From TREASURE to Apink, a wave of K-pop stars to drop new songs next month

By Dong Sun-hwa

A slew of K-pop stars including GOT the beat and Kep1er electrified their fans with their new music offerings in January. February is set to be another big month, with big names ― like TREASURE and Apink ― gearing up for chart competition.

1. TREASURE

K-pop boy group TREASURE / Courtesy of YG Entertainment

TREASURE, a rookie boy group launched by K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment in 2020, is slated to put out its first EP, “THE SECOND : CHAPTER ONE,” Feb. 15.

According to YG, the upcoming EP racked up 600,000 pre-orders as of Jan. 19, although much of the details about the mini-album have been kept under wraps. It’s remarkable growth, given that the 12-piece act’s first full-length album, “THE FIRST STEP : TREASURE EFFECT” ― released in 2021 ― hit 360,000 pre-orders.

“The new EP will offer a wide range of songs,” YG hinted in a statement.

“Please look forward to TREASURE’s ‘second step.”

The agency gave a taste of one of the fresh tracks on Friday by sharing a short video revealing its melody and lyrics. YG described the song as cheerful easy listening at a medium tempo. So far, the teaser videos featuring four members ― Choi Hyun-suk, Jihoon, Yoshi and Junkyu, ― have been unveiled on YG’s official blog.

TREASURE is the first K-pop act debuting for YG following its launch of girl group BLACKPINK. Its members got public notice through YG’s survival show “YG Jewel Box” (2018-2019).

2. Apink

K-pop girl group Apink / Courtesy of IST Entertainment

K-pop girl group Apink is also scheduled to release a special album in February to mark the tenth anniversary of its debut.

Member Son Na-eun, however, will not be able to take part in all promotional activities due to a schedule conflict.

“Son will only be featured in the album photos and the music video due to scheduling issues,” her agency YG said in a statement, without elaborating.

Son debuted as part of Apink under IST Entertainment ― which was formerly known as either Play M Entertainment or A Cube Entertainment ― in 2011, but she did not renew her contract with the agency and moved to YG last year to pursue an acting career. All other Apink members including ― Park Cho-rong, Yoon Bo-mi, Jeong Eun-ji, Kim Nam-joo and Oh Ha-young ― are still represented by IST.

“It is a pity that I cannot partake in all promotional activities,” Son said through YG. “But please support our special album and other Apink members.”

The exact date of the album’s release and more details about the tracks will be announced in the coming days.

3. VIVIZ

K-pop trio VIVIZ / Courtesy of Big Planet Made

VIVIZ, which consists of SinB, Eunha and Umji of K-pop act GFriend, will arrive on the K-pop scene in February, too.

After all six GFriend members terminated their contract with their management company Source Music last year, the three joined Big Planet Made (BPM) and reunited as a trio. BPM is a newly established record label housing Soyou of the now-defunct girl group Sistar, among others.

“VIVIZ is aiming to make its debut before mid-February,” a BPM official said.

The three burst onto the K-pop scene as GFriend members in 2016 with the mini-album “Season of Glass.” Prior to its dissolution, GFriend unleashed a string of hits such as “Glass Bead,” (2015) “Me gustas tu (2015)” and “Apple” (2020).

On top of that, TEMPEST, a new boy band by Yue Hua Entertainment, will debut next month. It is a seven-member group that includes Hyeongseop and Euiwoong (LEW,) the contestants of the second season of Mnet’s popular audition program “Produce 101” (2017).

“TEMPEST is expected to take the music scene by storm with its energetic and powerful performance,” Yue Hua said in a statement.

Ravi, a member of K-pop boy band VIXX and the founder of record label, “GROOVL1N,” is also poised to drop his second studio album, “Love&Fight” on Feb. 8.