is in March,’ Daesung of BigBang tells crowd during a show by fellow bandmate Taeyang. It will be his first in 8 years.

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop group Oneus members reflect on new album Dear.M and look back

Oneus members talk about competing in two seasons of the Road to Kingdom reality show and how the Dear.M album is a thank you to their fans.

videocam
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Baby V. O. X, 2NE1, BigBang … older K-pop faves are coming back

K-pop legends like 1990s girl group Baby V. O. X, 2NE1, BigBang and GFriend have been making highly successful returns to the stage.

videocam
K-pop girl group 2NE1 on stage in Seoul during a reunion concert in October 2024. The girl group is one of many older K-pop acts getting back together after years of inactivity. Photo: Instagram/2ne1official
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop boy group GOT7 to make 2025 comeback, release new album

GOT7’s leader Jay B announces the 7-member K-pop group will reunite in January 2025 and issue an album, says ‘we’re working hard’.

K-pop group GOT7 (pictured) will make a comeback in January 2025 featuring all seven members, and release a new album. Photo: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
K-pop group GOT7 (pictured) will make a comeback in January 2025 featuring all seven members, and release a new album. Photo: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Illit become top K-pop rookie act of 2024, sweeping multiple awards

Despite ongoing controversy, with NewJeans’ ex-producer alleging plagiarism, Illit have claimed the title of 2024’s top K-pop rookie act.

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop group (G)I-DLE to renew contracts, Aespa’s rise continues

(G)I-DLE get over their 7-year itch, and win record of the year at MMAs, where girl group Aespa take 7 prizes and TWS win rookie of the year.

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

If K-pop’s Seventeen are ‘textbook’ excellent, why aren’t they dominating?

Seventeen balance charm and edge, are excellent ‘across the board’ – but critics say they are not unique and lack a universally beloved song.

videocam
Seventeen on stage during the 8th Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards in 2019 in Seoul, South Korea. While the K-pop group are popular in South Korea, they are not as famous as BTS and Stray Kids in the US. Photo: Getty Images
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW