KPOPWORLD #6 (Yves)

KPOPWORLD #6 (KEYVITUP X VAYONN)

KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

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

KEYVITUP is a five-member boy group under iNKODE, formed through the agency’s INTHE X Project. The lineup—Sena, Hyunmin, Taehwan, Rukia, and Jaein—was introduced step by step through pre-debut content, building anticipation around a team designed with a strong performance focus and a clear concept from the start. As part of a dual-group rollout, KEYVITUP was positioned with a trendy and dynamic identity, contrasting with its counterpart group. This concept highlights a more energetic and performance-driven style, setting the tone for their music and overall image even before debut. They are set to make their debut with the self-titled EP KEYVITUP, marking the official beginning of their activities. With pre-debut exposure, international stage appearances, and a defined concept, the group enters the scene with momentum and a clear direction moving forward.

KEYVITUP

最新のデジタルカバーでは、HYUNMIN、TAEHWAN、SENA、JAEIN、RUKIAに、デビューのこと、自分たちらしいサウンドを見つけていく過程、自分たちの音楽を作り上げていくこと、5人をつなぐケミストリー、そしてKEYVITUPをこれからどこへ導いていきたいのかについて話を聞いた。

KEYVITUP - The KPOPWORLD デジタルカバー

KickFlip is a seven-member boy group under JYP Entertainment, consisting of Kyehoon, Amaru, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju, and Donghyeon. The group was formed through the SBS audition program Loud and debuted in 2025. The group&#x27;s identity connects JYP&#x27;s idol training system with a more youthful, agile performance image. Because several members were already known from a survival-show context, KickFlip&#x27;s debut carried built-in curiosity around how the lineup would translate from trainee competition to a working group. The fandom is known as WeFlip. KickFlip is still early in its career, with its public identity centered on formation, lineup, and debut positioning rather than a long-established legacy.

KickFlip

KickFlipが新たな章を始動する準備を整えた。2027年の初ワールドツアーを前に、JYP Entertainmentの新人グループはKPOPWORLDに、ニューアルバム『KICK OFF THE WALL Pt. 1』について語った。

KickFlipがKICK OFF THE WALL Pt. 1を語る、初のワールドツアーを前に

CLOSE YOUR EYES (also shortened as CYE) is a seven-member boy group under UNCORE. They were formed through JTBC&#x27;s survival show PROJECT7. They made their debut on April 2, 2025, with the mini album &quot;Enternalt&quot;. PROJECT7 started airing on October 18, 2024, and the finale was broadcast live on December 27, 2024, revealing the group name, CLOSE YOUR EYES, and the seven winners, in order: Ma Jingxiang, Kenshin, Jeon Minwook, Seo Kyoungbae, Song Seungho, Jang Yeojun, and Kim Sungmin. Before joining PROJECT7, Jeon Minwook had already debuted as a member of the boy group BAE173 and the project group A-SIX. Additionally, Ma Jingxiang was a contestant on Boys Planet, while Jang Yeojun also participated in Boys Planet and was a contestant on Wild Idol.

CLOSE YOUR EYES

アルバムのラストトラックの制作過程、デビュー後の成長、そしてさらに高みを目指し続ける原動力について語ってくれた

Meet The Member CLOSE YOUR EYESのSEO KYOUNGBAEにインタビュー ― ひたすら上を目指して

初めてbossa novaに触れたときのこと、フィーチャリングアーティストとのコラボで何が変わったのか、そしてグループのメンバーたちと最もつながりを感じる瞬間について語る。

CLOSE YOUR EYESのKENSHINに聞く「Meet The Member」──遊び心あふれるつなぎ役

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

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は今週末、Raymond James Stadium（タンパ）で『BTS World Tour 'ARIRANG'』の北米公演を幕開けしました。初週末の3夜連続公演はいずれも完売し、開幕週だけで約19万人を動員しました。

BTS、完売のタンパ公演で北米ワールドツアーを幕開け

LE SSERAFIM is a five-member girl group under Source Music, consisting of Kim Chaewon, Miyawaki Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae. They debuted in May 2022 with &quot;Fearless,&quot; with Kim Garam briefly part of the original lineup before leaving the group. The group&#x27;s name is an anagram of &quot;I&#x27;m Fearless,&quot; and that idea became the spine of their image. LE SSERAFIM&#x27;s music often frames confidence as something earned through pressure rather than something simply declared. &quot;Antifragile,&quot; &quot;Unforgiven,&quot; &quot;Eve, Psyche &amp; The Bluebeard&#x27;s wife,&quot; and &quot;Easy&quot; all explore variations on resilience, ambition, criticism, and the public work of becoming stronger. LE SSERAFIM&#x27;s member mix is unusually clear. Chaewon provides leadership and a compact vocal/performance center, Sakura brings long idol experience and international recognition, Yunjin adds a singer-songwriter voice and outspoken personality, Kazuha&#x27;s ballet background shapes the group&#x27;s elegant athleticism, and Eunchae gives the team a younger, brighter counterweight. Their performances often use that contrast: polished lines, athletic choreography, and a cool refusal to look rattled. The fandom is known as FEARNOT. LE SSERAFIM&#x27;s importance comes from how sharply they defined a modern girl-group confidence concept. Rather than relying only on glamour or toughness, they built an identity around self-discipline, public scrutiny, and forward motion, making vulnerability and ambition feel like parts of the same image.

LE SSERAFIM

LE SSERAFIMがツアーに出る — 今回はこれまで以上に遠くまで。2026年のPUREFLOW World Tourが発表され、韓国、日本、米国、ヨーロッパ、アジアで30公演以上にわたる予定です。

LE SSERAFIM、2026年ツアー『PUREFLOW』の日程を発表

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）

aespa is a four-member girl group debuted by SM Entertainment in November 2020, consisting of Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning. The group introduced a concept centered on virtual &quot;ae&quot; counterparts, blending real and digital worlds into an elaborate sci-fi universe often associated with KWANGYA. That metaverse-inspired setup positioned aespa at the intersection of idol pop, technology branding, and SM&#x27;s long-running taste for high-concept worldbuilding. Musically, aespa made a sharp first impression with an aggressive, synth-heavy style that matched the digital concept without depending on it completely. &quot;Black Mamba&quot;, &quot;Next Level&quot; and &quot;Savage&quot; used sudden beat changes, metallic textures, and big vocal climaxes to create a sound that felt more angular than most mainstream girl-group pop. The approach could be polarizing, but it made aespa instantly identifiable. The group&#x27;s later singles showed how flexible that identity could become. &quot;Drama&quot; pushed the cinematic side of aespa, while Supernova turned their electronic edge into something brighter, stranger, and more playful. Karina and Winter often serve as the visual and performance center of the group, Giselle gives the rap sections a casual sharpness, and Ningning brings a vocal power that lets aespa&#x27;s biggest choruses land with real force. aespa’s fandom is known as MY, and the group became one of the key fourth-generation acts by making high-concept idol pop feel commercially central rather than niche. Their importance is tied to that blend: they are an SM vocal group, a performance group, a fashion-forward girl group, and a sci-fi pop project at the same time. Even when the lore becomes less prominent, the idea remains clear: aespa turns futurism into a pop language.

aespa

aespaが本格的にツアーに戻ってきます。4人組は2026-27 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK : COMPLæXITYを発表しました。アジア、北米、ラテンアメリカ、ヨーロッパを横断する大規模なアリーナツアーで、英国公演は2027年1月に予定されています。

aespa、2026-27年の大規模ワールドツアーを発表

日本のR&amp;Bで最も長く愛される歌声の一つとなったキャリアが25年以上を迎える中、Crystal Kayは長年待望されていたコラボでその節目を飾る。

Crystal Kayがyoonmiraeと「Only One」でタッグ

Saja Boys is a fictional 5-member Korean boy group, created for the Netflix animation film, KPop Demon Hunters. The group consists of Jinu, Mystery, Abby, Romance, and Baby. They debuted on June 20, 2025, with Soda Pop.

Saja Boys

2025年6月にNetflixのKpop Demon Huntersで初登場したデーモンK-popボーイズグループ、Saja Boysは、4月26日にMcDonald’sの「Battle of the Bands」コラボの一環として初の実世界パフォーマンスを行う予定だ。

Saja Boys、McDonald’sコラボで初のリアルパフォーマンス披露

今週のカムバックコーナーは、K-popの約15年分をひとつのプレイリストに凝縮しています

カムバックコーナー：B1A4、CLOSE YOUR EYES、UNCHILD ほか

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

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。

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