K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment and US music label Republic Records are expanding their strategic partnership. The labels announced Thursday their plan to expand their partnership, which includes global distribution of artists and catalogs, marketing, business development and artist repertoire. Their partnership was initially formed back in 2020 to promote JYP Entertainment’s girl group Twice outside South Korea. The partnership has proved successful, with Stray Kids and Twice housed by

(G)I-dle hit the Billboard 200 at No. 41 with its sixth EP “I Feel,” according to the latest chart rankings announced on Wednesday in the US. The album came out on May 15 and topped the iTunes top albums chart in 18 regions. It sold over 1.16 million copies in the first week, the fourth-highest first-week sales figure for a K-pop girl group. The lead track “Queencard” debuted on Billboard’s Global 200 at No. 157 last week and climbed up to No. 38 this week. Separat

SM denounces EXO members' actions as "illegal acts" by "outside forces," warns of strict legal repercussions

A former staff member of the Busan International Film Festival has alleged sexual abuse by ex-BIFF Executive Director Huh Mun-young, who offered to resign on May 11. According to a local news report, the former staff member reported Huh to the Center for Gender Equality in Korean Film for sexual abuse. The staff member reportedly received counseling from the center until recently. Huh is alleged to have ordered the staff member to perform unfair tasks at work, as well as using inappropriate lang

After more than two years of hiatus, K-pop legend SHINee is finally returning to the music scene with its eighth studio album, “HARD,” on June 26. The upcoming album comprises a total of 10 tracks led by the titular track “HARD,” according to SM Entertainment. SHINee celebrates its 15th debut anniversary this year with this studio album which will open a new chapter in the group's career. The band established a strong position in the K-pop industry with irreplaceable

J-Hope of globally popular K-pop boy group BTS will work as an assistant instructor at an Army boot camp during the remainder of his mandatory military service, sources in the music industry said Wednesday. The sources revealed the member has recently been chosen for the position at the recruit training center of the 36th Infantry Division in Wonju, 87 kilometers southeast of Seoul. In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for about two years. The 29-year-old ent

SHINee will meet fans at its sixth standalone concert in Seoul on June 23-25, according to label SM Entertainment on Wednesday. The concert, titled “Perfect Illumination,” will see the veterans go live in front of fans at home for the first time in over 6 1/2 years. Its most recent live gig was the online concert “SHINee World” held more than two years ago. The last day’s performance will be livestreamed online for fans from around the world. Over the weekend, the

During the 1970s and 1980s, South Korea experienced a flourishing chorus culture with numerous small and large chorus groups. Prior to the start of the 9 o'clock TV news program, art songs would be broadcast, and amateur competitions and festivals were abundant. It was around that time the National Chorus of Korea was founded in 1973, followed by chorus groups established by regional governments. This period marked a golden era for chorus culture in Korea, according to Yoon Eui-joong, t

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Global K-pop phenomenon BTS is dropping a new digital single next month, a surprise gift for fans amid its group hiatus. According to Big Hit Music on Wednesday, BTS will drop a new digital single called "Take Two" on June 9. "'Take Two' is a song for fans embodying the heartfelt emotions and stories BTS sends to its fans in celebration of its 10th anniversary," Big Hit Music said in a statement released Wednesday. The septet is set to celebrate its anniversary on

Six-piece boy band aims for rookie of the year

JYP Entertainment boy band Stray Kids have written themselves into K-pop history, logging the highest number of preorders for its upcoming album. Stray Kids' third full-length album “5-Star,” to release Friday, hit 4.93 million preorders on Tuesday, according to JYP Entertainment. Stray Kids became a million-selling act just three years since debuting with its second full-length album, “Noeasy,” in August 2021 selling more than 1.67 million copies. That success was f