'Chairman Bang took on risk himself and agreed to put-back option,’ Hybe says

Hybe said on Monday that Chairman Bang Si-hyuk secured approximately 400 billion won ($285 million) during the company’s initial public offering in 2020 by executing what is called a put-back option at the request of one of its investors, adding that the arrangement does not violate the Capital Markets Act. “In 2018, STIC Investments came to us and strongly requested our IPO timeline, worrying about uncertainties. When we refused, they demanded a put-back option instead,” a Hyb

K-popDec. 2, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s Baekhyun to spend Christmas with fans

Baekhyun of EXO announced plans for a year-end fan meetup via agency INB100 on Monday. He will throw a “Chaotic Party” in Seoul on Dec. 21-22 inviting fans to enjoy a winter holiday atmosphere with him at the event. The second day’s live show will be broadcast online. It will be the veteran idol's first fan meeting since his “Snack Party” about 11 months ago. At the time, he toured Asia on his own for the first time that came to an end with an encore gig in Seo

K-popDec. 2, 2024

GFriend to reunite after 4 years, marking 10th debut anniversary

The girl group GFriend is making a highly anticipated return after four years with a special album and concert. GFriend will reunite to release a special album, "Season of Memories," on Jan. 13, commemorating the group's 10th debut anniversary. This marks their first group activity since the members' contract with Source Music ended four years ago. According to Source Music, the six-member group’s special album "Season of Memories" will drop on Jan. 13 at 6 p.

PerformanceDec. 2, 2024

[Herald Review] NCT Dream wraps up 3rd world tour with grand finale

NCT Dream successfully wrapped up its third world tour with all seven members onstage, including Renjun who returned from hiatus. The final performance of "The Dream Show 3: Dream Scape Finale in Seoul" took place Sunday at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Throughout the three-show finale concert series, which ran from Friday to Sunday, a total of 60,000 fans attended, showcasing the group’s immense popularity. As the central stage screen opened like a massive door and the members

PerformanceDec. 2, 2024

(G)I-dle confirms full-unit contract renewal at MMA

After months of speculation, (G)I-dle officially announced the renewal of their contracts with Cube Entertainment as a full unit, during the 2024 Melon Music Awards (MMA) held at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, Saturday. The group also swept five major awards at the event, including Record of the Year, Artist of the Year, KakaoBank Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Rookie of the Year. During their acceptance speech, leader Soyeon directly addressed rumors about the group’s disbandment.

K-popDec. 1, 2024

BTS members dominate charts, award shows despite military service

Despite most members of BTS serving their mandatory military duty, the group continues to dominate music charts and year-end award ceremonies, with its members achieving remarkable individual successes. Jungkook, the last member in the group to join the army, took home three trophies at the 2024 Melon Music Awards (MMA) held at Inspire Arena in Incheon, Saturday. He was honored in the main prize, the Top 10 category, as well as best solo – male, and Millions Top 10. Jungkook has now won al

K-popDec. 1, 2024

'Winter Ahead' by BTS' V tops iTunes charts in 75 countries

Singer V of K-pop superband BTS has topped Apple iTunes charts in 75 countries with his latest release, "Winter Ahead," his agency said Saturday. The duet song with K-pop artist Park Hyo-sin, released on Friday, claimed the No. 1 spot on iTunes' Top Songs charts across various nations, including Britain, Germany and Japan, as of 6 a.m., according to BigHit Music. The romantic jazz track also ranked first in Worldwide iTunes Song and European iTunes Song charts. Its music video top

K-popNov. 30, 2024

V releases digital single with Park Hyo-shin

BTS’ V dropped a digital single, “Winter Ahead (with Park Hyo-shin)," on Friday at 2 p.m.. Park Hyo-shin is a renowned ballad singer and musical actor. “Winter Ahead (with Park Hyo-shin)” is a track that reflects V's deep love for jazz music. “The song features saxophone, trumpet and piano to create a cozy atmosphere,” said Big Hit Music in a press release on Friday. The song’s romantic lyrics and melody are beautifully complemented by V and Pa

K-popNov. 29, 2024

‘NewJeans are no longer under Ador,’ says legal expert

With Ador likely gearing up to start a legal battle, its now-former K-pop girl group NewJeans appears ready to move forward with their activities, signaling the start of what could be a long legal fight over rights and compensation. NewJeans' members announced the termination of their exclusive contracts with Ador Thursday, citing breaches of contract by the agency. The quintet asserted during the press conference in Seoul that they owe no penalties or compensation. Still, questions about t

K-popNov. 29, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS' 'Butter' hits 1b views on YouTube

BTS added another video to the list of its visuals with more than 1 billion views on YouTube, as “Butter” reached the milestone late Thursday. The music video for the 2021 mega hit joined the list of “Dynamite,” “Boy With Luv,” “DNA,” “Mic Drop (Steve Aoki Remix),” “Idol” and “Fake Love.” The video earned the septet four Guinness World Records upon release. The synth pop tune made a hotshot debut on Billboard&rsq

K-popNov. 29, 2024

NewJeans leave for Japan shows day after unilaterally terminating contract with Ador

NewJeans took an early flight to Tokyo on Friday, marking the girl group's first activity since unilaterally terminating their exclusive contract with Ador. The group is set to appear on Nihon TV’s “Best Artist 2024,” Saturday, and Fuji TV’s “2024 FNS Music Festival,” on Dec. 4. At Gimpo International Airport, in Gyeonggi Province, the group briefly bowed to the press before proceeding to the departure gate without commenting on the ongoing dispute. The t

K-popNov. 29, 2024

Will Min Hee-jin reunite with NewJeans?

With all five members of NewJeans having expressed their desire to continue working with Min Hee-jin, former CEO of Ador and producer, during their press conference on Thursday, all eyes are on whether the reunion will happen. Min’s first public appearance after NewJeans’ press conference will be on Dec. 6 as she is scheduled to speak at a talk concert hosted by Hanwha General Insurance and Folin to talk about her experience as a K-pop producer. Min is in a legal battle with the K-po

K-popNov. 29, 2024

Ador claims exclusive contracts with NewJeans still valid

Ador, Hybe’s sublabel, claimed Thursday that its exclusive contracts with the members of the K-pop girl group NewJeans are still effective. “The exclusive contracts signed between Ador and NewJeans members are still valid. Therefore, we ask that you (NewJeans) continue to work with Ador for future engagements, just as you have been doing,” said Ador in a press release. This came soon after the group announced the termination of their exclusive contracts with their agency Ador a

K-popNov. 29, 2024

NewJeans terminates contract with Ador, embarks on new journey

NewJeans has unilaterally terminated its exclusive contract with Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe, and announced plans to embark on a new journey outside the company, during a press conference held in Seoul, Thursday. "Our contract will be terminated as of midnight, today. It was Ador and Hybe that violated the contract, so we are ending it," member Minji said. "Moreover, we have never breached our exclusive contract and have always given our best efforts. There is no reason for us to p

K-popNov. 28, 2024

NewJeans to terminate contract with Ador

Popular K-pop girl group NewJeans has announced plans to terminate its exclusive contract with Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe, its PR agency confirmed Thursday. The group is set to hold a press conference at 8:30 p.m. Thursday to address the decision.

K-popNov. 28, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen tops Oricon chart with 4th Japan single

Seventeen's fourth Japanese single album headed straight to the top of Oricon’s Daily Single Ranking, said agency Pledis Entertainment Thursday citing the Japanese tally. “Shohikigen” is led by a ballad tune of the same title, which has been used as a theme song for NHK drama “Me and Future Me!?” that started airing last month. On Friday, the 13-member act will launch its dome tour in Japan, starting in Aichi before heading to Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. The gr

K-popNov. 28, 2024

Crush to introduce vinyl ‘Dip Cuts Vol.1’ filled with new singles

Singer-songwriter Crush is wrapping up the year by releasing a vinyl album, “Dip Cuts Vol. 1,” carrying new singles. The vinyl will be sold at three days of concerts, called “Crush Hour: O,” to be held at the KSPO Dome in Seoul Dec. 20-22. The vinyl carries seven tracks-- “intro (240321),” “may I be your may,” “life is a circle,” “Red Day,” “O,” “deep dive into dipcuts” and “far-sighted,”

K-popNov. 28, 2024

[Herald Interview] Meet 1VERSE, first K-pop boy band to feature North Korean defectors

The four members of 1VERSE – Hyuk, Seok, Aito and Kenny – are about to achieve the first milestone that countless K-pop trainees dream of: an official debut with an album and showcases. This group, tirelessly honing their skills with the goal of debuting by the end of this year, has one special distinction. It is the first K-pop group featuring North Korean defectors. When 24-year-old Hyuk and Seok, who escaped North Korea and arrived in South Korea 10 years and 5 years ago, respectively, make t

K-popNov. 28, 2024

‘VCHA, Katseye and Dear Alice are not K-pop groups,’ industry experts say

The emergence of K-pop powerhouses’ “localized” groups such as VCHA, Katseye, and Dear Alice has sparked debates over whether they can be called K-pop acts. Despite their association with prominent K-pop agencies, industry experts largely agree that they fall outside the traditional definition of K-pop. Major players in the K-pop industry, including Hybe, JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment, have identified localization as the next step in the genre’s evolution. This s

K-popNov. 28, 2024

Kyuhyun marks 10th solo debut anniversary with first LP ‘Colors’

Kyuhyun, known for his multifaceted persona as a member of veteran boy band Super Junior, a beloved ballad soloist, a musical actor and an entertainer, has embraced all these identities in his first studio album, "Colors," marking the 10th anniversary of his solo debut. The album features 10 tracks spanning various genres, from featured track “Unending Days,” in the singer's signature sentimental ballad style, to dance-pop track “Bring It On,” Kyuhyun&rsquo

K-popNov. 28, 2024