KPOPWORLD #6 (Yves)

KPOPWORLD #6 (KEYVITUP X VAYONN)

KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

82Major (stylized in all caps) is a South Korean boy band formed by Great M Entertainment. The group consists of six members: Cho Seong-il, Yoon Ye-chan, Nam Seong-mo, Hwang Seong-bin, Park Seok-joon and Kim Do-gyun. The group&#x27;s name is a combination of South Korea&#x27;s calling code (+82) and the word ‘major’, expressing their desire to become a group that represents Korea. They debuted on October 11, 2023, with the single album On.

82MAJOR

82MAJOR have their first music show win — and SEONG MO, who spent over a year presenting trophies on Show Champion as an MC, finally got to receive one

82MAJOR on HEAT, Their First Win, and What Comes Next

BIGHIT MUSIC just opened its 2026 Global Audition, and the door is wide open. Any male born in 2008 or later can apply, from anywhere, with zero restrictions on category – singing, dancing, producing, whatever shows your talent best

BIGHIT MUSIC Opens 2026 Global Audition for Male Talent

ZEROBASEONE, commonly known as ZB1, is a five-member boy group formed through the Mnet survival show &quot;Boys Planet&quot; in 2023. They originally debuted as a nine-member group — along with AND2BLE&#x27;s members Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin and Han Yujin — under WAKEONE Entertainment, with &quot;In Bloom&quot; setting first-week sales records that demonstrated the massive anticipation built through the survival show. As a project group with a limited contract period, ZB1 operates with an urgency to make every comeback count, and they have delivered with consistent chart-topping releases and sold-out concerts. The group&#x27;s strength lies in their strong individual star power combined with impressive group synergy, cultivated through the intense bonding of their competition experience. Their fandom, ZEROSE, mobilized quickly into one of the most organized fan bases in fourth-generation K-pop. ZB1 represents the continued power of the survival show format to create commercially dominant groups with built-in passionate audiences. On March 15, 2026, they held their last concert as a nine-member boy group, sparking sadness among fans, who had grown fond of the relationship that had developed between the nine boys. As YH Entertainment did not renew the contracts of Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin with WAKEONE, ZB1 are now promoting their career as a five-member boy group, with Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, and Park Gunwook.

ZEROBASEONE

Seok Matthew and Park Gunwook, members of WakeOne’s ZEROBASEONE, have announced the September 21 release of their long awaited sub-unit project under the duo name ‘EMP’

ZEROBASEONE’s Seok Matthew and Park Gunwook Announce Mixtape Under Sub-unit ‘EMP’

Rookie groups have taken over this week’s latest K-pop releases with songs that are intense, dramatic, soft, and lighthearted

Comeback Corner: IU, YOUNGTAK, NAZE & MORE

TOMORROW X TOGETHER, often shortened to TXT, is a five-member boy group under BIGHIT MUSIC. The group consists of Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai. They debuted in March 2019 with The Dream Chapter: Star, becoming BigHit&#x27;s first boy group after BTS and immediately attracting heavy attention. TXT&#x27;s early identity centered on youth, friendship, imagination, and the strange emotional weather of growing up. Instead of debuting with a hard-edged performance image, they leaned into brightness, fantasy, and vulnerability on songs such as &quot;Crown,&quot; &quot;Run Away,&quot; and &quot;Blue Hour.&quot; That made the group feel distinct within fourth-generation boy-group trends, especially because their storytelling often treated adolescence as magical, confusing, and a little unstable. As their catalog developed, TXT added sharper pop-rock, emo, and dance influences through songs like &quot;0X1=LOVESONG,&quot; &quot;LO$ER=LOVER,&quot; &quot;Sugar Rush Ride,&quot; and &quot;Chasing That Feeling.&quot; The members&#x27; strengths map cleanly onto that evolution: Soobin&#x27;s calm leadership, Yeonjun&#x27;s performance charisma, Beomgyu&#x27;s color, Taehyun&#x27;s vocal focus, and Huening Kai&#x27;s bright tone all help the group move between softness and intensity. TXT&#x27;s fandom is known as MOA, short for Moments of Alwaysness. The group&#x27;s significance is tied to how carefully they built a coming-of-age identity across albums, videos, and performances. Rather than defining themselves through a single sound, TXT became a group about transition itself: childhood into adulthood, fantasy into reality, and polished idol pop into something more emotionally restless.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

When Dolce &amp; Gabbana named SOOBIN its newest ambassador, they led with skincare. Alongside the expected fashion portraits, his debut imagery puts glass skin and product front and center. It's not a random choice

SOOBIN, Dolce & Gabbana and the Growing Power of Male K-Beauty

BB GIRLS is a South Korean girl group currently consisting of three members under BBGIRLS Company and GLG. The group was originally formed by Brave Entertainment as Brave Girls, debuting on April 8, 2011, with the single album &quot;The Difference&quot;. Following years of lineup changes and steady releases, the group experienced a major resurgence in 2021 when their song &quot;Rollin’&quot; went viral, propelling them to the top of Korean music charts and earning them their first music show win years after its initial release. This unexpected breakthrough revitalized their career and led to further promotions, including releases like &quot;Chi Mat Ba Ram&quot; and continued group activities. On February 16, 2023, all members departed from Brave Entertainment, marking the end of their activities under the agency. On the same day, they released the digital single &quot;Goodbye&quot; as a farewell to their time with the company. Shortly after, the members signed with Warner Music Korea to continue as a group, later rebranding as BB GIRLS on May 3 due to trademark restrictions on their former name. In 2024, the group transitioned once again following the end of their contract with Warner Music Korea, continuing as a trio under their own agency, BBGIRLS Company, in partnership with GLG. Despite lineup changes, BB GIRLS have remained active, releasing new music such as &quot;Love 2&quot; and the special single &quot;Wish List&quot;, while continuing to build on their legacy in the industry.

BB GIRLS

10 years in the industry, three hiatuses, and plenty of lineup changes later, BBGIRLS – once known as Brave Girls – has had one of the most fascinating redemption arcs in K-pop. From a few mild successes to cult favorites and a near-disbandment

BB GIRLS 10-Year Journey: From Humble Beginnings To Viral Success

PRISTIN was a ten-member girl group formed by Pledis Entertainment, debuting in March 2017 with Hi! PRISTIN and the title track &quot;Wee Woo.&quot; The lineup included Lim Nayoung, Zhou Jie Qiong, Minkyeung, Gyeongwon, Eunwoo, Yaebin, Park Xiyeon, Shannon Bae, Yehana, and Kyla. The group arrived with unusually high anticipation because several members were already known from Produce 101 and I.O.I-related activity, while others had been introduced through the pre-debut PLEDIS Girlz project. PRISTIN&#x27;s early image mixed bright pop, self-introduction, and strong trainee reputation, positioning them as a group with both performance polish and member familiarity. PRISTIN&#x27;s active period was short, ending with disbandment in 2019, which made the group a frequent example of unrealized potential in late-2010s K-pop. Their subunit PRISTIN V showed a sharper concept, and many members continued in entertainment after the group ended. The fandom name was HIgh.

PRISTIN

From debuting with such a strong start and popular title track in 2017 to slowly disappearing from the public eye and disbanding only two years later, PRISTIN’s rise and fall have been one of the most unfortunate and frustrating trajectories in the last decade

How PRISTIN Went From One of K-pop's Most Promising Acts To a Memory

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

K-pop has always played with gender – in styling, in concept, in performance. But XLOV's leader Wumuti put a finer point on it recently: genderlessness risks becoming a buzzword, a surface-level aesthetic borrowed for engagement rather than lived with intention

Does “Genderlessness” in K-pop Signal Progression, or Remain a Concept?

Three different disputes surrounding three separate acts are raising concerns over how companies and labels are handling their groups and group activities. Exhausting legal battles between #NewJeans member Danielle and #ADOR continue with new allegations surfacing

Last Week In K-pop, Interpreted (June 29 - July 3, 2026)

ARrC is a boy group under Mystic Story. The group debuted on August 19, 2024 with the EP AR^C and the title track &quot;S&amp;S (sour and sweet).&quot; Its lineup includes Hyunmin, Andy, Choi Han, Doha, Kien, Rioto, and Jibeen. Former member Ziwoo left in January 2025. The group&#x27;s name stands for &quot;Always Remember the real Connection,&quot; pointing to a concept built around communication and connection with listeners. ARrC&#x27;s releases include Dummy, nu kidz: out the box, HOPE, and Ctrl+Alt+Skiid, with a sound that moves through youthful pop, hip-hop textures, and performance-focused tracks. On June 23, 2026. Mystic Story announced that ARrC’s activities officially ends and that all members will embark on a new journey to pursue their own paths moving forward.

ARrC

Two years after debuting, ARrC has disbanded. The seven-member group never quite broke through to the wider audience their music deserved – but what they left behind tells a more interesting story than the numbers suggest

The Slow Rise and Sudden End of ARrC

Between BIGBANG’s recent reunion at Coachella, Stray Kids and JENNIE headlining Governor’s Ball NYC, and ATEEZ’s recent show at London’s Hyde Park, 2026 has seen K-pop artists placed at the forefront of mainstream international music festivals across the world

Where Does K-pop Stand at International Music Festivals?

Ten years after retreating from the spotlight, second-gen K-pop veteran G.NA is returning to music. Her hiatus followed a 2016 conviction on prostitution-related charges – a chapter she's said took her years to even speak about publicly

Ten Years Later, G.NA Is Telling Her Own Story

Three stories, one question: what does the K-pop industry owe its people? This week, superfan-turned-star Chase Infiniti joins ATEEZ, Lisa calls out sasaeng stalker culture, and former NCT member Mark Lee faces criticism over a Confederate flag photo.&nbsp;

Last Week In K-pop, Interpreted (June 22 - June 26, 2026)

fromis_9 is a South Korean girl group originally formed through the survival show Idol School, known for their bright pop sound and steady growth across multiple generations of K-pop. The group currently consists of Song Ha-young, Park Ji-won, Lee Chae-young, Lee Na-gyung, and Baek Ji-heon, following several lineup changes that reshaped the group over time. Their name combines “From Idol School” with the idea of a promise to fans, reflecting their origins and commitment as a fan-driven group. Since debuting under Stone Music Entertainment with creative direction from Pledis Entertainment, they have navigated multiple agency transitions while maintaining a consistent musical identity. Fromis_9 They officially debuted in 2018 with “To Heart,” quickly gaining attention for their youthful concept and polished performances. Releases like “Love Bomb,” “Fun!,” and “Feel Good (Secret Code)” helped define their signature sound, blending energetic pop with catchy hooks and vibrant visuals. Over time, the group steadily built a loyal fanbase, achieving chart success and eventually earning their first music show win with “Talk &amp; Talk,” marking a major milestone in their career. Their continued releases, including “DM” and “Stay This Way,” further solidified their place as a dependable and evolving girl group within the industry. Fromis_9 As their career progressed, fromis_9 experienced significant changes, including member departures and shifts in management, ultimately reorganizing as a five-member group under a new agency. Despite these transitions, they continued to release music and expand their activities, including their first world tour and later projects like From Our 20’s. With their ability to adapt while maintaining their core identity, fromis_9 remains recognized for their resilience, consistent growth, and enduring connection with fans in an ever-changing K-pop landscape.

fromis_9

Eight years into her career, fromis_9's Jiwon had still not received a single won in income. Her disclosure on a YouTube show this week is the latest reminder that behind K-pop's glossy exterior sits a financial model designed to delay artist earnings indefinitely

Eight Years, No Income: The Financial Reality Behind K-pop Stardom

HYBE's powerhouse trio makes history with a #1 US YouTube debut for "ICONIC BY MISTAKE," while HUNTR/X maintains global chart longevity and BIGHIT rookies CORTIS prove fifth-gen dominance with a sold-out US tour&nbsp;

LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and KATSEYE Debut at US #1 on YouTube, as "Golden" Nears Its First Year on the Charts

Hearts2Hearts, stylized as H2H, is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. The octet consists of Carmen, Jiwoo, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian, and Ye-on. They debuted on February 24, 2025, with the single album &quot;The Chase&quot; and its title track of the same name. The group’s name is intended to reflect their mission to connect with global fans through music filled with emotion and heartfelt messages. Their debut release &quot;The Chase&quot; achieved strong commercial performance, with first-week sales topping domestic charts and earning the group their first music show win shortly after debut. In June 2025, Hearts2Hearts released the digital single “Style”, followed by their first EP “Focus” in October 2025, which included the pre-released track “Pretty Please”, They also released the digital single “Rude!” in February 2026. Hearts2Hearts has performed at major events including SMTOWN Live 2025, international showcases, and festivals across Asia, building a growing global presence.

Hearts2Hearts

M Entertainment’s Hearts2Hearts has released their second mini album Lemon Tang, the next installment in the company’s iconic series of summer-themed hits. Following the virality of pre-release “RUDE!”, the album shot to number one on both the Hanteo and Circle charts

Hearts2Hearts Extend Success of SM’s Summer Series with ‘Lemon Tang’

Last week in K-pop, CLC’s Kwon Eunbin retired at 26, TWS’s Shinyu backed a missing children campaign, and the Grammys introduced a new Asian Pop category that drew mixed reactions. Different stories, same theme: an industry that gives with one hand and takes with the other

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