TOMORROW X TOGETHER aren’t your typical K-pop act — they’re worldbuilders. The five-member group brings intentionality to every song and music video, creating stories that fans can easily get lost in. A tribute to their storytelling abilities, TXT are beginning the year with The Name Chapter: Temptation, a new EP inspired by the story of Peter Pan set for release on Jan. 27.

Much like their Peter Pan influence, The Name Chapter shows TXT examining their impending adulthood with more than a hint of reticence. As they enter the new era, TXT turn up the heat and experimentation. The five-song EP employs previously unexplored genres like Afrobeats ("Tinnitus"), features rapper Coi Leray ("Happy Fools") and ends emphatically with "Farewell, Neverland." 

TXT's discography has followed a highly curated storyline since their debut as fresh-faced teens in 2019. Each release, or chapter, has reflected a different phase of youth and is filled with encouraging and uplifting messages. Their debut The Dream Chapter: Star chronicled TXT's journey of finding love and friendship. They bridged the gaps in between albums with "minisode" EPs, flexing their ability to adjust to their audiences’ needs and moods. Their 2020 EP minisode1: Blue Hour featured songs about the pandemic, while their 2022 minisode 2: Thursday’s Child EP explored romance in a darker way. TXT were more involved with the songwriting and production on the edgier The Chaos Chapter: Freeze and its repackage, The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape, released in 2021. 

TOMORROW X TOGETHER turned a new leaf in 2022, and set their sights on the U.S. In a whirlwind year, TXT collaborated on two English singles with rapper Iann Dior and singer Salem Ilese, embarked on their first world tour and were the first K-pop group to perform at Lollapalooza. They also became the only Korean artists (outside of labelmates BTS) to make the top 10 best selling albums list of 2022 with their EP minisode 2: Thursday’s Child. 

Throughout it all, they’ve dabbled in genres like R&B, rock, and disco, proving the complexity of their signature sound. In the spring, they’ll begin a world tour ACT: SWEET MIRAGE, and seem poised for further global domination.

GRAMMY.com caught up with all five members of TXT — HUENINGKAI, BEOMGYU, TAEHYUN, YEONJUN, and SOOBIN — via Zoom to discuss their plans for 2023, the creation of a new narrative in The Name Chapter: Temptation, and how the rest of their story unfolds.

Last year was a big year for TXT. What did you learn in 2022 and what are your resolutions for this year?

SOOBIN: I was really grateful that so many people came to see us in Korea and even overseas.We want to continue to make good music and put on good performances with good people this year as well.

YEONJUN: I hope we can meet more fans and more people in even bigger venues. I feel more committed and more affectionate to my job even more.

The Name Chapter is a new series. How does it connect to The Dream Chapter and The Chaos Chapter?

TAEHYUN: So, our music contains this one story of growth and so we basically talk about the process of growth. So, in The Dream Chapter we talked about friendship, in The Chaos Chapter we talked about love and heartbreak, and we even went bad in our minisodes. 

And so, in this Name Chapter we are going to say farewell to Neverland and we know that we have to grow into adulthood. But we also talk about the thoughts and emotions of the youth, who just want to settle for now and do not want to grow up anymore.

HUENINGKAI: it is an album that contains our musical color and identity, and I think it is the most TXT-ish album ever.  So, it also contains our ambition to make a name for ourselves all across the globe.

What does the word "temptation" allude to?

BEOMGYU: So, it talks about how youth knows that they have to grow, but they [have]  this temptation where they just want to live the moment freely and not grow up.

SOOBIN: The title track talks about a boy who fell into this temptation. So, temptation might be really pleasing and fun but it's ephemeral, so it’s like a temptation of a devil. And since it is a very sweet temptation, we called it "Sugar Rush."

TAEHYUN: I think fans will love our performance because we expressed how we fall into the temptation. But also, how we try to tempt the others as well.

How did you guys contribute to the album and is there anything you’re most proud of?

BEOMGYU: For "Happy Fools," all the members contributed to the  writing and the lyrics are based on our own experiences. So, when MOA listens to the lyrics they will think Oh! So, these are the experiences of our boys! And also, Yeonjun wrote the top line in, which contains our team color really, really well.

What should fans pay attention to when listening or watching the music video?

TAEHYUN: I really want to emphasize this: The order of the tracks of this album is very, very important and meaningful. 

YEONJUN: The title track itself, [and] the songs themselves are really, really good. But I think the vibes are maximized when you watch the [music video] and the performance together with the music. So, I think the song is visually pleasing as well.

Were there any special collaborations on this album that you particularly enjoyed?

TAEHYUN: For “Happy Fools,” Coi Leray did a very, very wonderful job in rapping with her beautiful voice.

SOOBIN: It was very, very cute.

Do you guys have a favorite lyric from any of the songs on the album?

TAEHYUN: So, there’s these Korean lyrics in the song, “Tinnitus”: “Oh, just erase the star of rockstar. Just the rock.” I tried to express how I’m more of a rock than a rockstar. So, I thought that was a pretty fun wordplay.

Have there been any challenges that you’ve faced, either as a group or individuals, that have helped you become better artists?

BEOMGYU: When we first met, we were really, really different individuals. But as we got to know each other more and better, we got along. We became considerate to each other and we supported each other, which contributed us to become one team. Our different voices and our different charms bring us into being one team, too.

You guys have demonstrated a lot of versatility with previous releases with both youthful and more mature concepts. Is there any concept you haven’t tried that you would like to?

TAEHYUN: In “Tinnitus” we said “I’m not a rockstar quality,”but within just a few years we went to performed in big venues. So, I think it will be really fun to talk about the life of a rockstar.

For anyone new to TOMORROW X TOGETHER, what is important for them to know?

TAEHYUN:  I really want to tell them that we make really high-quality albums. And I think it is really cool that we tell stories [that continue] from album to album. So, I would just like to emphasize that we are such a cool team.

YEONJUN: Our songs are really great. So, I hope that many people listen to our songs and recognize us through our songs.

Is there any message you would like to give to your fans?

TAEHYUN: Soobin this is for you.

HUENINGKAI: Of course, some challenges will come your way. But I want to tell them you have to give it a try with courage. If you don’t start, you won’t know if you will succeed or not. But once you try you will think that this is doable, this is manageable. So, if you try you will ultimately overcome your limits and that’s the process of going one step further.

SOOBIN: We started our first world tour last year, but starting this year, we’re looking forward to touring with more countries, and putting on great performances at bigger stages for our fans around the world. We’re so excited to show our fans the fresh, new concept and performance from the upcoming album. Please look forward to it!

2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 9, 2023 for Mental Health Awareness Month. It was updated on Oct. 10, 2025 with additional artists for World Mental Health Day.

Sharing mental health issues with close family or specialized medical professionals can be challenging enough. Add in the pressures of fame and being in the public eye, and any struggles are exponentially more difficult to cope with.

In recent years, though, mental health has become a much more widely discussed topic in celebrity culture. Several artists have used their music and their platform to open up about their own struggles with depression, anxiety and the like, from Bruce Springsteen to Selena Gomez.

In honor of World Mental Health Day, GRAMMY.com spotlights 13 artists who have spoken openly about their mental health journeys, whether in their music, interviews or initiatives. Through honesty, vulnerability and advocacy, these performers are helping fans feel seen — and proving that music can be a powerful force for healing and change.

Lewis Capaldi

Like Sheeran, Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi has also given fans an unfiltered look at his mental health journey. In his 2023 Netflix documentary How I'm Feeling Now, he opened up about living with anxiety and Tourette's syndrome — struggles that ultimately led him to step back from touring.

On a July 2025 episode of Theo Von's "This Past Weekend" podcast, Capaldi revealed he suffered a major panic attack in Chicago just weeks before Glastonbury Festival in 2023. "I was, like, backstage convulsing and having this crazy panic attack, mental episode," he explained. "It was really, really bad –- I said yes to way too much and I took way too much on."

After two years focusing on therapy and recovery, Capaldi returned to Glastonbury in June 2025, playing a full set to a massive, supportive crowd. "After these two years off, I really wanted to come back and do Glastonbury and sort of as a mental sort of win," he told Von. "Finish the thing that I couldn't finish before."

Billie Eilish

While Billie Eilish's music has been raw and real from the start, it has become increasingly more vulnerable throughout the years. Whether in her songs or in interviews, the star has opened up about dealing with body dysmorphia, depression and thoughts of self-harm — hoping to inspire fans to speak up when they are hurting, and to know that it gets better.

"It doesn't make you weak to ask for help," she asserts in a 2019 video for Ad Council's Seize The Awkward campaign, which features stars discussing mental health.

Eilish's lyrics often mirror that honesty. In "everything i wanted," she sings, "If I could change the way that you see yourself/ You wouldn't wonder why you hear/ 'They don't deserve you.'" And in "listen before i go," she delivers one of her most vulnerable lines: "Take me to the rooftop, I want to see the world before I stop breathing." Her willingness to write so openly about pain and self-doubt has made her music deeply personal for fans of all ages.

"Kids use my songs as a hug," she told Rolling Stone in 2019. "Songs about being depressed or suicidal or completely just against-yourself — some adults think that's bad, but I feel that seeing that someone else feels just as horrible as you do is a comfort. It's a good feeling."

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has been one of pop's most vocal advocates for mental health awareness, using both her platform and her art to spark conversation. In 2012, she and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, co-founded the Born This Way Foundation to support youth mental health and promote kindness and community worldwide.

Upon accepting Best Pop/Duo Group Performance for "Shallow" at the 2019 GRAMMYs, Gaga pointed out the importance of addressing mental health issues, as A Star Is Born did. "A lot of artists deal with that. We've got to take care of each other. So, if you see somebody that's hurting, don't look away," she said. "And if you're hurting, even though it might be hard, try to find that bravery within yourself to dive deep, tell somebody, and take them up in your head with you."

Gaga has also been candid about her personal experiences with mental illness and medication. In a 2020 interview with Apple Music, Gaga shared that Chromatica's "911" is about an antipsychotic medication called Olanzapine which the pop star is prescribed. "It's because I can't always control things that my brain does," she explained. "I know that. And I have to take medication to stop the process that occurs."

Through both her foundation and deeply personal songs, Gaga continues to challenge stigma and remind fans that seeking help is a form of strength. She also champions programs like the Be There Certificate and annual youth surveys on mental wellness — efforts that extend her message beyond lyrics.

Selena Gomez

As one of the most-followed stars on social media, Selena Gomez has often used her platform to discuss her mental health and connect with others. In 2022, the singer launched a startup called Wondermind, which is focused on "mental fitness" and helping users maintain strong mental health.

Just a few months later, Gomez shared another deeply personal chapter of her mental health journey in the Apple TV+ documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me. The film captures the highs and lows she's faced while living with depression and bipolar disorder — moments of exhaustion, reflection and resilience that reveal the weight behind her fame.

Its companion song, also titled "My Mind & Me," turns that internal struggle into something achingly relatable. She opens with, "Wanna hear a part to my story? I tried to hide in the glory/ And sweep it under the table so you would never know." Later, she admits, "My mind and me, we don't get along sometimes/ And it gets hard to breathe/ But I wouldn't change my life." The track closes with a message of solidarity: "If somebody sees me like this, then they won't feel alone now."

For Gomez, that kind of openness wasn't easy — even sharing it with the world came with hesitation. "Because I have the platform I have, it's kind of like I'm sacrificing myself a little bit for a greater purpose," she explained in a 2022 cover story with Rolling Stone. "I don't want that to sound dramatic, but I almost wasn't going to put this out. God's honest truth, a few weeks ago, I wasn't sure I could do it."

Janet Jackson

The physical and emotional abuse suffered by the famous Jackson family is well documented in books, documentaries and TV dramatizations. But it's only been in recent years that Janet Jackson has talked about her own depression, which she has referred to as "intense." Her son Aissa has helped her heal from mental health challenges that have followed her all of her life.

"In my forties, like millions of women in the world, I still heard voices inside my head berating me, voices questioning my value," she wrote in a 2020 ESSENCE cover story. "Happiness was elusive. A reunion with old friends might make me happy. A call from a colleague might make me happy. But because sometimes I saw my failed relationships as my fault, I easily fell into despair.

HyunA

In 2019, K-pop star HyunA revealed to fans on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with depression and panic disorder. As she told PEOPLE in 2024, sharing her experience was a difficult but important decision in an industry where mental health is rarely discussed.

"At first, I was scared that when I spoke about these things, people would leave and forget about me because of this health issue, but I also knew that there were fans and people that always supported me for a long time," she said. "That's when I decided to be honest and speak about this. After that, I felt more responsibility and obligation to think more about my own health and those who have the same symptoms as me. It gave them power to see that, 'Oh, we are in the same situation, but she's trying to do her thing and inspiring herself.'"

The singer noted that she's discovered that true strength comes from prioritizing her mental health. Her focus today is on finding balance, embracing change and protecting her peace beyond the stage.

"I also often ask myself, 'Are you OK?'" she added to PEOPLE. "But one day, I realized that it's OK to say that I'm not OK. After that, I was able to have a better balance of work and life."

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has long been open about her mental health journey and her mission to end stigma through honesty and advocacy. Speaking to TODAY, she opened up about experiencing suicidal ideations and depression at just 7 years old; it would be another 10 years before she'd be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

"There were so many sleepless nights, so many tears, and I didn't know why I was feeling that way," she said. "And when I got the diagnosis, there was a sense of relief that came with it, because I thought, 'I can put a name to this, and this is why.'"

Since then, the singer has been candid about her experiences with addiction and an eating disorder, joking that she "should have earned a doctorate degree" for the time she's spent in treatment and therapy.

Lovato has used those lessons to fuel her advocacy — launching the Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health campaign and documenting her recovery in the 2017 film Simply Complicated and the 2021 docuseries "Dancing with the Devil." In 2020, she extended her message of hope and transparency through "OK Not To Be OK," a collaboration with Marshmello created to spark open conversations around mental health.

Shawn Mendes

In 2019, Shawn Mendes first publicly addressed his struggles with anxiety in the dynamic — and GRAMMY-nominated — hit "In My Blood." Three years later, the singer postponed his 2022 tour in order to focus on his mental health, opening up an important conversation to his legion of fans.

"The process was very difficult," he said in an interview with Wall Street Journal. "A lot of doing therapy, a lot of trying to understand how I was feeling and what was making me feel that way. And then doing the work to help myself and heal. And also leaning on people in my life to help a little bit.

"It's been a lot of work, but I think the last year and a half has been the most eye-opening and growing and beautiful and just healing process of my life," he continued. "And it just really made me see how culture is really starting to get to a place where mental health is really becoming a priority."

Beyond his music, Mendes has consistently used his platform to support mental health awareness. Through the Shawn Mendes Foundation, he's amplified organizations making a difference in this space — awarding Wonder Grants to several mental health nonprofits in late 2023 and encouraging fans to take part in Mental Health Action Day in 2024.

Big Sean

Big Sean first began publicly talking about his long-held depression and anxiety through his music, in songs like "Deep Reverence" ("Look, I ain't think I had the thought of suicide in me/ Until life showed me all these different sides of me/ Too many times I thought the reaper was outside for me"). In 2021, the rapper doubled down on his mission to speak up in a series of educational videos for Mental Health Awareness Month, alongside his mother, Myra Anderson.

"I was just keeping it real because I was tired of not keeping it real," he said in an interview with ESSENCE that year. "I was tired of pretending I was a machine and everything was cool and being politically correct or whatever. I just was like, I'm a just say how I feel."

Like many of his peers, he hopes that his honesty will help others. "Whatever they can apply to their life and better themselves and maybe it just even starts a whole journey in a different direction as far as upgrading and taking care of themselves and bossing up themselves," he added. "Whatever they're trying to do, I hope it helps them get to that place."

Read More: 10 Times Hip-Hop Has Given A Voice To Mental Health: Eminem, J. Cole, Logic & More Speak Out

Ed Sheeran

In early 2022, Ed Sheeran endured a series of personal tragedies. His wife, Cherry Seaborn — six months pregnant with their second daughter, Jupiter — was diagnosed with a tumor and underwent surgery the same day he performed at London's Wembley Stadium. Days later, his close friend Jamal Edwards died unexpectedly at 31, followed soon after by the death of Australian cricket player Shane Warne.

He opened up about the grief, depression and suicidal thoughts that resulted on his sixth studio album, 2023's Subtract, as well as a four-episode Disney+ docuseries, "Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All." "Running from the light/ Engulfed in darkness/ Sharing my eyes/ Wondering why I'm stuck on the borderline," he sings on Subtract cut "Borderline," which touches on battling suicidal thoughts.

Sheeran expanded on those feelings in an interview with Rolling Stone, revealing that he's battled deep depression at various points in his life. "I felt like I didn't want to live anymore… You're under the waves drowning… and you can't get out of it," he said, adding that those feelings "seemed selfish, especially as a father. I feel really embarrassed about it."

As he told the magazine, he began therapy — something he says wasn't common where he grew up, but has been "deeply helpful" for him. "No one really talks about their feelings where I come from," he explains. "People think it's weird getting a therapist in England… I think it's very helpful to be able to speak with someone and just vent."

Bruce Springsteen

Even an artist as successful and celebrated as Bruce Springsteen has faced depression. In his 2016 autobiography Born to Run, the 20-time GRAMMY winner cites a difficult relationship with his father and a history of mental illness in the family, sharing that he has sought treatment throughout his life.

"I was crushed between 60 and 62, good for a year, and out again from 63 to 64," he wrote in the book. In that time, he released his 2012 album, Wrecking Ball, which featured a raw track called "This Depression." "Baby, I've been down, but never this down I've been lost, but never this lost," he sings on the opening verse.

As his wife, Patti Scialfa, told Vanity Fair in 2016, "He approached the book the way he would approach writing a song … A lot of his work comes from him trying to overcome that part of himself."

Tomorrow X Together

Tomorrow X Together (TXT) are using their platform to help end the stigma around talking about mental health. The K-pop group — Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai — recently launched a new initiative with UNICEF called "Together for Tomorrow" to promote open dialogue and empathy around mental wellness.

"Mental health is a hot topic worldwide and also the music that we're doing is talking about empathy," Taehyun told PEOPLE. "The values that UNICEF holds and this campaign holds and also our music holds went hand in hand."

Their advocacy echoes the context of their music, which often explores the challenges of youth and mental health. In Beomgyu's song "Panic," he performs and co-writes a message of resilience: "Beneath the dark night/ Let's not stay here, but move on/ In the days of bruises/ Every step we take/ You and I/ Will find our way through."

"Of course we did go through those struggles and the pains and that's why we know that there are so many out there going through the same," Hueningkai added in the PEOPLE interview. "That's why we decided to talk, so that people can feel safe to raise their voices."

Additional reporting from Clara Faulkner.

The summer of 2025 witnessed several historical moments for K-pop in the United States. "King of K-pop" G-DRAGON returned to an American stage after eight years at Head in the Clouds in LA; Stray Kids and ATEEZ headlined sold-out shows at Citi Field in New York City; and K-pop-inspired girl group KATSEYE performed a record-breaking daytime set at Lollapalooza, where TWICE also made history as the first K-pop group to headline the Chicago festival.

However, the tours and special events of 2025 are not over yet: this fall is shaping up to be K-pop's new time to dominate in North America. 

In September alone, nine acts are coming to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for their tours, plus 88rising's Head in the Clouds will host its first "Under the K" festival in Brooklyn, New York. LE SSERAFIM also launch their first stateside tour this month, while KEY of SHINee will host his first solo U.S. tour in December. In addition, 1VERSE's fans recently voted for the group's upcoming tour stops with more details to come, and Korean rapper pH-1 just revealed dates for his next North America tour, too.

Below, check out 17 concerts and festivals that will make their way to North America between September and December.

September

BABYMONSTER: 1st WORLD TOUR <HELLO MONSTERS> in NORTH AMERICA

Sept. 2–Sept. 12

Continuing their <Hello Monsters> World Tour, the seven members of BABYMONSTER will make their way over to the States in early September. While this won't be their first time performing for U.S. MONSTIEZ — they held concerts in Newark and Los Angeles earlier this year — the group will share their sharp discography with even more fans. 

After BABYMONSTER perform in Toronto, Ontario, on Aug. 30, they'll bring hits like "DRIP," their debut single "SHEESH" from 2024, and their latest release "HOT SAUCE" to Rosemont, Ill. BABYMONSTER will also stop in Atlanta; Fort Worth, Texas; and Oakland, Calif. The tour will conclude in Seattle at the Climate Pledge Arena on Sept. 12.

VIVIZ: WORLD TOUR [NEW LEGACY] in NORTH AMERICA

Sept. 3–Oct. 2

Two months after the release of their first full-album, A Montage of ( ), VIVIZ will embark on their New Legacy Tour. With this new project under their belt, fans can expect the trio to perform the title track "La La Love Me" and perhaps look forward to member solo stages, too. 

The tour will begin in Atlanta on Sept. 3, looping up to Canada with stops in Montreal and Toronto before heading back to the U.S. to wrap up the 17-city trek in Los Angeles on Oct. 2.  

LE SSERAFIM: EASY CRAZY HOT TOUR IN NORTH AMERICA

Sept. 3–Sept. 23

Named after their last three EPs, LE SSERAFIM's first world tour recently concluded its Asia leg in Singapore. Now, the five members are stateside, with the North America portion of the EASY CRAZY HOT Tour beginning at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Sept. 3. Over the 20-day tour, LE SSERAFIM will perform in Chicago and Grand Prairie, Texas before heading to the West Coast, finishing the tour in Mexico City on Sept. 23.

KANGDANIEL: < ACT : NEW EPISODE > IN USA

Sept. 3–Sept. 22

Soloist KANGDANIEL will also kick off his U.S. tour on Sept. 3 with a show in Charlotte, N.C. The tour title gives a nod to his 2024 EP, ACT, while hinting at the new chapter that arrived with Glow to Haze, the artist's EP released this past June. 

KANGDANIEL's 12-city tour tour will carve a path up the East Coast before hitting Midwest stops such as Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Chicago. The finale of < ACT : NEW EPISODE > will be in San Jose, Calif., on Sept. 22.

tripleS: [tripleS Alpha Percent] in North America

Sept. 3–Sept. 22

Although the MODHAUS-created girl group tripleS comprises 24 multi-national members, they are known for their rotating sub-unit concept. Special sub-unit Alphie was formed specifically for the Alpha Percent Tour. 

The eight who will tour around North America are Kim YooYeon, Nien, JiYeon, Kotone, Park ShiOn, Lynn, Kim ChaeWon, and Jeong HaYeon — a mix of the Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese-Viet members. The nine-city tour will start in Toronto on Sept. 3, making stops in New York, Indianapolis, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles before wrapping up in Vancouver on Sept. 22. 

TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT): ACT: TOMORROW World Tour

Sept. 9–Oct. 2

BIGHIT's youthful quintet will return to the states for their ACT: TOMORROW World Tour almost a year after their ACT: PROMISE Tour. This new concert series comes on the heels of the group's fourth Korean-language studio album, The Star Chapter: TOGETHER, which they released in July.

On the heels of hosting two nights of performances in Seoul, South Korea, at the end of August, TXT will launch ACT: TOMORROW in the U.S. with a show in San Jose, Calif., on Sept. 9. The 11-show tour will end in Newark, N.J., with a two-night concert at the Prudential Center on Oct. 2. 

THE BOYZ: <THE BLAZE> World Tour

Sept. 12–Sept. 24

In the wake of THE BOYZ's 10th mini album, [a;effect], comes the celebration: <THE BLAZE> Tour. After the group performs in four cities in Asia, they will kick off the stateside leg in New York on Sept. 12. Playing six shows in total, THE BOYZ will hit Chicago, Atlanta, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Seattle. 

Soojin: NORTH AMERICAN TOUR [RE:SUMMER DAZE]

Sept. 15–Oct. 17

Former I-dle member Soojin is set to headline her first solo tour in the U.S. starting in mid-September. With two EPs under her belt as a soloist — AGASSY from 2023 and RIZZ from 2024 — Soojin will bring her original music to fans in North America. 

Titled [RE:SUMMER DAZE], the 15-city trek will begin in Vancouver and will stop in major cities including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. "Summer Daze" will wrap up with a show in Orlando in the Sunshine State on Oct. 17.

Head in the Clouds NY Festival: Under the K

Sept. 20

The New York edition of Head in the Clouds returns on Sept. 20 at a new location. While the recent HITC NYC festivals have taken place at Forest Hills in Queens, the fall 2025 version is switching it up a bit. Subtitled as "Under the K" and teased as "a party under the bridge," the one-day festival will be located at Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn. For this installment, 88rising curated some of the top Asian talent today to perform, including KUN, No Na, Yuki Chiba, and ISOXO. 

P1Harmony: 2025 P1Harmony LIVE TOUR [P1ustage H : MOST WANTED] IN NORTH AMERICA

Sept. 27–Oct. 21

These next few weeks will be a whirlwind for P1Harmony — but in a good way. At the beginning of August, the sextet performed at the K-Culture Night at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures ahead of three days of events at KCON. They will continue sharing their cheeky, but always meaningful discography with their fans, P1ECE, during the MOST WANTED Tour. 

The group will spend most of September sharing songs from DUH! and touring in Asia. However, on Sept. 27, their show in Newark will kick off the North America leg. Hitting eight cities, MOST WANTED will conclude with a show in Oakland, Calif., on Oct. 21. 

October

STAYC: 2025 STAYC TOUR [STAY TUNED]

Oct. 2–Oct. 23

After wrapping up the Asia leg of the [STAY TUNED] tour in Taipei on Aug. 23, STAYC have a few weeks to prepare for the North American section. The six-member group will start with a concert in Seattle on Oct. 2, hitting eight states including Georgia, Maryland and Massachusetts until they close Stay Tuned with a show in Toronto on Oct. 23. STAYC's fandom, SWITH, can expect performances from their first full-album, Metamorphic, as well as their 2025 single albums.  

PURPLE KISS: A Violet to Remember

Oct. 5–Oct. 28 

On Aug. 4, RBW Entertainment announced that PURPLE KISS will be disbanding in November. But before they're finished, the sextet will embark on their last hurrah as a group in the States on Oct. 5, kicking off a 13-show tour across the country. 

A Violet to Remember Tour will serve as a walk down memory lane for both the group and their fans, PLORY. The tour, which comes off the heels of July's single album I Miss My…, will kick off in Charlotte, N.C., hitting 13 cities before their final show on Oct. 28 in San Jose, Calif. Perhaps the group will go back to their roots during these shows and share their debut track "Ponzona" or their cheeky single "Zombie" with PLORY one last time.

SEVENTEEN: SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] IN U.S.

Oct. 11–Oct. 30

Almost exactly a year after hitting five U.S. cities in 2024, powerhouse K-pop group SEVENTEEN will return to the states in October. They will kick off their latest stateside trek in Tacoma, Wash., on Oct. 11, then playing two shows each in Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Sunrise, Florida; and Washington, D.C.

While only nine of the 13 members will be performing on stage this time — eldest members Jeonghan, Wonwoo, Hoshi, and Woozi are currently doing their mandatory military service or about to enlist — fans can still anticipate SEVENTEEN's signature energy. And who knows, maybe solo member stages from HAPPY BURSTDAY will appear on the setlist.

SF9: 2025 SF9 LIVE FANTASY #5 LOVE DAWN IN USA

Oct. 30–Dec. 7

Fantasy, it's your time again! On Oct. 30, SF9 will kick off their LOVE DAWN Tour in Boston at the Strand Theatre, their first venture back to the States in three years. With three EPs released in 2024 and their LOVE RACE EP released this past March, SF9 have much to share with their American fans. 

Members Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon, Hwiyoung, and Chani will participate in this month-and-a-half tour, as Rowoon is no longer part of the group; Dawon is currently in the military; Zuho has conflicting acting schedules; and Yoo Taeyang is recovering from an injury. LOVE DAWN will make stops in 18 cities all across America, wrapping up in Los Angeles on Dec. 7.

RIIZE: 2025 RIIZE CONCERT TOUR [RIIZING LOUD] IN NORTH AMERICA

Oct. 30–Nov. 14

Last summer, RIIZE only made two stops for their fan-con tour "RIIZING DAY" in North America: L.A. and Mexico City. On the heels of releasing their first album, ODYSSEY, earlier this year, the SM Entertainment boy group will perform in eight cities across a two-week span. RIIZING LOUD is set to open in Rosemont, Ill., on Oct. 30 and close in Mexico City on Nov. 11. 

November

pH-1: WHAT HAVE WE DONE WORLD TOUR

Nov. 2–Nov. 26

Just a few weeks after dropping his latest studio album, WHAT HAVE WE DONE, Korean rapper pH-1 revealed his plans to bring the new album to North America in November. The aptly titled WHAT HAVE WE DONE Tour will kick off in Chicago on Nov. 2 and go east, south and west before closing in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Nov. 26. But according to the rapper's announcement, the tour's 14 dates may not be the only stops — as he teased on Instagram, there's "More to be announced."

December

KEY: 2025 KEYLAND : Uncanny Valley - North America Tour

Dec. 3–Dec. 15

If SHINee fans thought the group was done with their 2025 surprises following the release of special single "Poet | Artist," then they are in for a shock: KEY will headline his first solo tour in North America to close out the year. 

In 2018, the SHINee member debuted as a soloist, building a discography of three mini albums, three full-length albums and two album repackages in that time. Now, he will share this music with North American fans, including cuts off of his most-recent album, HUNTER. 

The six-city trek of KEYLAND : Uncanny Valley will begin in Los Angeles on Dec. 3 and wrap up in Seattle on Dec. 15. With additional stops in Oakland, Dallas/Forth Worth, Brooklyn, and Chicago, KEY will bring this "No Way!" year of K-pop to a close with a dramatic flourish.

A Recording Academy membership represents much more than just industry recognition and the chance to vote in the organization’s GRAMMY Awards. It also represents a genuine belief in each member’s potential to contribute, build community and help shape the future of music.

To ensure that the industry grows in both rich and sustainable ways, the Academy puts diversity and representation at the heart of its mission. In 2025, nearly 3,600 new members were invited to join, of whom 49 percent identify as women, 56 percent as people of color, and 60 percent are under the age of 40.

Among these new voices are 10 groundbreaking K-pop figures who have been reshaping and expanding the South Korean music landscape. Mega-label HYBE and its subsidiaries — home to all the new members — shared in a statement: "The selection of new members for the Recording Academy demonstrates the growing influence of K-pop in the global music industry and the high status of HYBE Music Group artists and producers."

Whether they are crafting chart-topping hits behind the scenes, commanding stages across the globe, or often doing both, these artists and professionals have built legacies that resonate far beyond borders. The work of these new members proves that great music transcends language, inspires future generations, and unites us all.

Get to know these groundbreaking K-pop figures below. The deadline to accept Recording Academy membership is Sept. 15, 2025.

Born Shin Dong-hyuk, Supreme Boi is a rapper and producer under BIGHIT MUSIC, the label behind BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT). He started his career as a trainee, practicing alongside the members of BTS, but stepped away from debuting to focus on writing and producing songs.

Sometimes called "the 8th member of BTS," Supreme Boi was key in crafting the hip-hop side of BTS, infusing their songs with hard-hitting beats and fiery bars. His credits include hits like "Fake Love," "MIC Drop," and "N.O," and he also lent his talents to other HYBE groups, such as ENHYPEN, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, and more. Most recently, he was appointed the sole producer behind newly-debuted group CORTIS.

Kim Tae-yun, better known as producer Wonderkid, has been a defining force behind some of K-pop’s biggest hits. With a career spanning nearly 20 years, he has worked on tracks like Uhm Jung-hwa’s "Come 2 Me," Teen Top’s "No More Perfume On You," SEVENTEEN’s "Ready To Love," TXT’s "Can’t We Just Leave The Monster Alive?," and many more.

In 2020, Wonderkid became the lead producer for boy group ENHYPEN. With his keen ear for catchy melodies and otherworldly atmospheres, he helped their vampiric, haunting sound come to life — propelling them to the forefront of K-pop’s fourth generation.

BUMZU (full name Kye Bum-joo) has been a key figure to boy group extraordinaire SEVENTEEN: he was their vocal coach when they were just trainees, and has co-written nearly every track from the band since then.

Skilled in singing, writing and composing, BUMZU was just 22 when he became a finalist on the popular 2012 singing competition "Superstar K." He went on to sign with PLEDIS Entertainment, launch a solo career, and emerge as one of K-pop’s most prolific producers, with credits on tracks by SHINee, NCT 127, and BTS’s JIN among many others.

In addition, he is currently the co-CEO of Prismfilter Music Group, and a lead producer for rising rookies TWS under the pseudonym "Wasurenai."

Learn more: SEVENTEEN Reveal Their 10 Most Important Career Moments Leading Up To 'HAPPY BURSTDAY'

Kwon Do-hyeong, or Slow Rabbit, is a longtime in-house producer at BIGHIT MUSIC. Working closely with Supreme Boi and HYBE Chairperson Bang Si-hyuk, he honed a dreamy, ethereal style that became a distinctive feature in BTS’ discography. In 2019, he became the main producer for TOMORROW X TOGETHER and, in 2022, he took the reins on the music direction for HYBE LABELS JAPAN group &TEAM.

Beyond HYBE, Slow Rabbit has written and produced for a range of artists, including TWICE ("Brave"), NCT DREAM ("Countdown (3, 2, 1)"), Red Velvet’s Seulgi ("Better Dayz"), and KATSEYE ("Gnarly").

HUH YUNJIN nearly gave up her dream of becoming an artist. Raised in the U.S., she moved to South Korea at 16 to become a K-pop idol, but after four years of rejections, she was ready to return home. Serendipitously, a phone call from HYBE changed everything: they wanted YUNJIN to join their new group, LE SSERAFIM, and nurture her passion for songwriting.

Since the group’s debut in 2022, YUNJIN has contributed lyrics and compositions to multiple tracks, and released five solo songs showcasing her emotional, introspective side. Now recognized as one of K-pop’s most promising idols, becoming a member of the Recording Academy further highlights her talent.

"I feel happy to have this wonderful opportunity, but I also feel a great sense of responsibility," YUNJIN said about her nomination. "I will always do my best in the role given to me."

Read more: Meet LE SSERAFIM, The K-Pop Group Nile Rodgers Chose For His First Foray Into The Genre

Since his first appearance on survival show "I-LAND," JUNGWON captivated audiences with his talent, focus, and charisma. A skilled singer and dancer, he quickly proved himself as an idol who excels in all aspects of performance and finished in first place, earning a coveted spot in ENHYPEN’s 2020 debut lineup.

Beyond his artistic talents, JUNGWON possesses a remarkable maturity. At just 16, he was appointed the leader of ENHYPEN, a role he embraces with confidence and emotional intelligence well beyond his years. He is also a budding songwriter, with credits on ENHYPEN tracks like "Highway 1009" and "Hundred Broken Hearts."

Read more: Meet ENHYPEN, K-Pop's Latest Breakout Boy Group

When he was a trainee under BIGHIT MUSIC, YEONJUN earned the nickname "legendary" from his peers. He consistently ranked first in monthly evaluations for dance, vocals, and rap, showcasing his superstar potential from the start.

Since debuting with TXT in 2019, YEONJUN has become K-pop’s fourth generation "It Boy," known globally for his stage presence, musicality, and versatility. He has contributed compositions and lyrics to many of TXT’s songs, featured in ENHYPEN’s "Blockbuster," and debuted as a soloist with his 2024 mixtape GGUM — further cementing his status as one of K-pop’s most dexterous idols.

ZICO (born Woo Ji-ho) has been through all chapters of the Korean music scene. Starting off as an underground rapper, he made his official debut in 2011 as the leader of Block B, released his first solo single "Tough Cookie" in 2014, and went on to collaborate with artists like PSY before founding his own label, KOZ Entertainment, in 2019.

His 2020 viral hit "Any Song" introduced his genre-bending sound to a new generation of listeners, solidifying his reputation as one of K-pop’s most versatile songwriters and singers. In that same year, KOZ joined the HYBE family, expanding ZICO’s platform as a producer. He now leads creative direction for BOYNEXTDOOR, the first group under KOZ, and continues releasing chart-topping hits, including 2024’s "SPOT!" with BLACKPINK’s Jennie.

WOOZI is the sonic genius behind SEVENTEEN’s prismatic, decade-long discography. As the group’s main producer and vocal unit leader, he has written and composed the vast majority of their tracks, infusing them with sensible lyrics and melodies that translate a sundry of emotions.

Beyond his own group activities, WOOZI has written songs for artists like Ailee, TXT, and I.O.I, and made his solo debut with 2022’s rock-infused "Ruby." One of K-pop’s best known producers, WOOZI continues to influence generations of idols and trainees aiming to take control of their artistry.

Rapper, singer and songwriter VERNON is yet another creative force within SEVENTEEN. Born in New York City, the Korean American star brings a laid-back charisma and unique, offbeat compositions to the group and to its hip hop unit.

True to his ascendancy, he often bridges cultures in both his music and in his collaborations. He is the SEVENTEEN member with the second-most writing credits after WOOZI, and has worked with names such as Charli XCX ("Beg For You" [A. G. Cook and Vernon Remix]), Tobi Lou ("Looped Up"), and GOT7’s Yugyeom ("Sweet Like" and "Glue Stick"). VERNON made his official solo debut in 2022 with "Black Eye" — a sampler of his singular artistry, one that will bloom even more as a member of the Recording Academy.

This week's New Music Friday has a bit of everything: comeback singles, major collaborations, birthday celebrations, the reintroduction of a superstar's '90s-era alter ego and even a team-up between a world-famous DJ and a fictional K-pop girl group moonlighting as world-saving demon hunters.

Earlier this week, Tyler, The Creator gifted the world with his ninth studio album, DON'T TAP THE GLASS, with just a few days' notice. Indigo De Souza stands on the Precipice with her fourth album, Tyler Childers drops Snipe Hunter, Quinn XCII declares LOOK! I'm Alive on his seventh studio set and Tyla builds anticipation for a follow-up to 2024's Tyla with her new four-track mixtape, WWP.

Meanwhile, Drake teams up with Central Cee for "Which One," Kim Petras strips off her "Polo" with the party-ready "Freak It," Tame Impala foreshadows the "End of Summer" and Amaarae delivers a dose of "Girlie-Pop!" Plus, Sam Smith slows things down with the tender, acoustic "To Be Free," 3OH!3 give themselves a candy-coated brain freeze with "SLUSHIE," Jamie xx conjures up a "Dream Night," and Lola Young further teases her forthcoming album, I’m Only F—ing Myself with "d£aler."

Below, press play on eleven other new releases worth checking out, including new singles from Luke Combs; Mariah Carey, Kehlani and Shenseea; and Offset as well as new full-lengths by Hanumankind and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, a long-awaited remix project from Madonna and more.

Jennifer Lopez rang in her 56th birthday on July 24 by dropping the appropriately titled new one-off "BIRTHDAY" as the first single since her 2024 album This Is Me… Now.

The This Is Me… Now: A Love Story star has already been performing the slinky track live across Europe on her ongoing Up All Night Tour, bragging, "Name on top of the cake, it's my birthday/ I'mma make this famous ass shake, it's my birthday/ Throwin' all this money in they face, it's my birthday/ Every day is my birthday, b—" on the swaggering chorus.

Read More: Jennifer Lopez's Biggest Hits, From Her Best Hip-Hop Collaborations To The Dance Floor Classics

TOMORROW X TOGETHER — 'The Star Chapter: TOGETHER'

TOMORROW X TOGETHER kicked off the week of new music by dropping their fourth album, The Star Chapter: Together, on July 21 along with the visual for lead single "Beautiful Strangers."

The second and final component of the K-pop boy band's Star Chapter series (following 2024's The Star Chapter: Sanctuary EP) is also their first to incorporate solo tracks from all five members on a group album, including SOOBIN's "Sunday Driver," YEONJUN's "Ghost Girl," BEOMGYU's "Take My Half," TAEHYUN's "Bird of Night" and HUENINGKAI's "Dance With You."

It's only been a year since the release of his 2024 album Fathers & Sons, but Luke Combs is "Back in the Saddle" and raring to go on his first single of 2025.

"I've been gone for a little too long/ I've been waitin' on the drummer to kick off a comeback song," the eight-time GRAMMY nominee growls in the opening stanza, though he's not the only one ready to hit the gas and get back in the race. The song's high-octane music video also features surprise cameos from NASCAR legends Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Richard Petty as Combs belts out the anthem from North Carolina's Tri-County Motor Speedway.

Madonna — 'Veronica Electronica'

Fans have waited more than 25 years for Veronica Electronica, Madonna's near-mythic companion remix project to her post-Evita magnum opus Ray of Light.

Not only did that 1998 album earn Her Madgesty four GRAMMY Awards including Best Pop Album, it was nearly single-handedly responsible for introducing electronica into mainstream pop music thanks to dance chart-toppers like "Frozen," "Ray of Light" and "Nothing Really Matters."

Finally seeing the light of day, the long-awaited remix album contains new edits of tracks like "Drowned World/Substitute for Love" and "Skin," as well as the unearthed original demo of "Gone Gone Gone," a previously unreleased track from the Ray of Light sessions that didn't make the final track list.

Read More: Songbook: How Madonna Became The Queen Of Pop & Reinvention, From Her 'Boy Toy' Era To The Celebration Tour

KPop Demon Hunters has become a runaway pop culture sensation since it premiered on Netflix in late June, with its soundtrack becoming the highest-charting of 2025 by peaking (so far) at No. 5 and spawning seven hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Now, David Guetta does his part to help HUNTR/X seal the Honmoon by remixing "Golden" with his magic touch. The two-time GRAMMY winner adds a kinetic undercurrent to Rumi, Mira and Zoey's shining story as the fictitious K-pop idols belt out, "'Cause we are hunters, voices strong … We're goin' up, up, up/ It's our moment/ You know together we're glowing/ Gonna be, gonna be golden."

Read More: David Guetta Reveals The "Accidents Of Life" That Birthed Hits With Bebe Rexha, Nicki Minaj & More

MC16 is officially on its way, dahhlings! Just days after unveiling the title, cover art and Sept. 26 release date of the forthcoming Here For It All, Mariah Carey whips up a sugar rush of pure bliss on second single "Sugar Sweet" with some help from Kehlani and Shenseea.

While the "Folded" songstress promises she's got "the sweet and the spice and the everything nice" and the Jamaican GRAMMY winner cooks up a delectable rap for her contribution to the bridge, the song's hook belongs solely to Mimi as she shows off her airy falsetto and coos, "Oh baby, baby, baby, baby/ I'm gonna use my expertise/ I'mma keep it nice, I'mma keep it neat/ I'mma keep it sugar, I'mma keep it sweet."

Read More: Why Mariah Carey's 'The Emancipation Of Mimi' Is Iconic: Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox & Johntá Austin Weigh In

The Band CAMINO — 'NeverAlways'

The Band CAMINO's third studio album, NeverAlways, is filled with echoing, confessional pop-rock twinkling with tinges of gleaming electropop.

Standouts on the 11-song project include the propulsive, emotional "Baggy Jeans" and the '90s-leaning, alt-inspired "Pieces," while lead single "Infinity" serves as the studio set's grand finale, with Jeffery Jordan handling the song's verses before Spencer Stewart takes over on the chorus to muse about psilocybin trips and living forever "in a sideways figure eight."

Tasha Cobbs Leonard — 'TASHA'

More than a decade after emerging as a thrilling new voice in gospel music with her GRAMMY-winning single "Break Every Chain," Tasha Cobbs Leonard has christened her new self-titled fourth album with her own name.

The studio set features an eclectic approach to worship music — from the feel-good vibes of "Already Good (Tasha Slide)" to high-profile duets with Lecrae (opener "I Needed God"), John Legend ("Church"), Kirk Franklin ("I Still Choose You") and more.

Hanumankind — 'Monsoon Season'

Just one year ago, the success of "Big Dawgs" catapulted Hanumankind into the spotlight as a global talent to watch and earned the Indian rapper a deal with Capitol Records. Now, the artist born Sooraj Cherukat delivers on the promise of last summer's breakout hit with his debut major-label mixtape, Monsoon Season.

Along with the OG version of "Big Dawgs" and its A$AP Rocky-featuring remix, the 12-track collection features Hanumankind working with a roster of diverse collaborators from rappers Denzel Curry ("Reckless") and Maxo Kream ("Goons") to rising stars like Roisee ("Someone Told Me") and Bangalore native Rudy Mukta ("Cause") alongside solo cuts like "Run It Up," "Villainous Freestyle" and the foreboding title track.

Hudson Westbrook — 'Texas Forever'

Fresh off making his debut at the Grand Ole Opry on July 22, Hudson Westbrook offers up his highly anticipated debut album in the form of Texas Forever.

The 20-year-old country sensation builds on the success of previously released hits like "House Again," "Sober" and "Dressed Down" — all of which appear here — with heartfelt sentiments such as the awestruck "Painted You Pretty," closer "Hill I'll Die On" and the standout title track, on which he declares, "Like hearts and sleeves, wild and free, you and me and Texas forever."

Offset goes "Professional" for his latest solo single, which follows in the wake of recent releases like the Gunna-assisted "Style Rare," "Swing My Way," "Ten" and JID link-up "Bodies."

In the track's music video, the Migos rapper hits up New York City hotspot Lucien before wandering through the East Village with an entourage of video vixens in tow as he crows about being a "professional b— getter" who's "got some new drip straight out Japan" over a stuttering, jazzy loop.