K-pop Daily: IVE’s “BANG BANG” Countdown, Stray Kids’ 100M & More

Today’s K-pop headlines are a mix of sleek comeback teasing, milestone view counts, and a major global livestream date to circle on your calendar.

Lead Story: IVE lock in “BANG BANG” as the first taste of REVIVE+

If you’ve ever wondered why K-pop comeback seasons feel like movie trailers, IVE are leaning all the way into that energy. According to Maeil Business Newspaper (MK) (Jan. 27, 2026), the group revealed the title of their pre-release track “BANG BANG” through a spoiler concept film tied to their second full-length album ** REVIVE+ **.

For global fans, a “spoiler concept film” is essentially a short, high-style visual teaser that’s designed to hint at a project’s mood—lighting, wardrobe, pacing, even the kind of attitude the era will carry—without giving away the full hook. MK describes the clip as fashion-film-like, stitched together from sets and “in-between” scenes that feel like a behind-the-camera peek at the album’s world.

The dates matter, too: MK reports that “BANG BANG” arrives Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. KST, ahead of the album release on Feb. 23. Taken together, it’s a classic pre-release strategy: create a strong visual identity first, then let one track set expectations for the bigger album story.

Quick Hits

Stray Kids: “Ceremony” joins the 100 million club

Another big number for STAY to celebrate. The Korea Herald (Feb. 2, 2026) reports that Stray Kids’ “Ceremony” music video surpassed 100 million YouTube views, citing JYP Entertainment. The outlet notes it’s their 18th music video to hit that milestone—an absurdly consistent level of reach in the MV era.

If you’re new to how K-pop tracks these achievements: the “100M” conversation isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s also a rough indicator of how widely a song’s performance clip + choreography + styling traveled outside the fandom bubble.

BTS: Netflix livestream details are officially on the calendar

BTS coverage has been heavy lately, so we’ll keep this to the confirmed essentials. Netflix Tudum (Feb. 4, 2026) says BTS will stream a live performance from Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 (8 p.m. KST), with the album ** ARIRANG ** set for March 20 and a documentary titled ** BTS: THE RETURN ** arriving March 27.

For international viewers, the biggest practical takeaway is simple: this one’s built for time zones. Convert the livestream time now, and consider setting a reminder early—major streams tend to spike traffic right at the start.

Fan toolkit: comeback tracking that doesn’t melt your brain

When multiple teasers, pre-releases, and showcase dates overlap, it’s easy to lose the thread. A simple (but effective) system is:

• One calendar for release times (KST + your local time)
• One notes page for links (official YouTube, Spotify/Apple Music, and agency posts)
• One checklist for what you actually want to do (watch MV, save the track, buy an album, join a streaming party)

It sounds obvious, but having a “single source of truth” keeps fandom life fun instead of frantic.

Light stick basics: buy once, buy right

Light sticks are part merch, part identity badge, part concert tool—especially when venues sync them for coordinated crowd lighting. If you’re buying your first one, prioritize:

• Official store links (or an authorized retailer) to avoid counterfeits
• Version compatibility (some older versions don’t sync at newer tours)
• Battery type (plan ahead—venues often run out of spares)

And if you’re traveling for a show: pack it in a way that protects the globe/top section. A cracked dome is heartbreak you don’t need.

Chart & Award Check

One pattern that’s hard to ignore right now: “milestone culture” is part of the story, not just the scoreboard. MV view achievements, pre-release scheduling, and global streaming platforms all feed the same loop—short-form visuals create momentum, and momentum becomes measurable.

For fans, the healthiest way to engage is to treat numbers as a snapshot of reach, not a referendum on taste. Celebrate the wins, share the links, and then go back to what matters: the music and the stage.

Upcoming Schedule

A few dates to pin (and pre-save around):

• Feb. 9 (6 p.m. KST): IVE – “BANG BANG” (pre-release)
• Feb. 23: IVE – REVIVE+ (2nd full album)
• March 20: BTS – ARIRANG (album release, per Netflix Tudum)
• March 21 (8 p.m. KST): BTS live performance streaming on Netflix (per Netflix Tudum)
• March 27: BTS: THE RETURN documentary on Netflix (per Netflix Tudum)

Follow official artist channels and your streaming platform’s release pages so you don’t miss the exact drop times.