Unsung Artists: August 2026

August, as usual, was filled with a rush of releases slipping into the last summer comeback slots. Quantity was undeniable…quality more elusive. Several anticipated returns fell surprisingly flat, and even among these Unsung Artists, there are quibbles to be had. But where there is K-pop, there are almost always good songs to be found and intriguing concepts to explore. Despite its ups and downs, August was no exception. Before we dive in, an honorable mention goes to TXT’s viral Japanese release, “Setsuna Hanabi.” There’s a lot to love here, from a cinematic and angsty MV, to by far the coolest take on Brazilian funk I’ve seen in a K-pop summer full of the genre. Zooming out, it’s interesting that Aespa’s late May Japanese comeback “Kiss n Tell” also made an outsized splash. These successes are notable in an era where Japanese releases have taken a relative backseat to K-pop’s focus on other international markets. My personal theory is that while mainline K-pop singles chase TikTok virality and continue to shrink in runtime, some groups’ Japanese releases are starting to sound more like ‘classic’ K-pop, which appeals especially to longtime fans. Only time will prove or deny this h...