On January 5, 2026, fans of the innovative 24-member girl group tripleS received heartening news as member Kotone officially signaled her return to activities following a brief hiatus.
This comeback coincides with her third anniversary since moving into the “S” (the group’s residential dormitory system), making the occasion especially meaningful for both the artist and the fandom, known as WAV.
A Much-Needed Recovery Period
Kotone’s health break was first announced by Modhaus on November 27, 2025. According to the agency’s statement at the time, she had been suffering from symptoms related to cumulative fatigue and stress.
Following a consultation with medical professionals, she was advised to take a complete rest, leading her to temporarily sit out of:
- Domestic music show promotions for the unit msnz (and the track “Christmas Alone”).
- Activities for the Japanese unit tripleS ∞! (Hatchi).
- Scheduled fan signs and global offline events.
Kotone (Credit: YouTube)
The hiatus followed an emotional period where Kotone had expressed deep disappointment via the fan communication app fromm regarding her inability to participate in Korean music shows due to pre-arranged conflicting schedules in Japan.
2026 Return: “Colanghae”
Kotone’s official return was marked by a series of social media updates and a personal message to fans on January 5, 2026. Celebrating three years since her “S” reveal, she posted a heartfelt message on X (Twitter), stating:
“It’s already my 3rd anniversary since moving in… WAV, thank you, I miss you so much 🙂 Let’s stay together for a long, long time from now on too. Colanghae!”
Back in the “Signal”
In addition to her social media presence, Kotone has resumed filming for the group’s daily vlog series, SIGNAL, and is expected to participate in the group’s full lineup activities planned for early 2026.
Fans have noted her refreshed energy in recent video clips, celebrating her return with trending hashtags globally.
tripleS in 2026: The “Full Scale” Era
Kotone returns at a pivotal moment for tripleS. With all 24 members now revealed and active, the group is gearing up for:
- “Secret Transfer Student” Season 2: Continued variety appearances.
- New Unit “Gravities”: Fans are currently voting on new sub-unit combinations for the spring 2026 season.
- World Tour Expansion: Following the success of their 2025 tours, a more extensive global tour featuring the full 24-member roster is rumored for mid-2026.
Modhaus has emphasized that while Kotone is back, they will continue to monitor her health closely to ensure she can maintain her schedule without further burnout.
For now, WAVs are simply delighted to see one of the group’s most charismatic performers back where she belongs—on the stage and with her members.
RIIZE, the rising boy group under SM Entertainment, took center stage at Las Vegas on January 4, 2026, attending Samsung Electronics’ “The First Look” event.
As the official global brand ambassadors for the tech giant, the group served as the sole K-pop representative at the high-profile showcase, which took place at the Wynn Hotel just two days before the official opening of CES 2026, the world’s largest consumer electronics and IT exhibition.
A Fusion of K-Pop and Advanced AI Technology
During the globally livestreamed press conference, RIIZE was prominently featured as Samsung showcased its latest innovations in home entertainment.
The group’s hit track “Boom Boom Bass” was used to demonstrate new artificial intelligence (AI) features for Samsung’s television lineup.
As the members were introduced as an “amazing K-pop group,” their reactions were captured live from the front row, generating significant buzz across social media.
The integration of their music into the tech demonstrations highlighted the synergy between modern K-pop culture and cutting-edge lifestyle technology.
Immersive Experiences in the Samsung Exhibition
Samsung’s massive exclusive exhibition space, spanning approximately 1,400 pyeong, featured several dedicated RIIZE-themed experiences to demonstrate product capabilities:
- Music Studio 5: Attendees experienced the rhythmic energy of “Boom Boom Bass” through high-fidelity speakers.
- The Freestyle+: The group’s music video for “Fly Up” was screened using Samsung’s new portable projector, showcasing the device’s vivid display and versatility.
RIIZE also spent time interacting with international tech influencers and global media outlets, confidently discussing Samsung’s products and introducing their musical style to a diverse, tech-oriented audience.
Reflecting on Their Role as Ambassadors
The members expressed their excitement about the experience, stating:
“It was fascinating to see our music and videos playing at ‘The First Look.’ Being invited by Samsung as ambassadors and representatives of K-pop makes us incredibly proud. We hope our music can reach even more people through these diverse new platforms.”
A Strong Partnership with Samsung
RIIZE’s appearance at CES 2026 is the latest in a series of successful collaborations between the group and Samsung Electronics. Since becoming global ambassadors, they have worked on:
- The premiere event for their first full-length album, ‘ODYSSEY.’
- Campaign promotions for the Galaxy Watch8, SmartThings, and Samsung Health.
- Exclusive short-form content featuring the members using AI-driven products tailored to their personal interests, which is available on RIIZE’s official Instagram and Samsung’s YouTube channel.
Looking Ahead
As RIIZE continues to expand their global footprint, their presence at major international events like CES 2026 underscores their status as “global icons” who transcend the music industry.
Following their Las Vegas schedule, the group is set to return to Seoul for the grand finale of their debut world tour, solidifying 2026 as a landmark year for the group.
