From RIIZE to BTS' V, high-profile K-pop stars gear up for September releases

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Wed, November 29, 2023 | 00:38

K-pop

From RIIZE to BTS' V, high-profile K-pop stars gear up for September releases

Posted : 2023-08-25 08:31

Updated : 2023-08-26 19:16

Rookie group RIIZE to debut on Sept. 4

By Dong Sun-hwa

From rookie boy group RIIZE to V of K-pop juggernaut BTS, a plethora of singers are gearing up for new releases next month.

RIIZE (Sept. 4)

K-pop boy group RIIZE / Courtesy of SM Entertainment

RIIZE is set to burst onto the K-pop scene with the album, "Get a Guitar," Sept. 4. The septet is the first boy band debuting for K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment in seven years, following the launch of NCT in 2016.

RIIZE is made up of Shotaro and Sungchan ― the former NCT members ― Eunseok, Seunghan, Sohee, Wonbin and Anton, the former swimmer and the oldest son of acclaimed singer-songwriter Yoon Sang. It plans to play 'emotional pop,' a music genre highlighting various emotions they feel.

RIIZE unveiled "Memories" ― one of the two tracks to be included in its upcoming album ― on Aug. 21, two weeks before the release of "Get a Guitar." The song, which signals the beginning of RIIZE's musical journey, dominated iTunes top song chart in eight countries including Thailand, Vietnam and Peru upon its release.

SM has been actively promoting the group even before its official debut. It published on Aug. 19 an online novel featuring the members in cooperation with Kakao Entertainment ― a subsidiary of tech behemoth Kakao ― and plans to hold a photo exhibition.

"'Rise & Realize' is a novel portraying RIIZE's growth," SM explained in a statement. "Its photo exhibition will take place from Aug. 26 to Sept. 10 at D Museum in Seongsu District, Seoul. It will display the pictures showing how the members have been preparing for their debut."

BOYNEXTDOOR (Sept. 4)

K-pop act BOYNEXTDOOR / Courtesy of KOZ Entertainment

BOYNEXTDOOR, the first boy group launched by KOZ Entertainment, will roll out its first mini-album, "WHY," Sept. 4. Founded by rapper-producer Zico in 2019, KOZ is a sub-label of HYBE, home to BTS.

It has taken about three months for the six-piece act to drop a new EP following the release of its debut album, "WHO!" on May 30. The group is composed of Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak.

"The upcoming mini-album revolves around the theme of youth," KOZ said in a statement. "Jaehyun, Taesan and Woonhak participated in the creative process of the lead single, 'But Sometimes,' and two other tunes so as to make them more relatable to the listeners of the same age."

It will also carry three tracks featured in their previous release, "WHO!" ― "But I Like You," "One and Only" and "Serenade" ― and two new songs ― "Crying" and "ABCDLOVE."

"The three songs that were previously unveiled depict the boys in first love, while the new tracks capture the emotions they feel after a breakup," KOZ explained. "They depict the beginning and end of first love."

BTS' V (Sept. 8)

V of K-pop boy band BTS / Courtesy of HYBE

BTS member V's first solo project "Layover" is scheduled to arrive on Sept. 8. The 27-year-old is the last BTS member to go solo following j-hope, Jin, Suga, RM, Jimin and Jungkook.

Min Hee-jin, the mastermind behind prominent girl group NewJeans, has taken the helm of his solo album upon V's request. Min is the CEO of HYBE's sub-label ADOR, who worked as a creative director at SM prior to joining the company. V said in a recent interview that he asked Min for collaboration as he was inspired by girl group f(X)'s 2013 release, "Pink Tape." It is one of Min's most successful projects to date.

"V attempted to bring his unexplored side to the fore in 'Layover,' which fully reflects his (musical) taste," HYBE noted in a statement.

Leading the album is "Slow Dancing," a 1970s romantic soul song peppered with a carefree and laid-back vibe.

V unveiled two tunes, "Love Me Again" and "Rainy Days," before rolling out his solo album, which immediately secured the top spots on the global music charts including Spotify. The former is an R&B track highlighting his voice, while the latter is an alternative pop R&B song characterized by unique percussion and drum sounds.

In addition to the aforementioned acts, a legion of other A-list stars, including Young K of boy band DAY6 and Key of SHINee, will also make their comebacks next month. Young K will put out his full-length album, "Letter with notes" on Sept. 4 and Key will drop his second mini-album, "Good & Great" on Sept. 11.

sunhwadong@koreatimes.co.kr