Global artist Jennie (제니) is set to release her first solo studio album, 'Ruby' (루비), featuring the collaboration track 'ExtraL' with American rapper Doechii (도이치) on February 21 at 2 PM KST. Jennie previously excited fans by unexpectedly announcing the pre-release schedule on her official social media, sharing a captivating 10-second video that combined stylish typography with an engaging beat, leaving a strong impression. 

Doechii has made waves in the hip-hop scene, winning the Best Rap Album award at the 67th Grammy Awards for 'Alligator Bites Never Heal', establishing her as a prominent figure with a global fanbase. The collaboration between Jennie and Doechii has generated significant anticipation among fans worldwide, given their unique and impactful styles. 

Jennie's debut album 'Ruby' showcases her vast musical potential, featuring a total of 15 tracks across various genres, including 'Mantra', 'ZEN', 'Love Hangover', and 'ExtraL'. The album also includes collaborations with renowned artists such as Childish Gambino, Doechii, Dominic Fike, Dua Lipa, FKJ, and Kali Uchis. 

To celebrate the release of 'Ruby', Jennie will host 'The Ruby Experience' shows in Los Angeles, New York, and Seoul. The event kicks off at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on March 6-7, followed by performances at Radio City Music Hall in New York on March 10 and Inspire Arena on March 15.

Jennie and Doechii Collaborate on New Track 'ExtraL' from Upcoming Album 'Ruby'

NMIXX (엔믹스) is set to make their return with a new album titled 'Fe3O4: FORWARD' (에프이쓰리오포: 포워드) on March 17, 2025. The group revealed this exciting news through a motion poster shared on their official social media channels at midnight on February 19.

The motion poster, which serves as the first teaser for 'Fe3O4: FORWARD', features a scene reminiscent of an airport security checkpoint, showcasing items like a butterfly, a cube, black stakes, and stars, alluding to their previous works. At the end of the video, a new object, a 'conch shell', appears alongside the phrase 'Towards the Utopia, Together with Nmixx', creatively depicting NMIXX's journey into the mysterious realm of MIXXTOPIA.

This upcoming mini-album marks the conclusion of the 'Fe3O4' series, following their second mini-album 'Fe3O4: BREAK' (에프이쓰리오포: 브레이크) and third mini-album 'Fe3O4: STICK OUT' (에프이쓰리오포: 스틱 아웃). The series narrates the story of NMIXX as they navigate the 'FIELD'—the real world. With previous title tracks 'DASH' (대시) and '별별별 (See that?)' receiving immense love from K-pop fans both domestically and internationally, anticipation is high for this final installment.

Members Lily (릴리), Haewon (해원), Seolyoon (설윤), Bae (배이), Jiwoo (지우), and Kyujin (규진) are gearing up for their comeback after approximately eight months since their last release, '별별별 (See that?)'. They have made significant strides on the global stage, notably participating as panelists at the Billboard Latin Music Week, the largest event in the Latin music industry, making them the first K-pop artists to do so.

In October 2024, they kicked off their second fan concert, 'NMIXX 2ND FAN CONCERT 'NMIXX CHANGE UP: MIXX LAB'' (엔믹스 체인지 업: 믹스 랩), at the Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul, and in January 2025, they met with over 21,300 fans at the Lala Arena Tokyo Bay in Japan. They will continue their concert momentum with performances in Mexico City on February 19 and 20, Santiago on February 22 and 23, and São Paulo on February 28.

The new album 'Fe3O4: FORWARD' will be officially released on March 17 at 6 PM, further solidifying NMIXX's presence in the music scene as they continue to showcase their exceptional talents as a 'hexagonal girl group'.

'육각형 걸그룹' 엔믹스, 3월 17일 컴백…두 번째 팬콘까지 '겹경사' [공식]

NMIXX Announces Comeback with New Album 'Fe3O4: FORWARD' on March 17

The K-pop group SEVENTEEN (에스쿱스, 정한, 조슈아, 준, 호시, 원우, 우지, 디에잇, 민규, 도겸, 승관, 버논, 디노) has secured the highest position among K-pop artists on the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) annual main chart. According to data released on February 18, 2025, SEVENTEEN ranked 3rd on the 'Global Artist Chart 2024', following global superstars Taylor Swift and Drake.

The IFPI Global Artist Chart ranks artists based on physical album sales, digital downloads, and audio and video streaming figures from around the world, making it a reliable indicator of an artist's popularity for the year. SEVENTEEN first entered the top 10 in 2021 at 9th place, then climbed to 6th in 2022 and 2nd in 2023, showcasing their consistent success.

In the album category, SEVENTEEN also performed exceptionally well. Their 12th mini album 'SPILL THE FEELS' and their best album '17 IS RIGHT HERE' achieved 3rd and 4th places, respectively, on the 'Global Album Sales Chart 2024'. They are the only artists to have two albums in the top 5 of this chart.

Additionally, on the 'Global Album Chart 2024', their mini album ranked 6th and the best album 8th, making SEVENTEEN the sole artist with two albums in the top 10.

Last year, SEVENTEEN solidified their status as the 'top K-pop group' with nearly 10 million in annual album sales. They also held the 'SEVENTEEN 'RIGHT HERE' WORLD TOUR', performing 30 shows across 14 cities in North America, Japan, and Asia, attracting over 1.037 million fans both online and offline.

Looking ahead, SEVENTEEN will host the '2025 SVT 9TH FAN MEETING 'SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND'' on February 20-21 at Incheon Munhak Stadium, providing fans with a memorable experience. They will also hold a fan meeting in Japan titled 'SEVENTEEN 2025 JAPAN FANMEETING 'HOLIDAY'' in April and May, with five shows across Osaka's Kyocera Dome and Saitama Super Arena.

세븐틴, 테일러 스위프트·드레이크 이어 국제음반산업협회 ‘톱3’ 등극

SEVENTEEN Achieves Highest Ranking Among K-Pop Artists on IFPI Global Chart

The controversy surrounding the late Oh Yoanna continues to unfold as her diary has been made public, shedding light on her struggles with workplace bullying. The diary, provided by her family, reveals her emotional turmoil, including a specific entry from February 2023 where she wrote, "My seniors gathered all my mistakes and reported them to higher-ups, and they constantly criticized me in the group chat." 

Just two days before writing this entry, Oh had met with MBC officials to discuss her contract renewal, during which she expressed her difficulties with her seniors. However, the MBC representative she spoke with remarked, "In any workplace, we can't always have a good face among seniors and juniors. Such things can happen," suggesting that internal issues should be resolved privately rather than through formal channels. This response has raised further suspicions about MBC's negligence in addressing her concerns, as the representative was not one of the four MBC officials to whom Oh had previously reported her issues.

Oh Yoanna's sudden passing in September 2024 shocked many, and a note found on her phone revealed her complaints about workplace harassment. Reports indicate that she had informed four MBC officials about her situation prior to her death, but her concerns were reportedly ignored, intensifying the allegations of MBC's inaction regarding workplace bullying.

In light of these developments, actress Kim Hye-eun, a former MBC weathercaster, recently spoke on the YouTube channel 'Now Baek Ji-yeon,' reflecting on her own experiences at MBC. She stated, "I worked as a weathercaster for nine years at MBC, and seeing the current situation, I believe that bullying exists in every organization. It shouldn't happen, but it does."

Kim also expressed her concerns about the treatment of weathercasters, questioning the value placed on them by the company. She recalled, "When I joined as a non-regular employee, my salary was decent, but I wondered how the company views weathercasters—whether they see us as disposable or commodified."

The family of Oh Yoanna is demanding the truth, calling for apologies from those responsible and a sincere public apology from MBC. The network has stated that it will investigate the circumstances surrounding Oh's death thoroughly and promptly through a fact-finding committee.

MBC, 故오요안나 방관 의혹 속 새국면 맞나..고인 '일기장' 공개 (Oh!쎈 이슈)

Diary of Late Weathercaster Oh Yoanna Reveals Workplace Struggles Amid Ongoing Controversy

On February 19, actress Jeon Sung-ae appeared on TV Chosun's Perfect Life (퍼펙트 라이프), where she candidly discussed her health issues, including a family history of dementia, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes. Jeon revealed that her mother was diagnosed with dementia in her early 80s and passed away at 84 after living with her for six months as her condition worsened. 

Jeon shared her own experiences, stating, "I've been experiencing memory lapses for the past two years. Forgetting phone numbers is common for me. While filming the movie Seven Queens (7인의 황후) last year, I would sometimes forget the names of my co-stars, even though I recognized their faces. This makes me worry that I might be developing dementia like my mother did." Medical experts on the show expressed concern, suggesting that her symptoms could indicate a higher risk of dementia rather than simple forgetfulness.

Later in the episode, Jeon visited her late mother's grave with her two sisters, reflecting on the time she spent caring for her mother during her illness. After paying their respects, the sisters went to a jjimjilbang (찜질방) where Jeon confided in her siblings about her fears regarding dementia, mentioning that she sometimes struggles to recognize her husband and has difficulty recalling recent events.

Jeon also expressed her worries to her daughter, Mi-ja, saying, "What scares me the most is losing control over my bodily functions. If that happens, I hope you can help me." Mi-ja reassured her mother, saying, "Don't say that, Mom. Even if it happens, I'll take care of it."

Towards the end of the broadcast, Jeon underwent her first dementia screening, voicing her concerns about her memory loss and family history. She noted instances of misdialing phone numbers and forgetting recent meetings. After undergoing various tests, the results showed that her brain activity was normal, and her MRI indicated age-related changes rather than dementia.

'미자母' 전성애, 치매 위험 어쩌나.."전화번호→지인 이름 까먹어" ('퍼펙트라이프')[종합]

Actress Jeon Sung-ae Opens Up About Dementia Fears and Health Concerns

On February 19, actress Cha Joo-young appeared as a guest on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block'. She entered the stage with a knock, bringing laughter to the audience. Expressing her nerves, she stated, "I'm really nervous right now." Cha discussed her role in the drama 'Queen Won-gyeong', expressing gratitude for being described as someone born for the role. She humorously admitted, "I struggled to even go to the bathroom without help. I did this with everyone's support," before asking, "What was the question again? I'm just so nervous right now," which elicited laughter from those present.

Cha reflected on the significance of the role, saying, "I was given such a big role and a chance to take bold steps, for which I am very thankful. I sometimes thought it was too big for me. There were moments I wanted to run away on set. I started thinking, 'Trust me and follow along,' but I often felt lost about what I was doing."

She also shared a personal connection, revealing, "My grandmother is from the Min family, the same family as Queen Won-gyeong. I tried to portray my grandmother's image as I remember it. Whenever I felt lost, I would say, 'Help me, Grandma.'"

The host, Yoo Jae-suk, brought up Cha's previous work in 'The Glory'. Cha recalled, "I remember auditioning for almost two months, meeting every week with the same script. I wondered why they didn't eliminate me sooner." She noted that there were no specific comments during the auditions, suggesting that the casting team was already considering her for the role based on her potential to embody the character further.

차주영, 역시 보통 집안 아니었네 "친할머니, 원경왕후와 같은 민씨" ('유퀴즈')

Cha Joo-young Shares Her Connection with Queen Won-gyeong on 'You Quiz on the Block'

As SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) marks its 10th anniversary, the group is set to engage with fans worldwide through a series of exciting activities. The new special unit, HoshiXWoozi, will release their debut single 'BEAM' on March 10. The title 'BEAM' symbolizes the light emitted by Hoshi and Woozi, showcasing their originality and self-love developed through challenges since their trainee days. As leaders of the performance and vocal teams, both born in 1996, they are expected to shine as representatives of the '96 line.

In addition to their unit activities, SEVENTEEN will host a large-scale fan meeting titled 'SVT 9TH FAN MEETING 'SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND'' at Incheon Munhak Stadium on March 20-21, a rare stadium-sized event for a fan meeting. They will also return to Japan for fan meetings after two years, scheduled for April 24 and 26-27 at Kyocera Dome Osaka, and May 10-11 at Saitama Super Arena, under the title 'SEVENTEEN 2025 JAPAN FAN MEETING ‘HOLIDAY’.

On April 4, SEVENTEEN will head to Mexico to perform as the headliner on the first day of the Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025 festival, the largest music festival in Latin America, often referred to as 'Mexico's Coachella.' This marks the first time a K-pop artist will perform at this festival. Last year, SEVENTEEN made history as the first K-pop group to perform on the main stage at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival and headlined the main stage at Lollapalooza Berlin in Germany.

The year began with the return of the special unit BSS (부석순), consisting of Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi, who released their second single 'TELEPARTY' on January 8, delivering the message that 'if you are happy in this moment, everyone is young.' The title track 'Jeans' quickly topped real-time and daily charts on domestic music sites, and the album sold nearly 530,000 copies within a week of its release, showcasing the strength of the 'K-pop super unit' BSS.

The 'SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR,' which began in October last year, concluded its Asian leg in January and February, with performances in major stadiums in Bulacan, Singapore, Jakarta, and Bangkok. The tour received rave reviews from local media, highlighting SEVENTEEN's powerful presence and perfect performances, and attracted approximately 1,037,000 fans both online and offline.

A representative from Pledis Entertainment stated, 'As SEVENTEEN celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are preparing various activities to create meaningful memories with our fans. We hope everyone looks forward to this being 'SEVENTEEN's year.'

SEVENTEEN Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Special Unit and Global Fan Meetings

The K-pop group LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌), consisting of members Kim Chae-won (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yoon-jin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eun-chae (홍은채), is set to release their fifth mini album titled 'HOT' on March 14 at 1 PM. This album will serve as the final installment in their trilogy, following the releases of their third mini album 'EASY' in February and their fourth mini album 'CRAZY' in August of last year.

Since their debut with 'FEARLESS', LE SSERAFIM has consistently infused their music with genuine thoughts and emotions, resonating with listeners. 'EASY' explored themes of inner struggles and anxieties, while 'CRAZY' encouraged embracing chaos rather than succumbing to fear. With 'HOT', the group aims to showcase a passionate attitude towards love, further illustrating their journey of inner strength throughout this trilogy.

The 'EASY', 'CRAZY', and 'HOT' trilogy has been in the works since 2023. During their performance at the 2023 MAMA Awards, they captivated audiences with the theme 'REVOLUTION ON THE STREET', where the phrases 'EASY', 'CRAZY', and 'HOT' were sequentially displayed on LED screens. Additionally, the track 'Good Bones' from their third mini album features the lyrics, "EASY, CRAZY, HOT I can make it," while the music video for 'Smart' also hints at the next album's title, 'CRAZY'. This has provided fans with numerous clues about the trilogy over the past year.

LE SSERAFIM will unveil the album trailer for 'HOT' on the 21st. Known for their stylish and impressive trailers, anticipation is high among K-pop fans for this upcoming release.

LE SSERAFIM to Conclude Trilogy with New Album 'HOT'

K-pop sensation BLACKPINK has unveiled the first phase of their highly anticipated 2025 world tour, which will feature stadium performances across various countries. YG Entertainment announced the tour on their official blog on February 20, revealing a poster that outlines the tour schedule, which includes stops in South Korea, North America, Europe, and Japan.

The tour kicks off with performances at the Goyang Sports Complex in South Korea on July 5 and 6, before heading to major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, London, and Tokyo. 

While the full details are yet to be revealed, all confirmed venues are large stadiums capable of accommodating tens of thousands of fans. Notably, BLACKPINK will be the first K-pop girl group to perform at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London, often referred to as the 'dream stage' for pop artists. Additionally, their solo concert at Goyang Sports Complex marks a first for K-pop girl groups.

BLACKPINK will share the stage with other global music icons, performing at renowned venues like SoFi Stadium in LA, Soldier Field in Chicago, Rogers Centre in Toronto, City Field in New York, Stade de France in Paris, Ippodromo Snai La Maura in Milan, Estadi Olímpic in Barcelona, and Tokyo Dome, further solidifying their status as a top-tier global group.

YG Entertainment stated, "We are preparing for a tour of unprecedented scale and quality, comparable to the historic [BORN PINK] tour that wrote a new chapter in K-pop history. We ask for your continued interest in the additional locations and dates that will be announced soon."

The teaser released alongside the announcement highlights moments from the previous 'BORN PINK' tour, which set a record for K-pop girl group world tours with over 1.8 million attendees. The explosive stage presence of BLACKPINK and the enthusiasm of fans worldwide are sure to elevate anticipation for the upcoming tour, with the phrase 'AND MORE' prominently displayed in the video, hinting at more surprises to come.

BLACKPINK Announces Massive 2025 World Tour with Stadium Performances

K-pop group ONF has made a remarkable comeback, soaring to the top of both domestic and international music charts. On February 18, they released their second full-length album, Part.1 'ONF: MY IDENTITY', with the title track 'The Stranger' hitting number one on the Bugs real-time chart on the day of its release. The album's entire tracklist has also charted, showcasing the group's impressive popularity.

Internationally, 'ONF: MY IDENTITY' has made significant strides, reaching the number one spot on Japan's iTunes 'Top Albums' chart and landing in the top 10 of the same chart in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Additionally, the album secured the 16th position on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, highlighting ONF's strong presence in the global music scene.

With a successful comeback underway, ONF is set to kick off their promotional activities on February 20 at 6 PM KST on Mnet's 'M Countdown'. They will perform 'The Stranger' for the first time, delivering a dynamic performance filled with healing energy and impactful choreography that symbolizes the shape of a circle.

'The Stranger' is a pop track characterized by its funky rhythm and showcases ONF's impressive vocal range. The song conveys a positive message about pursuing dreams amidst a challenging world, with members Min-kyun and Wyatt contributing to its creation, adding a unique touch to the group's sound.

ONF Tops Charts with New Album 'ONF: MY IDENTITY'

NewJeans has encountered difficulties in their initial activities as NJZ. On February 19, five major music organizations in South Korea, including the Korea Management Federation and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association, issued a statement calling for policy support to eradicate tampering in the K-pop industry. They claimed that the actions of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and NewJeans are causing significant harm to the industry and urged the government and National Assembly to establish anti-tampering legislation.

In response, NewJeans took a stand. A lengthy rebuttal was posted on accounts managed by the members' parents, asserting that HYBE and the organizations involved are engaging in misleading media play. They stated that their exclusive contract with HYBE has been terminated due to unfair treatment.

The group specifically claimed that HYBE's Chairman Bang Si-hyuk personally pressured U.S. contacts to cancel NJZ members' performances, as relayed by a representative from ComplexCon, who is assisting with the event preparations.

Ador countered this by stating, "We have never pressured the cancellation of NewJeans' Hong Kong performance. Chairman Bang has confirmed that he has had no contact regarding the Hong Kong concert."

Ador further explained that they requested the event organizers to use the official team name NewJeans, as previously requested by domestic media, and to conduct the performance through Ador based on the exclusive contract.

NewJeans maintains that their exclusive contract with Ador was terminated in November of last year and has declared 'NJZ' as their new team name. In response, Ador has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract and has sought an injunction against the group's agency status and advertising contracts. They argue that the official team name is not NJZ but NewJeans, asserting that the exclusive contract remains valid. The first hearing related to the injunction is set for March, while the lawsuit regarding the exclusive contract will begin in April. If the court rules in favor of HYBE, NewJeans' independent activities may be jeopardized.

Jennie and Doechii Collaborate on New Track 'ExtraL' from Upcoming Album 'Ruby'

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SEVENTEEN Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Special Unit and Global Fan Meetings

LE SSERAFIM to Conclude Trilogy with New Album 'HOT'

BLACKPINK Announces Massive 2025 World Tour with Stadium Performances

ONF Tops Charts with New Album 'ONF: MY IDENTITY'

NewJeans Faces Challenges in First Activities as NJZ

More

NMIXX Announces Comeback with New Album 'Fe3O4: FORWARD' on March 17

SEVENTEEN Achieves Highest Ranking Among K-Pop Artists on IFPI Global Chart

Diary of Late Weathercaster Oh Yoanna Reveals Workplace Struggles Amid Ongoing Controversy

Actress Jeon Sung-ae Opens Up About Dementia Fears and Health Concerns

Cha Joo-young Shares Her Connection with Queen Won-gyeong on 'You Quiz on the Block'

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