KPOPWORLD #6 (Yves)

KPOPWORLD #6 (KEYVITUP X VAYONN)

KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

Choi Yu Reeは、親密なソングライティングを通して、脆さ、愛、恐れ、そして日々の暮らしを形づくる静かな感情を掘り下げたStayシリーズの締めくくりとなるStay: Twoについて語る。

Choi Yu Reeは自分らしさを貫く

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

LOONAからソロアーティストとしての進化まで。Yvesが自身の歩み、創作のアイデンティティ、そして成長の裏にある苦悩について、2026年の率直で飾らない会話の中で語る。

Yvesのセルフイメージ

K-popのプロモーションサイクルで最も重要な要素があるとすれば、それは音楽番組、ひいては音楽番組での1位だろう

音楽番組の「1位」って実際何？ そしてグループはどうやって獲得するの？

THE BOYZ is an eleven-member boy group formed by Cre.Ker Entertainment (now an independent group), debuting in December 2017. The group gained significant attention for their performance abilities, particularly after their appearance on the Mnet competition show &quot;Road to Kingdom&quot; in 2020, where they won first place with theatrical, visually stunning stages that showcased their storytelling through dance. Their &quot;Road to Kingdom&quot; victory was a turning point, elevating THE BOYZ from a mid-tier group to one of the most respected performance-focused acts in K-pop. Songs like &quot;The Stealer,&quot; &quot;THRILL RIDE,&quot; and &quot;MAVERICK&quot; have highlighted their versatility. THE BOYZ&#x27;s fandom, THE B, has grown steadily, supporting the group through sold-out concerts and strong album sales. The group is widely regarded as having some of the best synchronized choreography and stage presence in the industry. On March 19, 2026, nine members of The Boyz filed for the termination of their exclusive contracts with One Hundred Label, citing issues including unpaid settlements and a breakdown of trust. The agency disputed the claims and rejected the termination, resulting in a legal dispute between the parties. As of April 23, 2026, the court ruled in favor of the nine members, granting the boys an injunction to end the validity of their contracts. The members who were involved are officially free from their ties with One Hundred Label, however the last member still remains as of right now. The group is currently continuing forward as an independent group, being one of the most successful of their peers to make such move.

THE BOYZ

THE BOYZとして約10年を過ごした後、KEVIN MOONはソロアーティストとして新たな章へ。デビュー作『FREECHILD』を携えて、その第一歩を踏み出す

KEVIN MOONインタビュー――檻の中の鳥が自由を手にするまで

SM創業者Lee Soo-manが復帰したA2O Entertainmentが、2026年10月12日にボーイズグループとガールズグループを同時にデビューさせると発表した

Lee Soo-manのA2O Entertainment、ボーイズグループとガールズグループを同時デビューへ

&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

&amp;TEAMにとって初の米国公演は、KCONデビューというだけではなく、試される場でもあった。Artist Stageでは、グループはバリケード際まで観客が詰めかけた満員の会場でパフォーマンスを披露した。

&TEAMのKCON 2026デビューは存在感を放った

NCT 127 is the Seoul-based fixed unit of NCT, formed by SM Entertainment and debuting in July 2016. The &quot;127&quot; refers to Seoul&#x27;s longitude, grounding the unit in the city even as the broader NCT project was designed around expansion. From the beginning, NCT 127 carried the more urban, experimental side of the NCT system. The unit&#x27;s music is known for abrasive textures, unusual structures, and a heavy emphasis on rhythm. &quot;Limitless,&quot; &quot;Cherry Bomb,&quot; &quot;Regular,&quot; &quot;Kick It,&quot; and &quot;Sticker&quot; are not built like neutral pop singles; they use chants, distorted synths, sparse hooks, and strong rap sections to create a sound that can feel challenging before it becomes addictive. That willingness to be strange became the group&#x27;s signature rather than a side effect. NCT 127&#x27;s lineup has included members such as Taeyong, Johnny, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan. The unit works because those personalities pull in different directions: rap, vocal polish, dance sharpness, humor, and a fashion-forward public image all sit inside one brand. Their fandom falls under the wider NCTzen name, often shortened to Czennie. NCT 127&#x27;s importance is not just that they promoted globally or charted internationally; it is that they made SM&#x27;s most experimental boy-group ideas commercially visible. They turned risk into identity, making songs that sounded unmistakably like NCT 127 even when they divided listeners at first.

NCT 127

NCT 127はKCON LA 2026の1日目を締めくくり、ヘッドライナーの座が人数で決まるものではなかったことを証明した。Jaehyunが「Lemonade」で幕を開けると、Neo Bongの光が会場を埋め尽くし、グループが本格的に加速する前から観客の応答が返ってきた

NCT 127、KCON LA 2026で5人でもなお最強だと証明

ソロアーティストのYvesが、2026年11月に開催する2度目のアジア＆オーストラリアツアー『YVES TOUR 2026 ASIA &amp; AUSTRALIA』を発表した。

Yves、2度目となるアジア＆オーストラリアツアーを発表

RIIZE is a six-member boy group debuted by SM Entertainment in September 2023, marking the label&#x27;s first new boy group in seven years. The group — Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan (who later left in 2024) Sohee, and Anton — launched with the single &quot;Get A Guitar,&quot; a warm, acoustic-influenced track that departed from SM&#x27;s typical electronic sound. Their name combines &quot;Rise&quot; and &quot;Realize,&quot; symbolizing growth and the realization of dreams. RIIZE&#x27;s debut was met with enormous anticipation and commercial success, with pre-debut buzz generating massive social media engagement. The group has embraced a more accessible, &quot;emotional pop&quot; sound compared to SM&#x27;s other acts, appealing to a broad audience. Their fandom, BRIIZE, grew rapidly from pre-debut activities alone. Though a young group, RIIZE has already demonstrated strong momentum with chart-topping releases, and they represent SM Entertainment&#x27;s vision for the next chapter of their storied legacy of boy groups.

RIIZE

8月21日、SM EntertainmentはRIIZEが米国でのオンエア実績をもとにした週次ランキングTop 40 Radio Chartに初登場したと発表した。グループの最新EP II - The 2nd Mini Albumのタイトル曲「Do your dance」

RIIZE、米Top 40 Radio Chartに初登場

4月に「We Up」でデビューしたALL’Nは、すでに豊富な経験を積んだ状態でこの業界に足を踏み入れた。もともとは受賞歴のあるバイオリニストで、以来、音楽業界のあらゆる面を自身の中心に据えてきた。

ALL’N: クラシカルとK-popが出会う場所

今週は、TXTとZEROBASEONEによる感傷的な日本カムバック2作と、ONEWEの「Dot-Line-Plane」シリーズを締めくくる、心躍る驚きに満ちたロック色豊かなフィナーレが登場。

Comeback Corner: TXT、ONEWE、ZEROBASEONE ほか

KPOPWORLD Festival &amp; Worldwide Dance Competitionの初開催が10月28日から31日にかけてSan AntonioのAlamodomeで行われる。11組の出演者だけでなく、その開催都市の選択自体が大きな注目を集めている。

KPOPWORLD Festivalのサンアントニオ進出は何を意味するのか：Alamodomeの週末が示すK-popの米国拡大

i-dle, formerly known as (G)I-DLE, is a girl group formed by Cube Entertainment, debuting in May 2018. The current lineup consists of Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua, with Soojin as a former member. From debut, the group stood out because leader Soyeon played a central creative role in songwriting, production, and concept direction. Their first single, &quot;LATATA,&quot; introduced a group that could feel stylish without being anonymous. Over time, i-dle became known for concepts that were easy to name and hard to confuse: the dark elegance of &quot;HANN,&quot; the theatrical fire imagery of &quot;HWAA,&quot; the blunt rebellion of &quot;TOMBOY,&quot; and the satire and confidence of later hits. The group often treats a comeback like a thesis statement, with styling, lyrics, and stage language all pointing toward the same idea. i-dle&#x27;s member contrast is central to that impact. Miyeon gives the group a clean vocal center, Minnie adds a dreamy tone and international texture, Soyeon brings rap and creative direction, Yuqi gives warmth and a distinctive low voice, and Shuhua contributes visual and performance presence. The result is a group that can be sharp, funny, dramatic, or strange without losing its center. Their fandom is known as Neverland. i-dle&#x27;s importance lies in how visibly they challenged expectations around girl-group authorship. They helped make it normal to talk about a female idol group not only as performers of a concept, but as artists shaping the concept itself.

i-dle

8月20日、CUBE Entertainmentは、i-dleのリーダーSOYEONが9月上旬にアルバムをリリースし、ソロアーティストとしてカムバックすると発表した。これは2021年以来初のソロ作品となる。

I-dleのSOYEON、2021年以来初となるソロアルバムをリリースへ

TWICE is a nine-member girl group formed by JYP Entertainment through the survival show Sixteen. The lineup consists of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu, with members from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. They debuted in October 2015 with &quot;Like Ooh-Ahh,&quot; introducing the bright, kinetic identity that would make them one of the central girl groups of K-pop&#x27;s third generation. The group&#x27;s early rise was built on an unusually clear pop formula: big choruses, memorable gestures, colorful styling, and personalities that were easy for viewers to distinguish. A run led by &quot;Cheer Up&quot; and &quot;TT&quot; turned TWICE into a national-level phenomenon in Korea, while their Japanese members helped the group cross naturally into Japan&#x27;s idol and pop markets. Rather than relying on a single vocal or dance center, TWICE worked because the lineup felt balanced as a whole: playful, approachable, and tightly rehearsed. As the members grew older, TWICE gradually expanded beyond the cute and school-age image attached to their first hits. The move from &quot;Fancy&quot; through &quot;I Can&#x27;t Stop Me&quot; kept the group&#x27;s melodic accessibility while bringing in sleeker dance-pop, disco, synth-pop, and more mature performance styling. That evolution mattered because it let TWICE remain recognizable without staying frozen in their debut concept. TWICE also became one of the clearest examples of a K-pop girl group building a long international career without losing its domestic base. Their Korean and Japanese discographies developed side by side, and later global touring brought the group to arenas and stadiums far beyond East Asia. The fandom is known as ONCE, a name that matches the group&#x27;s long-running emphasis on mutual loyalty between the members and their audience. Their legacy is not only commercial. TWICE helped define what a modern large girl group could be: member-driven, visually bright, musically immediate, and durable enough to age into a second phase. They normalized the idea that a top K-pop girl group could keep all members active across many years, shift concepts without abandoning its core warmth, and still feel like a complete team even as individual members developed solo work, acting, modeling, and unit activities.

TWICE

TWICEのMomoが、韓国のファッションブランドMatin Kimの2026年秋アンバサダーに選ばれた

TWICEのMomo、Matin Kimの秋のアンバサダーに就任

NCT Dream is a unit of NCT under SM Entertainment, originally introduced as the project&#x27;s youth-oriented team. The current profile centers on Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung, with Mark tied to the unit&#x27;s earlier history. The unit debuted in 2016 with &quot;Chewing Gum&quot; and was first designed around a graduation system, where members would leave after reaching adulthood. That concept became one of the most important parts of NCT Dream&#x27;s story because fan attachment to the lineup eventually helped shift the unit into a fixed-team model. NCT Dream&#x27;s music tracks a coming-of-age arc more clearly than most NCT units. Their early releases emphasized bright teen energy, while later work grew into more confident dance-pop, stronger sales, and large-scale touring without losing the sense of member chemistry that fans had defended. The fandom connection is tied to NCTzen. The change from graduation concept to permanent unit became central to NCT Dream&#x27;s identity, helping the group become one of NCT&#x27;s most emotionally resonant and commercially powerful branches.

NCT Dream

SM Entertainmentは、NCT DREAMの6人全員が同社と再契約を結び、グループ活動を継続できることを発表した

NCT DREAMがSM Entertainmentとの再契約を発表

Stray Kids is an eight-member boy group under JYP Entertainment &mdash; Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. Introduced through the 2017 survival program Stray Kids, they debuted in March 2018 with I Am Not, following the pre-debut release "Hellevator"; former member Kim Woojin departed in 2019. Their identity is unusually bound to self-production: Bang Chan had already assembled the members around a team-first concept before debut, and the production trio 3RACHA &mdash; Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han &mdash; became the engine behind much of the group's sound, giving them a different center of gravity from idol acts handed their material. Musically they're known for dense rap writing, aggressive electronic textures, abrupt rhythmic switches, and choruses built for performance impact. "God's Menu," "Back Door," "Thunderous," "Maniac," and "S-Class" made that style instantly legible: noisy by design, but organized around hooks, slogans, and choreography fans could grab hold of, with lyrics circling pressure, self-definition, ambition, and the clumsy work of growing into confidence. The members' contrast drives much of the appeal &mdash; Bang Chan anchors as leader and producer, Changbin and Han give the rap line speed and personality, Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Felix shape the performance image, and Seungmin and I.N supply melodic balance. Rather than sanding those differences down, the group leans into them, which is why their songs feel crowded, restless, and unmistakably their own. Stray Kids became one of the defining global boy groups of the fourth generation, with a fandom called STAY and major touring success across Asia, North America, and Europe. Their rise proved a self-producing idol group could scale internationally without losing a specific sonic fingerprint. Whatever genre or language they experiment with, the core holds: high-impact pop built out of tension, noise, teamwork, and control.

Stray Kids

Stray Kidsは7月末、ソウルで4回目のワールドツアー&lt;RUN IT&gt;をスタートさせた。新しいツアーには、新しいセットリストが伴う

<RUN IT> Seoul、Stray Kidsの“Eras Tour”の幕開け

BLACKPINK is a four-member South Korean girl group under YG Entertainment &mdash; Jisoo, Jennie, Ros&eacute;, and Lisa &mdash; who debuted on August 8, 2016 with Square One and its double single "Boombayah" and "Whistle." As YG's first girl group since 2NE1, they were positioned not as a large idol ensemble but as four sharply drawn performers, each with her own vocal tone, visual identity, and role. The name itself encodes that duality: "black" for a hard, self-assured edge, "pink" for glamour and pop accessibility. Jennie and Lisa's clipped rap sections anchor the percussive center of most songs while Jisoo and Ros&eacute; supply melodic lift, a structure recognizable across producers, languages, and markets &mdash; from the sparse whistle hook of their debut to the heavy drops of "DDU-DU DDU-DU." Scarcity shaped their ascent as much as output did. They released comparatively few songs in their early years, which turned each comeback into an event rather than a routine promotional beat. The tradeoffs were real, but attention concentrated on a tight set of songs, videos, and stage moments: "Kill This Love," "How You Like That," "Pink Venom," and "Shut Down" became templates for a global-facing K-pop built on impact, visual clarity, and instantly repeatable hooks. Their reach came from more than charts &mdash; they linked the idol system to global pop, luxury fashion, digital fandom, and festival culture, becoming the first Korean girl group at Coachella in 2019 and the first K-pop act to headline it in 2023. Western collaborations, fashion-house partnerships, and an enormous social footprint carried them to audiences with no prior interest in Korean music. All four built substantial solo careers in music, acting, fashion, and brand work, making the group a clear case of group and solo identities reinforcing each other. After renewing with YG for group activities, their individual paths grew more independent while BLACKPINK continued as a shared brand and performing unit. Their real significance lies less in records broken than in normalizing a model where a K-pop girl group functions at once as an idol act, a global pop project, and four standalone celebrity careers. Their fandom is called BLINK.

BLACKPINK

8月19日、JENNIEの個人事務所Odd Atelierは、彼女が8月下旬に新しいEPをリリースすると発表した。

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