[Today’s K-pop] Astro aims high with 2nd LP

Astro held an online media conference in time for the release of its second studio album “All Yours” on Tuesday.
 
“We are coming out with a new full-length album for the first time in two years and three months. It has been so long since the first LP so we put a lot of effort into it,” said Jinjin.
 
It is the first time three songs written by different members are in one album, MJ said, adding that it was one of the challenges they undertook. Jinjin, Rocky and MJ wrote and produced “All Good,” “Gemini” and “Our Spring,” respectively. Now in their sixth year, they have pushed themselves and grown to be able to cover a wider range of music, added MJ.
 
The band is returning 10 months after the seventh EP “Gateway,” and is reaching out to fans with lead track “One,” wishing to stay together forever.
 
“As the name of the lead track is ‘One,’ it would be great if we can rank No. 1 on a television music chart show,” said Cha Eunwoo.

AB6IX hails surprise return

AB6IX signaled that it will come out with new music later this month with a poster on Tuesday to the surprise of its fans.
 
Its agency Brand New Music uploaded a poster of a photograph of a dark forest dotted with gleaming red flowers as light shines from far ahead, exuding a dark and mysterious ambience.
 
It says the band will be releasing its fourth EP “Mo Complete: Have A Dream” on April 26. It has been three months since the four-piece act put out “Salute: A New Hope,” which added three new songs to the six original tracks from “Salute.”
 
The boy band has been down to four members since former leader Im Youngmin left last year after he was found driving under the influence, just days before the band’s second EP.

Baekhyun sets record as solo musician 

Baekhyun of EXO broke another record with his third solo EP, “Bambi.”
 
It sold over 868,000 units within the first week of sales, the highest for a solo musician in K-pop history, according to label SM Entertainment. The previous record was held by the artist himself, with his second EP “Delight” that sold over 704,000 units last year.
 
“Bambi” consists of six tracks, including the title track, all under the theme of love, across the R&B genre. It was fully unveiled on March 30 and landed at the top of iTunes top albums chart in 60 regions.
 
Meanwhile, bandmate Chanyeol gifted fans “Tomorrow,” a solo track he made before starting his military service last month, on Tuesday. He participated in writing the lyrics that frankly expresses how he worried about the future before having hopes for the coming years. It is part of SM Station’s project.

Super M joins Prudential Asia for campaign 

Super M joined hands with Prudential Corporation Asia to launch a campaign to raise awareness for a better and healthier life.
 
Under the catchphrase “We DO Well Together,” the idol group and the insurance company are “promoting the importance of staying fit and healthy” and “want to motivate people to attain wellness in a positive, proactive and fun way.”
 
The band will release a campaign song titled “We DO” on April 9 along with a video. It will hold a series of events throughout the year with the company as well.
 
“As the world experiences challenging times due to the pandemic, it is our ambition to spread positive energy and help as many people as possible to achieve not just good physical health, but mental well-being as well,” said the bandmates, “We call on everybody to put in the same energy and spirit as ‘We DO’ to achieve our life goals together.”

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