Under-the-Radar Soloist Releases in June 2026

Photo: Aradnas

The first half of the year has finished quickly, and summer has now arrived. With the comeback season packed, keeping up with every new release is nearly impossible. While there are releases bound to be heard by most K-Pop fans, here are a few surprising June releases worth discovering. 

LUNA: “Cotton Candy (Feat. Kylie of KIIRAS)” 

In an unpredictable collaboration, soloist and f(x) member LUNA worked with members of rookie girl group KIIRAS. “Cotton Candy (Feat. Kylie of KIIRAS)” remakes girl group BGH to’s 2011 song “Cotton Candy,” originally featuring T-ARA’s Eunjung. Released on June 8, this rare cross-generation K-Pop collaboration features primary vocals by LUNA and Kylie, with KIIRAS vocalist Kurumi on additional vocals. This lighthearted ballad layers soft, airy vocals over a gentle melody. 

YERIN: “Shooting Star” 

GFRIEND’s Yerin returned with her first solo EP since 2024. On June 9, she released REACH YOU, which “captures a new journey that begins from the moment of waking up from a dream.”  The rock genre title track “Shooting Star,” produced by PATEKO, is driven by a bright, ascending electric guitar line that gives the track a sense of forward momentum. The music video's sun-soaked beach visuals reinforce the track's optimistic energy. 

AleXa: “UMAMI” 

AleXa, also known as Kim Seri, released the digital single “UMAMI” on June 12. This electro-pop brings a different edge to her discography. She wrote, composed, and produced the song alongside Swedish producing teams SUNSHINE (Ellen Berg and Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker) and MOONSHINE (Ludvig Evers and Jonatan Gusmark), known for their work with artists on SM Entertainment’s and JYP Entertainment’s rosters. The song takes inspiration from artists such as Ashnikko, Doja Cat, and Rico Nasty, evident in its playful irreverence and genre-blending quality.   

ZZONE: “We Grow” 

Soloist and LATENCY guitarist ZZONE released the digital single “We Grow” on June 14. The song draws clear influence from her time in LATENCY, leaning into the rock genre. ZZONE previously explored pop and R&B for her past solo songs, “Let’s Go To The Sea” and “Devil’s Jam,” respectively. Though not backed by LATENCY, ZZONE collaborated with the band ChiliTape for “We Grow.” 

Sandara Park: “Nail” 

On June 20, 2NE1’s Sandara Park (Dara) released her single album REPRISM. After launching her own entertainment company Aradnas (“Sandara” backwards), this single album kicks off a music series where she hopes to “rediscover” and “refine” herself. REPRISM remasters her 2023 title track “FESTIVAL” and features a new B-side. Park wrote on Instagram that the single album’s second track, “Nail,” encapsulates her drive to try out band music. With an upcoming Asian fan con tour and an eventual full album in the works, fans have much more to look forward to.