Tag: K-pop

Music

LE SSERAFIM Announce First-Ever Single Album ‘Spaghetti’ – Out October 24

Tanisha Cardozo

LE SSERAFIM have officially announced their first-ever single album, titled ‘Spaghetti’, set for release on October 24. The news broke on Sunday night (September 28), as the Source Music girl group took to social media to share the surprise announcement. The upcoming release marks a new chapter for the group, arriving seven months after their previous mini album, ‘Hot’.

At present, specific details about the tracklist or the B-side titles for ‘Spaghetti’ remain unconfirmed. Despite the mystery, fans are already buzzing with anticipation. Pre-orders for the album are open now, with physical and digital editions expected to be available globally.

‘Spaghetti’ follows the success of ‘Hot’, a mini album that received critical acclaim for its thematic depth and musical range. In a four-star review, NME’s Gladys Yeo praised the project for exploring themes of courage, resilience, and self-acceptance, calling LE SSERAFIM “an unstoppable, ever-evolving force.” Group leader Kim Chaewon added in an interview with NME that ‘Hot’ aimed to portray the concept of wholeheartedly embracing what one loves.

The announcement also comes shortly after the group concluded the North American leg of their Easy Crazy Hot world tour. Looking ahead, LE SSERAFIM is scheduled to perform two encore shows at the iconic Tokyo Dome in November, continuing their global expansion and growing presence on the international music stage.

With ‘Spaghetti’, LE SSERAFIM seem poised to once again surprise and captivate fans, proving their versatility and fearless artistic direction. Whether it’s through genre-defying sounds or bold visuals, the group continues to redefine what it means to be a modern K-pop act.

International

BTS’s RM to Curate Landmark Exhibition at SFMOMA: A First for K-pop and Modern Art

Tanisha Cardozo

BTS’s RM is about to make history once again — but this time, not on stage. The global K-pop icon will step into the art world as a solo curator with RM X SFMOMA, an ambitious exhibition set to open at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from October 2026 to February 2027. The collaboration, announced by BigHit Music on October 3, marks the first time a K-pop artist has curated an exhibition with the prestigious U.S. institution, positioning RM as a cultural bridge between the realms of music and modern art.

The initiative stems from SFMOMA’s recognition of RM’s refined taste, deep engagement with art, and growing influence beyond the music industry. RM, known for his frequent museum visits and art commentary on social media, has personally shaped the concept and selected works for the exhibition. According to Yonhap News, the project positions RM not only as an artist but also as a visionary curator.

The exhibition will showcase approximately 200 pieces, blending RM’s private art collection with selections from SFMOMA’s extensive archive. These works span across various mediums — including painting, sculpture, and contemporary experimental pieces — and highlight renowned Korean modern artists alongside celebrated international names. Many of these pieces will be shown to the public for the first time, offering a unique cross-cultural and personal perspective on art.

In his official statement, RM emphasized his hope that the exhibition will encourage viewers to reflect on cultural, temporal, and geographic boundaries. “There is no fixed way to appreciate these works,” he said, “but I hope this exhibition becomes a small yet solid bridge for many.” His curatorial approach is rooted in inviting a broad audience to experience art beyond labels and expectations.

SFMOMA’s chief curator, Janet Bishop, praised the collaboration, calling it a rare opportunity to witness an intimate and meaningful conversation between RM’s artistic sensibility and the museum’s world-renowned collection. The exhibition is expected to attract wide attention from both BTS’s global fanbase and the broader art world, opening new avenues for cultural dialogue.

As RM continues to redefine what it means to be a global artist in the 21st century, RM X SFMOMA stands as a landmark in the evolving relationship between pop culture and fine art. This is not just an exhibition — it’s a statement about connectivity, creative expression, and the power of cultural exchange.

Music

Sony Music’s Shridhar Subramaniam Champions Asia’s Cultural Diversity at All That Matters

Tanisha Cardozo

At the All That Matters conference held in Singapore, Shridhar Subramaniam, President of Sony Music Asia and Middle East and Chair of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), delivered an insightful discourse on Asia’s expanding role in the global music industry. Emphasizing the region’s vibrant cultural diversity and localized music scenes, he outlined how these elements are rapidly shaping the future of music on a worldwide scale.

Subramaniam pointed to the IFPI’s initiative of launching weekly charts across six Asian countries as a groundbreaking benchmark for measuring success in an extraordinarily diverse region. He likened Asia’s cultural and linguistic variety to a “stratified Grand Canyon,” where deeper exploration reveals new colors, sounds, and artistic expressions.

One striking example he shared was Indonesia’s traditional dangdut music, a folk-rooted genre that has been revitalized by urban youth into a modern hybrid called “hipdut.” This fusion of old rhythms and contemporary beats has dominated Indonesian charts throughout the year, prompting Sony Music to invest early with a dedicated label and acquisition strategy. The genre’s trajectory mirrors that of reggaeton, which successfully crossed into Afrobeats and Punjabi music, exemplifying how regional styles can achieve global resonance.

The Philippines, with its Pinoy pop scene, is another burgeoning hotspot. Acts like SB19, inspired partly by the K-pop model but firmly localized, have amassed billions of streams and expanded into new markets like Japan through live tours and collaborations. Subramaniam also noted Thailand’s rising prominence and cross-border collaborations involving Korean, Japanese, and Chinese producers, underscoring the dynamic exchange within Asian music.

Despite the fragmented and competitive nature of the industry, Subramaniam stressed the importance of initial domestic success as a springboard to global breakthroughs. Drawing parallels to K-pop’s rise, he acknowledged that fervent home fan bases have been crucial in propelling artists onto the world stage.

With Spotify alone uploading over 135,000 new songs daily, the challenge of artist development has intensified. However, evolving strategies such as fan economies, live touring, and media syncs offer a diverse toolkit to help artists find their unique paths to success.

Looking ahead, Subramaniam remains optimistic about Asia’s cultural and economic influence in music. From contributing less than 7% to nearly 15% of the global market in recent years, Asia is poised to reach 20%, with hyper-local scenes increasingly shaping global culture through sheer volume and algorithmic power. The dominance of Indian and Latin American acts on platforms like YouTube illustrates this trend, suggesting similar patterns will emerge across other streaming services.

Asia’s music moment is here, fueled by cultural richness, innovation, and an unyielding drive from artists and fans alike — a phenomenon that Sony Music and Shridhar Subramaniam are proudly championing on the world stage.

International

Stray Kids and Le Sserafim to Lead Star-Studded Launch of Korea’s Presidential Pop Culture Committee

Tanisha Cardozo

South Korea will officially launch its Presidential Committee for Popular Culture Exchange on October 1, with performances by Stray Kids and Le Sserafim scheduled as part of the inaugural event.

The committee is co-chaired by Park Jin-young, founder of JYP Entertainment, and Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young. It is described as a new body aimed at supporting the international growth of Korean popular culture across sectors such as K-pop, dramas, films, and games.

According to media reports, approximately 270 citizens will be invited to attend the launch ceremony, which President Lee Jae-myung has referred to as being prepared like a festival. He has also stated that the committee will “firmly support the global leap and growth of our popular culture.”

The Presidential Committee for Popular Culture Exchange was announced in September 2025, and its official role includes facilitating collaboration between the government and the private sector within Korea’s cultural industries.

Stray Kids and Le Sserafim, two of the country’s leading K-pop acts, are expected to perform at the launch event, underscoring the government’s recognition of pop culture as a significant part of its international image and economic influence.

Fit & Fabulous

Stray Kids’ Bang Chan Wows at Fendi SS/26 Runway During Milan Fashion Week

Tanisha Cardozo

On September 24, amidst the grandeur of Milan Fashion Week, Stray Kids’ leader Bang Chan made a commanding appearance at the Fendi Spring/Summer 2026 runway show. As Fendi’s global ambassador—announced earlier in 2025—this moment reinforced his emerging status as a style icon bridging K‑Pop and high fashion.

Chan stepped onto the runway in a striking ensemble: a black sheer, lacy shirt layered with matching black trousers, and topped with a charcoal gray leather coat. To complete the monochrome aesthetic, he accessorized with Fendi earrings, a coordinating ring, and a sleek black bag. The look was simultaneously bold and elegant, capturing attention for its refined interplay of texture and tone.

Fans online were quick to laud the pairing. On X, one fan wrote, “Bang Chan looks like a fantasy character, and the outfit is a masterpiece.” Another gushed, “It’s as if Fendi created this look specifically for Chan… the combination becomes a work of art in itself.” The hashtag wave—#BANGCHANXFENDISS26 and #FENDISS26—trended among K‑Pop fashion fans and Fendi followers alike.

This runway appearance is not Bang Chan’s first outing for Fendi. He debuted in Fendi’s sphere at Milan Fashion Week prior to his ambassador role, wearing all‑cream ensembles at their FW25 show, and has since become a regular in Fendi styling.

Before the show, Chan also attended the inauguration of Fendi’s flagship store in Milan, wearing a voluminous beige fur coat over neutral tones. The juxtaposition of that softer look and the bold runway outfit demonstrates his versatility as a fashion muse.

The Fendi SS/26 show itself, directed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, leaned into playful elegance and craftsmanship—sheer fabrics, bold silhouettes, floral motifs, and leather details took center stage. Chan’s styling and presence aligned well with the collection’s aesthetic, reinforcing his synergy with the brand.

In a fashion world increasingly influenced by pop culture and global fandoms, Bang Chan’s presence at Fendi’s runway underscores how music and style are converging. For fans and fashion insiders alike, his appearance is more than a guest spot—it’s proof that he’s a creative collaborator, an ambassador, and a muse capable of carrying both the weight of brand legacy and the energy of K‑Pop fandom into the next era.