On January 17, Starship Entertainment confirmed that IVE (An Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, and Leeseo) will return with a new album in late February, marking their first comeback in six months since their mini-album IVE SECRET last August. IVE has consistently broken records, becoming a “7-time million-seller” with hits like LOVE DIVE and REBEL HEART, and racking up 20 music show wins in 2025 alone. They’ve also secured 28 awards across year-end ceremonies, proving the ongoing “IVE syndrome.”
However, their return will directly overlap with BLACKPINK, who announced a February 27 comeback with their third mini-album DEADLINE. This marks BLACKPINK’s first group release since Born Pink in September 2022—an album that topped the Billboard 200, making them the first K-pop girl group to do so. In 2025, their single JUMP also topped the Billboard Global 200, continuing their record-breaking legacy.
While BLACKPINK has a powerhouse international presence, IVE has also made huge strides globally. They’ve topped Billboard’s Emerging Artists, appeared on the Artist 100, and performed at major festivals like Lollapalooza in Berlin and Paris for two consecutive years. They’ve also been invited to Rock in Japan Festival 2025, highlighting their growing global appeal.
Both groups are also launching major world tours. IVE will follow up their comeback with their second world tour SHOW WHAT I AM at Osaka’s Kyocera Dome in April and expanding across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Meanwhile, BLACKPINK is already mid-way through their massive BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR
Sources: Daum