Karina is set to lead a brand-new advertising campaign for Sprite this year, which kicks off with a global advertisement video. The campaign is designed to highlight the contrast between the soft drink’s cool, crisp taste and Karina’s signature spicy charm—a trait she has become well-known for, particularly through her hit song “Spicy.”
Coca-Cola expressed their excitement by stating, “We’re looking forward to creating even greater synergy with Karina, who has already shown the public her spicy charm through the song ‘Spicy.’” This collaboration is expected to bring a fresh and energetic vibe to Sprite’s global marketing efforts.
This announcement comes on the heels of Karina’s previous high-profile appointment as the new Prada brand ambassador back in August. Prada celebrated her selection by sharing stunning images on social media that captured her sophisticated style, perfectly aligning with the brand’s luxurious aesthetic. The dual endorsements by major global brands like Sprite and Prada not only underscore Karina’s rising influence in the international market but also highlight her versatility in bridging the worlds of music, fashion, and lifestyle.
As Karina continues to captivate fans with her performances and charismatic presence, her new role with Sprite promises to further expand her impact. With her unique blend of charm and talent, Karina is poised to become an even more influential figure, inspiring a new generation of fans while elevating Sprite’s image around the globe.
Congratulations to Karina and Sprite on this exciting new partnership that is set to create waves across both the music and advertising industries!
Exciting news is on the horizon for K-pop fans worldwide as both aespa and BLACKPINK’s Jennie are set to receive prestigious honors at the 2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards.
BLACKPINK Member Jennie and aespa Confirmed for 2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards
The annual event is renowned for celebrating the incredible women who continue to drive innovation, inspire change, and reshape the future of music. Recognized as one of the most influential ceremonies in the industry, the Billboard Women in Music Awards spotlight groundbreaking achievements and the powerful impact female artists have on the global music scene.
On February 12, local time, Billboard revealed the list of honorees for this year’s ceremony, creating a wave of anticipation among fans and industry insiders alike.
Among the honorees, aespa has been selected to receive the Group of the Year award for 2025. This honor is a testament to the group’s exceptional creativity, innovative sound, and the dynamic performances that have captivated millions around the world. aespa’s rise to prominence has not only pushed the boundaries of music and performance art but has also redefined what it means to be a global pop phenomenon.
Meanwhile, BLACKPINK’s Jennie will be taking home the Global Force Award. This accolade recognizes her as a driving force in the music industry, celebrating her significant contributions and her influential role in setting cultural trends worldwide. Jennie’s artistry, charisma, and stage presence have made her a global icon, inspiring countless fans and emerging artists alike.
The 2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards will be held on March 29 at Hollywood Park’s YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, promising an unforgettable night of celebration and recognition.
Congratulations to aespa and Jennie on these well-deserved honors—a true celebration of talent, innovation, and the enduring power of music to bring us together. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
“Through reports from fans and our own monitoring efforts, we have been collecting evidence of malicious posts and comments targeting aespa,” the statement read. “Based on this evidence, we filed complaints for charges such as insults, defamation, and the editing and distribution of false video materials, and we are currently proceeding with legal action.”
According to the official statement, certain individuals who distributed false videos related to aespa have already faced legal consequences. These perpetrators were charged with violating the ‘Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes’ and received summary orders, including fines. This law is specifically designed to address crimes involving digital sex crimes and the spread of harmful content.
SM Entertainment reaffirmed that it is actively working with law enforcement to track down and prosecute those responsible for defaming its artists. The agency stressed that there will be no leniency for offenders and that it will continue to take strict measures against any form of defamation, slander, or the spread of false information.
“We will continue to take strong measures and actions against those who post malicious content, videos, and images targeting aespa, regardless of whether they are based domestically or internationally,” the statement added.
The company urged fans to report any harmful content targeting aespa and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy regarding cybercrimes. This legal action reflects SM Entertainment’s broader commitment to safeguarding its artists from online harassment and malicious attacks.
The highly anticipated SMTOWN LIVE 2025 concert in Seoul has officially unveiled its exciting lineup, promising a spectacular celebration of SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary.
SMTOWN LIVE 2025 Boasts Star-Studded Lineup
The grand event is set to take place over two days, January 11 and 12, 2025, at the prestigious Gocheok Sky Dome. Known for its star-studded rosters and jaw-dropping performances, SMTOWN LIVE 2025 is no exception, bringing together a stellar lineup of SM Entertainment’s current artists and trainees.
Fans can look forward to seeing legendary acts like H.O.T.’s Kangta, BoA, and TVXQ, alongside globally beloved artists such as Super Junior, Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and Hyoyeon, SHINee’s Key and Minho, Red Velvet, and EXO’s Suho and Chanyeol.
Additionally, the next generation of SM stars, including NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, aespa, RIIZE, NCT WISH, nævis, and Raiden, will also grace the stage, showcasing their unique styles and powerful performances. Needless to say, it’s an event that brings together the biggest and brightest stars of K-pop’s most renowned company. Not surprisingly, fans are already looking forward to the concert event early next year.
Adding a fresh touch, performers from SM’s sub-labels, such as the promising SMTR25 (a group of 25 trainees), Mar Vista, SM Jazz Trio, and Min Jiwoon, will bring a variety of captivating performances, further diversifying the event’s offerings.
In a nostalgic twist, SM has teased appearances by members of the SMTOWN Family, featuring artists who have been part of the label’s illustrious 30-year journey. While specific names have yet to be revealed, fans are eagerly speculating on the possibility of seeing reunions with past SM legends.
With its blend of iconic artists, rising stars, and memorable tributes, SMTOWN LIVE 2025 promises to be a landmark celebration of SM Entertainment’s history and its continued impact on K-pop. Stay tuned for updates on additional performers and surprises as the event draws closer!
aespa has once again made waves in the global music scene, setting a new record with their latest mini album ‘Whiplash’. Not surprisingly, the new album has made Billboard 200 history!
With this achievement, aespa has set a historic record, becoming the first K-pop girl group to score six top 50 albums on the Billboard 200. This milestone not only highlights their domestic and international popularity but also underscores their consistent impact on the Western music market. aespa’s achievement in this competitive chart proves the group’s ability to captivate a global audience, breaking boundaries for K-pop girl groups in the U.S.
The album’s title track “Whiplash” has also brought the group new personal records on Billboard’s global charts. In its second week, the song surged to No. 5 on Billboard’s Global Excl. U.S. chart, marking aespa’s first top-five entry. Additionally, “Whiplash’ peaked at No. 8 on the Global 200, making it their first track to reach the Global 200’s top 10. In parallel, aespa’s long-time hit “Supernova” continues to perform well, remaining on the Global Excl. U.S. chart at No. 96 for an impressive 25 weeks.
On Billboard’s World Albums chart, ‘Whiplash’ climbed to No. 2, demonstrating the album’s strong international appeal. It also debuted at No. 9 on the Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales, and Independent Albums charts, securing its position as the ninth best-selling album of the week in the U.S. In another win, aespa re-entered Billboard’s Artist 100 at No. 35, marking their 15th non-consecutive week on this chart, which ranks the most influential and popular artists globally.
aespa’s success with ‘Whiplash’ is a testament to their growing influence and the dedicated support from their global fanbase, MYs. Their ability to continuously push boundaries and break records has positioned them as one of the most prominent K-pop girl groups in the industry. Congratulations to aespa on their historic achievements and continued success!
SM Entertainment is generating major excitement with the announcement that they are debuting a new girl group in 2025. The new team is already set to debut in the first quarter of next year!
SM Confirms Plans to Debut New Girl Group in 2025
This new group will be the label’s first girl group debut in five years, following aespa’s explosive debut in 2020. As one of the leading K-pop agencies, SM Entertainment has a storied legacy of shaping the industry through powerhouse girl groups like Girls’ Generation, f(x), Red Velvet, and aespa, each known for their unique concepts and distinct sounds.
Co-CEO Jang Cheol Hyuk expressed enthusiasm about the company’s expanding artist roster, explaining, “In addition to our long-beloved existing artist teams, SM has been continuously debuting new artists since last year, establishing a wide range of artist IP across all generations of K-pop. With the debut of a new girl group next year, we will further solidify our artist lineup.” This vision reflects SM’s approach of integrating seasoned artists with emerging talent to sustain their influence in the ever-evolving K-pop landscape.
Fans are buzzing with curiosity and excitement, speculating about the potential concept and members of the upcoming girl group. Given SM’s reputation for producing top-tier performers and trendsetters, expectations are high for this new addition. Many are eager to see how the group will differentiate itself in an industry that has rapidly evolved, especially with newer concepts that blend immersive storytelling, virtual worlds, and advanced tech integration, which SM has already explored with aespa.
The new girl group’s debut aligns with SM’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of the industry. As SM gears up to debut a fresh face in the competitive K-pop scene, fans are keen to see what innovative styles and music they will bring to the table. SM’s upcoming girl group is set to contribute to the company’s legacy and is likely to attract attention from fans around the world.
The 2024 MAMA Awards is gearing up for an exciting celebration, with its star-studded lineup of performers starting to be revealed!
2024 MAMA Awards Announces First Lineup of Performers
On October 15, the awards show announced the first batch of artists slated to perform, including some of the biggest names in K-pop. The lineup features aespa, ENHYPEN, ILLIT, INI, IVE, KATSEYE, RIIZE, TXT, and ZEROBASEONE, guaranteeing thrilling performances across multiple days.
ILLIT, KATSEYE, and RIIZE are scheduled to perform on the first day of the event, November 21 PST, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Following that, ENHYPEN, IVE, and TXT will light up the stage on November 22 KST in Japan, performing at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka. Finally, aespa, INI, and ZEROBASEONE will bring their dynamic energy to the stage on November 23 KST at the same venue.
Additionally, the nominees for this year’s awards was announced on the same day. The list of nominees for the 2024 MAMA Awards are:
BIBI – “Bam Yang Gang”
IU – “Love wins all”
Lee Mu Jin – “Episode”
Lim Young Woong – “Warmth”
Taeyeon – “To. X”
Best Vocal Performance Group
AKMU – “Hero”
Davichi – “A very personal story”
(G)I-DLE – “Fate”
PLAVE – “WAY 4 LUV”
Red Velvet – “Cosmic”
Best Band Performance
DAY6 – “Welcome to the Show”
LUCY – “The knight who can’t die and the silk cradle”
N.Flying – “Into You”
Hyukoh, Sunset Rollercoaster – “Young Man”
QWER – “T.B.H”
GroovyRoom – “Yes or No (Feat. Huh Yunjin, Crush)
Jay Park – “Taxi Blurr (Feat. Natty)”
Lee Young Ji – “Small Girl (Feat. D.O.)”
Sung Si Kyung, Naul – “Even for a moment”
Zico – “SPOT! (Feat. Jennie)”
Best OST
Roy Kim – “Whenever, Wherever” (“My Demon” OST)
Lee Chang Sub – “Heavenly fate” (“A Not So Fairy Tale” OST)
ECLIPSE – “Sudden Shower” (“Lovely Runner” OST)
Taeyeon – “Dream” (“Welcome to Samdalri” OST)
Crush – “Love You With All My Heart” (“Queen of Tears” OST)
Best Music Video
aespa – “Armageddon”
K.will – “No Sad Song For My Broken Heart (Prod. Yoon Sang)” IU – “Love wins all”
IVE – “HEYA”
SEVENTEEN – “MAESTRO”
8TURN
AB6IX
ASTRO
ATBO
ATEEZ
B1A4
Baekhyun
BamBam
B.D.U
BOYNEXTDOOR
CRAVITY
DAY6
D.O.
ENHYPEN
EPEX
EVNNE
FTISLAND
Hui
j-hope
Jimin
Jungkook
JUST B
Key
NCT 127
NCT DREAM
NCT WISH
ONEUS
P1Harmony
PLAVE
RIIZE
RM
SEVENTEEN
Stray Kids
Super Junior
Taemin
TEMPEST
THE BOYZ
THE NEW SIX
TIOT
TREASURE
TWS
TXT
V
WayV
WOODZ
Xdinary Heroes
xikers
YOUNITE
ZEROBASEONE
Zico
Fans’ Choice Female
aespa
ARTMS
BABYMONSTER
BADVILLAIN
BIBI
Billlie
Blackswan
BoA
Choi Ye Na
Chungha
CLASS:y
CRAXY
Dreamcatcher
EVERGLOW
FIFTY FIFTY
fromis_9
(G)I-DLE
H1-KEY
Hwasa
HyunA
ILLIT
ITZY
IU
IVE
Jennie
Jeon Somi
Kep1er
KISS OF LIFE
Kwon Eun Bi
LE SSERAFIM
Lee Young Ji
LIGHTSUM
MEOVV
Moonbyul
NewJeans
NMIXX
OH MY GIRL
QWER
Red Velvet
STAYC
Sunmi
Taeyeon
tripleS
TWICE
UNIS
VIVIZ
Weeekly
Wheein
WOOAH
Young Posse
The 2024 MAMA Awards will take place on November 21 in Los Angeles and November 22 and 23 in Japan.
aespa has officially unveiled their highly anticipated special solo singles, each released under the mini-album ‘SYNK: PARALLEL LINE’. The members of the girl group had initially debuted their solo tracks during their ongoing world tour of the same name.
aespa Members Drop Solo Singles From Ongoing World Tour
On October 9, aespa announced the release of their special digital singles. The tracks—Karina’s “UP,” Giselle’s “Dopamine,” Ningning’s “BORED!”, and Winter’s “Spark”—were first introduced during their solo stages as part of the group’s ongoing second world tour, ‘SYNK: PARALLEL LINE’.
The singles have been met with great excitement, particularly Karina’s “UP,” which made an impressive debut at number 28 on the Melon Top 100 chart. “UP” is a bold hip-hop track that showcases Karina’s confident, girl-crush image. With lyrics penned entirely by Karina herself, the song highlights her independence and strong musical talents, further solidifying her reputation as a well-rounded performer.
Giselle’s solo track, “Dopamine,” is a sultry R&B song that emphasizes her songwriting and compositional skills. Giselle played an integral role in both the composition and lyrics of the track, allowing her creative artistry to shine through. “Dopamine” is a testament to Giselle’s ability to convey emotion and depth through her music, as she explores themes of desire and attraction.
Winter’s solo track “Spark” takes a different direction, diving into ethereal EDM territory. Winter not only contributed to the song’s lyrics but was also involved in its composition, demonstrating her versatility as both a singer and a creative force. Her performance of “Spark” mesmerized fans with its haunting, atmospheric sound.
Meanwhile, Ningning’s “BORED!” brings a groovy R&B vibe, drawing listeners in with its sensual tones. Her personal involvement in the lyric writing added an intimate touch to the track, allowing her to connect deeply with fans through her emotive vocal performance.
aespa Member Winter is officially the new face of New Balance Korea!
New Balance Korea Unveils aespa’s Winter Promotional Photos
On October 4 KST, The E·Land Group, the parent company of New Balance Korea, proudly announced that aespa’s Winter has been selected as the new muse for the brand. This exciting partnership introduces Winter as the face of New Balance’s upcoming campaigns, adding to her already impressive portfolio in fashion and music.
Coinciding with the announcement, ‘New Balance Korea’ launched its new winter campaign titled “Time to Winter”. As part of this campaign, Winter showcases the brand’s signature “New Balance Active Short Down Jacket”, an essential for the colder months. In addition, Winter sports the sleek “Glossy Ribbon Duffle Bag in Silver”, a highlight of the new “Glossy Collection”, which is set to be fully unveiled later this month. Her involvement in the campaign emphasizes New Balance’s focus on modern, stylish, and functional outerwear, making Winter the perfect ambassador for the collection.
In addition to their musical endeavors, aespa has also been making waves with their “2024-2025 “SYNK : PARALLEL LINE” Live Tour”. Following the success of their Asian shows, the group is set to expand their tour to North America and Europe. The North American leg will kick off in Seattle on January 28, 2025, followed by stops in major cities such as Oakland, Los Angeles, and Mexico City. After wrapping up in North America, aespa will head to Europe in March 2025, with performances scheduled in cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Madrid.
The tour announcement has generated immense excitement among global fans, as aespa continues to establish themselves as one of K-pop’s leading groups. With Winter’s growing influence in both the fashion and music worlds, and aespa’s expanding global presence, the group’s impact continues to rise. From Winter’s partnership with New Balance to their highly anticipated comeback and global tour, aespa is set to dominate both industries in the months ahead.
The 2024 K-Link Festival has revealed an exciting lineup that K-pop fans won’t want to miss! Not surprisingly, the upcoming event promises a star-studded night with performances from RIIZE, aespa, ITZY, and so much more!
2024 K-Link Festival Unveils Stellar Line-Up
Scheduled for October 5 at the INSPIRE Arena in Incheon, this highly anticipated event will feature performances from some of the hottest names in K-pop, ensuring an unforgettable experience for attendees and viewers alike.
The lineup boasts seven top-tier acts, including aespa, SHINee’s Minho, ITZY, RIIZE, THE BOYZ, NCT WISH, and tripleS. Each of these groups and artists has made significant waves in the K-pop industry, promising a dynamic range of performances, from aespa’s powerful stage presence to SHINee’s Minho showcasing his solo charm, and the highly anticipated appearances of rising groups like RIIZE and NCT WISH.
It is also believed that the lineup isn’t final yet and that there are more acts that will be announced before the event. For now, the seven artists are the only ones confirmed for the festival. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
A Night to Remember Even For Those Who Can’t Make it To Inspire Arena
For international fans who can’t make it to the event in person, the festival will also be live-streamed on SBS Medianet’s YouTube channel THE K-POP. This accessibility also allows K-pop enthusiasts from around the globe to tune in and enjoy the performances in real-time. Additionally, the event will be broadcast on SBS, SBS FiL, and SBS M at a later time, giving viewers multiple opportunities to catch all the performances.
The 2024 K-Link Festival will begin on October 5 at 5 p.m. KST, also marking a thrilling day for K-pop fans both in Korea and worldwide!
Which K-pop act are you looking forward to at the 2024 K-Link Festival this October? Sound off in the comments below.
