Oct. 23, 2026, SEOUL, KOREA – Kakao Entertainment artists are turning up the global heat with bold new music, rising international chart performance, and electrifying live shows. From IVE’s latest musical evolution and WOODZ’s hard-hitting rock-driven comeback to hrtz.wav’s surging digital momentum and MONSTA X’s strong Billboard performance, the artists are showcasing their distinctive musical identities while expanding their global reach.

Behind this growing momentum is Kakao Entertainment’s comprehensive music business ecosystem. Under the leadership of co-CEO Joseph Chang, the company has established a full-stack K-pop business spanning IP creation, distribution, music streaming, fan platforms, and live entertainment. By nurturing artists across diverse genres and leveraging strategic partnerships to connect compelling music IP with audiences worldwide, the company continues to strengthen its global presence and create new opportunities for its artists on the international stage.

MONSTA X (Starship Entertainment)

MONSTA X is set to wrap up the North American leg of its world tour “THE X : NEXUS” with its final show in Seattle on Oct. 24, capping a 10-city run across the region. The tour marks the group’s first large-scale North American trek in four years, with stops at major venues including New York’s Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden, underscoring its continued draw among North American fans.

The group recently caught global attention with its latest mini-album, “The Phase,” embracing new challenges and exploring fresh musical directions. Dropped on Sept. 4, the album reached No. 6 on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart and topped the iTunes Top 100 K-Pop Albums charts in 11 countries. “The Phase” also made it onto the Billboard 200, marking MONSTA X’s fifth entry on the chart.

Following the conclusion of its North American tour, the group will hold encore concerts on Nov. 21 and 22 at INSPIRE ARENA in Incheon.

IVE (Starship Entertainment)

IVE is making global waves with “Looks Can Kill,” the title track of its upcoming mini-album of the same name. Upon its release on Oct. 19, the music video topped YouTube’s Worldwide Music Video Trending chart. It also ranked No. 1 in six countries including the UK and Japan while entering the top 10 in 18 countries and regions.

Driven by heavy bass, powerful synths, and electronic sounds, “Looks Can Kill” delivers an intense and high-energy sound. With the song, IVE introduces a bold new take on the hero concept, conveying the message that anyone can become the hero of their own story.

The track will be featured in IVE‘s upcoming mini-album, set to drop on Oct. 26. Also included in the album are “Mirror Mirror,” “SNAKESKIN,” “CRUMBS,” “Girls Girls Girls,” and “Glow Motion,” with members Gaeul, Rei, and Liz contributing to its creative process.

IVE has further expanded its global reach with its second world tour, “SHOW WHAT I AM,” covering 20 cities with a total of 28 shows. The group drew a combined audience of 127,000 across two major Japanese venues, Kyocera Dome Osaka and Tokyo Dome, underscoring its strong international fan base.

WOODZ (EDAM Entertainment)

WOODZ is carrying the momentum of his global tour into his latest digital single, “Come into my world!,” released on Oct. 20. Having expanded his “Archive. 1” world tour to 26 cities across Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas, the singer drew inspiration from connecting with audiences around the world to create a track that brings them together.

Inspired by 1980s rock ’n’ roll, “Come into my world!” features powerful guitar riffs, dynamic drum beats and his signature raspy vocals and explosive shouts, while its lyrics encourage listeners to set aside everyday worries and live in the moment. WOODZ participated in writing and composing the track, reuniting with the producers behind his hit song “Drowning.”

He is set to conclude his tour with “2026 WOODZ WORLD TOUR Archive. 1 : Completed” at Seoul’s KSPO DOME on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Both shows have sold out, marking his first solo performances at the iconic venue.

hrtz.wav (Kakao Entertainment)

Global band hrtz.wav has further established its identity as an all-member-frontman band with its second mini-album, “The Second Wave : MOMENTUM.” Now, the band is set to hold its first-ever fan concert on Nov. 28 at Seoul’s Jangchung Arena, marking a notable milestone for a rookie act performing at an arena-scale venue.

hrtz.wav is demonstrating rapid growth across multiple metrics. Compared with its debut album, “The Second Wave : MOMENTUM” recorded a 129% increase in first-week sales on Hanteo Chart, while its Spotify listeners more than doubled and streams rose by over 50% in the first six days. Its title track “ALIVE” entered the Top 10 on iTunes Top Singles charts in three countries.

Building on this momentum, hrtz.wav has continued to establish itself as a promising live act through appearances at major music events, including XMF 2026 and Busan International Rock Festival, showcasing its stage presence to wider audiences.