Concept Photo Round Up: BTS’ Jin, Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi, SHINee and more
by Anwaya Mane
May’s K-pop concept photo releases shared a striking throughline: artists boldly redefining their sonic and visual identities. While every comeback promises something new, this month stood out for its sheer volume of solo and group returns, each marked by a deliberate step outside the familiar.
SHINee embraced vulnerability and nostalgia in soft pastels, paying tribute to the late Jonghyun as they celebrated their 17th anniversary. Irene and Seulgi of Red Velvet explored female sexuality and queer agency in their second subunit comeback. At the same time, ENHYPEN leaned into sensual provocation with handcuffs and leashes, breaking from their polished image. ARTMS intrigued with eerie, myth-inspired teasers referencing Icarus, and RIIZE drew from The Odyssey to frame boyhood as a mythic journey in their debut studio album.
This feature unpacks the concept photos that shaped May—how they express evolving artistry, and why they signal a turning point in the ever-shifting landscape of K-pop.
SHINee – Poet | Artist
This one is all heart, all love, all music, all memory. For their 17th anniversary, SHINee released Poet | Artist, a deeply emotional tribute to their late member Jonghyun, who penned the lyrics and co-composed the track before his passing. It’s not just a song; it’s a shared memory, a promise, and a love letter to the past, and to each other. The concept photos and promotional visuals capture SHINee in their most ethereal form yet, reminding us why they’re still affectionately known as the “Princes of K-pop.” Dressed in a mix of soft pastels and muted darks, with tousled, floppy hair and carefully styled accessories, the members channel a nostalgic elegance - one that subtly nods to their Reply era. But more powerful than any aesthetic choice is the unspoken presence of OT5. The bond of friendship, brotherhood, and enduring love shines through every image. In a particularly moving gesture, the members leave an empty space in group shots, a silent, poignant tribute to Jonghyun that speaks volumes without a single word.
ENHYPEN – DESIRE: UNLEASH
Red Velvet’s Irene & Seulgi – TILT
ENHYPEN aren’t the only ones embracing bold, provocative concepts. Red Velvet’s sub-unit, Irene and Seulgi, made a powerful return with TILT - a comeback that exudes dominance, sensuality, and artistic audacity. Known as queens of duality, the duo leaned fully into power-play and visual storytelling that was both alluring and confrontational. The concept photos and promotional materials pulled no punches. From commanding stares and sculptural poses to the now-iconic oyster image studded with pearls, every visual was dripping with symbolism and sex appeal. Irene and Seulgi didn’t just pose - they embodied power, authority, and a kind of mature allure that set them apart in a saturated landscape. The imagery did stir some controversy, running them into hot water with more conservative audiences, but that only underscored how unapologetically daring the concept was. TILT wasn’t created to play it safe. It was crafted to provoke thought, elicit reaction, and solidify their status as artists unafraid to challenge expectations.
ARTMS – Club Icarus
It seems horror is the flavour of the season, and ARTMS is embracing it with eerie elegance. In a landscape filled with polished, aesthetic-heavy concept photos, the teasers for their upcoming album Club Icarus stand out for being raw, stripped-down, and strikingly unsettling. Dressed in all-black casual outfits with smudged kohl-lined eyes, the members are photographed on a rooftop setting - complete with a Holy Cross and burnt-out candles, evoking the sombre stillness of a modern-day funeral. The mood is heavy, the symbolism deliberate, and the expressions are unnervingly blank, almost reminiscent of scenes from a horror film. In other teaser images, the members appear with angel wings, dressed in varying shades of black, brown, and pristine white. It’s a haunting, cinematic take that leans fully into horror—not in excess, but in quiet, atmospheric detail. With Club Icarus, ARTMS isn't just joining the horror-inspired trend, they’re elevating it with a concept that feels mysterious, meaningful, and memorably macabre.
RIIZE - Odyssey
At the peak of their youth and on the brink of K-pop stardom, RIIZE captivates in charismatic concept photos for their first full album, Odyssey. True to the meaning behind the album’s title—and in line with the members’ ambitions for a long, eventful, adventurous, and unforgettable journey- Odyssey marks the beginning of their artistic voyage.
The members showcase their stylish best in fashionable casual wear: caps, denim jackets, signature accessories like neckpieces, rings, and piercings, all styled in a monochrome palette of black and white. Channelling a bold Y2K popstar energy, RIIZE effortlessly blends retro charm with modern flair, setting their sights on the stars.
Honourable Mentions
GOT7’s Mark - High As You
Since GOT7 departed from JYP, Mark has carved a quieter, more introspective solo path, but with High As You, he enters darker, more haunting territory. Blending eerie, horror-inspired visuals with moody elegance, the release marks a bold shift in his artistic identity. It’s not just a comeback; it’s a declaration of creative intent.
I-DLE – We Are
I-DLE’s We Are marks a bold new chapter — dropping the “G” signals a quiet reinvention, not a departure. The concept photos capture their dual power: ethereal and radiant in white, fierce and unapologetic in darker tones. It’s grace meets grit, and proof that I-DLE is evolving without losing their edge.
BTS’ Jin – ECHO
In ECHO, Jin sheds past insecurities and steps into a bold new era, embracing a full rockstar aesthetic—leather, nail polish, silver rings, and shoulder-length hair. Once seen as the “safe” dresser of BTS, he now commands his own edge. This isn’t imitation; it’s transformation - Jin, fully realised.
