KPOPWORLD #5

KPOPWORLD #4

KPOPWORLD #3

KPOPWORLD #2 (Poster Version)

KPOPWORLD Festival &amp; Worldwide Dance Competition 首度登陆 San Antonio 的 Alamodome，活动将于 10 月 28 日至 31 日举行，而这座城市的选择，和这份 11 个表演团体的阵容一样值得讨论

KPOPWORLD Festival 在 San Antonio 的豪赌：Alamodome 周末对 K-Pop 美国扩张意味着什么

这位出生于首尔的创作型歌手今年17岁，出道还不到两年，却已经完全按自己的方式在做音乐——不仅写歌、制作音乐，自出道EP mom!!iminlove 于2024年10月发行以来，她还亲自执导自己的音乐视频

ZIN CHOI：听前请自负风险

Cortis, is a South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Music. The group consists of five members: Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho. They debuted on August 18, 2025, with the digital single “What You Want&quot; followed by their first EP, &quot;Color Outside the Lines&quot;. The group’s name is derived from the phrase “Color Outside the Lines,” reflecting their concept of creative freedom and nonconformity. Cortis has been promoted as a self-producing “creator crew,” with members participating in songwriting, choreography, and visual direction. Blending pop, hip-hop, and experimental elements, the group gained early attention for their performance skills, self-produced content, and strong rookie-year sales, establishing them as one of Big Hit Music’s newer generation acts.

CORTIS

CORTIS 围绕一句拒绝“穿得好看就一定得花大钱”的歌词打造了 “FaSHioN”——在 2 亿次播放之后，这首歌依然是他们最清晰的宣言

CORTIS 的首个周年，坐实他们是 K-pop 时尚王者

在 Islington Assembly Hall 开门迎客之前，KANG YUCHAN 和 from20 就先带我们走进后台，看看这两位冉冉升起的新星登台前的准备瞬间

KANG YUCHAN & from20 的 Body Talk Tour 伦敦后台直击

K-pop 圈子从来不只是“消费”这么简单。数十年来，粉丝们一直在进行归档、翻译和分享内容，这既是为了让内容更易获取，也是出于一种本能：把那些原本可能从艺人历史中彻底消失的瞬间保留下来。

K-Pop 粉丝不只是观众——他们还是档案库

STAYC is a six-member girl group formed by High Up Entertainment, debuting in November 2020. The group — Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon, and J — holds the distinction of being produced by the legendary hitmaking duo Black Eyed Pilseung, known for crafting smashes for TWICE, Apink, and others. This production pedigree gave STAYC an immediately polished, radio-friendly sound from their very first release. STAYC&#x27;s &quot;teen fresh&quot; concept and catchy discography — including &quot;SO BAD,&quot; &quot;ASAP,&quot; &quot;RUN2U,&quot; and &quot;Teddy Bear&quot; — have made them standouts in the fourth generation. &quot;ASAP&quot; in particular became a sleeper hit that dominated charts and went viral on social media. The group represents a refreshing middle ground in K-pop: neither overly cute nor aggressively girl-crush, but naturally charming and musically consistent. Their fandom, SWITH, has steadily grown as the group proves that quality pop songwriting and likeable personalities can build a dedicated audience without relying on spectacle or controversy.

STAYC

出道六年后，STAYC最新EP再次强化了她们最具标志性的特质——轻快的合成器音色、明亮的高频，以及自“ASAP”以来一路延续至今的自信气质。

STAYC的2:L0VE为自己的身份定调

can’t be blue is a South Korean indie rock band formed in 2024. The group originally consisted of Kwon Dahyun, Lee Hwuiwon, Kim Chaehyun, Lee Dohun, and Park Junseo; after Junseo’s departure in October 2024, Kim Daehun joined as the drummer. The band is known for blending elements of pop, alternative rock, R&amp;B, soul, and indie in their music. can’t be blue debuted on June 20, 2024 with the single “Within the Words I Once Called Love”, which helped them gain early attention in the Korean indie scene. They released their first EP Blue Vinyl later that year, featuring tracks that showcased their evolving sound. In 2025, the band released several singles including “Gonna Die,” “First Sight,” and “take it anymore,” and continued building a presence through live performances and festival appearances. Their EP Prussian Blue was released on January 19, 2026. can’t be blue has performed in various concerts and events that highlight the contemporary band scene in Korea, and they are recognized for their emotive lyrics, melodic instrumentation, and genre-blending approach.

can't be blue

Korean rock band can’t be blue 于 2024 年从独立厂牌 UNBLUE LABELS 出道，仅用两年时间就从韩国本土的 indie 现象级乐队成长为全球瞩目的组合。

How can't be blue 正在消解独立与流行之间的界线

EXO is a South Korean-Chinese boy group formed by SM Entertainment in 2012. Originally debuting as two subunits — EXO-K (Korean) and EXO-M (Chinese) — the group quickly became one of the biggest acts in K-pop history with hits like &quot;Growl,&quot; &quot;Call Me Baby,&quot; and &quot;Monster.&quot; Their synchronized choreography, powerful vocals, and theatrical concepts helped define the third generation of K-pop and earned them the nickname &quot;Kings of K-pop.&quot; Over the years, EXO has sold millions of albums, held massive world tours, and seen their members flourish in solo careers spanning music, acting, and variety shows. Members like Baekhyun, D.O., and Chen have become household names in South Korea. Despite mandatory military enlistments creating periods of group inactivity, EXO&#x27;s dedicated fanbase, known as EXO-L, has remained fiercely loyal, ensuring the group&#x27;s legacy endures well into the 2020s.

三晚共三万两千名观众在首尔到场。即便少了三名成员，专辑仍达百万销量。一个经历过服兵役、法律纠纷以及多年无回归却仍然到场支持的粉丝团体。

别信你看到的一切：EXO依然是K-pop的实力派

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.

NCT 今年迎来十周年 —— 十年之后，他们对 K-pop 的影响力已难以忽视。从 NCT 127 早期作品的工业混沌到 NCT Dream 的成长叙事、WayV 的都市感魅力，以及 NCT Wish 承接火炬

NCT 的 “Neo-Ness” 如何从累赘变成最大资产

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 全面回归，本周的 YouTube Music 榜单也反映出这一点

BTS 重夺全球势能：“SWIM” 主导 YouTube 榜单

WJSN, also known as Cosmic Girls, is a girl group formed through a collaboration between Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment, debuting in February 2016. Originally consisting of thirteen members from South Korea and China, the group was divided into four subunits: Wonder, Joy, Sweet, and Natural. Their celestial concept, as suggested by their cosmic name, infused their music with a dreamy, fantastical quality. WJSN gained wider recognition through their participation in Mnet&#x27;s &quot;Queendom 2&quot; in 2022, where they earned newfound appreciation for their elegant performances and stunning visuals. Songs like &quot;Save Me, Save You,&quot; &quot;Boogie Up,&quot; and &quot;Last Sequence&quot; highlighted their versatility. The group&#x27;s fandom, Ujung, has been devoted through years of shifting group dynamics as Chinese members pursued activities in China. WJSN is remembered as one of the most visually and conceptually enchanting groups of their era.

WJSN

出道十年，WJSN 带着《Bloom hour》回归——这是 EXY 所写的粉丝歌，听来悬在成就与延续之间。

WJSN 的《Bloom hour》

MAMAMOO is a four-member vocal powerhouse girl group formed by RBW Entertainment, debuting in June 2014. Consisting of Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein, and Hwasa, the group immediately stood out for their exceptional live vocals, jazz and retro-influenced sound, and playful on-stage chemistry. Their debut track &quot;Mr. Ambiguous&quot; showcased a level of vocal ability rare among rookie groups and earned critical acclaim. Over the years, MAMAMOO built a reputation as one of K-pop&#x27;s most talented and entertaining live acts, with hits like &quot;Um Oh Ah Yeh,&quot; &quot;Décalcomanie,&quot; &quot;Starry Night,&quot; and &quot;HIP.&quot; Each member has also found significant solo success, with Hwasa in particular becoming a cultural icon. The group&#x27;s fandom, MooMoo, appreciates their authenticity and musicality. Though members eventually moved to different agencies, MAMAMOO has continued to reunite for group activities, proving the strength of their bond.

MAMAMOO

HWASA 的崛起从未遵循常规轨迹。她出道时并非团体的显性中心，也没有被套进 K-pop 对女性偶像偏好的固定形象里，更不会靠安全的选择来奠定个人事业。

完美的 Perfect All-Kill 与完美的分手歌：HWASA 重回榜单

Golden Child is a boy group originally formed by Woollim Entertainment, debuting in August 2017 with &quot;DamDaDi.&quot; The current lineup includes Daeyeol, Choi Sung Yun, Jangjun, Seungmin, Jaehyun, Donghyun, and Joochan, with several former members also tied to the group&#x27;s history. The group debuted with a bright, athletic image that fit Woollim&#x27;s clean performance tradition, then gradually moved into more dramatic and mature material. By the time of &quot;Wannabe&quot; and &quot;Burn It,&quot; Golden Child had developed beyond a cheerful rookie frame into sharper dance-pop and emotional performance concepts. Golden Child&#x27;s fandom is known as Goldenness. The group reads best as a long-running Woollim act with a shifting lineup and a catalog that moved from fresh youthfulness toward more polished intensity, with member-status details handled separately from the biography prose.

Golden Child

对JOOCHAN来说，独自登台意味着承担起他从未完全承担过的重量

Golden Child的JOOCHAN在首场个人粉丝见面会敞开心扉

Baby DONT Cry, is a South Korean girl group formed and managed by P Nation. The group consists of four members: Yihyun, Kumi, Mia, and Beni. They debuted on June 23, 2025, with the single album &quot;F Girl&quot;. The group was initially teased in early 2025 under the pre-debut name “P Girls” and confirmed as P Nation’s first official girl group later that year. Their pre-debut track “Bet You’ll Regret It” was released on June 16, 2025, building anticipation ahead of their debut. Baby DONT Cry’s debut single “F Girl” presents a bold message encouraging confidence and rejecting judgment based on external standards. The group’s concept has been described as youthful yet assertive, combining pop and performance elements with distinctive visuals. Their creative direction and early production were led by Soyeon, who played a significant role in shaping their sound and image. Baby DONT Cry’s fandom is officially named “Cherries,” symbolizing a community united by growth and joy. The group has since continued activities with subsequent releases, including the digital single “I Don’t Care” released in November 2025.. Although still early in their career, Baby DONT Cry has drawn attention for their fresh approach, strong visuals, and connections to established producers, marking a notable debut in the K-pop landscape.

Baby DONT Cry

她们自称 Baby DONT Cry，但这个组合身上没有半点被动或脆弱的感觉

Baby DONT Cry：The KPOPWORLD 数字封面

凭借顺滑的嗓音和犀利的词曲创作，生于加拿大、现居首尔的 JUNNY 已成长为韩国最具辨识度的 R&amp;B 声音之一

JUNNY：当音乐胜过语言

IZ*ONE was a twelve-member project girl group formed through the Mnet survival show &quot;Produce 48,&quot; a collaboration between Korean and Japanese entertainment industries, debuting in October 2018. The group combined members from Korean agencies and Japan&#x27;s AKB48 system, including future stars Jang Wonyoung, An Yujin, Kim Chaewon, and Miyawaki Sakura. Their debut mini-album &quot;COLOR*IZ&quot; broke sales records for a K-pop girl group at the time. During their two-and-a-half-year contract, IZ*ONE became one of the best-selling girl groups in K-pop history, with releases like &quot;La Vie en Rose,&quot; &quot;Violeta,&quot; and &quot;Fiesta&quot; achieving critical and commercial success. Despite the &quot;Produce&quot; series vote manipulation scandal casting a shadow over their formation, the group&#x27;s talent was undeniable. IZ*ONE disbanded in April 2021 as planned, but their members went on to lead some of the biggest acts in K-pop&#x27;s fourth generation, including IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and more. Their fandom, WIZ*ONE, remains active and nostalgic.

IZ*ONE

从在 Waterbomb 的高能舞台上掌控全场，到打造像 THE RED 这样私密的个人演出，KWON EUNBI 用五年时间确立了自己作为多才多艺的表演者与词曲创作者的身份，超越了她在 IZ*ONE 的起点

Music