KpopWise

Since her debut in 1979, Miki Matsubara has left a vivid impression on the Japanese pop music scene and has become the driving force behind the recent global City Pop boom. Now, her debut single, "Mayonaka no Door~stay with me," has officially surpassed 500 million cumulative streams on Spotify, making it the 10th Japanese song in history to achieve this milestone. Notably, this is the first-ever feat for a Japanese song released in the 1900s.

Photo Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC The group that never seems to rest since the release of ARIRANG is, of course, BTS. The seven members who are in the middle of their world tour just wrapped up their European leg with two dates in Paris, concluding on Saturday evening. They took to the stage to perform their hit “Dynamite” during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Show at New York New Jersey Stadium, produced by Global Citizen, the world’s largest movement to end extreme poverty.

A 2026 version of "I Made a Mistake," (사고쳤어요)  reinterpreted by the acclaimed vocal group V.O.S, has been released on July 19. V.O.S, a vocal group known for their unrivaled emotional depth, presents their own unique remake of Davichi's "I Made a Mistake" to listeners. Notably, the track's quality was elevated through production by the hit-making team Aiming Music.

K-Music Festival, London's largest celebration of Korean music and culture, returns for its 13thedition this autumnwith an ambitious programme showcasing the depth, diversity and creativity of Korea's thriving music scene. Expanding its scope for 2026, the festival embraces contemporary hip-hop, art pop and gaming soundtracks alongside traditional Korean music, contemporary composition, jazz, post-rock, immersive sound art and cross-cultural collaboration.

After a long hiatus, DAYDAY has returned with his full-length album, Belated. Comprising 12 tracks, this album serves as a record that encapsulates his time away, the changes he underwent during that period, and his current perspective on music. It is not a flashy comeback, but rather a quiet yet weighty return. The entire album was produced by DAX. It features a diverse soundscape that spans genres such as Boom Bap, Trap, and Ratchet. The album includes two title tracks.

A2O MAY has returned with a new single album "Love Got Me Ooh" on July 17, showcasing a more diverse and mature charm. Through two tracks with contrasting moods—'Love Got Me Ooh' and 'Rain On My Parade'—the group demonstrates an expanded musical spectrum while more clearly defining their unique identity.

Tadayoshi Ohkura of SUPER EIGHT offers viewers an all-access backstage pass to his production process as he channels 22 years of performing experience into mentoring over 150 STARTO ENTERTAINMENT Juniors in the all-new original docuseries POTENTIAL "Tadayoshi Ohkura" - now streaming worldwide on Netflix and on Prime Video in Japan! From well-established trainee units like ACEes, KEY TO LIT, and B&ZAI to up-and-coming young stars from across east and west Japan, how to bring out each young...

Da-iCE has released their single "アンリミテッド Unlimited" and music video. Most songs ease you in. "アンリミテッド Unlimited" doesn't bother. It opens on a breakbeat that's already moving, and by the time the chorus hits, there's a full band and a horn section throwing everything they've got at you. Nobody eases into anything here. That's the entire point.

"Icons of the chart-climbing phenomenon" and "Summer Queens" BBGIRLS (Minyoung, Eunji, Yuna) have made a comeback with their new single, "BODY WAVE," perfectly timed for the sweltering summer heat. This release marks their return approximately one year and two months after their remake track "Wish List", released in May 2025.

HUTA (BTOB's Minhyuk) released his new single album, "TEMPERATURE" only July 15. It begins with a single concept: expressing emotions through temperature. It captures the entire spectrum—from the tension of a deep freeze to the heat that gradually rises, and finally, the energy that erupts explosively. The album translates the invisible flow of emotions into the most intuitive language possible: temperature.