XIN has officially announced their return with the upcoming release of their third mini album, ‘Defend Myself,’ set to drop in May. This comeback marks the group’s first in approximately 15 months, following their previous mini album ‘The REAL’ released in February 2024.
XIN reveals dual-concept mood photos for ‘Defend Myself’
In the lead-up to their comeback, XIN—consisting of members Esha, Nizz, Nova, Hannah, and Aria—unveiled a series of mood photos that reflect two contrasting visual themes.
The first concept, styled in white tones, captures a dreamlike and contemplative mood. The visual portrays the members with a sense of introspection, seemingly confronting internal emotions and the pressure of external expectations. The atmosphere, enhanced by soft lighting and shadow contrasts, echoes the album’s message of self-defense and emotional resilience.
Courtesy: BeBy Entertainment
The second concept takes a bolder turn with black-toned outfits, styled against a vivid orange backdrop. Accented with metallic accessories such as chain embellishments, this look conveys a strong, assertive energy.
‘Defend Myself’ will be XIN’s first project since ‘The REAL’. It is expected to showcase the group’s artistic growth both musically and visually. The new album will include upgraded performances and more mature soundscapes, reflecting the group’s evolution since their last release.
UAU, the first official unit of Dreamcatcher featuring members JiU, SuA, and Yoohyeon, is set to make its debut in May 2025. The trio has officially begun preparations for their unit activities, marking a major milestone eight years after Dreamcatcher’s debut.
UAU: A new chapter for Dreamcatcher members
According to Dreamcatcher Company, UAU, short for “You Are You,” symbolizes a message of self-acceptance and individuality.
The announcement was first teased when the unit’s official logo was unveiled on Dreamcatcher’s social media platforms. The name “UAU” also cleverly reflects the initials of its members—JiU, SuA, and Yoohyeon—hinting at the synergy expected from their collaboration.
Courtesy: Happyface Entertainment
Building on a rock-infused legacy
Known for their powerful rock-metal sound and dark conceptual themes, Dreamcatcher has cultivated a strong global following. JiU, SuA, and Yoohyeon have each contributed to this signature style.
While details about the album’s concept and tracklist remain under wraps, anticipation continues to grow as fans await further teasers and announcements.
UAU marks Dreamcatcher’s first sub-unit since the group’s debut in 2017. With this project, the trio will not only highlight their individual talents but also demonstrate their chemistry as a smaller ensemble. Dreamcatcher confirmed that promotional activities will roll out sequentially in the lead-up to the official release.
Ten of NCT will pre-release his first Japanese mini album, ‘Humanity,’ today, April 23. While the physical release is set for May 28 in Japan, all six tracks will be available globally on major music streaming platforms starting later today.
‘Humanity’: A genre-spanning album with emotional depth
‘Humanity’ consists of six tracks that explore a wide spectrum of sounds and themes, all anchored by Ten’s distinctive vocal color. The title track, “Silence,” is a dreamy drum and bass (DnB) track that captures a dark, introspective atmosphere.
Other songs on the album include:
Flash
Burn It Up
All Good
Living Now
Yume no Tsuzuki
2025 Japanese solo tour: ‘TIME WARP’ kicks off in May
Coinciding with the album ‘Humanity’ pre-release, Ten will embark on his first Japanese solo tour, ‘2025 TEN JAPAN TOUR 1001 ‘TIME WARP’,’ next month. The tour will include performances in:
In addition to his Japanese promotions, Ten is currently in the midst of his first global solo concert tour. Following successful performances in Seoul and Bangkok, he is scheduled to perform in Shanghai on April 26–27.
Apple is planning to release a brand-new member of its iPhone 2025 lineup: the iPhone 17 Air, which is a seriously thin phone set to be the thinnest iPhone ever out. As shown by recent leak and hands-on teasers such as a just-released new video by technology YouTuber Lewis Hilsenteger at Unbox Therapy, the iPhone 17 Air will come to market this fall alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 17 Air dummy model reveals thinnest iPhone yet
The iPhone 17 Air should be around 5.5 mm thick, much thinner than the speculated 8.725 mm thickness of iPhone 17 Pro models. Apple hasn’t yet announced the dimensions, but the dummy units demonstrated by Hilsenteger provide a close-up view of what can be Apple’s most daring design change in years.
To counter structural concerns with such a thin profile, Apple is using a titanium and aluminum frame, selected for their strength-to-weight ratio. The choice of materials aims to prevent a repeat of the 2014 “bendgate” debacle, when several iPhone 6 Plus models bent under pressure.
Display size adjustments for durability
The iPhone 17 Air will have a 6.6-inch screen, a bit short of Apple’s initial internal design to have a 6.9-inch screen. The reduction is reportedly due to concerns that a larger screen would weaken the structural integrity of such a thin phone.
By reducing the screen size and concentrating on toughness, Apple seems to be prioritizing everyday practicality over screen estate. The 6.6-inch display still provides an expansive view with fewer chances for bend-related issues.
One of the biggest issues with ultra-thin smartphones is battery life, and Hilsenteger expressed doubts in his video about whether the iPhone 17 Air’s small frame can accommodate a battery that will provide all-day performance. Apple is reportedly tackling this issue from several angles.
First, Apple is reportedly cutting more camera hardware from the Air model, most likely confining it to a single- or dual-lens configuration, to make room internally for the battery. Second, Apple will incorporate a new C1 modem chip Apple has designed in-house that should be more power-efficient than what has come before.
With the software optimizations, these changes should maintain battery performance on a par with existing iPhone models, even with the slim profile of the iPhone 17 Air.
Market expectations and broader implications
The upcoming launch of iPhone 17 Air demonstrates Apple’s consistent effort to grow its product portfolio through engineering ingenuity. Although pricing and exact availability remain undisclosed, the latest model is expected to appeal to those who prioritize compact design and portability without compromising core performance.
As Apple continues to dominate in hardware innovation, the iPhone 17 Air has the potential to impact future design trends in the industry, particularly if it can provide a solid user experience in an ultra-thin device.
Doyoung of NCT is set to return as a solo artist with the release of his second full-length album on June 9, 2025. The new album marks his first solo comeback in over a year, following the success of his debut album ‘YOUTH’ in April 2024.
Doyoung’s second album to reflect deeper emotions
According to SM Entertainment, Doyoung has put considerable effort into crafting music that captures his emotions and offers solace to fans. While the album’s official title and tracklist remain undisclosed.
‘2025 DOYOUNG CONCERT [Doors]’ set for June 14–15
In conjunction with the album release, Doyoung will hold his solo concert titled ‘Doors’ at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul on June 14 and 15. This event marks his first domestic solo concert in seven months, following the Seoul encore performance of his first tour last November.
Courtesy: SMTOWN
The concert title, ‘Doors,’ is symbolic of the emotional journey that begins when opening the “Door of Memory.”
Previous tour success and anticipation for new chapter
Doyoung’s first solo concert tour, held in 2024, spanned 18 performances in 9 Asian regions. Given the success of his initial solo efforts, anticipation is high for what Doyoung will bring to the stage and studio in this next chapter of his career.
Tickets for the ‘Doors’ will be available via Melon Ticket, with fan club pre-sales opening on April 24, followed by general sales starting on April 25. NCT’s official social media channels provide additional updates and information.”
Apple is said to be gearing up for trial production of its upcoming mid-range phone, the iPhone 17e, for release in late May 2026. The information comes through Fixed Focus Digital, a WeChat-based leaker with reliable news gathered from Apple’s Chinese supply chain.
iPhone 17e progressing toward trial production
As reported by Fixed Focus Digital, the iPhone 17e is close to reaching a major milestone in its production cycle, which means Apple is right on schedule for a second quarter launch in 2026. Although the date remains unconfirmed, the leaker stated that Apple will soon initiate production trials, paving the way for an early May release.
This coincides with Apple’s latest move towards bringing more budget-friendly mid-cycle devices, especially the launch of the iPhone “e” series. The iPhone 16e released in February 2025 was the pioneering model and looks to have paved the way for subsequent models like the 17e.
Courtesy: Apple
Positioning in the mid-range market
The iPhone 17e will likely battle in the mid-range smartphone market, a category held tightly by companies such as Xiaomi, Redmi, and vivo, particularly in China. Such competitors tend to launch their products in the same quarter, so the market is highly competitive in terms of timing and features, which can play a major role in market share.
For those who are unaware, the iPhone 16e, priced from $599, boasts a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, Apple A18 chip, and USB-C port, which will be an attractive choice for buyers looking for top-notch features at a more affordable price tag. The iPhone 17e will probably follow the same strategy with incremental hardware advancements.
History of accurate leaks
Fixed Focus Digital has an increasing track record of reliable Apple-related leaks. In December 2024, the same leaker accurately forecasted the iPhone 16e name when all reports still anticipated an iPhone SE refresh. A day prior to the iPhone 16e announcement, the leaker spoke of a new project codename seen in Apple’s supply chain, thought to be related to the iPhone 17e.
Although Apple has yet to officially reveal the existence of the iPhone 17e, supporting information came from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), which also predicted a new “e” model for the year 2026. CIRP previously, however, had indicated a different February launch, leaving one to wonder if Apple is testing a less rigid launch pattern for its mid-range series.
Jin of BTS is officially making his solo comeback with his second mini album, ‘Echo,’ set for global release on May 16. This marks Jin’s first new release in about six months, following his debut solo album, ‘Happy,’ which was released in November last year.
‘Echo’ captures life’s reflections with band-driven sound
Described as an album that captures life’s many moments “echoing” in different forms, ‘Echo’ tells stories and emotions that resonate with universal human experiences. Jin delivers his perspective in a ‘simple yet witty’ tone across seven new tracks.
Don’t Say You Love Me – The title track explores the emotional tension between love and separation.
Nothing Without Your Love – A heartfelt ballad emphasizing dependence on a partner’s affection.
Loser (feat. YENA) – Featuring soloist YENA, this track depicts a sweet-yet-bickering couple dynamic.
Rope It – A vibrant and motivational track about making bold decisions to achieve goals.
Traveling with the Clouds – A whimsical journey with a symbolic friend named “Cloud.”
Background – A melancholic piece about lingering love after becoming someone’s past.
To Me Today – A song dedicated to being present and appreciating today’s self.
Jin personally participated in writing the lyrics for several songs, including “Nothing Without Your Love,” “Loser,” “Rope It,” and “Traveling with the Clouds.”
Creative promotions and scheduler generate buzz
Promotions for ‘Echo’ began with a unique teaser video shown at K-POP SQUARE MEDIA in COEX, Seoul, where Jin revealed the album’s release date using a placard inside a crane game machine. His striking visuals filled the massive LED screen.
Jin unveiled the official promotional scheduler on April 16, featuring musical symbols on a background resembling sheet music. The schedule outlined key release dates, including:
April 17: Tracklist reveal
April 22–24: Concept photos (three versions)
May 12: Highlight medley
May 13–14: Title song music video poster and teaser
May 15: D-1 title track poster
May 16: Full album and MV release
Of particular note are the cryptic events on April 28 (featuring a music note with eyes) and April 30 (showing a camera-shaped emoticon).
Courtesy: BIGHIT MUSIC
Global fan concert tour: #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR starts in June
Following his comeback, Jin will embark on his first solo fan concert tour, titled #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, beginning June 28–29 at the Goyang Sports Complex Auxiliary Stadium in Goyang, South Korea. The tour will then head overseas with a total of 18 performances in 9 cities, including:
Japan: Chiba, Osaka
United States: Anaheim, Dallas, Tampa, Newark
United Kingdom: London
Netherlands: Amsterdam
Announced on April 18, the tour’s name is a spin-off of Jin’s YouTube content ‘Run Seok Jin,’ and signifies his journey to meet fans across the globe.
Fans attending the concert can expect to experience a full setlist of songs from both ‘Echo’ and ‘Happy.’
Courtesy: BIGHIT MUSIC
Meanwhile, Jin’s ‘Echo’ will be released worldwide on May 16, available on all major streaming platforms.
