BTS draws 65,000 fans in triumphant Mexico City return after decade-long hiatus SEOUL, May 09 (AJP) - K-pop giant BTS made a long-awaited return to Mexico City on Friday, performing before a sold-out crowd of 65,000 at the Estadio GNP Seguros. The concert marked the group's first appearance in the Mexican capital since 2017, ending a nearly decade-long wait for local fans. The performance opened with "Hooligan," a track from their latest album Arirang, instantly energizing a stadium situated 2,240 meters above sea level. The setlist showcased a May 9, 2026

JIHYO joins Genevieve on new R&B single 'Hvnly' SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - JIHYO of K-pop girl band TWICE joined forces with rising U.S. R&B singer Genevieve on the newly released track "Hvnly (feat. JIHYO of TWICE)," expanding the singer’s global collaborative portfolio as TWICE continues its record-setting world tour. The song was officially released Friday as part of Genevieve’s deluxe album "CRYSALIS (CODA)." The track is a remix version of Genevieve’s earlier song "Hvn High," May 8, 2026

K-pop girl band BABYMONSTER adds seats for Seoul concert after tickets sell out SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - K-pop girl band BABYMONSTER will open additional seats for its upcoming Seoul concert series after tickets for the original three-day run sold out immediately upon release. The move aims to accommodate a surge in demand from fans following the group's recent musical comeback. YG Entertainment reported that the 2026-27 BABYMONSTER World Tour Choom in Seoul saw an explosive response during both pre-sale and general ticketing windows. The agency noted that t May 8, 2026

Hybe artists BTS, TWX and ILLIT sweep music charts in China, Japan and US SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - Hybe artists swept the top positions in international music rankings for the final week of April, securing the first through third spots in China, Japan, and the United States. According to data released by Hanteo Chart on May 8, South Korean acts including BTS, TWS, and ILLIT led the charts in these major global markets. The results demonstrate the broad reach of the South Korean entertainment conglomerate across different regions and sub-labels. The data su May 8, 2026

BIGBANG member Taeyang releases first full-length album in nine years SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - K-pop legend BIGBANG Taeyang is set to release his fourth full-length album alongside a dedicated exhibition on May 18, the 37-year-old's agency said Friday. The record, titled Quintessence, arrives as the performer's first studio album in approximately nine years. The BIGBANG member's exhibition will be held at the Working With Friend gallery in the Yongsan District near central Seoul. The exhibition is designed to offer an immersive, multi-senso May 8, 2026

BTS gets state-visit red-carpet treatment in Mexico SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - K-pop supergroup BTS appeared alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the presidential office in Mexico City on Thursday, drawing tens of thousands of fans ahead of the group's sold-out stadium concerts. Sheinbaum welcomed the seven-member band during her regular morning press briefing, known as "Mañanera," describing BTS as artists who "always convey messages of friendship, peace and love." The May 7, 2026

South Korean film 'My Name' wins Audience Award at Italian festival SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - South Korean film "My Name," directed by Chung Ji-young and centering on the 1948 Jeju 4.3 massacre, won the Audience Award at the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy on Monday, the film's distributor Let's Films said. The victory at Europe's largest festival dedicated to Asian cinema suggests that South Korean historical narratives are gaining universal resonance through popular vote. The Audience Award is determined by direct ballots May 4, 2026

K-pop girl band aespa prepares for second full-length album with pre-release single 'WDA' SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - South Korean girl group aespa will release a pre-release single titled Whole Different Animal on May 11. The track serves as the initial signal for the rollout of the group's second full-length album. The release strategy replicates a successful formula used during the campaign for their first studio album. The group's previous pre-release track Supernova recorded top positions on major music charts in South Korea and established strong momentum for t May 4, 2026

Agency apologizes for G-Dragon racial slur attire SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - K-pop star G-Dragon's agency has issued an official apology Monday after the Big Bang member performed in a stage outfit containing a Dutch racial slur. The incident in Macau has renewed concerns regarding the South Korean entertainment industry's frequent lack of cultural and linguistic verification in fashion. Styling choices in K-pop often derive from a focus on visual aesthetics that ignores the social or historical weight of foreign fashion graph May 4, 2026

BTS album Arirang maintains top five presence on Billboard 200 for sixth week SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - K-pop band BTS extended its run on the United States music charts as its fifth studio album, Arirang, remained in the top five of Billboard 200 for its sixth consecutive week. The release continues to draw engagement from physical sales and digital streaming. Most high-profile albums typically see sharp consumption declines after initial debut weeks. The album moved 56,000 equivalent album units for the week ending May 3, according to Billboard. Data repre May 4, 2026