The SB Mixtape, 10/29/2026: Going Solo

Solo debuts are a rite of passage for most K-pop idols. And while solo debuts are always received with love from fans, not all solo debuts are created equal. As the number of groups grows exponentially and project groups debut and disband in record time, solo debuts these days seem to fall more by the wayside as a gift for fans more than a contribution to the larger K-pop ecosystem. However, some solo debuts really leave their mark, establishing the idol as a true powerhouse with their own brand. SM Entertainment in particular went wild with solo debuts for its idols from 2014-2017, arguably producing some of the most iconic solo debuts (Taeyeon, Jonghyun, Luna) and some of the most cringe (Amber). JYP artists have experienced similar success both with the company and after leaving it, a la Sunmi. More recently, Yeonjun‘s “Ggum” made waves for its dance challenge on TikTok. Maybe it’s the anticipation of seeing an idol finally reach their full potential, or maybe it’s just seeing them do something so completely different from their group work that makes a solo stick the landing. Whatever the magic is, when it works, it works. This SB Mixtape is an incredibly biased collection of so...