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K-pop idols

Taylor Swift and Post Malone accept the award for Video of the Year for “Fortnight” during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, New York. Photo: Reuters

Taylor Swift wins video of the year, 6 other prizes at VMAs

Swift, winner of 7 prizes, hails Post Malone, co-winner of video of the year trophy, as ‘ridiculously talented’, he returns the compliment.

Swift, winner of 7 prizes, hails Post Malone, co-winner of video of the year trophy, as ‘ridiculously talented’, he returns the compliment

From Got7 to fashion, Hong Kong pop star builds multimillion-dollar empire

Meet Sophia Laforteza, K-pop girl group Katseye’s lead vocalist

Opinion | The world is getting smaller, at least culturally

Whether it’s Chinese gaming or K-pop, cultural exchanges can be more effective than economic engagement in building international trust

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People pose for a photo at gamescom 2024 in Cologne, Germany, on August 22, following the launch of “Black Myth: Wukong”, the hit Chinese video game. Photo: Xinhua

Meet Big Ocean, first deaf K-pop idol group, and learn how they make music

Korean boy band Big Ocean are making waves not only for their music but for being the first deaf K-pop idol group, even attracting the praise of WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

K-pop stars cop flak for attending Kanye West’s South Korea concert

Fans criticised members of NewJeans, aespa and 2NE1 for ignoring the rapper’s controversial past.

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How K-pop made coloured contact lenses cool (again)

Idols from BTS, Blackpink, Stray Kids and NewJeans have helped popularise the use of lenses – read on for tips on which type and colour to go for

Jennie from Blackpink is one of many K-pop stars who wear coloured contact lenses – read on for tips on which type and colour will suit you best. Photos: Handout

5 of the best things to do this weekend, August 9-11, in Hong Kong

A neon signs exhibition, a K-pop girl group pop-up store, a boozy night out and more awaits those looking for entertainment in Hong Kong this weekend.

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5 shopping hits in Hong Kong this weekend, August 9-10

Fun, sustainable gifts at a Hong Kong exhibition, NewJeans cushions and key rings, and a stunning lipstick collection await shoppers this weekend in Hong Kong.

‘Taylor Swift of K-pop’ IU finishes her first world tour in Los Angeles

K-pop star IU’s emotional world tour finale in Los Angeles was filled with her hits, shout-outs to the city and song requests from rapturous fans. Already beloved in Korea, IU has won new fans in the US.

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K-pop star IU’s emotional finale in Los Angeles was filled with hit songs, shout-outs to the city and song requests from her rapturous fans. Already beloved in Korea, IU has won new fans in the US. Photo: Instagram/ @lee._iu

South Korea charges BTS star Suga with drink-driving, revokes licence

The K-pop idol fell off his electric scooter under the influence of alcohol in Seoul’s Yongsan district.

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BTS member Suga. Photo: AP

Hong Kong retail: K-pop, K-dramas usher in growing demand for Korean restaurants

Korean F&B operators and retailers that have forayed into Hong Kong have made a significant contribution to the city’s retail segment.

K-pop singer and actress Lee Hye-ri on her ‘intense’ role in Victory

Lee Hye-ri went from K-pop success to a household K-drama name. She talks about playing a cheerleader for her first lead movie role in Victory, and winning an award at the New York Asian Film Festival.

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TikTok forecasts spending on K-culture to hit US$143 billion by 2030

Overall spending could reach even higher as viral Korean content captures bigger audiences in key markets like Southeast Asia and the US.

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UK festival goers prepare to watch K-pop act Seventeen perform at Glastonbury Festival last month. Global spending on Korean music is estimated to grow to about US$11.6 billion this year. Photo: EPA-EFE

South Korea to probe Blackpink’s Jennie’s ‘vaping incident’ after online outrage

Smoking cigarettes or vapes indoors is illegal in South Korea, and footage of the K-pop star smoking a vape triggered online outrage, with Seoul’s foreign ministry saying it had received a formal complaint.

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A now-deleted video showing K-pop megastar Jennie of Blackpink apparently smoking a vape indoors has sparked online outcry, with Seoul’s foreign ministry saying it had received a formal complaint. Photo: AFP

Thai lookalike of Blackpink’s Lisa, 17, finds herself at centre of attention

A 17-year-old market stall worker from Thailand has become an online sensation thanks to her uncanny resemblance to Lisa, the rapper and dancer from South Korean girl band, Blackpink.

Blackpink star Lisa pays Bangkok Chinatown shopkeepers for video shoot

K-pop idol Lisa from the band Blackpink has paid compensation to shopkeepers and passers-by so she could shut down a whole street in Bangkok’s Chinatown to shoot her latest music video.

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Why Asian stars like NewJeans are becoming the voice of museums

K-pop group NewJeans voiced an audio guide for The British Museum and Chinese actress Zhu Zhu did one for Galleria Borghese as more major institutions court Asian stars to widen their audiences.

NewJeans perform during the “2024 Korea On Stage – New Generation” show at the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul on May 21, 2024. Photo: AFP

Who is Grammy-nominated rapper Latto, who collaborated with BTS’ Jungkook?

She turned down a record deal after winning The Rap Game at 16, worked with Cardi B, Mariah Carey and Doja Cat, and is inspired by successful mums like Rihanna

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BTS star Jin marks discharge from military with emotional event for 1,000 fans

Jin, the oldest member of K-pop boy band BTS, has marked the end of his compulsory stint in the South Korean military by giving a free individual hug to 1,000 fans in the nation’s capital, Seoul.

‘I cried’: oldest member of K-pop group BTS exits South Korea military service

Jin, 31, was discharged from South Korea’s military on Wednesday after 18 months of mandatory national service.

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K-pop boy band BTS member Jin is greeted by fellow BTS member RM after being discharged from his mandatory military service outside a base in Yeoncheon on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

K-pop novel The Band is no star-meets-citizen romance, author says

Christine Ma-Kellams’ novel follows a K-pop idol who goes to the US, where he meets an older, married woman and stays with her family. The author explains why this is no ‘super boring and cliché’ romance.

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Author Christine Ma-Kellams. She explains why her novel The Band, about a K-pop idol who goes to the US, where he stays with a professor who is an older woman, is no “super boring and cliché“ romance. Photo: Simon & Schuster

Former K-pop star Jackson Wang’s new role

Hong Kong officials say South Korean fallen star Seungri has not applied for visa

A government spokesman says no applications from ‘a former Korean artiste’ for a visa or talent scheme entry had been made.

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How Korea’s Space-Out Competition forces participants to take a break

In Korea’s Space-Out Competition, coming to Hong Kong soon, participants sit still and say nothing for 90 minutes, giving them a chance to pause their busy lives and ‘space out’.

A participant In the Space-Out Competition held in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Instagram

‘Disrespect’: South Korea’s BTS fans demand apology over chart-rigging probe

BTS’ agency Hybe is under scrutiny after it allegedly paid a ransom to individuals who were aware of its unethical business tactics.

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K-pop boy band BTS visit the “Today” Show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York in 2020. Photo: Getty Images

Who wore it best at the Met Gala 2024? 13 eye-catching celebrity looks

The Met Gala, one of the most exclusive events of the year, was titled ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’ with the dress code Garden of Time for 2024 – so which A-lister pulled it off best?

The View | To call the likes of China and India ‘developing’ is, frankly, insulting

Given the prosperity and world-leading innovations of so-called emerging economies, from China and India to South Korea and Qatar, the ‘developing’ label is outmoded, outdated and patronising.

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K-pop idols
The Korean wave - or hallyu - has swept over the world. South Korea’s K-pop idols are now among the biggest celebrities in the world, with standout stars including BTS members Jungkook and Jimin, and Blackpink’s Lisa and Jennie 
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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