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

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

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？

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

BLACKPINK’s JISOO is bringing her solo universe into streetwear with “JISOO CLICK by Off-White,” a limited-edition Fall/Winter 2026 capsule inspired by her single “CLICK”

JISOO Makes It “CLICK” With New Off-White Collaboration

BACK TO REALITYは、K‑indieバンドPRYVTがこの1年の流れから逃げるのをやめ、ついにそれと正面から向き合う瞬間のように感じられる

トラック・バイ・トラック：PRVYTがBACK TO REALITYの層を剥がす

MONSTA X is a boy group formed through the survival show No.Mercy who debuted under Starship Entertainment in May 2015. Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M make up the current lineup, with Wonho a former member, and the group has always been tied to a forceful performance image. Their sound runs muscular &mdash; EDM drops, hip-hop percussion, dark synths, and choruses built to carry heavy choreography. They became one of the most physically commanding performance groups of their generation across a run stretching from the breakthrough drive of "Dramarama" to the sharper drama of "Love Killa," while their vocal line and later English-language releases revealed a smoother R&amp;B and pop register that softened the edges without draining the intensity. They also mattered as a bridge between Korean idol promotion and Western touring: English-language singles, American media appearances, and a large international audience, all without blurring the group's identity. Their fandom, Monbebe, is known for staying loyal through lineup changes, enlistments, solo projects, and long stretches between full-group activity. Their legacy rests on consistency and stamina rather than reinvention. MONSTA X refined one recognizable image &mdash; power, charisma, and emotional loyalty &mdash; instead of rebuilding it every comeback. That became a template for later boy groups aiming to look tough onstage while cultivating a close, fan-centered identity off it.

MONSTA X

MONSTA X、雰囲気たっぷりの英語シングル “baby blue” で新章を開く

TOMORROW X TOGETHER, usually shortened to TXT, is a five-member boy group under BIGHIT MUSIC &mdash; Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai. They debuted in March 2019 with The Dream Chapter: Star, arriving as BigHit&rsquo;s first boy group after BTS and drawing immediate attention. Their early identity centered on youth, friendship, imagination, and the odd emotional weather of growing up. Rather than opening with a hard-edged performance image, they leaned into brightness, fantasy, and vulnerability on &ldquo;Crown,&rdquo; &ldquo;Run Away,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Blue Hour&rdquo; &mdash; a stance that set them apart within fourth-generation boy-group trends, largely because their storytelling treated adolescence as magical, confusing, and faintly unstable. As the catalog grew, they folded in sharper pop-rock, emo, and dance influences through &ldquo;0X1=LOVESONG,&rdquo; &ldquo;LO$ER=LOVER,&rdquo; &ldquo;Sugar Rush Ride,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Chasing That Feeling.&rdquo; The members&rsquo; strengths track that evolution closely: Soobin&rsquo;s steady leadership, Yeonjun&rsquo;s performance charisma, Beomgyu&rsquo;s color, Taehyun&rsquo;s vocal precision, and Huening Kai&rsquo;s bright tone let the group move between softness and intensity. Their fandom is MOA, short for Moments of Alwaysness. What makes TXT significant is how deliberately they built a coming-of-age identity across albums, videos, and stages. Instead of defining themselves by a single sound, they became a group about transition itself &mdash; childhood into adulthood, fantasy into reality, polished idol pop into something more emotionally restless.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

YEONJUNのソロ・デビューは異例の明快さを伴って到来する。大げさな宣言や力づくのコンセプト説明によってではなく、人物がアイデンティティという概念と交渉するのをやめたときに生まれるような明瞭さだ

レビュー：YEONJUNは再発明を拒む — ‘NO LABELS: PART 01’は彼が既に誰であるかを示す

Xdinary Heroes is a South Korean rock band under Studio J, a subsidiary of JYP Entertainment. It is the second group introduced by Studio J in nearly six years after DAY6. The group consists of six members ; Gunil, Jungsu, Gaon, O.de, Jun Han, and Jooyeon, all of whom are involved in writing, composing, and producing the music of the band. They made their debut on December 6, 2021 with the single Happy Death Day. The song debuted at number 12 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales. The band&#x27;s name is an abbreviation of “Extraordinary Heroes&quot;, meaning &quot;anyone can become a hero&quot;.

Xdinary Heroes

Xdinary Heroesは太字で押し付けるメッセージを渡してくるタイプのバンドではない。シングル「Beautiful Life」のように爆発的に胸を揺さぶる曲を書いても、聴き手にどう感じるべきかを指示したりはしない。

Xdinary Heroes: 混沌の中で美しさを見つける

CIX (an acronym for Complete In X) was a four-member boy group under C9 Entertainment, consisting of members BX, Seunghun, Yonghee, and Hyunsuk. Originally debuting as a five-member group on July 23, 2019, with the EP &#x27;Hello&#x27; Chapter 1. Hello, Stranger. On August 4, 2024, C9 Entertainment announced the termination of Bae Jinyoung&#x27;s contract, confirming his departure from both the company and the group. On February 27, 2019, C9 Entertainment revealed the first member of their upcoming boy group, Bae Jin Young (former Wanna One), followed by Seung Hun on March 6, Hyun Suk on March 13, Kim Sehoon on March 20, Yong Hee on March 27, and BX on April 3. However, Kim Sehoon did not debut with the group due to past involvement in school violence. On May 20, 2019, the group&#x27;s social media accounts were changed from C9BOYZ to CIX, which stands for &quot;Complete In X.&quot; A video titled &quot;CIX - Leader Film&quot; was released, introducing the group name and logo. On May 24, C9 Entertainment announced that the members of CIX would star in a 10-episode reality show, &quot;Hello CIX,&quot; to be released on V Live. On June 26, 2019, C9 Entertainment revealed a teaser for CIX&#x27;s debut EP, &#x27;Hello&#x27; Chapter 1. Hello, Stranger, set for release on July 23. The group&#x27;s debut included the title track &quot;Movie Star.&quot; On August 26, CIX signed with Warner Music Japan for their Japanese promotions. On October 30, the group&#x27;s 100th-day anniversary, they revealed their fandom name, FIX, meaning &quot;Faith In X.&quot;

GO Chapter 1 : GO Togetherは単なるCIXの新時代の始まりではなく、一種の宣言の瞬間だ。9月上旬にリリースされたこのEPは8枚目のミニアルバムにあたり、グループのここ1年の着実な創作の成長を受けての作品となっている。

楽園の扉を開く：CIXが『GO Together』で道を切り拓く — インタビュー

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

Recap: RIIZEがRIIZING LOUDツアーでニューヨークに登場

XLOV is a South Korean boy group formed by 257 Entertainment and currently managed by [WM Entertainment]. The group consists of four members: Wumuti, Rui, Hyun, and Haru. They debuted on January 7, 2025, with the single album I&#x27;mma Be. XLOV gained attention for promoting a genderless concept, incorporating androgynous styling and performances that challenge traditional gender norms in Kpop. The group&#x27;s name combines &quot;X,&quot; representing the unknown and negation, with &quot;LOV,&quot; symbolizing incomplete love, while their fandom name, EVOL, represents the completion of that concept. Several members were previously known through survival programs before debut. Wumuti, Rui, and Haru participated in Boys Planet, while Wumuti was also active in the project group WATERFIRE before helping form XLOV. The group is particularly noted for Wumuti&#x27;s involvement in songwriting and production, including contributions to their debut release. Since debuting, XLOV has released music including I&#x27;mma Be and I ONE, earning recognition for their distinctive concept, performance style, and growing international fanbase. In 2026, the group&#x27;s management structure changed following the acquisition of 257 Entertainment by WM Entertainment through RBW. Their music primarily incorporates elements of hip-hop, R&amp;B, and pop, while their visual identity and performances have distinguished them as one of the more unconventional rookie acts of the fifth generation of Kpop.

XLOV

深掘り：XLOVの「Rizz」 — 境界を壊す楽曲とMV

アルバムレビュー： XLOV – UXLXVE

Wonder Girls were a girl group formed by JYP Entertainment, debuting in February 2007. The group — whose most well-known lineup included Sunye, Yeeun, Sohee, Yubin, and Hyerim — became one of the defining acts of second-generation K-pop. Their 2007 single &quot;Tell Me&quot; sparked a national dance craze in South Korea, with the retro choreography being replicated everywhere from schools to military barracks. Follow-up hits &quot;So Hot&quot; and &quot;Nobody&quot; were equally massive. Wonder Girls made history as the first K-pop group to enter the Billboard Hot 100, with &quot;Nobody&quot; charting in 2009 during their ambitious attempt to break into the American market. While their U.S. promotions had mixed results, the group&#x27;s pioneering efforts helped pave the way for future K-pop acts in the West. In their later years, Wonder Girls reinvented themselves as a self-playing band, releasing the critically acclaimed album &quot;Reboot.&quot; The group disbanded in 2017, but their legacy as trailblazers in K-pop&#x27;s global expansion is firmly established.

Wonder Girls

レビュー：SUNMI – HEART MAID

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Crocsと大胆な新コラボレーションを発表

ILLIT is a South Korean girl group formed through the 2023 reality survival show R U Next?. The group is managed by Belift Lab, a subsidiary of HYBE, and debuted in March 2024 with the EP &quot;Super Real Me&quot;. ILLIT consists of five members: Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha, though former member Youngeso left before the group officially debuted despite making the final line up. The group quickly gained global attention with their debut title track Magnetic, which became a viral hit on social media platforms and achieved high placements on international music charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200. Their sound combines elements of Kpop, electronic pop, and dreamy pop aesthetics. ILLIT&#x27;s concept focuses on youthful energy and individuality, presenting a soft yet modern pop style that has helped establish the group as one of the notable fifth-generation Kpop girl groups.

ILLIT

ILLIT、11月24日発売のファースト・シングル・アルバム「NOT CUTE ANYMORE」を発表

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

STAYCはSTAY TUNEDワールドツアーで巡業中で、ツアー名の通り、2020年のデビュー以来、世界中のファンが注目し続けている

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