{
  "id": 17864740,
  "title": "[K-POP REPORT CARD] Dead or alive? K-pop chooses both in September, October",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/k-pop-report-card-dead-or-alive-k-pop-chooses-both-in-september",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T22:22:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20261103/k-pop-report-card-dead-or-alive-k-pop-chooses-both-in-september-october"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The month of September and October proved to be quite entertaining for the K-pop industry. During these months, a prominent K-pop group expressed their belief that the genre may have reached its peak, while another group made a triumphant return with an ambitious new project. K-pop is known for its unpredictable nature, as opinions can quickly shift and change.\n\nIn the midst of this fluctuation, BLACKPINK members released solo singles one after another, while three of the biggest names in the industry faced off on the same Monday. Additionally, a brand new girl group managed to top Melon's charts just a day after its debut.\n\nAs always, these opinions are merely one critic's perspective and not an absolute ruling. It is perfectly acceptable to disagree, even if vehemently. Kwon Eun-bi's first release after switching agencies, titled \"DEJAVU,\" was released on September 3. Her verdict on the single is that it is \"Nearly there.\" Despite peeling back some of the flashy elements typically associated with K-pop, such as piercing high notes and flashy performances, Kwon Eun-bi's soft tone and lyrical delivery are still evident. However, the issue lies in the fact that the K-pop industry has far too much to offer for any single opinion to definitively declare the genre as either dead or alive.",
  "summary": "Nobody expected September and October to be this much fun, at least for K-pop. Over the same two months, one K-pop heavyweight confessed his belief that the genre had run its course, while another stormed back onto the scene with a shiny, wildly ambitious new project. That's K-pop for you — just when you think you know which way the ball is bouncing, it ricochets somewhere else entirely. In…",
  "key_points": [
    "BLACKPINK releases solo singles in September",
    "Three major K-pop acts perform on same Monday",
    "New girl group tops Melon charts post-debut"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}