K-pop must-listen releases in August 2021 from Blackpink, NCT’s Ten, Red Velvet, TXT and more
- Blackpink’s Japanese version of The Album comes with a slightly different music video for How You Like That, while Red Velvet return from a hiatus with Queendom
- Somi’s single Dumb Dumb has a creepy ’90s romcom music video, while the one for Golden Child’s Ra Pam Pam feels like a bite-sized version of a blockbuster film
K-pop is full of acts looking to be the summer hit of 2021. August will see high-profile releases from some of the industry’s most prominent female acts, as well as some rising rookies, plus the long-awaited return of some of K-pop’s brightest stars.
Astro – After Midnight (August 2)
The boy band have brought a summery vibe to their latest single. Groovy synth pop at its finest, After Midnight is a song about a perfect night but is also a bright, sunny tune perfect for blasting at full volume during the hottest moments of the season.
Somi – Dumb Dumb (August 2)
The former I.O.I member’s third single, a whistle-fuelled dance track, is accompanied by a retro high school romcom music video with a little gore and creepiness. It almost feels like Netflix shows Never Have I Ever had a baby with the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina – but also had cult classic, plaid-wearing ’90s film Clueless as its godmother.
Golden Child – Ra Pam Pam (August 2)
Blackpink- The Album (Japanese version) (August 3)
Weeekly – Play Game: Holiday EP (August 4)
This trending girl group have won a lot of love for their addictive brand of electro bubblegum pop and their summery album, fronted by the single Holiday Party, is set to do the same. It follows After School from March, which has become a surprise K-pop hit of 2021.
Sunmi – 1/6 EP (August 6)
For all those Mean Girls (and the not-so mean girls), Sunmi gears up – guns blazing – to declare You Can’t Sit With Us in her upcoming single from her third EP.
Hyo – Second feat. Bibi (August 9)
The Boyz – Thrill-ing EP (August 9)
Hold tight and get ready for a Thrill Ride with The Boyz’s upcoming single and their sixth EP, Thrill-ing. The album is said to be based around the idea of parties and having a lot of energy, so it’s sure to be a fun time all around.
Hyolyn and Dasom single (August 10)
Ten – Paint Me Naked (August 10)
Red Velvet – Queendom EP (August 16)
Tomorrow X Together – The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape LP repackage (August 17)
Stray Kids – Noeasy LP (August 23)
Nothing’s ever easy in this world, but the winners of boy group competition Kingdom: Legendary War have won love for the hard work they put into their music and dynamic performances, and are set to impress with upcoming album Noeasy.