Red Velvet returns with new EP after 2-year hiatus

Red Velvet are making their full-group comeback on Monday with a new EP, ending a more than two-year wait since their last collective release. According to SM Entertainment, the five-member group will drop Velvet Summer at 6 p.m. KST, anchored by the lead track "Surfin' Boy", a dance song with what the agency describes as "cool yet dreamy" vocal harmonies.

The group's previous full-group EP, Cosmic, arrived in June 2024. In the interim, the members have pursued individual projects across music, acting and other ventures. Their return marks a notable moment for K-pop listeners who have followed the group's evolution since their 2014 debut under SM Entertainment.

In a statement released ahead of the release, leader Irene acknowledged the fandom's patience. "We're so grateful to our ReVeluvs for waiting more than two years," she said, referencing the group's official fanbase name. "It feels great to be back together. The lively practice room and everything is just wonderful." The comment underscores the collaborative energy behind the project, suggesting a return to in-person group activities after extended periods focused on solo work.

The Velvet Summer EP represents a strategic moment for SM Entertainment, as the agency balances individual member promotions with group identity. Red Velvet's fanbase, ReVeluv, has remained active throughout the hiatus, tracking the members' solo ventures and expressing anticipation for a collective return. The release on Monday tests both the group's chart momentum and audience appetite for summer-themed K-pop at a moment when the industry is saturated with competing releases.