K-pop groups to watch in January

The world of K-pop is buzzing in the new year, with artists both young and old, working alone and in groups, announcing new upcoming albums.

First up is Dalshabet, who downsized to a quartet from a sextet after members Gaeun and Jiyul left upon the end of their contract. The remaining members -- Woohee, Subin, Ahyoung and Serri -- are set to release a new seven-track EP including the lead track “Someone Like U” on Tuesday. “Someone Like U,” which was teased with images and videos of the girls in pastel-colored outfits, is Dalshabet’s first project together with Brave Brothers. Five of the seven tracks on the EP will be solo tracks. 

Then there’s YG Entertainment’s boy group WINNER, who announced that they would release a new song Jan. 11. This will be their first new song in 17 months, following their record “2014 S/S” last August. The undisputed top rookie group of 2014, WINNER swept the charts in Korea, also storming the Billboard World Albums chart and Japan’s Oricon Weekly Charts. 

Three other groups are keeping the details of their return to the stage under wraps. Boy group Teen Top announced a January return to the stage on Dec. 24, and teased a bit of their new choreography to fans through Naver’s V app. However, there are no specific dates or titles released yet. This will be their first promotion since the dance track “Ah-Ah” last summer. 

CUBE Entertainment’s 4minute was reportedly working toward the January release of a new song. The girl group recently drew attention to their upcoming album with pictures of the group’s members with American DJ and EDM producer Skrillex, hinting at a collaboration. Their upcoming album will be their first in 11 months following “Crazy” in February 2015, and fans are looking forward to seeing all five members together. Rapper Hyuna promoted it last summer with her solo EP “A+,” with the lead track “Roll Deep.”

Meanwhile, rookie group GFriend has shown immense potential and promise since their debut last year with their first EP “Season of Glass.” Their first lead track “Glass Bead” was well received, but it was their second one, “Me Gustas Tu” on their second EP “Flower Bud” in July, that set them apart from the pack of other new girl groups. Fans are waiting to see whether GFriend will hit another home run with their third EP, maintaining their well-crafted balance between trendy, energetic and traditional, innocent concepts.

Idol groups are not the only ones shaking up the charts in January. Crooner K.will, whose sweet songs consistently top the charts, will give dance tracks some competition with the single “You Call it Romance” featuring female duo Davichi, dropping on Wednesday. Groups known for powerful vocals like MC the MAX and V.O.S have also announced that they are dropping new songs, and Shinhwa member Shin Hye-sung is set to release his solo album “Delight” on Jan. 12. This will be MC the MAX’s first new album in two years, and V.O.S’ first performance with all three members in six years.    

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)