The K-pop landscape is set for a major debut in the coming year, as Red Velvet’s Yeri (Kim Yerim) officially confirmed her long-awaited plans to release her first solo debut album in 2026.
The revelation, a significant moment for the artist and her dedicated fanbase, came directly from Yeri herself during a recent solo engagement, sparking immediate excitement across the global K-pop community.
The Fan Meeting Reveal
Yeri chose the setting of her exclusive fan meeting, titled ‘Act 1: Yerim,’ in Taipei on December 12, to share the news.
The event itself was a celebratory occasion, where she amazed the audience with a cheerful attitude, delivering a personalized show that included performing amazing song covers, engaging in various dance challenges, and interacting closely with her fans.
As the event reached its peak, Yeri took a moment to address her plans for the future, making the surprising and welcome announcement that 2026 would finally see the culmination of her work as a solo artist.
Speaking openly about the project, Yeri confirmed that the album is currently in the “early stages of preparation.”
She was transparent that key details, such as the specific musical genre and the exact release date, have not yet been finalized.
Red Velvet’s Yeri (Credit: Pinterest)
Despite the nascent status of the project, her palpable enthusiasm was infectious, and she encouraged fans to eagerly anticipate the full solo album when it is ready for release in 2026.
This direct communication with her fans at the Taipei meeting transformed the event into a major news announcement, rewarding her supporters with a concrete timeline for her solo career expansion.
Significance for Yeri’s Career
Yeri’s solo debut is a highly significant milestone, especially given her decade-long tenure in the industry.
As the maknae (youngest member) of the esteemed group Red Velvet, Yeri joined the lineup in 2015 and has been an integral part of their transformation into one of K-pop’s most versatile and influential girl groups.
While her groupmates have previously released successful solo projects—most notably Wendy, Joy, and Seulgi—Yeri has carved out a unique career path defined by her versatility outside of group music.
Beyond her vocal and performance duties in Red Velvet, Yeri has successfully expanded her portfolio into various entertainment fields.
She has gained recognition as a television host, starring in numerous variety shows, and has also established herself as an actress, appearing in dramas like Blue Birthday and Bitch X Rich.
Furthermore, Yeri has consistently showcased her songwriting abilities, including a notable solo track, “Twenty,” released on Red Velvet’s 2019 repackage album The ReVe Festival: Finale.
This prior work provides a foundation for her solo album, suggesting that the upcoming release will be a deeply personal and creatively involved project, likely bearing her unique stamp as an artist.
Anticipated Concept and Musical Direction
The anticipation surrounding Yeri’s solo genre is substantial, given Red Velvet’s famous “Red” (bright, pop) and “Velvet” (dark, R&B/ballad) concepts.
Yeri has a rich, versatile vocal color often utilized in the group’s more introspective, R&B-influenced tracks, but she has also demonstrated a charming, bright persona.
The fan meeting reveal of “no set genre yet” leaves the door open for any number of creative directions.
It is highly expected that Yeri will leverage her solo work to showcase a mature sound distinct from Red Velvet’s output, leaning either towards a singer-songwriter style reflective of her personal music preferences, or a refined concept that blends pop sensibilities with the acting depth she has honed in recent years.
This solo debut will allow Yeri to fully explore her artistic identity and personal aesthetic, offering fans a fresh perspective on her journey as a highly talented and evolving artist.
The 2026 release will be the ultimate professional expression of the multi-faceted talents Yeri has cultivated over her impressive career.
Global superstar Jungkook of BTS has officially graced the cover of Elle magazine’s January 2026 issue, delivering a stunning pictorial and a reflective interview about his career, the meaning of his art, and his hopes for the future.
The feature marks the singer’s first major pictorial since his appointment as a global ambassador for a prominent beauty brand, showcasing a new era of elegance and intense magnetism.
The visual concept successfully blends raw intensity with refined grace, offering a deeper look into the artist who continues to break global records with his solo career.
A New Visual Era of Intensity and Elegance
The photography and fashion film accompanying the interview capture Jungkook stepping into the global spotlight with movements and poses that exude a powerful yet sophisticated aura.
The pictorial has generated significant buzz not just for its artistic quality but also for its subtle details.
His numerous tattoos were prominent features in the photos, showcasing a blend of his personal and professional identity.
Notably, fans quickly observed the absence of a specific dog tattoo, a detail that had recently become entangled in dating rumors involving aespa’s Winter.
This visual choice adds a layer of public scrutiny to the interview, acknowledging the continuous fan interest in the smallest aspects of his life, even as he focuses on his artistic endeavors.
The successful execution of this high-profile campaign emphasizes Jungkook’s powerful influence on fashion and culture as a global representative.
Redefining “Good Music” and Global Impact
During his interview with the magazine, Jungkook was asked to share his personal definition of “music,” a concept he recently cemented his dominance over by becoming the first Korean solo artist to surpass 10 billion cumulative streams on Spotify.
Jungkook on ELLE cover (Credit: Instagram)
This incredible milestone provides context for his deep contemplation on the subject. He shared a powerful philosophical perspective on what makes music meaningful, stating,
“I still believe that good music is music with a good message and good lyrics.”
He further clarified that he seeks a timeless quality in his art, wanting to create:
“Music that isn’t bound by seasons or genres, and songs that can give strength to anyone.”
This highlights his ambition to create universally resonant work that transcends fleeting trends. While emphasizing lyrical depth and message, he also grounded his answer by acknowledging the practical, aesthetic value of music, adding,
“Of course, a song that simply sounds good also matters.”
This balance between profound meaning and immediate auditory appeal encapsulates his dual commitment to artistic integrity and commercial success.
Reflecting on His Moment and Hopes for BTS’s Future
When reflecting on his current place in life, both as a 28-year-old individual and a global artist, Jungkook offered a beautifully humble and fan-centric viewpoint.
He mused, “Since I’m someone who presents music, maybe I’m living in the time of the people who watch and listen to my music… I want to stay in that time.”
This statement perfectly illustrates his commitment to his fans, the ARMY, framing his identity and success as intrinsically linked to their continuous support and attention.
Looking forward, the conversation turned to the approaching group activities for BTS, which are expected to fully resume following the members’ military service completions.
He expressed sincere hopes for this highly anticipated reunion, saying,
“This spring may become more important than any other. I sincerely hope we can pass through it safely and well.”
This emotional comment conveys the weight of expectation and the significance of the group’s collective return to the global stage.
Navigating the Spotlight: The Rumor Mill Context
The timing of the interview is set against the backdrop of significant public interest, including the recent and widely circulated dating rumors.
The speculation, which began on December 4, centered on an alleged “couple tattoo” and other similarities with aespa’s Winter, such as similar-colored nail polish worn just one day apart, and Jungkook’s alleged attendance at an aespa concert while on military leave.
The article highlights that despite the confusion caused by these unconfirmed reports, neither BigHit Music nor SM Entertainment has released an official statement, a silence that has fueled further discussion among fans.
Jungkook’s new pictorial, by choosing to omit the specific tattoo at the heart of the controversy, implicitly acknowledges the public nature of his image while steering the focus back to his career and music.
The full pictorial and interview are available in Elle’s January issue, which comes with nine distinct cover versions, further cementing the scale of this high-profile feature.
