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

K-pop界の4大レーベルが手を組み、しかも韓国政府が後押ししている。HYBE、SM、JYP、YGが「Fanomenon」と呼ばれる大規模フェスの共同事業を申請しており、2027年に韓国での初開催を目指し、2028年からは世界展開を予定している。

K-popのBig 4による音楽フェスが業界にもたらす可能性

今週の「Last Week In K-Pop, Interpreted」では、K-popのレジェンドたちが20周年に向け準備を進める動き、説明のつかない兵役欠席での実刑の可能性、そしてK-pop史上最も影響力のある事務所のひとつの所属名簿が着実に縮小していること――その全分析が公開されています。

先週のK-popを読み解く（2026年4月20日〜24日）

今週、i-dleのSyncopationワールドツアー北米公演全日程の中止がK-POPコミュニティに衝撃を与えたが、その背景にある問題は一つのグループや一連の公演だけにとどまらない

北米展開に伴うK-POPの見えない代償

KARD is a four-member South Korean co-ed group under DSP Media, consisting of J.Seph, BM, Somin, and Jiwoo. They officially debuted on July 19, 2017 with Hola Hola after a pre-debut project series that introduced the group through &quot;Oh NaNa,&quot; &quot;Don&#x27;t Recall,&quot; and &quot;Rumor.&quot; The group&#x27;s significance starts with its lineup structure. Co-ed idol groups are rare in modern K-pop, and KARD made that format feel central rather than novelty-based. Their performances are built around contrast: male and female vocal colors, rap and vocal handoffs, and choreography that lets the four members interact as a unit instead of splitting into separate halves. Musically, KARD became closely associated with tropical house, dancehall, Latin-pop, and club-oriented pop, sounds that helped them connect quickly with international audiences. &quot;Hola Hola&quot; established the bright version of that identity, while later singles such as &quot;Gunshot,&quot; &quot;Ring The Alarm,&quot; and &quot;Icky&quot; leaned into sharper performance energy and heavier rhythmic production. The fandom is known as Hidden KARD. KARD became one of K-pop&#x27;s clearest examples of a stable co-ed act with a global audience. Their longevity matters because they kept a distinct lane through military hiatuses, changing industry trends, and a market where most idol teams follow same-gender formats.

KARD

KARDは結成10年が近づいており、今後次第では次作が少なくとも当面の間「最後のアルバム」になる可能性があります

KARDがK-popの男女混合グループ問題を変えた方法

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

Yvesのグローバルな成功は、単なるK-popのクロスオーバー話とは違う。彼女はLOONAのメンバーで、2年間の法的な宙ぶらりんを経てインディ・レーベルと契約し、ADA Worldwideを通じて世界配信を確保した。

Yves は自分のやり方でクロスオーバーしている

今週の「先週のK-popを読み解く」では多くの話題を取り上げます。K-popのビッグ4事務所 — HYBE、SM、JYP、YG — が、Fanonemonと仮称されるグローバル音楽フェスを立ち上げるための合弁申請を行い、早ければ2027年にCoachellaに対抗することを目指している、という報道がありました。

先週のK-popを読み解く（2026年4月13日〜4月17日）

4Minute was a five-member girl group formed by Cube Entertainment, consisting of Jihyun, Gayoon, Jenyer, HyunA, and Sohyun. They debuted in 2009 with &quot;Hot Issue&quot; and quickly became one of Cube&#x27;s signature early acts. The group was known for a sharper and more attitude-driven image than many of their peers, mixing electro-pop, hip-hop influence, and bold styling. HyunA&#x27;s public profile gave 4Minute extra visibility, but the group&#x27;s best work depended on the contrast between strong vocal parts, rap sections, and dance-focused hooks. The subunit 2YOON also showed how the members could move outside the full group&#x27;s main sound without losing the group&#x27;s recognizable energy. The fandom is known as 4NIA. 4Minute disbanded in 2016, leaving behind a catalog that helped define second-generation girl-group edge and a clear connection to Cube&#x27;s rise as a major idol agency.

4Minute

4Minuteの解散から10年、元メインボーカルのGayoonがCUBE Entertainmentに戻ってきた—アーティストとしてではなく、新たにクリエイティブディレクターとしてだ。

K-popのその後：4MinuteのGayoonがCUBEのクリエイティブディレクターに就任

2026年のCoachellaでのK-popは、初日のHUNTR/XがKATSEYEと共に予想外の「Golden」コラボを見せたこと、2日目にSHINeeのTaeminがフェス史上初の男性K-popソロとして歴史を作ったこと、そして3日目にBIGBANGがパンデミックで延期されてから6年越しにようやくステージに立ったことという、三者三様の姿に分かれていた

コーチェラにおけるK-popの存在は年々どう進化してきたか

KATSEYE is a multinational girl group formed through the reality competition series Dream Academy, a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records. The group debuted in June 2024 with the single &quot;Debut&quot;. KATSEYE consists of six members from different countries: Daniela Avanzini, Lara Rajagopalan, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeong. The group was created to combine Kpop training with a global pop approach, featuring members from North America, Europe, and Asia. The group first gained attention through the documentary series The Debut: Dream Academy (or Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE on Netflix), which followed the trainees&#x27; journey during the Dream Academy project and the process of forming the final lineup. KATSEYE&#x27;s music blends elements of pop, dance, and K-pop-influenced production while targeting a global audience with multilingual promotion and international activities.

KATSEYE

KATSEYEはある特定の前提のもとに作られた――民族的に多様なメンバーで構成され、K-popのシステムの下で訓練され、ポップ音楽が本当にその聴衆を反映したときにどのようなものになり得るかを示すことを意図したグローバルなガールグループだ

KATSEYEは多様性を掲げて作られた—ではなぜ唯一の黒人メンバーが脇に追いやられているのか？

NCT, short for Neo Culture Technology, is a boy group project under SM Entertainment. The system was built around multiple units, changing combinations, and regional expansion rather than a single fixed lineup, making NCT one of SM&#x27;s most ambitious idol structures. The project began publicly through NCT U in 2016, then expanded through fixed or semi-fixed units such as NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, and NCT WISH. Each unit carries a different role: Seoul-based performance, youth-to-adult growth, Chinese-language promotion, rotational experiments, and the final new-team expansion. NCT&#x27;s music is often associated with dense production, experimental structures, and performance-heavy arrangements. The group&#x27;s system allowed SM to place members in songs by concept, which helped produce very different sounds under the same brand without asking every unit to serve the same identity. The project also made member identity central to the fan experience. NCTzen follows not only the full brand but also unit dynamics, cross-unit collaborations, and individual member activities, which makes the profile more complex than a normal group page. NCT is both a group brand and a structure for multiple teams. That structure shaped how SM approached global boy-group promotion from the mid-2010s onward, making the project as much about organization and unit design as individual songs.

1週間のうちに、NCTは2人の創設メンバーを失った。Markはグループを完全に脱退し、TenはSM Entertainmentを離れたもののNCTおよびWayVの活動は継続する見込みだ。

MARKとTenがSM Entertainmentを離脱──NCTの今後は？

Mark Leeが10年間在籍したNCTを脱退すると発表したとき、K-pop史上でも類を見ない反応が起きました。24時間以内に彼の直筆の手紙は何百万ものいいね、シェア、コメントを集めましたが、注目すべきだったのは単なる数字だけではありません

Mark LeeがNCTを脱退 — 反応はこれまでにないものだった

ITZY is a five-member girl group formed by JYP Entertainment, consisting of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. They debuted in February 2019 with &quot;Dalla Dalla&quot;, a song built around self-acceptance, difference, and the refusal to fit neatly into other people&#x27;s expectations. ITZY&#x27;s early identity was direct and performance-forward. &quot;Icy&quot;, &quot;Wannabe&quot; and &quot;Not Shy&quot; expanded the same confidence-first message with sharper choreography, chant-like hooks, and a visual style that mixed teen crush, streetwear, and runway attitude. Their dances became a major part of the group&#x27;s public image, with Ryujin&#x27;s shoulder move in &quot;Wannabe&quot; standing out as one of the most recognizable fourth-generation choreography moments. The group&#x27;s strength is the way its members divide the performance picture. Yeji gives ITZY a precise leader and dance center, Lia brings a warmer vocal tone, Ryujin anchors the cool charisma, Chaeryeong adds technical dance detail, and Yuna gives the group a bright visual spark. Even when the music shifted into different textures, that balance kept ITZY recognizable as a group built around motion, confidence, and clean stage impact. ITZY&#x27;s fandom is known as MIDZY. Their place in K-pop comes from helping define the fourth-generation girl-group language of self-confidence: louder than simple cuteness, less dark than some girl-crush concepts, and built for fans who wanted slogans they could actually say back to themselves.

ITZY

2月、ITZYはツアーで2020年のBサイド曲「THAT'S A NO NO」のアップデート版を披露した――そして数週間のうちに、6年前の隠れた一曲がTikTokチャレンジとなり、韓国のチャートを駆け上がり、グループに特別なMCountdownステージをもたらした

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