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K-Beauty Expo Vietnam (photo by Kintexsw, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons))

Korea - Sep 17, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

K-Beauty’s Digital Echo: Reviews and Influencers Behind Korea’s Global Reach

Korean beauty today is as much about the conversations around products as the formulas themselves. What started with sheet masks and the pursuit of a "glass skin" look has evolved into something broader: a culture where rankings, reviews, and online voices strongly influence which brands thrive. In Korea, millions of users turn to platforms like Hwahae to share experiences, while global creators such as Hyram Yarbro or James Welsh translate those products for

 Coachella 2025 (Photo courtesy of Coachella / Goldenvoice)

US - Sep 16, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

Korean Stars Named in Coachella 2026 Lineup Beside Global Pop Leaders

The 2026 Coachella list was released earlier than expected. It mixes well-known pop figures with newer acts from abroad. The early reveal has already stirred conversation among festival followers and fueled anticipation for next spring's shows. The headliners for 2026 are Sabrina Carpenter,

Naver Webtoon at the Amazing Festival in Paris, July 2024. (Courtesy of Naver Webtoon)

Business - Sep 16, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

Korean Webtoons Find a Place in the U.S.—and on Wall Street

Ten years ago, Korean webtoons were little more than a curiosity for American readers, discovered through fan translations and shared links. Now they are popping up everywhere-from Disney+ dramas like Moving to print editions on U.S. bookshelves. The format, built for scrolling on phones, has become familiar to Gen Z readers who already spend much of their day swiping on apps.

Moving, a hit Korean drama, streams via Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ worldwide. (Courtesy of Hulu and Disney+)

K-WAVE - Sep 16, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

K-Dramas Step Into the Spotlight on Global Streaming

What began as a regional entertainment niche has become one of the defining currents in worldwide pop culture. Netflix and Disney+ have put Korean dramas at the center of their content strategies, giving these stories prime placement and marketing weight. A decade ago, many international viewers might never have encountered them. Now, it is almost impossible to open

LE SSERAFIM (Photo Courtesy: SOURCE MUSIC)

K-WAVE - Sep 15, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

LE SSERAFIM Play to Packed Crowd in San Francisco

The K-pop group LE SSERAIM appeared at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Sept. 14. It was their first Bay Area show since debut, and part of the Easy Crazy Hot world tour. The night opened with Unforgiven. Instead of running straight through the album order, the set jumped between older songs and the three releases that shaped the tour's theme. The blocks of Easy, Crazy and Hot

BTS (from BTS official Instagram)

K-WAVE - Sep 15, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

BTS Members Complete Military Duty in South Korea

All seven members of BTS have now finished their national service requirements. Jin and J-Hope completed their duty first. The others-Suga, RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook-finished in 2025. All members can now take part in group work. Some members stayed active in music during service. During the break, Jung Kook took part in international

Newjeans (from official Instagram)

K-WAVE - Sep 15, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

NewJeans Contract Rift Widens After Mediation Breakdown

The standoff between HYBE and its affiliate ADOR has entered a sharper phase. The second attempt at mediation wrapped up in under thirty minutes. Nothing meaningful came out of it. The quick collapse made it clear that both sides are still unwilling to compromise.

K-Beauty Expo Korea 2017 (photo by Kintexsw, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons))

K-WAVE - Sep 15, 2025 AM EDT - Isaac

Korean Beauty Brands Win Over Australian Shoppers

Interest in Korean beauty products has grown sharply in Australia, with the market projected to be worth about AUD 158 million this year. The pace of demand has surprised observers and reflects how far the Korean cultural wave now extends.

Choi Si-won in August 2024 (Photo by 티비텐 TV10, via YouTube, Licensed under CC BY 3.0)

K-WAVE - Sep 14, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

Super Junior’s Choi Siwon Draws Debate, While Group’s Global Presence Remains Intact

Choi Siwon of Super Junior has found himself at the center of discussion after posting a tribute on social media to American commentator Charlie Kirk. The short post, though written as a personal note, circulated quickly through fan forums and social media, where users debated the broader question of whether idols should comment on politically charged figures.

NewJeans during recent promotions, as shared on their official Facebook page. (Photo © ADOR / HYBE, via NewJeans official Facebook page)

K-WAVE - Sep 13, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

NewJeans’ Contract Renewal Sparks Speculation About Group’s Future

K-pop sensation NewJeans has entered the spotlight again-not for a new release, but for mounting questions over its contract status. Reports in Korean media this week indicated that discussions between the group and ADOR, the subsidiary label under HYBE, have begun earlier than expected, setting off speculation about whether all five members will remain under the same management.

aespa performs “Rich Man” during their U.S. promotional run. (Photo © SM Entertainment / via @aespa_official on X)

K-WAVE - Sep 13, 2025 AM EDT - Isaac

aespa’s GMA Stage Draws Mixed Reactions, But Signals Strong U.S. Momentum

K-pop group aespa appeared on Good Morning America this week, performing their single "Rich Man" as part of a broader U.S. promotional push. The high-profile stage placed the quartet in front of millions of viewers, marking another step in their bid to expand beyond Asia.

Photo courtesy of Singing Beetle / via 1VERSE official Instagram (@official1verse)

K-WAVE - Sep 12, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

1VERSE’s Debut Raises Questions About K-pop’s Changing Identity

The newly formed boy band 1VERSE recently stepped onto the K-pop stage, and much of the attention has focused less on their debut single than on who they are. The lineup includes two members who left North Korea as children,

Rosé in an official press photo released by Atlantic Records. Courtesy of Atlantic Records.

K-WAVE - Sep 11, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

Rosé’s VMAs Win with “APT” Triggers Record Video Views and Mixed Tour Reactions

Rosé of BLACKPINK stunned the music world this week by becoming the first K-pop artist to win Song of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards for her collaboration with Bruno Mars, "APT."

A concert crowd silhouetted against stage lighting — symbolic of the growing wave of K-pop performances across the U.S. (Photo by Terrah Holly on Unsplash)

K-WAVE - Sep 11, 2025 PM EDT - Isaac

K-Pop Concerts Are Sweeping the U.S., and the Scene Feels Different This Time

K-pop's presence in the United States has reached a point where even casual observers can't ignore it. In the past week alone, fans in Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, and San Jose were able to pick between Kang Daniel, Tomorrow X Together, LE SSERAFIM, and newer acts like tripleS.

TXT World Tour (Photo Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC)

K-WAVE - Sep 11, 2025 AM EDT - Isaac

TXT Opens U.S. Tour in San Jose With Packed Arena and Personal Touches

Tomorrow X Together (TXT) kicked off their latest world tour 'ACT : Tomorrow' at the SAP Center in San Jose, filling the arena with thousands of fans and plenty of anticipation.

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