As the "great national holiday" of the Lunar New Year comes to an end, a wave of girl groups is set to sweep through the music industry. From Jisoo of Blackpink, who sparked a "challenge syndrome" with her solo debut song, to IVE, the "MZ wannabe icon," and the new girl group from SM, the younger sister of aespa, idols who are receiving hot attention from K-pop fans are preparing to capture the hearts of their fans.
◆ Will Jisoo of Blackpink hit a home run with her second consecutive release after 'Flower'?
Jisoo will be making her comeback with her second solo album on February 14. This new release marks her first album since establishing her one-person agency, Blume, and comes two years after her solo debut song "Flower," which was released in March 2023.
Jisoo achieved great success with her previously released song "Flower." At the time of its release, the song ranked 6th on Spotify, 38th on the UK Official Singles Chart, and 4th on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100. The Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart includes songs that did not enter the main Billboard Hot 100 chart, up to 25th place. As a result, there is keen interest in whether Jisoo can enter the main Billboard chart with her new release.
Additionally, expectations are high for a new challenge. Jisoo's "Flower" sparked a "challenge boom" among pet owners immediately after its release. Pet owners participated in the "Flower" challenge with their cats and dogs, taking social media by storm. It is anticipated that Jisoo will return with a performance that considers another challenge, and it remains to be seen if she can once again capture the hearts of the MZ generation.
◆ IVE heats up the atmosphere with 'Rebel Heart,' officially returning on February 3
IVE (An Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, Lee Seo) will make their comeback on February 3 with their third EP album "IVE EMPATHY." Having previously discussed "myself" through numerous mega hits like "Love Dive," "Kitsch," "I AM," and "After LIKE," IVE will sing about "us" from a more diverse perspective in their new release.
IVE has heightened the excitement for their comeback with the pre-release title track "Rebel Heart." Released on the 13th, "Rebel Heart" depicts the march of rebels with various narratives and has swept the top ranks of major domestic music sites like Melon, Bugs, Vibe, and Genie, signaling a strong start.
With the success of "Rebel Heart," anticipation for "IVE EMPATHY," which will be released on February 3, has reached its peak, and curiosity is growing about what message they will convey with their double title track "Attitude."
◆ After 5 years since aespa... SM's new girl group Hearts2Hearts
SM Entertainment, one of the four major entertainment companies in Korea and known for its loyal fandom called "Pink Blood," will launch the new girl group Hearts2Hearts on February 24. Hearts2Hearts is the first new girl group from SM in about five years since aespa, and they are receiving a lot of attention.
The group name Hearts2Hearts signifies their intention to connect with global fans through their own mysterious and beautiful musical world filled with various emotions and heartfelt messages, moving forward together as a larger "us."
SM introduced Hearts2Hearts as a group consisting of a total of 8 members with diverse charms and limitless potential. As SM celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, there is great anticipation for what kind of team they will present based on their unique cultural heritage and solid planning capabilities.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
