The end of the year is always a chock-a-block time for K-Pop fans, both the casual listeners and the stans alike.
As multiple soloists and groups release their final comebacks for the year (though we often wish there were more), and particularly before the Mnet Asian Music Awards is slated to take place in November, fans are in for an absolute whirlwind.
It’s undoubtedly daunting for multi-stans (or those aspiring to get into K-pop) to keep up with all the activities in the K-Universe, but luckily we have collated all the comebacks that you need to add your calendars and countdown apps.
1. NCT 127
Date: 6 Oct
Release: NCT 127 The 5th Album ‘Fact Check’
In their second comeback of the year, almost 10 months since Ay-Yo (2023), NCT’s edgiest sub-unit, NCT 127, adds another experimental hip-hop song with an ear-wormy chorus to their repertoire with the Fact Check (2023) comeback.
2. Tomorrow X Together (TXT)
Date: 13 Oct
Release: The Name Chapter: FREEFALL
Hot-on-the-heels of their star-studded singles that feature the likes of the Jonas Brothers and Brazilian Singer-Songwriter, Anitta, TXT’s full-length album features 10 tracks for MOAs to revel in.
3. Seventeen
Date: 23 Oct
Release: SEVENTEEN 11th Mini Album ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’
Donned in 80’s campground and hippie-themed attire in their concept pictures, Carats can look forward to eight new tracks from the K-pop boy group.
4. Jungkook
Date: 3 Nov
Release: Golden, 1st Solo Album
With the release of his mega-hit singles 3D (2023) and Seven (2023), Jungkook has solidified his status as a superstar soloist during BTS’s hiatus and has left legions of fans eagerly anticipating his 11-track album.
5. ZEROBASEONE
Date: 6 Nov
Release: Melting Point, 2nd Mini-Album
Making their first-ever comeback, the stars of reality programme Boys Planet are set to release their 2nd mini-album fitted in snow-flecked all-white ensembles in their concept teasers, setting the mood for the winter season.
6. WayV
Date: 1 Nov
Release: On My Youth, 2nd Album
Almost a year since their last comeback Phantom (2022), WayV is finally set to return with new music not long after they performed on stage in NCT’s first-ever full-group concert featuring all five sub-units titled NCT Nation: To The World.
7. Enhypen
Date: 17 Nov
Release: Orange Blood, 5th EP
6-months post the release of their Dark Blood (2023) EP in May that boasted the seductive main track Bite Me (2023), Enhypen is slated to release their 5th EP, with “Blood” a returning feature and seeming to imply a thematic continuation between the albums.
8. Stray Kids
Date: 10 Nov
Release: 樂-STAR, 8th EP
Stray Kids‘s core producing members, 3Racha, are back again to helm their latest comeback, with the concept of the “Rock-Star” (stylized on the album cover with the Korean character for rak) being rooted in the Korean phrase huiroaerak which translates into “joy, anger, sorrow and happiness”.
9. LE SSERAFIM
Date: 27 Oct
Release: Perfect Night, 1st Digital Single
LE SSERAFIM has quickly proven themselves as one of the biggest K-pop girl groups of the fourth generation with their massive hit-singles Antifragile (2022) and Unforgiven (2023), and their recent Asian tour that included concerts in Japan, China and Indonesia.
Fronting futuristic headgear and lounging in a pink-convertible in their concept photos, the countdown for the return of their visuals and signature pop sound begins.
10. aespa
Date: 10 Nov
Release: Drama, 4th Mini-Album
Following the massive success of their 3rd mini-album My World (2023), and the bass-heavy main track Savage (2021), aespa’s November comeback is sure to leave MYs thirsty for more of their salty and sweet sound.
This article originally appeared on Hallyusg