[Today’s K-pop] Mamamoo preparing a greatest hits album: report

Mamamoo is putting together a compilation album slated to be released in September, according to local media reports on Friday.

The album will chronicle the band’s seven-year career, with each track selected by the four bandmates, in addition to two songs that have not been released.

This is the quartet’s first album since its three members -- Solar, Moonbyeol and Hwasa -- renewed their contracts with management firm RBW Entertainment in June. Wheein decided not to sign with the company but has agreed to continue to work with the group until December 2023. There have been talks that she is likely to join TheL1ve, a label founded by rapper Ravi in July.

In the meantime, Mamamoo floated a teaser video for its upcoming online concert. The clip shows moments they have shared, performing, practicing and hanging out together. It also included parts from a new song that will be performed for the first time at the live show that will be held on Saturday. 

Highlight’s Yang Yoseob to release solo album 

Yang Yoseob of Highlight is making a return to music with his first solo studio album next month, the singer’s agency AroundUs Entertainment announced on Friday.

His previous solo release was the digital single “20 Full Moons,” which was released in January 2019, right before he started his military service.

The main vocalist of the band demonstrated his strengths as soon as he completed his duty, staying at No. 1 on singing competition show “King of Mask Singer,” for eight weeks, a record for an idol.

Expectations for his return as a solo singer have been high since he told viewers that he would be coming out with a solo album soon on a recent TV program.

The LP comes out on Sept. 20.

Meanwhile, Highlight successfully resumed its activities as a quartet in May with its third EP “The Blowing.” The group’s original entertainment show “Superseller” kicks off on Aug. 31 on its YouTube channel.

IZ*ONE’s Sakura returns to Korea 

Sakura Miyawaki of now-disbanded girl group IZ*ONE arrived in Korea on Friday and was greeted by many fans at the airport.

She reportedly came to finalize a contract with Source Music, a company under Hybe Labels, as many speculated she would do ever since she left the country in April. She may join a girl group the company is launching soon, along with her former bandmate Kim Chaewon who joined Source Music earlier this month.

The Japanese-born idol debuted in Japan in 2011 as a member of HKT48 before joining IZ*ONE, a group that was formed through an audition program on Mnet in 2018. She returned to Japan in April after the project group’s contract expired.

There have been many reports about her future, and earlier this month Japanese media reported that she had signed with a label under Hybe and would resume her activities in Korea. Hybe provided a statement at the time that said it could not provide or confirm any details.

Momoland’s Ahin drops collab single 

Ahin of Momoland has joined DJ Soda and DJ Lost Chameleon for a digital single that came out on Friday.

She is the featured vocalist for the collaborative project between the Greek DJ and Korean pioneer DJ Soda.

Lost Chameleon added her signature futuristic touch to the digital single “Okay!”, an electronic dance number that mixes a groovy melody with addictive beats. Ahin’s unique voice enhances the captivating song.

DJ Soda shared news of collaboration on Wednesday via Instagram with pictures of Ahin and herself, saying: “The new song with Momoland’s Ahin finally coming out! Keep your expectations high!” 

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