The ‘Cherry Blossom Wars’ have begun in the music industry as major K-pop stars make their long-awaited comebacks.
The comeback season kicked off with the group IVE, who released their second full-length album, ‘REVIVE+’, on the 23rd and began their official promotions.
Their pre-release track ‘Bang Bang’ is currently topping music charts, while their double title track ‘Black Hole’ is building momentum. On the 26th, IVE performed ‘Black Hole’ on ‘M Countdown’ and secured the top spot with ‘Bang Bang,’ demonstrating their strong presence.
IVE, showcasing a more powerful and feminine charm that deviates from their usual fresh and lovely mood, also included solo tracks for each member, highlighting their musical growth. With continuous success on music charts and a considerable fanbase, IVE has proven their strength as the first act of this mega comeback.
Following IVE, BLACKPINK made their comeback on the 27th with their third mini-album, ‘DEADLINE’. This is their first album release in two years and five months since their second full album, ‘Born Pink’. Coinciding with their 10th debut anniversary, BLACKPINK once again showcases their signature intense sound.
The title track ‘GO’ earned praise from music fans immediately after its release for its diverse beats and powerful sound composition.
BLACKPINK became the first K-pop artist to collaborate on a large scale with the National Museum of Korea, thereby elevating the scale of their comeback. They introduced various projects, including pink lighting on the museum’s exterior, participation as docents to introduce key artifacts, and a listening session before the song’s release.
Capping off the Cherry Blossom Wars is BTS. The group is set to release their fifth album, ‘ARIRANG’, on March 30, marking their first full comeback in approximately four years.
A collaboration with the city of Seoul is also anticipated. On the day of their comeback, they plan to host a showcase at Gwanghwamun Square and transform the entire city into a stage, incorporating media façades at major landmarks like Sungnyemun and and Seoul Tower.
Moreover, a comeback show, which will be broadcast live via Netflix to over 130 countries, is also planned. With global K-pop fans’ attention drawn to these major artists’ consecutive comebacks, the spring music scene is expected to heat up.
Image source: Xportsnews, YG Entertainment, BIGHIT Music
