Boys II Planet Debuts ALD1, HYBE in India, Hyeri's New K-Drama

HYBE Sets Up Mumbai Base to Discover and Develop Local Talent

HYBE Labels, home to some of the biggest names in KPOP, is expanding its global reach with a new office in Mumbai, India.

Announced on September 25, the move marks the company’s latest step in building a worldwide K-pop ecosystem after establishing bases in the U.S., Japan, Latin America, and China.

With India’s 1.4 billion population, youthful demographics, and fast-growing music streaming market, HYBE aims to recruit local talent, develop artists with Indian influences, and connect them to global audiences while supporting existing HYBE acts in the region.

Girl’s Day Hyeri and Hwang In Youp Confirmed For New K-Drama RomCom

Girl’s Day Hyeri (Girl’s Day) and Hwang In Youp (known for his role in “True Beauty” and “Family by Choice”) will star in the 2026 romantic comedy “To You”.

Penned by “Goblin and Doom at Your Service” writer Jung Eun Bi, the story follows acclaimed film director Woo Soo Bin (Hwang In Youp) and reporter Joo Yi Jae (Hyeri), who reunite years later to revisit an unfinished project and a love left unresolved. Hyeri plays a determined yet regretful reporter, while Hwang takes on the role of her first love.

ICYMI:

• TXT (TOMORROW X TOGETHER) has teamed up with UNICEF for a new mental health initiative titled “Together for Tomorrow.”

• The KPop Demon Hunters community has launched on b.stage, offering free memberships for fans of HUNTR/X and Saja Boys.

• MAMAMOO’s Solar, WJSN’s Yoo Yeonjung, FTISLAND’s Lee Hong Gi, INFINITE’s Nam Woohyun, and VIXX’s Leo are set to star in the comedy musical “SUGAR.”

Mnet’s Boys II Planet Finale Forms New Group ALD1

Mnet’s hit survival series Boys II Planet, the very show that produced ZEROBASEONE in its previous season, concluded on September 25 with its live finale. Starting with 160 contestants, only eight trainees secured spots in the final group after months of challenges and fan voting.

Host Kim Jae Joong announced the group’s name as ALPHA DRIVE ONE, shortened to ALD1 during the live broadcast. The final lineup includes:

1. Lee Sang Won

2. Zhou An Xin

3. He Xin Long

4. Kim Geon Woo

5. Zhang Jia Hao

6. Lee Leo

7. Chung Sang Hyeon

8. Kim Jun Seo

ALD1 is expected to debut in early 2026, and reports suggest the group has been offered a five-year contract that also allows members to pursue solo activities, an approach different from ZEROBASEONE’s setup. Many speculate this change was made after observing ZEROBASEONE’s remarkable success.

However, a senior official at Mnet has told the media that nothing [regarding the contract] has been decided yet.

Upcoming Tours & Performances

• Big Ocean will hold a free pop-up concert at Sacramento’s KP International Market on October 11 at 4 PM.

• Wonho confirmed 11 North American stops for his 2025 world tour “Stay Awake.”

• Jackson Wang (GOT7) joins iHeartRadio’s “Jingle Ball Village,” performing in LA (Dec 5) and Chicago (Dec 8).

• The 2025 KOOM K-Pop Festival in NYC revealed its lineup: Cortis, Epik High, tripleS, Yves, and more.

• BLACKPINK’s Rosé is set to perform at the 2025 “Global Citizen Festival.”

• SEVENTEEN announced an LA concert and new fan events.

• ALL(H)OURS unveiled 8 North American dates for their “ALL the HOURS” tour.

• KARD released the schedule for their USA tour “DRIFT.”

Favorite New Music This Week

After just two months of being discharged from his mandatory military service, WOODZ has returned with “I’ll Never Love Again,” a rock ballad that’s both scorched and delicate. Rather than wallowing, the track captures love as a wildfire, consuming everything in its path. The verses crackle with raw regret: “Fleeting emotions passed / Only regret remains, memories shed like old skin.” By the time the chorus arrives, WOODZ is spitting out ashes.

The arrangement leans heavily on guitars and atmosphere, giving the song a stadium-ready punch while keeping its intimacy intact. It’s the kind of track that feels like screaming into the night sky, yet lands with surgical precision.

NEXT WEEK’S COMEBACK SCHEDULE

• Sunday, September 28, 2025

  • N/A

• Monday, September 29, 2025

  • S.Coups x Mingyu (SEVENTEEN): 1st Mini Album “Hype Vibes”

  • Chen (EXO): 5th Mini Album “Arcadia”

  • POW: Single “Wall Flowers”

• Tuesday, September 30, 2025

  • izna: 2nd Mini Album “Not Just Pretty”

• Wednesday, October 1, 2025

  • Kang Seungsik: 1st Digital Single “괜찮은 오차”

  • tripleS: 1st Japan EP “SecretHimitsuBimil”

• Thursday, October 2, 2025

  • N/A

• Friday, October 3, 2025

  • Han Seung Yeon: 1st Japan EP “I・恋”

• Saturday, October 4, 2025

  • N/A

— Javeria Yousuf

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