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

Happy Birthday! You share a special day with Jaeyun from 8Turn.

Is your birthday July 2? See which K-pop idol shares your birthday!

Seoul is an important city for cultural, political, and musical reasons. Any fan of K-pop needs to understand at least a little bit about Seoul: what it is, where it is, and why it’s so important. It’s pretty much the Hollywood of K-pop. Here are 10 facts you didn’t know about Seoul, South Korea.

5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Seoul, South Korea’s Capital City

RAINBOW, a South Korean girl group formed by DSP Media in 2009, consists of seven members: Woori, Seungah, Jaekyung, Noeul, Yoonhye, Jisook, and Hyunyoung. They debuted with the EP Gossip Girl on November 12, 2009, following a series of teasers and the release of their music video for the title track earlier that month. Their early releases gained attention, with subsequent singles like "A" and "Mach" solidifying their presence in both Korean and Japanese markets.Expanding their reach, RAINBOW made their Japanese debut with the single "A" in September 2011, reaching No. 3 on Oricon's daily chart. They continued to release successful singles and albums in Japan, including their debut album "Over the Rainbow" in March 2012. The group also ventured into subunits; Rainbow Pixie debuted in January 2012 with "Hoi Hoi," while Rainbow Blaxx, formed in January 2014, stirred controversy with their release "Cha Cha." The song’s choreography and music video were controversial for their perceived hypersexuality – a typical controversy among female pop stars worldwide.&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKAi5cWHYDYBut…. it was overtly sexual for sure! To great success. As most controversies do, this one blew over.Their Korean activities included multiple EPs such as Innocent in 2015 and Prism in 2016, featuring the title track "Whoo." Despite their achievements, RAINBOW disbanded in November 2016 after seven years, as their contracts expired. However, in November 2019, marking their tenth anniversary, the group reunited. They released a self-produced single titled Over the Rainbow, signifying their return to the music scene after a period of hiatus and individual pursuitsThe fact that they reunited to self produce and distribute a record is a testament to the good feelings that existed within the group while active. It also indicates that their careers were rife with meaning for each member personally. RAINBOW as a group wasn’t just a product: it was something worth reuniting for and continuing to create, even if it demanded personal sacrifice of time and money.Overall, this group was successful in navigating the competitive K-pop industry, achieving success with their distinct music style and vibrant performances. Their reunion in 2019 demonstrated their enduring bond as a group and their commitment to reconnecting with fans, showcasing their evolution from debut to disbandment and reunion.https://open.spotify.com/track/3LII8A23VIs7pzudea2VSo?si=2c00ffc18fd94ff7&nbsp;

Who is RAINBOW? Exploring a 15 Year Career

TXT members had to deal with an unsettling situation recently. They were waiting for their inflight meal only to find that someone had switched their meal order. This scenario was revealed by Taehyun.On June 29, Taehyun took to Weverse to express his frustration over the incident, hinting at possible obsessed fan interference. He wrote, "Someone has changed the members' inflight meals as we are happily on our way back to Korea after meeting with MOAs in person. We can simply just not eat, but I don't understand how and why would someone change someone else's inflight meals. We already ate so don't worry."Although Taehyun later removed the post, the concern had already spread among fans, raising alarms about the potential involvement of obsessed fans. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges K-pop idols face with privacy and personal security.It is natural to be excited to see idols in person, but that serves as a good reminder that stalking or interfering is never okay. It is important to give your favorite idols their privacy and treat them with the respect you would give to any other person.&nbsp;https://open.spotify.com/track/33RfPb7Vca7s2x5xzXR5E3?si=07356067e1b04bb7

TXT's Taehyun Calls Out Inflight Meal Switch, Suspects Obsessed Fan Interference

On June 28, 2024 Jimin dropped his highly anticipated single, "Smeraldo Garden Marching Band (feat. Loco)," and it quickly made waves in the music world.&nbsp;

Jimin's New Single Smeraldo Garden Marching Band (feat. Loco) Takes Global Charts by Storm

Meenoi Sets Stage for Triumphant Return with This is my life

This song was released in 2022, but is such a sleeper hit. SURAN’s soulful voice stands apart from typical K-pop vocal stylings. Paired with strong English lyrical delivery, she feels like she’d be at home in America, selling out venues and making concertgoers swoon.&nbsp;

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “Devils in the city (feat. Dok2)” by SURAN

GYUBIN is a fast rising star in the KPOP world. She is known as a monster rookie for being an ace in all areas, singing, guitar, piano, songwriting, composing, etc and she’s just released her comeback single “Satellite.”

GYUBIN’s Angelic Comeback “Satellite”

Featured MV of the Day: “Haegeum” by Agust D

Today we’re taking it back to July of 2023 when IVE performed at KPOP LUX live in Madrid. KPOP LUX Madrid is a K-pop concert that took place at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

Watch the Moment - IVE Performanced in Madrid

Jang Wonyoung has gone viral yet again for her fashion collaboration with HapaKristin, a recently popularized colored contacts brand.

Fashion Spotlight: Jang Wonyoung’s HapaKristin Photoshoot Goes Viral

Happy Birthday! You share a special day with Theo from P1Harmony.

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