SM Entertainment has officially unveiled part of its 2026 release roadmap, and the second half of the year is already shaping up to be packed with major comebacks and highly anticipated albums.
According to the company’s music line-up preview, several top-tier artists are slated for full-length and mini album releases in the latter half of 2026, signaling an aggressive push in both domestic and international markets.
Among the biggest highlights is aespa, who are scheduled to return with a full-length album. As one of SM’s leading fourth-generation acts, aespa’s upcoming project is expected to carry significant weight, especially following their steady global expansion. Fans are already speculating about concept direction and whether the group will continue their signature futuristic sound or pivot into something entirely new.
aespa
Also on the schedule is NCT Wish, who are set to release a full album as well. After steadily building their identity within the NCT brand, this marks a major milestone for the group and could signal a more defined sonic era moving forward.
Meanwhile, RIIZE is listed for a mini album, continuing their momentum as one of SM Entertainment’s fastest-rising boy groups. With their previous releases gaining strong commercial traction, expectations are high for how they will evolve musically.
RIIZE
WayV is also preparing for a mini album, further strengthening SM’s presence in the Chinese and global markets. In addition, the unit XngHan&Xoul and the group Hearts2Hearts are slated for mini album releases, while Super Junior’s Ryeowook is expected to return with a single, adding veteran star power to the lineup.
Hearts2Hearts
The diverse mix of full albums, mini albums, and singles suggests SM is strategically balancing heavyweight comebacks with steady content output across its roster. Industry watchers note that a concentration of full-length albums in the second half could indicate a push for stronger year-end performance metrics.
As always with SM’s roadmap previews, plans may shift depending on market conditions and artist schedules. However, one thing is clear: the company is preparing a stacked release calendar designed to dominate charts and maintain global momentum throughout 2026.
With aespa, NCT Wish, and RIIZE all poised for significant returns, the second half of 2026 may become one of SM Entertainment’s most competitive seasons yet.