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

Rookie group TWS has hit a major milestone with their debut single, "Plot Twist," amassing over 100 million streams on YouTube Music just six months post-release.

TWS’ “Plot Twist” Surpasses 100 Million Streams on YouTube Music

NewJeans' NWJNS Becomes Most Streamed Girl Group Album on Melon, Surpassing BLACKPINK's Record

The world of K-pop continues to reign supreme on global music charts, with 2024 proving to be another standout year. Spotify, a leading music streaming platform, recently unveiled its rankings for the most streamed K-pop artists of the first half of the year, showcasing the genre's immense popularity and influence.

K-Pop's Global Dominance: Spotify's Top Streamed Artists of 2024

Sometimes it’s good to be angry. It’s fun to not care what anyone else has to think. It’s cool to lean into being an edgy punk who tells everyone else off. And Korean rocker MEMI knows that better than most.

Daily Non-K-Pop Spotlight: “I don’t give a” by MEMI

Featured MV of the Day: “Nerdy” by PURPLE KISS

ENHYPEN’s second full album is right around the corner, and with it come lots of new photos of the group. And when we say lots, believe us.

Check Out the Concept Photos for ENHYPEN’s Upcoming Second Album!

Hoo boy, summer is here, and it is HOT (at least for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. Sorry Australia; it’ll be your turn soon). We’ve already given you a bunch of tracks for summertime enjoyment, but today we’re reminding everyone to stay hydrated with ten tracks about drinks!

K-Pop Drink Bar: Ten K-Pop Tracks Named for Beverages

Happy Birthday! You share a special day with Keena from FIFTY FIFTY.

Is your birthday July 9? See which K-pop idol shares your birthday!

U-KISS (유키스), a boy group created by NH Media, debuted initially as a six-member group. The name U-KISS stands for "Ubiquitous Korean International (Idol) Super Star," emphasizing their global ambitions.&nbsp;

U-KISS: Adapting Through Changes

It’s hard to make it in the K-pop industry, especially if an idol group doesn’t come from one of the Big 3 entertainment companies (YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and SM Entertainment). Coming from a smaller label, SF9’s success stands out.

SF9: Finding a Niche by Starting with Suits

The debut solo album of V from BTS, Layover, has made a significant impact in the U.S., the largest music market in the world. All tracks from the album have sold over 100,000 units, making V the first K-pop soloist to achieve this milestone.

V’s Layover Breaks Records and Captivates Audiences

What would you do if your favorite idol showed up to a wedding that you were attending? Some fans experienced that exact same scenario recently!

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