By Dong Sun-hwa
Some of the hottest K-pop stars are gearing up to release their new music offerings next month, seeking to keep their fans cool with their summer bangers amid the rising temperatures. Included in the star-studded roster are boy band BTS, Nayeon of girl group TWICE and Jo Yu-ri of now-defunct project group IZ*ONE.
1. Jo Yu-ri (June 2)
"Op.22 Y-Waltz : in Major," the first EP by Jo Yu-ri, will arrive on June 2.
Leading the mini-album is "Love Shhh!" ― a summer song with a refreshing vibe. It also offers four more tunes: "Round and Around," "Rolla Skates," "This Time" and "Opening."
According to Jo's management company, Wake One Entertainment, "Opening" is Jo's self-written track.
"'Opening' is the last song on the track list," Wake One said in a statement. "Its core message is that Jo will open a new chapter in her career after the release of 'Op.22 Y-Waltz,' which will shed light on her musical prowess and diverse magnetism."
Jo has dropped a number of teasers with different moods so far. The "Allegro" version of her teasers highlights the singer's vibrancy and bubbliness, while the "Andante" version shows her maturity and serenity.
Jo debuted as part of IZ*ONE in 2018, after coming in third on Mnet's audition program, "Produce 48" (2018). Following the group's dissolution in 2021, she went solo with the single, "Glassy," and secured the top spots on multiple music streaming charts.
2. BTS (June 10)
K-pop king BTS will be back, too.
On June 10, BTS ― consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook ― is poised to unleash an anthology album titled "Proof" in celebration of the ninth anniversary of its debut.
"Proof" is a three-CD album aiming to chronicle the K-pop titan's career, which will carry three new songs on top of BTS' previous releases. One of the fresh tunes is the lead single, "Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)." It is known to have been produced by RM, Suga, j-hope and Pdogg, among others, but more details have been kept under wraps. Pdogg is a producer at BTS' record label Big Hit Music, who has credits on a string of BTS' hits, such as "DNA" and "ON."
The upcoming release will be about the past, present and future of the group, according to Big Hit Music.
The first CD will mostly offer popular lead singles from its previous albums, like "I Need You" and "Fake Love," while the second CD includes the solo tracks or the songs of different sub-units, such as "Euphoria" and "Friends." The last CD will carry tracks dedicated to the septet's followers.
"The last CD is a special gift for BTS fans, which will feature songs made for them," Big Hit said in a statement.
BTS, which burst onto the music scene in 2013 with the tune, "No More Dream," recently bagged three trophies at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
3. TWICE's Nayeon (June 24)
On June 24, TWICE's Nayeon is slated to make her solo debut with the mini-album, "IM NAYEON," about seven years after debuting as a member of TWICE. Nayeon is the first TWICE member to go solo.
"IM NAYEON" means "I'm Nayeon," but it also refers to the singer's full name, her agency JYP Entertainment said.
"Nayeon, who is famed for her attractive voice and eye-catching dance moves, will reveal her new side through her solo material," JYP said in a statement.
As a teaser, the company unveiled a pink-colored poster featuring various objects, like a pearl necklace, on May 19, but did not provide more information about the EP.
As part of TWICE, Nayeon released a series of smash-hits like "Cheer Up" (2016) and "The Feels" (2021). The nonet recently became the first K-pop girl group to stage a concert at a U.S. stadium.
In addition to Jo, BTS and Nayeon, more K-pop acts, including TRENDZ and Omega X, also plan to put out new releases in June. The former will roll out its second EP, "BLUE SET Chapter1. TRACKS," on June 8, while the release date for Omega X is unknown for now.
Some of the hottest K-pop stars are gearing up to release their new music offerings next month, seeking to keep their fans cool with their summer bangers amid the rising temperatures. Included in the star-studded roster are boy band BTS, Nayeon of girl group TWICE and Jo Yu-ri of now-defunct project group IZ*ONE.
1. Jo Yu-ri (June 2)
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| The teaser for Jo Yu-ri's upcoming mini-album / Courtesy of Wake One Entertainment |
Leading the mini-album is "Love Shhh!" ― a summer song with a refreshing vibe. It also offers four more tunes: "Round and Around," "Rolla Skates," "This Time" and "Opening."
According to Jo's management company, Wake One Entertainment, "Opening" is Jo's self-written track.
"'Opening' is the last song on the track list," Wake One said in a statement. "Its core message is that Jo will open a new chapter in her career after the release of 'Op.22 Y-Waltz,' which will shed light on her musical prowess and diverse magnetism."
Jo has dropped a number of teasers with different moods so far. The "Allegro" version of her teasers highlights the singer's vibrancy and bubbliness, while the "Andante" version shows her maturity and serenity.
Jo debuted as part of IZ*ONE in 2018, after coming in third on Mnet's audition program, "Produce 48" (2018). Following the group's dissolution in 2021, she went solo with the single, "Glassy," and secured the top spots on multiple music streaming charts.
2. BTS (June 10)
 |
| K-pop boy group BTS / Courtesy of Big Hit Music |
K-pop king BTS will be back, too.
On June 10, BTS ― consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook ― is poised to unleash an anthology album titled "Proof" in celebration of the ninth anniversary of its debut.
"Proof" is a three-CD album aiming to chronicle the K-pop titan's career, which will carry three new songs on top of BTS' previous releases. One of the fresh tunes is the lead single, "Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)." It is known to have been produced by RM, Suga, j-hope and Pdogg, among others, but more details have been kept under wraps. Pdogg is a producer at BTS' record label Big Hit Music, who has credits on a string of BTS' hits, such as "DNA" and "ON."
The upcoming release will be about the past, present and future of the group, according to Big Hit Music.
The first CD will mostly offer popular lead singles from its previous albums, like "I Need You" and "Fake Love," while the second CD includes the solo tracks or the songs of different sub-units, such as "Euphoria" and "Friends." The last CD will carry tracks dedicated to the septet's followers.
"The last CD is a special gift for BTS fans, which will feature songs made for them," Big Hit said in a statement.
BTS, which burst onto the music scene in 2013 with the tune, "No More Dream," recently bagged three trophies at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
3. TWICE's Nayeon (June 24)
 |
| The teaser for Nayeon's new mini-album / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment |
On June 24, TWICE's Nayeon is slated to make her solo debut with the mini-album, "IM NAYEON," about seven years after debuting as a member of TWICE. Nayeon is the first TWICE member to go solo.
"IM NAYEON" means "I'm Nayeon," but it also refers to the singer's full name, her agency JYP Entertainment said.
"Nayeon, who is famed for her attractive voice and eye-catching dance moves, will reveal her new side through her solo material," JYP said in a statement.
As a teaser, the company unveiled a pink-colored poster featuring various objects, like a pearl necklace, on May 19, but did not provide more information about the EP.
As part of TWICE, Nayeon released a series of smash-hits like "Cheer Up" (2016) and "The Feels" (2021). The nonet recently became the first K-pop girl group to stage a concert at a U.S. stadium.
In addition to Jo, BTS and Nayeon, more K-pop acts, including TRENDZ and Omega X, also plan to put out new releases in June. The former will roll out its second EP, "BLUE SET Chapter1. TRACKS," on June 8, while the release date for Omega X is unknown for now.
