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

Red Velvet's track "Sweet Dreams" was released as a bonus feature on their seventh EP, Cosmic, to celebrate their tenth anniversary.

Red Velvet embraces their inner child in "Sweet Dreams" MV 

Featured MV of the Day: “Samidare” by &TEAM

There are so many cool photos coming out every day, and sometimes you just need to take a moment to step back, breathe, and appreciate the cool things that came before.

Throwback Concept of the Day: STAYC’s YOUNG-LUV.COM

The life of a K-pop idol is demanding, requiring immense dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice.

Watch the Moment when BTS' Jung Kook forgot his own birthday

It’s always a weird moment when things come to a close, and there’s a lot of emotions that come with a conclusion, no matter what it is.

The End is Never the End: 10 K-pop Songs About Saying Goodbye

Is your birthday September 1? See which K-pop idol shares your birthday!

J-Hope is known for being like sunshine. Full of positivity and infectious energy, J-Hope has gone from being simply a dancer to being one of the most influential K-pop artists of our era.&nbsp;

J-Hope: Like Sunshine

From her days as a member of I.O.I to her solo career, Chungha has always stood out confidently thanks primarily to her amazing dance abilities, though she also has a beautiful repertoire of music and skills as a host and MC.

Chungha: A Multitool of Musical Prowess

NCT's Jungwoo and former IZ*ONE member Kwon Eun Bi are set to appear as special guests on the upcoming ENA variety program, City Z Goes to the Countryside.

NCT's Jungwoo and Kwon Eun Bi to Guest on New Variety Show City Z Goes to the Countryside

American rapper Megan Thee Stallion has sparked excitement among fans with a cryptic tweet on X (formerly Twitter), featuring just a series of emojis—a horse, a purple heart, side eyes, and an X symbol.

Megan Thee Stallion Teases Potential New Collaboration with BTS

After two decades of honing his craft, Jo Jung Suk is set to make his highly anticipated debut as a solo artist with his first full-length album, titled Jo Jung Suk. Scheduled for release on September 9, this self-titled album features a collection of songs that Jo Jung Suk has long wanted to share with the world.

Jo Jung Suk to Release First Full Solo Album After 20 Years in the Industry

The best thing about Korean Indie music is how it borrows textures from other textures and repurposes them in ways you don’t see coming.

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