Tag: BTS

Music

Stray Kids Break Billboard 200 Record With Seventh No. 1 Album “Karma”

Tanisha Cardozo

Stray Kids have reached a new pinnacle in their career with the release of Karma, their seventh consecutive No. 1 album on the Billboard 200. This record-breaking feat gives them the distinction of having the most No. 1 albums by any group on the Billboard 200 since the year 2000, surpassing major acts like BTS, Linkin Park, and Dave Matthews Band.

Karma debuted with 313,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. for the week ending August 28, according to Luminate, making it the third-largest week of 2025 in terms of overall album units and the second-largest week in pure sales. The 11-track album features the lead single “Ceremony” and was entirely produced by the group’s in-house trio 3RACHA—Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han—reinforcing the group’s unique identity as both performers and producers.

Stray Kids’ historic streak began in 2022 with Oddinary, and each of their seven albums since then has debuted at No. 1. In 2024, Hop set a Billboard first by making Stray Kids the only act in history to have their first six albums debut at No. 1 on the chart. With Karma, they’ve pushed that legacy even further.

The momentum shows no signs of slowing down. A broader CD rollout is set for September 5, likely to drive even more sales. Meanwhile, the album’s lead single “Golden” is spending its third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, further solidifying the group’s presence on both the albums and singles charts.

In other chart highlights this week, Laufey scored her first top 10 debut with A Matter of Time, entering at No. 4 with 99,000 equivalent album units, boosted by a wide array of vinyl and signed CD variants. Deftones returned with Private Music, debuting at No. 5 and earning the band their best sales week to date with 87,000 units. Tyler, The Creator’s Cherry Bomb re-entered the chart at No. 6 thanks to a deluxe reissue for its 10th anniversary, and BigXthaPlug achieved his highest placement yet with I Hope You’re Happy at No. 7.

But the week ultimately belongs to Stray Kids, whose chart-topping consistency, self-produced artistry, and fan-fueled momentum have made them not just K-pop giants—but global record-setters.

Fit & Fabulous

BTS’ V Stuns in Indian Designer Menswear by Kartik Research, Sparks Fashion Buzz

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Korean singer and global style icon Kim Taehyung, better known to millions as BTS’ V, was recently spotted in an ivory-white hand-embroidered shirt by Indian menswear label Kartik Research. The moment sparked celebration among fans worldwide and reignited conversations around the global appeal of Indian craftsmanship.

Kartik Research, a New Delhi-based brand founded in 2021 by Kartik Kumra, champions artisanal design with a strong emphasis on handmade elements. Every garment carries a sense of humanity, narrative, and intention — a rarity in today’s fast-paced fashion world.

V styled the look in his usual effortless fashion — the hand-embroidered shirt was paired with a simple undershirt, light denim jeans, and a relaxed beanie. While the silhouette was understated, the craftsmanship was impossible to ignore. For Indian fans, this wasn’t just a style moment — it was a cultural crossover that spotlighted the richness of Indian textile heritage on one of the world’s most influential stars.

The K-pop sensation has long been admired for his fashion choices, often mixing global luxury with niche designer pieces. With this latest ensemble, he brings Kartik Research into the global fashion narrative — validating the label’s mission to blend craft, culture, and modern menswear.

For the desi BTS army, this moment will be etched into 2025 as a proud celebration of identity, art, and cross-cultural admiration.

Music

CORTIS Is Here: BigHit Music Announces New Boy Group Set to Debut August 18

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

BigHit’s next-generation boy band emerges six years after TXT

In a move that has ignited a new wave of excitement across the K-pop community, BigHit Music — home to global icons BTS and TXT — has unveiled CORTIS, a five-member boy group set to make their debut on August 18.

Announced via a sleek midnight teaser on August 7 KST, the group’s name, CORTIS, appeared glowing in pink on a laptop screen, sparking immediate buzz. The teaser was accompanied by the reveal of the group’s full lineup: Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho — all young talents with a passion for creativity.

Meet the Members of CORTIS

Each member brings something unique to the table, with backgrounds that span songwriting, choreography, and performance:

  • Martin (17) – A Canadian-Korean artist and the presumed leader, Martin has already built an impressive résumé behind the scenes. His songwriting credits include TXT’s “Deja Vu,” “Miracle,” and “Beautiful Strangers,” as well as ENHYPEN’s “Outside,” LE SSERAFIM’s “Pierrot,” and ILLIT’s “Magnetic.”
  • James (20) – The eldest member, James is Thai-Chinese and known for his choreography work with TXT and ILLIT. His experience adds a dynamic edge to CORTIS’ stage presence.

Juhoon (17), Seonghyeon (16), and Keonho (16) – All Korean, these younger members bring fresh energy and promise. Keonho is the group’s maknae (youngest), but all members are expected to play active roles in shaping the group’s identity.

Not Just Idols — Creative Visionaries

CORTIS isn’t just another idol group. According to BigHit, the band is designed as a “young creators’ crew” — a collective where every member contributes creatively, whether through music composition, visual direction, or performance design.

“They will express their creative talent based on their own stories,” BigHit shared in a statement. “All members will take part in the creative process, regardless of their set positions.”

This marks a notable shift in the way K-pop groups are structured, giving these young stars greater artistic control and the space to explore their individuality.

The Teaser and What’s Next

The teaser may have been minimalist, but fans are already speculating about the upcoming August 10 release at midnight KST on HYBE LABELS’ YouTube channel. It’s expected to showcase either their debut track or give the first full glimpse into the group’s concept, sound, and aesthetic.

Socials and Fan Connection

CORTIS’ official X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok accounts are now live, marking the beginning of their pre-debut journey. Fans can expect behind-the-scenes glimpses, training logs, and maybe even sneak peeks at their debut concept.

With BTS hinting at a long-awaited comeback and TXT continuing to soar, CORTIS is arriving at a pivotal moment in BigHit’s legacy — and they’re ready to carve out a fresh, innovative chapter in K-pop history.

International

Michael Rider Revives Celine with Playful Edge in Paris Debut

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Paris, July 2025 – All eyes were on Celine this Sunday as the French luxury fashion house unveiled the debut collection of newly appointed creative director Michael Rider, who took the reins following Hedi Slimane’s departure last October. Hosted at Celine’s intimate atelier near the Tuileries Garden, the runway show redefined expectations—and set a bold new tone for the storied brand.

The show was attended by A-listers including Naomi Watts and Kim Taehyung (V of BTS), whose appearance marked one of his first public outings since completing military service. But the real star of the evening was Rider’s daring take on the Celine legacy.

Having worked under Phoebe Philo during her reign at Celine, Rider was expected by many to usher in a return to her minimalist, intellectual style. Instead, he flipped expectations on their head with tight skinny jeans, super-slim trousers, and sharp silhouettes—signatures more aligned with Hedi Slimane, the man who doubled Celine’s revenue to €2.5 billion before stepping down.

But this wasn’t just Slimane redux. Rider layered in his own eclectic touches: bright V-neck sweaters, Oxford shirts, and striped school ties, all styled with a confident, almost collegiate ease. Eveningwear was sharp and restrained—black, tailored, and clean.

If one thing made a definitive statement, it was the accessories. From chunky bangles and oversized chain necklaces to stacked rings and quirky keyrings shaped like dice and Eiffel Towers, Rider proved he’s not afraid of fun.

“I would never want to be perceived as cynical,” Rider told reporters after the show. “Having a sense of humour in the luxury space is a beautiful thing.”

Celine’s legacy bags also got the Rider remix: massive woven totes, sleek logo pouches, and subtle plays on the Celine logo—something Rider seems especially fascinated by.

“Logos are fascinating to me,” he said. “They can move from something really tasteful to something quite the opposite. They carry energy. They can mean many things.”

While Rider has clearly borrowed some of Slimane’s commercial instincts, he has done so with a wink. This wasn’t a return to old Celine, nor was it a full continuation of Slimane’s slick edge. Instead, Rider introduced something fresh: structured rebellion with an underlying sense of play.

Fashion critics are already calling it a clever fusion of refinement and irreverence, setting up Rider as a creative force to watch not just at Celine, but in luxury fashion at large.