Allow us to boldly declare this now: 2022 is the year to meet expectations. At risk of jinxing the progress and (baby) steps we’ve seen so far, this year bodes a promising start—whether it be in the travel sector or the successful presentations exhibited at Fashion Week. In a short span of time, more VTL arrangements have been locked in; riveting K-pop comebacks were announced; and safe-distancing measures will be eased. This year has been quite the definitive step-up.
Amongst grandiose ambitions that impact how we travel and how we live, come a bevy of hopes reserved for the K-pop initiated. Just earlier this month, second-generation boy group and global sensation, BigBang announced their long-awaited comeback—sending their loyal fanbase (i.e. V.I.Ps) into throes of elation. Even non-fans were enthralled by the news on Twitter. After a four-year hiatus stemmed from the members’ military service, COVID-19, as well as a scathing scandal intertwined, the famed group’s return to the music scene proved that anything is pretty much possible in 2022.
Without a doubt, their spring comeback as a quartet, will shake up the industry as fans get to reunite with G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang and Daesang as a group again. And they aren’t the only ones that fans worldwide have been pinning for—below, in no particular order, we track down the highly-anticipated K-pop comebacks this year.
1 / 7
BigBang
Before BTS, came BigBang—the undisputed ‘kings of K-pop’ since their debut. A boy group like no other—they dominated music charts and global stages with their catchy club bangers and self-penned emotional hip-hop tracks. Back in the years where K-pop didn’t own a place on a global scale, BigBang made history by being the first Korean group to take home the worldwide act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Their Spring comeback will see the group returning without Seungri—with new music as well as a music video according to the group’s agency YG Entertainment.
2 / 7
BTS
The worldwide sensation that has broken countless of records and even snagged up Grammy nominations; it’s safe to say BTS has become somewhat of a household name. Anyone who’s been actively following their work and activities in recent years would know that the boys have been working real hard, with their recent concert in L.A as well as an exciting collab with Coldplay.
As of now, all members are taking a long-deserved break while still keeping in touch with their fans (Army) via their social media platforms. But something tells us another comeback will be imminent for the group—fingers crossed it will happen before the year ends.
3 / 7
EXO
Despite setbacks and members’ departures, EXO remains to be an industry heavyweight. Now a nine-member group, that’s currently on hiatus with members enlisted in the military and solo activities, EXO’s Sehun recently revealed in an interview that the group is preparing for an album comeback. While it isn’t clear how many members would return, it’s still cause for a celebration in the eyes of EXO-L (their fandom name).
4 / 7
GOT7
Last year, JYP Entertainment’s septet GOT7 announced that they would be parting ways with their agency. All seven members proceeded to sign with separate agencies—a move to expound on their individual solo activities. However, the group reassured their fanbase (ahgases in Korean), that the group will still return as GOT7 one day—despite being in separate companies.
Undoubtedly, a group comeback would pose more difficulty than the conventional circumstance; but it seems it might be happening sooner than fans expected. Earlier this year, GOT7’s Bambam revealed in a live broadcast that he knows exactly when the group’s comeback would happen, even teasing that “2022 is the year of the ahgases.”
5 / 7
Blackpink
The biggest girl group in K-pop have been on a group hiatus of late, with each member’s focus on solo projects (namely Lisa’s solo album and Jisoo’s foray into acting). But let us not forget they were the first K-pop girl group to play at Coachella as well as the first to reach 1 billion Youtube views.
Regardless of the drought in group promotions, the girls have been cementing their bond on VLive together as well as celebrating each other’s birthdays on social media. We smell a comeback underway, including a full-English single from Blackpink.
6 / 7
Zico
Most known for bridging the gap between a K-pop idol and a hip-hop artist, Zico has broken ground in the Korean music scene with diverse styling in his tracks. This April, the rapper and songwriter will be discharged from the military, which gives hope that fans might finally see new music coming their way soon.
7 / 7
Aespa
Aespa might be considerably young in the K-pop sphere but their impact and success is definitely not to be undermined. Since their debut, tracks like ‘Black Mamba’ and ‘Next Level’ have presented their prowess in reinventing what traditional Korean pop sounds like. Here’s to yet another successful album from the emerging girl-group.
