Crush to introduce vinyl ‘Dip Cuts Vol.1’ filled with new singles

Singer-songwriter Crush is wrapping up the year by releasing a vinyl album, “Dip Cuts Vol. 1,” carrying new singles. The vinyl will be sold at three days of concerts, called “Crush Hour: O,” to be held at the KSPO Dome in Seoul Dec. 20-22. The vinyl carries seven tracks-- “intro (240321),” “may I be your may,” “life is a circle,” “Red Day,” “O,” “deep dive into dipcuts” and “far-sighted,”

K-popNov. 28, 2024

[Herald Interview] Meet 1VERSE, first K-pop boy band to feature North Korean defectors

The four members of 1VERSE – Hyuk, Seok, Aito and Kenny – are about to achieve the first milestone that countless K-pop trainees dream of: an official debut with an album and showcases. This group, tirelessly honing their skills with the goal of debuting by the end of this year, has one special distinction. It is the first K-pop group featuring North Korean defectors. When 24-year-old Hyuk and Seok, who escaped North Korea and arrived in South Korea 10 years and 5 years ago, respectively, make t

K-popNov. 28, 2024

‘VCHA, Katseye and Dear Alice are not K-pop groups,’ industry experts say

The emergence of K-pop powerhouses’ “localized” groups such as VCHA, Katseye, and Dear Alice has sparked debates over whether they can be called K-pop acts. Despite their association with prominent K-pop agencies, industry experts largely agree that they fall outside the traditional definition of K-pop. Major players in the K-pop industry, including Hybe, JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment, have identified localization as the next step in the genre’s evolution. This s

K-popNov. 28, 2024

Kyuhyun marks 10th solo debut anniversary with first LP ‘Colors’

Kyuhyun, known for his multifaceted persona as a member of veteran boy band Super Junior, a beloved ballad soloist, a musical actor and an entertainer, has embraced all these identities in his first studio album, "Colors," marking the 10th anniversary of his solo debut. The album features 10 tracks spanning various genres, from featured track “Unending Days,” in the singer's signature sentimental ballad style, to dance-pop track “Bring It On,” Kyuhyun&rsquo

K-popNov. 28, 2024

Ador calls for Belift Lab’s ‘sincerity’ in Hanni workplace harassment case

NewJeans' agency Ador, on Wednesday, called on its sister company Belift Lab to demonstrate a sincere and respectful approach to the recent workplace harassment allegations involving member Hanni. The demand came just one day before the deadline for NewJeans’ ultimatum that Ador “rectify all major contract violations within 14 days” or they will terminate their exclusive contracts with the agency. Among the conditions listed in NewJeans’ certification of contents sen

K-popNov. 27, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids add dates to world tour

Stray Kids confirmed that it will perform two more times in the US for its ongoing international tour dominATE, label JYP Entertainment said Wednesday. The decision comes after tickets for its concerts, in Los Angeles and New York, sold out as soon as they became available last week. The tour now will be held across 32 regions and will be made up of 44 live shows in total. The eight members will carry on with their tour in Macao on Friday and visit four more cities in Asia until January next yea

K-popNov. 27, 2024

Hybe consolidates chairman Bang Si-hyuk’s regime with leadership changes

Hybe appears to be reinforcing Bang Si-hyuk’s authority with a series of leadership reshuffles following this year’s high-profile fallout with former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin. Big Hit Music, Hybe’s subsidiary label home to global sensation BTS, appointed Shin Seon-jeong as its new CEO on Tuesday. Shin, a pivotal team member at Hybe, joined its predecessor Big Hit Entertainment in 2010 and contributed significantly to the creation and early success of BTS. The label stated its goal

K-popNov. 27, 2024

UK K-pop boy group Dear Alice and Gamma partner for debut

K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment’s first UK-based boy group, Dear Alice, has signed with Gamma, a US media and record company, finalizing its debut preparations. On Wednesday, SM and Kakao Entertainment’s North American joint venture announced a strategic partnership with Gamma for Dear Alice’s debut and promotion. As the first step in this partnership, Dear Alice is set to release its official debut single later this year. SM’s Chief Global Officer Choi Jung-min, Kakao

K-popNov. 27, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jin single hits Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 53

Jin of BTS entered Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 53 with his solo single “Running Wild,” according to the chart preview published Tuesday. It is his second solo entry on the main songs chart, following “The Astronauts,” a Coldplay collaboration released in 2022. “Running Wild” is the focus track from his first solo album “Happy” and is expected to claim the No. 4 spot on Billboard 200. The pop rock tune, which is based on British rock, hit the U

K-popNov. 26, 2024

K-pop fandoms wield growing influence over industry decisions

K-pop fans have transitioned from enthusiastic supporters to influential stakeholders in the industry, shaping not only the success of idols but also the decisions of major entertainment companies. Through social media, fans have amplified their collective power, helping their favorite artists promote albums and top global music charts by purchasing multiple copies and streaming songs on platforms like Spotify. This increasing influence has compelled entertainment agencies to adapt their strateg

K-popNov. 26, 2024

Girl group Izna debuts, full of confidence

Girl group Izna set off on an ambitious journey exuding confidence and pride with the release of its debut mini album "N/a." Izna is a seven-member group formed through the Mnet audition program "I-Land 2: N/a," which concluded in July. Even before its official debut, the group impressed audiences with polished performances at KCON Germany 2024 in Frankfurt in September and at the 2024 Mnet Asian Music Awards on Friday. The group's debut album "N/a" comprises f

K-popNov. 26, 2024

CJ ENM launches ‘Boys II Planet,' K-pop audition program simultaneously produced in Korea, China

CJ ENM is launching the global boy group project “Boys II Planet,” the world’s first-ever K-pop global audition program produced in two countries simultaneously. The production team behind Mnet's renowned audition programs “I-Land,” “Girls Planet 999: The Girls Saga” and “Boys Planet” will work on this new project. CJ ENM announced Tuesday that it is accepting applications worldwide for the program. “Boys II Planet” will be p

K-popNov. 26, 2024

Red Velvet’s Irene debuts solo with 1st EP ‘Like A Flower’

Irene of Red Velvet makes her official debut as a solo artist with her first solo album, “Like A Flower,” at 6 p.m., Tuesday. Her solo debut comes 10 years after her debut as a member of the K-pop girl group Red Velvet. "This album is the result of deeply thinking about what I wanted to express through my music, so I’m eager for it to be released into the world. I do feel like I could have done a better job with it, but I’ve put my best effort into preparing it,&rdqu

K-popNov. 26, 2024

BTS's Jimin, Jungkook nominated for BBMAs

BTS members Jimin and Jungkook received nominations for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards, which will take place on Dec. 12. The two artists are competing in the categories of Top Global K-Pop Artist and Top Global K-Pop Song, according to the BBMAs on Monday. Jimin’s track "Who" from his second solo album "Muse" earned him the Top Global K-Pop Song nomination. "Who" debuted at No. 14 on Billboard's main Hot 100 chart, becoming his sixth solo song to enter

K-popNov. 26, 2024

ADOR's former CEO files criminal complaint against Hybe's PR executives

Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of K-pop label ADOR, has filed a criminal complaint against its parent company's public relations executives, alleging misconduct related to their duties in promoting the label's girl group NewJeans, Min's representatives said Tuesday. Min filed the complaint with Seoul's Yongsan Police Station on Monday, accusing Hybe's Chief Communication Officer Park Tae-hee and a PR director identified only as Cho of breach of duty. The two executives belo

K-popNov. 26, 2024

Industry experts predicts tough choices as NewJeans' ultimatum nears

With the deadline for NewJeans's ultimatum to Ador fast approaching, industry experts predict three potential contract termination scenarios, none of which seem likely to result in a peaceful resolution. The five-member K-pop group sent a certification of contents to their agency on Nov. 13, demanding that it address “major contract violations” within 14 days, or by Wednesday, of receiving the letter. The girl group warned that if their demands were not met, they would terminate

K-popNov. 25, 2024

JYP to unveil new boy group KickFlip on New Year's Day

JYP Entertainment has announced the launch of its new seven-member boy group, KickFlip, set to debut in 2025. The agency unveiled the group's official social media accounts and shared an image there, marking the start of its debut album project. According to the announcement, KickFlip will officially begin debut preparations at midnight on Jan. 1, 2025. The name KickFlip comes from the skateboarding term used for a high-level trick, where one flips the board 360 degrees with a flick of the

K-popNov. 25, 2024