Have any 2026 albums so far exceeded your expectations? Any let downs? (1 Viewer)

[centen]

We're starting to get into summer music season, so I thought it'd be fun to look back on what's come out so far.

 

[centen]

For exceeded expectations, I expected to like Monsta X's album Unfold, because they don't have any bad albums, but I didn't expect it to hit as hard as it has. They have literally been my most listened to artist every week since it dropped.

I'd say for met expectations, we have Baby DONT Cry. I expected to like their first mini and I do! But I don't think there are any surprises here either.

For disappointments, Everglow's comeback. I was really excited, but Code is not it.

 

[TrinityJade]

IVE revive exceeded my expectations! I was scared they wouldn’t but wow sse actually cooked, and their solos are so good!
for met I’d say bp deadline i knew it would be trash
BABYMONSTER Choom was a let down I only liked choom and the other three were lovey dovey songs that in my imo don’t suit them

 

[Dreamer_of_Songs]

I didn’t have any K-Pop albums that exceeded my expectations this year as of now.

There were some solid releases that I did enjoy. This includes i-dle and Skaiwater’s “Mono”, WJSN “Bloom Hour”, Apink’s “Love Me More”, and Dayoung’s “What’s a girl to do”.

2026 in K-Pop for me was somewhere in the middle because there weren’t any standouts release that caught my attention

 

[ChiaraStar169]

Exceeded expectations: Dead And by Xdiz! I was expecting it to be full of bops like always, but oh em GEE, I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the music!

Letdown: lowkey Arirang by BTS. It's not total crap or anything, but idk... maybe it deserves another listen? it's just not the BTS sound I'm used to.

 

[lexus]

Honestly nothing has stood out to me this year. I feel like there have been more letdowns than anything :/

I’m really hoping that IOI and Le Sserafim will release something good this month though. I’ve been anticipating their comebacks a lot

 

[WonniesMother]

ive had general songs that exceeded expectations like illit's its me (probably an unpopular opinion but I like the house sound over their typical sound) especially because i didnt expect the upbeat sound i like to be a release from them
ive's revive was probably a met, I expected it to be good because its ive and I tend to like their music but other than bang bang the other tracks didnt rlly stand out (or maybe i need to give it another listen because thats usually when I like something)
let down is probably a tie between everglow, blackpink and katseye (technically not kpop but pinky up was sad so I had to add them) like they all could do so much better than what they were dealt

 

[Nina]

I have way to much love for the groups I already love XD so no one let me down.
I'm just disappointed in the lact of music and song lengths for anyone that releases singles and 2 minutes songs >.>

Far exceeded expectations, Tiffany!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe it's the joy of a new release but "Summer's Not Over" is my everything rn. I thought I would listen to it a few times and then add it to a long playlist because it's on the chiller side. The opposite has happened.
I can't stop listening to it o.o Paired with Dean and Anderson's song "Aftertaste." My very very short playlist is happy to be looped.

Ateez's GHP4 also. It had the same thing that GHP2. I'm still addicted to so many songs on that album.
Echoing MX my soft spot for their English releases will never dissipate. Theyre one of the best and it's not just random English word jumble.
And Zelo's Cola Comigo. I wouldnt say far exceeded. It's exactly what I expected XD. But I'm still addicted to Cola Comigo.

If I had to put someone for a bit disappointed tho, SF9. I wasnt into their recent album as much. And I've always been a fan of them so yeah. Not into this recent album.

 

[Nina]

I’m really hoping that IOI and Le Sserafim will release something good this month though. I’ve been anticipating their comebacks a lot

My expectation for ioi are through the roof Why is it 9 days away?????

 

[Dreamer_of_Songs]

Honestly nothing has stood out to me this year. I feel like there have been more letdowns than anything :/

I’m really hoping that IOI and Le Sserafim will release something good this month though. I’ve been anticipating their comebacks a lot

I have faith that IOI will actually exceed my expectations this year

 

[Pirioca]

Exceeded expectations:

ChRocktical - We Break, You Awake

I expected an album with one or two harder songs and some softer tracks for the K-Pop audience, more like a Dreamcatcher comeback. I didn't expect a full-featured Rock album. AFAIK Rock and Metal are still not very popular in South Korea and Siyeon was like: "This is my band, this is my style. If you don't like it, don't listen to it." A very confident, but also risky, decision when you have most of your fans in Japan and Western countries with almost countless Rock and Metal bands.

Moon Byul - REV

I listen to Moon Byul since 'Eclipse'. I don't know exactly why I like her voice and charisma so much but she's still one of my favorite K-Pop soloists. REV is an amazing EP. There are just 3 songs but they're crazy good! For example, Dreamer. If I would know nothing about K-Pop at all, this would be one of these songs that could easily let me fall down the rabbit hole.

 

[WonniesMother]

ChRocktical - We Break, You Awake

I expected an album with one or two harder songs and some softer tracks for the K-Pop audience, more like a Dreamcatcher comeback. I didn't expect a full-featured Rock album. AFAIK Rock and Metal are still not very popular in South Korea and Siyeon was like: "This is my band, this is my style. If you don't like it, don't listen to it." A very confident, but also risky, decision when you have most of your fans in Japan and Western countries with almost countless Rock and Metal bands.

Moon Byul - REV

I listen to Moon Byul since 'Eclipse'. I don't know exactly why I like her voice and charisma so much but she's still one of my favorite K-Pop soloists. REV is an amazing EP. There are just 3 songs but they're crazy good! For example, Dreamer. If I would know nothing about K-Pop at all, this would be one of these songs that could easily let me fall down the rabbit hole.

ooh I forgot about Moonbyul's
I love that one

 

[Selfmate]

not a fan of either Blackhole or Bang Bang so IVE's was slightly disappointing

 

[gone4good]

Billlie's full album comeback was somewhat disappointing to me. A couple of nice tracks. Work stands out.
Kiiikiii made me happy <3 and delulu pack delivered. Underdogs is a gem.
Apink's Love Me More remains by far, the SOTY thus far
As for Monsta X, they never fail to amaze me <3 Growing Pains and Baby blue are on repeat.

 

[Pirioca]

ooh I forgot about Moonbyul's
I love that one

And I forgot my letdown. It was no real letdown because I didn't expect much. But I had a little bit of hope that we could get the old Everglow back. It didn't happen... again.

 

[WonniesMother]

And I forgot my letdown. It was no real letdown because I didn't expect much. But I had a little bit of hope that we could get the old Everglow back. It didn't happen... again.

that's so real 😭😭😭
I miss their old style...

 

[pinkmelodies]

Besides Apink being the best comeback so far this year, NCT Wish has exceeded my expectations!

The biggest letdown was Blackpink. I couldn't get through the album at all.

Billlie was a letdown as well since I fully anticipated their comeback. It is okay but not something I can have on repeat. Their performances are saving the song

 

[kimsguardian]

kinda disappointed with ive & billlie but these two are the best for now


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[pinkmelodies]

Also wanted to add Somin’s solo debut as exceeding my expectations! I wish she had better promotions of it because the album definitely needs appreciation

 

[RandAlThor]

Say my name
Chaeyeon
Yena
Irene