The dog days are over as we say goodbye to the hottest month of the year and anticipate the chilly transition from summer to fall. This change isn’t only felt outside, but in the Asian music industry as well.
From YEONJUN’s cold and frosty “Ice Cream” to SUNMI’s bittersweet recollection of the wet humidity in “Forever July,” we see the shift in summer tracks as they approach the season in a cooler way than the fiery tracks of last month. Keep reading to see which July 2026 K-pop and J-pop tracks we had on repeat.
(Image courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC)
‘Ice Cream’ – YEONJUN
As he continues to build his brand as a soloist, YEONJUN, member of TOMORROW X TOGETHER, expanded his artistic range with his July 10 EP. NO LABELS: 02, the follow-up to his solo debut, defies genres and explores new sounds and concepts as an artist who rejects labels. Leading the six-song release is the title track “Ice Cream.” This cool summer hit compares romance to the frozen treat: something that melts under excessive heat or incites a brain freeze when rushed. From the song’s context to the choreography, YEONJUN skillfully balances the tune’s playful undertones with an emotionally expressive performance.
‘If You’re Mine’ – PSYCHIC FEVER From EXILE TRIBE
Four years after their debut album, rising Japanese boy group PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE opened a new chapter with their second full-length album DIFFERENT. This symbol of the band’s artistic evolution comes with the main track “If You’re Mine,” a romantic Y2K R&B-inspired hit centered around longing and commitment to showing their lover the world. The new song, along with the album, stands as a testament to the group’s ever-evolving artistry and individual personalities create a group dynamic unique to them.
Also read about: PSYCHIC FEVER Discuss Their Evolution With DIFFERENT
‘Love Sick (narr. Lee Moon Sae)’ – Picheolin/DINO
Picheolin was once a recurring character confined to SEVENTEEN’s skits, but now, he’s escaped into the real world, eager to share his stories of love. Picheolin is the persona of the group’s youngest member, DINO. What once was a one-off joke turned into a seven-song EP featured the pre-release song “Love Sick narr. Lee Moon Sae.” This retro city-pop track follows the romantic yet melancholic love story of the character. With the help of South Korean singer and DJ Lee Moon Sae’s sentimental narrations, Picheolin guides listeners through a complex emotional reflection of lingering wounds and tender memories.
‘Forever July’ – SUNMI
There’s a common formula to summer songs and one main characteristic is the emphasis on the season’s warm temperatures and sunny days. K-pop icon SUNMI reimagined this time of year in her July 15 release “Forever July.” The U.K. garage-inspired track gives summer songs a new meaning as it focuses on the rain rather than the shine, influenced by Korea’s wet and humid monsoon season. While others rejoice about the never-ending fun in the sun, SUNMI is plagued with dark clouds, bittersweet love and restless nights.
Also read about: OMEGA X Talks Their Long-Awaited Return With New EP, UNCAPPED
‘CHAT’ – GIRLSET
The rising superstar global girl group, GIRLSET, stepped into their hyperpop chapter with their latest single, “CHAT.” This release comes as the third installment of the quartet’s new reign on the pop world. With each comeback, the band continues to build on the momentum of previous releases, demonstrating their steady artistic development. “CHAT” expands the sonic range of GIRLSET with its cutting-edge maximalist sound. Along with the song’s heavy-hitting sharp tone is the song’s even heavier message. In the age of social media, people are more prone to hateful comments, and GIRLSET is no stranger to this phenomenon. Inspired by their personal experiences with the internet’s harsh critiques, the girls decided to respond to the hate in a stylish, energetic manner, creating yet another hit for the group.
For even more on our K-pop favorites and their top releases, click HERE to read our interview with HUTA on his TEMPERATURE single and playing at WATERBOMB festival.
