Author: Denise Coley
Starship Entertainment’s newest girl group, KiiiKiii is set to debut soon even as the recent updates have heightened anticipation amongst fans. The updates follow the launching of the group’s Gen Z-inspired aesthetic social media accounts on February 10. Members & First magazine cover KiiiKiii group members were revealed in an MV release on February 16. The band comprises five talented members including Sui, Haum, Jiyu, Leesol, and Kya. Each member brings their unique charm and skills, adding to the excitement surrounding the group’s debut. KiiiKiii will also be appearing as ELLE Korea’s March issue further promoting the group on a…
In a major industry move, renowned Korean actor Kim Seon Ho has officially signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio. On March 1, Kim Seon Ho was confirmed to be the newest member of Fantagio entertainment agency. The ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ actor now joins Fantagio’s top actors including Ong Seong Wu and Cha Eun Woo. Fantagio, a well-established entertainment company known for nurturing top-tier talent, expressed enthusiasm over the new partnership. Kim Seo Ho is scheduled to appear at the ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’ Netflix series fan greeting event. The series is set for release on Netflix in the fourth quarter…
Big Ocean is breaking barriers and bringing a fresh breeze to the Hallyu wave. Big Ocean is K-Pop industry’s first deaf and hard-of-hearing band that has gained global accolades for its top-notch musical pieces and performances. KCrush America Magazine had a conversation with the talented trio to get to know them better. You all had different jobs before becoming Big Ocean. How did you meet and why the name ‘Big Ocean’? Chanyeon: Before debuting, we each had different paths—Hyunjin was a content creator raising awareness about hearing disabilities, I worked as an audiologist, and Jiseok was a competitive alpine skier.…
HYBE, BTS and SEVENTEEN’s agency, has announced plans to launch a U.S.-based boy group. The powerhouse is partnering with Grammy-winning producer Ryan Tedder and the reputable music executive Scooter Braun, who is also HYPE America’s CEO, marking HYBE’s global expansion stance. The upcoming boy group will be developed under HYBE America. The team will blend K-pop training system and Western music influences. Ryan Tedder, has worked with artists like Adele while Braun has worked with artists like Justin Bieber and CL. HYBE has had previous successful global collaborations. including with Universal Music Group. Collaborating on a U.S based boy group…
KAVE (케이브) is a powerhouse of musicians, producers, and visionaries redefining the Korean rock industry. The band is composed of singer-songwriter Gaho (vocals), Kekinu (drums), Jisang (guitar), Hyun (piano, keyboard), and Ownr (keyboard, DJ). KAVE blends rock, alternative, and electronic sounds with a strong emphasis on storytelling and visual artistry. The group which gained recognition as the production team behind Gaho’s solo work has stepped into the spotlight as performers, carving out a space of their own in the industry. In this exclusive interview, KAVE opens up about their creative journey and future ambitions. KAVE는 한국 록 산업을 재정의하는 뮤지션,…
Download & streaming links Music video GENIC, a seven-member dance and vocal pop group from Japan with a mixed male and female lineup, have released their fourth album ‘if’ on Wednesday, February 5. As the title suggests, the album embarks on a journey through a “what if” world through GENIC’s music, and is an entertaining collection of accessible “pop & cool” music that has become the group’s trademark. The album contains 14 songs, two of which were used as theme songs for TV drama series and two more from commercials starring the members of GENIC themselves, along with an additional…
Japanese musician TOMONARI SORA, known in Japan as the “Reiwa Era pop killer”, released new song ‘Bergamot’ on February 19. TOMONARI SORA / ‘Bergamot’ download and streaming links: https://tomonarisora.lnk.to/Bergamot The song’s lyrics, composition, arrangement, audio mix and jacket artwork were all created by SORA himself. As the latest song from SORA, who is nicknamed the “Rewa Era pop killer”, ‘Bergamot’ follows his previous viral hits including ‘Demons Banquet’ and ‘Niramekko’. This stylish pop tune boasts an unforgettable earworm melody, clever wordplay, a stylish sound and an arrangement filled with unexpected aural twists that will keep you listening to the very…
WATCH “zigy=zigy” MUSIC VIDEO HERE LISTEN TO “zigy=zigy” HERE Global girl group, cosmosy, officially launched their international career with the official release of their debut digital single, “zigy=zigy.” The track is available now on all major streaming platforms worldwide. The music video for cosmosy’s debut single, pre-released on December 31, 2024, surpassed 10 million views within just two weeks, marking a successful start for the group as part of the 6th generation of idols. cosmosy is a four member ensemble under the label Sony Music Entertainment Korea and management company NTT docomo Studio&Live. The group initially pre-debuted on December 31, 2024, and…
Snow Man – a nine-piece Japanese boyband whose members include leader Hikaru Iwamoto, Tatsuya Fukazawa, Raul, Shota Watanabe, Koji Mukai, Ryohei Abe, Ren Meguro, Ryota Miyadate and Daisuke Sakuma – released their first ever greatest hits album, ‘THE BEST 2020 – 2025’, on January 22, marking the fifth anniversary of their debut. ‘THE BEST 2020 – 2025’ sold over 1.1 million copies on its first day on sale, topping the Oricon Daily Album Ranking chart for January 21, 2025. Its first-week sales hit 1,395,000 copies, setting a new record for the highest first-week sales of Japan’s Reiwa Era (which began…
The Philippines’ Pop Powerhouse Drops Heart-Fluttering New Single “Blink Twice” (Photo Credit: ABS-CBN Music) LISTEN TO “BLINK TWICE” HERE WATCH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO HERE Philippines’ record-breaking girl group, BINI, is back with their highly anticipated single, “Blink Twice,” now available on all major streaming platforms. Their previous single, “Cherry On Top,” amassed over 100 million combined global audio/video streams, demonstrating the group’s growing popularity. The Philippines is emerging as the newest frontier in “Asian pop,” with the octet standing as pioneers of the rapidly rising genre. Boasting over one billion streams, they have proven their popularity in the international space…
South Korean actress Kim Sae Ron, widely recognized for her role in Netflix’s Bloodhounds, tragically passed away on February 16 at the age of 24. Kim was found at her residence in Seoul, after a close acquaintance alerted authorities. Initial investigations indicate no signs of foul play. While no note was discovered, officials presumed that her death was suicide. Kim Sae Ron captivated audiences from a young age with standout performances in A Brand New Life (2009) and The Man from Nowhere (2010). Her transition to adult roles, particularly in Bloodhounds, cemented her place in the Korean entertainment industry. Despite…
IVE girl band’s agency, Starship Entertainment, is gearing up to launch its latest girl group. 4 years since the successful debut of IVE girl band, Starship Entertainment is planning to make another successful venture with the debut of a new girl group, KiiiKiii. On February 10, the new girl group rumors were confirmed after KiiiKiii official accounts were launched on various social media platforms. In addition to the launched accounts, teaser images are being posted with concepts of ‘gems’ and ‘glitter’ fused with happiness and fun vibes. According to the vibe in the posted images and video clips, fans speculate…
‘SMTOWN LIVE 2025 [The Culture, The Future]’ is heading to Los Angeles and London and the artist lineup is out. As SM Entertainment continues celebrating its 30th anniversary, the powerhouse agency is expanding its anniversary event beyond Korea. On February 14, the agency revealed the artist lineup for the Los Angeles leg. The LA event is scheduled to take place on May 11 in Dignity Health Sports Park and will feature artists like SHINee’s Key and Minho, SUPER JUNIOR, and EXO’s Chanyeol among others. As for London’s ‘SMTOWN LIVE 2025 [The Culture, The Future]’ event, only part of the artist…
ONEWE, an alternative rock boy band, has announced the dates for their 1st world tour. Six years after its debut, ONEWE is finally taking a leap to connect with its fans one-on-one. The band is scheduled to kick off the tour in Vietnam, then North America, before closing the curtains in Seoul, South Korea. Although the Vietnam dates are yet to be released, the official dates for the North American leg are out. The North American leg is scheduled to run from early April to early May 2025. The tour will start in Orlando in April, with performances in other…
‘Forbidden Fairytale’ K-movie is a 2025 South Korean romantic comedy film that centers on a woman aspiring to become a children’s book author but unexpectedly finds herself writing adult web novels. Yun Dan Bi (Park Ji Hyun) dreams of becoming a children’s book author but works as a public officer in the Youth Protection Team and is responsible for monitoring and regulating adult content. Her life takes an unforeseen turn when she accidentally damages Hwang Chang Seop (Sung Dong Il)’s car. Chang Seop is the CEO of an adult web novel publishing company and to repay the debt, Dan Bi…
‘Study Group’ K-drama follows the journey of Yoon Ga-min, a student at Yusung Technical High School, as he struggles to achieve academic success despite his school’s poor reputation. Adapted from the popular webtoon of the same name by Shin Hyung Wook, the series blends action, drama, and youth-oriented themes, making it an anticipated K-drama for fans of school-based narratives. Yoon Ga Min is a dedicated student with big dreams of getting into university. However, despite his studious nature, his grades don’t reflect his efforts. Nonetheless, Ga-min is highly skilled in fighting – a skill that becomes crucial in navigating the…
The East Light was a South Korean band under Media Line Entertainment and debuted in November 2016 with the “Holla” single. The group comprised 6 members including Lee Seokcheol, Lee Seunghyun, Jung Sagang, Lee Eunsung, Kim Junwook, and Lee Woojin. Known for their youthful energy and musical prowess, The East Light quickly garnered attention in the K-pop scene becoming a K-pop sensation band. Debut & Early Success: Upon their debut, The East Light showcased a unique blend of pop and rock elements, setting them apart from typical idol groups. Given the members ‘ young ages, their musicality and live performances…
Dubbed “Korea’s Lady Gaga”, South Korean singer Anda (안다) made waves in the K-pop industry with her unique sound and bold image. From her early debut to joining YG Entertainment’s subsidiary YGX, Anda’s career was filled with promise. However, after a period of inactivity, she stepped away from the industry—only to make an exciting return with a new single, a new chapter in her personal life, and a fresh start in music. So, where is Anda now? Let’s take a look at her journey. Debut and Rise: Anda first debuted in 2012 as Andamiro under Trophy Entertainment with the “Don’t…
The highly anticipated Asian festival is returning to LA with a packed line-up of global stars. BIGBANG’s G-dragon and the legendary 2NE1 girl band will grace the event. The event will also mark the organizer’s 88rising 10th anniversary. 88rising announced the festival’s line-up with the festival scheduled to take place on May 31 and June 1 at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California. Some of the other performing artists include DEAN, Rich Brian, Milli, DPR Ian, Youha, and Higher Brothers. The Head in the Clouds Festival 2025 Tickets are on sale on the HTIC festival website. —-Karen Mwenda #HeadInTheCloudsFestival2025 #HTICFestival…
As of February 2025, the K-pop industry has delivered global hits that have captivated audiences worldwide. Here are the top 10 most streamed K-pop songs of 2025 so far: 1. “APT.” – Rosé & Bruno Mars Released in late 2024, “APT.” has maintained its momentum into 2025, becoming a massive commercial success globally. The song surpassed 100 million streams just days after release and surpassed over a billion streams in January 2025 2. “Home Sweet Home” – G-Dragon ft. Taeyang & Daesung “Home Sweet Home”, a collaboration track by BIGBANG members has resonated deeply with fans and also secured position…