K-pop Daily: j-hope’s Birthday Donation, &TEAM Tour Stops, More

A philanthropy headline from BTS’s j-hope leads today’s feel-good brief, with fresh tour planning from &TEAM, a major Billboard week for ATEEZ, new Japan certifications for multiple acts, and a huge YouTube milestone for Stray Kids.

Lead story: j-hope turns his birthday into a major giving moment

In K-pop, “impact” isn’t only about charts—it’s also about what artists choose to do with the attention they’ve earned. According to Soompi (Feb. 19, 2026), BIGHIT MUSIC shared that BTS’s j-hope marked his birthday (Feb. 18) with a set of donations aimed at three communities that often need the most consistent support: children in treatment, students building their futures, and animals in need of protection.

The headline number is big: 200 million won was donated to Asan Medical Center Hospital in Seoul, with the funds set to support pediatric medical facilities and care, home treatment for children with severe illnesses, and psychological healing programs. In addition, j-hope gave 100 million won in scholarships through the children’s foundation Chorogusan for students at his alma mater, and 50 million won to animal protection groups, combining proceeds from a HUMAN MADE collaboration auction with his own funds.

What makes this story resonate globally is the clarity of the intent. In a statement shared via the company, j-hope expressed gratitude and framed the donations as a way to share something meaningful, thanking ARMY and hoping 2026 becomes a warm, hopeful year. Soompi also noted that this giving has been consistent over time: j-hope’s cumulative giving to Asan Medical Center totals 500 million won, and at Chorogusan he’s joined a major-donor group tied to contributions exceeding 1 billion won.

Quick hits

&TEAM: a 2026 tour that stretches beyond Japan

Tour announcements are more than logistics—they’re a signal of where momentum is building. According to Soompi (Feb. 19, 2026), &TEAM revealed dates and locations for their 2026 concert tour “BLAZE THE WAY,” kicking off in May. The route includes multiple stops across Japan and expands into other major Asian cities including Taipei, Incheon, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore.

Practical move: if you’re planning travel, set calendar alerts now and keep an eye on venue pages—tour posters often update with on-sale times and seat maps in phases.

ATEEZ: five Billboard chart-tops and a 2026-leading U.S. album week

Big U.S. weeks happen when release strategy, distribution, and fandom coordination all land at once—and the numbers can shape how a group is programmed for future promotions. According to Soompi (Feb. 19, 2026) summarizing Billboard, ATEEZ’s GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4 debuted at No. 1 on Top Album Sales and No. 3 on the Billboard 200, earning 200,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Feb. 12. Soompi noted this was the biggest week by any K-pop artist so far in 2026, and ATEEZ’s biggest U.S. week to date.

The momentum spilled across multiple charts: ATEEZ topped World Digital Song Sales, with “Adrenaline” debuting at No. 1 (plus “NASA” at No. 7 and “Ghost” at No. 10). “Adrenaline” also debuted at No. 1 on Dance Digital Song Sales and No. 19 on Bubbling Under Hot 100, while the album hit No. 1 on World Albums and Top Current Album Sales. On top of that, ATEEZ re-entered the Artist 100 at No. 3 (their 47th week).

Japan RIAJ certifications: ENHYPEN and aespa go Platinum; more acts go Gold

Certifications are a clean “demand snapshot” because they track shipments at scale in one of the world’s biggest music markets. According to Soompi (Feb. 19, 2026) citing the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), ENHYPEN’s mini album THE SIN : VANISH and aespa’s Japanese debut single album HOT MESS were each certified Platinum (over 250,000 units shipped in Japan).

Soompi also reported that ILLIT’s Japanese debut single album Toki Yo Tomare and SEVENTEEN unit DxS (DK x Seungkwan)’s mini album Serenade were certified Gold (over 100,000 units shipped in Japan). It’s a reminder that “global” often looks like a series of strong, local wins stacked on top of each other.

Stray Kids: “S-Class” becomes their sixth MV to hit 300 million views

YouTube milestones can feel routine until you remember what they represent: years of replay value across multiple eras. According to Soompi (Feb. 19, 2026), Stray Kids’ music video for “S-Class” passed 300 million views around 2:10 a.m. KST on Feb. 19. It’s now their sixth MV to reach the mark, following “God’s Menu,” “Back Door,” “Thunderous,” “MANIAC,” and “LALALALA.”

Soompi noted that the “S-Class” MV originally dropped on June 2, 2023 at 1 p.m. KST, meaning it took two years, eight months, and 16 days to hit 300 million—an especially strong sign of long-tail popularity.

Chart & award check: how to read today’s numbers without overreacting

A helpful rule of thumb: milestones (RIAJ certifications, YouTube view landmarks) tend to reflect long-term accumulation, while weekly charts (like the Billboard 200) reflect short-term concentration—and the healthiest careers have both.

If you’re tracking ATEEZ’s current run, watch whether playlisting and radio-adjacent momentum follow the sales spike.
For RIAJ certifications, keep an eye on whether Japanese releases trigger additional promotions (TV appearances, pop-up events, or tour tie-ins).
For YouTube, compare “new peak” moments to steady view velocity—sustained growth often predicts which songs become perennial setlist staples.

Upcoming schedule: what to keep on your radar next

&TEAM: monitor official tour updates for ticketing details (on-sale times and venue links tend to arrive in waves).
ATEEZ: expect more performance content, behind-the-scenes clips, and possibly additional singles to push “Adrenaline” beyond the initial chart week.
Multi-artist Japan momentum: as RIAJ certifications roll in, watch for new Japanese promotions and special edition drops.
Stray Kids: replay season is real—if “S-Class” is your workout track, now’s a good time to revisit the full 2023 era and see what’s aged the best.

Follow official artist channels and trusted chart sources for updates as schedules firm up.