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

It has now been over a year since ASTRO member Moonbin tragically took his own life. A singer, actor, and dancer, he released music with ASTRO as well as with his bandmate Sanha as the sub-unit Moonbin &amp; Sanha

Remembering Moonbin

This past week, Starship released a statement regarding Jang Won Young’s safety after threats against her were made online. Here’s the full statement:

Jang Won Young Receives Threats, Label Responds

This is your never-too-frequent reminder that South Korean actor Park Seo-joon is in the Marvel canon as Captain Marvel’s husband.

Never Forget: Park Seo-joon Married Captain Marvel

“Can you really be sure you are not dreaming?” asks South Korean indie electro pop starlet Aseul to her listeners. “Have you pinched yourself to see that you weren’t dreaming?” It’s hard to find a more fitting introduction to Aseul’s music than these two questions.

Get to Know Aseul

Idols who had "minimal training" before debuting

Bang Chan (Korean: 방찬) is a Korean-Australian entertainer best known as the leader of the all-male K-pop group Stray Kids. He is also part of their hip-hop unit&nbsp;

Who is Bang Chan?

Love it or hate it, “Gangnam Style” was a global phenomenon in 2012 and for many non-Koreans was their first exposure to the South Korean entertainment industry. The solid music production,&nbsp;

By the numbers: Was Psy the first true global K-pop star?

Park Jae-sang, better known by his stage name Psy (싸이), is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and entertainer.

Who is Psy?

Today, we’re getting emotional to the gorgeous vocals of Park Sae Byul.&nbsp;

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “Too Painful Love Was Not Love” by Park Sae Byul

On May 2, new boy band TOZ made their debut with the mini album TO my new friends. "Nu Shoes" is the album's lead single.

K-pop Picture of the Day

The fact that Ni-Ki was so young when TWICE made their debut is baffling to many fans.

Watch the moment a young Ni-Ki danced effortlessly to TWICE

Allegations of chart manipulation are being leveled again at acclaimed boy group BTS. These claims stem from a past legal dispute involving BIGHIT MUSIC and an individual identified as "Mr. A," resurfacing online.

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