The most eye-catching event in the K-pop scene next month will be the return of Kang Daniel, a central member of the 11-piece band formed on a talent competition show. The band was active from August 2017 to January this year.

The 23-year-old Kang wanted to inaugurate his solo career in April but was unable to do so, trapped in a legal battle with his former management agency, LM Entertainment.

In May, the Seoul Central District Court cleared a legal hindrance for him in pursuing a career outside of LM and Kang set up a one-person management agency, Konnect Entertainment, in early July.

On Thursday, Konnect announced Kang’s forthcoming return to the K-pop scene, slated for late July, saying he has recently finished recording his first solo EP.

Having collaborated with Devine Channel, a production label that has partnered with such high-profile K-pop bands as BTS, EXO and TWICE, Kang, the top winner of a talent competition show, is highly expected to storm the music scene with his new album.

Kang’s explosive popularity has been truly global, with his Instagram account garnering its first 1 million followers in less than 12 hours of its opening in early January. This set a new Guinness world record, previously held by Pope Francis, who took 12 hours to secure his first 1 million followers.