KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

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

The Seoul-born singer-songwriter is 17 years old, less than two years into her career, and already operating on her own terms – writing and producing her music

ZIN CHOI

NEXZ is a seven-member Japanese boy group formed by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Japan through the Japanese reality show Nizi Project Season 2. The group&#x27;s name means Next Z(G)eneration, and was coined by J.Y. Park to represent the wish for the group to lead JYPE into the future. The final episode premiered on December 15, 2023, revealing the debut lineup, ranked as follows: Tomoya, Haru, Yuki, Ken (So Geon), Yu, Yuhi (Hyui), and Seita. They debuted with the Korean song &quot;Ride the Vibe.&quot;

NEXZ

When NEXZ released "Mmchk" in April 2026, the seven-member group's first comeback of the year sold over 444,000 copies in its first week – a new career high – topped the Circle Chart retail album chart, and earned them their first number one on a Korean music broadcast

NEXZ: Nowhere Left But Up

Beyond the K-pop groups and the choreography that dominate headlines, another wave of singer-songwriters and independent artists from South Korea’s music scene has been building its own audience. DORI is part of that wave, though she arrived at it from an unlikely direction

DORI Speaks in Colour

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 releases bring back two NCT subunits — WayV and 127 — both of which have had members recently exit SM Entertainment

Comeback Corner: WayV, NCT 127, Hearts2Hearts & More

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