July has been hot, hot, hot! Not only in the sense of the weather, but also in all these new K-Pop releases! We at THP just can’t get enough!
Have you kept up with us this past month? Check out our K-Pop comeback reviews of ATEEZ, ASTRO’s Yoon Sanha, ONEW, STAYC, ARrC, TXT, and ZEROBASEONE!
From several full-length albums to daring new singles and EPs, you won’t leave here emptyhanded. Get ready to pack your playlists with our new July K-Pop Hotspot!
BABYMONSTER
BABYMONSTER knew just the way we wanted to jumpstart our July K-Pop Hotspot! Their catchy new single ‘HOT SAUCE’ gives us retro energy with fire rap verses. These girls prove that they can do just about any concept with this new track. ‘HOT SAUCE’ is absolutely addictive (much like the condiment). And they know they ate with their charisma and choreography.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BABYMONSTER:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
KARD
KARD is once again reminding everyone who the OG adult K-Pop idols are! Their eighth mini-album, DRIFT, doesn’t miss a beat. And it’s the way our jaws dropped at 0:01 of the music video for ‘Touch’ and stayed on the ground the whole time. It’s a killer club song, and we can already imagine ourselves getting down to the title track! KARD never fails to surprise us with their versatility, and we can’t recommend the b-sides ‘Before We Go’ and ‘Pivot’ enough.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KARD:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE
JEON SOMI
We didn’t know we needed Miss Jeon Somi‘s retro comeback until now! From the concept to the music video visuals, her new single, ‘EXTRA,’ is otherworldly. Somi’s vocals fit this sound so well, but we didn’t expect anything less. She could never be an extra in our book with her main character energy. And don’t think we missed the iconic I.O.I line!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JEON SOMI:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
DOH KYUNG SOO (D.O.)
Doh Kyung Soo, the man that you are. He’s blessed our K-Pop Hotspot with a full-length album, BLISS! And we couldn’t come up with a better name to describe this comeback. D.O. has embedded himself into every part of this album, and we can tell. The title track, ‘SING ALONG!’ is upbeat and freeing. We definitely needed some carefree vibes in our playlist this month! Every song is bliss, and we were vibing to the entire album all the way through.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DOH KYUNG SOO:
INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
CLOSE YOUR EYES
CLOSE YOUR EYES has just dropped their second mini-album this month! Snowy Summer is a refreshing EP featuring four unique songs and not a single skip. The title track, ‘Snowy Summer,’ is a summer bop with the coziness of a winter track. And the music video felt like such a fun movie! Their vocals never disappoint, and we’re now official stans of these boys.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CLOSE YOUR EYES:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
SUPER JUNIOR
“This right here is a 100% certified slapper,” SUPER JUNIOR said it themselves. And with their discography history, we are inclined to believe them. But we, of course, had to give it a listen because, well, it’s SuJu! And we’re always here to celebrate their music. Indeed, ‘Express Mode’ absolutely slaps! The addictive lyrics are stuck in our heads, and we find ourselves humming “Watch me 1 step, 2 step, 3 step, 4” at the most random moments. You can’t listen to this title track without getting hooked. With this year marking their 20th anniversary, we’re going to be blasting ‘Express Mode’ and the entirety of Super Junior25 so much, and you should be too.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUPER JUNIOR:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
VIVIZ
Forget what you heard: VIVIZ is responsible for making the honmoon gold with this new comeback! Their first full-length album, A Montage of (), is everything we’ve been missing and more. For starters, the title track, ‘La La Love Me,’ is the embodiment of K-Pop. We want to get up and dance whenever this song comes on. Our favorite b-sides are ‘Toxic’ and ‘Wildflower.’ But that’s not all! This trio has even blessed us with three amazing solo songs. We can’t get enough of VIVIZ!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VIVIZ:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
YOUNGJAE
We felt like we really needed YOUNGJAE‘s ‘Escape To Me’; we just didn’t know it until he dropped it. The narrative usually goes to face your problems and fears head-on, but what if that wasn’t the only way to deal with them? ‘Escape To Me’ gives us another way, an escape. It is not shameful to choose to run and work on your own things at your own pace and the way you feel comfortable.
The song tells us it’s ok to do it in our own way, at a pace that suits us more than following expectations. Sometimes, putting things aside to take a breather is just what we need. It will help both our physical and mental state, and we will be charged up to get back to what we need to do. People are simply different, and they should do things the way it feels right for them.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUNGJAE:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
TWICE
MOTHERS. QUEENS. TWICE has just released their killer new album, THIS IS FOR. And it’s for the girls and the girls only! ‘THIS IS FOR’ is a showstopping title track with an empowering message for anyone who’s feeling low. Their tour and Lollapalooza set are about to go crazy, if the concert fancams are any indication! Don’t even get us started on the b-sides! Or the unit songs. We’d go on for days about this certified no-skips album, and you’ll know what we mean when you listen!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TWICE:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
BLACKPINK
July is a month of historic comebacks with BLACKPINK‘s new single, ‘JUMP!’ And when BLACKPINK says “jump,” we ask “how high?” This high-energy track has us headbanging along with everyone in the music video. After an era of solo releases, we’re manifesting a full group comeback. But for now, we’ll be replaying “JUMP” and hosting dance parties!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BLACKPINK:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
NCT DREAM
Something must be in the K-Pop air, because this is the third full-length album we’ve gotten this month! NCT DREAM is back with their Go Back to the Future album, filled with nine new songs. The title track ‘CHILLER’ is cool on every level: their outfits, the music video, the concept, everything. NCT DREAM also didn’t forget this was a summer release, with bops for b-sides like ‘I LIKE IT,’ ‘That Summer,’ and more!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NCT DREAM:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
LEE CHANHYUK
After almost three years, AKMU’s Lee Chanhyuk has dropped his second full-length album, Eros! With a dreamy synthwave sound for his title track, ‘Out of My Mind,’ we’re absolutely hooked. The music video is equally trippy and disorienting in the best way. Don’t sleep on the b-sides either! We recommend the R&B track ‘EVE’ and the groovy ‘TV Show.’
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LEE CHANHYUK:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM (CHANHYUK) | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
JO YURI
Next up in our July hotspot is Jo Yuri‘s new mini-album, Episode 25! You may know her from Squid Games, but we’ve been fans of her music for years. Her title track, ‘Farewell for now!’ sounds like it was made for a coming-of-age drama OST (which is really what this EP is about)! Yuri has been evolving into her sound as a soloist with each new comeback, and Episode 25 is another step along her fruitful artistic journey.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JO YURI:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
PURPLE KISS
You can always count on Purple Kiss to perfect their flawless discography with every single release, and I Miss My… is another incredible addition. The three-song single album explores the dreamiest side of Purple Kiss. ‘LOST & FOUND’ is one of their best b-sides yet, to the point it could easily be a title track. On the other hand, ‘VVV’ is the sister of their 2024 title track ‘BBB’ with a dreamier vibe. But the real star of the show is ‘DOREMI’ with its magical sound and hint of classical music. ‘DOREMI’ is a refreshing and softer addition to Purple Kiss’ discography, all tied together with the beauty of their unique vocals. With only three songs, Purple Kiss created one of their most magical releases yet, and you bet this easily became a go-to release for sunny days.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PURPLE KISS:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
HYO
Oh, to be able to see one of HYO‘s DJ sets with her new single, ‘YES!’ Mother dropped our new club anthem and thought we wouldn’t notice! We’re saying ‘”yes” in every language to more music from HYO. ‘YES’ has the 2000s vibe we’re craving for every time we go out on the town. She ate up this comeback and gave us everything!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HYO:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
WAYV
We could never get tired of WayV‘s music. With such a versatile discography, they somehow still manage to surprise us every comeback, like their seventh mini-album, BIG BANDS. The title track, ‘BIG BANDS,’ is explosive and confident and so good (in both versions)! We love the brass in the instrumental. Go ahead and listen to the EP all the way through. Let us know if you can pick a favorite song because we know we couldn’t!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WAYV:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
HUTA
If you need gym inspiration, look to BTOB’s Huta. If you need an album to get pumped up and go to the gym, check out Huta’s new comeback with HOOK. The title track, ‘Bora,’ has a Brazilian funk beat that had us dancing and moving in ways we didn’t know were possible. The fan service in the music video definitely helped, too, if we’re being honest. Huta’s solo songs never disappoint. Our eyes and ears stay blessed as his fans!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BTOB HUTA:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | INSTAGRAM (HUTA) | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
ONE PACT
You know we await every ONE PACT comeback with so much anticipation. That is because we are always so well rewarded. With a sound that is entirely their own, ONE PACT stands out in our playlists and doesn’t miss a chance to enter them with every new release: ONE FACT is no exception. The album brings us once again a full group comeback that absolutely slays. ‘YES, NO, MAYBE’ is one of our faves from the group already, and we know you will love it, too. It’s not even a question, for us ONE PACT’s music is a definite YES. But that’s not all.
Every time ONE PACT releases a new project, they make sure to hype us up with a pre-release, which comes with its own music video. For this release, they brought a surprise. We got solos from each member, accompanied by a video for the full experience. If this is not spoiling, we don’t know what is. You wouldn’t want to miss this exploration of individuality that the group offers through these five tracks.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ONE PACT:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
THE BOYZ
The Boyz are back, and they’re so ‘Stylish’ this comeback! We’re still not over their last comeback from earlier this year, and we already got another one? We have ‘Stylish’ stuck and replaying in our heads, but we didn’t forget to love the rest of the tracks on a;effect. They sure know how to leave an impact on us. And speaking of the new mini-album, we can’t wait to recommend that you check out ‘Talk’ and ‘You and I’ right now! Trust us, you’ll love them!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOYZ:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
EPEX
EPEX is back with their third full album, Youth Chapter 3: ROMANTIC YOUTH! Their title track, ‘Grateful to Tears,’ had us in tears by the end. With the refreshing feel of a summer track and the nostalgia of a passing season, our emotions are in disarray. EPEX’s vocals will never disappoint, and we hope they can get the recognition they deserve. Our favorite b-side tracks are ‘Dances with Wolves’ and ‘Whale fall!’
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EPEX:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
CHOI YENA
How is it possible that every concept suits YENA perfectly? She taps into the magical girl concept in her new mini-album, Blooming Wings. The title track, ‘Being a Good Girl Hurts,’ is the perfect sound for a romance anime OST. It is so catchy and cutesy and even incorporates shoujo manga-esque panels in the music video. The EP has no skips, but we especially recommend ‘Drama Queen’ and ‘Anyone But You (feat. MIRYO of Brown Eyed Girls)!’
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YENA:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
INFINITE WOOHYUN
Woohyun is back in his rockstar era, and we’re SO here for it! ‘Only Forward’ is filled with so much passion and willpower. The song reminds us of an anime opening, and after watching the music video, we think that it would fit it so well! It shows a baseball theme and a time travel concept that, let’s be honest, we love seeing! The animation scenes that are included strengthen our belief that ‘Only Forward’ could make a great anime opening.
While the title track is an upbeat, energy-filled delight that flatters Woohyun’s powerful vocals, the b-sides offer a different charm. They build up the excitement, grabbing our attention firmly as we witness how each of them evolves into an impactful musical experience. And one of the best parts about this album, Tree Ring? Woohyun was hands-on with all of the tracks. We can definitely sense his growth as an artist and person in the passion behind his music.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NAM WOOHYUN:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
That was our newest K-Pop hotspot! What was your favorite July K-Pop comeback and debut? Which comebacks are you most looking forward to in August? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @TheHoneyPOP!
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Authors: Julie Dam, Marty, Juu.
