By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop lovers around the world are usually kept busy during the year-end period, with dozens of singers putting out their new songs as they wrap up the year. This year is no exception ― some of the most popular K-pop acts, including TWICE and Monsta X, are scheduled to release music in November to heat up the music scene.
1. 2AM (Nov. 1)
The first player in the lineup is K-pop boy group 2AM, which will drop its new EP, "Ballad 21 F/W," on Nov. 1. It took seven years for all four members ― Jo Kwon, Lee Chang-min, Lim Seul-ong and Jeong Jin-woon ― to reunite since the release of their 2014 full-length album, "Let's Talk."
The four-piece act, best known for ballads such as, "This Song" (2008) and "Can't Let You Go Even If I Die" (2010), will return with the mini-album packed with sentimental ballads, highlighting the members' vocal bravura.
Although 2AM debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2008, all members are currently represented by different agencies. Hence, this time, artist management company Culture Depot is working with the group to produce the new EP.
Bang Si-hyuk ― the mastermind behind K-pop behemoth BTS, who previously composed 2AM's "Can't Let You Go Even If I Die" ― has produced one of the lead tracks for 2AM's upcoming mini-album. Titled "Should've Known," the song is a poignant ballad that evokes a sense of nostalgia, Culture Depot said.
Park Jin-young, founder and co-CEO of JYP, also took part in the creative process, composing another track, "No good in good-bye."
"It is a tune with cinematic lyrics and dramatic music," Culture Depot said.
Junho of K-pop boy band 2PM and actress Kim So-hyun will be featured as a couple in the music videos of the two songs.
2. TWICE (Nov. 12)
"Formula of Love: O+T=<3," the third studio album by K-pop girl group TWICE, is set to hit the shelves on Nov. 12. It will be fronted by the lead single, "Scientist," which was written by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber's producer Tommy Brown, as well as other acclaimed figures such as Melanie Joy Fontana, the producer behind BTS's "Boy With Luv" (2019).
"Through the lyrics of the Scientist, TWICE members will reveal what they have learnt from their study of love," TWICE's management company JYP Entertainment said in a statement.
The album will also offer 16 other pieces, including "Cruel," "F.I.L.A (Fall In Love Again)" and "Real you." Members Dahyun, Nayeon and Jihyo participated in penning the lyrics of the songs. Jihyo, in particular, also took part in song-making for the first time since her 2015 debut, composing "Cactus." Chaeyoung wrote the Korean lyrics for the track "The Feels," which is the nonet's first English single.
JYP took to TWICE's official Twitter account on Oct. 29 to unveil a poster showing the schedule for the release of teasers. On Nov. 13 (KST), the band will perform its new song, "Scientist," on the popular American program, "MTV Fresh Out Live."
TWICE, consisting of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu, debuted in 2015 with the EP, "The Story Begins." Its hits include "Cheer Up" (2016) and "Heart Shaker" (2017).
3. Monsta X (Nov. 19)
On Nov. 19, K-pop act Monsta X is poised to roll out its fresh EP, "NO LIMIT," about five months after the release of its ninth EP, "One Of A Kind."
"Monsta X is gearing up for its November release and will return with musical maturity," the group's record label, Starship Entertainment, said.
Although further details about the album have been kept under wraps, anticipation is high, as Monsta X reached the apex of its career with its previous EP. Monsta X's "One Of A Kind," which hit shelves in June, sold more than 200,000 copies within the first week of its release.
After the release of "NO LIMIT," Monsta X is slated to release its first concert film, "Monsta X: The Dreaming," in December, offering a glimpse into the band's six-year musical journey. Monsta X debuted in 2015 with the album "Trespass," and has dropped a string of hits, including "Dramarama" (2017).
Other high-profile stars, including Kai of K-pop boy band EXO, are also sharpening themselves up to return to the music scene next month, with the details of their schedules set to be disclosed soon.
K-pop lovers around the world are usually kept busy during the year-end period, with dozens of singers putting out their new songs as they wrap up the year. This year is no exception ― some of the most popular K-pop acts, including TWICE and Monsta X, are scheduled to release music in November to heat up the music scene.
1. 2AM (Nov. 1)
 |
| K-pop boy group 2AM / Courtesy of Culture Depot |
The first player in the lineup is K-pop boy group 2AM, which will drop its new EP, "Ballad 21 F/W," on Nov. 1. It took seven years for all four members ― Jo Kwon, Lee Chang-min, Lim Seul-ong and Jeong Jin-woon ― to reunite since the release of their 2014 full-length album, "Let's Talk."
The four-piece act, best known for ballads such as, "This Song" (2008) and "Can't Let You Go Even If I Die" (2010), will return with the mini-album packed with sentimental ballads, highlighting the members' vocal bravura.
Although 2AM debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2008, all members are currently represented by different agencies. Hence, this time, artist management company Culture Depot is working with the group to produce the new EP.
Bang Si-hyuk ― the mastermind behind K-pop behemoth BTS, who previously composed 2AM's "Can't Let You Go Even If I Die" ― has produced one of the lead tracks for 2AM's upcoming mini-album. Titled "Should've Known," the song is a poignant ballad that evokes a sense of nostalgia, Culture Depot said.
Park Jin-young, founder and co-CEO of JYP, also took part in the creative process, composing another track, "No good in good-bye."
"It is a tune with cinematic lyrics and dramatic music," Culture Depot said.
Junho of K-pop boy band 2PM and actress Kim So-hyun will be featured as a couple in the music videos of the two songs.
2. TWICE (Nov. 12)
 |
| K-pop girl group TWICE / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment |
"Formula of Love: O+T=<3," the third studio album by K-pop girl group TWICE, is set to hit the shelves on Nov. 12. It will be fronted by the lead single, "Scientist," which was written by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber's producer Tommy Brown, as well as other acclaimed figures such as Melanie Joy Fontana, the producer behind BTS's "Boy With Luv" (2019).
"Through the lyrics of the Scientist, TWICE members will reveal what they have learnt from their study of love," TWICE's management company JYP Entertainment said in a statement.
The album will also offer 16 other pieces, including "Cruel," "F.I.L.A (Fall In Love Again)" and "Real you." Members Dahyun, Nayeon and Jihyo participated in penning the lyrics of the songs. Jihyo, in particular, also took part in song-making for the first time since her 2015 debut, composing "Cactus." Chaeyoung wrote the Korean lyrics for the track "The Feels," which is the nonet's first English single.
JYP took to TWICE's official Twitter account on Oct. 29 to unveil a poster showing the schedule for the release of teasers. On Nov. 13 (KST), the band will perform its new song, "Scientist," on the popular American program, "MTV Fresh Out Live."
TWICE, consisting of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu, debuted in 2015 with the EP, "The Story Begins." Its hits include "Cheer Up" (2016) and "Heart Shaker" (2017).
3. Monsta X (Nov. 19)
 |
| A teaser for Monsta X's new EP, "NO LIMIT" / Courtesy of Starship Entertainment |
"Monsta X is gearing up for its November release and will return with musical maturity," the group's record label, Starship Entertainment, said.
Although further details about the album have been kept under wraps, anticipation is high, as Monsta X reached the apex of its career with its previous EP. Monsta X's "One Of A Kind," which hit shelves in June, sold more than 200,000 copies within the first week of its release.
After the release of "NO LIMIT," Monsta X is slated to release its first concert film, "Monsta X: The Dreaming," in December, offering a glimpse into the band's six-year musical journey. Monsta X debuted in 2015 with the album "Trespass," and has dropped a string of hits, including "Dramarama" (2017).
Other high-profile stars, including Kai of K-pop boy band EXO, are also sharpening themselves up to return to the music scene next month, with the details of their schedules set to be disclosed soon.
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