GOT7 is gearing up for a comeback under a new agency. The 7-member K-pop group will make a long-awaited return as a full group with the release of its new mini-album "Winter Heptagon" on Jan. 20, 2025. This marks its first group activity in nearly three years after the release of its 12th mini-album "GOT7" in May 2022. Although GOT7’s exclusive contracts with JYP Entertainment, the group's original agency, ended in 2021, the group retained the trademark rights to t

K-pop Dec. 20, 2024

K-pop fans worldwide are gearing up for the grand spectacle of Korea's major year-end music shows — "KBS Song Festival," "SBS Gayo Daejeon" and "MBC Gayo Daejejeon." Each festival has a unique concept and star-studded lineup, offering a glimpse into the past, present and future of K-pop. From legendary reunions to first-time collaborations, these year-end stages promise unforgettable moments to close out 2024 and welcome 2025 in style. Cross-generatio

Performance Dec. 19, 2024

Legendary girl group 2NE1 is releasing a limited-edition LP in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of its debut. The 2NE1 "15th Anniversary Best LP" will feature some of the group’s most iconic tracks, starting with the debut song “Fire,” as well as hits like “I Don’t Care,” “Can’t Nobody,” “Go Away,” “Slow,” “I Am The Best,” “Ugly,” “Lonely” and “Missing You.&rdquo

K-pop Dec. 18, 2024

As 2025 approaches, K-pop artists are setting their sights on global stages. SHINee’s Taemin will continue the momentum of his first solo world tour, “Ephemeral Gaze,” which began on Dec. 15 with sold-out shows, into early next year. According to his agency Big Planet Made Entertainment tickets for the US leg of the “Ephemeral Gaze” tour — covering New York, Chicago, Houston, Oakland and Los Angeles — sold out immediately. This follows previous sellouts

Performance Dec. 17, 2024

BoyNextDoor held the group's first stand-alone concert “Knock On Vol.1” and announced a January comeback. The two shows at Inspire Arena in Incheon on Dec. 14-15 mark the group’s first solo concert since debuting in May 2023. The six members, dressed in blue jeans and black jackets, made a dramatic entrance by leaping up from the stage floor amid fireworks. They kicked off the show with “Earth, Wind and Fire,” followed by “Dangerous,” where the stag

Performance Dec. 16, 2024

Several K-pop artists, including Jungkook of BTS and boy group Stray Kids, showcased their global popularity by securing spots on Billboard’s Year-End charts. According to Billboard’s Year-End Chart, Jungkook ranked 60th on the Top Artists Chart, while Stray Kids secured No. 73. Billboard’s annual Year-End Charts highlight the trends and artists that defined the year in music, offering a retrospective look at the industry's biggest hits. The rankings of the Year-End Top Ar

K-pop Dec. 15, 2024

As National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik read out the results of the impeachment vote Saturday, the crowds filling Seoul's Yeouido district erupted in celebration. Car horns blared through the streets as tens of thousands of protesters, who had gathered throughout the day, broke into jubilant cheers and singing. "I declare that the impeachment motion has passed – 204 in favor, 85 against, 8 abstentions, three null votes," Woo said, confirming the passage of the motion to imp

Social Affairs Dec. 14, 2024

A Taste of Britain in Seoul Tucked away in an Euljiro alley, where old buildings, high-rise towers, and a variety of eateries coexist, there’s a cozy, inviting space that’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Follow a small, modest sign, climb a narrow staircase, and you’ll find yourself in a warm and homey cafe. Cafe Eulji Lewis is run by Lewis, the British owner, together with his Korean wife. The red-toned wallpaper, curtains, and a collection of vintage ornam

Culture Dec. 13, 2024

Nationwide protests calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment have brought a notable change from previous demonstrations: a connection across generations through music. Recent protests have seen a wide range of music transcending generational boundaries. Shared through platforms like YouTube and X, the so-called "protest playlist" includes everything from K-pop hits beloved by younger Koreans, to traditional protest songs that were the anthems of the democratization moveme

Social Affairs Dec. 12, 2024

The 17-year veteran band Daybreak has returned with a new album that captures the past, present, and future of the band, infused with their enduring passion. The band's 3rd mini album, “Semicolon,” is its first album since their 2016 full-length 4th album, “With.” In the interim, the band had been active through collaborations with other artists and the release of singles. The title “Semicolon” reflects the punctuation mark’s role in adding to a sen

K-pop Dec. 12, 2024

Big Ocean, the world's first idol group composed of members with hearing impairments, is set to hold its first solo concert. The trio -- Chanyeon, Hyunjin and Jiseok -- announced via the group's official social media channels that they will hold the first solo concert under the banner of “Follow” on March 9, 2025, at the Toyota City Cultural Hall in Nagoya, Japan. “Follow” is also the name of Big Ocean’s first mini album. The group is preparing not only to

Performance Dec. 12, 2024

Veteran boy group Infinite, set to mark its 15th debut anniversary next year, kicked off its Asia concert tour, promising fans an even brighter future together. The six-member group held their 15th-anniversary concert “Limited Edition” from Friday to Sunday, at KSPO Dome located in Seoul Olympic Park, drawing over 30,000 spectators over three days. With a powerful live band session filling the venue, the sextet made a grand entrance, descending a massive staircase from the ceiling, a

K-pop Dec. 9, 2024

The motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol failed in the National Assembly on Saturday, as all but three of the 108 members of the ruling People’s Power Party, abstained from voting. The decision sparked widespread fury and frustration among overseas Koreans, who have directed their anger at the ruling party. “I feel profound sadness,” Sun-ju Bully-Noh, who teaches Korean at the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France. "I cannot understand why opinions are so divided in

Politics Dec. 7, 2024

Amid the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's emergency martial law declaration on Tuesday night, the film "12.12: The Day" has surged to the top of Netflix’s movie rankings, drawing renewed attention for its historical themes. As of Friday, "12.12: The Day" claimed the No. 1 spot among Netflix’s popular films, overtaking newer releases like "Pilot" and "Because I Hate Korea." Released over a year ago, on Nov. 22, the movie has newfound

Film Dec. 6, 2024

The Boyz have officially secured their group name after their former agency, IST Entertainment, reached a final agreement on trademark rights with their new agency, One Hundred Label. One Hundred Label announced Thursday that they had concluded negotiations with IST Entertainment, achieving a resolution. “We have set aside past grievances and had open, honest discussions, prioritizing The Boyz and their fans in reaching a resolution that benefits everyone. We sincerely thank IST Entertainm

K-pop Dec. 6, 2024