Complete Guide to October 2026 K-Pop Comebacks: 5 Groups & Soloists You Can't Miss
October 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months of the year for K-pop, with highly anticipated group comebacks, a major solo EP, and a brand-new unit debut.
From NMIXX's new mini album and LISA's latest solo project to major October comebacks from ILLIT and IVE, the second half of the month is packed with new music.
If you're wondering which releases deserve a spot on your playlist, here are five October 2026 K-pop comebacks and releases you shouldn't miss.
1. JxJ – “DREAMSCAPE”
📅 Release Date: October 19, 2026
SEVENTEEN's JEONGHAN and JOSHUA are joining forces as a new unit, JxJ, with their first mini album “DREAMSCAPE.”
The album is scheduled for release on October 19 at 6 PM KST, with pre-orders having started on September 23.
“DREAMSCAPE” explores two different meanings of dreaming: unconscious fantasies experienced while sleeping and the ideals people hope to make real.
According to PLEDIS Entertainment, the album explores how these two forms of dreams interact and blur the boundary between reality and fantasy.
The first mini album is available in versions including Dream Record Ver., Weverse Albums Ver., and KiT Ver., with different Korean retailers offering various pre-order options.
As JxJ's first official release, “DREAMSCAPE” gives fans a chance to experience the two SEVENTEEN members in a completely new unit format.
2. NMIXX – “Strange Muse”
📅 Release Date: October 19, 2026
NMIXX will return with their sixth EP “Strange Muse” on October 19 at 6 PM KST.
The album features six tracks, led by the title track “Birthday Wish.” It follows the group's fifth EP “Heavy Serenade,” which was released in May 2026.
The tracklist includes:
- Birthday Wish
- Kerosene
- RudE TaLK
- Sing to the Moon – Lily & Haewon
- Hot 'n Unbothered – Sullyoon & Bae
- WHIP – Jiwoo & Kyujin
One of the most notable aspects of “Strange Muse” is the inclusion of three unit tracks, marking the group's first official unit songs since debut.
All six members participated in writing the lyrics for their respective unit tracks, giving the members a more direct role in the album's creation.
The album's concept has also introduced a mysterious and dreamlike visual direction, continuing NMIXX's distinctive approach to storytelling and worldbuilding.
For NMIXX fans, “Strange Muse” is particularly significant because it combines full-group songs with new member pairings and expands the group's musical format.
3. LISA – “PRESS PLAY”
📅 Release Date: October 23, 2026
BLACKPINK's LISA will return with her latest solo EP “PRESS PLAY” on October 23.
The release follows her debut full-length album “Alter Ego” and marks another chapter in her solo career.
“PRESS PLAY” is described as a project that reflects LISA's Thai roots and her journey as a global artist. The EP follows her pre-release single “SaWaDiKa,” which was released in September.
“SaWaDiKa” takes inspiration from the Thai greeting and brings LISA back to her roots while highlighting her rap-focused sound. The music video was filmed in Bangkok and features locations across her home country.
The official LISA store describes “PRESS PLAY” as a six-track EP, with physical editions including CD and vinyl versions. The release date is confirmed as October 23, 2026.
With “PRESS PLAY,” LISA continues to build her solo identity beyond BLACKPINK while incorporating elements connected to her background and global career.
4. ILLIT – “BREAK EVEN”
📅 Release Date: October 26, 2026
ILLIT will make their next comeback with their fifth mini album “BREAK EVEN” on October 26 at 6 PM KST.
The album's title comes from the economic term “break-even point,” meaning a point where there is neither profit nor loss.
BELIFT LAB explains that the album expresses ILLIT's decision to stop investing their time and emotions into relationships that do not give anything back in return.
The concept focuses on letting go of a relationship that has become one-sided rather than continuing simply because of the time and emotions already invested.
“BREAK EVEN” follows ILLIT's fourth mini album “MAMIHLAPINATAPAI,” which was released earlier in 2026.
The group consists of YUNAH, MINJU, MOKA, WONHEE, and IROHA.
Pre-orders for “BREAK EVEN” began on September 28, ahead of the October 26 release.
The new album presents a more direct message from ILLIT, moving away from the idea of holding onto a relationship simply because of what has already been invested.
5. IVE – “Looks Can Kill”
📅 Release Date: October 26, 2026
Closing out the month, IVE will return with their new EP “Looks Can Kill” on October 26.
The release marks IVE's first new music since their second full-length album “REVIVE+,” which was released in February 2026.
Before the full EP arrives, IVE will pre-release the title track “Looks Can Kill” on October 19.
The new project is built around a “Girl Hero” concept. Starship Entertainment describes it as an IVE-style spin-off project that introduces six new hero characters and expands the group's storytelling universe.
The promotional rollout includes several chapters, including:
- GIRL HERO
- HERO COMICS
- HERO ON SET
- SPIN-OFF
The six members—YUJIN, GAEUL, REI, WONYOUNG, LIZ, and LEESEO—will return as a group after completing their second world tour, “SHOW WHAT I AM.”
With the title track arriving one week before the full EP, IVE's October comeback will be one of the month's biggest releases.
October 2026 Is Packed With K-Pop Comebacks
October 2026 brings together some of K-pop's biggest names, with several major releases concentrated in the second half of the month.
JxJ's “DREAMSCAPE” and NMIXX's “Strange Muse” will arrive on October 19, followed by LISA's “PRESS PLAY” on October 23.
Then, on October 26, both ILLIT's “BREAK EVEN” and IVE's “Looks Can Kill” will be released, making the final week of October particularly busy for K-pop fans.
Whether you're looking forward to a new unit, a solo project, or a full group comeback, October 2026 is a month worth keeping on your K-pop calendar.
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