From a mini album called Velvet Summer, with a tracklist that runs Surfin’ Boy, Hot Girls Cold Vibe, Hula Hoop, Hawaii. In Korea, the summer song is a category all its own.

Why Korean pop takes summer seriously

Every year, from roughly June, Korean labels release what is openly called a summer song — bright, fast, built for beaches, water parks and convenience-store speakers — and compete for the season the way Western labels compete for Christmas. Some acts build entire reputations on it. The songs return every year, charting again each June without any promotion, which makes a successful one an annuity rather than a hit. Red Velvet have been one of the most reliable names in that calendar for a decade.

About this release

“Surfin’ Boy” leads the five-track summer mini album Velvet Summer, published 3 August 2026 through SM Entertainment. The group’s name itself splits their material in two: Red for the bright pop, Velvet for the slower R&B side.

Watching from outside Korea

Korean summer releases often reflect the mood of their year. Explore more seasonal songs in OSEYO KOREA’s K-POP section after watching the featured video on this page.

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