Jaehwa Bernardo

(Clockwise from top left) Taeyong of NCT, Taeyang of BIGBANG, ITZY, LNGSHOT and Jay Park, and ZEROBASEONE. Photos from the artists’ X accounts and More Vision’s X account (for LNGSHOT and Jay Park).

Article (news)

Taeyang, Taeyong, ITZY: May 18 packed with K-pop comebacks

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779005637812BeFunky-collage (4).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">(Clockwise from top left) Taeyong of NCT, Taeyang of BIGBANG, ITZY, LNGSHOT and Jay Park, and ZEROBASEONE. <em>Photos from the artists’ X accounts and More Vision’s X account (for LNGSHOT and Jay Park)</em></span></span></span></div><p><strong>(UPDATE) </strong>It was a packed Monday for K-pop fans, as several popular acts simultaneously released new music.</p><p>They include BIGBANG star Taeyang, who unveiled his fourth full-length album “Quintessence,” along with the music video for its lead single “Live Fast Die Slow.”</p><p>In a YouTube documentary, the 37-year-old singer said he had been working on a new album for some time but only found its direction after settling on the title, which comes from the word meaning the ideal example of something.</p><p>“Once I named it ‘Quintessence,’ I felt like I gained a new sense of direction,” said Taeyang, whose real name is Dong Young-bae.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pB3W-k0kQ8U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The 10-track package also includes notable collaborations, with “Would You” featuring Tarzzan and Woochan of co-ed rookie group Allday Project, while “Open Up” brings in Australian artist The Kid Laroi.</p><p>Tablo of the iconic hip-hop trio Epik High <a href="https://x.com/blobyblo/status/2055627069237973311"><strong>shared in an X post</strong></a> that he worked on three songs on the album.</p><p>“It’s a classic album so make sure you listen,” Tablo told his X followers.</p><p>“Quintessence” marks Taeyang’s first full-length album in nine years and arrives ahead of BIGBANG’s 20th anniversary tour, which is scheduled to kick off in August.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2026/3/4/k-pop-icons-bigbang-to-go-on-world-tour-for-20th-anniversary-1213"><strong>READ: K-pop icons BIGBANG to go on world tour for 20th anniversary<br/></strong></a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tiKgdh4Csj8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Meanwhile, Taeyong, the leader of NCT, also made his comeback with his first full-length album “WYLD,” fronted by the single of the same title.</p><p>The album is described as a “deeply personal” project as the 30-year-old idol penned lyrics for all 10 tracks and contributed to the composition of nine, according to a press release.</p><p>Girl group ITZY also joined the day’s packed lineup of releases with a new extended play (EP) titled “Motto,” led by a title track of the same name.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1jKnI_ib8c8?&amp;pp=ygUESVRaWQ%3D%3D&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The eight-track record also features solo songs from each of the group’s five members.</p><p>Beyond the comeback, the quintet is also busy with its “Tunnel Vision” world tour, which is set to stop at the Mall of Asia Arena on July 11.</p><div><strong>NEW CHAPTER</strong></div><p>ZEROBASEONE, the commercially successful boy band formed through the reality competition series “Boys Planet,” marked a new chapter in its career with its sixth EP, “Ascend-.”</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7QGRDC7ngpE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Led by the single “Top 5,” the seven-track EP is the group’s first release since it was reorganized as a five-piece act comprising Kim Jiwoong, Sung Hanbin, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae and Park Gunwook.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/10/15/k-pop-group-zerobaseone-basks-in-pinoy-fans-love-energy-1135"><strong>READ: ZEROBASEONE basks in Pinoy fans’ love, energy<br/></strong></a></div><p>The four former members — Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin and Han Yujin — departed the team after their contracts expired. The quartet, all of whom are under the same label, are scheduled to debut on May 26 under a new group, AND2BLE, alongside former EVNNE member Yoo Seungeon.</p><p>Finally, rookie boy band LNGSHOT, which debuted in January, put out a mixtape with hip-hop mogul Jay Park, who also founded the group’s label.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XdujOljuyNw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The eight-track mixtape, titled “4SHOBOIZ Vol. 2: 4SHOVILLE,” is led by the single “Yeah! Yeah!”.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/06/05/23/putting-the-k-in-hip-hop-south-koreas-jay-park"><strong>Putting the K in hip-hop: South Korea&#x27;s Jay Park<br/></strong></a></div><p>All of the albums dropped on streaming platforms alongside the release of their music videos at 6 p.m. KST (5 p.m. Philippine time), except for the “Top 5” music video, which was released earlier at midnight KST (11 p.m. Philippine time).</p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V1qjrr1rnek?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>It was a packed Monday for K-pop fans, as several popular acts simultaneously released new music.</p>

It was a packed Monday for K-pop fans, as several popular acts simultaneously released new music.

Taeyang, Taeyong, ITZY among K-pop acts dropping new music May 18

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Taeyang, Taeyong, ITZY among K-pop acts dropping new music May 18

Jaehwa Bernardo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 18, 2026 08:00 AM PHT

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Updated May 18, 2026 05:28 PM PHT

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K-content

K-pop

comeback

Taeyang

BIGBANG

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NCT

ITZY

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LNGSHOT

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