HyunA to return on Aug. 1 as planned

SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean idol singer HyunA will return to the K-pop scene on Aug. 1 as planned, a local music market source said Wednesday.

Cube Entertainment, the management agency of the now-disbanded girl group 4minute, had considered pushing back the solo singer's return date due to "inner management matters" but ultimately decided to stick to the original plan, according to the source. There have been rumors that her new album will be unable to come out in time because of the intensified power game between the two rival executives of Cube Entertainment.

"HyunA's new album specifically targeted the summer season, from the start," said a music retailer under condition of anonymity, countering the rumors. "(Her agency) decided to release the album no later than the set date, before the Rio Olympics."

In June, 4minute, a five-member K-pop act, disbanded after seven years following the expiration of the members' management contracts.

HyunA was the only member to succeed in extending her contract with Cube, while the rest left the agency.

The 24-year-old started preparing for her first album early, even before the members and the agency finished negotiating her contract.

jwc@yna.co.kr
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