As the month draws to a close, we’re here to take a look back over the most exciting events that happened in Kpop this May. With disbandments and debuts, big leaps for some of the biggest groups right now, and even a fair share of concerts for Europe, there’s a lot to cover for just a single month. So let’s get right to it!
GOT7 and MONSTA X announce tour dates across Europe
Great news for European Ahgase’s and Monbebe’s. Both groups announced dates and locations for their upcoming tours at the beginning of this month, with plenty of stops all over Europe, including the UK. Monsta X will be performing at Wembley Arena on the 9th June as part of their ‘WE ARE HERE’ tour, whilst GOT7 will arrive on the 11th October for the London show of their ‘Keep Spinning’ tour. It’s really a great time to be a Kpop fan in the UK, as more and more companies are realising that the fans here are ready and more than willing to see their idols live.
Tickets for Monsta X’s concert have already gone on sale, but some may still be left for latecomers. Meanwhile, tickets for GOT7 will go on sale from the 14th June. Get your fingers at the ready to grab the seats you want!
BLACKPINK dazzle in London and Manchester shows
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BLACKPINK made their first stop in the UK as part of their ‘BLACKPINK in Your Area’ tour near the end of May. The visit saw them perform in both Manchester and London to massive crowds of Blinks, and garnered a lot of attention from the media in the UK, with outlets such as the BBC holding backstage interviews with the girls. During the Manchester performance, the group also took a moment to remember the victims of the Manchester attack, showing a great amount of respect and care to their fans.
Little Mix’s Jade was also in attendance at the London concert. Anyone hoping for a possible collaboration between these two massive girl groups in future?
EXID members go their separate ways, Pledis confirms PRISTIN’s disbandment
Sad times for girl group fans. With the contracts of all five EXID members up for renewal this month, Banana Culture revealed that only three of the members had signed again with the company, with both Hani and Junghwa deciding to move on. However, reassuring fans, there has been no announcement that this spells the end for the group. With their most recent comeback being a success, it hopefully won’t be the last we see from the girls as five members. The company has stated that the two members leaving will return for future projects. Let’s hope that statement comes true after Hani and Junghwa start their new ventures.
On a decidedly less positive note, Pledis Entertainment officially announced the disbandment of their girl group PRISTIN on 24th May after only two years of activity. Having won a Rookie of the Year award and finding moderate success amongst the post-IOI girl groups, it’s sad to see so much potential go to waste after seeing so little from them this year. We hope that all the members, whether leaving the company or remaining, will find success elsewhere.
BTS continue to make waves internationally
It seems there’s just no stopping them. This month saw the boys appear on James Corden’s ‘The Late Late Show’, their song used in an episode of ‘Britain’s Got More Talent’, and it has now been confirmed that they will perform on one of the live semi-finals of the main ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ show. Not only this, but in a nod to one of the UK’s most iconic musical acts, the boys also paid tribute to The Beatles on ‘The Late Show’ with Stephen Colbert.
This is all ahead of their return to the UK for two shows at Wembley Arena on the 1st and 2nd June. Make sure you snap up some tickets quick if you still want to see them!
