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.
aespa has thrilled fans with the announcement of additional dates and cities for their 2024-2025 “SYNK : PARALLEL LINE” Live Tour, this time expanding to North America and Europe.
aespa Reveals ‘SYNK: PARALLEL LINE’ North America and Europe Dates and Locations
On September 28, SM Entertainment shared the new dates for aespa’s ongoing tour.
After their highly successful shows in Asia, the group’s North American leg will kick off in Seattle on January 28, 2025. From there, aespa will head to Oakland on January 30, Los Angeles on February 1, and Mexico City on February 4. They will then perform in Orlando on February 6, Charlotte on February 8, Newark on February 11, Toronto on February 13, before concluding the North American portion in Chicago on February 15.
Following their North American shows, aespa will continue their tour in Europe, performing in major cities like London on March 2, Paris on March 4, Amsterdam on March 6, Frankfurt on March 9, and Madrid on March 12. This expansion of the *SYNK : PARALLEL LINE* tour showcases the group’s growing global appeal and promises to bring their dynamic performances to fans across the world.
With scheduled stops in nine countries, including Japan, Thailand, and Australia, aespa’s “SYNK : PARALLEL LINE” tour is poised to be a spectacular journey, highlighting their versatility and continued rise as global K-pop sensations.
The tour is currently heading for Thailand on September 28 and 29 at the Impact Arena.
Mark your calendars: aespa is set to make their highly anticipated comeback! The girl group has just dropped the exciting ‘Whiplash’ teaser to hype up their return in October!
aespa Officially Confirms October Comeback with ‘Whiplash’ Teaser
On September 23 at midnight KST, aespa thrilled fans by releasing the first teaser for their upcoming mini album “Whiplash,” which is scheduled to drop on October 21 at 6 p.m. KST. This also marks the group’s fifth mini album and has already ignited excitement among MYs (aespa’s fandom), who are eagerly awaiting the new music and concept.
The Highly Anticipated aespa x NewJeans Reunion at the TMA
In related news, the 2024 TMA also celebrated other rising stars, including NewJeans, who took home several awards, such as Worldwide Icon, World Best Performer, and the Musinsa Popularity Award. NewJeans, a rookie group, has captivated the public with their distinctive style and hit songs, also becoming one of the most successful artists of 2024.
Fans were also treated to heartwarming moments at the TMA as aespa and NewJeans reunited for photos, showing their close friendship. The images of the two groups posing together have also garnered widespread admiration online, with fans expressing their delight at seeing the mutual support between two of K-pop’s most talented and visually stunning groups.
K-netizens are buzzing with excitement over the recent group photos of aespa and NewJeans taken at the 2024 The Fact Music Awards (TMA).
aespa and NewJeans Thrill Fans with Adorable Group Photos
The two highly popular girl groups, known for their groundbreaking performances and immense fanbases, reunited at the event, posing together for heartwarming photos that captured their close friendship. These images have sparked widespread admiration online, with fans expressing joy over the groups’ mutual support and the stunning visuals of all the members.
Many netizens are thrilled to see the interactions between aespa and NewJeans, with comments praising their camaraderie. The photos were seen as a symbol of respect and unity between the two groups, highlighting how the younger generation of idols supports one another in the competitive world of K-pop. Fans pointed out the sweet and playful energy in the photos, showcasing how the idols are not only talented artists but also close friends behind the scenes.
This isn’t the first time aespa and NewJeans have collaborated, further fueling excitement among their fans. Previously, members from both groups teamed up for viral dance challenges.Danielle and Hanni from NewJeans paired with Ningning and Winter from aespa to perform the “How Sweet” challenge, while Karina and Giselle from aespa danced alongside Minji and Haerin from NewJeans for the “Armageddon” challenge, impressing fans with their teamwork.
Both groups also had a successful night at the TMAs. aespa took home prestigious awards, including the Daesang (Grand Prize), Listeners’ Choice, and a Bonsang (Artist of the Year). NewJeans also won several key awards, including Worldwide Icon, World Best Performer, and the Musinsa Popularity Award. These achievements further solidify both groups’ dominance in the K-pop industry, with their growing influence continuing to captivate fans worldwide.
