UK KPOP WATCH: July 2024
Welcome to UK KPOP WATCH, your new monthly roundup of all the exciting K-pop happenings in the UK.
July was another busy month for K-pop in the UK with concerts, festivals, reality show announcement and UK charts news. Here’s everything you need to know about K-pop in the UK for July 2024:
BBC Announces "Made in Korea: The Kpop Experience"
The BBC will air "Made in Korea: The Kpop Experience" this summer on BBC One. This six-part reality show will follow five British boys as they undergo intense K-pop training in Seoul, partnering with SM Entertainment. The series promises a deep dive into K-pop culture, showcasing the boys' 100-day journey through rigorous training in choreography, vocals, and life coaching. Audiences will get a behind-the-scenes look at SM Entertainment and the K-pop industry. While it’s already August and the show hasn’t aired yet, the anticipation is building among fans for a release date.
Read our full story here.
2. Stray Kids’ First UK Official Singles Chart Entry and Jimin’s Solo Career-Best
Stray Kids earned their first-ever UK Top 40 single with Chk Chk Boom debuting at number 30 in the charts on 26th July. The boys aren’t the only K-pop act on the chart this week, either! Jimin of BTS has scored his second Official Top 10 single, the highest new entry of that week and a solo career-best, with Who. Last year, Jimin earned his first solo Top 10 entry with Like Crazy. This is huge news for Stray Kids and Jimin, showing how popular the genre is growing in the UK.
3. Mark Lee at Wimbledon with Polo Ralph Lauren
Mark Lee from NCT attended the prestigious Wimbledon men's final, invited by Polo Ralph Lauren, for whom he has been an ambassador since 2022. His stylish appearance at the event underscored the growing influence of K-pop idols in the global fashion industry and highlighted the synergy between fashion and sports.
Photo credit: Karwai Tang
4. Stray Kids and NMIXX at BST Hyde Park
Photo by Jennifer McCord
On 14th July, Stray Kids headlined BST Hyde Park, making history as the first K-pop boy group to do so. They delivered a dynamic 1 hour 40 minute set with hits like "S-Class" and "God’s Menu," accompanied by a live band. NMIXX, their labelmates, also performed, impressing the crowd with their songs and covers of British classics. The concert highlighted the growing popularity of K-pop in the UK, drawing 65,000 fans and leaving a memorable impact.
Read our review of BST here.
5. Concerts in July: Billlie, I.M of Monsta X, and Balming Tiger
Photo Credit: I.M’s Official Account (@IMxSMEK) on X/Twitter
July was packed with concerts from some of K-pop’s finest and rising stars. Girlgroup Billlie, I.M of Monsta X, and Balming Tiger all graced London in July, delivering electrifying performances. Each concert showcased the diverse styles and talents within the K-pop industry, further solidifying its global appeal.
Check out our review of Billlie’s concert here and I.M’s gig review here.
July 2024 was a phenomenal month for K-pop in the UK, with exciting announcements, spectacular concerts, and significant achievements. As K-pop continues to grow in popularity, we can only expect more thrilling news and milestones in the coming months. Stay tuned to UK KPOP WATCH for all the latest updates and news in the K-pop UK space.
