K-pop enthusiasts are in for a treat this July as some of the industry’s top acts prepare to unveil new music. Leading the charge are ENHYPEN and Stray Kids, alongside BTS’ Jimin, each poised to deliver fresh summer anthems.
These highly anticipated releases promise to captivate listeners worldwide with their unique themes and styles.
How old is BTS’ Jimin?
28
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ENHYPEN: A New Chapter of Romance for K-pop
ENHYPEN is ready to mesmerize fans with their second full-length album, ‘Romance: Untold’, set for release on July 12. This album, as described by their label Belift Lab, marks a narrative shift for the group, exploring love that transcends boundaries. It tells the story of a romance between a boy and a girl from vastly different worlds.
To introduce their new concept, ENHYPEN released a visually stunning short film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Lee Chung-hyun, known for his works ‘Call’ and ‘Ballerina’. The film features the group as vampires, symbolizing the risks and sacrifices made for love.
At a recent fan event in Seoul, the group expressed their excitement about the album, stating, “We made different attempts for our comeback this time. We geared up for this album with the determination to create another turning point in our careers,” as quoted by KTimes.
Since their debut in 2020 through Mnet’s ‘I-LAND’ audition program, ENHYPEN has rapidly ascended to fame. Their debut album ‘BORDER : DAY ONE’ and subsequent release ‘DIMENSION : DILEMMA’ have collectively sold over 1.1 million copies, cementing their status in the K-pop industry.
BTS’ Jimin: Solo Creativity Flourishes
Jimin of BTS is set to release his second solo album, ‘Muse’, on July 19, amidst his compulsory military service. This follows his successful solo debut with ‘Face’ in March 2023.
BigHit Music has shared that ‘Muse’ will delve into themes of inspiration and love across seven tracks, with Jimin involved in the creative process for six of them. The album’s lead single, ‘Who,’ produced by Pdogg and Grammy-nominated artist Jon Bellion, blends hip-hop and R&B elements.
Fans will get an early taste of the album with the pre-release track ‘Smeraldo Garden Marching Band’ on June 28, featuring rapper Loco. This track promises a fusion of big band influences with contemporary hip-hop vibes.
Jimin began his military service in December 2023, expected to conclude in June 2025, but his musical contributions continue to resonate with fans around the world.
Stray Kids: Solidifying Global Presence
Stray Kids are gearing up for their ninth mini-album, ‘Ate’, scheduled to drop on July 19 under JYP Entertainment. The album will feature the lead single ‘Chk Chk Boom’ and seven other tracks like ‘Mountains’, ‘Jjam’, ‘I Like It’, and ‘Runners’, with specific details yet to be revealed.
Anticipation for ‘Ate’ soared with the release of a two-minute teaser on YouTube, which quickly became the top trending music video worldwide. The teaser, featuring the eight members – Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N – portrays them as brand models for a fortune cookie manufacturer named ‘Ate’, amassing over 2.4 million views.
JYP Entertainment highlighted Stray Kids’ rising global presence, stating, “With its new work, Stray Kids will solidify its presence as a top global artist.”
In addition to their musical projects, Stray Kids is slated to headline Lollapalooza Chicago in August, adding another milestone to their impressive career. Established in 1991, Lollapalooza is one of the most influential music festivals in the U.S., drawing around 400,000 attendees annually.
Since their debut in 2018 with the EP ‘I Am Not’, Stray Kids has seen a meteoric rise in the K-pop scene. Their third full-length album, ‘5-STAR’, released in 2023, shattered records by selling over 4.6 million copies within its first week.
July is shaping up to be an extraordinary month for K-pop, with releases from BTS’ Jimin, ENHYPEN, and Stray Kids leading the charge. Fans can also look forward to new music from (G)I-DLE and a comeback from the second-generation girl group Kara. This summer, the K-pop world promises a musical oasis filled with exciting new anthems and unforgettable performances.
