This week, we see K-pop legends gearing up for their 20th anniversary, a possible prison sentencing for unexplained military absences, and the steady decline in roster for one of K-pop’s most influential companies in history.

BIGBANG To Embark on 20th Anniversary World Tour

Following their second performance at this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, veteran K-pop group BIGBANG announced plans for a world tour in celebration of its 20th anniversary. According to group leader G-Dragon during his ending remarks at the festival, the tour is set to begin in August, seemingly coinciding with BIGBANG’s debut of August 2006. This marks a huge development in the group’s longstanding history, as the members haven’t toured together in nearly a decade and have gone through quite a few changes since then.

Longtime V.I.P (BIGBANG’s fandom) will know the group originally debuted with five members. However, since then, the quintet has dwindled down to a trio, with G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung being the ones left to carry the torch and continue BIGBANG’s legacy. Regardless, if the group’s Coachella set and turnout are any indication, their flame and popularity across generations has yet to burn out, with the demand just as high as ever.

Not only that, the upcoming tour will showcase more than just BIGBANG hits over the years — it’s also an opportunity to flex the staggering solo careers each member has fostered outside of the group. While G-Dragon is notably the most acclaimed and revered across the industry, Taeyang’s solo work is also seared into the K-pop history books, with the singer’s upcoming album, Quintessence, likely to make an appearance on the tour’s setlist. Last but not least, Daesung has also made a name for himself as one of the leading K-pop idols to bring Korean trot music to a global audience. While details regarding tour dates and locations have yet to be announced, this will likely be another important event in both K-pop and BIGBANG’s history.

WINNER’s Song Mino Could Serve 18 Months In Prison

On December 30, 2025, Mino (rapper of K-pop group WINNER) was indicted for violating South Korea’s Military Service Act while serving as a public service worker. However, during his enlistment, the Seoul Mapo Police booked Mino on suspicion of taking more than 100 days of unapproved leave while serving at the welfare facility Mapo-gu, Seoul from March 2023 to December 2024.

The action has landed the singer in court, in which he admitted to all charges and cited mental distress. In his statement, he said, “I suffer from bipolar disorder and panic disorder, but I understand that this can never be an excuse or justification. I will continue receiving treatment and work to recover my health, and if given the opportunity to resume service, I would like to complete it faithfully until the end.” Additionally, Mino’s supervisor was also indicted for conspiring with him in submitting false explanations for his absences, though he denied the charges.

Although Mino’s legal team is seeking leniency due to his struggles with bipolar disorder, panic attacks and cervical spine issues, the prosecutors are aiming for an 18-month prison sentence if the singer is convicted. This wouldn’t be the first time an idol has attempted to evade military service, either partially or fully, as VIXX member Ravi was previously suspected and found guilty of using a fake medical diagnosis to obtain a lighter service duty.

Mino's case is a reminder of how much is at stake when mental health goes unaddressed during military service – a system that offers little flexibility regardless of circumstance. Whether the court extends leniency remains to be seen. His next hearing is scheduled for May 21.

Former NCT Member Lucas Parts Ways With SM Entertainment

On April 24, SM Entertainment announced that soloist Lucas (former member of NCT and WayV) had concluded his exclusive contract with the company. In a statement via global fan community Weverse, SM wrote: “We sincerely thank fans for the great love and support they have shown Lucas,” the agency said. “We will cherish the time we have shared with Lucas, from his trainee days to his various activities following his debut, and we will support his new endeavors going forward.”

Lucas initially debuted under NCT U in February 2018 before gaining massive popularity and becoming one of the seven members to debut in the group’s Chinese unit, WayV, in 2019. Up until 2021, the rapper continued bouncing back and forth between NCT U and WayV activities before officially exiting both groups in 2023 due to allegations of gaslighting, cheating, and manipulative behavior from alleged ex-girlfriends. In 2024, he made his solo debut with Renegade and embarked on his first solo tour across Asia, but hadn’t released new music since.

The announcement comes just weeks after labelmates Mark and Ten also exited SM Entertainment following their 10-year contract expirations. If you look closely, especially over the last few years, SM’s track record with artists wanting to end their contracts has been increasing dramatically.

In just three years, the label has lost some of its most prominent heavy hitters back-to-back: EXO’s D.O. in 2023; EXO’s Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin and SHINee’s Taemin and Onew in 2024, soloist and first-gen veteran BoA in late 2025, and NCT’s Mark and Ten (although Ten will still participate as a member of NCT and WayV) in April 2026. While Lucas’s popularity and public image isn’t what it once was, he’s still one more name to add to SM’s growing list of idols looking to part ways with one of K-pop’s most influential labels. Whether it’s the pursuit of more creative freedom and independence or contractual and legal complications, it’s interesting to see how quickly the tides are turning, and it’s definitely no longer in SM’s favor.