Girl group H1-KEY will release their new single “Not Like a Movie” on January 5, 2026, marking exactly four years since their debut.
The anniversary single, titled “세상은 영화같지 않더라 (Not Like a Movie)” in Korean, will be released on major digital platforms at 6pm KST, according to the group’s agency Choi Creative Lab Entertainment. This marks H1-KEY’s first music release in approximately seven months since their fourth mini album “Lovestruck” in June 2025.
The new track marks a shift in concept for the quartet, moving from the summer-themed “Summer Was You” to a more reflective winter mood. The song’s title compares life to a movie, sparking anticipation for H1-KEY’s next musical chapter, the agency said, according to Korea JongAng Daily.
Before the release, H1-KEY will perform on the special year-end stage “2026 Countdown Show LIGHT NOW” on December 31st in Myeongdong. Additional promotional content and visual materials will follow in the coming weeks.
History and results of the group
H1-KEY debuted on January 5, 2022, with their first single album “Athletic Girl” under Grandline Group (GLG) and Sony Music Korea. The group’s name, pronounced like “High-key”, represents their goal for healthy and safe beauty concepts.
The group experienced a lineup change early in its career when original member Sitala left in May 2022 due to personal circumstances. KStarLoud reported. Hwiseo was introduced as a new member in June 2022 with the release of their first maxi single “Run”.
H1-KEY has built a musical identity rooted in realism and emotional vitality through songs like “Rose Blossom,” “SEOUL (Such a Beautiful City)” and “Let It Burn.” The group achieved their first music show win with “SEOUL” on September 5, 2023.
In 2025, H1-KEY gained significant international recognition when “Summer Was You” was selected by both NME and Billboard as one of the best K-pop songs of the year. NME ranked the song sixth on its list of the “25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025”, praising its math-rock-inspired textures and addictive hook, as per Kpopping. The group also made their official debut in Japan in August 2025, with the Japanese version of “Lovestruck” peaking at number three on the Oricon Daily Album chart.
