KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

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は2019年、Nikeの歴史上初めてSwooshとクリエイティブなコラボレーションを結んだアジア人ラッパーとなった。単なるアンバサダー契約ではなく、彼自身の美学に完全に基づいて構築されたパートナーシップだった。

G-DragonはいかにしてK-Pop史上最も重要なNikeとのパートナーシップを築いたのか

David YongのK-pop入りは、一般的なアイドルの王道ルートとは少し違う。BIGBANGやTWICEをきっかけにこのジャンルに触れたシンガポールの実業家は、長年にわたるボーカルトレーニングを土台に、韓国語の勉強、ダンスレッスン、そしてソウルでのレコーディングに挑んだ。

ファンからアーティスト兼エグゼクティブへ：David YongのK-popの歩み

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

NEXZが2026年4月に「Mmchk」をリリースした際、7人組によるその年最初のカムバック作品は初週売上44万4,000枚超を記録し、キャリアハイを更新。Circle Chartのリテールアルバムチャートで首位を獲得し、韓国の音楽番組で初の1位にも輝いた。

NEXZ: 上にしか行く道はない

K-popグループや振付が見出しを席巻する一方で、韓国の音楽シーンでは、シンガーソングライターやインディペンデント・アーティストたちによる別の波が、自分たちのファン層を着実に広げている。DORIもその波の一人だが、意外な方向からその世界にたどり着いた。

DORI、色で語る

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は、多くの人が思っているよりもずっと長くこの業界にいる。10代前半でFantagioの練習生として入り、2016年にASTROの最年少メンバーとしてデビューした。

YOON SAN-HAは“自分らしくある”準備ができている

3組の異なるアーティストをめぐる3つの別々の विवादが、会社やレーベルが所属グループやグループ活動をどのように扱っているのかについて懸念を呼んでいる。#NewJeansのメンバーDanielleと#ADORの間で続く疲弊する法廷闘争では、新たな疑惑も浮上している。

K-pop先週の振り返り、解説付き（2026年6月29日 - 7月3日）

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

デビューから2年後、ARrCは解散した。7人組は、その音楽にふさわしい幅広い層にはなかなか届かなかったが、彼らが残したものは数字以上に興味深い物語を示している

ARrCの緩やかな上昇と突然の終幕

BIGBANGの最近のCoachellaでの再結成、Stray KidsとJENNIEのGovernor’s Ball NYCでのヘッドライナー出演、そしてATEEZによるロンドン・Hyde Parkでの最近の公演を経て、2026年はK-popアーティストが世界各地の主要な国際音楽フェスの最前線に立つ年となっている。

国際音楽フェスでK-popは今どこにいるのか？

第一線から退いて10年。第2世代K-popのベテラン、G.NAが音楽の世界に戻ってくる。2016年の売春関連容疑での有罪判決を受けて活動を休止していた彼女は、その出来事について公に語るまでに何年もかかったと明かしている

10年後、G.NAが自分の物語を語る

3つの話題、ひとつの問い――K-pop業界は自分たちの人々に何を返すべきなのか。今週は、元“熱烈ファン”で今やスターとなった Chase Infiniti が ATEEZ に参加し、Lisa が sasaeng のストーカー文化に苦言を呈し、元 NCT メンバーの Mark Lee が南部連合旗の写真をめぐって批判にさらされた。

先週のK-popを読み解く（2026年6月22日 - 6月26日）

fromis_9 is a South Korean girl group originally formed through the survival show Idol School, known for their bright pop sound and steady growth across multiple generations of K-pop. The group currently consists of Song Ha-young, Park Ji-won, Lee Chae-young, Lee Na-gyung, and Baek Ji-heon, following several lineup changes that reshaped the group over time. Their name combines “From Idol School” with the idea of a promise to fans, reflecting their origins and commitment as a fan-driven group. Since debuting under Stone Music Entertainment with creative direction from Pledis Entertainment, they have navigated multiple agency transitions while maintaining a consistent musical identity. Fromis_9 They officially debuted in 2018 with “To Heart,” quickly gaining attention for their youthful concept and polished performances. Releases like “Love Bomb,” “Fun!,” and “Feel Good (Secret Code)” helped define their signature sound, blending energetic pop with catchy hooks and vibrant visuals. Over time, the group steadily built a loyal fanbase, achieving chart success and eventually earning their first music show win with “Talk &amp; Talk,” marking a major milestone in their career. Their continued releases, including “DM” and “Stay This Way,” further solidified their place as a dependable and evolving girl group within the industry. Fromis_9 As their career progressed, fromis_9 experienced significant changes, including member departures and shifts in management, ultimately reorganizing as a five-member group under a new agency. Despite these transitions, they continued to release music and expand their activities, including their first world tour and later projects like From Our 20’s. With their ability to adapt while maintaining their core identity, fromis_9 remains recognized for their resilience, consistent growth, and enduring connection with fans in an ever-changing K-pop landscape.

fromis_9

デビューから8年が経っても、fromis_9のJiwonは、まだ1ウォンの収入も受け取っていなかった。今週のYouTube番組で明かしたこの事実は、K-popの華やかな表舞台の裏に、アーティストの収入を事実上無期限で先送りするよう設計された金銭モデルがあることを、あらためて示している

8年、収入ゼロ：K-popスターの裏にある金銭的現実

HYBEの強力な3組が、「ICONIC BY MISTAKE」でYouTube米国チャート1位デビューを果たして歴史を作る一方、HUNTR/Xはグローバルチャートでのロングランを継続し、BIGHITの新人CORTISは米国ツアー完売で5世代の強さを証明した&nbsp;

LE SSERAFIM、ILLIT、KATSEYEがYouTube米国チャートで#1デビュー、「Golden」はチャートで1周年目前

Hearts2Hearts, stylized as H2H, is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. The octet consists of Carmen, Jiwoo, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian, and Ye-on. They debuted on February 24, 2025, with the single album &quot;The Chase&quot; and its title track of the same name. The group’s name is intended to reflect their mission to connect with global fans through music filled with emotion and heartfelt messages. Their debut release &quot;The Chase&quot; achieved strong commercial performance, with first-week sales topping domestic charts and earning the group their first music show win shortly after debut. In June 2025, Hearts2Hearts released the digital single “Style”, followed by their first EP “Focus” in October 2025, which included the pre-released track “Pretty Please”, They also released the digital single “Rude!” in February 2026. Hearts2Hearts has performed at major events including SMTOWN Live 2025, international showcases, and festivals across Asia, building a growing global presence.

Hearts2Hearts

M EntertainmentのHearts2Heartsが、同社を代表する夏テーマのヒット作シリーズの次章となる2ndミニアルバムLemon Tangをリリースした。先行公開曲「RUDE!」の話題性に続き、本作はHanteoチャートとCircleチャートの両方で1位を獲得した。

Hearts2Hearts、SMの夏シリーズの成功を『Lemon Tang』で継続

先週のK-popでは、CLCのKwon Eunbinが26歳で引退を発表し、TWSのShinyuが行方不明の子どもを支援するキャンペーンに参加し、Grammy Awardsが新たなAsian Pop部門を導入して賛否を呼んだ。出来事は違っても、根底にあるテーマは同じ。片手で与え、もう片手で奪う業界だということだ。

先週のK-popを読み解く（2026年6月15日 - 19日）

18歳のアメリカ人シンガーが、1999年の韓国バラードをカバーし、韓国のリスナーたちがそれに感謝している。Julian Lernerの「Even If」は「If Only I Had You」をダンスポップとして再解釈した作品で、その反応は、これまで影響が一方通行だと見られがちだった文化の中で、非常に温かいものとなっている。

Julian Lernerのカバーは、韓国音楽の影響が実際にどこまで広がっているかを示している

ALL(H)OURS is a South Korean boy group under EDEN Entertainment. The group debuted on January 10, 2024 with the mini album ALL OURS and the title track &quot;GOTCHA.&quot; Its lineup consists of Kunho, Youmin, Xayden, Masami, Hyunbin, Minje, and ON:N. The group&#x27;s fandom is known as Min(ut)e. The name ALL(H)OURS suggests a team that is ready to give everything at every hour, a theme that fits the group&#x27;s high-impact performance style. After debut, the group continued building its discography through releases such as WITNESS, Smoke Point, VCF, and NO DOUBT, balancing sharp choreography with direct, energetic title tracks.

ALL(H)OURS

2月にALL(H)OURSがAtlantaのCenter Stage Theaterのステージに立ったとき、それは、デビューから2年あまりでグループが積み重ねてきたもののちょうど中間地点だった。つまり、彼らの活動への需要が世界規模で広がっていることを、リアルタイムで証明する瞬間だった。

北米での1st FANCON <ALL the HOURS> の舞台裏、ALL(H)OURSとともに

K-popはファンカムによって世界的な広がりを築いた。いま、Harry StylesやPhoebe Bridgersらがノーフォン公演を推し進めるなか、K-popがそれに続くのかが問われている。CORTISの&lt;PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN&gt;ツアーは完売

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