Weekly K-pop News – First Week of September 2025
By Nomad's Dream | September 5 2025
As summer fades and the first hints of autumn arrive, the mornings are starting to feel a little cooler — a perfect reminder that a new season is beginning. Just as the weather shifts, the K-pop world is also bringing fresh energy and exciting new releases.
Let’s dive into the artists who kicked off September with major comebacks and big announcements.
4th-Gen Girl Group aespa Releases 6th Mini Album Rich Man
The first news is about the release of a new album from the 4th-generation girl group aespa.
Representing 4th-gen K-pop, aespa has dropped their 6th mini album, titled Rich Man — exactly as the name suggests.
The title track shares the same name, “Rich Man.” The album contains six songs in total, including the title track. It spans a mix of genres such as rock-based pop dance, R&B, medium tempo, and pop.
Pre-orders for aespa’s new album surpassed 1.1 million copies, proving their powerhouse status as a leading 4th-gen group.
From their earlier “metallic” (kwangya-themed) concept to now showcasing a rich, girl-crush appeal, aespa continues to reinvent themselves. As a tentpole of the 4th generation, fans are eager to see what kind of spectacular performances they will deliver this time.
Although SM Entertainment recently debuted their so-called “4.5th-generation” girl group Hearts2Hearts (H2H), the 4th-gen stage still clearly belongs to aespa. Many say H2H doesn’t quite have that “SM feel,” and as a result, fandom demand continues to fuel unwavering support for aespa.
AESPA’s endless transformations are simply amazing.
Boy Band DAY6 Releases 4th Studio Album The DECADE
The second big news this week comes from DAY6, one of K-pop’s most iconic bands. Known as the group that sparked the band boom within K-pop and a proud representative of JYP Entertainment, DAY6 is now celebrating their 10th anniversary with a brand-new album.
It’s been nearly six years since their last full-length release, The Book of Us (2019). Their 4th studio album, The DECADE, arrives after a long wait, making it all the more meaningful as both a 10th-anniversary milestone and a heartfelt gift to fans.
Through this album, DAY6 reflects on their journey, expressing honest emotions and gratitude to fans with more mature and nuanced music than ever before.
The record features two title tracks: Bus of Dreams (Track 1) and INSIDE OUT (Track 2). While the first track sets the tone as the opener, many listeners are already drawn to INSIDE OUT for its energy and appeal.
The sound feels polished and contemporary, seamlessly blending pop-punk influences with DAY6’s signature melodic richness.
Congratulations to DAY6 on reaching their 10th anniversary! Here’s to a new chapter and to the unstoppable passion that continues to define their music.
Boy Group ZEROBASEONE Releases 1st Full Album NEVER SAY NEVER
The third highlight this week comes from ZEROBASEONE (ZB1), who have just dropped their very first full-length album, NEVER SAY NEVER.
As their debut studio album, NEVER SAY NEVER is packed with 10 tracks, including the title song ICONIK. This project serves as the culmination of the group’s ongoing storyline, which has unfolded through previous releases centered on themes of youth and paradise. With this record, ZB1 declares their ambition for this album to mark their most “brilliant moment” yet.
Personally, this album feels like a coming-of-age chapter for the group. It captures their evolution from boys into young men, showcasing a more mature and sophisticated side of ZEROBASEONE. The wide range of genres explored adds even more value, making it a well-rounded body of work.
The title track, ICONIK, is groove-driven but built on tight, precise rhythms. Its highlight comes in the bridge, where stacked vocals build into a rhythmic burst — a fresh sound that’s sure to resonate with fans.
From youth to young adulthood, ZEROBASEONE’s story of growth continues. Congratulations to ZB1 on the release of their first full album!
Boy Group NCT WISH Drops 3rd Mini Album COLOR
The fourth update this week comes from NCT WISH, who have released their third mini album, COLOR.
The album, themed around the vibrant world NCT WISH “paints,” includes seven tracks, with the title track also called COLOR. True to its concept, the album radiates confidence and energy, showcasing the group’s signature charisma.
The sound is dominated by bold electropop, yet there’s an underlying freshness and brightness that’s instantly recognizable once you listen to the title track. It’s energetic yet free, intense yet colorful — a perfect example of NCT WISH’s signature refreshing dance style.
The album manages to feel both nostalgic and new at the same time, highlighting the group’s confidence and musical identity.
Weekly K-pop Short News – First Week of September 2025
Humming Urban Stereo Releases New Album
House music pioneers Humming Urban Stereo (HUS) have dropped a new album. Featuring five tracks, including previously released singles, the album celebrates their 20th anniversary while also looking forward to the future. Collaborations include singer Chuu, 4th-gen girl group Maydin, rapper Penomeco, and vocalists Liso, Sugarflow, and Yeslow.
4th-Gen Girl Group X:N Releases New Single
Multinational girl group X:N returns just four months after their 3rd mini album Defend Myself with their first single. The title track, RRRUN, is a K-pop dance song celebrating confidence and style.
Boy Group TREASURE Drops New Mini Album
After a long hiatus, TREASURE releases their third mini album. The title track, PARADISE, blends a romantic vibe with a refreshing dance sound. Fans have been eager for a comeback, and YG Entertainment seems to be listening.
Solo Artist HyoLyn Releases New Single
Sexy star HyoLyn returns with a dance track combining strong hip-hop beats and smooth R&B. The song features a solid bassline and layered synths, and her stylish choreography with a dance crew is a highlight.
Boy Group MONSTA X Releases Mini Album
MONSTA X sticks to their formula of powerful performances and masculinity with a new mini album. The title track is a bold, intense dance song with addictive hooks, driving bass, and strong drums, reaffirming their presence in the K-pop scene.
Reflections on 4th and 4.5th-Gen K-pop Trends
As K-pop enters its 4.5th generation, 4th-gen girl groups are now defined by viral trends, word-of-mouth promotion, short-form videos, and challenge content. Short-form and challenge culture is inseparable from this generation — it’s all about gaining influence through virality.
This has led to what some call “challenge reciprocity,” where groups appear on each other’s content to help one another. While challenges were fresh in the early 4th-gen era, audience engagement has begun to feel more fatigued. Yet challenges remain a critical promotional tool.
The question arises: are these challenges simply repeating strategies from past generations? Much like the hook-song era of 2nd-gen K-pop — remember all those catchy refrains designed to imprint the song in your mind? — today’s challenge culture might be following a similar pattern.
As we move into 4.5th-gen, elements from 2nd-gen K-pop (like bold, “sexy” concepts) are reemerging. Trends inevitably move forward, but it’s important to balance nostalgia and freshness. Leaning too far into the past can feel unfamiliar rather than nostalgic, and concepts that the public can’t connect with risk being ignored.
Sometimes the answers lie in the past, but pacing is key. Take a step back, read the audience, and move forward at a speed that allows both innovation and acceptance.
Source: Weekly K-pop News, First Week of September 2025 | Author: Dream of a Nomad