[Today’s K-pop] Enhypen to return next month: report

Enhypen is coming out with a new album at the end of September, according to local media reports Wednesday.
 
The boy band will come back five months after its second EP, “Border: Carnival,” which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 18. In May, the band was named by Grammy.com as one of five K-pop artists -- along with StayC, Itzy, Ateez and Tomorrow X Together -- that “have the potential to dominate the global pop space.”
 
Its debut single in Japan, “Border: Hakanai,” last month topped Oricon’s daily and weekly single charts and earned platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
 
The band was formed through a TV competition and debuted with its first EP, “Border: Day One.” With the EP, which was the bestselling album by an emerging musical act in 2020, the septet won four rookie awards from year-end music awards.

Ateez strikes contrast in teasers for 7th EP 

Ateez shared a second group photograph for its upcoming album on Tuesday evening.
 
The eight bandmates pose for the camera with water skimming around their knees in the cobalt blue poster that reads “Deja Vu,” reflected on the bottom on the surface of water.
 
Donning gleaming blue and black costumes, they strike a sharp contrast from the image projected in the first picture that was released early Tuesday. Under the theme “Eternal Sunshine,” the musicians sprawled amid vivid colors highlighted by bright lights.
 
It has been half a year since the group’s previous album, sixth EP “Zero: Fever Part 2,” which topped iTunes top albums chart in 36 regions. Lead track “I’m the One” hit No. 1 on iTunes’ top songs chart in 20 regions and the worldwide iTunes top songs chart as well.
 
Ateez’s seventh EP, “Zero: Fever Part 3,” is due to be released Sept. 13.

NCT’s Lucas mired in scandal, apologizes

Lucas of NCT admitted to wrongdoing and apologized for recent allegations of holding romantic relationships with multiple fans at the same time.
 
His label SM Entertainment released a statement Wednesday and apologized on his behalf. We recognize the seriousness of this matter, it said, adding it had decided to put on hold unveiling “Jalapeno,” a single project from Lucas and Hendry, and all related content that was slated for Wednesday.
 
The idol wrote on his Instagram: “I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt by my wrong actions. I would like to offer my apologies in person if given a chance.” He also made an apology to fans, saying he deeply regrets his past irresponsible actions.
 
Claims that the Hong Kong-born performer has been seeing two fans, one from Korea and another from China, surfaced online Monday.
 
Lucas debuted with NCT in 2018 and belongs to its subunit WayV, which was formed in January 2019. He also is a member of SuperM.

Stray Kids thanks fans for global success

The bandmates of Stray Kids expressed gratitude to fans for the successful launch of their second studio album, “Noeasy.”
 
The LP came out Tuesday and topped iTunes songs chart in 52 regions, with lead track “Thunderous” landing atop the worldwide iTunes songs chart. It also ranked No. 104 on Spotify’s global top 200 and sold over 930,000 copies in preorders.
 
“I haven’t expected that it will be loved so much and am extremely happy that many of you listened to our songs and said you like them,” said leader Bang Chan via its label JYP Entertainment. He was conversing with Changbin and Han, the other songwriters within the band, in their dormitory and they happened to come up with the idea for the lead track.
 
“The first time I heard it I just went ooh and ah,” said Hyunjin. He was overwhelmed by the hook of the song and thought you just cannot not dance to it, he added.
 
The band deeply misses performing in front of fans, the eight-piece act expressed.
 
“We’ve gained so much strength and love from you and could grow. Hopefully we will be able to continue and convey good influence and energy,” said Felix.

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