Like every week in November this year, there has been a lot of big releases in K-Pop. This is the first week that two popular boy-groups put out work in the same week, with Wanna One and NCT 127 putting out their respective projects. Along with them is the return of EXID and the follow-up to Nature’s debut. Let’s look at the week to come.
Next Week In K-Pop
Wanna One – 1¹¹=1 (POWER OF DESTINY) (11/19/18)
After a year and a half of being together, Wanna One sees it’s split at the end of 2019. The group was the success story that came of Produce 101’s second season. With this final release, the group finished with three full-length albums and two mini-albums. While music videos were made for songs like “Light,” “Boomerang”, and “Beautiful,” the group’s biggest song was arguably “Energetic.” The song won 15 music show awards out of the 42 music show wins that the group won all-together. Just recently the group finished their 20 show world tour that went into North America, Asia, and Oceania.
The reason for the group split is because all of the talents come from different labels. It’s the same idea that was done with the previous girl group I.O.I and the current Produce 48 winners IZ*ONE. After all is said and done the 11 members of the group will go their separate ways and continue to pursue careers in the music industry if they choose to.
Judging from the two teaser trailers put out currently, the title track called “Spring Breeze” will be a slow song that, despite having high pitched vocals, seems to have a somber tone to it. While their past music videos have been high quality this one feels like a step up. The album will be sold in two versions with the two themes being adventure and romance.
Promotion Timeline
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EXID – I LOVE YOU (11/21/18)
In December of 2016, EXID temporarily downgraded from five members to four after Solji was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Since then, the group has operated as four with Solji only recently returning for the group’s small Japanese tour. With the next release, all will be restored in the group with their leader back on tour.
For the second year in a row, EXID is making a comeback in November. Last year it was with the mini-album Full Moon, which was lead by the song “DDD.” EXID has also put out work in 2018 with their song “Lady” which paid homage to a different age of hip-hop music.
Promotion Timeline
| 11/11/18 | |
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| 11/16/18 |
Nature – Some & Love (11/22/18)
Girl-group Nature went somewhat unnoticed back in August when they debuted. At that time they made their debut with a song called “Allegro Cantabile.” The song gave me vibes of the cute concept songs that J-pop groups like AKB48 like doing. From the very short teasers put out so far, I can’t guarantee a similar style when being specific to things like comparisons to other groups and genres, but I can say that they are definitely sticking with their bubblegum/playful pop style.
Promotion Timeline
| 10/30/18 | |
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NCT 127 – NCT #127 Regulate (11/23/18)
After the explosive release of “Regular” last month, NCT 127 isn’t slowing down. They are set to release a repackage of the album Regular/Irregular. This repackage, titled NCT #127 Regulate, is set to have a new title track called “Simon Says.”
“Regular” was promoted in North America along with Korea since the song had a Korean and English version. The song found itself #1 on the Gaon Album Chart and included on LWOS.life’s “Best of October” list.
Promotion Timeline
| 11/13/18 | |
| 11/14/18 | |
| 11/15/18 |
Japanese Releases
This week there are also two Japanese releases from K-pop groups. Dreamcatcher’s recent song “What” will see it’s Japanese version released on the 21st, the same day that TVXQ puts out their song “Jealous.” Both music videos are already out on Youtube and aren’t formally posted until Wednesday.
Next week we finish November with a bang, taking a look at Lovelyz, MAMAMOO, The Boyz, Red Velvet and more.
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