I’ll be making my 2025 Okay-pop resolutions tomorrow, however earlier than I put that vitality into the universe I’d prefer to rewind to final yr’s needs and see how 2024 did.
Spoiler: 2024 did terribly.
1. Much less Sing-Speak and Extra MELODY
“Of all my resolutions, that is the most important one. Are you able to inform by the truth that my keyboard briefly switched to CAPS LOCK?
Melody will all the time be my favourite element of a tune. I like melodies which are massive, daring and shocking — ones with dynamic vary that make me need to sing alongside. However this yr, subdued (or shouty) sing-talk tended to be the norm. Okay-pop components like idea, choreo and visuals took priority far too typically. There’s a motive I like second and third gen Okay-pop a lot. These melodies have endured all through the years. I hope 2024 marks a return to this strategy.”
Did 2024 ship? — Not likely, although I really feel the tide beginning to change…
In contrast to a couple years in the past, I do suppose Okay-pop is starting to tug itself away from the chant-heavy constructions that characterised a lot of the business’s fourth technology. Nevertheless, the melodies we’ve got now are sometimes flat and/or subdued. Child steps, I suppose. Melody is beginning to come again. Now I simply want it to seek out its dynamic vary.
2. Teams with a Distinctive Musical Perspective
“That is one other massive want of mine. Over the course of the yr, I’ve realized how vital a novel perspective and imaginative and prescient might be for a pop act. Certain, nice songs can stand on their very own no matter who’s performing them, however I like when acts have their very own musical “model.” I’ve known as it a “signature sound” earlier than, and it normally requires an artist to work carefully with one or two important producers for consistency. In 2023, the overwhelming majority of Okay-pop bled collectively, with camps of producers crafting pick-and-mix materials that might have gone to an enormous array of artists. In 2024, I’d love to listen to some extra idiosyncratic voices.”
Did 2024 ship? — Once more, we’re getting there…
My favourite teams of 2024 tended to have a definite id and sound, marked by a decent group of producers that crafted music to go well with their ideas. There aren’t a ton of them proper now, however these acts level a promising method ahead. I hope this strategy continues to develop within the new yr.
3. Now That They’re Again, a Inventive Renaissance for my Second-Gen Faves
“I’m delighted to have teams like Infinite and SHINee again. Now that they’ve returned, I hope 2024 sees them launch materials that doesn’t chase developments. I would like these teams to do what they do greatest and unveil some new classics of their discographies.”
Did 2024 ship? — Nope
The 2 acts I known as out in final yr’s submit (Infinite and SHINee) didn’t even have comebacks in 2024 so this decision is unfulfilled.
4. Extra Woman Teams with a Propulsive Pop Sound
“IVE’s I Am was a superb begin, however there weren’t many different 2023 songs that sounded prefer it. I’m hoping some teams choose up the mantle proudly held by previous acts like Kara, GFriend, WJSN and 9 Muses. This massive, propulsive dance sound is basically absent in a sea of NewJeans and BLACKPINK clones, and I miss it very a lot!”
Did 2024 ship? — Nope
In no way, actually. This was one of many greatest causes I had such a tough time coming round to woman group music in 2024. No group appears inquisitive about selecting up the mantle Kara, GFriend, WJSN and 9 Muses left behind. Even acts who appeared primed for this model (IVE) selected a distinct vitality in 2024.
5. Boy Teams, Maintain Following the Funk… however Personalize It
“I’m having fun with the brighter sound palette tried by lots of 2023’s boy teams, however too typically this sound is smoothed of its edges and both feels like sanitized radio fodder or a less-exciting Seventeen knockoff. I hope boy teams proceed to observe the rhythm in 2024, however discover a solution to make it their very own.”
Did 2024 ship? — They adopted the funk, however they didn’t personalize
I really take pleasure in the place boy group developments are in the intervening time, and with the success of teams like TWS, ZEROBASEONE and RIIZE I think about these developments will proceed to be vibrant and funky in 2025. Nevertheless, many teams churned out a light-weight funk sound in 2024 with out making it their very own. This resulted in enjoyable — however generic — music.
6. Carry the Drama!
“Actually, I’ve had sufficient of the subdued, flat sounds that appear to be so in style proper now. I crave bombast. Give me an entire symphony. Throw the kitchen sink at us!”
Did 2024 ship? — In no way
Nope, we’re nonetheless in subdued, “beige pop” mode — mirroring the music topping pop charts all around the world. It’s the overriding pattern of the second, sadly, and we simply have to work our method by way of it.
7. Longer, Extra Developed Songs
“So many 2023 tracks might have improved with an additional minute or so. Bridges have turn out to be extra scarce in Okay-pop, and that’s a disgrace. Not each tune must be longer than three minutes, however in case you’re going to shorten the size to attraction to streaming platforms, please don’t skimp on the small print. We’d like three choruses… minimal.”
Did 2024 ship? — Largely no
Quick songs continued to be the pattern in 2024, however a number of acts (TWS) showcased how one can cram a ton of concepts and improvement into this slender body. So actually, size isn’t as vital as density (that’s not some form of bizarre euphemism, I swear)
8. No Extra Kicking Out Members for Silly Causes
“Two of my favourite acts of the yr (The Wind, RIIZE) misplaced members this yr on account of causes that really feel foolish. Whereas the door is open for some to return again, I want the business to recover from itself and provides these human performers an opportunity to make errors. I’m not inquisitive about “good” individuals, and I’m sick of teams being decimated due to unfair requirements positioned on idols.”
Did 2024 ship? — Ha! Hahaha (sob)
Not solely did 2024 give us the “is-he-back-or-not” Seunghan saga, however poor Hwarang acquired kicked out of Tempest for a fair dumber motive.
9. Greater than One Title Monitor from Sweetune
“This one’s an evergreen want, however the truth that Sweetune delivered my favourite Okay-pop observe of 2023 merely means we’d like extra music from them in 2024. And in the event that they’re not going to turn out to be extra prolific, I want a brand new set of producers to choose up the mantle. Nobody is doing it like Sweetune nowadays. Why is that?”
Did 2024 ship? — …
How about… zero?
10. A Renewal (or Restructure?) for Golden Youngster
“I like to finish these lists with a extra particular, private want. Golden Youngster have been my Okay-pop bias group for years now, and their contract ends in 2024. I actually don’t need them to disband, but I additionally don’t suppose they’re being promoted nicely in the intervening time. I don’t need them to depart Woollim Leisure, as a result of that’s the place the nice songs are. However I additionally need them to be in a spot the place they’re capable of launch music extra incessantly.
Briefly, I’m unsure what I would like precisely. No matter offers us extra nice music in a construction that advantages the group, I suppose…”
Did 2024 ship? — Oh god, I don’t even wanna speak about it
So… the blokes renewed their contracts solely to depart the company three months later? Woollim Leisure appears fully cooked at this level, which is a tragic demise for an company I as soon as thought-about my favourite within the business. For Golcha particularly, the one hope appears to be that they’ll regroup beneath a brand new company (Infinite Firm, are you listening?).