TVXQ!’s U-KNOW is officially making his solo comeback next month. SM Entertainment announced on June 29 that the veteran K-pop star will release his new single album, Time’s Tickin’, on July 20 at 6 PM KST across major streaming platforms worldwide. The release marks U-KNOW’s first new solo music in approximately eight months and follows his first full-length album, I-KNOW, which arrived in November 2025.
The announcement was accompanied by the first teaser for the project, giving fans an early look at the concept behind the upcoming release. Physical editions of Time’s Tickin’ are also available for pre-order through online and offline retailers globally.
Time’s Tickin’ continues U-KNOW’s evolving solo career
According to the official press release from SM Entertainment, the new single album features two songs: the title track, Time’s Tickin’, and a B-side titled An Ordinary Story. While the title suggests themes of urgency and momentum, the two-track project is expected to present contrasting emotions and further showcase U-KNOW’s versatility as a solo artist.
The release builds on the musical identity established with I-KNOW, an album that highlighted a more personal and experimental side of the artist. With Time’s Tickin’, U-KNOW appears set to continue exploring that direction while introducing a fresh concept for the next chapter of his solo career.
SM Entertainment also revealed the project’s first teaser across TVXQ!’s official social media channels. The preview opens with a nostalgic video game-inspired screen before transitioning into a cinematic visual that hints at the album’s virtual-world concept. The teaser serves as the beginning of a broader promotional campaign leading up to the July 20 release.
U-KNOW’s comeback adds another chapter to TVXQ!’s lasting legacy
U-KNOW remains one of K-pop’s most influential performers, thanks to a career spanning more than two decades with TVXQ!. Since debuting in 2003 alongside MAX CHANGMIN, the duo has played a significant role in expanding K-pop’s global reach through chart-topping releases, sold-out tours, and record-breaking concerts.
TVXQ! made history as the first K-pop act to hold solo concerts at Japan’s Nissan Stadium, the country’s largest concert venue. The duo also became the first Korean artists to complete a five-dome tour in Japan, further cementing their reputation as one of the industry’s most successful acts.
Beyond his work with TVXQ!, U-KNOW has built a diverse career across music, acting, variety entertainment, and fashion. His upcoming single Time’s Tickin’ marks another important milestone in his solo journey, with more promotional content expected before the album’s worldwide release on July 20.
