The big match between divas across generations is set to begin.
With over twenty groups, including SEVENTEEN, NCT 127, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and IVE, announcing their comebacks in October, legendary divas from various generations are also making their mark amidst the flurry of idol group comebacks. The music industry is keenly watching the impact of these solo queens, representing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations, on the music charts.
The unparalleled queen of the music industry, Lee Hyori, is set to make her return in October. According to her agency, Antenna, Lee Hyori will release a digital single 'Hoodie and Shorts' on the 12th. This marks her first solo album release under her name since her 2017 album 'Black'. Although her entertainment activities slowed down after her marriage in 2013, she announced her return to the scene after signing an exclusive contract with Antenna last February.
Debuting in 1998 with Fin.K.L and receiving immense love as a 1st generation idol, Lee Hyori transitioned to a solo career in 2003, establishing herself as a 'sexy diva' with hits like 'Ten Minutes'. She continued to set trends with tracks like 'U-Go-Girl', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', 'Miss Korea', and 'Bad Girl', becoming a role model for many female solo artists. With 25 years since her debut, expectations are high for the story and performance Lee Hyori will deliver with her new song.
Jessie has started a new career at Jay Park's agency, MORE VISION
Jessi, who previously collaborated with Lee Hyori in the project group Refund Expedition on MBC's variety show 'Hangout with Yoo', is also joining the October comeback lineup. This will be her first album since leaving Psy's agency P Nation last year and signing with Jay Park's AOMG in April. After promoting with a sexy and powerful concept in songs like 'NUNU NANA', 'Who Dat B', and 'Zoom' under P Nation, all eyes are on what Jessi will bring to the table with her new agency.
Following her time with 2nd generation girl group Wonder Girls, Sunmi, who has established a new genre called 'Sunmi Pop', is also making a comeback. Sunmi will release a new digital single 'Stranger' on the 17th, which she personally wrote and composed. This marks her comeback after 1 year and 4 months since her single 'Pporappippam'. With hits like 'Full Moon', '24 Hours', 'Gashina', 'Heroine', and 'Siren', Sunmi has consistently topped music charts and created sensations. Fans are eager to see what kind of 'Sunmi Pop' she will showcase in her upcoming album.
Blackpink Jennie.
BLACKPINK's Jennie, who swept domestic and international music charts with 'SOLO' in 2018, is also making waves with her surprise special single 'You & Me', released on the 6th. This track, which was unexpectedly revealed during BLACKPINK's massive world tour 'THE PINK', has been the talk of the town. Jennie prepared this solo song as a gift to her fans in response to their overwhelming support.
Jennie's 'You & Me' has topped the iTunes song charts in 53 countries, showing a balanced popularity distribution worldwide. It has also shown strong performance in English-speaking regions, ranking 5th in the UK and 4th in the US. The song has also dominated domestic music charts. Immediately after its release, 'You & Me' shot straight to the top on Naver VIBE and Bugs, and also secured top spots on Melon and Genie real-time charts. Especially on Melon, the song has been steadily climbing the ranks and continues to rise.
An industry insider commented, "The number of female solo dance singers who are loved for their outstanding vocal and musical talents is rapidly increasing. While in the past, the focus was on sexy concepts, as we move into the 2nd and 3rd generations, female solo artists with strong individuality in genres like girl crush and hip-hop are establishing their positions, injecting fresh stimuli into the potentially homogenized K-pop scene."
