April is set out to be the month of the boy groups, with rumored comebacks by popular groups like EXO, INFINITE, and B2ST. Competition among idol groups is fierce, with new acts constantly debuting and bringing new competition to the field, so older groups have to try out their own methods. Each of these popular groups is taking a different route for their next promotional period, competing in their own individual way so as to attract the spotlight.

EXO - The Traditional Route

Going the typical route, EXO began releasing teaser images early April, and is planning a showcase for the middle of the month. They're expected to promote in both Korea and China, appearing on various music shows.

Even though they're relatively newcomers in the K-Pop market, the twelve-member group's comeback is highly anticipated. Due to EXO's huge and passionate fanbase, EXO's latest comeback is sure to be a success.

INFINITE - Something New

INFINITE has been teasing fans with a 2014 comeback for a few months now. Not only did the group release a teaser, there was also a competition for fans to pick what color outfits the members will be wearing in their promotional period. The Colors of INFINITE competition is over already, and the outfit's colors have been announced. But, instead of releasing a new song or album, INFINITE's 'The Origin' is an instrumental album made up of their older songs.

INFINITE's the first idol group to release an instrumental album, and will only be releasing 30,000 copies of 'The Origin.' The album sold out during almost immediately after the pre-sale began on April 1. Even though it's an atypical method of promoting, INFINITE's unique method has kept them still in the K-Pop field of competing, even without the members actually creating anything new. 

B2ST - Variety Venue

The group's achieved a lot of success with hits like 'Beautiful Night' and 'Shadow,' and has been rumored to be making an April comeback. While EXO's comeback is definite, and INFINITE released a unique album, B2ST has yet to release confirmation about a comeback. Instead, they're building anticipation by appearing on variety show. Burning The B2ST will be B2ST's first variety show in four years, allowing fans to peak into the member's relationships and lives.

Variety shows are popular venues for idols to promote in between promotional periods. Both EXO and INFINITE recently had their own variety shows before the news of their latest comebacks, EXO SHOWTIME and DISS Is INFINITE. These individual variety shows  enable the idols to get back in touch with their fans prior to a comeback, regrouping as a group after individual promotion periods. Although 'comeback' generally refers to music promotion cycles, fans look forward to variety shows, which often signal the start of a comeback period and get the promotional period rolling.