XIN has officially announced their return with the upcoming release of their third mini album, ‘Defend Myself,’ set to drop in May. This comeback marks the group’s first in approximately 15 months, following their previous mini album ‘The REAL’ released in February 2024.
XIN reveals dual-concept mood photos for ‘Defend Myself’
In the lead-up to their comeback, XIN—consisting of members Esha, Nizz, Nova, Hannah, and Aria—unveiled a series of mood photos that reflect two contrasting visual themes.
The first concept, styled in white tones, captures a dreamlike and contemplative mood. The visual portrays the members with a sense of introspection, seemingly confronting internal emotions and the pressure of external expectations. The atmosphere, enhanced by soft lighting and shadow contrasts, echoes the album’s message of self-defense and emotional resilience.
Courtesy: BeBy Entertainment
The second concept takes a bolder turn with black-toned outfits, styled against a vivid orange backdrop. Accented with metallic accessories such as chain embellishments, this look conveys a strong, assertive energy.
‘Defend Myself’ will be XIN’s first project since ‘The REAL’. It is expected to showcase the group’s artistic growth both musically and visually. The new album will include upgraded performances and more mature soundscapes, reflecting the group’s evolution since their last release.
Ten of NCT will pre-release his first Japanese mini album, ‘Humanity,’ today, April 23. While the physical release is set for May 28 in Japan, all six tracks will be available globally on major music streaming platforms starting later today.
‘Humanity’: A genre-spanning album with emotional depth
‘Humanity’ consists of six tracks that explore a wide spectrum of sounds and themes, all anchored by Ten’s distinctive vocal color. The title track, “Silence,” is a dreamy drum and bass (DnB) track that captures a dark, introspective atmosphere.
Other songs on the album include:
Flash
Burn It Up
All Good
Living Now
Yume no Tsuzuki
2025 Japanese solo tour: ‘TIME WARP’ kicks off in May
Coinciding with the album ‘Humanity’ pre-release, Ten will embark on his first Japanese solo tour, ‘2025 TEN JAPAN TOUR 1001 ‘TIME WARP’,’ next month. The tour will include performances in:
In addition to his Japanese promotions, Ten is currently in the midst of his first global solo concert tour. Following successful performances in Seoul and Bangkok, he is scheduled to perform in Shanghai on April 26–27.
Jin of BTS is officially making his solo comeback with his second mini album, ‘Echo,’ set for global release on May 16. This marks Jin’s first new release in about six months, following his debut solo album, ‘Happy,’ which was released in November last year.
‘Echo’ captures life’s reflections with band-driven sound
Described as an album that captures life’s many moments “echoing” in different forms, ‘Echo’ tells stories and emotions that resonate with universal human experiences. Jin delivers his perspective in a ‘simple yet witty’ tone across seven new tracks.
Don’t Say You Love Me – The title track explores the emotional tension between love and separation.
Nothing Without Your Love – A heartfelt ballad emphasizing dependence on a partner’s affection.
Loser (feat. YENA) – Featuring soloist YENA, this track depicts a sweet-yet-bickering couple dynamic.
Rope It – A vibrant and motivational track about making bold decisions to achieve goals.
Traveling with the Clouds – A whimsical journey with a symbolic friend named “Cloud.”
Background – A melancholic piece about lingering love after becoming someone’s past.
To Me Today – A song dedicated to being present and appreciating today’s self.
Jin personally participated in writing the lyrics for several songs, including “Nothing Without Your Love,” “Loser,” “Rope It,” and “Traveling with the Clouds.”
Creative promotions and scheduler generate buzz
Promotions for ‘Echo’ began with a unique teaser video shown at K-POP SQUARE MEDIA in COEX, Seoul, where Jin revealed the album’s release date using a placard inside a crane game machine. His striking visuals filled the massive LED screen.
Jin unveiled the official promotional scheduler on April 16, featuring musical symbols on a background resembling sheet music. The schedule outlined key release dates, including:
April 17: Tracklist reveal
April 22–24: Concept photos (three versions)
May 12: Highlight medley
May 13–14: Title song music video poster and teaser
May 15: D-1 title track poster
May 16: Full album and MV release
Of particular note are the cryptic events on April 28 (featuring a music note with eyes) and April 30 (showing a camera-shaped emoticon).
Courtesy: BIGHIT MUSIC
Global fan concert tour: #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR starts in June
Following his comeback, Jin will embark on his first solo fan concert tour, titled #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, beginning June 28–29 at the Goyang Sports Complex Auxiliary Stadium in Goyang, South Korea. The tour will then head overseas with a total of 18 performances in 9 cities, including:
Japan: Chiba, Osaka
United States: Anaheim, Dallas, Tampa, Newark
United Kingdom: London
Netherlands: Amsterdam
Announced on April 18, the tour’s name is a spin-off of Jin’s YouTube content ‘Run Seok Jin,’ and signifies his journey to meet fans across the globe.
Fans attending the concert can expect to experience a full setlist of songs from both ‘Echo’ and ‘Happy.’
Courtesy: BIGHIT MUSIC
Meanwhile, Jin’s ‘Echo’ will be released worldwide on May 16, available on all major streaming platforms.
