If you’ve been a K-pop fan for a while, you might have noticed something interesting, certain months feel packed with comebacks, while others are oddly quiet. Ever wondered why? The answer might be hidden in Korean holidays! Just like how major industries adjust their schedules around holidays, the K-pop industry also considers Korea’s biggest celebrations when planning releases. Let’s dive into how Korean holidays influence the K-pop comeback schedule!
1️⃣ Lunar New Year (설날) – A Fresh Start with Fresh Music
📅 When? January or February (varies based on the lunar calendar)
🎉 What’s special? Lunar New Year is one of Korea’s biggest holidays, where families gather to celebrate, eat traditional food, and honor ancestors.
💡 K-pop Connection:
Many idols take a break to spend time with their families, so comebacks usually slow down around this time. However, some groups drop songs right after Lunar New Year, taking advantage of the festive mood and fresh energy of a new year!
2️⃣ Chuseok (추석) – The Thanksgiving of Korea
📅 When? September or October (based on the lunar calendar)
🎑 What’s special? A three day harvest festival where people visit their hometowns, eat delicious food, and spend time with family.
💡 K-pop Connection:
Fewer comebacks during Chuseok week since people are focused on family, not new music.
Instead, idols release special holiday content, like hanbok photoshoots, traditional games, or Chuseok greetings for fans.
Comeback rush before/after: Since the holiday signals a seasonal shift, many groups release albums before or after Chuseok to capture attention.
3️⃣ Golden Week & Japan Promotions
📅 When? Late April – Early May
🌸 What’s special? In Japan, “Golden Week” is a series of national holidays packed into one week, making it one of the biggest vacation periods of the year.
💡 K-pop Connection:
Since Japan is a massive market for K-pop, many groups drop Japanese albums or hold concerts during this time. You’ll often see K-pop idols promoting heavily in Japan in late April or early May.
4️⃣ Summer Comebacks – The Battle for the Song of the Summer
📅 When? June – August
☀️ What’s special? Summer is vacation season, meaning people have more time to listen to music, attend concerts, and watch variety shows.
💡 K-pop Connection:
The biggest, brightest, and most energetic comebacks happen in summer. Think fun music videos, beach vibes, and festival style concepts. Summer is also concert season, so many groups schedule their world tours or fan meetings during this time.
5️⃣ Year End Comebacks – The Grand Finale
📅 When? October – December
🏆 What’s special? Year end award shows, music festivals, and holiday celebrations make the last few months of the year extra exciting.
💡 K-pop Connection:
Big name comebacks happen in the last quarter to qualify for major award shows.
Holiday themed releases bring warm, cozy vibes to match the winter season.
So, Do Holidays Shape K-pop?
Yes! While music is released all year round, many comeback dates are carefully planned around major holidays. Whether it’s avoiding times when fans are too busy or taking advantage of festive moods, K-pop companies know exactly when to drop new music for maximum impact.
💬 Did you ever notice this before? Which holiday comeback was your favorite? Let’s chat in the comments! 🎶
*This letter was written by the global ambassador, “Taby.”
