K-Pop
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Celebrating a milestone 10 years together as a group in July 2023, no one can deny BTS’ impact on not just K-pop, not just pop, but on music as a whole. With members of ARMY (the name of their loyal fanbase) stationed all over the world, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook have […]
06/12/2023
Just in time for BTS’ 10th anniversary, here’s a look back at the history-making K-pop group’s decade-long career.
06/12/2023
Skyscrapers, bridges and other landmarks in South Korea’s capital will be lit up in purple on Monday (June 12) as the country begins celebrating the 10th anniversary of K-pop band BTS, whose global popularity is a source of national pride.
The lights will provide the backdrop for various social media-driven events marking the 2013 debut of the seven-member group, which is now taking a hiatus as its singers begin to serve their mandatory military duties.
From Monday evening, numerous Seoul structures, including City Hall, the 123-story Lotte World Tower, several Han River bridges, and the futuristic DDP – a Zaha Hadid-designed aluminum and concrete dome that’s often used for visual art – will be bathed in purple, a color associated with BTS, according to city officials and the group’s management company, Hybe.
Messages congratulating BTS were displayed on digital screens in buildings across Seoul, while postal authorities issued stamps marking the group’s anniversary, which will be available at post offices starting Tuesday.
Seoul officials hope that the celebrations, which will continue for around two weeks, will boost tourism. The city has designated more than a dozen sites associated with BTS, including places where the group held major performances or shot some of their famous videos.
Fireworks are planned at a park near the Han River on Saturday night, hours after one of the BTS singers, RM, holds a live talk with fans that will be broadcast online.
Quickly garnering huge followings in Asia following their debut, BTS’ popularity expanded across the globe with their 2020 megahit “Dynamite,” the band’s first all-English song that made it the first K-pop act to top Billboard’s Hot 100. BTS has since performed in sold-out arenas around the world and was invited to speak at United Nations meetings, supported by a legion of global followers who call themselves the “Army.”
BTS’ activities as a full group are currently on hold as the artists begin to serve in the military. Two BTS singers – Jin and J-Hope – have already started their compulsory 18-month service and other members are to follow in coming months, which likely means the group will reconvene around 2025.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in uniform 18-21 months under a system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.
2023 is shaping up to be a busy year for the girls of aespa. Following the May release of the K-pop group’s third mini album, My World, the quartet — consisting of Karina, Giselle, Ningning and Winter — announced its first ever global tour, which will see them making stops across the United States, Latin […]
Aespa is gearing up to take the stage at New York City’s Governors Ball music festival this weekend, and they kicked off the fun over at Yankees Stadium. Three members of the superstar K-pop group took the mound at the New York Yankees game against the Chicago White Sox on Friday night (June 9) to […]
Kang Daniel‘s last trip to the U.S. took place in February 2020, just as COVID-19 concerns were truly taking hold worldwide and would soon put live-music experiences on hold for the foreseeable future. The K-pop superstar was preparing the second EP of his solo career—one of his four color-themed EPs he released from 2019-2021—sharing that there was “so much [he] prepared this year to show people.” Even if a global pandemic slowed travel, it didn’t affect the star’s ambition.
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Daniel pushed on into more music, acting and hosting these past years while balancing duties as CEO of his KONNECT Entertainment. Only in 2023 was he able to finally come back stateside with a show that finally saw his long-awaited concert dreams coming true.
“It might sound a little silly, but when you lose something you understand how precious it is, right?” Daniel says during some downtime after touring the Empire State Building in New York. “For me, it was the performances and my shows. I really wanted to do a tour and I really wanted to get to my fans overseas.”
After releasing his first full-length album, The Story, and touring it through North America, Europe and Asia on his First Parade world tour, Daniel kickstarted a new era with the surprise, Mad Max-esque “Prequel” trailer that showcased a cinematic story as a backdrop to the K-pop star’s upcoming album. Combining his music with an epic, blockbuster production is another example of the ambitious, multifaceted artist he strives to not only be in the K-pop industry but recognized as such around the world.
“There’s a long history of pop culture and such diverse performances and shows in the U.S.,” he explains. “Everybody knows it all over the world. I want to be recognized as an artist through my shows in the U.S.”
After finally bringing his shows to America and beyond, Kang Daniel’s forthcoming album REALIEZ drops on June 19. Led by his first original English solo single, “Wasteland,” and its intensely eerie “Music Sequence” visual, the superstar’s ambition and goals seem on track to be recognized by his biggest audience ever. Read on for more from Kang Daniel on “Wasteland,” his reflections from his world tour, his personal advice and more.
Congratulations on the release of “Wasteland” ahead of your REALIEZ album. Why was this the right song to start your new era?
I think “Wasteland” is a song that expresses the betrayal of a firm faith and the moment of realizing it. The lyrics are all in English, signaling the beginning of a new narrative to more people and it seems that people can be more immersed in the cinematic concept, so it was released as a pre-release single.
This is your first music since your First Parade world tour that hit Europe, the U.K and U.S. Going back for a moment, tell me about your mindset when you were touring the States for the first time as a soloist?
The most important thought I had was, “I must do a show.” In my career as an artist, the most important part is being on the stage because that’s where I belong, that’s where I have the most fun and I want to share that with my fans. So, I’m very excited to have been in the US, we visited a lot of cities across the nation and it required a lot of preparation internally and for my stages as well. And it’s not only about the tour, but I get to explore these new cities and I get inspiration from that.
Do you like exploring the different cities or do you need to rest at hotels during touring?
I love to explore new places. For example, after checking into the hotel [in New York], I just went out by myself—went to a local restaurant and had dinner. Nowadays, I’m really into workouts so the gym is where I spend most of my time. So it’s like, “Okay: explore then workout.” Balance.
The tour centers around your first full-length album, The Story. Before officially moving from that era to REALIEZ, how do you reflect on such a significant project?
I think: “Finally, I was able to publish my first full-length album.” You know, it’s something we can hold onto as an artist; it’s a lifetime experience. For some artists, it might take, like, up to 10 years, right? But for me, since my debut, since I started collecting the music even, I really wanted to do, and just the fact that I was able to have my own [full-length] album in my lifetime was meaningful enough.
A title like “The Story” reaches very wide. What does it mean to you and does it still hold the same meaning as when you first titled the album?
When I had to come up with a title, I had a lot of pressure and I had to give a lot of thought to it because it’s almost like a collection of different dramas, with various genres, like, “How am I supposed to put everything into one word?” And in terms of genres, we describe it as “various,” but we can also say it’s kind of all over the place at the same time. So I just thought, “Okay, so far the life I’ve lived, and the music I’ve listened to, and it all comes into the word ‘story.’” it’s the story that I can share with my other fans and it’s just another story I can share with everybody and I story that I can love. And that meaning has stayed true even now.
There are some great lyrics to songs you wrote for The Story. “Parade” feels like a mature and empowered mindset behind it. What’s the s sentiment behind these lyrics?
So, you mentioned the word mindset and I just wanted to express [myself], not in an overly expressive manner but calmly. I mean, people might think I have a special life just because I’m an artist but I’m just a human being like other people, you know? So, rather than working so hard to come up with “cool lyrics,” I just wanted to be honest with my feelings.
People can work all through the night and when you see the sunrise, you know, “Oh, yes, I’ve worked really hard,” and then you go back home. That’s the feeling that I wanted to share.
That’s your vibe, I think—larger than life on stage or on camera but humble and friendly in person. So, what’s the meaning behind a song like “Loser” where you’re almost speaking to yourself like a main character in a movie?
When I was young, I didn’t have a lot of friends, and once you fight with one of your closest friends, you don’t have anyone else to play with, you know what I mean? You can play with other friends, but they’re not the same. Even if you go to the playground or play games, something is missing. So, in the song, I am the main character per se, and I wanted to look back at it as an adult. Childhood is also still part of your story.
The lyrics in “How We Live” featuring sokodomo are really powerful. Where or from what experience did that inspiration come?
Beer pong. [Laughs] So, the behind-the-scenes story is kind of based on conversations I had that night over drinks had with friends You know, if you’re watching people play beer pong at an Irish bar—some people are drunk, some are throwing up, but they’re all ultimately fine and it’s just their life. But I think the story’s point is that I fell asleep while my friends were drinking, but I woke up because they were so loud. I was like, “Hey, stop…” and they told me, “It’s not that bad, just have your drink.” Just trust yourself; trust your situation.
“Parade” was the name of the world tour, and to me is like an anthem for all individuals, freaks, losers, all kinds of people. You say, “Leave us alone and we’ll be fine.” Was that the idea you wanted to base the tour around?
The lyrics of “Parade” have a deep connection to my life. For me, happiness is the most important, and work, money and life are all separate. But in Asia, and especially Korea, everyone is overworked—I have to overwork myself too sometimes—and it’s not like you get paid overtime. There’s not really overtime [in Korea] but there’s so much pressure. So, you have to finish your work even if they don’t pay you extra and sometimes I’m like, “What the heck? You know what, it’s not that important.” It’s my life and it’s not my life to just work…happiness is what’s important and rather than trying to convince people by a basic message, I just wanted to give them a suggestion. So how about this [“Parade” theme]? That’s why the music video is in an office.
You re-released the album as The Story : RETOLD with the new single “Nirvana.” What does that word mean to you?
Kurt Cobain. [Laughs] Yeah, Kurt Cobain because Nirvana is one of my favorite rock bands. When I was working on the track, I tried other words on the topline, but nothing really worked out. And “Nirvana” really fit well. But once I said, “Okay, this is going to be the title” then I finished the rest of the song.
What’s your favorite Nirvana song?
“Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Classic.
You’ve done a lot of great collaborations recently: Jessi, pH-1, Chancellor, 220 KID and Willim. What do you look for in a collaborator these days?
I guess you are kind of asking about the motivation, but I’m not really sure. It’s not about the outcome that I’m looking for, but I just enjoy the process—it’s fun. For example, Jesse, I, her let’s together, you know, and K one was recommended by the team. And then I was like, “Okay, it’s a good fit and I wanted to give it a try.” So, in terms of collaboration, the most important thing is that I need to have fun. Yeah. And when I’m having fun, the song comes out really nice. So, I’m not looking to have a big plan of “I’m gonna show this part” or “I want to do this concept with this person,” it’s the fun during the process and the song itself.
You’ve also been doing so many things beyond music lately, like acting, your first Japanese release, and hosting shows as the MC. Was there any big lesson you took from the opportunities?
Actually, I learned a lot from those experiences, so it’s not possible to take one word or lesson to describe what I learned, but I think the main keywords are about diversity within myself. Take, for example, this table, I only used to see the top part of it, but now I can also see the legs and the other parts of it. So I can apply that to my music. I was working on my new album and it was really fun. I haven’t said this yet, but I think a lot of people are really going to like it.
What can you tell us about the new album REALIEZ that we haven’t seen yet through “Wasteland”?
The album is about the process of realizing the truth hidden in lies on the theme of a dystopian world in a cinematic form. There are a total five songs, including “Wasteland,” in this album and it’s a story of gaining enlightenment through uncovering truth from lies and a story about the realization to face our whole self. Depending on the listener, different endings can be imagined, so, I’m looking forward to it.
Your KONNECT Entertainment has grown greatly since you last visited America with several great artists signed. I always ask K-pop company CEOs if they have professional plans or any reflections on their artists.
So, I don’t take care of their schedules, but when they need help, I try to set up a separate meeting with them so that I can refer somebody they need or make sure they have better connections. I’ve been having planning conversations with different companies and collaborators, some that are unexpected.
To wrap up, I always really admire your mindset, and you seem in a good place right now. Do you have any words for those who may be having a tough time or how to keep yourself physically, mentally and emotionally healthy?
Oh, thank you. Emotionally, let’s say, we don’t really know what’s behind the door until we open it. I’ve been in that place in my dark times and, actually, what scares us is not what’s behind the door, but it’s the action we have to take to open the door, you know? Because once we open it, there’s nothing really scary or severe. And I really hope it’s the same for everybody else, but happiness is ultimately most important, and that’s what I want to share most.
ENHYPEN‘s series of albums have detailed the septet’s road to becoming an arena-filling boy band with four entries on the Billboard 200 after just two-and-a-half years together. The results speak to the connection the K-pop stars have made with fans, inspiring a magical musical experience for their latest release.
Instead of taking direct inspiration from their professional and personal lives, the K-pop stars to watch used inspiration from meeting their fans—affectionately known as ENGENEs—during their Manifesto World Tour to deliver an elevated emotional experience for DARK BLOOD, which entered World Albums at No. 14 last week and is expected to make a major splash on the Billboard 200 next week after the physical album dropped last Friday, June 2.
“While our previous albums were largely influenced by our personal experiences, DARK BLOOD takes our experience and emotions of having met our fans in person through our tour a step further by incorporating fantasy-like elements to enhance the enjoyment of ENGENEs and listeners alike,” explains group leader Jungwon.
The six-song EP takes inspiration from ENHYPEN’s fantasy novel/webtoon series DARK MOON : THE BLOOD ALTAR, which stars vampire characters inspired by the seven group members. Described in a press release as “a new roadmap for K-pop,” DARK BLOOD rolls ENHYPEN’s growing creative world and IP into its musical, visual and dance world.
“It’s truly a delight to see ENGENEs fully immersed in DARK MOON : THE BLOOD ALTAR and genuinely enjoying the story,” Jake reflects. “With many connections between the webtoon and our album, paying attention to these aspects will definitely make the listening experience more fun.”
Sunoo adds, “Seeing characters based on ourselves was really cool, and it felt like we’re the actual characters in the webtoon. This kind of experience doesn’t come around often, so it’s been a fun and refreshing opportunity for us to connect it to our album and bring something new.”
As new of an experience DARK BLOOD marks for ENHYPEN’s career, the band is also taking the time to remember where they began.
To celebrate the EP’s release, ENHYPEN held a “special showcase” concert for fans in Seoul, where they performed “Into the I-Land,” the theme song of the boy band competition show I-Land that ultimately created the group. Alongside their new single “Bite Me,” plus tracks “Bills” and “Karma,” the performance acted as a reminder that ENHYPEN is as thankful for the ENGENEs with them from the start as those with them today.
“It was a very special performance that served as a reminder for all of us to stay grounded and never forget where we all started,” Ni-ki says before Sunghoon adds, “We knew how much our ENGENEs wanted to see this song performed live, so we especially prepared it just for them; kind of like our way of saying ‘thank you.’”
ENHYPEN will continue to pay it back to fans when they head out on their upcoming FATE World Tour, kicking off next month in Seoul before landing Stateside in October. In the meantime, the guys tell Billboard that they’re hard at work prepping their biggest show yet while also keeping an eye on which songs fans are using across their accounts.”
“I’m on social channels pretty often so I really enjoy seeing how our music is received by the wider audience as well as our fans,” Jake says. “It’s fun and rewarding to watch our fans take part in our challenges or use our music to create their own content.”
Ni-ki is sure to mention that “We are set to begin our second world tour ‘FATE’ this coming July with shows in Seoul and we will be continuing to Japan to host dome concerts an’s full d our U.S. leg includes a stadium venue, so we’re very much looking forward to meeting a bigger number of ENGENEs in one place this time. We’ll be giving it our all to prepare, so please look forward to it!”
Read on for ENHYPEN’s full track-by-track breakdown of DARK MOON including studio stories, song reflections and more.
“Fate”
BTS’ “Take Two” is already No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, ruling the June 10-dated list despite not yet being available commercially. Billboard’s Hot Trending charts, powered by Twitter, track global music-related trends and conversations in real-time across Twitter, viewable over either the last 24 hours or past seven days. A weekly, 20-position […]
Taeyong’s debut solo album is finally here. On Monday (June 5), the NCT 127 member released his highly anticipated project, SHALALA, alongside a high-energy music video for the lead single of the same name.
The visual for “Shalala” sees the K-pop star playing a hacker who is so talented at what he does, he disrupts several multiverses, travels hundreds and thousands of years back in time, and even distorts the shape of Earth. Throughout the hip-hop track’s infectious chorus, the NCT 127 rapper expertly hits choreography with the help of a few back up dancers.
“Wow, wow, wow, wow/ Bounce (We jumpin’ around, let’s go)/ Sha-la-la-la, la-la, oh-my-my/ Sha-la-la-la, la-la, I’ma shine,” the K-pop star raps on the track.
SHALALA arrived with six songs alongside the title track: “Move Mood Mode” featuring Red Velvet main vocalist Wendy, “Ruby,” “Gwando,” “404 File Not Found,” “Virtual Insanity” and “Back to the Past.”
Though Taeyong and several other members under the NCT umbrella have released solo songs via their label, SM Entertainment’s SM Station project, he marks the first member of the group to make a solo debut with an album. Taeyong’s last solo release was 2022’s “Fine,” which was uploaded to SoundCloud in November.
As for NCT 127, the group made moves on the Billboard charts earlier this year with the release of Ay-Yo, the album repackage of its fifth studio album, 2 Baddies. The repackaged set peaked at No. 13 on the all-genre Billboard 200, and spent two weeks on the tally.
Watch the video for “Shalala” above, and stream the album in full below.
Following new K-pop festival launches in Los Angeles and Las Vegas in the past year, the New York area is next up to host a new live experience for the ever-expanding fandom. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Billboard can reveal the first details about the inaugural Krazy K-Pop Super Concert coming to […]