Band returns brighter, tighter after 1 1/2-year hiatus

Pentagon held a media showcase Monday to mark the release of its 12th EP “In:Vite U.” 　 The nine-member band is returning with new music about 10 months since “Love or Take” and as the title of the EP suggests, invites listeners to a new world. 　 Jinho, who has rejoined after 1 1/2 years having served his military duty, confided that he had to practice a lot after not singing and dancing for a long time. 　 “I gained as much as 10 kilograms because I ate so much i

K-pop boy band NCT 127 achieved a landmark feat at the 31st Seoul Music Awards on Sunday, claiming its first grand prize in its six-year career. “We didn’t expect this (result), but we are deeply moved by receiving such a big award. ... I think the year 2021 was a year that we could shine because we were all together. I’m so proud of the members,” NCT 127 leader Taeyong said at the awards ceremony held in Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome. Another band member, Doyoung, sa

New single about the butterflies guys feel on their way to seeing partner

Lee Seung-hoon, a member of K-pop boy group WINNER, tested positive for the new coronavirus Monday, the group's agency said. "WINNER's Lee Seung-hoon was confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19 today," YG Entertainment said, adding the other three members -- Kang Seung-yoon, Kim Jin-woo and Song Min-ho -- have tested negative. Lee first received a positive test result from a self-diagnosis kit Sunday, which was conducted preemptively ahead of his personal filming schedule, acco

Three members of K-pop boy band iKON have tested positive for the coronavirus, their agency said Sunday. Kim Jin-hwan, Song Yun-heong and Kim Dong-hyuk were confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19 after showing cold symptoms the previous day, according to YG Entertainment. The other three members -- Bobby, Koo Jun-hoe and Jung Chan-woo -- have tested negative, it added. "We will fully cooperate with the health authorities' investigation and take all measures to prevent the spread o

The music video for BTS’ “DNA” gathered 1.4 billion views on YouTube on Thursday, announced label Big Hit Music Friday. 　 This is the seven-member band’s second video to reach the milestone after the music video for “Boy With Luv (Feat. Halsey).” 　 “DNA” is the main track from its 2017 album “Love Yourself 承 ‘Her’” and entered Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 85 and climbed up to No. 67 while staying on the chart for four

No K-pop idol group stands exceptional to the concerns of the “seven-year jinx,” when they decide whether they will continue as a group. The phrase was coined as groups often disband or lose a member after seven years, the maximum period in which artists and agencies can sign a contract. Whether the members will get past the notorious seven-year mark is almost impossible to predict, even for the members themselves, as the decision influences the interests and situations of many peop

The plans to release a new song from Wanna One may be rescheduled, according to local media reports on Thursday. 　 CJ ENM said that talks with all related management companies to put out “Beautiful Part 3” on Jan. 27 have been completed. However, there still are administrative procedures that need to be finalized, it acknowledged. 　 CJ ENM has been pushing for the band’s reunion and put all members, except for Lai Kuanlin who is in China, on the stage for 2021 Mnet Asia Music

   　 Boy band Luminous held an online showcase to put out its second EP “Self n Ego” on Wednesday. 　 There are many artists coming out with new music this month, but they would rather not follow the trend that tends to be fancy or catchy, and base their music on solid ambience, said Woobin. This EP goes deeper than their debut EP, making listeners think, he added. 　 “When you are down, someone’s consolation or sympathy can give you great strength. Such feel

The Mamamoo member puts behind worries, now feels ready to enjoy her work

Yuju of GFriend held an online media conference Tuesday to introduce herself as a solo musician. 　 She is the first to strike out on her own from the group, which disbanded in May last year. 　 “I’ve gone through a lot of new experiences preparing for this album, and I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” she said. The album contains the pang of tension she feels from watching the light go red whenever an audio recording or video shooting starts, explained the singer

K-pop boy group Enhypen's latest repackage album sold more than 500,000 copies in the first week of its release, the group's management agency said Tuesday. "Dimension: Answer," a repackaged version of the group's first full-length album "Dimension: Dilemma" released in October, has sold 514,291 copies for a week from last Monday when the album dropped, Belift Lab said, citing data from Hanteo Chart, a local album sales tracker. It was the second straight success for the ro

K-pop girl group Fromis_9 is back more daring yet mature with “DM,” the title song of their fourth EP “Midnight Guest,” on Monday. Ahead of dropping their new album, the nine members conducted a media showcase in Seoul on Monday afternoon, with the event livestreamed online via YouTube due to concerns of the novel coronavirus spread. Returning in four months with new music, the members greeted their fans, Flover, first. “We received huge love with our previous al

‘Korea Week’ kicks off with BTS clips on display