By Dong Sun-hwa

May cannot come soon enough for K-pop fans, with a slew of megastars releasing new music. We look closely at what’s coming from three of them – Le Sserafim, Aespa and Oneus – and give updates on May releases from (G)I-dle, Mijoo and Shinee.

1. Le Sserafim – Unforgiven (May 1)

K-pop girl group Le Sserafim will drop their first full-length album, Unforgiven, on May 1. It is seven months since the quintet’s last release, following the EP Antifragile in October 2022.

According to the group’s management company, Source Music, the album will be fronted by a single of the same name featuring Grammy-winning US musician Nile Rodgers. This is the first time that Rodgers has collaborated with a K-pop artist.

The lead single is a tune fusing hip-hop and funk rhythms that samples the main theme song from the 1966 American movie, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Feli Ferraro, the songwriter behind the success of K-pop juggernaut BTS’ 2022 track “Run BTS”, and other musicians, have had a hand in Unforgiven.

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“Through Unforgiven, Le Sserafim members will convey a message that they would walk their own path without obeying the rules set by the world,” Source Music said in a statement.

The upcoming album will offer 12 other tracks including “Burn the Bridge”, “No-Return (Into the Unknown)”, “Flash Forward” and “Between You, Me and the Lamppost”. All five members took part in writing the lyrics of the latter, and member Huh Yun-jin took part in its production.

Le Sserafim also plans to host their first pop-up store in Seongsu district, eastern Seoul, to showcase the outfits and accessories worn by the members. The store is scheduled to run from April 26 to May 7.

2. Aespa – My World (May 8)

My World is the third mini-album by girl group Aespa, and it will arrive on the music scene on May 8.

According to the quartet’s record label, SM Entertainment, the upcoming six-track EP will tell a new story about Aespa and their musical universe. Aespa’s fictional universe centres on the themes of metaverse and digital avatars.

Aespa will unveil one track, “Welcome to My World”, on May 2 to whet fans’ appetites. SM says it is an alternative pop song characterised by dreamy guitar riffs and orchestral elements, which marks a change from Aespa’s previous releases.

Details about the lead single have been kept vague.

It has taken about 10 months for Aespa to return with new music since their second mini-album, Girls, in July 2022. The group were set to roll out their first studio album on February 20, but it was delayed because of SM’s dispute with its founder, Lee Soo-man.

3. Oneus – Pygmalion (May 8)

Boy group Oneus are poised to unleash their ninth mini-album, Pygmalion, on May 8. Led by “Erase Me”, the EP will carry four other tunes including “Intro: Lethe” and “Echo”.

Prominent composers including Lee Sang-ho and Seo Yong-bae – who have worked together with Oneus for a long time – as well as Inner Child (MonoTree) and Royd were a part of the EP’s creative process, according to the group’s agency, RBW.

“Pygmalion will shed light on the desires of Oneus members and their authentic feelings,” RBW said in a statement, adding that member Leedo has a songwriting credit on “Echo”.

Other big releases in May include girl group (G)I-dle’s new album, I Feel, which drops on May 15, while Mijoo, a former member of K-pop act Lovelyz, will make her solo debut on May 17.

Boy band Shinee’s new album will also hit shelves in May to celebrate their 15th anniversary, but the release date is as of yet unknown.

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