K-pop Fans Use Fan Sticks to Advocate for Democracy – The Taiwan Qingniao Movement and BTS Fans’ Political Awakening
K-pop fans are transforming their cheering culture into social movements, raising their political voices around the world.…
NCT WISH and Mark Top Hanter Chart’s April Monthly Album Rankings, Reaffirming NCT’s Strong Brand Power
The boy group NCT WISH and Mark dominated the music scene in April. According to the Hanter Chart’s April monthly album rankings released on May 1, NCT WISH’s second mini-album “poppop” ranked first, while Mark’s first s…
2D Avatar Group PLAVE Powered by Motion Capture Dominates K-pop Charts as It Prepares for Global Expansion
The five-member virtual avatar group PLAVE, controlled through motion capture technology, has achieved remarkable success in the K-pop market.…
BTS to Host Massive Event in Goyang City in June After Completing Military Service
All seven members of BTS have finished their mandatory military service in South Korea. Last week, SUGA completed his service as a social service officer, marking the end of BTS’s military obligations.…
China Lifts 9-Year Informal Ban on K-POP, Eyes Cultural Diplomacy and Consumer Boost
China is easing its nine-year informal ban on K-POP amid ongoing Sino-U.S. trade tensions. The announcement on April 28 that K-POP group EPEX will hold a concert in Fuzhou, China, on May 31 marks the first time a South K…
Tom Holland’s 2017 Microaggression Incident Resurfaces on Social Media Seven Years Later
An interview Tom Holland gave during his visit to Korea in 2017 is once again drawing attention due to a microaggression controversy.…
K-POP Expands Global Influence from Canadian Cover Dance Competitions to Virtual Idols
K-POP is moving beyond Asian borders and spreading to global stages across North America, Europe, and other regions.…
Global K-Hop Fans Gather in Seoul for June’s “MK Fest” at Olympic Park
A major K-Hop festival bringing together fans from around the world and professionals from the global content industry will take place in Seoul in June.…
K-Pop Fans from Around the World Gather in Seoul for ‘MyK FESTA’ in June
A large-scale festival that brings together global K-pop fans and industry professionals to experience the present and future of Hallyu will be held in Seoul in June.…
Intense K-pop Competition in May... Multiple Groups Including tripleS, RIIZE, and Jin Make Comebacks
The K-pop industry is launching an unprecedented number of new songs in May, sparking what can be described as a “comeback war.” This strategy is believed to be aimed at preparing for the summer festival season and avoid…
MyK FESTA, Seoul Wonderland Show, and Canada K-Pop Cover Dance Festival — Multiple Large-Scale K-Pop-Focused Events Held Successively
Large-scale global festivals centered on K-Pop are being held one after another in May and June, demonstrating the worldwide influence of Hallyu.…
BLACKPINK’s Full-Group Comeback Approaching in July Next Year...YG Entertainment Requests Patience for Official Announcement
The industry reports that BLACKPINK, a leading force in K-pop, is preparing for a full-group comeback with new music. Comprising Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, BLACKPINK is set to release the new track in July 2025.…
ATBO Ranks #1 in Fan Appeal, Im Yeong-woong Maintains 214 Consecutive Weeks at Chart Top...K-Pop Stars Excel in Solo Activities
K-Pop stars are actively pursuing solo activities. The group ATBO secured first place in a vote conducted by the global fan platform Stardum titled “Which idol will definitely make you a fan if you see them in person?” w…
First K-POP Performances in China in 9 Years as Cultural Ties Improve
China has permitted K-POP performances in the country for the first time in 9 years since the THAAD dispute in 2016, signaling a genuine improvement in bilateral cultural relations.…
LEVELS, SM, and Bridge Entertainment Race to Enter the Virtual Idol “Blue Ocean” Market
As the virtual idol industry rapidly grows into a blue ocean market, major domestic entertainment companies are actively entering this sector.…
Korean-Born Idol Group EPEX to Hold First Solo Concert in China in 9 Years — Sign of Hanban Rule Easing
The eight-member Korean boy group EPEX will hold the “2025 EPEX 3rd Concert: Youth Deficiency in Fuzhou” at the Daxue Cheng Cultural and Art Center in Fuzhou City on May 31.…
Virtual Idols Gain Mainstream Recognition with Broadcasters and Major Entertainment Companies – Market Expected to Reach $3.8 Billion by 2030
The virtual idol market, which the K-POP industry views as a new source of growth, is emerging as a mainstream content format thanks to strong support from broadcasters and large entertainment companies.…
Lee Soo Man Documentary “The King of K-Pop” Releases on May 13, Exploring 30 Years of SM Empire and Leadership Struggles
The documentary “Lee Soo Man: The King of K-Pop” about the Korean K-pop legend Lee Soo Man will be released on May 13 via Amazon Prime Video.…
HYBE’s Q1 Revenue Exceeds 50 Billion Won, Setting a New Record Driven by Tours and Merchandise Sales
K-pop agency HYBE recorded the highest quarterly performance in its history, with Q1 (January–March) revenue surpassing 50 billion won.…
Complaint Filed Against Founder of 143 Entertainment for Sexual Assault — Victim’s Mother Says “I Want to Protect My Child Now”
Lee Yong-hak, the founder and CEO of 143 Entertainment, has been filed a complaint against regarding charges of sexual assault against a minor idol member under his management.…
K-Pop EPEX Gets First Solo Concert Permit in China Since Hanhanryeong…Top Idol Group Performs After 9 Years
The all-Korean eight-member K-pop boy group EPEX will hold its solo concert “2025 EPEX 3rd Concert Youth Deficiency in Fuzhou” on May 31 in Fuzhou, China, marking the first time a top-tier K-pop idol group has been permi…
Nine Years After the HANHAN Ruling Is Overturned... EPEX Gets Permission for a Solo Concert in China
The K-POP boy group EPEX, composed entirely of Korean nationals, will hold a solo performance in Fuzhou, China, on May 31.…
SM’s 30th Anniversary Global Tour Concludes in Bangkok with Spectacular Performances by aespa and Other SM Artists
SM Entertainment’s global concert brand “SMTOWN LIVE” brought a dazzling finale to Bangkok, Thailand. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, SM organized the “SMTOWN LIVE 2025-26” global tour, which began in Seoul in January…
Just B’s Vain Becomes First Active K-Pop Boy Group Member to Come Out as Gay; ZEROBASEONE’s Overseas Fanbase Launches Donation Campaign for LGBTQ+ Rights
Vain, the vocalist of Just B, stepped onto the stage during the band’s “Just Odd” world tour concert in Los Angeles on April 22 and declared, “I am proud to be part of the LGBTQ community,” while waving a rainbow flag.…
BTS Members Nominated in Multiple Categories for KM Chart’s April Preference Survey
The global K-pop chart “KM Chart” conducted its April 2025 K-MUSIC preference survey from April 15 to 24, with members of BTS appearing in numerous categories as solo artists.…