By Dong Sun-hwa
A slew of second-generation K-pop girl groups, like Girls’ Generation and Kara, whose glory days ran from the late 2000s to the early 2010s, took the music scene by storm in 2022 with much-awaited comebacks. This summer, second-generation boy groups get their turn.
Teen Top, best known for its hits like “No More Perfume On You” (2011) and “To You” (2012), will drop a new album in July. The exact release date has been kept under wraps.
The group burst onto the music scene with the album Come Into The World in 2010, and returned to the spotlight after appearing on popular MBC variety show Hangout with Yoo in March. Marking the 13th anniversary of their debut, Teen Top took the stage with some of their popular songs, and became a hit on YouTube.
According to their management company, Top Media, the group’s coming album will include some new tracks and re-recorded versions of old hits.
Teen Top currently consists of Chunji, Niel, Ricky and Changjo. Two members – C.A.P and L.Joe – quit the act earlier this month and in 2017, respectively.
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Boy group Infinite, which debuted in the same year as Teen Top, are also preparing to return as a sextet. Its current members are Kim Sung-kyu, Jang Dong-woo, Nam Woo-hyun, Lee Sung-yeol, L and Lee Sung-jong. They recently set up their own record label called Infinite Company, which is helmed by Kim Sung-kyu.
Best known for their breakthrough hit “Be Mine” (2011), Infinite was created by Woollim Entertainment in 2010. It was under Woollim for several years, but the members recently terminated contracts with the company.
In a rare move, Woollim’s founder Lee Jung-yeop transferred the naming rights of Infinite to the group, showing his support for their independence. This is an unusual case in the K-pop industry where agencies often keep the naming rights for themselves, leading groups to take new names.
Infinite is scheduled to hold a special live party with their fans on June 9 in celebration of the 13th anniversary of their debut. Although details have not been disclosed, the now sextet is expected to make a comeback soon after almost five years on hiatus.
Another act coming back is Shinee. With the return of their youngest member, Taemin, who completed his mandatory military service on April 4, the SM Entertainment act plans to roll out their eighth full-length album in the second quarter of this year.
Prior to putting out the album, Shinee is set to hold a fan event at the Kintex in Ilsan, Gyeonggi province, on May 27, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut.
Ukiss, the band that rose to stardom with its catchy tune “Man Man Ha Ni” (2009), will also put out its new mini-album in June, more than five years after the release of Ready For U. This year marks the 15th anniversary of their debut.
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