KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

David Yong의 K-pop 입문은 전형적인 아이돌 데뷔 코스를 따르지 않는다. BIGBANG과 TWICE를 통해 이 장르를 처음 접한 싱가포르 출신 사업가는 한국어 공부, 댄스 레슨, 서울에서의 녹음 작업을 병행하며 오랜 보컬 트레이닝 경험을 바탕으로 자신만의 길을 걸어왔다.

Fan에서 Artist-Executive로: David Yong의 K-pop 여정

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

NEXZ가 2026년 4월 "Mmchk"를 발매했을 때, 7인조 그룹의 올해 첫 컴백 앨범은 발매 첫 주에 44만 4천 장 이상 판매되며 커리어 하이를 기록했고, Circle Chart 리테일 앨범 차트 정상에 올랐으며, 한국 음악 방송에서 첫 1위를 차지했다

NEXZ: 위로만 남았다

K-pop 그룹과 안무가 헤드라인을 장식하는 가운데, 한국 음악 신에서는 또 다른 흐름의 싱어송라이터와 인디 아티스트들이 자신들만의 팬층을 만들어가고 있다. DORI 역시 그 흐름의 일부지만, 그녀가 이 길에 들어선 출발점은 꽤 이례적이었다.

DORI가 색으로 말하다

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-HA는 많은 사람들이 생각하는 것보다 훨씬 오래 이 업계에 몸담아 왔다. 그는 10대 초반에 Fantagio에 연습생으로 들어갔고, 2016년 ASTRO의 막내 멤버로 데뷔했다.

YOON SAN-HA는 이제 진짜 자신으로 설 준비가 됐다

dodree is the first Subunit of the girl group DDDD 25. The unit is composed of members Na Yeongjoo and Lee Songhyun. They debuted on January 21, 2026, with the single album &quot;Just Like A Dream&quot;.

dodree

dodree는 자신들의 음악을 “K-rossover Pop”이라고 부른다. 판소리 보컬, 가야금 리프, 그리고 전통 한국 선굿 움직임에서 가져온 안무가 트랩 비트와 몽환적인 신스 같은 현대적 요소와 맞물리며, 이들은 점점 확장되는 카탈로그 안에서 그 경계를 비튼다.

dodree: JYP 산하의 미스터리한 듀오

FIFA World Cup 2026이 어젯밤 막을 올렸다. 그리고 K-pop은 시작부터 함께했다. EJAE는 개막식에서 공식 앤썸을 불렀고, LISA는 이번 주말 SoFi Stadium에서 열리는 쇼의 헤드라이너로 나서며, JIHYO는 세 번째 앤썸에 참여했다. BTS는 7월 MetLife에서 열리는 대회를 마무리한다. 2022년에는 월드컵 앤썸에 한국 아티스트 한 명만 참여했다

K-pop, World Cup 2026의 중심에 서다

NMIXX is a six-member girl group debuted by JYP Entertainment in February 2022. The group — consisting of Lily, Haewon, Sullyoon, Jinni (who later departed), Bae, Jiwoo, and Kyujin — introduced a bold musical concept they call &quot;MIXX POP,&quot; which involves blending multiple genres within a single song. Their debut track &quot;O.O&quot; was polarizing but undeniably attention-grabbing, layering pop, hip-hop, and rock into one unpredictable ride. Since debut, NMIXX has refined their signature sound while maintaining its adventurous spirit, with tracks like &quot;Dash&quot; and &quot;Love Me Like This&quot; earning broader commercial appeal. The group is particularly noted for their outstanding live vocal abilities — widely considered among the strongest of any fourth-generation girl group. Their fandom, NSWer, has rallied behind the group&#x27;s unique artistic vision. NMIXX represents JYP Entertainment&#x27;s willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of what a K-pop girl group can sound like.

NMIXX

NMIXX는 Seoul 주재 British Embassy의 여성 역량 강화 캠페인 홍보대사로 위촉됐다. 이는 전혀 뜬금없는 일은 아니다. 지난 3월 Eventim Apollo 매진 공연과 점점 커지고 있는 UK 팬덤

NMIXX, British Embassy 여성 역량 강화 캠페인 홍보대사로 위촉

BIGBANG is a South Korean boy group formed by YG Entertainment, debuting in 2006 and becoming one of the most influential acts in K-pop history. The current profile centers on G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung, with T.O.P and Seungri tied to earlier chapters of the group. The group&#x27;s importance comes from how strongly it changed expectations for idol music and image. BIGBANG made self-production, individual fashion identity, and genre-blending central to its appeal, with G-Dragon&#x27;s songwriting and public style playing a major role in the group&#x27;s reputation. Musically, BIGBANG moved through hip-hop, R&amp;B, electronic pop, ballads, and festival-sized dance tracks without losing a recognizable identity. Songs such as &quot;Lies,&quot; &quot;Haru Haru,&quot; &quot;Fantastic Baby,&quot; and &quot;Bang Bang Bang&quot; became reference points for later idol groups trying to balance mainstream hooks with stronger artist branding. The members also became major solo figures, which helped the group feel less like a standard idol team and more like a collection of distinct pop stars. That individual power brought both longevity and complications, especially as military service, controversies, and member departures changed the group&#x27;s public shape. The fandom is known as V.I.P. BIGBANG is a defining second-generation group whose impact on K-pop music, fashion, performance, and global ambition is difficult to separate from the genre&#x27;s modern history.

BIGBANG

BIGBANG이 돌아왔고, 이번엔 스타디움에서 활동한다. 2017년 이후 그룹의 첫 월드투어 전체 일정이 드디어 확정됐다. 아시아, 북미, 유럽, 호주를 아우르는 총 31회 공연이다.

BIGBANG, 20주년 기념 월드투어 발표

ENHYPEN is a boy group formed through the 2020 survival show I-LAND and managed by Belift Lab. The current lineup consists of Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki. They debuted in November 2020 with Border: Day One, arriving with a built-in global audience from the show and a concept built around connection, transformation, and fate. The group&#x27;s early work used dark, dramatic imagery to separate them from brighter rookie-boy-group formulas. &quot;Given-Taken,&quot; &quot;Drunk-Dazed,&quot; &quot;Fever,&quot; and later songs in the Dimension and Dark Blood eras leaned into supernatural metaphors, sharp choreography, and a tension between elegance and danger. That made ENHYPEN feel less like a simple survival-show product and more like a group with a continuing storyline. ENHYPEN&#x27;s member appeal is strongly performance-based. Jungwon gives the team a steady center as leader, Jay and Jake bring international texture, Sunghoon&#x27;s skating background informs his clean stage image, Sunoo adds brightness and contrast, and Ni-ki anchors the dance line with unusual precision for a maknae. Their fandom, ENGENE, grew quickly because the group&#x27;s identity invited close reading: fans could follow the music, the lore, and the members&#x27; development at the same time. As a fourth-generation act, ENHYPEN&#x27;s importance sits between survival-show fandom and global idol scale. They showed how a group could debut with a transnational audience already watching, then keep that audience through consistent visual storytelling, polished performance, and songs that made adolescence feel mythic rather than ordinary.

ENHYPEN

ENHYPEN의 Heeseung은 지난 3월 그룹을 떠났다. 이제 EVAN으로서, 그는 첫 솔로 싱글 “RIDE OR DIE”를 6월 22일 공개할 준비를 마쳤다.

EVAN, 데뷔 싱글 “RIDE OR DIE” 발매 계획 확정

izna is a six-member girl group under WAKEONE and The Black Label which formed through the survival show I-LAND 2 N/a in 2024. The group consists of Mai, Bang Jeemin, Koko, Ryu Sarang, Choi Jungeun and Jeong Saebi, their group name and concept reflecting their limitless ability and potential. The members first took to the stage at the 2024 MAMA Awards, debuting shortly after with their first mini album N/a which featured self-titled track &quot;IZNA&quot; and dual promoted B-side &quot;TIMEBOMB&quot;. In 2025, izna had three comebacks, achieving music show wins for their respective singles SIGN and BEEP, along with title track “Mamma Mia” from their second mini album Not Just Pretty. The rookie group is known for consistent, high energy performances, well-rounded members and concept versatility, creating a fast and rising momentum as a standout of the fifth generation. After a strong debut year, they won &quot;Favorite Rising Star&quot; at the 2025 MAMA Awards and &quot;Best Performance&quot; at the 40th Golden Disc Awards. In early 2026, izna took home four wins from the D Awards, including &quot;Best Group&quot; and &quot;Best Song&quot; for their single &quot;SIGN&quot;. On June 8th, 2026 the group released their highly anticipated third mini album, Set The Tempo, with &quot;METRONOME&quot; serving as the title track. On June 9th it was announced that izna had signed with Republic Records for global promotions, the group extending their music and presence across the world.

izna

WakeOne과 REPUBLIC Collective가 izna와 ALPHA DRIVE ONE을 모두 포함하는 전략적 파트너십을 발표했다. 이로써 두 그룹은 해당 레이블의 K-pop 명단에서 Big Four를 제외한 유일한 활동 그룹이 됐다

WakeOne의 전략적 파트너십으로 REPUBLIC Collective와 계약한 izna와 ALPHA DRIVE ONE

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, ILLIT, KATSEYE가 힘을 합친다. 6월 12일 공개되는 “ICONIC BY MISTAKE”는 HYBE의 세 걸그룹이 함께하는 협업곡으로, 각 팀이 저마다 전성기를 맞고 있는 가운데 성사된 이번 프로젝트는 HYBE가 걸그룹 시장에 본격적으로 힘을 싣고 있다는 가장 분명한 신호이기도 하다

HYBE의 LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, KATSEYE, “ICONIC BY MISTAKE”와 협업

LE SSERAFIM의 “Celebration”이 Supergirl와 손잡고, Ju Haknyeon이 획기적인 명예훼손 소송에서 맞서고, Mark Lee가 SM 이후 Upper Room을 출범하다

K-pop에서 지난주 있었던 일, 해석해보기 (2026년 6월 1일 - 6월 5일)

이번 주의 세 가지 이야기는 서로 다른 각도에서 같은 질문을 둘러싼다. 팬, 레이블, 그리고 아티스트 자신은 K-pop 커리어가 어떤 모습이어야 하는지를 얼마나 정의할 수 있을까?

Last Week In K-pop, Interpreted (May 25 - 29, 2026)

HYBE의 새 걸그룹 레이블 ABD가 첫 공식 행보를 선보였다. 데뷔를 앞둔 그룹 멤버들의 모습을 미리 엿볼 수 있는 6편의 숏필름을 공개한 것.

HYBE의 ABD, 첫 움직임 공개: 숏필름, 유쾌한 웹사이트, 그리고 앞으로의 힌트

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.

BTS가 2026 American Music Awards를 휩쓸었다. Artist of the Year, "SWIM"으로 Song of the Summer, Best Male K-Pop Artist까지 수상하며, 5년 만의 AMA 무대 복귀이자 밤의 최고상 두 번째 수상이라는 기록을 세웠다.

2026 AMAs에서 BTS, Artist of the Year 포함 3관왕

Trisha Paytas가 한국 K-pop 곡을 발표했고, Spotify는 새로운 K-pop 티켓팅 기능을 출시했으며, ZEROBASEONE은 “TOP 5”로 Spotify 역대 최고 스트리밍 일일 기록을 세웠다

지난주 K-pop, 해석해 보기 (2026년 5월 18일 - 22일)

BTS가 'ARIRANG' 월드 투어를 고향으로 가져온다. 데뷔 기념일인 6월 13일, 그룹은 2022년 10월 이후 처음으로 Busan Asiad Main Stadium에서 공연할 예정이다.

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