NiziU Sour Grapes marks a major new step in the group’s Korean activities. NiziU will release its first Korean mini album, Sour Grapes, on September 28, 2026, at 6 p.m. KST.
The release expands NiziU’s Korean discography from single albums to a full mini-album format, giving the group its largest Korean comeback project so far.
NiziU Sour Grapes release date and confirmed details
NiziU announced the album at midnight KST on September 7 through an official prologue film and comeback schedule. The confirmed release information is:
- Album: Sour Grapes
- Format: NiziU’s first Korean mini album
- Release date: September 28, 2026
- Release time: 6 p.m. KST
- Label: JYP Entertainment
A track list, title-track name and detailed album credits were not included in the first announcement. Those details should be treated as pending until they appear through NiziU or JYP Entertainment’s official channels.
Watch the official Sour Grapes prologue film
Watch the original NiziU “Sour Grapes” prologue on YouTube
What happens in the Sour Grapes prologue?
The prologue builds its concept around grapes in several forms. The members encounter grape jelly, candy, juice and piles of fresh fruit before the visual mood becomes more unsettling. A banquet-like scene and the image of grapes being crushed introduce tension beneath the colorful surface.
The contrast between sweetness and unease gives the NiziU Sour Grapes era a sharper tone than the album title initially suggests.
The title “sour grapes” can describe literal taste, but it is also a familiar expression connected to disappointment and the attempt to dismiss something that feels out of reach. JYP Entertainment has not yet published an official interpretation of the album’s story, so the phrase should be viewed as a thematic clue rather than a confirmed explanation.
Watch NiziU’s official Instagram reel
View the original “Sour Grapes” reel on NiziU’s official Instagram
Why this is NiziU’s biggest Korean album step yet
NiziU made its official Korean debut in October 2023 with the single album Press Play and its title track “HEARTRIS.” The group later returned with the Korean single “LOVE LINE” in March 2025. Both title tracks earned music-show wins, establishing a Korean audience alongside NiziU’s larger Japanese fan base.
Sour Grapes is different because it is a mini album rather than another single release. The expanded format can provide more room for B-sides, a clearer album narrative and a longer promotional cycle. It also arrives approximately a year and a half after “LOVE LINE,” making this a notable return to Korean releases.
NiziU’s first Korean mini album is positioned to connect two active audiences: Korean K-pop listeners and the Japanese fans who have followed the group since its debut.
Why NiziU Sour Grapes may attract searches in Korea and Japan
NiziU occupies an unusual position in the K-pop market. The nine-member group was formed through the JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Japan project Nizi Project, built major recognition in Japan and then formally entered the Korean market.
The NiziU Sour Grapes comeback therefore has two overlapping stories. Korean readers may view it as the group’s first mini album made specifically for Korean promotions, while Japanese fans may follow it as the next stage of an established Japanese act’s cross-border career.
That makes the release particularly relevant for international K-pop coverage. Search interest may appear in English, Korean and Japanese at the same time, especially as the title track, physical-album editions and promotion schedule are revealed.
NiziU’s momentum before the Korean comeback
Before announcing Sour Grapes, NiziU remained active in Japan. The group’s 2026 Japanese EP Good Girl but Not for You topped Oricon’s weekly album and combined-album rankings, while the best album Portfolio received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan, according to Korean media coverage.
That foundation gives NiziU a strong platform for its Korean return. The central question is not whether the group already has an audience, but how the new mini album will translate its established identity into a broader Korean album campaign.
What fans should watch next
- The Sour Grapes track list and number of songs
- The title-track name, credits and music-video teasers
- Concept-photo versions and physical-album details
- Korean music-show and variety-show appearances
- Whether Japanese promotional activities will accompany the Korean release
NiziU Sour Grapes FAQ
When will NiziU release Sour Grapes?
Sour Grapes will be released on September 28, 2026, at 6 p.m. KST.
Is Sour Grapes NiziU’s first Korean album?
It is NiziU’s first Korean mini album. The group previously released Korean single albums, beginning with Press Play in 2023.
Has the Sour Grapes title track been announced?
The initial announcement confirmed the album title and release date, but did not reveal the title-track name. Follow KWaveScope’s latest K-pop coverage for verified updates.