'Full-Group' BTS to 'Reunion' I.O.I and Wanna One.. Time That Stopped Now Flows Again [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 BTS, BLACKPINK, SHINee, MAMAMOO, and others. Project groups I.O.I, Wanna One, SeeYa, and Jewelry also embarked on 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 have heightened fan expectations.

In the first half of this year, the greatest attention was 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 drew 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 attendees and generated an economic effect of 922.9 billion won. The recent performance in Busan also drew 110,000 attendees 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 appearing on a full-group stage at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the U.S. in April, the group is set to kick off its world tour from August 21 to 23 at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. As a group credited with leading the second generation of K-pop with numerous hit songs and unique musicality, future activities are drawing significant attention.

BLACKPINK also released the title track 'GO' from their third mini album 'DEADLINE' in February. This is their first full-group album since their second full album in September 2022, a gap of three years and five months. Recently, members left their agency YG Entertainment and have been active as solo singers and actors under their respective agencies. They have since reunited for a large-scale world tour, captivating global fans with the power of the girl group that boasts the world's largest fandom.

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, with nine members coming together (excluding members Ju Kyung-kyung and Kang Mi-na), released their third mini album 'I.O.I : LOOP' on May 19. Their reunion project was a great success. The title track 'Suddenly' topped music charts, secured number one 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,' released on April 28. Nine members joined, excluding Kang Daniel, who is 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' on May 14 and continuing various activities to prove their enduring class.

Jewelry, which had been noisy with rumors of discord for some time, gathered members Park Jung-ah, Lee Ji-hyun, Cho Min-ah, and Ha Ju-yeon (1st to 3rd generation members) through Seo In-young's YouTube channel on the 12th, showcasing hit songs such as 'Again,' 'I Really Like You,' and 'Super Star,' drawing significant attention. Alongside this, SECRET also reorganized the team by recruiting new member Ye-bin, centering on existing members Jeon Hyo-seong and Jingeo (Jung Ha-na). They released 'Secret Flavor' on the 18th and are continuing their new activities.

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 from this concert.

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*This content was translated by AI.