Check out the full list of second-generation K-pop idols who made comebacks in 2021, in this article.
Yunho (TVXQ)
SM Entertainment’s idol role model and Lee Soo-man‘s most trusted idol, Yunho (TVXQ) has never disappointed his fans. He is the most consistent and most productive SM Entertainment idol. Each year, he releases at least two albums, either a single or a mini-album.
In January 2021, Yunho released a mini-album titled Noir – The 2nd Mini Album and a single album titled Eeny Meeny. Alongside the albums, he also released the MV “Thank U”, the title track of his mini-album, and the MV “Eeny Meeny”. In the MV, Yunho acts like a badass mafia member who faces a life or death situation with a mafia leader, played by the charismatic actor Hwang Jung-min.
HyunA
Nearly two years after releasing the single “Flower Shower”, HyunA made a solo comeback with the release of the mini-album I’m Not Cool in January 2021. The album consists of 4 new singles and 1 old single, “Flower Shower”. She said that the album was made like her daily journal. The album was long overdue because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Later, in September 2021, HyunA and her long-time boyfriend Dawn are set to make a music collaboration and release a duet album. The teaser for the album was released on September 5th, 2021.
Epik High
In January, through a teaser released via their social media accounts, Epik High revealed the news of their imminent comeback. After two years of hiatus, the trio released a two-part album. The first part, Epik High Is Here Part 1, was released on January 18th, 2021, while the second part is set to be released before the end of 2021. Epik High’s 10th album consists of 10 tracks and features CL, Zico, B.I, and other artists. In between the first and second part, Epik High released a single track, “Rain Song”.
Yubin (Wonder Girls)
Barely a month after releasing the single album Traveller, No.501, former Wonder Girls member Yubin released the single “PERFUME”. In this single, Yubin played the evil woman character who seduced everyone with her sexiness. In January 2020, Yubin left JYP Entertainment and launched her own agency, RRR Entertainment. Former Wonder Girls Hyelim joined her agency two months later.
SHINee
Three years after releasing their 6th album, SHINee returned with a bang. 2021 has been the busiest year for SHINee. So far, in 2021, SHINee have released 5 albums: 1 full studio album, 2 single tracks, 1 repackaged album, and 1 mini-album. The princes of K-pop refused to let other pop idol groups take their crown. After all the members completed their mandatory military service, SHINee released their 7th studio album, Don’t Call Me. The album consists of 8 tracks with the single “Don’t Call Me” serving as the title track.
Super Junior
Super Junior made 2 comebacks in 2021. On January 27th, 2021, Super Junior released the Japanese best compilation album titled Star. The album consists of 3 CDs, the first CD consists of new tracks in Japanese, the second CD consists of 8 tracks that were loved by fans, while the third CD consists of new solo singles by Super Junior members. The third CD is also in Japanese. The album is released to celebrate the anniversary of 7 years after the release of the Japanese album Hero and 15 years of Super Junior’s debut in Japan.
In March 2021, Super Junior made another comeback by releasing their 10th album The Renaissance. The title track “House Party” is filled with exciting rhythm and addictive guitar riffs.
2PM
This is the comeback that the 2nd Generation K-pop idol has been waiting for. After 5 years of hiatus, boy group 2PM made a comeback in July 2021 by releasing their 7th full album, MUST. The album consists of 10 singles with “Make It” serving as the title track. The lyrics of “Make It” were written and produced by none other than the Busan-born idol, Jang Woo-young. All of the members appeared fresh but classy and mature at the same time. “Make It” has an easy-listening groove and addictive melody.
After School
All five members of After School made a memorable comeback in June 2021. The group collaborated with the YouTube Channel MMTG to bring back After School from their long hiatus. MMTG Channel has recently gathered up attention for calling and interviewing the biggest stars in the K-pop industry. For After School, the channel made several series of comeback performances. The group got to perform all the singles that their fans voted for. All the members were filled with emotions after meeting each other again and being given another chance to greet and perform in front of the fans.
T-ARA
Twelve years after their debut and four years after a long hiatus, T-ARA delivered the good news on July 2021. At the time, they were preparing the long-awaited comeback. The group is planning to make a comeback around October to December 2021. Currently, all four T-ARA members, Jiyeon, Hyomin, Eunjong, and Qri are busy with their own individual projects and talk about their comeback is enough to make fans excited.
Highlight (BEAST)
The news of their comeback was confirmed in April 2021. Highlight made their first comeback in more than 2 years by releasing the third mini-album The Blowing on May 3rd, 2021. The album consists of six new singles with “Not The End” as the title track. All remaining four members, Yoon Doo-joon, Lee Gi-kwang, Yang Yo-seob, and Son Dong-woon finished their mandatory military service in 2020 and 2021.
CN BLUE
Eleven years after their debut and six months after their latest comeback, CN Blue released their latest Japanese single album, ZOOM. The group made their comeback with three members, Jung Yong-hwa, Kang Min-hyuk, and Lee Jung-shin. The group also held their first Japanese online fan meeting three years prior to releasing the new single Zoom.
Taeyeon (SNSD)
Seven months after releasing her latest single, SNSD’s Taeyeon made a comeback and released a single titled “Weekend”. The single was released in July 2021. In December 2020, Taeyeon released her fourth mini-album, What Do I Call You.
CL (2NE1)
In August 2021, rapper and former 2NE1 member, CL, revealed that she was currently preparing new singles for her solo debut album. The first single, “SPICY”, was released in August, while the second single was released in September 2021. The full album, titled Alpha, is set to be released in October 2021. For this album, CL collaborated with Konnect Entertainment. Earlier this year, CL collaborated and was featured in Epik High’s single “Rosario”. Are you satisfied with the 2nd generation K-pop comebacks? Perhaps these groups are relatively new to K-pop fans of the new generation but they were the princes and princesses of second-generation K-pop. They will rule again if third and fourth-generation K-pop idols don’t raise their music standard. Don’t forget to share this article with your social media account and check out the details of each comeback in the collection of Channel-Korea articles.
