In a digital age where the battle for hearts and minds is waged online, global organizations like the United Nations and the UNESCO are turning to an unlikely but powerful ally -- K-pop. With its massive, dedicated fanbases and global reach, K-pop has emerged as more than just a music genre -- it is a cultural phenomenon capable of driving social change. By partnering with groups like BTS and Seventeen, the UN and UNESCO are tapping into this energy, leveraging K-pop's influence to amplify

K-pop Aug. 13, 2024

K-pop sensation Seventeen will temporarily promote without two members while member Jeonghan enlists in the military and Jun pursues an acting career in China during the second half of this year. "Jeonghan is scheduled to fulfill his mandatory military service later this year. While most (of the group’s) prescheduled content has been completed, he will not be able to participate in the group’s promotion for its 12th mini album or the 'Seventeen [Right Here] World Tour,'

K-pop Aug. 13, 2024

Popular K-pop girl group Ive, currently on a 10-month-long world tour, returned to the Seoul stage, reuniting with the group's global fanbase, Dive. The sextet held an encore performance of its first world tour, "Show What I Have," at the Kspo Dome in Songpa District, Seoul, on Aug. 10-11. Having kicked off the world tour last October at Jamsil Indoor Stadium, Ive has since performed 37 shows in 27 cities across 19 countries, including stops in Japan, Asia, Europe, North America a

K-pop Aug. 12, 2024

The controversy surrounding Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk's meeting with 23-year-old AfreecaTV streamer Seyeon in Los Angeles has intensified, despite her attempt to clarify the situation during a livestream Sunday. Seyeon addressed the issue during her internet broadcast on the local video streaming platform at 9 p.m. Sunday, following a notification she posted the day before. The explanation was prompted by a video released by American YouTuber "I am WalKing" last Thursday, which s

K-pop Aug. 12, 2024

Seungri, a former member of the iconic K-pop group Big Bang, continues to face harsh criticism as he engages in controversial activities following his involvement in the infamous "Burning Sun" scandal. Despite serving time in prison, Seungri’s recent actions have sparked outrage among the public, with many questioning his lack of remorse. The controversy reignited Saturday when TVS Management, an international event organizer, announced that Seungri would appear as a special gues

K-pop Aug. 11, 2024

The long-standing controversy over K-pop stars receiving preferential treatment during their mandatory military service has resurfaced following BTS member Suga's drunk driving incident Tuesday. Currently serving as a public service agent, Suga was booked and is under police investigation for driving an electric scooter while intoxicated. In response, the Military Manpower Administration released a press statement Thursday, addressing the incident and promising to strengthen education to en

K-pop Aug. 11, 2024

A memorial event to commemorate the upcoming International Memorial Day for Comfort Women on Aug. 14, was held at the House of Sharing in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, on Saturday. Hosted by Gyeonggi Province, the event was themed "Yellow Butterfly -- A Promise to Next Generation" and included a cultural festival, a commemorative ceremony, and a wreath-laying at the statues of the victims. Attendees participated in symbolic activities like folding yellow butterflies and creating replicas

Social Affairs Aug. 10, 2024

BTS member Suga, currently serving military duty as a public service agent, admitted Wednesday to drunk driving on Tuesday. He apologized for his actions and acknowledged his ignorance of the law regarding the use of electric scooters while intoxicated. “Last night, after drinking alcohol at dinner, I rode an electric scooter home. Underestimating the short distance and failing to recognize that the use of electric scooters is prohibited while under the influence, I violated traffic laws,&

K-pop Aug. 7, 2024

G-Dragon, a member of YG Entertainment's biggest boy group Big Bang who dominated the K-pop scene from 2006 to 2018, has recently been making unique moves, moves that industry insiders say show that the musician is striving to maintain his fame and reputation as a cultural icon. On Monday, G-Dragon launched a new foundation, JusPeace, to help young artists with drug addiction. In June, he appeared at the Innovate Korea forum on the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology campus,

K-pop Aug. 7, 2024

More K-pop musicians struggling to succeed in the entertainment industry are turning to the local livestreaming platform AfreecaTV as a way to make money. AfreecaTV has long been ill-received by the public due to its involvement in several social problems, including sex crimes and the abasement of disabled persons. For K-pop musicians, appearing on the platform’s video streaming service has been seen as taboo. However, for many former idols who have devoted their youth to training to becom

K-pop Aug. 5, 2024

JYP Entertainment announced on Monday the establishment of a new subsidiary, Innit Entertainment, aimed at enhancing its capabilities as a comprehensive entertainment company. According to JYP Entertainment, the name Innit derives from a shortened form of the English expression “isn’t it.” Innit Entertainment will handle various music genres including pop, ballad, trot and R&B; it plans to launch soloists, duos as well as actors, utilizing JYP Entertainment's training

K-pop Aug. 5, 2024

Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind BTS, has unveiled its new business strategy, "Hybe 2.0," aiming to secure "superior leadership" in the global K-pop scene while underscoring its dedication to fans. The strategy was announced through a letter sent to Hybe's shareholders recently, which has been in preparation since the latter half of last year to ensure long-term business competitiveness, the company said on Thursday. "Based on Hybe 2.0, which focuses on nurturing f

K-pop Aug. 2, 2024

Kabojung If you've visited Seoul multiple times and are eager to look beyond the capital for an epicurean adventure, Kabojung, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, is a great place to try the local beef specialty. Suwon is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage site, Hwaseong Fortress, but it is also famous for its delectable regional dish, galbi, or grilled beef ribs. Suwon’s reputation for high-quality beef dates back to the mid-20th century, when a thriving cattle market in the area made t

Culture Aug. 2, 2024

Le Sserafim’s latest YouTube documentary series, “Make It Look Easy,” which depicts the girl group's hardships over the past year, is facing criticism for playing on emotions related to the band’s recent controversies. Released on Hybe's official YouTube channel on Monday, the five-part series showcases the group’s intense preparations and emotional struggles. It captures the endless practice sessions, anxiety about public performances and the pressure to

K-pop Aug. 1, 2024

A significant dilemma has surfaced in the ever-evolving world of K-pop: Should the industry focus on nurturing casual fans or continue to cater to its dedicated superfans? This debate came to the forefront when Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of K-pop powerhouse Hybe, addressed the issue on a local TV show last November. Bang expressed concerns about K-pop being in crisis, partly due to the intense consumption patterns of its superfans. “The basis of my crisis theory lies in the intense consumption

K-pop July 31, 2024