*This content was translated by AI.
The K-pop clock is constantly running in the fifth year of the 丙午 in 2026. In particular, the big "K-pop Big News" from the first half of this year is expected to catch the attention of many fans and the public at once. Whether or not to win the first main prize nomination in history, as well as the entry of Black Pink Rose and Golden into the Grammy, the return of the "third generation top tier" BTS, who finished their military service, and the 20th anniversary comeback of the "second generation top tier" Big Bang have been confirmed by March and April, respectively. On top of that, Newzins' legal battle, which represented the fourth generation but is unfortunately embroiled in a lawsuit, is also heading for a deeper tunnel.
At the Grammy Awards, which will mark its 68th anniversary this year, you can feel the presence and status of K-pop more than ever. "APT," sung by 3rd generation girl group Blackpink member Rosé with legend Bruno Mars, produced by The Black Label led by Teddy, and the OST "Golden" of Netflix's "K-Pop Demon Hunters," sung by SM trainee Lee Jae, were nominated for General Field (main award) at the Grammy Awards. In addition, global girl group Cats Eye, launched and discovered by Hive America, was nominated for Rookie of the Year. It can be said that it is a double-slope of K-pop.
Both 'APT.' and 'Golden' must be K-pop contents that shone in 2025. Rosé, who has already shown off her capabilities as a solo singer-songwriter beyond Blackpink's main vocal member, proved her global move early on by collaborating with a number of foreign artists and culminated in her encounter with Bruno Mars. "APT," which stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 45 weeks, the longest period in K-pop artists' history, proved that it had a long run influence as much as No. 1 even if it was No. 3, and succeeded in making a career high as a solo artist apart from his collaboration with Bruno Mars.
The topic of "Golden" is also painful to say. K-pop Demon Hunters has created a cultural phenomenon beyond the syndrome, with "Golden" at the center. The influence of K-pop and K-Animation, proved by the number of Netflix views that topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eight consecutive weeks and exceeded the "Squid Game," was a turning point in the new phase of the Korean Wave.
At the Grammy Awards, "APT." was nominated for three categories: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and "Golden" was nominated for five categories: Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Litten for Visual Media, Best Remixed Recording, and Best Compilation Soundtrack. It is expected to attract attention to how many trophies will be lifted.
The comeback date of the "21st Century Beatles" BTS has been hinted at as March 20. The New Year's postcard set, delivered by same-day delivery to Weverse members and domestic fans, contained personal handwritten messages from RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, and the date 2026.3.20 next to the unfamiliar logo printed on the front of the postcard is interpreted as effectively meaning BTS' full comeback. With the release of the new song, BTS's 2026 activities are expected to begin in earnest as it immediately begins a large-scale world tour.
In his New Year's greeting, Jungkook said, "ARMY, you're healthy, right? I miss you. I'm always working hard! Please take care of us in 2026 ♡ Happy New Year!I look forward to your kind cooperation in 2026, he said, stimulating fans' emotions.RM said, "Finally 2026 is here... "Here comes the BTS," Jin wrote, and emphasized, "Hello as a team." J-Hope also expressed, "It's a year where we can be together again." RM said, "I waited more eagerly than anyone else," while Jin wrote, "Thank you so much for your patience." Suga said, "Let's have fun together this year, too. I love you," he said, expressing his affection for the fans, and j-hope expressed his excitement, saying, "What I thought finally came true!" Jimin was also happy, saying, "The year we meet has come," and V said, "I will go with more good memories in 2026." Jungkook said, "I miss you. I look forward to your kind cooperation this year."
Since he was selected as the representative of K-pop to succeed Big Bang EXO in 2015, BTS has maintained its team identity and evolved while leading the K-pop scene over the past decade and breaking numerous domestic and foreign records. Along with signing two re-signing contracts with Big Hit, several obstacles such as "Seven Years of Magic" also passed without any problems. This comeback as a whole does not feel like coming down from its heyday, but it also feels like a comeback that has broken a long gap, not unlike any other active idol.
However, the news related to BTS until recently was not very good. The silence of the youngest Jung-kook's romantic relationship with Espa Winter and the leader RM's comments on the team's dismantling in the past were enough to draw various reactions regardless of his intention. In addition to this, there was also unnecessary noise, such as a drunk scooter accident and water during Suga's service as a social service worker.
Nevertheless, Living Legend's comeback is waiting for everyone, no one from the fandom, no one from the public, and no one from the industry.
It might not have been seen again, but it dramatically announced its return. "Big Bang's 20th Anniversary" was never an easy title.
Without leader G-Dragon, this title would have been unimaginable. Until about two years and three months ago, G-Dragon was just a defendant caught on drug charges. However, G-Dragon responded quickly and voluntarily appeared at the police station and drew charges. Two years later, he was named the Grand Prize singer at the MAMA (Melon Music Awards) and MMA (Melon Music Awards). It's a timeline that could be near impossible.
G-Dragon, who completely shook off the drug issue, demonstrated his influence in 2024 and 2025. Following the first solo song "POWER" in about eight years, "HOME SWEET HOME" with Taeyang Daesung hinted at Big Bang's comeback, and "Good Day" made with producer Kim Tae-ho brought popular Korean stars together. He also returned as the Grand Prize singer in 2025 after peaking his solo comeback with his third full-length album "Webermansch."
Now, Big Bang has decided on the 20th anniversary of its debut as the "2026 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival" (hereinafter referred to as "Coachella") and is heading to the U.S. in April. Coachella is a music festival that is also very well known as the largest music festival in the United States. Big Bang was previously included in the lineup in 2020 as a four-member group, including Top, but it is regrettable that it was canceled in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Big Bang plans to celebrate its 20th anniversary through the "Coachella" stage and announce a legendary comeback that music fans around the world will be most enthusiastic about with a global performance that compiles the 20-year music journey. The Coachella lineup includes Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol Map Headliners, The XX, Disclosure, Strokes, Gibion, Young Serg, and Cascade, as well as Taemin and Cats Eye as K-pop artists.
The fourth-generation top tier Newzins' 2026 move, which is talked about as an event that will remain in the all-time history of the K-pop scene, is full of dark clouds. With the whole body broken, there is still the possibility of becoming a trio, let alone a comeback, and even if they make a comeback, there is no easy answer to how to endure and apologize to the fans and the public, who have been accumulated by the past cases.
The members' moves have been mixed since the failure to go head-to-head in a lawsuit to confirm the validity of their exclusive contract with their agency, Adore, leaving behind the multi-award of the Korean music awards in their second year of debut and Billboard's K-pop all-time level chart performance. Following the youngest line, Harin Hye-in, Hani announced her return to the door, but Min-ji is still in discussion, and Daniel is heading back to court.
Until the 2024 summer season, there was no big problem with the comeback, but it was only a matter of time before the conflict between former Airdor CEO Min Hee-jin and Hive, who never intended to agree, entered a long-term game. In the end, Hive and Chuck lost, and Newzins' future gradually became dark.
Since Adore filed a lawsuit against Daniel, his family and former CEO of Adore on December 29, 2025, saying, "Daniel is a member of New Jeans and an artist belonging to Adore, so we notified him of the termination of the exclusive contract today." Since then, all three have jointly responded by appointing the same lawyer.
Former representative Min Hee-jin's "My Way," the starting point of the New Jeans-Ardor conflict, seems to remain and the view toward it has changed quite negatively, and Daniel is likely to head into a deeper tunnel of litigation for now.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
