Tag: K-pop

Music

Stray Kids and IVE Dominate 2025 K-World Dream Awards With 4 Wins Each

Tanisha Cardozo

The 2025 K-World Dream Awards weren’t just another night of trophies — they were a glittering celebration of K-pop’s unstoppable global wave. Held in Seoul, the ninth edition of the awards brought together the biggest names in the industry, and the night clearly belonged to Stray Kids and IVE, who each took home four prestigious honors.

Stray Kids and IVE shared the Best Artist Award, a nod to their massive influence, chart-topping hits, and unbeatable fanbase. Both were also among the winners of the World Class Award and the Bonsang (Main Award). Their popularity translated into fan-driven wins too, with IVE’s Jang Won Young earning the Solo Popularity Award, while Stray Kids picked up the Group Popularity Award.

TXT, LE SSERAFIM, and NCT WISH followed closely with three awards each — with accolades including World Class, Bonsang, and Best Performance awards. The night also spotlighted fresh talent like ILLIT, tripleS, QWER, and rookies AHOF, KiiiKiii, and Hearts2Hearts.

Specialty awards ranged from Best Music Video (ILLIT, tripleS, YOUNG POSSE) to Best OST (“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters). Paul Kim and BTOB took home the Listener Choice Award, while G-Dragon, IU, and Rosé were recognized for Best Digital Music.

The Producer Award went to Seo Hyun Joo, executive producer at Starship Entertainment, recognizing her role in shaping some of the industry’s biggest acts.

MCs Jun Hyun Moo and Jang Do Yeon kept the energy high, while star presenters like Byeon Woo Seok and Moon Ga Young added a touch of glamour to the event.

With the blue carpet starting at 4:30 pm KST and the show streaming live worldwide via HelloLive, the event proved once again that K-pop is a worldwide obsession with no signs of slowing down.

As K-pop continues to break barriers and reach new heights, the K-World Dream Awards 2025 made one thing clear — the genre is not just surviving, it’s thriving.

Films

KPop Demon Hunters: Netflix Hit Redefines Female Superheroes Through K-pop and Korean Mythology

Tanisha Cardozo

Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters isn’t just a film—it’s a genre-defying cultural explosion. Co-directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, this animated superhero movie has taken the platform by storm, becoming the second most popular English-language film on Netflix, while simultaneously earning critical acclaim and charting on Billboard.

The film follows Huntr/x, a fictional K-pop girl group who double as demon-fighting superheroes. Armed with magical musical powers and real-world sass, the girls take on ancient evil with a blend of pop performance and supernatural flair. Alongside them—or sometimes against them—are the Saja Boys, a rival male idol group with secrets and powers of their own.

What makes KPop Demon Hunters truly groundbreaking, however, is its unapologetically raw portrayal of its female leads. “They eat messily, they burp, they make weird faces,” says director Maggie Kang. “I wanted to break away from the polished, idealized female characters we usually see in animation.”

Kang took a hands-on, physical approach to directing. She often had her animation team act out scenes to capture authentic emotion, comedic timing, and real human gestures. When scenes didn’t quite land, Kang would step in and demonstrate the facial expressions herself—sometimes contorting her face to extreme degrees to convey a particular feeling.
“Even when you draw, you want to feel the expressions,” Kang told Q host Gill Deacon.

More than just a stylistic tour de force, KPop Demon Hunters roots itself in deep Korean heritage. The film’s opening sequence—depicting generations of Korean musicians fighting supernatural forces—draws heavily from Korean shamanism and folklore. Kang’s own upbringing between Toronto and summers in Seoul shaped the narrative, blending diasporic identity with mythological storytelling.

“When we grounded the mythology into Korean shamanism, it opened up this opportunity to feature different eras of Korea and show how Korean music evolved through the ages,” she explained.

The fictional group’s impact isn’t limited to the screen. Huntr/x’s track “Golden” hit No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200, while the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack soared to No. 2 on the Billboard 200—making it the top-charting soundtrack of 2025.

“I didn’t think this kind of reaction was even possible,” Kang said. “It’s incredible.”

With voice performances from Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun, the film has a dynamic and diverse ensemble that brings the world of Huntr/x vividly to life.

Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, KPop Demon Hunters is proof that authentic cultural storytelling—blended with universal themes, bold creativity, and the magnetic rivalry between Huntr/x and the Saja Boys—can break every mold, entertain, and inspire.

Music

BLACKPINK’s Triumphant Return to London: Deadline World Tour Ignites Wembley Stadium

Tanisha Cardozo

On Friday night, August 15th, Wembley Stadium was ablaze in pink — not from demons à la KPop Demon Hunters, but from the unmatched spectacle that is BLACKPINK. Two years after their BST Hyde Park performance, the global K-pop titans returned to London for their Deadline World Tour, and it was nothing short of historic.

The tour itself came as a surprise. After YG Entertainment’s 2023 announcement that each BLACKPINK member would pursue solo endeavors, fans braced for the possible end of group performances. But in a twist worthy of K-pop drama, BLACKPINK announced the Deadline World Tour earlier this year — a powerful reminder that this group is far from finished.

The Wembley shows featured the fan-favorite hits fans have screamed along to for years — “Kill This Love,” “BOOMBAYAH,” “DDU-DU DDU-DU” — but added new layers with each member performing selections from their latest solo albums:

  • JISOO delivered elegance and drama with “earthquake” and “Your Love” from AMORTAGE.
  • LISA brought intensity with “Lifestyle,” “Thunder,” and “Rockstar” from Alter Ego.
  • JENNIE oozed swagger on “Handlebars,” “with the IE (way up),” and “like JENNIE” from Ruby.
  • ROSÉ charmed the crowd with the emotional highs of “APT,” “dance all night,” and “toxic till the end” from Rosie.

Each solo moment felt like a mini-concert — a glimpse into each artist’s evolution and individual identity. It reignited a fresh energy in a setlist that, while familiar, was anything but stale.

One of the night’s standout moments came during Rosé’s solo stage. In a surreal, cheeky intro sequence, FKA Twigs joined Rosé backstage as they sipped shots and munched on scones aboard a railcar transporting Rosé to the B-stage. It was unexpected, theatrical, and the kind of viral pop culture moment 2025 concerts are made for.

Though the group hadn’t released an album since 2022’s Born Pink, they gifted fans a new digital single, “Jump,” produced by Diplo. The Europop banger split opinions online, but live? It brought the house down — performed once in full production and again during the encore in a stripped-down format. Seeing 70,000 pink lightsticks pulse to a brand-new track felt electric.

K-pop isn’t just about the music — it’s a full sensory experience. BLACKPINK’s lightsticks created a glowing pink sea, adding emotional weight to the visual spectacle. And a live band brought a dynamic layer to the sound, with the group taking time mid-show to highlight their musicians. In a world of backing tracks, it was a human, grounding moment.

A Setlist That Reminds You Why They’re Queens

The final act of the show was a hit parade — from “As If It’s Your Last” to “Forever Young.” It was a reminder that sometimes, sticking with the classics is exactly what fans want.

BLACKPINK’s Deadline World Tour at Wembley didn’t just fill a stadium — it filled hearts. Amidst their thriving solo careers, this tour is proof the group still shines brightest when together. And as long as “BLACKPINK in your area” rings out, fans will keep showing up — squeaky hammers in hand.

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.

Music

ROSÉ Earns 8 Solo VMA Nominations for 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ is officially stepping into her solo era — and she’s doing it in record-breaking style. The K-pop icon has earned eight nominations at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, marking her first recognition as a solo artist and putting her among the most nominated acts of the year.

Her hit single APT., a chart-topping collaboration with Bruno Mars that peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, landed her in seven major categories:

  • Video of the Year
  • Song of the Year
  • Best Collaboration
  • Best Pop
  • Best Direction
  • Best Art Direction
  • Best Visual Effects

In addition, her third solo single Toxic Til the End from her debut album Rosie has earned her a nod in the Best K-pop category.

Reacting to the news on her Instagram Stories, ROSÉ appeared visibly emotional and overwhelmed.

“So I’ve just heard that I’ve received eight VMA nominations,” she shared in a heartfelt video. “I am beyond shocked and I just don’t know what to say. I’m absolutely speechless! This is a crazy day!”

She also posted a screenshot of the nominations with a simple caption: “waaaahhh???”

ROSÉ now joins an elite group of artists leading the 2025 VMAs:

  • Lady Gaga: 12 nominations
  • Bruno Mars: 11 nominations
  • Kendrick Lamar: 10 nominations
  • ROSÉ & Sabrina Carpenter: 8 nominations each
  • Ariana Grande & The Weeknd: 7 nominations each

Adding to the excitement, her BLACKPINK bandmates are also in the spotlight.

  • Jennie is nominated for Like JENNIE
  • Jisoo earned a nod for Earthquake
  • Lisa, along with Doja Cat and RAYE, is recognized for Born Again

These nominations mark Jennie and Jisoo’s first solo VMA nods outside of BLACKPINK as a group.

The 2025 MTV VMAs will air live on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET from the UBS Arena in New York, broadcasting on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

It’s a monumental moment not just for ROSÉ, but for K-pop as a whole — proving that global appeal, artistry, and passion continue to redefine pop culture across borders.