[Edaily Starin Reporter KIM HYUNSIK ] As the K-pop industry enters the fall season, news of male idol singers launching solo projects is coming in one after another. In October alone, more than 10 artists will release new albums. In addition to comebacks, those unveiling their first solo works are also drawing attention one after another.

Industry insiders agree that fall is an ideal time for male solo artists to promote, as demand for music that emphasizes vocals and emotional depth tends to rise during this season. Another advantage is that releasing new music in October allows artists to naturally extend their promotional momentum through the year-end concert season.
On the 7th, Hwang Min-hyun and Kim Jae-hwan released new music simultaneously. Hwang Min-hyun, who was a member of NU’EST and Wanna One, unveiled the single “OUR.” This marks his first new release in eight months since the release of “Truth” last February. The single features three tracks spanning pop and R&B, including the title track of the same name.
Kim Jae-hwan, who was a member of Wanna One alongside Hwang Min-hyun, released the single “Love, From Here.” It includes a total of three tracks: the title track “I Might Call It Love,” “It’s You,” and “There Are No Limits for Us!” Kim Jae-hwan participated in writing and composing all the songs, showcasing his skills as a singer-songwriter.

On the 14th, INFINITE’s Nam Woo-hyun and god’s Son Ho-young will make their comebacks side by side. Nam Woo-hyun is releasing his second full-length album, “2X8,” to mark the 10th anniversary of his solo debut. The album features 16 tracks, including the title track “DEVIL.”
Son Ho-young is releasing the single “Go Around” to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his solo debut. This is his first new solo song in five years, following the release of “In the Flow of Time” in 2021. Son Ho-young participated in writing the lyrics himself, conveying the message: “Rather than searching for a predetermined answer, let’s find our own path in our own way.”
On the 19th, TVXQ’s Changmin will join the lineup with his third mini-album, “All Of My Life.” This marks his first new solo release in approximately 4 years and 9 months since January 2022. The album features six tracks, including the title track of the same name.
On the 21st, Lee Eun-sang, formerly of X1 and UNITE, will release her first mini-album, “Garden of Dreams.” This is her first mini-album since her solo debut and includes four tracks, including the title track of the same name.
Meanwhile, Yoon Seo-bin, a former contestant on Mnet’s “Produce X 101,” also made a comeback on the 6th with his new song “Glow,” marking his return after about 11 months. It is a mid-tempo hip-hop R&B track blending vintage guitar sounds with a laid-back groove, and Yoon Seo-bin participated in both the lyrics and composition.

Solo debut artists are also making waves. They include ZeroBaseOne’s Seong Han-bin, former BAE173 member Lee Han-gyeol, and WayV’s Xiao Jun.
Seong Han-bin will release his first mini-album, “DEAD:ALIVE,” on the 12th. The album features a total of eight tracks, including the title track “UNDEAD.” He aims to showcase music and performances that differ from his group activities.
Lee Han-gyeol will release his first mini-album, *NOISE*, on the 14th. This marks his first solo album after nine years in the industry. He plans to showcase his performance skills with five tracks, including the Latin pop-inspired title track “BUNZI.”
Xiaojun will make his debut on the 26th with his first mini-album, “Hey, Somebody.” The album features five tracks, including Chinese and English versions of the title track of the same name. Xiaojun, who has demonstrated his vocal prowess through activities with NCT and WayV, as well as collaborations, guest appearances, and OSTs, is determined to showcase his unique vocal style to a wider audience with this album.

Several artists are also preparing for solo concerts and tours. Son Ho-young will hold his solo concert “HORIZON” at the KBS Arena in Seoul on the 31st and the 1st of next month. Kim Jae-hwan will also hold his solo concert “2026 Kim Jae-hwan Concert [White Space: 餘白]” at Blue Square in Seoul during the same period, and will perform in Taipei on the 29th of next month.
Nam Woo-hyun will hold his 10th-anniversary solo debut concert, “Arbor Day VI – EVER GREEN,” at the KBS Arena in Seoul from the 6th to the 8th of next month. Choi Kang-chang-min will perform at the Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul during the same period before visiting Macau and Taipei, and will then embark on a tour of 12 regions in Japan from February through May of next year.