K-pop is constantly evolving, shifting from heavily conceptual themes to more accessible, easy-listening songs that resonate with the new generation.
The easy-listening era kicked off with the arrival of NewJeans and hit singles like “Attention” and “Hype Boy.”

Easy-listening tracks typically feature medium to low-toned, catchy hooks that are simple to sing along to and usually last less than three minutes.
For example, BoyNextDoor‘s “Nice Guy,” the lead single from the group’s third EP “19.99” fits this mold.
“It’s a catchy song that even those who don’t know us will enjoy. The sing-along section in the latter part will get listeners to join in,” said Riwoo of BoyNextDoor.
Fifty Fifty, a K-pop quintet that recently redebuted with four new members, also embraced this style with “SOS.”
The song quickly climbed to No. 1 on YouTube’s trending music chart and entered the Melon Top 100 shortly after its release.
In contrast, in 2022, K-pop groups primarily focused on creating songs centered around their fictional universes.
Nmixx introduced its universe with “Entwurf,” which means “a design,” “draft” or “plan” in German. In this world, the seven members embark on a journey, encountering a mysterious nemesis along the way.
Similarly, Aespa debuted within the fictional universe of Kwangya, shared among SM Entertainment artists, where they pursued intensely conceptual tracks.
This universe provided fans with engaging content, significantly contributing to the group‘s popularity.

Recently, a noticeable new trend has emerged in easy-listening K-pop songs: the incorporation of house music, characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a tempo of 115-130 beats per minute.
For instance, “Steady,” the title track from NCT Wish’s first mini-album released in September, features house influences combined with UK garage and Jersey club beats, creating a sophisticated melody.
K-pop groups are also focusing on introducing original music genres that define their sound. Riize has labeled its signature genre as “emotional pop,” describing it as a fusion of punk rock and pop, accompanied by relatable lyrics.
Similarly, boy group TWS has introduced “boyhood pop,” characterized by lyrics that evoke feelings of nostalgia and refreshing melodies.
Nmixx‘s signature genre, “Mixx pop,” blends two or more genres within a single track, showcasing diversity throughout their discography with varying intensity from song to song.
This is part of a series that introduces aspects of K-pop that will help you better understand the music, artists, fans and business of K-pop. -- Ed.