As May’s fourth week closes out the first half of the year, a wave of K-pop artists are gearing up to meet fans — and the lineup is already sparking buzz.
Leading the charge, ANDUBLE — featuring Zhang Hao and Ricky — returns in a brand-new form, while former f(x) member Krystal drops a solo release that’s turning heads. IVE unveils a fresh Japanese record, AIDIT shows off a breezy charm with their first single album, and aespa teases a flashy comeback with their second full-length — all eyes are on what these releases will deliver.
◆ ANDUBLE ‘re-debuts’ with their first mini album
On the 26th, boy group ANDUBLE dropped their first mini album ‘Sequence 01: Curiosity’ alongside the title track ‘Curious’.
The five-track album stands out for the members’ participation in lyric-writing. Title track ‘Curious’ — co-written by Zhang Hao and Ricky — captures fearless confidence at the brink of a new beginning, vowing to face the changes sparked by a dangerous curiosity.
ANDUBLE is YH Entertainment’s first boy group in about four years, featuring Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu-bin, and Han Yu-jin of ZEROBASEONE — formed as the debut lineup on Boys Planet (Mnet) — and Yoo Seung-eon, formerly of EVNNE.
◆ Krystal unveils new single ‘PWLT’
Also on the 26th, singer-actress Krystal delivered good news with the release of her second single, ‘PWLT’.
The single boasts an eye-catching lineup of collaborators: Guo-Guo of Taiwan’s globally acclaimed band Sunset Rollercoaster on guitar, Oh Hyuk of the band HYUKOH on synths, and Grammy-nominated composer and multi-instrumentalist Martin Perna on flute.
The ‘PWLT’ music video is set to drop at 5 p.m. on the 29th.
◆ IVE to release ‘LUCID DREAM’ in Japan on the 27th
IVE will drop their fourth Japanese mini album ‘LUCID DREAM’ on the 27th.
The album includes the pre-released title track of the same name plus three brand-new Japanese originals. It also features Japanese versions of last year’s Korean releases ‘REBEL HEART’, ‘ATTITUDE’, and ‘Thank U’, raising anticipation among fans. Building on their previous standout milestones, IVE aims to further expand their presence in Japan with this comeback.
◆ AIDIT channels after-school energy
AIDIT will unveil their new track ‘FLY!’ across major streaming platforms at 6 p.m. on the 27th.
This single bottles up that after-school rush, heightening expectations among WIDIT (official fandom). Title track ‘FLY!’ rides an old-school hip-hop boom-bap groove, channeling AIDIT’s signature vibrant energy. Fans will also get ‘Attent!on’, a B-side that spotlights a boyish confidence.
◆ aespa to release 2nd full album on the 29th
At 1 p.m. on the 29th, aespa will join the comeback wave with their second studio album ‘LEMONADE’.
The record spans multiple genres, including the title track ‘Lemonade’, the pre-release ‘WDA’ (‘Whole Different Animal’), ‘SHAKIN’, ‘Can’t Help Myself’, and ‘Camouflage’.
Notably, the title track features Latin-American pop star Becky G and U.S. hip-hop artist Ty Dolla $ign, dialing up anticipation. Through this new release, aespa will expand their universe and showcase an even more polished musical identity.