KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

&amp;TEAM is a nine-member Japanese boy group under YX Labels (formerly HYBE Labels Japan). The group was formed through the survival program &quot;&amp;Audition - The Howling&quot; and debuted in December 2022 with their first extended play &quot;First Howling: Me&quot;. The group consists of EJ, Fuma, K, Nicholas, Yuma, Jo, Harua, Taki, and Maki, with EJ serving as the leader. Several members, including K, Nicholas, EJ, and Taki, previously participated in the survival show I-LAND before being selected for HYBE&#x27;s Japanese global debut project. Before their official debut, the group released the digital single Under the Skin, which introduced their storyline and concept. Their debut EP, First Howling,e followed shortly afterward, marking the beginning of the group&#x27;s &quot;First Howling&quot; series of releases. Although primarily active in Japan, &amp;TEAM promoted internationally and later expanded into Korea with Korean-language releases and promotions. Their fandom name is LUNÉ, representing fans who support the group like the moon lighting the night sky.

&TEAM

En la historia de portada impresa de nuestro Issue 5, MAKI de &amp;TEAM habla con franqueza sobre lo que se siente volverse viral — y por qué es más complicado de lo que parece

EN REFLEXIÓN: MAKI de &TEAM

BIGBANG is a South Korean boy group formed by YG Entertainment, debuting in 2006 and becoming one of the most influential acts in K-pop history. The current profile centers on G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung, with T.O.P and Seungri tied to earlier chapters of the group. The group&#x27;s importance comes from how strongly it changed expectations for idol music and image. BIGBANG made self-production, individual fashion identity, and genre-blending central to its appeal, with G-Dragon&#x27;s songwriting and public style playing a major role in the group&#x27;s reputation. Musically, BIGBANG moved through hip-hop, R&amp;B, electronic pop, ballads, and festival-sized dance tracks without losing a recognizable identity. Songs such as &quot;Lies,&quot; &quot;Haru Haru,&quot; &quot;Fantastic Baby,&quot; and &quot;Bang Bang Bang&quot; became reference points for later idol groups trying to balance mainstream hooks with stronger artist branding. The members also became major solo figures, which helped the group feel less like a standard idol team and more like a collection of distinct pop stars. That individual power brought both longevity and complications, especially as military service, controversies, and member departures changed the group&#x27;s public shape. The fandom is known as V.I.P. BIGBANG is a defining second-generation group whose impact on K-pop music, fashion, performance, and global ambition is difficult to separate from the genre&#x27;s modern history.

BIGBANG

G-Dragon se convirtió en 2019 en el primer rapero asiático en la historia de Nike en lograr una colaboración creativa con el Swoosh: no un rol de embajador, sino una alianza construida por completo alrededor de su propia lógica estética

Cómo G-Dragon construyó la asociación más importante de Nike en la historia del K-pop

El recorrido de David Yong hacia el K-pop no sigue el manual estándar de un idol. Después de descubrir el género a través de BIGBANG y TWICE, el empresario singapurense aprovechó años de formación vocal mientras asumía el estudio del coreano, clases de baile y grabaciones en Seoul

De fan a ejecutivo-artista: David Yong sobre su camino en el K-pop

KiiiKiii is a five-member girl group under Starship Entertainment, consisting of Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum, and Kya. The group began its rollout in 2025 with &quot;I Do Me&quot; and built its debut era around a confident, self-directed image. As a newer Starship group, KiiiKiii carries attention from the company&#x27;s girl-group history while needing a distinct identity of its own. Their early presentation leans youthful but assertive, with styling and performance choices that frame the members as a compact team rather than a loose collection of rookies. The fandom is known as TiiiKiii. KiiiKiii is still early in its career, but its debut identity is clear: a compact Starship girl group built around self-possession, youthful confidence, and a team image still being defined through its first releases.

KiiiKiii

Ciertos tipos de marketing se han vuelto habituales en la industria del K-pop. Desde las fotos iniciales del concepto y los tráileres con estilo cinematográfico hasta los teasers y mash-ups, los nuevos álbumes llegan con una gran cantidad de contenido para que los fans lo analicen antes del lanzamiento

Una nueva era del marketing de K-pop: por qué funciona el sitio web de viajes de KiiiKiii

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 lleva más tiempo en la industria de lo que la mayoría cree. Se unió a Fantagio como trainee a principios de su adolescencia, debutó como el miembro más joven de ASTRO en 2016

YOON SAN-HA Está Listo Para Ser Él Mismo

La cantante y compositora nacida en Seoul tiene 17 años, lleva menos de dos años de carrera y ya trabaja a su manera: escribe y produce su propia música

ZIN CHOI

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

Para los fans de CLASSy, la espera ha sido larga. Cuando CLASSy regresó el 23 de junio con su cuarto mini álbum, RE:BOOT [AFTER TEARS], marcó su primer lanzamiento de música nueva en casi un año y siete meses desde que LOVE XX salió en noviembre de 2024

CLASSy Vuelven - Y Esta Vez, Todo Ha Cambiado

Más allá de los grupos de K-pop y las coreografías que dominan los titulares, otra ola de cantautores y artistas independientes de la escena musical de South Korea ha ido construyendo su propia audiencia. DORI forma parte de esa ola, aunque llegó a ella desde una dirección poco probable

DORI habla en color

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

Cuando NEXZ lanzó "Mmchk" en abril de 2026, el primer comeback del año del grupo de siete integrantes vendió más de 444.000 copias en su primera semana —un nuevo récord en su carrera—, encabezó la lista de álbumes retail de Circle Chart y les consiguió su primer número uno en una emisión musical coreana

NEXZ: Ya no queda más que subir

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 por fin está de vuelta, y esta vez las cuatro integrantes se reunieron para hacerlo posible. 4WARD marca el primer lanzamiento completo del grupo como unidad desde MIC ON, de 2022, después de un paréntesis de más de tres años

MAMAMOO: Doce años y contando

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 siempre ha sido conocido por su energía sobre el escenario con MONSTA X, pero Reaching ofrece algo más contenido. Construido en torno a la calidez, la sinceridad y un deseo simple de conectar

MINHYUK sobre “Reaching”, música honesta y lo que viene después

WONHO ha ofrecido a KPOPWORLD una mirada exclusiva al proceso de creación de su nuevo álbum CORE, compartiendo las canciones que dieron forma al disco junto con los temas a los que ha estado recurriendo últimamente

Kurated: WONHO selecciona una playlist exclusiva de ‘CORE’

idntt (아이덴티티; read as identity) is an upcoming 24-member boy group under MODHAUS. They are set to make their debut sometime in 2026. The group consists of members divided into 3 rotational sub-units consisting of 8 members each - uneverm8t, yesw8are and itsnotov8r.

idntt

Para su nuevo álbum &lt;itsnotover&gt;, idntt se sentó con KPOPWORLD para hablar sobre de dónde vienen, lo que este grupo les ha exigido y aquello a lo que se niegan a renunciar

idntt: La portada digital de KPOPWORLD

EPEX [‘i:peks] (이펙스), formerly known as C9ROOKIES (C9루키즈) is a 7-member South Korean boy group under C9 Entertainment, consisting of Wish, MU, A-Min, Baekseung, Ayden, Yewang, and Jeff. On November 21, 2025, it was announced that Keum had left the group. They debuted on June 8, 2021, with their first EP album, BIPOLAR Pt.1 : 불안의 서 (Prelude of Anxiety)

EPEX

Cerrar una trilogía es fácil. Cerrarla devolviéndole la historia a las personas que la vivieron es otra cosa. Youth: Epilogue de EPEX pone fin a dos años y tres álbumes de narrativa sobre el crecimiento

Interview