KPOPWORLD #5

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Set to Take Over Alamodome Oct. 28–31, 2026

KPOPWORLD Festival & Worldwide Dance Competition

idntt (아이덴티티; read as identity) is an upcoming 24-member boy group under MODHAUS. They are set to make their debut sometime in 2026. The group consists of members divided into 3 rotational sub-units consisting of 8 members each - uneverm8t, yesw8are and itsnotov8r.

idntt

For their new album &lt;itsnotover&gt;, idntt sat down with KPOPWORLD to talk about where they've been, what this group has demanded of them, and what they refuse to let go of

idntt: The KPOPWORLD Digital Cover

EPEX [‘i:peks] (이펙스), formerly known as C9ROOKIES (C9루키즈) is a 7-member South Korean boy group under C9 Entertainment, consisting of Wish, MU, A-Min, Baekseung, Ayden, Yewang, and Jeff. On November 21, 2025, it was announced that Keum had left the group. They debuted on June 8, 2021, with their first EP album, BIPOLAR Pt.1 : 불안의 서 (Prelude of Anxiety)

EPEX

Closing a trilogy is easy. Closing it by handing the story back to the people who lived it is something else. EPEX's Youth: Epilogue wraps up two years and three albums of coming-of-age storytelling

EPEX Talks Youth Epilogue, Ownership and Growth

XLOV is a South Korean boy group formed by 257 Entertainment and currently managed by [WM Entertainment]. The group consists of four members: Wumuti, Rui, Hyun, and Haru. They debuted on January 7, 2025, with the single album I&#x27;mma Be. XLOV gained attention for promoting a genderless concept, incorporating androgynous styling and performances that challenge traditional gender norms in Kpop. The group&#x27;s name combines &quot;X,&quot; representing the unknown and negation, with &quot;LOV,&quot; symbolizing incomplete love, while their fandom name, EVOL, represents the completion of that concept. Several members were previously known through survival programs before debut. Wumuti, Rui, and Haru participated in Boys Planet, while Wumuti was also active in the project group WATERFIRE before helping form XLOV. The group is particularly noted for Wumuti&#x27;s involvement in songwriting and production, including contributions to their debut release. Since debuting, XLOV has released music including I&#x27;mma Be and I ONE, earning recognition for their distinctive concept, performance style, and growing international fanbase. In 2026, the group&#x27;s management structure changed following the acquisition of 257 Entertainment by WM Entertainment through RBW. Their music primarily incorporates elements of hip-hop, R&amp;B, and pop, while their visual identity and performances have distinguished them as one of the more unconventional rookie acts of the fifth generation of Kpop.

XLOV

On July 14, inner beauty brand LifePharm announced that genderless group XLOV will become their newest Global Ambassadors. The brand is known for their viral dietary Mood Change Alpha Plus range, described as self-care for K-pop idols

XLOV Announced as Ambassadors for Inner Beauty Brand LifePharm

K-pop’s contract system has undergone many changes since the industry’s inception in the 1990s. From 13-year slave contracts to a reduced term of seven years — with options for renegotiation

K-pop’s Contract System, Explained – And Why So Many Artists Are Leaving Big Labels

HYBE × Geffen’s WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE premieres February 24 on ABEMA – with one slot left to complete a four-member global girl group set for a 2026 US debut

From Japan to Los Angeles: Inside HYBE × Geffen’s Search for ‘The Final Piece’

AtHeart is a seven-member girl group under Titan Content. The lineup consists of Arin, Michi, Katelyn, Bome, Seohyeon, Aurora, and Nahyun. The group introduced its members gradually from 2024 into 2025, released the pre-debut single Good Girl (AtHeart), and officially debuted on August 13, 2025 with Plot Twist. Their fandom is known as Heartbeat. AtHeart&#x27;s early identity centers on polished pop, individual member visibility, and a social-media-friendly rollout that lets each member show a distinct personality. After debut, the group expanded the Plot Twist era with Plot Twist (English ver.) and Plot Twist (Remixes), then continued with singles such as Shut Up and Butterfly Doors.

AtHeart

AtHeart make their bold debut with cinematic EP 'Plot Twist'

idntt Launches First Subunit ‘unevermet’ with Mini Album of the Same Name

Cortis, is a South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Music. The group consists of five members: Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho. They debuted on August 18, 2025, with the digital single “What You Want&quot; followed by their first EP, &quot;Color Outside the Lines&quot;. The group’s name is derived from the phrase “Color Outside the Lines,” reflecting their concept of creative freedom and nonconformity. Cortis has been promoted as a self-producing “creator crew,” with members participating in songwriting, choreography, and visual direction. Blending pop, hip-hop, and experimental elements, the group gained early attention for their performance skills, self-produced content, and strong rookie-year sales, establishing them as one of Big Hit Music’s newer generation acts.

CORTIS

First Reaction: CORTIS “GO!” – Pre-Debut and Already Playing by Their Own Rules

Get Ready to Meet CORTIS: BIGHIT MUSIC’s Third Boy Group, Set to Shake Up K-pop with Debut EP September 8

BE BOYS is a six-member South Korean boy group formed under OAK Company. The group officially debuted on June 18, 2025, with their first mini album Be:1. The group’s introduction began on April 18, 2025, when OAK Company launched official social media accounts for its upcoming boy group. Member reveals followed in quick succession: Takuma was introduced first on April 19, followed by Hak Seong on April 20, Won Cheon on April 21, Yun Seo on April 22, Goo Hyun on April 23, and Min Joon on April 24, completing the six-member lineup ahead of their debut. On May 27, 2025, BE BOYS confirmed their debut plans with the mini album Be:1, which was released on June 18. Later that year, on November 25, they expanded their discography with their first digital single, &quot;Earth and Moon&quot;, marking their first comeback following debut. Continuing their activities into the next year, BE BOYS announced their first single album Be:2 on March 31, 2026. The release was scheduled for April 15, signaling the group’s ongoing development and musical progression. Continuing their activities into the next year, BE BOYS announced their first single album Be:2 on March 31, 2026. The release was scheduled for April 15, signaling the group’s ongoing development and musical progression.

Debut

From Japan to Los Angeles: Inside HYBE × Geffen’s Search for ‘The Final Piece’

AtHeart make their bold debut with cinematic EP 'Plot Twist'

idntt Launches First Subunit ‘unevermet’ with Mini Album of the Same Name

First Reaction: CORTIS “GO!” – Pre-Debut and Already Playing by Their Own Rules

Get Ready to Meet CORTIS: BIGHIT MUSIC’s Third Boy Group, Set to Shake Up K-pop with Debut EP September 8

BE BOYS: OAK Company’s First Group Debuts With Mischief, Charm, and Heart

K-Pop Rookie Group ifeye Surpasses 10M Views With Debut Single “NERDY”

LINGLING and SAAY Tease Groundbreaking Debut: A Glimpse into Lean Branding’s New Era

All Eyes on VVS as They Pour the “Tea”

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