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

While there’s no such thing as too much K-pop, we also recognize there are so many other talented Korean musicians making awesome music!

K-Indie Super Spotlight: Five of our favorite non-K-pop artists from Korea

Happy Birthday! You share a special day with Hyunsoo from TNX].

Is your birthday September 16? See which K-pop idol shares your birthday!

OnlyOneOf, a South Korean boy band that debuted in 2019 under 8D Entertainment, is known for pushing boundaries in K-pop through their bold and sensual concepts.&nbsp;

OnlyOneOf: Totally Unique

Wooah, a South Korean girl group that debuted on May 13, 2020, under NV Entertainment (now H Music Entertainment), has experienced a whirlwind journey in the K-pop industry.

Wooah: Back and Better than Ever!

NewJeans has once again teamed up with Apple, starring in a fresh advertisement for the iPhone 16 Pro, presented by SK Telecom.

NewJeans Shines in iPhone 16 Pro Ad for SK Telecom

SM Entertainment has officially introduced its new male trot idol group, MYTRO, through an introduction film.

SM Entertainment Unveils New Trot Idol Group MYTRO, Featuring Former S.M.ROOKIES Member Shohei

In September's brand value rankings, Seventeen, Stray Kids, and SHINee emerged as the top three K-pop boy groups.&nbsp;

Seventeen, Stray Kids, and SHINee Top K-Pop Boy Group Brand Value Rankings for September

One thing you ought to know is that Korean indie music has no shortage of phenomenal bass players.&nbsp;

Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “Root It Out” by Conut

When two of the biggest female pop stars, one from the East and one from the West, come together to collaborate, they create something truly unique: a novel, fresh, and contemporary girl code titled "New Woman."

BLACKPINK's Lisa and Rosalía team up to define a novel girl code with "New Woman"

Featured MV of the Day: “Rains in Heaven” by NCT Dream

THEBLACKLABEL which is home to the likes of Jeon Somi, Rose, Taeyang just introduced a new girl group a few weeks ago.

Feisty grunge-pop aesthetics; Check out MEOVV’s introduction photos

Ask any K-pop fan what they dread most, and the answer will likely be military enlistment.

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