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KPOPWORLD •

Fashion Statement: MINGYU Isn’t Just Modelling for Calvin Klein — He’s Redefining the Frame

Image Credit: Calvin Klein
When SEVENTEEN’s MINGYU fronted Calvin Klein’s Spring 2025 campaign, it could’ve been another shirtless moment. Instead, it was a shift. Shot by Leslie Zhang, the images are stark, loaded, and impossible to ignore; raw skin, heavy denim, and a stare that doesn’t blink. This doesn’t just feel like another K-pop idol in accessible but designer jeans. It’s classic Calvin Klein minimalism, refracted through the body of someone who knows exactly how much space he takes up —...
KPOPWORLD •

The Digital Number Ones: 2AM - "죽어도 못 보내 (Can't Let You Go, Even if I Die)"

In The Digital Number Ones, we revisit every Circle (fka Gaon) Digital Chart #1 since its inception in 2010 – not just to recall what topped the charts, but to understand why it mattered in that moment and the evolution of K-pop.
The Digital Number Ones
2AM – “죽어도 못 보내 (Can’t Let You Go Even If I Die)”
Digital #1: January 23 – January 30, 2010
Released: January 21, 2010
In 2010, when the K-pop mainstream was ruled by spectacle, 2AM’s “Can’t Let You Go Even If I Die” made its mark with something...
KPOPWORLD •

The SM Legacy Series: The House That BoA Built

As SM Entertainment prepares to bring its decades-spanning roster to London for SMTOWN LIVE IN LONDON at Allianz Twickenham Stadium on June 28, 2025, we’re tracing the moments that shaped its legacy as a K-pop powerhouse and blueprint builder for an entire industry. 
Welcome to the SM Legacy Series.

Photo credit: SM Entertainment.
There’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in BoA’s “ID; Peace B” music video: SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo Man watches from behind a swarm of cameras and frantic...
KPOPWORLD •

The KPOPWORLD Cut: 6 EVERGLOW Fan-Favourite Tracks That Deserve the Spotlight

Photo credit: YUEHUA Ent.
After six years of powerful performances, catchy songs, and loyal fan support, another well-loved K-pop group, EVERGLOW, has officially left their parent agency. All six members – E:U, Sihyeon, Mia, Onda, Aisha, and Yiren – chose not to renew their contracts, marking the end of an era for one of K-pop’s most underrated girl groups.
EVERGLOW started strong, attracting a global fanbase with their solid concepts and sharp choreography. But behind the scenes, things weren’t...
KPOPWORLD •

“Love Language” Speaks Volumes: TXT’s Biggest Spotify Debut Yet

With over 2 million first-day streams, “Love Language” by TOMORROW X TOGETHER has officially claimed the biggest Spotify debut of any K-pop song in 2025 — a clear signal that TXT’s grip on global fans hasn’t slipped one bit during their recent hiatus.
Since its release earlier this month, "Love Language" proves TXT’s growth with an impressive set of stats that point towards what could be one of their biggest eras yet. Built on a breezy Afro-house beat and warm, layered vocals, the track sidestep...
KPOPWORLD •

Fresh Chapter, Same Fire: i-dle returns with We Are

Photo credit: CUBE.
Seven years in, i-dle is no longer just defying the odds but redefining them.
May 2025 marked a symbolic turning point for the self-producing girl group. As they hit their seventh anniversary — a milestone often seen as the breaking point in K-pop — i-dle ushered in a new chapter with a full rebrand, officially dropping the “G” from their name. The move signalled intention: new name, new era, same defiance.
Since debuting in 2018, i-dle’s trajectory has been shaped by both tr...
KPOPWORLD •

Review: On ECHO, Jin Lets the Music Do the Talking

Credit: HYBE
When BTS announced their temporary break from group activities during their 2022 Festa anniversary celebrations, they were quick to reassure the world that it wasn’t a hiatus. To compensate for the irregular flow caused by the call of military duty, the members focused on releasing solo projects – giving them space to explore who they are beyond the demands of global boy-band stardom.
Most members seemed to have a clear sense of the musical direction they wanted to explore. RM becam...
Dojeon Media •

5 Times IU Shared Profound Life Lessons Through Her On-screen Characters

Across generations, women have had to confront the deep-rooted injustices of patriarchy, and sadly, that struggle continues even today. Through both Ae Sun and Geum Yeong, IU portrayed women who met life’s challenges with unspoken grace, quiet strength, unwavering dignity, and uncompromising pride.

Life Lesson: Be your own role model. Set an example that future generations can look up to. Choose a partner who loves, respects, and treats you as an equal—someone who will stand by you through ever...
Dojeon Media •

5 Times IU Shared Profound Life Lessons Through Her On-screen Characters

Across generations, women have had to confront the deep-rooted injustices of patriarchy, and sadly, that struggle continues even today. Through both Ae Sun and Geum Yeong, IU portrayed women who met life’s challenges with unspoken grace, quiet strength, unwavering dignity, and uncompromising pride.

Life Lesson: Be your own role model. Set an example that future generations can look up to. Choose a partner who loves, respects, and treats you as an equal—someone who will stand by you through ever...
Dojeon Media •

7 K-drama Characters Who Totally Deserve Their Own Spin-Off Series

Die-hard K-drama fans know the undeniable impact of supporting characters and second leads. While they may not be the central focus, many of them exude serious main character energy. These roles aren’t just well-written—they’re brought to life with such brilliance by the actors that they become unforgettable, often stealing the spotlight from the leads. Their performances elevate these characters to iconic status, etching them into the hearts and minds of fans forever. With such a strong presenc...
Dojeon Media •

2025 Baeksang Awards Snubs: 6 Wins That Could’ve Gone Another Way

While the ceremony was well-received overall, with organizers ensuring that most nominees and attendees felt acknowledged, some fans were left surprised and disappointed by a few results. Certain wins sparked debate, with many feeling that other nominees were just as deserving.Here, we highlight six Baeksang Awards snubs from the 2025 ceremony — moments where the award could have easily gone to someone else. Note: This list isn’t meant to discredit the winners but rather to spotlight other outst...
EUPHORIA. •

ablume

Rising K-pop trio ablume, consisting of former FIFTY FIFTY members ARAN, SAENA, and SIO, are embarking on a fresh chapter in their musical journey. With a renewed sense of purpose, the group is focused on building a lasting legacy, one that reflects their growth as individuals and artists.  After achieving remarkable success in their previous group, the members faced an unexpected pause in their careers due to a highly publicised legal battle with their former agency. The intense legal struggle...
Dojeon Media •

7 K-pop Idols Who Broke The Mold To Become Acclaimed Actors

Over the years, many K-pop idols have either transitioned from their hectic music careers to pursue more creatively fulfilling roles in acting or have managed to juggle both demanding paths with impressive dedication. However, not everyone who leaps into acting succeeds in shedding their idol image or proving their versatility on screen. Still, a select few have truly broken the mold, rising above typecasting to establish themselves as serious, skilled actors. Few know that Hwang Min Hyun has ha...
EUPHORIA. •

TABLO – Stop The Rain (TABLO X RM)

“It’s an honest song, and because it’s honest, there is pain there. But that’s also what makes it an empowering song,” this is what Epik High’s TABLO wrote on X on the day of the release of his new collaborative track with BTS’ frontman RM. On May 2, TABLO dropped the soulful duet “Stop The Rain” in collaboration with RM. This marks their second collaboration, following TABLO’s feature on RM’s b-side track “All Day” from the latter’s first solo album Indigo, released in 2022. Notably, “Stop The...
Anwaya’s Substack •

Kim Soo Hyun and Korean Celebrity Culture: From Idolization to Insight

On a random evening in 2017, I decided to watch my first Korean drama, Boys Over Flowers, starring Lee Min Ho, one of Korea's biggest stars. It felt like entering virtual Disneyland—a place where you want to be and never leave. It began with one K-drama, and before I knew it, I had binge-watched countless shows and become acquainted with numerous talented actors.Watching Korean dramas in my 20s has been a life-changing experience. It has altered my perception of content, narrative structure, wri...
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