KPOPWORLD

Our Issue 5 print cover belongs to MAKI of @andTEAMofficial for a shoot unlike anything he's done before. We flew to Tokyo to spend the day with &TEAM's youngest member just as the group kicked off their BLAZE THE WAY tour. The result is a reflective cover story that goes beyond the surface, tracing MAKI's journey from theatre kid to the global artist standing in front of our camera with a clear idea of what he wanted to show. In conversation with our Managing Editor @hasan_baeyaz, MAKI opens up about the complicated feeling of going viral for something other than his craft, why singing has been the constant thread running through every version of himself, and a personal philosophy that shapes everything: "I'd rather be called weird than normal, because a weird person is someone you'd want to know more about." He also brought his own creative vision to the shoot – including JoJo's Bizarre Adventure poses – that made for some of the most distinctive images we've ever published. MAKI’s cover story is available to pre-order in limited quantities on our website now – secure your copy now. MAKI for KPOPWORLD Issue 5 – Credits: CONCEPT & INTERVIEW: HASAN BEYAZ @hasan_baeyaz PHOTOGRAPHER: KANTO KUROSAWA @kanto_kurosawa STYLIST: RIKI YAMADA @rikiyamada_ MAKE-UP: SAE TAKAGI @i.a.t.b HAIR: NARUMI TOSHIMA (CONTINUE) @continue_naru Pre-order here 👉 kpopworld.com/magazine/kpopw… #KPOPWORLD #andTEAM #MAKI

For their new album , idntt sat down with KPOPWORLD to talk about where they've been, what this group has demanded of them, and what they refuse to let go of. From jiwoon's late start and years of part-time work, and dohun's eight years in training rooms, to kyuhyuk doing all of this at fifteen – every member carries a story that feeds into what idntt is becoming. The full Digital Cover is on KPOPWORLD now – and our exclusive series of individual member portraits are coming soon. Read here: kpopworld.com/news/idntt-dig… #KPOPWORLD #idntt #Kids_Return @idntt_cosmo @idntt_JAPAN idntt: The KPOPWORLD Digital Cover – Credits Managing Editor & Interview: Hasan Beyaz Creative Director: Jose Moreno @jamoreno Creative Assistant: Kiki Blatnik @imxkikii_ Visual Director: LOUDI @seoulology_00 Photographer: Hongje Ahn @ahnhongje Photography Assistants: Soomin Choi, Daney Kang, Jungmin Ha Videographer: Shey Allen @shey_allen Co-Producer: Kuya Allen Production Company: Mondays @wearemondays Production Manager: Charlene Ho @gayoung_lar Production Assistants: Glory Chen, Matthew Ma, Joanne Zhang Makeup Joy187 instar: Shin Kyoung Mee, Lee Eun Jeong, Kim So Ye, Jung Gayoung Team by bloom: Yoonsun Jung, Hyesun Jung, Sangeon Lee Hair Joy187 instar: Jung Dasomi, Jaehee, Lim Leeyoung, Jung Sohee Team by bloom: Yeseul Kim, Hayeon Sim, Haru, Mijeong Gu Stylist Haeun Shin Seonseon Choi Jungeun Hyun PR: SKY720 Label: MODHAUS

From their 2016 pre-debut to their upcoming first and last studio album, co-ed group KARD has challenged and redefined what mixed-gender acts are capable of in the K-pop industry. Known as the group that pioneered Latin-influenced music in South Korea, the quartet (BM, Somin, Jiwoo, and J.Seph) has conquered the international market from North and South America, all the way to Europe — just to name a few. On July 6, the group announced its upcoming disbandment and farewell album, leaving behind a legacy that defined an entire generation of K-pop. In honor of their remarkable career, Chyenne Tatum lists nine songs that defined KARD over the years, both fan favorites and underrated picks, and why they’ve become landmarks in the group’s discography. #HIDDENKARD #KARD @KARD_Official @Real_Hiddenee @officialKARDJPN Read here: kpopworld.com/news/9-tracks-…

Today, July 13, 2026, PLEDIS Entertainment confirmed that all thirteen members of SEVENTEEN have chosen to renew their contracts for a second time. Eleven years after their debut, and in the midst of mandatory military enlistment, the group promises “eternity” to fans eagerly awaiting their return. To remain as thirteen members with no line-up changes for over a decade is a rare and significant success in the industry, and indicates the unwavering view SEVENTEEN hold towards themselves as a collective. #CARAT #SEVENTEEN @pledis_17 @pledis_17jp Read here: kpopworld.com/news/seventeen…

On July 13, NCT WISH, the fifth generation unit of NCT, released their Japanese single album YO-I-DON! / BOY MEETS GIRL. The album consists of two songs: “BOY MEETS GIRL,” which was pre-released on June 22, and new title-track “YO-I-DON!”. This release follows the group’s two-day, four-show fan meeting series in Tokyo, which achieved a sold-out crowd of 40,000 and exemplifies the rising popularity of NCT WISH in Japan. #NCTzenWISH @nctwishofficial @nctwish_jp Read here: kpopworld.com/news/nct-wish-…

As many third generation K-pop groups approach or surpass their ten year anniversaries, further departures and disbandments signal the end of an era. While #WINWIN’s departure from #NCT in favour of his solo acting career in China was expected, others, such as pioneering co-ed group #KARD faces a bittersweet reception as fans rally behind the group’s first and last studio album too late. At the same time, further discussion over a different kind of restructuring has been sparked by the new #RedVelvet comeback schedule poster and its AI watermark – how are fans responding to an industry-wide increase in AI usage, and how could this technology impact future K-pop concepts? Isabel Miller interprets all the latest in this week’s column. Read here: kpopworld.com/news/k-pop-int…

NCT WISH RELEASE JAPANESE SINGLE ‘YO-I-DON! / BOY MEETS GIRL’ FOLLOWING SOLD OUT JAPANESE FANMEETING kpopworld.com/news/nct-wish-… On July 13, NCT WISH, the fifth generation unit of NCT, released their Japanese single album YO-I-DON! / BOY MEETS GIRL. The album consists of two songs: “BOY MEETS GIRL,” which was pre-released on June 22, and new title-track “YO-I-DON!”. “YO-I-DON!” is a dance-pop track inspired by the Eurobeat genre, and its title and lyrics express determination and hope as the speaker rushes towards a new beginning. Such a storyline is characteristic of the group, who are building an image centred around youth and passion. #KPOPWORLD #NCTWISH #KPOP

SEVENTEEN CONFIRM SECOND CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH PLEDIS ENTERTAINMENT kpopworld.com/news/seventeen… Today, July 13, 2026, PLEDIS Entertainment confirmed that all thirteen members of SEVENTEEN have chosen to renew their contracts for a second time. “We are delighted to once again announce our continued journey with all thirteen members,” a statement issued by the company read, before going further to emphasise messages previously given by those members themselves; “SEVENTEEN does not promise “eternity” lightly. Rather, the artists show their dedication to it every day through their passion and hard work. It is an honor to be able to start another new chapter together.” #SEVENTEEN #KPOPWORLD #KPOP

@plavarnsine This issue is one you'll want to keep forever. You're going to love every page!

Cant wait...🐶 #MAKI #andTEAM_MAKI

LAST WEEK IN K-POP, INTERPRETED(JULY 6 - 10, 2026) kpopworld.com/news/k-pop-int… Every week, KPOPWORLD looks past the headlines to examine what actually shifted in K-pop – and why it matters. #KPOPWORLD #WEEKLY #KPOP #KARD

COMEBACK CORNER I-DLE, BABYMONSTER, RIIZE & MORE kpopworld.com/news/comeback-… This week’s K-pop releases continue the summer rush with upbeat, vibrant songs from BABYMONSTER and RIIZE, while i-dle brings a more sensual, after-dark atmosphere to the summertime activities. On the other hand, Korean singer-songwriter Pagaehun and freshly debuted subunit V8 take us down two different roads of nostalgic 2000s R&B — one for high school puppy love and one for cruising with the top down while hanging with friends. Read on for our picks of the week. @YGBABYMONSTER_ @RIIZE_official #KPOPWORLD #RIIZE #KPOP #BABYMONSTER

ARTMS have announced , their fourth world tour, landing ahead of comeback . Two Seoul shows open the run on 5–6 September, before the group heads to North America in October and Europe in November – seventeen-plus cities and counting, with more dates still to come. The routing tells its own story: Lille and two Netherlands stops in Maastricht and Arnhem stand in for the more expected Paris and Amsterdam dates, alongside Helsinki, Berlin, Warsaw and Budapest. Ten North American cities round out the schedule, including Toronto, New York, LA and Vancouver. It's the latest chapter in a run that's moved fast since Dall topped Billboard's Top New Artist Albums chart in 2024, through last year's vastly cinematic Club Icarus era. #OURII #ARTMS @official_artms Read here: kpopworld.com/news/artms-art…

This summer rush continues with a bass house track from #RIIZE, a fun fusion of dance-pop and country with #BABYMONSTER, and a more mature, seductive take on the heat from #idle. Meanwhile, Korean singer-songwriter #Pagaehun emulates the teen crush aesthetic of the 2000s, and #SEVENTEEN’s latest subunit, #V8, boasts a fresh R&B and hip-hop style produced by #PharrellWilliams and longtime collaborator #BUMZU. Check out the latest in our Comeback Corner roundup for this week. Read here: kpopworld.com/news/comeback-…

aespa’s #LEMONADE is the sound of a group secure enough in their identity to start pulling at its edges – hyperpop, rock, R&B restraint, all sitting alongside the tech-house foundation that made them one of the biggest acts in K-pop. The lemon idiom in the title promises resilience. What the album actually delivers is something more deliberate: proof that a stable foundation is what makes risk possible in the first place. Catherine Shin reviews. #MY #aespa @aespa_official @aespaJPofficial Read here: kpopworld.com/news/aespa-lem…

Of the four #NCT members to part ways with #SM Entertainment this year, WINWIN's departure was the one most fans saw coming. A decade that took him from NCT 127 to #WayV gradually shifted toward a parallel acting career in China – one that increasingly became the main story. Chyenne Tatum traces how that journey unfolded and what it says about this moment in NCT's history. #WINWIN Read here: kpopworld.com/news/why-winwi…

10 years in the industry, three hiatuses, and plenty of lineup changes later, BBGIRLS – once known as Brave Girls – has had one of the most fascinating redemption arcs in K-pop. From a few mild successes to cult favorites and a near-disbandment, BBGIRLS saw a resurgence in popularity with their 2017 sleeper hit “Rollin’” and came back stronger than ever. Now approaching their 10th anniversary, the trio announced their latest summer single, “Body Wave,” proving why they’re still high on the list of K-pop’s summer queens. Cheyenne Tatum traces their journey in our latest feature. #Fearless @BraveGirls #BBee @weare_bbgirls Read here: kpopworld.com/news/bb-girls-…

From debuting with such a strong start and popular title track in 2017 to slowly disappearing from the public eye and disbanding only two years later, PRISTIN’s rise and fall have been one of the most unfortunate and frustrating trajectories in the last decade. Recently, girl group member Eunwoo revealed why PRISTIN ultimately failed and disbanded under Pledis Entertainment, including mismanagement and other label shortcomings. Chyenne Tatum tracks the group’s career and how it quickly went from a success story to a disappointing ending. #HIgh #PRISTIN @PRST_OFFICIAL_ Read here: kpopworld.com/news/pristin-r…

OMEGA X TAKE EUROPE A TOUR DIARY IN THEIR OWN WORDS kpopworld.com/news/omega-x-t… This February, OMEGA X took their RE:CONNECT tour across Europe, moving through Paris, Frankfurt, Berlin, Warsaw, Budapest, Helsinki, and Milan across a two-week run that marked a significant moment in the group's relationship with their international fanbase. FOR X – their dedicated fandom – had been waiting. The group knew it. During the tour, the members documented the journey themselves – in photos, and in their own words. You can feel that awareness running through almost every caption here. #OMEGA #KPOPWORLD

COMEBACK CORNER V8, UAU, ONEUS & MORE kpopworld.com/news/comeback-… Read on for our picks of the week. #V8 #ONEUS #KPOPWORLD

HOW PRISTIN WENT FROM ONE OF K-POP'S MOST PROMISING ACTS TO A MEMORY kpopworld.com/news/pristin-r… On June 29, former PRISTIN member Jung Eunwoo opened up about the reasons for the group’s 2019 disbandment, despite having a strong debut and following in 2017. In a video shared on social media, Eunwoo discussed her experiences under Pledis, including the company’s mismanagement of PRISTIN during its short-lived career and lack of group activities up until a certain point. Here’s how the promising girl group went from survival show fame to quietly disappearing from the K-pop industry altogether in less than two years. #PRISTIN #KPOPWORLD