South Korean girl group ITZY will release a new mini-album titled "Motto" on May 18, 2026 [1].
The release marks the group's first comeback in six months [5]. As ITZY continues their current world tour, the new project serves as a strategic move to maintain momentum and engage a global audience during a competitive period for K-pop releases [3].
JYP Entertainment said the EP will be available at 6 p.m. KST, which corresponds to 5 a.m. ET [2]. This project represents the group's 12th EP [3]. The album will consist of eight tracks [4].
This comeback follows the group's previous release, "TUNNEL VISION," which debuted in November 2025 [6]. The gap between the two projects aligns with the group's touring schedule, a common practice for high-profile K-pop acts managing international dates.
The announcement of "Motto" comes as part of a broader promotional cycle. Recent activity includes member Yuna departing for a fan signing event on April 25, 2026 [7], signaling the start of the promotional push leading up to the Monday release.
By timing the drop to coincide with their world tour, the group can integrate new material into their live performances. This allows the artists to showcase the new tracks to fans in real-time, while driving digital streaming numbers globally [3].
“ITZY will release a new mini-album titled "Motto" on May 18, 2026.”
The release of "Motto" demonstrates JYP Entertainment's strategy of synchronizing studio output with live global touring to maximize commercial reach. By returning after a six-month hiatus, ITZY is positioning itself within a crowded K-pop comeback window, utilizing the world tour as a primary vehicle for organic promotion and fan engagement.
