Unpacking Jennie’s ‘Ruby’: A Dive Into Her Bold New Sound— And Its MENA Impact

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.…

R&B Singer Min Jiwoon Teams Up With Crush For New Single

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…

March 19, 20250Comments

BySamar Khouri

Celebs

IWD: K-Pop Acts With The Best-Selling Albums Of 2024

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,…

March 8, 20250Comments

BySamar Khouri

Music

Lisa Unleashes Her ‘Alter Ego’ In Debut Album

Lisa, the lead rapper and main dancer of K-pop group BLACKPINK, released her highly anticipated first full-length solo album, 'Alter Ego’ and the official music video for ‘FXCK UP THE WORLD (Vixi Solo Version).' Debut album Released on February 28, 'Alter Ego’ is a conceptually rich album where the 27-year-old artist explores five distinct alter…

March 5, 20250Comments

BySamar Khouri

Music

Inside ZEROBASEONE’s EP ‘Blue Paradise’ And How It Peformed In Middle East

ZEROBASEONE has released its fifth mini-album, 'BLUE PARADISE,' marking the second chapter in its 'Paradise' series, following the release of EP 'CINEMA PARADISE' in 2024. 'Blue Paradise' EP The title track, ‘Blue,’ is an alternative pop dance song that explores the theme of bittersweet, fated love, capturing both the beauty and the complexity of such…

February 25, 20250Comments

BySamar Khouri

Events

K.Will, Gummy To Perform In Dubai

Renowned singers Gummy and K.Will will perform in Dubai as part of the ongoing 2024 Korea Season event this weekend in the lead-up to the opening of Korea360, a center for promoting Korean culture and products. Event details The cultural event, titled 'Korea Season in Korea 360,' will be hosted by the Ministry of…

February 19, 20250Comments

BySamar Khouri

Music

G-Dragon Announces New Album In Nearly 12 Years & 2025 World Tour

G-Dragon has announced his upcoming album Übermensch, set to be released on February 25 through Galaxy Corporation in partnership with the independent record label EMPIRE. New album The album will include eight tracks, including pre-released titles 'POWER' and 'HOME SWEET HOME - (feat. TAEYANG & DAESUNG).' "Übermensch’ means 'Beyond-Man,' representing an individual who transcends themselves.…

February 10, 20250Comments

BySamar Khouri

Business

SM Entertainment Reaches $185.2M In Q4 2024 Revenue, Boosted By Concert Tours & Merchandise

SM Entertainment, the South Korean entertainment giant behind K-pop groups like EXO, aespa, and SHINee, reported a 9% increase in its consolidated revenue for Q4 of 2024, reaching $185.2 million, compared to the same period last year. Fourth-quarter earnings The revenue boost was primarily attributed to a surge in concert income, increased merchandise and licensing…

February 10, 20250Comments

BySamar Khouri

Music

BLACKPINK’s Lisa Taps Doja Cat & RAYE For Single ‘Born Again’

BLACKPINK singer and rapper Lisa has released her much-anticipated single 'Born Again,' featuring Doja Cat and RAYE, continuing the themes of empowerment and freedom from her previous track 'New Woman.' Cross-cultural collaboration Released through RCA Records and her own management company LLOUD CO., the energetic pop, empowering banger explores post-breakup clarity, with religious imagery symbolizing…

February 7, 20250Comments

BySamar Khouri

Celebs

MENA’s Top K-Pop Artists And Songs In 2024

The year 2024 witnessed a set of trends, moments, and movements that redefined and reshaped the global music scene, including in the K-pop industry. Here’s a look at the most popular artists and songs in the MENA region last year, based on 2024 data from music charts and audio streaming platforms. Spotify: MENA's top…

January 27, 20250Comments

BySamar Khouri