Rush of K-pop comebacks to fill in April music craze

As the cherry blossom season is a time of new beginnings, a handful of K-pop acts are vying to control domestic and international music charts with new releases. From heavyweights to up-and-coming bands, many artists are gearing up for a spin next month.

Following is a list of musicians ready to showcase their new songs and meet fans at concerts. 

1. Exo’s Suho - April 4

Suho of boy band Exo will come out with his second solo album, “Grey Suit,” Monday evening. The singer will be returning with a six-song package of his self-written and composed music.

Time is the main theme that takes center stage in the new album, with its titular main track. His new song talks about how one’s emotions become colorful after coming out of the gray stages of life and meeting one’s lover again.

“Morning Star,” “Hurdle,” “Decanting,” “Bear Hug” and “Moment” round out the album. 

2. Kwon Eun-bi - April 4

After taking her first step as a musician in August last year through EP “Open,” Kwon Eun-bi, of the now-disbanded IZ*ONE, is returning with her second EP, “Color,” on Monday. As the title suggests, the soloist aims to show a wide range in her musical personality and abilities that she has never shown before.

Leading the album is “Glitch,” a song that casts doubt on the answer that stems from a well-organized system. “The Colors of Light,” “Magnetic,” “Colors,” “Our pace” and “Off” make up the five-track package. 

3. Big Bang - April 5

Come April, K-pop sensation Big Bang is ready to bloom in the spring season with its new song, “Still Life,” to be released Tuesday evening. The words to the track express what the bandmates have gone through and express their sincere messages.

This marks a big comeback for the quartet after more than four years. The group -- then with five -- last brought their studio sound to the masses in March 2018 in “Flower Road,” and met fans in person when they marked their 10th anniversary with a farewell concert. 

4. Ive - April 5

Rookie girl group Ive is ready to solidify its presence in the music scene as part of the fourth generation of K-pop by putting out its second single, “Love Dive,” Tuesday. This marks a return for the band about four months after debut single “Eleven,” which released in December.

The sextet’s “Love Dive” talks about having the courage to dive into love. The band’s edgy, fancy and stylish fashion is the single’s main concept, and the group plans to showcase a performance that resembles a runway stage. 

5. Monsta X - April 11

Boy band Monsta X is coming for the throne nearly five months since they released the group’s 10th EP, “No Limit,” in November. Titled “Shape of Love,” the album will be brimming with four different concepts -- love, originality, vibe and everything -- and will be unveiled on April 11.

Although not much has been announced about Monsta X’s album, Minhyuk dropped a spoiler during a special episode of his “Vogueshipshow.” He said that the album “will be a bop” and hinted that the band’s upcoming song is “not boisterous, but it isn’t weak, either,” triggering curiosity about how the band will step away from its frenzied beats. 

6. SHINee’s Onew - April 11

Onew of boy band SHINee is also hopping on the April music craze by making his long-awaited solo comeback on April 11. The main vocalist-turned-soloist will be dropping his second EP, “Dice,” and the album will consist of six different songs.

This marks Onew’s return as a soloist nearly three years after he last released his first solo album, “Voice,” in December 2018. He has since expanded his solo career through participating in S.M. Entertainment’s digital music project “SM Station” and musicals. 

7. EPEX - April 11

Rookie boy band EPEX will be putting out its third EP, “Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. 21st Century Boys,” on April 11. The songs that make up the five-song package are: “Lone Wolf,” lead single “Hakwonga,” “Burnt Out,” “Strike” and “I’ll Go First.”

Through its new album, EPEX aims to talk about the younger generation and youth struggle with the oppressive modern social system and how it affects the band’s feelings of anxiety.

8. Apink - April 19

In celebration of its 11th anniversary, Apink is putting out a fan song on April 19 to thank fans for the times throughout their 11 years. This comes just two months after releasing the 10th-anniversary special album “Horn” in February.

9. Twice - April 23

Twice is returning to Japan after three years to perform at the Tokyo Dome. As part of its fourth world tour, the nine-piece act will hold three concerts at the Tokyo Dome from April 23-25.

10. Winner - April 30

A concert from boy band Winner is also on the way. The quintet will be holding concerts for the first time in two years and reunite with fans in person after bandmates Seung-hoon and Jin-woo were discharged from the military.

The concerts will take place from April 30 into May at the Olympic Hall in Seoul. The first day of the concert will only be held offline only, while the second day will be showcased virtually and in person.

11. Cravity - April 2

Rookie boy band Cravity will be holding its first-ever concerts, “Cravity the 1st Concert - Center of Gravity,” on Saturday and Sunday at Seoul’s Olympic Hall. Saturday’s concert will be performed in person and streamed online for fans unable to attend the event.

12. WEi - April 16

Boy band WEi will hold live concerts on April 16 and 17 at KBS Arena. The band’s first concert since its debut in 2020 will take place both offline and online.

13. CIX - April 15

CIX will be holding its first solo concert series, “Rebel,” in Seoul from April 15 to April 17. After its show in Seoul, the band will head over the Pacific and kick off its American tour from April 27 until May 10.

14. Others

Boy band Treasure will be back sometime in mid-April with “Darari” and hold its first concerts, called “Trace,” on April 9 and 10. Seventeen is also dropping a prereleased English digital single in April ahead of releasing its fourth LP in May. Just B, Laboum, Dreamcatcher and Ghost9 are also eyeing the music charts with their new releases.

By Park Jun-hee (junheee@heraldcorp.com)