[Today’s K-pop] TXT to put out 1st EP in Japanese

Tomorrow X Together will launch its first Japanese EP on Nov. 10, label Big Hit Music announced Monday.

The EP, titled “Chaotic Wonderland,” will consist of four tracks including the Japanese version of “0X1=LOVE SONG (I Know I Love You)” and “MOA Diary (Dubaddu Wari Wari)” from the repackaged second LP “The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape,” as well as new songs.

The same-titled lead track will feature a yet-to-be-named artist.

The boy band debuted officially in Japan with its first single “Magic Hour” in January last year. The second single “Drama” followed in August and the first studio album “Still Dreaming” came out in January.

The quintet is the second international male artist to place four albums in a row on Oricon’s weekly album chart that includes the second EP “The Dream Chapter: Eternity,” third EP “minisode 1: Blue Hour,” 1st Japanese LP “still Dreaming” and 2nd LP “The Chaos Chapter: Freeze.”

DAY6’s Young K puts out solo debut album 

Young K of DAY6 held an online media conference Monday to present his solo debut album, “Eternal.”

This is the first solo album for the singer-songwriter who debuted as a member of the male group six years ago.

“This album contains my sincere wish to be able to sing forever,” he said.

“What I want to show and to deliver has always been the same. To be back with good music and in good shape, as I’ve said.” He went on to say that this album was “focused on putting in what I’m thinking now.”

While acknowledging that putting together an album on his own gave him pressure and anxiety, he expressed hope that he may console listeners in any way he can.

“This is time for a new challenge and I’m quite nervous but I will always sing with all my heart on any stage,” he promised.

Humbly turning down compliments that call him a genius, having written close to 140 registered songs, he mused that he merely is someone who never ceases to endeavor to be better. Young K enlists in the military next month and will serve full time.

Monsta X to drop single in the US

Monsta X is dropping a new single in the US, titled “One Day,” it announced Monday.

The teaser image that came out with the news featured all six members including Shownu who started his military service last month. The single was completed beforehand. The poster included a message that said: “Wish you the best with somebody new but they’ll never love ya like I do.”

The band’s first full-length album in the US was “All About Luv” that was released in February 2020 and the album hit No. 5 on Billboard 200 and ranked among the top 10 on its six other charts.

Last month, Monsta X was nominated for the best K-pop category at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards with “Gambler,” the main track from the same-titled album that came out in June.

According to a recent Forbes magazine article, the band put a total of 16 songs on Billboard’s world digital song sales chart this year.

The single will be unveiled on Sept. 10.

StayC is out to break stereotypes 

Girl group StayC returned with its first EP “Stereotype” and introduced it through an online showcase on Monday.

It is the six-member group’s first mini album and comeback five months after its second single “Staydom.” The group caught the eyes of some when it debuted in November last year, especially as the single was produced by Black Eyed Pilseung, the duo that made a score of hit songs including Twice’s “Fancy” and “Likey.” But it was “ASAP,” the title track from the second single, that launched the group into the spotlight after the song went viral.

“While the previous singles emphasized our identity and merits, we instilled messages into this EP,” explained Sumin.

The title track, also named “Stereotype,” has special meanings to the members since it was the first song they received while preparing for debut about 2 1/2 years ago.

“It was too good to keep among us and we really wanted to put it out for fans,” said Sieun, adding that practicing it for a long time helped boost their confidence.

By Hwang You-mee
(glamazon@heraldcorp.com)