Four artists under HYBE Labels, including TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM, and NewJeans, have been selected as "K-Pop Stars to Watch" by Billboard in the United States.

On April 24th (PDT), the American music magazine Billboard published a special edition focusing on K-pop. The magazine aims to explore the current status and future of K-pop, which continues to have a significant and fresh impact on the global music market.

In this special issue, Billboard deeply analyzed the last decade of BTS's achievements, the musical philosophy and vision of Bang Si-hyuk, the chairman of HYBE, the industrial effects of K-pop, and global expansion plans. The magazine specifically introduced 12 artists as the "new wave" of K-pop, under the title "K-Pop Star to Watch."

TXT, who topped the 'Billboard 200' chart with their fifth mini-album 'The Chaos Chapter: TEMPTATION,' garnered praise as "4th generation K-pop leaders." Billboard stated, "TXT masterfully incorporates various styles from R&B to Trop-pop," and "they have proven that the voice of Generation Z can unite and achieve anything."

ENHYPEN, set to make a comeback on May 22, also made the list of "K-Pop Stars to Watch." Following their debut on the 'Billboard 200' Top 10 (highest ranking at 6th) with their third mini-album 'MANIFESTO: DAY 1' last year, the group's global influence has significantly expanded, as evidenced by their successful arena world tour, which spanned 22 performances over five months, starting in Seoul and Anaheim.

LE SSERAFIM also received attention from Billboard. With their second mini-album 'ANTIFRAGILE' charting at 14th on the 'Billboard 200,' the group is poised for a bigger leap with their first full-length album 'UNFORGIVEN' on May 1. Billboard described the group as having "a clear brand of empowered ferocity" and said, "their music quickly connects with the public."

NewJeans, set to become the first K-pop girl group to perform at 'Lollapalooza Chicago' this summer, also garnered anticipation. Billboard expressed amazement at how the group, which debuted in July last year, "changed the discourse of K-pop" and became an artist with two songs ('OMG,' 'Ditto') on the 'Billboard Hot 100' chart within a year. The magazine also highlighted the brilliant producing strategies of Min Hee-jin, the head of Adore, through her interview where she said, "I imagine myself as a consumer and think about what would surprise me the most."

Billboard selected BTS's 'Dynamite' as the most important achievement that elevated the status of K-pop. As the first song by a Korean artist to top the 'Hot 100' chart (September 5, 2020), 'Dynamite' is considered a historic turning point not only for BTS but also for K-pop. So far, BTS has placed six songs (seven including a solo song by Jimin) on the 'Billboard Hot 100' and six albums on the 'Billboard 200.'

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