BTS Jungkook Surpasses 1 Billion Spotify Streams; ALLDAY PROJECT Wins on 'Music Core'
Key Takeaways
- BTS's Jungkook surpasses 1 billion streams on Spotify with his original tracks, a first for an Asian artist.
- ALLDAY PROJECT won first place on MBC's 'Music Core' with 'FAMOUS', beating BLACKPINK and aespa.
- Big Ocean, the first K-pop deaf idol group, gains popularity, using AI and metronomes.
- MONSTA X celebrated their 10th anniversary with 'CONNECT X' concert, their first full-group comeback in four years.
- SHINee's Key to release his third full-length album 'HUNTER' on August 11, featuring 10 songs.
Top Stories
BTS Jungkook's original tracks surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify.
BTS Jungkook's original tracks have surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, a first for an Asian artist. The most streamed song is 'Seven' with 2.4 billion plays.
ALLDAY PROJECT wins first place on MBC's 'Music Core'.
On July 19, 2025, ALLDAY PROJECT won first place on MBC's 'Music Core' with their song 'FAMOUS', scoring 6,365 points. The group, which debuted on June 23, beat BLACKPINK and aespa.
Big Ocean, the first K-pop deaf idol group, gains popularity.
On July 20, 2025, the New York Times featured Big Ocean, the first K-pop deaf idol group, highlighting their rising popularity. The group, consisting of three members, uses AI technology and a metronome for performances.
MONSTA X celebrates 10th anniversary with 'CONNECT X' concert.
MONSTA X celebrated their 10th anniversary with the 'CONNECT X' concert at KSPO DOME in Seoul from July 18-20, 2025. The concert marked their first full-group comeback in four years, with all members reuniting.
SHINee's Key to release third full-length album 'HUNTER'.
SHINee's Key is set to release his third full-length album 'HUNTER' on August 11, featuring 10 songs. This marks his first full-length album in three years.
Celeb Scoop
BTS members RM, j-hope, and Suga attend stylist Kim Youngjin's wedding.
On July 19, 2025, BTS members RM, j-hope, and Suga attended celebrity stylist Kim Youngjin's wedding in Seoul. NCT members also attended the event.
Rumors of Lee Ju Eun and Park Soo Jong dating.
Rumors spread that Lee Ju Eun, a popular cheerleader, is dating Park Soo Jong, a Kiwoom Heroes player, after intimate photos were leaked. Neither has commented on the rumors.
BLACKPINK's Jennie discusses on-stage and off-stage personas.
BLACKPINK's Jennie discussed her on-stage charisma and contrasting off-stage personality in an interview with Calvin Klein, published on July 20, 2025. She described how she flips a switch to activate her 'BLACKPINK Jennie' mode when she's on stage.
Park Ju Hyun turned down SM Entertainment offer.
Actress Park Ju Hyun revealed on MBC's variety show 'Omniscient Interfering View' on July 19, 2025, that she turned down a casting offer from SM Entertainment as a teenager. She was street-casted while visiting Lotte World.
Kim Jaejoong's YouTube show features MAMAMOO's Moonbyul.
Kim Jaejoong, former member of TVXQ and JYJ, hosts a YouTube show called JaeFriends, where he interviewed MAMAMOO's Moonbyul. Jaejoong attempted to flirt with Moonbyul, but Moonbyul remained unimpressed.
Drama Alert
Netflix to produce K-Pop drama 'Variety'.
Netflix is producing the K-Pop drama 'Variety', directed by Kim Yong-hoon, starring Son Ye-jin and Jo Yu-ri. The series explores the entertainment industry and is produced by CJ ENM Studios and UNU.
Channel A's drama 'My Lovely Journey' releases a third teaser.
Channel A's drama 'My Lovely Journey' has released a third teaser, following Gong Seung Yeon as a former idol-turned-travel reporter. The drama premieres on August 2 at 9:20 p.m. KST.
tvN's drama 'Love, Take Two' previews Yum Jung Ah and Park Hae Joon.
tvN's upcoming drama "Love, Take Two" previews Yum Jung Ah and Park Hae Joon's on-screen chemistry. "Love, Take Two" will premiere on August 4 at 8:50 p.m. KST.
'Head Over Heels' tops Good Data Corporation's drama buzz list.
tvN's 'Head Over Heels' rose to No. 1 on Good Data Corporation's weekly list of the dramas that generated the most buzz. The leads, Cho Yi Hyun and Choo Young Woo, ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.
Actor Oh Jung Se's interview about his role in JTBC drama 'Good Boy'.
Actor Oh Jung Se was interviewed by Kim Kyung-yoon on July 21, 2025, about his role as the villain Min Ju-young in the JTBC drama 'Good Boy'.
Park Ju Hyun discusses her debut in 'Extracurricular'.
Actress Park Ju Hyun discussed her debut with Netflix drama 'Extracurricular' on 'Omniscient Interfering View'. She was cast on the streets at Lotte World as a high school student.
Noh Sang Hyun offered role in Korean remake of 'Gold Digger'.
On July 20, 2025, Noh Sang Hyun's agency confirmed that he received an offer to appear in the Korean remake of the British series "Gold Digger." Kim Hee Ae has also been offered the leading role.
Fandom Frenzy
DAY6 fan denied entry to concert due to ID issues.
On July 19, 2025, a DAY6 fan was denied entry to a fan concert due to ID verification issues. The fan, who had forgotten their ID, was not allowed entry despite showing a student ID and a photo of their passport.
TWICE's Mina faces criticism for concert performance.
TWICE's Mina is facing online criticism after viral clips from the group's recent concert in Seoul surfaced on July 19, 2025. Some fans commented that she appeared sluggish and lacked energy compared to the other members.
K-Pop Buzz
Netflix's 'K-pop Demon Hunters' film success in the virtual idol era.
The Wall Street Journal reported on July 20, 2025, on the global success of Netflix's animated film 'K-pop Demon Hunters' (Kedeheun), highlighting its impact in the virtual idol era. The film's songs topped Spotify's most streamed songs, showcasing the film's success.
HYBE's pop-up stores attracted 630,000 visitors.
HYBE announced on July 21, that 630,000 people visited 35 pop-up stores worldwide in the first half of the year. The pop-up stores, including BTS-themed ones, featured themed merchandise and events.
ENHYPEN, ILLIT, ATEEZ, BTS, and others on Billboard World Albums.
On July 19, 2025, Billboard's World Albums chart showed ENHYPEN’s “DESIRE : UNLEASH” at No. 1, ILLIT’s “bomb” at No. 2, and ATEEZ’s “GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3” at No. 3. BTS, Jimin, and Jin also charted.
SBS's 'Inkigayo' to be replaced by reruns and a summer festival.
SBS’s “Inkigayo” will not air on July 20 and 27, 2025. Instead, SBS will air a rerun of “Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 – You Are My Destiny” and the 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer.
K-POP dance workshop led by Choi Young-joon held in Buenos Aires.
A K-POP dance workshop led by choreographer Choi Young-joon was held in Buenos Aires on July 20, 2025. The event, organized by the Korea Content Promotion Agency Argentina Business Center and the Korean Cultural Center in Argentina, drew 150 participants.
Rosé of BLACKPINK tops girl group member brand reputation rankings.
In July 2025, the Korean Business Research Institute released brand reputation rankings for individual girl group members. Rosé of BLACKPINK topped the list, followed by Jang Won Young of IVE.
IVE Yujin releases cover of “Golden”.
On July 19, 2025, IVE member Yujin released a cover of “Golden” from the movie KPop Demon Hunters. The cover received positive comments, but online communities expressed mixed opinions about the use of post-editing.
ALLDAY PROJECT featured on MBC’s “The Manager”.
On July 19, 2025, MBC’s “The Manager” aired a preview of its upcoming episode featuring the rookie co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT from THEBLACKLABEL. The preview showcased ALLDAY PROJECT’s dorms.
Star Style
Soyou reveals 10kg weight loss for solo comeback.
In July 2025, former SISTAR member Soyou revealed she lost 10kg since January for her solo comeback. Her weight loss secret is the "Cucumber Boat," a high-protein, low-calorie dish.
BLACKPINK's Lisa reveals a 'dream' tattoo.
BLACKPINK's Lisa revealed a new tattoo on her neck reading 'dream', sparking fan speculation about its connection to her recent solo track 'Dream'. The song reflects on a past relationship.
IVE's Liz shows off her visuals.
IVE's Liz posted photos on social media on July 20, showcasing her visuals. IVE is about to release their third Japanese album 'Be Alright' on the 30th.
Yeo Jin Goo's new look sparks reactions.
Actor Yeo Jin Goo's recent appearance in promotional material for TVING's 'The Great Escape: The Story' has sparked divided reactions over his new look. Some speculate he has gained weight, while others believe he has bulked up.
HyunA's Instagram update showcases new tattoos.
On July 20, 2025, HyunA's Instagram update showcased new tattoos, contrasting with her previous statements about tattoo removal. The post has intrigued followers.