Weekly K-pop News – 2nd Week of August 2025

By Nomad's Dream | August 15, 2025

This is the weekly K-pop news for the second week of August 2025.

August 15th was Liberation Day. As we enjoy this mid-August holiday, I reflect once again on Hallyu culture and K-pop, which have blossomed within today’s freedom and peace.

There are many exciting updates in K-pop this second week of August.

The post may be long, so let’s begin.

4th-Generation Girl Group MADEIN’s Unit "MADEIN S" Releases Single Made in Blue

The first piece of news is about the release of the debut single from the first unit of 4th-generation girl group MADEIN, called MADEIN S.

MADEIN is a rebranded group from the 4th-generation girl group LIMELIGHT, and they officially debuted in 2024. The group drew attention at the time of their re-debut with the addition of Kep1er’s Kang Yeseo and Mashiro. So far, they have released one EP album and one single.

Typically, girl group units appear after the group has been active for more than three years, but MADEIN launched a unit relatively early. The members participating in this unit are four of the six, specifically the Japanese members: Mashiro, Miyu, Serina, and Nagomi.

These four members had already gained recognition through their YouTube channel, “Japanese Sisters”, and this activity became the foundation for forming a unit targeting the Japanese market.

The title track, “Blue”, is an Afrobeat-based disco K-pop song. It also incorporates MADEIN’s signature dreamy sound, and its meaning is elevated by the fact that members Mashiro and Miyu participated in writing and composing the song.

While Korean members Su-hye and Yeseo are taking a short break, fans eagerly await the release of MADEIN’s new album and look forward to the day the group soars higher. Congratulations to the unit on releasing their single.

At the same time, we support the activities of the four members and hope their YouTube channel continues to do well. It isn’t easy for idols to run a channel while actively promoting, but the way the four encourage and support each other makes their effort even more noteworthy.

4th-Generation Girl Group YOUNG POSSE Releases EP Album Growing Pain pt.1 : FREE

The second news is about the release of a new EP album from the 4th-generation girl group YOUNG POSSE.

YOUNG POSSE debuted in October 2023 under DSP Media, a company with tradition and history that produced the legendary girl group KARA.

Unlike the girl groups DSP had previously introduced, YOUNG POSSE debuted with a concept based on hip-hop, adopting a rebellious and mischievous (“frog” / “troublemaker”) image. Since it’s rare for girl groups to choose hip-hop as their main genre, YOUNG POSSE’s debut alone was sensational.

For idols, a concept can feel like a category. Just as a certain genre immediately brings a certain idol to mind, it’s easy for an image to become fixed.

Following this positioning, YOUNG POSSE has consistently released albums centered on classic hip-hop beats. However, they have also faced feedback that such a concept can be a double-edged sword. While refreshing, it can also be too niche, making it harder to build a strong fandom and solidify their identity.

Although they could have changed their concept, YOUNG POSSE once again chose an authentic hip-hop style for their new EP. The title track, “Freestyle”, stands out with powerful drum-and-bass sounds and adds a punk vibe, showcasing the group’s unique identity.

Since all five members participated in writing the lyrics to tell their own stories, this new EP seems to represent YOUNG POSSE’s growth narrative.

Will they grow, or remain stagnant?

As K-pop edges toward what some call the “4.5th generation,” will YOUNG POSSE be able to carve out a place for themselves?

When people think of “metallic sounds,” they think of aespa.

When it’s “mix-pop,” they think of NMIXX.

For easy listening, it’s NewJeans.

For 4th-generation hook songs, it’s ILLIT.

And when it comes to bands, it’s QWER.

4.5th-Generation Girl Group Atheart Releases First EP Album Plot Twist

The third news is about the release of the first EP album from the 4.5th-generation girl group Atheart.

Atheart first made their presence known in K-pop this past May with a pre-release single. Their official debut took place just a few days ago on August 13, with their debut marked by the release of their first EP album.

Atheart is a seven-member multinational girl group, consisting of four Korean members and three foreign members. Although their agency is a new company, it has already gained attention because Han Semin, a former SM Entertainment executive, and dance choreographer Lia Kim have joined it.

The title track, “Plot Twist”, is a hybrid K-pop dance song infused with EDM. Its intro starts off light, almost like easy listening, but builds up into an intense emotional climax with the EDM layers.

The word Plot refers to a scene or a moment. Combined with Twist, Plot Twist means “an unexpected reversal.” The hope is that Atheart’s debut itself will become an unexpected success—a pleasant surprise beyond expectations.

Congratulations to Atheart on their debut and first EP album release. We look forward to them becoming a promising act of the 4.5th generation of K-pop.

The debut EP, much like the group’s name, embodies the idea of connecting different colors and emotions together to create a meaningful twist.

BURVEY debuted in 2024 under OnOne Entertainment as a so-called “kids idol” group. The term may sound unfamiliar, but it simply means that all the members were born after 2010—making them all under the age of 15.

OnOne Entertainment was also once the agency of Na Haeun, a well-known child performer who is now signed with High Up Entertainment. Many people still associate that name with a certain image, and BURVEY was formed in continuation of that image, taking shape as a kids idol group.

BURVEY consists of five Korean members, all of whom are under 15.

Last year, BURVEY released a pre-debut single, and in April of this year, they released their EP album “Aeiou.” Their new single is a special single that serves as BURVEY’s summer song.

The title track, “Aqua Blue,” is a medium-tempo K-pop track—neither too flashy nor too overwhelming—which makes it pleasant and easy to listen to.

Since they have just entered their first year and are still a kids idol group, there is a long road ahead of them. However, with such a solid start, BURVEY is a girl group whose future feels all the more promising.

Boy Group NCT WISH Releases Summer Song Surf

The fifth news is about the release of a new single from boy group NCT WISH.

NCT WISH is a sub-unit derived from NCT, SM Entertainment’s representative 3rd-generation boy group, known for having a very large number of members (over 20).

For years, SM introduced various units under NCT, giving the impression that the group would expand infinitely. However, in 2023, after the debut of NCT WISH, SM announced the end of NCT’s expansion, stating that no more units would be created.

NCT WISH consists of Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo, and Sakuya—with four Japanese members and two Korean members. They have been promoting actively by releasing albums in both Japan and Korea.

Their new summer song, “Surf,” is a hybrid dance-pop track. It features a lyrical melody layered over refreshing sounds, with energetic vocals adding vibrance to the song.

As a trusted boy group with a strong track record, one might not even need to check before expecting quality—but what makes this release special is that it was composed by Park Mun-chi. The combination of Park Mun-chi’s musical sensibilities with NCT’s vocals alone makes it worth listening to.

For reference, Park Mun-chi is an indie singer-songwriter known for her nostalgic sound. She rose to prominence during the late 2010s when the newtro trend was at its peak.

With NCT WISH’s vocals layered onto Park Mun-chi’s distinctive style, Surf carries both a dreamy softness and a refreshing coolness—perfect for summer.

Female Soloist Jeon Somi Releases Second EP Chaotic & Confused

The sixth news is about female soloist Jeon Somi and her second EP album release.

When it comes to Jeon Somi, several keywords come to mind: Sixteen, JYP, I.O.I, The Black Label, solo artist, and more.

However, at this point, I think she can simply be called “Jeon Somi”—her name alone carries enough weight. As a female soloist, she has solid standing and undeniable popularity. Most importantly, there’s no longer any question about her skill and star power.

Somi has always been a star, but now she’s fully established on her own.

The title track of her new EP is “Closer”, a genre called Stutter House. While the term may sound unfamiliar, it is a style rooted in pop music. The chorus is dominated by a strong, pulsating beat reminiscent of 2NE1’s “I Love You.” EDM suits Jeon Somi perfectly, and it seems she has also found the right musical positioning for herself.

One of the most telling fan reactions was describing the song as:

"A song you might hear while strolling through a Zara store."

It’s a playful yet intuitively understandable description—lighthearted but accurate.

Fans previously thought Somi’s star power was hazy, but once you “wipe the dust off the telescope,” it’s clear that she has always shone brightly. This EP radiates a sharp and bold mood, and the description alone gives a sense of what her performance would feel like—intense and commanding.

Her stage presence is equally powerful, showing remarkable dominance. Perhaps it’s time for K-pop to crown a true EDM queen, and Jeon Somi fulfills that role perfectly.

Much like Lee Jung-hyun ruled the K-pop scene in the 1990s, perhaps now it’s time for Jeon Somi to dominate the 4.5-generation market.

Welcome back, Jeon Somi—long-awaited and brilliantly shining.

K-pop Briefs – 2nd Week of August 2025

1. Song Ha-ye – New Single

Female soloist and ballad singer Song Ha-ye has released a new single. Known as a “breakup song expert,” her latest track continues her series of heartfelt ballads. Notably, she has been releasing singles almost every month this year, with this new release coming just a month after her July single.

2. Girl Group LOVEON – Special Single

The girl group LOVEON, which debuted last year under Chorokbyeol Entertainment (a company known for drama production), released a special single four months after their April release. The song is a summer dance-pop track with a rock foundation, highlighted by catchy guitar riffs and a refreshing sound. Now in their first year, fans are watching to see how LOVEON will continue to grow and shine.

3. Band TOUCHED – New Single and Upcoming Concerts

Band TOUCHED, winners of the 2020 Yoo Jae-ha Music Contest and the 2022 Mnet band competition Great Seoul Invasion, released a new single eight months after their last release in December. Their title track “Ruby” was first performed at the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival on August 1, receiving enthusiastic reactions.

TOUCHED’s new release was produced with support from CJ Cultural Foundation’s Tune-Up musician support program. The band also announced upcoming concerts on August 23–24 at Goyang KINTEX, promising interactive performances with diverse content. Fans hope this release continues the momentum of the current band boom in Korea, alongside groups like QWER and Sae So Nyeon.

VCHA Rebrands as Girlset

Background:

JYP’s North America–focused girl group VCHA is rebranding as Girlset. Fans had speculated that “Girlset” would be the name for JYP’s 4.5th generation girl group, but it has now been confirmed as the re-debut name for VCHA.

Lineup Changes:

• Member K (케이지) left following a contract dispute with JYP, which has now been amicably resolved.
• With K’s departure, the group is now a 4-member unit.
• This rebranding is seen as an effort to revive a team that had been stalled by early conflicts and member departures.

Future Activities:

• It is unclear whether Girlset will release a full album, a single, or focus on concerts.
• The situation is somewhat analogous to project groups like IOI, where a reunion may involve limited releases or live performances rather than long-term promotions.