[Today’s K-pop] (G)I-dle to bring out 2nd LP

(G)I-dle will return with a second studio album on Jan. 29, the group's agency Cube Entertainment said Monday.

A logo motion clip for the LP, “2,” was uploaded showing the letter “i” transformed into the No. 2. The album comes about eight months since the group's sixth EP, “I Feel,” and almost two years after the first full album, “I Never Die.”

The sixth EP entered the Billboard 200 at No. 41 and sold over 1.16 million copies in its first week, a record for the group and fourth-best for a K-pop girl group at the time. Focus track “Queencard” swept across music charts at home.

In October, the quintet put out its first EP in the US, “Heat,” and ranked No. 25 on the Billboard 200. In December, (G)I-dle participated in Jingle Ball 2023, one of the largest year-end music festivals in the country.

Twice tops 400m views with ‘Yes or Yes’ video

It becomes the group’s 11th video to reach the milestone.

“Yes or Yes” is the titular track from its sixth EP that was released in November 2018. It landed atop all major music charts at home and topped iTunes songs charts in seven regions, as did the album on its albums charts in 17 regions.

Meanwhile, the nine-member act is set to roll out EP No. 13, “With You-th,” on Feb. 23 and drop “I Got You,” a B-side track from the mini album, in advance on Feb. 2.

It will also resume its fifth international tour in Mexico City next month. The bandmates will head to Sao Paulo before flying over to Las Vegas in March.

EXO’s Baekhyun sets up new label, signs with Xiumin, Chen

The new agency also signed Xiumin and Chen and will support the trio’s activities both as a subunit and individually.

EXO will continue to carry on as an eight-member act, putting out new music and performances, SM Entertainment said the same day, reassuring fans that the veteran idol band will go on.

The three members were in conflict with SM Entertainment over their contracts, citing the label’s negligence to provide proper materials for payment, but came to an agreement in June, just before the release of the band’s seventh full-length album, “Exist.”

Baekhyun, however, said that he would set up his own company and D.O. left the label and joined another new agency.

Riize to open 1st pop-up stores in Japan, Korea

Pop-up stores to mark the release of Riize’s single “Love 119” will open in Seoul and Tokyo, SM Entertainment said Monday.

Dubbed “Riize Up,” the temporary store is the first of its kind for the rookie band and will operate in Seoul from Friday to Jan. 18 and in Tokyo from Jan. 24-30. It will consist of a photo exhibition and a merchandise booth full of street vibes. Visitors will be able to participate in on-site events as well.

In the meantime, the single, which dropped Friday, not only landed atop a number of Korean music charts, but also iTunes songs charts in nine regions as well as real-time music charts in Japan and China.