Sweety High Blog • 9th July 2026

Rookie K-Pop Boy Group VAYONN on 1st EP, Youth Today

Get to know VAYONN, a six-member group that made its highly anticipated debut on July 6 with the release of its first EP, Youth Today.
Made up of SEN, MASATO, AYANG, JINYU, TERU and MANO, the group introduces listeners to their bright, youthful energy rooted in the question, “How is your youth today?” Through the lens of weather, the EP explores the many emotions and seasons of youth, preserving every rainy and sunny moment as the rookie group lives through their youth in real time.
Following th...

Sweety High Blog • 7th July 2026

MONSTA X's KIHYUN on 'BORDERLINE' EP & Embracing Uncertainty

Returning to the stage as a solo artist, KIHYUN was all about trusting his own instincts and growing more comfortable in his own skin.
Capturing the imagery of standing among debris and ruins, BORDERLINE feels like a new chapter in the story that began with YOUTH. Through its quiet tension of loss and moments of confusion, KIHYUN reflects on the internal questions that surface as he navigates his place in life and finds his way amid uncertainty.
To celebrate the release of BORDERLINE, Sweety Hig...

Sweety High Blog • 30th June 2026

CHOI YOOJUNG Talks Growth and Cuteness in 'Perfect Target'

For anyone who finds it difficult to love themselves from time to time, CHOI YOOJUNG offers to share a different perspective: being hard on yourself can actually come from a place of deep care.
About four years after her solo debut with “Sunflower,” YOOJUNG finally returns with her second bright, retro-inspired solo single album, Perfect Target, emphasizing a much deeper period of personal discovery and self-love. As she approached her 10th anniversary in the industry, she began thinking more se...

KpopWise | Kpop News and Exclusives • 11th June 2026

[Exclusive Interview] Dailog on Cantabile: “What do I want to say?”

In recent years, Dailog has slowly begun to rewrite its own story. As he continued releasing music under his own name, the questions guiding his creative process also changed subtly: he started to pay closer attention to what he wanted to say and how his own daily experiences could become the foundation of “Dailog.”

In this special interview, Dailog opens up about his thought process behind creating the yearning melody of romantic songs and his recent EP, Cantabile, which echoes the question, “...

Sweety High Blog • 29th May 2026

Interview: YOON SAN-HA Shares Story Behind 'NO REASON'

YOON SAN-HA has spent the last few years stepping into new versions of himself.
Since his solo career began in 2024 with his first mini-album, DUSK, he has continued to explore his artistic identity through a series of solo releases and acting projects, each adding a different perspective on his personal growth.
Nearly a year after CHAMELEON, YOON SAN-HA returned on May 20 with NO REASON, an album that helped him pinpoint what it means to grow as an artist and realize the importance of accepting...

Sweety High Blog • 6th May 2026

Interview: Billlie Discuss Their Debut Album and Evolution

Returning with the mission of leaving the past behind can take artists a huge amount of courage.
As Billlie continues to value that fearless energy in their music, the collective soul and unconsciousness: chapter two guides the group one step closer toward embracing growth. As they told Sweety High over Zoom, “all answers have been within us all this time.” Following the release of their dreamy pre-release track “cloud palace ~ false awakening” in January, we reconnected with Billlie to share th...

Genius • 2nd May 2026

[INTERVIEW] ZELO Returns With “Cola Comigo” - A New Era Into ‘NEXT CHAPTER’

ZELO returned from the military with his latest single, “Cola Comigo” on March 31. The track holds deep emotions of longing, initiated by his desire to greet his fans through music. Built around many breakthroughs of reflection, ZELO came back with a South American rhythmic flow, carrying with it the meaning of trust.


Through the words that ZELO put down on paper, a clear sense of appreciation for the person he has become and the artist he continues to grow into surfaces. He takes us behind t...

KpopWise | Kpop News and Exclusives • 27th April 2026

[Exclusive Interview] KEYVITUP Sets Sights on “The Rookie of the Year” and Discusses Their Debut EP

Comprised of five members: Taehwan, Hyunmin, Sena, Jaein, and Rukia, KEYVITUP officially debuted on April 8 with their self-titled debut EP, “KEYVITUP.” As a relatively young group stepping into the industry, they’ve set out to boost their confidence and prepare to open the next doors that follow happiness. All while having their eyes set on “The Rookie of the Year.”

Over Zoom, the members spoke about their debut EP and their future ambitions for the “connected doors” ahead.

Hello KEYVITUP! To...

KpopWise | Kpop News and Exclusives • 25th April 2026

[Exclusive Interview] XEN on “F KILLER”: “I Wanted to Show the Process of Finding Your Own Honest Answer”

“F: KILLER” captures a reflection of emotional maturity – For XEN, that choice comes from the ambition of valuing himself. In conversation with KpopWise, XEN opens up about his growth as a solo artist, staying honest to his silky vocals and building a musical path that feels fully his own.

"F: KILLER" Audio

XEN: Thank you so much for loving “F: KILLER” and congratulating me on the release. It actually made me think that I need to keep moving forward and work even harder. While preparing for th...

Genius • 18th April 2026

[FEATURE] SUCTION Delivers the Persistence in Pain with “앓던니 (Still Hurts)”

Have you seen a time when comedians and idols join hands in a co-ed idol group?

HYRU Entertainment launched a comedic YouTube project series, 석션 (SUCTION), with recognizable names Kwon Hyuk Soo (multi-entertainer), Na Hyun Yeong (comedian), and Narsha of Brown Eyed Girls on December 19, 2025. Following the third episode’s premiere, a new, unexpected addition, MJ of
ASTRO, joined the main cast midway.



This group brings a surprisingly controlled chaos to the series.

Kwon Hyuk Soo anchors th...

Genius • 15th April 2026

[FEATURE] The Art of Remake: Four Songs YOUNHA Reinterprets in ‘SUB CHARACTER’

A music remake often carries more than just the expectation of familiarity. Reinterpretation is designed to push and penetrate beyond the surface of the original, while sharing a personal taste. As YOUNHA takes her favorite songs and compares their different charms with the originals, she expands them even further to look for meaning across languages and borders.


On March 9th, YOUNHA, a Korean singer-songwriter, released her first remake album, SUB CHARACTER. The album features the tracks “계절...

KpopWise | Kpop News and Exclusives • 2nd April 2026

[Concert Review] "I've been waiting too long," Jackson Wang Let ‘MAGICMAN II’ Loose At The Kia Forum

On March 31, at one of the most iconic indoor music venues in Inglewood, the Kia Forum, the ‘MAGICMAN II’ World Tour arrived in Los Angeles, kicking off the six-city North American run. The tour continues through Oakland, Vancouver, Rosemont, Brooklyn, and Toronto, with additional stops across Latin America. After the first video was shown, Jackson was lifted into the air, and a beam of light was cast down on him. With the opening of “High Alone,” accompanied by screams and cheers, the concert t...

KpopWise | Kpop News and Exclusives • 12th March 2026

[Exclusive Interview] Meet Emmy-Nominated Journalist Clint Edwards in a K-Pop Conversation

People who want to start in the journalism industry often imagine a very structured career path. However, Washington-based Emmy-nominated video journalist and FOX 13 Seattle “K-Pop Catch Up” host Clint Edwards proves otherwise.

The creator of the YouTube series “Fan Service” has a background in film and photography. Edwards reflected on his unexpected path into journalism – transitioning between fandom to professional reporting and developing his own storytelling voice. Through self-produced in...

KpopWise | Kpop News and Exclusives • 28th February 2026

EVERLAST: UNIS Brings the Last Stop to The LA Echoplex Stage

On February 27, the eight-member South Korean girl group UNIS completed their first 14-city tour, ‘2026 UNIS 1st Tour: EVERLAST,’ across North America and Latin America, with Los Angeles being the concluding stop. The girls (Hyeonju, Nana, Gehlee, Kotoko, Yunha, Elisia, Yoonah, Seowon) successfully wrapped up at the Echoplex, a live music venue at the heart of the Echo Park neighborhood in downtown LA, to celebrate and build on their global growth.

Formed through the SBS reality show Universe T...

Phoebe's Press • 21st February 2026

[Concert Review] LEE HEE MOON Hits The LA Stage With OBSG

On February 19, the South Korean Sorikkun (traditional folk singer) Lee Hee Moon hit the stage at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles with his band OBSG, rocking the stage in heels with a setlist of 15 “Joseon Pop” (Traditional K-Pop) songs.Presented by KCCLA (Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles) as part of the Touring K-Arts Program, the Lunar New Year concert welcomes vocalist Lee Hee Moon, creating a special, crowd-filled evening. The performance followed his successful show on Tuesday,...

KpopWise | Kpop News and Exclusives • 10th February 2026

2026 BIGBANG Comeback Officially Announced By G-Dragon

Phoebe Yao is a Los Angeles–based freelance entertainment journalist covering K-pop, K-drama, and the global rise of Korean culture. She writes with a strong passion for Korean music and culture.

Phoebe Yao is a Los Angeles–based freelance entertainment journalist covering K-pop, K-drama, and the global rise of Korean culture. She writes with a strong passion for Korean music and culture.

KPOPPOST • 17th January 2026

How BTS Reordered the Rules of K-Pop Global Success - It's a Legacy

BTS reshaped the K-pop business by shifting power from company-defined strategies to audience-driven success. Rather than waiting for institutional approval, global fans propelled BTS into a new economic model that redefined scale and influence. As the BTS Comeback 2026 approaches, their legacy offers a clear case study of how modern K-pop business is built through participation, demand, and global reach.


On January 5, Big Hit Music confirmed that BTS would release their fifth album on March...

Substack • 13th January 2026

[INTERVIEW] Naomi Watanabe: Global Fans’ Perspective Gave Me Confidence

On December 14, Naomi Watanabe was honored with the ‘Global Groundbreaker Award’ at the Unforgettable Gala 2024.Japanese comedian and actress Naomi Watanabe recently hosted her first English-language stand-up comedy show in the US. Her one-night special in New York sold out so quickly that the second show added to the schedule also sold out.While many have anticipated her upcoming projects, Asia Lab chose to recognize her amazing comedic personality with an award that shakes the ground — ‘Global...

Substack • 13th January 2026

[INTERVIEW] Mike Angelo Joins the Unforgettable Gala 2024 as a Presenter

Thai actor and singer Mike Angelo joined the annual celebration, Unforgettable Gala 2024 on December 14. Bringing an upbeat, humorous energy that matched Naomi Watanabe, honoring the contagious laugh she brings to her audiences on stage, and presenting her with the ‘Global Groundbreaker Award’.Asia Lab, sponsor and partner, recognized Mike Angelo’s cross-cultural work and extended an invitation. Representing Asia Lab as a press journalist, we had the opportunity to talk with him about his though...

KPOPPOST • 5th January 2026

How CORTIS Shifts the K-pop System: World-Building to Artist-Defined Identity

What makes a K-pop concept truly unforgettable? Is it the uniquely crafted universes of groups like EXO or the newer generation CORTIS that are challenging K-pop norms by prioritizing creative freedom and self-defined identity?


For years, K-pop thrived on precision. Entertainment agencies and companies assigned concepts and defined their identities, building the narratives behind each group that became the central story. From the rise of second-generation in the 2000s through the early 2010s,...

KPOPPOST • 20th December 2025

K-Pop Industry’s Secret: How G-Dragon Shifts the Business Strategy

Did comebacks evolve beyond release schedules into a global “visibility growth strategy,” or has that model been completely replaced by a more sustainable K-pop business strategy after comebacks?


If you sat with the schedule of a K-pop group, you probably have realized that for decades, Korean entertainment relied on comeback and chart results for promotions. What felt like a great decision in the industry fell apart. What tasted sweet has finally rotted in the mouths of the Korean entertainm...