BTS leads, rookies follow in 2026 K-pop

Jan 07, 2026, 08:06 am

		0
K-pop groups set to headline 2026: EXO will return with its eighth full-length album Reverse on Jan. 19, while BTS is scheduled to make a full-group comeback on March 20. / SM Entertainment, BigHit Music

With BTS leading the way and emerging acts pushing from behind, K-pop’s momentum is set to continue into 2026, filled with comebacks that span from second- and third-generation idols to fifth-generation rookies.

The return of veteran groups is one of the biggest talking points of the year, with BTS firmly at the center. The group is scheduled to release its fifth full-length album, featuring 14 tracks, on March 20. Members reportedly worked on the album in the United States from last summer and are now focusing on choreography and performance preparations in South Korea. Anticipation is already running high: on Jan. 5, the central staircase of Sejong Center near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul was transformed into a massive offline promotion space, emblazoned with the group’s logo, name and album release date. BTS is also planning a world tour following its comeback.

Earlier in the year, EXO will return on Jan. 19 with its eighth studio album, Reverse, marking its first group activities in about two and a half years. With Sehun completing his mandatory military service last September, EXO’s members have largely returned to civilian life. However, Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin will not participate in this album due to ongoing disputes with SM Entertainment. Veteran group BIGBANG is also expected to signal its return by appearing at the 20th anniversary stage of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California this April.

Meanwhile, Blackpink is preparing a full-length album comeback targeted for the first half of 2026, its first studio release in nearly four years since Born Pink in 2022. Attention is also focused on member Rosé, whose global hit “APT.” has been nominated in three categories at the 68th Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. She is the first K-pop artist to be nominated simultaneously in the Grammys’ two top general categories.

Fifth-generation idols are also expected to accelerate their rise. Rookie groups that debuted last year, including AllDay Project, Hearts2Hearts and KickFlip, are gearing up for second-year comebacks and expanding regional tours. In addition, the five-member group AlphaDriveOne, formed through an audition program, will debut with its first mini-album Euphoria on Jan. 12. Adding to the buzz, producer Lee Soo-man, who recently parted ways with SM Entertainment, has hinted at launching a new boy group within the year.

As multiple generations of idols remain active simultaneously, industry observers expect K-pop’s depth and maturity to grow further in 2026. While veteran acts reinforce trust and legacy, newer groups are expanding K-pop’s reach and injecting fresh energy. Critics note that sustaining this momentum will require more than album releases, emphasizing the importance of live performances, cohesive storytelling and fan-driven content.

Pop culture critic Park Song-a said the coexistence of multiple idol generations shows that K-pop is evolving from a fast-moving trend into a lasting cultural asset. “Rather than dividing fans by generation, it is time to design an ecosystem where audiences of different ages and consumption patterns can coexist,” she said.

#BTS #EXO #Blackpink #K-pop outlook 2026