Girl group H1-KEY will release their new single "Not Like a Movie" on January 5, 2026, marking exactly four years since their debut.
The anniversary single, titled "세상은 영화같지 않더라 (Not Like a Movie)" in Korean, will drop on major digital platforms at 6 p.m. KST, according to the group's agency Choi Creative Lab Entertainment. This marks H1-KEY's first music release in approximately seven months since their fourth mini album "Lovestruck" in June 2025.
The new track signals a concept shift for the quartet, moving from their summer-themed "Summer Was You" to a more reflective winter mood. The song's title compares life to a movie, raising anticipation for H1-KEY's next musical chapter, the agency stated, according to Korea JongAng Daily.
Before the release, H1-KEY will perform on the year-end special stage "2026 Countdown Show LIGHT NOW" on December 31 in Myeongdong. Additional promotional content and visual materials will follow in the coming weeks.
Group History and Achievements
H1-KEY debuted on January 5, 2022, with their first single album "Athletic Girl" under Grandline Group (GLG) and Sony Music Korea. The group's name, pronounced as "High-key," represents their aim for confident and healthy beauty concepts.
The group experienced a lineup change early in their career when original member Sitala departed in May 2022 due to personal circumstances, KStarLoud reported. Hwiseo was introduced as the new member in June 2022 with the release of their first maxi single "Run."
H1-KEY has built a music identity rooted in realism and emotional vitality through songs such as "Rose Blossom," "SEOUL (Such a Beautiful City)," and "Let It Burn." The group achieved their first music show win with "SEOUL" on September 5, 2023.
In 2025, H1-KEY gained significant international recognition when "Summer Was You" was selected by both NME and Billboard as one of the best K-pop songs of the year. NME ranked the track at number six on their "25 Best K-pop Songs of 2025" list, praising its math-rock-inspired textures and addictive hook, as per Kpopping. The group also made their official Japanese debut in August 2025, with the Japanese version of "Lovestruck" reaching number three on the Oricon Daily Album ranking.
