As we approach the halfway point of the season, K-Pop has given us more and more contenders for song of the summer. Our July K-Pop Hotspot didn’t disappoint, from Sunmi and U-KNOW’s new solo singles to fromis_9 and HYOLYN’s summer anthems.
Have you kept up with our coverage throughout the month? Enjoy our comeback reviews for i-dle, MONSTA X’s Kihyun, TXT’s Yeonjun, JENNIE, DAY6’s Young K, and ATEEZ!
TOUR NEWS
Before we jump into July’s K-Pop comebacks and debuts, we’re highlighting some newly announced tour information! K-Pop icon Tiffany Young has announced her debut studio album, Edge of Calm, set for release on August 20. She’ll follow that up with eight nights on the Tiffany Young: Edge of Calm Tour, starting on September 12 in Hong Kong and ending on December 27 in Seoul.
Next, Catch The Young has announced their first-ever Latin American tour with CATCH THE YOUNG LIVE EVOLVE. This September, they’ll be playing in Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, with more countries and dates to follow.
K-Pop veteran Taemin has also kicked off a new era with an upcoming album and large-scale world tour! His PHASE 1: SOFT VIOLENCE album release is scheduled for August 31. The 2026–27 TAEMIN WORLD TOUR [LiMiNaL] will follow. Though the dates remain unannounced, Taemin has posted the cities in North America, Latin America, and Seoul so far.
Last but not least, OMEGA X heads back to the States for their third U.S. tour, NO LIMIT. Following the group’s project album released in June, seven members will visit 23 cities. The tour starts on August 13 in Miami, Florida, and ends on September 18 in Seattle, Washington. Now, let’s get into this month’s new releases!
DREAMCATCHER UAU
Dreamcatcher UAU kicks off our July K-Pop Hotspot with the right summer vibes! Their second mini-album, Playlist #Your Youth, has six incredible tracks you won’t want to skip. With an upbeat dance pop sound and a faux beach setting in the music video, ‘GENE’ makes for the perfect title track. And the chorus is unbelievably catchy. We love UAU’s vocals on this comeback. Our favorite B-sides include ‘Tuesday’ and ‘Cause I Wanna Feel Your Face.’
TEEN TOP NIEL
TEEN TOP’s Niel never disappoints with his solo releases. His new single, California, features two beautiful tracks, each with their own flair. The title track, ‘California,’ has a jazzy vibe that embodies the summer so well. We’re obsessed with the colors and the aesthetics of the music video. Whoever filmed and edited it deserves the biggest raise. ‘When you smile, I smile’ is a mellow B-side that pairs perfectly with the lead single.
CHOI SUNG YUN (Y)
We jumped, we screamed, and we reached new heights of happiness after hearing Choi Sung Yun’s ‘BLUE MOON!’ You know we love Y and his absolutely beautiful vocals, and seeing him release new music gets us beyond excited. ‘BLUE MOON’ is a dreamy and exciting track with rock elements that make for a perfect summer song competitor. With Sung Yun working on all parts of the production process, we are not surprised at the quality we receive: perfection! ‘BLUE MOON’ is already a favorite of ours; now it’s time to be one of yours as well.
TRENDZ
This July made us feel spoiled! New music from TRENDZ has us cheering all month long. ‘On My Knees’ delivers the passion to move forward despite any setbacks along the way. With a powerful yet bright sound, we can’t help but be drawn to this release. Get on the TRENDZ stan train right now so you don’t miss tracks like this one! And to top off this single album, TRENDZ also released remastered versions of two previously dropped singles, ‘Crime’ and ‘Kart Racer.’
AHOF
Fresh, fun, perfect for summer: that’s AHOF‘s new song, ‘RUN TO YOU,’ and it’s exactly what you need for your hot season playlists. It’s a track that will instantly grab you (like it did us) with its bright atmosphere. The album, RUN TO YOU, dropped just days after their special album, Day 1, and we couldn’t feel more spoiled! A year after their debut, we are still actively enjoying the energy-filled music the group releases. Different concepts, different vibes, yet all the same passion. We are very much here to cheer for them and their ambition!
NCT JAEHYUN
NCT’s Jaehyun continues to impress us with his soulful voice and romantic lyrics. ‘99 Degrees’ is a love ballad showcasing his vocals and songwriting skills. He sings about a love that’s nearly at the boiling point. Even if it’s not quite there yet, he still manages to find connection and completion with another person. Imperfections make the love feel whole, and we find that beautiful.
YOUNG POSSE
Next on our July K-Pop Hotspot, YOUNG POSSE has just released their first-ever mixtape, young tape! Each of the members had a hand in this project, from production and lyrics to visuals and editing. That’s right, YOUNG POSSE shot the entirety of the ‘Mr. 2026’ music video. And DOEUN directed, edited, and handled the video effects. We love the different unit and solo songs, especially ‘I know (SUNHYE, JIEUN)’ and ‘TOO SUNNY (feat. danji) (DOEUN).’ It’s refreshing to see the girls having the freedom to experiment and release something so close to them.
SUNMI
SUNMI’s first full-length, HEART MAID, has lingered with us since its release, but the queen is already back with ‘Forever July.’ With the song title, we already knew this would be part of our summer playlists, but SUNMI’s approach is, as usual, unique and stands out. ‘Forever July’ has the summer vibes, yes, but it’s also full of nostalgia and yearning. It has that soft energy with an addictive beat that all ties together with her vocals that create a world on its own. ‘Forever July’ is everything we needed.
HUTA
HUTA, also known as BTOB’s Minhyuk, has just released a new solo single, TEMPERATURE. He’s really staking his claim as the king of the summer with his title track, ‘Icy & Spicy.’ It’s funky and full of energy, perfect for the annual Waterbomb festival (we know you’ve seen the clips). ‘KO’ pairs perfectly with the title, and it’s a banger from start to finish.
BBGIRLS
Speaking of the summer, the season wouldn’t be complete without BBGIRLS! Their new single, ‘BODY WAVE,’ is exactly the energy we’ve been missing. With a fun-filled and hilarious music video, it’s the type of song we’d blast by the poolside. For us, ‘BODY WAVE’ is definitely a contender for this year’s song of the summer.
GIRLSET
GIRLSET’s bold new pre-release single has us on our feet in seconds! ‘CHAT’ marks a new chapter for these girls as they gear up for their debut album. It’s a hyperpop song with fast-paced choreography. They sing about ignoring what people are saying about them and staying true to their music. The girls using their actual chat in the music video is nothing short of iconic. ‘CHAT’ is even more addictive than we thought it’d be.
U-KNOW
K-Pop veterans, where y’all at? Our icon U-KNOW has returned with two new songs in his single album, Time’s Tickin’. The powerful title track is the type of song we’d hear in an action movie. And the music video looks like a movie itself. The production is so high quality, and we’re living for the chase sequences. U-KNOW promptly switches it up with his B-side, ‘An Ordinary Story,’ a gentle ballad that could soundtrack a K-Drama ending scene.
CATCH THE YOUNG KIHOON X AB6IX KIM DONGHYUN
Members of Catch The Young and AB6IX collaborating on a song was not on our 2026 bingo card, but we are so here for it! Kihoon and Donghyun bring life to ‘BLUE’ in a way we think only they can. Their vocals work so well together to capture the emotions and hope in ‘BLUE,’ creating an experience to get lost in. It was simply love at first listen.
WONHO
We’ve been in a funk this past month, but WONHO’s new EP absolutely gives us life! CORE checks off all our boxes, and we’re so glad he’s back. ‘Don’t Wake Me Up!’ is a high-octane title track that belongs in every dance club. We’re raging, headbanging, and pumping our fists to this EDM banger, which we haven’t been able to stop replaying since it dropped. Every B-side is top-notch, especially our personal favorites: ‘Summer Blue’ and ‘Test Drive.’
8TURN
Back with their third single album, 8TURN continues to turn our heads with [8.X]. ‘Stagefright’ has a mature concept we can get behind. They sing about a seductive yet dangerous love, one that you can’t pull away from. The black-and-white music video only adds to the sensual vibe. ‘8PM’ is an R&B track that understands the assignment. We can’t get enough of this comeback!
FROMIS_9
Our faves are back to reclaim the summer! fromis_9 has just dropped their second studio album, Glow ME. It makes us so happy to see the girls thriving in this new era. With 10 masterpieces, this summer album contains bops and bops only. ‘Vitamin ME’ is a fresh and upbeat track that truly deserves the lead single spot. We’re addicted to the sound. ‘ETERNAL,’ ‘Screen Time,’ and ‘Why do I cry?’ are among some of our favorite B-sides. But do yourself a favor and listen through every song. You won’t regret it!
HYOLYN
Mother HYOLYN is back to serve! It’s not summer until we get a HYOLYN comeback, and OriginaLyn is as iconic as she is! ‘ChecK’ slays as the album’s lead single. The choreography is killer, and the beat is giving early 2000s nostalgia. HYOLYN never fails to eat up any concept she tries. Just check the song list! From R&B tracks like ‘OFFLINE’ to slow jams like ‘Standing On The Edge,’ our queen can do it all!
LUN8
Our next July K-Pop comeback is LUN8’s fourth mini-album, Off the Grid! ‘SNEAKERS’ is a fresh, colorful title track with an equally fresh music video. The boys looked like they had so much fun filming, which we always love to see! Plus, the lively instrumental hasn’t left our heads. Don’t sleep on LUN8’s B-sides either! Their sound embodies the feel of summer beautifully.
ONE PACT
ONE PACT in full five-member lineup serving us new songs? Sign us up! When have we not grooved to their music? Exactly. No such time exists, and with TUNED IN, we are so…well, tuned in. ‘U so hot’ is without a doubt hotter than the weather. At the same time, it’s so refreshing that we can’t have enough. We can always count on ONE PACT to release a sound that’s unique to them, and that’s something we love.
ARTMS
It’s that time of the year again: ARTMS are about to take over all of our playlists with their comeback. And as the first taste of this era, we have the pre-release single: ‘Born Stunner.’ While staying true to themselves, this song is unlike any of the songs in the discography ARTMS has curated. It’s bold, energetic, and unapologetically loud in a way they haven’t tried before as ARTMS, but definitely reminds us of the late days of LOONA. Mix those two, and of course you get a banger, which is exactly what ‘Born Stunner’ is. It opens the doors for so much experimentation, and we cannot wait to have the full thing.
NCT TEN
After the 10th anniversary of his debut and record-breaking solo concerts, TEN has released a new song to celebrate. It’s not just a new song, but also his first-ever Thai single! ‘If You Don’t Mean It’ is a groovy jam about a misleading love with someone who doesn’t mean what they say. They act as if they love you, when it’s all a lie. TEN co-composed this incredible track, making it even more memorable.
ONEWE
Our beloved ONEWE is back with a new single! ‘Neverland’ is exactly the sound we’ve been missing from our playlists. It carries a message of wanting to escape to somewhere brighter and more magical, even if for a short while. The music video concept and art deserve an award for how beautiful it looks and how well it matches the feel of the song itself. The animated versions of ONEWE are so accurate and adorable, and we can’t help but smile while watching.
KARD
As bittersweet an ending as this is, KARD’s new release is nothing short of extraordinary. Their studio album, Where To Now? (Part 2) : NOWHERE, comes just after the group’s tenth anniversary. The title track, ‘Back To Life,’ feels like a celebration song, one that gives us hope for the members’ futures while also recognizing all the hard work they’ve put into KARD. The album features solo songs previously released by each member, as well as four additional B-sides that we know are going to tear up the stage on their upcoming tour. This is just goodbye for now, and we’ll be there for them, just as they’ve been here for us.
PENTAGON HUI
As we wait patiently for our PENTAGON 10th year reunion, HUI is giving us the second installment of his series, and we’re here for it. We’ve been through spring, and now it’s time for summer, and summer for HUI is all shiny and celebratory. ‘BINGO’ is bright, fun, and has this perfect carefree youthful energy that brings you right back to the days you didn’t have a single worry. Add in addictive melodies and gorgeous vocals, HUI released the song exactly everyone needs in their lives.
B.A.P ZELO
B.A.P members are really coming for us this summer. After a packed June, ZELO decided July was his month to drop a banger. Bringing the heat up with ‘ELA,’ he once again incorporates Latin elements into his music, and we really can’t get enough. We would classify his sound as dangerously addictive, and ‘ELA’ really makes us move to the rhythm as soon as the track starts playing.
GOT7 MARK
Finally, closing out our July K-Pop Hotspot is Mark Tuan‘s new English single, ‘Alone.’ We’re always in awe of Mark’s singing voice, and this track has become our latest addiction. He sings about feeling conflicted on a night out yet preferring someone’s company over being alone with his thoughts. And he’s so real for that. It’s a mellow, groovy track perfect for late-night drives. Mark’s finding his sound, and we’re living for it!
What killer month for K-Pop! What was your favorite comeback or debut? Which new releases are you most looking forward to in August? Let us know in the comments below, or on Twitter @TheHoneyPOP!
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