K-pop Rock Band Can’t Be Blue Releases ‘bluende’ – All-English Debut EP + UK / EU and Taiwan Shows!

SEOUL – South Korean alternative pop-rock band can’t be blue release ‘bluende’, their third EP and first entirely in English, on 16th October 2026. The five-track project arrives as the band pivots toward international audiences following their breakthrough 2026—which saw them become the first Korean act to win Emergenza Festival’s International Final and open for ATEEZ at Rock in Roma in Italy.

‘bluende’—a title merging “blue” and “blonde”—explores a singular, devastating realisation: no matter how bright you become or how hard you try to escape it, the blue pulls you back. Split across five songs representing regret, anguish, despair, desperation, and resignation, the EP refuses to soften its emotional landscape.

The focus track, “bluende”, is a sad song built on a driving beat—melancholy wrapped in propulsive energy. It exemplifies the band’s core philosophy: pour your blue feelings out so listeners can let go of theirs.

“bluende is about the moment you realise you can’t outrun the blue, no matter how bright you try to look,” the band explain. “We didn’t want to hide that feeling. We split it into five songs, five emotions, and let each one be honest.”

Since debuting in June 2024, can’t be blue have amassed 950,000+ monthly Spotify listeners and passed 30 million total streams on their debut single “in the words i called love”—which gained organic traction through shout-outs from TXT’s Soobin and fromis_9’s Seoyeon.

2026 solidified their trajectory. Their full-length album ‘can’t be blue’ (June 2026) featured collaborations with Stray Kids’ HAN (“can’t love”) and Japanese artist Murasaki Ima (“blue daisy”). They were selected for Spotify RADAR Korea 2026, sold out Taipei’s SUB LIVE (800 capacity), performed at the 2026 Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg (September), and in August became the first Korean band ever to win Emergenza Festival’s International Final—guitarist Kim Chaehyun also named Best Guitarist. They opened for ATEEZ at Rock in Roma in Italy in July.

• 17 October – Seoul
• 18 October – Seoul

• 21 October – Tokyo (solo show)
• 22 October – Tokyo (solo show)

can’t be blue embark on their first headline European tour in November, hitting seven cities across the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and Poland. The band’s philosophy remains consistent regardless of venue size: “If even one person is listening and enjoying it, we’ll give everything. We hope people leave the show feeling a little lighter.”

Following the European run, they return to Taipei for an encore performance.

Five-piece band: Lee Dohun (vocals), Kim Chaehyun (guitar), Lee Hwuiwon (bass), Kwon Dahyun (keys), Kim Daehun (drums). Formed June 2024 in Seoul, can’t be blue build songs instrumental-first, lyrics after—a methodical approach that prioritises sonic authenticity. In North America, distributed through Interscope Records.

EP: ‘bluende’
Release Date: 16th October 2026
Format: Digital / Streaming
Language: English (debut all-English release)
Tracks: 5