TXT opens the May music race with the single Love language - Photo: Big Hit Music
This May is witnessing a "whirlwind" of comebacks from K-pop stars, as a series of groups simultaneously prepare to release new music products.
Instead of being scattered like before, this year's comeback schedule is concentrated, turning May into a breathless race between K-pop icons and a wave of promising rookies.
Boy bands take over the airwaves
TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) kicked off the race on May 2 with the single Love Language . This is a gentle love song but still bursts with TXT's signature fresh energy, blending sweet emotions and youthful vitality.
Next up was a notable confrontation between two prominent rookies, SM Entertainment's RIIZE and BOYNEXTDOOR from KOZ Entertainment (a subsidiary of HYBE).
The rare confrontation between two rookies from two "giants" in the entertainment industry excited fans - Photo: SM Entertainment
RIIZE released their debut studio album at the end of May - an important milestone in the group's career. Although the title and specific release date are still being kept under wraps, this product marks the first comeback in nearly a year since the hit Riizing that caused a stir in June 2024.
Meanwhile, BOYNEXTDOOR will return with their fourth mini album titled No Genr e on May 13. After the success of If I say, I love you , BOYNEXTDOOR quickly affirmed their position as one of the most potential rookies of the new generation, a name that many Gen 5 groups must be wary of.
BOYNEXTDOOR is a name that many Gen 5 groups must be wary of even though they have just debuted - Photo: KOZ Entertainment
The name that cannot be absent from the list is BTS with the special comeback of "big brother" Jin. The male idol's second solo album Echo is scheduled to be released on May 16, including seven songs with diverse colors.
Another "giant", Seventeen, will also have a special comeback on May 26, on the occasion of their 10th debut anniversary.
Although it is a meaningful anniversary album, many fans cannot help but feel regretful that only 11 members will participate in this comeback, because Wonwoo and Jeonghan are performing military service.
Seventeen releases album Happy Burstday to celebrate 10th anniversary - Photo: Pledis Entertainment
KickFlip - Stray Kids' "junior" - also confirmed to join the music race at the end of May with the next product since its debut in January 2025. Although specific information has not been revealed, experts predict that this comeback will contribute to increasing the heat of the "May war".
Female idols are not inferior
Standing out among them is the multi-member girl group tripleS with 24 members operating in a rotating group model. The group will release the compilation album Assemble25 on May 12, gathering all 24 members. In particular, the title track Are you alive was voted for through fan voting - a characteristic of the group since its debut in 2023.
Also on May 12, "dinosaur rookie" MEOVV - a girl group under the company of Taeyang (Big Bang) and Rosé (BlackPink) - will officially return with their first mini album called My eyes open wide.
MEOVV is expected to explode like their seniors BlackPink in their upcoming comeback - Photo: The Black Label
Previously, the group's opening song Hands up quickly took social media by storm thanks to its unique Brazilian punk rock melody, bold in the K-pop realm.
(G)I-DLE returned 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 joint 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 identity, changed their name to i-dle, and released new versions of their recordings as a move to celebrate their seventh anniversary.
(G)I-DLE returns with a completely new look, boldly changing the group's name - Photo: Cube Entertainment
The Korea Times commented that although summer is still the traditional "golden time" for K-pop, this May is one of the most competitive months of the year. This trend is a strategy to "take over the airwaves" early, creating momentum for the tourist season - a time when consumers tend to spend more.
Additionally, the increasing number of Korean artists participating in international music festivals such as Lollapalooza or Summer Sonic, which take place mainly in July and August, also causes them to push their release schedules forward to promote new songs on the global stage.
Another important factor is the South Korean presidential election on June 3. In a competitive entertainment industry, high-profile comebacks are often carefully planned to avoid overlapping with major national events that could distract media and public attention.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/do-nong-cuoc-chien-k-pop-thang-5-20250507091411704.htm
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