KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

Set to Take Over Alamodome Oct. 28–31, 2026

KPOPWORLD Festival & Worldwide Dance Competition

idntt (아이덴티티; read as identity) is an upcoming 24-member boy group under MODHAUS. They are set to make their debut sometime in 2026. The group consists of members divided into 3 rotational sub-units consisting of 8 members each - uneverm8t, yesw8are and itsnotov8r.

idntt

For their new album &lt;itsnotover&gt;, idntt sat down with KPOPWORLD to talk about where they've been, what this group has demanded of them, and what they refuse to let go of

idntt: The KPOPWORLD Digital Cover

EPEX [‘i:peks] (이펙스), formerly known as C9ROOKIES (C9루키즈) is a 7-member South Korean boy group under C9 Entertainment, consisting of Wish, MU, A-Min, Baekseung, Ayden, Yewang, and Jeff. On November 21, 2025, it was announced that Keum had left the group. They debuted on June 8, 2021, with their first EP album, BIPOLAR Pt.1 : 불안의 서 (Prelude of Anxiety)

EPEX

Closing a trilogy is easy. Closing it by handing the story back to the people who lived it is something else. EPEX's Youth: Epilogue wraps up two years and three albums of coming-of-age storytelling

EPEX Talks Youth Epilogue, Ownership and Growth

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

On July 14, inner beauty brand LifePharm announced that genderless group XLOV will become their newest Global Ambassadors. The brand is known for their viral dietary Mood Change Alpha Plus range, described as self-care for K-pop idols

XLOV Announced as Ambassadors for Inner Beauty Brand LifePharm

K-pop’s contract system has undergone many changes since the industry’s inception in the 1990s. From 13-year slave contracts to a reduced term of seven years — with options for renegotiation

K-pop’s Contract System, Explained – And Why So Many Artists Are Leaving Big Labels

This has been a massive year for K-pop already.

Is your birthday September 15? See which K-pop idol shares your birthday!

Ha Sung-woon, also known simply as Sungwoon, rose to prominence through his involvement in two notable K-pop groups, Hotshot and Wanna One.

Sungwoon: Wanna One to Winning One

Kim Jun Myeon aka Suho made his debut as a K-pop idol in 2012 with the group EXO.

SUHO: The man with a cottony soft heart

Big Planet Made (BPM) Entertainment’s YouTube channel has fallen victim to hacking once again.

BPM Entertainment's YouTube Channel Hacked Again, Content Replaced with Tesla Videos

On September 13 KST, Warner Music Korea announced the launch of its new music label, MPLIFY, marking an exciting expansion in the Korean music industry.

Warner Music Korea Launches New Label MPLIFY, Announces Olivia Marsh as First Artist

ITZY is a five-member girl group formed by JYP Entertainment, consisting of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. They debuted in February 2019 with &quot;Dalla Dalla&quot;, a song built around self-acceptance, difference, and the refusal to fit neatly into other people&#x27;s expectations. ITZY&#x27;s early identity was direct and performance-forward. &quot;Icy&quot;, &quot;Wannabe&quot; and &quot;Not Shy&quot; expanded the same confidence-first message with sharper choreography, chant-like hooks, and a visual style that mixed teen crush, streetwear, and runway attitude. Their dances became a major part of the group&#x27;s public image, with Ryujin&#x27;s shoulder move in &quot;Wannabe&quot; standing out as one of the most recognizable fourth-generation choreography moments. The group&#x27;s strength is the way its members divide the performance picture. Yeji gives ITZY a precise leader and dance center, Lia brings a warmer vocal tone, Ryujin anchors the cool charisma, Chaeryeong adds technical dance detail, and Yuna gives the group a bright visual spark. Even when the music shifted into different textures, that balance kept ITZY recognizable as a group built around motion, confidence, and clean stage impact. ITZY&#x27;s fandom is known as MIDZY. Their place in K-pop comes from helping define the fourth-generation girl-group language of self-confidence: louder than simple cuteness, less dark than some girl-crush concepts, and built for fans who wanted slogans they could actually say back to themselves.

ITZY

ITZY is preparing for an exciting comeback with their highly anticipated new album, GOLD. On September 13 at midnight KST, the group officially kicked off their comeback preparations by unveiling the tracklist and promotion scheduler, building excitement among fans worldwide.

ITZY Gears Up for Comeback with New Album GOLD

We always love it when we’re fans of a musician in one of their projects and then discover they have a completely different musical project and then get to fall in love with them all over again.&nbsp;

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “Green Breathe” by Jina0king

Traditionally, K-pop album releases follow a familiar pattern, with teasers, promos, and trailers leading up to the release of the music video for the lead single, and occasionally, a video for a b-side or alternate title track.&nbsp;

AB6IX's Jeon Woong encourages fans to "Just Do It" in a captivating performance video

Featured MV of the Day: “Debut” by KATSEYE

On September 11, BLACKPINK's Lisa took home the Best K-Pop award at the MTV Video Music Awards for her hip-hop single "Rockstar," beating out strong contenders like Jung Kook's "SEVEN," NewJeans' "Super Shy," and Stray Kids' "Lock," among others.

Watch the Moment: BLACKPINK's Lisa Wins Her Debut Solo Award at the 2022 MTV VMAs

Free is probably one of the best words there is. Whether it’s not having to pay money for something or it’s no longer being constrained, free is great.

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Top 10 Most-Viewed K-pop Videos of 2024 So Far