By Dong Sun-hwa
May is just around the corner and so are new K-pop releases. A bunch of K-pop stars, including iKON, Tomorrow X Together (TXT) and ONEUS, are planning to put out some new songs that people can add to their spring playlists.
1. iKON (May 3)
"Flashback," the fourth EP by K-pop act iKON will be released on May 3, according to the group's record label YG Entertainment. It has taken more than a year for the boy group to return with a new offering, since the release of their digital single, "Why Why Why," last March.
Fronted by the lead single, "But You," "Flashback" will offer a glimpse into iKON's new musical style, YG said.
"All six members took a more experimental route this time," the company said in a statement.
YG unveiled a teaser on the group's Twitter account, which features the black-clad members gazing into the camera.
iKON, consisting of Jay, Song, Bobby, DK, Ju-ne and Chan, made their debut in 2015 with the tune, "My Type" and rose to stardom with the 2018 hit, "Love Scenario." The group recently made the headlines for appearing on Mnet's "Kingdom: Legendary War," a competition show featuring six high-profile K-pop boy bands.
On June 25 and 26, the YG Entertainment stars will hold their concerts at the Olympic Hall in Olympic Park, which is located in southern Seoul.
2. Tomorrow X Together (May 9)
Also joining the May lineup is Tomorrow X Together (TXT), which will unleash their fourth EP, "Minisode 2: Thursday's Child," May 9.
According to music distributor YG Plus, as of April 19, the mini-album has racked up over 810,000 pre-orders ― the highest record for the quintet since their debut in 2019. In the case of TXT's 2021 release, "The Chaos Chapter: Freeze," the EP garnered 700,000 pre-orders in total.
"As these figures show, TXT has been expanding their global presence step by step, successfully positioning themselves as the leaders of the fourth generation of K-pop," Big Hit said in a statement, Wednesday.
The company floated a teaser for the upcoming EP on TXT's Twitter account, April 19, which features a burning red rose against a black backdrop. Although more details about the mini-album are unknown, Big Hit hinted that it will revolve around the theme of growth.
On April 17, Big Hit announced the beginning of the "Spoiler Week," which will run until April 23. During this time, TXT members will give away some spoilers about "Minisode 2" for their followers.
TXT, consisting of Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun and HueningKai, burst onto the K-pop scene with the album, "The Dream Chapter: Star," and recently became the first K-pop boy group to be listed on the Billboard's Song Breaker chart, grabbing the No. 18 spot. Its album, "The Chaos Chapter: Freeze," ranked fifth on the Billboard main albums chart upon its release.
3. ONEUS (May 17)
K-pop act ONEUS is slated to roll out their seventh EP "Trickster" on May 17, about six months after the release of their sixth mini-album, "Blood Moon."
"ONEUS will enthrall their global fans with more powerful music and performances," RBW said in a statement, without disclosing more details about the mini-album.
With "Blood Moon," ONEUS hit the apex of their career, selling 170,000 copies during the first week of its release. With the album's lead track, "Luna," the six-piece act also secured the No. 1 spot on the Korean music show, "Show Champion," for the first time since their debut in 2019.
On April 19, ONEUS took to their official Twitter account to unveil a teaser featuring hearts and spades.
ONUES, comprising Ravn, Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong and Xion, recently wrapped up their U.S. tour, playing concerts in 14 cities including New York. The group is planning to throw more shows in Japan beginning on April 24.
On top of that, Le Sserafim, the first girl band from HYBE ― the record label behind K-pop behemoth BTS ― are poised to make their much-anticipated debut on May 2, with SEVENTEEN dropping their fourth full-length album on May 27. WINNER, another boy band represented by YG, and soloist Kang Daniel will drop their new music offerings next month as well, but the exact dates have, so far, been kept under wraps.
May is just around the corner and so are new K-pop releases. A bunch of K-pop stars, including iKON, Tomorrow X Together (TXT) and ONEUS, are planning to put out some new songs that people can add to their spring playlists.
1. iKON (May 3)
 |
| K-pop boy group iKON / Courtesy of YG Entertainment |
Fronted by the lead single, "But You," "Flashback" will offer a glimpse into iKON's new musical style, YG said.
"All six members took a more experimental route this time," the company said in a statement.
YG unveiled a teaser on the group's Twitter account, which features the black-clad members gazing into the camera.
iKON, consisting of Jay, Song, Bobby, DK, Ju-ne and Chan, made their debut in 2015 with the tune, "My Type" and rose to stardom with the 2018 hit, "Love Scenario." The group recently made the headlines for appearing on Mnet's "Kingdom: Legendary War," a competition show featuring six high-profile K-pop boy bands.
On June 25 and 26, the YG Entertainment stars will hold their concerts at the Olympic Hall in Olympic Park, which is located in southern Seoul.
2. Tomorrow X Together (May 9)
 |
| K-pop boy group Tomorrow X Together (TXT) / Courtesy of Big Hit Music |
Also joining the May lineup is Tomorrow X Together (TXT), which will unleash their fourth EP, "Minisode 2: Thursday's Child," May 9.
According to music distributor YG Plus, as of April 19, the mini-album has racked up over 810,000 pre-orders ― the highest record for the quintet since their debut in 2019. In the case of TXT's 2021 release, "The Chaos Chapter: Freeze," the EP garnered 700,000 pre-orders in total.
"As these figures show, TXT has been expanding their global presence step by step, successfully positioning themselves as the leaders of the fourth generation of K-pop," Big Hit said in a statement, Wednesday.
The company floated a teaser for the upcoming EP on TXT's Twitter account, April 19, which features a burning red rose against a black backdrop. Although more details about the mini-album are unknown, Big Hit hinted that it will revolve around the theme of growth.
On April 17, Big Hit announced the beginning of the "Spoiler Week," which will run until April 23. During this time, TXT members will give away some spoilers about "Minisode 2" for their followers.
TXT, consisting of Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun and HueningKai, burst onto the K-pop scene with the album, "The Dream Chapter: Star," and recently became the first K-pop boy group to be listed on the Billboard's Song Breaker chart, grabbing the No. 18 spot. Its album, "The Chaos Chapter: Freeze," ranked fifth on the Billboard main albums chart upon its release.
3. ONEUS (May 17)
 |
| K-pop act ONEUS / Courtesy of RBW |
K-pop act ONEUS is slated to roll out their seventh EP "Trickster" on May 17, about six months after the release of their sixth mini-album, "Blood Moon."
"ONEUS will enthrall their global fans with more powerful music and performances," RBW said in a statement, without disclosing more details about the mini-album.
With "Blood Moon," ONEUS hit the apex of their career, selling 170,000 copies during the first week of its release. With the album's lead track, "Luna," the six-piece act also secured the No. 1 spot on the Korean music show, "Show Champion," for the first time since their debut in 2019.
On April 19, ONEUS took to their official Twitter account to unveil a teaser featuring hearts and spades.
ONUES, comprising Ravn, Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong and Xion, recently wrapped up their U.S. tour, playing concerts in 14 cities including New York. The group is planning to throw more shows in Japan beginning on April 24.
On top of that, Le Sserafim, the first girl band from HYBE ― the record label behind K-pop behemoth BTS ― are poised to make their much-anticipated debut on May 2, with SEVENTEEN dropping their fourth full-length album on May 27. WINNER, another boy band represented by YG, and soloist Kang Daniel will drop their new music offerings next month as well, but the exact dates have, so far, been kept under wraps.
