KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

&amp;TEAM is a nine-member Japanese boy group under YX Labels (formerly HYBE Labels Japan). The group was formed through the survival program &quot;&amp;Audition - The Howling&quot; and debuted in December 2022 with their first extended play &quot;First Howling: Me&quot;. The group consists of EJ, Fuma, K, Nicholas, Yuma, Jo, Harua, Taki, and Maki, with EJ serving as the leader. Several members, including K, Nicholas, EJ, and Taki, previously participated in the survival show I-LAND before being selected for HYBE&#x27;s Japanese global debut project. Before their official debut, the group released the digital single Under the Skin, which introduced their storyline and concept. Their debut EP, First Howling,e followed shortly afterward, marking the beginning of the group&#x27;s &quot;First Howling&quot; series of releases. Although primarily active in Japan, &amp;TEAM promoted internationally and later expanded into Korea with Korean-language releases and promotions. Their fandom name is LUNÉ, representing fans who support the group like the moon lighting the night sky.

&TEAM

在我们的第5期印刷版封面故事中，&amp;TEAM 的 MAKI 坦率分享走红的感受——以及为什么这件事比表面看起来更复杂

IN REFLECTION MAKI: &TEAM

BIGBANG is a South Korean boy group formed by YG Entertainment, debuting in 2006 and becoming one of the most influential acts in K-pop history. The current profile centers on G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung, with T.O.P and Seungri tied to earlier chapters of the group. The group&#x27;s importance comes from how strongly it changed expectations for idol music and image. BIGBANG made self-production, individual fashion identity, and genre-blending central to its appeal, with G-Dragon&#x27;s songwriting and public style playing a major role in the group&#x27;s reputation. Musically, BIGBANG moved through hip-hop, R&amp;B, electronic pop, ballads, and festival-sized dance tracks without losing a recognizable identity. Songs such as &quot;Lies,&quot; &quot;Haru Haru,&quot; &quot;Fantastic Baby,&quot; and &quot;Bang Bang Bang&quot; became reference points for later idol groups trying to balance mainstream hooks with stronger artist branding. The members also became major solo figures, which helped the group feel less like a standard idol team and more like a collection of distinct pop stars. That individual power brought both longevity and complications, especially as military service, controversies, and member departures changed the group&#x27;s public shape. The fandom is known as V.I.P. BIGBANG is a defining second-generation group whose impact on K-pop music, fashion, performance, and global ambition is difficult to separate from the genre&#x27;s modern history.

BIGBANG

2019 年，G-Dragon 成为 Nike 历史上第一位与 Swoosh 达成创意合作的亚洲说唱歌手——这不是代言，而是一个完全围绕他自身审美逻辑展开的合作伙伴关系

G-Dragon 如何打造了 K-Pop 历史上最重要的 Nike 合作

David Yong 进入 K-pop 的路径并不符合标准的偶像剧本。最初是通过 BIGBANG 和 TWICE 认识这个领域后，这位新加坡企业家凭借多年的声乐训练，开始学习韩语、上舞蹈课，并在首尔录音

从粉丝到艺人执行官：David Yong 的 K-pop 之路

KiiiKiii is a five-member girl group under Starship Entertainment, consisting of Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum, and Kya. The group began its rollout in 2025 with &quot;I Do Me&quot; and built its debut era around a confident, self-directed image. As a newer Starship group, KiiiKiii carries attention from the company&#x27;s girl-group history while needing a distinct identity of its own. Their early presentation leans youthful but assertive, with styling and performance choices that frame the members as a compact team rather than a loose collection of rookies. The fandom is known as TiiiKiii. KiiiKiii is still early in its career, but its debut identity is clear: a compact Starship girl group built around self-possession, youthful confidence, and a team image still being defined through its first releases.

KiiiKiii

在 K-pop 行业里，某些类型的营销已经变得司空见惯。从最初的概念照、电影感预告片，到 teaser 和 mash-up，新专辑在发行前都会带来一整套内容，供粉丝提前逐一拆解。

K-pop 营销的新纪元：为什么 KiiiKiii 的旅行网站这么有效

BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Music in 2010 and debuting on June 12, 2013, with the single album &quot;2 Cool 4 Skool&quot;. The group consists of seven members: RM (leader), Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. The name BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan (“Bulletproof Boy Scouts”), reflecting the group’s original concept of resisting societal expectations and criticism aimed at youth. Members RM, Suga, and J-Hope have played significant roles in songwriting and production throughout the group’s career. BTS first gained widespread attention with the [The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1 era], particularly the single I Need U, which earned the group their first Korean music show win in 2015. Their international breakthrough followed with releases such as Wings and the Love Yourself series. In 2018, &quot;Love Yourself: Tear&quot; became the first album by a Korean act to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The group achieved further global success with singles including &quot;Dynamite&quot;, &quot;Butter&quot;, and &quot;Permission to Dance&#x27;&quot;, all of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. BTS is among the best-selling artists in South Korean history and has received numerous international awards, while also participating in global initiatives such as the UNICEF Love Myself campaign. Between 2022 and 2025, BTS paused full-group activities as the members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service. The last member, Suga, was discharged in June 2025, marking the completion of service for all seven members. Following their reunion, the group confirmed they were preparing a new album and world tour for 2026. Their tenth studio album, &quot;ARIRANG&quot;, recorded between July and November 2025, was released on March 20, 2026, marking their first group release in more than three years. The album will be supported by the Arirang World Tour, beginning in April 2026.

BTS 已宣布，他们不会为明年2月举行的第68届 Grammy Awards 提交作品，以回应新增的 Asian Pop Music Performance 奖项类别。

BTS 退出年度 Grammy Awards

KARD is a four-member South Korean co-ed group under DSP Media, consisting of J.Seph, BM, Somin, and Jiwoo. They officially debuted on July 19, 2017 with Hola Hola after a pre-debut project series that introduced the group through &quot;Oh NaNa,&quot; &quot;Don&#x27;t Recall,&quot; and &quot;Rumor.&quot; The group&#x27;s significance starts with its lineup structure. Co-ed idol groups are rare in modern K-pop, and KARD made that format feel central rather than novelty-based. Their performances are built around contrast: male and female vocal colors, rap and vocal handoffs, and choreography that lets the four members interact as a unit instead of splitting into separate halves. Musically, KARD became closely associated with tropical house, dancehall, Latin-pop, and club-oriented pop, sounds that helped them connect quickly with international audiences. &quot;Hola Hola&quot; established the bright version of that identity, while later singles such as &quot;Gunshot,&quot; &quot;Ring The Alarm,&quot; and &quot;Icky&quot; leaned into sharper performance energy and heavier rhythmic production. The fandom is known as Hidden KARD. KARD became one of K-pop&#x27;s clearest examples of a stable co-ed act with a global audience. Their longevity matters because they kept a distinct lane through military hiatuses, changing industry trends, and a market where most idol teams follow same-gender formats.

KARD

KARD 即将迎来十周年 —— 接下来会如何，他们即将发行的专辑可能会是最后一张，至少在一段时间内是这样

KARD 如何改变了 K-pop 的混合团体问题

LOONA (이달의 소녀, &quot;Girl of the Month&quot;) is a girl group formed by Blockberry Creative with one of the most ambitious pre-debut projects in K-pop history. From 2016 to 2018, each of the twelve members was individually introduced with her own solo single, music video, and lore before the full group debuted in August 2018. This elaborate rollout created an intricate &quot;LOONAVERSE&quot; mythology that captivated fans who dissected every visual clue and narrative connection. LOONA&#x27;s music spans a remarkable range of styles — from Chuu&#x27;s bubbly &quot;Heart Attack&quot; to the cinematic grandeur of &quot;Butterfly&quot; to the girl-crush energy of &quot;PTT (Paint the Town).&quot; The group gained a uniquely devoted international fandom, Orbits, who turned LOONA into an internet phenomenon long before the group achieved mainstream domestic success. Despite significant company controversies and member departures, LOONA&#x27;s creative ambition and the quality of their discography have ensured their place in K-pop history as one of the most artistically inventive groups of their generation.

LOONA

Yves 的全球成功比一般的 K-pop 跨界故事更具特殊性。她是 LOONA 的一员，曾在法律悬而未决的状态中待了两年，随后签约一家独立厂牌，并通过 ADA Worldwide 获得全球发行。

Yves 正以自己的方式跨界

本周的「上周 K-pop 解读」涵盖了许多重要话题。K-pop 的四大经纪公司——HYBE、SM、JYP 和 YG——已提交联合创业申请，拟推出名为 Fanonemon（暂定）的全球音乐节，目标在 2027 年起与 Coachella 一较高下。

上周 K-pop 解读（2026年4月13日 - 4月17日）

4Minute was a five-member girl group formed by Cube Entertainment, consisting of Jihyun, Gayoon, Jenyer, HyunA, and Sohyun. They debuted in 2009 with &quot;Hot Issue&quot; and quickly became one of Cube&#x27;s signature early acts. The group was known for a sharper and more attitude-driven image than many of their peers, mixing electro-pop, hip-hop influence, and bold styling. HyunA&#x27;s public profile gave 4Minute extra visibility, but the group&#x27;s best work depended on the contrast between strong vocal parts, rap sections, and dance-focused hooks. The subunit 2YOON also showed how the members could move outside the full group&#x27;s main sound without losing the group&#x27;s recognizable energy. The fandom is known as 4NIA. 4Minute disbanded in 2016, leaving behind a catalog that helped define second-generation girl-group edge and a clear connection to Cube&#x27;s rise as a major idol agency.

4Minute

在 4Minute 解散十年后，前主唱 Gayoon 回到了 CUBE Entertainment——这次不是以艺人的身份，而是以公司的新任创意总监回归。

K-pop 之后的生活：4Minute 的 Gayoon 成为 CUBE 的创意总监

2026 年的 Coachella 上，K-pop 呈现出三种截然不同的面貌——第一天 HUNTR/X 与 KATSEYE 一起带来意外的 "Golden" 时刻，第二天 SHINee 的 Taemin 成为音乐节首位登台的男性 K-pop 个人艺人，第三天 BIGBANG 在因疫情推迟六年后终于登台

K-pop 在 Coachella 的影响力如何随着岁月演变

KATSEYE is a multinational girl group formed through the reality competition series Dream Academy, a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records. The group debuted in June 2024 with the single &quot;Debut&quot;. KATSEYE consists of six members from different countries: Daniela Avanzini, Lara Rajagopalan, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeong. The group was created to combine Kpop training with a global pop approach, featuring members from North America, Europe, and Asia. The group first gained attention through the documentary series The Debut: Dream Academy (or Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE on Netflix), which followed the trainees&#x27; journey during the Dream Academy project and the process of forming the final lineup. KATSEYE&#x27;s music blends elements of pop, dance, and K-pop-influenced production while targeting a global audience with multilingual promotion and international activities.

KATSEYE

KATSEYE 的成立有一个明确的前提——这是一个由不同族裔组成的全球女子组合，接受 K-pop 体系下的训练，旨在展现当流行音乐真正反映其受众时可能呈现的样貌。

KATSEYE 建立在多元化之上——那为什么其唯一的黑人成员却被边缘化？

NCT, short for Neo Culture Technology, is a boy group project under SM Entertainment. The system was built around multiple units, changing combinations, and regional expansion rather than a single fixed lineup, making NCT one of SM&#x27;s most ambitious idol structures. The project began publicly through NCT U in 2016, then expanded through fixed or semi-fixed units such as NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, and NCT WISH. Each unit carries a different role: Seoul-based performance, youth-to-adult growth, Chinese-language promotion, rotational experiments, and the final new-team expansion. NCT&#x27;s music is often associated with dense production, experimental structures, and performance-heavy arrangements. The group&#x27;s system allowed SM to place members in songs by concept, which helped produce very different sounds under the same brand without asking every unit to serve the same identity. The project also made member identity central to the fan experience. NCTzen follows not only the full brand but also unit dynamics, cross-unit collaborations, and individual member activities, which makes the profile more complex than a normal group page. NCT is both a group brand and a structure for multiple teams. That structure shaped how SM approached global boy-group promotion from the mid-2010s onward, making the project as much about organization and unit design as individual songs.

在一周之内，NCT 失去了两位创始成员——Mark 完全退出组合，而 Ten 终止了与 SM Entertainment 的专属合约，但仍将作为 NCT 与 WayV 的活动成员继续参与。

MARK 和 Ten 离开 SM Entertainment 后，NCT 的下一步是什么？

当 Mark Lee 在效力十年后确认离开 NCT 时，反应比以往任何 K-pop 事件都更为不同寻常。在 24 小时内，他的亲笔信收获了数百万的点赞、分享与评论——但真正引人注目的，并不是这些数字本身。

Mark Lee 已离开 NCT —— 反应前所未有

ITZY is a five-member girl group formed by JYP Entertainment, consisting of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. They debuted in February 2019 with &quot;Dalla Dalla&quot;, a song built around self-acceptance, difference, and the refusal to fit neatly into other people&#x27;s expectations. ITZY&#x27;s early identity was direct and performance-forward. &quot;Icy&quot;, &quot;Wannabe&quot; and &quot;Not Shy&quot; expanded the same confidence-first message with sharper choreography, chant-like hooks, and a visual style that mixed teen crush, streetwear, and runway attitude. Their dances became a major part of the group&#x27;s public image, with Ryujin&#x27;s shoulder move in &quot;Wannabe&quot; standing out as one of the most recognizable fourth-generation choreography moments. The group&#x27;s strength is the way its members divide the performance picture. Yeji gives ITZY a precise leader and dance center, Lia brings a warmer vocal tone, Ryujin anchors the cool charisma, Chaeryeong adds technical dance detail, and Yuna gives the group a bright visual spark. Even when the music shifted into different textures, that balance kept ITZY recognizable as a group built around motion, confidence, and clean stage impact. ITZY&#x27;s fandom is known as MIDZY. Their place in K-pop comes from helping define the fourth-generation girl-group language of self-confidence: louder than simple cuteness, less dark than some girl-crush concepts, and built for fans who wanted slogans they could actually say back to themselves.

ITZY

二月，ITZY 在巡演中表演了他们 2020 年 B 面曲目 “THAT'S A NO NO” 的更新版——几周内，这首六年前的冷门曲目变成了 TikTok 挑战、攀上韩国榜单，并为组合带来 MCountdown 的特别舞台。

ITZY 的 “THAT'S A NO NO” 与走红的力量

Pitchfork 给 BTS 的 ARIRANG 评分 5.3 —— 某部分粉丝的反应迅速且丑陋

一位韩裔美国评论家评了 ARIRANG —— 回应比分数更说明问题

当ENHYPEN的Heeseung于3月10日离开组合时，粉丝们并不只是涌上社交媒体表达不满

为保护K-pop偶像走多远才算太过分？

在 K-pop 音乐视频中使用 AI 生成的视觉效果并非新鲜事，但它们越来越难被忽视

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