Author: Samar Khouri

K-pop boy group CIX and EXO member Chen are among the artists set to perform in Dubai on April 11, marking the opening of Korea 360—a Hallyu business-promoting center in the city. Star-studded lineup Titled ‘Korea 360 K-POP Concert,’ it will also feature South Korean singer-songwriter Gaho, known for his powerful vocals and K-drama OSTs such as ‘Start Over’ from ‘Itaewon Class’ and ‘Running’ from ‘Start-up.’ The four members of CIX, who recently made a comeback with their seventh EP, ‘Thunder Fever,’ will bring their signature high-energy performances to the stage. Emerging group RED C will also make their debut…

​Jennie, member of the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, embarked on a solo journey with the release of her debut album, ‘Ruby,’ on March 7. This album marks a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her versatility and artistic depth.​ Musical composition and collaborations Ruby is a 15-track collection that melds pop, hip-hop, and R&B genres. The album features collaborations with prominent artists, including Childish Gambino, Doechii, Dominic Fike, FKJ, Dua Lipa, and Kali Uchis. Notably, Jennie co-wrote and co-produced the album alongside talents like El Guincho, Diplo, and Mike WiLL Made-It. The album opens with “Intro: JANE with FKJ,” a…

The Seoul Central District Court has ruled against K-pop girl group NewJeans, rejecting the members’ attempt to cut ties with their label, ADOR, and pursue independent activities. Court’s injunction The court stated that if the group—now referring to themselves as NJZ—unilaterally terminated its exclusive contract and changed its name, HYBE’s subsidiary ADOR would suffer “significant damages.” The court further noted that such actions would “severely damage not only the brand value of NewJeans but also ADOR’s reputation as a management company,” it said, citing AFP. NewJeans is one of HYBE’s most successful acts; it sold 3 million albums in 2024,…

Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT has put a new spin on Rihanna’s iconic 2007 hit ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ with their new single ‘DSTM,’ blending rap, melodic hooks, and smooth hip-hop for a fresh reinterpretation. Produced by Stargate, the legendary team behind Rihanna’s original version, ‘DSTM’ brings together global talents, including up-and-coming American songwriters, to inject new life into a classic. Stargate, known for shaping the sound of modern R&B, infuses the track with a forward-looking flair while honoring the essence of the original. “When the guys in One Or Eight wanted to do a remake of our Rihanna song ‘Don’t…

Korean R&B singer-songwriter Min Jiwoon dropped her third single ‘If You Were The Rain’ featuring singer-rapper Crush on March 17. The R&B-pop track captures the longing for someone through the metaphor of falling rain. Min Jiwoon’s emotional delivery paired with Crush’s captivating vocals, brings out the song’s delicate and intricate emotions. Min Jiwoon contributed to both the songwriting and composition, just as she has in her previous singles, and collaborated with producer haventseenyou and singer-songwriter Ziyoon. Crush also participated in the lyrics, composition, and arrangement of the song. She is the first artist under KRUCIALIZE, SM Entertainment’s contemporary R&B label.…

Actor Kim Soo-hyun has denied allegations that he dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage. His agency, Gold Medalist, clarified that the two were in a relationship from the summer of 2019, after Kim Sae-ron turned 18, until fall 2020. The statement came earlier than expected due to the actor’s “immense mental pressure” and to prevent further harm to Kim Sae-ron’s reputation. The controversy began when a YouTube channel, Hoverlab, claimed the two had been involved since Kim Sae-ron was 15. Gold Medalist refuted the claims, stating all photos of the two together were taken after Kim…

Park Bo-gum and IU’s series ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ landed fourth on Netflix’s global non-English TV chart with 3.6 million views, the streaming platform revealed in its weekly top 10 tally between March 3 and 9, 2025. Non-English TV ranking Premiered on March 7 with four episodes, the limited series also registered 13.9 million hours of viewing time globally. ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ ranked in the top 10 TV list in 24 countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. It was the most-watched title in South Korea, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. Another South Korean…

Felix of K-pop boy group Stray Kids made a stylish return to the runway at Paris Fashion Week, walking in Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2025 womenswear show. The 24-year-old Australian-born rapper revived his signature platinum blonde hair, complementing his striking ensemble—a textured black-and-white sweater paired with brown-and-gold checkered plaid trousers. He completed the look with a navy-and-blue bag featuring an orange satchel, a braided belt, and sneakers, effortlessly showcasing his cool style. Louis Vuitton’s womenswear artistic director, Nicolas Ghesquière, presented Monday’s show against a stunning Parisian train station-inspired backdrop by set designer Es Devlin. The collection showcased technical outerwear, ruffled gowns,…

South Korean singer-songwriter Choi Whee-sung, known as Wheesung or Realslow, was found deceased in his Seoul residence on March 10, 2025, Yonhap News Agency (YNA) reported, citing police. Emergency responders arrived at the 43-year-old R&B singer’s apartment in Gwangjin District around 6:29 PM KST after his mother, who resides in the same building, called for help, according to local media reports. Authorities reported that a significant amount of time had passed before his body was discovered. They found no signs of foul play or forced entry. The cause of death is currently under investigation, with overdose and suicide being considered.…

The global influence of K-pop is undeniable, and 2024 has once again proven that the genre continues to set records in the music industry. The IFPI Global Album Sales Chart 2024, which ranks the best-selling albums worldwide based on physical sales and full album downloads, highlights the dominance of K-pop acts—especially girl groups. This year, five K-pop girl groups secured spots in the top 20, cementing their positions as some of the most influential artists in the world today. With continued record-breaking sales, sold-out stadium tours, and innovative musical concepts, K-pop girl groups are rewriting the rules of the global…