The Return of the Concept Kings: VIXX's January 2026 Comeback

After years of waiting, ST★RLIGHTs around the world have something incredible to celebrate: VIXX is set to make a comeback in early 2026, with preparations beginning in January following member Hyuk's military discharge on January 17, 2026. This marks a historic moment for the group, as it will be the first time all current members will reunite for full-group activities after years of incomplete lineups.

The Legacy of VIXX: From Debut to Concept Kings

VIXX (an acronym for "Voice, Visual, Value in Excelsis") burst onto the K-pop scene on May 24, 2012, with their debut single "Super Hero." The six-member group—N (Cha Hak Yeon), Leo (Jung Taek Woon), Ken (Lee Jae Hwan), Ravi (Kim Won Shik), Hongbin (Lee Hong Bin), and Hyuk (Han Sang Hyuk)—was formed through Jellyfish Entertainment's reality survival show "MyDOL."

From the beginning, VIXX distinguished themselves as something different in the K-pop landscape. They quickly became known as the "Concept Kings" of the industry, building their reputation through immersive and often dark storytelling that ranged from high-fashion "voodoo doll" aesthetics to cybernetic "cyborg" themes and traditional Eastern mythology. Unlike many groups that maintained consistent concepts, VIXX embraced theatrical transformation with each comeback, crafting complete narratives through their music, choreography, and visual presentations.

Career Highlights

Throughout their career, VIXX released numerous memorable albums and singles:

• 2013: "On and On" established their darker concept direction, followed by the critically acclaimed "Hyde" and its repackage "Jekyll"
• 2014: "Eternity" and "Error" showcased their emotional depth and storytelling prowess
• 2015: "Love Equation," "Chained Up," and the formation of sub-unit VIXX LR (Leo and Ravi)
• 2016-2017: "Dynamite," "Fantasy," and the iconic "Shangri-La," which became one of their signature songs
• 2018: "Scentist" continued their tradition of unique conceptual comebacks
• 2023: Their most recent comeback was the EP "Continuum" featuring the title track "Amnesia", though this release saw the group without leader N due to schedule conflicts

Changes and Challenges

The group's journey hasn't been without its difficulties. Originally a six-member group, VIXX saw the departure of Hongbin in August 2020 and Ravi in April 2023. Despite these changes, the remaining four members—N, Leo, Ken, and Hyuk—have consistently expressed their commitment to continuing as VIXX.

Additionally, in March 2024, it was announced that Leo and Ken had left Jellyfish Entertainment, though both expressed their desire to continue promoting as VIXX with the company. N had previously left Jellyfish in 2020 but remained an active member of the group. This complex situation has required careful coordination between the members' individual agencies and Jellyfish Entertainment.

What the Members Have Been Up to in 2025

While VIXX hasn't promoted as a complete group recently, each member has been pursuing remarkable solo endeavors:

N (Cha Hak Yeon)

Leader N has been extremely busy throughout 2025 with several K-dramas, starring in "Oh My Ghost Clients," "Love Is for the Dogs," "The Killer Next Door," and most recently "You and Everything Else". His acting career has flourished, with an upcoming project titled "Absolute Value of Romance" also on the horizon. N signed with 51K Entertainment to manage his solo activities while remaining committed to VIXX.

Leo (Jung Taek Woon)

Leo is set to make his official film debut in the upcoming movie "Veranda," a romantic thriller scheduled for release in 2025. After leaving Jellyfish, Leo joined Big Boss Entertainment and has been actively pursuing both his music and acting careers. Throughout his time with VIXX, Leo has proven himself as a talented composer and lyricist, contributing significantly to the group's musical identity.

Ken (Lee Jae Hwan)

Ken starred in the K-drama "Looped in Love and Death" and also participated in entertainment programs "The Listen: Reaching You" and "Lululala Friends with Japan". Additionally, Ken headlined his own solo concert "2025 KEN SOLO CONCERT: WONDER LAND" in January 2025 and released the "To You" digital single in May 2025. Now under S27M Entertainment, Ken has continued to showcase his exceptional vocal abilities through various musical theater productions and solo projects.

Hyuk (Han Sang Hyuk)

The youngest member, Hyuk, enlisted for his mandatory military service on April 18, 2024, as a social services worker, and is set to be discharged on January 17, 2026. Before his enlistment, Hyuk held a farewell fan concert and released collaborative singles. His discharge marks the crucial moment that makes the 2026 comeback possible.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Ken previously teased the reunion in an October 2025 interview, noting that a group comeback would be possible after Hyuk's discharge. Now that moment has arrived. Industry analysts anticipate that VIXX's early 2026 release will perform strongly, particularly in physical album sales and international charts, where their loyal global fanbase remains extremely active.

The timing couldn't be more perfect. As concept-driven music sees a resurgence in popularity, VIXX is perfectly positioned to reclaim their throne and show younger groups how to masterfully execute a cohesive, theatrical vision. After years of individual growth in acting, musicals, and solo music, each member brings enhanced skills and maturity back to the group dynamic.

The coordination required for this full-group comeback involves navigating complex schedules across multiple agencies, making this early 2026 window a significant achievement for both the group's management and the members themselves.

What Fans Can Expect

While specific details about the album title, lead single, and exact release date remain under wraps, ST★RLIGHTs are already buzzing with speculation about what innovative concept VIXX will explore next. Will they return to their darker, theatrical roots? Or will they surprise us with something entirely new?

Given VIXX's history of pushing boundaries and their reputation for meticulous attention to detail in concept execution, expectations are incredibly high. The group has never disappointed when it comes to delivering complete artistic packages that challenge conventions and showcase their growth as performers.

For fans who have supported VIXX through military enlistments, member departures, and years of waiting, this comeback represents more than just new music, it's a celebration of loyalty, dedication, and the enduring bond between the group and their fandom. The Concept Kings are coming back, and 2026 is already shaping up to be an unforgettable year for ST★RLIGHTs worldwide.