K-Content News
Red Velvet, Stray Kids, more set to electrify K-pop fans in August
- August 19, 2021
Red Velvet, Stray Kids, more set
to electrify K-pop fans in August
Updated : 2021-08-13 13:53
By Dong Sun-hwa
Earlier this month, a wave of K-pop acts including ASTRO, Sunmi and Somi refreshed the music scene with their new summer bangers. But there are more to come ― crowd pullers like Red Velvet and Stray Kids are preparing for their imminent releases, making August a big month for K-pop lovers.
1. Red Velvet (Aug. 16)
K-pop girl group Red Velvet will put out the new mini-album "Queendom" on Aug. 16, more than a year after the release of its previous work, "The ReVe Festival 'Finale.'"
The five-piece act, which has been dubbed by some as the "queens of summer" thanks to their summer hits like "Red Flavor" (2017) and "Power Up" (2018), will again release anthems that may keep fans cool amid high temperatures.
The group's management company SM Entertainment revealed that the upcoming album will offer six tracks ranging in commercial music styles from pop dance to electro funk. It will be led by the namesake lead single.
"The lead track will put the emphasis on the members' refreshing vibes and deliver a positive message to listeners through the lyrics," SM said in a statement Wednesday, adding that a legion of iconic producers and lyricists took part in the album's creative process.
Red Velvet unveiled a teaser on its official YouTube channel on Aug. 4. In the 30-second clip, the quintet appears as the giants in a mysterious fairy-tale like village named the "Queendom."
2. Stray Kids (Aug. 23)
"NOEASY," a new album by K-pop act Stray Kids ― which won Mnet's competition program "Kingdom: Legendary War" in June ― will arrive on Aug. 23.
The English version of their new lead single is titled "Thunderous," but in Korean, it's "Sorikkun," a term referring to a performer of a traditional Korean narrative musical genre called pansori. The song will merge the sounds of Korean traditional music and different brass instruments, according to the group's record label JYP Entertainment.
"Through the song, Stray Kids will say they will never lose their nerve despite all the challenges," JYP said in a statement, adding that three members ― Bang Chan, Chanbin and Han, who are collectively called "3RACHA" ― took part in composing the track.
Also included in the album are 13 other pieces, such as "Gone Away," "The View," "Silent Cry" and "Star Lost."
On Wednesday, JYP floated teaser images featuring Han and Felix.
3. BTOB 4U (Aug. 30)
BTOB 4U, a four-member sub-unit of K-pop boy band BTOB, is also poised to drop a special album titled "4U: OUTSIDE" on Aug. 30. BTOB 4U consists of Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub and Peniel. Two other BTOB members ― Hyunsik and Sungjae ― are currently fulfilling their mandatory military service.
"4U: OUTSIDE" is BTOB 4U's first album since its appearance on "Kingdom: Legendary War." However, all other details about the album have been kept under wraps.
The group's agency Cube Entertainment disclosed a teaser on Twitter on Wednesday, portraying an image of black stairs and a white door in a cube that can trick the eyes.
"BTOB could have showcased its broad musical spectrum thanks to Kingdom," Cube said in a statement. "With its fresh release, it will be able to capture people's attention once again."
On top of that, Brave Girls, the singers of "Rollin'" will roll out a new song on Aug. 23, while Kwon Eun-bi, a former member of now-defunct project group IZ*ONE, is making her solo debut on Aug. 24.
Earlier this month, a wave of K-pop acts including ASTRO, Sunmi and Somi refreshed the music scene with their new summer bangers. But there are more to come ― crowd pullers like Red Velvet and Stray Kids are preparing for their imminent releases, making August a big month for K-pop lovers.
1. Red Velvet (Aug. 16)
K-pop girl group Red Velvet will put out the new mini-album "Queendom" on Aug. 16, more than a year after the release of its previous work, "The ReVe Festival 'Finale.'"
The five-piece act, which has been dubbed by some as the "queens of summer" thanks to their summer hits like "Red Flavor" (2017) and "Power Up" (2018), will again release anthems that may keep fans cool amid high temperatures.
The group's management company SM Entertainment revealed that the upcoming album will offer six tracks ranging in commercial music styles from pop dance to electro funk. It will be led by the namesake lead single.
"The lead track will put the emphasis on the members' refreshing vibes and deliver a positive message to listeners through the lyrics," SM said in a statement Wednesday, adding that a legion of iconic producers and lyricists took part in the album's creative process.
Red Velvet unveiled a teaser on its official YouTube channel on Aug. 4. In the 30-second clip, the quintet appears as the giants in a mysterious fairy-tale like village named the "Queendom."
2. Stray Kids (Aug. 23)
"NOEASY," a new album by K-pop act Stray Kids ― which won Mnet's competition program "Kingdom: Legendary War" in June ― will arrive on Aug. 23.
The English version of their new lead single is titled "Thunderous," but in Korean, it's "Sorikkun," a term referring to a performer of a traditional Korean narrative musical genre called pansori. The song will merge the sounds of Korean traditional music and different brass instruments, according to the group's record label JYP Entertainment.
"Through the song, Stray Kids will say they will never lose their nerve despite all the challenges," JYP said in a statement, adding that three members ― Bang Chan, Chanbin and Han, who are collectively called "3RACHA" ― took part in composing the track.
Also included in the album are 13 other pieces, such as "Gone Away," "The View," "Silent Cry" and "Star Lost."
On Wednesday, JYP floated teaser images featuring Han and Felix.
3. BTOB 4U (Aug. 30)
BTOB 4U, a four-member sub-unit of K-pop boy band BTOB, is also poised to drop a special album titled "4U: OUTSIDE" on Aug. 30. BTOB 4U consists of Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub and Peniel. Two other BTOB members ― Hyunsik and Sungjae ― are currently fulfilling their mandatory military service.
"4U: OUTSIDE" is BTOB 4U's first album since its appearance on "Kingdom: Legendary War." However, all other details about the album have been kept under wraps.
The group's agency Cube Entertainment disclosed a teaser on Twitter on Wednesday, portraying an image of black stairs and a white door in a cube that can trick the eyes.
"BTOB could have showcased its broad musical spectrum thanks to Kingdom," Cube said in a statement. "With its fresh release, it will be able to capture people's attention once again."
On top of that, Brave Girls, the singers of "Rollin'" will roll out a new song on Aug. 23, while Kwon Eun-bi, a former member of now-defunct project group IZ*ONE, is making her solo debut on Aug. 24.
Reporter : gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr
