AKMU Leaves YG to Go Solo… Releases New Full-Length Album in 7 Years, “FLOWERING”

A New Leap for “AKMU” Blooming After Going Solo

Sibling duo “AKMU” has opened the second act of its own musical universe by releasing its first full-length album in 7 years at its new agency, “Inspiration Spring”, titled “FLOWERING”.

Return After 7 Years: Full-Length Vol. 4 “FLOWERING” Released in Full

After leaving its previous agency and striking out on its own, the sibling duo “AKMU” shares its first full-length album with the public. Full-length Vol. 4 “FLOWERING”, released at 6:00 p.m. on the 7th, is a full album out for the first time in seven years—since Full-length Vol. 3 “NAVIGATION (Voyage)” released in 2019—and anticipation from both the public and music critics is building.

Overall Production by Lee Chan-hyuk: A Distinctive Music Philosophy in 11 Tracks

This new release features a total of 11 tracks, led by the title song “Joy, Sadness, Beautiful Mind”, along with pre-released tracks “Heaven in Rumor”, “Spring Color”, “To Drop Bugs”, and “Sunlight Bless You”, among others. In particular, “Lee Chan-hyuk” handled not only all lyrics and composition, but also served as the album’s overall producer, bringing “AKMU”’s distinctly original musical sensibility to life.

The title track “Joy, Sadness, Beautiful Mind” delivers a warm, philosophical message: it embraces even the sadness that comes after joy as a beautiful mind. The calm melodies paired with profound lyrics leave a strong, lingering impression.

A New Home: “Inspiration Spring,” a Concentrated Essence of 12 Years

The new agency “Inspiration Spring” said of this fourth full-length album, “It’s a masterpiece that brings together the musical know-how and the changes ‘AKMU’ has accumulated over the past 12 years into one.” “AKMU” also highlighted in its album introduction, “The place reached at the end of ‘NAVIGATION (Voyage)’ is ‘FLOWERING’,” adding, “It’s the result of fully blossoming each person’s strengths and tastes discovered along a long journey.”

An Unmatched K-Pop Icon—Rising Anew in a New Paradise

Debuting in the music scene like a shooting star after winning SBS “K-Pop Star Season 2” in 2013, “AKMU” has generated countless hit songs and earned broad support from the Korean public. In the new paradise built with fresh collaborators, it remains to be seen what kind of seismic shift in the music industry “AKMU”’s newly blossoming musical ‘FLOWERING’ will bring.