KPOPWORLD #6 (Yves)

KPOPWORLD #6 (KEYVITUP X VAYONN)

KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

LOONA (이달의 소녀, &quot;Girl of the Month&quot;) is a girl group formed by Blockberry Creative with one of the most ambitious pre-debut projects in K-pop history. From 2016 to 2018, each of the twelve members was individually introduced with her own solo single, music video, and lore before the full group debuted in August 2018. This elaborate rollout created an intricate &quot;LOONAVERSE&quot; mythology that captivated fans who dissected every visual clue and narrative connection. LOONA&#x27;s music spans a remarkable range of styles — from Chuu&#x27;s bubbly &quot;Heart Attack&quot; to the cinematic grandeur of &quot;Butterfly&quot; to the girl-crush energy of &quot;PTT (Paint the Town).&quot; The group gained a uniquely devoted international fandom, Orbits, who turned LOONA into an internet phenomenon long before the group achieved mainstream domestic success. Despite significant company controversies and member departures, LOONA&#x27;s creative ambition and the quality of their discography have ensured their place in K-pop history as one of the most artistically inventive groups of their generation.

LOONA

From LOONA to her evolution as a solo artist, Yves opens up about her journey, creative identity, and the challenges behind her growth in an honest, unfiltered conversation in 2026

The Self-Image of Yves

KEYVITUP is a five-member boy group under iNKODE, formed through the agency’s INTHE X Project. The lineup—Sena, Hyunmin, Taehwan, Rukia, and Jaein—was introduced step by step through pre-debut content, building anticipation around a team designed with a strong performance focus and a clear concept from the start. As part of a dual-group rollout, KEYVITUP was positioned with a trendy and dynamic identity, contrasting with its counterpart group. This concept highlights a more energetic and performance-driven style, setting the tone for their music and overall image even before debut. They are set to make their debut with the self-titled EP KEYVITUP, marking the official beginning of their activities. With pre-debut exposure, international stage appearances, and a defined concept, the group enters the scene with momentum and a clear direction moving forward.

KEYVITUP

For our latest Digital Cover, we sit down with HYUNMIN, TAEHWAN, SENA, JAEIN, and RUKIA to talk about their debut, finding their sound, writing and shaping their own music, the chemistry that holds them together, and where they want to take KEYVITUP next

KEYVITUP - The KPOPWORLD Digital Cover

KickFlip is a seven-member boy group under JYP Entertainment, consisting of Kyehoon, Amaru, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju, and Donghyeon. The group was formed through the SBS audition program Loud and debuted in 2025. The group&#x27;s identity connects JYP&#x27;s idol training system with a more youthful, agile performance image. Because several members were already known from a survival-show context, KickFlip&#x27;s debut carried built-in curiosity around how the lineup would translate from trainee competition to a working group. The fandom is known as WeFlip. KickFlip is still early in its career, with its public identity centered on formation, lineup, and debut positioning rather than a long-established legacy.

KickFlip

KickFlip are ready to kick off a new chapter. Ahead of their first world tour in 2027, the JYP Entertainment rookies sit down with KPOPWORLD to discuss their new album KICK OFF THE WALL Pt. 1

KickFlip Talk KICK OFF THE WALL Pt. 1 Ahead of First World Tour

CLOSE YOUR EYES (also shortened as CYE) is a seven-member boy group under UNCORE. They were formed through JTBC&#x27;s survival show PROJECT7. They made their debut on April 2, 2025, with the mini album &quot;Enternalt&quot;. PROJECT7 started airing on October 18, 2024, and the finale was broadcast live on December 27, 2024, revealing the group name, CLOSE YOUR EYES, and the seven winners, in order: Ma Jingxiang, Kenshin, Jeon Minwook, Seo Kyoungbae, Song Seungho, Jang Yeojun, and Kim Sungmin. Before joining PROJECT7, Jeon Minwook had already debuted as a member of the boy group BAE173 and the project group A-SIX. Additionally, Ma Jingxiang was a contestant on Boys Planet, while Jang Yeojun also participated in Boys Planet and was a contestant on Wild Idol.

CLOSE YOUR EYES

He talks us through the writing process behind the album's closing track, how he's grown since debut, and what drives him to keep reaching further

Meet The Member An Interview with CLOSE YOUR EYES' SEO KYOUNGBAE – Always Climbing Higher

He talks discovering bossa nova for the first time, what collaborating with a featured artist changed for him, and where he feels most connected to the rest of the group

Meet The Member: An Interview with CLOSE YOUR EYES' KENSHIN – The Playful Connector

The new gen is rising and dynamic music along with it. The new group Riize has just released their first mini album, and it is jam-packed with energy and flair.

Riize is Riizing to the Occasion on Their First Album

Music has the inexplicable power to wipe out your current emotions and whisk you away into faraway places

Daily Non-K-Pop Spotlight: “Yeah” by TRPP

There have been some seriously cool concept photos over the years. We’ve already covered some of our favorites, including the weird and wacky from years gone by. Today, however, we’re taking a look at the group that has done multiple underwater shoots and has nailed them all.

Throwback Concept Photos of the Day: Swimming with A.C.E.

2020 and 2021, despite being some of the hardest years for the global population as a whole, were excellent years for the growth of K-pop.

WATCH THE MOMENT: BTS accepted the 2021 AMA for Artist of the Year

Hope everyone’s Sunday (or whenever you’re reading this) is going well!&nbsp;

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight : “Freckles” by Oh Heejung

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the last week, Jimin just dropped a new album. Following in the footsteps of his fellow BTS brothers, the singer has released a new solo project, and the internet is (rightfully) going crazy for it.

Jimin is our new MUSE in latest concept photos

Ok, ok, ok. We’re exaggerating just a liiiiiiittle bit. Last year at the MMA2023 Ceremony, aespa put on a performance that some said blew the rest of the night out of the water.

WATCH THE MOMENT: aespa robbed a safe at the MMA ceremony

There’s something magical that happens when you mix tradition with modernity in a way that uses the best parts of both perspectives

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight : “Kkokdugaksi” by Gostwind

It has been one heck of a year for Stray Kids. From performing at Lollapalooza to becoming one of the most inescapable groups online, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding them recently. And now, to add to the hype, they’ve just announced their new mini-album ATE, which is hot off the press.&nbsp;

Stray Kids absolutely ‘ATE’ in their new comeback photos

With how massive some of these groups in K-pop are, it’s always interesting to see how those groups balance the time in the spotlight. Fortunately, we don’t need to spend too much time wondering about it because there’s always another fan out there who has done the math so you don’t have to.

Fan Spotlight: LOONA Line Distribution Visualizer

NewJeans, a standout girl group that debuted in 2022, has been making waves in the music industry. Known for their surprise debut single "Attention" and the hit "Hype Boy," they quickly climbed to the top of various charts.

The K-pop Queens of 2024

When 박혜진 Park Hye Jin appeared out of nowhere with her slick house-inspired hip-hop jams, the electronic and Korean indie scenes seemed to explode.

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