From teams like aespa, ENHYPEN and ZEROBASEONE to solo stars like MARK, Sorn, Hongseok, Ryu Sujeong and Yein, which new track will get your vote?
aespa
SM Leisure
Each week, the Korean music scene delivers excellent songs throughout varied genres and kinds, and the previous week was no exception, with a heavy-hitting number of hits with international potential, satisfyingly nostalgic duets and a few of 2024’s most promising new artists.
Internationally adored teams like aespa and ENHYPEN each dropped new singles to tide their ravenous fanbases over whereas they await their subsequent full-length tasks. In the meantime, Ok-pop followers had been handled to duets with particular meanings as Lovelyz members Ryu Sujeong and Yein teamed up for a collaboration (co-produced and written by Sizzling 100 artist XYLØ, nonetheless) whereas Sorn and Hongseok additionally duetted for a brand new observe exhibiting an ongoing bond even after each departed their former label, Dice Leisure. Alongside newcomers like DXMON and Yungin, embracing a spread of distinctive genres and ideas to attach with audiences, there’s additionally Ok-pop sensations ZEROBASEONE and their new single “Really feel the POP” that pairs completely with the warming climate.
Because the Ok-pop trade strikes at a fast tempo, it’s necessary to pause and recognize the innovation and variety it presents throughout its completely different acts. Final week, Billboard readers selected Stray Children’ “Lose My Breath” as their high Ok-pop decide of the week however followers of Lim Younger Woong, Yook Sungjae, BM and D.O all got here by with main assist.
Take a second to discover these 9 new gems that embody the spirit of the scene and deserve a everlasting spot in your playlist. Then forged your vote in our ballot for the highest of Ok-pop for the previous week.
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aespa, “Supernova”
A slithering slice of synth-pop to arrange for the woman group’s first full-length album, Armageddon, on Could 24. The cosmic-inspired “Supernova” returns aespa to their most enjoyably experimental kind and seemingly has found fans at N.A.S.A. too.
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ALICE, “Milky Manner”
Regardless of 5 members departing the underrated woman group inside the final two months attributable to contract expirations or retiring from the trade, ALICE launched the brand new single “Milky Manner” on Could 13, fairly presumably marking the ultimate single from ALICE.
Regardless of the unsure circumstances across the group, “Milky Manner” is undoubtedly a excessive observe to exit with for a serving of the saccharine bubblegum pop the “Dance On” women had been recognized for delivering.
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Yungin, Paul Blanco & Changmo, “Homesick”
Three Korean heavyweights in hip-hop and R&B group up for the most effective shape-shifting, genre-hopping tracks from the scene this yr.
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ENHYPEN, “Deadly Hassle”
Picture Credit score: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Photos The emotionally charged new observe from ENHYPEN’s particular album MEMORABILIA delivers all of the drama of the BELIFT LAB boy band’s finest and pair it with a cinematic, animated music video.
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Ryu Sujeong & Yein, “Orange Juice”
Whereas Ryu Sujeong has spent most of 2024 engaged on experimental crossover materials with Sizzling 100 artist XYLØ, her new track “Orange Juice” reunites her together with her former Lovelyz band mate Yein. With XYLØ serving to with the manufacturing and songwriting, the woman group members’ collaboration reminds us of what made Lovelyz so particular and their ongoing potential as particular person artists.
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ZEROBASEONE, “Really feel the POP”
A refreshing return for the Ok-pop sensations, “Really feel the POP” lets the ZB1 boys showcase their bubbly effervescence within the excellent single within the coronary heart of springtime.
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Sorn & Hongseok, “loopy silly lovers”
Each former artists signed to the massive Ok-pop label Dice Leisure, Sorn of CLC and Hongseok of PENTAGON come collectively for an excellent candy and satisfying duet for many who watched their teams debut inside a yr of one another.
“loopy silly lovers” additionally marks a reunion of Sorn and Hongseok nearly six years after they first sang “Observe Your Goals,” a observe launched as a part of the 2016 Dice label compilation ONE that introduced collectively completely different artists below the company together with (G)I-DLE, BToB, HyunA and extra.
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MARK, “200”
Picture Credit score: JungMin Park The NCT MVP unveiled new solo single “200” forward of asserting his debut album dropping all the way in which in February 2025. Whereas which may look like an unfiarly lengthy look ahead to MARK’s first LP, songs like “200” are proving it ought to greater than definitely worth the wait.
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DXMON, “Women, Love Boys, Love Women”
Rising rookie boy band DXMON made a splash on the Ok-pop scene with a punk-rock search for their debut in January. The sextet comply with up with “Women, Love Boys, Love Women” that has a lighter strategy however nonetheless brings a punch of intense nostalgia that would mark a signature model for the brand new group.
