Final yr, H1-KEY took a extra rock influenced flip with their glorious summer time mini album Lovestruck. They’ve caught with lots of the similar collaborators for its follow-up, starting to develop a signature sound that spotlights their sturdy vocals. I’m all the time comfortable to listen to consistency like this, even when title observe To. My First Love (나의 첫사랑에게) isn’t as sturdy as its predecessor.

Rock music is in every single place in Ok-pop in the meanwhile, however a music like this has a particular sound that’s typically in comparison with anime opening themes. It’s huge, cheerful and anthemic. It jogs my memory of one thing early SNSD would have rattled off throughout an occasional electrical guitar second. Or for a extra fashionable take, you could possibly place it as a “gentle” model of Dreamcatcher’s oeuvre. For this music particularly, I’m reminded of Korea’s drama OSTs. You possibly can virtually see the heroine of the story working down a avenue in her faculty uniform.

However not like 2025’s Summer season Was You, the melodies right here don’t hit notably exhausting. The refrain is effusive and immediately memorable, however that’s largely as a result of it feels like so many different songs inside this particular sub-genre. In the meantime, the verses make use of a pleasant sense of elevate however by no means seize a melodic construction distinctive sufficient to tug at your ear. The music is egged alongside by barreling percussion and shiny guitar line, making certain the vitality by no means flags. For this alone, To. My First Love is a refreshing entry in 2026’s boring Ok-pop slate. Nonetheless, I’m unsure how typically I’ll return to it — particularly when in comparison with the group’s previous hits.

Grade: B-