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>K-pop fans have plenty to look forward to this Monday, May 18, as several popular acts are set to drop new music later in the day.</p><p>They include BIGBANG star Taeyang, who will unveil his fourth full-length album “Quintessence.”</p><p>Taeyang 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,” the 37-year-old singer, born Dong Young-bae, said in a YouTube documentary released ahead of the album.</p><p>The record includes 10 tracks, with “Live Fast Die Slow” serving as the lead single. One track, “Would You,” features Tarzzan and Woochan from co-ed rookie group Allday Project, while another, “Open Up,” features Australian singer The Kid Laroi.</p><p>Tablo of the iconic hip-hop trio Epik High <a class="fr-green" 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 <a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2026/4/20/bigbang-to-kick-off-20th-anniversary-tour-in-august-1509"><strong>BIGBANG’s 20th anniversary tour</strong></a>, which is scheduled to kick off in August.</p><p>Meanwhile, Taeyong, the leader of NCT, is also making his comeback with his first full-length album “WYLD.”</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>It is led by the single of the same title and also features “Storm,” which had a performance video released ahead of the album.</p><p>Girl group ITZY is also putting out a new extended play (EP) titled “Motto,” fronted by the single of the same name.</p><p>The eight-track package also includes solo songs from each of the group’s five members.</p><p>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><br/></div><div><strong>NEW CHAPTER</strong></div><p>ZEROBASEONE, the commercially successful boy band formed through the reality competition series “Boys Planet,” is also marking a new chapter in its career with the release of its sixth EP, “Ascend-.”</p><p>The EP — led by the single “Top 5” — is the group’s first release since it was reorganized as a quintet comprising Kim Jiwoong, Sung Hanbin, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae and Park Gunwook.</p><div><a class="fr-green" 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, is set to release a mixtape with hip-hop mogul Jay Park, who also founded the group’s label.</p><div><a class="fr-green" 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>The eight-track mixtape, titled “4SHOBOIZ Vol. 2: 4SHOVILLE,” is led by the single “Yeah! Yeah!”.</p><div><br/></div><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>K-pop fans have plenty to look forward to this Monday, May 18, as several popular acts are set to drop new music later in the day.</p>

K-pop fans have plenty to look forward to this Monday, May 18, as several popular acts are set to drop new music later in the day.

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

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Music

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

Read More:

K-content

K-pop

comeback

Taeyang

BIGBANG

Taeyong

NCT

ITZY

ZEROBASEONE

LNGSHOT

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.