Jeff Benjamin
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jeffbenjamin.bsky.social
Jeff Benjamin
@jeffbenjamin.bsky.social
Award-winning music journalist, K-pop columnist, host and curator. Words in Billboard, Rolling Stone, New York Times, Forbes and more. Subscribe to The Crossover newsletter.
8 OR NONE: #StrayKids earn their historic eighth straight No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with 'DO IT'!

The mixtape earned 295,000 units, SKZ's second biggest U.S. sales total for a week, and the seventh biggest in the U.S. this year overall

www.billboard.com/music/chart-...
Stray Kids Claim Eighth No. 1 on Billboard 200 With ‘DO IT’
Stray Kids score their eighth No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 'DO IT' while the 'Wicked: For Good' soundtrack flies in at No. 2.
www.billboard.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:04 AM
One month left in the year! The latest #Kpop calendar updates:

MAX CHANGMIN
DAESUNG
HYO
MINHO of SHINee
SEO EUNKWANG
Red Velvet
NCT 127
DOYOUNG
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
Rockhyun of FAVE1
LUNEDI (Formerly Monday of Weeekly)
GYUBIN
IN A MINUTE
TOMATOMAT
cosmosy
SKINZ
www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbe...
2025 Release Calendar Of New K-Pop Albums, Singles: January-December
2025's updating schedule of K-pop album releases and comebacks including BTS, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, GOT7, SEVENTEEN, IVE, EXO, ATEEZ, Kim Soo Hyun, BABYMONSTER and more.
www.forbes.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Tweet of the year
in 2007 i had a dream about kristen bell being interviewed about her heavy drinking (?) where she responded to every question with a raucous cackle and the shout: "MAMA'S GOTTA EAT!" so i made this image about it
November 28, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Reposted by Jeff Benjamin
in 2007 i had a dream about kristen bell being interviewed about her heavy drinking (?) where she responded to every question with a raucous cackle and the shout: "MAMA'S GOTTA EAT!" so i made this image about it
November 27, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Amazing to see so many K-pop artists, labels and fans step up with meaningful donations to support #HongKong at this devastating time

This article lists the latest donations as well as includes links out to the various organizations you can learn more and support

www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbe...
Hong Kong Fires: K-Pop Stars, Labels & Fans Raise Thousands For Aid
Jackson Wang, i-dle, Yim Siwan, Zhang Hao, Stray Kids and K-pop entertainment companies help charity after the Hong Kong structure fire amid the 2025 MAMA Awards.
www.forbes.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Members of BABYMONSTER, ZEROBASEONE, RIIZE, BOYNEXTDOOR and TWS are set for a special tribute to HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys from @netflix.com's #KPopDemonHunters at the 2025 #MAMAAwards

Who do you think is taking on which character?

www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbe...
MAMA Awards' Live KPop Demon Hunters Tribute: BABYMONSTER, ZEROBASEONE & More Stars
Members of K-pop groups BABYMONSTER, ZEROBASEONE, RIIZE, BOYNEXTDOOR AND TWS will perform a tribute to HUNTR/X and Saja Boys at the 2025 MAMA Awards Nov. 28-29.
www.forbes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Every #KPop Act to Earn a Top 10 Album on the Billboard 200

BTS
SuperM
Monsta X
NCT 127
BLACKPINK
NCT
Tomorrow X Together
TWICE
Stray Kids
SEVENTEEN
Nayeon
aespa
ITZY
ATEEZ
ENHYPEN
RM
Jimin
Suga
LE SSERAFIM
NewJeans
J-Hope
V
Jung Kook
Jin
Rosé
Lisa
Jennie
P1Harmony
Yeonjun 🆕
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
It felt like this conversation with #Sunmi was years in the making and it led to one of my favorite pieces I've written in a really long time

We discuss the journey of her career and self-love that went into 'HEART MAID' via @forbes.com

Thank you, Sunmi 🫶 www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbe...
Sunmi On Sharing The Artist & Person Inside With ‘HEART MAID’ Album
The K-pop superstar shares the 19-year journey to releasing a fully self-written debut solo album 'HEART MAID' with Sunmi's themes of healing, humor and Korean folklore.
www.forbes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:24 AM
I'll be joining Arirang Radio in about 30 minutes to discuss #Kpop at the #GRAMMYs this year! And what chances #Rosé, #KATSEYE and #KPopDemonHunters have at music's biggest night...tune in! www.youtube.com/@ArirangRadi...
Arirang Radio K-Pop
Arirang Radio is the first English broadcasting radio station in Korea, providing useful information on Korean culture, K-pop, tourism, tips on living in Korea as well as the domestic and internationa...
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Thank you everyone for who reached out with sweet and thoughtful birthday messages. I appreciate you all. It was a weird birthday with some personal situations keeping me distracted, but everything looks to be on the mend now and the healing begins for my loved ones. I cherish you all...
November 13, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Breaking: ADOR announces NewJeans members Hyein and Haerin have expressed their intention to continue activities with the HYBE label after discussions with their families and the label

Full story via @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbe...
NewJeans Members Haerin And Hyein To Return To HYBE Label ADOR
NewJeans' Haerin and Hyein will return to HYBE after a statement that the K-pop stars will "continue their activities with ADOR" breaking with Minji, Hanni and Danielle.
www.forbes.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:09 AM
📈 According to early industry predictions, #Yeonjun of #TomorrowXTogether is aiming for a Top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 with his first solo album 'NO LABELS PART 01' earning about 30,700 units (with 28,000 in album sales)

It would make him the first member of #TXT to chart a solo album
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Exclusive: #KATSEYE Reimagined "M.I.A" for #VALORANT Game Changers esports campaign — and Megan basically manifested it

Full story with more from Megan, Riot Games and more at @billboard.com
www.billboard.com/music/pop/ka...
KATSEYE Reimagine ‘M.I.A.’ for ‘Valorant’ Inclusive Esports Campaign & Megan Basically Manifested It: ‘This Is So Nostalgic to Me’
Riot Games executives and Megan of KATSEYE talk the new version of the 'Beautiful Chaos' song, made more special from Megan video game hobbies.
www.billboard.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Tune into 'The Kulture Wave' on #Arirang where I'll be on as a guest talking about the November #K-pop comeback scene!

Which releases are you looking forward to most this month?

Watch live on Arirang or via YouTube here. Starting soon!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJVB...
Live from KOREA | 24/7 Streaming | Arirang TV [아리랑TV] (국제방송교류재단)
YouTube video by Arirang TV
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:57 AM
KINO announces his 2026 World Tour 'FREE KINO' which includes four stops in the USA so far with "more dates to be announced"

The #PENTAGON soo star dropped his new EP 'EVERYBODY’S GUILTY, BUT NO ONE’S TO BLAME' last month that's refreshingly dark and mature www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBTO...
November 5, 2025 at 10:40 PM
JISOO has earned her first solo radio hit as "EYES CLOSED" with ZAYN debuts at No. 38 on Billboard's Pop Airplay chart!

#BLACKPINK has sent three songs to the chart to date with "Ice Cream" (which peaked at No. 21), "Pink Venom" (No. 32) and "Jump" (their highest-charting single at No. 19)
November 5, 2025 at 2:40 AM
#Jimin and #JungKook of #BTS' second season of 'Are You Sure?!' premieres December 3 on Disney+ with two episodes dropping every Wednesday from Dec 3-24

Season 2 is a 12-day journey that spans from Switzerland to Vietnam

First look photos have been shared via press release:
November 5, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Another huge moment for #HUNTR/X and #KPopDemonHunters!

#EJAE, #AudreyNuna and #ReiAmi are going to perform at the massive Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade alongside a huge lineup of performers

www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbe...
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Lineup: KPop Demon Hunters HUNTR/X Singers & More
The singing voices behind Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters group HUNTR/X will perform at the NYC parade on Nov. 27, 2025, joining a lineup of performers, balloons and floats.
www.forbes.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Exclusive: Baekhyun and Taemin are coming back to the U.S. in early 2026 for their own special concerts for one weekend at Park MGM's Dolby Live!

Full details on the #Baekhyun and #Taemin double-header concert weekend in Las Vegas via @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbe...
Baekhyun, Taemin to Play Dolby Live at Park MGM Shows, Jan 16–17, 2026
Baekhyun and Taemin will each headline Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on Jan. 16–17, 2026. Dates announced; ticket details to follow. Get news and Kpop tour context.
www.forbes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Every member of #BTS and #BLACKPINK have charted solo songs on the Billboard Hot 100 — the only Korean groups to do so
October 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
SHE DID IT! JISOO earns her first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 this week as "Eyes Closed" with Zayn Malik enters at No. 72

The accomplishments means every member of #BLACKPINK has charted a solo song on the Hot 100 becoming the first female #Kpop group to do so! x.com/billboardcha...
billboard charts on X: "JISOO & @zaynmalik's "Eyes Closed" debuts at No. 72 on this week's #Hot100. It earns JISOO her first career solo entry on the chart. She previously charted 10 songs as a member of @BLACKPINK. All four members of BLACKPINK have now charted solo songs on the Hot 100." / X
JISOO & @zaynmalik's "Eyes Closed" debuts at No. 72 on this week's #Hot100. It earns JISOO her first career solo entry on the chart. She previously charted 10 songs as a member of @BLACKPINK. All four members of BLACKPINK have now charted solo songs on the Hot 100.
x.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:57 PM