can’t be blue explores a devastating realization with bluende, an all-english EP featuring five tracks with driving beats of different emotions.
South Korean alternative pop-rock band can’t be blue releases third EP and their all-english debut EP bluende on October 16, 2026. The project’s title, merges the words “blue” and “blonde,” which explores one inescapable truth rooted by melancholy.
Formed in Seoul in June 2024, can’t be blue is a five-piece band composed of Dohun on vocals, Kim Chaehyun on guitar, Lee Hwuiwon on bass, Kwon Dahyun on keyboards, and Kim Daehun on drums. The group follows an instrumental-first songwriting process, developing the music before adding lyrics.
The five-track project delves into profound sadness and despair, capturing the struggle to find an escape from overwhelming emotions. Each song explores feelings of regret, anger, and desperation, building toward the devastating realization at the heart of the project. According to their press release, the band describes the EP as a contrast between being bright and inescapable weight of sadness.
bluende is about the moment you realise you can’t outrun the blue, no matter how bright you try to look.
The focus track with the same title, features a momentum of sadness in a strong melancholic beat. It reflects the band’s core philosophy of channeling their own sadness into music, allowing listeners to confront their emotions and find release through the songs.
The Band’s Busiest Year Yet
The release of bluende follows the band international breakthrough, as the band became the first Korean act to win the International Final of the Emergenza Festival. Guitarist Kim Chaehyun was also named Best Guitarist at the same event. The band further expanded its international presence by opening for ATEEZ at Rock in Roma in Italy.
Since the release of their debut single “in the worlds i called love,” can’t be blue gained 30 million total streams and reached 950,000 monthly Spotify listeners. The song has also receive a shout-outs from Soobin of Tomorrow X Together and Seoyeon of fromis_9.
Aside from the large streaming numbers, the five-piece band also did some collaborations with Stray Kid’s HAN with “can’t love” and Japanese artist Murasaki Ima in “blue daisy” which is part of their full-length album can’t be blue. The band’s growing international presence also includes being selected for Spotify RADAR Korea 2026, selling out Taipei’s 800-capacity SUB LIVE, and performing at the 2026 Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany.
can’t be blue Upcoming Shows and Tours
Following the release of bluende, can’t be blue embarked on a mini-tour across South Korea and Japan, with two shows in Seoul on October 17 and 18, followed by two performances in Tokyo on October 21 and 22.
The band will also embark on their first headline European tour this November, bringing their music to seven cities across the continent. Below are the dates and venue for can’t be blue’s Beyond The Blue in Europe tour:
- 2 November – London – Islington Assembly Hall
- 3 November – Manchester – Manchester Club Academy
- 5 November – Amsterdam – P60
- 6 November – Brussels – VK Concerts
- 7 November – Frankfurt – ZOOM
- 9 November – Paris – Alhambra
- 10 November – Warsaw – Hybrydy Club
Regardless of the venue’s size, the band remains committed to giving their all for every audience, hoping their music leaves listeners feeling a little lighter. In their press release, the band emphasized their sentiment for performing.
If even one person is listening and enjoying it, we’ll give everything. We hope people leave the show feeling a little lighter.
Following their European run, can’t be blue will return to Taipei, Taiwan, for an encore performance at Zepp New Taipei on November 15.
Stream can’t be blue’s bluende, a five-track journey to pour out your blue feelings, confront your emotions, and find your escape.
Press Release
