K-pop: Last News

BLACKPINK singer Jennie has announced her debut solo studio album ‘Ruby’, featuring collaborations with Doechii, Dua Lipa and more.Today (January 22), BLACKPINK’s Jennie and her label Odd Atelier officially announced the K-pop idol’s debut solo album, titled ‘Ruby’. They also dropped the first teaser clip for the record on her social media pages, teasing its release date and the all-star slate of featured artists.‘Ruby’ will contain a total of 15 songs, including her October 2024 single ‘Mantra’.

BTS rapper J-hope and Don Toliver have debuted a new collaboration, produced by Pharrell Williams, titled ‘LV Bag’.The new J-hope and Don Toliver song was first previewed at the Louis Vuitton FW25 show in Paris on January 21. The song can be heard as Pharrell Williams, men’s creative director for the brand, walked out onto the runway at the end of the show with frequent design collaborator Nigo to greet audience members, including the BTS member, who is a global ambassador for the fashion house.According to Billboard, ‘LV Bag’ was produced by Williams.

(G)I-DLE vocalist Minnie has dropped her debut solo single ‘Her’, alongside a mini-album of the same name.Today (January 21), Minnie and her label CUBE Entertainment released the idol’s solo debut record ‘Her’, alongside an accompanying music video for its title track of the same name. This makes her the fourth (G)I-DLE member to go solo, following the likes of Soyeon, Yuqi and Miyeon.In the music video, Minnie plays three different characters, colour-coded in white, pink and red, engaged in a brutal rivalry against each other while in a mansion.

K-pop physical album sales, while streaming numbers continue to grow.On January 19, the Korea Customs Service published new trade statistics via The Chosun reporting KRW423.8billion in earnings from physical album exports in 2024, a 0.55 per cent increase from 2023’s KRW421.5billion. The outlet noted that the modest increase in sales signals a gradual downtrend in physical album sales for the first time since the industry’s consistent growth since 2015.Notably, K-pop exports to Japan – the industry’s largest market – fell by 24.7 per cent in 2024 with KRW130.3billion in sales.

IU has performed a cover of girl group IVE’s debut single, ‘Eleven’.On January 20, IU released the 31st episode of her YouTube music talk show IU’s Palette, featuring IVE as guest stars. As part of the episode’s ‘Colour Switch’ segment, she performed a cover of the band’s 2021 debut single ‘Eleven’, while IVE returned their rendition of ‘Holssi’, which IU released last year.IU employed a live band complete with a cellist, drummer, bassist, keyboardist for a rock-tinged, self-arranged version of the song.

SEVENTEEN singer Jun will be starring in upcoming Chinese film The Shadow’s Edge alongside actors Jackie Chan and Tony Leung.Directed by Ride On helmer Larry Yang, The Shadow’s Edge is described as a crime thriller flick where a genius retired detective, Huang De Zhong, returns to the Macau Judiciary Police in order to bring a notorious organisation of cunning criminals to justice.His label Pledis Entertainment announced via The Korea Herald on January 20 that the SEVENTEEN member is set to star in the highly anticipated film as a gang member named Hu Feng. He will star alongside Chinese film stars Jackie Chan and Tony Leung, who will play Huang De Zhong and the film’s primary antagonist respectively.

GOT7 have released a new single titled ‘Python’, alongside their 17th mini-album ‘Winter Heptagon’.Today (January 20), GOT7 and Kakao Entertainment unveiled the new record alongside an accompanying music video for lead single ‘Python’ at 6pm KST. The septet’s new music comes just a few days shy of their 11th anniversary on January 16.“I know I’m an icon /Watch me with the lights on / But she got a hold on me like a Python / I don’t wanna lose her / ‘Cause she was my future / Shot through the chest / I was fallin’ for the shooter,” they sing on the chorus.

K-pop girl group BABYMONSTER have released a new music video for their ‘Really Like You’.Today (January 17), the septet unveiled the wholesome visual for their song ‘Really Like You’, taken from their November 2024 studio album ‘Drip’. The track was notably co-written by YG labelmate Mino of the boy band WINNER.Set in a high school, the clip follows the BABYMONSTER members as they daydream, share knowing looks and pen diary entries about a crush.

BLACKPINK singer Rosé has commented on rumours that her recent single ‘toxic till the end’ was written about Jaden Smith.BLACKPINK’s Rosé recently appeared on Vanity Fair’s ‘Lie Detector Test’ interview series, where she answered several questions about her life, career and recent debut album ‘rosie’ while taking a polygraph test.During the interview, the BLACKPINK singer commented on the speculations that she had dated Jaden Smith, dispelling rumours that her song ‘toxic till the end’ was inspired by the American musician and actor.In previous interviews, the singer shared that ‘toxic till the end’ was about a ex-boyfriend. Some fans began speculating that the ex in question might have been Smith due to similarities between him and Evan Mock, who played her love interest in its music video.“No, it’s not about Jaden Smith,” Rosé answered with a laugh, later adding: “He’s a good friend, though.

K-pop girl group GFRIEND have touched on reuniting for their 10th anniversary and why they “had confidence” that it would’ve happened eventually.Earlier this week, GFRIEND reunited to release the special album ‘Season of Memories’ to commemorate their 10th anniversary. The project marked the girl group’s first release in four years, after they left long-time agency Source Music and went on hiatus.In a new interview with The Korea Times, GFRIEND discussed how they came together for the anniversary release and what has changed about their dynamic in the past four years.“Whenever we met, we naturally talked about our 10th anniversary and had confidence that we would gather again someday,” they said.

K-pop girl group BBGirls – previously known as Brave Girls – have made a comeback with their new single ‘LOVE 2’.On January 15, BBGirls released the music video for their new single ‘LOVE 2’, which arrived at the same time. The clip opens with the group discovering different points of an intricate network of tin can phones.

Big Bang member T.O.P has opened up about his recent role in the second season of Netflix’s Squid Game.On January 15, T.O.P spoke to South Korean media for the first time in years to discuss his recent return to the public eye as Thanos in season two of Squid Game. The 37-year-old rapper and actor was previously absent from the public eye due to previous backlash over his 2017 conviction for marijuana use.In an article published by The Korea Times, T.O.P shared that “the offer to play Thanos was a daunting proposition” for him. In Squid Game, Thanos is a rapper who joins the games after falling victim to a cryptocurrency scam.

Single’s Inferno has returned to screens with season four – here’s everything you need to know about the show’s new cast.Single’s Inferno follows a group of singles as they live together on a remote island dubbed Inferno, where they try to find love while keeping their personal details hidden from one other.The only way to make it off the island and get themselves to Paradise, which is characterised by luxurious hotel suites, is to find romance by pairing themselves with another contestant. Cast members are not allowed to share personal details such as their ages and occupations with one another until they have been successful in pairing up.25-year-old Lee Si-an is currently a model, who was previously training to be a K-pop idol.

IVE members Wonyoung and Yujin have opened up about their experiences with receiving hate comments in a new interview.Today (January 15), a new clip from Korean variety series Yoo Quiz On The Block was released, teasing its upcoming episode with guest stars Wonyoung and Yujin of IVE. In the preview, both singers share their personal experiences as two of K-pop’s biggest idols, which has resulted in immense scrutiny from the public.“If I were an office worker, it would be as if I’m being assessed 24/7,” Yujin said in an interview segment for the show.

Red Velvet singer and actress Joy has renewed her contract with SM Entertainment.On January 14, SM Entertainment announced that Joy has renewed her contract with the agency. She is the third Red Velvet member to do so in recent years.

K-pop agency SM Entertainment has announced the upcoming release of a compilation album to celebrate its 30th anniversaryOn January 13, SM Entertainment unveiled a teaser clip announcing the release of its upcoming compilation album. Titled ‘2025 SMTown: The Culture, The Future’, the album, which celebrates the agency’s 30th anniversary, arrives on February 14.“Through this album, we will once again prove the power of SM music that transcends generations,” said SM Entertainment per Yonhap News Agency.The record will include a total of 17 tracks, including lead single ‘Thank You’, which will be performed by all artists under the agency.

82MAJOR have announced their upcoming ‘X-82’ 2025 fanmeeting tour in Asia, featuring stops in Thailand and Malaysia.Today (January 13), 82MAJOR released a tour poster for the band’s upcoming ‘X-82’ 2025 fanmeeting tour in Asia. Taking place in February, the ‘X-82’ Asia shows will mark their first overseas headline shows since they debuted in 2023.The fanmeet will kick off in Bangkok on February 9, before they head to Kuala Lumpur for a show on February 16.

IVE have dropped their new song ‘Rebel Heart’, a pre-release track from their upcoming mini-album ‘IVE Empathy’.Today (January 13), IVE and Starship Entertainment unveiled the single ‘Rebel Heart’ ahead of the full release of ‘IVE Empathy’, the girl group’s third mini-album. The song was released alongside an accompanying music video at 6pm KST.The label has described ‘Rebel Heart’ as “a portrayal of solidarity among rebels with different narratives” in a press release.

SM Entertainment have announced the upcoming debut of a new girl group, called Hearts2Hearts, next month.The South Korean music label, home to top K-pop acts such as aespa, NCT, Red Velvet and EXO, provided a first look at the upcoming girl group during the SMTOWN Live 2025 concerts in Seoul on January 11 and 12.The shows, held at the Gocheok Sky Dome, marked SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary and featured performances from the label’s roster of artists. The company showcased a video teaser before formally announcing Hearts2Hearts’ Upcoming debut.Hearts2Hearts will have eight members and will release their first music on February 24.

Fresh off his mandatory military enlistment, J-Hope will be the next BTS member to be going on tour. The singer, rapper, and dancer announced his first solo tour run called Hope On Stage, which will kick off in late February with a three-night residency in Seoul.

just yet.At the time of publication, BTS is still on hiatus while a few of the seven members complete their mandatory South Korean military service.Still, that hasn’t stopped J-Hope — who wrapped his duties in October — from announcing his ‘Hope On The Stage World Tour,’ which includes ten U.S. shows.To kick off the North American run, the 30-year-old will drop into Brooklyn for two nights at the Barclays Center on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14.“Finally!!!” he shared on Instagram.In addition to the tour, the singer/rapper teased “new music on the way” in a separate Instagram post.