Lineup for "DREAM CONCERT WORLD IN JAPAN 2024" announced, featuring legendary and up-and-coming artists.

SHINee’s Onew has returned with his new single “Illusion” after about seven months. The release features three title tracks, including “Illusion,” “Mind Games” with Yuju, and “Tic Tac Toe” featuring Zico. The song and MV highlight his musical range and growth as a singer-songwriter.

ABEMA will broadcast the live finale of Mnet’s STREET WORLD FIGHTER: Directors' War exclusively in Japan and simultaneously with Korea for free tonight. The show spotlights performance directors who create every aspect of a stage, and four finalists—KASPER, BABYZOO, BADA, and kooyoung back—will compete in a cheer performance mission. ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Hanbin will MC, and a related special program featuring YUMEKI and JO1’s Ren Kawashiri is also streaming free.

Former EXO member Tao and SMROOKIES alum Xu Yiyang publicly revealed their son after keeping his existence private. Xu said she gave birth in 2024, had a difficult recovery, and delayed the announcement because of poor health and negative public opinion. She denied surrogacy and a second child, said she delivered by C-section, and confirmed their son is Chinese.

On the morning of the 20th, EXO's Kai attended an Yves Saint Laurent Beauté event held at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Related links mention a fan who won a gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after fulfilling a promise with Kai, and a LEGO event with Kai and Lee Dong-hwi.

EXO’s Xiumin, KISS OF LIFE, NOWZ’s Si-yoon and Jin-hyuk, VIXX’s Hyuk, ATBO’s Ryu Jun-min, FIFTY FIFTY’s Keena, I.MET.U’s Kelly and Ria, Renan, Hyojin Choi, and AMAZON attended the opening event for fashion brand DAUSPICE in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 16th.

EXO’s encore world tour finale, “EXO PLANET #6 - EXhOrizon [dot] -,” will be broadcast live from Seoul’s KSPO DOME to cinemas across Japan on November 8, 2026. The event includes Japanese subtitles, a special attendee gift, and ticket sales through lottery, general sale, and theater sales.

Former EXO member Kris, who is serving a 13-year sentence in China for sexual crimes, was targeted by an AI-generated fake photo that showed him looking heavier and shaved-headed. The image spread quickly online, but it was later confirmed to be edited from old footage. Chinese police had also previously denied false death rumors about him.

EXO-CBX members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin announced through bubble that they would end the service on September 30, 2026, but bubble said the notice was not pre-agreed and that the contract remains valid. Bubble later said the artists refused talks, started another platform, and that it had no choice but to end the service on November 20. The trio is also in legal action against INB100 over unpaid settlements and contract validity.

SHINee’s Minho showed a calm, composed mood in a marie claire photoshoot, posing against a wide blue grassland. In an interview, he discussed preparing his second mini album, Make it hot, described it as an “expansion,” and expressed deep gratitude to fans for his growth.

SHINee’s Onew teamed up with Block B’s Zico for “Tic Tac Toe,” the second title track from the single “Illusion,” released on the 7th at 6 p.m. The R&B hip-hop song uses a game metaphor to portray the subtle emotions and relationship between a man and a woman. The core of the song is Onew and Zico’s different interpretations of the “some” relationship, and their unusual collaboration drew attention even before release. Fans have praised their chemistry.