International tours, a flurry of new boy groups, and the rise of the solo album — there’s a lot on the cards for 2023.

This year looks to be a particularly exciting one for K-Pop fans hoping to listen to new music from favoured idols, as well as discover new faces.

The global economic expansion of K-Pop has moved quickly in recent years. Heart-breakingly, the pandemic put a slight spanner in the works during 2020-2021 preventing groups from going out on tour and meeting fans. 

While touring did get under way in 2022, it was still fairly restricted in comparison to previous years. Management labels couldn’t decipher how quickly the world would recover from the pandemic to a level where large scale performances could truly be organised without difficulty. It meant that lengthy projects abroad were risky, so shows in Korea and Japan and shorter appearances abroad were the main option.

At the end of 2022, we began to see hardcore touring get under way with groups setting their sights on performing further afield on much larger stages. BLACKPINK’s current world tour is an example of this. 

In 2023, with restrictions lifted and the risk of a repeat pause on the music industry decreasing, management labels are going full steam ahead. For K-Pop, this means more debuts (particularly boy bands), solos from members of more established groups (BIGBANG, BTS, BLACKPINK), and tours with a much more global route (not just Asia and America).

Anticipated comebacks

There’s some exciting comebacks from third generation groups to look forward to this year. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo has been working on her first solo album, with YG Entertainment confirming that she’s already completed her album sleeve photo shoot.

BIGBANG are similarly embarking on solo careers, with Taeyang being the most recent to drop a collaboration with BTS’ Jimin, who is also beginning to pursue a solo project. G-Dragon has just dropped a new solo album — his first since Kwon Ji Yong — so it’s likely we’ll see a lot more activity from him as he promotes his latest work.

The return of EXO’s Baekhyun from military service in February promises to bring more music to fans too, as was confirmed by leader SUHO.

On the flip side, BTS will also be gifting fans with new music as they make their way to military service. With J-Hope, Jin, and RM already releasing music in 2023, Suga A.K.A Agust D is anticipated to drop more solo music before starting his social agent service. It’s also likely we’ll also get more music from V and Jungkook who have also been working on solo projects.

So far announced albums include: TXT’s The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION, Choi Yena’s first solo album Love War, PRIMROSE’s debut album RED MOON, MONSTA X’s REASON, and HANA’s debut mini-album Bla:ze.

This year also marks some pretty important milestones for earlier K-Pop generations. It’s Shinhwa’s 25th anniversary and TVXQ’s 20th anniversary, with the Korean Herald reporting that this may signify that new releases could be on the cards.

More international tours

There’s two factors at play when it comes to the huge amount of international tours we’re going to see in 2023.

The first is that world tours have become a standard goal for management labels. While K-Pop once ventured as far as other Asian countries, the success of groups like MONSTA X, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, TWICE, Stray Kids (and of course, BLACKPINK and BTS) overseas has expanded the gaze of touring to much further afield.

The aspiration to perform worldwide has been coupled with the end of pandemic restrictions - measures which left K-Pop artists, management labels, and fans in limbo. Ultimately, there’s demand and desire from all sides. In 2022, Asia and the US were arguably prioritised in terms of touring destinations. However, this year other areas, particularly Europe, seem to be hosting an array of K-Pop concerts.

On a positive note, the lack of touring over the past few years has given space for K-Pop talent to germinate. And we can now look forward to groups, including ITZY, EPEX, P1Harmony, TAN, VERIVERY, and N.Flying heading out on their very first tours.

Meanwhile touring veterans are also heading out to perform for fans. BLACKPINK are already on their world tour and will be continuing throughout 2023. NCT 127 are extending their tour dates, while ATEEZ are going on tour following their new album.

We can also expect tours from:

• AOMG

• CIX

• EPIK HIGH

• Jackson Wang

• JUST B

• JYP

• Kang Daniel

• Kisu

• Lim Young Woong

• MAMAMOO

• ONEUS

• OnlyOneOf

• pH1

• SIK-K

• Stray Kids

• The Rose

New arrivals

This year will see new groups debuting across the board, particularly when it comes to boybands.

Big Hit Music has announced that it's preparing a new boy band, as has Pledis Entertainment and KOZ. SM Entertainment will be expanding NCT global by debuting new units. Meanwhile JPY Entertainment is debuting a Chinese group: Project C.

JYP Entertainment is also working with US label Republic Records to create a new girl group. On a similar note, YG Entertainment has recently revealed a new girl group will be debuting called Baby Monster.

Talent shows

Girl groups received a lot of funding in 2022, and as a result those ruminating on what 2023 will bring believe labels and talent shows will turn attention to launching some more boy bands.

For example, last year Girls Planet 999 saw groups such as Kep1er and CLASS:y form. This year, Boys Planet will be running to find some new male groups. MBC will also be running a boy band talent show called Fantasy Boys.

Other idol talent shows scheduled to hit the screen include Hybe’s Belife Lab as well as JTBC’s Peak Time. So we’ll keep our eyes peeled for the new talent there.

Latest releases

Want to start the year listening to the latest K-Pop. Here’s some of the songs coming this month:

• Stamp On It - GOT the best

• Smiling(웃는거야) - 21univ.

• OMG - NewJeans

• Ponytail - YUGYEOM (GOT7)

• Gonna Be Alright - VIXX

• LOVE2000 - CCOLA

• Madness - Moonbin and Sanha (Astro)

• Rose Blossom - H1-KEY

• Forever Only (Remix) - Jaehyun (NCT)

• REASON - MONSTA X

• MOONLIGHT - HENRY

• VIBE - Taeyang ft. Jimin

• RED MOON - PRIMROSE

• My Little Aurora - cignature

• MOONLIGHT SUNRISE - TWICE

• FEARLESS (Japanese edition) - LE SSERAFIM

Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.