BTS Tour Info, ZB1 Future Plans, NJWS Danielle's Live, XG New Name

XG Changes Group Name Following Cocona’s Coming Out

On Monday, XGALX, the agency behind global group XG, announced that the group has officially changed the meaning of its name from “Xtraordinary Girls” to “Xtraordinary Genes.”

The update follows member Cocona’s coming out as AFAB transmasculine nonbinary on their 20th birthday on December 6 last year. According to the agency, the name change reflects both the group’s evolution and the individuality of its members.

Danielle Talks About Future Plans on YouTube Live

On Monday, former NewJeans member Danielle Marsh released her first public statement since ADOR terminated her contract on December 29 of last year and filed a lawsuit against the idol, her family, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, seeking ₩33 billion (approximately USD 33 million) in damages.

In a nine-minute YouTube Live titled “Dear Bunnies,” Danielle addressed NewJeans fans directly. She stated, “I fought until the very end to be together with the members,” and expressed continued affection for her former group, adding that “in one corner of my heart, there’s always NewJeans.”

Though visibly emotional throughout the broadcast, Danielle concluded on an optimistic note, telling fans, “Bunnies, this is not the end, it’s the beginning.”

ICYMI:

• Nana has been officially cleared of attempted murder charges in a case ruled as self-defense, according to legal authorities.

• HYBE rookie group CORTIS has released a new song titled “Mention Me,” which serves as an original soundtrack for Sony Pictures Animation’s “GOAT.”

• Kang Daniel and MONSTA X’s I.M have confirmed they will begin their mandatory military service on February 9. [1] [2]

• NCT DREAM’s Jisung has been cast in ENA’s upcoming K-drama “Crash 2,” marking his next acting project.

• ALLDAY Project member Annie will go on a temporary hiatus to attend Columbia University for the spring semester.

• JENNIE has confirmed her appearance on a new variety show, “The Secret Friend’s Club,” set to premiere on February 1.

• IST Entertainment is reportedly preparing to debut a new boy group featuring contestants from “BOYS II PLANET.”

YH Entertainment Issues ZEROBASEONE Activity Notice

Also on Monday, Yuehua Entertainment, also known as YH Entertainment, released a statement regarding Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin, four ZEROBASEONE members under its management. The agency said it is carefully reviewing and developing structured plans to support each artist’s individual potential. While acknowledging there may be a short period without updates, YH Entertainment emphasized that preparations are actively underway. The company also confirmed its full support for ZEROBASEONE’s remaining special projects and upcoming encore concert.

Although YH Entertainment did not explicitly outline future plans for the four members, fans are speculating that following ZEROBASEONE’s disbandment, the artists may pursue individual careers rather than re-debuting as a four-member group.

Upcoming Tours & Performances

• BTS has announced the first set of dates for their upcoming world tour, “Arirang,” which is set to include more than 70 shows worldwide.

• Red Velvet’s Joy has revealed the dates and cities for her upcoming Asia tour, “Joy Splash.”

• MONSTA X has announced six dates and cities across Asia for their world tour, “THE X: NEXUS.”

• KCON LA will take place from August 14 to 16.

• KCON Japan has been scheduled for May 8 to 10.

Favorite New Music This Week

SEVENTEEN’s subunit DxS (Dokyeon x Seungkwan) delivers an emotionally driven six-track mini album with “Serenade,” a title that perfectly reflects the duo’s vocal warmth and expressive range.

The album opens with Dokyeom’s solo “Rockstar,” a bright pop-rock track that feels uplifting and hopeful, like spring breaking through winter. The mood shifts quickly with “Blue,” a piano-led pop ballad about emotional separation, where layered, orchestral elements allow the duo’s vocals to shine. “Guilty Pleasure” injects energy into the tracklist with its smooth R&B-pop sound, exploring the allure of a tempting yet risky connection. The melancholic “Silence” follows, capturing the emptiness left after an inevitable breakup.

Seungkwan’s solo “Dream Serenade” offers gentle reflection and emotional closure, while closing track “Prelude of Love” ends the album on a hopeful note, symbolizing renewal and new beginnings.

Overall, “Serenade” tells a concise, cinematic love story marked by introspection, vulnerability, and vocal excellence.

NEXT WEEK’S COMEBACK SCHEDULE

• Sunday, January 18, 2026

  • KIK: 2nd EP “LOW KIK”

• Monday, January 19, 2026

  • EXO: 8th Album “REVERXE”

  • can’t be blue: 2nd EP “Prussian Blue”

  • CATCH THE YOUNG: 1st Album “Evolve”

  • Forestella: Digital Single “Nelle Notte”

  • LOLA (AWU): Single “TATz”

• Tuesday, January 20, 2026

  • ONEUS: Single “原”

  • LA POEM": 3rd Mini Album “Alive”

• Wednesday, January 21, 2026

  • 1VERSE: 1st Digital Single “Wide Awake Before I Fall”

  • M.O.N.T: Digital Single “History”

  • AxMxP: 1st Mini Album “Amplify My Way”

  • dodree: Digital Single: “꿈만 같았다”

• Thursday, January 22, 2026

  • MOMOLAND: Digital Single “white spring”

  • TNX: 2nd Digital Single “Call Me Back”

• Friday, January 23, 2026

  • ZEROBASE: 2nd Pre-Release Track

• Saturday, January 24, 2026

  • N/A

— Javeria Yousuf

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