53 Best K-pop Albums Released in 2021 – Part 1

If you’ve been following some K-pop Social Media accounts, or you follow music shows. You might have noticed that a lot of K-pop albums have been released this year and we still have three months to go. This is why we decided to put all the K-pop albums of this year together in a list, in order of release.

JANUARY

1. The First Step: Treasure Effect by Treasure

Release date: January 11

This K-pop album is the very first full-length album for this K-pop group. The album has a total of ten songs when you listen via a platform. But the physical album includes two more exclusive songs, that you cannot hear anywhere else unless you have the actual CD. The song ‘MY TREAUSRE’ is the title track. The group says that the album includes multiple stories that express hope, strength and happiness.

The album has three versions: orange, blue and green. The blue versions photos have a natural modern simple look. The orange version has warm tones and therefore a more vintage kind of vibe going on. The green version has a darker colour scheme and has a very street style vibe.

The albums include a CD, random photocard file folder, lyrics postcard set, stickers, event scratch card, AR photocard board, random postcard, unit polaroid, baby photocard and two photocards.

The album costs: $17.86

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9LLoijPQfg[/embedyt]

2. I Burn by (G)I-DLE

Release date: January 11

The ‘I Burn’ is an EP K-pop album with a total of six songs; ‘HANN’, ‘HWAA’ (title track), ‘MOON’, ‘Where is Love’, ‘LOST’ and ‘DAHLIA’. This is the fourth mini-album that the group has released. The EP has made some records for the group personally since it was the first mini-album that sold over 200.000 copies. (G)I-DLE described the six tracks as a novel that begins with the image of a woman in the cold, her heart frozen in the winter of a break-up. By confronting it, she melts the ice that is trapping her and this enables the growth of new love in the form of a flower and the arrival of spring.

This K-pop album has three versions: ‘Winter’, ‘Fire’, ‘Flower’. The ‘Winter’ version has a very white colour scheme, that also gives off some luxury and a kind of haunted mansion aesthetics. The ‘Flower’ version is very colourful compared to the winter version, and flowers are seen in almost every photo, giving it a start of spring vibe. The ‘Fire’ version has mostly the colours red, orange and black. Which gives it a darker aesthetic. The photos have quite an artsy vibe to them, compared to the other versions.

The album includes a CD, lyric paper, mini-poster, postcard, sticker, lucky card and a photocard.

The album costs: $22.95

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3szNvgQxHo[/embedyt]

3. Voice: The Future is Now by Victon

Release date: January 11

This album is also the very first full-length album for this K-pop group. The album includes a total of thirteen songs, of which ‘What I Said’ is the title track. The album was originally planned to be released in December 2020, but they pushed it to January 2021.

This K-pop album has a total of three versions: ‘The Future’, ‘Is’ and ‘Now’. The ‘The Future‘ version has a very royal and luxury aesthetic to it, making the idols look like royals. The ‘Is’ version has a very white and clean aesthetic with the idols wearing mostly neutral colours like beige and brown. This album version gives the members a softer look. The ‘Now’ version has a darker aesthetic with golden backgrounds and the idols wearing leather outfits.

The album includes a CD, photobook, lyrics book, bookmark, mini pop-up book, photo card, voice photo card and a photo film.

The album costs: $24.99

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WVkRRgcymw[/embedyt]

4. Cherry Rush by Cherry Bullet

Release date: January 20

‘Cherry Rush’ is the first mini-album of the group with a total of five songs. ‘Love So Sweet’ is the title track, which was a huge hit.

The K-pop album has only one version in which the photos have a pinkish glow and a 90’s aesthetic in the clothes and the filler pages.

The album includes a CD, photobook, postcards, film card and a photocard.

The album costs: $13.20

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OZPwJdl_4w[/embedyt]

5. Dystopia: Road to Utopia by Dreamcatcher

Release date: January 26

‘Dystopia: Road to Utopia’ is Dreamcatchers 6^th mini album with a total of seven songs (one is instrumental) of which ‘Odd Eye’ is the title track. The mini-album is all about moving forward with a deep and strong will towards a true Utopia. Soompi describes the title track as a powerful song that mixes rock and hip-hop elements. In the chorus the vocal melody overlaps with a distorted guitar sound, creating a more attention-grabbing part of the song.

This K-pop album has a total of four versions: ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘R’ and ‘K’. The ‘D’ version (limited edition) is the thickest version of the four and is the only white one. And includes most of the photos of the other three versions. Making it a sort of collection of all the versions. The ‘A’ version has mainly mint and yellow colours on the inside, giving this album a more retro aesthetic. The ‘R’ version has a dark aesthetic with black and purple as the main colours. A perfect wait to describe it is a dark academia aesthetic mixed with a bit of hospital aesthetic. The ‘K’ version has the bad girl aesthetic. With the girls wearing leather and the photos being taken in alleys and abandoned areas.

The regular K-pop album includes a CD, photobook, frame card and three photocards. The limited-edition K-pop album includes a CD, photobook, cover-up card, DIY Dreamcatcher kit and three photocards.

The regular album costs: $13.40

The limited-edition albums costs: $19.30

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QD0FeZyDtQ[/embedyt]

6. I’m Not Cool by Hyuna

Release date: January 28

‘I’m Not Cool’ is the seventh EP and includes five songs. The song ‘I’m Not Cool’ is the title track. The other songs are: ‘Good Girls’, ‘Show Window’, ‘Party, Feel, Love’ and ‘FLOWER SHOWER’. The title track became a huge hit in Korea and could be heard in almost every shop you walked into. People were very expecting this K-pop album since Hyuna hasn’t released an album in nearly four years.

The album has only one version, which has a purple kind of diary cover. Hyuna herself also said that the album is like the diary of her life, which is probably the reason why they made the design like this. The inside of the album has yellow, black and purple as the main colours and the K-pop album gives off a 2013 teenage aesthetic mixed with a teenager from the early 2000s.

The album includes a CD, photobook, poster, stickers and two photocards.

The album costs: $13,48

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yXEnhyOTQo[/embedyt]

FEBRUARY

1. 2^nd Desire Tasty by Kim Woo-Seok

Release date: February 8

2^nd Desire Tasty is the second EP of the soloist Kim Woo-Seok. The album has a total of six songs of which ‘Sugar’ is the title track. The genre of the album is Ballad, Dance, R&B and Soul.

The album has a total of two versions: ‘Cream’ and ‘Cookie’. The ‘Cookie’ version has dark brown, light brown and black as the main colours. The album gives off a warm and cute aesthetic since the artist poses with a teddy bear so now and then. The ‘Cream’ version has very white and light brown colours. Here they go more for the sexy warm aesthetic instead of the cute warm aesthetic.

The album includes a CD, photobook, ID picture, photocard, folded poster and a sticker.

The album costs: $15.05

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIljei6gx-k[/embedyt]

2. QUERENCIA by Kim Chung-ha

Release date: February 15

‘QUERENCIA’ is the first album of Chung-ha, which includes a whopping eighteen songs. ‘Bicycle’ is the title track of this album. The song became also quite a hit in Korea especially if you included the fact that it is her first studio album.

The album has only one version. The album is packaged in a white carton box that holds the items inside. The album itself has a wide arrange of colours and styles, going from bad girl aesthetic to more luxury aesthetic.

The album includes a CD, photobook, lyrics paper, poster and four photocards.

The album costs: $18.95

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_waD9YW8Pa8[/embedyt]

3. Don’t Call Me by SHINee

Release date: February 22

‘Don’t Call Me’ is the seventh K-pop album of SHINee with a total of eight songs. The title track is the song ‘Don’t Call Me’. SHINee hadn’t released an album for over two years, so fans were very happy when this album came. A phrase you could hear often was ‘SHINee’s back’.

The album has two versions: ‘Fake Reality’ and ‘Reality’. The ‘Fake Reality’ album has a kind of 80’s vibe but then mixed with some modern aspects. It weirdly reminds me of Stranger Things if it would be without strange creatures. The ‘Reality’ version has a dark aesthetic, with photos taken in abandoned buildings and on the streets.

The album includes a CD, photobook, envelope, lyrics paper, folded poster, postcard, phone card, slide film, poster and a photocard.

The album costs: $21.00

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6OoY6xneI0[/embedyt]

4. ONF: My Name by ONF

Release date: February 24

‘ONF: My Name’ is the first studio album of the Korean Japanese Idol group ONF. The album includes a total of ten songs of which ‘Beautiful, Beautiful’ is the title track. If you buy the CD you will get an exclusive song called ‘Lights On’.

The album has three versions called ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’. All the albums have the same photos. The photos have gates and abandoned places as the background, giving bad boy aesthetic for the first half. Then so now and then a bright photo shows up which gives it a clean aesthetic. Then the last part has more of a royal aesthetic considering that the idols are dressed in royal looking clothing.

The album includes a CD, photobook, three photocards and a poster.

The album costs: $14.80

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWj-8_-XnaU[/embedyt]

MARCH

1. Zero: Fever Part 2 by ATEEZ

Release date: March 1

This album is the sixth EP of the group ATEEZ. With a total of seven songs with ‘Fireworks (I’m the one)’ being the title track. This is the second album that is called ‘Zero: Fever’, since part one was released in 2020.

The album has three versions: ‘A’, ‘Z’ and ‘Diary’. The ‘A’ version, or the red coloured one, has most photos taken place in a field with wooden poles in the background. Kind of gives it a barn aesthetic even though the idols are dressed cool with clothing pieces you don’t see often. Then halfway through the concept is black and red, giving it a cool vibe. The ‘Diary’ version has the same outfits like the ‘A’ version. The backgrounds are only a bit lighter but are taken in the same place. The second part of the album is different and is very clean, modern and some will even consider it cute. It feels like you’re looking at a magazine. The ‘Z’ version has more of a nature concept, as there are plants and flowers involved in every spread. It feels like you’re looking at a dream of someone. The members are all wearing suits.

The album includes a CD, photobook, lyrics postcards, stickers and two photocards.

The album costs: $13.80

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtcVwuauVV0[/embedyt]

2. Pieces by Rain by Rain

Release date: March 3.

‘Pieces by Rain’ is the third EP of the artist ‘Rain’. The K-pop album includes five songs of which four are collaborations. ‘Magnetic’ was a collab with former GOT7 member Jackson Wang and ‘Why Don’t We’ was a collab with Kim Chung-ha.

The album has only one version. The album is a box with the items within the box. The main colours are red, white and black. The photos are quite artsy looking with a cool and on the darker side aesthetic. Giving me very sunrise/sunset aesthetics.

The album includes a CD, lyrics card pack, photocard, mini-puzzle, cotton mask and a puzzle.

The album costs: $13.40

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qBOIr1f8q4[/embedyt]

3. Love or Take by Pentagon

Release date: March 15

‘Love or Take’ is the eleventh EP of Pentagon with seven songs, of which one is a solo song of one of the members. ‘DO or NOT’ is the title track. The songs on the albums are reminiscent of the early 2000s. This continues Pentagon’s signature. Pentagon is known as the group that refreshes songs.

The album has three versions: ‘Romantic’, ‘Sporty’ and ‘Mild’. The album is easily recognisable as the design is like a manhwa or webtoon. The ‘Romantic’ version is with a lot of soft pink colours on the inside. Making the album feel soft and cosy to look at. So now and then flowers and crowns are included in the photos making it a romantic aesthetic. While looking through the album it feels like you’re reading a book without texts and a storyline but still interesting enough to stay focused on the book. The ‘Sporty’ version is like it says a sporty aesthetic with the photos being taken at a sports field or while they are doing sports. Then the ‘Mild’ version has a darker aesthetic with the main colours being black and blue. It gives early morning vibes while looking through the album.

The album includes a CD, photobook, special cover, CD package, lyric paper, mini-poster, special sheet and two photocards.

The album costs: $13.00

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU6cnHHX4LM[/embedyt]

4. We Play by Weeekly

Release date: March 17

‘We Play’ is the third K-pop EP of the girl group ‘Weeekly’. The album has a total of five songs, with ‘After School’ as the title track. The entire concept of this album has to do with school, since the album cover looks like a notebook with doodles.

The album has two versions: ‘Jump’ and ‘Up’. The ‘Jump’ version has mainly mint and pink colours that keep on coming back throughout the album. The album feels playful, cute and fresh and it also has this aesthetic in the photos. They seem to be in mostly classrooms or canteens, bringing back that school aesthetic again. The ‘Up’ version has mainly orange and purple that keeps on coming back, with a bit of yellow here and there. The school aesthetic is still there, but the outfits and the colours are different.

The album includes a CD, photobook, 4cut photo, puzzle message card and two photocards.

The album costs: $12.85

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfVuRQX0ydQ[/embedyt]

5. LILAC by IU

Release date: March 25

‘LILAC’ is the fifth K-pop album of IU. This album has a total ten songs, with ‘LILAC’ being the title track. The album has been certified platinum by the Korean Music Content Association. The album symbolises as memories of youth since IU is now saying goodbye to her twenties and is saying a hopeful hello to her thirties. The album has a weightless feeling while listening while being playful.

The album has two versions: ‘HILAC’ and ‘BILAC’. The album ‘HILAC’ has a sort of dream-like aesthetic going on. The photos are mostly black and white but while looking at the photos you get a sense of calm. Then another part of the album includes nature, giving it a dream-like aesthetic once again. The ‘BILAC’ version has a more vintage aesthetic while still also feeling kind of dreamy.

The album includes a CD, photobook, lyric book, AR photocard, photocard, ID photo kit and an artwork sticker.

The album costs: $14.70

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7bnOxV4jAc[/embedyt]

6. BAMBI by Baekhyun

Release date: March 30

‘BAMBI’ is the third mini-album of soloist Baekhyun, who is also part of EXO. The album has a total of six songs of which one was already released in December. The song ‘BAMBI’ is the title track of this album. When Baekhyun heard the song he immediately said; ‘This is mine’. ‘Bambi’ refers both to the well-known Disney deer character and ‘night rain (Bam – bi)’ in Korean.

The album has two versions (the jewel cases not counted in): ‘Bambi’ and ‘Night Rain’. The ‘Night Rain’ version is a darker version, with a midnight mood on a street while it’s raining. Baekhyun has a mullet and is wearing leather.  The photos are made at the same place as the music video. The ‘Bambi’ version takes place in an aquarium and a room full with plush. This album, therefore, has a soft and cute feeling to it.

The album includes a CD, photobook, lyrics paper, cover, folded poster, sequence film, clear card, postcard and one photocard.

The album costs: $14.35

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M3WUaeIbOk[/embedyt]

APRIL

1. All Yours by Astro

Release date: April 5

‘All Yours’ is the second full album of Astro. The K-pop album has a total of eight songs, with ‘ONE’ being the title track. The meaning of the title track is that Astro and AROHA (Astro’s fandom name) becomes one in the brightest moments.

The album has a total of three versions: ‘You’, ‘Me’ and ‘Us’. If you put the three versions together in that order, the spine will say ‘ALL YOURS’. In terms of the photobooks, the ‘You’ and the ‘Us’ versions are the most alike. Both having a cool, magazine kind of vibe, even though the colours and the outfits are different. In the ‘Us’ version, the clothing is a bit more colourful than the ‘You’ version, where the clothing is black and white. The ‘me’ version has a softer look compared to the other two and has more brightness in the backgrounds than the other two.

The album includes a CD, photobook, digipak cover, accordion postcard, message card, two photocards and a folded poster.

The album costs: $19.20

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxlsLmHwCSk[/embedyt]

2. Timeabout by Yukika Teramoto

Release date: April 7

‘Timeabout’ is Yukika’s first EP since she is under a new company. It has a total of six songs of which ‘Insomnia’ is the title track. The EP is influenced by Japanese city pop and is characterized by its use of retro synthesizers, bass guitar, and disco-like sounds. The K-pop album is intended to be the first entry of a ‘Time’ trilogy.

The album has two versions: ‘TIME BLUE’ and ‘TIME LIGHT’. The ‘TIME BLUE’ version has blue and a light brown as the main colours. The aesthetic of the album is quite soft with some kind of historian feeling, even though she isn’t wearing any clothing from such time periods.

When going through the album it feels like you’re stuck in time. The ‘TIME LIGHT’ version is a bit more modern but still a soft aesthetic with the feeling you’re stuck in a certain time. The main colours for this K-pop album are yellow, pink and light brown/orange.

The album includes a CD, photobook, sleeve cover, CD-R case, film photo, circle bookmark, two photocards, stickers and a poster.

The album costs $14.90

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MgngRimWXA[/embedyt]

3. Staydom by StayC

Release date: April 8

‘Staydom’ is the second single album of the girl group StayC. The K-pop album has a total of four songs with ‘ASAP’ being the title track. The album has a bright and cute concept filled with stories about love.

The album has only one version, which is bright yellow and reminds me of a comic book. The inside is bright and colourful and showing a cute side. The comic book theme is carried throughout the photobook.

The album includes a CD, photobook, one photocard, postcard, sticker and a StayC official fragrance card.

The album costs: $11.35

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X3r09dgbQg[/embedyt]

4. Yellow by Kang Daniel

Release date: April 13

‘Yellow’ is Kang Daniels fourth EP with five songs. The song ‘Paranoia’ is the title track of the album. The K-pop album shows the darkest hours of Kang Daniel and the subsequent escape from them. It’s considered his most raw and true album so far.

The album has two versions: ‘A’ and ‘B’. The ‘A’ version has photos taken in a hotel room, which makes him look soft but knowing the meaning behind the album, also vulnerable. Then the second part of the photobook takes place in a misty forest and in a room with see-through plastic curtains. This part gives a less vulnerable vibe and more a cool one. Then there are bathtub photos, which again show vulnerability, softness but also coolness.

The ‘B’ version of this K-pop album starts with the same kind of aesthetic as the first one. Only this was not taken in a hotel room. Then the colours turn to red and purple, showing softness but also coolness. In the end, he wears a leather outfit with red and brown backgrounds showing no vulnerability.

The album includes a CD, photobook, film photocard, bookmark, stickers, lenticular photocard and two photocards.

The album costs: $10.50

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLrWIgkvoB0[/embedyt]

5. Redd by Wheein

Release date: April 13

‘Redd’ is the first EP of the singer and member of Mamamoo, Wheein. The K-pop album has a total of six songs with ‘Water Color’ being the title track. The title track of this K-pop album is about taking control of your own narrative and owning this power.

The album has only one version. The album has white and red as the main colours. Most of the pictures include paint splashes on Wheein while standing in a sort of art gallery. Then there is a part that is black and white. The photos are clean, modern and artsy. At the end, the vibes change to more luxe and then into tough vibes.

The album includes a CD, out package, photobook, ticket, lenticular card, sticker set and one photocard.

The album costs: $13.95

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShFKF2YN7H0[/embedyt]

6. Romanticize by NU’EST

Release date: April 19

‘Romanticize’ is the second full K-pop album of the idol group NU’EST. Their last full album was in 2014, so fans have been waiting for quite some time. The album has a total of ten songs with ‘INSIDE OUT’ being the title track.

The K-pop album has a total of five versions: ‘For Good’, ‘To Be Free’, ‘This Moment’, ‘After Glow’ and ‘New Romancer’. ‘For Good’ has a clean and a kind of vintage aesthetic. ‘To Be Free’ has a tougher aesthetic with motors in the photos and them wearing leather or denim jackets. The ‘This Moment’ version has also a very clean vibe. This version feels like you’re going through a magazine, with some bad guy aesthetic here and there.

‘After Glow’ also has a vintage vibe, like the first one, only it’s less clean and more of a comfortable aesthetic that is felt around the photos. The last version, a.k.a. ‘New Romancer’, is mainly black and white photos, with a cool and icy aesthetic and the members wearing suits.

The album includes a CD, photobook, personal photobook, lyrics book, postcards, bookmark and two photocards.

The albums costs: $15.75

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIyarEsQvAg[/embedyt]

7. The Book of Us: Negentropy – Chaos Swallowed Up in Love by Day6

Release date: April 19

This K-pop album is the seventh EP of Day6. It has a total of 7 songs with ‘You make Me’ as the title track. The album is mostly about love with quite some lightweight songs compared to their older albums.

The album has two versions: ‘One&’ and ‘Only’. Both albums have the same aesthetic. The photos are mostly taken in a sort of desert with use of a what older car. The members are wearing boots and some also leather jackets. The album has a cool, western kind of aesthetic that it carries around through the photos.

The album includes a CD, photobook, one photocard, group photocard, logo sticker and a message card.

The album costs: $9.85

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwcCBnfhsR4[/embedyt]

8. Border: Carnival by ENHYPEN

Release date: April 26

‘Border: Carnival’ is the second EP of the idol group ENHYPEN. The K-pop album has a total of six songs of which ‘DRUNK-DAZED’ is the title track. The album is about figuring out who you really are while a digital spotlight is put on you. The songs are full of diverse emotions which the members found suitable for the theme of the second EP.

The album has a total of three versions: ‘UP’, ‘HYPE’ and ‘DOWN’. The ‘UP’ version has a royal aesthetic, making the members look like royalty. They often pose with masks which makes it feel like a masquerade ball. The ‘HYPE’ version has a schoolboys aesthetic, with all the members wearing school uniforms in the first part of the album. In the latter part, they look more refined and grown-up. The pictures are often taken around this couch and wall, which kind of gives it a college feel. The ‘DOWN’ version has a city and street style aesthetic. The guys are wearing comfortable clothing and the photos are taken on the street, at basketball courts or at an inside place with a broken car in the background.

This K-pop album includes a CD, photobook, lyric book, two photocards, lenticular card, carnival ticket, signature sticker and a folded poster.

The album costs: $23.95

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc7-Oe0tj5k[/embedyt]

MAY

1. The Blowing by Highlight

Release date: May 3

‘The Blowing’ is the twelfth EP of the group Highlight. The K-pop album has a total of six numbers of which ‘NOT THE END’ is the title track. The main meaning behind this album, which the members wanted to bring across to the fans, was that they are still here for their fans and always will be. They want the fans to feel warmed by their songs, like a spring breeze after winter.

The album has a total of three versions: ‘BREEZE’, ‘WIND’ and ‘GUST’. The ‘BREEZE’ version has a very light aesthetic. The photos are taken in an area with just curtains and they themselves also wear light clothing. The main colour, in the K-pop album, is a broken white that is leaning towards beige. At the end part of this album, they have photos with bubbles, and they are wearing pastel clothing.

The ‘WIND’ version has orange and black as the main colours. The aesthetic of this album is modern vintage. They pose with older tech but it still gives off a modern aesthetic somehow. At the end of this album, the photos are taken in a grass field giving it a softer vibe than the first part of the album. The ‘GUST’ version has bright colours with yellow and purple being the main ones. The members are wearing pastel-coloured suits. This aesthetic goes through the entire album.

The album includes a CD, photobook, CD tray, lyric paper, postcard, folded poster, one photocard, polaroid and depending on the album a clear/standing or lenticular photocard.

The album costs: $17.00

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kdl9uOmj34[/embedyt]

2. Dear OhMyGirl by Oh My Girl

Release date: May 10

‘Dear OhMyGirl’ is the eighth EP of Oh My Girl. The K-pop album has a total of six songs with ‘DUN DUN DANCE’ as the title track. ‘DUN DUN DANCE’ became a huge hit in Korea and could be heard everywhere. The group wanted this album to maintain the style of the group while also mixing in a change.

The album has two versions: ‘OMG BEAR’ and ‘DUN DUN BEAR’. Both versions have a rainy, nature and pastel kind of aesthetic. The members are seen posing with umbrellas outside while wearing soft coloured clothing. Then after a divider, the photos are taken inside, making a comfortable aesthetic. Then the latter part is like looking at a magazine, with the way the photos are taken.

The album includes a CD, photobook, two photocards, two photocards and an illustration photocard.

The album costs: $14.90

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzOjwL7IP_o[/embedyt]

3. Hot Sauce by NCT Dream

Release date: May 10

‘Hot Sauce’ is the very first full album of NCT unit ‘NCT Dream’.  The album has a total of ten songs with ‘Hot Sauce’ as the title track. This album had the world record of most albums sold. This record got trespassed by Olivia Rodrigo in September.

The K-pop album has a total of three versions (Jewel case version excluded): ‘Crazy’, ‘Boring’ and ‘Chilling’. The ‘Crazy’ version is filled with bright colours, and it really screams crazy. They have a very busy background in the photos. The ‘Boring’ version is the guys being bored in a room. There is food and games around them and they are practically chilling in all the photos, giving off a calm aesthetic. The ‘Chilling’ version takes place on the street. The members are chilling on the streets, walking around, enjoying their time.

The album includes a CD, photobook, stickers, thanks to poster, folded poster and two photocards.

The album costs: $13.80

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkKnp4SdE-w[/embedyt]

4. 9 way ticket by Fromis_9

Release date: May 17

‘9 way ticket’ is the third single album of the group Fromis_9. The album has a total of three songs with ‘WE GO’ as the title track. The K-pop album is considered a refreshing album to listen to.

The album has two versions: ‘Ticket to Seoul’ and ‘9 Travellers’. Both versions look like a passport inside and out, the aesthetics in the albums are the only difference. The ‘Ticket to Seoul’ version has a more vintage aesthetic, with polaroid like photos. The ‘9 Travellers’ has a clean aesthetic, with a lot of white surrounding the members. Although some photos also gave the vintage feel.

The album includes a CD, photobook, two photocards, ID card and a poster

The album costs: $18.45

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM6UpQZvbhY[/embedyt]

5. Advice by Taemin

Release date: May 18

‘Advice’ is the third EP of Taemin. Taemin is one of the most successful solo artists while also being a part of SHINee and SuperM. The K-pop album has a total of five songs with ‘Advice’ as the title track. The song is a warning to judgemental people and those who are caught up in their prejudices.

This K-pop album has only one version, with Taemin surrounded by chess pieces on the front. The album itself has both light aesthetics and dark ones. Taemin goes from wearing leather to wearing soft suits and light blouses.

The album includes a CD, photobook, folded poster, postcard and one photocard.

The album costs: $12.60

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQg4VCB3bYw[/embedyt]

6. Last Melody by Everglow

Release date: May 25

‘Last Melody’ is the third single album of girl group Everglow. The K-pop album has a total of three songs with ‘FIRST’ as the title track. For this album, they looked up to famous solo artist IU. With this album, they hope to shine a light on the importance of self-love. With this album, they show multiple sides to the group, from ballads to cute songs to bold girl crush songs.

This K-pop album has a total of two versions: ‘LAST MELODY’ and ‘FIRST MEMOIR’. The ‘LAST MELODY’ version has a dark powerful concept with the main colours being red and black. The girls are wearing black clothes and some of them are wearing leather clothing. In the latter part of the album, the members are in the desert wearing red clothing, looking like warriors.

The ‘FIRST MEMOIR’ version has grey and beige as the main colours, giving it a softer look than the other version. The stances are still considered powerful, although it looks softer. In the latter part of this album, they are again in the desert but wearing more colourful clothing while still looking like warriors.

The album includes a CD, photobook, lyric book, floating hologram kit, postcards, stickers and four photocards.

The album costs: $11.90

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3RA7bi5FUM[/embedyt]

7. Hello by Joy

Release date: May 31

‘Hello’ by Joy is her first-ever solo EP. The K-pop album has a total of six songs with ‘Hello’ as the title track. The title track is about forgetting the hard days and celebrating the new days that are coming. Saying hello to new starts and new stories.

The album has only one version (excluding the case version), with Joy wearing very 2000s style clothing and bright green lettering. Joy said she was inspired by the music from this time period, which is probably why the decision was made to make all the photos look like the 2000s.

The album includes a CD, photobook, illustrated sticker, sticker photo, track poster and one photocard.

The album costs: $14.30

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNvBbh5jDcA[/embedyt]

8. The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape by TXT

Release date: May 31

‘The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape’ is the repackage of the previous K-pop album ‘The Chaos Chapter: Freeze’. The album has a total of eleven songs of which eight were already seen in the non-repackage album. The title track is called ‘LOSER=LOVER’. This song was and still is heard everywhere. One of their other songs ‘Antiromantic’ actually became a trending song worldwide on TikTok.

This K-pop album has a total of two versions (excluding jewel case): ‘Fight: Together’ and ‘Escape: Together’. The Fight version has photos made on the street, with the members being skateboarders. It gives off a ‘being free’ aesthetic. The Escape version has a complete opposite aesthetic. Everything is non-H-D glittery (The guys themselves are HD) and the guys are in a shop, robbing it. Some of the pictures are made to look like surveillance cameras.

The album includes CD, photobook, lyric book, behind poster, sticker pack, poster, postcard, AR card, standee and two photocards.

The album costs: $14.45

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzODRUBBXpc[/embedyt]

Some websites to buy the albums: Ktown4u, SM Global Shop, and Kpop Town. (Not all the shops are linked here).

Click here to read part two. At the end of that article, you will be able to download the Official K-pop Album Checklist of 2021.