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

Most K-pop groups have their own variety shows, and fans know just how entertaining and humorous these programs can be.

Watch the Moment when NewJeans' Hanni and Danielle fought over chicken and eggs

RM is back with another solo album! Right Place, Wrong Person (RPWP) is an 11-track album filled to the brim with moments and notions of feeling out of place and lost in your life.

A Candid and Personal Look at Feeling Lost — Right Place, Wrong Person by RM

Is your birthday October 19? See which K-pop idol shares your birthday!

We’ve talked about Korean indie-synth rockers LAYBRICKS a few times here, and once again we have a wonderfully colorful, breath-of-fresh-air track from the duo for you!

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “Whale Cry -new ver.” by LAYBRICKS

Featured MV of the Day: “Supernatural” by NewJeans

BTS member J-Hope has officially completed his mandatory military service, and fans, friends, and fellow soldiers are celebrating the milestone.

BTS’ J-Hope Honored for Completing Military Service with Warm Celebration

Loossemble, the spin-off group of the K-pop girl group LOONA, consists of five members: YeoJin, ViVi, Go Won, and HyeJu.

Loossemble comes together for a lively dance track with the upbeat "TTYL" MV

Featured MV of the Day: “Stuck In The Middle” by BABYMONSTER

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “My Hair is Green” by 015B and youra

K-pop soloist HyunA married her boyfriend and fellow idol, Yong Jun Hyung, on October 11 in a private ceremony in South Korea.

Watch the Moment when HyunA and Dawn played proxy parents on ‘The Return of Superman’

A noticeable trend we’ve been seeing with popular K-pop artists is testing the limits of their newfound maturity in their music while also testing their vocals in other genres. NA, Nayeon’s latest comeback album, consists of seven tracks that showcase Nayeon’s mature side. Nayeon’s first album, IM NAYEON, was a light and bubbly feel good album; the most popular song, “POP!,” showed off Nayeon’s more playful side with its upbeat chorus and fun dance. With NA, Nayeon has transitioned from her “playful side” to “I’m THAT girl.”[EMBED: https://open.spotify.com/track/0V2passWyAXnON67kfAj7y?si=a79b155c69644621]NA’s first track, “ABCD,” exhibits sexiness, energy, and charisma. Built exactly like a Y2K song, “ABCD” is very busy and packed with hip-hop and R&amp;B influence to create a vibe that works well with Nayeon’s maturity. The layering of the upbeat melody and bouncy beats entrances and pulls you into the song,making you feel like you’re back in the Y2K era. When I first listened to “ABCD,” it gave me the feeling that I was listening to Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” for the first time. It’s very subtle, but the post chorus sounds just like the intro for the Beyoncé song. This subtle addition certainly enhances the feeling of nostalgia and the feel-good atmosphere.The music video for “ABCD” definitely shows more Y2K inspiration in the visuals. Through the combination of fashion, a good beat, and immense confidence, Nayeon was able to present herself as if she was an up and coming pop diva. Nayeon did a private viewing of the music video with the other members of TWICE, and they all had the same reaction to one of Nayeon’s moves. The choreography is perfectly timed with the drop of the beat, and Nayeon places her hand in a very risqué area and opens her legs when the beat drops. This provocative maneuver caused a shocking reaction among her fellow members.[EMBED: https://youtu.be/m1a0s9LDFmk?si=iDMUW8SYoxXMnoHX&amp;t=209]“Butterflies” is a captivating English track that blends modern R&amp;B with pop sensibilities. This song particularly stands out due to its intricate vocal layering and the way the lyrics encapsulate the essence of falling in love. The layering of Nayeon’s vocals adds a rich, airy quality that enhances the song’s lighthearted and dreamy atmosphere, and the lyrics of the song help visualize the feeling of falling in love for the first time. When you look back at your previous crushes or lovers do you remember having a euphoric sensation of love for that person? With the combination of lyrics and bouncy tones, Nayeon helps us reminisce on the feeling of those sleepless nights and endless butterflies that come with falling for someone new.[EMBED: https://open.spotify.com/track/0ZpEiNVDCJbZBS8e9DKOUw?si=2cbae796303a47c3]“Heaven,” featuring Sam Kim, is a standout track on NA that blends ethereal production with Nayeon’s distinctive vocal charm. The intro of the track sets the mood with layered synths and rhythmic beats, drawing listeners into a cocoon of love and longing. It puts the audience into this lovey dovey dreamy atmosphere. Nayeon’s maturity is profoundly evident in this song, not just through the poignant lyrics but also in her delivery. Her vocals, both soothing and powerful, evoke a deep sense of yearning and emotional depth, perfectly capturing the nuances of a passionate connection. Her ability to convey complex feelings of desire and vulnerability through her vocal performance showcases her growth as an artist mentioned before. The combination of Nayeon’s expressive singing and the song’s sophisticated production elevates “Heaven” to be a standout moment in her discography, promising exciting possibilities for her future musical endeavors.In all, Nayeon’s latest album, NA, marks a significant evolution in her solo musical journey, showcasing a deeper, more mature artistry. The transition from the playful and upbeat nature of her first album to the sophisticated and confident tone of NA is evident throughout its seven tracks. Each song not only reflects Nayeon’s growth but also her ability to seamlessly blend various genres and influences— from the Y2K-inspired vibes of “ABCD,” to the R&amp;B-tinged “Butterflies,” or the dreamy yet sultry collaboration with Sam Kim in “Heaven.” Additionally, Nayeon’s expanding vocal range and her well curated songs that resonate with both nostalgic and contemporary elements. With NA, Nayeon establishes herself as a versatile artist capable of embracing new genres and defines her spot in the music industry.Track List:ABCDButterfliesHeaven (Feat. Sam Kim)Magic (Feat. JULIE of KISS OF LIFE)HalliGalli (Prod. By LEE CHANHYUK of AKMU)SomethingCount on it

Nayeon’s NA: Deeper, More Mature Artistry

Happy Birthday! You share a special day with Kiryun from Billion. Kiryun was born on October 18, 1989. Looks like you are both a Libra! Celebrate today with a special MV!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwtEB0klg40&nbsp;

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