KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

Jay Park headlines the first-ever KPOPWORLD Festival, and if you know his story, that booking makes perfect sense

KPOPWORLD Festival Spotlight: Jay Park

As the second KPOPWORLD Festival headliner, indie-rock band The Rose present a refreshing authenticity

KPOPWORLD Festival Spotlight: The Rose

WHIB is a seven-member boy group under C-JeS Entertainment, consisting of members Kim Junmin, Haseung, Jinbeom, UGeon, Leejeong, Jaeha, and Wonjun. Originally an octet, they debuted on November 8, 2023, with the single album Cut-Out. The group was first teased in November 2021 as the trainee group M.I.C, which stood for “Made in C-JeS.” On September 7, 2023, it was revealed that the group would debut as an eight-member group under the name WHIB, along with introductions to the new members. In 2025, members LeeJeong, Junmin and Wonjun competed on the Mnet survival show Boys II Planet, ranking 12th, 13th, and 62nd, respectively. On October 16, it was announced that member Inhong had departed from the group. WHIB released their first mini album, ROCK THE NATION, on January 29, 2026.

WHIB

Once driven by the need to do everything perfectly, he has learned to trust his own strengths, find his individual style, and enjoy the process more freely

An Interview with WHIB’s WONJUN – The Perfectionist Learning to Trust Himself

Always thinking about ways to support the team, JEONG brings a distinctly group-minded perspective to his role in WHIB

An Interview with WHIB’s LEE JEONG – The Team Player Who Brings WHIB Together

WONHO has always known how to catch the eye. Four years with MONSTA X, and now a soloist of six years

KPOPWORLD Festival Spotlight: Wonho

THE BOYZ is an eleven-member boy group formed by Cre.Ker Entertainment (now an independent group), debuting in December 2017. The group gained significant attention for their performance abilities, particularly after their appearance on the Mnet competition show &quot;Road to Kingdom&quot; in 2020, where they won first place with theatrical, visually stunning stages that showcased their storytelling through dance. Their &quot;Road to Kingdom&quot; victory was a turning point, elevating THE BOYZ from a mid-tier group to one of the most respected performance-focused acts in K-pop. Songs like &quot;The Stealer,&quot; &quot;THRILL RIDE,&quot; and &quot;MAVERICK&quot; have highlighted their versatility. THE BOYZ&#x27;s fandom, THE B, has grown steadily, supporting the group through sold-out concerts and strong album sales. The group is widely regarded as having some of the best synchronized choreography and stage presence in the industry. On March 19, 2026, nine members of The Boyz filed for the termination of their exclusive contracts with One Hundred Label, citing issues including unpaid settlements and a breakdown of trust. The agency disputed the claims and rejected the termination, resulting in a legal dispute between the parties. As of April 23, 2026, the court ruled in favor of the nine members, granting the boys an injunction to end the validity of their contracts. The members who were involved are officially free from their ties with One Hundred Label, however the last member still remains as of right now. The group is currently continuing forward as an independent group, being one of the most successful of their peers to make such move.

THE BOYZ

JACOB takes us track by track through j., his solo debut – seven songs, brought together in a project he built almost entirely on his own terms

Track-By-Track: JACOB’s j.

CHOI YU REE returns with Stay: Two, the companion EP to last year's Stay: One – but this isn't a sequel that continues the story

Track-By-Track: Choi Yu Ree’s Stay: Two

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: Listen at Your Own Risk

NEUK JUN, formerly a masked anonymous performer, steps back into the spotlight with THE ARRIVAL, revealing his identity and new chapter&nbsp;

NEUK JUN: Face Value

CLASSy, formerly known as CLASS:y, is a 7-member girl group formed through the MBC survival show, My Teenage Girl. The group is managed by K-TIGERS Entertainment for Korean promotions and Universal Music Japan for Japan promotions. The members are Hyungseo, Chaewon, Hyeju, Riwon, Jimin, Boeun, and Seonyou. They debuted on May 5, 2022, with their first mini album, Y: CLASS IS OVER. They made their Japanese debut on June 22, 2022 with the single, Shut Down -JP Ver.-. On November 14, 2025, it was announced that they had left M25 and joined K-TIGERS Entertainment. On June 10, 2026, CLASS:y announced their rebrand to the name CLASSy on their YouTube channel with the video, New Chapter, New CLASSy.

CLASSy

For fans of CLASSy, it has been a long wait. When CLASSy returned on June 23 with their fourth mini album, RE:BOOT [AFTER TEARS], it marked their first new music in nearly a year and seven months since LOVE XX dropped in November 2024

CLASSy Are Back - And This Time, Everything Has Changed

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

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

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

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

MAMAMOO is a four-member vocal powerhouse girl group formed by RBW Entertainment, debuting in June 2014. Consisting of Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein, and Hwasa, the group immediately stood out for their exceptional live vocals, jazz and retro-influenced sound, and playful on-stage chemistry. Their debut track &quot;Mr. Ambiguous&quot; showcased a level of vocal ability rare among rookie groups and earned critical acclaim. Over the years, MAMAMOO built a reputation as one of K-pop&#x27;s most talented and entertaining live acts, with hits like &quot;Um Oh Ah Yeh,&quot; &quot;Décalcomanie,&quot; &quot;Starry Night,&quot; and &quot;HIP.&quot; Each member has also found significant solo success, with Hwasa in particular becoming a cultural icon. The group&#x27;s fandom, MooMoo, appreciates their authenticity and musicality. Though members eventually moved to different agencies, MAMAMOO has continued to reunite for group activities, proving the strength of their bond.

MAMAMOO

MAMAMOO are finally back, and this time, all four of them came together to make it happen. 4WARD marks the group's first full release as a unit since 2022's MIC ON, a gap of more than three years

MAMAMOO: Twelve Years and Counting

MONSTA X is a boy group formed through the survival show No.Mercy and debuted under Starship Entertainment in May 2015. The group is associated with a powerful performance image built around Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M, with Wonho as a former member. Their sound often leans muscular: EDM drops, hip-hop percussion, dark synths, and choruses designed for heavy choreography. MONSTA X became one of the most forceful performance groups of their generation through a run that moved from the breakthrough energy of &quot;Dramarama&quot; to the sharper drama of &quot;Love Killa.&quot; At the same time, their vocal line and later English-language work showed a smoother R&amp;B and pop side that softened the edges without removing the group&#x27;s intensity. MONSTA X became especially important in the bridge between Korean idol promotion and Western touring. They pursued English-language releases, appeared on American media, and built a strong international audience while keeping a clear group identity. Their fandom, Monbebe, is known for loyalty through lineup changes, military service periods, solo work, and long gaps between full-group schedules. The group&#x27;s legacy rests on consistency and stamina. MONSTA X did not need to reinvent themselves every comeback; they refined a recognizable image of power, charisma, and emotional loyalty. That made them a template for later boy groups that wanted to look tough on stage while still building a close, fan-centered identity off it.

MONSTA X

MINHYUK has always been known for his energy on stage with MONSTA X, but Reaching offers something more understated. Built around warmth, sincerity and a simple desire to connect

MINHYUK on “Reaching,” Honest Music and What's Next

WONHO has given KPOPWORLD an exclusive look inside the making of his new album CORE, sharing the songs that shaped the album alongside the tracks he's been reaching for lately

Interview