BTS, BLACKPINK, Girls' Generation, and NewJeans featured in Rolling Stone's '250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century' list.
October/9/2025 17:58Related Groups & Members
BTS, BLACKPINK, Girls' Generation, and NewJeans were listed in the 'Greatest Songs of the 21st Century' by the American music magazine 'Rolling Stone.' On October 8 (local time), Rolling Stone published 'The 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far' on their official website. BTS's 'Spring Day' ranked 37th. Rolling Stone evaluated 'Spring Day' as a moment that exposes painful fragility and simultaneously became their representative song. It embodies feelings of hope and rebirth born from loss, possessing a universal power that resonates across borders. Eventually, that message overlaps with BTS's own global rise. BLACKPINK's hit song 'DDU-DU DDU-DU,' released in 2018, ranked 142nd. Rolling Stone noted that 'DDU-DU DDU-DU' thrillingly highlights each member's individuality, driven by a rapidly rotating trap snare and glitchy synths. Lisa and Jennie dominate the verses with speed and confidence in their raps, while Rosé and Jisoo color the flow with sweet yet somewhat dangerously alluring pre-choruses. Girls' Generation's hit song 'Gee' ranked 170th. Rolling Stone remarked that shortly after Girls' Generation debuted in 2007, the Korean people honored them with the title of 'national girl group.' The massive hit pop single 'Gee' perfectly embodies 'aegyo' (charm). NewJeans' 'Hype Boy' ranked 206th. Rolling Stone described the song as an anthem celebrating the irresistible charm of youth culture and love, smoothly transitioning between Korean and English lyrics, accelerating with a co-dependent exhilaration in the chorus.
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The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR in a lawsuit regarding the validity of exclusive contracts with NewJeans members. The court dismissed ILLIT's plagiarism claims, stating that while some similarities exist, they do not constitute plagiarism. The court also noted that the concept of an idol group's image is not easily classified under publicity or intellectual property rights. Following the ruling, NewJeans members expressed their intention to appeal, citing a complete breakdown of trust with ADOR.
The Korean Management Union commented on the court's ruling regarding the exclusive contract between NewJeans and ADOR, calling it a fair outcome that reinforces the reliability of exclusive contracts in the K-POP industry. They highlighted the importance of maintaining trust between artists and agencies and expressed hope that this ruling would strengthen industry practices and lead to sustainable development in K-POP.
Jungkook from BTS was spotted dining alone at a BBQ restaurant in Seoul, where he enjoyed his meal without concern for his surroundings. He graciously took photos with fans who recognized him. Known as the 'Solo Meal Master,' Jungkook's dining habits have gained attention, and fans even shared a list of restaurants he visits. BTS is currently working on an album in the U.S. for a full group comeback in the first half of 2026.
ADOR has won a lawsuit confirming the validity of its exclusive contract with NewJeans. The court ruled that ADOR did not breach its management duties and emphasized that attempts to escape the contract under the guise of broken trust are unacceptable. ADOR expressed gratitude for the ruling and is prepared for future activities with the artists.
The five members of NewJeans have announced their intention to appeal a court ruling that upheld their contract with ADOR. They respect the court's decision but state that their trust with ADOR has completely broken down, making it impossible to return and continue normal entertainment activities. They hope for a wise judgment in the appeal process and thank their fans for their support.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the exclusive contracts between NewJeans and ADOR are valid. The court stated that ADOR's dismissal of a representative does not constitute a breach of contract. NewJeans' legal team acknowledged the ruling but expressed that a return to ADOR for normal activities is impossible due to a broken trust, leading members to appeal the decision.
At the APEC CEO Summit, BTS's RM gave a keynote speech on K-Culture, highlighting how K-POP merges global music elements with Korean aesthetics. He likened K-Culture to 'bibimbap,' where diverse elements create new value. RM credited the ARMY fandom for BTS's global success and their cultural solidarity.
BTS's V and Park Hyo Shin's duet "Winter Ahead" has surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify, making it V's fourth solo track to reach this milestone. The song, a jazz-pop piece featuring saxophone and trumpet, debuted at number 99 on Billboard's HOT100 and was praised as one of the best winter songs. V has a total of 12 solo tracks with over 100 million streams, including the hit "Love Me Again."
On October 28, 2025, Calvin Klein launched a campaign featuring BTS Jungkook as a global ambassador. The campaign showcases his powerful presence and stylish denim, shot by photographer Mert Alas against a moody New York backdrop. Jungkook expressed excitement for the campaign, highlighting the energy of the shoot and the appeal of the new denim collection.
Yunth, a skincare brand known for its fresh vitamin C serum, has appointed BTS's V as its new brand ambassador. This marks V's first advertising appearance in Japan after his military service and is Yunth's first solo contract in Japan. The brand looks forward to enhancing beauty experiences with V's unique expression of beauty.
