K-pop groups TWICE, ENHYPEN, and BTS set for comebacks in 2025. Details here
Popular girl group TWICE, under JYP Entertainment, officially announced their much-anticipated return with a full-length album—their first in nearly four years. Titled simply as their 'Fourth Album' for now, the record is set to drop in July, as confirmed on May 19 at midnight KST.While the group hasn't revealed the exact release date and title yet, the teaser, titled 'Intro: Four' offers a cinematic prelude to perhaps one of their most ambitious releases yet. The video features all nine members in a commanding formation as haunting percussion builds. This will be TWICE's first studio album since 2021's critically acclaimed 'Formula of Love: O+T=<3'. Their most recent mini-album, 'Strategy', was released in December 2024. The K-pop group also made waves earlier this year by opening for Coldplay during their Seoul concerts on all six days, whilst also debuting a collaborative remix of 'We Pray', which was later released on streaming platforms.Meanwhile, ENHYPEN is gearing up to unleash their latest conceptual project: 'Desire: Unleash', which is set to drop on June 5. The new project will be a continuation of their ever-evolving vampire mythology that was first introduced in their 'Blood' and 'Romance' series. The group's new release promises a darker, more emotionally intense journey with this album.The teaser rollout for 'Desire' has already captivated fans with its concept cinema. The video is a stylised short film which is set on a surreal late-night talk show where chaos and supernatural intrigue unfold. The members, drenched in noir aesthetics and gothic symbolism, look sharp and their ability to blend narrative and performance alone is enough to pose 'Desire' beyond just any other comeback. And as if two major comebacks weren't enough, BTS is also set to make a return this quarter. While specific details about their group's comeback are still under wraps, the group's long-awaited reunion is enough for fans to share excitement.Must Watch
advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- The Hindu
Why popular international bands are heading to India?
In the years following the COVID-19 lockdown, new records are being set in India's live music space. The demand for live concerts has increased so much that it led Coldplay to perform the biggest show of their storied career in Ahmedabad in late January this year, packing the Narendra Modi Stadium with over 2,22,000 attendees across two days. More recently, the producer and promoter of the shows, BookMyShow Live, brought down Guns N' Roses to play for a reported 35,000 audience at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Racecourse on May 17. Sure, Axl Rose was off-key and no longer at his best, but what has been driving audiences to catch the likes of Guns N' Roses, Maroon 5, Coldplay, Bryan Adams and soon, Enrique Iglesias is the nostalgia factor. The rush for tickets is also driven by social media and the FoMO it can quickly induce in anyone scrolling through their feeds. Never mind that you may not know more than a handful of songs out of the average 90-120 minute setlist. What further adds to the hysteria is the fact one never knows when these artistes will be in the country again. In December last, Canadian rock favourite Bryan Adams took on his most extensive India tour yet, performing in seven cities including Shillong, Goa and Kolkata. He told me in an interview ahead of the tour kickoff, 'I've been banging on to everybody to get back to India for a couple of years now. And so we finally organised it and I really, honestly didn't know what to expect because I haven't been here for a few years and, times change… but my goodness, the tickets have virtually sold out.' The tour – Bryan's sixth visit to the country – was put together by EVA Live and SG Live. A representative for EVA Live confirms that the nine-day, seven-city tour brought in over 1.5 lakh fans. The company's marketing manager Pallavi Maloo says, 'The primary advantage of multi-city tours lies in shared marketing costs and increased sponsor interest. While artistes are generally inclined towards more shows, the financial benefit of a multi-city arrangement typically ranges from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.' Larger bands such as Guns N' Roses may have only performed one show – as did the likes of Deep Purple (although they were originally slated for two) – which points to how touring with a leaner live setup can obviously help reach more cities. Case in point, Ed Sheeran returned to India within a year of his 2024 show, performing in cities such as Chennai, Shillong, Hyderabad, Pune and Bengaluru for the first time between January and February 2025. It was just Sheeran, his guitar and his trusty Loopstation to devise catchy, groovy loops of rhythms and layers to keep the crowd engaged. While BookMyShow clearly has processes in place to be the go-to promoter or organiser for artistes represented globally by companies such as AEG and Live Nation, the likes of EVA Live, District By Zomato and Skillbox are scaling up to keep the competition healthy. Just one rung below are more promoters who see the strong attachment and nostalgia evoked by the likes of Enrique, Backstreet Boys and others. In fact, Backstreet Boys' member Nick Carter was in town for a solo tour for the first time early this year. He said in a media interaction in Bengaluru, 'I've been dying to get over to India for so long. We've come a couple of times with the Backstreet Boys, but I just felt like it was never enough. And so it was the perfect opportunity for me, because I have a little more control over where I go as an individual. It's a little harder with the Backstreet Boys, because it was a bigger show. Mine's a bit smaller, and I can take it to certain places that we necessarily could not go.' EVA Live breaks down how cities are gauged as viable markets for international acts. Tier 1 includes Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Tier 2 cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Shillong, and Pune definitely possess what they term 'a viable market.' Tier 3 cities, including Jaipur and Indore, along with other large capital cities, 'have a somewhat smaller market.' Below that, it doesn't get significant, but what promoters do count on while planning international shows, is that tier 3 and 4 city fans will travel to attend shows. Coldplay's shows in Ahmedabad drew visitors from over 500 cities spanning all 28 states and five union territories, according to a report made by EY-Parthenon. Out in Kolkata, Aveek Chatterjee, who runs a local label, Free School Street Records, is an avid fan of classic rock and blues. Catching the likes of Guns N' Roses in Mumbai, Aveek is the kind of fan who invests in travelling abroad to catch his favourite bands, in case they don't come to India. Over the years, this is the shift taking place — that Indians may not need to travel overseas to catch artistes. 'I was absolutely thrilled to watch Deep Purple, Extreme, Sting, Greta Van Fleet and Mr Big live in India,' says Aveek. It means that he has been zipping across Bengaluru, Shillong and Mumbai, among other cities for concerts. Considering himself a 'rock n roll pilgrim,' Aveek has been happy to travel outside his home city, but also notes that more needs to be done to put a city like Kolkata on the map for international artistes. 'The reason is Kolkata lacks the right infrastructure and sponsors, coupled with low ticket sales due to affordability and economic issues. However, it's great to see that things are improving now as at least tier B and C international artistes such as Aristocrats, Steve Vai, Karnivool have played in Kolkata in recent years and Steven Wilson is slated to play this November .' A recent surge of events in Meghalaya also points to the involvement of government authorities, with Bryan Adams and Ed Sheeran's gig getting support from Meghalaya Tourism. EVA Live hails them as 'fantastic.' Since Coldplay's ₹392 crore impact on Ahmedabad was highlighted by Prime Minister Narenda Modi himself, Assam Government has made a move to crack concert economy in December, bringing in hip-hop and pop star Post Malone. It's not so much about nostalgia as it is about artistes mounting much more expansive tours. That way, everyone's a winner. Aveek rightly sums up, 'The live music industry is emerging as a new economy booster and India is poised to have exponential growth in this sector.' Showtime Enrique Iglesias: October (dates to be announced), Mumbai Travis Scott: October 18 and 19, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi Steven WIlson: November 2 - 9, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi-N Post Malone: December 8, Assam
Mint
14 hours ago
- Mint
Nothing CEO Carl Pei says London has better Indian food, leaves internet divided: ‘Like London museum'
Swedish-Chinese entrepreneur Carl Pei sparked a debate on the internet after sharing his 'hot take' on Indian food. The co-founder of OnePlus and CEO of Nothing took to his X account and declared: 'Indian food in London is better than Indian food in India.' He also dropped a photo of what seemed to look like an Indian dish, mostly butter chicken. Pei went on to reveal that the picture was clicked at Jamavar, a single Michelin star in Mayfair, London. 'Prove me wrong by joining me for the Phone (3) launch in London on July 1 and tasting the food,' he added. Reacting to his post, a user wrote in the comments, 'Well, then you haven't eaten at a good place in India.' 'Do you actually think Indian food in London is anywhere close to the real authentic Indian food,' questioned another user. Someone also criticised Pei for his post saying, 'Carl this is because the only Indian food you eat in India is at Soho House.' In response, he revealed which Indian dish he liked the most in India. 'The best food I had in India was actually a roadside Biryani," he said in reply. 'Real take: there's nothing Indian about Indian food in London,' said one more user to the entrepreneur. Someone also mocked him and commented sarcastically, 'Yes like London museum.' 'Hot take: Chinese food in India is better than Chinese food in China,' added a user as well. Yet another user mocked Pei for his brand when commented, 'NOTHiNG beats the soulful spice of Indian food in India. London's curries are great, but they're like a Phone (3) trying to outshine the original masala magic of iPhone!' Pei also shared recommendations for those in London. 'Jamavar was great, heard BiBi is fantastic -- haven't had the chance to try yet,' he told a netizen. Not just Carl Pei, previously a US man went viral after criticising Indian food online. His post sparked a word of war on the internet. Hunter Ash said that Indian food is "subcontinental pound-of-spice slop," leaving many upset on the internet. He faced backlash from foodies across the world. It happened so after Hunter took to his X (formerly Twitter) account, and called enjoying Indian food merely a sign of 'PMC striverism', a term used to make fun of those people who are trying to climb the social ladder.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin call it quits: Why did the couple part ways after dating for 8 years?
Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin have reportedly broken up for good after nearly eight years together. The couple who has been in an off-and-off relationship for nearly a decade, have now parted ways and ended things again and this time, insiders said it's for good, reports People Magazine. 'It feels final this time,' an insider shared. The 'Fifty Shades of Grey' actress, 35, who is the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, and the Coldplay frontman, 48, first started dating in 2017. They were last pictured together in Malibu, California, on May 16. They were snapped holding hands in India in January during Martin's tour with his band. ALSO READ: Elon Musk attacks Trump's 'big, beautiful bill': Tesla CEO's sudden outburst explained Why did Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson break up? While the reason for the couple's recent split has not been disclosed, sources have previously offered insights into their relationship, highlighting its ups and downs. In March 2024, an insider told People that Johnson and Martin had been engaged for 'years.' Although engagement rumors began circulating in 2020, the source noted that the couple was "in no rush to get married." Speculation about a breakup emerged again in August 2024, but at the time, a representative for Johnson reportedly denied the claims, stating the two were "happily together." Live Events A source said around the same time, according to People, "Sure, they've had issues and taken breaks in the past, but things are great now. They both love their careers. They are balancing things the best they can." As of June 2024, a source noted that Martin and Johnson had experienced 'ups and downs,' but were 'definitely back on.' The couple has continued to keep their relationship largely private. ALSO READ: Elon Musk's DOGE army left 'drugs, roaches and rats' in 'trashed' offices: Bombshell report amid Ketamine claims Meanwhile, Johnson's latest film Materialists—a romance co-starring Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal—is set to premiere on June 13. While promoting the movie, Johnson reflected on modern relationships in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, saying:'For a long time, we've been so quick to judge relationships—how they should happen, how they should exist. When people should get married. That divorce is bad. But if you think about it, why is divorce bad? Why do people have to get married at a certain age or only once? Why? It doesn't matter.' Relationship timeline Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin first got together three years after Martin and his ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, 'consciously uncoupled' before finalizing their divorce a year later. The exes have daughter Apple, 21, and son Moses, 19. ALSO READ: Heat alert in US: Summer 2025 forecast for America is out and is worrisome. Check which cities will bear the maximum brunt Over the years, Paltrow, 52, and Johnson have gotten close. The Goop founder gushed over their tight bond in 2020. 'I love her,' she told Harper's Bazaar. 'I can see how it would seem weird because it's sort of unconventional. But I think, in this case, just having passed through it iteratively, I just adore her. I always start to think of the ampersand sign — what else can you bring in, instead of being resistant to or being made insecure by? There's so much juice in leaning in to something like that.'
