Nayeon, ATEEZ, Sunmi, A.C.E, WayV, Saay & More
With groups celebrating anniversaries, like Super Junior and INFINITE, alongside solo superstars like NAYEON, XIA, Sunmi and BOL4, which new song gets your vote?
Nayeon
JYP Entertainment
Every week, the Korean music scene delivers outstanding songs across many genres and designs, and the previous week was no exception, with a heavy-hitting choice of hits with international and crossover possible, satisfyingly nostalgic duets and some of 2024’s most promising new artists.
A slew of key solo stars have returned to the scene lately, with NAYEON of TWICE dropping her sophomore solo work, NA, Friday (June 14), hoping to make history once again following becoming the initially-ever K-pop soloist to score a Top 10 album on the Billboard 200 with 2022’s IM NAYEON. Meanwhile, Kim Jae Joong and XIA — who come from legendary groups TVXQ! and JYJ — signaled thrilling returns to the market with their new tracks, although Sunmi, SAAY, BOL4 and GISELLE of aespa all have new material for fans.
On the group front, beloved acts like Super Junior and INFINITE are celebrating vital milestones with anniversary singles. Meanwhile, A.C.E, ATEEZ and WayV are all proving how universal their most current releases are with new singles in numerous languages and/or finding distinct therapies via new remixes.
As the K-pop market moves at a speedy pace, it is vital to pause and appreciate the innovation and diversity it delivers across its distinct acts. Previously, Billboard readers rallied behind ONEUS’ “Now” as the leading K-pop choose of the week as properly as Jung Kook’s “Never Let Go” as their favourite new music in all genres final week.
Take a moment to discover these 13 gems that embody the spirit of the scene and deserve a spot on your playlist. Then, cast your vote in our poll for the leading of K-pop for the previous week.
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NAYEON, “ABCD”
Image Credit: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage The TWICE superstar returns with her sophomore solo work, NA, which showcases a variety of genres tackled with Korean and English tracks, led by the super-pop single “ABCD.” Over blasting brassy beats, NAYEON sings, “A, you’re gonna B my babe/ Every time you C me, fall D-eeper deeper babe,” no doubt hypnotizing fans into what ought to be yet another stellar chart displaying.
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INFINITE, “Flower”
Released to celebrate INFINITE’s 14th anniversary with each other, “Flower” is a melodious track that showcases the boy band’s harmonious vocals and intricate arrangements, proving their continued evolution as artists. Hopefully it is not considerably longer till they place out yet another album with each other.
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BOL4, “Lips” feat. GISELLE of aespa
BOL4’s signature soothing delivery gets a jolt of power teaming up with aespa’s GISELLE and her swift, charismatic rap style, producing a captivating fusion of indie pop and hip-hop that is each refreshing and addictive — great for the summertime.
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A.C.E, “Supernatural”
A.C.E’s “Supernatural” combines mystique-laden lyrics with a sound heavily inspired by really feel-great funk and soul, resulting in an addictive, harmony-heavy jam. Reunited for the initially time in years, the 5 members provide their most current in each Korean and English versions, topped off with an irresistible whistle hook tends to make this a enormous standout and a universally attractive single in their discography.
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Kim Jae Joong, “I AM U”
As the K-pop veteran gears up to celebrate his 20th anniversary in the scene, “I AM U” is a heartfelt, mid-tempo rock-pop efficiency that emphasizes the JYJ star’s emotive vocal delivery. It’s a reminder of his lasting influence on the market.
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Sunmi, “Balloon in Love”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Makeus Entertainment One of K-pop’s most regularly inventive and impressive soloists, Sunmi fancies herself a balloon dependent on adore to retain her filled in her low-important adore jam “Balloon in Love.”
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EVERGLOW, “ZOMBIE”
With a slow-moving and horror-film like opening, EVERGLOW utilizes grinding synthesizers and moments of captivating flutes to make “ZOMBIE” into a pulsating-however-elusive track that manages to nevertheless match the group’s fiery and fierce power.
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Super Junior, “Show Time”
Crafted for Super Junior’s 19th anniversary this year, “Show Time” delivers yet another 1 of the group’s signature, higher-power anthems that feels created to be performed on stage. Its series of infectious hooks (and polished choreography, to boot) proves SuJu’s enduring appeal in the K-pop market.
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SAAY, “DOMINO”
With a stand-out release for the week, singer-songwriter SAAY delivers her most current in the experimental R&B song “DOMINO.” The English track is an thrilling new avenue for the Universal Music Korea signee, who currently boasts 3 complete-length K-pop records below her belt, and has us curious to hear a lot more.
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XIA, “Our Season”
Another JYJ member also celebrating 20 years in the market, XIA returns with the piano-led “Our Season,” marking a beautifully orchestrated mid-tempo reduce that highlights his vocal variety and emotional expression, generating this 1 a great listen for any season.
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WayV, “Give Me That”
WayV’s fifth EP, Give Me That, incorporates the title track in each Korean and Chinese, combining slick R&B rhythms and smooth vocals to compliment the band’s sharp choreography. Yet yet another bold, sonic venture from the China-primarily based outfit, “Give Me That” solidifies WayV’s reputation as 1 of the most versatile units in the NCT universe.
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Paul Blanco, “Every Night”
With yet another immediate hit in an currently impeccable collection of songs, Paul Blanco delivers 1 of his most accessible singles however in the melodic, R&B groove of “Every Night.” Recorded in largely English for more crossover possible, the track boasts the coziness of a late summer time evening wrapped up in Blanco’s warm, heartfelt crooning.
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ATEEZ X EDEN-ary, “WORK Pt.3”
Image Credit: DAEHAN CHAE High off however yet another enormous debut on the Billboard 200, ATEEZ continue the achievement of their Golden Hour : Part.1 EP by teaming up with longtime inventive collaborator EDEN-ary (also identified as the soloist EDEN) for the third take of new single “WORK,” following Don Diablo took a stab final week. ATEEZ’s classic intensity stays intact with EDEN-ary’s masterful production that is capable to transform their release into a genre-bending track with components of EDM and Latin, recalling the addictive nature of J Balvin’s “Mi Gente.”
