Most Popular
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Probe of first lady on Dior bag allegations set to begin
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Over 80,000 millionaires, 20 billionaires in Seoul: report
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Korean battery makers heave sigh of relief over 2-year IRA reprieve
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Young Korean doctors seek plan B: cosmetic dermatology or overseas
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South Korea open to Indonesian proposal to cut KF-21 payments
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Yoon apologizes over first lady’s Dior bag scandal, but accuses special probe attempt as political maneuvering
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Police seek arrest warrant for med student who killed girlfriend
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Coupang earnings hit hard by losses from ailing Farfetch
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[K-pop’s dilemma] Time, profit pressures work against originality
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Man stabs woman and her son amid financial dispute, killing 1
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Questions raised over fair promotion of RM, NewJeans
K-pop fans are raising concern over Hybe's promotional activities for BTS member RM and girl group NewJeans, as they are each set to make a comeback with new albums in May, amid an ongoing conflict between Hybe and Min Hee-jin, the CEO of Ador sublabel under Hybe. BTS and NewJeans are boy and girl groups under Big Hit Music and Ador, respectively, which both fall under the Hybe umbrella. They are considered the “beloved kids” of their producers Bang Si-hyuk and Min, who have r
PerformanceMay 2, 2024
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Illit, mired in controversy, remains on Billboard charts for 5th week
K-pop rookie group Illit has continued to stand strong on the Billboard charts for five consecutive weeks with its debut single, “Magnetic,” despite questions being raised about the group's originality. “Magnetic,” the lead track of Illit’s first EP, “Super Real Me,” landed at No. 8 and No. 21 on Billboard’s Global (Excl. US) and Global 200 charts dated May 4, according to Billboard. The two charts rank the top songs based on streaming and sal
K-popMay 1, 2024
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The KingDom opens new chapter with EP ‘Realize’
K-pop group The KingDom is off to a fresh start with its new EP, “Realize,” for which it changed its from Kingdom to The KingDom. “We decided to change our name for this comeback as we are opening a new chapter with this album. We added the definite article ‘the’ in front of our original group name because we wanted to be the only ones to be represented by such a name,” said Dann, the leader of The KingDom, during a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. The Ki
K-popMay 1, 2024
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Twice to drop new Japanese album in July
Girl group Twice will drop a new Japanese album on July 17, according to the group’s agency JYP Entertainment. The upcoming album “Dive” is the group’s fifth studio album in Japan and comes two years after the group's fourth Japanese studio album “Celebrate.” This year marks the seventh anniversary of Twice’s Japanese debut. Twice solidified its position as one of the top K-pop groups today with its mini-album "With You-th,'" released
K-popMay 1, 2024
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[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen sets sales record with best-of album
Seventeen’s best-of album, “17 Is Right Here,” sold more than 22.6 million copies on the day of release, according to a local tally released Tuesday. It sets the record for a compilation album from a K-pop act, according to agency Pledis Entertainment. The album topped iTunes top albums chart in 17 regions, while main track “Maestro” topped songs charts in 32. The band added four new songs -- “Maestro” and three songs from among subunits -- to 28 focus
K-popApril 30, 2024
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K-pop executives recognized on Billboard’s 2024 International Power Players List
Several executives of the K-pop companies SM Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment and Hybe have been recognized on Billboard’s 2024 International Power Players List. This annual list complied by Billboard names executives who made remarkable business achievements outside the US and contributed to the growth of the global music record industry. Joseph Chang, Co-CEO of Kakao Entertainment, Co-CEOs of SM Entertainment Jang Cheol-hyuk and Tak Young-jun, and SM Chief A&R officer Lee Sung-su m
K-popApril 30, 2024
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TXT to embark on world tour next month
K-pop boy group TXT is set to kick off its third world tour, “Act: Promise,” with a three-day concert at the KSPO Dome in Seoul May 3-5. According to Big Hit Music, TXT is expected to offer an immersive experience in its show with a set list and videos that convey a story, and special stage effects. The group will turn the main stage of the KSPO Dome into a circular stage surrounded 360 degrees by the audience. They also implemented twice as many LED screens, stage props and light ef
K-popApril 30, 2024
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Zerobaseone to kick off first world tour in September
Zerobaseone is embarking on its first overseas tour to connect with global fans. The nine-member group announced the tour news through their official social media on Monday by posting a teaser poster for "Zerobaseone The First Tour." The group will kick off the concert series on Sept. 20-22 at Seoul's Kspo Dome, followed by shows in Singapore on Sept. 28, Bangkok on Oct. 5, Manila on Oct. 12, Jakarta on Oct. 26, Macau on Nov. 2-3, Aichi from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, and Kanagawa on Dec.
K-popApril 30, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Xdinary Heroes shoot for the next level with 'Troubleshooting'
Xdinary Heroes dropped their first studio album “Troubleshooting” comprising 10 songs, including the title track “Little Things,” for which the band members took part in composing and writing lyrics. “This album aims to convey inner stories that are often left unsaid, focusing on honest and perhaps even trivial emotions that people may find difficult to express to others,” said Gaon, the band's guitarist. Bassist Joo-yeon recalled that preparing the first
K-popApril 30, 2024
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Seventeen shows who is the ‘Maestro’ of K-pop in greatest hits album
Seventeen unveiled its greatest hits album, “17 Is Right Here,” on Monday to celebrate its ninth debut anniversary and promise forever with its fans. “We tried to go over our experience as Seventeen from the day of our debut to this day. This album wraps up our past chapters and announces a new beginning for Seventeen,” Dino of Seventeen said when introducing the group’s new album during a press conference in Seoul on Monday. The 33-track album includes some of the
K-popApril 29, 2024
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What is Hybe’s next move?
In the increasingly vicious brawl between K-pop powerhouse Hybe and the CEO of its sublabel Ador, Min Hee-jin, public sentiment seems to have turned favorable towards Min following her emotional press conference Thursday, during which she claimed that all she wants is the best for NewJeans, the popular K-pop girl group she produced. Her counterattack against Hybe’s claim that she attempted a takeover of Ador, one of Hybe's sublabels, certainly attracted the public’s interest in
K-popApril 29, 2024
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NewJeans pops out ‘Bubble Gum’ video amid troubles at agency
NewJeans kicked off promotion for the group's upcoming album by releasing the music video for “Bubble Gum” on Saturday, amid a spiraling dispute and corporate intrigue involving Min Hee-jin, CEO of Ador, and Hybe Entertainment, the K-pop powerhouse that holds an 80 percent stake in the label. “Bubble Gum” is an easy-listening song with a simple drum pattern and synthesizer sounds. It is the B-side to “How Sweet,” which is to be released May 24. The new si
K-popApril 28, 2024
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Zico hits the right 'Spot!'
Rapper Zico's collaboration with Blackpink's Jennie on "Spot!" has marked a successful return for the rapper, achieving favorable results on domestic and international music charts. The digital single, released Friday, is Zico's first release in nearly two years, after "Grown Ass Kid" in July 2022. Blending addictive melodies and a simple rhythm with Zico's powerful raps and Jennie's intense vocals, the new song captures the story of two friends who r
K-popApril 28, 2024
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Hybe refutes Ador CEO Min's denial of breach of trust
Hybe Entertainment said Friday the company is confident that Ador CEO Min Hee-jin was formulating deliberate plans for the subsidiary to break free from its umbrella company, amid continued mudslinging between Hybe and Min over allegations of the CEO committing breach of trust. On Thursday, Hybe released personal messages between Min and Ador’s vice president, which contained a conversation concerning plans to separate from the parent company. During a press conference later in the day,
K-popApril 26, 2024
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[Today’s K-pop] NewJeans' single teasers release amid intrigue
NewJeans uploaded teaser photographs for its upcoming single album Friday, via agency Ador. The five bandmates went for a hip and sporty look with the single “How Sweet,” with each showing off their charms in different styles. The double single will be available in two versions. For one of them, the group has collaborated again with American animation "The Powerpuff Girls," after having previously teamed up with the cartoon heroes for second EP “Get Up.” The a
K-popApril 26, 2024
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Hybe-Ador feud should have limited effect on Hybe's overall performance: analysts
Analysts say that while the recent feud between Hybe Entertainment and its sublabel Ador could result in short-term fluctuations in Hybe's stock prices, any long-term effects on Hybe's performance will be limited due to Ador's limited contribution to Hybe's overall performance. On Friday, shares of Hybe started at 206,000 won ($149) per share, a 11.7 percent drop compared to when the main bourse, Kospi, opened Monday, when they were 233,500 won per share, before the Hybe-Ador
K-popApril 26, 2024
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NewJeans' singles, Japanese debut to proceed as planned, despite Hybe-Ador feud
NewJeans' next release, slated for the end of May, and the girl group's Japanese debut in June will proceed as planned, regardless of the ongoing corporate conflict between Ador and Hybe. Ador is a sublabel of Hybe. According to a Hybe official, there is no change in the plan regarding NewJeans' upcoming engagements. She stated that all of the officially announced events for NewJeans in 2024 and 2025 will proceed as scheduled. The girl group is on track to release the new double s
K-popApril 26, 2024
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Ador CEO denies allegations, accuses Hybe of mistreating NewJeans
At a hastily called press conference at the Korea Conference Center in southern Seoul on Thursday afternoon, Min Hee-jin, CEO of Hybe sublabel Ador, said she was innocent of all allegations raised against her by Hybe and accused the K-pop powerhouse of mismanaging Ador. Min dismissed Hybe's accusation that Min had tried to take over the management of Ador, in which she holds an 18 percent stake, by attracting outside investors and pressuring Hybe. Earlier in the day, Hybe posted Min’s
K-popApril 25, 2024
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[Today’s K-pop] Kep1er to disband after 2 1/2 years: report
Project girl group Kep1er will not extend its term beyond July, when it is due to end, according to a local media report on Thursday. The nine members will go separate ways when the group project ends but not before releasing an album and hosting a concert, it added. Management companies of the members – WakeOne and Swing -- gathered once last year to discuss continuing on as Kep1er but did not reach a decision. WakeOne Entertainment said that it is still in talks with the other agency as
K-popApril 25, 2024
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Hybe to file complaint against Ador executives
K-pop powerhouse Hybe announced that it will file a complaint against sublabel Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and other executives on the charge of breach of trust on Thursday. In a statement, Hybe said that through the audit of Ador that began Monday, it has obtained concrete evidence of a plan led by Min to seize control of the sublabel, which manages popular girl group NewJeans. Hybe said one of the people subject to the audit has submitted evidence proving the alleged attempts of Ador executives to ta
K-popApril 25, 2024