KPOPWORLD #6 (Yves)

KPOPWORLD #6 (KEYVITUP X VAYONN)

KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KEYVITUP is a five-member boy group under iNKODE, formed through the agency’s INTHE X Project. The lineup—Sena, Hyunmin, Taehwan, Rukia, and Jaein—was introduced step by step through pre-debut content, building anticipation around a team designed with a strong performance focus and a clear concept from the start. As part of a dual-group rollout, KEYVITUP was positioned with a trendy and dynamic identity, contrasting with its counterpart group. This concept highlights a more energetic and performance-driven style, setting the tone for their music and overall image even before debut. They are set to make their debut with the self-titled EP KEYVITUP, marking the official beginning of their activities. With pre-debut exposure, international stage appearances, and a defined concept, the group enters the scene with momentum and a clear direction moving forward.

KEYVITUP

For our latest Digital Cover, we sit down with HYUNMIN, TAEHWAN, SENA, JAEIN, and RUKIA to talk about their debut, finding their sound, writing and shaping their own music, the chemistry that holds them together, and where they want to take KEYVITUP next

KEYVITUP - The KPOPWORLD Digital Cover

KickFlip is a seven-member boy group under JYP Entertainment, consisting of Kyehoon, Amaru, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju, and Donghyeon. The group was formed through the SBS audition program Loud and debuted in 2025. The group&#x27;s identity connects JYP&#x27;s idol training system with a more youthful, agile performance image. Because several members were already known from a survival-show context, KickFlip&#x27;s debut carried built-in curiosity around how the lineup would translate from trainee competition to a working group. The fandom is known as WeFlip. KickFlip is still early in its career, with its public identity centered on formation, lineup, and debut positioning rather than a long-established legacy.

KickFlip

KickFlip are ready to kick off a new chapter. Ahead of their first world tour in 2027, the JYP Entertainment rookies sit down with KPOPWORLD to discuss their new album KICK OFF THE WALL Pt. 1

KickFlip Talk KICK OFF THE WALL Pt. 1 Ahead of First World Tour

CLOSE YOUR EYES (also shortened as CYE) is a seven-member boy group under UNCORE. They were formed through JTBC&#x27;s survival show PROJECT7. They made their debut on April 2, 2025, with the mini album &quot;Enternalt&quot;. PROJECT7 started airing on October 18, 2024, and the finale was broadcast live on December 27, 2024, revealing the group name, CLOSE YOUR EYES, and the seven winners, in order: Ma Jingxiang, Kenshin, Jeon Minwook, Seo Kyoungbae, Song Seungho, Jang Yeojun, and Kim Sungmin. Before joining PROJECT7, Jeon Minwook had already debuted as a member of the boy group BAE173 and the project group A-SIX. Additionally, Ma Jingxiang was a contestant on Boys Planet, while Jang Yeojun also participated in Boys Planet and was a contestant on Wild Idol.

CLOSE YOUR EYES

He talks us through the writing process behind the album's closing track, how he's grown since debut, and what drives him to keep reaching further

Meet The Member An Interview with CLOSE YOUR EYES' SEO KYOUNGBAE – Always Climbing Higher

He talks discovering bossa nova for the first time, what collaborating with a featured artist changed for him, and where he feels most connected to the rest of the group

Meet The Member: An Interview with CLOSE YOUR EYES' KENSHIN – The Playful Connector

From reworking a jazz-funk classic on his own terms to what jazz has taught him about performing alongside the group, JINGXIANG reflects on curiosity, energy, and connection

Meet The Member: An Interview with CLOSE YOUR EYES' MA JINGXIANG – The Curious Colour-Chaser

BABYMONSTER (Korean: 베이비몬스터 ) is an all-female K-pop group based in Seoul, South Korea.

Who is BABYMONSTER?

Editor’s note: This is a follow-up to an article from last month’s issue. In that article, we explored how the K-drama industry has seen significant dips recently and whether that could impact K-pop. This month, we investigate some ways K-pop can maintain cultural relevance in the years to come.

K-POP IN THE 2020s: A FIGHT FOR RELEVANCE

The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles has unveiled a captivating new exhibit celebrating the rise of K-pop that features the internationally acclaimed groups ATEEZ and Xikers.&nbsp;

Grammy Museum Honors K-Pop with Ateez and Xikers Exhibit

Block B (Korean: 블락비) is an all-male K-pop group under KQ Entertainment.

Who is Block B?

Fun Facts:Wendy is a multi-instrumentalist and can play the piano, guitar, flute and saxophone.One of her favorite hobbies is finding new and rare songs.

Get to Know Red Velvet!

KQ Entertainment is a South Korean entertainment agency and record label founded by CEO Kyu Wook Kim in 2016.

What is KQ Entertainment?

ATEEZ (Korean: 에이티즈) is an all-male South Korean K-pop group under KQ Entertainment. The group premiered in 2018 with Treasure EP.1: All to Zero. Officially dubbed “4th Generation Leaders” by the Korean government, the group has served as official ambassadors for Korean culture and tourism worldwide and have sold over four million physical albums. The group’s 8 members are: Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho.

Who is ATEEZ?

Throwing it back to when BLACKPINK had the honor to start their US Encore tour at MetLife Stadium

K-pop Picture of the Day

In interviews and videos leading up to the release, IU described herself as a “spore” as opposed to a flower and explained that she found the idea of living as a spore much more appealing.

Album Review: The Winning by IU

On April 30, TWICE announced through their official SNS channel that their 5th album is coming soon to Japan. It will be released in Japan this summer on July 17. Entitled DIVE, This is TWICE’s first local album release in two years.&nbsp;The group’s new concept looks sophisticated and ethereal. All nine members sit against a shimmering lake, frozen in elegance. Sheer dresses in pastel with clear high heels make the band members look like mermaids on a rock in the middle of the ocean. It’ll be interesting to hear if the music will match this sophistication – or throw us for a loop and juxtapose it.&nbsp;

TWICE’s 5th Album Hits Japan on July 17

BIGBANG (Korean: 빅뱅;) is a YG Entertainment-formed South Korean boy band.

Who is BIGBANG?

It's known all around the world that South Korean men – famous musicians and entertainers included – have to complete between 1.5 - 3 years of mandatory military service depending on their branch and the roles they assume.

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