By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop lovers will have their hands full in July, with dozens of K-pop stars putting out their new music offerings next month. From WJSN to Winner to aespa, some of the most attention-grabbing acts are getting ready to steal the hearts of people with their summer songs.
1. WJSN (July 5)
WJSN, also known as Cosmic Girls, is slated to drop a new mini-album, July 5, after being crowned the winner on Mnet's competition show, "Queendom 2."
The group will roll out "Sequence," which will be fronted by the lead single, "Last Sequence."
"'Last Sequence' will shed light on the members' refreshing vibe," WJSN's record label Starship Entertainment said in a statement. "The EP will also offer 'Aura,' a self-written song by leader Exy, and 'Stronger,' sung by Yeonjeong and Dawon on 'Queendom 2.'"
WJSN ranked first on "Queendom 2" after competing with four other K-pop girl groups ― Kep1er, Loona, Brave Girls and Viviz ― and soloist Hyolyn. It was thrust into the global spotlight thanks to its eye-popping performances shown on the program, with its take of "Navillera" attracting more than 4 million views on YouTube as of Wednesday. "Navillera" is the 2016 release by K-pop act GFriend.
2. Winner (July 8)
K-pop boy group Winner, best known for its 2017 hit, "Really Really," is poised to roll out its fourth mini-album on July 8, according to its management company YG Entertainment. The songs included in the EP will hit multiple streaming platforms on July 5, three days before the release of the EP.
It has taken over two years for all four members to reunite, as two of them ― Jinu and Seunghoon ― had to fulfil their compulsory military service. Jinu and Seunghoon were discharged from the military in December and January, respectively.
Although the details about the mini-album, such as its title, have not been revealed, YG hinted in a statement that it would mark the beginning of a new chapter for the group.
"Since its debut in 2013, Winner has positioned itself as a talented group with a broad musical spectrum and producing skills," the company said. "It will mesmerize its global fans again with its fresh release."
3. aespa (July 8)
Up-and-coming girl group aespa will also put out its second mini-album, "Girls," on July 8.
The EP will include its first English single, "Life's Too Short," which will be released on different streaming platforms on June 24, shortly before "Girls" comes out.
"The upcoming release will be fronted by the namesake lead single," the quartet's agency SM Entertainment said in a statement. "The members of aespa will showcase their musical maturity through 'Girls.'"
Dubbed the first metaverse girl group in the K-pop scene, aespa consists of four human members ― Karina, Winter, Giselle and Ningning ― who have digital avatars as their alter egos. It has been making a splash since its debut, with many of its music videos getting more than 100 million views on YouTube.
4. Super Junior (July 12)
On July 12, K-pop act Super Junior is scheduled to drop "Vol.1 'The Road : Keep on Going,'" which can be thought of as the first "sub-album" for its 11th studio album.
According to its management company Label SJ, the group's 11th full-length album consists of different "sub-albums" that will sequentially hit shelves.
"'The Road: Keep on Going' will carry five new tunes," Label SJ explained in a statement, without providing more details.
Super Junior, which has nearly two decades of experience under its belt, is also set to embark on an international tour, "Super Show 9," starting July 15 in Seoul.
In addition, many more prominent stars, such as Enhypen and Itzy will showcase their new music offerings next month. Enhypen's third mini-album, "Manifesto : Day 1," will arrive on July 4, while Itzy's fifth EP, "Checkmate," will come out on July 15.
K-pop lovers will have their hands full in July, with dozens of K-pop stars putting out their new music offerings next month. From WJSN to Winner to aespa, some of the most attention-grabbing acts are getting ready to steal the hearts of people with their summer songs.
1. WJSN (July 5)
 |
| K-pop girl group WJSN / Courtesy of Starship Entertainment |
WJSN, also known as Cosmic Girls, is slated to drop a new mini-album, July 5, after being crowned the winner on Mnet's competition show, "Queendom 2."
The group will roll out "Sequence," which will be fronted by the lead single, "Last Sequence."
"'Last Sequence' will shed light on the members' refreshing vibe," WJSN's record label Starship Entertainment said in a statement. "The EP will also offer 'Aura,' a self-written song by leader Exy, and 'Stronger,' sung by Yeonjeong and Dawon on 'Queendom 2.'"
WJSN ranked first on "Queendom 2" after competing with four other K-pop girl groups ― Kep1er, Loona, Brave Girls and Viviz ― and soloist Hyolyn. It was thrust into the global spotlight thanks to its eye-popping performances shown on the program, with its take of "Navillera" attracting more than 4 million views on YouTube as of Wednesday. "Navillera" is the 2016 release by K-pop act GFriend.
2. Winner (July 8)
 |
| K-pop boy group Winner / Courtesy of YG Entertainment |
K-pop boy group Winner, best known for its 2017 hit, "Really Really," is poised to roll out its fourth mini-album on July 8, according to its management company YG Entertainment. The songs included in the EP will hit multiple streaming platforms on July 5, three days before the release of the EP.
It has taken over two years for all four members to reunite, as two of them ― Jinu and Seunghoon ― had to fulfil their compulsory military service. Jinu and Seunghoon were discharged from the military in December and January, respectively.
Although the details about the mini-album, such as its title, have not been revealed, YG hinted in a statement that it would mark the beginning of a new chapter for the group.
"Since its debut in 2013, Winner has positioned itself as a talented group with a broad musical spectrum and producing skills," the company said. "It will mesmerize its global fans again with its fresh release."
3. aespa (July 8)
 |
| K-pop girl group aespa / Courtesy of SM Entertainment |
The EP will include its first English single, "Life's Too Short," which will be released on different streaming platforms on June 24, shortly before "Girls" comes out.
"The upcoming release will be fronted by the namesake lead single," the quartet's agency SM Entertainment said in a statement. "The members of aespa will showcase their musical maturity through 'Girls.'"
Dubbed the first metaverse girl group in the K-pop scene, aespa consists of four human members ― Karina, Winter, Giselle and Ningning ― who have digital avatars as their alter egos. It has been making a splash since its debut, with many of its music videos getting more than 100 million views on YouTube.
4. Super Junior (July 12)
 |
| K-pop act Super Junior / Courtesy of Label SJ |
On July 12, K-pop act Super Junior is scheduled to drop "Vol.1 'The Road : Keep on Going,'" which can be thought of as the first "sub-album" for its 11th studio album.
According to its management company Label SJ, the group's 11th full-length album consists of different "sub-albums" that will sequentially hit shelves.
"'The Road: Keep on Going' will carry five new tunes," Label SJ explained in a statement, without providing more details.
Super Junior, which has nearly two decades of experience under its belt, is also set to embark on an international tour, "Super Show 9," starting July 15 in Seoul.
In addition, many more prominent stars, such as Enhypen and Itzy will showcase their new music offerings next month. Enhypen's third mini-album, "Manifesto : Day 1," will arrive on July 4, while Itzy's fifth EP, "Checkmate," will come out on July 15.
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