K-pop quartet's new album draws attention after their hit song 'Supernova' SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - K-pop girl group aespa returned on Thursday with a new full-length album "LEMONADE," unveiling what the quartet described as a more mature musical identity and a new phase in the expanding universe that has defined their rise as one of K-pop's leading global acts. The 10-track album was released at 1 p.m. through major music-streaming platforms, marking aespa's first studio album since "Armageddon" in May 2024. The release arrives May 28, 2026

SM Entertainment's sub-label releases compilation album ahead of Europe tour SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - ScreaM Records, a dance music label under talent behemoth SM Entertainment, released a compilation album on Wednesday ahead of a U.K. and Europe tour scheduled for next month. "K-POP ScreaM 3" reinterprets K-pop songs by SM Entertainment artists including RIIZE and NCT WISH into electronic dance music styles such as jungle, tech house, hard house, bass music and Jersey club. Jersey club is a percussion-driven genre that originated in New Jersey and May 27, 2026

BTS opens comeback awards year with three-trophy sweep at 2026 AMAs SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - BTS launched their comeback awards run in style on Monday, claiming three trophies at the 2026 American Music Awards in Las Vegas — including a second Artist of the Year win — in their first major awards showing since returning from a nearly four-year hiatus. The haul arrived less than a year after all seven members completed South Korea's mandatory military service, an obligation that effectively suspended full-group activity May 26, 2026

ARKO connects 15 performing arts festivals under summer series SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - The Arts Council Korea will launch the 2026 ARKO SUM FESTA in July, bringing together 15 performing arts festivals across the country under a single brand, the council said Tuesday. ARKO SUM FESTA was introduced last year as an integrated brand for festivals selected under the council's national performing arts festival support program. This year's edition will focus on strengthening links among participating festivals and expanding audience acc May 26, 2026

'Golden' wins 'Song of the Year' award at AMAs SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - "Golden," the main theme song of Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" won "Song of the Year" award at the American Music Awards in Las Vegas on Monday. The global hit song beat out nine major contenders including American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia," Alex Warren's "Ordinary," Morgan Wallen's "I'm The Problem" and Ella Langley's "Choosin May 26, 2026

BTS attend AMAs in Las Vegas, eyeing another award SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Members of K-pop juggernaut BTS are attending the American Music Awards (AMAs), one of the major U.S. pop music awards shows in Las Vegas on Monday. Their in-person attendance at the annual music awards ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena comes for the first time since 2021. They are competing for "Artist of the Year" and "Best Male K-pop Artist" awards. Their latest song, "SWIM," the title track from their fifth full-len May 26, 2026

Stray Kids to headline new music festival 'STRAYCITY' in Latin America SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids will headline "STRAYCITY," a new music festival set to debut in Latin America this September, Live Nation and JYP Entertainment said Saturday. The festival will be held in three cities: Bogota, Colombia, on Sept. 9; Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Sept. 14; and Mexico City on Sept. 25. Stray Kids will headline all three editions. The lineup also includes JYP Entertainment’s seven-member rookie boy group NEXZ and local ar May 23, 2026

Former mimiirose member Hyori releases duet single 'Neutron Star' SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Hyori, former member of K-pop girl group mimiirose, has released a new duet single, "Neutron Star," with rookie vocalist Yuni, her agency Pocket7 Entertainment said Thursday. The digital single was released on major streaming platforms on May 16. Neutron Star is a ballad that uses images of the night sky and outer space to describe longing for someone who has grown distant but still exerts an emotional pull. The track pairs Hyori’s delic May 21, 2026

NCT's Taeyong begins 'WYLD' promotions with music shows, Seoul Jazz Festival SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Taeyong of K-pop group NCT will perform at the Seoul Jazz Festival this week as he begins promotions for his first full-length solo album "WYLD," SM Entertainment said Thursday. The 30-year-old rapper, dancer and songwriter is the leader of NCT and its subunit NCT 127. Taeyong will perform tracks from "WYLD" at the 18th Seoul Jazz Festival 2026, which runs from May 22 to 24 at Olympic Park in Seoul. The festival has grown into one of Sout May 21, 2026

aespa maps emotional journey on upcoming album 'LEMONADE' SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - K-pop girl band aespa has introduced additional tracks from its upcoming second full-length album "LEMONADE," highlighting an emotional arc that moves through freedom, self-protection, desire and connection, SM Entertainment said Thursday. The 11-track album is set for release at 1 p.m. (0400 GMT) on May 29 through major streaming platforms and will also be available as a physical album. “LEMONADE” marks aespa’s first ful May 21, 2026