SS501 to release new album on May 1

Korean idol group SS501 have announced that they will be releasing a new album in May.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday -- prior to their "PERSONA" encore concert at Seoul's Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium -- the five members spoke about their plans to "meet fans with a fantastic album".

"We have to discuss with our agency about the new album but we are thinking about releasing it on May 1, which is '501 Day'," the group's leader Kim Hyun-joong was quoted as saying.

Kim added that the he does not yet know whether the album will be a full-length second album or a mini-album.

When asked about the difference between their encore concert and Asian tour, the boy band answered that they are trying to "deliver the encore concert with more ease and show more maturity and know-how."

The group also explained that they had "learned a lot about performing on stage" from touring in Asia and that their future goal is to "hold Asian tours every year and communicate with fans."

The quintet performed a total of 26 songs -- including all the tracks from their latest album "Rebirth" -- at the concert which attracted over 10,000 fans from Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan during its weekend run.

SS501 debuted in 2005 with single "Warning" and have been active in Korea and Japan, releasing numerous albums both as a group and also pursuing individual careers in acting and appearing on variety shows.

The group made a successful comeback to the music scene last October, topping various music charts with their second mini-album "Rebirth".

They kicked off their "1st Asia Tour Persona" in Seoul last August and went on to perform in Tokyo, Taipei, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr