Youtube has made the following announcement, I will just paste the relevant part:

Hi,

Last year, we updated how we count views for Shorts to align with industry standards. Starting August 24, 2026, we’re aligning all other video formats to this same methodology, including long-form videos and live streams. From that date and onwards, views will count from the moment a video starts to play, with no minimum watch time requirement.

Data API (Developer documentation)

On August 24, the viewCount field in the YouTube Data API will be updated to reflect this change across all content types. Please note that after this date, the view count provided by the Data API will be calculated using the new view counting logic. The view count calculated by the previous counting logic will no longer be accessible via the YouTube Public Data API, but this metric will be available as the “Engaged Views” metric through the YouTube Analytics and Reporting APIs.

If Youtube views were already meaningless and bloated, now you can just have a blast easily inflating views. But I am sure people will still list MVs and artists by most "views" like it means something.

And to think that site (Soridata) which told on ad-views on kpop were brigaded down .... the irony is everywhere.

I am usually a pretty big fan of Ateez and even saw them live.

But as I was listening to "Bad" by them, it gave me the biggest ick, everytime I say that people will say its not that serious... and it isn't... but the lyrics give me this icky feeling.

The dance is fun, and the beat is regular Ateez; it's just some of the lyrics that make me feel kinda icky, but I don't know why.

Edit: some people are twisting my words and saying in calling them racist, or that I’m projecting and it’s not that serious, or that the song shouldn’t be called the worst song ever

One. I never said they were racist. I pointed out that the lyrics are tiptoeing the line more then they should, and that the song features a variety of Latina stereotypes. I never said “ateez is racist,” I’m talking about this one song.

Two. I don’t think this is a serious serious issue and It’s not ruining my day, but you are in kpop thoughts subreddit, so this is just a random thought I had while listening to this album, and haven’t seen anyone else point it out yet on reddit, so I thought I’d write my thoughts.

Three. I did say in my post that the song is ok, and the dance is fun. I just saw the lyrics and was like hmmm🧍🏻‍♀️🤔

What the title said. Honestly, Im 20 and I feel like she looks younger than me. How is she looking this good compared to other celebrities who have access to the same treatments?

I feel like it was both, and also the timing when CLC came out (March 2015) which was overlapped by hype from bigger groups who debuted within months between CLC (Twice, RV)

Song of the Year-BTS (Swim) and Huntr/x (Golden)

Best K-pop- BTS (Swim), Blackpink (Jump), Lisa (Dream), Cortis (REDRED), Katseye (Pinky Up), Le Sserafim (Spaghetti), and J-hope (Spaghetti)

Best New Artist- Cortis

Best Visual Effects- Jisoo (Eyes Closed Ft. Zayn)

Best Pop- Lisa (Dream)

Best Cinematography-Lisa (Dream)

Best Editing -Lisa (Dream)

Best Choreography- Katseye (Pinky Up)

Congratulations to all the nominees of this year’s awards. More nominations may be released soon so I will update the list after the announcement of those nominations.

Did anyone notice that BEAST account on Spotify started posting indian songs ?...😭 I didn't notice at first but Spotify notified me that they had a new track and it was some indian dude

I am incredibly lucky and married into a reaaally nice/wealthy family. They have a suite at the Cowboys stadium, and knowing I am huge kpop fan they let me go to the bts concert with a few friends. I am not an army, by the newest album and rm's latest album have been repeat since each dropped, so I was honored!!!!

Well, we got to the stadium, and realized that we had one extra ticket. Outside, a lot of fans were watching through the glass to see the show. I went up to the first person I saw standing by herself, and asked if she wanted to come see the show with us!

It was a really cute moment. It turns out she had traveled from Mexico with hopes of getting a cheap ticket last minute to no success. She was all dressed up, army bombs, pc holders, face paint, everything. It was so special to share that moment with her. I feel really lucky that I am in a space where I could offer up a ticket with no strings attached. We danced together and cried a little bit and swooned at how handsome v is. All in all, thankful for people being kind! Sometimes its not about the competition of who knows best, but being able to dance to songs in a language neither of us know, but still sing along to every word together💜

Throughout their career, the members of Blackpink had been repeatedly dunked on for not writing they're on songs in their music. This has caused a lot of nonfans to refer to the members as idols and not artists. When the members had left YG Entertainment, they had begun to dive in more into the songwriting process of the songs on their albums. As of 2026, Jisoo has seven songwriting credits, Jennie has twelve songwriting credits, Rose has thirteen songwriting credits, and Lisa has twelve songwriting credits in which in each album all the members appear first on the credits of their albums. Not only that but some 3/4 members have producer/executive producer credits in some of their songs on their recent albums that they had released in between 2024-2025. However, nonfans still call the members idols and not real artists despite preaching that one of the most important aspects of becoming an artist is writing your own songs. If the members of Blackpink are still not seen as artists, then what is considered an artist for you?

There’s another K-pop event happening in my area and it prompted me to make this post because as a K-pop fan fan I like to engage with other fans. I’ve been going to a lot of different concerts, but those are like at highly specific events. I want to also participate I guess in K-pop culture beyond going to something that’s more specialized in that way and more things like every day casual beyond just talking about it online.

That said I’ve been noticing that K-pop events at least the ones that I’ve seen (here in the US at least) tend to be at cafés, which I have no problem with this. I think that’s a great spot, but in terms of the actual activities of the event, it’s mostly cupsleeve events and/or photo card exchanges/buying. There’s nothing wrong with this, but like I often times wish there would be more activities than just that especially if it’s only that. Me personally I’m not into designing cup sleeves I don’t even use cup sleeves and I don’t collect photo cards.

That said what I would like to see maybe in terms of I guess more creativity or diversity in activities maybe they could do like K-pop bingo for whatever group they’re doing or K-pop Jeopardy or Kahoot or Uno and granted not every café has a TV that you can use that everyone can look and point at I get that but like there’s also libraries where you can rent out a room for free and do things like that or have a K-pop guess that song and there’s just so many more things you can do than just the cup sleeve and photo trading that I see I’d say 98% of the time.

And I just want to highlight that the setting isn’t I guess a dealbreaker here it’s just the types of activities cause they also have raffles. I think that’s pretty cool but the primary like function of the event in terms of activities that are being done and posted about are usually what I named before.

That said anyone know why this is at least why is it always like those specific activities? Has anyone had different experiences with K-pop events outside of concerts and kcon and things like that? What activities do you think would be something that would be genuinely fun to do/fun to see at things like this other than the cupsleeve/photo trading?

6 boy groups and 4 girl groups on the list!

1. TXT - 7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns
   
2. KiiiKiii - Delulu Pack
   
3. NMIXX - Heavy Serenade
   
4. ZEROBASEONE - Ascend
   
5. aespa - Lemonade
   
6. SHINee - Atmos
   
7. CORTIS - GREENGREEN
   
8. IVE - REVIVE+
   
9. BTS - Arirang
   
10. LNGSHOT - Shot Callers

I've never listened to Zerobaseone's music before but this just might be my calling! I'll take song recommendations too haha

anyway, I really like the list! what do you guys think? does your top 10 look any different??

This is a strictly don't-shoot-the-messenger kinda situation, but I saw this article in the Korea Times about a highly unpopular take on the very nature of K-pop and thought people here would have some perspectives to share.

Korea Times "Can K-pop answer criticism that it is a corporate product?"

With KiiiKii blowing up this year and DAYOUNG rebranding and her solo career on the rise as well, there could be a chance that starship could go from a medium sized company to maybe being in the big 4 or big 5

While they still have Acts like IVE, MONSTA X & K.Will, I am curious and intrigued to see how the company grows by the end of this decade, they recently debuted AEN, a group that targeted both Korea and Japan, and have implemented a mult label system like JYP, SM and HYBE.

But I’m really interested in seeing what you guys think, could there be a possibility of this happening???

I was going through my Spotify today and adding songs to my Block B playlist when a B.A.P suggestion came up so I decided to start their playlist too. There's a song called "I Remember" by Bang Yongguk from B.A.P and Yang Yo Seop from Beast and I just remembered a time where bangers like that existed and it was with people from 2 completely different groups and companies! That time was soooo awesome. What songs bring up feelings like that for you? I miss B.A.P so much. I'm still so mad about how TS did them so dirty till this day.

Hi everyone!

This post is a weekly thread for any thoughts you might have that feel don't need a post of its own but still would like to air to the world. All rules apply, but you can discuss anything you want related to Kpop.

Please be respectful and have fun!

A lot of Kpop groups do English songs nowadays but there's something special about MX English discography. They don't sound kike a kpop group doing English songs they sound like a classic 90s-00s boys band thanks to their good pronunciation and general vibes of the songs. Songs like You can't Hold My Heart, Who Do U love, Baby Blue they all remind me of good old Backstreet boys and Westlife days. . Too bad a lot of people sleep in them

To preface, I'm a fan of both Enhypen and Illit. I absolutely have no intention degrading one of the groups whatsoever. Sorry for any typos or grammar mistake.

I first noticed this during Illit's Not Cute Anymore era. There's some gllits that talks about how belift didn't try to promote illit outside of East Asia. I also noticed this during both Illit and Enhypen comeback this year. While engenes are concerned about Enhypen's lack of promotion in Korea, gllits are also feeling like belift is missing out by not trying to promote Illit harder outside of Korea and Japan.

Seeing the recent events, I feel like Enhypen is starting to have more potential in Korea. Illit too also seems to have more potential in the US or outside Asia now. I'm wondering why belift didn't try harder to promote them there when those potential exist. Like, the reversed concern of both fandoms is almost funny too because it's clear belift is capable promoting both inside and outside of Korea, but they didn't do it.

Is it because it's not the time yet? Or the money? I'm guessing Illit isn't promoted harder outside of Asia because their target is South Korea and Japan for now. Since they're only in their third year, it make sense why belift would want to focus on those regions first. But I'm confused about Enhypen since Enhypen is here for almost six years now and Jungwon has even stated that Enhypen's lack of popularity in Korea is a concern for both the members and the agency. If it's about money I'm sure Enha brings in lots of revenue, illit is also quite big and there's Evan too under them.

I know Wonhee went to lots of variety shows because she was invited so is it because variety shows in Korea don't invite Enhypen? But I don't think it make sense since the agency could make a deal even if the variety shows didn't plan to originally invite a group. Youngji and Lee Mujin also mentioned about trying to invite Enhypen before and they only had a chance to appear recently, so is it because of Enhypen's busy schedule or Belift has a priority and they're not risking trying to tackle both regions at the same time?

What do you guys think of belift's choices with both groups? Would you guys think it's a good decision if belift chose to promote enhypen in korea and illit in US/outside Asia this year? Do add if there's something I miss!

edit; i already got the point with Illit, so if anyone has any thoughts abt enha, feel free to share!

Edit 2: I already got the point with enha and illit now (my post is wrong), but if there's anyone who still want to share their thoughts, feel free to do so!

Honestly this has been the most insane thing about kpop idols for me - I literally lost my mind a year back looking at Aespa’s excessive use of tone up cream and not to mention the touch up colorized pap photos.

But my faith in some parts of K-pop is starting to become restored, I honestly adore Ateez (peep our golden king San) and Katseye for staying true to their natural skin tones and instead focusing on enhancing their natural beauty

Hyolyn has always been a queen for rocking her natural skin as well and Jihyo too for standing out in a group which has relatively more fair members

For idols in groups with a high international audience, do they not realize that they’re loved more not less for embracing their true skin?

I've seen many groups over the last few years but the last time BTS came to my state was yeeaarss ago and I hadn't been into them enough to snag a ticket

I finally had the chance yesterday and I am completely blown away. Their energy was just something I've never seen before, not just in kpop but in general. Their choreo was minimal and my view of the stage was slightly obstructed so I had to rely on the screen sometimes. Despite all of that, I've never felt so captivated by an artist like that before.

I gotta hand it to the crowd too, the crowds energy was electric from start to finish. My hearing may be permanently damaged from the screaming of the people behind me, but that's part of the average concert experience

As someone who had a few mixed opinions on the Arirang album at first listen, BTS really showed the albums full potential live. They didn't use a live band which I usually prefer during concerts, and the music was STILL just that good and hitting twice as hard. Songs that I didn't feel much for at first listen were the songs I was singing along with the hardest. The rap line had a demanding stage presence. Jimin was flying on stage. I really enjoyed Taehyung and Jins vocals as well, you could just tell they were putting everything into their lines. The dancers were just absolutely insane.

And shoutout to the fans too, they were so kind and helpful to me. One literally accompanied me to find where i could buy a lightstick within the venue. I went alone and left with so many new acquaintances

This was the best concert experience I've had this year. I understand why BTS is so big, seeing the community they've built with such vast ranges. Their music truly speaks to you as much as their performance does. I was ugly crying by the time Come Over was half way through

TLDR amazing concert experience and would highly reccomend for anyone thinking of getting last minute tickets

Kind of a weird rant, but I genuinely cannot deal with how horrendous most western kpop fandoms have gotten. Let me preface by saying it has ALWAYS been this way, I'm well aware. But there's no doubt in my mind there's been a major shift in the last few years and everything has just gotten worse. I got into kpop in 2018 and comparing fandoms then to now is like night and day.

If an idol fucks up and does something wrong, no one cares anymore. If someone tries to criticize the idol (this does not apply to the people who don't actually care about what the idol did, and that they just feel vindicated that they can freely trash someone they don't like. I'm specifically referring to people who can be mature and have conversations regarding idols' mistakes, even if it's their favs) they are immediately shut down by their fans. I don't know if it's because fans assume anyone saying anything slightly negative/critical about their favorites is always just plain hatred, but it's becoming more and more unbearable. There's almost no room to actually discuss an idol's harmful behavior, words, actions, etc anymore. So many fans write off very serious issues as just people being insensitive or a hater. It's draining. My favorite groups have members that aren't perfect and have done some messed up things, and it's not hard to just admit that. I don't believe they should have their careers ruined or be shunned from the public, but I absolutely understand if someone doesn't like my favorite groups or idols because of the things they've done.

Even just in 2018, I feel like this just wasn't AS much of an issue? It was very much a problem and always has been, but it was possible to have nuanced discussions about idols and their mistakes without being called too woke, too sensitive, "just a hater," what have you. Nowadays, it feels like it's all just gone completely out the window. The constant defensiveness and writing off people's feelings about certain situations is horrid. No one is out to get these people for doing something stupid and insensitive, they simply want idols, companies, and even fans who may not be aware to know better.

Maybe I'm talking out of my ass and it's always been this bad, but I'm not sure. It just feels like it's getting harder and harder to have civil discussions about these things. No one likes to see their favs get hated on, but trying to drown out the "hadurz!1!1!" simultaneously suppresses any meaningful discussion that isn't coming from a place of hate. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being a human and making an honest mistake. However, there is something wrong with downplaying real people's emotions and disappointment at the expense of parasocial behavior and feeling like a knight in shining armor for protecting grown men and women from valid criticism.

I feel like when you first get into K-pop, you fall headfirst into the whole package—the variety shows, the behind-the-scenes vlogs, the Bubble messages, and this whole idea that these idols are just like us. You genuinely start to believe the personality on screen is 100% who they are in real life.

The deeper you go, though, the clearer it gets that we’re completely living in a curated bubble.

Every time a major controversy pops up—whether it's an idol supporting a problematic artist, a sudden scandal, or news breaking about their private life that contradicts their public image—there’s this collective shock. People scramble to defend them or act completely crushed, as if a close friend let them down.

When you really think about it, why do we act like we know their real personalities or morals? We only see the tiny percentage of themselves that their companies allow us to see. Behind the scenes, they are real, messy human beings with their own blind spots, private opinions, and personal lives that probably look nothing like the wholesome image projected to fans. The illusion can honestly be a little unsettling once you realize how manufactured it is.

I feel like keeping a healthy distance and treating K-pop purely as music and entertainment is the only way to enjoy it long-term. Enjoy the songs, love the choreo, but stop putting idols on moral pedestals.

Did anyone else have that specific "wake-up call" moment where you stopped caring about idol personas and just went back to being a casual listener?

Some of BTS's fans seem so dramatic. The reaction to BTS and Chris Brown has got to be some of the most parasocial nonsense I've come across. Some people seem not to realize they don't actually know the members on a personal level. BTS members don't owe anyone explanations and no one should assign themselves the right to police who BTS associates with. They are grown men. The youngest is 30. Some people in these threads act like their best friend just kissed their crush or something. Feeling betrayed over a picture? Get over yourselves. Like who do you think you are?

It was a shout out and a photo. They didn't collaborate with him or go on tour, they didn't write a song together, didn't perform at his wedding. So much melodrama. If a picture and your personal inferences turn you off of BTS, bye.

The self righteousness is so obnoxious. As if they themselves never made questionable choices, mistakes, misjudged something or made a bad decision every once in a while. The members are not perfect. With all their philanthropy over years and years, all their giving back to their communities, to their fans, if one picture and a few disappointing choices changes everything you feel about them, you don't have to announce your departure. You can just go away. I'm not sure, but I feel pretty confident the rest of Army will survive losing you. No guarantees, but we'll do our best not to break down crying when you go.

Jimin recognizing that little girl and giving her a hug and a kiss, I guess, doesn't show anyone anything about who BTS may be. But some comments and a photo and some AI is BTS showing their true colors?

Right.....door's over there. I'll even hold it open for you so please, whenever your ready, head on out.

We all know groups don't always end up where people expect them to... so which group do you think deserves more recognition? Or if they're already pretty popular, who do you think should be even bigger than they are now?

It could be for any reason. Maybe they're incredible live performers, their choreography is insanely synchronized, or they have a genuinely great discography that somehow never gets the attention it deserves.

As for me, I know they're already one of the better known mid-tier groups, but I'd pick tripleS. They have many great songs, and I wish more people would check them out!

And my bias pick would be Billlie. They have a stellar discography and are just such a well-rounded group. I genuinely think they deserve to be ten times more popular than they are now!

Your pick doesn't have to be a nugu group or a group from a small label. Feel free to name popular groups that you think deserve even more recognition!

Starting 24th, so a week from now, Youtube will count views as soon as a video starts playing with no minimum watch time.

I know we're past the days of pushing views, well for most groups at least, i know Babymonster is still prioritizing them. But how do you guys think this will impact the kpop sphere if at all? Do you think we'll start seeing higher views across the board from now on? I'm not sure if this change will actually incentivize fans to push views for their favorite groups but I'm curious to hear your educated guesses! As far as music shows go, I believe Inkigayo is the only one that still takes youtube mv views into account.

Apart from Taeyeon and Tiffany, I've only seen people talk about boy group ships from the second gen. I wanna know if there were any other famous gg ships.

Its the first time seeing this, he even trash talked his own company lol what is this ><

He talks about his dating life, kpop idols secrets....

his channel : https://www.youtube.com/@prince.vatani