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(Clockwise from top left) Taeyong of NCT, Taeyang of BIGBANG, ITZY, LNGSHOT and Jay Park, and ZEROBASEONE. Photos from the artists’ X accounts and More Vision’s X account (for LNGSHOT and Jay Park)
(UPDATE) It was a packed Monday for K-pop fans, as several popular acts simultaneously released new music.
They include BIGBANG star Taeyang, who unveiled his fourth full-length album “Quintessence,” along with the music video for its lead single “Live Fast Die Slow.”
In a YouTube documentary, the 37-year-old singer said he had been working on a new album for some time but only found its direction after settling on the title, which comes from the word meaning the ideal example of something.
“Once I named it ‘Quintessence,’ I felt like I gained a new sense of direction,” said Taeyang, whose real name is Dong Young-bae.
The 10-track package also includes notable collaborations, with “Would You” featuring Tarzzan and Woochan of co-ed rookie group Allday Project, while “Open Up” brings in Australian artist The Kid Laroi.
Tablo of the iconic hip-hop trio Epik High shared in an X post that he worked on three songs on the album.
“It’s a classic album so make sure you listen,” Tablo told his X followers.
“Quintessence” marks Taeyang’s first full-length album in nine years and arrives ahead of BIGBANG’s 20th anniversary tour, which is scheduled to kick off in August.
READ: K-pop icons BIGBANG to go on world tour for 20th anniversary
Meanwhile, Taeyong, the leader of NCT, also made his comeback with his first full-length album “WYLD,” fronted by the single of the same title.
The album is described as a “deeply personal” project as the 30-year-old idol penned lyrics for all 10 tracks and contributed to the composition of nine, according to a press release.
Girl group ITZY also joined the day’s packed lineup of releases with a new extended play (EP) titled “Motto,” led by a title track of the same name.
The eight-track record also features solo songs from each of the group’s five members.
Beyond the comeback, the quintet is also busy with its “Tunnel Vision” world tour, which is set to stop at the Mall of Asia Arena on July 11.
NEW CHAPTER
ZEROBASEONE, the commercially successful boy band formed through the reality competition series “Boys Planet,” marked a new chapter in its career with its sixth EP, “Ascend-.”
Led by the single “Top 5,” the seven-track EP is the group’s first release since it was reorganized as a five-piece act comprising Kim Jiwoong, Sung Hanbin, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae and Park Gunwook.
READ: ZEROBASEONE basks in Pinoy fans’ love, energy
The four former members — Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin and Han Yujin — departed the team after their contracts expired. The quartet, all of whom are under the same label, are scheduled to debut on May 26 under a new group, AND2BLE, alongside former EVNNE member Yoo Seungeon.
Finally, rookie boy band LNGSHOT, which debuted in January, put out a mixtape with hip-hop mogul Jay Park, who also founded the group’s label.
The eight-track mixtape, titled “4SHOBOIZ Vol. 2: 4SHOVILLE,” is led by the single “Yeah! Yeah!”.
Putting the K in hip-hop: South Korea's Jay Park
All of the albums dropped on streaming platforms alongside the release of their music videos at 6 p.m. KST (5 p.m. Philippine time), except for the “Top 5” music video, which was released earlier at midnight KST (11 p.m. Philippine time).
FROM THE ARCHIVES