Welcome to K-Buzz, your daily source for the latest Korean entertainment news.

We are your hosts, bringing you all the hottest updates from the K-pop and K-drama world.

Today is September 30th, 2026, and we've got some incredible stories to share with you.

Let's dive right in.

Actor Yu Yun-Syok is stepping into a whole new role, transforming into a cool-headed cardiac surgeon for NBC's upcoming Friday-Saturday drama, Liar. Newly released stills show him as Min Jun-ho, a surgeon raising his son alone after losing his wife, who finds himself drawn to a mysterious woman played by Su Hyun Jin. The thriller centers on two people, locked in a fierce battle over conflicting memories, each insisting their version of the truth is real. And the stills hint at Yu Yun Xyok's dual nature, showing both icy composure before surgery and an intense, unwavering gaze in a darker scene. This marks a reunion for Yu Yun Xyok and Su Hun Jin, who last worked together a decade ago on the hit series Doctor Romantic, which soared to a peak rating of 27.6%. Fans can catch liar when it premieres on October 30th at 9.50 in the evening.

Inamix is officially in comeback mode, and fans are already buzzing about the mysterious new concept photos dropped today. The group will release their sixth mini album, titled Strange Muse, on October 19th at 6 in the evening, and the teaser images definitely lived up to that name, showing the members surrounded by bows and arrows amid streaks of glowing light. The sixth track album will be led by the title song Birthday Wish, alongside genre-defying tracks like Kerosene and Ruddy Talk, plus the group's very first unit songs featuring different member pairings who actually helped write the music themselves. Industry insiders say after back-to-back hits with Blue Valentine and Heavy Serenade, Animex is ready to show fans a whole new side with this release. And if that wasn't enough excitement, NMX will also hold the Encore shows for their first world tour, Episode 1 Zero Frontier, in Incheon, this November 27th through 29th.

XLove is gearing up for a highly anticipated comeback, announcing their third mini album, titled I Equals, set to drop on October 28th. This new release expands on the storytelling from their previous album, I GoT, which cleverly used the chess concept of porn promotion to deliver a powerful message about transformation and growth. Industry reports note that X Love has been steadily building momentum both at home and abroad, with I Got breaking their own record by surpassing 200,000 copies in first day sales and even landing at number six on Billboard's list of the top 25 K-pop albums of 2026. The group isn't slowing down either, with an Asia tour called Serving X kicking off next month in Singapore and Japan. Fans can look forward to streaming the new album across major music platforms starting at 6 p.m. on October 28th.

BTS member RM is stepping into the art world in a whole new way, and this time as a curator himself. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, known as SFMOMA, announced it's teaming up with RM for a special exhibition called Between You and Me, marking the museum's very first collaboration with a K-pop artist. The museum actually approached RM after noticing his deep passion for contemporary art, and this marks the first time he's ever shown his personal collection in a museum setting. About 180 pieces will be on display, including works from legendary Korean artists like Yun Yong Kun, Park Ray Hyun, Kim Wanki, and Nam Jun Pike, with around 140 of those pieces coming straight from RM's own collection. RM even recorded the audio guide himself in both Korean and English and personally selected the music playing throughout the gallery, saying the exhibit feels like a long-form introduction to who he really is. Fans can catch this special showcase when it opens on October 3rd and runs through February 7th of next year.

Billy's Tsuki has had to pull out of a scheduled university festival performance today, with her agency letting fans know through the group's official platform that she's dealing with a health issue and needs to focus on rest. The specific symptoms haven't been shared publicly, but Mystic Story reassured fans that Tsuki is prioritizing recovery and that the team is doing everything possible to help her bounce back quickly. They also apologized for the sudden announcement, asking fans for understanding and continued warm support during this time. This comes after Billy's exciting year, having dropped their first full album, The Collective Soul and Unconscious Chapter 2. Back in May, a record packed with bold confidence and unshakable energy. Fans are hoping for a speedy recovery so Tsuki can get back to showcasing that same fierce spirit on stage soon.

Close your eyes is proving they're anything but predictable, diving headfirst into jazz for their fourth mini-album, 256th Note, released today. The seven-member group held a showcase in Seoul, where they revealed how they blended jazz improvisation with 90s street hip-hop influences, even sampling Yoon Sinai's classic Enjoy This Night for their title track Drop That. Member John Minwoo shared that the genre's freeform nature matched the group's creative spirit perfectly, while other members admitted studying jazz and vintage hip-hop together to nail the unfamiliar sound. The album also marks a special milestone, with all seven members credited as lyricists on the closing track Eternity, pouring their genuine emotions into the final song as a testament to their growth two years into their career. Looking ahead, Close Your Eyes is gearing up for their first solo tour in the United States next month, with members expressing hopes of landing their first music show win and continuing to expand their artistic range beyond music into acting.

Industry reports confirm the two members will take part in the season's exciting matchup between the Hanwa Eagles and Samsung Lions on October 1st, with Gina throwing the ceremonial first pitch and Wanhee stepping up for the ceremonial first hit. This marks a special milestone for Gina, who will be stepping onto a pitcher's mound for the very first time since her debut. Liken has built a strong connection with Korean baseball fans over the past couple of years, with members like Wanhee, Riv, May, and Manami all taking turns at various stadium events. Adding to the excitement, Lycan just announced their upcoming mini-album titled Pulse, set to drop on November 3rd.

Singer Wuzi has opened up about the heartfelt story behind his tribute song for veteran vocalist Li Sung Chu. The two artists, along with director Ray Yi, gathered in Seoul's Itewan district on September 29th for a special listening session celebrating Li Sung Chou's 40th anniversary album titled Our Story. During the event, they took photos together and answered questions from the audience about the collaboration. According to industry reports, Wu Zi shared that the song captures his deep respect for Li Sung Chu's incredible four-decade journey in music, while also imagining what his own 40th anniversary might look like someday. It's a touching passing of the torch moment between generations of Korean music icons, showing just how much influence Li Sungchu continues to have on today's artists.

Cinematic Indie band Eddie and the Bricks just dropped their second EP called In Between Us, and it is already striking a chord with fans who love that nostalgic early 2000s indie rock sound. The five-track record captures that in-between feeling of growing up, when you are no longer a carefree kid, but not quite the fully formed adult you imagined either, offering a gentle comfort for anyone caught in that same transitional moment. The title track, One of Your Boys, which first previewed back in August, actually started as a demo vocalist Eddie held onto for five years before the full band brought it to life with warm, honest guitar riffs. Alongside the title song, tracks like Zebra, Mountain, Dream, and Daydreaming. Round out the release with a lyrical autumn-appropriate mood, complete with a music video Eddie personally directed to pull listeners deeper into the vibe. The four-piece, made up of Eddie on vocals, Han Zung Wan on guitar, O Jun Sak on bass, and Kim Yi Chan on drums, has been building serious buzz too, thanks to their britpop-influenced sound, a viral OST moment from T Ving's Transit Love Season 3, and their selection for a government-backed musician development program, with their next big stop being Rookie Stage at the Busan International Rock Festival coming up on October 3rd.

Winter from Espa is sitting out tonight's Dallas concert after being diagnosed with shingles. Industry reports revealed that SM Entertainment shared the update through Espa's Weavers, explaining that Winter had visited the hospital on the 29th after feeling unwell, with tests confirming the shingles diagnosis. She had actually pushed through a rocky performance in Miami despite already feeling off. But when her condition didn't improve afterward, doctors advised her to step back from today's Dallas show and the accompanying Hi Bye Send-Off event, leaving Karina, Giselle, and Ning Ning to carry on without her. The agency expressed how disappointed Winter herself is, since she had been looking forward to connecting with fans in Dallas, and they apologized for the sudden announcement while asking for everyone's understanding. This comes right in the middle of Espa's fourth world tour, Sync Complexity, which kicked off its North American leg on the 18th, so fans are hoping Winter gets the rest she needs to bounce back quickly.

BTS member ARM is once again showing his love for Korean culture, this time with a generous donation to the National Museum of Korea. Industry reports confirm that RM gave 100 million won to the Museum's Support Foundation, with the funds earmarked for purchasing and acquiring valuable artifacts for the collection. This comes just months after RM was appointed as the museum's global honorary ambassador back in June, and he's expressed continued commitment to promoting Korean heritage on the world stage. It's worth noting this isn't his first act of cultural philanthropy, as RM previously donated similar amounts in 2021 and 2022 to help preserve Korean cultural heritage located overseas. Adding to his cultural contributions, RM is also set to open a special exhibition called RRM Times O M A between you and me at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, marking the first time his personal art collection will be showcased in a museum setting, with the show running from early October through February 7th of next year.

Big news from the box office as Taza Belzebub's song has officially crossed the 1 million viewer mark, hitting this major milestone just eight days after its release. According to industry tracking data, the crime thriller reached the impressive number on Tuesday afternoon, matching the same pace set by last year's hit film Yadang, which went on to draw 3.38 million viewers total. What makes this achievement even more notable is that the film carries an adults-only rating, yet it's still pulling in massive crowds, thanks to strong word of mouth and consistently high seat reservation rates. The movie follows Bayun Yohan's character, Zhang Tai Young, a man who thought he had it all in the online casino business, as he faces off against his former best friend, played by No Jee Won, in a globe-spanning gambling showdown, fueled by betrayal and revenge. As the film enters its second week in theaters, fans and critics alike are praising how it honors the legacy of the original Taza series while still standing on its own, making it fully accessible even for viewers who never followed the earlier installments.

Today's featured song comes from girl group Nizy U with their title track Sour Grapes, the lead single off their very first Korean mini album. This bold, confident track puts a fresh spin on Aesop's classic fable, The Fox and the Grapes, with the members diving fearlessly into choices others might shy away from. It's a whole new sound and style for Nizi U, so let's take a listen. Now, let's dive into more headlines.

With agency MW Entertainment announcing a special fan meeting called My Buddy in Tokyo, set for October 24th at Tokyo's Tied Sky Hole. This marks the group's second trip to Japan, following their debut local promotions back in August, which included fan signing and mini life performances that clearly left a strong impression. Thanks to that warm reception, Youth Fear is stepping things up this time, with a full-scale fan meeting featuring diverse stages and fun segments, with two shows scheduled for 2 and 6 in the evening. General ticket sales kick off on the 5th, so fans eager to grab a spot should keep an eye on the group's official social media for details. Youthfear debuted back in June of last year with their single album, Speed Zone, and kept the momentum going this June with their first mini-album, Bite District, proving they're steadily building a devoted fanbase both at home and now abroad.

Industry reports reveal that the streaming platform just dropped the main poster and trailer, giving fans their first real look at this cooking survival drama, where Korean chefs from around the globe battle it out for the ultimate title. An Hayo Siop plays Kang Han, a mysterious overseas chef whose background and even nationality remain a total secret, though his incredible taste and skill speak for themselves in that confident, calm smile he flashes right in the middle of kitchen chaos on the poster. The trailer teases some serious drama too, with fellow competitors like Choi Song Yi, played by Hong Hua Yun and Cha Wu Jin, played by Jiang Ryu, bringing their own tension and rivalry to the table, while producer Sun Juang Won, played by Juang Yujin, adds another layer of intrigue behind the scenes. Mark your calendars because Final Table premieres next month, on October 25th, with new episodes dropping every Sunday and Monday exclusively on Disney Plus.

Red Velvet's Joy is stepping into new territory with her very first voice acting role, lending her voice to the animated film Stitchhead in theaters starting today. She plays Arabella, a quirky young girl with a good heart who befriends monsters without any judgment, and Joy's clear, bright voice brings out all the characters' warmth and curiosity. Speaking about why she took on the role, Joy shared that Arabella's open-minded and kind nature was what drew her to the project, and she worked hard to convey the character's positive energy through voice alone. She's hoping fans and moviegoers will check out her animated debut and enjoy this heartwarming adventure between Arabella and her monster companion, Stitch Head. It's an exciting new chapter for the idol as she continues to expand her artistic range beyond music and television into the world of animation.

On September 29th, he released a live performance video for Want to Be Free, the first pre-release track from his upcoming second full-length album Journey, marking his first full album in about seven years. The stripped-down performance, featuring Kim Feel's warm vocals paired with gentle acoustic guitar, has fans buzzing online with comments calling it the sound of autumn itself and praising how comforting and healing the lyrics feel. Alongside the album Rollout, Kim Feel also announced he'll be holding concerts on November 14th and 15th at Blue Square iMarket Hall in Seoul, where fans can expect both his classic hits and fresh tracks from the new record. Following up on this first single, Kim Feel will drop a second pre-release track on October 23rd, with the complete album finally arriving on October 29th at 6 p.m.

Here's something you don't see every day: a K-pop idol group taking over the trot charts. Lee Sin's Jenna recently blew fans away with a seven-song trot medley on YouTube, covering classics from artists like Jiang Yun Jung and O Sun Gun, with fellow members Wan Yi, Riv, Minami, and Mei backing her up with harmonies and choreography. Born in 2008, Jenna's surprisingly mature vocal delivery has racked up nearly 14 million views in just 12 days, with a clip of her performance blowing up so much that Trot Queen Jang Yunjung herself reached out, asking if Jenna would consider going full trot. This all comes on the heels of Le Sune's viral hits like Gyoja Yahoo and their comeback single Love Attack, which topped Melon's charts and earned them two music show wins, cementing their status as one of this year's biggest breakout groups. And the momentum isn't stopping anytime soon, since Laysoon is gearing up to drop their fourth mini album pulse on November 3rd.

Big news for K-pop fans as Kat's Eye just landed one of the biggest stages in fashion and music, getting invited to perform at the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show happening next month in Los Angeles. This puts them in seriously elite company, joining pop star Tate McCrae, hip hop sensation Megan the Stallion, and Country Rising star Megan Moroni on the lineup, following in the footsteps of past K-pop performers like Lisa from Blackpink and Twice. Industry reports highlighted just how fast Catsai has been rising, especially after their third EP Wilde hit number one on the Billboard 200 last month, and the group kicked off their very first arena tour. Their momentum doesn't stop there, with their track Animal charting for nine straight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, currently sitting at number 30, while also hitting a new personal best of number 14 on Pop AirPlay. With Wilde holding strong on the Billboard 200 for six consecutive weeks, it's clear Cat's Eye is having an incredible breakout run, and this Victoria's secret stage could be the moment that catapults them even further into the global spotlight.

Their agency, The Muse Entertainment, put out guidelines ahead of member Reeve's birthday, and one line in particular caught fans off guard. The notice mentioned that items requiring prior coordination with the company, specifically custom and ear monitors, should be inquired about via email. Since custom and ear monitors are professional equipment idols typically need for stage performances, some fans felt it was inappropriate for the agency to bring this up in a fan gift context, especially given Lucy's recent explosive rise in popularity and busy schedule of commercials and broadcast appearances. Critics argued that with the group earning well from their newfound success, the company itself should be covering that kind of gear rather than seemingly leaning on fans, while others push back, saying the notice was simply informational and not a demand, especially since fans had reportedly asked about it first.

Singer Koaga is bringing some autumn feels with a brand new R and B track called Do You Remember? The digital single dropped this week and features both the main track and an instrumental version, painting a wistful picture of someone wandering the streets, still haunted by memories of a lost love. Koaga's signature smooth and groovy vocals carry the emotional weight of the song beautifully, and DKB's GK jumps in with a feature that adds some powerful rap verses about Lost Love, making the track even more layered and compelling. Koaga debuted back in 2015 and has been part of the independent label Rocket Drive since 2017, building a catalogue of soulful R and B tracks over the years. This release marks a meaningful comeback for the artist, giving fans a fresh taste of that signature style after some time away from new music.

Actress Han Gain has cleared her name in the sneaky advertising controversy that's been making waves online, and the very YouTuber who raised the allegations is now issuing a public apology. The controversy started after Han Gain featured an albumin product on her channel last November, insisting it was a genuine personal recommendation and not a paid promotion. When YouTuber Samang Fox TV questioned her claims and even continued posting edited clips after her initial explanation, Han Gain fired back by releasing actual purchase receipts, showing she bought 90 bottles of the product back in July 2024, well before she even started her YouTube channel. Facing the evidence, Samang Fox TV admitted the follow-up shorts were an immature and rash decision, apologizing for causing unnecessary misunderstanding and confusion for viewers. Han Gain, for her part, acknowledged she should be more careful when sharing personal experiences about product effectiveness, promising to verify information more rigorously before posting similar content in the future.

The album also shined on other charts, grabbing the number two spot on the World Albums chart and number seven on top album sales, while Evan himself topped the emerging artists chart. Beyond the US success, the album has been performing well internationally, including strong showings on Japan's Oricon and Billboard Japan charts, and it already crossed the half million sales mark just three days after release back home. Fans can catch Evan continuing his promotional run with a performance of his follow-up track Twilight on Manette's M Countdown this coming Thursday evening.

Billboard also gave the group high marks for their appearance on the Jennifer Hudson show, calling it a bright and exciting performance that fully captured the energy of their music. The group's buzz continued at BlizzCon, where they debuted the live performance of their new track Made My Night, a song tied to their collaboration with the game Overwatch, earning praise from outlets like NME and The Bias List for its infectious energy and unforgettable chorus. Even entertainment media in India took notice, describing the choreography as so contagious that viewers find themselves unconsciously mimicking the moves. Backing up all this critical acclaim with real numbers made my night held steady at number 13 on Billboard's Hot Dance and Pop Songs chart for a second week, making Le Serafim the highest chart in K-pop girl group in that category this week, while also climbing five spots to number 18 on the Taiwan songs chart. Until then, stay tuned to all things Korean Entertainment, and we'll catch you tomorrow.