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

The Korean boy band TRENDZ made a triumphant comeback this week with their new single album DREAMLIKE.

The TRENDZ bois are looking “dreamlike” in these concepts

This week’s episode of Music Bank on KBS was one of the most talent-filled episodes in recent memory. One of our favorite performances came from EVERGLOW, you could hear just how into their performance the audience was as they chanted and sung along.

Watch the moment EVERGLOW wowed fans with their comeback “ZOMBIE”

In the vibrant world of contemporary pop, few artists radiate as brightly as ysabelle.

YSABELLE: A Rising Star Illuminating the Pop Scene

Happy Birthday! You share a special day with Hoshi from Seventeen. Hoshi was born on June 15, 1996.

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

Lately, more and more idol groups have become more involved in the songwriting and producing process of their music. When SEVENTEEN debuted, creative freedom amongst K-pop groups wasn’t common at all.

SEVENTEEN: Remaining Genuine

It has been reported that in April, Wooyoung from ATEEZ was diagnosed with cholinergic urticaria (heat hives) while practicing and performing. He broke out into hives again recently while practicing and performing.&nbsp;We all have seen a K-Pop live performance. We know how physically exhausting it looks. Now imagine doing that, but with heat hives: blisters or red lumps and an itchy, prickly rash. Yeah, not fun. No wonder it was announced that Wooyoung will be unable to perform at the “Festival Mawazine” in Morocco. Thankfully, KQ Entertainment was aware of the situation and made the correct decision by not having Wooyoung perform. It is for his safety and well being.Wooyoung will receive more treatment to help with the situation. We are hoping for a full recovery and can’t wait to see him perform later on!&nbsp;Below is the official statement from KQ Entertainment:"Hello, this is KQ Entertainment.We would like to notify you that member Wooyoung will not be able to attend 'Festival Mawazine' in Morocco, where ATEEZ is scheduled to perform on June 23.&nbsp;Earlier in April, while preparing for ATEEZ's “Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival” performance, Wooyoung experienced an unspecified allergic reaction for the first time. During practices and performances, he broke out in hives, and so to receive an accurate diagnosis, he underwent three medical expert visits and was finally diagnosed with cholinergic urticaria, or heat hives.Afterward, similar symptoms resurfaced frequently when Wooyoung was exposed to strong sunlight while performing rigorous choreography, and throughout ATEEZ's ongoing album promotions and practices for the upcoming festival, minor symptoms persisted. As a result, Wooyoung has been limiting strenuous exercise and rigorous choreography practice to focus on treatment and recovery.&nbsp;Considering the health of our artist as our topmost priority, we have decided that ATEEZ's performance at “Festival Mawazine” will take place with 7-members, excluding Wooyoung. During that time, Wooyoung will receive focused treatment, so that he can resume his schedules so long as they do not require overexertion and he can continue to receive treatment.&nbsp;We apologize to the fans who must have been surprised by the sudden news, and we ask for your understanding, as the decision was reached after much consideration for the artist's health."https://open.spotify.com/track/3VHD84tIdyxRTtRc167YSR?si=7564865953a34650&nbsp;

Wooyoung From ATEEZ Will Not Attend Festival In Morocco Due To Heat Hives

You may know DK from his work in the boy group iKON. He sounded great in hits like “LOVE SCENARIO,” “KILLING ME,” and “BEST FRIENDS.” But now he is going to debut his first solo track, and we can’t be more excited!

DK From iKON Will Release His First Single

There isn’t much we love more than celebrating anniversaries! As first reported by Ten Asia, T-ARA will be celebrating their 15th anniversary in an exciting way.

T-ARA Will Reunite To Celebrate Their 15th Anniversary

Okay – today’s daily indie pick is a little bit of a cheat. The frontman of Holy Hum, Andrew Lee, isn’t South Korean. He’s Korean-Canadian.

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “White Buzz” by Holy Hum

For those of you not in the know, the much-hyped girl group BADVILLAIN is notable for their member Vin (aka Choi Seobin), who is the younger sister of fellow idol Bomin.&nbsp;

BADVILLAIN is officially here – and Bomin is proud

Featured MV of the Day: “Permission to Dance” by BTS

There’s no shortage of amazing concept photos in K-pop. Some have been truly iconic and generation defining.

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