Jennie, Seventeen and more exciting K-pop comebacks this month

This month, the K-pop world has been a whirlwind of exciting comebacks and news of upcoming projects. Ahead, get caught up with the biggest breaking K-pop news from Blackpink’s Jennie, Seventeen, and updates from NewJeans’ dispute with Hybe Labels.

Jennie reveals her pretty girl Mantra in new solo single

Want to know what pretty girls are up to? Just ask Jennie! The Blackpink member and certified It girl took it upon herself to list a manifesto for hot women that involves having fun and being the ultimate girl’s girl. Mantra, which features a disco bassline and a catchy hook of half-sung lyrics, is described by Jennie as a “fun, upbeat anthem that celebrates girl power and inspires every woman to shine in her own way.” Mantra debuted at number five on the Spotify Global chart and currently tops the U.S. iTunes chart.

Seventeen wants to Spill the Feels

Top K-pop boy group, Seventeen, is continuing their momentum with the upcoming release of their 12th mini album, Spill The Feels. The EP will feature six singles, with Love, Money, Fame featuring DJ Khaled as the title track. Hot off their Follow world tour, Seventeen has also announced their Right Here world tour where they will meet global fans once again in 2025 (so keep your eyes peeled!). Members Jeonghan and Jun will not participate in the promotions due to military service and solo activities in China respectively. 

Jay Park and Chungha are electric in Gimme A Minute

Resident hip-hop veteran, Jay Park, is back to sweep his listeners off his feet with his latest single, Gimme A Minute. The groovy track features Chungha, a popular female solo artist and fellow labelmate from More Vision, who elevates the production with her buttery vocals and powerful dance skills. Gimme A Minute is the title track from Jay Park’s latest album, The One You Wanted, released on 8 October. Stream it below!

Lisa stuns in Moonlit Floor performance video

Coming off the heels of her solo releases Rockstar and New Woman, Lisa is not stopping anytime soon as she unveiled her newest single Moonlit Floor during her performance at the Global Citizen Festival 2024. The song samples the iconic song, Kiss Me, by Sixpence None The Richer first released in 1997. While it doesn’t have a music video, Lisa has released an official performance video of Moonlit Floor—check it out above! 

NewJeans’ Hanni set to testify publicly about workplace bullying

The plot between ADOR, NewJeans and Hybe Labels thickens. On 9 October, it was announced that NewJeans member Hanni would be testifying at South Korea’s National Assembly audit to speak about workplace harassment in the entertainment industry on 25 October. 

This news comes after the shocking guerilla livestream that the girl group orchestrated on 11 September whereby members Danielle, Minji, Hyein, Hyerin, and Hanni spoke out against their current workplace conditions and voiced their wish for their former CEO Min Hee Jin to be reinstated.  

In the now-deleted livestream, Hanni also recounted an incident in which she alleged that another Hybe group was told to “ignore her.” 

“The fourth floor of the Hybe building is where we get our hair and makeup done, so a lot of other artists and staff go there. One day, I was waiting alone in the hallway, and [another Hybe group] passed by. 

“We greeted each other but when they came back out a bit later, I heard one of their managers say “Ignore her” right in front of me…Even now, I still don’t understand why I had to go through that,” the 20-year-old Vietnamese-Australian singer explained.

Hanni later took to NewJeans’ messaging app to respond to the news and thank her fans for their support: “I’m doing this for myself, my members and for Bunnies (NewJeans’ fandom)…I’ve thought about it a lot but I believe going forward is the right thing to do. I think supporting someone or staying by their side is not an easy thing to do, especially when we didn’t ask for it. I’m so grateful for that.”

READ: The Min Hee Jin versus Hybe Label drama, explained

2NE1 makes a triumphant return 

#2NE1 is back! The legendary K-pop group made their grand return to the stage and officially kicked off their Welcome Back global tour at Seoul’s Olympic Hall for three electrifying nights from 4 to 6 October. In celebration of their 15th anniversary, CL, Sandara Park, ParkBom, and Minzy performed a slew of their iconic hits such as I Don’t Care, Ugly, Falling In Love, and Come Back Home.

Many Blackjacks (2NE1’s fandom) have been awaiting the group’s return, including fellow K-pop idols and celebrities who showed up in troves! This includes Big Bang’s Daesung and G-Dragon, Blackpink’s Jennie, NewJeans, Winner’s Mino, Seunghoon and Jinwoo, LeeSooHyuk, Ross Butler, Stray Kids, Rowoon, Shinee’s Key, and many more. 

Rosé announces her full-length solo album is on the way

If you’ve been hoping for new music from Rosé, you won’t have to wait for much longer because we have a date! On 2 October, the Blackpink vocalist took to her Instagram to officially announce that her first studio album, rosie, will be dropping on 6 December. This will be her first solo project since parting from YG Entertainment and signing with Atlantic Records. 

Rosé posted several concept photos and expressed excitement for her upcoming full-length album on Instagram. “I cannot wait for you to listen to this little journal of mine. Rosie — is the name I allow my friends and family to call me. With this album, I hope you all feel that much closer to me,” the singer shares.

For more K-pop news, head here.

...