The Big Return: 10 K-POP Icons of 2026.

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The Return of the Kings

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Global superstars BTS have officially confirmed a massive world tour alongside their highly anticipated full group comeback, signaling a powerful reunion with fans worldwide. Following the release of their brand new album, the group is set to embark on a grand journey visiting major global hubs across Asia, North America, and Europe.

This upcoming world tour is drawing immense international attention as it marks the first official tour since all seven members successfully completed their military service. Projected to be the largest tour in K-POP history, the schedule features over 70 performances across approximately 34 cities worldwide.

The tour will kick off on April 9, 2026, in Goyang, South Korea, before expanding into a massive global trek. Including several stadium-scale venues, the tour aims to create an unforgettable experience for global fans who have long awaited the group’s return. After a significant hiatus, the members are ready to showcase evolved musicality and breathtaking performances that are expected to reach new artistic heights.

The world is watching with bated breath to see what legendary stages BTS will create during this historic tour. It is time to witness the return of the global icons.

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BLACKPINK’s 2026 Comeback Power PHYSICAL ALBUM GIANTS

Physical Album Giants

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BLACKPINK officially confirmed their full group comeback for January 2026. This marks their first album activity in four years since Born Pink, ending a long hiatus to reclaim their global status. YG Entertainment announced that this massive project will feature a completely new visual and musical concept.

All four members will pause their successful solo careers to reunite for this historic return. International media predicts that BLACKPINK will dominate the K-POP market in the first half of 2026, driven by the intense synergy of the members’ individual global influence.

The hype is further amplified by Rosé’s historic Grammy nominations in February. This global recognition is expected to fuel the group’s comeback momentum, making their 2026 world tour and new album the most anticipated events of the year.

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BTS, EXO, and Wanna One: Is the “EX-BANG-WAN” Era Returning in 2026?

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EXO is set to kick off 2026 with their 8th full length album ‘REVERXE’ on January 19. This marks their first group release in 2.5 years since ‘EXIST’ in 2023. The album features 9 tracks, including the title song ‘Crown’, a powerful hard dance track that symbolizes their commitment to protecting what is precious.

The lineup for this comeback includes Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Sehun, Kai, and Lay. While not a full group activity due to ongoing disputes with some members, the anticipation remains peak. EXO plans to re-establish their identity as the ultimate performance group through this long awaited return.

The group already proved their legendary status at MMA 2025, delivering a show stopping medley and a sneak peek of their new track. Despite the rise of junior groups, EXO dominated the stage and unified the audience with their timeless hits. 2026 is expected to be another year of global dominance for the K-POP icons.

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K-POP Icons: BIGBANG Is Back to Reclaim the Throne.

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The 2026 Golden Disc Awards witnessed a historic moment as G-DRAGON claimed the prestigious Grand Prize. However, it was his victory speech that truly shook the world. By announcing his plans to reunite with the full BIGBANG lineup this year, G-DRAGON has officially set the stage for the most explosive comeback in K-POP history.

This unexpected declaration has sent shockwaves through the global music industry. After years of individual dominance, the legendary group is finally preparing to synchronize their orbits once again. With G-DRAGON’s creative genius leading the way, the 2026 reunion promises to transcend musical boundaries and redefine what it means to be a global icon.

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The Grand Finale of “EX-BANG-WAN”: Will Wanna One Complete the Circle?

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The 2026 COMING SOON teaser has officially confirmed the highly anticipated reunion project for Wanna One. Mnet announced the production of a new reality and variety program scheduled to air in the first half of 2026. This project aims to focus on deep communication with fans, marking a significant milestone nearly seven years after their official activities concluded.

While the reality show is confirmed, the specific lineup remains a major point of interest. Fans are particularly curious whether Kang Daniel, who faces military enlistment, and Lai Kuan-lin, who has stepped away from the industry, will participate. At this stage, the project focuses on variety content, and official plans for a new album or large scale concerts have not yet been finalized.

The return of Wanna One, alongside icons like EXO and BTS, signals a grand revival of the 3rd generation K-POP era. Although the full musical comeback is still shrouded in mystery, the sight of the members reuniting on screen is enough to ignite the passion of Wannables worldwide. 2026 is shaping up to be a year of legendary reunions and emotional milestones.

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ALPHA DRIVE ONE: The Beginning of a Project to Write New History.

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Formed through the hit survival show ‘Boys II Planet,’ ALPHA DRIVE ONE (AD1) has officially debuted as the most anticipated rookie group of 2026. Selected by over 26 million fan votes across 223 countries, the 8 member powerhouse (Leo, Junseo, Arno, Geonwoo, Sangwon, Xinlong, Anxin, Sanghyun) built a massive global fandom even before their first stage.

Their debut mini album ‘EUPHORIA’, released on January 12, captures the pure thrill of their beginning. Produced by K-POP hitmaker KENZIE, the album features high energy performance pop, including the pre-release hit “FORMULA.” The title track “FREAK ALARM” showcases their “Romantic Energetic Core,” blending heavy boom-bap beats with funky grooves and R&B sensibilities to define the group’s unique identity.

ALPHA DRIVE ONE aims to redefine excellence, passion, and unity through their music. With their eyes set on global charts, the group is determined to provide positive energy to fans worldwide without limits. As the first major breakout stars of 2026, AD1 is expected to dominate the music scene as ‘Monster Rookies,’ proving that their journey towards the top has only just begun.

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K-Pop Demon Hunters 2: The Global Phenomenon Returns

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Netflix and Sony Pictures have officially signed a contract for the sequel to ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters,’ aiming for a 2029 release. Following the massive success of the first film, which surpassed 300 million views and became the most watched movie in Netflix history, expectations for the follow-up are at an all time high.

The original story of the girl group ‘HUNTR/X’—Lumi, Mira, and Joy—saving the world with their music didn’t just win over viewers; it dominated the music charts. The hit track “Golden” topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart, while “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop” swept streaming platforms worldwide. The film’s unique ‘Sing-Along’ screenings even shattered box office records for streaming originals, proving its explosive cultural impact.

Director Maggie Kang hinted that the sequel will explore deeper into the universe and the mysterious origins of the characters. She also expressed interest in collaborating with various Korean musical genres, including Trot and Heavy Metal, to create a richer sonic experience. As the first chapter has already made history in the cultural industry, the world is watching to see if ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ can ignite another global fever in 2029.

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2026 Rising Stars: The New Wave of K-POP

RECENE, yesweare’, KIKI, Hearts2Hearts,NAZE,

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The 2026 K-POP scene is not just about the giants; it is fueled by the creative energy of rising stars from independent labels. Groups like ‘yesweare’ and ‘RECENE’ are making waves with their unique concepts and high-quality production. These ‘hidden gems’ are rapidly expanding their global fandoms, proving that talent and vision can overcome agency size.

New challengers like ‘KIKI’ and ‘Hearts2Hearts’ are also capturing the public’s attention with their fresh visuals and addictive sound. Each team brings a distinct storytelling element that resonates with Gen Z audiences worldwide. As these independent icons continue to grow, they are expected to become the next major trendsetters, bringing a new level of diversity and vitality to the industry in 2026