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

For anyone living under a rock, Lalisa Manobal, known better as Lisa of BLACKPINK, has returned and is clearly ready to show off a new side to herself.

Check it out! Lisa Embraces a New “Rockstar” Look 

Who’s watching this performance in 2024? We know we are!

Watch the Moment - BTS’s Performance of “FIRE” at the 2016 MAMAs

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “friend to lover” by Standing Egg

A few days ago we took a look at one of our favorite concepts from the past few years with KingDom. That got us thinking about all the other creative and exciting concepts over the years and left us smiling with all the memories. So here’s another one of the most fun concepts we can remember: “BAD LOVE” by KEY.

This KEY Concept was Equal Parts Awesome and Silly

SEVENTEEN made history at Glastonbury 2024 as the first K-pop group to grace the Pyramid Stage, delivering a performance that mesmerized fans and newcomers alike. Led by Woozi, their set blended live instrumentation with flawless choreography, showcasing their versatility and stage presence.

SEVENTEEN’s Historic Glastonbury Debut: K-pop on the Pyramid Stage

Initially treating music as a mere hobby, singer-songwriter Car, the garden (카더가든) pivoted from his day job to embrace a full-time music career—a move that has undoubtedly enriched the global indie music landscape.

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “Romantic Sunday” by Car, the garden

Earlier this month, Kep1er released their first full-length album. However this will also be the last release for the group as a nine-piece, as members Kang Ye-seo and Sakamoto Mashiro have decided not to renew their contracts and will be departing the group in July. So what were the final photos of the group all together like?

The Final Full-Group Kep1er Concept Photos

There’s a general consensus that there are few things better than a well-written, romantic fictional man. If you haven’t already seen it, the hit drama Lovely Runner shares the story of Sun-jae, a member of the fictional k-pop boy group ECLIPSE. We all knew that actor Byeon Woo-seok is a phenomenal actor with a strong face-card, but fans were blown away by his character Sun-jae performing his heartfelt debut song live.&nbsp;

Watch the moment that Byeon Woo-seok captured the hearts of fans, fictional and real

BTS’s Jungkook has taken over the internet more than a handful of times, but this beloved maknae is going viral yet again for twinning with Inside Out 2’s adorable character Envy.

BTS Jungkook in the new Inside Out 2

Listening to Jannabi (잔나비) is like stepping into a nostalgic, enchanting world that transcends language barriers. Formed in 2012.

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “for lovers who hesitate” by Jannabi

We’ve seen so many awesome concepts come and go, it can be easy to forget some of the best concepts from even a few years ago. Take for example the concept photos from KingDom only a few years back. They were meant to support their first mini album, History of Kindom: Part I. Arthur, and the lead single “Excalibur.” To say these photos are striking is a major understatement.

Throwback Concept of the Day: “Excalibur” by KingDom

Happy Birthday! You share a special day with Keonhee from Oneus.

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