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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider Monsta X, IVE, Woodz, KiiiKiii gear up for different activities in 2026

Monsta X, IVE, Woodz, KiiiKiii gear up for different activities in 2026

Published Jan 27, 2026 04:18 pm
Kakao Entertainment artists (Kakao Entertainment)
Kakao Entertainment artists (Kakao Entertainment)

Monsta X, IVE, Woodz and KiiiKiii, all under agency Kakao Entertainment, are set to have a big year in 2026. 

Through a wide range of activities including tours and album releases, they aim to connect with audiences.  

Monsta X 

After celebrating the 10th debut anniversary as a full group last year, Monsta X, under Starship Entertainment, have been making global moves since January. 

Shortly after member Joohoney dropped his solo mini-album on Jan. 5, Monsta X will kick off their new world tour “The X : Nexus” at Seoul’s KSPO Dome on Jan. 30-Feb. 1. The tour, their first in about four years since 2022, will include multiple cities across Asia, Latin America, and beyond.  

With their 10th anniversary mini-album “The X,” Monsta X achieved the highest first-week album sales of their career and secured placements on multiple global charts, including Billboard. They also wrapped up their fourth iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour.  

IVE  

IVE, a girl group under Starship Entertainment, will start 2026 with the release of a new album at the end of February. 

Before this, the group will heat up anticipation by unveiling a pre-release track on Feb. 9. They recently showcased a coming-soon-film highlighting their cinematic universe, further fueling excitement for its much-awaited return. 

Following the album’s release, IVE will continue their second world tour “Show What I AmAM,” which began at KSPO Dome in October. They are scheduled to perform at Kyosera Dome in Japan’s Osaka in April, as well as in other major cities across North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. 

In 2025, IVE saw stellar success, recording seven consecutive million-seller releases and earning 20 music show wins. Through their upcoming album and tour, the group will reach global fans through elevated performances and stage presence, reaffirming its status as a dominant K-pop girl group.

KiiiKiii  

"Gen Z icon" KiiiKiii, under Starship Entertainment, returned with their second mini-album "Delulu Pack" on Jan. 26. 

Following their successful debut last year, they aim to further grow their global footprint and establish themselves as a next-generation K-pop powerhouse. 

Through “Delulu Pack,” KiiiKiii expressed their desire to exist freely anywhere, simply as who they are in the present moment. 

After bursting onto the K-pop scene in 2025 with the debut track “I Do Me,” KiiiKiii quickly built a strong fan base both domestically and internationally, sweeping seven Rookie of the Year awards. Notably, they took the stage at Music Expo Live 2025 held at Japan’s iconic Tokyo Dome, becoming the only K-pop girl group to pull off the feat.

Kakao Entertainment artists (Kakao Entertainment)
Kakao Entertainment artists (Kakao Entertainment)

WOODZ 

Solo artist Woodz, under Edam Entertainment, plans to have a big year, with a new full-length album currently in the pipeline. 

Following the resounding success of “Drowning,” a song that ranked No. 1 on Melon’s annual chart, and his 2025 single “I’ll Never Love Again,” Woodz has proven himself to be an all-round artist with outstanding producing skills.

Ahead of the album’s release, Woodz will venture into acting with the film “Slide Strum Mute,” in which he collaborated with director Park Sye-young and actor Justin H. Min. 

In the 59-minute movie, he portrays Woojin, a character who surrenders to profound inner desires when confronted with an irresistible opportunity and choice. Balancing both music and acting, Woodz is expected to mesmerize fans by revealing new facets of his artistry and talent.  

Antenna artists

Talented artists under Antenna are also gearing up for a hectic year. 

Solo artists like Kyuhyun of Super Junior and Jung Seung-hwan will continue to resonate with listeners through their distinctive musical styles, while boy band Dragon Pony will expand their global reach through appearances at festivals and live performances.

Hrtz.wav  

Kakao Entertainment has confirmed the early 2026 debut of its global band Hrtz.wav, aiming to raise its profile worldwide. 

Hrtz.wav, the combination of “Hertz” and “.wav” – consists of five winners from Mnet’s “Steal Heart Club,” a global band-making project by Kakao Entertainment and CJ ENM. 

Keiten, Hagiwa, Dane, Riaan and Youn Young-jun will debut with the goal of presenting a new wave of band music that captures the spirit of the youth. 

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