Boys to take charge of K-pop in second quarter

While the first few months of the year in K-pop may have been dominated by girl groups, the boys appear poised to capture the lion’s share of the headlines in the months ahead with new albums and singles scheduled for release.

One of the most anticipated will come from EXO, which scored big last year with the single “Growl” from the “XOXO” album. The album sold more than 1 million copies in 2013, putting the 12-member group on the K-pop map.

The group will hold a showcase on April 15 at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium for its new mini-album titled “Overdose,” and said that it will work with the newly launched Samsung Music to promote the songs and dance moves. The title track from the album is also “Overdose,” jointly produced by the Underdogs and Kenzie.

Beast, a six-member boy group, is expected to release a new album this month.

Infinite, in its concert on March 28, said that it will also release a new album this month. The group has already released a song written by Woohyun, “Closing Your Eyes,” from the new album. Infinite has been touring various countries since the July release of its last album, “Destiny,” in July.

The six-member 2PM is another boy group expected to release a new album this month. The group’s members — Nickhun, Tacyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, Chansung and Jun.K — are currently acting and appearing in variety shows as individuals, following the release of their third studio album in May titled “Grown.” Their third release in Japan, “Genesis of 2PM,” fared well, climbing onto the Oricon weekly chart on Jan. 29. Nickhun, a Thai-American, recently gained some notoriety when it was revealed that he was dating Tiffany of Girls’ Generation.

The up-and-coming seven-member boy group Block B is expected to release a new single this month. The group last year showed strong potential with the song “Very Very Good,” which became the first chart-topper for the group under the tutelage of Cho PD.

The boys’ return to the spotlight follows the releases in the first quarter of this year from major K-pop girl groups like 2NE1 with “Come Back Home,” and Girls’ Generation with “Mr. Mr.”

Korean hip-hop gurus are also releasing new songs or albums.Jay Park will release a new single on April 11titled “Metronome” featuring rapper Simon D, who is also the co-founder of the new label, AOMG.

Rapper Mad Clown has teamed up with the members of SISTAR for his newest release, “Without You,” featuring the girl group’s main vocalist Hyorin. By Kim Ji-soo The korea times