Missing second-gen K-pop? We got you covered! Here are all the second-generation K-pop artists that made a comeback in 2021!
Please note that this list contains artists who debuted from 2002 to 2011. Idols who came from groups that debuted as soloists outside of this time frame were not included in the list.
1. Epik High
On January 18, Epik High released part one of their tenth album, "Epik High is Here Part 1." The album's first single, "Rosario," featured CL and Zico. The song was included in Rolling Stone's "The 50 Best Songs of 2021" list.
2. HyunA
On January 28, 2021, HyunA released her seventh mini-album, "I'm Not Cool," with a lead single of the same name. The song peaked at number nine on the Gaon Digital Chart. In the United States, "I'm Not Cool" peaked at number eight on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.
3. SHINee
SHINee made two comebacks this year. First, the group released their seventh studio album, "Don't Call Me," with a lead single of that same name on February 22, 2021. A repackaged version, "Atlantis," was released on April 12, 2021, with a lead single of the same name.
4. Rain
On March 3, 2021, Rain released his third Korean mini-album, "Pieces by Rain." The album spawned two singles: "Switch to Me" and "Why Don't We." The mini-album peaked at number 23 on the Gaon Album Charts, and "Switch to Me" won one music show win on "M Countdown."
5. Super Junior
Super Junior released their tenth mini-album, "The Renaissance," with the title track "House Party" on March 16, 2021. The mini-album peaked at number one on the Gaon Album Charts.
6. HIGHLIGHT
HIGHLIGHT released their twelfth extended play, "The Blowing," with the lead single "Not the End," on May 3, 2021. The mini-album peaked at number two on the Gaon Album Charts. This marks HIGHLIGHT's first release since 2018.
7. 2PM
2PM released "Must," their seventh Korean studio album, on June 28, 2021. The lead single from the album is titled "Make It." This marks 2PM's first musical release since all the members finished their mandatory military enlistment.
8. Brave Girls
The Brave Girls group debuted in 2011, though the remaining remembers debuted in 2017. However, as Brave Girls as a brand was conceived in 2011, they were eligible for this list.
Brave Girls released their fifth mini-album, "Summer Queen," and the lead single, "Chi Mat Ba Ram," on June 17, 2021. On August 23, 2021, they released a repackaged version titled "After 'We Ride'," which contains the single of the same name.
9. Yang Yoseob
On September 23, 2021, Yang Yoseob released his first full-length studio album "Chocolate Box." The album contains the lead single "Brain."
10. CNBLUE
CNBLUE released their ninth mini-album, "Wanted," on October 20, 2021. The mini-album contains the lead single "Love Cut."
11. 2AM
On November 1, 2021, 2AM released their fourth mini-album, "Ballad 21 F/W." The mini-album contained two title tracks, "Should've Known" and "No Good in Good-bye." This marks 2AM's first musical released since 2014.
12. Super Junior-D&E
On November 2, Super Junior-D&E released their first full-length studio album "Countdown." They then released a special version of their studio album on December 10 titled "Countdown - Zero ver. (Epilogue)."
13. T-ARA
T-ARA released their second single album, "Re:T-ARA," on November 15, 2021. The single album contains the title track "Tiki Taka." This marks T-ARA's first comeback after a four-year hiatus.
14. SMTOWN
On December 27, 2021, SMTOWN will release a collaboration album with several of their artists for the winter album "2021 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Express." Several second, third and fourth generation artists will collaborate for the album. The second-generation artists included are TVXQ, Super Junior and SHINee. Additionally, the Girls' Generation sub-unit Oh!GG will also be part of the project.
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Which release did you love the most this year? Tell us in the comments below!
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Written by Alexa Lewis
