Major comebacks to heat up K-pop summer chart race

From left girl group BLACKPINK, EXO's unit duo Sehun and Chanyeol, and Zico. / Korea Times file

By Lee Gyu-lee

The K-pop chart is set to face a storm of comebacks by high-profile artists, as they all look to score the hit of the summer.

Girl group BLACKPINK will kick off the competition with the pre-release single “How You Like That” from its upcoming album in September.

The group's label YG Entertainment announced it will perform on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on American TV network NBC, this Friday.

EXO's unit duo Sehun and Chanyeol will drop its first full-length album “A million view” on July 13. The duo made success with self-written mini-album “What a life” last summer, topping the charts in over 48 countries.

Another unit duo from Red Velvet ― Irene and Seulgi ― has confirmed the July 6 release date of its first mini-album “Monster,” which had its original release date postponed in May. The duo's agency SM Entertainment unveiled a teaser video of the album, whetting the fans' appetite for the first unit act from the group.

Hip-hop hitmaker Zico announced the release of the EP “RANDOM BOX,” Tuesday, in hope of succeeding his latest chart-topper “Any song” in January. The album, slated for July 1, will be the artist's first summer album since his collaboration song with IU “SoulMate” in 2018.

Boy band SF9 is seeking to deviate from its powerful, masculine act with this summer's comeback album “9loryUS,” set to release on July 6.

“The title track 'Summer Breeze' will be a house-music genre in a free summer mood,” the group's agency FNC Entertainment said in a press release.

K-pop divas are also gearing up to notch the big moment on the chart this summer.

MAMAMOO's Hwasa will make a solo comeback on June 29 with the EP album “Maria,” the first solo release since her debut song “Twit,” in February last year.

The singer, known for her powerful vocals and striking performances, took part in producing the album, including the self-composed title track of the same name.

Solo artist Chungha will unveil another pre-release single from the artist's first studio album, of which the agency has not yet disclosed details. She announced the single's release on July 6 with a timetable for a teaser release on her social media, Monday.

EXID's main vocalist Solji is also picking up as a solo act, since her single “Like That First Feeling” in 2008. The song “Rains Again” is slated for release on July 9.

"As this will set the start of her solo career, the song will show her musical ability and distinctive character,” her agency C-JeS Entertainment said.