K-Pop Journalist. Online Editor.
TikTok is holding an online K-Pop concert live from Seoul this week. ‘TikTok Stage Live From Seoul’ concert features a star-studded line-up that includes Apink, Monsta X, iKON, Kard, AKMU, Kang Daniel, Oh My Girl, CIX and Cravity. Not only will it be the first …
K-Pop bands continue to drop new high-quality music to keep fans entertained during this time when it’s needed the most. Yet, only a couple of albums and songs charted high on the UAE iTunes charts from last week’s comebacks. Here are some top releases in …
The global pandemic continues to take a financial blow on the K-Pop industry and put a temporary end to live performances.
Artists have taken alternative routes, from holding their own virtual live concerts to releasing new music for global fans stuck at home.
Much to the delight of their fandom worldwide, a number of artists have been dropping exciting comeback announcements and new music. From last week’s star-studded line-up, here are the top picks recommended to add to your K-Pop playlist.
Last Monday, NU’EST took over the K-Pop music scene with EP ‘The Nocturne’ and title track ‘I’m in Trouble’, seven months after dropping ‘The Table’. The quintet showcased a more mature style change from their previous uplifting sound, offering a new perspective on love.
“The album focuses on “nightfall,” a moment that everyone encounters daily, when more honest emotions arise. The album unravels various aspects of the night, by realistically expressing emotions that many can relate to,” read a YouTube post under the group’s ‘I’m in Trouble’ music video. “Instead of portraying ‘nocturne’ through the usual sentimental and gloomy mood, NU’EST uses various colours to express their emotions, illustrating “nocturne” as a song of the night”.”
Containing six tracks, their eighth EP was a success in Korea and seemed to be a local fan favourite as it climbed to the top of the iTunes albums chart in the UAE and in 12 other countries.
The rock band continued their ‘The Book of Us’ album series with their latest musical offering. Fronted by title track ‘Zombie’, the eight-track EP ‘The Book of Us: The Demon’ was slightly darker than its predecessors, exploring the story of sentimental imbalance a demon can cause in one’s life.
Before its release last Monday, Day6 decided to temporarily halt all team activities and album promotions to focus on their mental well-being after some members were showing symptoms of psychological anxiety, JYP Entertainment confirmed.
The group — consisting of leader and guitarist Sungjin, guitarist Jae, keyboardist Wonpil. bassist Young K and drummer Dowoon — are focusing on getting sufficient rest after medical examination.
Last Wednesday, Chanyeol from boy group sensation EXO and rising DJ/producer Raiden collaborated on genre-crossing single ‘Yours’ with the help of soloist Lee Hi and rapper Changmo.
Featuring funky guitar and retro synth-pop sounds, the disco-style R’n’B collaborative number captivated fans with the synergy of the quartet coming from various sonic styles, leading to becoming a hit in Korea and globally.
The feel-good song about the lingering feeling after a break-up topped the iTunes songs chart in countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, the Philippines, Oman and Malaysia and was a success in Korea.
It’s Raiden’s third collaboration with K-Pop artists, having previously collaborated with Red Velvet’s Irene and Girls’ Generation’s Yuri.
BVNDIT, an acronym for ‘Be Ambitious and Do It’, returned confident as ever with their EP ‘Carnival’ fronted by title track ‘Jungle’, declaring they are the queens in the jungle.
Their tropical-themed comeback was also a fan favourite, seen from some of their tracks’ ranking on the UAE songs iTunes chart. On Wednesday, the rookie girl group’s powerful tracks ‘Come and Get It’, ‘Jungle’ and ‘Carnival’ ranked in the top 10 on the UAE iTunes all-genre songs chart, proving to be the next K-Pop group to look out for.
Just in time for springtime, BOL4’s Ahn Ji Young dropped her five-track EP and title track ‘Hug’ co-composed and written by the singer-songstress herself. Just ahead of its release, she dropped a pre-release single ‘Leo’ featuring EXO’s Baekhyun.
Part of BOL4’s ‘Puberty Book’ that delves into the various emotions of the youth especially that of love, the newest instalment is the first release as a soloist following the departure of her former bandmate and guitarist Woo Ji Yoon last month.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
K-Pop groups Astro, B.I.G, IMFACT, April, Dongkiz, and D-Crunch sent messages of support and wished local fans a Ramadan Kareem. On April 28, the Korean Cultural Center in the UAE (KCC) began releasing personal videos of each K-Pop group relaying positivity and warm wishes during …
NCT Dream is ‘Ridin’ on a new path with comeback EP ‘Reload’. On April 29, SM Entertainment’s teenage boy band made their much-awaited last comeback as a six-member group. Fronted by the energetic, urban-trap track, ‘Ridin’, with a message of determination and passion, the EP …
Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi are all set to release music as subunit for the first time.
SM Entertainment reportedly confirmed the news, revealing the preparation of their debut unit album while a release date is yet to be revealed once the album is finalised.
The duo are the first Red Velvet members to join as a subunit during their six-year career run.
Before formally launching as members of the K-Pop girl group, the duo worked together as a pair when they were introduced with a video performance of S.E.S’s ‘Be Natural’ together through the company’s pre-debut training team, ‘SM Rookies’ under the name SR14G .
Signed under SM Entertainment, Seulgi and Irene have been Red Velvet members since 2014.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
GOT7 charted high on the UAE iTunes chart with their latest comeback once again. Last Monday, JYP Entertainment’s talented septet hit the music scene with brand new EP, ‘Dye’, showcasing a whole new style with their romanticism, medieval ballad concept. As expected, it took local …
Wonho will now officially continue his K-Pop career under Starship Entertainment’s subsidiary label. On April 10, it was confirmed that former Monsta X member signed an exclusive contract with Highline Entertainment — home to artists like DJ Soda, Dress, and PLUMA — and will debut …
UP10TION’s Jinhoo will not be joining his bandmates in the preparation for their upcoming album to focus on his health.
His label TOP Media announced that the K-Pop band will move forward as a seven-member group after much discussion with the singer himself and the members.
Kuhn, Bitto, Sunyoul, Kogyeol, Hwanhee, Xiao and Gyujin are preparing for a summer comeback following the release of their last EP, ‘The Moment of Illusion’
Initially, a 10-member group, UP10TION has actively promoting with eight members. Lee Jin-hyuk and Kim Woo-seok were contestants on Mnet’s 2019 reality competition ‘Produce X 101’ that formed the project boy group X1.
Kim was a member of the act since its disbandment earlier this year after the show was involved in vote-rigging allegations. He is reportedly set to drop solo music and make his acting debut soon while Lee already debuted as a soloist and is starring in a TV drama.
Client: Gulf News tabloid!
At unprecedented times like these, it’s necessary to keep active and moving while indoors. K-Pop artists have been keeping busy: From working on new music to initiating dance challenges of their songs on TikTok and social media. So far, these names have put up dance …