TOPIC

/ people

BTS

J-Hope reacts after being discharged from a mandatory military service outside of an army base in Wonju. Photo: AP

J-Hope of South Korea’s BTS completes 18-month military service

The seven members of the world’s most popular boy band have been on a self-described ‘hiatus’ since 2022 due to their military service.

17 Oct 2024 - 6:08PM

K-pop star tells South Korea lawmakers of workplace bullying

15 Oct 2024 - 10:23PMvideocam

BTS member Suga fined US$11,500 for drink-driving on an e-scooter

30 Sep 2024 - 3:01PM

Why K-pop idols and luxury fashion are a marriage made in heaven

Tommy Hilfiger’s Met Gala collab with boy band Stray Kids is a reminder of the growing attachment between luxury fashion and K-pop stars.

12 Sep 2024 - 5:04AM

K-pop boy band Stray Kids pose at the Met Gala in New York. Fashion label Tommy Hilfiger’s collaboration with the group is an example of how luxury fashion houses are seeking to benefit from the star power of K-pop idols. Photo: Reuters

‘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.

8 Aug 2024 - 4:41AMvideocam

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.

7 Aug 2024 - 5:08PMvideocam

How craft sodas are shaking up the soft drinks market

Sanzo’s founder cites the left-field success of BTS and Crazy Rich Asians as inspiring his drink, while Poppi was the most-watched commercial at this year’s Super Bowl after first being pitched on Shark Tank

7 Aug 2024 - 3:00PM

Kim Kardashian drinking a Poppi soda at sister Khloe’s birthday in June 2024

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

24 Jun 2024 - 6:30PMvideocam

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.

13 Jun 2024 - 8:11PM

‘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.

12 Jun 2024 - 2:32PMvideocam

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 chart wars ahead as BTS’ RM, NewJeans, Aespa and more drop new music

K-pop fans have a lot to be excited about in the coming weeks as RM from BTS, New Jeans and Aespa drop new albums, and Treasure release a new single. Which group will dominate the K-pop charts?

21 May 2024 - 11:15AMvideocam

RM of K-pop juggernauts BTS in Seoul in 2023. K-pop fans have a lot to be excited about in the coming weeks as he, girl groups New Jeans and Aespa, and boy band Treasure release new music. Photo: Getty Images

‘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.

7 May 2024 - 2:51PMvideocam

BTS fans tell K-pop label to ‘stand for humanity’, sack pro-Israel US boss

Some supporters sent a truck to Hybe headquarters in Seoul to vent their discontent while advocating for the dismissal of Scooter Braun.

29 Feb 2024 - 12:12PM

Korean TikTok star covers BTS’ Idol, IVE’s I Am and more on her zither

Oh Hyun-ji uses the plucked zither – a traditional Korean instrument – to cover K-pop songs like BTS’ Idol and IVE’s I Am, as well as other pop tunes and soundtracks, in popular videos on TikTok and YouTube.

15 Jan 2024 - 7:23PMvideocam

Oh Hyun-ji uses the gayageum - a traditional Korean instrument - to cover K-pop songs like BTS’s Idol and IVE’s I Am, as well as other pop tunes and soundtracks, in popular videos on TikTok and YouTube. Photo: Instagram / @Yageum_Yageum

BTS in 2023: K-pop group felt like they were here all along despite hiatus

Superstar K-pop boy band BTS may be on hiatus for members’ military service, but you would not know it – they have been singing, dancing, releasing songs and keeping interest high for their return.

30 Dec 2023 - 5:15PMvideocam

BTS visiting the “Today” Show in 2020. The K-pop superstars may be on hiatus, but you would not know it – the group have been singing, dancing, realising songs and keeping interest high for their eventual return after members’ service in South Korea’s armed forces. Photo: Getty Images

BTS and Blackpink, the 10 most followed K-pop idols on Instagram in 2023

Blackpink’s Lisa is cresting on nearly 100 million followers, with Jennie and Jisoo following close behind, while from BTS, V, Jimin and J-Hope are the most followed in 2023

20 Dec 2023 - 12:00PM

A world without BTS, what will we do?

8 Jan 2024 - 4:12PM

BTS talk of 2025 reunion, as RM and V begin South Korean military service

Two more members of K-pop phenomenon BTS, RM and V began mandatory South Korean military service on Monday. The final two members, Jimin and Jungkook, were expected to enlist later this week.

11 Dec 2023 - 7:41PMvideocam

Singers RM and V of the K-pop band BTS began their mandatory military duties under South Korean law, their management agency announced on Monday. Photo: AP

Dyeing your hair – what colour, which products, how permanent?

Vividly coiffed icons like Billie Eilish, BTS’ V and Megan Fox make colour cool but remember that it can come at a cost to your hair – make considered decisions and don’t forget to look after your locks during and afterwards

30 Nov 2023 - 2:19PM

K-pop band BTS’ remaining 4 stars start military enlistment process

The group’s label said RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook are set to soon begin their mandatory military service.

23 Nov 2023 - 6:30AMvideocam

Dashed hope: South Korea bans BTS star from hosting military cooking contest

BTS’ J-Hope will not be allowed to take part in the cooking competition, which celebrates culinary talent among the South Korean, US and Singaporean militaries

8 Nov 2023 - 9:37PMvideocam

J-Hope performs at the Lollapalooza Music Festival in 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. Photo: AP

Opinion | 5 reasons Hong Kong needs to build its own Sphere à la Las Vegas

For a start, with such a large, eye-catching and futuristic venue, Hong Kong would not have been overlooked by Taylor Swift, Coldplay and other mega acts.

18 Oct 2023 - 9:32AMvideocam

People arrive during the opening night of the Sphere on September 29 in Las Vegas. Photo: AP

Will Blackpink survive the 7-year curse, like BTS and Girls’ Generation?

Rumours are circulating that Blackpink’s members might not all be renewing their contracts – here’s what we know as they pass the 7-year mark

6 Oct 2023 - 1:00PM

South Korean esports star Faker could get what BTS couldn’t: military exemption

Potential military service exemption for gamers representing South Korea at the Asian Games has reignited a controversial issue.

22 Sep 2023 - 4:13PM

All BTS members renew K-pop contracts with agency amid ‘hiatus’

The South Korean band announced a ‘hiatus’ from group activities last year and 2 members are currently undertaking 18 months of military duty

20 Sep 2023 - 7:29PM

BTS perform onstage during the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards broadcast in 2021. Photo: Getty Images

Japan’s famous virtual singer Hatsune Miku turns 16, fans party

Legions of fans have this week been celebrating the ‘birthday’ of Japan’s best known Vocaloid – a computer-synthesised singing voice software that comes with a virtual avatar.

2 Sep 2023 - 7:04PM

Fans of Japan’s Vocaloid Hatsune Miku gather at a venue in Chiba, Japan. Photo: AP

Happy birthday Jungkook: BTS singer turns 26, and fans are celebrating

BTS’ Jungkook, who turns 26 today, has received well wishes from fans around the world, who have paid for birthday ads on buildings, buses and subway stations to celebrate with the singer.

1 Sep 2023 - 5:05AM

K-pop album releases in September 2023, from BTS’ V to Riize

From the first solo album by V of BTS to the debut of Riize and a new album by rookie group Boynextdoor, the K-pop music releases to look out for in September.

29 Aug 2023 - 7:15PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

BTS

BTS are the biggest names in K-pop - and they continue to go from strength to strength. After becoming the first K-pop band to top the US album charts in 2018, the seven-member boy band went on to conquer the world, propelled by the support of their devoted Army fan club.

Industry

Entertainment, K-Pop

Job Title

K-Pop band

last updated:

7 October, 2024