The 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen features Korean artists aespa, ILLIT, and &TEAM, reflecting on past Korean participants.

KARINA from aespa celebrated the New Year by gifting winter coats and handwritten letters to about 70 staff members, including stylists and security teams. This thoughtful gesture, considering the cold working conditions, reflects her appreciation for their efforts. The coats are valued at approximately 379,000 won and are part of her role as an ambassador for MLB.

From January 15 to February 28, 2023, aespa collaborates with PUBG MOBILE, offering exclusive in-game items like costumes, emotes, and voice cards. Players can participate in events to earn rewards, including a special emote based on aespa's music. The collaboration includes login events and missions for additional prizes.

ILLIT has added a trophy to their collection, winning first place on MBC's 'Show Music Core' with their song 'NOT CUTE ANYMORE'. This marks their third win on music shows. They expressed gratitude to fans for their support, which helped them achieve this milestone. The song continues to rise in the charts, recently reaching 13th place after a month-long hiatus from music shows.

On the morning of the 16th, aespa's KARINA departed from Incheon International Airport for an overseas schedule. Additionally, she and her close friends, ITZY's Ryujin and Han Sua, are trending for their adorable videos from their trip to Okinawa. The fashion choices of Korean idols, including BLACKPINK and TVXQ's Yunho, are also gaining attention this winter.

On the afternoon of the 15th, ILLIT attended the opening event for the flagship store of the high jewelry brand 'Damiani' in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. They also released the music video for their second digital single 'Sunday Morning,' featuring a cute and lively melody, and kicked off the event with a dance relay involving Korean and Japanese artists, along with a kendama challenge. The NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen continues to feature exciting performances this year.

ILLIT's track 'Billyeoon Goyangi (Do the Dance)' from their 3rd mini-album 'bomb' has surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify. The song captures the excitement of a first date and features unique lyrics and sharp choreography, becoming a hit among teens. It has received international acclaim and contributes to ILLIT's total of over 2.3 billion streams. Their latest digital single 'Sunday Morning' is also gaining popularity, serving as the opening theme for a TV anime.

ILLIT's new digital single 'Sunday Morning' has been released, serving as the opening theme for the anime 'Hime-sama 'Goumon' no Jikan desu' Season 2. The song captures the ups and downs of love through a J-POP ROCK style. The accompanying music video features a whimsical restaurant setting and showcases ILLIT's charm. Expectations for the song are high following their previous hits.

On the morning of the 12th, &TEAM completed their schedule and left through Gimpo International Airport. This article is based on local media coverage. The performances included award-winning acts from ILLIT, BOYNEXTDOOR, and &TEAM, along with a dance relay between Japanese and Korean artists and a kendama challenge at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

KARINA from aespa, Ryujin from ITZY, and actress Han Sua recently traveled to Okinawa. They shared a video on Instagram featuring their adventures, including matching T-shirts and playful moments by the pool. The trio visited attractions like Jungle Okinawa and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, showcasing their close bond and fun experiences together.

The drama "Kimbap and Onigiri" premieres today, showcasing a love story between a Japanese man and a Korean woman, played by Eiji Akaso and Heawon Kang. The show highlights their cultural differences and similarities, with a soundtrack by aespa. It will be available on Netflix simultaneously with its broadcast.