K-pop superstars BTS on Thursday expressed support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the United States, joining the worldwide initiative in the music industry to protest against racism and violence. "We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together," the boy band wrote on its official Twitter account, with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. The group's agency, Bit Hit Entertainment, said the

The music video of K-pop band BTS' "Boy With Luv" racked in over 800 million on YouTube, according to the band's agency Thursday. The video for the main track on the album "Map of the Soul: Persona," released in April 2019, achieved the feat earlier Thursday, Big Hit Entertainment said. Featuring US pop singer Halsey, the colorful music video pays homage to the iconic 1952 American musical film "Singin' in the Rain," highlighted by a mass cadence dance near the e

Big Hit Entertainment, the record label and management agency of K-pop giants BTS, has opened an online global audition program for 2020, the company said Tuesday. Big Hit announced on its official website and social media accounts that it started receiving online applications on Monday for the 2020 Big Hit Global Audition aimed at creating a new boy band that will hopefully achieve the global fame of BTS. The company will receive applications until July 10, with the deadline for the United S

Set to continue a winning streak, Twice returned with the new single “More & More” on Monday. Released as the lead track of the group’s new album of the same title, “More & More” talks about the longing a person in love goes through. Like most of Twice’s romantic songs, the nine bandmates in the popular K-pop girl group show a bold attitude in winning the heart of their love interests. “You are gonna be mine again/Cause you know me know me/You&

Here is how K-pop stars and fandoms are reacting amid police brutality protests around the world

Girl groups Mamamoo and ITZY and solo male artist Kang Daniel were included in the lineup for the online edition of KCON, an annual K-pop and Korean culture festival scheduled to be held later this month, its organizer announced Monday. A total of 32 artists were confirmed to appear on KCON:TACT 2020 Summer, which will be streamed on YouTube from June 20-26 through the channel "M-net K-POP," according to South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM. Some of the top-billed K-pop acts incl

A recent audio sampling controversy surrounding BTS member Suga's new album shows that even global K-pop superstars are not bulletproof from potential public relations debacles. It highlights the inevitable risks associated with celebrities trying to step up their game on the international stage amid heightened calls for political correctness. On Sunday evening, Big Hit Entertainment issued an apology over the use of an audio clip of American cult leader Jim Jones, associated with the infamo

The music video of BTS' 2017 hit song "DNA" topped 1 billion YouTube views on Monday, becoming the band's first music video to surpass that milestone. "DNA," the lead track of BTS' 2017 album "Love Yourself: Her," achieved the feat early Monday morning, according to the band's label-management agency Big Hit Entertainment. Released in September 2017, the song stayed on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for four consecutive weeks, and in February the following year, it

"Sour Candy," American pop singer Lady Gaga's latest song featuring K-pop quartet BLACKPINK, reached the No. 1 spot on more than 50 Apple iTunes charts, according to the group's management agency Friday. The song, part of Lady Gaga's new album "Chromatica," climbed to the top of the iTunes Song charts in 57 regions, YG Entertainment said. The song was put out Thursday, a day ahead of the release of "Chromatica." "Sour Candy" also rose to the top spot o

Genie Music, the music streaming platform owned by Korean telecom giant KT, said Wednesday it has recently signed a deal with Tencent Music to supply K-pop for streaming services in the Chinese market. Genie has distributed K-pop in over 50 countries through diverse global platforms, including Apple Music, Google Music and Spotify. The latest deal paves the way for it to enter the soaring Chinese music streaming market. “Investors have responded optimistically, and our stocks reached

As much as NCT 127 is known as a multi-genre master, the act’s recent single “Kick It” is perhaps the best encapsulation of its dynamic, bravado nature. Released on the band’s previous “Neo Zone” album in March, the boisterous song, tightly packed with shouted vocals, bass-heavy beats and airtight production, is heavily themed on “Bruce Lee” and martial art concept. Read as “Hero” in its Korean title, “Kick It” so explicit

Monsta X released their new EP “Fantasia X” on Tuesday. The record featuring seven tracks comes seven months after their seventh EP “Follow: Find You,” with all the bandmates taking part in its making. Speaking to the press during a livestreamed press showcase, Kihyun said Fantasia is a “liberating” and “energetic” track that speaks to the signature Monsta X sound. The high energy track featuring ethnic melodies and dynamic synths competed with

The move brings BTS, NU’EST, Seventeen, GFriend and TXT together under the same roof

A new mixtape released by Suga of Korean pop sensation BTS dominated the iTunes album charts in 80 regions across the world, his management agency said Saturday. “D-2,” Suga’s second mixtape released Friday, was No. 1 on the iTunes “top album” charts in 80 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, France, Sweden, Japan and Peru as of 8 a.m. Saturday, according to Big Hit Entertainment. Its main track, “Daechwita,” also dominated the

Popular girl group TWICE will make a comeback with its ninth EP, “More & More,” next month, the first in a series of major K-pop comebacks expected to heat up the early summer chart race. JYP Entertainment‘s nine-piece multinational team will release its new record on June 1. It will be the band’s first collection of songs since the previous EP, “Feel Special,” from September of last year. The title song, which shares the same name as the EP itself, w