It’s an exciting year for K-Pop fans (and even casual listeners — welcome!). Here’s a look at what’s coming up in the world of K-Pop…
1.
BLACKPINK will release their third mini-album Deadline on February 27.
The album will feature their 2025 single “Jump” as well as four other songs. It follows their Deadline world tour, which Rosé, Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa wrapped in January — although with the group’s 10th anniversary coming up in August, there’s a lot of speculation they’ll do some encore concerts to celebrate.
2.
BTS are back in a big way, with a new album, ARIRANG, out March 20, followed by a world tour.
ARIRANG is not only the first group release since all seven members completed their mandatory military service last June, it’s the first full group album in nearly six years(!).
3.
Another major comeback on the horizon is BIGBANG, whose remaining three members, G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung, will celebrate the group’s 20th anniversary this year and will be releasing new music to honor the occasion.
4.
Meanwhile former BIGBANG member T.O.P., who left the group in in 2023 and starred in Netflix’s Squid Game in 2024, will be debuting as a soloist this year, teasing that a “new album is on the way” on his social media.
5.
EXO already made their much-anticipated comeback in January with the release of their eighth studio album Reverxe, featuring members Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay.
The six-member unit will embark on a tour called Exo Planet #6 EXhOrizon, beginning in Seoul in April and then heading to other countries in Asia including Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and more.
6.
Although we don’t have details, it seems SHINee will be making a group comeback this year — their first since 2023 — with Key revealing last year that he, Minho, Taemin, and Onew had been selecting “really good songs” to release in 2026.
Meanwhile Onew just released a solo album, TOUGH LOVE, in March and Taemin is set to perform as a soloist at Coachella in April.
7.
Twice is another group touring for much of 2026, with Part 2 of their massive This is For world tour unrolling until at least June. It will see the members perform around North America, Asia, and Europe.
8.
Mamamoo celebrate their 12th anniversary this year and will be releasing a group album in June — their first since 2022 — followed by a world tour.
10.
After success forming Katseye from the competition show Dream Academy, Hybe and Geffen are putting together another global girl group with three other Dream Academy participants (Emily, Lexie, and Samara) plus one more member they’re scouting through another competition show, World Scout: The Final Piece, which will premiere at the end of February.
11.
Netflix smash K-Pop Demon Hunters has already won two Golden Globes and a Grammy this year, and is nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (for “Golden”).
The real singers who voiced HUNTR/X — Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami — are also set to perform “Golden” at the Oscars on March 15.
12.
Finally, here are some other artists confirmed to be releasing music in the coming months:
What are you most hyped for this year? Tell us in the comments!
