KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

ソウル生まれのシンガーソングライター、ZIN CHOIは17歳。キャリアを始めてまだ2年足らずながら、すでに自分のやり方で活動している――楽曲の作詞・作曲・プロデュースまで手がけているのだ。

ZIN CHOI

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

STAYC is a six-member girl group formed by High Up Entertainment, debuting in November 2020. The group — Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon, and J — holds the distinction of being produced by the legendary hitmaking duo Black Eyed Pilseung, known for crafting smashes for TWICE, Apink, and others. This production pedigree gave STAYC an immediately polished, radio-friendly sound from their very first release. STAYC&#x27;s &quot;teen fresh&quot; concept and catchy discography — including &quot;SO BAD,&quot; &quot;ASAP,&quot; &quot;RUN2U,&quot; and &quot;Teddy Bear&quot; — have made them standouts in the fourth generation. &quot;ASAP&quot; in particular became a sleeper hit that dominated charts and went viral on social media. The group represents a refreshing middle ground in K-pop: neither overly cute nor aggressively girl-crush, but naturally charming and musically consistent. Their fandom, SWITH, has steadily grown as the group proves that quality pop songwriting and likeable personalities can build a dedicated audience without relying on spectacle or controversy.

STAYC

デビューから6年。STAYCの最新EPは、彼女たちがSTAYCであり続ける理由をあらためて強調する。弾けるシンセ、明るい高音域、そして「ASAP」以来ずっと彼女たちを支えてきた自信だ。

STAYCの2:L0VEがアイデンティティの答えを出す

can’t be blue is a South Korean indie rock band formed in 2024. The group originally consisted of Kwon Dahyun, Lee Hwuiwon, Kim Chaehyun, Lee Dohun, and Park Junseo; after Junseo’s departure in October 2024, Kim Daehun joined as the drummer. The band is known for blending elements of pop, alternative rock, R&amp;B, soul, and indie in their music. can’t be blue debuted on June 20, 2024 with the single “Within the Words I Once Called Love”, which helped them gain early attention in the Korean indie scene. They released their first EP Blue Vinyl later that year, featuring tracks that showcased their evolving sound. In 2025, the band released several singles including “Gonna Die,” “First Sight,” and “take it anymore,” and continued building a presence through live performances and festival appearances. Their EP Prussian Blue was released on January 19, 2026. can’t be blue has performed in various concerts and events that highlight the contemporary band scene in Korea, and they are recognized for their emotive lyrics, melodic instrumentation, and genre-blending approach.

can't be blue

2024年にインディーレーベルUNBLUE LABELSから登場したKorean rock band can’t be blueは、わずか2年で国内インディーの現象から世界的に認知される存在へと急成長した

can’t be blueはインディーとポップの境界線を溶かしている

EXO is a South Korean-Chinese boy group formed by SM Entertainment in 2012. Originally debuting as two subunits — EXO-K (Korean) and EXO-M (Chinese) — the group quickly became one of the biggest acts in K-pop history with hits like &quot;Growl,&quot; &quot;Call Me Baby,&quot; and &quot;Monster.&quot; Their synchronized choreography, powerful vocals, and theatrical concepts helped define the third generation of K-pop and earned them the nickname &quot;Kings of K-pop.&quot; Over the years, EXO has sold millions of albums, held massive world tours, and seen their members flourish in solo careers spanning music, acting, and variety shows. Members like Baekhyun, D.O., and Chen have become household names in South Korea. Despite mandatory military enlistments creating periods of group inactivity, EXO&#x27;s dedicated fanbase, known as EXO-L, has remained fiercely loyal, ensuring the group&#x27;s legacy endures well into the 2020s.

ソウルでの3日間で3万2千人。メンバーが3人欠けた状態でのミリオンセラー。兵役、法的争い、そしてカムバックのない年月を乗り越えてきたファンベース――それでも彼らは会場に集まった

読んだことをすべて鵜呑みにするな — EXOは今でもK-popの強豪だ

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.

NCTは今年10周年を迎える — 10年経った今、彼らがK-popに与えた影響を否定するのは難しい。NCT 127の初期作に見られる工業的なカオスから、NCT Dreamの成長物語、WayVの都会的洗練、そしてNCT Wishへの継承まで。

NCTの「Neo-Ness」はどのように弱点から最大の強みへと変わったか

BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Music in 2010 and debuting on June 12, 2013, with the single album &quot;2 Cool 4 Skool&quot;. The group consists of seven members: RM (leader), Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. The name BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan (“Bulletproof Boy Scouts”), reflecting the group’s original concept of resisting societal expectations and criticism aimed at youth. Members RM, Suga, and J-Hope have played significant roles in songwriting and production throughout the group’s career. BTS first gained widespread attention with the [The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1 era], particularly the single I Need U, which earned the group their first Korean music show win in 2015. Their international breakthrough followed with releases such as Wings and the Love Yourself series. In 2018, &quot;Love Yourself: Tear&quot; became the first album by a Korean act to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The group achieved further global success with singles including &quot;Dynamite&quot;, &quot;Butter&quot;, and &quot;Permission to Dance&#x27;&quot;, all of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. BTS is among the best-selling artists in South Korean history and has received numerous international awards, while also participating in global initiatives such as the UNICEF Love Myself campaign. Between 2022 and 2025, BTS paused full-group activities as the members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service. The last member, Suga, was discharged in June 2025, marking the completion of service for all seven members. Following their reunion, the group confirmed they were preparing a new album and world tour for 2026. Their tenth studio album, &quot;ARIRANG&quot;, recorded between July and November 2025, was released on March 20, 2026, marking their first group release in more than three years. The album will be supported by the Arirang World Tour, beginning in April 2026.

BTSが本格復帰し、今週のYouTube Musicチャートにそれが如実に表れている

BTSが‘SWIM’でYouTubeチャートを席巻、世界的な勢いを取り戻す

WJSN, also known as Cosmic Girls, is a girl group formed through a collaboration between Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment, debuting in February 2016. Originally consisting of thirteen members from South Korea and China, the group was divided into four subunits: Wonder, Joy, Sweet, and Natural. Their celestial concept, as suggested by their cosmic name, infused their music with a dreamy, fantastical quality. WJSN gained wider recognition through their participation in Mnet&#x27;s &quot;Queendom 2&quot; in 2022, where they earned newfound appreciation for their elegant performances and stunning visuals. Songs like &quot;Save Me, Save You,&quot; &quot;Boogie Up,&quot; and &quot;Last Sequence&quot; highlighted their versatility. The group&#x27;s fandom, Ujung, has been devoted through years of shifting group dynamics as Chinese members pursued activities in China. WJSN is remembered as one of the most visually and conceptually enchanting groups of their era.

WJSN

結成10年、WJSNがEXY作詞のファンソング「Bloom hour」で帰還――完結と継続の間に宙吊りになったような感触の一曲

WJSNの「Bloom hour」

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

HWASAの台頭はこれまで通常の軌跡を辿ってきませんでした。彼女はグループの明白なセンターとしてデビューしたわけでもなく、K-popが好む女性アイドル像にきれいに収まったわけでもなく、ソロキャリアを安全策で築いたわけでもありません。代わりに彼女が築いたのは、はるかに難しいこと――自分だけの語彙でした。

パーフェクト・オールキルと完璧な失恋ソング：HWASAがチャートを取り戻す

Golden Child is a boy group originally formed by Woollim Entertainment, debuting in August 2017 with &quot;DamDaDi.&quot; The current lineup includes Daeyeol, Choi Sung Yun, Jangjun, Seungmin, Jaehyun, Donghyun, and Joochan, with several former members also tied to the group&#x27;s history. The group debuted with a bright, athletic image that fit Woollim&#x27;s clean performance tradition, then gradually moved into more dramatic and mature material. By the time of &quot;Wannabe&quot; and &quot;Burn It,&quot; Golden Child had developed beyond a cheerful rookie frame into sharper dance-pop and emotional performance concepts. Golden Child&#x27;s fandom is known as Goldenness. The group reads best as a long-running Woollim act with a shifting lineup and a catalog that moved from fresh youthfulness toward more polished intensity, with member-status details handled separately from the biography prose.

Golden Child

JOOCHANにとって、一人でステージに立つことは、これまで完全には背負ったことのない重みを背負うことでもあった

Golden ChildのJOOCHAN、初のソロファンミーティングで想いを語る

Baby DONT Cry, is a South Korean girl group formed and managed by P Nation. The group consists of four members: Yihyun, Kumi, Mia, and Beni. They debuted on June 23, 2025, with the single album &quot;F Girl&quot;. The group was initially teased in early 2025 under the pre-debut name “P Girls” and confirmed as P Nation’s first official girl group later that year. Their pre-debut track “Bet You’ll Regret It” was released on June 16, 2025, building anticipation ahead of their debut. Baby DONT Cry’s debut single “F Girl” presents a bold message encouraging confidence and rejecting judgment based on external standards. The group’s concept has been described as youthful yet assertive, combining pop and performance elements with distinctive visuals. Their creative direction and early production were led by Soyeon, who played a significant role in shaping their sound and image. Baby DONT Cry’s fandom is officially named “Cherries,” symbolizing a community united by growth and joy. The group has since continued activities with subsequent releases, including the digital single “I Don’t Care” released in November 2025.. Although still early in their career, Baby DONT Cry has drawn attention for their fresh approach, strong visuals, and connections to established producers, marking a notable debut in the K-pop landscape.

Baby DONT Cry

彼女たちは自分たちをBaby DONT Cryと呼ぶが、そのグループに受け身さやか弱さはまったく感じられない

Baby DONT Cry: The KPOPWORLD デジタルカバー

滑らかな歌声と鋭いソングライティングで最初に注目を集めた、カナダ出身でソウルを拠点に活動するJUNNYは、韓国で最も個性的なR&amp;Bの声の一つへと成長した

JUNNY：音楽が言葉より雄弁なとき

IZ*ONE was a twelve-member project girl group formed through the Mnet survival show &quot;Produce 48,&quot; a collaboration between Korean and Japanese entertainment industries, debuting in October 2018. The group combined members from Korean agencies and Japan&#x27;s AKB48 system, including future stars Jang Wonyoung, An Yujin, Kim Chaewon, and Miyawaki Sakura. Their debut mini-album &quot;COLOR*IZ&quot; broke sales records for a K-pop girl group at the time. During their two-and-a-half-year contract, IZ*ONE became one of the best-selling girl groups in K-pop history, with releases like &quot;La Vie en Rose,&quot; &quot;Violeta,&quot; and &quot;Fiesta&quot; achieving critical and commercial success. Despite the &quot;Produce&quot; series vote manipulation scandal casting a shadow over their formation, the group&#x27;s talent was undeniable. IZ*ONE disbanded in April 2021 as planned, but their members went on to lead some of the biggest acts in K-pop&#x27;s fourth generation, including IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and more. Their fandom, WIZ*ONE, remains active and nostalgic.

IZ*ONE

Waterbomb のハイエナジーなステージから THE RED のような親密なソロ公演まで、KWON EUNBI は IZ*ONE 時代を超えて、パフォーマー兼ソングライターとしての多彩さをこの五年間で築いてきた

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