Happily Ever After is the first album release from NU'EST since Canvas in 2016, marking the return of the group as five after Minhyun's activities with Wanna One had ended earlier in 2019.

[3] Happily Ever After was released on April 29, 2019; to accompany its release, the physical version was bundled with a 92-page photobook in four different versions, CD artwork featuring one of the five members at random, and two random photocards (with 10 total collectible).

[2] It is described as a future bass song composed of "whistling synths" and "staccatoed beats", with lyrics about an "addiction-like love.

"[5] Minhyun's solo song "Universe" was released digitally on April 3, 2019 along with its music video as a pre-release track.

[9] The album sold over 250,000 physical copies in South Korea,[10] and it was certified platinum.