Weekly K-Pop News – 2nd Week of September 2025
By Nomad's Dream | September 13 2025
It’s already starting to feel like autumn in the mornings.
The breeze is cool and refreshing at dawn, though midday temperatures are still hot.
While the K-Pop Demon Hunters craze hasn’t yet died down, K-Food, K-Fashion, and K-Content also drew attention this second week of September.
Though the current heat will eventually fade, we hope K-Content and K-Pop will continue to leave a lasting impression.
Here’s the news for the second week of September:
Chaeyoung of TWICE releases solo album
The first piece of news is about TWICE’s Chaeyoung, who has released her solo album.
TWICE's Chaeyoung, a member of the girl group that represents both JYP and K-pop, has released a solo album. Chaeyoung's first solo album is titled "Lil' Fantasy Volume 1."
The title track is "SHOOT (Firetracker)," which is the 3rd track on the album. It's a dance song infused with 1980s-1990s disco rhythms, featuring a retro yet kitsch sound as the title track.
Since Chaeyoung holds the rapper position within TWICE, many fans speculated that she would come out with an intense song, but it was quite the opposite - she released a very soft and mellow track, which is being praised as a pleasant surprise.
Chaeyoung's solo album, which showcases her confident aspirations for her career as well as her cute and quirky charms, contains 10 tracks including the title song.
Notably, Chaeyoung participated in all the tracks. The album's creative direction also started from Chaeyoung's artwork, with everything from the songs to the cover originating from Chaeyoung herself - this is a distinctive feature of the album.
Familiar retro vibes, fresh approach, surprising songs and performances. It was a solo album where you could truly feel Chaeyoung's charm.
IU's surprise single "Bye Summer" release
The second news is about singer IU's single release.
Singer IU's new song "Bye Summer," which was surprise-released without any promotion or advance notice, was a song that IU had previously performed during her 2024 world tour.
"Bye Summer" is a song that IU created during her 2024 world tour period. While the tour took place during summer, it's a song that metaphorically compares the heat of summer to the love of her fans.
During the concert, IU performed the song while playing guitar herself, creating such a beautifully staged scene that fans had been eagerly waiting for the official release of "Bye Summer."
IU co-composed the song with composer Seo Dong-hwan and wrote the lyrics herself. It's being praised as another great song, featuring lyrical yet simple vocals combined with a band sound.
While IU is multi-talented, she truly seems to shine brightest when she's on stage and singing.
WJSN's Dayoung Releases Solo Album
The third news is about WJSN member Dayoung's solo album release.
WJSN member Dayoung has released her first solo album "gonna love me, right?" 9 years after her debut. It contains 3 tracks including the title song "Body."
Fans are quite shocked as she released a solo album with a completely different image from what WJSN has shown so far and the image that Dayoung had built up.
Dayoung had a bright, cheerful, and upbeat image, but her solo album presents a truly "hot girl" image.
It's reported that Dayoung directly participated in all processes including music, concept, and music videos. The title track "Body" is a pop dance track that's very groovy with an addictive hook.
True to the song title "Body," Dayoung captured attention with a smoky look that revealed her well-defined abs.
The album's themes are confidence and love. The lyrics focus on love, while confidence is clearly displayed throughout the entire album. She said she sharpened her skills in preparation, and I think this album will showcase the sincerity and courage that Dayoung has shown all along.
Dayoung's solo debut with a complete 180-degree change in both music and visuals. While congratulating her debut, it's news about Dayoung that makes us miss WJSN's songs.
Girl Group MOMOLAND Releases Single
The fourth news is about girl group MOMOLAND's single release.
MOMOLAND is a 3rd generation girl group that debuted in 2016. They were active under MLD Entertainment, but couldn't surpass the typical 7-year girl group contract period and announced their disbandment in 2023.
They were one of the groups with many regrets about their activities, as their released songs were popular not only domestically but also overseas. While there was news about individual activities, news of a complete group reunion remained distant.
However, 2 years after their disbandment in 2025, news came that MOMOLAND would make a complete comeback with all members aiming to release new music. They signed with their current agency, Inyeon Entertainment, in April and are now presenting this album.
MOMOLAND first released a digital single ahead of their album activities to kickstart their comeback. The single "Rodeo" features country-style riffs with UK garage elements, but as the title suggests, it's filled with Latin vibes.
The members have maintained their appearance from their active days, so their performances are also receiving very satisfactory reviews.
Although it's a 6-member activity without original members Taeha, Yeonwoo, and Daisy, MOMOLAND appears to be continuing their characteristic liveliness.
MOMOLAND's stage with even more energy. As they've met a new agency, we hope this becomes an opportunity for MOMOLAND's activities to establish themselves.
K-pop News Briefs - Second Week of September K-pop news briefs for the second week of September.
Singer Taemin has released an EP album.
Taemin, a member of SHINee and male solo artist, has released a special album. This is his first album in about a year since his 5th mini album.
The album captivates listeners with its cerebral charm and intense musical colors.
Singer Shin Seung-hun returns with his 12th full album after 10 years.
Shin Seung-hun, one of Korea's greatest singer-songwriters in popular music, returns with his 12th full album after 10 years since his 11th album in 2015.
The pre-release single "She Was" was released first, with the full album scheduled for release on September 23rd. The pre-release single is a song that offers gentle comfort, with lyrics and music written by Shin Seung-hun himself.
Red Velvet's Wendy's solo album has been released.
This is Wendy's third mini album. It contains 6 tracks including the title song "Sunkiss." The title track, which utilizes alternative rock band sounds, is a song where you can feel Wendy's fresh, clear, and powerful vocals.
Female vocal group Gavy NJ has been rebooted.
Gavy NJ, which had become just a brand name, recruited new members through auditions in 2023. After going through preparation, Gavy NJ made a fresh start with new members in 2025, performing their existing hit songs in 2025 versions.
Nostalgic performances and voices.
K-pop goes back to the past once again.
EVERGLOW Makes Fresh Start as 4-Member
Group EVERGLOW, the group beloved for their intense "metal-flavored" songs like "Dun Dun," "Adios," and "La Di Da," has announced news of reorganization into a 4-member system rather than disbandment.
EVERGLOW is a 3rd generation girl group that debuted in 2019 under Yuehua Entertainment. They announced their disbandment in May 2025, and despite having many popular songs, fans consistently complained about the agency's capabilities due to the disbandment without clear activities.
After their exclusive contract with Yuehua Entertainment ended and members Mia and Iren left, EVERGLOW's remaining four members - E:U, Sihyeon, Onda, and Aisha - signed exclusive contracts with CHITA Company, creating another opportunity for activities.
EVERGLOW, who achieved 100 million views multiple times (something that's difficult to achieve unless you're an idol from a major agency), is filled with expectations that this activity will bring a new peak period.
As the 4th generation began, aespa's "metal flavor" gained popularity, but before that, when people thought of "metal flavor," it was EVERGLOW.
Of course aespa's songs are good too, but as someone who found it disappointing that EVERGLOW couldn't rise to greater heights, I'm just happy to hear news of EVERGLOW's activities.
NewJeans Second Mediation Fails
Only Final Court Ruling Remains On the 11th, there was a second mediation session between ADOR and NewJeans. Naturally, the mediation between ADOR and NewJeans failed. NewJeans did not appear at this second mediation session either.