I’ll be making my 2025 Ok-pop resolutions tomorrow, however earlier than I put that power into the universe I’d prefer to rewind to final 12 months’s needs and see how 2024 did.
Spoiler: 2024 did terribly.
1. Much less Sing-Discuss and Extra MELODY
“Of all my resolutions, that is the largest one. Are you able to inform by the truth that my keyboard briefly switched to CAPS LOCK?
Melody will at all times be my favourite element of a tune. I really like melodies which can be massive, daring and shocking — ones with dynamic vary that make me wish to sing alongside. However this 12 months, subdued (or shouty) sing-talk tended to be the norm. Ok-pop parts like idea, choreo and visuals took priority far too typically. There’s a cause I really like second and third gen Ok-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 assume Ok-pop is starting to drag itself away from the chant-heavy constructions that characterised a lot of the business’s fourth technology. Nevertheless, the melodies we’ve now are sometimes flat and/or subdued. Child steps, I assume. Melody is beginning to come again. Now I simply want it to search out its dynamic vary.
2. Teams with a Distinctive Musical Perspective
“That is one other massive want of mine. Over the course of the 12 months, I’ve realized how vital a singular perspective and imaginative and prescient will be for a pop act. Positive, nice songs can stand on their very own no matter who’s performing them, however I really like when acts have their very own musical “model.” I’ve referred to as it a “signature sound” earlier than, and it often requires an artist to work carefully with one or two primary producers for consistency. In 2023, the overwhelming majority of Ok-pop bled collectively, with camps of producers crafting pick-and-mix materials that might have gone to an unlimited 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 good 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 manner ahead. I hope this strategy continues to develop within the new 12 months.
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 traits. 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 referred to as out in final 12 months’s put up (Infinite and SHINee) didn’t even have comebacks in 2024 so this decision is unfulfilled.
4. Extra Lady Teams with a Propulsive Pop Sound
“IVE’s I Am was an excellent 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 essentially absent in a sea of NewJeans and BLACKPINK clones, and I miss it very a lot!”
Did 2024 ship? — Nope
By no means, 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 keen on choosing up the mantle Kara, GFriend, WJSN and 9 Muses left behind. Even acts who appeared primed for this model (IVE) selected a distinct power in 2024.
5. Boy Teams, Preserve 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 comply with the rhythm in 2024, however discover a method 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 traits are in the intervening time, and with the success of teams like TWS, ZEROBASEONE and RIIZE I think about these traits will proceed to be vivid 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!
“Truthfully, I’ve had sufficient of the subdued, flat sounds that appear to be so widespread proper now. I crave bombast. Give me a complete symphony. Throw the kitchen sink at us!”
Did 2024 ship? — By no means
Nope, we’re nonetheless in subdued, “beige pop” mode — mirroring the music topping pop charts all around the world. It’s the overriding development of the second, sadly, and we simply must work our manner by means of it.
7. Longer, Extra Developed Songs
“So many 2023 tracks might have improved with an additional minute or so. Bridges have grow to be extra scarce in Ok-pop, and that’s a disgrace. Not each tune must be longer than three minutes, however when 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 development in 2024, however just a few acts (TWS) showcased how one can cram a ton of concepts and growth into this slim body. So actually, size isn’t as vital as density (that’s not some type of bizarre euphemism, I swear)
8. No Extra Kicking Out Members for Silly Causes
“Two of my favourite acts of the 12 months (The Wind, RIIZE) misplaced members this 12 months as a consequence 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 keen on “good” folks, 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 bought kicked out of Tempest for a fair dumber cause.
9. Greater than One Title Observe from Sweetune
“This one’s an evergreen want, however the truth that Sweetune delivered my favourite Ok-pop observe of 2023 merely means we want extra music from them in 2024. And in the event that they’re not going to grow to be extra prolific, I want a brand new set of producers to select 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 Little one
“I like to finish these lists with a extra particular, private want. Golden Little one have been my Ok-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 assume they’re being promoted properly 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 often.
In brief, I’m undecided what I would like precisely. No matter provides us extra nice music in a construction that advantages the group, I assume…”
Did 2024 ship? — Oh god, I don’t even wanna discuss it
So… the fellows 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?).
