Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT is hitting the gas in 2026 with their debut mini-album, GATHER. Anchored by the focus track “TOKYO DRIFT,” the project serves as a definitive statement on the group’s unity and collective resilience. According to member Souma, the core philosophy of the album is the importance of coming together to overcome individual weaknesses, turning shared struggles into a source of combined strength.
One of Korea’s newest girl groups on the scene, AtHeart, just visited Los Angeles and performed overseas for the very first time, overflowing with love, presence, and bright energy. Their unique sound continues to stand out, further proven by the 15 million views on their debut EP, Plot Twist, and the growing appreciation they’re receiving from fans worldwide.
With its dreamy melody, soft vocals, and powerful lyrics, the rising global girl group HANA has struck a chord with listeners through their latest release, “Blue Jeans.”
J-pop group BE:FIRST set out to answer the question “Who is BE:FIRST?” — the theme of their world tour — and we got to catch them on the North American leg in Los Angeles at the iconic Novo theater.
Combine your 2000s and early ’90s aesthetic into one and create an idol girl group composed entirely of Japanese members—with a global twist. Performing songs in both English and Korean, you get cosmosy. You’re a “Lucky One.”
The Knockturnal sat down with dynamic, globally captivating J-Pop group JO1 following their U.S. stops in Los Angeles and New York on their Wherever We Are tour to talk about their new album BE:CLASSIC, celebrate their fifth anniversary, and play a JO1-themed emoji game!
Japanese entertainment has long enjoyed significant popularity in America, and recent performances by Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, and YOASOBI in Los Angeles highlighted the current strength of the scene.
“WHEREVER YOU ARE,” you’d want to be here—at JO1’s electrifying Los Angeles stop, kicking off March in the best way.
J-Pop is rapidly gaining global momentum, and PSYCHIC FEVER is at the forefront of bringing Japanese music to the international stage.