Today in K-Pop

Ateez’s space-themed track “NASA” was selected as the background music by NASA for its Instagram post about the Artemis II mission. The single is a B-side track from the octet’s 13th EP “Golden Hour: Part 4,” which came out in February. The US space agency borrowed a phrase from the song, “Shoot for the stars like,” when uploading a picture of a star collection right after the album drop. The mini album spent five weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 3, and sold over 1.5 million copies in

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Global girl group Katseye returned with new music Thursday, unveiling its digital single “Pinky Up” and its music video as a five-member act, marking its first release since member Manon went on hiatus in February. “Pinky Up” blends strong percussion and bass with sythn features, forming an energetic funk-driven track. The song, according to Hybe, is meant to deliver a message of confidence and self-determination. The agency added that its music video aims to transform everyday settings into vib

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Cortis is closing in on 2 million preorders for its second EP at 1.96 million, label Big Hit Music said Friday, citing a local distributor and Universal Records. The quintet is slated to bring out the EP “GreenGreen” on May 4 and has garnered over 657,000 “presaves” on Spotify, landing at No. 3 on the platform’s Countdown Chart Global. The six-track set will be fronted by “RedRed,” which will be unveiled on April 20 ahead of the full album release. The rookie boy group’s first EP “Color Outside

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Latin American boy band Santos Bravos is aiming to move beyond regional recognition, positioning itself as a global act by blending Latin pop with K-pop’s training system and production model. Formed through a reality series under Hybe Latin America, the quintet — Drew, Alejandro, Kaue, Gabi and Kenneth — debuted in Mexico in October after undergoing K-pop-style training as part of Hybe’s “multihome, multigenre” strategy led by Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. Since its debut, Santos Bravos has drawn atte

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A Latin boy band appearing at HYBE Labels headquarters in the heart of Seoul would have seemed unlikely not long ago. For SANTOS BRAVOS, the moment underscores the company’s effort to expand the K-pop production model beyond Korea. The five-member group held a media event Friday at the label’s Yongsan headquarters, introducing itself to Korean press for the first time since debut. The appearance brings the act into the center of the Korean entertainment giant that created it, highlighting the company’s push to build regionally rooted groups beyond K-pop’s home. SANTOS BRAVOS debuted in October 2025 as HYBE’s first boy band under its Latin American branch, formed through a survival program that drew trainees from across Latin America, the United States and Europe. Comprising members from different backgrounds — Mexican-American Drew, Alejandro from Peru, Gabi from Puerto Rico, Kaue from Brazil and Kenneth from Mexico — the final lineup reflects a strategy aimed at building a pan-Latin identity. The group first gained attention through its debut showcase at Mexico City’s Au

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Global K-pop group BTS traded polished interviews for fiery chaos as they appeared on YouTube talk show “Hot Ones” Thursday, taking on progressively spicier chicken wings while fielding questions from host Sean Evans. The seven members started off composed, answering questions about their music and global success with the ease of seasoned performers. That didn’t last long. As the sauces got hotter, their reactions became harder to hide, with coughing, occasional shouting and calls for milk. “I can feel the spice coming,” Suga said, as the group passed level seven and reacted by rolling their tongues and shouting. J-Hope and Jin stood up and began “walking off” and “dancing out” the heat after taking a bite of level eight. Evans continued the interview with questions such as, “Who in the group is the best chef?” “Most likely to miss the tour bus because they’re still getting ready?” and “Least likely to make it to the final wing on ‘Hot Ones?’” The members took an ice cream break before moving on to the final two levels. “This should be prohibited by l

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BIGBANG will return to the global spotlight this weekend, taking the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival as the K-pop group begins what it is calling a 20th anniversary celebration that could lead into a wider world tour. The group is scheduled to perform Sunday and again on April 19 in Indio, California, appearing on the festival’s Outdoor Theatre stage for roughly 60 minutes each set, organizers said. The performances come as anticipation builds for the group’s first major festival appearance in years, with fans expecting a setlist that draws heavily from its catalogue of global hits, including “BANG BANG BANG,” “FANTASTIC BABY” and “WE LIKE 2 PARTY.” The K-pop group said in a statement that the Coachella appearance represents “a symbolic stage marking another beginning,” adding that it prepared the performance with a renewed sense of purpose and a focus on reconnecting with global audiences through music. The festival sets are widely viewed as a launch point for future international activity, including a potential global tour tied to the group’s

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Former NCT member Mark shared a message with fans as he reflected his career. “Today marks the 10th anniversary of my debut. I have been so grateful over the years, and I wanted to express my thanks once again,” he wrote in a message posted on a fan communication platform. He told fans that he has been wrapping things up and thinking about what comes next, while also letting them know that he has not been checking social media and has instead been hearing updates indirectly through close acquaintances. “I heard that fans have been sending support trucks with encouraging messages and posting kind hashtags on social media. When I heard that, I was touched,” he wrote. He expressed his determination to work hard and return, so he could repay the encouragement and affection his fans had shown him. The message also included an apology, as well as his affection for the group. “Once again, I apologize to Czennie and to everyone who went through hardship because of me,” Mark added. “I sincerely congratulate NCT on its 10th anniversary.” On March 3, SM Entertainment announced the term

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“My daughter passed away in 2022 at the age of 23. I never got to see the cherry blossoms with her. Hearing this song makes me cry because I miss her so much and want to see her again.” The comment was posted on the music video for sibling duo AKMU’s latest release, “Joy, Sorrow, A Beautiful Heart,” the title track from its fourth album, “Flowering.” It was one of many in which listeners shared their grief while also thanking the song for offering comfort. For many of them, the song has become a source of healing. AKMU unveiled the music video for “Joy, Sorrow, A Beautiful Heart” on YouTube on Tuesday. More than 5,300 comments have since been posted, many of them from listeners sharing their grief, personal struggles and the comfort the song brought them. “I’m about to begin treatment, and God knows how painful it will be this time,” one user wrote, identifying himself as a blood cancer patient in his 30s. “I was browsing YouTube to calm myself down when I accidentally came across this song. As I listen to it, my eyes fill with tears.” Some shared the sorrow of

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NCT announced its initiative to mark its tenth debut anniversary via its label SM Entertainment on Thursday. Under the catchphrase “Everything, All at Once, Neo,” the group signaled the launch of the project, starting with a new logo and a website listing a plan for the next year. A "Neo Ground" pop-up store to commemorate the milestone will run from May 15-23, and a “Neo Dimension” exhibition will be held in the third quarter. Subunits will keep charting their own paths: NCT 127 and Way V each

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Taemin of Shinee is ready to make his historic solo debut at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Saturday. He will take to the Mojave Stage at the festival held in California, US, as the first-ever Korean male solo performer. Acknowledging that he is feeling “honored and grateful” to be part of the lineup, the veteran musician told Jennifer Hudson on her show earlier this month: “There is a saying in Korea, ‘Big opportunities come three times in life’ … and this is one of them.” During t

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