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  • K-Pop Hotspot: September 2025 Comebacks & Debuts Roundup

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    Welcome back to one of THP’s most-loved monthly columns: the K-Pop Hotspot! September’s comebacks and debuts did not come to play, and neither did we!

    Have you been listening to all our fave K-Pop comebacks this month? Check out full comeback reviews for MONSTA X, ZEROBASEONE, DAY6, and P1Harmony! You can also keep up with K-Pop tours like LE SSERAFIM’s setlist, KAI’s recent Chicago show, and KEY’s upcoming KEYLAND: Uncanny Valley tour!

    But enough chit-chatting for now! We’ve got a hefty September K-Pop hotspot, so let’s get into all the comebacks and debuts you may have missed.

    NCT WISH

    We’re holding on to the last bit of summer with this September hotspot, and NCT WISH are on the same wavelength! Their new mini-album, COLOR, is a breath of fresh air. The title track ‘COLOR’ is bright and fun, with a chorus that has been stuck in our heads all month! We even got music videos for ‘Surf’ and ‘Baby Blue!’ Don’t sleep on the rest of their b-sides like ‘Videohood’ and ‘WICHU.’  

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NCT WISH:
    INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    TREASURE

    TREASURE brought us to ‘PARADISE’ with their September K-Pop comeback! Who says summer is over? We’ll be back to those fun days with this funky title track—a star for any party. We fell immediately for this song, and how could we not? It’s so fun and makes us feel like we’ve traveled to a special, magical place. It was the perfect start to the month, and a beautiful way to say goodbye to the hot season while still keeping it alive in our hearts through music. Who else is grooving to the sounds of TREASURE’s new music?

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TREASURE:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    HYOLYN

    Our K-Pop queen is back to serve and slay! We’re living for HYOLYN’s unapologetic new single, ‘SHOTTY.’ She sings about moving on from a breakup, knowing her ex will grow to regret losing her. The choreography has our jaws on the floor, and we expected nothing less from our fave K-Pop baddie. HYOLYN gave us everything we needed with just one song, and we hope she’ll bless us with more soon!  

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HYOLYN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    AESPA

    In the words of the legendary Cher, “I am a rich man.” aespa embodies this self-assured and confident energy in their sixth mini-album, Rich Man. The title track, ‘Rich Man,’ is an explosive track with a cinematic music video masterpiece. aespa inspires us to be the rich man in our lives, beyond having money to sustain our lifestyles. We didn’t skip through any of their b-sides, and our favorites are ‘Angel #48’ and ‘To The Girls.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AESPA:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    NCT HAECHAN

    We never thought we’d see the day NCT DREAM’s Haechan would release his first-ever solo album! TASTE fully exceeded our expectations, especially the title track ‘CRZY.’ His vocals and rap skills immediately hooked us, and we stayed for the choreography. Haechan proves his all-rounder talents with this album. We especially love the b-sides ‘ADRENALINE’ and ‘WYN?’ with HAON!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NCT DREAM:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    CIX

    Next on our September K-Pop hotspot is CIX’s new EP, GO Chapter 1: GO Together! They’re entering a new era, and we’re here for it. Whoever edited the ’WONDER YOU’ music video knew exactly what they were doing with the thumbnail. It definitely worked on us, though! The title track is groovy and too catchy to skip. Speaking of skips, this mini-album doesn’t have any! Each b-side is worthy of being the title track, and we don’t say that lightly.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CIX:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    CHAEYOUNG

    TWICE Chaeyoung’s solo debut is finally here! LIL FANTASY vol. 1 is easily one of our favorite September K-Pop releases. ‘SHOOT (Firecracker)’ is a dreamy title track with such a creative concept and music video. The music video for ‘AVOCADO’ (feat. Gliiico) is so kooky yet so Chaeyoung. She knows her strengths, and we’re in love with the indie and R&B sound of the album. Every song fits her vibe, and we especially love ‘BAND AID’ and ‘BF.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHAEYOUNG:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PERSONAL INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    JUNHEE

    After getting a taste of JUNHEE‘s solo music with the pre-release of ‘Supernova,’ we’ve been so eager to hear more. And now we’re hooked on the whole The First Day & Night mini-album. Ever felt spoiled by a music release, because this is how we feel. Not only did the album give us double title tracks in ‘Umbrella (10:00)’ and ‘Too Bad (15:00),’ but it also fed our CHOICE hearts. We yelled after seeing the B-side ‘Tattoo (12:30)’ featuring all of the A.C.E members, instantly knowing it would be one of our favorites on the album. We also find it interesting and quite a fun choice to match each song with a time of day, emphasizing the title of the release, The First Day & Night. Now we have a JUNHEE song to listen to throughout the day, yes, even at 2 AM.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JUNHEE:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE 

    TAEMIN

    Are we ever ok when TAEMIN releases new music? The answer is a definite no. ‘Veil’ has us in its clutches, and it’s not letting us go any time soon (not like we’re even trying to escape, anyways). The song draws us with its dark atmosphere, creating an alluring charm. TAEMIN’s artistry always leaves us in awe, with jaws dropped and words lost. This special digital single captured our hearts with all three of its tracks, which also include the absolutely enchanting ‘FINALE,’ and the equally captivating Japanese version of ‘Veil.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAEMIN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PERSONAL INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE 

    PLAVE

    PLAVE blessed us with the Korean version of ‘Hide and Seek,’ and we couldn’t be happier! This version feels like the bittersweet feelings that come at the end of summer. We’re sad to see it go, but we’re hopeful of the promise that it will return. ‘Hide and Seek’ is such a beautiful and uplifting song about finally finding the one and announcing it to the whole world.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLAVE:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    IDID

    New boy group alert! IDID finally dropped their official debut, and we’re too busy dancing to their title piece, ‘CHAN-RAN.’ It gives off a refreshing feel and spreads so much positivity that we can’t help but love this for the boys’ entry into the K-Pop music scene. It matches them extremely well, and honestly, we can never have too many songs with a message of hope. We highly recommend checking out their B-sides as well. We have a feeling you’d like the variety they prepared for this special start of their idol careers.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IDID:
    INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    BADVILLAIN

    September is full of new K-Pop singles! BADVILLAIN came back with ‘THRILLER,’ a self-empowerment anthem that’ll get you hyped! If you ever need some morning motivation, this is the song you need. These girls eat up every concept they get, and we need to see them on our playlists more often!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BADVILLAIN:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    YUQI

    YUQI is back with a new solo single album, Motivation! Her title track, ‘M.O.,’ is giving us old school hip-hop vibes. The instrumental is absolutely a banger, and YUQI’s voice and rap pair with it so well. No one’s doing it like her! On the flip side, she also blessed us with Korean and Chinese versions of ‘Gone,’ a pop-rock track we can blast in the car with all the windows down!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YUQI:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PERSONAL INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    LUN8

    Is anyone else a fan of the dark and mysterious vibes? LUN8‘s ‘Lost’ gave us exactly that through this latest focus track and its music video. And after listening once, we have to say we are ABSOLUTELY obsessed! The boys did it again with a new concept that slayed and showed a more mature side to them, which took our hearts with its dreamy sound. The boys also made sure to include only bangers in the single album, so you’d better be all over ‘Bad Girl’ and ‘Nauty’ already! LUN8 outdid themselves, making this one of our top releases from them so far.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LUN8:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    EXO SUHO

    EXO’s solo comebacks this year are healing all of us. Next is SUHO with his fourth EP, Who Are You. The title track is a rock masterpiece about moving on from an ex after a breakup. He also gave us the English version, which we’re hoping is a hint at a future solo tour. We absolutely adore SUHO’s classic sound, and his discography has only been getting better and better. Our favorite b-sides are ‘Birthday’ and ‘Fadeout.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUHO:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PERSONAL INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    KICKFLIP

    KickFlip has just dropped their third mini-album, My First Flip! These boys are booked and busy this year. We’ve been obsessed with the title track, ‘My First Love Song.’ It carries a freeing energy that comes with being a teenager in love. We really hope to see KickFlip perform this song live one day. Their b-sides deserve all the love, and we recommend listening to them all!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KICKFLIP:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    THE KINGDOM

    Did you also scream a little (or a lot) after hearing the news of The KingDom‘s special album? And then did the realization that we’re going back to their iconic sound and roots make you lose your minds as well? Yes, we can fully relate! With ‘Last Flower’ first making an appearance a couple of years back, we’re absolutely rejoicing that the song finally got its long-awaited official release. We’ll be playing this track, along with the rest of the B-sides on the album, and crying a little from how happy we are over them.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE KINGDOM:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    YERIN

    Everyone, wake up! Stop sleeping on Yerin because she has released her first digital single, Awake, and we couldn’t be more obsessed! It’s a pop-rock track that motivates us to chase our dreams. ‘Awake’ is the type of freeing song we’d play running through a field of flowers, slowing down and stopping for no one! Yerin brings out this side of us with every new release.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YERIN:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    WOODZ

    MOODZ, we’re so back! Our favorite rockstar is finally here and releasing his absolutely captivating music again, and we couldn’t be happier. WOODZ has us locking onto his latest two-piece release, and if you’re not joining us, you’re already missing out on so much. ‘I’ll Never Love Again’ hits so hard; it reminds us why we love everything WOODZ drops our way. From the deep meaning to the calmer yet gradually building verses of the song, to how it explodes during the chorus. We’re absolutely lost in the music!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WOODZ:
    INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    EXO CHEN

    We are living for the rock vibes in so many EXO members’ solo comebacks! Chen has just released his fifth EP, Arcadia, and we find it to be refreshing yet uniquely him. The title track, ‘Arcadia,’ is a breakup anthem for when you finally feel ready to move on from your ex. While Chen opted for a simpler music video setup, we can feel his rocker energy straight from the screen. His talent never ceases to amaze us, and we can’t get enough of his B-side tracks! Trust us when we say you won’t want to skip through any of them.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHEN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    SEVENTEEN CxM

    The latest unit by SEVENTEEN is here! S.COUPS and MINGYU brought us quite the title track.  ‘5, 4, 3 (Pretty woman) (feat. Lay Bankz)’ inserts the instantly recognizable hit ‘Oh, Pretty Woman,’ infusing it into the duo’s song and sound, bringing forth a different yet still funky appeal while also making it their own. The song is already ruling our playlists. But that’s not all we love from CxM (SEVENTEEN). We’ve been excited for this unit, and you can easily tell why through their sound. We’re having a ‘Fiesta’ with the entirety of the HYPE VIBES album, and yes, we’re having trouble picking a fave track. They’re all just THAT good.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SEVENTEEN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    POW

    POW continue to explore their musical colors, and their new single, ‘Wall Flowers,’ shows us a different side of the boys yet again. The song has a smooth and captivating sound that keeps our attention glued. We love when idols experiment and test out new styles and sounds, and we’re already giving ‘Wall Flowers’ much love. We can’t wait to see what’s next on their release plan.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT POW:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    IZNA

    izna brought out their powerful presence with ‘Mamma Mia’ and gave us a confidence-boosting end of September. Not Just Pretty is a comeback we encourage everyone to take a listen to. And if you loved their single ‘SIGN,’ which dropped earlier this year, then you’d be happy to hear that this album comes with its remix version! A new way to enjoy one of our favorite releases from the girls. And because we love giving suggestions, make sure you check out the B-side ‘Racecar.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IZNA:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    That’s all for our newest K-Pop hotspot! What was your favorite September K-Pop comeback and debut? Which comebacks are you most looking forward to in October? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @TheHoneyPOP!

    Need more K-POP content? Don’t worry; we got you!

    Authors: Julie Dam, Marty.

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    Julie Dam

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  • K-POP HOTSPOT: October 2024 Comebacks & Debuts Roundup

    K-POP HOTSPOT: October 2024 Comebacks & Debuts Roundup

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    What a time to be a K-Pop fan! We at THP are so excited to share our October K-POP HOTSPOT with you all. This month blessed us with so many new K-Pop comebacks and debuts. Have you been keeping up?

    Don’t miss out on October K-Pop comebacks we’ve already covered. Check out our reviews of all new songs from groups like Xdinary Heroes, AB6IX, ITZY, KISS OF LIFE, and aespa! It’s also been a great month for solo artists like Woosung, LISA, JENNIE, ROSÉ, NCT Jaehyun, and Jin!

    Alright, let’s catch you up on everything you may have missed in the K-Pop world!

    THIS MONTH’S NEWS

    Well, honey bees your favorite subsection is here! We are here to bring you everything K-Pop news that you might have missed this past month! First of all, we have some fun releases that might have flown under the radar like BTS Jin’s full version of ‘Super Tuna’ which got us ready for his first full comeback with a fun music video! Next up we had one of our favorite groups XG giving us another earworm with ‘IYKYK,‘ like turn this bop up and make sure you listen here and pre-order AWE here! Additionally, our girls from aespa finally gave us some solo songs! Before the girls dropped their new banger mini, they released solo songs from the SYNK : PARALLEL LINE world tour, and the girls delivered and really captured their personalities in each song. make sure you listen to them here. Well, that’s it for music news.

    But stay with us because do you want to see your faves in concert? Yes? Well then, OMEFA X announced their 2024 US tour ISLAND : Beyond the Horizon, in November and December 2024. Tickets have been on sale since the 15th so make sure you grab yours asap! Another artist that already hit the stage in the US on the 23rd is SEVENTEEN. The boys are on the road for the time being so check out if there are still tickets available on official sites! Now, we have some exciting news because our boy Wonho is back from the army and is finally coming back to the US for the first time since 2019! 2024 USA FAN MEETUP kicks off in Houston, Texas on December 4th and tickets have been on sale since October 28th. Let’s go and support our boy! 

    As a final piece of exciting news is the fact that BABYMONSTER just dropped their first full album and to honor that Spotify just selected the girls as the newest RADAR KOREA artist. What an honor! We are so proud of these girls. 

    EXO CHEN

    Chen. The man that you are. He didn’t have to bless us with two new songs for this October hotspot, but he still did. ‘Love you’ and ‘Brighter than’ from his latest single, Beyond, are such emotional ballads that bring tears to our eyes. And the live clip for ‘Love you’ hits even harder. Forget the fancy sets and special effects; all we need is Chen and his beautiful voice. He knew exactly what we needed to hear and worked on these songs with us in mind. 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHEN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    BTOB CHANGSUB

    Speaking of our fave K-Pop men, Changsub of BTOB is officially back with his new solo studio album, 1991. Last month, he gifted us five pre-release songs from the album, and we haven’t stopped listening since. This album is an ode to Changsub’s life journey, and we’re so happy to take part in it just by listening. If there’s one thing we know about Changsub, it’s that he has the ultimate range of vocals for any style of song. From dance songs like ‘Saturday Night’ to headbanging rock tracks like ‘Chivalry,’ Changsub has it all on lock! 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHANGSUB:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | CHANGSUB’S INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    SF9 YOO TAEYANG

    SF9’s Yoo Taeyang is back with an emotional new single, ‘Hug Me!’ He sings about longing for comfort and warmth when you’re feeling lost. The guitar instrumentals and Taeyang’s vocals hit us right in the feels. It sounds like it belongs in a romance drama, specifically when the two main characters go through a rough patch. They miss one another but need the time apart for the plot. Does anyone else feel that way, or is it just us? 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOO TAEYANG:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TAEYANG’S INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    HUI

    We got the collab of the summer with ‘Easy dance’ a couple of few months ago, and now Hui is back with another timeless collab! This time, he joins forces with Jang Hye-Jin to showcase mind-blowing vocals and emotions in the most beautiful and heartbreaking way with ‘Nameless.’ Hui never fails to deliver with his songwriting because ‘Nameless’ is simply the perfect ballad.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HUI:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | HUI’S INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

    EPEX

    Were you ready for a groovy EPEX experience in the October K-POP HOTSPOT? The boys stole our hearts with the cute pre-release ‘My Girl,’ and we will gladly point you in the direction of this single so you can join us in loving the group’s music. Who doesn’t like an adorable love song? And when EPEX is this good at bringing us just the right delivery of emotions and atmosphere, there’s only one thing to do. Stream ‘My Girl’ and stream their music.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EPEX:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    CNBLUE

    Got sleepless nights? We recommend you fill them with CNBLUE’s music. It took us exactly one second (no joke) to know that ‘A Sleepless Night’ would be a banger, and after listening to the whole song, we concluded that we were correct. But when has CNBLUE’s music disappointed us? Their entire album 𝘟 reminds us just why we love the band. With a versatile set of tracks to choose from, you won’t go wrong with any of the songs. And in the spirit of diverse musical colors, here are our recommendations from the B-sides: ‘BAD BAD,’ ‘RACER,’ and ‘Tonight.’

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CNBLUE:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    SEVENTEEN

    When it comes to SEVENTEEN, is it even a question if we love their music? ‘LOVE, MONEY, FAME (feat. DJ Khaled)’ immediately climbed into our hearts and settled there (as well as on our playlists.) SEVENTEEN has this talent for creating songs we’ll love, title tracks, and B-sides alike. SPILL THE FEELS is yet another proof of the group’s immense talent. Among the two group side tracks, we are also gifted new unit songs, making for an ideal SEVENTEEN release. With a tracklist like this one, we experience the many sides of the artists, including their group colors and the different vibes that each unit brings to the table. Constantly growing and showing us their new musical sides, it is impossible for us not to love SEVENTEEN.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SEVENTEEN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    BILLLIE

    Billlie has returned with their fifth mini-album, Of All We Have Lost! And dare we say, this is one of the best EPs they’ve released so far? Every one of their comebacks has been simply *chef’s kiss*, but there’s something about this one. The title track, ‘Remembrance Candy,’ is perfect for playing on a chill afternoon. And the pre-released title track, ‘trampoline,’ is a groovy and jazzy song reminding us of the comfort we can find in simple things from childhood, like a trampoline. We’re also obsessed with the b-sides, ‘Bluerose’ and ‘Shame!’ Of All We Have Lost is a THP-certified, no-skips mini-album! 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BILLLIE:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    SAYMYNAME

    SAYMYNAME has made their official debut in this October hotspot with their first mini-album, SAY MY NAME! The title track, ‘WaveWay,’ is so refreshing and fun, and it has an addictive melody! The animated and plush cats are adorable next to these girls in the music video. (Can we also discuss how cute the album cover art is?) Don’t sleep on their b-sides either. It’s safe to say we’ll keep our eyes on SAYMYNAME in the future!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SAYMYNAME:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    ILLIT

    ILLIT has made their first comeback with their second mini-album, I’ll Like You! The title track, ‘Cherish (My Love)’ is super catchy and dreamy with a quirky, tooth fairy-esque music video to match. We catch ourselves singing the chorus randomly throughout the day. And their b-sides are so good! ‘Pimple’ is our absolute favorite, and it deserves to be on repeat on your feel-good playlist. 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ILLIT:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    PURPLE KISS

    It’s always good news to know Purple Kiss is making a comeback – and what a comeback they just had with HEADWAY! ‘ON MY BIKE’ is everything with love about Purple Kiss: addictive, overflowing with confidence and talent, yet fun and an absolute banger. But, of course, in great Purki fashion, the b-sides are just as worthy to rave about. If you’re like us and haven’t forgotten the masterpiece, ‘Sweet Juice,’ then their songs, such as ‘Sweet Nightmare’ and ‘Encore,’ and this entire comeback, are made for you!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PURPLE KISS:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    AMPERS&ONE

    AMPERS&ONE having an October comeback means only one thing: we’re all over it! The boys have us obsessed with yet another title track, ‘He + She = We.’ The song is an addictive, funky piece that chooses a fun way to express one’s love and how two people who are meant to be together simply complete each other. And that’s not the only thing we love about their comeback. We’ve been swaying to the B-sides, having fun listening to AMPERS&ONE’s music. We have just 𝘖𝘕𝘌 𝘘𝘜𝘌𝘚𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕 for you. What are 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 favorite songs from this album?

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AMPERS&ONE:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    BOL4

    BOL4 is back! This is not a drill! We got a new single, ‘Bloom,’ and we haven’t been able to talk about anything else since it dropped. Fans of house music, this one’s for you! The beat drops in ‘Bloom’ are simply everything we’ve needed, especially in the last chorus. BOL4 never misses; this new concept and sound fit her well. We can’t wait to blast this at our next solo dance party. 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BOL4:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    DIA EUNICE

    Next on our list of October K-Pop comebacks, DIA’s Eunice is back with her new solo single, ‘Daydream!’ And we always love to see her pop up on our playlists. ‘Daydream’ is her third single of the year and another banger courtesy of Eunice. It’s the type of song we’d play frolicking through a field or just sitting with nature. Her voice does not disappoint. We’re obsessed with how well it pairs with the rock ballad sound! 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EUNICE:
    INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

    MISAMO

    MISAMO’s style team seriously deserves a raise! This trio has returned with their second mini-album, HAUTE COUTURE. And it’s everything we could’ve wanted it to be! Their pre-release track, ‘New Look,’ covers Namie Amuro’s song. Mina, Sana, and Momo are breathtaking in this feel-good tribute. ‘Identity’ is an empowering self-love anthem about being yourself and slaying no matter what. They know what the people want, and we’re living for this comeback. 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MISAMO:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    THE BOYZ

    It is known The Boyz can pull off every concept, but something constantly shifts in the air when they come back with a dark concept, and ‘TRIGGER’ did indeed just rearrange our brain chemistry. While ‘TRIGGER,’ with its glorious and intense sound, already makes this comeback a masterpiece, every song in the mini-album adds to it while having its own identity and style. And we finally got the studio version of ‘Bite Back!’ That alone was enough to have us on the edge of our seats for this comeback, but it shouldn’t be a surprise at this point that The Boyz exceeded all of our expectations!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOYZ:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | OFFICIAL TWITTER | MEMBERS’ TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    SOLAR

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTYGD7aEbfI

    Don’t let this October K-Pop comeback slip under your radar! Solar’s latest single, ‘First Love,’ is a remake of Utada Hikari’s song. She translates the lyrics into Korean, which sounds just as beautiful and healing as the original. Solar has somehow wowed us even more with her talents, soft voice, and the feelings she brings out of us. We’ll forever be glad we stan a queen like Solar!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SOLAR:
    INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

    SNSD SOOYOUNG

    Speaking of queens, SNSD’s Sooyoung has made her official Japanese debut with ‘Unstoppable!’ This inspiring track has the high energy of someone who can do anything. They’re simply unstoppable, just like Sooyoung! And the chorus, rap verse, music production, and visuals? Sooyoung didn’t come to play with this debut, and we’re so glad she’s finally given the spotlight she deserves!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GIRLS’ GENERATION (SNSD):
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SOOYOUNG’S INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    JAMIE

    Everyone, sit down! Jamie is back with a new single, and we’ve been missing her from our playlists for too long. ‘Bad Luck’ is a catchy heartbreak anthem about wishing an ex bad luck. It’s dedicated to everyone who played you or did you wrong, and honestly, real. Jamie’s releases are always fire, and we’ve been repeating this track since it dropped. We hope this comeback means she’ll be in the studio again. (Please?)

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JAMIE:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    BTOB

    Not only did we get a Changsub solo album in this month’s hotspot, but we also got a BTOB unit comeback! How did we get so lucky? Our kings have dropped ‘Please Stay,’ the most beautiful ballad we’ve heard in a long time. And you know it’s serious business when Minhyuk and Peniel sing their hearts out, too. We already planned to stay by BTOB’s side no matter what, but this song only makes us sure of our decision. Here’s hoping we get a full 6TOB comeback soon!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BTOB:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    G-DRAGON

    It’s happening, everyone! STAY CALM! After seven years, the king of K-Pop, the one and only G-DRAGON, made his triumphant return with ‘POWER.’ We don’t know about anyone else, but we’ve been freaking out this past week trying to figure out when his comeback or pre-release track would drop. And wow, was it worth the wait! ‘POWER’ proves G-DRAGON’s true artistry, especially with the references to iconic solo and BIGBANG songs. There’s no one doing it like GD, and we’re even more hyped for his future releases. It’s still the year of the dragon, after all!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT G-DRAGON:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    MOON JONGUP

    Fellow BABYs we are actually getting so fed this year as long-time B.A.P fans. First a reunion now more and more solo music by the boys! Jongup has always been one of our favorite boys and he proved it again this month with his new mini album and title song ‘Twist Ya.’ The groove in this one is insane we love the more retro sound and the beat. Jongup’s vocals are up to par and he performs the heck out of this song. The entire album is full of bangers and we can’t get enough of it for now. It’s the perfect way to end this spooky month!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOON JONGUP:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER |

    That’s a wrap on this month full of K-pop treats! What was your favorite comeback of the month? Which comebacks are you most excited about for next month? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @TheHoneyPOP!

    Need more K-POP content? Don’t worry; we got you!

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  • After Monterey Park shooting, pastor tried to de-stigmatize therapy for Asian immigrants

    After Monterey Park shooting, pastor tried to de-stigmatize therapy for Asian immigrants

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    Eric Chen never met Yu Lun Kao. But in February, he helped bury the 72-year-old ballroom dancer known to his friends as “Mr. Nice.”

    Kao, who went by Andy, was shielding his longtime dance partner from the hail of bullets when he was killed during the shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park. He’d been a fixture in the dance community since immigrating from Taiwan two decades ago.

    Chen is a Taiwanese pastor in San Gabriel. His mother worked for Kao’s older brother and sister-in-law in the 1990s, which made the Jan. 21 Monterey Park massacre “not just news you read about.”

    “It felt surreal that a tragedy like this would affect a family that I’ve known for 30 years,” Chen told The Times. “That’s where the tragedy hits even closer to home.”

    After the shooting, Chen served as the liaison among Kao’s family, U.S. Rep. Judy Chu’s office and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. Chu and Taiwanese Director General Amino Chi spoke at Kao’s funeral.

    So did Chen, who translated the funeral sermon from Chinese to English and brought Kao’s old friends to tears.

    “I want to exhort all of us, including myself, to take advantage of every opportunity available to spread this peace and shalom so that the hatred that caused the tragedy in Monterey Park will dissipate all around us,” Chen told the mourners.

    Chen first got involved in the San Gabriel Valley dance community in December 2021, when a friend, who was active in the Latin dance scene, wanted to rent out Star Ballroom for a dance social.

    Chen’s friend was hitting resistance because Maria Liang, the owner of the dance studio, was concerned the dancers would trash the place. Chen got involved and spoke with her in Mandarin to persuade her to rent out the venue.

    Chen danced at Star a few more times over the years and was added to a WeChat group with several hundred others in the region’s dance community.

    He had planned to go to the Lunar New Year festival in Monterey Park and then attend the party at Star Dance. But his girlfriend wanted to eat some hot pot in San Gabriel instead, so they shifted gears.

    That night, messages started pouring into the WeChat group. It was how Chen learned that there had been a shooting.

    Star Ballroom? What’s going on? Is Mr. Ma OK?

    A woman pays her respects at a makeshift memorial for victims of the mass shooting outside Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Jan. 24 in Monterey Park, Calif.

    (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

    Chen posted information from social media or local politicians into the group chat. He helped survivors get their belongings back, the car keys and passports they’d abandoned at Star Dance when they fled to safety.

    Chen saw that the Langley Senior Citizen Center had been set up as a resource center for victims, but that the information wasn’t being offered in other languages online. So he translated it from English to Chinese and directed survivors to the center.

    “I tried to be that glue, because as you know, it’s an immigrant community,” he said. “There’s a language barrier so I was just trying to bridge that gap.”

    Chen was the thread that connected the group of about 40 survivors with representatives from the county, the state and even the White House. During President Biden’s visit to Monterey Park, Chen helped reach out to survivors and families of the deceased to make sure they were invited.

    A woman pays her respects at a makeshift memorial for victims of the mass shooting in Monterey Park, Calif.

    Shally, whose dance partner died in the shooting and who witnessed the shooting, pays her respects at a makeshift memorial for victims of the mass shooting outside Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Jan. 24 in Monterey Park, Calif.

    (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

    Chen saw a gap between what service providers were offering and what the victims could navigate. Survivors were trying to get money from the California Victim Compensation Board, the agency that provides up to $70,000 to victims of violence. Victims have to fill out forms that include proof of crime-related expenses such as mental health treatment, income loss or job training.

    But some of the survivors had trouble figuring out how to do that.

    Chen tried to help the survivors as best he could by answering their questions, providing translation and helping them get the necessary paperwork for compensation.

    “You’re already going through this trauma,” Chen said.”The last thing you need is for them to try to get all the paperwork and try to call the doctors and say, ‘Hey do you have my confirmation that I was shot in the leg?’”

    Chen also met Lloyd Gock, who survived the massacre, through the WeChat group. Right after the shooting, Gock called Chen, saying that he was having nightmares and couldn’t sleep. He texted Chen throughout the night, until 2 or 3 a.m. Chen was there for Gock during the immediate crisis but also stressed that he isn’t a licensed clinician. He encouraged Gock to go to the Langley Center to seek professional help.

    Eric Chen is a San Gabriel pastor and speech and debate coach at Gabrielino High School.

    Eric Chen, a San Gabriel pastor and speech and debate coach at Gabrielino High School in San Gabriel, helped the survivors of the Monterey Park mass shooting get access to necessary resources, such as mental health counseling. He is shown at Church of Our Savior on Wednesday in San Gabriel.

    (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

    Gock went to a few counseling sessions at first, but eventually stopped, he told The Times. He said he wants to go back because he’s “quietly traumatized” by what happened. Life after the tragedy hasn’t been the same.

    Sometimes, Gock said, he will forget to lock his door or drive to a restaurant and accidentally leave his car engine on. Other times, he’ll feel afraid to walk through the parking lot back to his house because it’s dark. He lost motivation to work and his clothing company suffered.

    “The things that have to do with my business, have to do with my memory, sometimes my temper. I’m not that great,” he said. “I end up picking up fights with people. I get irritated very easily. And I’m sure that has something to do with it.”

    Chen’s main focus has been on de-stigmatizing mental health for older Asian immigrants. He and Gock started a monthly support group for survivors. The first meeting took place in April.

    The survivors have opened up about what happened to them. Some say they’re still struggling with trauma but have gone back to dancing. Others prefer to go on walks or to the gym to stay active. Some don’t say much at all.

    “We were able to create a space for people to share and to talk about whatever it is they want to talk about,” Chen said. “In that sense, it’s a formation of a new family, a new community in and of itself.”

    The group hasn’t met since the summer, but Chen is hoping to set up another meeting in the next few weeks to celebrate Christmas, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the shooting.

    Chen helped organize a Feb. 3 news conference with nonprofit organizations, such as Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-based Violence, Family Keepers and Love and Conflict Peacemaking Ministries. He invited Chu’s office and had psychologists and attorneys speak. The event, called “Reflection on the Chinese American Shooting Incident,” was held at the SunnyDay Adult Day Health Care in El Monte.

    A woman prays at the memorial for 11 people who died in the Monterey Park mass shooting.

    A woman prays at the memorial for 11 people who died in a mass shooting during Lunar New Year celebrations outside the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park on Jan. 26.

    (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

    “I think that as a pastor in the community who spoke Chinese, he could reach some people that would otherwise have been reluctant to talk about the trauma that they’ve gone through,” Rep. Chu said. “They weren’t reaching out to people, they kept to themselves and it took them a while to recognize that they really needed to talk to others about their situation.”

    Chen has persuaded some of the survivors to go to counseling by saying that, if they want to apply for compensation or if there’s ever a lawsuit, they need to prove they were traumatized.

    “It’s a year later and the cameras are gone for the most part, but the recovery for the people directly affected by it, it’s gonna take years and years and years to walk alongside them,” he said. “This is something that’s going to affect people for the rest of their lives.”

    Chen has been trying to take his own advice and has dialed back his involvement in the community for the sake of his mental health. He said he “hit a wall” about a month ago and felt overwhelmed.

    Chen is still getting himself out of it. To unwind, he bought a season pass to Magic Mountain. He’s been to one therapy session and even that, he said, took a lot of his energy.

    “I’m in the situation,” he said, “where I’ve come to realize I’ve experienced vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout.”

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    Summer Lin

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