As summer festival season winds down, the K-pop industry is witnessing a significant shift toward solo artistry, with major idols stepping away from their group dynamics to showcase their individual talents. The late August and September calendar is packed with solo debuts, comebacks, and world tours from some of the biggest names in Korean pop music.
Red Velvet's Joy kicked off this solo wave by releasing her debut mini-album "From JOY, with Love" on Monday. The six-track project explores various dimensions of romance, featuring the bright and energetic pop dance title track "Love Splash!," which Joy co-wrote herself. The song captures the excitement and butterflies of first love through its upbeat rhythm, sweet lyrics, and sparkling melody. "Releasing an album filled with my own emotions once felt vague and difficult, but thanks to the people who supported me, I was able to bring it into the world," Joy explained in an official statement. "I wanted to capture the greatness and preciousness of love in this album. The biggest challenge was expressing such a vast and profound theme in a way that feels approachable."
Another Red Velvet member is also preparing for solo stardom. Wendy is set to release a solo album in September, followed by her first-ever world tour titled "We Are Live." Her agency ASND revealed the tour poster on social media, announcing that the concert series will begin at Seoul's Jangchung Gymnasium with shows scheduled for September 20 at 6 p.m. and September 21 at 4 p.m. This tour marks a significant milestone as Wendy's first global trek since departing from her former label, SM Entertainment.
SM Entertainment's powerhouse boy group NCT is also contributing to the solo trend with member Haechan making his solo debut on September 8. His first full-length album "TASTE" will include 11 tracks, led by the title song "CRZY." The entire record is built around R&B, which represents Haechan's favorite genre and best reflects his artistic identity. According to his label, the album title "TASTE" carries dual significance: it represents the musical "taste" that the NCT vocalist has been developing since childhood while offering fans their first "taste" of his artistry as a solo performer.
TWICE continues its members' solo exploration with Chaeyoung becoming the fourth member of the group to pursue individual projects. Following in the footsteps of Nayeon, Jihyo, and Tzuyu, Chaeyoung will release her debut solo work "LIL FANTASY vol.1" on September 12. While specific details about the album remain undisclosed, Chaeyoung's recent collaborations have demonstrated her solo potential. She recently joined fellow TWICE members Jeongyeon and Jihyo on the soundtrack for Netflix's animated series "KPop Demon Hunters," and the group's July release "THIS IS FOR" showcased their expanded musical direction. TWICE also made headlines with their spectacular headlining performance at Lollapalooza Chicago just weeks ago.
MAMAMOO's Moonbyul returned to the solo scene on Wednesday with her fourth mini-album "laundri," which her label RBW describes as her unique "emotional laundromat." The title track "Goodbyes and Sad Eyes" features upbeat guitar riffs and a driving drum line that creates an addictive band sound. Through this project, Moonbyul explores the liberating emotions that come with moving forward after a breakup, channeling those feelings into her music.
Former (G)I-DLE member Soojin is also making her return to the music scene after an extended hiatus. Her agency BRD Entertainment announced that her new single "BADITUDE" will be released on August 27 at 6 p.m. This marks Soojin's first musical release in over a year, creating anticipation among fans who have been waiting for her comeback. Soojin initially relaunched her solo career with the mini-album "Agassy" in November 2023, followed by "RIZZ" in May 2024, making "BADITUDE" her return after a 15-month gap.
Completing this wave of solo releases, 2PM's Jun.K is preparing his own comeback with his fourth mini-album "Dear my muse," scheduled for release on September 1. This album represents his first mini-album release in nearly five years, since "20 Minutes" in December 2020, and his first new music in approximately a year following his digital single "Paint this love" released in August 2024. The veteran artist's return adds another layer to the diverse solo offerings hitting the K-pop landscape this fall.
