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

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

dodree is the first Subunit of the girl group DDDD 25. The unit is composed of members Na Yeongjoo and Lee Songhyun. They debuted on January 21, 2026, with the single album &quot;Just Like A Dream&quot;.

dodree

dodree calls their sound "K-rossover Pop" – pansori vocals, gayageum riffs, and dance moves pulled from traditional Korean line-drawing movement, subverted within their growing catalog by utilising modern elements like trap beats and dreamy synths

dodree: The Mysterious Duo Under JYP

A note for our readers: As each member of BABYMONSTER is an all-rounder, the positions listed are the areas that each member is particularly skilled in.

Get to Know BABYMONSTER!

It’s only when you look closely at something incredibly small that you begin to see the details and beauty that are held within. Such is the case with Korean ambient/folk band In the endless zanhyang we are. A careful listen proves their music to be

Get to Know In the endless zanhyang we are

Only a day into the release of their new comeback album Kep1going On, the band Kep1er is climbing the iTunes charts in 12 countries. The record’s lead single, “Shooting Star,” has also broken into the&nbsp;

Kep1er is still top tier

The landscape of K-pop is undergoing some significant changes that are threatening the status quo.

You won’t believe how the K-pop landscape is shifting

A recent survey conducted by the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism reveals intriguing insights into the popularity of K-pop artists across different regions.

K-POP HEADLINE ROUNDUP: The Biggest News from May 2024

This groovy track has vocals that are reminiscent of acclaimed Icelandic singer and Sigur Ros frontman Jónsi.

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “MOOD FOR LOVE” by THE SOLUTIONS

This American rendition of “Smoothie” by NCT Dream was shot live in Times Square in New York City. The dancers in question are “noonbeat,” a group of friends from New York City who are passionate about dance and K-pop. They’re one of hundreds of dance troupes around the world who are evangelizing the slick moves and hyper stylized choreography of the genre.

You following noonbeat? You should be.

This week, the visual director for major South Korean record label Pledis Entertainment shared a disconcerting post. Working as the visual director for Pledis Entertainment is a big deal. The 17 year old company has launched

Harassment is rampant in the K-pop industry, and a major visual director is tired of it

2024 has marked a significant milestone for ATEEZ, the sensational boy group whose rise to fame seems unbounded. From smashing records on global charts to gracing the stage at Coachella, they've become synonymous with success. We even covered them in our April 2024 print issue – well before their new record dropped.

Is GOLDEN HOUR worth its weight in gold?

Former T-ara member Ahreum finds herself in hot water as authorities confirm she's been handed over to the prosecution on charges of child abuse.

Ex-T-ara Star Faces Prosecution in Shocking Child Abuse Scandal

Min Hee Jin, the CEO of NewJeans’ embattled label ADOR, made a significant move towards reconciliation with HYBE during a press conference held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, yesterday.

Min Hee Jin appears on TV. HYBE responds.

This is the first K-indie Spotlight that could properly be labeled as indie folk.

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