K-pop Girl Groups Gear Up for a Blazing Summer Comeback in 2025

The summer of 2025 is set to be one of the hottest seasons yet for K-pop, as a dazzling lineup of girl groups prepare their highly-anticipated comebacks. The race for the coveted ‘Summer Queen’ title is heating up, with rising newcomers and veteran idols ready to take the stage by storm.

Leading the charge is rookie girl group USPEER, the first girl group presented by WM Entertainment in nearly a decade following Oh My Girl. Composed of seven members — Yeowon, Soy, Sian, Seoyu, Daon, Chaena, and Roa — USPEER aims to bring fresh energy with their debut album Speed Zone, dropping July 4. The group already stirred interest with their pre-debut reality show “USPEER Run Up!” and unique leadership structure where Yeowon is referred to as ‘captain’ rather than ‘leader.’

On July 9, leading act ITZY returns with their new album Girls Will Be Girls, about eight months after their last mini-album GOLD. The comeback features creative input from legendary JYP producer Park Jin-young and a high-quality drama-style trailer directed by renowned commercial director Yoo Gwang-gwang. The visual teaser focuses on reviving Ryujin’s stopped heart, adding narrative depth and high production value.

Also dropping on July 9 is Kiss of Life with their fourth mini-album 224, and beloved girl band QWER, returning with their third mini-album I’m on Your Side, Even If the World is Out of Tune. Kiss of Life continue to stand out with their unique fusion of R&B soul and hip-hop, firmly placing themselves among the top new-generation idols. Meanwhile, QWER’s comeback carries a message of unshakable hope and promise for the future, reaffirming their position as chart powerhouses following their 2024 hit selected as YouTube Korea’s most popular song.

Rising star ILLIT, under HYBE, will return more solid than ever on July 16 with their third mini-album Bomb. After making Billboard’s Hot 100 with their debut song Magnetic, the group continues to explore themes of connection and self-definition in their latest work.

Also making headlines is ISNA, coming back just months after the success of their digital single SIGN, which won two music show trophies and garnered chart success. Support from CJ and a spot at KCON positions ISNA as a potential fan-favorite on the global stage.

Longtime fan favorite fromis_9 is relaunching as a five-member act under a new agency, following the end of their contract with Pledis Entertainment. Members Song Ha-young, Park Ji-won, Lee Chae-young, Lee Na-kyung, and Baek Ji-heon have signed with Ascend and are crafting a summer-themed comeback — their first group activity since the 2023 special single from. Their reformation marks a new beginning for the group’s 8th year, combining maturity and nostalgia in what promises to be a memorable stage return.

With such a star-studded lineup and emotionally charged concepts, 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable summer season in the world of K-pop. Fans worldwide are bracing for the heat.