The K-pop industry is strategically expanding its wings beyond the Asian continent to unexplored markets such as the Middle East and the American continent. Following the success of globalization that dates back to the early 2000s, when singer BoA and boy group TVXQ successfully broke into the Japanese market, K-pop entertainment agencies have now moved on to full-fledged “glocalization” strategies by accentuating the originality of Korean culture and localizing their idol groups. Gl

NewJeans, the fresh K-pop sensation, has placed its track “Ditto” on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time among the fourth generation K-pop groups. “Ditto,” the side track from its latest single album “OMG,” hit the chart dated Jan. 21 at No. 96. Such an accomplishment comes only within a year since its debut on last August. The success of the track “Ditto” comes as its streaming gradually accumulated ever since its release on Dec. 19. Previous

Cheeky and fresh is how public broadcaster KBS wants to make over its 30-year legacy of late-night music talk shows, with the first new version of “The Seasons,” starting next month. The program will be a one-year project divided into four different seasons, each hosted by different stars. The first season, “The Seasons-Jay Park’s Drive,” will be led by the Korean singer and rapper Jay Park. It is the first time for Jay Park to host a music program for a local broad

GOT the beat, a seven-member female unit from K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment, unveiled its first mini-album “Stamp On It” on Monday. The title track “Stamp On It” is a R&B hip-hop dance song composed of a groovy piano sound and strong 808 bass beats. The lyrics center on the extreme competition to become the best on stage. Likewise, the music video for the title track is rough and powerful with a caper movie concept. GOT the beat is the first subunit that marked th

Blackpink is returning to Paris to perform at the Yellow Pieces Gala next Wednesday, according to local reports. The Yellow Pieces Gala is a musical charity event held to raise funds for the Hospital Foundation, a charity institution chaired by France’s first lady Brigitte Macron. Brigitte Macron took over the chair position of the foundation from the former first lady of France, Bernadette Chirac, in 2019. Since its establishment in 1989, the Hospital Foundation has been raising funds to

The legendary K-pop idol group Bigbang’s Taeyang has made a comeback with a collaboration with BTS member Jimin. His new digital single, “Vibe,” was released Friday, six years after his last solo release, his third studio album “White Night.” “Vibe” is composed of addictive and strong beats that sing of subtle emotions in a relationship. Not only did the K-pop megastar take part by featuring the song but he also starred in the music video. The track is a

Blackpink will be the first K-pop act to headline the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this year. The Korean quartet will take the stage on April 15 and 22 as headliners for the festival that takes place at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California, according to the festival’s promoter Goldenvoice on Tuesday. Others leading at Coachella include Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican singer who will be the first Latino artist to headline the show, and the renowned alternative R&B singe

K-pop boy band SF9 returned again after about a year as a full unit on Monday with the group's 12th mini album, “The Piece Of9.” “It feels good to be back with my group members. I feel at home and we are very satisfied with how this album turned out. I am excited to see what our fans will think about it,” said Rowoon of SF9 at a media showcase held at Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul ahead of the album release. Rowoon had put a halt to his participation in the band t

Returning with more powerful performances and unique musical color, South Korean boy group Monsta X launched its 12th mini album "Reason" on Monday. The album, released nine months after the previous EP “Shape of Love,” conveys the group’s story of how it found the reason behind its existence and the meaning of their relationship with one another, according to agency Starship Entertainment. The latest work looks back on the group's eight-year career, the long-est

Taeyang of Big Bang is making a grandiose comeback with a collaboration with BTS member Jimin. His new digital single, “Vibe,” will be released next Friday at 2 p.m., Taeyang’s new agency, the Black Label, announced Wednesday with a teaser image. The teaser image shows Taeyang and Jimin dressed in black and red standing together and gazing into the camera. The single comes six years after his last solo release, his third studio album "White Night." Jimin’s uniqu

NewJeans is at it again, taking over local and international music charts with their tracks “Ditto” and “OMG” from their new album “OMG” unveiled on Monday. Following the success of the prerelease track “Ditto" is the title track “OMG,” trending in both South Korea and abroad. It reached No. 1 on the iTunes Top Song chart in nine countries including Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. “OMG” is a hip-hop R&B with a mix of tra

As the lights went off to signal the beginning of the long-awaited concert of the K-pop boy band BTOB, the concert hall turned into a sea of shimmering blue as chanting fans waved their fandom light sticks. BTOB kicked off their 10th-anniversary concert, “2022 BTOB TIME [Be Together],” on Friday at the KSPO Dome in Jamsil, Seoul, singing “Finale.” The act of six was overwhelmed with emotions as they were welcomed onstage with cries of joy from their fandom, Melody, whom t

K-pop boy band iKON is leaving its current agency YG Entertainment as its exclusive contract has come to an end. According to industry sources, the members of iKON -- Song, Jay, Ju-ne, Chan, Bobby and DK -- decided to not renew their contracts with YGt. This comes seven years after their debut in September 2015. The iKON members are currently looking for new agencies and at the same time are considering the option of forming an agency themselves to continue their careers together as a band. Prev

Yugyeom, a member of K-pop boy band GOT7, is making a comeback on Jan. 2 next year with his new digital single “Ponytail,” announced agency AOMG with concept photos on Thursday. The photos depict Yugyeom slumped against an obstacle in jet-black outfits with silver accessories. He is also sporting a charismatic expression, covering part of his face with his hand. The new digital single “Ponytail” comes 10 months after Yugyeom dropped his digital single “Take You Down

Unlike most K-pop survival programs, Kakao Entertainment has brought 30 former and current girl group members together to compete in a virtual world. Kakao Entertainment’s new virtual idol survival program “Girl’s Re:Verse” will walk the audience through the journey every Monday at 9 p.m. starting on Jan. 2 via Kakaopage and its official YouTube channel. Only the final five that survive the competition will make their debut. The singers took part in the program with virtu