KPOPWORLD #6 (Yves)

KPOPWORLD #6 (KEYVITUP X VAYONN)

KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

82Major (stylized in all caps) is a South Korean boy band formed by Great M Entertainment. The group consists of six members: Cho Seong-il, Yoon Ye-chan, Nam Seong-mo, Hwang Seong-bin, Park Seok-joon and Kim Do-gyun. The group&#x27;s name is a combination of South Korea&#x27;s calling code (+82) and the word ‘major’, expressing their desire to become a group that represents Korea. They debuted on October 11, 2023, with the single album On.

82MAJOR

82MAJOR가 데뷔 후 첫 음악방송 1위를 거뒀다 — 그리고 Show Champion에서 1년 넘게 MC로 트로피를 건네던 SEONG MO도 마침내 직접 트로피를 받았다

82MAJOR, HEAT, 첫 1위 그리고 다음 행보

BIGHIT MUSIC이 2026 Global Audition을 시작했다. 국적이나 지역 제한 없이, 2008년생 이후의 남성이라면 누구나 지원할 수 있으며, 노래, 춤, 프로듀싱 등 자신의 재능을 가장 잘 보여줄 수 있는 어떤 분야로도 지원이 가능하다.

BIGHIT MUSIC, 남성 인재 대상 2026 Global Audition 개최

ZEROBASEONE, commonly known as ZB1, is a five-member boy group formed through the Mnet survival show &quot;Boys Planet&quot; in 2023. They originally debuted as a nine-member group — along with AND2BLE&#x27;s members Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin and Han Yujin — under WAKEONE Entertainment, with &quot;In Bloom&quot; setting first-week sales records that demonstrated the massive anticipation built through the survival show. As a project group with a limited contract period, ZB1 operates with an urgency to make every comeback count, and they have delivered with consistent chart-topping releases and sold-out concerts. The group&#x27;s strength lies in their strong individual star power combined with impressive group synergy, cultivated through the intense bonding of their competition experience. Their fandom, ZEROSE, mobilized quickly into one of the most organized fan bases in fourth-generation K-pop. ZB1 represents the continued power of the survival show format to create commercially dominant groups with built-in passionate audiences. On March 15, 2026, they held their last concert as a nine-member boy group, sparking sadness among fans, who had grown fond of the relationship that had developed between the nine boys. As YH Entertainment did not renew the contracts of Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin with WAKEONE, ZB1 are now promoting their career as a five-member boy group, with Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, and Park Gunwook.

ZEROBASEONE

WakeOne 소속 ZEROBASEONE의 Seok Matthew와 Park Gunwook이 듀오 이름 ‘EMP’로 오랫동안 기다려온 서브유닛 프로젝트를 9월 21일 발표한다고 밝혔다.

ZEROBASEONE의 Seok Matthew와 Park Gunwook, 서브유닛 ‘EMP’로 믹스테이프 발표

지난주 K-pop 소식은 어린 시절의 깊은 고통을 털어놓은 이야기부터 흥미로운 새 소식들, 그리고 올해 점점 더 인기를 얻고 있는 걸그룹 중 하나를 기념하는 이야기까지 다양했다

지난주 K-pop, 해석해서 보기 (2026년 9월 7일 - 9월 11일)

이번 주 최신 K-pop 신곡들은 강렬하고, 드라마틱하고, 부드럽고, 경쾌한 곡들로 신인 그룹들이 주목을 받았다

Comeback Corner: IU, YOUNGTAK, NAZE & MORE

BB GIRLS is a South Korean girl group currently consisting of three members under BBGIRLS Company and GLG. The group was originally formed by Brave Entertainment as Brave Girls, debuting on April 8, 2011, with the single album &quot;The Difference&quot;. Following years of lineup changes and steady releases, the group experienced a major resurgence in 2021 when their song &quot;Rollin’&quot; went viral, propelling them to the top of Korean music charts and earning them their first music show win years after its initial release. This unexpected breakthrough revitalized their career and led to further promotions, including releases like &quot;Chi Mat Ba Ram&quot; and continued group activities. On February 16, 2023, all members departed from Brave Entertainment, marking the end of their activities under the agency. On the same day, they released the digital single &quot;Goodbye&quot; as a farewell to their time with the company. Shortly after, the members signed with Warner Music Korea to continue as a group, later rebranding as BB GIRLS on May 3 due to trademark restrictions on their former name. In 2024, the group transitioned once again following the end of their contract with Warner Music Korea, continuing as a trio under their own agency, BBGIRLS Company, in partnership with GLG. Despite lineup changes, BB GIRLS have remained active, releasing new music such as &quot;Love 2&quot; and the special single &quot;Wish List&quot;, while continuing to build on their legacy in the industry.

BB GIRLS

가요계 데뷔 10년, 세 번의 활동 중단, 그리고 수많은 멤버 교체를 거치며 BBGIRLS – 한때 Brave Girls로 알려졌던 이들은 K-pop에서 가장 흥미로운 재도약 서사를 써 내려온 그룹 중 하나가 됐다. 작은 성과에서 시작해 마니아층의 사랑을 받는 그룹으로, 그리고 해체 직전까지 갔던 이들의 여정은 놀라운 반전으로 가득하다.

BB GIRLS 10년의 여정: 소박한 시작에서 바이럴 성공까지

PRISTIN was a ten-member girl group formed by Pledis Entertainment, debuting in March 2017 with Hi! PRISTIN and the title track &quot;Wee Woo.&quot; The lineup included Lim Nayoung, Zhou Jie Qiong, Minkyeung, Gyeongwon, Eunwoo, Yaebin, Park Xiyeon, Shannon Bae, Yehana, and Kyla. The group arrived with unusually high anticipation because several members were already known from Produce 101 and I.O.I-related activity, while others had been introduced through the pre-debut PLEDIS Girlz project. PRISTIN&#x27;s early image mixed bright pop, self-introduction, and strong trainee reputation, positioning them as a group with both performance polish and member familiarity. PRISTIN&#x27;s active period was short, ending with disbandment in 2019, which made the group a frequent example of unrealized potential in late-2010s K-pop. Their subunit PRISTIN V showed a sharper concept, and many members continued in entertainment after the group ended. The fandom name was HIgh.

PRISTIN

2017년 강렬한 데뷔와 인기 타이틀곡으로 화려하게 출발했지만, 대중의 시야에서 점차 사라져 결국 데뷔 2년 만에 해체에 이르기까지, PRISTIN의 상승과 하락은 지난 10년간 가장 안타깝고도 답답한 궤적 중 하나로 남았다

PRISTIN은 어떻게 K-pop의 가장 유망한 팀 중 하나에서 하나의 추억이 되었나

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

K-pop은 스타일링, 콘셉트, 퍼포먼스 전반에서 늘 젠더를 가지고 놀아왔다. 하지만 XLOV의 리더 Wumuti는 최근 이 지점에 더 분명한 문제를 제기했다. genderlessness가 의도와 실천이 담긴 태도라기보다, 주목도를 위한 표면적인 미학이자 유행어로 소비될 위험이 있다는 것이다.

K-pop에서 “Genderlessness”는 진보의 신호일까, 아니면 여전히 하나의 콘셉트일까?

세 개의 서로 다른 그룹을 둘러싼 세 가지 분쟁이, 회사와 레이블이 아티스트와 그룹 활동을 어떻게 관리하는지에 대한 우려를 키우고 있다. #NewJeans 멤버 Danielle과 #ADOR 사이의 지치게 하는 법적 공방도 새로운 의혹이 제기되며 이어지고 있다.

Last Week In K-pop, Interpreted (June 29 - July 3, 2026)

ARrC is a boy group under Mystic Story. The group debuted on August 19, 2024 with the EP AR^C and the title track &quot;S&amp;S (sour and sweet).&quot; Its lineup includes Hyunmin, Andy, Choi Han, Doha, Kien, Rioto, and Jibeen. Former member Ziwoo left in January 2025. The group&#x27;s name stands for &quot;Always Remember the real Connection,&quot; pointing to a concept built around communication and connection with listeners. ARrC&#x27;s releases include Dummy, nu kidz: out the box, HOPE, and Ctrl+Alt+Skiid, with a sound that moves through youthful pop, hip-hop textures, and performance-focused tracks. On June 23, 2026. Mystic Story announced that ARrC’s activities officially ends and that all members will embark on a new journey to pursue their own paths moving forward.

ARrC

데뷔 2년 만에 ARrC가 해체됐다. 7인조 그룹은 음악이 받아 마땅했던 더 넓은 대중에게 끝내 완전히 도달하지 못했지만, 그들이 남긴 흔적은 숫자만으로는 설명되지 않는 더 흥미로운 이야기를 들려준다

ARrC의 느린 상승과 갑작스러운 종료

최근 BIGBANG의 Coachella 재결합 무대, Governor’s Ball NYC의 헤드라이너로 나선 Stray Kids와 JENNIE, 그리고 런던 Hyde Park에서의 ATEEZ 공연까지, 2026년은 K-pop 아티스트들이 전 세계 주요 국제 음악 페스티벌의 중심에 서는 해가 됐다

국제 음악 페스티벌에서 K-pop의 위상은 어디까지 왔나?

스포트라이트에서 물러난 지 10년이 지난 지금, 2세대 K-pop 베테랑 G.NA가 음악으로 돌아온다. 그녀의 공백기는 2016년 성매매 관련 혐의로 유죄 판결을 받은 뒤 시작됐으며, 그녀는 이 이야기를 공개적으로 꺼내기까지도 몇 년이 걸렸다고 말해왔다

10년 후, G.NA는 자신의 이야기를 들려주고 있다

세 개의 이야기, 하나의 질문: K-pop 산업은 그 안의 사람들에게 무엇을 빚지고 있을까? 이번 주에는 K-pop 팬에서 스타가 된 Chase Infiniti가 ATEEZ에 합류하고, Lisa가 sasaeng 스토커 문화에 일침을 놓으며, 전 NCT 멤버 Mark Lee는 남부연합기 사진으로 비판에 직면했다.&nbsp;

지난주 K-pop, 해석하기 (2026년 6월 22일 - 6월 26일)

fromis_9 is a South Korean girl group originally formed through the survival show Idol School, known for their bright pop sound and steady growth across multiple generations of K-pop. The group currently consists of Song Ha-young, Park Ji-won, Lee Chae-young, Lee Na-gyung, and Baek Ji-heon, following several lineup changes that reshaped the group over time. Their name combines “From Idol School” with the idea of a promise to fans, reflecting their origins and commitment as a fan-driven group. Since debuting under Stone Music Entertainment with creative direction from Pledis Entertainment, they have navigated multiple agency transitions while maintaining a consistent musical identity. Fromis_9 They officially debuted in 2018 with “To Heart,” quickly gaining attention for their youthful concept and polished performances. Releases like “Love Bomb,” “Fun!,” and “Feel Good (Secret Code)” helped define their signature sound, blending energetic pop with catchy hooks and vibrant visuals. Over time, the group steadily built a loyal fanbase, achieving chart success and eventually earning their first music show win with “Talk &amp; Talk,” marking a major milestone in their career. Their continued releases, including “DM” and “Stay This Way,” further solidified their place as a dependable and evolving girl group within the industry. Fromis_9 As their career progressed, fromis_9 experienced significant changes, including member departures and shifts in management, ultimately reorganizing as a five-member group under a new agency. Despite these transitions, they continued to release music and expand their activities, including their first world tour and later projects like From Our 20’s. With their ability to adapt while maintaining their core identity, fromis_9 remains recognized for their resilience, consistent growth, and enduring connection with fans in an ever-changing K-pop landscape.

fromis_9

데뷔 8년 차에도 fromis_9의 Jiwon은 한 푼의 수입도 받지 못했다고 밝혔다. 이번 주 유튜브 예능에서의 고백은 K-pop의 화려한 겉모습 뒤에, 아티스트의 수익을 사실상 무기한으로 늦추도록 설계된 재무 구조가 자리하고 있음을 다시 한 번 일깨운다

8년 동안 수입 0원: K-pop 스타덤 뒤에 숨은 재정적 현실

HYBE의 강력한 트리오가 "ICONIC BY MISTAKE"로 YouTube 미국 차트 1위 데뷔를 기록하며 역사를 쓴 가운데, HUNTR/X는 글로벌 차트 장기 흥행을 이어가고 BIGHIT의 신예 CORTIS는 매진된 미국 투어로 5세대 강세를 입증했다&nbsp;

LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT 그리고 KATSEYE, YouTube 미국 차트 1위로 데뷔… "Golden"은 차트 첫해를 앞두다

Hearts2Hearts, stylized as H2H, is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. The octet consists of Carmen, Jiwoo, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian, and Ye-on. They debuted on February 24, 2025, with the single album &quot;The Chase&quot; and its title track of the same name. The group’s name is intended to reflect their mission to connect with global fans through music filled with emotion and heartfelt messages. Their debut release &quot;The Chase&quot; achieved strong commercial performance, with first-week sales topping domestic charts and earning the group their first music show win shortly after debut. In June 2025, Hearts2Hearts released the digital single “Style”, followed by their first EP “Focus” in October 2025, which included the pre-released track “Pretty Please”, They also released the digital single “Rude!” in February 2026. Hearts2Hearts has performed at major events including SMTOWN Live 2025, international showcases, and festivals across Asia, building a growing global presence.

Hearts2Hearts

M Entertainment의 Hearts2Hearts가 두 번째 미니 앨범 Lemon Tang을 발매했다. 이는 회사의 상징적인 여름 테마 히트곡 시리즈를 잇는 다음 작품이다. 선공개곡 “RUDE!”의 화제성에 힘입어, 이 앨범은 Hanteo와 Circle 차트 양쪽에서 모두 1위를 차지했다

Hearts2Hearts, SM의 여름 시리즈 성공을 ‘Lemon Tang’으로 이어가다

지난주 K-pop에서는 CLC의 Kwon Eunbin이 26세의 나이로 은퇴했고, TWS의 Shinyu는 실종 아동 캠페인을 지원했으며, Grammys는 엇갈린 반응을 불러온 새로운 Asian Pop 부문을 도입했다. 서로 다른 이야기지만, 결국 하나의 주제로 이어진다. 한 손으로 주고 다른 손으로 빼앗는 산업의 모습이다.

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