![[K-pop Report Card] Bops, flops, way too much tropical pop](https://newsimg.koreatimes.co.kr/2026/08/28/0cbcc352-2607-416b-bb67-a4e3f1c73b6a.jpeg)
Korea Times' bimonthly K-pop Report Card says summer releases leaned heavily into Latin/tropical and Afrobeats trends, praising J.Y. Park's quirky single 'WET' while highlighting strong moments from i-DLE, Yeonjun, Jennie, Hyolyn, Red Velvet and several other idol releases
Blackpink's members have shifted back into solo activity: Jennie released the digital EP Fallen Angel, Jisoo's single "Click" is set for Sept. 4, and Lisa's pre-release "SaWaDiKa" arrives Sept. 3 ahead of her Oct. 23 album Press Play (Rosé has not announced new music). K-pop's summer sound is widely read as trending slower and more restrained this year, borrowing from bossa nova, reggae and jazz-pop — examples cited include Red Velvet's "Surfin' Boy," NCT Wish's midtempo "Sticky," (G)I-dle's "Gimme Dat Love" and Jennie's lo-fi "Less than a Lover." However, a Korea Times report-card piece offers a conflicting reading, arguing that many summer releases leaned heavily into Latin/tropical and Afrobeats trends and praising J.Y. Park's single "WET" alongside strong moments from several idol releases. Today's highlights include Kim Jaehwan's two-day solo concert "Blank" in Seoul (Oct. 31–Nov. 1), Highlight's trainee-themed fan concert (Oct. 16–18), Enhypen's eighth EP The Sin: Bliss reaching 2 million sales and the group's third Music Bank trophy for "Bloody Paradise" on Aug. 28 (12,817 points), ATEEZ leading the winners at the 2026 K-World Dream Awards, LE SSERAFIM announcing their second single album Made My Night (pre-orders opening Aug. 28; release Sept. 11), CRAVITY's Serim missing the Qingdao fan meeting on Aug. 29 following his grandfather's passing, and WEi member Yoo Yong Ha beginning active-duty military service on Sept. 28 (no public event).
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Dozens of fan-made "rat jerky" dolls depicting members of HYBE's boy band Cortis were removed from pedestrian railings outside HYBE's Yongsan headquarters after complaints from nearby residents, prompting debate over whether such displays are supportive fandom or a public nuisance
Kim Jaehwan will hold a two-day standalone concert in Seoul titled "Blank" on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 — his first solo show since his military discharge; he recently returned with the self-written digital single "I'll Be There."
Highlight will hold a trainee-themed fan concert in Seoul on Oct. 16–18, with the four members taking on quests to "regain their fans" in a concept titled “I am an idol in 18th year but am a trainee yet to debut in this world?!” — their first fan concert in about 1½ years
Jennie released the digital EP Fallen Angel, while Jisoo and Lisa are lined up for solo releases — Jisoo’s single “Click” arrives Sept. 4 and Lisa’s pre-release “SaWaDiKa” drops Sept. 3 ahead of her Oct. 23 album Press Play; Rosé has not announced new music
K-pop’s summer sound is shifting toward slower, more restrained tracks that borrow from bossa nova, reggae and jazz-pop — exemplified by Red Velvet’s Velvet Summer lead “Surfin’ Boy,” NCT Wish’s midtempo “Sticky,” (G)I-dle’s “Gimme Dat Love” and Jennie’s lo-fi “Less than a Lover.”
LE SSERAFIM will release their second physical single, "Made My Night," on Sept. 11, Source Music announced, and a 30-second teaser titled "You Just Made My Night" — featuring thumping beats — has fans speculating a possible Overwatch collaboration
Enhypen's eighth EP The Sin: Bliss has sold 2 million copies, marking the group's fifth release to hit that milestone; it debuted atop Oricon and iTunes in multiple regions and main track 'Bloody Paradise' topped Spotify's Top Songs Debut Global. The release is the group's first since Heeseung left to pursue solo activities as Evan
Former B.A.P rapper Zelo says his recent singles "Cola Comigo" and "Ela" signal a new Latin‑inspired R&B/pop direction as he redefines his sound and performance identity after leaving group life and military service
ENHYPEN took their third Music Bank trophy for “Bloody Paradise” on Aug. 28 with 12,817 points; the episode also featured performances from NCT 127, SF9, Hearts2Hearts, TUIDE, KiiiKiii, ONEWE, TEMPEST’s Hanbin, and more
WEi member Yoo Yong Ha will begin active-duty military service on September 28, OUI Entertainment announced, noting there will be no public event and asking fans to refrain from visiting the enlistment site for safety
ZELO returned with his second single album 'ELA', a bold, sensual track about lingering desire and toxicity; in an exclusive interview he detailed writing and composing the song, the visual and choreography direction, and his renewed confidence this year
ONEUS will kick off an international tour on Oct. 24, 2026 with two Seoul shows after member Seoho’s return from mandatory military service; the five-member group will visit Latin America, Europe, North America and Asia through Feb. 2027
Actor Kim Soo Hyun will present at the 2026 The Fact Music Awards on September 19 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium, marking his first official domestic appearance in about 18 months
Min Kyung Hoon will temporarily step away from JTBC’s Knowing Bros after this week’s broadcast, with special guest MCs filling his spot while filming is already complete and his return date undecided; Super Junior’s Kim Heechul is also currently on hiatus from the show for health reasons
ATEEZ led the night at the 2026 K-World Dream Awards, taking four trophies including Best Artist and the fan-voted Popularity Award; LE SSERAFIM and BTS each won three awards, and RIIZE also earned three trophies at the Aug. 27 ceremony held at KINTEX
LE SSERAFIM revealed a teaser titled "YOU JUST MADE MY NIGHT" and announced their second single album "Made My Night," set to release in South Korea on September 11 with pre-orders opening August 28
