https://www.scmp.com/rss/503768/feed SuperM are a South Korean “supergroup” made up of seven members from four boy groups: Taemin from Shinee, Baekhyun and Kai from Exo, Taeyong and Mark from NCT 127, and Ten and Lucas from WayV.  After making their debut in 2019, their first EP went straight to No 1 on the Billboard albums chart. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com K-pop fans rejoice: Girls on Top is coming, a group featuring some of the biggest names of the past two decades. The new group, formed by South Korean media giant SM Entertainment, features soloist BoA, Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and Hyoyeon, Red Velvet’s Wendy and Seulgi, and Aespa’s Winter and Karina. Girls On Top are slated to perform together for the first time on New Year’s Day at SM Entertainment’s New Year concert, and their first song will be released on January 3. Each of the singers... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/news/article/3161130/female-superm-k-pop-group-girls-top-feature-aespa-pair-boa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/news/article/3161130/female-superm-k-pop-group-girls-top-feature-aespa-pair-boa?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Dec 2021 04:08:40 +0000 Some new K-pop songs, including recent releases from girl group Aespa and Joy of Red Velvet, are remakes of old tunes. Aespa’s single Next Level, issued in May, is a remake of a 2019 song from a Fast and Furious film soundtrack, and Joy’s first mini album, “Hello” – released on May 31 – sees the vocalist recreating some of South Korea’s biggest hits from the 1990s and ’00s. In February, Aespa also released Forever, a remake of a song from the ’00s. Both Joy and Aespa are under media company SM... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3135711/remakes-and-covers-are-having-moment-k-pop-thanks-joy-red?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3135711/remakes-and-covers-are-having-moment-k-pop-thanks-joy-red?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Jun 2021 14:15:06 +0000 The world may be in a chaotic state, but many K-pop stars are hoping to make it a better place by supporting causes ranging from social justice and climate change to coronavirus pandemic relief. K-pop stars and their fans have a long history of charitable giving and supporting causes that are important to them. In the past, forests have been restored and schools been built in the names of K-pop stars, while donations made by, and in the name of, K-pop stars have improved the lives of many people... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/article/3124705/how-bts-blackpink-and-superm-give-back-through-donations-charitable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/article/3124705/how-bts-blackpink-and-superm-give-back-through-donations-charitable?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Mar 2021 18:30:19 +0000 The year started strongly for K-pop. The beginning of a new decade, it felt like anything could happen. Then the Covid-19 pandemic shut down much of the world, changing people’s lives. Initially, South Korea had a successful response to the coronavirus, and things stabilised quickly for the K-pop industry after planned album releases and world tours were postponed or cancelled. Paradoxically, 2020 turned out to be a major year for the Korean pop industry at a time when many others... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/news/article/3115531/covid-19-and-k-pop-2020-how-bts-blackpink-nct-and-rest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/news/article/3115531/covid-19-and-k-pop-2020-how-bts-blackpink-nct-and-rest?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Dec 2020 14:15:13 +0000 Our lives may have been turned upside down this year because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, but K-pop stars have kept releasing new material, including songs that touch on living in the coronavirus era. From BTS to Twice and SuperM, here’s a look at some of the K-pop songs that deal with the strange state of life in 2020. 1. Tomorrow X Together: We Lost the Summer In this sprightly tune from TXT’s latest EP, “Minisode1: Blue Hour”, out this week, the members sing about the lost summer of 2020,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3107542/five-k-pop-songs-help-you-through-coronavirus-lyrics-bts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3107542/five-k-pop-songs-help-you-through-coronavirus-lyrics-bts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Oct 2020 04:46:45 +0000 Thanks to the coronavirus, music fans can only dream about live concerts and festivals right now. Still, at least they still have albums – and three of the biggest K-pop acts around have new releases out this autumn. From the long-awaited debut from K-pop’s biggest girl group to new albums from the scene’s biggest boy bands, here are three K-pop albums that are sure to storm the charts all over the world. SuperM, ‘Super One’, September 25 This K-pop supergroup comprises members of boy bands Exo,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3103439/blackpink-bts-and-superm-albums-drop-autumn-three-k-pop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3103439/blackpink-bts-and-superm-albums-drop-autumn-three-k-pop?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:15:15 +0000 By Dong Sun-hwa K-pop record labels have lost one of their most lucrative revenue streams during the coronavirus pandemic – their stars performing in front of massive crowds. In a desperate attempt to survive the crisis, many have turned to online platforms. K-pop titans BTS, for instance, performed the virtual concert “Bang Bang Con: The Live” in June and succeeded in attracting more than 750,000 paid viewers around the world. Big Hit Entertainment, the group’s agency, is estimated to have... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3102334/bts-and-superm-online-concerts-keep-k-pop-industry-ticking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3102334/bts-and-superm-online-concerts-keep-k-pop-industry-ticking?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2020 14:15:19 +0000 Is this the future of live music? With the coronavirus leading to the cancellation of almost everything, concerts were among the first beloved pastimes to go. But it did force K-pop stars, especially, to come up with new ways to communicate with their fans. Indeed, online concerts by popular South Korean groups may be the most enduring entertainment legacy of Covid-19. Cheaper than the offline concert and able to be enjoyed anywhere, online concerts can present outstanding performances, pristine... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3096338/how-bts-exo-gi-dle-and-nct-127-changed-future-live?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3096338/how-bts-exo-gi-dle-and-nct-127-changed-future-live?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2020 04:00:12 +0000 Despite nearly half of its full line-up currently conspicuously absent, the presence of boy band Exo – a third-generation K-pop stalwart – still resonates loud and deep. Officially on hiatus, the remaining members have been busy pursuing solo and subunit projects while the rest of the group are out of action completing compulsory military service. 190806 수료식 잘생긴 군인이 나라도 지켜준다️https://t.co/1bDXcZTsSOhttps://t.co/eYftfxXuJVhttps://t.co/DBdTYKHO6Rhttps://t.co/m9FfBW1ZOt#EXO #엑소 #경수 #디오 #DO(D.O.)... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3093606/exos-baekhyun-sehun-and-chanyeol-pump-out-solo-and-sub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3093606/exos-baekhyun-sehun-and-chanyeol-pump-out-solo-and-sub?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2020 00:00:12 +0000 No one compares to dance machine Taemin, the star of boy bands SHINee and SuperM. Because of his unparalleled talent, he is known as his groups’ “golden maknae”, meaning the youngest member who can do everything. Unfortunately for his fans, he has to postpone his solo comeback after injuring his wrist while practising choreography. While we wait for him to come back, we reveal five things you might not know about one of K-pop’s sweetest personalities as the idol celebrates his 27th birthday on... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3093467/shinee-and-superms-taemin-5-things-know-about-k-pops?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3093467/shinee-and-superms-taemin-5-things-know-about-k-pops?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jul 2020 23:00:08 +0000 By Kim Jae-heun The coronavirus pandemic could have been a disaster for South Korean entertainment companies, but instead, they used it as an opportunity to go online and stage concerts on virtual platforms. Revenue from concerts is a big deal for talent agencies such as Big Hit Entertainment, SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment. And when the coronavirus outbreak started, all three knew trouble was brewing when their K-pop groups’ concerts started getting cancelled. Last year, K-pop giants BTS... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3091739/how-online-bts-and-super-m-shows-earned-millions-dollars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3091739/how-online-bts-and-super-m-shows-earned-millions-dollars?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Jul 2020 14:00:14 +0000 Tens of thousands of fans from across the globe simultaneously cheered and applauded, in the safety of their own homes, when their favourite K-pop boy band SuperM appeared on the screen for an online concert. Streamed live on the internet portal V Live, on April 26, the two-hour concert brought together the Billboard-topping K-pop band and its fans from across the world, without the hassles of cross-border trips or crowds, in the time of a pandemic. According to the group's management agency, it... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3085296/superm-met-75000-k-pop-fans-worlds-first-exclusively?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3085296/superm-met-75000-k-pop-fans-worlds-first-exclusively?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 May 2020 12:00:16 +0000 K-pop sensations Exo jolted into the public consciousness in 2012 with debut EP “Mama” – propelled by the title track’s hit music video – before going on to make history with million-selling follow up “XOXO” a year later, South Korea’s bestselling album in 12 years. Baekhyun’s role in the nine-piece group is considered pivotal by many fans, as he is known for his vocal talent as well as his soft, puppy-like looks. In celebration of Baekhyun’s 28th birthday on May 6, here are five things you... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3082865/5-things-know-about-baekhyun-k-pop-star-exo-and-superm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3082865/5-things-know-about-baekhyun-k-pop-star-exo-and-superm?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2020 02:55:30 +0000 Lucas is one of the very few K-pop idols to have been born and bred in Hong Kong, and he’s made a name for himself as a member of boy bands NCT, WayV and now SuperM – a “super group” formed by K-pop giant SM Entertainment as the “avengers of K-pop”. With his good looks and outgoing personality, Lucas has managed to stand out from the crowd. Here’s a look at the life so far of the star some fans call the “six-foot-tall baby”. His early life Born Wong Yat-hei in 1999 to a Thai mother and a Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076161/lucas-superm-his-looks-rapping-and-good-attitude-leave-k?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076161/lucas-superm-his-looks-rapping-and-good-attitude-leave-k?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:00:14 +0000 Since K-pop outfit BTS first hit No 1 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart in 2018, other K-pop boy bands have also made it into the top five, expanding the horizons for South Korean pop in the global music market. This week, boy band NCT 127’s new album, NCT 127 Neo-Zone, made its debut at No 5 on the chart. That made them the fourth K-pop band to score a top-five album in the US. Also this week, BTS’ latest album, Map of the Soul: 7, ranked eighth on the Billboard 200 after topping the chart... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076068/how-boy-bands-bts-and-nct-127-are-leading-k-pops-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076068/how-boy-bands-bts-and-nct-127-are-leading-k-pops-us?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2020 14:00:14 +0000 K-pop boy group NCT 127 have had a busy start to 2020, with their debut world tour continuing until next month and their second studio album Neo Zone coming out in March too. The group’s frontman and leader, Taeyong, takes centre stage on the new album, co-writing three tracks. He may now be famed for his rapping skills and good looks, but it wasn’t always this way: he has undergone a journey from a trainee who could not dance to one of the most successful K-pop idols worldwide, and most... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3052409/taeyong-nct-127-and-super-m-handsome-singer-rapper-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3052409/taeyong-nct-127-and-super-m-handsome-singer-rapper-and?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Feb 2020 14:00:14 +0000 K-pop stars typically take a few years to build themselves up and break out in the industry. But then there are idols such as Mark Lee who seem destined to be huge. The Canadian-born star only debuted on the K-pop scene in 2016, but has been racking up accomplishments like a seasoned star as a member of the boy bands NCT and SuperM. From songwriting credits on singles to becoming the main spokesman for his groups overseas, Mark has a built up a résumé of important, passionate work. Learn more... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3051710/mark-nct-and-superm-k-pops-instant-superstar-whose-writing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3051710/mark-nct-and-superm-k-pops-instant-superstar-whose-writing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Feb 2020 14:00:11 +0000 To “pull a Taemin” is to work hard towards a goal over a long period and eventually find success. The phrase refers to K-pop star Taemin, who joined South Korean entertainment firm SM Entertainment at a young age after impressing judges with his dancing skills. While his singing was unimpressive and voice unstable in the beginning, Taemin made great strides after making his debut as the maknae, or the youngest member, of K-pop boy group Shinee in 2008. After several members of the four-member... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3046572/taemin-boy-who-finally-made-it-big-k-pop-star-shinee-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3046572/taemin-boy-who-finally-made-it-big-k-pop-star-shinee-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jan 2020 14:00:16 +0000 Despite a string of scandals and tragedies, the K-pop industry saw unprecedented global success in 2019, with its music and the scene’s biggest artists being enjoyed by more people than ever. From local chart hits in South Korea to songs that have resonated around the globe, here are our picks for the top 10 K-pop tracks of 2019, based on local and international chart performance, YouTube views, awards, fan reaction and critical acclaim. 10. How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You’re the One I... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3042914/10-best-k-pop-songs-2019-hit-tracks-supergroups-bts-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3042914/10-best-k-pop-songs-2019-hit-tracks-supergroups-bts-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Dec 2019 14:00:17 +0000 BTS may be the hottest K-pop group today, but before it and its army took over the music world, these were the seven legendary, first generation K-pop groups that dominated the music scene – in a time before digital sales – and paved the way for future K-pop idols to come. H.O.T. What’s hot in Korea – from Song-Song couple to Filipino band SB19 SM Entertainment’s first-ever idol group, a quintet including Kangta, Moon Hee-jun, Tony Ahn, Jang Woo-hyuk and Lee Jae-won, saw their 1996 debut... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3037911/bts-or-superm-shinhwa-ses-hot-and-4-more-first-generation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3037911/bts-or-superm-shinhwa-ses-hot-and-4-more-first-generation?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Nov 2019 06:00:09 +0000 Grandiosely touted as the “Avengers of K-pop”, brand new supergroup SuperM is already blasting its way into its intended American market, while also making waves all over the globe. The seven-piece boy band, stitched together from existing members of other popular groups in the SM Entertainment family, made a bang with the live launch of their debut EP “SuperM”, in Hollywood at Capitol Records on October 4. At the time of writing, the music video for lead single, Jopping, has nearly 39 million... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3036249/could-superm-do-even-better-bts-5-things-know-about-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3036249/could-superm-do-even-better-bts-5-things-know-about-first?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Nov 2019 18:00:07 +0000 Boy band SuperM is the first K-pop act to secure No 1 spot on the Billboard 200 Chart with their debut album of the same name, but the group have been stirring heated debate among international fans and media over album bundling issues. SuperM – comprising members of K-pop bands under SM Entertainment’s management, including SHINee, EXO, NCT127 and WayV – reigned atop the chart by selling 168,000 “equivalent album” units during the first week of its release (October 4-10.) Among the units,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3033833/did-k-pop-boy-band-superm-cheat-their-way-billboard?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3033833/did-k-pop-boy-band-superm-cheat-their-way-billboard?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Oct 2019 02:00:10 +0000