https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/327043/feed The Korean wave - or hallyu - has swept over the world. South Korea’s K-pop idols are now among the biggest celebrities in the world, with standout stars including BTS members Jungkook and Jimin, and Blackpink’s Lisa and Jennie en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg The Korea Times The Korea Times A former South Korean lawmaker has called for the abolition of the military exemption system granted to outstanding national athletes, arguing that military service should not be used as an incentive for achievements in sports or the arts. Yoo Seong-min’s remarks came amid controversy over comments made by members of South Korea’s men’s football team, who recently won its fourth consecutive Asian Games title, regarding the military benefits they received. South Korea defeated host Japan 1-0 on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3369761/if-bts-has-serve-why-are-south-korean-sportsmen-artists-exempt-ex-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3369761/if-bts-has-serve-why-are-south-korean-sportsmen-artists-exempt-ex-lawmaker?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 05:35:36 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre September may be one of the busiest months on the global art calendar, but October’s offerings are no less compelling. From BTS’ RM, who is opening his collection to the public in San Francisco, to exhibitions paying homage to the likes of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner, there is something for everyone whether you’re an art aficionado or a novice looking to discover the scene. Brâncuși: The Artist and His Studio Romanian artist Constantin Brâncuși, who rose to prominence in the first half of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3369186/7-must-visit-exhibitions-october-2026-bts-star-rms-collection-jackson-pollock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3369186/7-must-visit-exhibitions-october-2026-bts-star-rms-collection-jackson-pollock?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:05 +0000 Carla Thomas Carla Thomas Lalisa Manobal – better known to just about everyone on the planet as Lisa – has never been afraid to stand out. The Thai-born star smashed her way into the K-pop game as YG Entertainment’s first non-ethnically Korean star, broke records with girl group Blackpink and as a solo artist, and has since made the leap onto the small screen as an actress. Somewhere along the way, she’s also amassed a very cool watch collection. She has also become a fixture in the luxury fashion world, favouring chic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3368801/inside-blackpink-star-lisas-luxury-watch-collection-rolex-and-hermes-patek-philippe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3368801/inside-blackpink-star-lisas-luxury-watch-collection-rolex-and-hermes-patek-philippe?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Sep 2026 04:00:11 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee For a few seconds during Blackpink member Jennie’s headline set at Tokyo’s Summer Sonic festival last month, it looked like something had come undone. She turned away from the crowd, adjusted herself and then, the moment was gone. But online, the clip never disappeared – and more than 10 million views later, it has become the latest test of South Korea’s fight against AI-enabled sexual abuse. Fans were quick to cry deepfake, dissecting the footage frame by frame for signs of possible AI... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3366411/viral-jennie-clip-tests-limits-south-koreas-ai-deepfake-laws?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3366411/viral-jennie-clip-tests-limits-south-koreas-ai-deepfake-laws?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press South Korean police are pushing for an indictment of music tycoon Bang Si-hyuk, the chairman of the agency behind K-pop supergroup BTS, over alleged investor fraud. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency referred Bang to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office on Thursday, asking him to be indicted on a charge of violating the Capital Markets Act, according to the police agency and the prosecutor’s office. Police have been investigating Bang, the billionaire founder and chairman of Hybe,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3366240/south-korean-police-seek-tycoon-behind-k-pop-supergroup-bts-be-indicted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3366240/south-korean-police-seek-tycoon-behind-k-pop-supergroup-bts-be-indicted?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:21:01 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran At Tower Records in Tokyo’s Shibuya district earlier this month, fans flocked to a pop-up store set up for Filipino boy band SB19, buying exclusive merchandise including limited-edition CDs, T-shirts, stickers and phone straps. Due to overwhelming demand, the store ran for an additional five days. During the band’s tour in Japan, SB19 met fans in Yokohama and performed in Tokyo and Osaka during the Summer Sonic festival. Another Philippine act, the eight-member girl group BINI, made their debut... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3365661/can-southeast-asian-artists-replicate-k-pops-global-success-sea-pop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3365661/can-southeast-asian-artists-replicate-k-pops-global-success-sea-pop?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:00:08 +0000 Jennifer Lee Jennifer Lee https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3365521/bts-members-face-backlash-attending-chris-brown-concert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3365521/bts-members-face-backlash-attending-chris-brown-concert?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times Japanese influencer Gamix, who went viral for sobbing after Japan’s defeat at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, has sparked controversy after making a gesture widely considered racist towards East Asians while parodying Ateez member San’s viral “BAD” challenge. Gamix uploaded a video to his social media account on Thursday in which he recreated the choreography from Ateez’s “BAD”, a viral trend that has recently gained traction online. During the video, which displayed a photo of San at the bottom of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3364784/anger-over-japanese-influencer-gamixs-slant-eyed-jibe-k-pop-star-san?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3364784/anger-over-japanese-influencer-gamixs-slant-eyed-jibe-k-pop-star-san?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Aug 2026 06:07:32 +0000 Varvara Rodchenko Varvara Rodchenko Just days after Blackpink’s long-awaited 10th-anniversary reunion on August 8, a new name has become the talk of the K-pop world – Thai actor Blue Pongtiwat. The 26-year-old has been thrust into the global spotlight following a series of rumoured sightings with Lisa, sparking intense dating speculation that has captivated fans and critics alike. Thai newspaper Thairath reported that the two, who have been close friends for years, may have become romantically involved earlier this year. Adding to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3364657/meet-blue-pongtiwat-rising-thai-star-rumoured-be-dating-blackpinks-lisa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3364657/meet-blue-pongtiwat-rising-thai-star-rumoured-be-dating-blackpinks-lisa?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:19:28 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee For Asian musicians, the Grammy Awards represent the ultimate dream and recognition of success in the global music industry long dominated by their Western counterparts. When BTS, widely regarded as the world’s most famous Asian pop act, decided not to submit their music for consideration at next year’s Grammys in an apparent protest against the creation of a new best Asian pop music performance category, it created a dilemma for their K-pop and regional peers. Should K-pop and Asian pop artists... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3364070/does-k-pop-need-grammys-bts-boycott-reignites-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3364070/does-k-pop-need-grammys-bts-boycott-reignites-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Aug 2026 02:00:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Global K-pop sensation BTS said on Wednesday they will not submit their music for next year’s Grammy Awards, following the Recording Academy’s introduction of new categories that include the Best Asian Pop Music Performance. The South Korean megastars had been widely tipped to be in the running for several of the Grammys’ top honours, including Album of the Year, after their comeback album, Arirang, became one of this year’s bestselling hits. “We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year,”... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3362312/bts-pulls-out-grammys-after-asian-pop-category-introduction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3362312/bts-pulls-out-grammys-after-asian-pop-category-introduction?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:20:36 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee In an industry built on going global, K-pop’s freshest phenomenon has succeeded by doing the exact opposite: staying home. Rescene, a five-member girl group from little-known agency The Muze Entertainment, debuted in 2024 but largely flew under the radar until recently. Now, they are the talk of the town – chart-toppers, brand ambassadors and a name that is suddenly inescapable across South Korea. No stadium tours preceded their rapid ascent from relative obscurity. No Hybe-scale marketing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3361767/putting-k-back-k-pop-how-rescene-charmed-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3361767/putting-k-back-k-pop-how-rescene-charmed-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jul 2026 03:00:07 +0000 Judy Xue Judy Xue For many K-pop fans in South Korea, the hunt for concert tickets has turned into a high-stakes battle, one where logging on early is no longer enough and ordinary fans find themselves outmatched by organised resellers, bots and shadowy workarounds that can send prices soaring far beyond face value. Previous solutions have failed to rein in the problem, but the government is hoping that the threat of massive fines may finally free ticket seekers from the grips of predatory scalpers. From August... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3360219/south-korean-ticket-touts-face-music-when-new-penalties-come-play?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3360219/south-korean-ticket-touts-face-music-when-new-penalties-come-play?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Jul 2026 02:30:06 +0000 Peter Shadbolt Peter Shadbolt China’s sports industry generated roughly 3.7 trillion yuan (US$547 billion) in economic output in 2023, according to EMW Global. Spurred by a massive consumer desire for active experiences, sport has evolved into one of the most powerful brand engagement tools in the market. For younger Chinese consumers, fitness and outdoor pursuits are now inextricably tied to lifestyle and identity. This marks a decisive break from the past decade, when sport was largely spectated rather than lived – forcing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3358184/sports-marketing-evolves-chinese-consumers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3358184/sports-marketing-evolves-chinese-consumers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:00:12 +0000 CNA CNA Hotel bookings in Singapore are surging ahead of K-pop boy band BTS’ highly anticipated concerts in December, with some reporting demand jumping by as much as 50 times. The spike mirrors a broader trend across Asia, where cities on BTS’ tour schedule have recorded significant increases in accommodation searches. Some booking platforms reported search volumes rising by up to 10 times in certain concert destinations like Kaohsiung in Taiwan. All tickets for the Singapore leg of BTS’ Arirang tour... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3358041/singapore-hotel-rates-skyrocket-ahead-sold-out-bts-concerts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3358041/singapore-hotel-rates-skyrocket-ahead-sold-out-bts-concerts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:36:18 +0000 Sheena Khemaney Sheena Khemaney K-pop star Felix of Stray Kids pulled off a rugged, polished look at the Louis Vuitton fall/winter 2026 women’s ready-to-wear show in Paris in March. The Louis Vuitton ambassador, who joined the maison in 2023, spent the day looking incredibly stylish in a pair of light-wash jeans, a ribbed top and a black textured jacket. Here’s how these designer pieces can make you look like an off-duty style icon. Celine jacket Louis Vuitton bag Levi’s jeans Fendi necklace Scarosso x Warren Alfie Baker... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3354909/how-style-felix-stray-kids-paris-fashion-week-louis-vuitton-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3354909/how-style-felix-stray-kids-paris-fashion-week-louis-vuitton-show?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Oreo is teaming up with K-pop supergroup BTS for a bit of marketing dynamite that capitalises on a growing interest in global flavours. Mondelez, Oreo’s parent company, said on May 26 that BTS-themed Oreos will go on sale on June 1 online and on June 8 in stores. The cookies, which feature purple wafers in a nod to the band’s signature colour, will be sold in more than 80 markets around the world, making the partnership the brand’s biggest to date. BTS also designed 13 embossments for the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355025/oreo-and-bts-launch-purple-cookies-new-k-pop-collaboration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355025/oreo-and-bts-launch-purple-cookies-new-k-pop-collaboration?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 May 2026 07:15:05 +0000 The Star The Star As BTS concert tickets go on sale on June 3, Malaysian fans are already gearing up for what many describe as the ultimate online battlefield, one filled with scalpers, bots and eye-watering resale prices. For countless Armys, the official fandom of the global K-pop phenomenon, the excitement of finally seeing BTS return to Kuala Lumpur this December has quickly turned into anxiety over whether genuine fans will once again lose out to profiteers. BTS last performed in Malaysia in 2015. Diehard... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3355238/bts-fans-vs-bots-scalpers-army-girds-high-stakes-malaysia-ticket-battle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3355238/bts-fans-vs-bots-scalpers-army-girds-high-stakes-malaysia-ticket-battle?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 May 2026 02:03:24 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times South Korean religious groups, universities and public institutions are offering free or affordable accommodation options for BTS fans who have become targets of price gouging ahead of the supergroup’s June concerts in Busan, but supply remains limited, leaving many to stick with their existing plans. Busan is hosting BTS’ June 12 and 13 concerts as part of its “Arirang” world tour. As June 13 is also the K-pop group’s 13th debut anniversary and the first in many years after their historic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3355128/bts-fans-blast-obscenely-high-room-prices-ahead-busan-concerts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3355128/bts-fans-blast-obscenely-high-room-prices-ahead-busan-concerts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 May 2026 06:20:05 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times By Pyo Kyung-min Three years after their first full-length record, K-pop girl group Le Sserafim are ready to tell a different story about fear. The five-member group dropped Pureflow Pt.1, their second studio album, on May 22, built around a premise that inverts the group’s debut message. While the group’s first record declared strength through fearlessness, this one argues the opposite – that fear, faced directly, is what makes you stronger. “When we first debuted, the message was that we were... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3354760/new-album-pureflow-pt1-le-sserafim-are-facing-their-fears-and-are-stronger-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3354760/new-album-pureflow-pt1-le-sserafim-are-facing-their-fears-and-are-stronger-it?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2026 04:15:04 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung This is the 77th instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. If your radar picked up even a blip of K-pop in the mid-2010s, you probably encountered Jackson Wang Ka-yee long before you realised he was a Hong Kong native. To overseas fans, he was first known as the magnetic, mischievous rapper of Got7, a boy band that debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2014 and quickly amassed a loyal international following. Among the seven members, Wang was... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3354172/how-got7s-jackson-wang-went-hong-kong-fencing-prodigy-global-music-icon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3354172/how-got7s-jackson-wang-went-hong-kong-fencing-prodigy-global-music-icon?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 May 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan K-pop superstar G-Dragon’s decision to gift his long-serving staff members flats worth a combined total of hundreds of millions of won (around several hundred thousand USD) has sparked a frenzy among netizens, with some asking, “Are you still hiring?” Dubbed the “King of K-pop,” the 38-year-old singer Kwon Ji-yong, better known as G-Dragon in the entertainment industry, is one of the most popular stars in South Korea and across Asia. He is the leader of BigBang, one of the world’s bestselling... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3353205/are-you-still-hiring-k-pop-king-g-dragon-gifts-flats-long-serving-staff-causes-online-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3353205/are-you-still-hiring-k-pop-king-g-dragon-gifts-flats-long-serving-staff-causes-online-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 01:00:13 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee Every year for the past three years, Edward Sugiana has made the same pilgrimage from Vancouver to a memorial hall on the southern fringes of Seoul that has become one of K-pop’s most sacred and sorrowful sites. Inside a small private room, Post-it notes from fans cover the walls alongside flowers and photographs of the girl group Kara. Nearly seven years after her death, visitors continue to arrive to pay tribute to Goo Hara – a woman many never met, but whom thousands feel they lost. “At the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3352925/k-pop-moved-goo-hara-sulli-and-jonghyuns-suicides-fans-never-did?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3352925/k-pop-moved-goo-hara-sulli-and-jonghyuns-suicides-fans-never-did?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:12 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times There is a particular kind of calm that comes from having already been through it. Walking into a room with Naze, the seven-member K-pop boy band whose official Korean debut was released on May 4, that sense of calm is the first thing one notices. These are not nervous trainees – they are young men who have already stood on stages in Japan, filmed a prime-time TBS drama, recorded four original soundtracks and gone on a showcase tour before most Korean fans even knew their names. “We’ve already... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/k-drama/bands/article/3352348/how-k-pop-boy-band-nazes-multinational-members-found-natural-chemistry-debut-album?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/k-drama/bands/article/3352348/how-k-pop-boy-band-nazes-multinational-members-found-natural-chemistry-debut-album?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2026 09:15:04 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar When Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto recently visited Seoul for a state visit, one of the most memorable moments was a photo that he took with a 19-year-old Indonesian K-pop idol. Nyoman Ayu Carmenita, better known as Carmen of the girl group Hearts2Hearts, symbolises Indonesia’s ascendancy in the K-pop universe: no longer just a vast market for the genre’s stars, with the country increasingly playing a part in the industry’s global growth. Foreign Minister Sugiono said on April 22 that... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3352158/indonesias-aim-lure-more-k-pop-concerts-spurs-chorus-doubts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3352158/indonesias-aim-lure-more-k-pop-concerts-spurs-chorus-doubts?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Matthew Kim, better known to K-pop fans as BM or Big Matthew, just made his Hollywood acting debut starring in the latest season of Netflix’s acclaimed drama series Beef. Kim plays Woosh, a tennis coach who is covertly selling expensive Korean skincare to the women at the country club where he works. “[Beef] was acting school for me. The most prestigious acting school,” he told Marie Claire at the Los Angeles premiere of the show’s second season. “The information [I learned] through working... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351288/meet-matthew-kim-aka-k-pop-star-bm-who-plays-woosh-netflixs-beef-season-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351288/meet-matthew-kim-aka-k-pop-star-bm-who-plays-woosh-netflixs-beef-season-2?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:00:20 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times A joke made on a major US talk show has triggered backlash just as BTS prepares for a high-profile American television return – prompting a swift apology from a comedian caught at the centre of the controversy. Seth Herzog, a resident comedian on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, came under fire after making an improvised remark during a Wednesday taping. While warming up the audience, Herzog asked, “Anyone here from the North?” – a line reportedly intended as a general question about... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3347972/us-comedian-seth-herzog-apologises-over-offensive-bts-joke?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3347972/us-comedian-seth-herzog-apologises-over-offensive-bts-joke?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:14:49 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press All seven members log onto a live stream, broadcast from a beach. A few years ago, it would have been a common image. But since the K-pop boy band BTS pressed pause on their full-band duties for nearly four years, it is revelatory. That is the scene at the start of BTS: The Return, a new Netflix documentary directed by Bao Nguyen (The Stringer, The Greatest Night in Pop) and produced by This Machine (Martha, Karol G) and Hybe, the South Korean entertainment company behind BTS. The mostly... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3347781/netflix-documentary-bts-return-highlights-k-pop-kings-comeback-album?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3347781/netflix-documentary-bts-return-highlights-k-pop-kings-comeback-album?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:15:07 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times BTS member Jin’s absence from the credits of the group’s latest album has sparked a debate among fans after what has been seen as a tense moment during a live broadcast went viral. BTS held a full-group live stream last Friday to celebrate the release of their fifth full-length album, Arirang, where members discussed the production process and revealed some behind-the-scenes stories. During the broadcast, RM said, “Everyone’s colour is in the album”, before adding, “If Jin’s tour had ended a bit... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3347792/bts-fans-fume-over-jins-absence-arirang-credits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3347792/bts-fans-fume-over-jins-absence-arirang-credits?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 03:52:11 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Shares in BTS’ agency have plunged as much as 15 per cent after a heavily promoted comeback concert by the K-pop megastars in South Korea drew a smaller crowd than authorities initially expected. Hybe’s stock later recorded its biggest intraday decline since June 2022. The group’s event at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul attracted 104,000 fans vs the 260,000 initially estimated by police, according to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. Stringent crowd control measures, reflecting in part the authorities’... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3347523/btss-south-korea-comeback-crowd-disappoints-triggering-hybe-stock-sell?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3347523/btss-south-korea-comeback-crowd-disappoints-triggering-hybe-stock-sell?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 02:50:07 +0000 Reuters Reuters After a four-year break, K-pop supergroup BTS returned on Saturday with a massive and free comeback concert in Seoul, where thousands of police locked down a central boulevard for the Netflix-exclusive spectacle that drew tens of thousands of fans. All seven members of the band – RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook – recently completed South Korea’s mandatory military service and hope to reclaim their status as one of the world’s biggest pop acts. Organisers of the concert, which... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3347405/ahead-bts-first-show-years-south-korean-police-lock-down-central-seoul?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3347405/ahead-bts-first-show-years-south-korean-police-lock-down-central-seoul?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 02:46:41 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee Gwanghwamun Square, the symbolic centre of the South Korean capital Seoul, is home to two statues – King Sejong, architect of the Korean alphabet Hangul, and Admiral Yi Sun-shin, the naval hero who repelled Japanese invasions – with the gates of the historical Gyeongbokgung Palace rising behind them. On March 21, this open-air plaza will play host to a different kind of national icon: BTS. The seven-member group – made up of members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook – will stage a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3346835/free-bts-concert-mark-k-pop-comeback-no-other-are-you-ready-army?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3346835/free-bts-concert-mark-k-pop-comeback-no-other-are-you-ready-army?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 23:15:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters ⁠South ⁠Korean President Lee Jae Myung said ‌on Tuesday security and safety must be ⁠a top priority for ‌a concert by ‌K-pop band BTS ⁠on ⁠Saturday in ‌Seoul, including readiness for ‌any ‌possible acts ‌of “terror”, ⁠according to a live TV ⁠broadcast of a ‌cabinet meeting. The free comeback concert for the boy band ⁠in central ⁠Seoul is ⁠expected to draw up to 260,000 people, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said last Wednesday, making it one of the largest public gatherings in the area... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3346828/south-korea-guard-against-possible-terror-acts-bts-concert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3346828/south-korea-guard-against-possible-terror-acts-bts-concert?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 03:42:45 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee At the bustling Han Market in central Da Nang, two Vietnamese vendors tease a middle-aged South Korean tourist by calling him harabeoji, or “grandfather” in Korean. “I’m offended!” he jokes. The women grab his arms and laugh. “It’s OK, it’s OK.” The man had returned to their stall after buying 200,000 dong (US$7.60) worth of macadamia nuts the day before. It is a small moment of banter, repeated dozens of times a day in a city that many people from South Korea jokingly call their own unofficial... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3345771/da-nang-south-korean-province-why-coastal-city-hit-east-asian-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3345771/da-nang-south-korean-province-why-coastal-city-hit-east-asian-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 08:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu K-pop superstar G-Dragon ignited the ire of Chinese netizens with his choice of “Lunar New Year” greetings during a recent performance in Dubai. His reported act of liking a post that supported his terminology afterwards was interpreted as a provocative stance. The controversy emerged on February 17, coinciding with the first day of Chinese New Year. The KRAZY Super Concert, headlined by G-Dragon, featured an array of K-pop artists and pop singers from across Asia, including Indonesian singer... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344922/cultural-clash-k-pop-superstar-g-dragon-divides-china-fans-lunar-new-year-greetings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344922/cultural-clash-k-pop-superstar-g-dragon-divides-china-fans-lunar-new-year-greetings?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 01:00:20 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk When Brazilian K-pop fan Tami spotted a social media post last month selling a rare Polaroid photo signed by ZeroBaseOne member Zhang Hao, she jumped at the opportunity. The seller identified himself as a South Korean named Park Chae-ah, according to the Chosun Daily newspaper. She transferred the money. Then Park switched his account to private and vanished. Tami* is far from alone. Across Brazil, home to one of Latin America’s most passionate Korean pop culture communities, scammers have found... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344425/k-wave-scams-exploiting-brazils-superfans-triggers-police-pact?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344425/k-wave-scams-exploiting-brazils-superfans-triggers-police-pact?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:23:35 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen While K-pop has conquered almost every corner of the globe, South Korea’s entertainment industry remains largely locked out of the Chinese market due to a geopolitical chill that has lingered for a decade. China unofficially banned South Korean entertainment products in 2016 after Seoul deployed the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system (THAAD) despite Beijing’s objections. K-pop concerts were cancelled, South Korean dramas disappeared from Chinese streaming platforms, and South Korean... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344205/k-pops-big-freeze-are-cracks-chinas-cultural-blockade-thaw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344205/k-pops-big-freeze-are-cracks-chinas-cultural-blockade-thaw?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 22:00:14 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee For a moment, Kim Seon-ho’s return looked complete: a Netflix hit, overseas buzz and a career seemingly past the scandal that forced him into an indefinite hiatus in 2021. Then a new controversy hit – this time, over taxes. Kim’s agency, Fantagio, was quick to deny that a theatrical production company he reportedly registered at his home address in January 2024 under his parents’ names had been used to reduce his tax liabilities. The 39-year-old star of Can This Love Be Translated? has not been... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3343517/why-south-koreas-hallyu-heroes-find-taxes-so-taxing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3343517/why-south-koreas-hallyu-heroes-find-taxes-so-taxing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:28 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times Like many other things in Korea, K-pop rarely pauses to explain itself. New groups debut, concepts cycle, controversies surface and fade. The industry absorbs the moment, recalibrates and quickly moves on. That forward momentum has long been part of its appeal. It is also what makes the system difficult to read from the outside. However, beneath the choreography and camera-ready polish, a quieter question persists: why does K-pop feel so engineered, not just in sound or style, but in how its... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/k-drama/bands/article/3342461/stray-kids-aespa-k-pop-loving-business-expert-breaks-down-industrys-systems?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/k-drama/bands/article/3342461/stray-kids-aespa-k-pop-loving-business-expert-breaks-down-industrys-systems?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:45:08 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters Nostalgia for 2016 has been circulating on the internet over the last few weeks. People welcomed the new year by reminiscing 10 years into the past, sharing decade-old photos of themselves online. There is even a Wikipedia page for “2026 is the new 2016”. Of course, 2016 was before the Covid-19 pandemic rocked the world and the widespread use of generative AI (artificial intelligence) made us question what on our feeds was real and fake. Back then, people used social media mostly to stay... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3341778/2016-trends-pokemon-go-poke-bowls-looking-back-10-years-goes-viral-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3341778/2016-trends-pokemon-go-poke-bowls-looking-back-10-years-goes-viral-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 07:15:07 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times On a lively weekend afternoon beneath Marina Bay Sands, there is no stage, no spotlight and no audience in the conventional sense. Still, familiar music fills the underground concourse. A group of teenage girls moves in sync to rookie K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts’ “Focus”, counting beats under their breath. A few meters away, another dance team rehearses choreography to Twice’s “Feel Special”, adjusting their formation as shoppers pass by. No one appears surprised. Scenes like this now unfold... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3341916/all-singapore-k-pops-stage-new-tourism-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3341916/all-singapore-k-pops-stage-new-tourism-push?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:55:45 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Multiple South Korean brands have pulled or quietly sidelined advertising campaigns featuring actor and K-pop star Cha Eun-woo amid allegations that he may have avoided 20 billion won (US$13 million) in taxes via a shell entity under his mother’s name. Banks and consumer brands including Shinhan Bank and skincare label Abib have set advertisements featuring Cha to private on their social media accounts, while wellness firm BodyFriend is considering replacing him in its promotional campaigns,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3340942/south-korean-brands-drop-campaigns-k-drama-star-cha-eun-woo-amid-tax-allegations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3340942/south-korean-brands-drop-campaigns-k-drama-star-cha-eun-woo-amid-tax-allegations?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 05:45:56 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong Hong Kong could gain about HK$200 million (US$25.6 million) in economic value from K-pop powerhouse Blackpink’s coming concerts at Kai Tak Stadium, with fans of the girl group pouring into the city ahead of the three much-awaited shows. Excited fans splurged on band merchandise on Thursday ahead of the first concert at the weekend, while parts of Kai Tak Sports Park, where the stadium is located, were awash with pink. Hong Kong is the final stop of the four-member band’s “Deadline” global tour... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3340892/hong-kong-hitting-high-notes-fans-roll-blackpink-concerts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3340892/hong-kong-hitting-high-notes-fans-roll-blackpink-concerts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:23:43 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times BTS’ long-awaited full-group comeback concert in Busan is still months away, but hotel prices in the South Korean southeastern port city have already hit exorbitant levels, rekindling anger over “rip-off” room rates whenever mega-events come to town. Some properties have reportedly hiked prices by up to 10 times and even asked guests with existing bookings to cancel so they could resell at higher prices. The K-pop group is returning as a full act for the first time since all members completed... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3340240/bts-comeback-concert-sees-south-korean-citys-hotel-prices-soar-10-times?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3340240/bts-comeback-concert-sees-south-korean-citys-hotel-prices-soar-10-times?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 03:35:57 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Jennie Kim, member of the powerhouse K-pop quartet Blackpink, turns 30 today, on January 16. Known for chart-topping hits like “How You Like That” and “Pink Venom” as well as her solo endeavours like Ruby, the album she dropped in March 2025, Jennie has cemented her status as one of pop culture’s most watched figures. Beyond the stage, she’s also a fashion front row fixture. Dubbed “Human Chanel”, or more affectionately, the “Chanel princess”, Jennie’s bond with the house of Coco has only... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3339982/jennie-30-blackpink-stars-8-top-brand-collaborations-chanel-calvin-klein?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3339982/jennie-30-blackpink-stars-8-top-brand-collaborations-chanel-calvin-klein?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:00:10 +0000 The Star The Star The announcement that BTS will return to Malaysia after more than a decade has sent K-pop fans into a frenzy, with many calling it a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The South Korean supergroup will stage two concerts in Kuala Lumpur on December 12 and 13, marking its first appearance in the country since 2015, when it performed its Red Bullet Tour at Mega Star Arena. This will also be BTS’ first-ever concert in Kuala Lumpur as its previous Malaysia performance was held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. For... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3339944/bts-fans-malaysia-ecstatic-over-comeback-concerts-fear-scalpers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3339944/bts-fans-malaysia-ecstatic-over-comeback-concerts-fear-scalpers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 02:17:05 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times A man who broke into the home of South Korean singer-actress Nana and was jailed on robbery charges has now filed a counter-complaint against her – and his handwritten prison letter, released through local TV, is stirring anger among social media users. According to JTBC news programme Crime Chief, the intruder sent five letters from detention through an acquaintance, insisting that he did not attack Nana or her mother and that he was instead stabbed during the struggle. He wrote that he had... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3338659/south-korean-singer-nanas-home-intruder-claims-he-never-touched-her-faces-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3338659/south-korean-singer-nanas-home-intruder-claims-he-never-touched-her-faces-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jan 2026 06:21:15 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse K-pop megastars BTS will release a new album in March ahead of a world tour, the group announced on Thursday. South Korea’s biggest musical act has been on self-described hiatus since 2022 as its members undertook national military service required of all men under the age of 30. All seven members were discharged last year, and the group announced a comeback for the spring of 2026. They confirmed on Thursday that they would release an album on March 20, before heading on tour. The exact date... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3338420/k-pop-stars-bts-reunite-march-album-and-world-tour-after-military-service?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3338420/k-pop-stars-bts-reunite-march-album-and-world-tour-after-military-service?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:31:39 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Almost every Katseye performance begins the same way. The bass notes of the girl group’s first single “Debut” echo through the venue, bright stage lights shine on its members and a screaming crowd nearly drowns out their vocals. But roughly a week before heading out on their first official tour, their opening number was met with a few sparse claps. Inside the Hollywood Palladium, the group – fresh-faced, high-spirited and decked out in their colour-coordinated stagewear – held their final dress... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3337509/whats-next-katseye-global-girl-group-their-beautiful-chaos-tour-and-reclaiming-their-lives-20-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3337509/whats-next-katseye-global-girl-group-their-beautiful-chaos-tour-and-reclaiming-their-lives-20-year?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 10:00:10 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee In the space of a single week in early December, three household names in South Korean entertainment abruptly retreated from the spotlight. Actor Cho Jin-woong announced his sudden retirement on December 6 after decades-old reports resurfaced online about his brief stint in juvenile detention. Two days later, television host and comedian Park Na-rae suspended her broadcast appearances following claims she had mistreated staff and received unauthorised medical treatments. And fellow comedian Cho... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3337108/worship-witch-hunts-how-south-koreas-fandoms-turn-their-idols?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3337108/worship-witch-hunts-how-south-koreas-fandoms-turn-their-idols?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:10 +0000