Why Zayn Malik’s Return To Music Has Gone Viral Among K-Pop Fans
Former One Direction member Zayn Malik recently announced his return to music and has gone viral among K-Pop fans unexpectedly.
In 2010, the English-Irish boy band One Direction was formed during the television program The X-Factor. The group made up of Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malk, shot to superstardom and became the biggest boy band on the planet.
Following years of success, it was announced in March 2015 that Zayn would leave the group, citing “musical differences.” The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016 and have since been pursuing individual careers.
Zayn released three solo albums, the last of which came out in 2021. Since then, he has stayed out of the spotlight, with fans hopeful he would return to music eventually.
On June 27th, the singer shared a short clip of himself wearing a bike helmet before revving up a motorbike, along with a link to pre-save “new music.”
— zayn (@zaynmalik) June 27, 2023
The video quickly gained attention from fans. The video is similar to the mysterious teasers K-Pop boy groups often release before their comeback.
Some even jokingly compared it to clips of EXO‘s “Don’t Mess Up My Tempo” music video…
#ZAYN #EXO: tempo teaser pic.twitter.com/cEmgj7Ttkf
— ً (@ZEXOFEED) June 27, 2023
EXO The 5th Album
‘DON’T MESS UP MY TEMPO’'Circuit #ZAYN'
🎧2018.11.2 6PM (KST)
👉https://t.co/eP3So0fEjg #엑소 #EXO #weareoneEXO #DONTMESSUPMYTEMPO https://t.co/EvAgGTNEvW pic.twitter.com/j15DNS6OoF— ari (@oddkaicircle) June 27, 2023
…NCT DREAM‘s concept imagery for “Glitch Mode,”…
he looks like he’s about to scratch that bring it back https://t.co/RAVNo8rolO
— billie jean (@nuguzen) June 27, 2023
…and ENHYPEN‘s Jungwon from the group’s teaser for DARK BLOOD.
jungwon 🤝 zayn pic.twitter.com/saE0ZBi5oY https://t.co/nOqnntCn6h
— wan. (@borderjwn) June 27, 2023
Buddy I know a dude who pulled this before you and it did not end well for him /j https://t.co/oZIV79Plxm pic.twitter.com/WZZvq8Us4U
— mel ; Fuck Belift (@hoon_on_ice) June 27, 2023
As many K-Pop fans were Directioners before and after diving into K-Pop, it’s no surprise they combined his return with their other interests!
