'Full-Group' BTS to 'Reunion' I.O.I and Wanna One.. Time That Stopped Now Flows [First-Half K-Pop Review ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

• [2026 ★ First-Half Review]

Group members who spent time apart are gathering once again under a single name.

In the first half of this year, full-group activities were launched by groups including BTS, BLACKPINK, SHINee, and MAMAMOO. Project groups such as I.O.I, Wanna One, SeeYa, and Jewelry have also begun reunion activities.

As groups that represented their respective generations continue to return, a wind of change is blowing through the K-pop market. While members who were active in their own positions are coming together to carry on the group's name, artists from various generations are joining this trend.

Legendary groups representing K-pop are coming together once again. With reasons ranging from the end of members' military service to debut anniversary projects and world tours, full-group activities are underway, raising fans' expectations.

In the first half of this year, the greatest attention focused on BTS. With all members completing their military service, the group reunited as a full unit in March, releasing their fifth full album 'ARIRANG' and topping domestic and international music charts, demonstrating their enduring power. As a group representing not only K-pop but the global music market, their return received the full attention of fans both domestically and abroad.

BTS's full-group return attracted attention not only as a comeback but also for its economic impact. The Korea Culture & Tourism Institute previously analyzed that a single BTS concert in Korea could generate an economic effect of up to 1.2 trillion won. In fact, the 'Love Yourself: Speak Yourself' final concert held at Seoul Olympic Stadium in 2019 is estimated to have drawn about 130,000 spectators and generated an economic effect of 922.9 billion won. The recent performance in Busan also drew 110,000 spectators over two days, proving its high impact and reaffirming the 'BTS effect.'

BIGBANG, celebrating its 20th anniversary, also remains at the center of intense interest. After recently appearing on stage as a full group at the U.S. '2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival' to show their continued presence, they are set to kick off their world tour from August 21 to 23 at Goyang Stadium. As a group credited with leading the second generation of K-pop with numerous hit songs and unique musicality, future activities by BIGBANG are drawing significant attention.

BLACKPINK also released the title track 'GO' from their third mini album 'DEADLINE' in February. This marks their first full-group album since their second full album in September 2022, a gap of three years and five months. Recently, members have been active as solo singers, actors, and global brand ambassadors under their respective agencies after leaving YG Entertainment. Gathering once again, they captivated global fans with the explosive power of the girl group with the world's largest fandom through a large-scale world tour.

In addition, the return of legendary groups such as SHINee, celebrating their 18th anniversary, and MAMAMOO, returning as a full group for the first time in four years to commemorate their 12th anniversary, is injecting new vitality into the K-pop market.

Movements for reunions of disbanded groups are also continuing. Project groups I.O.I and Wanna One reunited around their 10th anniversary after fans' demands for reunions were consistently raised.

I.O.I, excluding members Ju Kyung-kyung and Kang Mi-na, had nine members come together to release their third mini album 'I.O.I : LOOP'. Their reunion project was a great success. With the title track 'Suddenly,' they topped music charts, secured number one positions on music shows, and sold out concerts, proving their enduring popularity.

Wanna One, who were active as a representative third-generation boy group, also shared the welcome news of their reunion. They received high interest by revealing the reunion process and behind-the-scenes footage through Mnet Plus's 'Wanna One Go: Back to Base.' Nine members joined, excluding Kang Daniel, who is currently serving in the military, and Lee Gwang-rin, who is active as a film director in China. Having once again proven the 'Wanna One Syndrome' through 'Wanna One Go,' they are considering attending 'KCON LA' in the U.S. this summer.

Groups that represented the 2000s are also coming together again, evoking nostalgia. First, SeeYa reunited as a full group to celebrate their 20th anniversary, releasing their full album 'First, Again' and demonstrating their enduring class through various activities.

Jewelry, which had been noisy with rumors of discord for some time, recently became a topic of discussion when members from the first to third generations, including Park Jung-ah, Lee Ji-hyun, Cho Min-ah, and Ha Ju-yeon, gathered through Seo In-young's YouTube channel to perform hit songs such as 'Again,' 'I Really Like You,' and 'Super Star.' SECRET is continuing activities by restructuring the team with original members Jeon Hyo-sung and Jingeo, along with new member Yebin.

First-generation idol band Click-B is also reuniting to mark their 27th anniversary, holding a solo concert 'CLICK-B RE:CLICK (A Midsummer Night's Dream Vol.2)' in August. This performance is significant as it is the first full-group concert in 11 years since 2015. The group plans to continue sustained activities starting with this concert.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.