#Kpop

NEWBEAT Unveils Their First Official Light Stick — Pre-Orders Begin on the 31st

The light stick of the group NEWBEAT has been unveiled. By surprise-revealing their first official light stick since debut, they've broadened their communication with their fandom "Newro" even further. A 3D Logo Inside a Triangular-Pyramid Cap — A Unique Design On the 28th, NEWBEAT surprise-unveiled their first official light stick since debut, the "NEWBEAT OFFICIAL LIGHT STICK," through their official social media. The revealed light stick draws the eye with a unique design in which NEWBEAT's logo sits three-dimensionally inside a transparent, triangular-pyramid-shaped top cap. On either side of the central logo, cute 3D character figures are placed, capturing NEWBEAT's own personality. Beyond the light stick, a well-rounded set of components comes together with it — a strap, a silicone band engraved with NEWBEAT's official logo, and a first-run limited-edition bonus photocard. It's arranged so fans can enjoy a variety of things with a single light stick. Pre-Orders at 2 p.m. on the 31st via WITHMUU The NEWBEAT official light stick begins pre-orders at 2 p.m. on the 31st through WITHMUU. As their first light stick since debut, it's drawing interest from fans who have been waiting for official merchandise. No. 1 in Six Amazon Categories — NEWBEAT Broadens Its Global Standing With "Look So Good," the title track of their first mini-album "LOUDER THAN EVER," released last November, NEWBEAT reached No. 1 in six categories on the U.S. Amazon Music. It's the result of a global strategy driven by a worldwide direction — all-English lyrics and collaborations with renowned overseas producers. Afterward, they held their first nationwide tour since debut, communicating closely with fans, and successfully wrapped up their activities in the Greater China region as well, broadening their global standing. Recently, they also proved their potential as rookies by winning the "KM Next Potential" award at "KMA 2026" (KM Chart Awards 2026). Having debuted in March 2025, NEWBEAT is a seven-member boy group under Beat Interactive. It consists of Park Min-seok, Hong Min-sung, Jeon Yeo-yeo-jeong, Choi Seo-hyun, Kim Tae-yang, Jo Yun-hu, and Kim Ri-woo. Starting with the unveiling of their first light stick, attention is gathering on NEWBEAT's next steps as they grow even tighter with their fandom "Newro."

Lim Young-woong's Generous 10th-Anniversary Gift: 10 Songs — Special Album "IM HERO 10" Out September 8

Singer Lim Young-woong has prepared a special gift for fans on his 10th debut anniversary. With a special album of 10 songs, "IM HERO 10," and a stadium concert, his "love for fans" — repaying an anniversary with music and the stage rather than just marking a number — shines once again. Ten Songs to Match the 10th Anniversary — Including Six New Tracks According to his agency Mulgogi Music, Lim Young-woong will release his 10th-anniversary special digital album "IM HERO 10" at 6 p.m. on September 8. It's a special gift from Lim — who marked his 10th debut anniversary on August 8 — to his fandom, "Hero Age" (Young-woong Sidae). What catches the eye is the scale. Belying the name "special album," it is packed with 10 songs in all. Six are new tracks: "Moise," "Baila," "Ttotto," "Budi Haengbokhaejil Geot" ("Please Be Happy"), "Sarawon Woorige" ("To Us Who Have Lived"), and "New York." Added to these are four existing songs, newly included: "Sarangeun Neul Domangga" ("Love Always Runs Away"), "Morae Algaengi" ("Grains of Sand"), "A bientot," and his debut song "Miwoyo" ("I Hate You"). The track count was set at 10 to match the 10th anniversary. With new music, it shows the Lim Young-woong to come, while bringing back songs familiar to fans — including his debut track "Miwoyo" — to look back on the past decade. It's neither simply a new record collecting new songs nor a best-of album bundling past hits, but a lineup focused on the "10th anniversary" itself. Communicating with Fans Through "Hand Acting" Spoilers Lim Young-woong's fan service doesn't stop at grand events. Ahead of unveiling his new music, he personally took to so-called "hand acting" spoilers, giving fans yet another thing to enjoy. Instead of words, he expressed hints about the new songs through gestures and movements, and fans set out to guess what they meant. Not giving away the answer right away became the fun of it. Fans studied Lim Young-woong's every gesture, interpreting the meaning and sharing their guesses with one another. Rather than simply waiting for the new songs to drop, he turned the whole pre-release process into a "game" fans could enjoy together. Premiering All Tracks at the Stadium, Before Release The first audience to hear the new album is, again, the fans. From September 4 to 6, Lim Young-woong will hold the concert "IM HERO - THE STADIUM 2" at the Main Stadium of Goyang Sports Complex, premiering all 10 tracks from "IM HERO 10." The official release comes after the concerts, on September 8. Beyond the usual practice of performing one or two new songs early at a show, he chose to unveil the entire new album before fans first. The fans who fill the stadium will experience the 10th-anniversary album in full before anyone else. From the Wait to the Meeting — Together with Fans The album's teaser video, under the concept "Daehan's Festival," featured people in colorful, ornate masks and scenes as if preparing a festival, emphasizing a Korean sensibility. With staging based on gugak (traditional Korean music) rhythms that brought out both liveliness and grandeur, it heightened anticipation for the new record. What runs through Lim Young-woong's 10th-anniversary journey is that he ceaselessly creates "things to enjoy" for fans. He tosses out hints with hand acting and fans deduce them; he prepares 10 songs for the 10th anniversary and then plays them all at the venue before the official release. He shares not only the finished product but the moments of waiting, guessing, and meeting it for the first time. Lim Young-woong is crossing the milestone of a decade together with fans — filling it densely with music, concerts, and small games alike.

INFINITE Opens "Muhandae Jiphoe V" Amid Fans' Sing-Alongs — A Full-Group Fan Meeting on Their 16th Anniversary

The group INFINITE raised the curtain on "Muhandae Jiphoe V" (Infinite Assembly V) amid fans' passionate sing-alongs. Marking their 16th debut anniversary, it was all the more meaningful as an occasion where the full group reunited. Heat That Filled Inspire Arena On the 30th at 4 p.m., INFINITE held "2026 INFINITE FANMEETING [Muhandae Jiphoe V]" at Inspire Arena on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, meeting fans. From about three hours before the show began, fans thronged inside and around Inspire Arena. Long lines of fans formed at the fan-meeting installations set up outside the venue to take commemorative photos, and as showtime approached, the seats filled up so thoroughly that empty spots were hard to find. Opening with "BAD" — Concert-Like Vitality Through Band Sound After a VCR video of the INFINITE members transformed into secret agents, they opened the fan meeting with "BAD." As all the members revealed themselves amid massive pyrotechnics, huge cheers erupted from the seats, and fans answered with sing-alongs from the very first song, lifting the venue's atmosphere in an instant. That day, INFINITE actively used band sound, adding a concert-like vitality. Fans who have long enjoyed INFINITE's music added their voices to every familiar song, showing off their tight rapport with the members. True to INFINITE — a group that has communicated with fans through the stage rather than variety shows — the density of the live performance filled the entire fan meeting. "Muhandae Jiphoe" After Two Years — On to Four Asian Cities First unveiled in 2013, "Muhandae Jiphoe" has established itself as INFINITE's signature fan-meeting brand. This "Muhandae Jiphoe V" is an event held about two years after "Muhandae Jiphoe IV," staged in 2024. Earlier, both days' shows sold out the moment ticketing opened, once again proving the enduring firepower of their fandom. INFINITE will carry this fan meeting on to four Asian cities. Starting with Incheon on August 29 and 30, they will meet fans in Macau on September 5 and 6, in Taipei on September 19 and 20, and in Tokyo on September 22 and 23. As all the members — including Kim Sung-kyu and Nam Woo-hyun — have pursued individual activities in their own fields such as music, acting, and performing this year, interest is gathering on the stage and synergy of a full INFINITE reunited after a long while. Even at their 16th anniversary, INFINITE raised the first curtain of "Muhandae Jiphoe V" with an unchanged stage and their fandom's tight rapport. Global fans' anticipation is gathering for this fan-meeting tour that circles Asia, starting from Incheon.

BIBI's "I Have to Earn It" — Her Months-Long "Waterbomb" Stage and Her Performance Philosophy

Singer BIBI shared her performance philosophy ahead of her "Waterbomb" stage. The heart of it: she has to "earn her keep." Here, though, "earning it" means giving audiences a top show worthy of what they paid. "Whoever Paid to Come, I Entertain Them That Much" On the SBS variety show "Genie Assistant" ("Genie, Do Anything – Secretary Team"), which premiered on the 28th, BIBI appeared as the "my star" and revealed her preparation process for "Waterbomb 2026." In the show, set up around Lee Seo-jin and Kim Kwang-kyu assisting BIBI, she opened up about her singular resolve for the stage. BIBI said, "I have a philosophy about my performances. I earn my keep," adding, "I absolutely make whoever paid this money to come in have that much fun." Behind the dazzling stage lay a sense of responsibility to the audience and a professional's mindset. Nervous Enough to Shake — "I Prepared As If It Were My Last" The pressure was as great as her resolve for the stage. Before going on, BIBI stretched repeatedly to loosen her stiff body, and just before the performance she looked so nervous that her hands and feet went cold, her breathing quickened, and even her lips trembled. It was a human side quite different from her fearless presence on stage. Her preparation ran long, too. BIBI said, "I prepared step by step from a long time ago — two months, three months out," adding, "I prepared as if it were my last." She poured months into a single stage. On stage, BIBI heated up the atmosphere with intense performances of songs like "Best lover." Buzz and Controversy, and Split Reactions Earlier, in July, BIBI took the stage at "Waterbomb Seoul 2026," held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, performing hits such as "Bam Yang Gang" and "Bad X." She drew a heated response with bold staging that made use of the water-soaked nature of the show. Reactions to the stage, however, were divided. Some pointed to the intensity of the performance as "too much," while others countered that it was "the nature of a show like Waterbomb." In the end, BIBI's Waterbomb stage left both buzz and controversy, and assessments of the result remain split even now. Even so, the performance philosophy BIBI conveyed through the broadcast was clear: audiences should be entertained in proportion to what they paid. The force that drove the stage was a professional's sense of responsibility. Waterbomb Is an Adults-Only Show Meanwhile, Waterbomb is officially a show for viewers aged 19 and over. Its official guidance also requires bringing ID to confirm adulthood upon entry. Atop the traits of bold staging and an adults-only festival, BIBI's professed "earn-your-keep" philosophy and the split reactions to it have remained a talking point of the summer festival season.

IVE's "I AM" Music Video Surpasses 400 Million YouTube Views — A First for the Group

The music video for "I AM" by the group IVE has surpassed 400 million views on YouTube. Among IVE's music videos, "I AM" is the first to cross the 400-million mark. IVE's First MV to Reach 400 Million Views According to their agency STARSHIP Entertainment on the 30th, the music video for "I AM," the title track of IVE's first full album "I've IVE," surpassed 400 million YouTube views as of that day. Among the many music videos IVE has released, "I AM" is the first to reach the 400-million milestone, proving the group's global popularity once again. "I AM" is the title track of "I've IVE," IVE's first full album, released in April 2023. With a confident, powerful message — "let's have conviction in the path we walk" — and an addictive melody, it won great love right from release. The scene in the music video where Jang Won-young leaps from an airplane also spread as a meme on TikTok, drawing plenty of buzz. A Hit Record That Continued From Release "I AM" set major records at the time of release, too. In its first week of promotions, it took first place on every music show that runs a ranking system, achieving a "grand slam." Its streaming performance held steady as well: following IVE's signature songs, it enjoyed a long run, surpassing 400 million streams on Spotify. The album "I've IVE" also recorded 1.1 million copies in first-week sales, giving STARSHIP Entertainment its first-ever group to produce a first-week million-seller. Among fourth-generation girl groups, IVE holds multiple music videos that have surpassed 300 million YouTube views, and this 400-million milestone for "I AM" confirms that strength anew. IVE — "Showing All We Have, with Confidence" IVE is a six-member multinational girl group that debuted in 2021. It consists of Ahn Yu-jin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Won-young, Liz, and Leeseo. The group's name, IVE, comes from "I'VE," a contraction of "I HAVE," and carries the aspiration to "confidently show all the things we have." Starting with their debut song "ELEVEN," IVE has scored hit after hit — "LOVE DIVE," "After LIKE," "I AM," "Kitsch" — establishing themselves as a girl group that represents the fourth generation. Fans' anticipation is gathering for the global run IVE will continue, building on this 400-million-view milestone for the "I AM" music video.

BLACKPINK's Jennie Shows a Natural Side Under the Palm Trees — Digital EP "Fallen Angel" Out on the 28th

BLACKPINK's Jennie drew attention with a relaxed look amid exotic scenery. The Hawaii snapshots she shared ahead of her new release are making waves. A Natural Update from a Hawaiian Beach On the 27th, Jennie shared photos of her recent days at a Hawaiian beach on her social media. In the photos, Jennie showed a relaxed style, pairing a white bra top with a long skirt. The natural mood set against lush palm trees is striking. Fans who saw the photos responded with comments like "It's a pictorial even when just casually taken," "She's dazzling even without being flashy," and "She looks at peace, too," showing keen interest. Many noted that her signature aura stood out even within such an unadorned, natural mood. Digital EP "Fallen Angel" Out on the 28th Meanwhile, Jennie will release her new digital EP "Fallen Angel (Digital EP)" at 1 p.m. KST on the 28th. This digital EP holds three tracks in total: the title track "FALLEN ANGEL," along with "HEAVEN" and "Less than a Lover," which she unveiled last July. The cover art shows Jennie in a white dress against a field of flowers, with the album name "Fallen Angel" positioned above her head in a shape evoking a crown, adding a mysterious mood. The trailer released alongside it opens with dreamy, fairy-tale-like scenes and a girl's narration. Following a voice saying, "Close your eyes like me. We can fly. Very freely," various scenes cross quickly, heightening anticipation. Regarding this album, Jennie's side explained that it "holds the wish to be an album that can remember this summer together with fans, along with Jennie's most personal and deep sincerity." A Physical EP Too — Jennie, Who Swept This Summer's Festivals Following the digital EP, Jennie will also release a physical EP, "Fallen Angel." The physical album adds "sweettooth," "lockitdown," and "Face" to the digital tracks, for six songs in all. Three of these are physical-exclusive tracks Jennie chose herself for fans, with pre-orders having begun at 11 a.m. on the 26th. After releasing the digital single "Less than a Lover" last July, Jennie continues her musical activities with a new EP about a month later. Notably, she took the stage as a headliner at seven major global festivals this year, drawing attention by unveiling unreleased new songs at some of them. Global fans' anticipation is gathering for Jennie's comeback, in which she fully presents—through this "Fallen Angel"—the new music she had been previewing at those festivals.

ATEEZ's San Unveils "DAZED" Fall Pictorial — From Soft Charisma to Refined Sensibility

A pictorial of ATEEZ's San has been unveiled. San recently shot a pictorial for the fall edition of the fashion magazine "DAZED," revealing an unrivaled presence. Soft Charisma and a Sensuous Style Through this pictorial, San showed a soft charisma while flawlessly carrying off a sensuous style, making his presence felt. The pictorial was created together with the luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana. In the pictorial, San handled a wide range—from suits and coats marked by refined tailoring to knitwear and denim reinterpreted in a modern way. Moving freely between classic formal looks and a casual mood, he rendered a refined sensibility with a natural feel. Polished styling met San's own expressiveness, raising the pictorial's overall quality. His Path as a Dolce & Gabbana Global Ambassador San was named a global ambassador for Dolce & Gabbana last October, broadening his standing in the fashion world. Since then, he has attended the brand's collection shows in Milan and appeared in its 2026 fall campaign, keeping a steady rapport with the house. Expanding his scope beyond a stage performer into fashion pictorials and campaigns, San has once again etched his image as both an artist and a fashion icon through this "DAZED" fall edition. ATEEZ Atop Billboard — Continuing Their Global Run ATEEZ, the group San belongs to, has been building substantial achievements on the global stage. With three cumulative No. 1s on the U.S. main albums chart, the "Billboard 200," they have established themselves as a group representing K-pop in the 2020s. Since debuting in 2018, ATEEZ has expanded its global fandom on the strength of intense performances and a distinctive worldview, keeping up active overseas activities such as appearances on major U.S. talk shows and world tours. Along with the group's global standing, fans' attention is gathering on San's next steps as he expands his presence across a wide range of fields as an individual member as well.

IVE's Ahn Yu-jin & Jang Won-young Open Special Exhibition "AN-YOUNG IN SEOUL" — Connecting with Fans

Ahn Yu-jin and Jang Won-young of the group IVE are reaching out to fans through a special exhibition. Through their exhibition "AN-YOUNG IN SEOUL," they plan to connect with visitors more closely than ever. The "Annyeongz" Exhibition — From Unreleased Photos to Media Art On the 25th, a teaser poster previewing Ahn Yu-jin and Jang Won-young's exhibition "AN-YOUNG IN SEOUL" was unveiled through the official "IVE Exhibition" social media. In an earlier teaser video, a hand picks up a retro telephone receiver as the two greet with "annyeong" ("hello") in their own voices, and at the end appears an "annyeong" logo evoking "Annyeongz," the nickname fans use for Ahn Yu-jin and Jang Won-young together. (In Korean, "AN-YOUNG" plays on "annyeong," a word that means both a greeting and asking after someone's well-being.) The exhibition was designed to hold the meaning of shining fleeting moments and the well-wishes the two extend to each other. It unfolds the many meanings of "annyeong"—a greeting upon meeting and an inquiry after another's well-being—across the space. Along with the pair's unreleased photos, it will be arranged as a varied space offering fans fresh memories, featuring interactive media art and audience-participation programs. Just like the title "annyeong," Ahn Yu-jin and Jang Won-young are expected to communicate more closely and share an emotional connection with the visitors who come to the exhibition. Details regarding "AN-YOUNG IN SEOUL" are set to be announced later through the official "IVE Exhibition" social media. Winning "The Hottest International Group" at "TIMA 2026" Meanwhile, IVE received the "The Hottest International Group" award at Tencent Music's "TME live International Music Awards 2026" ("TIMA 2026"), held on the 23rd (local time) at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. Through their agency STARSHIP Entertainment, IVE said, "It's our first time attending the 'TIMA' ceremony during a world tour, and receiving the 'The Hottest International Group' award on top of that makes us even happier and more grateful," adding, "Thanks to the support of DIVE (the official fan club name) and audiences who always welcome us warmly, we feel we can become one through music anywhere. This award, too, is thanks to the love sent by DIVE around the world." Second World Tour — Solo Concerts in Hong Kong in September IVE is currently on their second world tour, "SHOW WHAT I AM." Opening with Seoul shows in October 2025, the tour has expanded across Asia and beyond, continuing on a global scale. As part of the tour, IVE will hold solo concerts in Hong Kong from September 4 to 6, meeting local fans. Global fans' attention is gathering on this special moment from Ahn Yu-jin and Jang Won-young, who are now connecting with fans in a new way—through an exhibition—beyond music and the stage.

KATSEYE Tops Billboard Artist 100 in a Double Celebration — "Thank You for the Great Love"

HYBE-Geffen Records' global girl group KATSEYE met a double celebration: following No. 1 on the Billboard 200, they also topped the Artist 100 chart and placed four songs on the Hot 100. KATSEYE credited the achievement to their fans, saying, "Thank you for sending us such great love." First-Ever No. 1 on Artist 100 — Four Songs on the Hot 100 According to the latest chart (dated August 29) that Billboard announced on the 25th (local time), KATSEYE vaulted from No. 28 the previous week—up 27 spots—to reach No. 1 for the first time on the Billboard Artist 100. The Artist 100 aggregates various music-consumption data—track and album sales, streaming, radio airplay, and more—to identify the artist with the biggest week in the U.S., reflecting an artist's influence and commercial power. On the Hot 100, they placed as many as four songs. "Hootie Frutti," the title track of their third EP "WILD," entered at No. 31, while the prerelease "Animal" held at its personal peak of No. 24. ("Animal" first debuted at No. 24 in early August, and this week, in its fourth week on the chart, it returned to that peak.) Another prerelease, "PINKY UP," landed at No. 81, and "ICONIC BY MISTAKE," a special collaboration single with LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT, charted at No. 94. On top of that, "WILD" tracks "Bel Air" and "That Way" stood out on the "Bubbling Under Hot 100," ranking No. 11 and No. 14 respectively. "WILD" No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — A Record for Girl Groups Earlier, "WILD" topped the Billboard 200 with 170,000 equivalent album units. That is the highest weekly figure ever recorded by a female group since Billboard introduced unit-based tallying in December 2015. The Billboard 200 ranks albums by combining physical and digital album sales with SEA (streaming converted into album units) and TEA (downloads converted into album units). Their existing albums rose in tandem. Their second EP "BEAUTIFUL CHAOS" climbed 29 spots from the previous week to No. 92, marking its 60th consecutive week on the chart, while their debut EP "SIS (Soft Is Strong)" rose 40 spots to No. 156. Career-Best Streaming — "This Belongs to Our Fans" Their global streaming metrics keep setting new team highs day after day. KATSEYE's monthly Spotify listeners, at about 35.11 million around the release of "WILD" (July 13–August 9), grew to about 38.49 million as of August 26. The "Hootie Frutti" music video surpassed 44.55 million views on YouTube, continuing the steepest view growth among all of KATSEYE's songs. KATSEYE credited the achievement to their fans. Through HYBE-Geffen Records, the members said, "This No. 1 belongs to our fans. Thank you for believing in us, listening to our music, and sending us such great love," adding, "You are like the heart of KATSEYE. We're waiting for the day we celebrate together on tour." Debuted in the U.S. in 2024 — World Tour Begins in September KATSEYE is a team that debuted in the U.S. in 2024, built on the "Multi-home, multi-genre" strategy and "K-pop methodology" led by HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. They previously achieved a triple crown at the "2026 American Music Awards," including "New Artist of the Year," and were nominated in two categories at the "68th Grammy Awards." KATSEYE will raise the curtain on "THE WILD WORLD TOUR" in Dublin, Ireland, on September 1. As they rewrite top-tier Billboard achievements one after another just two years after debut, global fans' anticipation is gathering for their next steps.

NCT 127 Returns with 7th Full Album "BLINGY" — 10th Anniversary, Back to Basics as Five

NCT 127 is back with their seventh full album "BLINGY." Marking their 10th debut anniversary, they declared their resolve to once again walk their own path with the music and performance most true to NCT 127. Asked to sum up the album in a word, Johnny chose, without hesitation, "back to basics." A Comeback After Two Years and One Month, with a Press Conference On the 24th, a press conference celebrating the release of the seventh full album "BLINGY" was held at the SKY31 Convention in Lotte World Tower, Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul. It comes about two years and one month after their sixth full album "WALK," released in July 2024. Taeyong shared, "From the album cover, we combined a map of Seoul with neo colors to carry the meaning of finding our original spirit," adding, "Two members (Doyoung and Jungwoo) are absent, but we worked so that nothing would feel lacking." "BLINGY" looks back on the journey they've walked together as they mark their 10th anniversary, while carrying their will to keep pioneering their own path on the firm bond of "One Team." Jaehyun explained, "It carries the meaning that we set off on a journey to find the 'blingy' ones, but in the end, such things are within us." Contract Renewal and the Five-Member Lineup — "CALL 127" Ahead of this album's release, all members except Mark renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment. Taeyong affirmed their resolve: "We signed with the meaning of trusting the company and trusting each other on the path forward as NCT 127. We'll show an even sturdier side going forward." However, with Doyoung and Jungwoo—currently on military service—not taking part in album promotions, this run proceeds as a five-member lineup of Johnny, Yuta, Taeyong, Jaehyun, and Haechan. Haechan said, "Their absence may be felt, but I worked with the thought that the other five members have the ability to pull it off, and it turned out well, so I'm proud." The promotion ahead of the comeback also drew buzz. Haechan introduced it: "The main promotion slogan is 'CALL 127.' It means the members, spending time each in their own place, gather in Seoul upon receiving a signal from NCTzen (the fan club)," adding, "It carries the meaning that we return to Seoul, our starting point, and will run to you whenever and wherever you call." The Title Track "Blingy" and a Special Track, "127 Million Miles" The title track "Blingy" is a hip-hop song blending a distortion synth sound, strong drum beats, and a chanting chorus. Interpreting elements of rage and dubstep in NCT 127's own color, it delivers explosive energy. Yuta was confident: "We all sang the chorus together in a big sing-along while recording, so it became a more impactful song," adding, "The choreography is also next-level." Taeyong took part in the choreography himself, and an addictive signature hand gesture is the point. Haechan shared the selection process: "'Blingy,' 'Piñata,' and 'Legacy' were title-track candidates. We thought 'Blingy' was the song where the five members could handle it well and create good synergy through music and performance." The new album contains nine tracks in all, spanning various genres—rock, pop, indie pop, and more—centered on hip-hop. In particular, the track "127 Million Miles" is the one song Doyoung and Jungwoo took part in together, having recorded it in advance before enlisting. Jaehyun said, "It's the only refreshing song on this album," adding, "There are lots of cute points, like lyrics that use the team name NCT 127 as an acrostic. It carries the meaning that even apart from NCTzen, we're always together." The Past Ten Years, and the Ten to Come Asked to define the past decade, Haechan said, "'My Way,'" adding, "NCT 127 has walked our own path without minding anything else, and I think that's why we've been loved. Going forward, our goal is to do our best at what's given to us and repay the love we've received." Johnny stressed, "I want to keep the label 'God of Performance.' I want to hold to the vow that we won't do an uncool stage." After their comeback promotions, in September they'll meet fans with their fifth world tour, "NEO CITY – THE REDLINE." Haechan said, "I'd like to call this concert a limited edition. The stage you can see with five members is only now, so I really hope you'll come and watch." The seventh full album "BLINGY" was released in full at 6 p.m. on the 24th across music platforms.

JYP Rookie Girl Group OURBIRTHDAY Hits Music Shows with "SQUEEZY" — Making a Mark from Debut Week

JYP rookie girl group OURBIRTHDAY made a mark right after debut, leading with solid skills and a distinctive team color. From their very first week, they announced their presence with clear individuality and stage polish. Debut Week: Four Music Shows OURBIRTHDAY appeared in turn on Mnet's "M Countdown" on the 20th, followed by KBS 2TV's "Music Bank," MBC's "Show! Music Core," and SBS's "Inkigayo," performing "SQUEEZY," the title track of their debut single "Our Birthday." OURBIRTHDAY officially debuted by releasing their first single on the 19th. Starting with their debut show "OURBIRTHDAY PARTY," they have quickly carried on into music-show promotions. As the new JYP-family girl group arriving about four years after NMIXX, they had drawn interest from K-pop fans at home and abroad even before debut. (Officially, they belong to INNIT Entertainment, a JYP subsidiary.) "SQUEEZY," the Title Track Representing "WHIP-HOP" "SQUEEZY" is a song representing "WHIP-HOP," the original musical style OURBIRTHDAY pursues. It's a signature genre that combines a free vibe—the seven members' personalities mixed together like whipped cream—with hip-hop performance. A funk-based dance track, it's marked by an addictive melody you can't forget after a single listen. Inspired by the act of squeezing a squishy toy to relieve stress, it carries a message of freely letting go of tangled emotions and worries. The debut single "Our Birthday" contains four tracks in all: the title track "SQUEEZY," plus "Our Birthday," "HUNGRY (Side A)," and "HUNGRY (Side B)." Seven Members, Seven Colors, and Stage Polish For each broadcast stage, the members used sets and outfits that brought out the song's character, creating a different mood each time. As the seven members' bubbly characters and free expressiveness came together, OURBIRTHDAY's own kitschy, cheerful color emerged even more vividly. Beyond the performance, their vocals and stage expression also caught the eye. On a foundation of stable live singing, the members freely deployed facial expressions and gestures in step with the flow of the song. Showing no wavering even in fast-developing choreography, they delivered a stage polish hard to believe from a rookie group. OURBIRTHDAY is a seven-member multinational group made up of Cho Hye-jin, Kuk Cho-rok, and Shin Hye-won (Korea), Achiraya (Thailand), Baby (Taiwan), and U and Kilala (Japan). The team's direction—"to make every moment of daily life feel like a special birthday"—is also evident throughout their music and performance. Having shown clear individuality and skill from their first week, what lies ahead for them draws attention.