22/01/2026

LYFE THURSDAY | JAN 22, 2026

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BTS unveils name of new album: Arirang K -POP megastar BTS’s upcoming full-length album will be titled Arirang , named after BigHit said the o Record titled after Korea’s famous folk song, includes 14 tracks

BigHit said in a statement, adding that the album explores universal emotions expected to resonate globally. After the release, BTS is set to embark on a world tour April 9, starting at Goyang Sports Complex near Seoul. The tour will span 34 cities and 79 shows – the largest in K-pop history – and will feature a 360-degree stage design. – Bernama-Yonhap

album captures BTS’s identity as a group that began in Korea, along with “the longing and deep love that lie within their hearts.” The label described the word “Arirang” as a symbolic expression of the emotions the group seeks to portray. “As BTS prepares for its long-awaited return, it naturally looked back on its roots, beginnings and inner stories,”

Korea’s most famous folk song, the group’s label BigHit Music said last Friday, Yonhap News Agency reported. Arirang is scheduled to be out March 20 as the group’s fifth studio album and first since the 2022 anthology album Proof . The new record will include 14 tracks.

From left: Suga, V, RM, Jin, J-Hope, Jungkook and Jimin. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @BTS.ARMY

WhyLucas goes on Regional Chuang Mini Tour

SINGAPOREAN artiste WhyLucas has marked a milestone in his career with the Chuang Asia Mini Tour, representing the nation across Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Following his return from Chuang Asia earlier this year, WhyLucas was determined to showcase a new level of artistry and showmanship. His debut dance stage at WaterBomb Singapore in August 2025 was met with strong praise, signalling his evolution into a versatile performer and musician. The Chuang Asia Mini Tour built on this momentum, serving as his official comeback for regional fans after the show’s conclusion. Spanning three countries, – Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand – the tour saw WhyLucas perform at every stop with his core group of four dancers, delivering dynamic choreographed performances that reflected technical growth and artistic confidence. Across all cities, he performed songs from his debut EP Orange , with meticulous planning for each show featuring unique, locally tailored moments curated specially for fans in each country. In Jakarta, Indonesia, WhyLucas delighted fans with an adorable performance of viral hit Steve Stecu, incorporating a playful Easter egg referencing a viral moment where an Indonesian TikToker had corrected his pronunciation – a thoughtful nod that was met with enthusiastic cheer and laughter from the crowd. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, WhyLucas went beyond the stage to connect with fans by personally hand-delivering drinks from popular

Known for his soulful voice, emotive storytelling and high-energy performances, WhyLucas has built a strong identity as a self-produced artiste with a distinct and authentic sound.

audiences with his professionalism, resilience and commitment before returning to Singapore to recuperate. As an follow-up to the tour, he has released a special extension of his EP titled Orange Juice Box last Friday, a playful reimagining of the original project. The release features four newly remixed versions of his previously released tracks, inspired by the songs he performed across each country on the tour. The tour not only reaffirmed his dedication to fans across Southeast Asia but also showcased the growing presence and potential of Southeast Asian talent beyond its borders. WhyLucas gained regional attention after participating in the finale of Chuang Asia Season 2 , an idol survival show by WeTV. Praised by judges Got7’s BamBam and Seventeen’s The8, he showcased not just vocal prowess but star power and versatility under pressure.

local chain Oriental Kopi to fans who had tagged him on social media. He also performed Malaysian girl group Dolla’s hit song MWA and shared the stage with special guest Malaysian singer-songwriter as well as ex-Chuang contestant Hoji, underscoring the tour’s spirit of regional collaboration. The tour concluded in Bangkok, Thailand, where WhyLucas delivered some of his most heartfelt moments. He presented a special solo stage performance of Jeff Satur’s Dum Dum and serenaded a fan on stage with a flirtatious rendition of Timethai’s Hit Me Up , creating an intimate connection that resonated deeply with the audience. With the demanding schedule, WhyLucas fell ill just before his final performance in Bangkok and was rushed to the hospital immediately after soundcheck. Determined not to disappoint fans, he still took to the stage for the final show, impressing

Madison Beer gives fans Locket as keepsake With her new album, Beer is set to join her peers as one of pop’s rising stars. – PIC FROM MORGAN MAHER

TWO-TIME Grammy-nominated and platinum-selling artiste Madison Beer has shared her new album Locket , alongside the release of the official music video for her new single Bad Enough . Written and co-produced by Beer, the album is her most exciting, visceral collection of songs to date and firmly plants the flag as one of the marquee pop records to rule 2026. Earlier last week, she debuted new song Bad Enough with a standout performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , marking the track’s first-ever live performance. A locket is more than just a charm or a piece of jewelry. It is a keepsake, a secret enclosure holding vital memories. To Beer, it encapsulates a world of remembrances and experiences, each of which become woven together to comprise the singer-songwriter and pop luminary’s latest, most urgent and magnetic album. The album features her widely acclaimed releases Make You Mine , Yes Baby and Bittersweet . Beer earned her second Grammy nomination for Make You Mine in the Best Dance Pop Recording category in 2025. Since its release in 2024, the track reached number one on Billboard’s Dance

Locket album’s cover artwork.

Airplay chart, marking her first solo chart-topper and cementing her as a mainstay at Dance Radio. Yes Baby , released last September, continued her run of success by also reaching the top of the chart. Bittersweet emerged as a breakout moment for Beer, becoming her fastest song to enter Top 40 radio and earning her career debut on Billboard’s Hot 100. The single became a defining live moment with performances at the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – where the YouTube livestream peaked at 2.5 million viewers during her set – and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

WhyLucas performing in Kuala Lumpur. – PIC FROM CROSS RATIO ENTERTAINMENT