Jung Soo Jung, better known as Krystal, is finally returning to her roots as a singer — and fans couldn’t be happier. According to her agency, Beasts & Natives Alike (BANA), on October 10, the former f(x) member is currently preparing for her first-ever solo album. This will mark her official comeback to the music scene after years of focusing on acting.
The buzz started late last month when Krystal shared a photo of herself in a recording studio on Instagram. The simple but powerful image — a mic, headphones, and lyric sheets — instantly sent fans into a frenzy. Not long after, BANA confirmed that she’s indeed working on a solo project, which excited longtime fans who have been waiting for her to sing again.
If released this year, this will be Krystal’s first solo album since her debut in 2009. While she has lent her voice to drama OSTs and collaborative projects in the past, she’s never released a full solo record of her own.
Her last official song was the 2017 project single “I Don’t Wanna Love You.” Since then, Krystal has mostly pursued acting, though she has occasionally shared covers like “George Posey” and “Not Coming Back” on her SoundCloud.
This comeback marks a major full-circle moment for Krystal, who first rose to fame as part of f(x) — one of K-pop’s most influential second-generation girl groups. Debuting under SM Entertainment in 2009, f(x) built a strong legacy with experimental pop hits like “Electric Shock,” “Red Light,” “Hot Summer,” “4 Walls,” and “All Mine.” However, since around 2016, group activities have been on pause, with each member pursuing solo paths.
For Krystal, that meant diving into acting — and she has done so impressively. From the sitcom “High Kick: The Revenge of the Short Legged” to popular dramas like “The Heirs,” “My Lovely Girl,” “Prison Playbook,” “The Bride of Habaek,” she has steadily built a solid reputation as an actress. Her film work includes “Sweet & Sour,” “More Than Family,” and “Cobweb.”
She is also gearing up for the upcoming film “Audition 109” and the drama “How to Become a Building Owner in Korea.”
Still, Krystal has never hidden her longing to return to music. In a 2023 interview promoting “Cobweb,” she admitted,
It’s not that I don’t want to sing, so there’s a lot of regret. If I get the chance, I’d like to release an album, and if a producer who can bring out the best in me appears, I think I’ll release one.
Now, that moment has arrived.
Industry insiders say Krystal’s solo album could drop later this year or in early 2026, though no official date has been confirmed. Fans are already speculating about the concept and genre she will choose — whether it will echo her cool, understated style or explore something entirely new.
