KPOPWORLD #6 (Yves)

KPOPWORLD #6 (KEYVITUP X VAYONN)

KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

Choi Yu Ree discusses Stay: Two, the closing chapter of her Stay series, exploring vulnerability, love, fear, and the quiet emotions that shape everyday life through her intimate songwriting.

Choi Yu Ree Is Staying True to Herself

LOONA (이달의 소녀, &quot;Girl of the Month&quot;) is a girl group formed by Blockberry Creative with one of the most ambitious pre-debut projects in K-pop history. From 2016 to 2018, each of the twelve members was individually introduced with her own solo single, music video, and lore before the full group debuted in August 2018. This elaborate rollout created an intricate &quot;LOONAVERSE&quot; mythology that captivated fans who dissected every visual clue and narrative connection. LOONA&#x27;s music spans a remarkable range of styles — from Chuu&#x27;s bubbly &quot;Heart Attack&quot; to the cinematic grandeur of &quot;Butterfly&quot; to the girl-crush energy of &quot;PTT (Paint the Town).&quot; The group gained a uniquely devoted international fandom, Orbits, who turned LOONA into an internet phenomenon long before the group achieved mainstream domestic success. Despite significant company controversies and member departures, LOONA&#x27;s creative ambition and the quality of their discography have ensured their place in K-pop history as one of the most artistically inventive groups of their generation.

LOONA

From LOONA to her evolution as a solo artist, Yves opens up about her journey, creative identity, and the challenges behind her growth in an honest, unfiltered conversation in 2026

The Self-Image of Yves

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

If there’s one aspect of the K-pop promotional cycle that’s considered the most integral, it’s music shows and, consequently, music show wins

What Actually Is a Music Show Win – and How Do Groups Get Them?

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

Wonder Girls were a girl group formed by JYP Entertainment, debuting in February 2007. The group — whose most well-known lineup included Sunye, Yeeun, Sohee, Yubin, and Hyerim — became one of the defining acts of second-generation K-pop. Their 2007 single &quot;Tell Me&quot; sparked a national dance craze in South Korea, with the retro choreography being replicated everywhere from schools to military barracks. Follow-up hits &quot;So Hot&quot; and &quot;Nobody&quot; were equally massive. Wonder Girls made history as the first K-pop group to enter the Billboard Hot 100, with &quot;Nobody&quot; charting in 2009 during their ambitious attempt to break into the American market. While their U.S. promotions had mixed results, the group&#x27;s pioneering efforts helped pave the way for future K-pop acts in the West. In their later years, Wonder Girls reinvented themselves as a self-playing band, releasing the critically acclaimed album &quot;Reboot.&quot; The group disbanded in 2017, but their legacy as trailblazers in K-pop&#x27;s global expansion is firmly established.

Wonder Girls

Review: SUNMI – HEART MAID

MONSTA X is a boy group formed through the survival show No.Mercy who debuted under Starship Entertainment in May 2015. Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M make up the current lineup, with Wonho a former member, and the group has always been tied to a forceful performance image. Their sound runs muscular &mdash; EDM drops, hip-hop percussion, dark synths, and choruses built to carry heavy choreography. They became one of the most physically commanding performance groups of their generation across a run stretching from the breakthrough drive of "Dramarama" to the sharper drama of "Love Killa," while their vocal line and later English-language releases revealed a smoother R&amp;B and pop register that softened the edges without draining the intensity. They also mattered as a bridge between Korean idol promotion and Western touring: English-language singles, American media appearances, and a large international audience, all without blurring the group's identity. Their fandom, Monbebe, is known for staying loyal through lineup changes, enlistments, solo projects, and long stretches between full-group activity. Their legacy rests on consistency and stamina rather than reinvention. MONSTA X refined one recognizable image &mdash; power, charisma, and emotional loyalty &mdash; instead of rebuilding it every comeback. That became a template for later boy groups aiming to look tough onstage while cultivating a close, fan-centered identity off it.

MONSTA X

WONHO’s SYNDROME: A Cool, Cinematic Portrait of Modern Pop Stardom

Review: LEEBADA - ‘Fantasy’

Review: MiSO Makes a Triumphant Return with “Spotlight”

VVUP is a global girl group under EgoENT that officially debuted on April 1, 2024, with the single &quot;Locked On&quot;. The group’s name uses a double &quot;V&quot; to create a &quot;W&quot; for &quot;Win,&quot; symbolizing their goal to continuously rise to the top of the music industry. Known for their high-energy performances and 5th-generation &quot;teen crush&quot; concept, they have quickly become a rising force in K-pop. The group originally debuted as a four-member lineup consisting of Hyunny, Suyeon, Kim, and Paan. However, in August 2024, the agency announced that leader and main rapper Hyunny would be departing the group to focus on her health and recovery. Following a brief period as a trio, the group added a new member, Jiyoon, in January 2025, restoring VVUP to a four-member lineup.

VVUP

VVUP Ignite the Screen With “House Party”

HUNTR/X is a fictional 3-member Korean girl group, created for the Netflix animation film, KPop Demon Hunters. The group consists of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. They debuted on June 20, 2025, with an unspecified release.

HUNTR/X

Review: EJAE – “In Another World”

Review: Kim Lip’s “Can You Entertain?” — From Eclipse to Afterglow

Yves’ “Ex Machina” Analytical Review: Love, Control, and Losing Yourself

izna is a six-member girl group under WAKEONE and The Black Label which formed through the survival show I-LAND 2 N/a in 2024. The group consists of Mai, Bang Jeemin, Koko, Ryu Sarang, Choi Jungeun and Jeong Saebi, their group name and concept reflecting their limitless ability and potential. The members first took to the stage at the 2024 MAMA Awards, debuting shortly after with their first mini album N/a which featured self-titled track &quot;IZNA&quot; and dual promoted B-side &quot;TIMEBOMB&quot;. In 2025, izna had three comebacks, achieving music show wins for their respective singles SIGN and BEEP, along with title track “Mamma Mia” from their second mini album Not Just Pretty. The rookie group is known for consistent, high energy performances, well-rounded members and concept versatility, creating a fast and rising momentum as a standout of the fifth generation. After a strong debut year, they won &quot;Favorite Rising Star&quot; at the 2025 MAMA Awards and &quot;Best Performance&quot; at the 40th Golden Disc Awards. In early 2026, izna took home four wins from the D Awards, including &quot;Best Group&quot; and &quot;Best Song&quot; for their single &quot;SIGN&quot;. On June 8th, 2026 the group released their highly anticipated third mini album, Set The Tempo, with &quot;METRONOME&quot; serving as the title track. On June 9th it was announced that izna had signed with Republic Records for global promotions, the group extending their music and presence across the world.

izna

“Mamma Mia” Review: izna Prove They Don’t Need Loud Production to Be Loudest in the Room

Review: from20 Returns With “Social,” an R&B Fever Dream for the Digital Age

Review: HaSeul’s City Pop Concoction “Love Poison” Casts a Spell

ARTMS is a 5-member South Korean girl group under MODHAUS. The group consists of JinSoul, HaSeul, Kim Lip, HeeJin, and Choerry from the currently inactive girl group LOONA. They first rebooted the LOONA sub-unit ODD EYE CIRCLE on July 12, 2023. They debuted on May 31, 2024, with their first album, DALL.

ARTMS

There was a time when LOONA stood at the edge of the K-pop imagination — cryptic lore, monthly girl reveals, oddball teaser loops, and a visual language so distinctive that fans could spot a Digipedi edit within seconds

Review