K-pop Artists Launch Summer Comebacks and Activities

The heated summer comeback race K-pop fans have been waiting for is getting underway. LUN8 has joined the July lineup with its first new release in 10 months. izna presented the first comeback stage for its third mini album 'SET THE TEMPO,' while ONF will release Part 2 of its second full-length album for its first comeback since changing agencies. LUCY is also emerging as a leading act on the summer stage through a headlining appearance at SRFF 2026 and solo concerts overseas.

ONF's comeback is especially meaningful as a new beginning in the group's 10th year. ONF returns on the 17th with Part 2 of its second album, 'ONF: MY SELF.' It comes about one year and three months after 'ONF: MY IDENTITY,' released last March, and marks the group's first comeback since moving to KI Entertainment early this year. Part 1 delivered hope and the strength to move forward to people in darkness through the story of travelers pursuing their dreams. Part 2 depicts the group proving its own existence at the end of that journey and advancing into a new world. For the members, who left their longtime former agency together without losing anyone and are beginning a journey at a new company, the subtitle 'MY SELF' carries particular significance.

The album contains six tracks: title song 'Open the Door,' 'Bad Dream,' 'Escape,' 'Mirage,' 'Silver Lining' and 'Once in a Red Moon.' Genres ranging from powerful rock to ballads demonstrate the group's broadened spectrum, while members including MK and Wyatt contributed lyrics and composition to sharpen ONF's identity. Since debuting in 2017, ONF has become emblematic of step-by-step growth in K-pop. The group was not an overnight breakout, but built its identity around the contrasting appeal suggested by its name and showed versatility across familiar and new styles. Praise for the high quality of both title tracks and B-sides earned ONF an early reputation as a reliable source of great songs. The group also proved its performance ability by finishing second on Mnet's 'Road to Kingdom' in 2019, its third year after debut. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the group was at a crucial point in its career, its Korean members drew attention by enlisting together to minimize the hiatus. Despite rapid generational turnover and changes in K-pop trends during the break, the members reestablished ONF's identity through steadfast unity. Their first terrestrial music-show win, achieved eight years after debut during promotions for the previous album, made the story even more dramatic. Against that background, the comeback with 'ONF: MY SELF' feels especially powerful. Concept photos released ahead of the album signaled a new turning point with a more mature charm, raising interest in whether this comeback will become the decisive surge for the group's persistent climb.