ENHYPEN, Stray Kids, BTS' Jimin: K-pop icons gear up for July releases

K-pop boy group ENHYPEN / Courtesy of Belift Lab

Amid an unrelenting heat wave, a host of top-tier K-pop acts are gearing up for their new summer bangers to cool people off with their music. Included in the lineup are boy bands ENHYPEN and Stray Kids, as well as Jimin of K-pop titan BTS.

ENHYPEN

Boy group ENHYPEN's second full-length album, "Romance : Untold" will hit shelves on July 12. Its record label, Belift Lab, said that the new album will mark a new chapter for the group in terms of narrative. The album will revolve around a boy who falls in love with a girl from "a completely opposite world."

The septet unveiled a short film visualizing the concept of the new album, Sunday, which was directed by filmmaker Lee Chung-hyun, best known for his movies, "Call" (2020)" and "Ballerina" (2023). In the video, the ENHYPEN members appear as vampires that take a risk for love.

"We made different attempts for our comeback this time," ENHYPEN said during a fan event in Seoul, Saturday. "We geared up for this album with the determination to create another turning point (in our careers)."

ENHYPEN — composed of the seven winners from the cable channel Mnet's audition program "I-LAND" — made its official debut in 2020 with the album, "BORDER : DAY ONE." Its first full-length album, "DIMENSION: DILEMMA" (2021), sold more than 1.1 million copies.

Jimin of K-pop act BTS / Courtesy of Big Hit Music

BTS' Jimin

Jimin of K-pop juggernaut BTS, who is currently undergoing his compulsory military service, is set to drop his second solo album, "Muse" on July 19, more than a year after releasing his debut solo album, "Face" in March 2023.

According to his management company, BigHit Music, the upcoming album depicts Jimin's journey to discover his well of inspiration. It offers seven songs that center on the theme of love.

"On top of the lead single, 'Who,' the album carries six other tracks including, 'Rebirth (Intro),' 'Interlude : Showtime,' 'Smeraldo Garden Marching Band' and 'Be Mine,'" the company explained. "Jimin participated in the creative process of six tracks to recount his authentic stories."

"Who" is a hip-hop R&B track created by producer Pdogg — who was behind the success of numerous hits by BTS such as "DNA" (2017) and "Fake Love" (2018) — and the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter/producer Jon Bellion, among others.

Prior to the album's official release, Jimin will unveil "Smeraldo Garden Marching Band" on June 28 to whet his fans' appetites. Featuring rapper Loco, it is a breezy tune blending big band sound and hip-hop.

Jimin, who debuted as part of BTS in 2013, started his military service in December. He is expected to be discharged in June 2025.

K-pop act Stray Kids / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

Stray Kids

K-pop act Stray Kids will also roll out its ninth mini-album, "Ate" on July 19, according to its agency JYP Entertainment.

The new album, fronted by the lead single, "Chk Chk Boom," will include seven other tunes including, "Mountains," "Jjam," "I Like It" and "Runners." Details about the songs have been kept under wraps.

A two-minute teaser of the album released on YouTube became the No. 1 trending music video worldwide upon its release on June 19, demonstrating the group's global popularity.

In the clip, the eight members — Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N — appear as brand models for a fortune cookie manufacturer named "Ate." The video has surpassed 2.4 million views as of Sunday.

"With its new work, Stray Kids will solidify its presence as a top global artist," JYP said in a statement.

The octet is set to headline Lollapalooza Chicago this summer, scheduled for August at Grant Park in downtown Chicago. Established in 1991, Lollapalooza is one of the longest-running music festivals in the U.S., attracting some 400,000 fans each year.

Stray Kids made its official debut in 2018 with the EP "I Am Not" and was propelled to stardom with a string of hits such as "Case 143" (2022). In 2023, it sold more than 4.6 million copies of its third full-length album, "5-STAR" during the first week of its release, setting the highest record among all K-pop stars.

The star-studded lineup for July will also feature (G)I-DLE, which will bring out its seventh mini-album, "I Sway" on July 8. The second-generation girl group Kara will also make a comeback next month, unleashing a new song more than a year after putting out "Move Again" in 2022 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its debut.