K-pop Singers Flood Market with New Songs from August to October... Key and IVE Lead Major Comebacks

The K-pop music industry is entering a new song release season from August through October. A wide range of artists, from current idols to legendary singers from the 1970s, are set to meet their fans with new albums and performances. KEY of SHINee will release his third studio album, “Stranger,” at 6:30 p.m. on August 11. This marks his return nearly one year after his mini-album “Pleasure Shop” in September. The 10-track album includes the Title Track, an English single, synth-based tracks, and a duet with Seulgi of Red Velvet. KEY also plans to hold the “2025 Keyland: Uncanny Valley” concert at the Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul’s Olympic Park from September 26 to 28. Joy of Red Velvet is set to release new solo music for the first time in almost four years, following her remake of Park Hye-kyung’s song “Hello” in May 2021. Her first mini-album, “From Joy, with Love,” will be released on August 18 and features six tracks, including the Title Track “Love Splash!” and other songs with love-themed lyrics. Stray Kids will release their fourth studio album, “Karma,” on August 22, marking their return eight months after their special album “Hop” in December. The 11-track album was entirely composed and written by the group’s three producers, 3Racha—Bang Chan, Jun Han, and Changbin—and includes lead tracks like “Ceremony,” along with “Creed,” “Mess,” and “In My Head.” IVE will make a comeback on August 25 with their fourth studio album, “Ive Secret.” This is their latest release following their third EP, “IVE MPACCI,” released in February. Teaser images revealed members holding various items behind them, such as pistols, perfume bottles, and winged pigs. The teasers included the messages “XOXZ” and “Coming soon,” hinting at the Title Track’s name. Meanwhile, Do Won-kyung, a prominent female vocalist from the 1970s, has announced a new release after a long hiatus. On the 3rd, she shared a video from her photo shoot on Instagram, along with the hashtags “#DoWonKyunNewAlbum #DoWonKyunIfILoveAgain” and the message “Coming soon.” Dressed in black leather pants and a short-sleeved top, she exuded a sleek and intense atmosphere, showcasing her experience and passion. Do Won-kyung, who has sustained popularity thanks to her powerful voice and outstanding singing skills, is generating high expectations among fans who have long awaited her new music. Jeong Mi-jo, the legendary singer who left the music industry in 1979 and returned after 37 years of silence, is also set to perform. After spending a long time as a painter in Paris, Jeong Mi-jo made a dramatic comeback on stage in 2016 and has since released four studio albums. She will perform at “2025 Coffee Concert VI: Jeong Mi-jo’s Songs of an Adult Dream” at the Incheon Arts Center’s small concert hall at 2:30 p.m. on August 20. During this performance, she will perform alongside a four-member band, showcasing a variety of genres including her iconic song “Gaeyeoul,” the soundtrack track “Gwiro” from the drama “Pokssak Sokasseuda,” the fresh bossa nova-style track “7th National Road,” and the heartfelt song “Geurun Saenggak.” Jeong Mi-jo’s music, which incorporates elements of world music and jazz, represents a bold challenge and transformation beyond traditional K-pop, earning praise from critics as “a joy to listen to” and “a voice shaped by time.” The concert ticket price is 15,000 won per seat, and it is open to audiences aged 12 and above.