KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

&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

In our Issue 5 print cover story, MAKI of &amp;TEAM speaks candidly on what it feels like to go viral – and why it's more complicated than it looks

IN REFLECTION MAKI: &TEAM

BIGBANG is a South Korean boy group formed by YG Entertainment, debuting in 2006 and becoming one of the most influential acts in K-pop history. The current profile centers on G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung, with T.O.P and Seungri tied to earlier chapters of the group. The group&#x27;s importance comes from how strongly it changed expectations for idol music and image. BIGBANG made self-production, individual fashion identity, and genre-blending central to its appeal, with G-Dragon&#x27;s songwriting and public style playing a major role in the group&#x27;s reputation. Musically, BIGBANG moved through hip-hop, R&amp;B, electronic pop, ballads, and festival-sized dance tracks without losing a recognizable identity. Songs such as &quot;Lies,&quot; &quot;Haru Haru,&quot; &quot;Fantastic Baby,&quot; and &quot;Bang Bang Bang&quot; became reference points for later idol groups trying to balance mainstream hooks with stronger artist branding. The members also became major solo figures, which helped the group feel less like a standard idol team and more like a collection of distinct pop stars. That individual power brought both longevity and complications, especially as military service, controversies, and member departures changed the group&#x27;s public shape. The fandom is known as V.I.P. BIGBANG is a defining second-generation group whose impact on K-pop music, fashion, performance, and global ambition is difficult to separate from the genre&#x27;s modern history.

BIGBANG

G-Dragon became the first Asian rapper in Nike's history to land a creative collaboration with the Swoosh in 2019 – not an ambassadorship, a partnership built entirely around his own aesthetic logic

How G-Dragon Built the Most Important Nike Partnership in K-Pop History

David Yong's route into K-pop doesn't follow the standard idol playbook. After discovering the genre through BIGBANG and TWICE, the Singaporean entrepreneur drew on years of vocal training as he took on Korean-language study, dance lessons, and recording in Seoul

From Fan to Artist-Executive: David Yong on His K-pop Journey

KiiiKiii is a five-member girl group under Starship Entertainment, consisting of Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum, and Kya. The group began its rollout in 2025 with &quot;I Do Me&quot; and built its debut era around a confident, self-directed image. As a newer Starship group, KiiiKiii carries attention from the company&#x27;s girl-group history while needing a distinct identity of its own. Their early presentation leans youthful but assertive, with styling and performance choices that frame the members as a compact team rather than a loose collection of rookies. The fandom is known as TiiiKiii. KiiiKiii is still early in its career, but its debut identity is clear: a compact Starship girl group built around self-possession, youthful confidence, and a team image still being defined through its first releases.

KiiiKiii

Certain types of marketing have become customary in the K-pop industry. From initial concept photos and movie-style trailers to teasers and mash-ups, new albums come with a whole host of content for fans to pick apart ahead of release

A New Era of K-pop Marketing: Why KiiiKiii’s Travel Website Works

ASTRO is a four-member boy group under Fantagio. Originally debuting as six members, the group entered the industry with their first mini album &quot;Spring Up&quot;, quickly gaining attention for their bright concept and strong performance skills. The original lineup consisted of MJ, JinJin, Cha Eun-woo, Moon Bin, Rocky, and Sanha, establishing a well-balanced team recognized for both musical and variety presence. In their early years, ASTRO built a steady discography with releases such as &quot;Summer Vibes&quot;, &quot;Autumn Story&quot;, and the &quot;Dream&quot; series, while also expanding their reach through concerts and international promotions. Their growth continued with their first full-length album &quot;All Light&quot; and subsequent releases including &quot;Blue Flame&quot;, &quot;Gateway&quot;, and &quot;All Yours&quot;, solidifying their place in the industry with a consistent sound and evolving image. The group also explored unit activities, including Moon Bin &amp; Sanha and JinJin &amp; Rocky, further showcasing their versatility. :contentReference[oaicite:0] Over time, ASTRO experienced significant changes, including Rocky’s departure and the passing of Moon Bin in 2023, marking a deeply emotional period for the group and fans. Despite these challenges, the group has continued activities as four members, releasing commemorative and special projects such as &quot;Circles&quot;, &quot;Twilight&quot;, and &quot;Moon&quot;, reflecting both their growth and enduring bond as they move forward together.

ASTRO

YOON SAN-HA has been in the industry longer than most people realise. He joined Fantagio as a trainee in his early teens, debuted as the youngest member of ASTRO in 2016

YOON SAN-HA Is Ready To Be Himself

This week’s K-pop brings summer anthems, dreamy releases, hypnotic sounds, and Y2K-inspired pop—from aespa and Dino to Red Velvet, TWS, BABYMONSTER, and HEART OF WOMAN.&nbsp;

Comeback Corner: aespa, Red Velvet, TWS & More

This week’s K-pop releases embrace endings, nostalgia, and fresh starts, from KARD’s farewell to POW, ONEWE, NouerA, and P1Harmony’s distinct takes on summer and the past. Check out our latest roundup in this week’s Comeback Corner

Comeback Corner: KARD, ONEWE, POW & More

There’s no shortage of summertime fun with this week’s K-pop releases — from the upbeat sweetness of fromis_9 to the bold and confident Y2K vibes from Hyolyn, it’s a diverse mix of cutesy versus spicy

Comeback Corner: U-KNOW, WONHO, HYOLYN & More

From BBGIRLS’ sunny visuals to Sunmi’s rainy cityscapes, last week’s K-pop releases ranged across seasons and eras, led by idntt, SEVENTEEN’s Dino (as Picheolin) and SUPER JUNIOR’s veteran duo

Comeback Corner: idntt, SUNMI, Dino & More

&nbsp;This summer rush continues with bass house from RIIZE, dance-pop-country from BABYMONSTER, a sultry release from i-dle, Y2K teen-crush vibes from Pagaehun, and fresh Pharrell-produced R&amp;B/hip-hop from SEVENTEEN's V8&nbsp;

Comeback Corner: i-dle, BABYMONSTER, RIIZE & More

Two sub-units — #V8 and #UAU — with completely different takes on summer vibes, a new Japanese release from #ONEUS, a surprisingly darker tone for #UDTT, and #OMEGAX offers sound advice for listeners who need to detox from the pressures of life

Comeback Corner: V8, UAU, ONEUS & More

This week’s K-pop releases lean heavily into ’90s-inspired sounds, from NCT WISH’s Eurobeat remake and PRIMROSE’s smooth R&amp;B to VAYONN’s synth-pop debut and AxMxP’s bossa nova turn. Ryeowook also marks his solo anniversary by exploring pop-rock

Comeback Corner: NCT WISH, VAYONN, AxMxP & More

Second-gen nostalgia is in full swing: Secret return after 12 years with a Vivaldi-sampling gem, JeA launches her first self-directed solo project, A-Plus revive mid-2010s K-drama pop, JUN. K settles back into R&amp;B, and HOSHI channels peak 2000s dance R&amp;B&nbsp;

Comeback Corner: JUN. K, HOSHI, USPEER & More

After a decade with THE BOYZ, Jacob makes his solo debut with a slow, romantic track. Samuel naturally blends reggaeton and K-pop, izna kicks off the summer season, and JAY B once again proves his solo sound stands apart from GOT7&nbsp;

Comeback Corner: izna, Samuel, THE BOYZ’s Jacob & More

The kings of K-pop house are back, a first-gen legend is flying solo for the first time in 25 years, and a decade-long wait for new XIA music is finally over. This week's Comeback Corner has weight to it – our full roundup is live now

Comeback Corner: SHINee, MEOVV, BoA, & More

Former ZB1 and EVNNE members re-debut as AND2BLE with something to prove. XLOV return with their first foray into dance music, Han Sohee in tow

Comeback Corner