With April’s warmer weather setting hearts fluttering, a wave of artists striking out solo just launched to spoil listeners with pure ear candy. Red Velvet’s Irene and former BIGBANG member T.O.P return with their first full-length albums, while DAY6’s Wonpil drops his first mini album to showcase a different side of himself.
Kep1er make their first comeback as six members after Seo Young Eun’s departure, and the localization group NiziU are set to unveil their second mini album.
◆ Red Velvet’s Irene makes solo comeback—drawing global attention
Red Velvet’s Irene returned on March 30 with her first studio album, ‘Biggest Fan.’
Packed with 10 tracks including the title song of the same name, the album proved its heat by topping Hanteo’s Daily Chart and Bugs’ real-time chart, and placing every track on Melon’s Hot 100.
It also earned QQ Music’s ‘Gold Album’ certification and ranked No. 1 on Korea’s music video and K-Pop charts. Plus, it landed in the Top 10 on iTunes Top Albums in 18 regions worldwide, including Australia, Italy, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand.
◆ DAY6’s Wonpil drops solo ‘Unpiltered’—rockets to the top of the charts
DAY6’s Wonpil released his first solo mini album ‘Unpiltered’ on March 30. It’s his first new project in about four years since his February 2022 full album ‘Pilmography,’ and he participated in every track, laying his inner world and narrative bare—raising fans’ expectations.
As proof, the title track ‘Love Ward’ shot to the top tier of Bugs’ real-time chart on release day. By 7 p.m. that day, every track—including the title, ‘Toxic Love,’ ‘I’ve Become an Adult,’ ‘Up All Night,’ ‘Step by Step,’ ‘Not a Million Roses,’ and ‘Piano’—had secured a spot on Melon’s Top 100.
Following the album drop, Wonpil will hold his three-day solo concert ‘WONPIL SOLO CONCERT ‘Unpiltered’’ at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, from May 1 to 3.
◆ Kep1er return as six after Seo Young Eun’s exit—opening a new chapter
Kep1er made their first comeback since reorganizing as a six-member team. On March 31, they released their 8th mini album ‘CRACK CODE’ across major music platforms.
‘CRACK CODE’ tells the story of breaking suppressed limits through inner awakening and confronting one’s hidden nature—once again proving the group’s color with powerful performance and captivating vocals.
The title track ‘KILLA (Face the other me)’ is an electronic hip-hop song blending aggressive lead synths with trap-based drums, showcasing an even bolder side of Kep1er.
Meanwhile, on March 6, member Seo Young Eun announced her departure, surprising fans. Kep1er will continue their journey as six.
◆ NiziU drop title track ‘Too Bad’—and kick off a dome tour in June
JYP’s localization group NiziU released their new single ‘GOOD GIRL BUT NOT FOR YOU’ and the title track ‘Too Bad’ at midnight today (the 1st) on major music sites.
The release carries a fearless mood—go anywhere to get what you want. It features the title ‘Too Bad,’ which portrays taking charge of one’s future, the fan song ‘Light it Up’ penned by the members, and a cover of local star Kana Nishino’s hit ‘Dear…’—three tracks ready to hook listeners.
Following the drop, NiziU will meet fans on their second dome tour, ‘NiziU Live with U 2026 DOME TOUR,’ kicking off in June.
◆ Former BIGBANG member T.O.P to release first full album ‘ANOTHER DIMENSION’ on the 3rd
T.O.P will return at 6 p.m. on April 3 with his first full-length album, ‘ANOTHER DIMENSION.’
According to the tracklist revealed on March 27, the album includes 11 songs, led by double title tracks ‘Completely Crazy!’ (Studio54) and ‘DESPERADO.’
Track 9, ‘FOR FANS’ (Korean title: ‘꼬깔코온’), is drawing attention as a likely heartfelt message to his supporters—raising expectations after a long wait.