Latest news with #NewJeans
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
As K-pop dominates the world, its home crowd is tuning out
SEOUL, July 31 — K-pop may be topping global charts and filling stadiums worldwide, but back home in South Korea, its shine appears to be fading. According to The Korea Herald, industry experts are raising concerns over the genre's weakening grip on the domestic market. Despite international success, K-pop is struggling to maintain momentum locally — especially with the lack of impactful rookie girl groups in early 2025, a key driver of fandom growth in past years. Citing the Circle Chart's 2025 Mid-Year Report, The Herald reported a 6.4 per cent drop in digital consumption for the top 400 songs, nearly 50 per cent below its 2019 peak. Physical album sales also declined by 9 per cent to 42.4 million units. Only seven albums surpassed the one million mark this year, down from nine in 2024. Experts say the industry's increasing focus on global audiences — through English-heavy lyrics and similar-sounding concepts — may be pushing local fans away. This global push is tiring local fans, Circle Chart's Kim Jin-woo said. Girl group dominance has also slipped. In 2024, five girl groups were in the Top 10. This year, only NewJeans, aespa and Ive made the cut, Kim told the paper. Meanwhile, solo acts are rising. Seven of the top 10 tracks in 2025 came from solo performers like Woodz and Hwang Garam — relatively unknown globally but resonating with Korean listeners. Critics argue that while idol music is flashy and energetic, it often lacks the emotional depth listeners now crave. 'Ballads or rock-inflected songs with strong melodic structure and individual expression are better suited for immersive listening,' music critic Lim Hee-yun was quoted as saying. Industry insiders warn that unless the domestic market is re-engaged, K-pop's long-term sustainability could be at risk — even as it thrives abroad.
Korea Herald
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Is K-pop's global strategy backfiring? As popularity up abroad, domestic interest wanes
Absence of breakout rookie girl groups and weakening domestic fandom raise concerns for K-pop's future at home Despite chart-topping hits on Billboard and sold-out world tours across the US, Europe and Southeast Asia, K-pop's grip on its home turf appears to be slipping. Industry experts are sounding the alarm over a growing disconnect between the genre's global success and its dwindling influence at home — particularly as the domestic fanbase, once the engine of the K-pop phenomenon, shows signs of fatigue. At the heart of the issue is a conspicuous absence of breakthrough rookie girl groups in the first half of 2025. These groups have historically driven fandom growth and revitalized the market, but this year's lineup failed to deliver the same impact. Data released in the Circle Chart's 2025 Mid-Year Report backs this up. Total digital music consumption for the top 400 songs fell by 6.4 percent year-on-year and compared to the genre's 2019 peak, it has plunged by a staggering 49.7 percent. Meanwhile, physical album sales — a metric typically bolstered by passionate fans — also dropped by 9 percent, totaling 42.4 million units, down from 46.7 million the year before. The number of albums surpassing 1 million units in sales fell from nine to seven, and not a single release managed to exceed 3 million — a feat achieved by Seventeen just a year ago. These numbers suggest stagnation, or even a decline, in the size and spending power of domestic fandoms. Kim Jin-woo, a data journalist at Circle Chart, noted a sharp drop in girl group dominance in the domestic market. 'In the first half of 2024, NewJeans held the top spot in market share and five girl groups were in the top 10. This year, only aespa, Ive and NewJeans made the cut,' Kim said. Kim also cited growing listener fatigue stemming from similar-sounding concepts and English-heavy lyrics aimed at overseas audiences — part of a broader 'de-K-pop' strategy that may be alienating local fans. 'Many groups now focus on global accessibility, often gravitating toward a narrow range of genres and English lyrics,' Kim said. 'This might attract international listeners but has started to exhaust interest at home.' Music critic Lim Hee-yun also pointed out that shifting media consumption habits have weakened the dominance of idol groups. 'With music increasingly consumed through self-produced content, fan platforms and social media, fandoms are less concentrated,' he said. 'Idols used to dominate the charts thanks to mass fan activity, but that's no longer the case. In contrast, solo artists are resonating more with casual listeners.' The Top 10 of the 2025 mid-year digital chart paints a telling picture: Solo acts like Woodz with 'Drowning' at No. 1, Hwang Garam with 'I Am a Firefly' at No. 3 and Jo Jazz with 'Don't You Know' at No. 7 — none of whom enjoy major global recognition — significantly outperformed their idol group counterparts. Seven of the Top 10 artists were solo performers, leaving aespa, Ive and Boynextdoor as the only groups in the Top 10. Lim added that while idol tracks are 'fun and powerful,' they often lack emotional depth. 'Ballads or rock-inflected songs with strong melodic structure and individual expression are better suited for immersive listening,' he said. Industry officials warn that this trend raises serious questions about the sustainability of K-pop's current trajectory. A sluggish domestic market could eventually undermine the health of the entire ecosystem. 'As K-pop pursued global mainstream appeal, the music took on a more (Western) pop-oriented flavor — but unless you're on the level of BTS' Jungkook, that strategy rarely pays off,' an entertainment official said. 'Even with its global expansion, K-pop remains confined to a subculture category rather than breaking into the true global mainstream.'
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Is K-pop's global strategy backfiring? As popularity soars abroad, domestic interest wanes
Absence of breakout rookie girl groups and weakening domestic fandom raise concerns for K-pop's future at home Despite chart-topping hits on Billboard and sold-out world tours across the US, Europe and Southeast Asia, K-pop's grip on its home turf appears to be slipping. Industry experts are sounding the alarm over a growing disconnect between the genre's global success and its dwindling influence at home — particularly as the domestic fanbase, once the engine of the K-pop phenomenon, shows signs of fatigue. At the heart of the issue is a conspicuous absence of breakthrough rookie girl groups in the first half of 2025. These groups have historically driven fandom growth and revitalized the market, but this year's lineup failed to deliver the same impact. Data released in the Circle Chart's 2025 Mid-Year Report backs this up. Total digital music consumption for the top 400 songs fell by 6.4 percent year-on-year and compared to the genre's 2019 peak, it has plunged by a staggering 49.7 percent. Meanwhile, physical album sales — a metric typically bolstered by passionate fans — also dropped by 9 percent, totaling 42.4 million units, down from 46.7 million the year before. The number of albums surpassing one million units in sales fell from nine to seven, and not a single release managed to exceed three million — a feat achieved by Seventeen just a year ago. These numbers suggest stagnation, or even a decline, in the size and spending power of domestic fandoms. Kim Jin-woo, a data journalist at Circle Chart, noted a sharp drop in girl group dominance in the domestic market. 'In the first half of 2024, NewJeans held the top spot in market share and five girl groups were in the top 10. This year, only aespa, Ive and NewJeans made the cut,' Kim said. Kim also cited growing listener fatigue stemming from similar-sounding concepts and English-heavy lyrics aimed at overseas audiences — part of a broader 'de-K-pop' strategy that may be alienating local fans. 'Many groups now focus on global accessibility, often gravitating toward a narrow range of genres and English lyrics,' Kim said. 'This might attract international listeners but has started to exhaust interest at home.' Music critic Lim Hee-yun also pointed out that shifting media consumption habits have weakened the dominance of idol groups. 'With music increasingly consumed through self-produced content, fan platforms and social media, fandoms are less concentrated,' he said. 'Idols used to dominate the charts thanks to mass fan activity, but that's no longer the case. In contrast, solo artists are resonating more with casual listeners.' The Top 10 of the 2025 mid-year digital chart paints a telling picture: Solo acts like Woodz with 'Drowning' at No. 1, Hwang Garam with 'I Am a Firefly' at No. 3 and Jo Jazz with 'Don't You Know' at No. 7 — none of whom enjoy major global recognition — significantly outperformed their idol group counterparts. Seven of the Top 10 artists were solo performers, leaving aespa, Ive and Boynextdoor as the only groups in the Top 10. Lim added that while idol tracks are 'fun and powerful,' they often lack emotional depth. 'Ballads or rock-inflected songs with strong melodic structure and individual expression are better suited for immersive listening,' he said. Industry officials warn that this trend raises serious questions about the sustainability of K-pop's current trajectory. A sluggish domestic market could eventually undermine the health of the entire ecosystem. 'As K-pop pursued global mainstream appeal, the music took on a more (Western) pop-oriented flavor — but unless you're on the level of BTS' Jungkook, that strategy rarely pays off,' an entertainment official said. 'Even with its global expansion, K-pop remains confined to a subculture category rather than breaking into the true global mainstream.'
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Did NewJeans Visit BTS Star V During His Military Service? Fans Think So
Earlier in 2024, rumours had surfaced suggesting that members of NewJeans, the South Korean girl group, visited V during his military service. K-pop star V, aka Kim Taehyung, from BTS, has officially completed his mandatory military service. He was discharged on June 10, 2025, alongside fellow BTS member RM. Earlier in 2024, rumours had surfaced suggesting that members of NewJeans, the South Korean girl group, visited V during his military service. However, neither V nor NewJeans ever confirmed the speculation. NewJeans Met V During His Military Service: According to AllKPop, a user recently shared a snapshot on a popular online community showing NewJeans member Haerin's autograph and a handwritten letter addressed to one of BTS V's fellow soldiers, allegedly confirming her visit during his military service. In the picture, Haerin's message reads, 'Hello, this is NewJeans. Be healthy and happy during your military service, and please take care of our second brother, Taehyung." The person who shared the picture wrote, 'I guess NewJeans did go visit V during his military service. A fellow soldier who used to serve with V posted Haerin's signature, saying Please take care of Taehyung," as per AllKpop. BTS' V Teases Big Surprise For ARMY: After re-joining his Boy band BTS, V recently sparked a wave of excitement among fans with his latest live broadcast, where he hinted at a special surprise lined up for ARMYs in August. Speaking candidly, V stated, 'Actually, in August, there will be a little something for ARMYs to see," which immediately led to speculation online about a possible comeback or a new solo project. Not just this, he also shared a heartfelt note expressing his deep admiration for his fans. 'I absolutely miss ARMYs, though. The atmosphere has changed in some way, but if we saw each other at a concert, a music show, or somewhere similar, I think it would be great," he said. NewJeans Might Return To ADOR: NewJeans, on the other hand, recently made the headlines after they shared that they are open to returning to their former agency, ADOR, but on one condition. At the court hearing, NewJeans' legal counsel, which included Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, stated that they would return to the agency if ADOR is restored to its pre-April 2024 state. 'It's not that the members absolutely refuse to return," the lawyer stated, as reported by Allkpop. 'If ADOR were restored to the state it was when the members first trusted it, they would return even without being asked," NewJeans' side stated. Notably, a closed-door mediation session on the case is scheduled for August 14. If the mediation fails, the court will issue a decision on October 30, over a year after NewJeans abruptly cancelled their contract with ADOR. view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 12:02 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
K-pop Group NJZ Takes Legal Action Against ADOR: 'We Can't Trust Them Anymore'
Last Updated: The legal conflict between K-pop group NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and agency ADOR escalates, with a third court hearing held on July 24. The ongoing legal conflict between K-pop girl group NJZ (formerly NewJeans) and their agency ADOR continues to escalate, with a third court hearing held on July 24 at the Seoul Central District Court. The session concluded with both parties agreeing to a closed-door mediation meeting scheduled for August 14. The dispute first emerged in November 2023, when the five-member group, represented by legal counsel, moved to terminate their exclusive contract with ADOR. The agency has since challenged this move, leading to a legal standoff that has brought intense scrutiny to both sides and to former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, whose role has become central to the narrative. NJZ's lawyers claim the roots of the dispute lie in an audit launched by ADOR's parent company HYBE in April 2024. According to them, the internal investigation unfairly targeted Min, accusing her of attempting to take control of the group – charges that, they argue, lacked credible evidence. 'This legal fight began because HYBE launched an audit against Min Hee Jin in April 2024. They claimed she was trying to seize management control and 'take' NewJeans, but there was no evidence in the audit or grounds for dismissal," the group's legal team stated. 'The main issue was an alleged breach of duty, and in the midst of it all, NewJeans suffered the most. Police later found no evidence of Min Hee Jin committing a breach of duty." The group's lawyers further alleged that the agency's leadership has shifted significantly, saying, 'Today's ADOR is not the same ADOR that led to our past success. It's now controlled by HYBE staff… We can't trust ADOR anymore, which is why we can't return to it in its current state." ADOR's legal representatives, however, pushed back strongly. They argued that NJZ's stance has shifted since the start of the dispute, describing their attempt to leave as 'an unreasonable attempt to invalidate the contracts after the fact." ADOR emphasized that over 21 billion won (approximately $15.3 million) had been invested into the group, including 7 billion on their debut album and 2 billion on music videos. The agency attributed NJZ's rapid rise to careful planning and strategic support, arguing that the group's decision to exit just two years after debut is unfair. ADOR also accused Min Hee-jin of orchestrating the group's departure, citing alleged private messages that outlined a plan to claim plagiarism against HYBE's newer girl group, Illit, and manipulate media coverage. ADOR further alleged that the contract termination letter was prepared by Min's legal team. In the face of allegations of mismanagement, ADOR maintained that it met its obligations and revealed that each member had earned more than 5 billion won individually. 'The agency is still preparing for the group's comeback," said their legal representative. 'Our staff are waiting for the day they return." First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
