August 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months for K-pop fans worldwide. With major groups like Stray Kids, TWICE, ENHYPEN, Red Velvet, NCT 127, and TAEMIN all releasing new music, alongside several rookie groups making their official debuts, the month is packed with exciting releases. From summer-themed mini-albums to long-awaited solo projects, here is everything you need to know about the K-pop comebacks and debuts scheduled for August 2026.
Stray Kids Returns With New Mini Album This and That
Stray Kids kicked off the month with their new EP THIS & THAT, which dropped on August 7 at 1 PM KST. The eight-track album marks the group’s first release since November’s DO IT, which extended their record of Billboard 200 No. 1 debuts to eight consecutive releases. All eight tracks were written by the group’s in-house production team 3RACHA, consisting of members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han.
The title track “This & That” features a hip-hop-based, groovy sound that the group says emphasizes a “chill” and “cool” mood, marking a deliberate shift from their usual intense energy. During a press conference held one day before the release, leader Bang Chan shared his thoughts on the new direction.
“It’s our ninth year, and we’ve tried many genres from the start. With this album, we prepared a new color of Stray Kids, just as the title suggests.”
The EP includes the pre-release single “RUN IT,” along with tracks like “FARMING,” inspired by the online phrase “aura farming,” “After You,” “I Do,” “Way Out,” which features lyrics in multiple languages, and “The Day,” which Han wrote after drawing inspiration from a television drama. Member Seungmin is limiting his promotions due to health reasons, but the group continues their world tour, which kicked off in Seoul in late July.
Red Velvet Makes Full Group Return With Velvet Summer
Red Velvet made their full-group comeback on August 3 with their summer mini-album Velvet Summer. This marks the group’s first full-group release since Cosmic in June 2024. The title track “Surfin’ Boy” topped Bugs’ real-time chart upon release, proving the group’s lasting popularity. SM Entertainment confirmed that the group also hosted a fan concert from July 31 to August 2 ahead of the comeback.
ENHYPEN Returns as Six Members With The Sin: Bliss
ENHYPEN is set to release their eighth EP, THE SIN: BLISS, on August 21. This marks the group’s first album as a six-piece following Heeseung’s departure and serves as the second chapter in their vampire-themed “THE SIN” series, led by the single “Bloody Paradise”. BELIFT Lab confirmed the comeback in June, and fans have been eagerly waiting for the group’s summer return.
NCT 127 Returns With Seventh Full Album BLINGY
NCT 127 will release their seventh full-length album, BLINGY, on August 24 at 6 PM KST. This marks the group’s first comeback in two years and their first release since all seven members renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment. Five members will promote the record, as Doyoung and Jungwoo are currently serving in the military. The group has been building anticipation with global outdoor ads and teaser images featuring fighter jets.
TWICE Celebrates 10 Years With Best Of Album
TWICE will release #BEST 2015-2025 on August 26, a compilation album celebrating their 10-year career. The album is expected to feature the group’s biggest hits from the past decade, giving fans a chance to look back on their journey.
TAEMIN Returns With Phase 1: Soft Violence
SHINee’s TAEMIN will make his solo return on August 31 with PHASE 1: Soft Violence. This marks another major solo release from the veteran artist, who continues to showcase his unique musical style.
Solo Artists and Sub-Units Taking the Spotlight
August also features several solo releases from established artists. Tiffany Young of Girls’ Generation will release Edge of Calm on August 20. Jeong Eun-ji of Apink returns on August 11 with Summer, I, her first solo album in nearly four years, which she produced across all seven tracks. MJ of ASTRO follows on August 19 with Right..?, his first physical solo album a full decade after his debut. Kim Jaejoong also makes his musical return on August 20 with the single “The Wave,” his first release in about one year and three months.
Girls’ Generation fans can also look forward to the sub-unit debut of HYORISOO, consisting of members Hyoyeon, Yuri, and Sooyoung, who will release “SKIBIDI” on August 31. DAYOUNG of WJSN teams up with Jay Park for the collaborative single “FLIRTY,” which dropped on August 5.
New Groups Making Their Debut This Month
Several rookie groups are officially launching their careers in August. HYBE’s new girl group TUIDE will debut on August 24 with their first EP, Tune & Play. The seven-member group includes Seohee, Seoyeon, Elena, Jia, Saki, Seah, and Yi Hani, with members born between 2006 and 2011 and coming from diverse backgrounds including South Korea, the United States, Britain, and Japan. Their debut single is titled “Sun Kiss”. The group is being overseen by veteran producer Han Sung-soo, known for shaping acts like Seventeen, After School, Iz*one, and TWS.
JYP Entertainment’s new girl group OURBIRTHDAY will debut on August 19. This marks JYP’s first girl group debut in about four years, following NMIXX. The seven members previously introduced themselves through pre-debut activities as two separate units, Side A and Side B, before coming together as a full group.
Starship Entertainment is debuting their new boy group AEN on August 5 with their first EP, A New Era of Now. WAYF BOYS will also make their official debut on August 7 with WAYF BOYS DO. Splayit debuts on August 13 with SPLAY: CHAPTER 01. NOWZ, formerly known as NOWADAYS, released their digital single “Achilles” on August 5, marking their first Korean comeback in about 10 months.
Other Notable Releases Throughout August
The month is filled with releases from various artists across different dates. SEVENTEEN’s DINO released his solo EP 吉BOARD under the alter ego Pi Cheolin on August 3, featuring a mix of EDM trap, city pop, and new jack swing. BABYMONSTER dropped “MOON” on the same day, while TWS released their second Japanese single “SODA SODA” on August 4.
KISS OF LIFE released “SWEAT” on August 4. KiiiKiii returns on August 10 with their third EP, WhyKiiiKiii. ARTMS released Hyper-Ego on August 7, their first release after the group’s longest gap between comebacks, with member Haseul sitting out following shoulder surgery. DAWN also made his return on August 7 with the single “Too Much,” his first release since September 2023.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE will release UNBREAKABLE : 少年BEAST on August 24. SF9 drops their second full album on August 26. Hi-Fi Un!corn, ONEWE, and Mashiro of MADEIN all have releases scheduled for August 19.
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A Month Packed With K-Pop Action
With so many artists returning to the stage and new acts making their debut, August 2026 promises to be one of the busiest months of the year for K-pop. From veteran groups celebrating milestones to rookies taking their first steps, there is something for every K-pop fan to enjoy throughout the month.
Also Read: Nearly Half of K-Pop Groups Disappear Within 3 Years of Debut, Study Finds
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