[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s Chanyeol tops iTunes chart in 51 regions

Chanyeol of EXO proved himself a formidable soloist, placing his first solo album atop the iTunes Top Albums chart in 51 regions, according to label SM Entertainment on Thursday. His first solo EP “Black Out” also claimed the top spot on several music charts in Korea and China. The mini-album comprises six tracks including the titular track and “I’m on your side too,” for which the veteran idol participated in writing the lyrics. On Sept. 6-7, he will host a solo

K-popAug. 29, 2024

EXO Chanyeol makes solo debut with 1st EP ‘Black Out’

Chanyeol of the K-pop group EXO debuted as a soloist with his first mini-album "Black Out" Wednesday. “It’s been 12 years since I debuted as a member of EXO. Now, I’m happy to get to show something new as a solo artist,” said Chanyeol at a press conference the same day. The album blends newness brought by its diverse genres with Chanyeol's way of evoking strong feelings through his vocals. The album features six tracks, including the title song "Black

K-popAug. 29, 2024

Katseye gains momentum as streaming interest grows in US

Katseye, the global girl group launched via a collaboration between Hybe and Geffen Records, has been gaining significant popularity in the US, coinciding with the release of a documentary on the group's formation on Netflix. After the eight-part documentary series "Pop Star Academy: Katseye" was released on Aug. 21 on Netflix, there has been a surge in buzz surrounding Katseye in the US, according to Hybe on Wednesday. "Pop Star Academy" highlights the process of select

K-popAug. 28, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa enters Billboard Hot 100 at No. 97

Lisa of Blackpink hit the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 97 with “New Woman,” her collaboration with Spanish pop star Rosalia. It is her fourth entry on the main singles chart following “LaLisa” and “Money” from her namesake album released in 2021. The two songs ranked No. 84 and No. 90, respectively. Her last single “Rockstar” from June, claimed No. 70 on the chart. On Wednesday, the artist shared the news on her Instagram that “New Woman” w

K-popAug. 28, 2024

[Exclusive] Samsung unsure of Suga's future as brand ambassador: source

Amid the ongoing controversy over K-pop star Suga’s drunk driving incident, Samsung Electronics is considering not extending its brand ambassador contract with the singer. “There is a risk in promoting someone as a brand ambassador who has caused a social controversy, regardless of the person's fandom. It is a serious matter and requires a lot of careful consideration,” a source familiar with the situation told The Korea Herald Tuesday on condition of anonymity. Samsung will no

K-popAug. 28, 2024

Min Hee-jin objects to dismissal from Ador CEO position

Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of the K-pop agency Ador representing girl group NewJeans, has raised objections to her recent dismissal. In a statement issued through her legal representative Shin & Kim, Min argued that the decision to remove her as Ador CEO was "unilateral" and in direct violation of the shareholder agreement and court injunction prohibiting the exercise of Hybe’s voting rights to dismiss Min during a shareholders' meeting. The shareholder agreement stipul

K-popAug. 28, 2024

Why K-Pop idols face stricter scrutiny: cultural and economic forces behind Korea's high standards

The recent drunk driving incident involving BTS's Suga and the criticism he has faced have sparked discussion about why K-pop idols face such strict scrutiny. Experts point to the unique fan-idol relationship and the way entertainment companies treat idols more as products than individuals. The domestic K-pop fandom is intense and deeply involved. Every K-pop group has a dedicated fandom that supports its idols in every conceivable way. When a group releases a new album, fans often purchase

K-popAug. 27, 2024

Ador’s Min Hee-jin replaced by new CEO amid ongoing dispute

Min Hee-jin is stepping down as CEO of Hybe music subsidiary Ador, with the company announcing on Tuesday that Kim Ju-young has been appointed Ador's new CEO. The decision came amid an ongoing dispute between Min and Hybe that began in April over her alleged attempt to seize management rights of Ador. “On the 27th, the company held a board meeting and appointed Kim Joo-young, a current Ador director, as the new CEO,” the statement read. “While former CEO Min Hee-jin is ste

K-popAug. 27, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Zerobaseone continues 1m sales streak with 4th EP

The fourth EP from Zerobaseone sold more than 1 million copies on release day, as did all three previous albums, agency WakeOne Entertainment said Tuesday. EP “Cinema Paradise” was released Monday and debuted atop the iTunes Top Albums chart in 15 regions and the main track “Good So Bad” landed on its Top Songs chart at No. 8. The lead single also claimed the top spot on the Top 100 chart of LINE Music, a leading music website in Japan, while all seven songs from the mi

K-popAug. 27, 2024

K-pop singer Kwon Eun-bi makes acting debut in Japanese film ‘Stolen Identity: The Last Hacker’

K-pop star Kwon Eun-bi is making her official debut as an actor through a Japanese film, “Stolen Identity: The Last Hacker,” set to hit local theaters on Nov. 1. A poster and trailer for the Japanese film starring Kwon Eun-bi were unveiled Tuesday. The film is the third installment of “Stolen Identity,” an adaptation of the novel series of the same name by Japanese author Akira Shiga. The first installment released in 2018 became a massive hit, attracting over 1.5 million

K-popAug. 27, 2024

Christopher and Lee Young-ji to present collaboration

Danish singer-songwriter Christopher and Korean rapper Lee Young-ji are set to release their new song "Trouble" in September. Christopher revealed the collaboration news during his solo concert, to which he had invited Lee Young-ji as a guest, held Sunday at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul. The two first met in 2022 on Lee Young-ji's YouTube variety show "Nothing Much Prepared." Their candid and humorous conversation garnered attention and the two have maintained their co

PerformanceAug. 27, 2024

Zerobaseone ready to spread positive energy with ‘Cinema Paradise’

A happy ending awaits everyone after bad things happen: This is the message that K-pop rookie group Zerobaseone wants to deliver through "Cinema Paradise," its fourth EP released Monday. “Our album is led by the title track ‘Good So Bad’ which is a song that honestly expresses the feeling of falling deeply in love. It's also about being afraid of losing a bittersweet love,” said Zhang Hao of Zerobaseone during a press conference Monday in Seoul. The lead tr

K-popAug. 27, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jimin goes double platinum with ‘Like Crazy’

Jimin of BTS earned double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America with his solo single “Like Crazy” last week, according to the organization. It was the first time a K-pop solo act achieved the feat, and he did so in 518 days. “Like Crazy” fronted his first solo album “Face” which was released in March 2023. It debuted atop Billboard’s Hot 100 -- the first-ever K-pop solo song to do so – and made him the first K-p

K-popAug. 26, 2024

NCT Jaehyun debuts solo with first solo album ‘J’

Jaehyun of the popular K-pop boy group NCT debuted as a solo artist with the release of his first solo album “J” on Monday. “J” carries eight tracks led by the title song “Smoke” released in both Korean and English versions. The album showcases a range of emotions and sounds reflecting Jaehyun’s unique music style. “The album is designed to be the perfect soundtrack to tune into for the late afternoon to early dawn,” said Jaehyun in a press r

K-popAug. 26, 2024

Is Korea being too harsh on Suga?

There has been a lot of discussion recently about Suga’s drunk driving incident, raising the question of whether the global K-pop star deserves the level of criticism he has received. Opinions on the issue are particularly divided among local and international fans of Army, BTS’ dedicated fanbase. Suga drove an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol, registering the highest blood alcohol concentration level ever reported in a DUI (driving under the influence) case involving

K-popAug. 26, 2024

[Herald Interview] Oh My Girl presents soothing music to bring listeners comfort

K-pop summer queens Oh My Girl return Monday with their 10th EP, “Dreamy Resonance,” led by “Classified,” a fresh track that brings something new to the table. “It’s a dreamy and lyrical music, which is quite different from our popular summer songs that involve energetic rhythm. This song conveys a message of comfort to those who need someone by their side for support. As you would see in the music video for the song, we are portrayed as dolls that comfort chi

K-popAug. 26, 2024

Suga of BTS undergoes first questioning on drunk driving

Suga of BTS showed up for his first round of questioning at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul around 7:45 p.m. Friday in connection with allegations he was drunk while riding an electric scooter. “I am deeply sorry. I sincerely regret disappointing my fans and the public. I will cooperate with the investigation. Once again, I apologize,” said Suga once getting out of his car with a serious expression and bowing in front of reporters at the scene. When questioned by reporters about why

K-popAug. 23, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] SHINee’s Onew to hold solo concert in Korea, Japan

Onew of SHINee is planning to take the stage as a solo singer in Korea and Japan, according to agency Griffin Entertainment on Friday. Onew's solo fan concert “Hola!” will be held in Seoul on Oct. 5-6 and in Yokohama, Japan on Nov. 21-22. The set list will include songs from his third solo EP “Flow” which will be released on Sept. 3. The album comes about 1 1/2 years after his first solo studio album “Circle.” The LP was atop “The 25 Best K-Pop Al

K-popAug. 23, 2024

Military Manpower to inspect BTS’ Suga military service onsite

The Military Manpower Administration is set to conduct an on-site inspection to check whether BTS’ Suga is faithfully performing his military service as a social service worker. Suga of the world-renowned K-pop boy group BTS is also currently being investigated by the police for driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol. On Aug. 6, Suga was caught by the police drunk driving an electric scooter in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gut, Seoul. In Korea, electric scooters are classified

K-popAug. 23, 2024

NCT Dream releases first English single ‘Rain in Heaven’

K-pop boy group NCT Dream released its first English single “Rain in Heaven” on Friday. “Rain in Heaven” is an '80s-style pop song blended with drum n' bass sounds. Mark of NCT Dream took part in writing the lyrics to the single to convey a warm message of comfort and promise to stand by those who are tired and struggling, offering a sense of solace to global listeners. For Mark, English is his mother tongue as he was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. The musi

K-popAug. 23, 2024