BTS To BLACKPINK, K-Pop Big Guns Are Back To The Show. What Lies Ahead

NDTV

20 hours ago

New Delhi:
July is never just about summer sun for K-pop fans, it's about the big names taking over the scene with fresh music, new visuals and entire worlds built into their concepts. This July, things are heating up even more than usual. With some of the genre's most iconic groups back on the map, the second half of the year is shaping up to be an all-out K-pop spectacle.
From BTS wrapping up their military service to BLACKPINK and TWICE returning with new music and world tours, here's a closer look at what's dropping, what it means and why fans (and the music industry at large) are paying such close attention.
Ten Years In, Twice Still Sets The Gold Standard
First up, Twice is back with their long-awaited fourth full-length album, This Is For, dropped on July 11, 2025.
As the group celebrates their tenth anniversary, this album feels like more than just a musical release; it's a celebration of their journey and the bond they share with their fans.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting this moment, as it's been nearly three years since their last full album, Formula Of Love: O+T= <3 in 2021.
And while the specifics of the album's sound are under wraps, members like Nayeon and Jihyo have hinted at a more introspective direction.
Along with the album's release, Twice is hosting a series of listening party sessions in Seoul to bring fans closer to the new music. The group will also be headlining Lollapalooza Chicago in August and livestreaming their Incheon concert on July 20.
BLACKPINK Returns With A Bang
Meanwhile, Blackpink made a triumphant return with their high-energy track Jump, which was released on July 11, the same day as Twice's album.
After more than two years without a group single, the excitement surrounding this comeback is palpable.
Premiering the track at the kickoff of their Deadline world tour in Goyang, Blackpink has already set the stage for a packed year ahead.
The group's massive 31-show tour will span 16 cities globally, and analysts have already predicted it will exceed expectations, reaching over 20 million fans worldwide.
BTS Is Reloading...
BTS might not have a new album ready for release in July, but their presence is felt strongly. With all seven members now discharged from military service, the group is preparing to reunite and start working on their next album, which is slated for release in Spring 2026.
July marks a turning point for BTS as they begin to focus on what's next after two years of solo activities and military duties.
According to HYBE, a full-group comeback is being mapped out, with a likely rollout in Q4 of 2025 or early 2026. While details are under wraps, industry insiders speculate that a world tour, a full-length album and a multi-platform content strategy are on the cards.
The anticipation isn't just musical, it's financial. HYBE's stock price surged immediately after Jin's return.
But this time, BTS returns not as boys discovering fame, but as artists who've carved solo identities and now reunite as stronger parts of a greater whole. It's no longer about riding the Hallyu wave; BTS is the tide.
Aespa Redefines The Comeback
Aespa, fresh off their Dirty Work release in June, is also causing a stir with their bold concept and genre-blurring sound. This comeback, which comes on the heels of their successful world tour Synk: Parallel Line, is an exercise in futuristic aesthetics with a sharp, metallic edge.
The album fuses experimental sounds, from glitchy hyperpop to intense ballads, all while continuing the group's signature style of combining technology with music.
The concept behind Dirty Work explores industrial themes, with imagery like molten metal and blacksmiths, creating a world where their cyber-inspired artistry feels even more grounded.
Why This Year Matters For K-pop
Beyond just fan excitement, the returns of these heavyweights have macro implications. Korea's physical album market saw a nearly 40% dip in January, but major comebacks-starting with IVE and Jennie earlier this year, and now Twice and Blackpink, are expected to narrow the gap and soften the projected decline.
And there's a geo-political layer, too: with China reopening its entertainment market after a nearly decade-long freeze, Korean agencies are positioning their top artists for Dream Concert 2025 in Hainan this September. The second half's comebacks may well be test runs for who dominates that next frontier.
Final Verdict
The second half of July 2025 doesn't just represent new songs, it signals a reshuffling of power, the closing of chapters and the beginning of bold new eras.
Whether you're in it for the music, the lore, or the sheer spectacle, one thing's clear: the queens and kings of K-pop are back, and they're not here to play it safe.