K-pop releases for March include BTS' Jimin, SHINee's Onew, EXO's Kai
Several K-pop bigwigs to release new music in March
By Dong Sun-hwa
March is going to be a big month for K-pop lovers around the world, with a host of A-list stars releasing new albums. Included in the star-studded lineup are Onew of K-pop boy band SHINee, girl group TWICE, Kai of boy group EXO and Jimin of BTS.
The teaser for Onew's upcoming full-length album, “Circle” / Courtesy of SM Entertainment
Onew, the front man of SHINee, will roll out his first solo studio album “Circle” on March 6. Fronted by the lead single, “O (Circle),” the upcoming album will offer nine additional tracks of different vibes, according to his record label, SM Entertainment.
“Onew's new album will highlight his unique voice and sentiment,” SM said in a statement.
“O (Circle)” is a dreamy and groovy R&B song that likens people's lives to nature. Through its lyrics, it tells listeners that they all experience good and bad things throughout life. Acclaimed lyricist Kim Ea-na, who previously penned lyrics for Onew and singer Punch's collaborative single, “Way,” has again participated in the creative process of Onew's new tune.
“This is the first time for me and my company to work on the song with this kind of mood,” the singer said on the radio program Kim Eana's Starry Night, Feb. 20. “I picked its name, too.”
“Circle” will also feature “Caramel” ― featuring rapper Giriboy ― and “Rain On Me.” The latter was written by singer-songwriter Sam Kim.
It has taken about a year for Onew to showcase his solo material after his second mini-album “Dice” hit shelves last April. Prior to the release of “Circle,” the 33-year-old is set to stage his first solo concert, “O-NEW-NOTE” in Seoul from March 3-5.
The teaser of TWICE's upcoming mini-album, “Ready to be” / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
TWICE, a marquee name in the K-pop universe, will unleash its 12th mini-album, “Ready to be,” on March 10, its management company JYP Entertainment said.
Leading the upcoming EP is the lead track, “Set Me Free,” a tune peppered with simple yet powerful sounds and confident lyrics.
“Melanie Fontana and Lindgren, who were behind the success of the nonet's previous hits like 'I Can't Stop Me' (2020) and 'Cry For Me' (2020), composed 'Set Me Free,'” JYP said in a statement.
The EP will also include “Moonlight Sunrise,” the group's latest English single that made it onto the Billboard's main singles chart upon its release in January.
“It will feature seven tracks, including the English version of 'Set Me Free,'” JYP explained, adding that member Dahyun wrote lyrics for one of the songs.
After dropping “Set Me Free,” TWICE is scheduled to embark on its fifth world tour titled, “Ready to be.” It plans to play 17 concerts in 14 cities in Korea, Australia and Japan, among others. The group will also receive the Breakthrough Artist award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards, scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles. This is the first time that a K-pop group has been recognized at this annual event.
Kai, a member of K-pop act EXO / Courtesy of SM Entertainment
Picking up the baton, EXO's Kai will drop his new mini-album “Rover” on March 13. It will carry six songs including the lead single of the same name, according to his agency SM.
“Kai, who is known as a gifted performer, will showcase an even better version of himself this time,” SM said.
It has taken the singer more than a year to return with a new solo album, following the release of “Peaches” in 2021. He went solo in 2020 with the self-titled album, “KAI.”
Jimin, a member of K-pop boy group BTS / Korea Times file
On March 24, Jimin of K-pop titan BTS will make his much-anticipated solo debut with the album, “FACE.”
According to his record label Big Hit Music, a crop of acclaimed musicians including Pdogg and Supreme boy, as well as BTS' leader RM took part in the creative process of the upcoming album.
“'FACE' will show how Jimin marks a new beginning as an artist,” Big Hit Music added. “He played an active role in producing his mini-album to bring his unique style to the fore.”
“FACE” will be fronted by the title track, “Like Crazy,” which will be available in both Korean and English. According to Big Hit, the EP will also offer “Set Me Free Pt.2” and “Face-off,” among others. The former will arrive on March 17, shortly before the mini-album's official release. It is a song highlighting Jimin's determination to proceed without being fettered by complex inner feelings.
Jimin is the third BTS member to go solo following J-Hope and RM, who made their official solo debut in last July and December, respectively.
In addition to the aforementioned acts, boy band Cravity and girl group NMIXX are also poised to heat up the K-pop scene with their new music offerings next month.