Senior Reporter for Culture Desk covering K-pop.
Tamar joined SCMP in 2020 after years of covering K-pop and related content for outlets such as Billboard, Forbes, and NBC News. She released her first book, "BTS: Blood, Sweat & Tears," in August 2020, and can be seen in the K-pop episode of Vox’s Explained on Netflix.
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Latest from Tamar Herman
It seems not a day goes by without a new K-pop star being accused of bullying when they were young. Should the Korean music industry be worried?
It seems not a day goes by without a new K-pop star being accused of bullying when they were young. Should the Korean music industry be worried?
Spotify’s removal of some K-pop artists’ music from its platform over a licensing dispute has outraged international K-pop fans, who have taken to social media to protest.
Spotify’s removal of some K-pop artists’ music from its platform over a licensing dispute has outraged international K-pop fans, who have taken to social media to protest.
A German radio host’s comparison of the K-pop stars to a virus is one of three examples this week that reflect poorly on Western media and entertainment industries.
A German radio host’s comparison of the K-pop stars to a virus is one of three examples this week that reflect poorly on Western media and entertainment industries.
The new Mnet YouTube series will feature younger K-pop boy bands such as Ateez competing against older groups like BtoB. International as well as local fans will be able to vote for their favourite groups.
The new Mnet YouTube series will feature younger K-pop boy bands such as Ateez competing against older groups like BtoB. International as well as local fans will be able to vote for their favourite groups.
Their compulsory military service in South Korea over, Shinee are back with their seventh album. Key says it’s a ‘gift package to our fans’, while Minho teases ‘things that we’ve never tried before’.
Their compulsory military service in South Korea over, Shinee are back with their seventh album. Key says it’s a ‘gift package to our fans’, while Minho teases ‘things that we’ve never tried before’.
Mark Tuan, Song Mino, DinDin, Simon Dominic, and Hyomin among the K-pop artists to take advantage of iPhone audio app Clubhouse to converse with fellow musicians, fans, and music industry employees.
Mark Tuan, Song Mino, DinDin, Simon Dominic, and Hyomin among the K-pop artists to take advantage of iPhone audio app Clubhouse to converse with fellow musicians, fans, and music industry employees.
The former Sistar member has been on her own, both as a soloist and head of her own company, for several years now, and says she puts a lot of effort into releasing new music.
The former Sistar member has been on her own, both as a soloist and head of her own company, for several years now, and says she puts a lot of effort into releasing new music.
BTS’ label Big Hit Entertainment and Universal revealed their plans to create a US-based K-pop band in an online announcement. Big Hit continues its rapid expansion, both at home and in overseas markets.
BTS’ label Big Hit Entertainment and Universal revealed their plans to create a US-based K-pop band in an online announcement. Big Hit continues its rapid expansion, both at home and in overseas markets.
K-pop company Starship Entertainment issued an apology on Monday after Monsta X member I.M was seen wearing a shirt featuring Islamic calligraphy of the name of Allah.
K-pop company Starship Entertainment issued an apology on Monday after Monsta X member I.M was seen wearing a shirt featuring Islamic calligraphy of the name of Allah.
K-pop group Golden Child’s identity revolves around youth, but five-track EP [Yes.] reveals their new, more mature style – one they hope means they ‘can explore being adults’, they tell the Post.
K-pop group Golden Child’s identity revolves around youth, but five-track EP [Yes.] reveals their new, more mature style – one they hope means they ‘can explore being adults’, they tell the Post.
Forget Pokémon or football cards, K-pop fans are into pint-sized photocards of their favourite stars and some are willing to pay hundreds of dollars to get the ones they want.
Forget Pokémon or football cards, K-pop fans are into pint-sized photocards of their favourite stars and some are willing to pay hundreds of dollars to get the ones they want.
With travel restrictions still in place, the K-pop industry’s focus for overseas activities has turned to Japan, which has always been an important market for the South Korean music industry.
With travel restrictions still in place, the K-pop industry’s focus for overseas activities has turned to Japan, which has always been an important market for the South Korean music industry.
K-pop groups Exo and NCT’s label SM Entertainment has been told to pay US$18 million to the South Korean tax authorities. Label founder Lee Soo-man, who was a main subject of the tax audit, has been investigated before for financial irregularities.
K-pop groups Exo and NCT’s label SM Entertainment has been told to pay US$18 million to the South Korean tax authorities. Label founder Lee Soo-man, who was a main subject of the tax audit, has been investigated before for financial irregularities.
K-pop girl group Cherry Bullet have released their first mini album, the five-track Cherry Rush. They talk about the past year, their inspirations, and reveal some fun facts.
K-pop girl group Cherry Bullet have released their first mini album, the five-track Cherry Rush. They talk about the past year, their inspirations, and reveal some fun facts.
YG Entertainment has Blackpink, and the grandaddy of K-pop, SM Entertainment, has SuperM and Aespa, but tech firm Kakao, with IU and distribution arm Melon, BTS’ label Big Hit, and CJ ENM are increasingly powerful players.
YG Entertainment has Blackpink, and the grandaddy of K-pop, SM Entertainment, has SuperM and Aespa, but tech firm Kakao, with IU and distribution arm Melon, BTS’ label Big Hit, and CJ ENM are increasingly powerful players.
Elkie Chong appears to have been frustrated with the level of Cube Entertainment’s support for her career and for CLC as a whole. The label says her contract was terminated by mutual agreement.
Elkie Chong appears to have been frustrated with the level of Cube Entertainment’s support for her career and for CLC as a whole. The label says her contract was terminated by mutual agreement.
Han Jisung of K-pop boy band Stray Kids has apologised for a song he wrote when he was 13 years old that contains slurs and insensitive language, including the Korean equivalent of the ‘N’ word.
Han Jisung of K-pop boy band Stray Kids has apologised for a song he wrote when he was 13 years old that contains slurs and insensitive language, including the Korean equivalent of the ‘N’ word.
K-pop’s latest batch of rookie groups are set to debut early this year, backed by some of the industry’s biggest labels and best known producers, including Rain and the team behind Mamamoo.
K-pop’s latest batch of rookie groups are set to debut early this year, backed by some of the industry’s biggest labels and best known producers, including Rain and the team behind Mamamoo.
Blackpink members Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo and Rosé thrilled their online audience with solo performances as well as group numbers at the online event which boosted their fan membership by 2.7 million subscribers.
Blackpink members Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo and Rosé thrilled their online audience with solo performances as well as group numbers at the online event which boosted their fan membership by 2.7 million subscribers.
The nine members of Cravity tell the Post about their eagerness to finally perform in front of fans in 2021, their gratitude to Jooheon of Monsta X and Cosmic Girls’ Exy for writing songs for them, and their ambitions.
The nine members of Cravity tell the Post about their eagerness to finally perform in front of fans in 2021, their gratitude to Jooheon of Monsta X and Cosmic Girls’ Exy for writing songs for them, and their ambitions.
The Korean-American Day6 singer-guitarist thought he was going to die when he had a panic attack. It was the cue for him to deal with mental health issues – and now he’s helping other people deal with theirs.
The Korean-American Day6 singer-guitarist thought he was going to die when he had a panic attack. It was the cue for him to deal with mental health issues – and now he’s helping other people deal with theirs.
K-pop stars Shinee were on a break while three members completed their military service, but now the band is back together, with an online event on January 31 and an upcoming new album.
K-pop stars Shinee were on a break while three members completed their military service, but now the band is back together, with an online event on January 31 and an upcoming new album.
Big Hit Entertainment, the powerhouse label behind K-pop supergroup BTS, has invested US$63 million in rival company YG, home of acts like Blackpink and BigBang.
Big Hit Entertainment, the powerhouse label behind K-pop supergroup BTS, has invested US$63 million in rival company YG, home of acts like Blackpink and BigBang.
K-pop is often thought of as a bright and cheerful genre, but the two tracks – U Mad from iKon’s Bobby and Thank U from TVXQ’s Yunho – show that K-pop also tackles serious subjects and confronts issues.
K-pop is often thought of as a bright and cheerful genre, but the two tracks – U Mad from iKon’s Bobby and Thank U from TVXQ’s Yunho – show that K-pop also tackles serious subjects and confronts issues.
The singer-songwriting duo of Lee Chan-hyuk and his younger sister Lee Su-hyun have signed on for another five years with YG, home of Blackpink, Big Bang, Winner and iKon.
The singer-songwriting duo of Lee Chan-hyuk and his younger sister Lee Su-hyun have signed on for another five years with YG, home of Blackpink, Big Bang, Winner and iKon.
The K-pop star marked the end of his service in the South Korean military by live-streaming fans to show how much he missed them, and performed a new version of his song That’s Okay.
The K-pop star marked the end of his service in the South Korean military by live-streaming fans to show how much he missed them, and performed a new version of his song That’s Okay.
The Essential Edition will contain the same eight tracks released on November’s Deluxe Edition along with several new elements – remixed or alternate songs, anyone?
The Essential Edition will contain the same eight tracks released on November’s Deluxe Edition along with several new elements – remixed or alternate songs, anyone?
Iron, who was 28, rose to fame on TV hip-hop talent contest Show Me the Money 3 in 2014, and released his only album, EP Rock Bottom, in 2016. He had convictions for assault, spreading false rumours, and drug use.
Iron, who was 28, rose to fame on TV hip-hop talent contest Show Me the Money 3 in 2014, and released his only album, EP Rock Bottom, in 2016. He had convictions for assault, spreading false rumours, and drug use.
K-pop fans have taken the hashtag created by a Georgia congresswoman and used it to promote their favourite stars and create memes, causing it to trend worldwide on Twitter.
K-pop fans have taken the hashtag created by a Georgia congresswoman and used it to promote their favourite stars and create memes, causing it to trend worldwide on Twitter.
DJ Steve Aoki had to ease off in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but a new collaboration with K-pop boy band A. C. E shows he’s still got plenty to offer.
DJ Steve Aoki had to ease off in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but a new collaboration with K-pop boy band A. C. E shows he’s still got plenty to offer.
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