The K-pop 'battle' heat in May

A host of popular K-pop groups are preparing for their comebacks in May, creating an unprecedentedly fierce competition on the Korean music scene.

TXT kicks off the May music charts with their single "Love Language" - Photo: Big Hit Music

May this year is witnessing a "whirlwind" of comebacks from K-pop stars, as numerous groups are simultaneously preparing to release new music.

Instead of being scattered like before, this year's comeback schedule is concentrated, turning May into a breathtaking race between K-pop icons and a wave of promising rookies.

If a song truly becomes a hit, it will stay on the charts for a long time. Therefore, releasing it in late spring or early summer is a smart way to maintain its popularity throughout the holiday season.

Korea Daily

The boy band is dominating the scene.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) kicked off the charts on May 2nd with their single "Love Language ." This is a gentle love song that still bursts with TXT's signature fresh energy, blending sweet emotions with youthful vitality.

Next up was a notable showdown between two prominent rookie groups: RIIZE from SM Entertainment and BOYNEXTDOOR from KOZ Entertainment (a subsidiary of HYBE).

The rare showdown between two rookies from two major entertainment companies delighted fans - Photo: SM Entertainment

RIIZE released their debut studio album at the end of May – a significant milestone in the group's career. While the title and specific release date remain under wraps, this album marks their first comeback in almost a year since their hit song "Riizing," which caused a sensation in June 2024.

Meanwhile, BOYNEXTDOOR will return with their fourth mini-album titled "No Genre " on May 13th. Following the success of " If I Say, I Love You ," BOYNEXTDOOR quickly established themselves as one of the most promising rookies of the new generation, a name that many Gen 5 groups should be wary of.

BOYNEXTDOOR is a name that many Gen 5 groups should be wary of, even though they've only just debuted - Photo: KOZ Entertainment

A name that couldn't be absent from the list is BTS, with the special comeback of "eldest member" Jin. The idol's second solo album, Echo, is scheduled for release on May 16th and includes seven songs with diverse styles.

Another "giant" group, Seventeen, will also have a special comeback on May 26th, to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

Although it's a meaningful commemorative album, many fans can't help but feel regretful that only 11 members are participating in this comeback, as Wonwoo and Jeonghan are currently serving their mandatory military service.

Seventeen releases album Happy Burstday to celebrate their 10th anniversary - Photo: Pledis Entertainment

KickFlip – Stray Kids' junior group – has also confirmed its entry into the music race at the end of May with its next release since its debut in January 2025. Although specific details haven't been revealed, experts predict this comeback will further intensify the "May music battle."

Female idols are just as competitive.

Among them, the most prominent is the large girl group tripleS with 24 members operating under a rotating group model. The group will release their compilation album Assemble25 on May 12th, featuring all 24 members. Notably, the title track "Are You Alive" was chosen through a fan vote – a characteristic feature of the group since their debut in 2023.

Also on May 12th, "rookie sensation" MEOVV - a girl group under the company of Taeyang (Big Bang) and Rosé (BlackPink) - will officially return with their debut mini-album titled My Eyes Open Wide.

MEOVV is expected to be as explosive as their senior group BlackPink's upcoming comeback - Photo: The Black Label

Previously, the group's lead single, "Hands Up," quickly took social media by storm thanks to its unique and bold Brazilian punk rock melody within the K-pop genre.

(G)I-DLE made their comeback in mid-May with a new mini-album, marking their first comeback in 10 months since "I Sway" in July 2024. This is also the group's first collaborative product after all five members renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment at the end of last year.

In this comeback, the group appeared with a completely new brand identity, changed their name to i-dle, and released new versions of their recordings as a way to celebrate their seventh anniversary.

(G)I-DLE returns with a completely new look, boldly changing even their group name - Photo: Cube Entertainment

The Korea Times noted that while summer remains the traditional "golden age" for K-pop, May this year is one of the most fiercely competitive months of the year. This trend is a strategy aimed at gaining early traction and building momentum for the tourist season – a time when consumers tend to spend more.

Furthermore, the increasing participation of Korean artists in international music festivals such as Lollapalooza and Summer Sonic, which mainly take place in July and August, has also prompted them to release their new songs earlier in order to promote them on a global stage.

Another crucial factor is the South Korean presidential election on June 3rd. In the highly competitive entertainment industry, major comebacks are often carefully planned to avoid overlapping with significant national events, which could distract media and public attention.

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LAN HUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/do-nong-cuoc-chien-k-pop-thang-5-20250507091411704.htm