Lucas, TXT, BABYMONSTER set to dazzle K-pop fans in April

April is shaping up to be one of the biggest months of the year for K-pop enthusiasts, as the first day alone heralds a slew of exciting releases.

On April 1, Lucas, a former member of K-pop boy group NCT, will make his solo debut, while boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT) releases its much-awaited mini-album. Rookie girl group BABYMONSTER plans to make its official debut on the same day, signaling a new start with the return of member Ahyeon.

Lucas

Lucas is slated to drop his first solo album, "Renegade" on April 1, marking his first music project since departing from NCT in May 2023. This launch comes after a year of stepping back from the spotlight due to controversies that led to his hiatus from team activities.

The upcoming album will carry three English songs, including the lead single of the same name, which incorporates elements of rock and hip-hop.

"The lead track reveals his determination to change for the better and to follow his own path after strengthening his inner self," his management company, SM Entertainment, said in a statement. It added that Lucas' solo album will offer a sneak peek into his distinctive musical style while highlighting his versatility as an artist.

Shortly after going solo, the 25-year-old is scheduled to embark on his Asia tour, performing in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Taipei and Manila, among others. The first leg of the tour will take place in Hong Kong on April 13.

Lucas, a Hong Kong-born singer also known as Wong Yuk-hei, debuted as a member of NCT in 2018. He was also part of its Chinese sub-unit WayV, but he quit NCT in 2023 after some internet users — who identified themselves as his ex-girlfriends — accused him of gaslighting and cheating in 2021. He recently hinted at his return to showbiz by appearing on a documentary titled, "Freeze" where he addressed his past controversies.

K-pop boy group Tomorrow X Together (TXT) / Courtesy of Big Hit Music

TXT

TXT is also poised to make its comeback on April, unleashing its sixth mini-album, "minisode 3: TOMORROW" about six months after the release of its previous EP in October 2023.

According to the quintet's record label, Big Hit Music, the upcoming release drew inspiration from "The Little Prince," a novel by French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that explores the themes of love, friendship, solitude and loss.

"It will depict how TXT members remember the promise they made with 'you' and kick off an adventure to find 'you,'" Big Hit Music explained in a statement.

In a teaser unveiled on YouTube, Wednesday, there is a message related to this theme written on a car that reads, "We made a promise when we were very young. That's the reason I have to live for tomorrow."

Details about the lead single and other tracks will be disclosed in due course.

Following the release of its new album, TXT will begin its third world tour in Seoul on May 3-5, before heading to the U.S. where it will perform in eight cities including Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

BABYMONSTER

BABYMONSTER already entered the K-pop scene in November with the song, "Batter Up." The act, however, will make another "official" debut on April 1 with the first mini-album, "BABYMONS7ER," welcoming back member Ahyeon who could not join her team last year due to health reasons.

"The lead track, 'Sheesh' is a hip-hop song that we have not showcased before," Yang Hyun-suk, the chief producer of the group and the founder of its agency, YG Entertainment, said in a YouTube video, Monday. "I think a lot of people will sing along its powerful chorus."

In a statement released on Tuesday, YG elaborated that it is a "hip-hop dance track peppered with the baroque-style piano melodies and grand synth sounds."

The album will also offer the new versions of the group's previous releases — "Stuck In The Middle" and "Batter Up" — that feature the voice of Ahyeon. Its another gem will be "Like That," a tune that Yang regards as a gift from American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth.

BABYMONSTER — consisting of Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Rami, Rora, Chiquit and Ahyeon — is YG's first girl band in seven years following its launch of BLACKPINK in 2016.

In addition to the aforementioned stars, boy group EPEX will roll out its first studio album, "Youth Chapter 1 : YOUTH DAYS" on April 9, shortly before BOYNEXTDOOR returns with its second mini-album, "How?" on April 15. Doyoung of NCT is scheduled to go solo next month, although the date has not been revealed. RIIZE, a rookie boy band under SM, plans to make a comeback in April as well.