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BTS

BTS are the biggest names in K-pop - and they continue to go from strength to strength. After becoming the first K-pop band to top the US album charts in 2018, the seven-member boy band went on to conquer the world, propelled by the support of their devoted Army fan club.

Industry

Entertainment, K-Pop

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K-Pop band

The final, which will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has a chance of being played under extreme heat. Photo: AP

Fifa World Cup 2026

Scientists warn Fifa that World Cup games at risk of searing heat

One in four games could take place in very hot conditions; meanwhile, Madonna, Shakira, BTS to headline first-ever half-time show in final.

14 May 2026 - 8:35PM

South Korea

BTS comeback drives record 2.06 million tourists to South Korea

16 Apr 2026 - 3:37PMvideocam

South Korea

‘Anyone from the North?’: US comedian Seth Herzog apologises over BTS joke

26 Mar 2026 - 3:14PMvideocam

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop stars BTS are back, with a new album and a Netflix documentary

BTS are back after a nearly four-year gap. Netflix documentary BTS: The Return explores the making of their latest album, Arirang.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:15PMvideocam

BTS members in a still from BTS: The Return, the Netflix documentary about the K-pop group’s return from national service and their latest album, Arirang. Photo: Netflix

South Korea

‘A shame’: why Jin was left off official credits for BTS’ latest album

The K-pop band cited scheduling conflicts, saying the star ‘kept touring’, but fans aren’t buying the explanation.

25 Mar 2026 - 4:38PMvideocam

Asia travel

Visiting South Korea? 10 BTS pilgrimage spots every Army should visit

Explore iconic landmarks throughout the K-pop band’s history, from the current Hybe headquarters to their trainee-era haunts.

24 Mar 2026 - 11:34AMvideocam

Seoul

Video | Low BTS concert turnout causes slide in agency shares

The heavily secured Gwanghwamun Square performance drew 104,000 fans – less than half the turnout police expected.

23 Mar 2026 - 7:40PM

South Korea

BTS’ South Korea comeback crowd disappoints, triggering stock sell-off

The reunion concert drew 104,000 fans – less than half the 260,000 police had expected.

23 Mar 2026 - 8:13PMvideocam

South Korea

They’re back! K-pop’s BTS play first gig together in nearly 4 years

There were 22,000 free tickets, with thousands of other fans flooding Seoul to watch on giant screens, plus a Netflix live stream.

21 Mar 2026 - 9:33PMvideocam

Seoul

Video | Seoul prepares for BTS comeback at historic square

South Korean authorities prepare for BTS members to perform in first concert together in three years.

20 Mar 2026 - 6:27PM

A couple takes a selfie photo near a banner promoting a comeback concert of K-pop group BTS at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

03:00

SCMP Highlights

Jean-Claude Van Damme talks art; a chemist’s soy empire: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a mother’s 22kg weight loss to a Taiwanese chemist’s soy empire in Australia, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

19 Mar 2026 - 4:16PM

Van Damme with his artwork “Hong Kong”, an impressionistic reproduction of a scene from his 1988 film Bloodsport, at the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong. Photo: Elson Li

South Korea

Are you ready, Army? Free BTS concert to mark a K-pop comeback like no other

BTS’ return to the stage is set to redefine global music, with a free comeback performance, album drop and a massive world tour to come.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:05PM

South Korea

BTS’ concert puts ‘K-safety’ to the test as 260,000 fans to throng Seoul

Over 8,000 officials will be deployed at Saturday’s event in Seoul amid heightened scrutiny over crowd safety.

17 Mar 2026 - 11:42AMvideocam

Asia travel

K-tourism 2.0: Gen Z tourists prefer singing, dancing immersive holidays

K-pop and K-culture are driving a rise in tourism in South Korea, and many Gen Z visitors are opting for immersive experiences.

9 Mar 2026 - 9:15PM

Foreign tourists in Seoul pose in Saja Boys costumes from the Netflix animation KPop Demon Hunters. Photo: courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Timepieces

5 watch moments in February 2026: the Baftas, Jungkook’s new role and more

Breitling partners with Aston Martin, Louis Vuitton collaborates with De Bethune, and Swiss jump-hour watch brand Niton is revived.

2 Mar 2026 - 4:47PM

China-South Korea relations

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

A decade-long geopolitical chill has kept South Korean entertainers largely locked out of the Chinese market, but fans find ways to connect.

22 Feb 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong

2016 trends from Pokemon Go to poke bowls amid viral internet nostalgia

Looking back at 2016 is viral online, but what was hot back then? We look at food, travel, health and pop culture trends from a decade ago.

31 Jan 2026 - 3:15PM

Singapore

Set-jetting to Singapore: how K-pop is driving new tourism push

Ticket sales for K-pop events in Singapore increased by about 250 per cent between 2022 and 2024.

31 Jan 2026 - 9:55AM

Singapore dance group Roxo Crew specialises in K-pop covers. Photo: Roxo Crew

South Korea

BTS’ comeback concert sparks Dynamite price hikes in South Korea’s Busan

The K-pop group’s show in Busan is months away but already room prices have soared beyond the 1 million mark.

17 Jan 2026 - 11:35AM

Malaysia

‘I know I’ll cry’: BTS frenzy grips Malaysia as fans worry about scalpers

The K-pop band is returning to Malaysia for two shows in Kuala Lumpur after over a decade, sparking fan frenzy and ticket battles.

15 Jan 2026 - 10:17AMvideocam

South Korea

BTS are back! A new album and tour are coming after their military service

South Korea’s top act has been on hiatus since 2022 for military service. Their new album is the first since 2022’s record-breaking ‘Proof’.

1 Jan 2026 - 7:31PM

K-pop boy band BTS visit the “Today” Show at Rockefeller Plaza in February 2020 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images

South Korea

‘It’s all in English now’: South Koreans fall out of love with K-pop

Long-time listeners say the genre has lost its identity, with English lyrics and shorter tracks alienating the local fan base.

14 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM

Members of K-pop act BTS attend the 2022 Grammy Awards in Las Vegas. Photo: TNS

South Korea

‘Erase the couple tattoo’: BTS’ Jungkook faces fan fury over dating rumours

Fans parked a protest truck outside the band’s management company’s office in Seoul, demanding clarity from the K-pop star.

10 Dec 2025 - 3:41PM

South Korea

South Korea indicts Japanese woman for forcibly kissing BTS’ Jin

The suspect, who kissed the K-pop star without consent at an event in Seoul last year, was charged with indecent assault.

18 Nov 2025 - 8:13AM

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Why K-pop boy band Newbeat released an all-English language album

The seven-member K-pop boy band Newbeat talk about their preparations for their debut mini-album Louder Than Ever.

10 Nov 2025 - 5:23PMvideocam

Members of K-pop boy band Newbeat (from left) Seohyun, Taeyang, Yeoyeojeong, Minseok, Minsung, Yunhoo and Riwoo. Photo: Pyo Kyung-min

Timepieces

October’s biggest watch moments, from Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe and others

Celebrities turned heads with rare timepieces, while Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Hublot and Breguet unveiled groundbreaking designs.

3 Nov 2025 - 2:00PM

From left: Audemars Piguet releases a new Royal Oak chronograph with an improved reset system; Timothée Chalamet promotes his new film with an Urban Jürgensen on the wrist; Louis Vuitton taps its first ever watch for the Monterey. Photos: Handout; Getty Images

Paris Fashion Week

28 stand-out celebrity Paris Fashion Week looks

Stars turned up in dramatic looks for shows from Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Dior, Maison Margiela and more.

8 Oct 2025 - 3:38PM

South Korea

BTS star RM’s unfiltered take on loneliness, marriage and parental pressure

The K-pop star stresses personal choice over societal expectations, says ‘marriage is an option, not a requirement’.

8 Oct 2025 - 9:31AMvideocam

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BTS

Scientists warn Fifa that World Cup games at risk of searing heat

One in four games could take place in very hot conditions; meanwhile, Madonna, Shakira, BTS to headline first-ever half-time show in final.

BTS comeback drives record 2.06 million tourists to South Korea

‘Anyone from the North?’: US comedian Seth Herzog apologises over BTS joke

K-pop stars BTS are back, with a new album and a Netflix documentary

BTS are back after a nearly four-year gap. Netflix documentary BTS: The Return explores the making of their latest album, Arirang.

‘A shame’: why Jin was left off official credits for BTS’ latest album

The K-pop band cited scheduling conflicts, saying the star ‘kept touring’, but fans aren’t buying the explanation.

Visiting South Korea? 10 BTS pilgrimage spots every Army should visit

Explore iconic landmarks throughout the K-pop band’s history, from the current Hybe headquarters to their trainee-era haunts.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Low BTS concert turnout causes slide in agency shares

The heavily secured Gwanghwamun Square performance drew 104,000 fans – less than half the turnout police expected.

BTS’ South Korea comeback crowd disappoints, triggering stock sell-off

The reunion concert drew 104,000 fans – less than half the 260,000 police had expected.

They’re back! K-pop’s BTS play first gig together in nearly 4 years

There were 22,000 free tickets, with thousands of other fans flooding Seoul to watch on giant screens, plus a Netflix live stream.

Video | Seoul prepares for BTS comeback at historic square

South Korean authorities prepare for BTS members to perform in first concert together in three years.

Jean-Claude Van Damme talks art; a chemist’s soy empire: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a mother’s 22kg weight loss to a Taiwanese chemist’s soy empire in Australia, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Are you ready, Army? Free BTS concert to mark a K-pop comeback like no other

BTS’ return to the stage is set to redefine global music, with a free comeback performance, album drop and a massive world tour to come.

BTS’ concert puts ‘K-safety’ to the test as 260,000 fans to throng Seoul

Over 8,000 officials will be deployed at Saturday’s event in Seoul amid heightened scrutiny over crowd safety.

K-tourism 2.0: Gen Z tourists prefer singing, dancing immersive holidays

K-pop and K-culture are driving a rise in tourism in South Korea, and many Gen Z visitors are opting for immersive experiences.

5 watch moments in February 2026: the Baftas, Jungkook’s new role and more

Breitling partners with Aston Martin, Louis Vuitton collaborates with De Bethune, and Swiss jump-hour watch brand Niton is revived.

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

A decade-long geopolitical chill has kept South Korean entertainers largely locked out of the Chinese market, but fans find ways to connect.

2016 trends from Pokemon Go to poke bowls amid viral internet nostalgia

Looking back at 2016 is viral online, but what was hot back then? We look at food, travel, health and pop culture trends from a decade ago.

Set-jetting to Singapore: how K-pop is driving new tourism push

Ticket sales for K-pop events in Singapore increased by about 250 per cent between 2022 and 2024.

BTS’ comeback concert sparks Dynamite price hikes in South Korea’s Busan

The K-pop group’s show in Busan is months away but already room prices have soared beyond the 1 million mark.

‘I know I’ll cry’: BTS frenzy grips Malaysia as fans worry about scalpers

The K-pop band is returning to Malaysia for two shows in Kuala Lumpur after over a decade, sparking fan frenzy and ticket battles.

BTS are back! A new album and tour are coming after their military service

South Korea’s top act has been on hiatus since 2022 for military service. Their new album is the first since 2022’s record-breaking ‘Proof’.

‘It’s all in English now’: South Koreans fall out of love with K-pop

Long-time listeners say the genre has lost its identity, with English lyrics and shorter tracks alienating the local fan base.

‘Erase the couple tattoo’: BTS’ Jungkook faces fan fury over dating rumours

Fans parked a protest truck outside the band’s management company’s office in Seoul, demanding clarity from the K-pop star.

South Korea indicts Japanese woman for forcibly kissing BTS’ Jin

The suspect, who kissed the K-pop star without consent at an event in Seoul last year, was charged with indecent assault.

Why K-pop boy band Newbeat released an all-English language album

The seven-member K-pop boy band Newbeat talk about their preparations for their debut mini-album Louder Than Ever.

October’s biggest watch moments, from Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe and others

Celebrities turned heads with rare timepieces, while Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Hublot and Breguet unveiled groundbreaking designs.

28 stand-out celebrity Paris Fashion Week looks

Stars turned up in dramatic looks for shows from Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Dior, Maison Margiela and more.

BTS star RM’s unfiltered take on loneliness, marriage and parental pressure

The K-pop star stresses personal choice over societal expectations, says ‘marriage is an option, not a requirement’.

Video | Low BTS concert turnout causes slide in agency shares