SHINee member Kim Ki-bum, known professionally as Key, is preparing for a solo comeback scheduled for August 2025, marking the singer's return to the music scene nearly one year after his last solo release.
Key's upcoming project represents his first promotional solo activity in approximately twelve months, following the release of his mini album Pleasure Shop in September 2024. The highly anticipated comeback is expected to arrive in late summer, with the 33-year-old artist currently finalizing preparations for the new release.
The timing comes just over three months after SHINee celebrated their 17th debut anniversary in May with the release of their commemorative single "Poet | Artist." However, that release was non-promotional, making the August comeback Key's first full promotional cycle since Pleasure Shop.
Key's previous solo effort proved highly successful commercially, achieving record-breaking numbers for the artist. Pleasure Shop sold over 114,000 copies in its first week of release, setting a new personal best for the SHINee member and surpassing his previous record of 106,335 copies set by his 2023 mini album Good & Great. The album also earned Key his first music show victory for the title track, taking first place on MBC's "Music Core" in October 2024.
During his emotional acceptance speech for the "Music Core" win, Key reflected on the significance of the achievement. "At this point in my career, it's not easy to win first place even once, so I'm deeply grateful," he shared, visibly moved by the recognition. This marked his second music show victory as a solo artist, having previously won with his 2021 track "Bad Love."
The upcoming August release will showcase Key's continued evolution as a solo artist. In recent interviews, the performer hinted at potentially revisiting concepts similar to his 2022 album Gasoline, which featured a horror-meets-retro aesthetic and topped iTunes charts in 23 regions worldwide. It demonstrated Key's artistic range, with the singer participating in writing lyrics for four of the album's eleven tracks.
Key's international appeal has also expanded, with recent releases including his first Japanese single "Tongue Tied" in August 2024. His Japanese market presence began with the EP "Hologram" in 2018, demonstrating his ability to adapt his artistry for different audiences.
While specific details about the August comeback remain under wraps, including concept, tracklist, and promotional schedule, anticipation among fans continues to build across social media platforms. The announcement has already generated significant excitement among Key's global fanbase, who eagerly await his return to the solo music scene.
