KPOPWORLD #5

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KPOPWORLD #3

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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

Beyond Gender: 7 Idols Playing with Androgyny and Aesthetics

The Digital Number Ones: Girls’ Generation - “Oh”

j-hope Announces “Killin’ It Girl” Featuring GloRilla, Dropping June 13

Fashion Statements: ATEEZ’s Seonghwa Blends Edge and Elegance as Isabel Marant’s Latest Ambassador

Concept Photo Round Up: BTS’ Jin, Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi, SHINee and more

9 Times K-pop Confronted Identity, Power, and Politics

The SM Legacy Series: TVXQ’s ‘Mirotic’ and the Art of Mainstream Provocation

Anwaya Mane talks us through her favourite B-Side of the week.

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Beyond Gender: 7 Idols Playing with Androgyny and Aesthetics

The Digital Number Ones: Girls’ Generation - “Oh”

j-hope Announces “Killin’ It Girl” Featuring GloRilla, Dropping June 13

Fashion Statements: ATEEZ’s Seonghwa Blends Edge and Elegance as Isabel Marant’s Latest Ambassador

Concept Photo Round Up: BTS’ Jin, Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi, SHINee and more

9 Times K-pop Confronted Identity, Power, and Politics

The SM Legacy Series: TVXQ’s ‘Mirotic’ and the Art of Mainstream Provocation

Deep Cut of the Week: Baekhyun – “Love Comes Back”

Comeback Corner: Fresh Directions and New Moves from RIIZE, i-dle, Baekhyun, and More

When Global Success Meets Cultural Responsibility: K-pop’s Ongoing Challenge

ICYMI: The KPOPWORLD Weekly Briefing – May 19–23, 2025

This Week in K-pop Stages: P1Harmony, tripleS, MEOVV & BOYNEXTDOOR Shine

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