TNX (an acronym for The New Six) is a five-member boy group under P NATION. Originally debuting as six members, the group was formed through the SBS survival program LOUD, a collaboration project between J.Y. Park and PSY. They officially debuted on May 17, 2022 with their first mini album Way Up. The group’s lineup was finalized during the finale of LOUD in 2021, where Kyung Jun, Tae Hun, Hyun Soo, Jun Hyeok, Hwi, Sung Jun, and Tanaka Koki were selected for P NATION’s upcoming boy group. However, in January 2022, P NATION announced that Tanaka Koki would not debut with the team in order to continue training, leading the group to debut as six members under the name TNX. On their debut day, they also introduced their fandom name THX, meaning “Together with TNX.” Following their debut, TNX continued building their discography with releases such as Love Never Dies, Boyhood, and the digital single &quot;Fuego&quot;, while also participating in the survival competition Road to Kingdom : Ace of Ace in 2024. During this period, member Jun Hyeok temporarily paused activities due to anxiety before later returning to the group. In October 2024, it was announced that member Kyung Jun would enlist in the military and depart from the group following the completion of his service, reducing TNX to five members. The group continued activities with releases including the mini album For Real? in 2025 and the digital single &quot;Call Me Back&quot; in 2026, maintaining their growth under P NATION.

TNX's Kurated KPOPWORLD playlist doubles as commentary on "Die Another Day" itself

Kurated: 10 Songs That Inspired TNX During “Die Another Day”

WHIB is a seven-member boy group under C-JeS Entertainment, consisting of members Kim Junmin, Haseung, Jinbeom, UGeon, Leejeong, Jaeha, and Wonjun. Originally an octet, they debuted on November 8, 2023, with the single album Cut-Out. The group was first teased in November 2021 as the trainee group M.I.C, which stood for “Made in C-JeS.” On September 7, 2023, it was revealed that the group would debut as an eight-member group under the name WHIB, along with introductions to the new members. In 2025, members LeeJeong, Junmin and Wonjun competed on the Mnet survival show Boys II Planet, ranking 12th, 13th, and 62nd, respectively. On October 16, it was announced that member Inhong had departed from the group. WHIB released their first mini album, ROCK THE NATION, on January 29, 2026.

WHIB

Once driven by the need to do everything perfectly, he has learned to trust his own strengths, find his individual style, and enjoy the process more freely

An Interview with WHIB’s WONJUN – The Perfectionist Learning to Trust Himself

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&amp;TEAM is a nine-member Japanese boy group under YX Labels (formerly HYBE Labels Japan). The group was formed through the survival program &quot;&amp;Audition - The Howling&quot; and debuted in December 2022 with their first extended play &quot;First Howling: Me&quot;. The group consists of EJ, Fuma, K, Nicholas, Yuma, Jo, Harua, Taki, and Maki, with EJ serving as the leader. Several members, including K, Nicholas, EJ, and Taki, previously participated in the survival show I-LAND before being selected for HYBE&#x27;s Japanese global debut project. Before their official debut, the group released the digital single Under the Skin, which introduced their storyline and concept. Their debut EP, First Howling,e followed shortly afterward, marking the beginning of the group&#x27;s &quot;First Howling&quot; series of releases. Although primarily active in Japan, &amp;TEAM promoted internationally and later expanded into Korea with Korean-language releases and promotions. Their fandom name is LUNÉ, representing fans who support the group like the moon lighting the night sky.

&TEAM

&amp;TEAM's first-ever U.S. performances weren't just a KCON debut, they were a test. On the Artist Stage, the group played to a packed, barricade-close crowd

&TEAM's KCON 2026 Debut Stands Out

TNX have spent four years building a reputation on performance. With "Die Another Day," they went looking for it somewhere new

TNX Talk Rock, Live Vocals, and Refusing to Hold Back

Beyond K-pop, Southeast Asian genres like P-pop are gaining international attention. Leading the charge is boy band SB19, who are coming to San Antonio to show exactly why

KPOPWORLD Festival Spotlight: SB19

XLOV is a South Korean boy group formed by 257 Entertainment and currently managed by [WM Entertainment]. The group consists of four members: Wumuti, Rui, Hyun, and Haru. They debuted on January 7, 2025, with the single album I&#x27;mma Be. XLOV gained attention for promoting a genderless concept, incorporating androgynous styling and performances that challenge traditional gender norms in Kpop. The group&#x27;s name combines &quot;X,&quot; representing the unknown and negation, with &quot;LOV,&quot; symbolizing incomplete love, while their fandom name, EVOL, represents the completion of that concept. Several members were previously known through survival programs before debut. Wumuti, Rui, and Haru participated in Boys Planet, while Wumuti was also active in the project group WATERFIRE before helping form XLOV. The group is particularly noted for Wumuti&#x27;s involvement in songwriting and production, including contributions to their debut release. Since debuting, XLOV has released music including I&#x27;mma Be and I ONE, earning recognition for their distinctive concept, performance style, and growing international fanbase. In 2026, the group&#x27;s management structure changed following the acquisition of 257 Entertainment by WM Entertainment through RBW. Their music primarily incorporates elements of hip-hop, R&amp;B, and pop, while their visual identity and performances have distinguished them as one of the more unconventional rookie acts of the fifth generation of Kpop.

XLOV

Since debuting in January 2025, XLOV have made genderless styling the foundation of their entire identity, not just a look one member occasionally reaches for

How XLOV’s Genderless Styling Is Breaking the K-Pop Mould

A songwriter and composer within the group, JUNMIN approaches music from the melody up, while embracing WHIB’s ability to move between different sounds and styles

An Interview with WHIB’s KIM JUNMIN – The Melody-Minded Music Maker

As the second KPOPWORLD Festival headliner, indie-rock band The Rose present a refreshing authenticity

KPOPWORLD Festival Spotlight: The Rose

Last week saw new beginnings for TEN, NEW, and SM, while BESTie’s “Love Options” sparked a resurgence

Last Week In K-pop, Interpreted (August 24 - August 28, 2026)

Jay Park headlines the first-ever KPOPWORLD Festival, and if you know his story, that booking makes perfect sense

KPOPWORLD Festival Spotlight: Jay Park

There are two very distinct vibes battling it out in this week’s releases: subdued and stress-free vs. carefree and reckless — both sides impeccably executed across the board

Comeback Corner: NCT 127, TUIDE, XG & MORE

The first KPOPWORLD Festival &amp; Worldwide Dance Competition lands at San Antonio's Alamodome from 28–31 October, with the promise of two action-packed nights of live music

Spotlight: The KPOPWORLD Festival 2026 Line-Up

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, SEVENTEEN’s Vernon revealed his stance on the over-Westernization of K-pop in recent years compared to the industry’s distinct and experimental sounds in its early years

K-pop Has Always Been Westernized, But When Did the Inspiration Turn Into a Chase?

WAYF BOYS' debut MV opens with an argument in a moving car and ends with a member dropping his pants in front of police - and somewhere in between, the group makes its whole thesis clear

WAYF BOYS Debut Like They've Already Won

The seven-member group – SEOHEE, SEOYEON, ELENA, JIA, SAKI, SEAH, and YI HANI – have officially debuted as the first act under HYBE's ABD label, releasing their debut EP TUNE &amp; PLAY today

TUIDE Officially Debut with ‘TUNE & PLAY’

&nbsp;This week’s column breaks down MTV VMA Best K-pop snubs, the fallout from RM and j-hope attending a Chris Brown concert, and why U.S. labels are signing rookie groups like WAYF BOYS

KPOPWORLD Festival Spotlight: The Rose

Last Week In K-pop, Interpreted (August 24 - August 28, 2026)

Exclusive

Kurated: 10 Songs That Inspired TNX During “Die Another Day”

An Interview with WHIB’s WONJUN – The Perfectionist Learning to Trust Himself

News

KPOPWORLD Festival Spotlight: Jay Park

Comeback Corner: NCT 127, TUIDE, XG & MORE

KPOPWORLD Festival Spotlight: SB19

Spotlight: The KPOPWORLD Festival 2026 Line-Up

K-pop Has Always Been Westernized, But When Did the Inspiration Turn Into a Chase?

WAYF BOYS Debut Like They've Already Won

How XLOV’s Genderless Styling Is Breaking the K-Pop Mould

TUIDE Officially Debut with ‘TUNE & PLAY’

Last Week In K-pop, Interpreted (August 17 - August 21, 2026)

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