#Kポップ

Jennie's 'Less than a Lover' Drops Today — The Heart-Sticker Mystery Man Is Taiwanese Model Kai

Jennie's new solo single "Less than a Lover" arrives today, July 24, at 1 p.m. KST, with the track and music video released simultaneously. The curiosity that began with a single Polaroid posted to Instagram on July 18 finally gets its resolution a week later. The Face Behind the Heart Sticker: Taiwanese Model Kai The biggest talking point was, of course, the identity of the man in the photo. Jennie was resting her head on his shoulder, his face obscured by a heart-shaped sticker, and the internet went back and forth over whether it was a relationship reveal or a music teaser. The answer came on July 21, alongside the teaser poster. He's Kai, a Taiwanese model based in Korea . Born in 2002, he's a rising name in fashion known for his natural curls and vintage styling. He has modeled for the Korean brand Low Classic and appeared in the music video for "Blue" by DxS, the SEVENTEEN unit of DK and Seungkwan — so some may already recognize him. In the end, that Polaroid wasn't a relationship announcement but the opening move of a very well-constructed promotional rollout. Shot in Spain, Framed Like a Coming-of-Age Film The music video was filmed in Spain. Even the preview clips released ahead of the drop establish the mood clearly. In a TikTok posted on July 22, the two stand side by side on a dead-straight dirt road. Jennie murmurs the lyrics into the camera before taking Kai's hand and breaking into a run. Her white sleeveless top and blue shorts against the green fields looked like a still from a coming-of-age film. Fans immediately called it prime couple-challenge material. The clips released on July 23 are warmer still. The two sit together on a beach watching the sunset; Jennie peels an orange and hands it over, and Kai takes it as naturally as anything. A follow-up TikTok showed them aboard a classic yacht out on the water. That Ambiguous Space Between Lover and Friend Jennie participated in both writing and composing the track, and directed the music video herself — her first time directing, which makes it a notable credit. The song's emotional territory is right there in the title: the space where calling someone a lover doesn't quite fit, but calling them a friend means a line has already been crossed. It renders the flutter and lingering afterglow of that in-between through a distinctly summery lens. Lo-fi guitar and vintage electric keyboard build a languid texture, topped with noticeably more grounded vocals. It's a clear turn from the performance-forward singles like "Mantra" and "like JENNIE." Battle-Tested at Festivals First The track was already well known before its official release. Jennie first performed it at the Governors Ball Music Festival in the U.S. in June, then brought it back at major overseas stages including Denmark's Roskilde Festival and Spain's Mad Cool Festival. Clips spread organically across TikTok and Reels, demand for a studio version piled up, and the official release followed. Approaching a Decade Since Debut Born in 1996, Jennie debuted with BLACKPINK on August 8, 2016. That makes this coming August 8 the group's tenth anniversary. She launched her solo career with the 2018 single "SOLO," and in 2023 her first acting project aired, broadening her range. Last March, she released her first full-length album, "Ruby." With a summer song arriving just ahead of that ten-year mark, this release carries several layers of meaning. Next month brings Lollapalooza Chicago in the U.S. and Summer Sonic 2026 in Japan. It's easy to picture the festival crowds singing this one right back to her.

OURBIRTHDAY Pre-Debut with 'HUNGRY' — JYP's First New Girl Group in 4 Years Sends Out 3 of 7 Members

A new girl group has emerged from the JYP Entertainment camp for the first time in four years. OURBIRTHDAY released their first digital single "HUNGRY (Side A)" on July 22 at 6 p.m. KST, taking the first step in their debut project. It's the first new girl group since NMIXX debuted in 2022, and K-pop fans are paying close attention. Not an Official Debut — a Pre-Debut One thing to clarify up front: this release is not an official debut but a pre-debut . The "(Side A)" tacked onto the title is the clue — it signals the first piece of a project still to unfold. There's an even more intriguing detail. OURBIRTHDAY is a seven-member group , but only three — Jo Hye-jin, Baby, and Achiraya — are stepping out for this release. The remaining members have yet to be revealed. With the team being introduced in stages rather than all at once, the order in which the rest are unveiled becomes a storyline of its own. "HUNGRY": A Craving for the Stage The title track "HUNGRY" is the song that captures the group's identity most clearly. It channels an unrelenting hunger for the stage through explosive production, with the three members' chemistry and high-energy performance combining into something boldly confident. Even the title telegraphs that rookie drive. A mood sampler released on July 20 had already built anticipation. White particles scattering in time with the members' dynamic movements made for a striking visual, and a snippet of the track teased what was coming. Before that, on July 16 and 17, group and individual concept photos kicked off the promotional rollout. Who Are the Three Members? The lineup of the three revealed members is worth a look. Jo Hye-jin is already a familiar face from television. She appeared on Mnet's "Street Dance Girls Fighter 2" and went on to win KBS 2TV's audition program "The Ddan Ddan Ra" last year. That win came with a 100 million won prize and an exclusive contract with JYP Entertainment — and this pre-debut is the result. Baby joined from Taiwan as a dance-focused member, while Achiraya came in from Thailand on the vocal side. The multinational makeup makes clear this is a group built with the global market in mind. Produced by JYP Subsidiary INNIT Entertainment Another point worth noting is who's behind them. Production and management for OURBIRTHDAY sit not with JYP's main office but with its subsidiary, INNIT Entertainment . As INNIT's first girl group, the launch has drawn considerable industry attention. JYP has successfully launched TWICE, ITZY, NMIXX, and NiziU over the years. Rolling out a new team through a subsidiary label marks a different approach from what came before. First Stage on M Countdown, July 23 Following the release, OURBIRTHDAY begins full music show promotions with Mnet's "M Countdown" on July 23. With constantly shifting stage arrangements and powerful choreography promised, the impression they leave on that first broadcast is one to watch. True to a name that carries the aspiration of "enjoying every moment freely, as if every day were a birthday," various content will roll out through their official social channels. It'll be worth watching to see what shape this project — begun as a pre-debut — ultimately takes.

CORTIS Geonho Fractures Fingers on Both Hands — Still Set to Join the First Tour

CORTIS member Geonho has suffered a finger fracture injury. Their agency BIGHIT MUSIC shared an update on his recovery and future activity plans, reassuring worried fans. Fractured pinky fingers on both hands after a fall On the 15th, BIGHIT MUSIC announced through their fan platform: "Geonho recently fell and landed on both hands incorrectly, so he visited a hospital for examination. The results confirmed fractures around the pinky finger area on both hands, and he promptly received the necessary treatment and care. He is currently recovering steadily." They continued, "Medical staff advised that he wear casts and braces for the time being to protect the injured areas and promote faster recovery, while minimizing excessive movement of both arms." The agency added, "Geonho has a very strong desire to participate in the scheduled tour and upcoming events, but the company plans to prioritize the medical team's advice and Geonho's recovery above all else, managing future schedules flexibly." First tour stop 'Incheon' — taking the stage without choreography Accordingly, Geonho will perform at the '2026 CORTIS TOUR 〈PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN〉 IN INCHEON' concerts on July 18th and 19th in a format that minimizes arm movement, taking the stage without choreography. Future festival appearances and scheduled activities will also be closely discussed with medical staff, and his level of participation will be adjusted in a way that doesn't put strain on the injured areas. "I really wanted to show up as all five of us" Geonho shared a heartfelt message directly with the fandom 'CORE'. He said, "I ended up getting injured on both hands this time. I'm sorry for worrying you — you must have been really shocked by the news." He continued, "I'll take responsibility for my own recovery and do my best to come back healthy as soon as possible. The upcoming tour 〈PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN〉 is CORTIS's very first tour, so I really wanted to be there as all five of us — I had such a strong desire to be part of it. I won't be able to join the choreography with the members, but I'll do my best to put on an amazing performance within what I'm able to do." Finally, he wrapped up by saying, "I'm truly grateful to the COREs who always cheer for me no matter what. I'll work hard on my treatment and recover quickly, so please don't worry too much." Even through his injury, Geonho's sincerity toward the group's first tour shines through — and the outpouring of support from CORE continues.

Sunmi's Free-Spirited Performance in the Pouring Rain — Comeback Today with 'Forever July'

Singer Sunmi put on a special performance to announce her new release, dancing freely in the pouring rain that drenched the entire country that day. Having already teased the 'rain' concept through two music video teasers, Sunmi took it to the next level by literally stepping out into the rain on release day — perfectly capturing the mood of the song. Photo | Sunmi's SNS "Today's the Day" — Sunmi Jumps into the Rain On the 15th, Sunmi posted a video on her SNS with the caption "Today's the day, Forever July." In the clip, she appears on a nighttime street holding an umbrella — then sets it down and throws herself into the pouring rain. Soaking wet with arms spread wide, dancing freely, she left a seriously strong impression. A relaxed look in a white tee and denim pants, and a bright smile that never fades even while getting drenched. The excitement of a new release was written all over every moment of the video. Photo | Sunmi's SNS "Feels Like a Movie Scene" — Fans Go Wild Fans who saw the video absolutely loved it. Reactions like "So Sunmi," "Looks like a movie scene on a rainy day," and "I'm so hyped for the new song" kept pouring in. The 'rain' narrative that flowed naturally from the earlier teasers hit even harder when the actual heavy rain on release day matched it perfectly, creating an even more dramatic atmosphere. It really did rain heavily across most of the country that day. Seoul in particular was hit with intense rain of up to 50mm per hour, accompanied by strong gusts and thunder and lightning. The weather felt almost fated, making the vibe of 'Forever July' feel all the more real. Photo | Sunmi's SNS 6 PM Today — 'Forever July' Drops Sunmi's new digital single 'Forever July' is available on all major music streaming platforms as of 6 PM on the 15th. The track takes a fresh look at summer as a season full of memories and heat, and fans are eager to hear what story Sunmi has to tell this time. Fun fact — Sunmi debuted in 2007 as a member of the Wonder Girls and won a ton of love, then launched her solo career in 2013 with '24 Hours' and has been blazing her own unique path ever since.

BTS Jungkook Wins Over German Fans with 'Gut Genug' — Local Song Sung Two Nights in a Row

BTS's Jungkook captured the hearts of fans at his Munich world tour concert by performing a local German song live on stage. His thoughtful fan service of weaving a country's trending song into his performance has been generating an incredible response on the ground. Source: BTS Update JK on YouTube 'Gut Genug' Rings Out Across Munich Jungkook performed the locally trending song 'Gut Genug' two nights in a row at his world tour concert held at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. On the second night, just like the first, he delivered a live performance of 'Gut Genug (Du Bist Gut Genug)' by the trio producer group KitschKrieg — a song that went massively viral on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media in Germany. "A Trending Song from Each Country on the Overseas Tour" — Jungkook's Idea This stage was actually something Jungkook had been envisioning for a long time. In a personal live broadcast, he had shared the idea: "What if, during overseas tours, I sang the most trending song in that country or region as a little encore during the closing?" At the Munich concerts, that vision became reality — not just on the first night, but the second night too. On the second night, as soon as Jungkook started the first verse, the audience joined in singing the German lyrics along with him. On stage, Jungkook also gave fans a warm shoutout saying, "ARMYs, you're more than enough~" Even the Original Artists Were Hooked — It Spread Across Social Media Videos from the concert spread rapidly through TikTok and YouTube Shorts right after the show. Even KitschKrieg, the original artists, responded by sharing Jungkook's concert footage on their official TikTok and Instagram Stories multiple days in a row. Fans at home and abroad showed overwhelming support, praising his dedication to performing a local song two nights straight, his natural German pronunciation, and the thoughtful stage setup for local fans. From Taiwan and Japan to Germany This isn't the first time Jungkook has won fans over with a local song. At his Taiwan concert, he performed 'I Wait' from the OST of the youth romance film *More Than Blue*, and at his Japan concert he sang 'Lemon' from the drama *Unnatural*. His thoughtfulness in preparing a song that captures the spirit of each country is only deepening the love fans around the world have for Jungkook.

Sunmi Drops Second 'Forever July' Teaser — A Rainy Summer Narrative

Singer Sunmi is heating up her comeback by releasing the second MV teaser for her new digital single 'Forever July.' On the 13th, she unveiled the teaser video through her official SNS and YouTube channel. While the first teaser subtly hinted at the song's vibe with a humid summer atmosphere and dreamy mood, this second teaser dives deeper into the song's narrative with full-on performance and vibrant direction. A Presence Burned into Memory in the Rain In the newly released video, Sunmi moves between an indoor setting and the city streets, blending performance with nuanced emotional acting. A standout moment — her silhouette stretching both arms out in the rain against a pitch-black backdrop — left a powerful impression, once again cementing Sunmi's one-of-a-kind presence. On top of that, a snippet of the lyrics 'this summer is cruel' along with part of the melody was revealed for the first time, instantly catching everyone's ears. Following the chorus that was shared earlier, yet another audio preview lifted the veil and painted an even clearer picture of the new track's emotional world. Cinematic Details, Growing Curiosity Holding an umbrella while still getting soaked, a phone notification warning of water damage, rain-drenched pants — every little detail added a sense of realism. The stylish direction created an almost cinematic atmosphere, making fans even more curious about what story will unfold in the full music video. Scenes that naturally connect to the previously released concept photos also caught attention. Wearing the same outfit from the concept photos while dancing with a clear umbrella, and a shot of her lying in bed — these moments flow seamlessly into a single narrative, completing Sunmi's new concept with a direction that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. A Fresh Perspective on Summer 'Forever July' is a track that reimagines summer — a season usually remembered for its scorching heat — through a brand-new lens. Sunmi has always carved out her own space with unique music and concepts, and fans are eager to see what new side of herself she'll show through this latest release. Sunmi's new digital single 'Forever July' drops on the 15th at 6 PM KST across all major music streaming platforms.

G-Dragon Named UNESCO World Heritage Committee Ambassador — 'Peace Through Culture and Participation'

Singer G-DRAGON is stepping up as the official ambassador for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session being held in Korea for the very first time. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced that G-Dragon has been appointed as ambassador for the '48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee,' which kicks off on the 19th in Busan. The World Heritage Committee is an international meeting that reviews UNESCO World Heritage Site nominations and checks on the conservation status of existing sites — and this is the first time it's ever been held in Korea! Influence Beyond K-Pop, and a Track Record of Giving Back The Cultural Heritage Administration gave major props to G-Dragon for his worldwide influence across culture and the arts, well beyond K-pop. What really caught their attention, though, was his public service work. Last year, G-Dragon established the public interest foundation Juspice Foundation through a copyright donation and has been serving as honorary chairperson — leading the charge on using art to tackle social issues and spread a culture of public good. A spokesperson from the Cultural Heritage Administration said, "We expect that G-Dragon and the Juspice Foundation, with their global reach, will help spark even greater attention and public participation — both at home and abroad — around the World Heritage Committee. We'll do our best to make Korea's first-ever World Heritage Committee a milestone that creates a new culture of participation in protecting world heritage." 'Justice' and 'Peace' at the Heart of the Juspice Foundation The Juspice Foundation is a public interest platform built around the core values of 'Justice' and 'Peace.' It runs a wide range of social contribution programs, including firefighter recovery programs, mental health projects, and initiatives to nurture the next generation of creative talent. The Cultural Heritage Administration noted that G-Dragon and the foundation's belief that 'small acts of participation can change the world and create peace' aligns closely with UNESCO's spirit of 'international cooperation for peace.' The 'Heritage in Peace' Campaign Launching in Busan Off the back of this appointment, the Juspice Foundation is partnering with UNESCO to officially launch a global civic participation campaign called 'Heritage in Peace' sometime in July, aimed at protecting world heritage sites. The campaign is designed around the idea that world heritage shouldn't just be safeguarded by nations and international organizations — but by citizens, businesses, and cities together. What makes this campaign especially significant is that it's the very first city campaign for the World Heritage Fund, and it's starting right here in Busan, the host city of the 48th World Heritage Committee. Donations raised through the campaign will go directly to the UNESCO World Heritage Fund, where they'll be used to protect heritage sites threatened by war, climate crisis, natural disasters, and more. "A Shared Legacy of Humanity That We Must Protect Together" As ambassador, G-Dragon will take part in campaign promotional videos and various official programs. The plan is to spread the word about the successful hosting of the World Heritage Committee while delivering the message of 'peace through culture and participation' to audiences around the world. G-Dragon's team shared, "We're incredibly honored to take on the role of ambassador for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, being held in Korea for the very first time. World heritage is a shared legacy that all of humanity must protect together, so we hope to deliver a message of peace that resonates with people everywhere and inspires them to take action."

Jimin, 'Our God,' Stands Alongside Haaland, 'God of Football' — A Perfect Parody That Hit Every Fan Right in the Heart

BTS's Jimin had fans cracking up once again at his Germany concert. With a witty parody featuring Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Thor from Norse mythology, he totally nailed it for fans around the world. After ESPN Mexico covered the moment on their official social media, a wild scene unfolded on X (formerly Twitter) — 'Jimin' was trending under the Sports category while 'Haaland' was trending under Music, both at the same time! 'A Meeting of Gods' — All Starting from One Fan's Poster It all began at the soundcheck before the July 11th (local time) concert at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. A fan was cheering and holding up a poster featuring Thor, Haaland, and Jimin side by side as representatives of 'iconic long blondes.' The poster labeled each one as 'God of Thunder,' 'God of Football,' and 'Our God,' respectively. When Jimin spotted it, he actually went over and sat down, pointing at each figure one by one to read it — then burst out laughing. The fact that he personally reacted to the fan's clever idea made the whole vibe in the venue go through the roof. The 'Haaland Walk' — Perfectly Recreated During the Show The real highlight came during the main concert. When Jimin hilariously mimicked Haaland's trademark walk, the entire crowd absolutely lost it. ESPN Mexico posted on their official social media, saying 'Haalandmania has arrived at BTS,' and reported that 'Jimin spotted a Haaland banner and perfectly imitated Haaland during the performance.' They also added that 'at BTS Jimin's concert in Germany, someone brought an image featuring the Norwegian striker and Thor together, and the poster read: God of Thunder, God of Football, Our God' — sharing both Jimin's reaction and the parody moment from the show. The 'Blonde Trio' Spreads Beyond Sports Media The parody spread way beyond sports outlets and into music media too. Top 40 radio network LOS40 Chile posted on their official channel using Jimin's solo track 'Who' as the background music, dropping a 'Blonde Time' graphic with close-up photos of Jimin and Haaland's blonde hair and asking followers to guess who's who. Football, music, and mythology — all blended together in one iconic moment. It was yet another reminder of Jimin's global influence that transcends boundaries, and his one-of-a-kind charm when it comes to connecting and having fun with his fans.