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

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

SEVENTEEN is a thirteen-member boy group formed by Pledis Entertainment, debuting in May 2015. The group is organized into three internal teams: hip-hop, vocal, and performance. That structure is more than branding; it explains how SEVENTEEN functions, with members contributing to songwriting, choreography, staging, and the division of energy across a very large lineup. The members are S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino. Their nickname as &quot;self-producing idols&quot; comes especially from Woozi&#x27;s central role in music and Hoshi&#x27;s role in performance direction, but the larger appeal is how the group makes thirteen people feel coordinated rather than crowded. SEVENTEEN&#x27;s early music leaned bright, youthful, and rhythmically nimble, with songs like &quot;Adore U,&quot; &quot;Mansae,&quot; and &quot;Very Nice&quot; presenting them as a group with unusual stage chemistry. Later releases such as &quot;Don&#x27;t Wanna Cry,&quot; &quot;Home,&quot; &quot;Left &amp; Right,&quot; &quot;Rock with you,&quot; and &quot;Super&quot; widened the scale while keeping the choreography and vocal distribution clear. Their best songs often turn teamwork itself into the hook: repeated gestures, fast transitions, and formations that reward watching the whole stage. The group&#x27;s growth into one of K-pop&#x27;s top album sellers came from consistency as much as spectacle. SEVENTEEN built trust through steady comebacks, strong variety content, and concerts that emphasized the members&#x27; humor as well as precision. Their fandom, CARAT, became part of that identity, following a group that could be technically impressive without losing warmth. SEVENTEEN&#x27;s legacy is tied to durability. Few large idol groups have kept such a clear group image while allowing so many individual personalities to stand out. As their scale expanded under the wider HYBE era, they remained recognizably Pledis-born: performance-first, member-driven, and unusually good at turning the mechanics of a big team into something emotionally easy to understand.

SEVENTEEN

JEONGHAN and JOSHUA of SEVENTEEN have announced that they will return as a new sub-unit on October 19, under the name JxJ

SEVENTEEN’s JEONGHAN and JOSHUA Form New Sub-unit JxJ

BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Music in 2010 and debuting on June 12, 2013, with the single album &quot;2 Cool 4 Skool&quot;. The group consists of seven members: RM (leader), Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. The name BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan (“Bulletproof Boy Scouts”), reflecting the group’s original concept of resisting societal expectations and criticism aimed at youth. Members RM, Suga, and J-Hope have played significant roles in songwriting and production throughout the group’s career. BTS first gained widespread attention with the [The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1 era], particularly the single I Need U, which earned the group their first Korean music show win in 2015. Their international breakthrough followed with releases such as Wings and the Love Yourself series. In 2018, &quot;Love Yourself: Tear&quot; became the first album by a Korean act to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The group achieved further global success with singles including &quot;Dynamite&quot;, &quot;Butter&quot;, and &quot;Permission to Dance&#x27;&quot;, all of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. BTS is among the best-selling artists in South Korean history and has received numerous international awards, while also participating in global initiatives such as the UNICEF Love Myself campaign. Between 2022 and 2025, BTS paused full-group activities as the members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service. The last member, Suga, was discharged in June 2025, marking the completion of service for all seven members. Following their reunion, the group confirmed they were preparing a new album and world tour for 2026. Their tenth studio album, &quot;ARIRANG&quot;, recorded between July and November 2025, was released on March 20, 2026, marking their first group release in more than three years. The album will be supported by the Arirang World Tour, beginning in April 2026.

In the digital crowd, more than 300,000 tuned in. On the ground, 60,000 packed Berlin’s Olympiastadion, chanting his name before the first beat dropped

j-hope Brings the Heat — and the Heart — to Lollapalooza Berlin 2025

WJSN, also known as Cosmic Girls, is a girl group formed through a collaboration between Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment, debuting in February 2016. Originally consisting of thirteen members from South Korea and China, the group was divided into four subunits: Wonder, Joy, Sweet, and Natural. Their celestial concept, as suggested by their cosmic name, infused their music with a dreamy, fantastical quality. WJSN gained wider recognition through their participation in Mnet&#x27;s &quot;Queendom 2&quot; in 2022, where they earned newfound appreciation for their elegant performances and stunning visuals. Songs like &quot;Save Me, Save You,&quot; &quot;Boogie Up,&quot; and &quot;Last Sequence&quot; highlighted their versatility. The group&#x27;s fandom, Ujung, has been devoted through years of shifting group dynamics as Chinese members pursued activities in China. WJSN is remembered as one of the most visually and conceptually enchanting groups of their era.

WJSN

Track-By-Track: DAYOUNG Takes Us Through 'gonna love me, right?'

Kurated: BAIN Curates an Exclusive Pride Playlist

CATCH THE YOUNG is a five-member boy band under Evermore Entertainment. The group officially debuted on November 1, 2023 with their first mini album Catch The Young : Fragments of Youth. Originally introduced in 2021 under the name EVERMORE THE YOUNG, the band underwent several lineup changes and development phases before debut. During this period, the group recruited additional musicians, participated in live performances, and rebranded as CATCH THE YOUNG in 2022. After refining their lineup over the following years, members Sani, Kihoon, Namhyun, Jungmo, and Junyong ultimately formed the band&#x27;s debut lineup. Following their debut, CATCH THE YOUNG continued to build momentum through releases such as Catch The Young : Fragments of Odyssey and the single album &quot;Dream It&quot; in 2024. The group&#x27;s social media branding was also updated that year, standardizing their name as CATCH THE YOUNG across official platforms. In 2025, the band expanded its discography with a series of digital singles including &quot;You, Always (2025),&quot; &quot;The Young Wave,&quot; &quot;Ideal Type,&quot; &quot;In Your Arms,&quot; and &quot;Footsteps.&quot; These releases led into preparations for their first full-length album, Evolve, which was officially announced for release on January 19, 2026, showcasing the group&#x27;s continued growth as a self-driven band.

Catch The Young

There’s something about summer that softens even the most stoic hearts, and Catch The Young’s new single, “이상형 (Ideal Type),” leans all the way into that tender, restless feeling of almost-love

Catch The Young Takes Us Behind-The-Scenes of "Ideal Type"

RE:WIND

A t first glance, RE:WIND might feel like a throwback with their Y2K visuals, glossy harmonies, and choreography straight out of a 2003 TRL countdown

Rewinding the Future: Meet RE:WIND, the Asian-American Boy Band Reframing Nostalgia

OX:N

In theory, sub-units exist to carve out new spaces, spotlight different strengths, test creative boundaries, or reframe an already-familiar group through a different lens

OX:N Shares On 'N' and Stepping Back Into the Spotlight

HITGS (히트지에스) is a five-member girl group under H Music Entertainment that officially debuted on April 28, 2025, with the single album Things We Love : H and the title track &quot;SOURPATCH.&quot; The group&#x27;s name is an acronym for &quot;Hip, Innocent, Teenager, Girls, Story,&quot; representing their mission to tell relatable stories through a versatile &quot;high-teen&quot; concept, consisting of members Seojin, Seohee, Hyerin, Iyoo, and VV, HITGS quickly gained attention for their self-producing capabilities and energetic performances. In 2026, the group solidified their rising-star status with their first mini-album, Things We Dream, and the digital single &quot;Cherry Blossom,&quot; showcasing a growth into more mature, melodic pop while maintaining their signature youthful spirit.

HITGS

HITGS didn’t ease into the spotlight – they sprinted. Since debuting in April, the rookie girl group has dropped three singles in quick succession, each one flipping the script on the last

HITGS Talks "CHARIZZMA", 2025 Activity and Artistry

8TURN is an eight-member boy group under MNH Entertainment, consisting of Jaeyun, Myungho, Minho, Yoonsung, Haemin, Kyungmin, Yungyu, and Seungheon. They debuted on January 30, 2023 with 8TURNRISE and its title track &quot;TIC TAC,&quot; introducing a performance-first rookie identity built around speed, formation work, and youthful confidence. The group&#x27;s name and presentation lean into the idea of eight members moving together while still showing individual color. Their early image is less about heavy lore and more about motion: sharp choreography, bright styling, and songs that emphasize momentum. That makes 8TURN useful to describe as a stage group first, where the members&#x27; roles become clearer through performance rather than through a long concept explanation. After debut, 8TURN continued building that identity with releases that pushed their sound toward brighter pop and more polished dance tracks. The fandom is known as TURNING. As a newer MNH boy group, 8TURN is defined by a full eight-member lineup, an energetic performance image, and a catalog still young enough that its signature is being shaped in public.

8TURN

Eight members, three continents, one mission: to keep growing, wherever the stage takes them

Exclusive: The World Is Watching, 8TURN Keep Moving

H1-KEY (pronounced &quot;High-Key&quot;) is a four-member South Korean girl group under GLG (Grandline Group) that officially entered the K-pop scene on January 5, 2022. Comprising members Seoi, Riina, Hwiseo, and Yel, the group debuted with the single &quot;Athletic Girl,&quot; establishing a unique &quot;sporty-chic&quot; identity that emphasizes physical and mental strength. Unlike many groups that lean into high-fantasy concepts, H1-KEY centers their brand on inner health, resilience, and a confident lifestyle, aiming to inspire listeners to embrace their authentic selves. The group experienced a massive breakthrough in 2023 with their viral hit &quot;Rose Blossom.&quot; The track resonated deeply with the public due to its poignant lyrics about blooming amidst adversity, comparing personal growth to a rose growing in a desolate city. This success propelled them to the top of domestic music charts and earned them their first music show win. Known for their powerful vocals and relatable storytelling, H1-KEY continues to solidify their reputation as &quot;the icon of hope,&quot; proving that steady growth and a meaningful message are a winning formula in the competitive idol industry.

H1-KEY

On the surface, H1-KEY’s latest title track might seem like a typical seasonal release – bright melodies, hazy nostalgia, a few wistful metaphors thrown in

H1-Key Reflect on Being Summer Queens and Artistic Growth

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

With their third mini album HOPE, ARrC aren’t trying to reinvent optimism. They’re reframing it

ARrC Talk Us Through 'HOPE' and Not Following Trends

ablume is a 3-member global girl group under MASSIVE E&amp;C, a subsidiary of IOK Company. The group consists of Saena, Sio, and Aran. They debuted on May 9, 2025, with their first single album, Echo.

ablume

They’ve been through more than most rookie groups ever do: disbandment, reinvention, and a long stretch of silence that could’ve easily been the end

ablume Talks New Beginnings, Discovery and the Power of Music

VVS is an independent South Korean girl group (formerly under MZMC Inc.). VVS debuted in April 2025 with the single album “TEA”. Lena joined the group in May 2025 with the EP “D.I.M.M.”. In April 2026, member Jiu was removed as an artist from MZMC Inc.’s official website. It was later revealed that the reason she left is that she no longer wished to be an idol. On June 20, 2026, during an episode of the VV&#x27;s &amp; CC&#x27;s podcast, MZMC Inc. and the members announced that they had officially become independent with it being announced that member Ilee would be leaving the group.

There’s nothing subtle about VVS’s debut – and that’s the point

Interview