The K-pop music scene for July 2024 includes a lineup of some globally famous artists. The month of summer comebacks and albums will see artists like Stray Kids, BTS Jimin, (G)I-DLE, Enhypen, and more artists making a return with new releases. The month will start with YG Entertainment’s rookie girl group Babymonster’s digital single “Forever” dropping on the first day of the month.
Apart from them, rising K-pop icon, SM Entertainment’s award-winning artist Taeyeon is also releasing a single on July 8 titled “Heaven.” Let’s look at the most anticipated K-pop albums and comebacks of July and the music which will set the tone for the Summer of 2024.
Stray Kids
JYP Entertainment’s most successful boy group, Stray Kids, will release their much-awaited album, Ate, on July 19 at 1 p.m. KST, 12 a.m. ET, 5 a.m. BST, 6 a.m. CET, and 9 p.m. PT. The physical edition of the comeback album will come in various versions, including ATE, Chk Chk, Boom, Accordion, Letter, and a new smart card, the Nemo version.
Before the album’s drop, Stray Kids released “Lose My Breath” in June featuring Charlie Puth. The track reached number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100. The pre-released single marked Stray Kids’ second entry in the Billboard 100 after their 2023 hit, “Lalalala.”
Along with Stray Kids’ impact on the Billboard Hot 100, the group has also climbed the Billboard 200 charts with their last four albums. Two of their latest drops — the 3rd full-length album, Five Star, and the 8th mini album, Rockstar — were ranked in the top 5 of the 2023 Global Album Sales Chart.
The expectations from their upcoming album amongst fans is higher than ever. So far, the group has received a massive response from the announcement trailer. The teaser video reached over 3 million views.
BTS Jimin
BTS icon Jimin will release his first comeback album, Muse, on July 19 at 1 p.m. KST, 12 a.m. ET, 9.30 a.m. ET, and 6 a.m. CET. The album will be available in various versions, including Blooming, Serenade, and Weverse editions.
Jimin’s July album will contain six tracks in total, including:
- “Intro: Rebirth”
- “Who”
- “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” (featuring LOCO)
- “Slow Dance” (featuring Sofia Carson)
- “Interlude: Showtime”
- “Be Mine”
- “Closer Than This”
Before the main album’s release, Jimin dropped the third track of Muse, “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band,” featuring LOCO, on June 28. The new song has touched fans’ hearts with its lyrics and a hidden meaning that only BTS ARMY can decode.
The number reveals a story about the world where all the hidden feelings of the listener are accepted and embraced. Smeraldo flowers in BTS lore signify “the truth that one couldn’t say out loud.” With the song, Jimin is urging his listeners to come out and embrace their truth because in ‘Smeraldo Garden,’ the marching band embraces everyone’s authenticity and feelings.
ALL(H)OURS
Rookie K-pop act ALL(H)OURS will release their second album, Witness, on July 2 at 6 p.m. KST, 5 a.m. ET, 2 a.m. PT and 2.30 p.m. IST. The rising group, consisting of Kunho, Youmin, Xayden, Minje, Masami, Hyunbin, and ON:N, debuted on January 10, 2024, with the EP, All Ours.
The group’s debut was a significant success, as the title track of the first EP, “Gotcha,” surpassed over 23 million views. After a grand debut, the group is gearing up for its first comeback with their album.
As per the music label, the title track of the upcoming EP, “Shock,” combines pop with a trending genre of music, ‘Drift Phonk,’ showing a unique music style of ALL(H)OURS. The critical points of this choreography also promise to electrify viewers with sizzling dance moves.
(G)I-DLE
K-pop’s sassy girl group (G)I-DLE will make their second comeback of 2024 on July 8 at 6 p.m. KST, 5 a.m. ET and 2.30 p.m. IST with the mini album I SWAY. The music video for the title track “Klaxon” will be unveiled simultaneously on the official YouTube channel of the act.
(GII-DLE’s previous album, released in January, made new milestones for the group. It marked a new record, selling over 1,163,395 copies within a week. It also received the million-seller status within two days of its release, making (G)I-DLE the 5th highest-ranking K-pop girl group for all-time initial release sales. The group stands behind Aespa, New Jeans, Ive, and Black Pink.
The album also peaked at number 1 on the Circle Album Chart and ranked number 13 on Billboard’s US World Chart. The album’s title track, “Super Lady,” garnered over 62 million views on YouTube, becoming one of the most-watched K-pop music videos of the year.
Following the comeback, (G)I-DLE will embark on its 2024 i-DOL tour on August 3 in Seoul, South Korea. The girl group will travel to across Asia, Australia, and the United States. They will conclude the 2024 tour on November 2, 2024, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Enhypen
Enhypen‘s 2024 comeback album, Romance: Untold, will be released on July 12 at 1 p.m. KST, 12 a.m. ET, 5 a.m. BST, 6 a.m. CET, and 9 p.m. PT. Pre-orders for the album began on June 17 at 11 a.m. KST and will continue until July 12.
As per ENHYPEN’s music label, the new album will begin the group’s new lore. The K-pop label explained the concept in a press release, noting, “The pioneering storytellers have previously captivated audiences with their series of narratives – BORDER, DIMENSION, MANIFESTO, and BLOOD – where they ventured across boundaries, confronted themselves in a complex world, took the first step forward to connect with their peers, and made sacrifices for the blood-bound ‘you.’”
The studio album will contain ten tracks, including:
- “Moonstruck”
- “XO (Only If You Say Yes)”
- “Your Eyes Only”
- “Hundred Broken Hearts”
- “Brought The Heat Back”
- “Paranormal”
- “Royalty”
- “Highway 1009”
- “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” (English Ver.) feat. JVKE
- “Highway 1009” (Narr Ver.) (CD Only)
NCT 127
SM Entertainment’s million-selling K-pop act, NCT 127, will release its new album, Walk, on July 15, 2024, at 6 p.m. KST, 5 a.m. ET, 2 p.m. PT, 10 a.m. BST, and 2.30 p.m. IST. The new album is an invitation to explore new horizons for the Korean pop music scene.
The Korean media reports say the new album conveys how the group plans to navigate its future in the K-pop industry. While the 11 songs of the forthcoming album still carry the essence of NCT 127’s signature style, it has something new for the fans.
Walk by NCT 127 is available to pre-order online starting June 24. International fans can order the album from SMTOWN’s global shop. The official site revealed that it (global photobook version) costs $21.56 (1800 INR).
The global version of the pre-ordered album will contain a photobook, a photocard, a folded poster, a postcard card, and stickers. The album will come in four versions: Walk, Podcast, Poster, and Walk Crew Character Card Version.
Followed by the comeback, NCT 127 will meet fans at the KCON LA music festival. The group will take the KCON LA 2024 stage on Sunday, i.e., the final day of the celebration, July 28, 2024.
Weeekly
K-pop group Weeekly will also release a new album in July. The group’s sixth mini album, Bliss, will drop on July 9 at 6 p.m. KST. Following the comeback, the group will gear up for their world tour, beginning on September 6 in Mexico City. The group has another concert in Colombia in the same week. Next, the girl group will travel to the US and Canada, performing seven concerts.
Since its debut in 2020, Weeekly has been on a steady path of success. The K-pop group’s latest EP, ColoRise, garnered critical appreciation and sold over 72,250 copies within the first week of its release, charting in the top 10 of South Korea’s Circle Album Chart.
In addition to the mentioned artists, TXT, NCT Wish, and other groups will make their Japanese comebacks. TXT will release its fourth Japanese single album, CHIKAI, on July 3. Stay tuned for more updates.
