I’ll be making my 2025 K-pop resolutions tomorrow, but before I put that energy into the universe I’d like to rewind to last year’s wishes and see how 2024 did.
Spoiler: 2024 did terribly.
1. Less Sing-Talk and More MELODY
“Of all my resolutions, this is the biggest one. Can you tell by the fact that my keyboard briefly switched to CAPS LOCK?
Melody will always be my favorite component of a song. I love melodies that are big, bold and surprising — ones with dynamic range that make me want to sing along. But this year, subdued (or shouty) sing-talk tended to be the norm. K-pop elements like concept, choreo and visuals took precedence far too often. There’s a reason I love second and third gen K-pop so much. Those melodies have endured throughout the years. I hope 2024 marks a return to this approach.”
Did 2024 deliver? — Not really, though I feel the tide starting to change…
Compared to a few years ago, I do think K-pop is beginning to pull itself away from the chant-heavy structures that characterized much of the industry’s fourth generation. However, the melodies we have now are often flat and/or subdued. Baby steps, I guess. Melody is starting to come back. Now I just need it to find its dynamic range.
2. Groups with a Unique Musical Perspective
“This is another big wish of mine. Over the course of the year, I’ve realized how important a unique perspective and vision can be for a pop act. Sure, great songs can stand on their own regardless of who’s performing them, but I love when acts have their own musical “brand.” I’ve called it a “signature sound” before, and it usually requires an artist to work closely with one or two main producers for consistency. In 2023, the vast majority of K-pop bled together, with camps of producers crafting pick-and-mix material that could have gone to a vast array of artists. In 2024, I’d love to hear some more idiosyncratic voices.”
Did 2024 deliver? — Again, we’re getting there…
My favorite groups of 2024 tended to have a distinct identity and sound, marked by a tight group of producers that crafted music to suit their concepts. There aren’t a ton of them right now, but these acts point a promising way forward. I hope this approach continues to grow in the new year.
3. Now That They’re Back, a Creative Renaissance for my Second-Gen Faves
“I’m delighted to have groups like Infinite and SHINee back. Now that they’ve returned, I hope 2024 sees them release material that doesn’t chase trends. I want these groups to do what they do best and unveil some new classics in their discographies.”
Did 2024 deliver? — Nope
The two acts I called out in last year’s post (Infinite and SHINee) didn’t even have comebacks in 2024 so this resolution is unfulfilled.
4. More Girl Groups with a Propulsive Pop Sound
“IVE’s I Am was a good start, but there weren’t many other 2023 songs that sounded like it. I’m hoping some groups pick up the mantle proudly held by past acts like Kara, GFriend, WJSN and Nine Muses. This big, propulsive dance sound is largely absent in a sea of NewJeans and BLACKPINK clones, and I miss it very much!”
Did 2024 deliver? — Nope
Not at all, in fact. This was one of the biggest reasons I had such a hard time coming around to girl group music in 2024. No group seems interested in picking up the mantle Kara, GFriend, WJSN and Nine Muses left behind. Even acts who seemed primed for this style (IVE) chose a different energy in 2024.
5. Boy Groups, Keep Following the Funk… but Personalize It
“I’m enjoying the brighter sound palette attempted by many of 2023’s boy groups, but too often this sound is smoothed of its edges and either sounds like sanitized radio fodder or a less-exciting Seventeen knockoff. I hope boy groups continue to follow the rhythm in 2024, but find a way to make it their own.”
Did 2024 deliver? — They followed the funk, but they didn’t personalize
I actually enjoy where boy group trends are at the moment, and with the success of groups like TWS, ZEROBASEONE and RIIZE I imagine these trends will continue to be bright and funky in 2025. However, many groups churned out a light funk sound in 2024 without making it their own. This resulted in fun — but generic — music.
6. Bring the Drama!
“Honestly, I’ve had enough of the subdued, flat sounds that seem to be so popular right now. I crave bombast. Give me a whole symphony. Throw the kitchen sink at us!”
Did 2024 deliver? — Not at all
Nope, we’re still in subdued, “beige pop” mode — mirroring the music topping pop charts all over the world. It’s the overriding trend of the moment, unfortunately, and we just need to work our way through it.
7. Longer, More Developed Songs
“So many 2023 tracks could have improved with an extra minute or so. Bridges have become more scarce in K-pop, and that’s a shame. Not every song needs to be longer than three minutes, but if you’re going to shorten the length to appeal to streaming platforms, please don’t skimp on the details. We need three choruses… minimum.”
Did 2024 deliver? — Mostly no
Short songs continued to be the trend in 2024, but a few acts (TWS) showcased how you can cram a ton of ideas and development into this narrow frame. So really, length isn’t as important as density (that’s not some sort of weird euphemism, I swear)
8. No More Kicking Out Members for Stupid Reasons
“Two of my favorite acts of the year (The Wind, RIIZE) lost members this year due to reasons that feel silly. While the door is open for some to come back, I need the industry to get over itself and give these human performers a chance to make mistakes. I’m not interested in “perfect” people, and I’m sick of groups being decimated because of unfair standards placed on idols.”
Did 2024 deliver? — Ha! Hahaha (sob)
Not only did 2024 give us the “is-he-back-or-not” Seunghan saga, but poor Hwarang got kicked out of Tempest for an even dumber reason.
9. More than One Title Track from Sweetune
“This one’s an evergreen wish, but the fact that Sweetune delivered my favorite K-pop track of 2023 simply means we need more music from them in 2024. And if they’re not going to become more prolific, I need a new set of producers to pick up the mantle. No one is doing it like Sweetune these days. Why is that?”
Did 2024 deliver? — …
How about… zero?
10. A Renewal (or Restructure?) for Golden Child
“I like to end these lists with a more specific, personal wish. Golden Child have been my K-pop bias group for years now, and their contract ends in 2024. I really don’t want them to disband, yet I also don’t think they’re being promoted well at the moment. I don’t want them to leave Woollim Entertainment, because that’s where the great songs are. But I also want them to be in a place where they’re able to release music more frequently.
In short, I’m not sure what I want exactly. Whatever gives us more great music in a structure that benefits the group, I guess…”
Did 2024 deliver? — Oh god, I don’t even wanna talk about it
So… the guys renewed their contracts only to leave the agency three months later? Woollim Entertainment seems completely cooked at this point, which is a sad demise for an agency I once considered my favorite in the industry. For Golcha specifically, the only hope seems to be that they’ll regroup under a new agency (Infinite Company, are you listening?).